Even in times of peace the warrior cannot let his guard down and become complacent. Men of the sword must be ever watchful, ever diligent and ever conscientious. For they are bearers of hope and light, the carriers of the torch of freedom in spirit and its essence. Experience a story quite unlike any other where young warriors, Guardians as they are known discover what it means to hold the hilt of the sword!
Irusalem
5,000 Years before The Treaty of The Great Peace
Our world might be coming to an end?
Etienne and Bacuna approach their friends, there is a feeling in the air of gloom and doom. Yet, these two are as cheerful as ever, you would think that they have been in this situation before. But who am I kidding! No one has ever faced the kind of peril before these five.
Enki sits on his red cloud on the desolate planet known as Irusalem, a barren waste land now after years of anguish, war and confusion. He looks out to space in somewhat of a deep meditation or pondering. This has always seemed strange to the five young men who follow him, for he is a God. They always thought that God's just did and didn't wonder or think about it.
Suddenly a quarrel breaks out between Creale and Jhzo, Rhyzok attempts to part the scuffle as Bacuna and Etienne hurry over.
“Let them have a go at it! We all have different ways of letting off our steam.” Bacuna laughs. “Really? At a time like this!” Rhyzok responds.
Jhzo turns to Bacuna and advances towards him with a harsh tone. Bacuna puts the green bottle of spirits to his head and gobbles it down in one drink.
“Here, break the empty bottle, maybe it will bring us some good luck!” Bacuna laughs. He then elbows Etienne to the shoulder softly and then laughs loudly, Etienne attempts to hold in his laughter forcibly and succeeds. Jhzo walks towards Etienne lifts his chin and smells his breath.
“So, you've made the boy a drinking buddy of yours now?” Jhzo asks. “And?” Bacuna replies. “Keep your spirits to yourself, he is much too young!” Jhzo says sternly.
“Life in this damn Quadrant in itself is short, and it's even shorter for a warrior, let the kid live!” Bacuna replies!
Creale walks between the two and locks eyes with Jhzo, the expression on his face says that whatever quarrel they were having, must have been important to him and he wasn't going to let it go so easily.
“I will not have my sister being a widow, you will take the next ship back home, walking, or I will place you into a seat!' Creale says to Jhzo.
Bacuna taps Creale on the shoulder attempting to state his case for his argument being more important and weapons are drawn, Jhzo attempts to intervene, and the weapons are pointed his way, a three-way duel has now erupted.
“Foolish as ever, to draw a sword against me! I shall enjoy this.” Jhzo laughs.
The clangs and clashes of swords can be heard throughout an abandoned city of Irusalem, as the scuffle intensifies, Jhzo leaps to the roof of an old building and the two follow, it is a two on one.
They duel vigorous and viciously!
“Great minds think alike, eh, let's get him for once.” Creale smiles to Bacuna.
Jhzo makes a run for it and then flips backwards between the two, they both miss their attacks, and their swords collide angering each other.
“Great minds, ha! As if I would fall to layman swordsmen like yourself.” Jhzo says.
Etienne rushes to join the battle, but is held in a choke by Rhyzok, his hands flail in the air as Rhyzok holds him with one hand and keeps a hold of his trident in the other. As he tries an elbow Rhyzok ducks, swings him out by one hand as if in a waltz and then pulls him into himself as he drives his shoulder to his stomach. Etienne hits the floor in pain, which soon turns to laughter.
“Got ya!” Etienne says. He flings the dust from the ground into Rhyzok's eyes and then scrambles away to join the battle.
As Bacuna and Creale both run towards Jhzo with a side high guard, Etienne comes crashing through a wooden roof. He lands directly in front of Jhzo.
“Let's get them Lord Jhzo!” Etienne says, as he winks once to Bacuna and once to Creale letting them know that he is on their side.
They both smile!
“I see! The old eye wink signal, I could see your facial skin move from behind, in that case.” Jhzo says. Sweat runs down Etienne's face. He draws his double swords and immediately goes on the offensive.
“Spinning Tornado Strike!” Etienne yells! Jhzo goes down to one knee to block the attack. “Now you guys, get him!” Etienne laughs.
“As if!” Jhzo says. He parries Etienne into the direction of the others using pure brute strength. The young warrior acrobatically flips through the air before coming to a landing, between his co-conspirators.
“Charge!” Etienne yells.
Jhzo deflects Creale's attack, and then jumps as he dodges a double undercut attack on his legs by Etienne, the young warrior follows up with a flipping overhead kick but misses by a lot as Jhzo dashes backward and uses his sword as a brake.
“I tell you what, I'll close my eyes, that ought to give you lot a shot.” Jhzo says.
Bacuna reaches for a small flask in his waist and gobbles it down like a child tasting juice for the first time.
“You use that sword as if it were a part of you, why don't you try closing your eyes and sheathing that extra body part of yours.” Bacuna grunts and grumbles.
“Hmm! Why not?” Jhzo says arrogantly. The two forces charge at each other.
Come to me a voice says softly!
This is the voice of the God, Enki, he snaps his fingers, and they appear before him. They quickly get their act together and Enki smiles.
“You know I'm a God!” Enki says. “Yes.” They all swallow and say. “Then why don't you five treat me like a God?” Enki enquires. “That was a question.” He smiles, as he paces in front of them.
The Planet Rumbles! They all look at each other in somewhat fear except for Etienne!
“Why did you choose us? Etienne smiles!
“Answering a question with a question?” The God Enki could barely contain his joy.
He then places his hand on each of their shoulders as he walks down the row they formed.
“I have something for you all! Jhzo you are a strong leader and tactician and have a great vision of what the future should be. Bacuna you act as if nothing phases you, but really everything does, every aspect of a mission, you would gladly lay down your life for anyone here, but you think about how they would mourn you should you pass. Etienne, young, vibrant and enough energy to power a star, the others know that you cry for the senseless loss of life in this conflict but would count on you as much as they count on me. Rhyzok the foundation of this group, you are not one to talk much, but somehow at the essence, the core of the group, you help others keep their cool in the important times. Creale, no one in this universe has a heart like you, you love deeply and passionately and even feel for the enemy you strike down in battle.” Enki says.
“On this day, I bestow upon you, The Auras, you are no longer ordinary men, you are keepers at the gates of life and destiny for billions of lives, uphold peace, uphold justice, uphold freedom and equality, for The Light of Osogbo, burns brightly in you more than any beings in the world of reality that I have come by!” Enki says passionately.