Chapter 111 - The Ark Of The Guardians

"And you are just going to drop me off like some passenger?"

"I'm not from this Time Frame either. I'm already trespassing my own rules as a Time Mage. But while I am here, I might as well fulfill the promise I made years ago. To keep you safe."

"But I've just only met you! You are not making any sense at all!"

"Spoilers," replied the Mage.

He then leaped into the gate, dragging Nova into it.

"So, we went a hundred years into the future or the past?" asked Nova, her face seemingly disappointed at the trip.

"Past, where the last sweep from the Barren Pillars took place. They won't know you, but they'll recognize me. And by the way, what's up with your expression? Didn't enjoy the hop through? Not comfy enough for a princess?" asked Raiyen, giving a small tap on the princess's forehead.

"Didn't expect it to be that boring, that's all," she murmured.

"As I said, I'm no time traveler. I have no time machine, only me and my element. So don't expect me to pick you up in a blue box and head to Valokia," explained Raiyen, walking towards the stone entrance.

With a hundred years into the future or past, the layout should remain the same, that is if the kingdom didn't get ransacked too harshly.

"Is that another planet? Can we go?"

"I'm not a Space Mage," said Raiyen, finally dragging the girl out into the open.

Just as they left the vicinity of the castle, they were greeted by the fierce and bold footsteps of the shining armored giants of the Arks, the Barren Pillars' strongest division; the Guardians.

"They are huge!" gasped the poor princess.

Royalty and title meant nothing against these giants. They loomed over the duo, inching forward with their massive legs. Instead of flesh, they were made of rock with moss as hair.

"What do we do now? Shall I use my powers?" asked Nova, who got ready to strike.

"Are you kidding? You don't stand a chance against them. They aren't just any old Knight in shining armor, they are guardians. Their Elemental Resistance is higher than most First Rate Mages. They might just deflect your Memory attack back at you."

"So are you going to fight them?"

"Why would I? Their boss is my friend, my partner in crime," he said, smiling.

"What's a boss?"

"I am," said a voice from the guardian's shoulders.

A teen girl, about the same built as Nova, leaped down and onto the ground before the duo.

"Winged Girl!" yelled Raiyen, opening his arms wide.

"Time Boy!" replied the girl, jumping straight into the Time Mage's arms.

"Partners, eh?" asked Nova, with a cheeky smirk.

"Who's the memory person?" asked the woman, dressed in a battle suit that was unfamiliar towards Nova.

The two had a showdown in staring. The Winged Girl was the first to break the awkward silence by clearing her throat.

"Mavislin Roydon, I'm in charge of these big fellas," said Mavislin, patting one of the guardians' legs.

The Memory Princess remained silent.

"Hmm, not of your time, eh? A hundred years too early for you to be here," explained Mavislin, grinning at the girl.

"Nova Orlaith," replied the Princess.

"Sounds familiar," mumbled Mavislin.

"I'll give you a little tip here, Royal One. Whatever you do, don't piss her off. If you think those fellas by her side are formidable, then you should be very scared of the person who trained every one of them. Got that?" warned Raiyen, placing a hand on the royal girl's shoulder.

"How can such a small person train those giants!?" questioned Nova, looking at Mavislin in disbelief.

"As I said, don't piss her off. If you think the Giants are First Rate Mages, then she's a few levels above them."

"Raiyen, lunch is back at home. Baldwin has made our club sandwich. I'll be continuing in my sweep through this kingdom. Princess Orlaith, nice meeting you. I shall proceed on in raiding your empire now. Good day," said Mavislin, hopping onto a giant's shoulder.

"Well, that was one quick greeting. Why didn't you tell her about the Corrupted practices we encountered?" asked Nova, tilting her head in confusion.

"Spoilers for her. If she knew, you wouldn't have been born or had existed at all. The punishments by the Barren Pillars are not a handful to be messed with. The worse part is that the Giants aren't the ones dealing with the punishments. Their boss does."

"And exactly how powerful can she be? She's almost the same size as me!" exclaimed Nova.

"One small spell from hers can decimate an entire village if she's in the mood for it. Same goes for the rest of the Founders of The Arks," replied Raiyen, swiftly.