Trust

I blinked my eyes, a bright light searing my vision. I put my hand weakly up to cover my face. I felt a lingering falling sensation. I wasn’t falling, but it also felt like I haven’t landed yet. My gut wrenched and I turned over to empty my stomach. Nothing came out and I ended up coughing deeply, rattling my ribcage.

The light grew bearable and my eyes adjusted. Sensation started to return to my limbs. My consciousness started to ask questions, but they fell away, just as one would try to remember a dream after waking up.

I squinted at what was around me. The ground was a smooth grey substance. It had a chalky feel, and didn’t cling to my arm when I used it to stand up. There was boulders strewn about, as if I were in some construction zone and rubble was piled up. One look around told me that I had no idea where I came from. I am just here now, and a part of my brain was ok with that, strangely. Wincing, I limped toward a boulder and attempted to get on top of it. The rock was made of a different substance than the dirt, for it was a lot harsher on my fingers.

After my brief climb, I was surprised to find that it was a lot easier to catch my breath. Strangely, the exercise helped me restore my energy. I stretched my sore limbs and back and scanned the horizon. There were peculiar structures reaching skyward. What astonished me the most was that each tower had a ribbon of light that spiderwebbed up it. There were different colours, slowly pulsating. They weren’t moving, but the light flowed through the web, almost like arteries pumping lifeblood.

“Where the heck am I?” I ask to the wind, and my voice gets carried away, forgotten. I hear a massive thunder behind me, and I flinch and whip around. Nothing is in sight, but the turmoil doesn’t die down. I focus and I can hear it is clanking metal. Whatever it is, it must be bending or smashing the material. I haven’t heard metal groan in pain like that since I watched my old junker car get compacted at the wrecking yard.

Stupidly, I get down from the rock, clearly headed towards the terrifying sound. Any rational human being would run away, but no, I’m cursed with a curiosity of a cat. It’s surely gotten me in trouble before, and it most definitely is the reason I have no idea where I am and find myself headed directly toward imminent danger.

I pass a few structures, I can’t tell if they are natural or manmade. I pass by them regardless, still trying to figure out what is making the sounds. Suddenly, without warning, the metal starts screeching. It must be under immense strain. I turn the corner and see what was going on.

What I see confuses me. A glint of Red shines, capturing my attention. It’s on top of a heap of scrap metal. It only lasted like that for a second, because the true image came to me after. The metal was alive, it moved, trying to throw the Red off its back. Slowly, it came clear to me that there were metal legs, and arms, and a head. It was badly beaten up, that must be where the horrible sounds came from. I hid behind a pillar of the strange material. I took a breath, still trying to figure it out.

The pillar I hid behind started to emit heat. I looked at it questioningly. Pink tendrils started to creep out of cracks I didn’t notice before. I backed away from the pillar, one of the few rational thoughts I’ve had so far. I checked around the pillar to see if there was any danger. A Pink flash from the ground made a move towards the metal monolith. A huge crashing sounded, and my jaw dropped as a leg simply separated itself from the scrap monster. The Pink in the pillar faded, and I couldn’t see where the Pink colour was by the monster anymore. I looked for the Red glint again and it was still on top of the monster. The robot, or whatever it was, seemed to be giving up. I cautiously walked around the pillar, to get closer to what was happening.

I thought of saying something lame, like calling ‘hello?’ and hoping that no one took my leg off as well. I decided to just sneak around. The closer I got to the scrap pile, the clearer I saw how intricate it all was. There was thick ‘tendons’ of metal that made up muscles, very similar to human muscles. It was coated in rust and the damage done to the poor creature made it hard to tell how it used to look. I quieted my footsteps and breathing as I heard something move. The monster lie still on the ground, and there was some rustling beside it. Whatever downed it was still there. I was sort of out in the open, so freezing in place wouldn’t be any help if they could see me. I looked around for something. I saw yet another pillar of in the distance faintly glowing red. Are these colours connected to the killers in any way? Or is it the pillars themselves that are attacking the beast?

The leg of the beast rose up, and was tossed aside. Behind it stood what threw the gigantic heavy object. It was a human figure. How the heck they threw a 20 ton leg blew my mind. But, apparently I don’t need my mind to make bad decisions, because I started walking toward them.

The peculiar dust settled and the girl came in to view. Yeah, the girl. Specifically a girl in a pink dress. With shiny boots. And pigtails. I can’t make this stuff up. My brain wasn’t focused on how she looked for long, because it saw the giant sword she held in her dainty hand. I froze, mid-step. Her eyes connected with mine. They peered out from a pale face, accented by bright red lipstick. Her blonde hair was up in pigtails. My heart wasn’t pounding because I was in love. My heart was racing because I thought this was where I would die.

“Tiana!” Another girl’s voice called out her name. I guessed it was her name because she whipped her head around. Her pigtails swished and her sword swept across the ground, kicking up dust. I noted to keep my distance while she was wielding her weapon. Or keep my distance all the time, if she wasn’t friendly.

Pink tendrils flew up her arm like vines, appearing from thin air. She moved quickly, like she was angry. My suspicion was confirmed when she retorted, “Don’t call me that!” She took one step and flashed forward, kicking up Pink dust. That’s when I realized that the pillar behind me was leeching that Pink colour into the ground, and it was traveling towards her. She must be using it to enhance her abilities, maybe. That was way too cool. I over-hear them talking behind the pile of metal. She was probably telling her that I was here, because they both stepped out and came directly towards me.

What does my mind think of, now certain that it was going to be my last thoughts? Absolutely nothing at all. They were in front of me before I could realize I was petrified. The girl, who I assume is the reason I saw Red, was very short. She had on very thick and beautiful armor. Behind her were these very fairy-like wings. That must be the reason the glint of Red came from above the monster. She probably flies above her enemies to rain terror down on them.

“Who are you?” The small one says, coming closer than I would want. There was still 2 meters between us, but I was trembling.

“I’m Ben.” I somehow was able to say. The small armoured girl clenches her fist, still wary of me.

“Why are you here, out in the battlefield?” The cute, taller one asks. Well, cute until she slings her insane sword over her shoulder, then she suddenly is terrifying. I obviously don’t know the answer to that question, nor do I think I could be able to say anything anyway, now that I’m staring at the reason for my death in the face. She was father away, but I swear if she swung her sword at me, she would hit me from where she stood.

“In any case, it isn’t safe out here. You need to come with us.” They decided for me, and the short girl came up to me and prodded me to follow the sword-maiden named Tiana. Having no other alternative, I obliged. Better that then getting sliced cleanly in half. Still convinced I was headed to my death, I followed the strange girl in a pink dress. I thought how hilarious it really was. Such an adorable little girl carrying a massive weapon of death like it was a walk in the park. The juxtaposition was comical.

The armoured maiden kept at my side, not letting me escape. Like I could ever attempt getting away from them. I saw Tiana’s speed, it was quicker than my eye could even perceive. Nope, no funny business here. I was going to be extremely compliant. It’s that or unquestionable death. An easy decision for me, I’d say.

Along the way, I noticed the muted clay ground slowly turned to a deep brown, then a pleasant earthy colour. The pillars grew further apart, but they were also bigger.

“Where are you taking me?” It took me awhile to work up the courage to speak.

“Somewhere safer,” The little girl said. I hope that much is true.

The clay turned into a spongy material. Well, springy. It also had some green fuzz, like really fine blades of grass. It wasn’t moss, but it was some interesting material like it. The landscape got quite pretty. Rolling hills of this grass material showed up, and soon the atmosphere was even different. Everything was fresh, the air was nice to breathe, the world took on a clean feeling. The sun finally made an appearance, and the apprehension I was feeling drifted away. Maybe I can enjoy my final moments before the end.

“Do you girls always kill massive robots?” My curiosity will be the end of me. Even Princess Cutie turned to look at me.

“Were you raised under a rock? Everyone knows it’s a guardian's job to protect civilization from being overrun by the enemy.” Tiana retorts, with an air of conceitedness. I obviously have a lot to learn about where I’ve ended up.

“So you two are guardians? With superpowers, I assume.” I said jokingly, but after seeing the crazy stuff I saw today, there was an undertone of realism.

Ms. Pretty Pink flared up with her colour. I got an up-close look of the strange mesh covering her body. It wasn’t like veins, for veins are more organic and under the surface of the skin. This colour was on top of her skin and seeped through her clothes, I could see it made a grid-like lattice over her. It was mechanical, mathematical, it intersected and twisted up her arm too perfectly. The arm that lit up with Pink lifted the giant sword and I got flashed from the reflection of the sun on the shiny metal.

“Of course we are guardians, dimwit. Does this look like something a Gray could do?” She insulted me and also confused me. I had to remember to find out more about what a “Gray” was. I wouldn’t ask now, because she already thinks badly of my intelligence. With all this colour stuff though, I can only imagine that it has to do with power. So “Gray” may just be a term for someone who can’t use power.

I glanced up at the massive sword. It still was funny, even though she could cut me completely in half by just letting it fall down again. The sword was so ridiculous compared to her small stature. She wasn’t as small as the the armored, angry dwarf-lady, but she still was dainty compared to the behemoth broadsword. My mind was thinking a lot, but all that came out of my mouth was, “Wow.”

To my surprise, she blushed. The reason I know it was a blush and not the Pink colour was because it was under the skin, and a lot more organic looking. She put the sword down too hard, flustered, and accidently cleaved into the grass-like ground. There was brown clay underneath, and it was the most pleasing chestnut colour. It was so rich, no wonder the grass grew in rolling hills around this area. She started to storm off in the direction we were going, and forgot to lift her sword again. She left a huge incision as her weapon trailed behind her. Her friend huffed and prodded me to get moving again. We walked after her, avoiding stepping in the cleft earth.

She slowed down as her Pink ebbed away. Her emotions must affect her Pink. Her blushing startled me but it also made me happy. They aren’t soulless killers. I didn’t even mean to compliment her, I was just genuinely impressed. I guess it was obvious that it was genuine, which made it even more effective.

I forced myself to resist saying the typical “are we there yet?” It was so tempting to. Half the time I actually want to know if we are there yet, the other half is jokingly saying it. It is usually a mix of both. I should consider that my status is still in the “prisoner” category, however.

The pillars are now huge and beautiful. They have the moss-like grass growing up it, bright green vines hanging off, and amazing, intricate patterns carved into the stone. If you can call it stone. The rough edges, the freckled and pitted surface, made it look ancient. There were deep etchings, they were like the geometric channels of colour, but more fractured. The smaller pillars looked a lot newer compared to these monoliths.

“Why does your power light up the pillars?” I asked, I needed to get some answers soon. It was killing me to think of all these unanswered mysteries. Tickle-me-pink girl stopped in her tracks and turned around. Her face was of astonishment.

“You really don’t know anything at all, do you?” My mind kinda just tumbled as she spoke, “Do I really need to give you a history lesson?”

My blank face made her give out an exasperated sigh. She used her free hand to fix her bangs. She really had a cute hairstyle. Her blonde pigtails were held with bright blue scrunchies that I didn’t notice before.

“Let’s start from the very beginning. You are in Synthesa, a country near the equator. I would have hoped you would have known that, but judging from your look, I now have concerns. The pillars are our source of power, and the more we use and learn about our power, the more strongly they are built. So the most populated cities have the largest pillars. That means that there is more power to be used in the city. We aren’t as strong out in the battlefield, for there aren’t enough well-established pillars to draw off of. These pillars also have a choice whether to deal out power or not, so it is very hard, if impossible, to use the power in ill-intent. It would be counterproductive to kill or do something to hurt a power user, since they also benefit the pillar’s strength. If they die from fighting the enemy, though, it damages all the pillars around them, especially if they are drawing power off a pillar.” She goes on a long, surprisingly patient explanation.

“So that’s why the larger ones look more chipped and have deep markings?” I started connecting the dots of this strange place I found myself in. The girls grow somber and simply nod their heads. Their fallen allies, ancestors, friends. The pain of losing them was also written across the pillars, an ancient log of heroic soldiers.

Red creeps up the closest pillar. I now see that there is an aura, a glow, of Red that drifts towards the short girl. She draws power off the pillar, her eyes closed. Her armor repairs every scratch and becomes flawless. The Red heats up the metal, forming it closer to her. She goes from bulky, impenetrable armour, to a sleeker, tighter fitting piece. I can’t help but ogle the stunning transformation. She’s gorgeous when she lowers her defenses a bit. The breastplate is perfectly shaped to her body, a new design swirling and curling around her. Her greaves and leg armour melted together to form a pleated metallic skirt. I swear her power even changed her hairstyle. Her short hair looks much cuter now. Before, it made her look tough. It could also be a combination of the armour and her expression. She looks a little less tense. I’m glad she’s more at ease with me. I’m still a prisoner, though.

“So,” I cough awkwardly, unable to hide my interest in the transformation, “We are getting closer to civilization, I take it?”

“Aren’t you a perceptive one,” Don’t-call-me-Tiana says sarcastically. I don’t know if she was talking about me connecting the idea that larger pillars mean civilization, or if she was pointing out how I stared at her friend. Oops. Guess my hormones betrayed me. Wouldn’t be the first time.

“I never got your names,” I blurted, before we started moving again. Tiana rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.

“You can call me Titan.” An epic name coming from a cute girl didn’t work. Now I know why she didn’t want her friend to call her Tiana. “And this is Godslayer.”

At first I thought she was talking about her friend, and I would have burst out laughing. But that humour died quickly when she put her gigantic sword on her shoulder. How do I forget about that? Well, now I can’t, because I know its name. Godslayer. Very badass.

“Call me Shield,” said the shiny one. Godslayer would have been a better name than that. My humour was still scared off by the 5 meter sword, else it would have made me say something I regret. Probably would have been a bad attempt at joking, it’s better that I couldn’t think of anything whilst I look up at Godslayer.

“In that case, call me Beast.” I say, mocking their names. I’m assuming their fake names are close to their real ones, so I just made one up for myself. That mockery got me a death-stare from both of them. I don’t know if I can laugh without it sounding nervous. I’d better just stick with the fake name like I meant it.

“You make it sound like you’re a Crusader. Or at least, pretending to be.” Titan says, her arms still crossed and her eyebrow raised. Here’s some more terms that need to be explained to me.

“...” I went silent, not wanting to explain why I said that. She most definitely would be angry at me for impersonating whatever a Crusader is.

“That would explain why he was so far out. Maybe he was trying to return, and got injured. He could have lost his memory.” Shield-girl turned to Titan, speaking to her in a semi-hushed tone. I watched the skeptical look drain from Titan’s face, and it was replaced by empathy.

“Oh my Grid. You poor thing.” She tossed her broadsword aside, it sank itself into a green embankment. She stepped up to me and gave me a hug, startling me. I have no idea what conclusion they came to, but I don’t think I’m in the prisoner category anymore. And it’s freaking great. I wrap my arms around her, astonished at how quickly things turned around. A pigtail tickles my nose as I hug her. What a perfect explanation for my situation. I highly doubt it’s true, but I have a feeling that it is pushing back my impending doom. For that, I am thankful. All because of a stupid joke. I love myself.

She releases her hug after the standard sorry-for-your-loss time, but not long enough to add on the I-really-like-you feeling. Not that I was hoping for that, I just was noticing that it came off as a normal, nice hug. I feel a hundred times better, and I still don’t know what a crusader is.

“For a crusader, you’re rather colourless.” Shield says bluntly. If I knew to be offended, I most likely would be. I look at my long sleeves, and indeed, I have a gray shirt on. My skin tone is muted compared to theirs, as well.

Titan shoved Shield, although her weight from the armour made it so she barely moved an inch, and reprimanded her, “He could be drained from his experiences, why else would he attempt to come back?”

Shield look unaffected by her friend’s outburst, but acknowledged it and went silent. Titan picked up her sword out of the embankment and slung it over her shoulder, starting to make her way to civilization again. I walked next to Shield. They clearly were more comfortable with me. I didn’t feel them watching me out of the corners of their eyes anymore.

“So, Beast, can you remember where you were before you approached us?” Shield’s conversation was a lot less like interrogation now. Surprisingly, I haven’t even thought of what or where I was before. Like, actually not at all. I might have forgotten. How does someone go about just accidentally forgetting the past, and not freak out about it?

“Uh, I haven’t thought about it. I just woke up and walked around for a little bit before I found you destroying that monster.” I say awkwardly, not knowing what else to say about it. Shield pondered this, most likely thinking about my circumstances. I think I do have amnesia, although I wouldn’t have guessed so before they started talking about me. It’s funny to think how I could have just continued life, not questioning why I can’t remember. I’m the type to live in the moment, I suppose.

“Do you remember anything from yesterday, or the day before?” She looked a little surprised. I answered her no, I couldn’t remember anything but what I just told her.

We walked silently for a little bit. There was a rustling, and out from behind a rock sprung a small flash. Tiana used the back of her sword to swat it away. It looked like a little gremlin. Of course, though, it was made out of metal. It must have been some sort of spy. I can tell the girls are getting stronger. She didn’t need to draw any power to launch that little guy hundreds of meters away. The way she moved her sword, so uncaringly and with such ease. It really made it obvious that nothing could hurt them, now that the pillars are 5 times larger than they were.

The fringes of the city came into view. There were the massive pillars, of course. Built around them were comparatively short, stocky wood buildings. Each was completely unique, and all looked handmade. Beautifully crafted, it looked like dollhouses from far away. The closer we got, the more intricate and real they became. Walking past the first cottage, it became clear that these weren’t small. The houses had vaulted ceilings and wooden architecture that was as useful as it was gorgeous. Wooden beams were entire trees, it seemed like. There wasn’t any bark on the trees, because someone took the time to carve off the bark and also add lots of little details. Everything looked so organic, so polished. The grain of the wood stood out, they must have added stain as well. Sometimes the sun would actually gleam off the wood, the architect must have added some sort of protective coating.

“Wow this is really cool.” I said, entranced by the new surroundings. I was so captivated, I didn’t notice what was different about my new companions. I finally took my eyes off the villa to see that they were no longer in fighting mode at all. Tiana’s sword was now a cute keychain, hanging off of one of her bracelets. Shield had on, to my complete surprise, normal clothes. No armour, just a dress. It wasn’t a simple dress, for it still had the great intricate detail, giving off the same vibe as her armour. I stupidly looked down at myself, I don’t even know if I was expecting something different, but I was just as colourless as I remember. Maybe more so, now that there were even more amazing colours around to contrast myself to.

“We will have a specialist look at you, don’t worry. If all goes well, you should have your power back in no time.” Tiana said pleasantly. I like her attitude.

“How does Crusader power work?” I ask, not meaning to keep up the act of amnesia, but doing a splendid job at it anyway.

Tiana looks at me in slight surprise, then a look of understanding passes her face. She’s not used to having to explain that, as it must be common knowledge.

“Crusaders aren’t like Guardians. Crusaders absorb power and keep it until they need it. It is limited, and they can only hold as much as they are trained for. In comparison, Guardians can’t ever run out of power. It is a communal power they draw off of. How they use it is based on how strong they are, how much use the pillar is prepared for, and their focus.” She explained, yet again, very calmly and reasonably.

“So Crusaders take their power on crusades, adventures far away from any pillars.” I caught on to the titles. Guardians are limited to the confines of how far out the pillars were. They guard the city. Crusaders are much more mobile, if their power dwells within them.

“Yes,” Shield grows somber, “It isn’t too common to see them come back, however.” She obviously seems to be taking the story more seriously now. Heck, maybe it has truth to it, I don’t even know. For some reason, all of this isn’t over-the-top for me. I haven’t really questioned the validity of it all, or why I’m here. Hopefully their specialist will be able to get some answers.