ASHIX-THE LOST GUARDIAN

"When drums of joy beat too loud, beware the silence that follows—

For even the stars can be deceived when light wears a mask."

The sun bled into the sky like spilled wine, casting golden light across Velmora's rounded rooftops and stone archways. As Ashix, Marini, Elira, and Naru stepped through the intricately carved gates, the village burst to life before them—a kaleidoscope of colors, music, and celebration.

Velmora was unlike any place they'd seen. Stalls lined the wide circular plaza, selling roasted meats, glimmering cloths, painted masks, and odd trinkets that hummed with hidden magic. The air smelled of cinnamon and spiced oil. Children in copper-threaded tunics darted between dancers who twirled in rhythm to deep ceremonial drums. Lanterns floated in the air, not hung from strings, but drifting on invisible currents, their glass bellies filled with blue fireflies.

But amid the wonder, Marini whispered, "Look closer."

Ashix did. And then he noticed. Painted symbols of a familiar flame adorned banners hanging from towers—Kael Thorne's crest. The villagers, though cheerful, all wore the same emblem, etched into their cloaks, their bracelets, even the masks they sold.

"They revere Kael," Jake muttered, his voice tight.

"And this festival," Elira added quietly, her eyes searching, "was not mentioned in any of the local legends we read. Something feels… off."

Ashix's hand brushed the hilt of the new spirit-sword strapped to his back. The blade still shimmered faintly with guardian light—Narthal's gift. But even its magic seemed subdued here, as if the village's atmosphere suppressed more than just doubts.

As they moved deeper into Velmora, a quiet voice called from the side of the road.

"You shouldn't be here, not during the Festival of Chains."

They turned to find a hunched old woman sitting beneath a tattered blue canopy, her eyes glowing pale silver under her hood. Her name, as they would soon learn, was Elder Maelin.

"You wear the burden of destiny," she rasped, her eyes fixed on Ashix. "I've seen you in the sacred flame. You walk the Guardian's path."

Ashix stepped closer. "You… know who I am?"

"I knew your kind would return," Maelin whispered. "I was once a follower of the Old Flame, the one before Kael turned it into a weapon. But beware—the festival is not for joy. It is for binding. Tonight, they will bind another guardian to Kael's will, through blood and oath. The mask you see on their faces is not just wood."

Marini narrowed her eyes. "Then why hold a festival? What are they celebrating?"

"The illusion of choice," Maelin said, standing slowly. "Come. If you wish to stop them, follow me. But you must act before the Moon Crown ascends."

As they trailed behind Maelin through a winding alley veiled by woven silks, Naru's fur bristled. "We're being watched."

Indeed, behind them, villagers stopped to glance too long. A man with painted eyes followed them a block too far before ducking behind a stall.

Suddenly, the drums stopped.

From the center of Velmora, a great bell rang—a low, haunting sound. The villagers froze in unison, then slowly began walking toward the central plaza like moths drawn to flame. The group followed from the shadows, hearts pounding.

At the center of the plaza stood a massive circular platform surrounded by iron poles strung with crystal chains. A masked priest stepped onto the platform, raising both hands. From beneath a velvet covering, something began to rise—an obelisk bound in silver cords and pulsing with a faint hum.

Elira gasped. "That's no relic. That's a living seal."

Ashix recognized it too—it was a Guardian Stone, similar to the one that had awakened his powers.

"They're trying to convert it," he whispered. "Force it to serve Kael."

Around the obelisk, villagers formed a circle, chanting words Ashix could barely understand. As the chant grew louder, a figure was brought forth—blindfolded, bound, and struggling. A young girl. Her hands glowed faintly.

"She's the guardian," Marini hissed. "A new one. They're going to bind her to Kael."

"We can't let that happen," Ashix said, stepping forward.

But before he could move, Maelin's hand gripped his wrist. "Wait! If you interrupt now, they will awaken the chains fully, and she'll be lost. You must break the circle from within—silence the chant at its root. There are four chanting stones placed at the edges of the plaza. Destroy them and the spell breaks."

Ashix turned to the others. "We split. Naru, with me. Elira, Marini—take the east and south corners. Fast."

As the team scattered, the chanting intensified, magic rippling across the platform. Ashix sprinted toward the first stone, hidden behind a statue of a weeping maiden. He slammed his palm against it, channeling raw guardian light. The stone cracked, releasing a wail that echoed like a dying beast.

Elsewhere, Elira summoned a shard of wind, slicing her target clean. Marini, drawing from a technique she'd long buried, spoke an old spell that made the stone dissolve into sand.

But the last was harder. At the north corner, Naru stood face-to-face with a masked enforcer—tall, robed, and wielding dual daggers imbued with shadow magic.

Ashix intervened just in time, hurling a blast of energy that sent the enforcer tumbling. Naru smashed the final stone.

The chant shattered.

Back at the platform, the circle broke. The silver cords recoiled, and the guardian girl collapsed. Chaos exploded as villagers screamed—some possessed, some awakening from their trance. The masked priest tried to flee, but Maelin stepped forward, chanting a warding spell that locked him in place.

Ashix reached the girl and cradled her gently. Her eyes fluttered open, pure gold.

"You… you stopped the chains," she whispered, her voice echoing with something ancient. "Thank you…"

TO BE CONTINUED!!!