Cedric, Hirei, Penelope and Aalaiyah were into day six of their journey to Geffen. Using a map given by the Kafra in Izlude, they headed northwest towards the Mjolnir Mountains. Cedric had a chance to test his skills against the new creatures they meet during their journey. Aalaiyah had proven herself to be a walking encyclopedia of monsters, too.

“Rockers!” said Aalaiyah on day two during their encounter with the large, human-sized grasshoppers wielding guitars. They were a loud bunch, making noises as they skipped across the Prontera Fields and strumming on their guitars tunelessly. “Medium sized insect class monsters, earth elemental. Magnum Break would do great against them.”

“Magnum Break!” Cedric landed his sword onto the ground where he concentrated all his spirit energy at. A burst of flames shot out from his sword, reaching to the two Rockers that were in close reach, pushing them back at the impact of the attack. The Rockers, now fuming(and on fire), strike Cedric with their guitars. Hirei ran forward to assist Cedric in the assault while Penelope stood back, Bible in hand to cast supportive spells on her team mates, boosting their agility and attack powers. It was an easy battle where eventually, the Rockers swung their guitar backwards and fell dead on the ground.

“Wow, Aalaiyah, you know your monsters really well,” praised Penelope after looting the legs of the Rockers.

“It’s nothing, really. I’m glad I could help with my expertise,” Aalaiyah smiled. “I’m only good at theory stuff. I’ve been learning about monster properties since I was little. It’s how they usually train us Mages. Especially girls like me, we don’t get a lot of chances to test out our knowledge.”

Aalaiyah showed that her years of education did not go to waste, when on the night of day four, the party was almost ambushed while sleeping soundly in their tents. She heard clicking noises and identified that there were Horns approaching their tent sites, excited and probably feeding on something nearby. It appeared that the beetles were munching away on their apples Penelope had bought from the Izlude Market. If Aalaiyah had not alerted the group, they would have little food to eat today.

‘We’re really close to Geffen now!’ Aalaiyah announced eagerly, her chocolate brown braids bouncing off her shoulders as she ran down the hills. ‘Look! We’re already out of the Prontera Fields and Mjolnir Mountains. Shamrock green grasses, it’s the Geffen Fields! We’ll reach Geffen in a few hours, bearing west!’

‘Really?’ Hirei leapt onto his feet after slashing off a mob of Hornets, cheered by the fact that the next town was nearby. Cedric and Penelope were both happy to hear the news too, feeling tired with the increasing load of loots and the diminishing stock of food. ‘Chop chop, let’s run for it!’

Soon, they came across a river, and across it were magnificent walls barricading a city of houses and buildings. In the middle, the pride of Geffen was spiraling up into the skies, housing the kingdom’s best Mages and Wizards. It became a foot race between the four, ignoring the little critters scattered across the unfamiliar fields towards the gates of Geffen.

‘Welcome to the city of magic, Geffen!’ the guards opened the gates to reveal a city of grey hues, carrying an air of mystery and magic. Aalaiyah’s smiled broaden as she was finally home and Penelope was no exception as the city had been her home for twelve years. Cedric and Hirei were just amazed to be in a place so different from Prontera, trying to take in the new environment and enjoy the surroundings.

‘Geffen hasn’t changed much!’ Penelope cried. ‘But it just feels more magical than before!’

‘Come on, let me bring you to the Geffen Tower!’ said Aalaiyah, hand-in-hand with Penelope as she led the group towards the centre of the city. As they walked down the brick paths, Cedric started to realize that the people of Geffen a quiet bunch compared to those in Prontera. There was less merchants around and not much activity going on. However, he noticed that the pedestrians were stealing glances at Aalaiyah, some cuddling close to their partners and were whispering into each other’s ears, others bowed shortly as she walked by.

‘You know, Aalaiyah, I was wondering…’ Penelope spoke out of a sudden as they arrived at the doors of the Geffen Tower. The tower was a massive structure with lights hung diagonally around the building, precious stones adorning the entrance and two bright blue crystals floating at the tip of the tower. ‘Sakda seemed to be addressing you with great respect. Even the people of Geffen seem to know you. Are you a noble?’

Aalaiyah had her hands and eyes on the doors of the entrance, anticipating something behind the door as she simply forced a smile on her pursed lips. She pushed the door open, revealing a beautiful lobby, Mages and Wizards in full length cloaks sweeping across the floor, some balancing papers and books, some carrying supplies of wands and magical gemstones. At the creaking noise of the door, they took short glances at Cedric, Hirei, Penelope and Aalaiyah before returning to their work. A few of them stumbled to take a closer look at Aalaiyah, their mouth widening into an “O”.

‘Isn’t that Miss Wingstaff?’

‘She has returned!’

‘Welcome back, Miss Wingstaff!’

All of them, at the sight of Aalaiyah, lowered themselves into a bow. Cedric turned to look at Hirei and Penelope, exchanging looks of awkwardness and three of them left to wonder about Aalaiyah’s real identity.

‘Thank you everyone, but please, you can get up now and resume whatever you’re doing.’ Aalaiyah blushed in embarrassment. They listened obediently and continued to look busy while holding short discussions with each other as they walk by. A young Wizard with sleek, dark hair approached Cedric, Hirei, Penelope and Aalaiyah. He had a pair of captivating, dark blue eyes with warmth that went beyond his silver rimmed glasses. He placed an arm across his chest as he did a curtsy in front of Aalaiyah.

‘Welcome back, Miss Wingstaff, your father has been very worried about you,’ said the young man. ‘

‘I noticed,’ Aalaiyah spoke softly, lowering her head, cheeks reddening. ‘And I have warned you time and time again, address me as Aalaiyah!’

‘Ah, sorry, Aalaiyah,’ the Wizard laughed warmly, a smile spreading across his face. He turned towards the others and nodded at them, who straightened up and exchanged smiles with him. ‘So these must be the friends you have met at the Novice Training Grounds, the ones that gave you many fun experiences? Sakda informed me. I hope you have not been mistreating Aalaiyah.’

‘We wouldn’t dare to!’ Cedric answered hastily. Each of them then introduced themselves to Aalaiyah’s Wizard friend, who listened intently behind his glasses.

‘My name is Edel Claphire,’ the Wizard said after hearing their names. ‘I am the second generation of Claphire who serve under the Wingstaff’s. I have taken over my father’s job to assist the family in various matters, more specifically to watch over young Aalaiyah. In other words, I am Aalaiyah’s personal assistant.’

‘Wow!’ Hirei gasped in astonishment. ‘You must be pretty important to have two generations of servants under your wing, Aalaiyah!’

‘They are not servants!’ Aalaiyah snapped back strongly, surprising Hirei and even both Cedric and Penelope. ‘They are friends… subordinates who are working together with my family, that’s all.’

Edel seemed grateful by Aalaiyah’s reaction over the matter. ‘It is alright, Aalaiyah. The fact is that we are your helpers. It does not bother me if I am seen as your servant, as long as I am of assistance to you. Now, I must bring you to see your father. If you could all follow me upstairs…’

Edel lead the group up the stairs, ascending higher in the tower. The windows allowed just enough light into the building for the people to read and carry out their daily routine, the blue skies outside were simply breath-taking. Finally, after climbing three flights of staircases, Edel stopped in front of a door. He opened the door, not before knocking lightly on the wooden entrance and announcing their arrival.

‘Chief High Wizard Wingstaff, Aalaiyah and her friends have arrived from Prontera,’ Edel said, lowering down onto his knee. A middle aged man wrinkled with lines of wisdom on his handsome face was standing behind a work desk filled with documents, newspaper articles and a collection of strange monster drops, overflowing until they had to cover the area around the foot of the desk as well. He had Aalaiyah’s brown hair, and was wearing a dark and red exquisite cloak of a High Wizard.

‘Thank you, Edel. Aalaiyah, welcome home!’ said the man as he walked forward to embrace his daughter. A flabbergasted Penelope who stood by Aalaiyah covered her mouth as she gasped, her eyes widening at a surprising discovery.

‘Chief High Wizard of the Wizard Council, the ruler of the Magic City Geffen… A Transcendent who was chosen by the Valkyries and has been to Valhalla… This is… Sir Nadleeh Wingstaff, Aalaiyah’s father!’ Penelope exclaimed, the High Wizard was exhilarated by Penelope’s information about himself. ‘That’s why I always thought Aalaiyah looked familiar; she was the Chief High Wizard’s daughter!’

‘Why, thank you for that introduction, young lady. You must be a local, I presume,’ said Nadleeh with a voice that carried ages of wisdom and knowledge. ‘And I thank all of you for taking care of Aalaiyah for the past week or so.’

A Transcendent such as Nadleeh was a person, a hero who had mastered the art of their profession and their courage and achievements had been recognized by the Valkyries, the female warriors of the god Odin. They have read the Book of Ymir and found the forgotten path, led by the Valkyries to the Hall of Honour, Valhalla. It is said to be the place closest to the heavens, and it is there the Valkyries will grant the Transcendent with new wisdom and a fragment of the power of Ymir’s Heart. Before the Transcendents are returned to their homeland below the skies, their bodies which are exhausted are regenerated with energy, restored to their youthful selves to serve the world with their abilities again. (moved to part fourteen, fifteen and sixteen to flow with the story)

‘Father… I’m sorry about not returning to Geffen earlier than I should have,’ Aalaiyah said softly, as if in fear of her father. ‘I hope you would understand. I really enjoyed myself with my new friends. They taught me so many new things and treated me nicely. Even back at the Novice Training Grounds when we were still strangers, they so kindly offered me their help when my telekinesis powers went out of – ’

Aalaiyah’s words trailed off until she came to a silence. Nadleeh was alerted, and did not seem pleased by this. ‘I am relieved to hear that you are in good company, but you know the graveness of your powers going out of control,’ said Nadleeh with furrowed eyebrows. ‘I cannot allow this to happen again.’

‘But father, I’m sure I can learn to control it!’ Aalaiyah retorted. ‘I used it once to beat off a Mandragora! I can be in charge of my powers, all while traveling with my friends and learning new things. I have already gathered so much knowledge and new skills in this short time!’

Nadleeh maintained a calm tone as he attempted to reason with Aalaiyah. ‘You can travel with our capable Wizards from Geffen after you have furthered your studies at home. There are too many dangers in the outside world you do not know about. Aalaiyah, you’re my only daughter and the sole heir of the Wingstaff’s. It is my duty to see you grow into a well trained Wizard.’

‘I can learn on my own, Father. Knowledge gained from the outside world, from real life experiences are much more valuable than those absorbed by memory from the Geffen Library, or even those in Yuno. All these knowledge from books are just words and pictures, but how could I apply them when I’m really standing in front of a Baphomet? Would I concentrate my attacks on its head, or simply start bashing all my magic at its slaves? This journey can give me real knowledge, father, true wisdom that I see with my own eyes.’

‘Aalaiyah, are you claiming that everything that our ancestors learn from our great library is nothing compared to your one week road trip with your friends? Are you challenging the way we Wizards study and learn?’

‘That’s… that’s not what I’m trying to say. Father, you must understand that the knowledge in the Geffen Library is limited. They are theories and words of the wise ancients. But we must also learn how to apply these in the world we live in. Theory and practical must come together. And this world… it changes with time, everything, you, me, the words that are recorded in books, everything! We can’t just work like dictionaries, father. Wizards are supposed to be able to know how things work with their own logic. I want to be like that too. But I can’t do that if you decide to lock me up in this tower and protect me from all the dangers of the world. It won’t help me, father, it’s harming me.’

Cedric, Hirei and Penelope help their breath throughout the whole intellectual argument. Inside, they were yelling Aalaiyah’s name, supporting her in the stands like a Poring Ball competition. They were amazed by Aalaiyah’s firm judgement, and had a new impression of her.

Aalaiyah continued, smiling as she recalled her memories with them. ‘All the Porings Hirei slayed on the way here, all the loot Cedric collected, all the zennies saved as Penelope bargained with the merchants… All the little things mattered, they were all so meaningful to me. I just want to keep following them on their journey, because I’ll never know if our paths will cross again.’

Nadleeh still held a stiff expression on his face. ‘Aalaiyah,’ he started dryly. ‘I am very proud of how much you have grown, and that you are now making your own judgement. For that, I insist that I would teach you my magic personally at home. And my decision is final.’

Labels: NaNoMadness, The Eminent Guardians