The True Aegis of The Weak

The True Aegis of The Weak

On a day, Souloflight - the soul of LightSage, a friend of Dst - who is well-known for his hatred of Bob, came to the Path of Loneliness. Zleiphneir was there as usual and groaned:"I will protect you, Bob, until my death at any costs...". He was sitting on the stone wall next to The Tree, waiting for the usual verbal abuse he receives on a daily basis from the enemies of Bob. However, this time the comer's intent was more malicious...

The Menacing Encounter

...Taking a sword, Souloflight suggested chopping Bob down. "I'm sure that you just want to show your power and mastery to us, to your enemies by killing Bob" - said Zleiphneir - "To hell with your bargains and inhuman ideas! So, keep them in yourself. You can reach Bob, but only my body across...". "Then let it be as you wish, foolish guardian..." - said the opponent. Saying these provocative and insulting words, Soul's face strained and the anger at everything living flared up in his eyes. He started to raise his sword up slowly, but the guardian caught sight of this move. Getting in front of Bob, Zleiphneir told him firmly to leave the place now. In reply, Souloflight shoved his sword into the dirt near Bob, however the traps set by the guardians of Bob melted it instantly. Souloflight cursed and left, but unfortunately returned soon after with another sword, blessed by the Sun God and immune to heat...

Stabbed Hero & Damaged Tree

...Zleiphneir once again told him very firmly to back off. Souloflight smiled at him, then suddenly cast a spell tying him with strong tendrils. Zleiphneir, unable to move, called out for his warriors. Silver Renard came, he cloned himself and attacked. He managed to hit Soul with his flaming sabre once or twice. Souloflight hissed up ad started glowing, protecting himself with an aura of light. In response, Silver glowed with fox-fire, but no effect... Souloflight simply grew stronger absorbing it and weakening the warrior. After this, approaching the defenseless guardian, Zleiphneir, he stole some of his vital energy to weaken him. "You may say 'thank you' for this to yourself, but crawl to me and I will spare your life..."- whispered to Zleiphneir on the sound of evil omen. The guardian shouted:"You will pay the price for everything you have done!"... But helpless, Zleiphneir could only watch as Souloflight drove his sword into his chest."You are the next, Bob!"- said Soul to Bob, The Tree. He started laughing and tried to pull his sword out. Luckily, Zleiphneir's unusual build allowed him to seal himself around the sword and stop Soul from removing it. Abandoning the sword, Soul by-passed the gasping guardian and stood in front of Bob. He raised his arms high and looked at The Tree triumphantly. Afterwards, he cast a spell again creating about a mixture of winds and flames. This spell damaged Bob like hell by burning quite a lot of his branches and blowing away all his leaves. However, before he could go further in his evil, he believed strange noises to be audible and then had a sudden blow from behind...

The Illusions: Agony & Glory

...Silver was ready for striking behind him, but after all, appeared strange because of something. Souloflight noticed another strangeness: the helpless hero - bound hand and foot - was already nowhere. But there were telltale signs. Souloflight noticed them: a sword, covered with blood, and some bloodstains on the ground beside it... He looked around having misgivings about this. Bob had disappeared likewise: only a trunk was left after him! At this time, Soul started having misgivings ever so much, because this whole situation looked so untrue arousing doubts in him."You will not deceive me!"- Soul shouted it with anger. Then he pushed away Silver with big strength who fell on the ground. Suddenly, a bright flash blinded Soul for a moment, then after it he could see the reality around himself again. That was: the hesitating Kitsune, the stabbed Hero and the damaged Tree. Seeing no other guardians coming, Zleiphneir took a last resort to protect Bob and called on Sagewoman to support Silver. She came running just in time. Sagewoman summed up the situation quickly, then stood with her bended bow, ready to shoot. During that time, Zleiphneir went through frightening changes and a transformation happened on his body. He transformed into some kind of powerful beast. Soul didn't know, whether this is real or just another illusion made by Silver, The Kitsune. Finally, he decided to avoid the clash with the scorpion-like warrior. At this time, the transformed guardian and Sagewoman started approaching towards Souloflight in order to overwhelm him. But then Souloflight muted Zleiphneir by casting a spell and fled vowing to return...

The Belated Transformation

...After the events, both Silver and Sage were confused. They looked at Zleiphneir wondering why a simple stabbing had thwarted any effort on his part to defend Bob from Soul's aggression. Unable to speak, Zleiphneir could only try to gesture with his eyes at his predicament. Sage pulled the sword from him and defused the muting spell. The guardian could speak again. "I am indebted to you, Renard, for saving Bob and me from the certain death, concealing us for a short time. Your illusions were great and very useful ones..."- said Zleiphneir on a weak and slightly trembling sound. Next, he asked:"Sage, you know what you have to do now, don't you?". Sage nodded her head and knowing him well, she turned the dial on his arm. Zleiphneir transformed to phase one and cracked all the tendrils on him freeing himself from being unable to move. He then re-built himself, but seeing the deep wound that remained, he went deeper into his transformation. The dangerous schizophrenic nature of it took over releasing the mid-point between phases, a character that is neither beast, nor Zleiphneir's usual self. In his form, full of lust and lack of care for anyone around him, he flipped onto the wall and released his arm from its binding steadying himself and roaring up the pathways waiting for Souloflight's return... but it didn't come. Sage somehow managed to reach Zleiphneir's dial and twist it back. The black disappeared instantaneously form his body and he returned to form, falling to the ground, holding his chest and coughing up blood."Don't let my mystic blood to leak out..."- warned Zleiphneir the others -"Its power can't be wasted!"". Sage healed his wound, but a large scar was left, although to Zleiphneir, it is just another battle wound. The guardian dragged himself over to the wall and Sage called on Book wo flew ro her and she checked he was alright. Zleiphneir suddenly pointed... not vainly. Danger was lurking behind the wall...

"It's The Final Countdown..."

...Sage shouted:"No!". "Souloflight had returned!", cried Book. Sage flung Book back into Zleiphneir, and used her powers to seal Souloflight firmly in her grip, Silver boosted his power with fox-fire. Zleiphneir dragged himself in front of Bob again and stood, hand on dial... this time he would be ready. Souloflight then tried to leave, but Silver transformed into some kind of spirit catcher and trapped him in a box...

Epilogue

...Through the events written above, many people woke up to the truth and realized that how much valued is Bob truly. People started understanding why his death should not be wanted. Although his enemies remained and the evil exists yet, the number of his friends grew by leaps and bounds after all. Now, there is everything properly around him... but who knows that how long will it last? Whatever happens, his friends welcome him, they stand him by and they will hold out until the final ones beside Bob. Just like me, the author of this story...