"Ages ago, the nation of Solheim prospered under the watchful eyes of the Six. With the Infernian's gift of fire, humanity thrived and created magitek and airships. But over time, mankind began to spurn the gods. This angered Ifrit and began the Astral War. Solheim was ravaged by the warring gods and a parisitizing illness that became known as Starscourge. Ifrit was ultimately defeated and laid to rest, but Solheim fell into ruin.

"To combat the Starscourge, two mortal bloodlines were chosen and gifted by the gods. House Fleuret became the Oracles while the Lucis Caelums became the kings of Lucis, the kingdom established over Solheim's ruins. A female member of House Fleuret was granted the ability to heal those afflicted with the Starscourge and the power to commune with the gods themselves. The kings of Lucis were given the Crystal, the heart of Eos, along with the Ring of the Lucii to harness its power.

"Their powers combined, the plague had all but been eradicated from Eos, but a prophecy told of its eventual return. The kings of Lucis would protect the Crystal and the ring for when the Chosen King would be born. The Oracles too began to wait for the birth of the Chosen, their purpose to aid him in fulfilling his destiny. Though Bahamut feared the plague's return would impact the two bloodlines before the King of Light's time.

"Therefore, he granted power to one more bloodline. House Praesidio had been loyal protectors of the Oracles, and thus, were given a unique magic all their own. They could transform into powerful and magical beasts in Bahamut's own image. That was the birth of the Guardians. The three sibling Guardians split up, one remaining with the Oracle while the other two joined the Lucian king. From those three Guardians, many more were produced.

"But over time, many of the Guardians began to question their calling. They found themselves seemingly useless to the kings of Lucis. No longer wishing to sit idly by and wait for a Chosen King, they turned on their masters. This led to all but two families being wiped out---the original Praesidio family that had remained loyal, and the Necare family, which descended from the youngest of the original three Guardians, who fled from the bloodshed. House Necare steadily faded from history, leaving only House Praesidio as the last family of Guardians."

Damon closed the book. The two children peered up at him with fascination. While his son sat quietly on the floor, his young daughter clung to his leg, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Are we the same ones as in the story, Daddy?" she asked in her slightly squeaky voice.

"Well yeah, Ryella," her older brother answered, crossing his arms and smirking at her lack of knowledge. "Praesidio is our last name, you know." The girl made a pouty face at him.

"Reynard," Damon warned, "this is Ryella's first time hearing the story. You know that." With the book resting on one leg, the man lifted the girl up to sit on the other. "In a way, yes, Ryella. We are House Praesidio, the last remaining Guardians sworn to protect the Oracle. Our ancestors remained loyal to House Fleuret, and so will we."

"If Princess Luna becomes an Oracle, will I be her Guardian?" Ryella inquired.

Damon chuckled, ruffling her short, brown hair. "You and your brother both will be. Just as I am bound to Queen Sylva, you too will form a link with Princess Lunafreya, once you and she come of age, that is."

"How long will that be?" the girl asked.

"Once you're closer to my age," Reynard replied, rising to his feet. He pushed aside his messy black bangs, revealing his blue-green eyes underneath. "The princess is 12. In another year, I'll be able to form a link with her. Right, Dad?"

"That's correct," Damon answered. "Then once Ryella turns 13, she can also connect with the young princess. I can say one thing for certain, you'll both be great Guardians."

They both smiled brightly at their father. Damon suddenly snapped his head toward the window, sensing his queen summoning him. He carefully took Ryella and placed her on the floor before standing. With the book in hand, he went to the bookshelf, placing it back in its proper place.

"I nearly forgot, the king and the prince of Lucis are visiting today," he informed his children. "Come, you two. Queen Sylva wishes for us to be present to greet them."

Ryella and Reynard rushed to follow him out. Ryella was quick to catch up, clutching her father's hand in her own. As soon as her brother caught up, she took him by the hand as well. Together, the trio left the room, heading down to the front of the manor.