The little village of Pyre was once a very bustling place, for its proximity to the river Iyye traders ad fishermen brought the prosperity of the village to its peak, but now it was deathly silent without even the soul of a single person roaming the desolate streets. Even when the sun shone, Gwyndale could still feel the tension brewing. The wizardry shields had been set, but all that was left in the village were a few wizardry masters and a couple of disciples.

"The darkness has arrived in the Mortal Realm. I can feel it, but we would have some time left before it arrives at this village," Thea placed a palm on the ground and said.

"So fast?" Sermorph rushed over to Sermorph, "Are you sure you didn't get it wrong?"

"No, they are very powerful now, and as I told you building a portal would not pose a problem for them," Thea said, "Let's see how powerful they are now. Do not underestimate them."

"I noticed some people in the houses," Sermorph walked out of a small shed, and behind him, a few children walked out, their faces dusty and grey. The clothes they wore were almost torn to shreds and they were one of the most dishevelled children Thea had ever possibly encountered in her life.

"What is your name?" Thea knelt down and asked the shortest of them.

"Diarmos," He answered.

"Then Diarmos, Why are you still here? I thought that all of you had already left with your parents?" Thea questioned.

"We are workers from the factory of Direhose," The boy pointed at the huge metal building at the middle of the rather small village, "Then the soldiers from the capital came, and they took everyone including our master. We thought that they were the bandits that came out to the village and pillage more oft than not, and we hid. Until we noticed... that everyone was gone."

"I see," Thea said, "It is not safe here, Master Gwyndale, someone should take them to a safe spot? Like the city of Sathmoor would be a place to get them to."

"Sure, but how? It is miles from here, and we would not be wasting any strength to create a portal there," Gwyndale looked away, "But if you want to, by all means then."

"Master Thea, you must not waste your strength. This battle is important, and we might even die today. This is not wise."

"Master Sermorph," Thea replied, "I am not yet wanting to send them to safety, but they would be in the factory for now."

***

They walked past winding passages and streets until they reached the front door. Thea pushed the front door lightly and it opened, creaking noisily. Nothing was moving inside, the lights were still brightly lit.

"Off the lights here," Thea ushered them inside, "No matter what happens, don't come out. Hide, children, it's not safe here."

As she closed the front door, a disciple rushed towards her, "Master Thea, the darkness has come."

"I see. Come forth to battle with me," Thea beckoned to the disciple and they soared into the skies, and high up Thea could finally see the dark storm clouds rolling towards them like a tidal wave of darkness. Lightning stroke repeated flashes in the sky, and huge claws extended out of the dark mist, tearing the clouds into shreds.

"Master Thea," Sermorph greeted her when she arrived outside the village walls, "How are the children?"

Yet, Thea's mind was still focused on the evil. Although Master Sermorph's shields seemed to be a formidable defence, the huge storm cloud made the shields pale in comparison.

"Master Thea, do you hear?" Master Sermorph asked.

"Um... yeah, they're fine," Thea replied half-heartedly and drew her staff. "Ready?"

"Anytime."

Thea drove her staff into the ground, the green tip shoved into the muddy soil, and the ground burst open, huge gusts of wind slamming into the darkness, and the mists receded -- but only for a moment.

The mists returned, the lightning extending out towards the ground menacingly, directed at Thea. She dodged, but one hit her, and she sprawled back.

"Thea, you alright?" Gwyndale rushed forward, but only her tunic sleeve was torn.

"It's alright, I have my shields," Thea stood, but the dark clouds were already upon them, and for a moment they could not see each other. "Gwyndale, Sermorph! You there?" Thea tried to feel their presence, but they seemed further and further apart, separated by not only the dark mist but something else that she could not describe.

Before she could let her thoughts continue, three men stepped out of the shadows, their faces masked and their green light shone from their eyes. The swords they held were very familiar, but yet Thea could not remember still where she had seen it before.

Then they attacked.

Thea parried their attacks blow after blow, but she was starting to become weary, and shot out a whip from her right hand. It cracked on the neck of the first man and he fell, but the other knocked her to the ground.

"Face your fate. Face your fate. Face your fate..." One started chanting while slowly raising the blade.

"Face your fate. Face your fate. Face your fate..." The other also started chanting and sprinkled flower petals on her, and then she realised she was immobile, and the petals were vaporising into her body, freezing her whole. She wanted to shout, and cry, but all she could say was a silent whisper. Then, she remembered, they were the Guardians of Hell, cold-blooded being who killed and pillaged without even blinking when seeing the colour of blood.

"Face your fate. Face your fate. Face your fate..." The chanting went on, and the Guardians raised their swords, but at the same time Thea reached her staff which was previously just out of reach of her, and she was straining every muscle for it to remain in contact to her staff.

"Ahck do... das," Thea whispered the command, and the tip of the staff grew brighter and brighter, but the sword was being brought down immediately. Thea could only hear her heartbeat and the ringing of the voices of the Guardians in her head.

Then, it was all gone.

Her eyes remained closed until she felt the cool breeze sweeping lightly across her face. Her eyes opened by a sliver, and the sky was still blue. When she sat up, the storm clouds were still there, crackling but she was safe -- for now.

"Gwyndale?" Thea whispered, but could not see the wizard anywhere in sight. When Thea tried to feel their presence, there was none. Her muscles ached, and she stood slowly.

"Thea," Gwyndale spoke from behind her, "This is just the beginning, they used mind control against us, and used up our strength. Master Sermorph has already sent the disciples and the children away, we shall meet back at the city of Bumberdolf, for there is a strong presence of wizardry there."

"Sure," Thea replied. She knew retreating was the only way around, but it would be risky for Bumberdolf was right next to the capital. If they lose Bumberdolf, they would lose the capital.