"How good it is that you answered my call, my sixth guardian," said Avocios.
"I am always here to serve you, setting everything aside and responding to your summons, my lord," Maggus replied formally, bowing his head slightly.
Avocios observed him from his throne, his eyes gleaming with a nostalgic glimmer. "As formal as ever, Lord of Avocadalia… or rather, Maggus I."
Maggus was a man in his thirties, though his golden appearance radiated with an intensity far greater than any other being. His short hair and imposing demeanor reflected the dignity of one who had worn a crown for many years.
"And so, how is the family?" asked Avocios, leaning back slightly on his throne.
Maggus took a deep breath before answering. "Well, my lord, as you know, I ceased being king long ago and passed the throne to my son. By now, I suppose Rodelos must be in power; that boy was born with strength at its peak."
"Interesting," murmured Avocios, nodding slowly. "As you know, I only grant the gift of being golden to your lineage and those who marry into it, bestowing them with the power necessary to bring order and peace to the utopia I created: Avocadalia and its five realms."
"I already know that, my lord. You don't need to give me a history lesson," interrupted Maggus, crossing his arms with a faint smile. "Tell me, why have you summoned me?"
Avocios let out a low, almost melancholic laugh. "As perceptive as ever. I see you've removed the sphere—or collar, as you call it—that could grant you any wish without rules."
"Yes," confirmed Maggus, his tone softer now. "I passed it on to my family. Let them find the proper use for it. Besides, I'm too old to be making wishes anymore. I've seen many things in my life… And immortality bores me. That's why I left the kingdom." His voice trembled slightly at the end, revealing a shadow of sadness.
Avocios looked at him intently, sensing the weight behind his words. "So that wasn't what you truly wanted in the beginning. To become someone who could live by my side and support me in all things, to become a guardian…"
"Yes, my lord," admitted Maggus, lowering his gaze. "I was young and ambitious. It was something I desired back then. Now… I just wish to rest in peace forever, alongside so many of my friends who are no longer with me."
Avocios rose slowly from his seat, walking toward Maggus with deliberate steps. "Well then, what do you think? Today is your lucky day, my friend. Today, I will fulfill your wish." He paused dramatically before adding, "But first, you must assist me with something."
Maggus let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Of course, with you, there's always a 'but.' Surely another restriction, right? What is it this time?"
Avocios looked directly into his eyes. "Well, yes. The truth is, you will be erased from the minds of the other guardians and from any other place… until I decide otherwise."
Before Avocios could continue explaining the details, Maggus interrupted firmly. "I accept. Without regrets."
Avocios studied him for a moment, searching for any hint of doubt. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, my lord. This is what I've been longing for these past years of my life. Though I don't age like others, I can't bear the thought of continuing to watch my successors die before me. It's… horrible," confessed Maggus, his voice heavy with profound sorrow.
"Yes, and I told you before: you wouldn't be able to endure being an eternal being like my guardians or like me and my siblings," Avocios replied calmly, his voice laden with wisdom. "It took a long time for me to realize that… This isn't life."
"Then I can count on you," Avocios stated, looking at Maggus seriously. "The task won't be easy, but you must bring Golden to me. He's in grave danger. And you may die on the battlefield, as you've always wished… Always fight."
Maggus frowned, hesitant. "What are you trying to do? It seems too simple…"
Avocios interrupted firmly. "You will do it. But now, as a mortal." With a swift gesture, Avocios stripped him of his immortality.
Maggus felt an immediate change in his body. He pulled out a knife and made a small cut on his finger. To his astonishment, it began to bleed. He had never bled before; that was one of his powers as an immortal guardian, along with his enhanced abilities.
Before departing, Maggus gave Avocios a faint smile. "I'll see you again… or perhaps not."
"Be careful, Maggus," Avocios responded with seriousness that resonated in the silence of the room, his voice carrying both warning and genuine concern. "Those creatures… they seem crafted by the very Lord of Darkness himself."
As he spoke these words, a blinding ray surged from his hands, enveloping Maggus in an intense glow that vanished him in an instant. The air vibrated briefly with the energy of the power, leaving behind only a faint electric echo, as if fate itself had intervened at that moment.
At that moment, the hall door opened, and Meliradal entered alongside three other guardians. "My lord, we're ready to join the battle," announced Meliradal with determination.
But Avocios shook his head. "No, my friends. I have other plans for you. This battle is lost, but rest assured, the war is not yet decided."
"But, my lord! Golden is at the front. He needs our help!" protested Silver, his voice heavy with worry.
"Calm down. That's why I've already sent someone to rescue him," Avocios explained. "Now, I need to speak with each of you alone."
"But, my lord! The enemy is almost at the gates!" insisted Kilibur, pointing outside urgently.
"Don't panic. Just trust me. I know you'll thank me later," Avocios replied calmly but firmly.
"Wait outside. I need to speak with Silver alone," he ordered, closing the door behind him and leaving Kilibur, Meliradal, and Krasper outside.
Krasper lightly punched the wall in frustration. "Damn it! We should go support Golden. Stubborn as he is, he's still our friend."
"Yes, you're right. We must go," agreed Kilibur, crossing his arms.
Meliradal sighed deeply. "Yes, but Avocios has given us an order, and we must follow it, no matter how much it weighs on us. Golden will think we're traitors for not coming to his aid."
Krasper made an annoyed sound. "I don't like this one bit."
On the battlefield, Golden was utterly exhausted. He had been fighting for what felt like hours against the monsters, but he couldn't defeat them. Every time he thought he'd finished one off, it rose again, as if nothing could stop it. The twenty beasts continued attacking him mercilessly, surrounding him and lunging at him with relentless ferocity. Golden tried to find their weak point, but it was impossible. They were creatures designed not to fall, not to die.
Golden's breathing was ragged, his body covered in wounds and his energy rapidly fading. He couldn't give up, but he knew he was reaching his limit.
"Damn it!" roared Golden, his voice heavy with frustration as he tried to carve a path through the monsters. "It can't be that these insignificant things are defeating me. I must avenge the death of my allies and save Lord Avocios from whatever the shadows are plotting… I must hurry!"
But the beasts were relentless. They swung their massive arms with surprising speed, almost matching Golden's agility. Every blow he landed seemed to have no lasting effect; the creatures rose again and again, as if they were made of something beyond the physical.
Golden's judgment was clouded by anger. The loss of his comrades, the despair of being unable to advance, the weight of responsibility—it was all consuming him. His mind, fogged by the fury of wanting to defeat these creatures and crush the Shadow army, prevented him from thinking clearly.
Everything seemed lost. Golden fell to his knees, exhausted, his body trembling from the supernatural effort. The Tropogax slowly closed in, surrounding him, ready to deliver the final blow.
Just as all hope seemed gone, a bolt of lightning struck the ground before him with a deafening roar. The air crackled with electricity, and a familiar figure emerged from the blinding glow.
"Did you miss me, Golden?" said a familiar voice, brimming with confidence and camaraderie.
Golden looked up, incredulous. "Maggus?" he murmured, his voice a mix of astonishment and relief.
"Yes, my friend. It's time to kick these monsters' asses," Maggus replied with a crooked smile, unsheathing his knife as he glared at the beasts with fierce determination.