Keeper of the Eastern Shrine (Gathering of Guardians Book 2)

Chapter 2

AN: Whew, this took a little longer than expected, for some reason. I think it might because of the new medication I'm on. I'm on double dosage now and I'm extra tired now. But don't worry, I definitely will finish this saga. No matter how long it takes. Now, I hope you enjoy reading~

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Chapter 2:

Due to the size of the city of Maginia, there were several footbridges that reached down to the forests and plains of their new resting place. With so many, explorers and guards alike, rushing back and forth, the members of the Guardians waited until they reached the tree line before they gave Chi-hung a piece of clothing of their missing person.

They moved quickly through the crowds. Sunset was just a few hours away. Not much time to conduct a full search and rescue. And with an area so vast, not to mention wholly unknown, they may be in for a difficult time.

Hopefully, as Jhon paused to allow Chi-hung to take in the young medic's scent, he would narrow down the search area quickly.

"All the information we have is that the young medic is searching for small flowers for medicine," Axel said.

Lynus readjusted his bag upon his shoulder. "Those flowers flourish in open areas. It's also possible that other medics and gathers were also searching for these flowers."

Speaking with potential witnesses would either help them narrow the search grid further, or lead toward a red herring.

"Chi-hung seems to have caught a scent," Jhon stated, folding away the handkerchief as the mighty white tiger sniffed the air repeatedly.

He soon narrowed in on a direction and moved forward determinedly. Jhon and Axel immediately moved to follow, while Tobyn and Lynus stayed just a few steps behind. Their usual formation whenever they ventured out into the field.

"As large as Maginia is, we best take note of our surroundings," Jhon said as they ventured closer to an outcropping of trees. "I wasn't expecting the area to be so vast."

Axel nodded his head as he surveyed their surroundings, using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. "It was a good idea to bring the Tharsian airships with us. We're definitely going to need them."

Having never flown in an airship, Lynus mused about how his first experience may play out. Hopefully it was a joy flight in hopes of getting used to the craft, and not another search and rescue. He also deduced that it would be far different to the turbulence felt within Maginia and the Heavenly Keep of Lagaard.

As they moved beyond line of trees and into a clearing of colourful wild flowers, Tobyn paused mid step. And raised his arm in front of everyone to pull them all to a stop. He kept his gaze forward, even as others turned to him in question.

"There's someone over there," he alerted them, his eyes suddenly narrowing as he swiftly revealed his bow and notched in an arrow. "Tch, there's also a monster."

Jhon immediately pushed forward, concern etching upon his face. "What?"

"I've got it," Tobyn returned as he pulled back the string of his bow. "Keep an eye on the kid."

Kid?

Lynus immediately turned his gaze forward to scan the clearing of red and yellow flowers. The first thing he was able to see was a flash of pink. He soon narrowed in on the bright colour and noted that they appear to be that of a young girl.

Pink hair. Clothes similar to that in the description of their missing person's report.

The next thing he saw was a blur of dark green and red eyes. An insectoid type of monster. It was unlike anything Lynus had seen before. And it was airborne, it's target; that of the young girl huddled close to the ground in the middle of the field.