Gate Guardian - Tale of the Blazing Heart

Phase 5: Quintessence

Phase 5: Quintessence

[Transfield]

[7:03 PM]

The ground started shaking.

Suddenly, the ground opened and the arm of a giant skeleton punched in front of me. I fell down on my back and trembled.

"Stay back!"

I hustled up in the stairs. That demon can't reach me here, right?

A moving giant skeleton of about four meters leaped from underground. It is wearing a tattered wizard's robe, it's teeth are grinding back and forth madly, and it's eye sockets are glowing crimson bloody red.

Erylle raised her arms and a white stringless bow materialized from dazzling light particles. It was the power of her white diamond necklace, a Weapon Gem.

Weapon Gems are the only weapons that can boost a Guardian's ability. Ordinary weapons on earth cannot make any damage to Eidolons, hence leaving the Weapon Gems the only choice of weapon. Every Guardian has one. Most of the Guardians make it a necklace, or attach it to a watch, or gauntlet, or store it in a cylindrical bottle when not in use.

A Guardian can only hold one Weapon Gem at a time. Also, using a Weapon Gem is not included in the 15-minute Quintessence rule. It doesn't even need a Quintessence to activate. So we can use Weapon Gems on Earth as freely as we want.

"Shall we dance~"

She bolted forward, running in unbelievable speed, circling the Eidolon whilst firing precise arrows in every part of the skeleton's remains. She kept running and evading every punch with her acrobatic dodges and nimble feet.

The skeleton flinched when she shot its frontal bone. There was a red gem that is shining on its forehead.

"Erylle!" I shouted, pointing to the forehead of the skeleton.

She immediately detected it and made a distance of about twenty meters from the skeleton and aimed at its forehead once more. Her hand glowed and a yellow magical arrow materialized from the bow. Then it released multiple simultaneous arrows that flew into the skeleton's forehead in one go.

"<Magnum Strafe>!!!"

Sparks flew into the skeleton's forehead like fireworks on New Year's Eve. The skeleton shielded his forehead with his arms, but after taking a hundred glowing arrows, it cracked and broke down into pieces that left its forehead unguarded. Arrows finally hit the skeleton's red gem continuously, making the skeleton flinch and flinch until the gem shattered apart.

The enemy exploded into ashes which flew through the air.

A yellow glowing orb of light flew into Erylle which was caught by her hand. As soon as it was over, I came down and went to Erylle.

"This is the Quintessence I'm talking about. This will be yours."

She placed it in my hand, and it floated in my palm. My eyes sparkled with amazement. English words are insufficient to describe how excited and happy I am. A few moments later, it flew into my chest, and faded. I was shocked, but Erylle chuckled like a princess.

"Quintessences are stored in your heart."

She walked a few steps away sleazily and stretched her arms in the air.

"We're finished here... So... Will you join us?"

Without any hesitation, I answered quickly with throbbing heart.

"I-I've decided to become a Guardian and join your legion. I'm tired of being not able to do anything... Besides, I need to protect everyone from those Eidolons."

"That's good to hear!" Erylle smiled. "Let's go, I'll introduce you to everyone~"