Team FLME Volume 8

Tempus et Mors

After the opening, Fred is standing in front of the Guru who still has a large smile on his face. Fred cocks an eyebrow a bit but slowly sits down next to the old man in a bit of a surprise.

Fred: How did you know?

Guru: I didn't!

Fred has a look of utter belief on his face. The guru then laughs a little and slaps his leg to complete the joke.

Guru: I just assumed because no one would be crazy enough to come up here.

Fred continues to look on in disbelief as the old man continues to laugh a little bit. He clears his throat with a cough a spits out to the side. The guru ushers Fred to sit down and he does so reluctantly. The guru grabs a bowl, fills it and hands it over to Fred.

Guru: Want some?

Fred looks at it and takes the bowl and spoon from him and begins to eat it. The guru smirks a little as he eats too.

Guru: You can taste the rat.

Fred stops and looks back down at the bowl. The guru keeps eating as Fred glances back to the bowl.

Fred: (Scoffs) You kidding me? From where I just came from, this was an upgrade.

Fred continues to eat as the guru laughs.

Guru: Good, because-

Fred: There is no rat. It's all herbs with some pork. Mistraili herbs mostly.

The guru laughs a little as he keeps eating. Fred joins him as the two continue to watch the flames dance around little by little. Eventually, the guru finishes his bowl and slowly stands up and looks down at Fred. Fred looks up at him and sees him smile a bit and slowly makes his way to an entrance of a massive cave.

Guru: So, you truly are the Guardian? Rockwell's grandson?

Fred: You knew my grandfather?

Guru: Ah yes. We went and established Shrine Academy in east Mistrial.

Fred: I'm aware. So...you're Tempus then.

Tempus: (Bows) In the flesh.

Fred: Wouldn't that put you in your 80's?

Tempus: Nineties, actually. Oh, the joys of aura. Still hurts your back though. But still.

Tempus waves him off and walks back a little. Fred stands up and walks a bit to catch up with him.

Fred: Sir, I need your help.

Tempus: I am aware. You look beaten. I can find you some bandages and-

Fred: I need help to kill Onyx.

Tempus stops and stands still. He sighs and slowly turns around to look Fred in the face.

Tempus: You may have passed Primus' test, boy. But you have not yet passed mine. I am open to helping you. I helped your grandfather and your father. So, pray tell, Frederic, why should I bother with you?

Fred: I'm the Guardian of Flame. It's my job to protect this planet!

Tempus: All because you are the Guardian you deem yourself worthy of my teachings? Fine then. Let's see how well you far?

Tempus uses both his hands to grab his staff and leaps up and goes in for a roundhouse kick. Fred ducks under it and has a surprised look on his face. Tempus lands and Fred looks back at him. Tempus thrusts his staff towards Fred. Fred dodges it but doesn't attack. Tempus swings back and tries to attack Fred again. Fred rolls backward to avoid the attack again but gets hit in the head with the staff as Tempus being to whack him over and over again.