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Odysseus - Guardian of Fury
The Guardians are a group of beings who oversee the fundamental aspects of existence. Each of them has a unique role and responsibility in maintaining the balance and harmony of the universe. Their purpose is to protect their domains from any threats or disturbances and to assist other beings in their quest for knowledge and growth.
Six of the higher guardians are seated in a semicircle, their expressions stern and unyielding. In the center of the room stands a solitary chair. Aza, the Guardian of Power, drags Odysseus in, bound with shimmering magical chains. Odysseus wears a menacing grin as he is forcefully seated. Aza stands behind him, gripping his right shoulder tightly.
Veda, the Guardian of Knowledge, rises and begins to speak. “Thank you for bringing him, Aza. We shall begi—” She sighs deeply. “Where is Death?” She glances at Aviv.
“Don’t look at me. No matter how many times I lecture him about punctuality, he never listens,” Aviv, the Guardian of Time, replies in a monotone voice.
Veda turns to her right. “Aoibhe, do you know where he is?”
“Do I look like his keeper?” Aoibhe, the Guardian of Life, snaps with attitude.
“That’s not… just… Nevermind. We can get started withou—” Veda is interrupted as a black portal materializes in the room.
Death, who prefers to be called Bob, stumbles in. “SORRY, sorry. Had a sudden emergency. You wouldn’t believe who just died. OH, and how he died was just crazy. I tell you there was some—”
“DEATH!” Veda snaps, her eyes cold.
“thing…” Bob clears his throat and straightens his cloak. “Yes, ma’am.” He quickly moves to his seat between Aoibhe and Versa, the Guardian of Realms. Leaning over to Versa, he whispers, “What’s up with Miss Smartie Pants over here?”
Versa whispers back, “Don’t you know why we’re here? Read the room…”
Bob looks around and whispers back, “Yeah, still not getting it. Who’s that in the middle of the room? And why is he giving you an intensely creepy stare?”
Versa facepalms. “Just… listen for once. This is serious.”
They notice Veda glaring at them. “Are you done? I’d really like to get started.” Bob sits back and nods.
“Thank you.” Veda turns back to Odysseus. “Now then, Odysseus, Guardian of Fury. Do you know why you are here today?”
Odysseus replies with a snarky smile, “No, I don’t. Would you please enlighten me, Your Majesty of Infinite Wisdom?”
Veda glares at him. “Don’t push your luck, Fury. I’ll show you what real fury looks like.”
Aether, the Guardian of Elements, places her hand on Veda’s arm and whispers, “Veda, this is no time to lose your cool. He’s just trying to get into your head. It’s an obvious villain tactic.”
Veda sighs. “Yes, you’re right. Moving on… Odysseus, Guardian of Fury…”
“Yeah, you said that already. Honestly, I’m getting sick of hearing it.” Odysseus rolls his eyes.
Veda ignores him, clears her throat, and speaks louder. “You are charged with plotting with another guardian to perform illegal acts. Would you care to explain just what you were plotting?”
Odysseus grins. “And why would I do tha—” He stutters as Aza tightens his grip. “—at. Geez, Aza, loosen up, will ya? I think you’ve been hitting those protein shakes too much.”
Aza’s glare could cut steel. “Answer the question, boy.”
Odysseus rolls his eyes again. “Fine. We were planning to give the lower guardians a little boost of power so they could feel like all you high and mighty guardians.”
Veda glares in disbelief. Aza tightens his grip even more, causing Odysseus to moan in pain. “Just how freakin’ strong are you!? OW! OW! OK, OK. I’ll tell you. We were creating a device to take powers away and grant them to the user.” Odysseus gives a smug smile. “And I was hoping to use this device on the likes of all of you—”
Veda interrupts. “And just who were you conspiring with?”
Odysseus smirks, leaning forward slightly. “Wouldn’t you like to know…”
“Yes, I would. That’s why I asked,” Veda says, unamused.
Odysseus leans back. “Well, it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? Since he doesn’t exist anymore… Oops, did I just say that out loud?” He laughs.
Everyone falls silent as his words sink in, grasping the reality of their meaning.
“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” Veda snarls.
“Well, I guess he still exists, but who knows for how much longer.” He starts laughing. “You know, for the Guardian of Knowledge, you sure seem pretty damn clueless. It’s hilarious. You think you are the guardians of the universe, but you are nothing but arrogant tyrants who oppress and ignore the lower guardians. You have no idea what it’s like to live in the shadows, to be denied the respect and recognition you deserve, to be treated as inferior and disposable. You have no idea how much I hate you, how much I’ve suffered because of you, how much I’ve planned and waited for this moment.”
While delivering his monologue, he pushes something on his wrist, releasing a small device, and slowly moves it towards his palm.
“You all are fools. Bringing me here only brought me closer to you. My plan was already in motion, and you just gave me what I wanted. While I want to take all of your powers, I know it’s too risky at the moment. So thank you, Vivek, Guardian of Intuition. Your power was all that I needed to kickstart my ingenious plan. Now then, for my next target…”
The tension in the room rises as everyone readies themselves for whatever is coming.
Bob leans in and whispers to Versa, “Ver… I think I get it now… Why he was staring at you… you need to run.”
Versa replies with a confused look, “What are you talking about?”
Odysseus grabs Aza by the wrist and looks him in the eyes. “Sorry, bro, but I’m gonna need some of this.”
He quickly slides a syringe from his wrist, sticks it in Aza’s arm, and pulls some of Aza’s essence out. “I’d save you the pain and just take it all, but I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
Veda yells, “Odysseus, what did you just do?!”
Aza surprisingly faints, and Odysseus inserts the syringe into his arm, pushing the essence into himself. He then snaps the chains and stands up to walk toward Versa.
“Hello, sweetie. I’m going to need your precious power.”
Veda yells, “STOP RIGHT THERE, ODYSSEUS!”
Death steps in front of Versa, blocking Odysseus as Aether uses an ice spell to freeze Odysseus’ feet.
Veda demands, “Just what did you do to Aza? And to Vivek?”
Odysseus turns his gaze to Veda. “Isn’t it obvious by now? Wow, are you sure you’re the Guardian of Knowledge? HA! I stole their powers, and now I will steal all your powers, one by one, and add them to my own. You will be weak and helpless, while I’ll be unstoppable. You have no chance against me, and no hope of escape. I will not spare any of you, not even the ones who pretended to be my friends. I will erase you from existence and make sure no one remembers your names.”
He breaks free from Aether’s spell with ease, swipes his arm, releasing a wave of power that knocks everyone down, and super jumps towards Versa, knocking Death aside. He grabs her by the throat and holds her up.
“And I’m starting with this one. Guardian of the Realms. I need your power to search the ends of the universe and beyond for followers whom I can trust. I will grant them a place in my new world. They will take the place of all of you worthless excuses for guardians.”
He takes the syringe and starts to move it towards Versa. He manages to get it in her arm and starts to extract her essence when suddenly Death’s scythe knocks it from her arm and Odysseus’ hand. The syringe skids across the floor.
Death yells, “NOW, VERSA! RUN!”
Odysseus loosens his grip as his gaze follows the syringe, allowing Versa to wiggle free. As she frees herself, she takes a few steps back, taking staggered breaths to regain herself. She opens a portal next to each guardian.
Versa turns to Death. “Bob, make sure everyone else escapes too. I’ll come to find you all. I promise.” He nods as she stumbles backward through a portal.
ns 15.158.61.51da2
