Energies began to emanate from their bodies, flowing like rivers of light toward the circle on the ground. The eyes of the five guardians turned completely white, as if they had temporarily lost their sight. The projected energies formed images within the circle, like an old television coming to life.
"My dear guardians, it is time for you to know and understand everything," echoed the deep, calm voice of Avocios, filling the desolate space with his presence.
"What happened that day? I should tell you... And also why I took some of your memories," Avocios continued, though before he could go on, Silver and Krasper interrupted in unison: "He said everyone except me!" while still connected to the ritual.
Vivid images emerged from the circle, revealing what had truly occurred on that fateful day.
The place that was now arid and desolate ruins had once been a majestic and vibrant realm. Fields were covered with brightly colored flowers, small rivers wound through lush vegetation, and at the center stood an enormous palace whose upper parts gleamed golden while the lower sections shimmered silver. It was a sight worthy of admiration, a masterpiece crafted by divine hands.
Suddenly, a voice called out from within the palace.
"My lord Avocios, master? Where are you?" asked a knight in golden armor as he walked through the halls. It was Golden, his imposing figure contrasting with the delicate ornaments adorning the walls. Each hallway was filled with paintings depicting the different planets where Avocios had been, creating life alongside his siblings. There were also portraits of when Avocios created his guardians, bestowing upon them unique abilities based on their personalities and natures.
Golden continued forward until he reached the throne room. Before him floated a grand throne above ethereal clouds, but it was empty.
"Where could my lord have gone?" Golden murmured, looking around. On one of the left walls, he noticed a screen concealing a secret garden. Upon opening it, he encountered a breathtaking landscape: flowers of every color, lush trees, and a crystal-clear pond. In the middle of the garden stood someone with their back turned, dressed in a robe that seemed made of light, with long, wavy hair resembling a lion's mane.
"I've finally found you, master," Golden said, approaching respectfully.
The figure slowly turned, revealing a human face in its fifties, with a relatively long beard and kind yet powerful features. He wore a robe reaching down to his knees and was barefoot, fully connected to the nature surrounding him.
"Ah, it's you, my little Golden. What brings you here? Isn't this place peaceful?" Avocios asked with a warm smile.
"My lord, why are you in this form and not the one you adopted in this world?" Golden asked, concerned.
"Relax," responded a voice coming from behind Avocios.
"Master, what are you doing conversing with that rabid dog, Silver?" Golden growled, visibly irritated, his golden armor glowing more intensely due to his frustration.
"Who are you calling a rabid dog, stray cat?" Silver shot back instantly, his eyes gleaming with a defiant spark as he stood tall before Golden.
Both began to argue, their voices resonating throughout the garden like thunder that demanded attention.
"At least I don't spend all day licking myself like some pampered feline!" Silver retorted, crossing his arms with a haughty expression.
"And you're nothing but an ill-trained puppy who won't stop barking!" Golden countered, pointing at Silver with a dismissive gesture.
"Calm down, my children. You're fighting like cats and dogs, just like those animals on Earth," Avocios commented with a soft laugh. "It seems creating you inspired by those types of animals made you this way... Though perhaps it would be good to correct that," he reflected aloud, contemplating the changes he might need to make.
"Don't worry, my lord. These two knuckleheads will be fine; there's no need to change them," said a feminine voice in a relaxed tone.
"And are you here too, bird girl?" Golden asked upon seeing Meliradal, who was accompanied by a flock of birds fluttering peacefully around the garden.
"How dare you!" exclaimed Nakia, Meliradal's little bird companion, flying indignantly around her mistress.
"Hey, can you all relax? I'm taking a nice bath in this fountain," Kilibur said from the small pond, enjoying the cool water as if nothing bad could possibly happen.
"What about you too, fox boy? Why is everyone here except me? When did this party start without me? The only one missing now is that lizard showing up," Golden muttered, irritated that he seemed to be the only one concerned about the situation.
"Relax, pampered cat. I'm over here watching the reptiles slither around," Krasper replied, gesturing toward some chameleons and iguanas lazily moving among the tree branches.
"Who are you calling a lizard?!" Golden shouted, growing angrier by the second as everyone remained calm while he tried to warn them about the impending danger.
"Relax, boy. You'll get wrinkles," Avocios joked with a kind smile. "Come and join us."
"Of course, if my lord says so..." Golden responded, almost removing his helmet to relax, but suddenly stopped, remembering the reason for his concern. "I can't, my lord. There have been sightings of a massive army approaching this place. My lord, we must stay alert and counterattack."
"Hmm... I wonder if it would've been better to create beings with human traits but animal forms," Avocios mused aloud, lost in thought. "But no, better not. They might end up eating the inhabitants of this world, who are fruits and vegetables."
"My lord, don't ignore me! We must prepare an offensive against the enemy," Golden insisted, now more serious than ever. However, the others continued to pay him no mind.
"Relax, if they come, you can handle them," Silver said, brushing off the matter.
"I'm strong and fast, but I can't take all of them at once," Golden retorted, visibly frustrated.
"So, are you a weakling?" Meliradal teased with a mischievous smile.
"I am NOT a weakling! You'll see—I can take all of them," Golden snapped, his anger rising with every word.
"Relax, kitty, or you'll have a heart attack," Krasper quipped, unable to contain his sarcasm.
At that moment, someone rushed into the area—it was Toco-Toco, the small feline.
"My lord Golden, there's trouble, meow!" the cat announced, panting from the effort of running all the way there.
"What is it, Toco-Toco?" Golden asked, looking at the feline with concern as he noticed the panicked expression on his face.
"Yes, my lord! I ran here with all my strength," the cat said, trying to catch his breath.
"Alright, give me your report," Golden ordered, crossing his arms seriously.
"Yes, the report is that a large and powerful army made up of fruits from various nations is approaching!" Toco-Toco explained quickly.
"The usual. They're always around these parts," Krasper interrupted, as if it were routine.
"It's not as you think, my lord Krasper! Not only are there armored fruits, but they're being led by humanoid animals, like some kind of rodents, but enormous, meow," Toco-Toco continued, making dramatic gestures to emphasize his point. "Also, they carry banners of shadows in various colors, and at the front is an enormous badger."
"Didn't they come last time?" Meliradal interjected, recalling previous battles.
"Yes, I think so," Kilibur added, stepping out of the water and drying himself off casually.
"But this time they're armed to the teeth with weapons I've never seen before, my lords," Toco-Toco said, his voice trembling but resolute. "They've also brought something huge hidden under large blankets. I don't know what it could be; I couldn't infiltrate any further," the little feline added, lowering his head apologetically.
"You did well to tell me," Golden responded, nodding seriously as he placed a hand on the small cat's shoulder.
"Also, the one leading them emitted a stench filled with darkness and pure evil," Toco-Toco continued, shuddering as he recalled the oppressive sensation that had overwhelmed him when he got too close.
"We shouldn't worry about such trivialities. With my weapons, we can take them down," Krasper interrupted, crossing his arms arrogantly while flashing a confident smile.
"Calm down, my children. If what Toco-Toco says is true, we'd better prepare ourselves," Avocios said, his tone now more serious and concerned. His gaze became distant, as if analyzing something the others couldn't see.
"What's wrong, my lord?" Golden asked, noticing how Avocios' expression had suddenly changed upon hearing the last part of Toco-Toco's report.
"I'm not sure, but I believe it's something that requires my supervision," Avocios replied, his voice filled with determination. "Come, everyone. It's time to face them. They must not reach here," he ordered, transforming into his radiant, majestic golden humanoid avocado form.
"I'll never understand why you like that form so much, master," Krasper remarked with a sarcastic smile, though it was clear he respected his creator's decision.
"It's simple: on the planet we visited, Earth, I tried them and was fascinated. So I decided to give them life here, as well as make them my bearers of light and order," Avocios responded with a calm smile, his eyes gleaming with nostalgia.
"Alright, everyone, to your positions," Avocios commanded without hesitation, his tone firm and authoritative as he pointed toward the horizon where the enemy forces would soon appear.
The guardians exchanged quick glances, each assuming their position with determination. Golden adjusted his armor, Meliradal spread her wings gracefully, Krasper unsheathed his weapons with a flash of energy, and Kilibur emerged from the water completely dry, ready for battle. They all knew this confrontation would be different, and that the fate of their world depended on them.