The massive figure before them loomed like a statue brought to life, its presence casting a shadow over the crew. Every inch of its frame emanated power—ancient, untapped, and raw. But as it spoke, the crew couldn't help but notice the hollow undertone in its voice, as if something vital was missing.
"I am the Guardian of the Old Era. You dare awaken me from my slumber?" The words echoed in the cavern, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
But something felt… off. The figure's movements were stiff, its eyes burning with a strange, mechanical glow. There was no emotion in its voice, no flicker of recognition when it looked upon them. It was as though the entity in front of them had no recollection of its past, no understanding of its purpose beyond its title.
Hiro stepped forward, his expression calculating. "Guardian, huh? You look more like a forgotten relic."
The figure's head tilted slightly, almost curiously. "I am the Guardian, the protector of the Old Era. My purpose is clear. I exist to guard that which lies beyond." The voice, though deep, lacked the conviction of someone with a true sense of identity. There was no pride in its tone, no bitterness or anger. Just a mechanical delivery, as though it were reciting words it had been programmed to say.
"So you've been guarding this door... but you don't even know what you're guarding?" Hiro's voice was laced with skepticism. He wasn't about to just accept this ancient being at face value, especially when its mannerisms and speech seemed so unnatural.
The Guardian paused, its glowing eyes flickering for a moment. "I do not remember. My memories… are clouded. I remember only that I must guard. Guard from what, I do not know."
Hikari, who had been studying the figure with her sharp senses, frowned. "A Guardian with no memory? How is that possible?"
Musica, who had been unusually quiet, strummed a few notes on his instrument. The haunting melody filled the cavern, the music resonating in the air around them. He looked at the Guardian with a furrowed brow. "You don't seem like a living being at all. There's something... mechanical about you. Are you a robot?"
The Guardian turned its head slowly, as if processing the question. "A robot? I… do not know this term. But I am a being of metal and light, bound to my purpose. I feel… a sense of emptiness. My memory has been wiped."
Demetrius, always the skeptic, crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "So, you're some kind of machine? Not even a real person?"
The Guardian's chest let out a low hum, and the symbols etched into its body flickered as though activating something deep inside. "I was once more. But now, I am only a shell, an echo of a greater power. I have no past, only the task to guard. But… something feels different now."
Hiro stepped forward again, his gaze narrowing. "You're more than just a machine. I can feel it. But you've lost everything you once knew. What if you don't even know who or what you were before?"
The Guardian's eyes glowed brighter. "I… do not know."
There was a long pause as the crew exchanged glances. A robot? An ancient machine with no memory of its past? If that was true, it was even more dangerous than they thought. Hiro could tell this wasn't just any normal relic. It had once been something powerful—something capable of guarding whatever lay behind that door.
---
Hiro's mind raced as he processed what had just unfolded. A forgotten relic of an ancient era, a machine with untapped potential, and no memories of its true purpose. This wasn't the kind of thing you could just ignore. Not when it could be a tool, or even a weapon, in their hands.
"Alright," Hiro said, his voice suddenly steady and commanding. "I have a proposal."
The crew looked at him, curious.
"This Guardian… this lost being, it's not our enemy. It has no memories, no sense of purpose. But that doesn't mean it's a threat. In fact, we could use someone like this." Hiro's gaze hardened. "You're coming with us."
There was a brief moment of silence.
"What are you talking about, Captain?" Demetrius asked, confused. "A robot, with no memories? How does that help us?"
"It's not about what it is now, but what it could be." Hiro replied. "We'll help it recover its memories, piece by piece, if we have to. And when we do, we'll have a powerful ally. We don't turn down potential, especially not in this world."
Soruto stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Are you sure about this, Captain? We don't even know what it's capable of when it regains its full strength."
Hiro's lips curled into a smirk. "I've never backed down from something I couldn't handle. And right now, I don't see any other choice. Besides, it's not like we don't have a way to control it if things go wrong."
The crew nodded in agreement, though they were still uncertain about the potential dangers of this newfound ally.
---
A New Member
The Guardian looked down at Hiro, its glowing eyes shifting in and out of focus. "You… wish for me to join you? To leave this place and follow you?"
Hiro met its gaze, unwavering. "Yes. You'll be a part of the Night Guild Pirates now. And together, we'll find out what happened to you, what you were meant to guard, and where you belong in this world."
The Guardian stood silently for a moment before its chest emitted a soft whirring sound. Slowly, it lowered its head in what could be interpreted as acknowledgment.
"I will follow you… Captain."
The Guardian, now standing amongst the crew, was an enigma. Its towering, metallic frame loomed like a silent sentinel, but there was an undeniable presence to it. Despite not knowing its true purpose, it followed Hiro without question, its steps heavy and deliberate. As the crew made their way back to the ship, they couldn't help but glance at the mysterious figure from time to time.
Hiro, leading the group, was deep in thought. He had made a bold decision to bring the Guardian along, but there was a nagging feeling in his gut. What if this thing was more than it appeared? What if the mysteries of its past turned out to be dangerous? But there was no turning back now. He trusted his instincts, and right now, he felt the Guardian was more of an asset than a threat. Still, it was going to take time to fully understand its capabilities.
Hikari, walking beside Hiro, observed the Guardian closely, her usual calm expression betraying a flicker of curiosity. "Do you think it'll remember anything? Or is it doomed to remain like this?"
Hiro glanced sideways at her, his expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure. But if it regains its memories, we might unlock something extraordinary. Whatever it was before, it could be one hell of an asset to the crew."
Hikari nodded, a flicker of intrigue in her eyes. "I suppose. But we should be cautious. If its memories return, it might be more than we bargained for."
The group continued walking in silence, their destination clear—the Night Guild's ship, still docked at the shore of the mysterious island. It was a small, but formidable vessel, and as the crew approached, the familiar sights and sounds of the ship welcomed them. The hustle of the crew members, the creaking of the ship's wooden boards, and the gentle sway of the ocean were a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the island they had just left behind.
Once aboard, the crew scattered, each member going to their respective duties. Musica, with his usual laid-back attitude, plopped down on the deck, strumming a few soothing notes from his guitar. "So, a new member, huh?" he mused, his voice light but with a hint of amusement. "What's next? Another wild adventure with a mysterious guardian at our side?"
Demetrius, who had been sharpening his sword nearby, glanced up at the Guardian. "Yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about it. It's strong, sure, but that doesn't mean it's entirely on our side. How do we even know it won't turn on us?"
Hiro, leaning against the ship's railing, took a moment to look at the Guardian. The hulking figure stood apart from the rest of the crew, its posture almost stoic. Hiro's gaze softened slightly. "I'll keep an eye on it. But for now, we need to focus on getting our bearings. We've been through a lot these past few days."
Hikari stepped up next to Hiro, her voice calm yet firm. "We could use a rest. The crew's been through a lot, and it's starting to show. Some time to recuperate would do us good."
Hiro turned to her, nodding. "Agreed. We'll take a few days to rest. Maybe we can use this time to figure out more about the Guardian and its past. But once we're ready, we head for the next island. No more delays."
As the crew began to settle in, Soruto stood at the edge of the ship, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. He could feel the tension in the air. With the Guardian's sudden appearance, things were bound to change. For better or for worse, the ship now carried an unknown entity—one whose strength and potential they hadn't fully understood.
Musica, his fingers still moving skillfully over his guitar, broke the silence with a smirk. "Well, if nothing else, this is gonna make our travels a whole lot more interesting."
---
Later that Evening
The ship was now anchored safely in the open ocean, the soft rocking of the water providing a rhythmic lullaby for the crew. Some gathered below deck, while others remained on the deck, enjoying the fresh night air. Hiro stood at the helm of the ship, staring out at the moonlit expanse.
His mind was still on the Guardian. It wasn't a simple decision to bring it on board. Not when they didn't fully understand what they were dealing with. But Hiro's instincts told him there was more to this machine than met the eye. And it wasn't just about what it could do for them—it was about the potential of discovering something powerful. Something ancient.
"Captain." Hikari's voice broke him from his thoughts, and Hiro turned to see her standing behind him. "We'll need a strategy moving forward. The crew's worn out, and there's only so much rest can do."
Hiro gave her a small smile, his gaze returning to the horizon. "I know. We can't afford to sit idle for too long. Once everyone's rested, we'll make our next move. We'll find the next island, the next challenge. And we'll make sure the Guardian stays under control."
Hikari nodded, her expression still serious. "And what if it doesn't want to stay under control?"
Hiro met her gaze, the faintest hint of a grin on his lips. "Then we'll deal with that too."
---
The Guardian's Watch
Below deck, the Guardian stood in solitude. It had remained quiet since they returned to the ship, standing vigil in the corner of the lower deck, as though waiting for some unspoken command. Its eyes scanned the area, but it was more than just a machine—it felt, in a way, like it was still searching for something deep inside itself.
It was a protector. It had always been one, and even without its memories, it knew its role was to guard. But guard what? That was the question that plagued it. The crew of the Night Guild Pirates had given it new purpose, but its true nature was still locked away.
In the silence of the ship, the Guardian could feel something stirring inside it. "Guard… protect…" The words escaped its lips quietly, almost to itself. But what was it protecting now? What had it been guarding all these years?