Chapter 1
"So, it has finally come to this," Russ said to himself as he faced his enemy. He stood among the rubble of what was downtown Grand Rapids. Across from him, the demonic being named Legion. This creature consumed the souls of those he killed, and added them to his own power. Russ knew that he had to defeat Legion, or the demon would consume his soul, along with his powers...that could not happen
"You cannot defeat us Guardian," the demon spoke with the multitude of voices that inhabited his essence, "We have slept and waited fifty years longer, so that we could finally achieve our ultimate goal", he then paused, and smiled, "To consume you!". In a flash, Legion advanced toward Russ, arms outstretched. Russ attempted to dodge his enemy, but he was to late, the demon had him in his clutches, it laughed.
"RRRAAARRRGH, LET ME GOOO!!!", Russ cried. He then fired beams of energy from his eyes, hitting Legion square in the face. The demon lost his grip on the meta-human. When Russ made contact with the ground, he jumped into a back-flip, hitting his adversary in the jaw. Then before landing, he flipped up, raised his arms, and fired a volley of energy from his hands. All the the projectiles hit their target. Russ looked up after his landing, but the demon still stood, almost unscathed. His fury burned inside him, and he screamed at the top of his lungs, "WHY WON'T YOU FUCKING DIEEEE?". Conjuring a energized sword, he rushed his enemy, his mind flashed back to past couple years, and what had led up to this.
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In the summer after his senior year, Russ had been having a series of cryptic dreams, all involving a strange man with super-powers. At the time, Russ thought it was nothing. But then one day, in the month of July, his life would change forever.
He had been on a camping trip with his fiance, Storm, and some other friends. Russ had had another dream, so he went outside to take walk down to the beach to clear his head. He had been sitting there, watching the waves for about fifteen minutes, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?", the voice asked.
Russ turned around quickly. Startled at first, not expecting anyone to be out there with him. The owner of the voice was an older looking gentlemen, about six feet tall, an wearing a black trench coat.
"Y-Ya, it really is", Russ replied, he then felt strangely compelled to ask, "Are you the man from my dreams?".
The man looked down at Russ and smiled, "Yes Russ, I am", He said in a calm voice. He reached out his hand, and Russ took it in his own. At that moment, a bright light shined from the man's hand. Russ shielded his eyes from the light, but it soon enveloped him.
Russ found himself floating in the air, unsure of where he was. He look around, and saw he was surrounded by other people, all were smiling at him.
"Welcome, Russell Henry Harms", they said in unison, voices warm as the light around him "You have been chosen to be Earth's new Guardian ".
"The Guardian?" Russ asked.
"The Guardian is a meta-being, a being with unique special powers. In this case you would be a meta-human, since you are human. You, Russell Henry Harms, will be entrusted with the protection of the Earth", one of the individuals said, "whether it be an evil of the Earth, or one outside it. Every planet has a Guardian, you are part of sacred order as old as the universe itself".
"You will be granted great powers", another continued, "with them, you will be able to do incredible things". He, along with many others, demonstrated a few examples. From flying to telekinesis, all manner of physical and mental abilities. Russ stared in awe at the spectacle around him, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Russ then asked, "Why me? I'm just a normal person."
The man that had first met him appeared in front of him, "You have exhibited the qualities needed of a Guardian, courage, integrity, a sense of what's right during trying times, and a knack for thinking outside the box", he said warmly. "You are the best person for this privilege". The man reached out his hand and touched Russ on the shoulder, "Do you accept?" he asked. Russ smirked and said, "Yes, I do", and with that the company of former Guardians began to glow and the light enveloped him. Russ could feel the power enter his veins, it was a warm and strengthening feeling.
But then, Russ felt something that wasn't warm and pure, but dark and threatening. Russ heard the sound of the man's voice, "There is one warning we have to give you. Beware of Legion, he is being of great evil, and knows nothing of remorse or guilt". The man went on, "Every fifty years, he escapes his prison, and goes out into the earth to consume the souls of any and all". Russ then saw in his mind the images of this dark creature, and what he saw, was horrifying. "But I have never met Legion, he never came out of his prison during my time. I fear he his biding his time, gaining more power so he can do what he has wanted to do for all time. Consume the Guardian, and gain its powers.
"How do defeat him?" Russ asked frantically.
The man replied, "You must beat him into submission, using whatever means necessary.
Russ swallowed hard, "What if I can't?", the man was silent for a second then replied, "If you cannot stop Legion, then the only thing you can do is banish him from this dimension" he went on, "Legion is bound to this dimension and universe, he cannot exist outside it. If he is banished, his essence will deteriorate, and he will be more.
"If that what it takes", Russ replied.
The man sighed and said, "There is a price if you do this, the act of dimension banishment is such a horrendous deed that if you issue it, you must be banished as well. There is no telling where you end up, or if you will survive.
Russ thought about the consequences, if he did this, he would surely save the earth, and save those he loves. But he would never see them again, "I can't bear the thought...if Legion found Storm...", he said aloud. Russ took in a deep breath, and let it out, then he announced his decision, "If I find that there is no way to defeat Legion, and I have exhausted every option, I will banish him", he paused, "I'll do whatever it takes".
"Then we wish you the best of luck Russell Henry Harms", the former Guardians said, "The incantation for banishment is spoken in the language of the universe, known on earth as Latin".
"I'm ready", Russ said.
"Then prepare yourself", the multitude said, and a blinding light enveloped Russ. It felt warm, kind, and protecting. Russ felt an empowering force fill his body. He could feel the power of the Guardian fill is mind and soul. "The incantation goes as follows," the multitude said, "Custodes Ordinis vi et animi custos mihi hoc exsilium ab hac rerum universitate. It means, by the power of the Guardian Order, and the Guardian soul in me, I hereby banish you from this universe". Russ felt the power surge through him, and then the light stopped. He opened his eyes to see that he was back on the beach.
Russ looked around, the man was gone and there were no signs of his footprints either. He then noticed something on his hand, but he already knew what it was. The Guardian symbol, and shield with a ribbon curling around it. He could see the knowledge and wonders of the universe in his head. "Wow", he said, "this is a lot to take in". He looked out onto Lake Michigan, he breathed in and sighed. "Well", he began, "looks like a got big job to do, and I'm gonna do it right. Look out Legion cause there is a new sheriff in town". Russ then reeled back and hurled a ball of energy into the night sky.
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Russ brought his blade down upon Legion, it shattered on contact. He backed away in disbelief and terror.
"N-n-no...this can't be!!" Russ stammered.
Legion grinned, "We are more powerful than you can imagine", the demon grabbed Russ by the throat and lifted him in the air. His dead stare bore into Russ' soul.
Russ struggled to get free, but Legion's grip was firm. "Oh ya", Russ gasped, "If your so *gasp* powerful, then why *gasp* do you need me".
Legion replied, "One Guardian is easy, but an army", he brought Russ' face closer, "that's where we will need your powers". Legion then threw Russ into the nearest building. Russ struck the wall at the speed of sound.
"Owww...that...hurt", Russ said weakly. He fell from the wall and landed face first.
"You are weak Guardian, you have failed this world, and the ones you love. Your soul and powers, are now ours", Legion said
Russ slowly rose to his feat, his anger and rage burned like a million suns. "THIS, ENDS, NOW!!" He cried. He flew towards Legion with blinding speed. Russ struck the demon dead center, he flew up in the air, let go of his foe, then lunged back at him, heading straight to the ground. They hit the ground, hard. Both combatants lay in the bottom of the impact crater, with Russ standing over Legion.
"YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME!!!" he screamed, "MY HOME, MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY!!!", he paused, "My beloved Storm", tears streamed down his face. "There is no point to this anymore", he continued, "So we will both go".
Legion began to rise but Russ pinned him down. "You wouldn't dare", Legion said.
Russ leaned forward and simply said, "I do". He put his hands together and began to say,"Custodes Ordinis vi et".
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!", Legion cried.
Russ continued, "Animi custos mihi hoc exsilium".
Legion struggled to get free, "WE CANNOT BE DEFEATED!!!!", he screamed, but it was too late.
Russ finished the incantation, "AB HAC RERUM UNIVERSITATE!!". Light surrounded Russ and Legion creating a sphere. Legion began to pound against the walls, but to no avail.
Legion screamed, "NNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!". He turned as a rift began to open, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!", he cried his last as he was pulled into the rift.
Russ too felt the pull of the rift, and he began to get pulled in,"I love you Storm...I'll see you soon", he said. With that Russell Henry Harms, Guardian of the earth, was sucked into the rift, and was no more. Both him and Legion were gone, and the earth was safe. Silence fell upon the battlefield, and only the sound of the wind remained.