"Igneous," started Senn. This was the first time he has spoken to the Magnorite on the road, and the first time the orange man paused in his chattering. He was telling him so many stories, and Senn wondered, "what do you know about the Songs?"
The sky was steadily becoming cloudier as they walked. Senn could see a rain coming their way, with no city was in sight.
"Well I'm no expert," admitted Igneous, "but I've certainly read about them." He thought back to the legends of a hundred and fifty years ago. They seemed so surreal. To think that one could move things without touching them, he'd never seen that in his life, although he did have a short one. "You'd be better off talking to another Ardoni though." He concluded.
A river came upon them suddenly out of the mist and Timber stopped dead at the edge. They looked over the water to the other side.
"According to the map," said Igneous, pointing across the river, "Ataraxia should be on the other side of that hill." He felt his chin, confused. "I didn't notice this river though," He scratched his head. "Not quite sure how to cross." He paused and thought back to the map. "Huh, that's funny, there's no road leading to the city."
Senn gazed out over the murky waters. He didn't expect this either, but the solution seemed simple enough. He dismounted and approached the bank. Wading into the water, he looked expectantly at Igneous.
"Uh Senn, another thing about Magnorites," Igneous said, smiling apologetically, "I don't think we can swim, or touch water, for that matter." Senn could see why. When magma meets water, it hardens into obsidian. He returned to the shore and looked across with Igneous.
A round fish-like creature emerged from the water. Its single red eye in front examined the travelers. The spikes all over its grey-green body seemed to inflate as it flapped its tail, sending ripples across the river's surface.
"Oh, look at that!" Igneous pointed at the creature. "A Guardian!" He exclaimed. "They are a holy species that guard ancient treasures from unworthy outsiders, like Ocean Monuments, but it's quite strange that one should appear in a river."
"Are they friendly?" Senn asked, walking over.
"I think so…" Igneous hesitated.
Suddenly, the Guardian's eye glowed a deeper red. A beam of light rays surrounded Senn. He was lifted into the air and over the water.
"Ahh!" He screamed. This was very frightening, to be held aloft by a beam of light. It was like when he traveled by beacon, only everything around him was visible and real. That had a nauseating effect like falling from the sky. "Igneous!" Senn shouted.
"I've got you, Senn!" Igneous rushed forward and grabbed Senn's arm. He pulled back with all his weight and after a few seconds, the Guardian let go and disappeared into the grey water.
Senn landed on the bank. Though his back hurt, it felt good to be on solid ground again. He panted heavily from the experience.
"I guess they're not so friendly after all." Wheezed Igneous. That unexpected turn of events had him tired as well. "It's going to take more than that to take my friend!" He shouted at the river.
As soon as he spoke, six Guardians emerged from the water. "Oh…" Igneous's voice trailed off. In unison, the creatures grabbed Senn and pulled him into the depths.
"Ahh!" He screamed.
"Senn!" Shouted Igneous. He ran forward, but Senn's hand slid out of his grip. Senn took one long breath before he plunged under.
"Senn? SENN!" Igneous stood on the shore with Timber, looking down into the murky waters, unsure whether he should leave or stay.
In the depths, Senn looked around him. Guardians were swimming everywhere, so he tried to avoid them. He swam towards the only location where there was nothing: four pillars, lit by a sea lantern. He came to a halt, standing in the middle and surveyed his surroundings.
A white figure emerged. It looked like a Guardian, but much bigger and stronger. As it swam majestically towards the altar, the other Guardians lined the path and tipped forward as if they were bowing their heads in respect.
Senn watched the big white Guardian come closer and closer, not quite sure what to expect. Is this the part where he dies? The giant Guardian is now in front of him now. Its eye was not red like the others', but pink. Suddenly, it glowed a brilliant white and Senn's life flashed before his eyes. Thalleous pierced by the spear, the village aflame, traveling by beacon, seeing the prime Song, Ria embracing him at the Shrine, back to when he was walking, no, flying across a snowy mountain top. There was a hint of red, then a flash of blue. Senn held his head. It felt like exploding any moment now. He could see the light, it's coming…
Then it all ended. The giant, or Elder, Senn should think, Guardian swam away, and the rest grabbed him again with their beams.