I was done with morning practices when I heard a series of shrieks. I walked out to see thick vines wrapping everyone in the town square. Bubbly Belle was one of them. I used the enchanted shotgun and fired a few rounds. The vines retreated and I kept firing. When the vines went back into the manhole the annoying Bubbly Belle demanded that I handover the shotgun. Tiberius laughed violently and asked me to loan her the gun. I gave her the shotgun without batting and eyelash. She aimed at the manhole and squeezed the trigger. A light exited her body and entered the shogun before the round was blasted out. She started to age. Her friends explained what happened. She let go of the shotgun but to her dismay it didn't restore her youth. Tiberius explained that the shotgun can be used by psychics since they can channel the psychic energy through the weapon to defeat the enemy.
A non psychic person who can't channel the energy must do a trade. In order to use it they will have to trade their youth or health in exchange. The guardian uses their gift to channel the energy. Since Bubbly Belle possesses no psychic abilities she can't use any of the weapons that can defeat these creatures. She will die before the enemy is defeated. She stared at Tiberius with fear for a second before asking how long before her youth was restored as it was before the shot was fired. Tiberius explained politely that she had willingly handed over ten years of her life to fire that shot. So what is given can't be returned. She won't get the years she lost. She stared at her own reflection. He quietly gave me the gun before she wiped her hands on her top. She took several shallow breaths and took a few steps back. She and her friends fled the scene. Tiberius asked if anyone else wanted to be the new guardian. None stepped forth. I took the weapon and walked back to the mansion. A few gave me a smile whilst others regarded me with indifference. I ignored everyone as I made my way home.
I walked through the cemetery and saw Mr Crane galloping around. Yesterday I barely saw a silhouette. Today he looked more corporeal. His clothing is a blend of 18th-century military uniform and gothic with some spectral elements. He was described to me as a Hessian mercenary. Which meant that his uniform typically includes a heavy, dark military-style coat with brass buttons and epaulets. His most iconic garment is a long, flowing black cloak or cape depending on the person who described it. The cloak was tattered or distressed. He wore tall, black cavalry riding boots. Aunt Cassandra called them "Hessian boots". It was made out of leather. Since he is headless. So Tiberius explained that he often carries a tricorn hat or his severed head. To scare off intruders he would use a flaming pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern on his saddle pommel. He had his 18th-century broadsword. But at the moment he favored a heavy battle axe. I was summoned to the town hall for a meeting. Those who opposed my guardianship wanted to replace the residents with ignorant ones. So I will be arrested. Zilmera spoke on my behalf. She explained that the land they live in has a rule. Those who live here will respect the guardian and will recognize the position. If the people wanted to replace themselves. Then the humans will be replaced by unnaturals. She waved her hand and a few got up to prove her point.
The glamour spell disappeared for second. The florist was a petal haired woman wearing a flower for a frock with thorns on her hands and legs. The firemen were all water spirits. The café owner was a pretty young girl with golden freckles with a gold ring around her iris. The last one was an old gunslinger. The illusion was reinstated so the townspeople took back the idea and apologized. The mayor wanted to buy my property and Tiberius laughed malevolently. Everyone flinched because Tiberius had taken an oath never to lie. He calmly explained that the property was not just a home for the guardian but also a prison to some of the most violent beings. When a way discovered they are systematically destroyed. If the mayor wants to forget what it's like to have a good night's sleep then he is welcome to unleash the monsters to destroy this town. Before they go on a killing spree all over this nation. The only way to put them back in that prison would be to willingly handover the land back to the guardian and slit the mayor's throat along with anyone else who supported the idea. As the blood gushes out of the slit the prison will reopen and it will start imprisoning the escaped criminals. The sealing charms will reactivate with their deaths. The old man gripped the podium as everyone else screamed loudly. When everyone calmed down the resolution passed to let me do my business. The land was mine without any contest. No one will interfere with my duties. People wanted to help me fight. I welcomed their help. But with limitations. No one argued since the weapons are designed for me.
As I walked out to see the street was pitch black. An invisible being was walking around with a glowing cloak trailing blood. The ground swallowed it whole. The town was covered by shadows. I saw gray outlines of the property and vehicles. The moon rose and everything was bathed with blue light. The buildings caught fire and it spread without assistance. The buildings disappeared and I saw myself on a dinghy going down a river where hands stuck out as though asking for help. The dinghy stopped and I disembarked to see a valley lined with skulls of different sizes. There was a cliff with a screaming skull carved into the rock. Skulls were littered all over. A woman was standing on the edge. A sash was used to cover her eyes. She wore a crown of thorns. Her dress looked like a made from shadows. It was burned in places. A red cape flapped around even though there was no wind. She extended her hand to reach me. I saw her fingertips were bleeding since her nails had been ripped out. Her opened her mouth and all I saw was gums. I heard a sound like a nail on a chalkboard and she had a row of uneven canine teeth dripping with black liquid. There was a slashing sound. Someone had stabbed her and her wound bled florescent violet blood. She touched the wound and raised it to eye level and let out a shriek. Then I was hurled back into reality. I felt strong hands holding me steady. I looked up to see my butler.
Tiberius asked me carefully what happened. I placed my hand in his head to show him and his face turned pale. "Lissette" he dragged me to the car and drove till we were back in the safety of our house. He took me towards the river where the trees looked like it was a portal to a different world. I was told to focus and enter the space between the trees. I saw runes carved into the bark. They started to bleed as I passed through. For a moment I saw nothing. Then I was on the cliff. I called out to Lissette. She came and was about to say something when I heard a faint sound. Like an arrow being shot out to kill. So I pushed her out of the way. She got up and mentioned someone named conquistador. He showed wearing a Spanish inquisition uniform and an attitude that stinks of entitlement. I used the shotgun and blasted him arm off. He screamed in pain. I took a deep breath and aimed for his head. He understood that he was fighting a losing battle. He ran like he would become an endangered species if he was late for his wife's birthday. When I turned to face her I saw someone else too. She was bald with eight thin spider legs for arms. She was bald with no eyes, slit for nostrils and a lipless mouth that had all jagged teeth. Her knee length dress was soaked in blood. She had goat feet. She started hissing. It took me a moment to decipher her words. She mentioned that the ranger was here. I looked down to see the glowing cloak walking down below. He illuminated the surrounding area as the surrounding drank the light and expelled darkness. Lissette spoke, "Harkness. What do you think of the new guardian?" Harkness turned her head to face me. "Quick thinking under duress. Fearless. Better than her predecessor. She will do fine. She must not involve the locals. They are trying to make her obsolete." I was shoved down the cliff. I came out of the portal as though I was shot out of a canon. I had to go to the town square and tell everyone that they should live their life while I do my work. They will not interfere. I won't need their help so I am rescinding the agreement. They can assist in minor issues. No one argued with me. They made peace with it and moved on.