The Guardian

Jayden, her adopted sister Emma, her boyfriend Michael, Jay, Hailey, and Data-G-01 walked into an old barn beside a haunted-looking farmhouse.

Inside, the barn was nothing like they had expected. Rows of computers hummed endlessly, some constantly calculating probabilities while others sat idle, awaiting command instructions. At the center of the room stood a massive metallic pedestal surrounded by glowing cables that disappeared into the floor.

"This is amazing," Jay said, turning in a slow circle as he took in the unbelievable sight.

"Don't you know computer nerds would absolutely love this place?" Hailey said with a grin.

Without saying a word, Data-G-01 approached the pedestal. He opened a compartment in the center of his chest, revealing the Intergalactic Time Space Continuum Tube nestled securely inside. With remarkable precision, he removed the glowing tube and carefully placed it into a circular socket atop the pedestal.

He then stepped to a nearby computer terminal and rapidly entered a series of complex codes. The surrounding computers came alive as streams of data raced across their screens.

Data-G-01 motioned for everyone to gather.

"Stand together in a straight line," he instructed.

The group exchanged uncertain glances before following his directions.

The tube slowly began to glow a deep, dark blue. Its light intensified for nearly twenty seconds until the entire barn fell silent. Suddenly, the glow condensed into the image of a sage-colored face suspended within the tube itself.

The figure's luminous eyes opened.

"Greetings, humans," the being said in a calm yet powerful voice. "I am Guardian 20276-7, an intergalactic being from another dimension."

The group stood frozen.

“You have been chosen to save mankind from the evil Dr. Mustissac,” said Guardian 20276-7.

“Who is this Dr. Mustissac?” Jayden asked.

“Take a look at the view screen,” the Guardian replied.

Mustissac was once a teenager who dreamed of becoming a scientist. His fascination with experimentation led him to dangerous chemical mixtures and unstable gases. One day in college, he caused a massive explosion in a classroom laboratory after combining bleach, household cleaners, and other volatile substances.

He was expelled.

 But expulsion did not end his experiments.

Instead, Mustissac continued in secret—in his parents’ basement—pushing deeper into forbidden chemistry. Consumed by anger, he vowed revenge on the school.

While attempting another experiment beneath the university years later, he combined unstable gases that tore open a warp vortex. From it emerged the Gildebane, an ancient staff containing corrupt and reality-warping power.

Possessed by the staff, Mustissac’s ambitions evolved beyond revenge. He no longer sought to destroy a school—he sought to destroy universes, dimensions, and mankind itself.

His plan involved combining the Intergalactic Time-Space Continuum Tube with three ancient magic cards: Asterion, Nyxara, and Tharos,” said Guardian 20276-7.

“We have the Intergalactic Time Space Continuum Tube, which means he’s less of a threat,” Michael said.

“Yes… but the three cards he seeks are far more dangerous in the wrong hands,” the Guardian replied. “His army of mind-controlled card hunters grows daily. He forces them to challenge others in Shadow Games to expand his control.”

“I bet they cheat,” Jay muttered angrily.

“We need to find those three magic cards before Mustissac does,” Jayden said.

“Unfortunately… they could be anywhere,” the Guardian said.

There is also a high probability that one of the Card Hunters already possesses the five cards necessary to summon Ankh,” said Data-G-01.

The room went silent.

“A card that, once summoned, ends the Shadow Game immediately,” the system continued, “declaring its controller the victor by default.”

Is there any way of stopping this card from being summoned?” Jayden asked, concern tightening her voice.

“Yes,” said Data-G-01. “You must prevent any single player from assembling all five pieces in their hand.”

“I think we should get a good night’s rest, then search for those three magic cards tomorrow,” Michael said.

“I think we should go in pairs,” Jay replied. “There’s no telling what sort of hocus pocus is waiting for us out there.”

The others exchanged looks, considering it.

After a moment, they all nodded in agreement.

Jayden sat at the kitchen table, unable to sleep.

“Everything okay?” Hailey asked as she stepped into the kitchen, noticing the light still on when she’d gone to use the bathroom.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Jayden said with a quiet sigh.

“What’s bothering you?” Hailey asked, pulling out a chair across from her.

“I don’t know,” Jayden admitted. “Just… thinking about everything. Trying to save the world. Trying to control my powers.”

Hailey nodded slowly. “Yeah… it is pretty scary what we might be facing.”

“But you know what?” Hailey added.

“What?” Jayden asked.

You’ve got friends to support you,” Hailey said with a small, reassuring smile.

Jayden reached over and hugged Hailey.

Hailey returned the hug without hesitation this time, steady and warm.

“You don’t have to carry all of this alone,” she said softly.

For a moment, the kitchen felt quieter than the world outside it—like it couldn’t reach them there.