The climate was changing. He could feel it. There was a shiver in his bones that told him the cold was coming. Raiden turned and left. He walked a couple of steps and disappeared in a shimmer. All that was left was a cold breeze that shook the trees and rustled the leaves. In a vast canyon across the world, Raiden reappeared simultaneously with five others wearing similar white robes. They acknowledged each other with a silent nod. The six of them walked a short distance to the edge of the canyon where it plunged down several hundred feet. The six of them stood there for a few moments before the shortest in the group said, “You know what is going to happen next, don’t you?” Arealio was the youngest in the clan and he was always the first one to point out the obvious.

They were the Six Guardians. The six messengers of the Gods who were sent to Earth to carry out the Gods’ bidding. They wore white robes to signify their purity and carried out their task with conviction. The Six Guardians had never failed while carrying out a task and had never questioned the Gods’ decision.

After a moment of silence, Raiden turned to the others and said, “We have to go see them, this is getting out of hand.”

“You know we can’t change their mind. Our predecessors have tried before and failed. We just can’t defy the Gods like that,” said Vortin with a slightly raised voice.

“We must try. We cannot just let this carry on. Your talking about billions of innocent lives. If we don’t intervene they will all be sacrificed. How could you live with yourself after that?” asked Syreon who was the only female in the group.

“I agree with Vortin. It is not our place to question the Gods,” said Windell. “We can’t just defy them like that. There’s a certain order in the universe and this is just the way it is,” he continued.
Eldon was the oldest and wisest of the Guardians. He stood at the edge of the group staring out to the horizon. He was contemplating what to do next. Eldon just couldn’t make up his mind. He listened as the others debate amongst themselves and his mind took in everything they were saying. Closing his eyes, he blocked out the sound of the others and visualized the Earth as it was when the Gods had first made it.

Eldon was standing at the edge of a cliff staring over The Great Barrier Reef. It was so beautiful. He was breathless. Eldon remembered the first time he had gone there with the others. The six of them had stood there in silence like they had at the canyon. But it was different. That silence had been because of the indescribable beauty of the reef. They were speechless. Looking back Eldon felt a deep grief in his heart. He regretted not trying harder to change it. Now, it was all going to be destroyed because the humans just didn’t care. It wasn’t worth it. Eldon just couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.

Then, he was standing atop a hill in the Black Forest, Germany. The air was fresh but that had changed. Tourism had brought about the construction of big machines and establishments. These mechanical monsters were destroying the environment and the Black Forest had lost its beauty. Now, the tears were flowing down his cheek in a constant flow.
Once again the scene changed and Eldon was standing at the edge of the Arctic ice region. He looked around and saw the clear white icebergs that were whole and not scattered everywhere. In today’s world, global warming had caused the ice to melt and the water level was rising. The animals that lived in the Arctic region were losing their habitat. Eldon was snapped out of his train of thoughts when he heard Raiden’s voice.

“Eldon? Eldon? What is wrong?” asked Raiden with a concerned tone.

“Nothing. I’m fine. I just got caught up with my thoughts. So, tell me brother, what is the verdict? Shall we turn our backs on these mortals and walk away or shall we continue on this foolish quest?” asked Eldon.

“What do you think Eldon? You have always guided us in the right direction. Your wisdom has never failed us before,” said Syreon with a look of hope. It was no secret that Eldon was Syreon’s idol. She looked to him for advice and guidance.

“I don’t know Syreon. This is a sensitive issue and we cannot make any hasty decisions. I, for one, do not want to go to the Gods if some of us are not willing. We must be united in our decision and there can be no hesitation. So the question remains, are we united?” asked Eldon. He looked around at the faces of the others.

“We are,” the other five said after some consideration.

“Then it is decided. We shall leave at once. Come, before it is too late,” said Eldon while walking away from the canyon edge. The six of the walked a short distance and disappeared in a shimmer.
They reappeared in the mountainous regions at the edge of Scandinavia. The sight was spectacular. A massive gate only visible to those worthy. Mere mortals were blind to everything around them. They only see what they want to see. Raiden took the first step and the others followed him through the gates to the House of Gods. This was a majestic place where only the Gods of Gods could dwell. The Six Guardians approached the council of Gods and they welcomed them with the usual greetings.

“What brings the Six Guardians to our humble council,” began the head of the council, Orthelio.
“We have come to ask you to stop. This cannot carry on. We, the Six Guardians, will not let you destroy the very world you once helped to build,” began Raiden. He spoke in short breaths because in truth, Raiden was nervous. He never thought they would be here.
“How dare you? This is not a matter for you to decide! Know your place young Raiden! The six of you are merely messengers and nothing more,” said the council’s oldest member. An elderly woman known only as The Elder. She was the wisest and strictest of all the council members.
“Pardon me, councilwoman, but I believe it was you who first created Earth. When you first became a Goddess, you and your late husband created Earth with the very love and passion that sparked your own life. How can you stand to destroy it all? After all the effort that you and your late husband put into it,” asked Eldon with a sincere look. The others turned to him. They were astonished at his boldness of bringing up her personal life.

They glanced up at the council and saw The Elder turning away from them with a glint of tears on her face.

Another God standing quietly at the corner stepped out of the shadow and said, “What do the six of you propose we do? Look around you. If we do not cleanse the Earth now it will be damaged beyond all reasonable doubt. Not by us, but by them. You have seen the way those mortals treat their land and sea. What we are doing is for the goodness of the Earth. Do you think we enjoy this? Do you think we enjoy destroying everything we built?”

Arealio stepped forward. “Your honour, I realise that I am the youngest and the least experienced amongst the other Guardians and it probably is not my place to say, but there is a way. Not all mortals are as you make them out to be. There are some who have raised to the occasion. At this very time, these mortals are out there making an effort, trying to raise awareness amongst the ignorant mortals. If you grant us permission, we could help. Send the Six Guardians to help these mortals. I have no doubt in my mind that we can make a change,” said Arealio with determination. In his mind, Arealio was impressed with himself.

“Well, it is too late for that. The climate change has begun. In a year, the Earth will be cleansed and evolution can start again,” said the head of the council with only half a heart. The Guardians along with the other members of the council could tell he was considering the decision.
“You know Orthelio, it is not too late,” said The Elder with a soft voice.

The others in the room were surprised to hear her voice. They looked at her and her eyes were slightly red but she had regained her composure. “We can still change this. Orthelio, I think we should give the Guardians a chance. But on one condition. We give them one year. One year to make a difference. If they fail, we carry on. What say you, Orthelio?” continued The Elder while standing up.

“I agree. Alright. You six have our consent. Go now. You have much to do if you are going to achieve your goal,” said Orthelio with a slight smile.

The Six Guardians nodded their heads and turned around.

Just as they were leaving, Orthelio stood up and said, “And Raiden, don’t let us down.”
The six of them continued walking and shimmered again. They returned to the edge of the canyon.
“So, do you think we can do it?” asked Arealio.

The others turned to look at him and started laughing. They stood there for a few more moments. They understood that they would have to go to the ends of the world to stop the climate change. Then one by one, they began to disappear in a shimmer. Each of them had a mission to do. But to accomplish such a big mission, they would have to go their separate ways. Now, the fate of the Earth rested in the hands of six friends who would stop at nothing to accomplish their mission and save the rest of the mortals on Earth.