Seeing his eyes sparkle in merriment made her heart stop. The gentle way he handled her had her blushing. Mina's white face gained a tinge of pink on her cheeks as Kaito's musical chuckle floated around her. Trying to hide her momentary off balance of feelings, she started walking slowly and asked, "So where would the ruler be? In city hall? Or a government office somewhere? When your brother set this place up, did he decide who the ruler was or how to set up one?" Suddenly Mina realized there was a lot about this World of Dreams that she didn't understand. Now she was curious.

Kaito couldn't help but hold his smile. Just the thought of a possibility of seeing his brother again stirred him. He now felt fully motivated. "Well my brother was very smart about that. He didn't want anyone to destroy the ruler and taking their place. He made sure that the system was completely locked out from reality, and unreachable to the normal users of Abstainya. That means that only me, my brother, and the ruler could go to that place. The only reason I can get there is because my brother knew if he ever left someone would need to guard over that place. But if I bring you with me... It's about a fifty-fifty chance for you going in with me. But getting to that place isn't that easy. I will need to talk to Roy, I think you will like that guy."

She listened with interest, though it was his face coming alive that really got her attention. "Who is Roy?" She wondered now if coming along was even a good idea. Staying safe and out of the way would be better wouldn't it? "And should I wait here out of the way?"

"Roy is the only friend I trust. I know he can help us." He smiled and took out the glass plate and a virtual screen danced in the air as his fingers ran though it and make it move in all sort of directions. Then he paused and the screen disappeared. He put the plate away and not even a moment later a portal appeared and a bright red haired boy jumped out, grinning as his crimson armor hit the ground with a thump. "This is Roy. He is also a great commander on my team. I want you to join me, Mina. I know it may be long and dangerous, but that's what adventure is all about."

The new guy with his crimson armor shining before her captivated her. The grin in such contrast to the blackness that had threatened earlier. Turning and looking up at Kaito, Mina could imagine that with him, perhaps she could face adventure. It wasn't like real life. She had abilities here. Squaring her shoulders, she nodded. "Alright, I'm in." What had been a scary ending was in actually an exciting new beginning.

Roy smiled at Kaito as he listened. He watched as the two discussed things and the girl joined in. Feeling a bit excited, he grinned even wider. Kaito just smiled though, which wasn't something Roy had seen. It make him react in surprise but he recollected quickly.

Kaito smiled as Mina joined them. He looked at Roy and they both nodded to each other. They both took out the glass pad and pushed the two together. They focused together, a red and white light swirling between them. The glass shifted and became a pool of white and red that soon mixed and became pink. It spread out before them, a giant pool of pink floating in the middle of the air. Without any hesitation both Roy and Kaito stepped in.

Mina's eyes widened. They were gone just like that. Suddenly fearful to be left alone mixed with apprehension for their safely shot through her heart. Gasping, she stumbled towards the pink portal, crossed her almost protectively across her chest. Hesitating only a moment, she cringed... closed her eyes... then forced herself to stumble into the portal.

Kaito and Roy landed gently on sand. Both glanced at each other in surprise before Mina soon came out to join them. Kaito got up and helped the other two before glancing around. "Roy... This is kind of odd but.. Do you think we have to get all the guardians together to get there? It would make since wouldn't it? I know for a fact that there is a guardian of 'the sand of time' like you are the guardian of 'a knight's fire' and I am the guardian of 'the wing of light'." Roy gently nodded as he listened. The man thought deeply and then looked at Kaito. "I think you might be getting onto something. But at least it sent us to the next guardian. Finding him might be the challenge though. All together there is 12 guardians right? We might as well as try and find them all." Kaito sighed and looked at Mina. "Looks like this will be much longer than I expected."

Mina looked around stunned. This wasn't what she was expecting but a part of her mind whispered reassurance since they weren't back in that dark void again. That void had been a new experience like none other. It had felt like banishment. Mina remembered clearly the day that she had had her World of Dreams installed at home and then sat with her manual to learn how to enter Abstainya. She was very sure that there had been no mention of that void nor of the role of guardians beyond peacekeeping. This was so much bigger than all that now.

Looking between Roy and Kaito, Mina wondered momentarily if she had gone mad. If the attack back in real life had addled her wits. There was no time for uncertainty, but that was what she felt. Still, this felt real and she remembered holding Kaito in her arms as she pulled him into what was supposed to be the safety of Abstainya. So there were 12 guardians. Roy had said that. But what made him think they were here instead of where there was people to guard? She hesitated, then lifted her head to ask. Best learn the guardians' duties now instead of being surprised later. "You said that there are 12 guardians. I thought that they helped the users of Abstainya. Yet I see no one here to help. Why would a guardian be here?"

Kaito turned from Roy to face the Desert that outstretched for what seemed miles. Since it was virtual and fake, there was no real heat but just looking at the barren land would make anyone feel as if they were in extreme heat. He looked back to Mina as he spoke to her. It was a good question, but it hit at a secret the guardians had locked away. But Kaito felt he could trust her with this.

"We not only protect people, we protect everything. We have to, in order to keep bad people from corrupting Abstainya's system. Usually something like this would never happen, but now that it has it means something has infected Abstainya. The reason we wear colors shows our true jobs in a way. The Desert Guardian protects the sands of time, or you could call them records. Roy is the Fire Guardian, or you could say he is a Fire Wall to keep viruses out. I also have a job, as the White Guardian I am there to light Abstainya's world and burn out the darkness. That is what we truly are Mina, and we do it because we treasure Abstainya."