‘Now that I think about it… Why was he covered in filth?’

A young man runs up to the guardian throwing him out of his thoughts. Out of breath, “Guardian, come quick! There’s strange noises rising from the-“

“Just breathe, boy.”

“Tha-“

A scream erupts from the other side of the village. As fast as it came it ceases, leaving the villagers in the square speechless, and frozen. The young man looks back to where the guardian was. Who is no longer there, but running to the source of the scream. He arrives to the scene of the scream, but is unable to see much due to crowding.  Inwardly sighing he breathes in filling his lungs, and then speaks.

“I wouldn’t idle around!” his voice echoes, amplified.

Torn from their curiosity, most scatter into the village seeking shelter. What’s left are a few women

still petrified. The guardian walks up to them taking note to where they’re staring. Their eyes are directed over the pit. It’s smell, and sheer drop not unsettling them. He looks around looking for a disturbance in the forest behind the pit, and any outsider.

‘So what’s unsettling the-‘

A young boy, with a flat face, flies up from the inky black of the pit. He’s covered in filth, and seems to have seen the dead rising. Another boy crops up in the same condition as the other.

‘Oh...’

“Ah, someone help him, my baby!” one of the women wails.

Taking note to her distress the guardian jumps up out towards them. Pushing off with his right leg so he reaches enough momentum, to grab both, and so he does. Holding on to the boys with an iron grip they fly towards the other side, landing safely.

“Oh, guardian, thank you!” the same woman calls.

It seems though that the guardian regrets this decision. Their stench is gut wrenching, much like how

Ilran was, but he doesn’t necessarily like these boys.

‘Why were they over here? Children aren’t necessarily allowed here.”

Unable to ignore his suspicions, he addresses the two.

With a warm smile, “Have you kids run into Ilran lately?”

Both of their eyes widen, and they quickly get on their knees bowing.

“We’re sorry, we’re sorry! Please don’t-“

Interrupting the boys the guardian slaps both of their heads he gets close to their ears, and says

with disgust, “If you disturb him one more time, I’ll string you up like the pigs you are.”

Still maintaining his smile he slaps both of their backs, and lifts them up. They both stand stiff obviously frightened. Satisfied he then nods to the mothers letting them know they’re fine. Both of them sigh, clearly happy. The guardian, gripping onto the boys shirts, lead them around the pit and to their mothers.

“Oh, thank you! We don’t know what we would have done!” they both exclaim.

They then pull both boys away to a much needed bathing.

Left alone the guardian sighs as he looks down the pit. He knows who’s down there, but doesn’t quite know what it is. Nonetheless he befriended the monster and offered him a home.

‘I’m guessing he knows what the twats did.’

Smiling he cups his hands, and yells, “Thank you!” In response a low rumble rises up from the depths of the pit. With a hearty laugh the guardian heads back into the town. As he enters the village square he soaks in the atmosphere: the familiar fragrances of food and goods wafting around, the sound of merchants peddling, and to the heat radiating off of the cobble roads.

Lost in the moment he thinks, ‘If only this could last.’

--

Night has fallen, and Ilran is anxiously waiting for the guardian to return home. Home, is in a field not too far off from the village in a small cottage. The cottage is furnished with the necessities, but any where there is no furniture there’s a pile of books.

In one of those clusters of books sits Ilran. He had grabbed a book and tried to ease his anxiety as he waited. It didn’t work though. The book only proved to be a lap warmer for he kept his eyes glued to the door.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The door knob turns, and Ilran leaps up standing at ready. The door opens, and a ready Ilran bolts towards the figure in the door. Practically plowing into the figure he hugs it, only reaching up to its hips. In return the figure hugs back. Ilran looks up, the figure is the guardian. Who now looks deflated.  His brown hair, once tied up, is now in disarray and his dark eyes even darker. The guardian looks down at the attacker, and ruffles his ink black hair.

“Ready?” he says.

Ilran nods, and reaches up expecting to be picked up. The guardian picks him up supporting him with his hip. Then he heads over to a pile of furs and blankets.

“Timber!”

Taking Ilran down with him they plop down on the furs. Loose hairs fly up as they sink into the soft bed.

“So are we tired, or do I have to bore you with knowledge?” the guardian looks to Ilran.

“Do bore me with knowledge!” he responds.

“Alright, let’s talk about the world today.”

Ilran nods snuggling into the furs.

“The world is and expansive place, with life of varied life forms all living in harmony under the guidance of the gods, and we are their children. Among their children ar-“He stops abruptly noticing his only listener has fallen asleep.

‘I’m not that dull.’ He thought, and soon after he fell asleep too.

--

Ruin, buildings once great, now rubble being consumed by fire.

Death, bodies lay among the ruin, once lively now gory corpses ready for scavengers.

Forsaken, the skies are dark; the gods have abandoned their children.

Life, a cry, a child’s cries echo among the dead town.

There stood the guardian. His face looks lost, but his eyes were focused. They’re focused on a woman her lower body is crushed under rubble, and her blood pools beneath her. She’s doesn’t seem to know of her situation as she looks upon the guardian.

“Please, take my child! Just don’t let him die wi-“ her voice fades as does she.

Only a bundle is left. The bundle is moving, and the cry is coming from it. He bends down to lift it, and he looks to the opening. A baby it has hair dark as the night, and eyes that seem like they stole the color of the sky. It looks at him, and giggles. It’s not a human child; it’s a child of the enemy.

‘I must dispose...’ a tear falls down his face.

It goes black leaving the guardian in a world void of light with the child. The child looks to the guardian, its eyes filled with knowledge, but something else. It looks to him that a darkness hides within.

A bright flash blinds the guardian. When the remnant light fades the child has disappeared, but in front of him stands a being cloaked in light.

The being speaks, “Take him. Take the child, but if you do. You must know this child has been torn from isolation, and depravity. He’s broken; he chose to turn his back and lost all and set himself up for madness, but he’s important. So to save him I gave him a new chance in this world. His memories are sealed, but there are things that lurk in his psyche. Even so will you take him? Will you become his first light?”

“I…” the guardian wants to, but cannot form the sentence. Guilt has gripped him, he doesn't want to steal life anymore, but to nurture it.

“Your intention speaks for you. Promise to protect him, and when the time comes let him go. I will reside within you till that time comes.”

“I-I promise.”

The being disappears leaving darkness.

A voice erupts, “You’re still asleep!?”

The world of darkness absolves and the child he saw in his dreams, now grown, fills his vision.

The guardian sighs.

‘A dream.’

-----

I feel like I'm not developing the characters enough, so if you have any thoughts let me know!

Any feedback is also welcome!

Thank you for reading, and onto the next.