The Enchanted Forest

South Guardian

Heath Resmenare sat on a flat rock near the entrance to the Southern Border. The heat was stifling and the humidity, choking. His olive skin was glimmering with sweat as his pure red eyes that were surrounded by a black void were unblinking. His chestnut brown hair lay silky smooth to his lower back even as the heat tried desperately to frizz the fine strands. The silver and iron armor were shining in the sun as he sat perfectly still. Like a dangerous, unnerving statue holding a sword in the crook of his left arm with the hilt resting on the ground and his arms folded over his bent legs..            

            Heath merely waited for an intruder. Any intruder. He saw no reason to move. No reason to escape the heat. Once the sun goes down the moon will reveal itself in a sea of stars allowing him to cool off for his watch tomorrow. Heath never slept. Never needed sleep. Heath had decided when he agreed with Titos Zion to stay at the south gate to do just that. Stay at the gate. He didn't need to be bribed to guard the gate. Heath just wanted... a worthy opponent.

            However, as the days passed by and nothing happened, Heath was beginning to become antsy. Heath wanted to cut something but the only thing that pass through this gate are mythical creature not born or related to Khaos Drestier. Which means he must let them pass. The entrance to the South Gate was blocked from the southern town by a deep marsh and a thicket of dead grass just outside the barren wasteland, laden with intense heat, keeping humans out.

            A rustling in the brush stole Heath's attention. Mythical creatures usually come right for the gate and there are no animals small enough to need shelter from the dead grass. Flicking his thumb on the hilt of his sword, Heath kept his sword unsheathed for the slightest chance of an attack.

            A small human boy stumbled from the bush. He was filthy and cut up. His sunshine blonde hair was dirty and matted as it hung in gnarls to his shoulders. His skin was covered in dust and dried blood. The eyes that looked around as if gathering his location were an enchanting purple hue. He wore a large over-sized white long-sleeved shirt with loose gray sweats. Bare feet poked out from the sweats, cut up and bruised, it was a wonder he could walk.      

            Heath cursed, this wasn't an enemy. It was some lost brat. Damn, he was hoping to cut whatever it was wide open but... touching humans was forbidden. “What are you doing here, child?”

            The young boy merely looked at him. His eyes widened at the sight of him as he fell on his butt and scooted away from him frantically. Heath growled and tried to approach him. The boy screamed and blocked his face with his arms. Heath grasped the kids arm in a rough grip and yanked them away from his face.

            “What are you doing here?” Heath growled out, again.

            “K-k-k-k-kidnapped.... p-p-plea-se, let g-g-g-go..” The boy was shaking like a leaf as terror coursed through every nerve in his brain. Heath could sense it.

            Heath soothed his grip and brushed his other hand lightly across the soft tendrils of his bangs. “Your name?”

            The boy was almost on the verge of hyperventilating but managed to breath out, “H-h-hassan D-d-d-d-d-esider-ratus.”

            “Hassan Desideratus. Stay put and I will bring assistance.” Heath said, his voice like a bubbling brook.

            Hassan calmed a degree listening to his voice but when Heath went to pull away Hassan latched onto his arm. “N-no! Don't leave me! P-please...” his voice died out at the end.

            Heath sighed, “I do not have time for this babble.” lifting the boy in his arms he took off at inhuman speed for the city.