The Last Saint

1: The Seed

Adam looked around the dark forest. He followed the path, dimly lit by the moonlight, deeper into the woods. He looked up, and saw a massive tree that reached beyond the clouds. What he had mistaken for the moon was actually a glowing pale orb, resting in the center of the tree itself. This tree bore no fruit, nor did it hold any leaf or twig. Instead, it simply reached straight up, separating into 14 branches surrounding the orb.

Though the distance was incredible, for some reason he was able to make out a figure, hooded and cloaked, standing on one of the branches. The figure seemed to stare at him, and he could see that it was a girl, no older than himself. He could tell that her eyes were green, even though he shouldn't have been able to even see her shape considering how far away he was.

She took a step, falling off of the tree. He tried to run forwards, but his foot caught on an overgrown root and he tripped, hitting his head and becoming separated from that world.

Adam's eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light creeping in his bedroom. What a weird dream, he thought to himself. He sighed and sat up, blinking.

He looked around his room; the walls were white, and the floor was carpeted and messy. His bed rested in the corner opposite of the door and beneath his window. He removed his blanket and slowly dragged himself out of his room and to the shower at the end of the hall.

Once in his school uniform and showered, Adam dried his messy, boyish black hair and ran a comb through it, then he grabbed his bag and sluggishly meandered out the front door with a yawn. His walk to school was as uneventful as the rest of his day there. He barely paid any attention in class, instead he just say, blankly waiting for the clock to hit 3, not even attempting to hide his boredom.

When the final bell rang, he packed up, with his tall, brown-haired classmate, he began his walk home along the city streets.

He talked about school with Ryan, his friend, and about summer vacation just days away. But he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched by someone. Halfway home, Ryan separated from Adam, going towards his own home.

He cut through an alley between homes, walking along the empty path. Someone approached from behind. He turned around to see three men in suits. They surrounded him, staring him down with robotic expressions. He tried walking past them but they blocked his path.

He dropped his backpack on the floor, and swung a fist right at one of the men, who stepped out of the way and kneed Adam in the belly. Falling to his knees, he yelped in pain. Another of the men kicked him hard in the ribs, knocking him down. Suddenly, he heard footsteps. He looked down the alley and saw a hooded figure charging at the men with a katana.

The figure slashed one man in half, and the others leaped back. But there was no blood. Instead, Adam watched in both horror and amazement as the body dissolved into ash. And it was then that he got a good look at his savior.

She looked down at him with her piercing green eyes, the girl from his dream, and extended the scabbard for her sword to him. He grabbed it, and she helped him to his feet.

"Stay behind me," she said, her voice sweet and musical.

He nodded, and watched as the two remaining men grew glowing red blades from their arms. The girl ran forward, swinging her sword, but both men blocked her barrage of endless attacks. One got behind her, raising his arm to strike her back, but Adam ran forward and held his arms back while the girl over-powered the other one. As she fought, her hood fell back, and her long blonde hair spilled out around her.

Striking down the second man she turned her attentions to the last, who had elbowed Adam and gotten away from him. the man swung his bladed arm, but the girl blocked it with her scabbard, and sliced his body in two.

She sheathed her sword, and smiled to Adam. He nodded back. "Thank you," he said.

"We should go, before more come." She replied.

He nodded, and began leading her to his house. "What were those guys?"

"Constructs. Magical constructs. Probably sent by the 8th."

"Magical constructs? The 8th? What are you talking about?"

"It's a long story."

"I've got time," Adam said finally as they reached his house. He welcomed her in, and gestured for her to take her shoes off, only to learn she was barefoot.

Shaking his head, he offered her tea and sat her down at the kitchen table. He poured two cups, and sat across from her, giving her one and taking a sip from the other. His hands were shaking.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Eve, your ally. I've been looking for you, to save you." She replied.

He looked worried. "Save me from what, exactly? What's going on?"

"From the Saints. They are trying to kill us both, but especially you."

"Why?"

"Because together, we have the ability to save this world from being destroyed." She reached out and grabbed his hand comfortingly. "Together, we can beat the Saints. And they don't want to let that happen."

Suddenly there was a loud banging on the door. The girl gripped her sword.