The God of Protection

The Battle of Malice: Part 1

As the sun's gentle rays caressed her face, she stirred from slumber, greeted by the soft glow streaming through the window. Squinting against the brightness, she shielded her eyes with her hand, taking in her surroundings—a room unknown to her.

With a sense of solitude enveloping her, she gingerly slid her legs off the bed and rose swiftly to her feet, startled by the distant sound of a voice. Stealthily, she approached the door, noticing the absence of any guards stationed outside. She proceeded cautiously into the corridor, her steps hushed against the smooth flooring. A momentary pause seized her as distant laughter reached her ears—an indication of a gathering nearby, perhaps a small group engaged in mirthful conversation.

Observing from afar, she glimpsed a young woman tenderly offering a tray of nourishment to a boy, their familial bond evident in their gestures of care and support towards her. With a grateful heart, she retreated to her room, perching on the edge of the bed, anticipating building as she awaited the boy's arrival.

Moments later, he appeared with an endearing smile stretching across his face, and his voice filled with warmth as he greeted her, "Hi, my mommy made you some food."

The girl smiled, “Hello little one, much appreciated,” she responded, “I am sure that it would be yummy,”

The boy watched her for a moment, “ What’s your name?” he asked, “my name is Elijah,”

The girl paused thinking about her answer, when she realized that she didn’t recall her name. She thought, and her mind was blank when she thought about it.

" Elijah, our guest, has to be hungry," the man said, standing at the door, "Let her eat,"

"Okay, papa," Elijah said, then waved his goodbyes, " I'm going to see if Mama needs help,"

The man nodded as Elijah ran off, " I heard," he said, he sat on the chair in the corner," You don't remember your name?"

She shook her head, "I realized I can not recall anything," she said,

" Now eat up," he said. " we'll worry about it another time,"

The man headed to the door, "Thank you for what you have done for me," she said

He stopped and smiled, "It's nothing, my dear," he said
~
She couldn't sleep that night; she walked out into the kitchen when she heard stirring. Elijah was nowhere to be seen. The woman was preparing breakfast while the man worked outside.

" Good morning," the woman said, " Did you sleep well,"

" Yes, quite well," she lied, " Do you need to assist?"
Oh no, of course," she responded, " you are our guest,"

She sat down on a chair nearby in case she was needed.

" My husband tells me that you don't have any memories," the woman asked

" No, I can not recall," she said

" Then I guess you don't know why you fell from the sky," the woman replied

" From the sky?" She asked

" Yes," the woman said, " we thought you were a sign from the heavens. To help us in our time of need,"

" Maybe I ask?" She asked, "What do you need?"

The woman stopped her task; she set her spoon on the counter and then turned to her.

"I'm afraid our village is plagued with monsters," she admitted, " they have been there since the beginning. Our ancestors have been followed by them from the Old World. That's all we know,"