The Angel Fell Twice

Chapter 12. The Protector

Marina awoke slowly, her body aching from the fierce battle that had preceded her fall. Two strong arms cradled her with a tenderness that belied their formidable strength. As she blinked awake, the sounds of the forest gradually returned—the rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds, and the gentle creaking of the enormous Elder Tree beside them.
"Are you conscious?" the protector's voice, deep and steady, cut through the silence.

Marina struggled to prop herself upright, her hand instinctively moving to her head. Her armor was disheveled and streaked with blood. "Ragnar... he poses a threat to the people. I must—"
"You are injured," he interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle as he set her down to sit. Marina glanced down at the blood staining her armor, noting the tender care with which he attended her wounds.

Observing his calm demeanor, her breath began to steady. With a sigh, she spoke, "Please, lend us your aid. Ragnar is a menace to the city, and he must be stopped."
"You seek my assistance to end a man's life?" he asked, his voice measured.
"I—" Marina faltered, "I do not seek his death. That was part of why I fell from the sky."
"Is that so? I was led to believe you had just fallen from heaven," he remarked teasingly. Her eyes widened; did he know she was an angel? She clutched the Raven's Veil tighter, pulling it further down her head, praying its enchantment still concealed her wings.

"Very amusing. No, I was engaged in battle with Ragnar and my guild. I... could not deliver the final blow. He cast me from the cliff."
"Why did you not deliver the fatal strike?" he inquired.
"It felt... wrong, to take a life so readily; a soul not mine to judge."
"I understand," he replied quietly. "You are a woman of mercy in a world that does not seem to accommodate such values."
"I would imprison him if I could, but confinement demands more effort than execution," she admitted, as he helped her to her feet with an unwavering gaze. "I protect not the people, but the tree. Should I abandon my post, it may fall into ruin," he explained, casting a glance at the venerable Elder Tree whose gnarled trunk stood sentinel over them.

Marina's frustration surfaced. She dusted off her armor, facing him with her hands on her hips. "It is difficult to determine whether you are a hero or not."
"I am certainly no hero," he answered, his tone resolute.
She stepped closer, scrutinizing his face for any trace of deception. "Why do you guard this tree with such devotion, alone?"
The protector's expression softened. "Because... the tree has granted sanctuary to those scarred by war. It has provided refuge for orphans displaced by conflict," he said, his gaze briefly meeting hers with a trace of melancholy.
Marina's expression softened as well, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She took in the serene beauty of the forest and the towering presence of the Elder Tree. "And what of these war-torn souls?"

His gaze returned to the ancient tree, his jaw tightening. "After the first and second holy wars—heaven against hell—the children were left abandoned. The Aether bud was planted, giving rise to the Elder Tree, creating a haven for the lost."
"The people of Stormfell are descendants of those refugees, their lineage stretching back through millennia to pureblood angels and demons. They remain unaware of their origins, for Aether runs through their veins. And it must remain so," he explained, his voice carrying the weight of centuries.

"I see... And you, how do you possess such knowledge?" she asked, her grip tightening on her cloak.
The protector's expression grew solemn. "That is a tale for another time. If you are sufficiently recovered, it is best you take your leave."
Marina nodded, a mixture of respect and sorrow etched on her face. As she prepared to depart, her hand brushed lightly against his arm, a fleeting moment of connection. She met his gaze with genuine appreciation. "Thank you. For catching me."
The protector offered a curt nod, his attention already returning to the sacred tree. Marina took one final look. Then she disappeared into the woods.