Protectors

Prologue

The chief stood in front of the outer wall of his village. Many people from the village had gathered around the gates to watch the confrontation. It was not often one got to converse with a Protector.

In front of the chief was a dense forest, circling round the village wall. Out of the forest a boy was struggling toward the chief. Deep gashes covered his arms and back, and what appeared to be a thin, black stone protruded from his right arm, halfway between his elbow and wrist. But when observed closer, it looked to be made of dark smoke, billowing in a contained area. His tattered, plain clothes were ripped all over.

The boy leaned against a tree on the edge of the forest. It seemed to be the only thing keeping him from collapsing. At last the village chief spoke. "Ah, Zakrai, you have returned."

"Where were you?" the boy lifted his head, revealing piercing neon blue eyes that glared at the chief, leaving no room for small talk.

"Relax, Zakrai. Let us not be hasty."

"You have broken our deal. I agreed to protect you. And in turn, you agreed to assist me when needed. You did not come when I asked you. Why weren't you there?"

For a moment the chief's eyes flickered with fear, but then replaced with a mixture of anger and amusement. Almost as a habit, he risked a quick glance back towards the people of the village. After he cleared his throat, he began to pace in front of the crowd of surrounding people, back straight and head held high. "Well, Zakrai, I thought you were so young and powerful you would not need our help. You have handled yourself fine before." This earned the chief a glare. "Or perhaps your hair reveals your true age." Gasps mixed with concealed laughter emerged from the crowd. Zakrai's hand twitched, as if eager to stroke through his short, silver hair.

"But, I will consider our deal, if you seem unhappy with it. We give you, through the hard labor of my people, food, water, shelter, anything you need or wish. And in return? Protection from the creatures of the outside." At this the king stopped and looked straight at Zakrai. "Look at my people!" The chief gestured at the catapults and other various weapons stationed on top of the wooden wall behind him. "Do you not think we can stand on our own? That we are incapable of defending ourselves? Do you think we really need you?"

The remark hit harder than a slap. Zakrai took half a step back. His breathing came deeper, but whether from pain or anger none in the village could tell. "You do not know of the dangers outside of the gates. You cannot stand against them alone. Have you forgotten how well I have protected you over these many years?"

The chief nodded. "Yes, you have done your job well. We have needed your protection in times past. But those were times past. Our strength has risen, and arguably the need for a Protector are past." Muttering broke out among the people.

Zakrai slightly shook his head. "Do you think the dangers out there have decreased at all? You are not experienced with the creatures out there. You can't stand against them."

"Perhaps you just wish for our labor to support you without you doing any actual work. How are we certain that you actually are fulfilling your side of the deal? Those cuts and scratches could be an illusion. How do we know there actually are dangerous creatures out there?"

"Does this look like an illusion?" Zakrai held up the arm with the black stone. A momentary hesitant look passed over the chief's face. "I have not strayed from our agreement or asked more than was required. I am not deceiving you. But I refuse to protect a people who will not stand with their promise." Concerned glances were traded between the people.

The chief waved a dismissing hand. "We will thrive if you leave or if you go. Do as you will."

Zakrai stared at the chief, his expression unreadable. "You will find greater evil than you realize. And you will fall. Our agreement has expired. I will no longer protect your village." A rumbling occurred in the ground. Zakrai held out his hand and a flash of neon blue flew into his hand. He then turned around and disappeared into the forest as the daylight faded behind him.