The God of Protection

Terran: Part 1

The sun-kissed his skin, feeling the warmth as his eyes fluttered open, making him squint. He shielded his eyes with a small hand, then glanced around, noticing a patch of greenery.

He heard the call of a female voice and glanced around, "Mama,” he answered with a high child-like voice.

The voice was soft and kind in his ears, “My little boy. My Terran,” it rang as he crawled toward it, " you're the last blessing I could give this world,"

Tears filled his eyes as the voice left him and the patch died, “Mamma, don’t leave me!” he cried as he touched the grass, hopping in vain to save it, “ I need you,”

Terran cried until he fell asleep; when he awoke, he noticed the sky had turned darker. He paused when he heard snarls in the distance. He scanned the horizon with the moon's light when he spied the source. A creature screamed with hatred in its bright pink eyes. It bolted towards him with a white leathery body and leaped, baring its razor-sharp teeth and claws.

He dodged, rolling to the side as the beast hit the ground with a thud. Terran glanced around, looking for an escape route when he saw pink eyes glaring at him in the distance and realized he was surrounded. They lunged at him, and he knew he would die.

Terran squatted, covering his ears and closing his eyes, "Mama!" He cried, "Help me!"

He felt the ground peel away, and the creature's screams rang in his ears. Terran felt these creatures' pain momentarily, and then they went silent. He raised his head and rocked spikes covering the surface, piercing the monster as violet-coloured blood poured down its fatal wounds.

Terran glanced as many of the same types of creatures were stabbed by the land, with purple blood spilling out of them. He wiped his eyes as he survived and looked at his hands. His mother had given him abilities that could protect him.

" Thank you, Mama," he said, " thank you for helping me,"

He passed through the field of monsters heading towards a nearby forest. Looking at the terrified faces of the creatures that tried to kill him. His sense of fear was lessened, but he was still scared. But he knew that his mama was watching over him and she was protecting him.

"You seem to have her abilities," a woman said, entering the light, " it seemed you did not require my aid, but we need to go the Winra will soon find this,"

She was beautiful with hawk wings and caramel-coloured skin. She had gray eyes and long brown hair. She wore a white tunic with sandals and bangles.

He stepped back," Who are you?" Terran asked

The woman smiled, "I am called Haizea,” she answered, walking towards him, “ you must be Terran. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance,”

"How do you know my name?" He asked

Haizea knelt, offering him an emerald crystal, "This was your mother's," she said, " and now it's yours. They call it the heart of Althea,"

He took the emerald and felt the same presence as when the patch was full of life. It glowed at his touch, and he smiled; this was his mama. He gasped as the gem's light fated and disappeared with the green light entering his chest.

" Where did it go?" He asked with a tear

Haizea whipped his eyes, "You're the heart of your mother," she explained, " a mother's love is the most powerful thing. Cherish it, Terran,"

Terran nodded, "Okay," he said

"Haizea, take the boy," a male voice said from the trees, " and let us go. I hear the Winra approaching. They saw his light,"

"Alright, come Terran," she said,

Haizea scooped him up, ran into an open area, flapped her wings and flew into the dark sky, " Look, the lights moving," Terran said when she saw a bonfire in a village, “ it is pretty,”

" Yes, it is," she said, " but that light we need to avoid,"

" Why?" He asked

"That's the Winra," she explained, "we have to keep our existence a secret,"

" Why?" He asked

"You are just a child," Haizea said, "you are not ready to face the Winra; they are quite demanding of.us "

" Did Mama do that too?" He asked

" Yes, she did," she answered

The air was thin and cold when she landed as the clouds floated, where Terran glanced around to see a man emerge covered in shadows. The shadows were absorbed into the front of the man, and he walked towards them. He had pale white skin, long black hair, and bright red eyes. He wore a black tunic with sandals.

“ We will be safe here," he said, “ Winra can not come up this mountain,"

“ Alright, we will raise him here," Haizea said

~

Astrid looked down on her as she dreamed of returning someday. She had been so young when she had persuaded her to leave her dwelling. Had she regretted it, as she missed home so much, she had to raise her child.

Haizea glanced down from the roof of her cabin at her adopted son training with her oldest friend. She saw that Terran could hold his own against his teacher. He was no longer that little child she found crying near his mother's grave and trying to survive. He was a strong young man that could continue his mother's legacy. He was tall with broad shoulders and muscular arms from years of training. He wore a green sleeveless tunic with gauntlets and sandals.

His emerald eyes looked at her, and he smiled, “Lady Haizea,” he said with a deep voice returning her to reality.

She looked down, “Yes, my son,” She responded, then jumped off the roof. “What do you wish for me?”

Terran’s face changed; she could tell he was nervous, “ I think,” he started, then paused for a moment,

Haizea touched his face, "it's okay, Terran,” she said, “ what do you desire?” she asked.

He looked down at her, “ I desire to enter the Winra world,” he said, “ I believe I’m ready. I can hold my own against Lord Marcus,”

“You need to defeat me first,” Marcus said, “ you are far from ready,”

Terran’s face was sad, “Marcus,” Haizea signed, “ don’t you think you are too harsh on the lad?”

Marcus crossed his arm, “ You desire him to the parish as his mother did,” he said. “She was weak, and I will not allow him to be as such,”

“You do not believe that she was weak,” Haizea said, “ you were her right hand. Your people would never follow the weak,”

He turned away, “ I was wrong,” he said, then walked away

“Lady Haizea, do you think I’m weak?” Terran asked

She signed and turned towards him, “ No, of course not,” she responded, “You are the new god of protection. You deserve to understand the people you are to protect,”

“Then how would I do that?” He asked

“You shall have a Guardian that you will travel with,” Haizea said, “ I will speak with Marcus. You shall get your wish,”

“ Thank you, my Lady,” Terran said

~

Marcus glanced over at the young man glancing to the skies, hoping his mother would hear him, but he knew she wouldn’t listen. He couldn’t help but look up to the crimson heavens. She wasn’t in the skies of Erebus but another.

“Marcus,” Haizea said, “ I need to speak with you,”

“No, he will not leave,” he said, “ he’s not ready,”

“What about Ronin?” Haizea asked, and Marcus looked at her, “He can protect him,”

Marcus signed, “ Why are you telling me?” he asked

“He’s your son,” Haizea said, “ I thought you should tell him,”

“I don’t speak to my son,” he said, “ nor his mother,”

“Maybe you should,” she said, “ she’s her friend as well,”

“I know,” he responded,

Haizea knelt beside him, “You’re scared, aren’t you?” she asked

Marcus glared at her, “Of course not,” he said, “A Zelph does not feel fear,”

She sat beside him, “ you know that’s a lie,” she answered, “Zelphs often confuses that with bravery and courage. Even Winra has these emotions,”

“What are you getting at?” Marcus asked, “That I am a weak Winra,”

“No, but you both feel emotions,” she answered, “your courage is your strength. And that strength will help you to speak with Ronin. You are Marcus, after all,”

Marcus scoffed, “ Leave me,” he said

“I did not think that you were a coward, my friend,” Haizea said, looking at the sky, “ you are hiding,”

"I am not a coward,” he said, "I am not hiding,"

“Take Terran to Lorelei,” Haizea said, then stood up, “show the boy that you are strong,”

Marcus glared at her, “ Fine,” he said, “ tell the boy we are to leave in the morning,"

Haizea smiled, “Of course,” she said, “ very courageous,”

“Leave, Haizea,” Marcus growled