Fly, Guardian

It was early in the afternoon, just before lunchtime, and the two of them were walking together, the girl and the boy. They were silent for a little while, and then the girl spoke.
“It’s such a beautiful day, Draven,” she said. “Isn’t it just amazing?”
Draven nodded. “Yes, Princess,” he said. “It is a beautiful day.”
“My father is not here right now, Draven,” she said. “You can call me Allura. It’s alright.” Draven nodded.
“Allura,” he said. You have such a nice name.” He smiled, then, which was a rare sight. Allura could count the number of times she had seen Draven smile on one hand. Allura smiled at him, then.
“Draven,” she said. “Take my arm.”
“Yes, Allura,” he said. He took her arm in his, and continued to walk with her, side by side. Allura snuck a glance, looking at him for a few moments. Then she turned her gaze to the ground. With his eyesight, Draven had probably noticed her staring at him. All the same, he did not say anything to her about it. He was rather quiet most of the time. They continued walking for a while. Suddenly, Draven came to a stop. He had that look in his eyes.
“What is it?,” Allura asked, letting go of Draven’s arm. “What’s wrong?”
Draven didn’t answer, instead, he raised his hand, lifting his index finger to signal silence. He took several steps forward, and then, his nose began to twitch, as he smelled the air around them. Then, out of the shadows of the surrounding woods, three men approached them. They were armed, each of them carrying a sword. Confident and cocky, they approached. Neither Draven nor Allura said anything. The men drew closer to Draven and Allura, and then they stopped. The man in the center spoke up, then.
“Give her to me,” he said, pointing to Allura. Draven didn’t respond. He just stood there, emotionless, expressionless.
“Give her to me,” the man repeated, “and I will let you live.” The man pulled out his sword. “Or, you can both die, instead. It’s your choice.” Draven said nothing, drawing his own sword, instead. The man smirked at him, letting out a single laugh.
“What are you playing at hero for, boy?,” he said. “You’re just one man. You have no hope of surviving this.” Draven stared at the man, saying nothing. His face showed no fear. “Why aren’t you begging for your life?,” the man asked, raising his voice. The man paused for a second, regaining his composure. “Oh well,” he said. It doesn’t matter. Die.”
Suddenly, there was a whizzing sound in the air. It was an arrow, fired from behind them, and it was headed straight for Allura. The arrow flew quickly towards her. Just as it was about to strike Allura, however, the arrow split in half. Draven appeared then, right next to her, his sword in hand. With superhuman speed, Draven had run to Allura, cutting the arrow in half, and saving her. The man looked astonished, surprised.
“That was a mistake,” Draven said, startling him. The man looked around. Draven had been right next to Allura a few seconds ago, and now, he was standing right behind the man. Draven thrust his sword, then, driving the blade straight into the man’s stomach. The blade was hilt- deep, it’s edge sticking out through the man’s back. The man coughed blood, and dropped his weapon.
“You,” he gasped weakly. “What are you?” Then, Draven, taking hold of his sword, withdrew the blade from the man’s chest. The man collapsed, bleeding and dead.
“What scum,” Draven said, shaking his head. The two men in the trees stood completely still, sweating, trying not to shake. Suddenly, Draven appeared before them, like a shadow from an infinite hell. Raising his sword, he slashed each of the men once across the chest. Blood spurted from their wounds, and they quickly fell. Draven jumped from the trees, landing on the ground, right in front of the two remaining men. As Draven stood before them, their bodies quivered, their eyes wide with terror. They took one look at Draven, and then they fled, running as fast as their legs would carry them. Draven was silent, saying nothing, standing still. Then, he gave chase, quickly catching up to the two men. Suddenly, he was standing still, right in front of them. They stopped dead in their tracks, stunned and afraid. Draven raised his sword.
“No, wait, don’t...,” one of the men said. He did not have time to say anything else. Draven plunged his sword into the man’s neck, killing him instantly. The other man was silent, staring straight into Draven’s eyes. There was not a trace of emotion in them, no mercy or compassion on his face. Draven swung his sword in one broad, single stoke, severing the man’s head completely from his shoulders. The head rolled for a few inches, then came to a stop.
“Such trash,” Draven remarked, sheathing his sword.
Allura looked over at him, into his eyes. They were glowing red, for just a moment. Then, they back to brown.
“Allura,” Draven said. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Allura said. “Thank you, Draven.”
“Don’t thank me, Allura,” he said. That’s why I’m here.”
“Are you okay, though?,” Allura asked. He smiled.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Don’t worry about me, Allura.”
“	I’m the Princess,” Allura said, authoritatively. “I’ll worry about you if I want to.”
“Well,” Draven said, “you don’t have to. I’m fine.” Draven stood there, cold and calm. He did not move at all; he just stood there thoughtfully, as Allura looked over, pondering him. She walked over to him, then, and grasped his arm.
“Draven,” she said. “Let’s go back now. I want to go sit near the lake.” He looked at her, and nodded.
“If that is what you wish, Allura,” he said taking her arm in his. “Let us go the lake.” They began to walk, then, arm in arm, back towards the castle, back towards home. They walked for about twenty minutes, and then the castle became visible. Allura smiled, turning to look at Draven. His face was grim.
“What’s wrong?,” she asked, a worried expression forming on her face.
“Get down,” he said. Now.” Allura did so, quickly dropping to the ground. Seconds later, a blaze of white flame struck the ground in front of them, scorching the earth, searing it.
“My, my,” a voice said from behind them. “How ever did you manage to avoid that?,”
Draven turned around, his eyes glaring, his body alert. Allura got up from the ground.
“Who are you?,” she asked.
“My name is Marilyn, of The White Flame,” she said. “And you’re the Princess, Allura. You’ve got a good bodyguard, it seems. I’m surprised he saw that coming.”
“What do you want?,” Allura asked.
“What do I want?, Marilyn repeated. “Murder, for murder’s sake. Power, for power’s sake. I want many things. “For example,” she said, as she raised her right hand, pointing it at Draven. “I want you dead.” A jet of white flame burst from her hand, then, traveling towards Draven. He raised his own right hand.
“Deadflame,” he said softly, almost whispering. A black beam of energy erupted from his hand, then, racing forward to meet Marilyn’s. They collided in a burst of black and white, cancelling one another out, and creating a cloud of gray smoke. Shortly afterwards, the smoke cleared, revealing the still standing Marilyn.
“Impressive,” she said. “Very impressive.”
Draven stared her down, saying nothing, doing nothing. Then he began to change. His ears grew pointy, and his hair became snow white and spiky. His eyes changed from dark brown to blood red, and his teeth began to grow sharp, every single one of them turning into jagged, shark-like fangs. The last things to change were his fingernails, turning black, and growing to over six inches. He was a fearsome sight. Allura was looking at him. She had seen Draven like this only on a few occasions, and was not startled or afraid. She was the only one who had ever seen his true face; he had told her so. Draven snarled at Marilyn, baring his fangs.
“Leave,” he warned, his voice a growl. Marilyn looked at him for a few moments, then shrugged her shoulders.
“Fine,” she said. She turned around, facing away from them. Her body began to levitate, and then she was high in the air, soaring through the sky. She was flying. Draven turned to face Allura. He was back to normal now, his fangs gone, his eyes brown, and his nails short; his ears were no longer pointy, and his hair was black again.
“Allura,” he said, “Would you like to go home now?” Allura nodded.
“Yes,” she said. “Let’s go home.” Taking her by the arm, Draven and Allura walked back to the castle. This time, there was no further incidence.
They had arrived at the castle, and were now sitting on a blanket, near the lake. They were eating lunch. The lake was crystal clear, and beautiful, reflecting the blue light of the cloudless sky. Draven took a bite of an apple, chewing silently, quietly. Allura sat there, sipping tea. She was looking at Draven, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Draven,” she said. “Why didn’t you finish her off back there?,” she asked. “It’s not like you to let an enemy get away. You could have killed her.” Draven sighed, and took a deep breath.
“I’m not so sure I could have,” he said. I’ve heard of Marilyn. She’s a powerful witch. I’ve never faced an opponent as strong as her before.”
“So, you’re afraid of her?,” Allura asked.
“No, I’m not afraid of her,” Draven said. “If it was just me and her alone, I would have fought her to the death. “But, if I had continued to fight, then you might have gotten hurt, or worse.” “I have to protect you,” he said. It’s my duty. It’s what I am alive for.” Allura looked down, lowering her head.
“Only that?,” she asked. “That’s all you live for, to protect me?,” she said, her voice sad.
“Allura, you know what I mean.”
“I understand,” she said, sadly. “So I’m just a job to you? Just something to protect, because that is your duty? You’re just my bodyguard, and nothing more. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Allura, I don’t understand,” Draven said. Why are you so upset? I am supposed to protect you.”
“What about the way I feel?,” she said. “About you.”
“About me?,” Draven said, his eyes puzzled and intense, his face questioning. She raised her head, looking Draven in the eyes. She was crying.
“I love you,” she said. “Do you understand that? I am in love with you.” Then she broke down, crying, and lowered her head once more. Draven looked at her, a pained expression adorning his face.
“Allura,” he said. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.” He walked up to her. Then, he put his hand on her face, using his fingers to tilt her chin, until she was facing him. He leaned in quickly, then, and kissed her, warmly, passionately. He stopped, then, and looked at Allura. “Allura,” he said.
“I love you as well. I always have, since the day I became your protector.” She looked at him, then, her green eyes sparkling like forbidden emeralds. She smiled, and then, she wrapped her arms around him, embracing him. Silently, Draven put his arms around her in return. They stood like that for a few minutes, though to them it seemed an eternity. For a while they stood like that, holding each other.
They had finished lunch, and now, Allura wanted to walk around the castle for a bit. “Draven, hold my hand,” she exclaimed. Draven looked around, and then obliged, taking her hand in his, lacing his fingers around hers. An expressionless look remained on his face. “Don’t worry,” Allura said. The halls are empty. The guards are all at their posts, no one is around right now. Besides, my father is away, visiting the city,” she said. “You’re not going to get in trouble.”
“I’m not worried about getting myself in trouble,” he said. “I’m worried about you getting in trouble. I don’t want that.”
“I don’t care about getting in trouble,” Allura said. “I only care about you.” “Besides,” she added, “it’s what 1 want.” She smiled at Draven, then. His face warmed, and he smiled, just a little.
“If that is what you wish, Allura,” he said. They walked around the castle for a bit, taking in the sights, enjoying the beautiful view of the countryside that the castle gave them. They were holding hands. Allura stopped walking, then, and squeezed Draven’s hand.
“Draven,” she said.
“Yes, Allura?,” he said, looking at her.
“I’m getting a little bored, just walking around the castle,” she said.
“What would you like to do, Allura?,” he said. She smiled, then.
“I would like to go into my bedroom,” she said. “Come with me.” Holding hands, Allura led Draven past a few hallways, stopping at a door. Draven reached out, and opened the door. He held it open. Allura smiled. “Thank you, Draven,” she said, walking into the room. Draven followed her, closing the door behind him. They were alone. Princess and Bodyguard, in her bedroom. Draven looked around; he had never seen Allura’s bedroom before. It was elegant, nice, comfy. She smiled, as he admired the room. “Do you like my room?,” Allura asked.
“	Yes,” Draven answered. “It’s very nice.”
“Thank you,” Allura said. “This is the first time that a man has ever been in my room, besides father.”
“I know that,” Draven said. “I’ve stood guard outside this door, many times.” Allura looked at him, a serious expression on her face.
“Did my father order you to do that, or did you do it because you wanted to protect me?,” she asked.
“I am your bodyguard, Allura, not your father’s. “I only do what I feel is best for you. And I don’t take orders from the King. The only orders I follow are yours, Allura,” he said. “It has
always been that way. I promise.” Allura smiled then, her eyes glimmering like precious jade. She pointed to the bed.
“Come, Draven, and sit on the bed with me,” she said, holding out her hand. Draven took it in his, and walked over with her, to the bed. They sat down in the middle of the bed, right next to each other, as they stared into one another’s eyes. Allura leaned close to him, then, resting her head on his chest. Draven put his arms around her waist, holding her. They sat like that for a while, each taking comfort in the other’s presence. Then, Draven spoke.
“Allura,” he said. “You’re very precious to me. I love you.” She turned around, breaking Draven’s hold on her waist.
“I love you, Draven,” she said. She kissed him, then, lovingly, passionately. Draven kissed her back, stroking her hair as he did so. Allura grabbed Draven’s hands, then, and pushed him, so that he was lying down. Then, she got on top of him, pressing her body tightly against his. They kissed again, and they did this for quite some time. Then, Allura stopped, and got up from the bed. She began to undress, until she was wearing nothing. She stood there, naked and exposed, before Draven. Then she crawled back into the bed, slowly, purposefully. She cuddled up next to Draven, her body once more pressing tightly against his. She closed her eyes.
It was morning. Draven woke up, his eyes opening slowly. Allura was sleeping, her head resting on his bare chest. She looked peaceful, angelic. She looked beautiful. He watched her sleep for a few minutes. He put his left arm around her, then, stroking her hair with his right hand, running his fingers through her soft, full, raven colored tresses. He did this for over several minutes, looking at her, touching her hair. Then, Allura’s eyes fluttered open, and she was awake.
“Good morning,” she said, smiling.
“Good morning,” Draven replied. Allura moved her head up, then, off of Draven’s chest. She looked at him.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you, too,” Draven replied. Something was troubling him, though. She could see it in his eyes.
“Draven, what’s wrong?,” she asked. Draven was silent for a moment before answering.
“I was wondering about something,” he said.
“Wondering about what?,” Allura asked.
“Well,” Draven said, it’s just... why aren’t you afraid of me, Allura?,” he asked, an intense look burning in his eyes. “You’ve seen my true face. You know what I am. How could you ever want to be with me?” Allura gazed into his eyes before answering.
“I want to be with you,” she said, “because I know exactly what you are. You’re a good person. You’re kind, and caring, and warm, and gentle, and loyal,” she said. “You are the man that I am in love with,” she said. “The fact that you have demon blood running through your veins doesn’t change that. I love you, Draven,” she said. “I will always love you.” She smiled, then, and Draven could not help but smile back.
“	You’re a beautiful girl, Allura,” he said. “Inside and out.” He took her by the shoulders, then, and he kissed her.
It was the middle of the morning. Draven and Allura were walking together through the woods, again. Suddenly, a figure appeared in their midst, just a few feet away from them.
“My, my,” the figure said. “We meet again, bodyguard.” It was Marilyn. Draven and Allura were silent. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, and then Draven let go of Allura’s arm. He walked forward, towards Marilyn, slowly meeting her on the battlefield. Marilyn raised her right hand; at the same time, Draven raised his own right hand. White fire burst from Marilyn’s hand then, as black energy erupted from Draven’s. The energies collided, creating a gust of wind; Draven’s long coat billowed in the wind. It was a stalemate. Allura put her arm up in front of her face, shielding herself from the wind. Draven rushed at Marilyn, then, dashing towards her. With superhuman speed, he lunged at her, throwing a punch with his right hand. He missed; Marilyn was fast, as well. He threw another punch, and then another, missing her both times. Then, using her own surprising agility, Marilyn jumped into the air, delivering a hard kick to Draven’s head. He stumbled for a moment, but his hand shot up, and he grabbed Marilyn by the foot. Gripping her tightly, Draven swung her into the ground. Her body slammed into a rock, breaking it. Draven stood over her. A few seconds passed, then Marilyn got up.
“You’re strong,” she said, as her body began to levitate. “But you can’t beat me.” She soared into the air, high above Draven and Allura. “Too bad you can’t fly, guardian,” she said. Draven stood there for a brief moment, his face contorting in anger. Then he changed. His hair turned white, his eyes turned red, and his teeth became fangs. His ears grew pointy, and his nails turned black, becoming long and sharp. He threw up his right hand, blasting a beam of black energy at Marilyn. Maneuvering herself in the air, she easily dodged it. He blasted at her again, and then again, each time, missing her completely. She laughed then, a wicked grin on her face. She pointed her hand at him, then, shooting a huge sheet of white flame towards him. Draven held his ground. Steadying his right arm with his left hand, Draven aimed at the oncoming fire. He shot a large blast of black energy from his hand, and the two forces hit each other. Marilyn’s fire
quickly ripped through Draven’s blast, dissipating it. Then it pummeled into Draven, sending his body crashing into a tree. He changed back, then, his features returning back to normal. He laid there, his body slumped against the tree. There was blood coming from his mouth, and he had bum marks all over his body. He looked pretty banged up. In truth, he was barely conscious. Then, he heard Allura scream. He snapped back to attention, glancing up sharply, looking for Allura. In the midst of the fighting, Marilyn’s flames had come into contact with some brush, and now, Allura was surrounded by fire. Her face looked panicked; there were tears in her eyes. The fire grew fiercer then, crackling menacingly. Allura cowered, frozen in fear.
No, Draven thought to himself. I have to protect her. I have to protect her! He stood up slowly, then, a black aura enveloping his body. He raised his head up; he had changed again, resuming his demonic features. His body began to levitate, slowly at first. Then his body shot up, and he soared into the air, facing Marilyn. He flew towards her, drawing his sword. Marilyn blasted her fire, trying to strike him, but Draven was too fast now. She missed; Draven was now only a few feet away from her. She opened her mouth, then, an enormous burst of white flames shooting out, surrounding him in a blinding sheet of fire. Marilyn smiled. Her smile quickly faded, however, as Draven came flying through the flames. He came at he, then; Marilyn had no time to react. Draven thrust his sword forward, stabbing into the center of her forehead. The blade pierced far, coming out of the back of Marilyn’s head. On the edge of the sword, there were bits of brain matter. For a moment, Draven did not move. He just stayed there, suspended in midair, and stared at Marilyn’s dead body. Then, he pulled his sword out, and sheathed it. A second later, he raised his right hand, and pointed it at Marilyn’s body.
“Deadflame,” he growled, his voice a raspy whisper. The black energy erupted from his hand, obliterating the corpse. Now, all that remained of Marilyn was dust. Draven, breathing hard, fell from the sky. He hit the ground. The flames gone, Allura rushed to him.
“Draven,” she said, kneeling on the ground next to him, watching him intensely. “Draven, are you alright?” Draven looked up at her; his demonic features were gone, once again. He smiled.
“I’m pretty badly injured,” he said, “but I’ll be fine. His eyes gleamed, then, like shiny pennies. “I did it, Allura,” he said, happiness in his voice. “I beat her. I flew.” Allura looked at him, worry still in her eyes.
“Are you really going to be alright?,” she asked.
“Allura,” he said. “I promise you, I am going to be fine.” “After all,” he said, grinning, “who else is going to protect you?” Allura smiled, then.
“I love you, Draven,” she said, bending down, her face next to his.
“I love you, too, Allura,” he said. She kissed him, then, hard and slow, tasting his lips.
“Let’s go home,” she said, after she had pulled back from the kiss. She pulled Draven to his feet, then, putting her arm around him to support his weight. They began to walk, then. Princess and Bodyguard, forbidden lovers. Draven and Allura walked together, back towards the castle, back towards home.