This is a twist on the Greek Myth Pandora's box. It takes place many years after the actual Pandora died and now it is up to her descendents to right the wrong she'd done so many centuries ago-

Introduction-

She stood by the river the morning breeze blowing out her long auburn tresses as her soft lavender eyes gazed into the dark water, the ever present box that had been handed down to her cradled in her arms against her chest. Sylus took a moment to watch her knowing that this would be one of the few times that they'd have to enjoy any type of scenery because soon they'd be back on the road again doing what they were destined to do. He sighed softly as he ran hand through his dark shoulder length hair, the sound drawing the ladies attention. Her amethyst gaze fixed on him seeming to piece deep into the depths of his soul again making him wonder how one so young could somehow seem so old at times.

"My Lady," he greeted her with a small bow as he studied her face. At times like this he found himself wondering what she thought about. What her life may have been had she not been chosen for this life; not been chosen to live with the curse and responsibility that went along with the object that she had cradled within her arms. He glanced down at the box now. It was a simple thing made of cedar with only locking mechanism to adorn it. One would not think that something so mundane would be as important as that that very box was. But then it was not box itself that was valuable but the things it held inside. He did not think though that anyone with any sense would be likely to lay claim to what lay within the confines of the box but he had seen many things in his day and he would not underestimate the greed of men.

"Sylus," she greeted him in return a small smile pulling her pink lips up into a small smile.

"What were you thinking about, My Lady?"

"Nothing."

"Truly?" Sylus pressed as he closed the distance between himself and the woman he'd been hired to protect five years ago.

"Truly," She intoned as she glanced back at the water.

"Marcella…" Sylus started and stopped as she turned to give him her full attention.

"Yes?"

Sylus stayed silent for a few moments as she looked at him wondering if it was proper to ask her such questions but after five years there was still little he knew or understood about this young woman in front of him. "Do you ever think about what your life would have been like had you not been chosen for this life? Or what your life will be like when this is over?"

Marcella studied him for a long moment before she spoke, a long deep sigh escaping her lips. "No. What is the point of thinking about things like that? I am the Pandora and my future is to make sure what is left within this prison does not escape and to see that those that are still among us are imprisoned. The Pandora's that came before me have managed to contain a lot of the evils in this world but there are still many more that are left to collect. I could either grow old before the last one is collected or perish during my attempt to capture them, so why would I burden myself with the idea of a future?"

Sylus flinched inwardly. Usually when Marcella spoke she was detached but she was gentle and kind too. He had never considered thinking that she would have views about her life such as this. She spoke like a warrior or a monarch, putting her duty before her own personal happiness or wants. Sylus cleared his throat. "I suppose you have a point."

"And what about you? Do you think about such things?" Marcella asked.

Sylus licked his lips as he considered her question. Before now he had never considered his future. He had gone from job to job protecting those who bought his services without ever thinking twice on the matter but recently he had begun to take a new kind of interest in the future. Of course becoming a Pandora's bodyguard tied his life to hers until the very end of his own. If she died he died and if he died he would be replaced. At the time he had not cared about the terms of his contract only that in doing this he could perhaps atone for some of the things he'd done as a young man and die an honorable death. Now though… Now things were different.

"Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a family of my own," he admitted.

Marcella smiled the warmth filling her eyes, which was a rare sight. "Yes, I think you would make a good father," she said her voice not quite matching the warmth of her smile. If anything it sounded a little bit sad.

Sylus sighed softly at his Lady's reaction hopping that she was not upset about the fact that they were most likely not going to survive this adventure so he could have that family he confessed to wanting, because if that were so he was going to have to tell her up front that his dreams had nothing to do with his serving her. He had chosen to be her body guard of his own free will and as the years wore on he really couldn't picture himself at anyone else's side.

"We should be going soon," he said softly to relieve some of the tension that had begun to build in the air. Marcella nodded as walked past him taking the lead out of the Sanctuary they'd stayed these past two nights.

Suddenly she stopped and looked over her shoulder making Sylus almost collide into her. "Being the Pandora is more preferable to what my life would have been like before." She said making Sylus tilt his head slightly wanting her to elaborate. He knew very little about the girl who'd been chosen by the box and only a little more about the woman she'd become. What he did know about the girl though was that unlike him she had been brought up as a lady. Her skin still bore the smooth paleness of an aristo woman and her mannerisms spoke for themselves. He had never given much thought though to what that would have meant for her had she not been chosen.

"It is much better than being married off for money or for a title. Women in aristo families are considered a bargaining chip to achieve things that a family does not have. At least as the Pandora I am free to live as I please and not be tied to a man I care nothing about and all he cares about is that I give him heirs."

To hear such words spoke from her mouth was a shock to Sylus. He had never even considered that his Lady could have ended up like that and knowing that it was selfish and wrong he thanked the Gods that this woman had been chosen and that she had not been forced to endure such a fate for why she was delicate of build and soft she was also quite brave and clever. She was also getting more used to who and what she was as the years went by. He was even managing teaching her how to wield a knife in the event that he could not keep her safe and she was grasping the knowledge he offered well.

"I see," was all he could think of to reply as she started to walk once again.