Far from the Universe of the Four Gods and Earth was a war torn planet of a winged humanoid people. It is on this planet, called Xalthid, that our story begins.
Protectors. It was wise to have one, but almost impossible to do so in this war worn city-state. The once beautiful city was now slowly becoming a grey mass of filth and waste. The beautiful parks and landmarks lay in ruin and neglect, the people moved thru the dark, dirty streets without looking at each other, intent on getting their chores done and returning to the relative safety of their home, hoping to not attract attention. It was hard to find a protector in this city. Very hard indeed. Yet, seven people had done so. All from the same person and one that scared them more then any threat they could imagine.
Watching over this dreary city was an imposing figure. High spires and gloomy fascade, the Ri castle stood. Years ago it had been a beautiful place, when the city below it had reflected it's grace and elegance. Then, he had been born. Most citizens blamed all their troubles on the wretched day that he was born. He was the darkest of them all. Born with white wings, like every other person, his wings had slowly faded to grey and then to pitch black by his late teens. His anger and retribution against those who opposed him was whispered about in the dark nights in homes, never said in public. Tales of his murderous ways were hinted to children to stop them from misbehaving. "Be careful to behave, or he will get you."
However to a select few, he was a guardian. He had, unknowingly to them, guarded over them since he had first seen them. It would be sometime before each would discover their protector. They would just know that life had eased up it's burden upon them. Raids on their houses would stop by the government. Jobs would appear, or money, when times got rough. They would rack their brain trying to figure out who was their guardian. Then would come that fateful night, when they would be in some physical danger and a black clothed and winged man would swoop in out of the night and rescue them. He would at first, return them to their home, gaze down at them, not saying a word. His mahoghanny eyes would regard them, the fly away bangs of his sky blue hair would draw their eyes to his face. He would never speak to them, but somehow they would get the impression that he just had a conversation with them, then he would walk away.
After the first meeting, they would see more of him. At first they were frightened by him, as were all people. But then, they would gain a sense of calm. Their hearts would accept that he was guarding them, even when their minds screamed that he was setting them up for a trap. They would start to distance themselves from those few who would even privately denounce him.
Miaka was his first. The first protected of Houjun Ri! This is the story of the protected and how the love of seven people changed the darkest of them all.