The sun had started to set and Aerith, the princess of the cetra, scurried her way through a forest. night was fast approaching. she looked back, seeing that she was a good distance away from the castle and realising she had been running all day.
by the time the sun had set and the dark of night swallowed the land, Aerith had reached a clearing in the forest. Tired and out of breath she stopped for a moment to take a breather. however..she felt like she was being watched..like she wasn't alone. and how right she was.
Aerith turned around to see a large black wolf growling at her, it's yellow eyes set on her.
"hey..are you..lost?" she stuttered out to the wolf, naturally not getting a responce.
Snarling, the wolf slowly made it's way towards her. she screamed out as she fell back finding herself cornered. "no!..this can't be happening.."
now scared out of her mind, she cried out for help, calling Zack or anyone nearby who she thought would hear her.
"Zack! Someone! please! help me!"
as if her prayers were heard a large snow wolf leaped in front of her and began to battle the black wolf.
Aerith watched in horror as the two dueled it out, biting and scratching, snarling and barking at each other. the two wolves faught for what felt like an hour but eventually the snow wolf emerged victorious while the other wolf ran away in defeat.
turning to Aerith, the snow wolf smiled.
"you are okay now." she smiled.
"Who are you?" Aerith stuttered, still shaking from the whole ordeal.
"now isn't the time for introductions..it's too dangerous to stay here..climb on and i will take you to my den where you'll be safe." the wolf said, turning around.
she had pure white fur with a small fringe at the front and around her neck she wore what looked like the lifestream in a bottle..maybe it was her life essance?
her eyes were an emerald green colour and shone in the moonlight.
Aerith climbed onto her back and held onto her fur as she ran through the woods.
when they arrived at the den, she lead Aerith inside. it was hidden by branches and the dens enterance was small so it wasn't easy to spot. as they entered Aerith saw the beauty of nature in the surroudning areas.
the den had a waterfall, accompanied with a small lake. the moonlight lit up the den from above as it shone through the gaps of the leaves and the den had a small river running through it.
"we are here" the wolf smiled.
"this place..it's amazing..i've never seen a place so beautiful." Aerith smiled.
"thank you..now..time for introductions; my name is Willow Matthews..i protect travellers in the woods from threats."
"a pleasure to meet you Willow, i'm Aerith..i'm the princess of the cetra."
"Princess?" Willow stood in shock then bowed. "your highness..i didn't realise you were the princess of the cetra..forgive my poor manners."
"thats quite alright Willow, i ran away from my home..i don't want to be a princess anymore.." Aerith said with a sob stuck in her throat.
"why?"
"i was being forced into marriage..i don't want to be married yet.."
Willow curled herself around Aerith as she layed down, resting her head on willows soft, silk like fur.
"i'll look after you..i promise..for now it's late, you are exhausted.." Willow smiled.
before Willow knew it, Aerith was fast asleep and proceeded to fall asleep herself.
the next morning Willow waited for the princess to wake up, letting her sleep in after her long journey the day before.
Aerith woke up and yawned "good morning." she said as she stretched.
Willow then stood up. "good morning your highness."
"please Willow, call me Aerith."
"very well, Aerith."
being refered to as your highness or princess made Aerith feel out of place and she just wanted to be normal for once.
"so..you are a wolf?" Aerith questioned.
"yes and no..i am also human but i perfer this form..i get places faster."
"so..what are you?"
"meaning?"
"you saved me last night..it was awfully conventiant on how i was in trouble..and you came to my rescue."
"oh..that..well i guess i do owe you an explaination.." Willow then sat down as she started to explain. "you see, i'm not any ordinary wolf or human..i come from a long line of warriors known as guardians..the guardians saught to protect the cetra from any harm that may come to them..but has the cetra's numbers dwindled..so did the guardians...in the end..there was just a handful both our kinds..but the lords of Jenova: Sephiroth, Loz, Yazoo and Kadaj, killed off most of us that were left but..i managed to escape and keep watch over your kingdom..and luckily..Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo were taken down easily..but when i overheard that you had ran off, i rushed to find you, figuring you may be headed this way..i am now sworn to protect you and it is here that i shall recite the vow of protection."
Willow then stood up and bowed. "i, Willow Matthews, swear to protect you Princess Aerith from all harm..i am your shield and your sword. i vow to remain by your side as your friend, your sister, your protector. where ever you go..i shall be there beside you to guide you..always."
Aerith sat dumbfounded..she had a new guardian?..why hadn't she heard of them before? records had no reports on the guardians, her castles staff wouldn't tell her anything..
"why..didn't i know of you before?" Aerith stuttered.
"the guardians kept their existance a secret..but we guardians are always willing to risk our lives for the cetra, asking for nothing in return."
"oh.."
"is something wrong?"
"did all..Cetra have guardians?"
"indeed..every cetra had one..not just the royals." Willow smiled. "i understand your confusion..it's alot to take in."
Aerith started to get angry.
"alot to take in?...alot to take in?!..if all cetra had guardians then where was my mothers?! where were you to protect my family?!" she started to cry, leaving willow startled by the outburst. "you..you never once stepped in.."
"Aerith, i understand your frustation..but us guardians were busy fending off the jenovian lords..if we had let them passed the border...your kingdom would be under their territory..i do feel deep remorse for not getting to your family in time..and i am sorry."
Willow stands up and bows her head. "please understand, all i want to to protect you."
Aerith let herself cry, wondering why no guardian was there to protect queen Ifalna. "why was no one there with my family?..why was i left with Zack in the cellar while they were killed?.."
"all guardians were on the front lines protecting your kingdom..Sephiroth was stronger than his brothers..i tried to get to your mother..but i wasn't fast enough..now please..do not shed tears for what has passed..i will be here to protect you..i am your sword and shield..all you have to do is show me where to point them and i'll do the rest." Willow smiled as she got the hankerchief from Aeriths bag and gave it to her.
she nuzzled her arm to comfort her and layed down, wrapping herself around her..after Aerith had calmed down a few hours later. she sat by the lake, making herself and Willow a flower crown as Willow sat the entrance, knowing Aerith couldn't hear her.
"soon princess..you're troubles will end..one way..or another..." Willow watched Aerith happily make the crowns..what was Willow up to? what game was she playing? Aerith has no clue what will come in the near future..she can only hope it will be bright and full of joy..
