The Rising Guardian

Chapter 1

As her eyes fluttered open, a sharp jolt of agony shot through her left shoulder, rendering any attempt to shift position almost unbearable. The simple act of sitting up proved to be an ardyour task, as she grappled with the excruciating pain, inching her way toward the edge of the unfamiliar bed.

Her surroundings slowly came into focus, and it dawned upon her that she was far from the comfort and familiarity of her own home. She found herself disoriented and unaware of her surroundings until her eyesight gradually returned. Suddenly, a young girl burst through the door, calling out a name with excitement, "Sky!" The little girl's voice echoed through the room, filling it with energy.

Right behind her, a taller girl emerged, cautioning the little one to be careful as she approached. In her hands, she carried a tray filled with steaming cups of what appeared to be tea and a delectable spread of food. Sky uttered a perplexed "Uh-i-hi?" as she struggled to comprehend the bewildering circumstances surrounding her.

She couldn't help but question her own identity, as the revelation that her name was Sky came as a shock. How long had she been known as Sky? This revelation brought forth a wave of confusion and uncertainty that consumed her thoughts.

As a sudden knock echoed through the room, every person's attention was instantly drawn towards the door. Leaning nonchalantly against the sturdy frame stood a man who caught everyone's gaze. His bald head glistened under the soft glow of the room's lights, while his attire consisting of vibrant red and yellow robes matched those of the two other children present in the room. Without realizing it, she managed to blurt out the word "pain". She confesses that her head is throbbing and that everything seems jumbled and perplexing.

Ikki spoke in a gentle tone as he presented your beloved peppermint tea. Sky gently touched her head and immediately felt the presence of bandages tightly wrapped around it. As she continued to explore, she realized that her arms were also heavily bandaged. The discomfort of her left shoulder, secured in a sling, made her question when this sudden shift in dominance occurred, leaving her reliant on her right hand.

The man suggested to the girls that it would be a good idea to give the sky some time to recuperate. As he rose from the bed, he lovingly kissed Sky's forehead before exiting the room. However, the two girls voiced their dissatisfaction with the idea before reluctantly joining the man outside, thus leaving poor Sky feeling isolated and abandoned once again in the room. Sky gently placed her hand on her forehead, savoring the lingering warmth of the affectionate kiss planted on her head.

The sound of her youngest child's voice could be heard pleading with their father from behind the closed door. Why was it that she couldn't recollect her own identity? Why did everything seem so perplexing? And why was her body covered in bruises? Who were the individuals in the room with her? This place did not resemble a hospital, and who or what was a katana? Numerous questions raced through her mind, but they only served to exhaust her further.

She wearily placed her legs back onto the bed and reclined, resting her head on the pillow as she closed her eyes. However, discomfort from her position compelled her to open her eyes, and she was on the verge of screaming. In an instant, a hand covered her mouth, causing her heart to race as she struggled to remain calm. "Sorry, do I know you-" she started to ask before Mason laughed. "It's not funny, Mason," Jason said quickly, then Mason wiped away his tears. "You're right, it's not funny," he said, letting out a little laugh. "But you have to admit that the battle was massive. You should have seen Councilman Tenzin's face when he found you!" he exclaimed. The woman shook her head in disbelief as she listened to the ongoing bickering between Mason and Jason.

She couldn't help but interrupt, seeking clarification, "Wait, what? I'm sorry, did you say a battle? Like an actual war?" Her voice was filled with shock and confusion as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.