The Protector

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

The conference room was quiet. John Mason sat at the head of the table. Jonathan, as Tracy just found out his name, sat on John's right and on his left was Mr. Baines the chemistry teacher. It just occurred to Tracy that she hadn't found out how her mother's date went since she was already asleep by the time her mother had arrived home. Tracy had left to meet Jack and the other's before her mother woke up.

Tracy sat across from her grandfather in the middle of the long table. John cleared his throat, "Mr. Evans. I am aware that you are a born Hunter. What is it that you hunt?"

Tracy interrupted, "My grandfather is not a hunter. He's never liked to hunt, ever."

"Tracy," Roger, her grandfather, said gently, "Do you remember those stories I used to tell you? About the family in Africa?"

Tracy's brows furrowed as she tried to remember, "Not really... something about a cradle, I think?"

Her grandfather began to tell a story,

"Long ago, the world was in chaos. Powerful beings walked among mankind because they were cast from the heavens. Some became friends of man, determined to see to man's survival. Others hid themselves away and a few joined others of their kind to destroy man as they were a representation of the figure that cast them down.

The place they were sent was known as the Cradle of Life, in the heart of what is now Africa, for it was there that man was first formed upon the Earth. From there they divided themselves. Most of these creatures could take the form of man. At first, there was a struggle among all the supernaturals. They wanted to destroy each other and all of mankind.

Tired of being preyed upon, a group of men bravely climbed to the highest peak to beg their Creator that they be given the power to kill these creatures. Only one made it. A Nubian warrior, his name was Jabari. The Creator granted his request and gave him and his children powers. Jabari and two youngest sons was given the ability to destroy animal hybrids such as the Wanaume Mbweha, the Jackal Men. We call them Werewolves. They had killed his wife and had taken over his village. His two oldest sons were given the ability to kill Muuaji Damu, Vampires. Another two of his sons killed Witches and Sorcerers, another evil sprites and fairies. Altogether he had seven sons.

They called themselves 'Wawindaji,' the Hunters because of the Hunter's mark that they carried on their shoulder. Together they gathered regular men, trained them, and drove the creatures away from humans. A war broke out. Many of the creatures like the Wanaume Mbweha, the werewolves, wanted a truce. Others like the vampires wanted to enslave men and use them as a food and labor source. The sprites and witches, many of them, wanted to destroy man all together.

After many years of war, Jabari's only daughter, Adanya, turned 13 years old. On that day, the tide of war turned. Adanya had been hiding with the wives and children of the warriors that were fighting. The enemy broke through the lines and managed to reach the hide away to take hostages. Adanya killed over 200 different creatures that day by herself.

She had the light speed and cunning of a Sprite. The strength and enhanced senses of a werewolf. Rapid healing and nocturnal vision of a vampire. The power to manipulate the elements and the spiritual force some call "magic." Her scent remained human so that supernaturals could not distinguish her from other humans which allowed her to blend into a crowd. She was a super Hunter but she did not kill or fight unless provoked. Her powers worked to protect the helpless. Instead of being the Wawindaji, the Hunter, she instead became known as Mlinzi, the Protector.

Jabari was asked to meet with representatives and leaders of all the supernaturals. They struck a peace treaty. All creatures, that could, would integrate themselves into human society. They would not kill or permanently cause harm to humans. To be on the safe side, all supernaturals would hide their existence. In return, the Hunters would help them with their transition and misdirect humans that tried to capture or kill their kind.