Chapter 1

Little Kim Kibum, the only son of a black smith has always wanted a guardian, ever since he heard the tale of how this tradition began. He bragged to his friends how his guardian would be just like the vampire in the tale. His parents were happy to see that their son was happy to meet his guardian. A guardian, what is a guardian? Someone who will watch over their protected and help them during the tough times, someone who will protect that one special person. A guardian can be anyone; a god, vampire, animal, beast. They can be large or small, but they must have the heart and the will to protect their protected. Kibum’s birthday was a few days away; in those few days he would be able to meet his guardian.

In the forest, away from the kingdom, another little boy was playing with his friends. This boy wasn’t like Kibum, this boy had red eyes, fangs, and the need and want to be free. This little boy had no want or intention to become a guardian for a weak human, but if he didn’t, then it would dishonor his entire clan. He didn’t want to be a guardian, so he didn’t care if he dishonored his clan, He had made his decision, there was no way he was going to become a guardian for a pathetic, weak, human. In his mind, the vampire in the tale was a pathetic fool.

Little Kibum was exited; the vampire in the forest was avoiding and ignoring his duty about becoming a guardian. This continued until the fateful day arrived.

On this day, little Kibum was out of bed earlier and faster than anyone else in their house hold. He ran to his parent’s room with excitement and exclaimed “it’s today! Appa, Umma, its today!” The little boy’s parents awoke and smiled to see their son so happy and excited. Kibum’s mother got up out of the warm bed and said, “I’ll get breakfast going.” Kibum’s father lazily and leisurely got out of bed with his son quickly following along behind full of excitement and changed into his best clothes before padding down the stairs for breakfast, that was in the process of being made.

Meanwhile, the little vampire was still in dreamland, dreaming of being out in the wilderness under the night stars, he was free. As he was sleeping, the other little vampire’s friends were up and getting ready to meet their protected, the ones that they will need to watch over from today onward. The little vampire’s father was disappointed with his son; he knew that forcing his son to go would do no good because he would run off and go exploring. He would need to have a good talk with his son, when he decided to get out of bed.

Little Kibum nearly swallowed his breakfast whole, if it wasn’t for his mother who forced him to slow down he wouldn’t of done so. He quickly forced himself to chew his food before hopping off his chair and back to his room for a jacket, since it was still early in the morning. He then ran back downstairs and slipped into his shoes before saying, “I’m off.” The parents nodded and watched their little Kibum leave home to meet his guardian.

When little Kibum came to the town square, he stood with some of the other children that were there. One by one, guardians came and met their protected, but only little Kibum was left standing alone in the town square. He waited until his father came to the town square and took him home.

The very next day, all of the children who received a guardian were outside playing while little Kim Kibum stayed at home, under his covers, crying his soul out.