1 Chapter 01 - First Day At The Protectors' Manor

Echo stepped into the main hall of the Protectors' Manor, several other Protectors walked past her. She noticed some of their gazes fall on her. Pulling her best poker face, she strode forward. She had finally made it, after a year of training with the witches to become the warrior they promised the Protectors.

The Protectors' Manor looked just as she had imagined it would. There was this aura of magic circling through the halls that she had never experienced before, not even in the Witches Coven, the home to the three most powerful beings, the witches, and the place she had resided the past year.

The warmth of the Manor made her feel nostalgic… made her remember her life as a human, before the car accident that killed her parents and herself. It was a pity that she could not remember the exact details of the accident. Whenever she tried to remember it, her mind would get hazy.

Echo sighed as her mind wandered through her memories and resided back to the Witches Coven. She had disappointed the witches by failing in her first mission. It was supposed to be easy, but one demon got away, and she had no clue until she returned back to the Coven. She was banished from the Witches Coven, the only way she was able to get back was if she found and killed the demon who escaped her clutches.

She had heard so much about the Protectors from the witches, but she was intrigued that they were so much more like humans rushing around in an office. Her heart pounded when she finally stopped staring around. It was just too much for her, she had gone through so much, and yet this was overwhelming. Her training helped her to keep a calm demeanour while she stepped forward.

From what she had learnt the Protectors kept the humans safe from all sorts of supernatural beings, and she was to aid them. So far the Protectors had succeeded, but the Protectors' Realm became more hostile. The witches had told her that demons would attack very often, causing the Protectors to defend their homeland.

The Protectors' Realm was of course the magical realm where the Protectors' Manor was, and where Echo was now residing.

While she was admiring the large mansion, her insecurities bombarded the happy thoughts away, 'How long will it take for them to hate me too? Will I ever fit in here?' Sighing, she strode forward to find the commander, as the witches instructed her.

She arrived outside the doors to the briefing room, and kept telling herself, 'Just find the commander, the witches already told him about me.' Doubts soon flooded her mind, 'What if he's not in there? No. The witches said he's always in the briefing room… What if they were wrong? How am I supposed to recognise him…'

Calming herself, Echo pushed the doors open. Her eyes widened as she looked around, there were so many men and women dressed in similar armour. How was she supposed to know who the commander was? The room grew quiet as everyone turned their attention to her.

"What business do you have here?" a young man asked, his voice was carried across the room, despite being on the far end. The man had his hands on the table, and his fingers intertwined, as he glared at her.

Echo turned her gaze to the man who was harsh and loud, and sounded unwelcoming. She had the most expressionless look, despite wanting to leave the man's presence right away.

The man repeated his sentence, almost rolling his eyes, "What business do you have here?" This time his voice sounded more authoritative than previously, as he stood up and proceded to walk towards her

"I'm here to meet the commander," Echo replied, holding the man's unwavering gaze.

The man stared at her, "You're looking at him."

Echo lowered her head in respect, and held the commander's gaze once again, "The witches sent me."

"I expected someone else," the commander scoffed, returning to his seat.

Echo watched the commander open up a file, and give out orders to the other officials who turned out to be captains. The captains left one after the other, after being dismissed.

Looking at Echo the commander asked, "You're still here."

Echo was intimidated by the commander. She felt his eyes piercing through her soul, but she summoned her courage, and replied, "What am I supposed to do, commander?"

The commander nodded as he stood, and approached Echo, passing her he tossed the words, "Follow me!"

Echo exhaled in relief, she had not realised that she was holding her breath. She swiftly turned and followed the commander.

The commander was silent as he led Echo to the second floor.

Echo was too wrapped up in her thoughts that she only looked around once they stopped in front of the lift. She felt uncomfortable with the aura the commander gave off.

The lift finally arrived, and just when Echo thought things would get better, it got worse. Echo and the commander were the only two inside the lift.

She kept glancing at him, while he stared at the door.

The commander noticed the little glances. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Have anything to say?"

"No!" Echo replied without hesitation. She immediately looked away, and stared at the door with pursed her lips. She then thought to herself, 'What was that.. Ugh.. can't you be subtle. Now he's going to think there's something wrong with me. Great work Echo… great work!"

The door of the lift finally opened to a network of corridors. The commander turned several times through the corridors, and stopped at a door. He placed his hand on the knob, and the door opened.

"This is your house." The commander turned to Echo, waiting for her to walk in.

Echo glanced at the commander, and then at the room. She couldn't help but ask "Everyone lives here?"

The commander crossed his arms, and looked at Echo, "Yes."

Echo nodded, and stepped into her new house. It was the first time she got her own house, she wanted to scream but kept a poker face.

"Take a look around the Protectors Manor. I'll give you your orders tomorrow." The commander shut the door, and walked away.

A smile crept on Echo's face. 'My own house that's so cool.' She sighed, as she thought about why she was here, 'I didn't come here to have fun. I need to find that demon or the witches won't let me go back home. Home.. was the Witches Coven really my home or did I just say that to make me feel better?'

Echo sat on the sofa. She took off her jacket, and leaned back, sighing. She remembered more of what the witches had told her about the Protectors. They were divided into two sections; the warriors, and the healers. They're purposes were just as the name said, the warriors fought, and the healers healed the injured.

It was evening, and Echo was still in the same spot. She sighed, thinking to herself, 'Why must everything in my life be so hard? I barely know anyone out there… should I step out, or stay here?'

She pondered the question for a while, and then summoned her courage and walked to the door. She stepped out of her house, and walked through the corridors; eventually finding the lifts.

The floors on the lift were labelled. Echo pressed the button to the restaurant. The door to the lift opened, revealing a decorated restaurant.

Echo stared at everything in awe, it was luxurious. She walked out of the lift, and a waitress helped her find a place to sit.

The place Echo was seated at was rather closed off and private, despite this she heard gossip about the commander. Curiosity flooding through her, she eavesdropped on the conversation.

"I heard the commander is coming to the restaurant with his wife today," Echo heard a female voice say.

A thought ran across Echo's head, 'Wife? Who'd want to marry a guy like that?'