Guardian the Golem

Here is the brief version of Guardian's story:
- Created by Lord Gunutami as a Guardian of his palace
- Assigned to protect Talia, a psionic alien prisoner
- Ran away with Talia to fulfill his orders to protect her, even from Lord Gunutami
- Protected Talia in the wilderness until she grew up
- Went back to Lord Gunutami's palace upon Talia's instructions in order to defeat him
- Alongside Talia, defeated Lord Gunutami's body. His disembodied spirit, however, lived on
- Psychically bonded with Talia as Guardian's new master.
- Travelled to the East upon Talia's instructions in order to find a way to grant Guardian a soul
- Found a Hindu Mystic named Bambu who granted Guardian minor sentience
- While in India, defeated the 12-handed giant and saved a region from torment
- Bambu made it possible for Guardian to 'speak' in a disembodied way
- Talia and Guardian hung around the village as Bambu studied Golem to learn the secrets of his existence and see how else he could enhance him
- News came from China about a rampaging dragon. Talia and Guardian went to investigate
- Talia and Guardian defeated the dragon, but Guardian was severely injured, his limbs all shattered
- They returned to India where Bambu softened Guardian's body slightly, allowing it to repair itself (regenerate), restoring him to good health
- Discovered that with slow effort Guardian's body could be reshaped. He was molded into a human form, making him more pleasing on the eye
- Guardian began learning how to act human. He learned how to move his mouth in rhythm with his disembodied speech, to make it seem like he was talking. He started to become more and more life-like
- Guardian and Talia returned to Africa after being away for 20 years
- They found out their homeland was taken over by Lord Gunutami's grandson, Lord Gunutami III, who communed with the original Lord Gunutami's disembodied spirit
- Talia and Guardian defeated Lord Gunutami III
- The pair helped rebuild their 'homeland'
- Many years passed and the mystic Bambu came west to visit with the pair, bringing with him a new enchantment he developed which enhanced Guardian's mental capabilities (to their present capacity)
- Lord Gunutami IV and V came and attempted to take vengeance, but were unsuccessful
-Talia managed to trap Lord Gunutami I's soul in a gemstone prison crafted by Bambu
- About 30 years later, Bambu died of old age surrounded by the friends and students he made in Africa
- About 140 years after that, to the sorrow of all of Africa, Talia died of old age
- Before she died, Talia made Guardian his own master
- A tomb was built for Talia. The gemstone holding Lord Gunutami's soul was buried in a hidden room deep within the tomb
- Guardian missed Talia dearly and, though he was his own master, devoted himself to guarding her tomb and the evil gemstone prison
- Centuries passed and the stories of Talia and her Guardian became legend. People still avoided the tomb out of respect and superstition
- Modern day came around. The region in which Talia was entombed became known as Chad.
- Guardian still stood in silent watch over his charge
- Guardian was re-awakened to help save the world

Guardian's tale begins in the ancient northern Africa where a Warlord by the name of Lord Gunutami has taken command of a large region, enslaving its inhabitants and subjecting them to poverty and starvation through his lust for wealth and power. Lord Gunutami was not only a brilliant mastermind and brutal tactician, he was also an accomplished voodoo sorcerer, skilled in all forms of the black arts. It was Lord Gunutami himself who created Guardian, from ancient manuscripts that came to his hands from the east. When first formed, Guardian was a monstrous creation, standing at 5'8'' tall and massively wide. He was created as a mindless slave meant to be the protector of Lord Gunutami's future palace.

But fate had other plans. It so happened that in those days a large lump of metal fell from the sky down to the local countryside where a farmer found it crashed it a large crater in the middle of his field of wheat. The lump of metal was cracked open and inside was a child no more than three years old, sleeping heavily. She was a beautiful baby, healthy in every way except for her colouring which was a light blue-green. The farmer took pity on the child and brought her into his already full house, taking care of her as if she were his own.

Lord Gunutami took interest in this strange object which fell from the sky and sent some soldiers to collect it. The farmer hid the girl, whom he called Talia, but handed over the large, hollow metal vessel she was found in, hoping to appease his evil master.

It wasn't long before the farmer realized that Talia was special beyond her unique colouring and unusually calm, collected demeanor. Even at such a young age she was able to move objects with her mind and telepathically communicate her desires to her foster parents with perfect ease. The simple family grew fearful of the girl, but loved her still and resisted all attempts by Lord Gunutami to discover the true nature of the strange fallen star.

Finally, after his servants failed for the umpteenth time, the sorcerer came personally to speak with the farmer and his wife. Upon arrival he immediately felt the presence of the girl and discovered her hidden in the tool shed out back. Two years had passed since she arrived on Earth and despite her young age Talia acted with defiance of the warlord's authority. She was dragged, kicking screaming and telepathically flailing, back to the sorcerer's palace. Two soldiers had gone insane in the process and she caused great havok in the palace before Lord Gunutami managed to cast a strong enough ward around the girl. In the end, the kidnapping was a success and she was imprisoned safely within a luxurious cell of the palace.
In the two years that she was with the farmer knowledge of her existence had spread throughout the villages. Hope had grown that she might be their saviour from their plight and the hidden shamans all prophesied that this would be so. Her capture had such an impact on the people that an uprising would inevitably occur.

The scattered and despairing villagers grew strength and courage, realizing that their only hope for salvation lay within Lord Gunutami's palace walls. Within a few short months a rebel army had formed, greater in number than Lord Gunutami's own. Seeing the people organizing to reclaim the girl, the sorcerer placed her in Guardian's charge, telling him 'do not allow anyone to take this girl away from you. Protect her at all costs.'

Lord Gunutami's plan was coming to completion. Though more numerous, the villagers did not stand a chance against his well trained armies, nor against his great magical power. A few groups had managed to sneak through the warlord's defenses but could not get by Guardian's watchful eye, nor withstand his powerful blows.

The rebellion was pushed back, defeated. The people despaired and it seemed like all was lost. Lord Gunutami was victorious.
A solar eclipse was approaching in the near future and Lord Gunutami was preparing a ritual to take advantage of this time of great spiritual power. He planned to sacrifice the alien girl and drink her blood, gaining control of the soul-power that allowed her to manifest her psychic potential.

When the day came, Lord Gunutami called for the girl to be brought to him. The soldiers he sent never returned. He sent another squad to see what happened and they too vanished. Lord Gunutami was confused and distraught - assassins must have breached the castle! He went down to the girl's room personally to ensure the girl's safety only to find that she remained perfectly safe and unharmed. The bodies of his personal guards, however, had been pulverized.

'What happened?' Lord Gunutami asked Guardian,

'They tried to take the girl', came the reply in Lord Gunutami's mind. He shook his head in wonder.

'They came at my command', Lord Gunutami replied. 'Give the girl to me', he said forcefully.

'No,' came the astonishing reply, 'None will take her from my charge.'

'You are my slave!' Lord Gunutami cried out, 'you must do my bidding!'

'I am,' came the telepathic reply, 'I am protecting the girl at all costs - even my own duty to my master.'

The enraged warlord sent wave after wave of soldiers and spells at the golem, but the construct was too well built. He fended off everything that came his way then, when there was a lull, promptly fled the palace with Talia flung over his back, foes in close pursuit. They could not keep pace with the construct's massive strides and untiring body and he quickly outran them across the savanah and through the forests that stood in Northern Africa.

When enough distance was gained that Guardian could no longer hear Lord Gunutami's telepathic cries, he stopped running and set Talia down.

She caught her breath after all that jostling and sat on a nearby rock, looking her defender up and down. The ugly half-shapen lump of clay stared lifelessly back at her, ceasing motion entirely now that activity was no longer needed.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she stood and walked over to him, placing a tiny hand on his massive thigh. The cold surface told her nothing of her silent guardian, except that he was not flesh and blood as all her other acquaintances had been. Nonetheless, he had saved her life and risked everything to do so.

Withdrawing her touch, the girl backed away, far enough that she could look Guardian in his lifeless eyes without straining her neck. She smiled at the mobile statue, a smile that despite her young age would have melted the heart of any feeling being instantly.

Slowly and full of genuine emotion, Talia spoke. She treated the construct as an equal, not even considering the fact that he may somehow be lacking in comprehension. "Thank you," she said, "Thank you... for saving my life."

The pair ran for several years, struggling to avoid detection and interaction with Guardian's master, the evil Lord Gunutami. In order to perform his duties Guardian had to find the girl food and so he learned quickly how to identify edible herbs and plans. When the occasion required it, Guardian's strong body was placed in service of others in exchange for food and other necessary provisions. The two were never in one place for long, always moving quickly. Several times Guardian could feel the presence of his master himself coming towards their direction, at which point they quickly moved away. He lived in contradiction, always: in order to serve his master, Guardian had to avoid him.

Talia grew and she became a beautiful, full figured woman. Her skin tone darkened from a light blue-green to a deep forest green and her eyes darkened to a deep hazel. Her hair, black as coal, flowed over her shoulders cleanly despite being unkempt. She became the envy of every village and Guardian began to hesitate to bring her to them, despite her constant need for food. The girl also began to affectionately call her guardian 'Kiri' in private, the name 'Guardian' becoming too impersonal for the close bond she felt with her savior and protector. Her powers grew as quickly as she did, her psychic and psionic prowess increasing in all areas. She kept her talents hidden so as not to frighten the locals even more upon their seeing a hulking earthen monster, but used them subtly when she found the opportunity.

Twelve years after their escape Talia decided she had enough of running and she told her silent guardian as much. As always, he didn't respond, the psychic link through which he was able to communcate with his master could not be breached by his charge. Guardian just stood there, awaiting a practical task.

He may have been incapable of speech and reserved in action, but Talia always strove to see below the surface. She saw within Guardian emotion and compassion, a truly righteous individual. Whether it was real or imagined didn't matter - Talia believed it deeply and so it was real to her. In her mind, the reason for Guardian's actions was that he loved her and cared for her deeply - just as Talia had grown to love and care for him.

"I know it'll be hard and dangerous, but we can't keep running forever!" she proclaimed, "this isn't a life. I want to live calmly and peacefully like all those villagers we see - not like fugitives on the run."

From that moment on they began to fight back when the patrols came, viciously killing the soldiers and knights that chased them, felling the rare and dangerous wyverns when they were sent, stopping the sorcerers and blackguards and all the terrible magical beasts.

Finally, after another year had passed, Talia declared her intentions to face Lord Gunutami in his palace. By that time, word of the pair had spread further than their feet ever could and their declaration of revolution was heard in all parts of Lord Gunutami's oppression. There was much celebration and preparation; the words of the mystical shamans were coming to be.
When Talia came to the palace there was an army behind her and that of the astonishment of Lord Gunutami was no greater than her own.

"You have come back to be my blood, girl?" Lord Gunutami cried out across the countryside, his voice echoing magically to be heard by all the trembling slaves, "I have been waiting for you, searching for you. Welcome home girl, welcome to your rightful place."

'Bring her to me!' he called out telepathically to Guardian, once his declaration was made.

'Be patient,' the golem replied lifeless as ever, 'we are coming...Master.'

The rebel army stormed the gate under a hail of arrows and flame, shot from the soldiers on the battlement and the voodoo magic of Lord Gunutami himself. Talia's psychokinetic barrier held up against most of the projectiles, but even she wasn't powerful enough to stop them completely. Eventually, the soldiers managed to batter through the front gates and storm the castle, moving ever inwards through the sea of forces, both natural and mystical, that stood against them.

Eventually Talia and her Guardian managed to wade through the battle that spread throughout the castle and arrived to Lord Gunutami's inner chamber, his throne room. The psion and the sorcerer battled ferociously, sending wave after wave of arcane and psychokinetic energy towards each.

Guardian stood back, unable to withstand the raw power being wielded. Instead, he kept all the rest of Lord Gunutami's forces at bay while his Master and his charge competed in their epic struggle. In the end, Lord Gunutami was defeated - his body shattered against the far wall by a well placed kinetic blast.

Once the former master of the kingdom was defeated and his body thrown over the castle walls, all of his servants quickly surrendered to the rebellious horde. Their weapons were lain to rest and they were shackled and put into the castle's prison until a decision could be made regarding what to do with them. The day was won, the people freed, and high hopes were proclaimed for the future.

The bond with his master was severed and Guardian needed a new one - for what would a masterless golem be but a magical statue? The obvious choice was Talia, his dutiful charge and the one who defeated his former master. Now that she was truly in charge, Guardian's mystical link was forged with her and, for the first time, the two were able to communicate telepathically. Talia was overjoyed at this development and tried to hold a conversation with her beloved Kiri, only to be disappointed at the curt, emotionless responses that he returned to her. Until then, Talia had always imagined a soft and caring mind within the hard outer shell, one who felt a loving, almost paternal bond with the young girl he had guarded all these years. Only one conclusion could be made, and that was that the death of Lord Gunutami somehow shattered Guardian's mind. Talia made it her solemn duty to find a way to repair it.

Barely any of the witch-doctors in the area knew anything about the crafting of golems, all the powerful ones being purged from the country during the warlord's rule. Those that had knowledge of the process didn't know enough to craft a mindless one, much less imbue it with a living soul. Talia would not give up, however, and when she was told that mysticism was being practiced at a much higher level in the lands to the east, she decided that the east is where she had to go; she would repay her Guardian for all the years he had raised and protected her, fulfilling all her needs.

The journey was arduous, the pair being forced to travel through lands unfamiliar to them and dangerous terrain to which they were ill suited. The dry deserts were torture to Guardian, his body drying out and crumbling, forcing him to plod along far slower than they needed to. Transporting him on a cart was out of the question, as his enormous bulk would rapidly sink any vessel that tried to carry him. So they were forced to trudge along painfully slowly through trecherous wastes, taking every single detour which offered them even the remotest possibility of water.

After the deserts came the soaring mountain range they had to work their way through. Trecherous paths wove them around in what seemed to be an endless amount of convoluted circles, but was promised to be the quickest possible route through them. After the blistering heat of the desert, the cool winds of the mountains seemed that much colder. At least here, however, Guardian could keep up his steady pace.

It took over a year to make it to the land of India and when the pair arrived Talia was ultimately relieved. Their mission was soon at an end, she thought, and she would finally be able to repay her Guardian for all his years of service to her.