"Hey Zerah, what are you doing there?"
Kaufman voice, soft and concerned, cut through my thoughts.  
"Quiet, look there, a hunter, right?" 
I whispered, pointing towards a group of men dressed in hunting gear, their faces hardened with determination.  
"Don't worry, here, this is for you, stay here."  
He handed me an apple, how did he know I like apples? Maybe he just picked it up on his way here
"What are you going to do?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.  
He smiled, a reassuring smile that calmed my racing heart.  
"Don't worry, Zerah. I'll handle this."  
And with that, he strode towards the hunters, his presence radiating confidence and authority.
I watched him, my heart filled with a mix of fear and admiration. He was so brave, so strong. And he was my friend.  
I took a bite of the apple, its sweetness filling my mouth. It was a simple gesture, a small act of kindness, but it meant so much to me in this moment of uncertainty. I knew, deep down, that everything would be alright.
Kaufman would protect me, he would protect the forest. And I, the guardian, would learn to use my powers, to fulfill my duty.  
"Kaufman, what did you do to them?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.  
"Teach them a lesson, like what you want. Let's go," he said, his voice calm and collected.  
Oh, he's holding my hand. How come he's better now? Maybe he's in a good mood. Well, that's great. Now I can talk to him.  
"Kaufman, did you put a curse on them like I said?"  
"Of course, I made them blind," he said with a mischievous grin.  
Wow, that was brutal. He's so powerful. Maybe I could ask him to teach me how to use mine, since he's in a good mood. Great idea, self.  
"Kaufman, I need your help. I need to learn how to use my powers.  
Can you teach me?" I asked, my voice filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.  
He looked at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement.  
"You want to learn how to use your powers? Well, I guess it's time for a little lesson."  
And with that, he led me deeper into the forest, his hand still holding mine, his presence radiating a sense of confidence and power. I was ready to learn. I was ready to become the guardian. I was ready to face the darkness. 
He's not annoying this time. What happened? Oh no, maybe he's sick, or maybe he's going to die like Mrs. Charlotte. Huh, wait, who is Charlotte? Never mind. 
"Kaufman," I said, my voice hesitant, "are you alright? You seem different."  
He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Different? How so?"  
"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "You're not...well, you're not being annoying."  
He chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine.  
"Annoying? I'm always annoying, Zerah. It's part of my charm."  
"But you're not being mean," I said, my voice growing bolder. "You're not being...well, you're not being Kaufman."  
He stopped walking, turning to face me. His eyes were dark, unreadable.  
"Who do you think I am, Zerah?"  
His voice was a low growl, a rumble of power that sent a chill down my spine. I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what to say, what to think. He was so different, so...intense.  
"I don't know," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don't know who you are."  
And in that moment, I realized that I had no idea who I was either. I was the guardian, but I had no memories, no past, no sense of self. I was a blank slate, a vessel waiting to be filled.  
And Kaufman, whatever he was, was the one who held the key to my identity, to my power, to my destiny. 
Kaufman started to teach me, and he was being too kind to me now. I was so confused. But if I asked him about it, maybe it would be awkward, so I ignored it.  
I trained to use my power, just like Kaufman said. I trained for almost a year while Kaufman was resting. 
And when Kaufman finally woke up, I noticed his new appearance. His long hair was now short, and he looked so good. I couldn't take my eyes off him.  
And when Kaufman finally woke up, I noticed his new appearance. His long hair was now short, and he looked so good. I couldn't take my eyes off him.  
"Your hair," I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper. "It's shorter. And you look...well, you look good."  
He chuckled again, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to fill the entire room.  
"You think so? I've been working out. Trying to stay in shape. You know, for the guardian life."  
He winked at me, and my heart skipped a beat. He was so handsome, so charming, so…powerful. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, to his energy, to his presence.