ALLISTER & THEO ALEX HILL
This story is dedicated to the memory of my brother Nicholas B. Hill
ALLISTEr Very little is known of Allister, and it is for this reason, aside from his strength and ferocity, that humans fear him. In truth, Allister is a personification of the forest, and serves as its guardian. Despite his hostility towards humans, he never preys upon them. He is simply terriortorial and protective. Prehaps this is the reason Allister took pity on Theo, and acts as his guardian.
THEO In Medieval literature, the word “monster� often referred to those who were born with physical deformities or defects. Such was the case with Theo, who was unfortunate enough to be born with horns, and other beastly features. Even as an infant, society viewed his appearance to be an omen of great catastrophe. Because of their fear, they immediatly expelled him, leaving him to die within the forest. Theo would have perished there, if not for Allister, who took pity on him, and raised him as one of his own kind.
Order of Umbara For a short time, life was tranquil for Allister and Theo. It wasn’t until humans discovered Theo still lived that they began to activately hunt him down. Despite being a harmless child, Theo is believed to be a harbinger of ruin who must be cleansed from the world. To some, hunting down Theo is a matter of religious sanctity. Such is the way of the Order of Umbara. Members of this organization are constantly hunting for Theo, discriminating him as an evil blemish upon the world.
THE END