Character Profile – The Lost Artefacts: Aella ‘El’ Thames

Aella Thames, known to most simply as “El,” is a fiercely determined young woman whose life has been shaped by both tragedy and duty. Born into a family with deep connections to an ancient and hidden world, El grew up surrounded by traditions and expectations few outsiders could comprehend.

At the age of ten, El experienced a devastating loss when both her parents were murdered, leaving her and her younger brother Ajax (AJ) orphaned. This traumatic event transformed her from a carefree child into a protective guardian overnight. She received her mother’s set of enchanted throwing knives on her birthday—weapons that would become extensions of herself as she devoted herself to mastering them.

With striking jade-green eyes and long black hair, El carries herself with a natural confidence that belies her age. Her movements possess an almost dance-like quality, especially in combat situations where her agility and precision make her a formidable opponent despite her youth.

Beyond her combat prowess, El is fiercely protective of her younger brother AJ, having essentially raised him since their parents’ deaths. Their relationship transcends typical sibling bonds—she sees her primary purpose in life as keeping him safe in a world filled with dangers most people never notice.

Living in a specialised facility called a Castellum, El has grown up alongside other exceptional individuals, including the standoffish Ben Harksmear, with whom she shares a complex friendship. Her upbringing has been anything but conventional, with more emphasis placed on combat training and survival skills than typical teenage concerns.

Despite her serious nature and the heavy responsibilities she carries, glimpses of a more playful personality occasionally shine through, with subtle habits that hint at the young woman she might have become under different circumstances—one who balances strength with warmth, duty with personal connection.

At her core, El Thames is defined by her unwavering loyalty to those she considers family and her determination to avenge the wrongs of the past, all while ensuring that her brother never faces the world’s dangers alone.

Check out The Lost Artefacts here >

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More by Johnathon Nicolaou