The elf boy turns his attention to Kaito, who looks at the kid with a calm expression. While Kaito and the elf boy exchange looks, Evis rests quietly against the tree. The space around them is crowded with sounds of chirping birds and running water. A sense of peace has been restored to the room surrounding the tree. The room itself was damaged by the ensuing battle that had taken place, but interestingly enough, it looked as if it was beginning to heal. The many craters and torn rocks within the room start to grow back slowly, and as they do, the various pieces of damaged flora disappear into the ground. The scene looks like some sort of rapid decomposition, supporting the fact that the life tree holds special properties. Twenty feet away from the luminescent pool of water that Kaito and Evis reside in, lays the mangled body of Wayno. Blood continues to drain from the dead raider's body, dark red seeping into the brown dirt floor. Kaito continues to stare at the elf boy, waiting for an answer to his question.
Elf boy: My… my name?
Kaito: Yeah, what's your name?
The boy looks around the room and hesitates to speak, but soon answers Kaito in his shy and soft voice.
Elf boy: My name is Tearan.
Kaito: Nice to meet you, Tearan… my name is Kaito…
Tearan: Kaito? What a strange name…
Kaito chuckles at the young elf's comment.
Kaito: Well… let's just say I'm not from around here.
Tearan: I'll say… you're a weird looking elf.
Kaito: That so? Well, that's because I'm not an elf, I'm a human.
Tearan's eyes suddenly grow wide. The elf boy then backs away from Kaito and hides behind a nearby rock.
Kaito: What's wrong?
Tearan: You said you were a human! Just like him!
Kaito: Wait, wait! Slow down. I'm with the Angel's Accord. I'm here to help.
Tearan: How do I know you're not lying?
Kaito: Well first off, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of killing that douchebag over there if I was working with the Scourge. I'd get the lady here to vouch for me if she wasn't drooling all over my shoulder.
Tearan looks at the dead body of Wayno, then turns his attention towards Evis. The elf girl snores quietly while she rests against Kaito, her breathing light and calm.
Tearan: OK… I guess you are telling the truth…
Kaito: I am telling the truth, I promise. Now, you said "like him". Who are you talking about? Is there another human here?
Tearan nods at Kaito's question.
Tearan: Yes sir, he's the one who's been causing all of this… suffering.
Tearan looks at his own hands, then looks to the broken shackles around his wrists with a sad and quiet demeanor.
Kaito: Is he the one who turned these people into the way they are?
Tearan: Yes… He turned most of my people into these horrible monsters. I'm one of the few lucky ones who was too weak to be of any use in combat, so they used me for labor…
Kaito: Hmm… I'm sorry to hear that. But I need to know, what's this human's name?
Tearan looks down at his feet for a few seconds and thinks to himself. His expression had been one of fear from the moment Kaito had met him, but now it is one of only sadness and hardship.
Tearan: He calls himself Kain.
Kaito thinks about that name. It sounds familiar, but he cannot tell where he has heard it before.
Kaito: How did he do this to your people?
Tearan takes a moment to find the words to Kaito's question, then speaks.
Tearan: He came to us one day and showed up in our town. He met our leaders, and spoke to them about a promise of great power. At first, the leaders of my town did not believe him, and told him to leave or he would be executed on the spot. He did not leave and had many knights sent after him. Not a single man stood a chance against him. He killed them with ease… and again, made his proposal of power. Our town throughout recent years has been struggling not only within ourselves, but with the other neighboring towns as well. My people have always felt this feeling that they could be more than just a group of people in the woods, and when someone brings you the means to do so, to be more than your current self, what other choice is there? Eventually, the leaders agreed to let the man help, but soon realized that his help was more a life of servitude than an offering of greater power. Sure, those who were transformed grew stronger, but they had lost parts of themselves which made them individuals. They all had become monsters. All of them had lost their true self.
Tearan looks over at the body of Wayno as he finishes his sentence, which prompts Kaito to look at the body as well.
Kaito: I'm guessing he was one of your leaders then?
Tearan nods at Kaito's question.
Tearan: Mhm… and he turned most of my people, including the leaders, into these monsters. I was only spared because I am weak and not fit to be a soldier… like I said before.
Kaito thinks to himself about the information he had just received. He wonders what this Kain guy is really after. His plan seemed strange, like it was part of a bigger picture. A man like that doesn't offer power without expecting something else in return.
Kaito: Did this Kain guy ever tell your people what his goal was?
Tearan: Well, at first, he said he wanted to conquer the surrounding towns, and secure their life trees. The one you're currently sitting against is the town of Arbor's tree. He said if we take the trees, we take the power, and that all the other towns would soon be ours. Once this was done, we would go after the Great Tree… the one covered in stone.
Kaito: Covered in stone…
Kaito thinks about what Tearan says. He has never seen any large trees covered in stone when looking over the landscape on the inn's balcony. He could only see the valley below, and the towering snow-covered mountains off in the distance. The war angel thinks to himself and soon understands what Tearan is saying.
Kaito: Wait, do you mean the mountain range off to the north? Is the tree inside of it or something?
Tearan again nods to Kaito's question.
Tearan: Yes. Many years ago, the tree was covered in stone by multiple great mages all throughout Foritia. This was done as a way to prevent any further killing over the tree itself. Many people wanted to claim the tree for themselves, rather than share it.
Kaito: You're telling me that the elves from many years ago, found a way to cover that entire tree in stone?
Tearan: Yes. If the tree was not covered, the people who craved its power would have destroyed all of Foritia to own it. The war from long ago caused even families to turn on one another. Many innocent lives were lost over the concept of holding its power. Eventually, the major towns all came to an agreement and decided to seal the tree away. After the Great Tree was sealed away, each town was regulated to having only one small life tree. You can imagine how upset the rest of the land was at first, but one life tree was more than enough to sustain the surrounding forest of each town.
Kaito takes a moment to process all of this information, then looks down at his own body. The cuts and blood that had dotted his body were now gone. The only thing that shows his previous injuries is his torn-up clothes and armor. Kaito then turns his attention towards Evis, who now breathes normally and sleeps without a pained expression.
Kaito: We have to stop Kain then…
Tearan laughs rudely, as if finding Kaito's comment to be insulting.
Tearan: I'll give it to you, you're strong, but Wayno is a pushover compared to Kain. You won't stand a chance against him, human…
Kaito: Then I'll find a way. Everyone has a weakness, and I can grow stronger.
Tearan: Including you… and Kain will find your weakness. No matter how strong you grow, he will crush you. I once thought my people to be strong in combat, and they were reduced to serving him forever.
Kaito then looks at Tearan with a determined look.
Kaito: Then so be it, but I'll find his too. There is always a solution, even if I have to go through hell to find it. You don't grow without hardship after all…
A loud bang is then heard from the opposite side of the life tree's room. Kaito looks over towards the large stone door that acts as the only entrance and exit to the room. The door itself shakes with each explosion, and it would only be a few minutes before the raiders make their way into the room. Kaito looks at Evis and supports her as he gets up from the tree. He then grabs Evis and gets her attention, the elf girl still woozy from all the healing she had gone through.
Kaito: We're gonna make it out of here, OK?
Evis: O… OK.
Kaito then turns his attention towards Tearan.
Kaito: Can you help her walk?
Tearan looks at Evis, then back towards Kaito and nods. The small elf boy then rushes over to them and gets under Evis' arm to support her with his shoulder. Kaito then grabs his gear and puts it back on before walking over to Wayno's spear. With ease, he pulls the embedded weapon out of the ground. Another loud bang is heard from the opposite end of the room, which causes everyone to once again turn their attention towards the large stone door. The door could open at any second now. Kaito studies the door as it cracks from each explosion, and a sense of absolute determination fills him. Kaito then looks at Tearan, who stares at the stone door, now frightened by the loud explosions.
Kaito: Let me clear the room first, then we move together. You guys stay safe until then… and if I fall in battle… run, OK? Just find a place to hide until it's safe.
Tearan: Uhh… mister?
Kaito turns his gaze from the door to the small elf boy.
Kaito: Yeah?
Tearan: Don't die on us.
Kaito smiles and nods, before turning his attention back towards the large stone door. Another loud bang comes from the stone entrance. Pieces of rock and vegetation fall to the ground after each explosion. Kaito focuses his attention on the door and readies the spear in his hand.
The war angel crouches down in preparation for combat, and points the spear's blade towards the ground.
Kaito: I won't die… I promise you that.
After a couple more explosions, the large stone door cracks and swings open into the room. A large cloud of dust covers the entrance as the raiders run in. Within the few moments that Kaito can see them, he counts at least twenty in number. As soon as the first line makes it past the cloud of dust, they are greeted with two orbs of light. The orbs burst out and blind the charging group. The creatures scream out and hold their eyes shut against the blinding light. Following the two light orbs is the sound of energy, which can be heard cutting through the air. The red blade of energy that had come from the Wayno's spear, had now turned white, with small sparks of black energy mixed in. The energy blade cuts down the first line of raiders and leaves no survivors. Kaito slings the spear back to his side and charges into the dust cloud to find a few raiders still charging. He cuts through the first raider to his left and takes him down quickly. The second raider to his right stabs at Kaito with a sword, but misses as Kaito disappears into a cloud of smoke. Kaito then appears behind the creature and extends the spear's blade out, making a fatal cut across the creature's back. Another creature charges Kaito and he reacts with a blunt blow of the spear's handle to the raider's skull. Once the creature is dazed, Kaito swings the other side of the spear up through the raider's torso.
Tearan looks on at the fighting below in both fear and fascination. The dust cloud is still quite thick, and streams of energy can be seen within the cloud. Every now and then a raider's body is thrown out of the dust cloud onto the ground, dead, with cuts and puncture wounds on their bodies. A few minutes pass, with the sounds of combat continuing to fill the young elf boy's ears, yet there is no sign of Kaito. A loud war cry is heard within the dust cloud, which has begun to settle onto the ground. Tearan can see that Kaito still has five raiders he had knocked down earlier with his energy burst, but are now recovering and standing on their feet.
Kaito's focus is on the five raiders. The creatures then charge at Kaito, who is now seen by them as vulnerable without a weapon. Kaito uses his fade skill and maneuvers to the side of the outermost raider. He then lands an elbow strike to the creature's head, before using his free hand to grab onto the creature's arm that wields its sword. Kaito beats on the creature until he feels its grip loosen on the weapon. The raider's sword starts to drop to the ground, but Kaito catches it and makes a quick slash across the now unarmed raider's neck. The creature screams out and falls to the ground, lying still in the dirt. Kaito quickly engages two of the raiders trying to ambush him from behind by spinning around and slashing toward their hands, knocking their weapons to the ground. Kaito finishes the first creature with a fatal wound to its throat. The second creature stumbles back, holding its right hand in pain. Kaito then rushes up and stabs the creature in its stomach. The creature gasps in pain and falls to the ground beside its comrades.
With the dust cloud clearing, Tearan could get a better picture of the scene below. Kaito's aura is white and sharp, with many streaks of black running through it. The war angel stares at the three remaining creatures with complete focus. His clothes and armor are now painted with the blood of their fallen comrades.
Kaito: Walk away…
One of the raiders looks at Kaito, then looks towards the bodies around him. The creature's expression turns to anger and he charges Kaito, lunging forward to stab Kaito with his sword, but the war angel counters this attack with ease. Kaito moves past the creature, his sword's blade pointed behind him in the direction of the attacking raider. The creature behind Kaito holds its stomach as blood and viscera falls onto the floor below the creature.
The raider falls to the floor, causing the two remaining raiders to stare at Kaito. The raiders notice that Kaito has been injured, but it is nothing more than a small cut on his right arm. Thinking the war angel weaken, the two creatures charge after Kaito. The war angel responds to this attack by swinging his sword's blade towards the two raiders. The two creatures manage to dodge his attack, and one creature even manages to cut Kaito on the hand, causing him to drop his sword. Kaito yells out and turns to the two raiders as they move in to finish him.
The raider on the left goes to stab Kaito and lands a hit on him, barely missing Kaito's flesh, instead, striking Kaito's leather chest plate. The sword's blade digs slightly into Kaito's chest, making him wince from the pain. Kaito manages to land an amplified strike to the creature's arm. A snap is heard from the impact of the strike, which causes the creature to drop his weapon. Kaito then moves in and punches the creature in the face, making it stumble backwards, but Kaito keeps a tight grip on him. The last raider goes to stab Kaito in the ribs, but Kaito moves the body of the raider still in his grip as a shield to deflect the thrust of the blade. The raider stabs his own ally through the chest and kills him. Kaito uses his energy to push the attacking raider away from him. He then uses his fade skill to appear behind the creature. Kaito kicks the creature's legs out from under him, causing him to fall to his knees. The war angel then grabs ahold of the creature's head and with all of the strength and energy he can muster, he twists the raider's neck with a dense crack. The raider falls dead to the ground, joining his comrades.
Kaito's eyes study the space around him. His gaze scans over the many bodies that cover the floor of the room. He then shifts his eyes from the bodies to his own hands. His aura still glows bright and continues to be mingled with spots of black. His body is still and unmoving as he takes a moment to catch up with himself.
Tearan looks down at the scene from his perch, still holding onto Evis. The human war angel stands in place and steadies his breathing while the white aura of energy fades from around his body. Tearan supports Evis onto his shoulder and carries her down to where Kaito is standing.
Tearan: You… you did it, Kaito!
Kaito once again looks around the large room, then nods.
Kaito: Yeah… I did. Are you two injured?
Tearan quickly shakes his head.
Tearan: No sir, we're fine, but you...
Kaito: I'm alright, don't worry about it.
Both Kaito and Tearan look at the many small cuts across Kaito's body, including the larger one on his upper arm.
Tearan: Hold on for a second…
Tearan gently sets Evis down against a nearby rock to rest. He then walks up to Kaito and holds his hand close to Kaito's large cut. Yellow energy starts to glow from Tearan's hand. The cut skin on Kaito's arm completely closes up, and even the scar from the injury disappears from Kaito's arm.
Tearan: I'm sorry. I don't have much energy left… that's the best I can do, but we can rest in one of the pools.
Kaito: No, we can't. We don't know when more of those things will show up, and we have to inform The Elder about what we've learned here.
Kaito starts to walk over to the many bodies of the dead raiders, but then looks back at Tearan and speaks.
Kaito: Oh, and you're coming with me.
Tearan looks at Kaito with a concerned expression, then simply nods at Kaito's statement as he does not have much choice in the matter. Tearan walks back over to Evis and helps her to her feet. The elf girl is still quite dazed from the healing, and can barely walk on her own. She leans heavily on Tearan who, despite his small size, keeps her on her feet. Kaito turns his head back towards the many bodies in front of him and walks over to the spear he had used to defeat them. He then wraps his bloodied hands around the handle of the spear. To ease the pain, Kaito rips off a torn piece of his clothing and makes bandages to cover the injuries to his hands. The war angel grabs the spear, then walks to the stairs of the large room and turns to face Tearan, motioning him to follow.
Kaito: I'm going to move ahead, and once we're clear of the camp, I'll carry Evis myself, alright? She can't keep walking in her current state.
Tearan nods and follows Kaito up the stairs. The group makes their way back through the twisting rock walls and into the main hut, walking slowly and quietly as they do. The group is surprised to find no sign of the raiders anywhere. The rest of the soldiers must have blown open the stone door and charged in to fight Kaito. The group cautiously walks through the camp and keeps their guard up while they travel further into the forest away from the rock formation. It had been around an hour and a half of walking and taking breaks since they had left the camp. The terrain was starting to slant upwards, meaning they were most likely climbing the hill back towards Arbor. Kaito has now taken Evis into his arms and carries her as they head back to town. Tearan follows close behind Kaito and looks around their environment for any signs of danger. The forest floor is dark in its own right, but the fog didn't help in their lack of visibility.
Kaito watches the ground closely for branches as he steps, and hears Tearan trip over some every now and then as they walk further along the forest path. The young man tries his best to hold Evis still in his arms as she sleeps. The silence between the war angel and elf boy has been absolute as they walk. The only sounds that are present comes from their footsteps and the birds, who continue to sing while in the trees. Eventually, Tearan breaks the silence with a question. Kaito tilts his head in Tearan's direction as the elf boy speaks, while also keeping his eyes forward so as not to trip.
Tearan: So, Kaito, tell me. I know you said you were with the Angel's Accord and all, but I've never seen someone fight like that before. Is that some kind of training they teach the new set of angels or something?
Kaito: No, I learned how to fight before I got here, in my home realm.
Tearan: Ahh, OK. So what kind of training did they teach in your realm? How'd you land a spot in the Angel's Accord?
Kaito: Well, most of it was self-defense, and weapons training.
Tearan: Makes sense, you were really good with this spear.
Tearan turns his attention towards the spear in his hand, the elf boy now using it as a walking stick. The crystal near the top of the spear no longer glowed red, but instead was now a dark shade of grey. The blade was still sharp but had a small crack in its edge from the battles fought in the life tree's room.
Kaito: As for how I met the angels? I woke up and met one.
Tearan: You woke up?
Kaito: Yeah, after I died.
Tearan looks at Kaito with a shocked expression and stops his stride.
Tearan: You mean you were dead?
Kaito: Yeah, at one point.
Kaito feels Evis start to stir a bit in his arms. He looks down to see if she is awake, but her eyes are still closed and her breathing is calm. Her face is one of relaxed comfort. Kaito then looks up towards the hill in front of them and continues to walk at a steady pace. Tearan stares at Kaito in disbelief, but then quickly jogs to catch up to Kaito. Once he is beside Kaito, he prods the young warrior with another question.
Tearan: How did it feel?
Kaito: How did what feel?
Tearan: Being dead! What was it like?
Kaito looks back at Tearan, now annoyed by the directness of his question, but he shrugs it off, knowing that Tearan doesn't really understand what he's asking Kaito. Kaito then responds with a sort of half-truth to Tearan's question.
Kaito: I don't really know. I woke up in a field after I died, and then I was greeted by an angel.
Tearan: Greeted by an angel? What did they say?
Kaito: Well, she gave me some options. I could either go to Heaven and rest peacefully, or become a war angel and help her with fighting back the Scourge. You can guess what option I picked.
Tearan: Yes, but it is still strange…
Kaito looks at Tearan and raises his brow at the elf boy's comment.
Kaito: What is?
Tearan: I've never heard of someone becoming an angel like that, let alone a human. Usually, they are picked from the ranks of worthy beings within the realms.
Kaito: Well, maybe it is strange. It would match the angel that got me here. She's as strange as she is pretty.
Kaito thinks about what Tearan said. Is it really that strange to pick a worthy war angel from the dead? And if so, what does that mean about him? They would be questions that he would have to ask Abi at a later date.
Kaito: Let's pick up the pace, we're close to town. We probably want to be there before it starts to get dark. I'd rather not get eaten by wolves.
Tearan looks at Kaito, and once again, silently nods. The two of them walk cautiously through the forest towards the town of Arbor. An hour's worth of time had already passed. Kaito continues to hold Evis in his arms. He and Tearan take turns supporting her while they walk towards the town. The group soon finds themselves at the edge of the town, near a familiar barn. A knight, who had been stationed near the barn, looks over towards the group and calls out to them.
Knight: Halt! Who goes there?
The group stops in their tread. Kaito looks over towards the guard and raises his voice so that the soldier can hear him.
Kaito: My name is Kaito, I'm with the angel that is in town! I have a survivor with me, and Ranger Evis as well!
The knight looks closer at the group and does indeed see Kaito, along with a small elf boy and Evis, who lays still in Kaito's arms. The knight then turns to a nearby guard and speaks to him. The second guard nods in response, then runs off into the town. The first knight then speaks and motions for them to come close.
Knight: Alright, come on in! You're clear.
Kaito nods and motions for Tearan to follow him, but instead the elf boy stands still. Kaito then turns to him and speaks.
Kaito: What's wrong, Tearan?
Tearan responds to Kaito in a clipped manner, his body now shaking in fear.
Tearan: If they find out I'm from Neeran, they'll kill me for sure. They'll think I'm with those monsters!
Kaito: No, they won't. And if they, for some reason, try to harm you, I'll protect you. OK? You have my word.
Tearan looks at Kaito with a frightened look on his face, but then nods before saying "OK" in his usual soft and gentle tone.
Kaito: Just stay close…
The group moves towards the first knight. As the knight looks at the two people walking towards him, he studies the elf girl in Kaito's arms.
Knight: My god, she isn't…?
Kaito: Dead? No, just sleeping. We need to get her to a safe place. She's still knocked out from the healing. You might wanna check to make sure she is all healed up too.
The knight nods in affirmation, then turns his attention towards Kaito and notices the many cuts and bruises on his body.
Knight: What happened to you guys?
Kaito: It's a long story, but I wish to speak with Elder Keizan about it first.
The knight simply nods and replies with "Understood" at Kaito's request. The knight then takes the group to a nearby medical bay, which had been set up after the most recent attack on the town. Kaito has Tearan stand outside the room while he takes Evis and lays her down on the makeshift hospital bed. The different doctors and mages move around the room while they examine her. Kaito starts to walk away from the room, but then hears a hushed voice speak to him.
Quiet Voice: Thank you… Kaito.
Kaito turns around to look at Evis, but is then pushed out of the room by one of the mages. The mage speaks to Kaito harshly as she pushes him out the doorway of the room.
Healing Mage: Sir, you need to leave the room while we look over the patient. Go to the front desk and find yourself a room, you look like you need it.
Kaito is then promptly pushed out of the room, with the door being shut in his face. Tearan sits in a chair next to the room and gets up quickly when he sees Kaito.
Tearan: So, what did they say?
Kaito: Nothing, they just pushed me out once I set her down.
Tearan: Ahh, sounds like typical medical stuff… Are you going to find a room too? You're pretty banged up, more so than the ranger lady you were carrying.
Kaito: I dunno, I'm sort of waiting for a certain someone to show up—
Before Kaito could finish his sentence, he sees Abi appear in the hallway. The angel girl spots Kaito right away, then runs towards him.
Abi: There you are! You had me worried sick!
Abi rushes up to Kaito and hugs him. She then gasps as she notices the many cuts and bruises around him. Kaito stands still in the hallway and breathes sharply while yelling out in both pain and anger towards Abi for bear-hugging him while he is still injured.
Abi: What happened to you? Who did this to you?! Where are they?!
Kaito pushes Abi off of him and laughs. The angel girl looks at him with a concerned and angered expression, then looks around the hallway to see if she can spot the one responsible for his injuries.
Kaito: Don't worry, I took care of it. Besides, it's a long story. I do have something to ask you though…
Abi: What is it?
Kaito: Do you mind healing my wounds? I trust you more than the people around here, they seem too… by the book?
Abi smiles and nods at his request.
Abi: Sure, just hold still!
Kaito then stops her before she can heal him.
Kaito: Wait! I'd rather do this somewhere more comfortable, like the baths or the inn room.
Abi: Oh, well, alright. I don't care where we go, I just want to get ya healed up. Also, who is the adorable looking elf boy you brought with ya?
Tearan blushes at her comment. Kaito looks at Tearan, then back towards Abi.
Kaito: That's also a long story, but he's a friend, don't worry.
Abi: Oh, well it's nice to meet you! I'm Abi.
Abi holds out her hand for a handshake. Tearan looks at her hand with caution, then slowly holds his hand out before shaking with her.
Tearan: I'm Tearan… nice to meet you too…
Abi: Tearan huh? My gosh, hold old are you?
Tearan: I'm eleven…
Abi: Oh, you're just adorable! I like your hair. Mine's blonde too! See?
Kaito speaks before Abi can say anything else.
Kaito: Abi! Let's head to the bathhouse, then we can talk about what's going on… it's important.
Abi stops in her barrage of compliments and looks at Kaito before shutting her mouth quickly at his demand. Kaito then shakes his head and walks to the end of the hall while Abi quickly follows behind him. Tearan stands in the middle of the hallway and is unsure if he should follow them or not. Kaito then looks back and calls out to him, saying "You coming, Tearan?" to which the boy responds by catching up to them and following them out of the building. The sun is now a soft yellow color and sits high in the late-summer sky over the cliff-edge town of Arbor.