TW: Violence and gore.
PS: I bled (an exaggeration) while writing the fantasy and fight scene but it's so satisfying. Hearing your comments is highly appreciated.
-
"Who is the true evil? The one who is revered to as one or the cause of why such atrocity... existed in the first place? "
The place was foreign to the idea of peace because noise populated its thresholds. One might have the intrusive thoughts to pack up their bags and leave through the door or cover their ears for the chance to taste a glimpse of solitude - that's what Aimee was feeling at the moment. She's sitting by a long lounge; hands gripped on the fabric of her dress. She was beside the nymph's village chief while they're facing three tall blonde men arguing with each other; each of their tones refusing to back down to a minimum volume causing a burst of unwanted discord. They were quite young looking despite the veins popping out their foreheads trying to prove their point and their actual age... passing a hundred years, one was even made past that.
The village chief, Thriak, was sweating profusely. He was trying to say something but words couldn't reach his throat or perhaps he's just afraid to be the target again of these men's wrath.
One of the nymph's elders, Gragnir, slammed his hand angrily on the wooden table. "This is all humans' fault! " He glared. "And also that woman as well! She told us never to attack humans even though they're entering our forest, now look! We're stuck here on... this disgusting human settlement! " Prejudice laced on his voice, although the humans were at fault for conniving with the vampire, there's a deep grudge that he keeps that pushed his rage to its fullest.
He was angry at Artemisia who he saw as a thorn in their side. If not for her, they'll be waging war against humans... the cause of their past village chief's death.
For the first time since they started arguing about their current status and next move to progress forward, the trio agreed to one thing-humans are despicable. They were nodding their heads in agreement, each's expression indicating bloodlust among humankind.
They have a point but too much hatred clouds sound judgment until rationality ceases to exist.
The second of the elders, Klionè, turned his full attention to Aimee who was bowing her head, closing her eyes in reservation waiting for whatever they'll say. She knew the moment they'll blame humanity; given her bloodline, they'll turn their hatred to her and hold her responsible for all the things that had happened.
A look full of distaste was thrown to Aimee. Klionè raised his index finger, disrespectfully pointing it at her. "This halfling was also useless! We're just keeping her here despite her sinful blood because of her abilities but because of her incompetence many had died from our end and their corpses were taken! " He spat, not even sparing to thank Aimee who risked her life to protect the rest of the survivors.
Aimee gritted her teeth, she must be used to this but their words still stung. Her breathing started to become shallow; lips suppressing a whimper. In a low voice, she apologized as usual, "I'm sorry for my incompetence. " It was hard to say it because she tried her best but there's no point in arguing with them because they will never listen.
Thriak went to hold Aimee's shaking hand. It's the only thing he could do to comfort her because even he is powerless when faced with the elders.
Klionè snorted, face doesn't register any trace of him believing Aimee; in fact, he's wishing for her to fail even more. "Do you know how many corpses were taken by that traitor? He's sullied our bloodline for making us fight against our own people's corpses! " He brought the topic of Trace, the only necromancer djinbè general who was once a member of their village.
The third of the elder Cyon, gripped his knuckles. He was the angriest of them all upon mention of Trace; his face was blazing red as blood dripped from his knuckles. Trace killed three of his wives and made their corpses attack him.
"That ungrateful bastard! We fed him, clothed him and accepted him even though his sister betrayed us first by befriending humans. It was natural for us to kick her out like the sinful Hale, " Hale was the first nymph ever kicked out from the village. They left him to die and never held a funeral when his body wasn't found in the forest.
"But I guess it's in their blood to betray sooner or later, " he continued, eyeing Aimee who chose to remain silent. "He chose to ask for human's help. He should be blessed that we didn't leave him half-dead but what did he do?! Allied with the enemy and attacking us! " Cyon's nose flared, his eyes bloodshot wanting to have a piece of the traitor Trace that he's been talking about.
Aimee stayed still, but her body started to tremble; not in fear but in cold anger. Certainly, Trace was wrong to side with the enemy but they never listened to his sister-Aimee's mother's lead against the enemy which caused her death. It was their stubborness and closed mindedness that made the situation worse. Hale's death was never enough for them, they started a tradition of kicking their own kind once proven having contact with humans.
Aimee was there when she saw her uncle getting kicked and humiliated by these men.
Aimee was frantic inside a nymph's hut; she was fidgeting over her fingers while she sat by the fireplace, anxiously waiting for any news about her mother who went missing for two weeks. Her mother ventured to find Artemisia for her to help since the nymph's elders refused to listen in exchange of letting Aimee seek refuge in the settlement. According to them, it's already an 'act of kindness' to accept a halfling bore from a traitor.
Her uncle, Trace, who was also just recently home from trying to find her mother, was out to speak with the village chief. Aimee blew her breath as she stood up; her eyes fixed on the wall clock. It's already been an hour since her uncle went to meet the village chief.
"I should go check on uncle. " She walked towards the door, deciding to not wait anymore and just pick her uncle from the chief's office.
But as soon as her foot stepped out from the house, she heard the nymph's whispering with each other as they threw her a gaze; each either laced with disdain or pity.
She was used to this treatment, trying to feign ignorance to what they're saying and always walking with her head hung low. But this time their hushed voice reached her, creating a ripple of panic in her heart.
"Human blood is truly cursed! Poor child! First, her mother, now her uncle! " she heard a female nymph whispering to another lady beside her who placed her hands toward her lips, gasping.
Aimee's blood ran cold, her heart hammered against her ribcage. Their words might mean something... perhaps ominous. Her immediate concern darted to her uncle Trace. She never thought of anything as of that moment but to run as fast as she could towards the direction of the village nymph's office.
"Uncle... no... " Her breathing began to hitch; her lungs felt like it was burning as she quickened her pace.
Her eyes began to water. She couldn't afford to lose another right now. She was desperately praying that her uncle was okay.
But as soon as she arrived there, she found her legs gave way; her legs buckled by the damp grass. Her eyes went wide as tears continued to fall, her hands shaking; reaching forward towards the figure of her uncle whose face was bloodied. His nose was broken and his left eye was already swollen but it didn't stop Cyon, one of the village elders, from landing a punch on Trace's abdomen.
A grunt escaped from Trace's throat. The metallic taste of blood lingered on his mouth, his vision started to narrow. His body wanted to fall from all the hits it took but two of the elders were holding both of his arms in place, not allowing him to lie down on the grass from pain and exhaustion.
"You traitor! You know asking for help from humans is not allowed! You useless thing! " Another jab landed towards Trace, this time it reached his face. Blood blurted from Trace's mouth as he intentionally spat it to Cyon's face.
"I asked for yours... " Trace was still adamant to talk even in his weakened state, "But you let her die! You evil dogs! Trace 's voice was mixed with anger and sorrow; his arms trying to squirm and fight back but it never led to mercy but assault.
Aimee witnessed how her uncle was kicked ruthlessly by Cyon whose face red in rage and by the presence of Trace's blood. The nymph's started to gather at the scene but none of them stopped the abuse.
"No! " A pained scream erupted from Aimee's lips; her eyes began to blur from the tears. She tried to help her uncle but the village chief held her arms, stopping her.
"Let me go! Don't hurt my uncle please! He's the only one I got... " Aimee was sobbing, trying to break free from the village chief's grasp.
"Help! Please... anyone... " her voice was now getting faint but still full of desperation. She was trying to look at the village chief's face for help but he couldn't look her in the eye.
She uttered numerous please; her knees now bended-kneeling and hoping it'll make a difference. She hoped for a miracle, she doesn't care what kind but she only wants her uncle to live.
It was in the span of a moment when a blinding light enveloped where she was. The people, including the elders, shield their eyes using their hands. Warmth surged into Aimee's chest; it was almost too comforting, capable of lull anyone to sleep. She wished for the light to reach her uncle and it never failed her desire - better than those who were blessed with ears but fell deaf.
In an instant, Trace's broken body started to mend everytime the light hit it. The agonizing pain he felt changed into comfort almost like he's being embraced.
When the light subsided, several sharp breathing could be heard; startled by what happened. Aimee, too, was baffled but she couldn't help but to smile when she saw her uncle fully healed.
The air became heavy when Cyon's attention turned to Aimee. Darkness loomed over his expression; a low growl fled from his lips. "You! " Aimee flinched when she heard the elder called her name in disdain.
He pointed her index finger at her with a commanding tone, he demanded the village chief, "Get her! That's another traitor! " Cyon accused her.
Thriak, the village chief, was reluctant to obey his command. Cyon was about to use force; his hands were raised and a whip made from vines came out.
"I will not let you hurt her, you scoundrel! " Cyon felt a chill run down his spine when he felt an ominous aura directed to him-it was from Trace who finally broke free from the two elders by draining their energy using his cursed technique.
Malevolent purple aura flowed freely around Trace, his eyes resembled that of a monster drowned in anger and pure instinct. His electric blue eyes showed an illusion of the luminescence of lightning; ready to strike his bottled fury to the elder, Cyon.
Aimee's thoughts returned to the present. She released a choked sob, her nails dug on her skirt. They were spared because Artemisia intervened before her uncle could do anything but Artemisia wasn't given jurisdiction over Trace's exile.
The elders were talking to her but their voices seemed to be unclear murmurs to her; she could only think about her uncle... the only family beside her brother that she had that were taken by fate.
She never saw her uncle since then until recently - on the battlefield and as the nymph's enemies. He only kills nymphs and contributes them to his undead army used to kidnap and harvest souls.
It pains her that her uncle could only spare her cold glances, as if he doesn't remember her. They fought but she couldn't bring herself to harm him after all he saved her life before.
Yet deep in her heart-although her mind screams it's wrong... she couldn't judge his decision yet she hoped... it sounded so naive to yearn that maybe someday... he'll realize that it's wrong to involve the innocent ones to punish a sinner.
A sin couldn't outweigh another sin just like how a body has no way of recovering when another disease plagues it.
She came back from her reverie when the village chief tapped her knees. She raised her head only to meet the intense gazes of the elders. Aimee cleared her throat. "Sorry, I zoned out. You're saying something? " Her voice was monotonous like an automaton.
The elders glared at her, she was kinda amused that their expressions changed almost the same moment as each other. If they weren't powerful, they looked like three idiots sharing a pea-sized brain.
"That Artemisia is a problem! She catered two new warriors under her wing, " Gragnir exclaimed. Aimee couldn't help but to raise her eyebrows on why it should be seen as a problem.
She controlled herself not to deliberately say, "And? " Because she knew they'll not stop targeting her.
The look on Cyon's face reflected that of finality and disagreement. Perhaps he couldn't understand his position or his ego already got the better of him to challenge a protector's decision.
Aimee has this intrusive thought to wait for Artemisia's patience to run off and smite these bastards.
"The other one is a cat-person whose abilities resembled that who tricked us before and the other one was a halfling just like you! " Cyon continued telling the information with exaggeration.
Immediately, Aimee thought about the cat-person she saw before in Cross' workshop. A faint smile etched on her lips. She's quite relieved that he's under Artemisia's protection.
But she couldn't help but to wonder... Who was the halfling that the cat-person is with?
-