Book 2- Chapter 11- Past and Present

“……..” represent dialogue *…….* represent thoughts

Als POV

Mother: “You have to escape! Hurry and take her with you!”

“Mother! Father!

Father: “You heard her! Take Alia and leave! We’ll stall for as long as I can.”

They turned their back towards me as they faced a shadowy ominent being. I watched them running towards them as I stood there screaming. My screams became muffled as the entire scene contorted and slowly faded away.

I felt my conscious returning back to my body as I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was dark and only slowly lighten up. I could barely make out anything except for a few blur. Until a giant blur entered my vision, immediately I knew it had to be a person. I watched as a hand slowly reached towards me.

“No…no…No!”

Instantly panicking I tried to move but only resulted in me stumbling. I couldn’t calm down as the figure came closer.

“Stay away!”

I extended my hand and planned to activate my magic but I was still too weak to use it. The figure grasped my arms as I tried to fight back with all my strength. We struggled before he was on top of me. My strength was gone as I slowly cease the struggle. Tears started to form as my mind drifted into complete panic.

XXX: “Finally you calmed down.”

The moment I heard his words I immediately looked to see it was Nu restraining me. On his face was a relieved look. Sensing that I had come to my sense he finally let go and helped me up.

It took a moment before I finally realized what was going on. We were in some small cave. It was damp and a bit humid inside. What caught my attention was Alia who was laying on the floor. I rushed over instantly.

Nu-Ru: “Don’t worry, she’s fine. I made sure to treat her first before you.”

I sigh a breath of relief as Nu was telling the truth. I then inspected my body to see I was patched up as well. Before I thanked him a thought occurred to me.

“Wait. Why didn’t you use your magic? You posses healing spells don’t you?”

Nu-Ru: “Because I can’t. Do you remember that guy that stabbed me? Apparently he stabbed some weapon that sealed all my magic. I can’t conjure up a single spell.”

“That’s…impossible. You’re such a powerful mage and they sealed your power away. Could it be a Curse Item.”

Nu-Ru: “Curse Item? What are those?”

“Well I don’t know much about them either. From what I know, they are weapons imbued with special properties but instead of normal magical weapons they are imbued with curses. The curses can range from many things but for one to completely seal away your magic, it must be an extremely powerful curse item.”

I looked over to see Nu in deep thought. Although they were a mystery to me I had half expected Nu to know of them as he was a powerful mage. Yet he expressed that he never heard of it.

I watched him heave a heavy sigh with a bit of frustration.

Nu-Ru: “There’s nothing I can do now. Hopefully when we get back to capital I can find away to get rid of this curse.  It’s raining outside, not to mention you two are still hurt. I already informed Shae of where we were so all we can do now is wait.”

Planting himself down, he turned towards the entrance of the cave as droplets of water fell. There was nothing left for me to do so I did the same and we waited in silence.

……….

Rain, that was all there was. Constantly droplets of water down the vines and rock of the cave before depositing back into the soil. It was a light pour but all could be seen was the dreary and monotone appearance of the outside. I sat there cross legged, simply staring out to pass the time. Occasionally I would look to my left to see Nu staring out with a contemplating look.

“Acho!”

Letting out a loud sneeze it was at that moment that I realized just how cold it was. I wrapped my hands around my body and found myself shivering a bit.

“Here.”

My plight didn’t last very long as in the next moment Nu wrapped his coat over me. It was worn out, no doubt from the explosion but it was warm. I couldn’t help but cuddle it for its warmth. I quietly thanked him without looking at him. Taking quick side glances I started to take notes of things about Nu.

In the beginning I found the fact that he had two different colored eyes to be unusual. There were stories about those with two colored eyes, typically they revolved around a child that was born of two different races.

Strangely his eyes complimented him, a deep but soothing look. Although a mage his body was quite tuned. His toned body and muscle was out of place for a mage who typically had a weak body. It didn’t last long as I came to a sudden realization that I was staring at him. I quickly looked away as my body grew hotter.

Nu-Ru: “What are you going to do now?”

We had sat in silence, not so much as a single noise except for the rain. Truthfully I was a thankful as now we wouldn’t sit in awkward silence and it was a way for me take my mind off of things.

“What do you mean?”

Nu-Ru: “Your home has been ransacked and destroyed. Do you have anywhere to live now? I can take you i–”

“Never!”

I knew what he was about to say and immediately rejected it. Standing up, I moved myself closer inward but was stopped by Nu.

Nu-Ru: “Will you please at least hear me out.”

“No!”

I snapped at him. For the first time, I finally snapped and let go of all my pent up anger.

“Don’t think just because you saved me all those times that I’m going to give in to your honeyed words. You humans are all the same, pretending to care and then abusing that trust for your own game. Never again will I fall for that trick. You could never understand what it was like for us!”

While letting it all out I felt tears forming and running down my cheeks. All the pain and memory surfaced as I knelt, finally exasperated. Suddenly I felt a warm embrace and looked to see Nu wrapping his arms around me.

Nu-Ru: “You’re right. I don’t know anything about you or what you went through and I never will. But I am here for you, I promise you that.”

His words were sincere. For a moment I forgot everything and simply accepted the warm embrace but quickly reminded myself. I pushed him away but not forcefully, enough to pull him away from his warmth.

“If you really want to understand me then you’ll need to know.”

*What?*

It took me a moment to fully realized what I had just said. As if my mouth had a mind of its own, it spoke out without my permission. I slowly turned towards Nu to see his reaction. A look of surprise briefly crossed his face before changing to a serious look.

I debated in my head on whether or not to simply play it off or go through with it. After seconds of hard contemplation, I decided to go through it.

“I’m only going to say this once…so just listen.”

Nu simply nodded and I begin unraveling my life.

Elves are a subspecies of demi-humans. But unlike more common demi-humans and demons we were hated on all side. Most draw from racial prejudice but more of indifference as the elves have always kept to themselves.

Most elves live in villages scattered about throughout the entire continent. Most settlement resides near the human continents as the beast-man and demon continent would actively raid elven village if possible.

Our village was located at the edge of the Great Northern Forest, near the human continent. It was a small village, a population around two hundred or more. Villages located near and around would do whatever it could to sustain itself. Namely farming and agriculture. Elves were primarily vegetarian so hunting limited said to trade skin and meat.

The village chief was a powerful elf, one that was a relative of the royal family but decided to leave that all behind and I was his daughter. I was among the few children in the village. (One elf year is equivalent to sixteen human year.)

All I knew was the village. As a child of the village chief I was given a duty to eventually take over the village. For most of my childhood I trained and was educated in order to make my mother and father proud. The most adversary I faced was magic.

Elves were commonly known to be extremely powerful and prevalent in magic. Our race were attuned to the world and the flow of mana. As a relative of the royal family, my father was highly skilled in magic, more specifically Crystallization magic. A very rare subclass of elemental magic.

Everyday I would study, watch and then practiced. A systematic rhythm in order to learn magic. Even though I trained for so many years, I only learnt two spells. But I was happy, although I couldn’t compete with my father.

I had caring parents along with the villagers whom I considered to be family. I was to be an older sister. I was contempt and wished that it would stay that way. But fate wasn’t so giving.

It was the day that I finally turned eighteen. As tradition was to venture out into the forest and retrieve a special flower for the ritual into adulthood. While on the way back from my journey I came across a human, the first one I ever saw.

It was a young man and he was heavily injured, on the verge of death. I didn’t know it back then, but it was that moment that sealed both mine and my villages fate. I fought an internal struggle to either help or leave the human and ultimately I choiced to save him.

I brought him back to the village only to be meet with hostility. It was common knowledge that elves and humans had a heavy prejudice amongst one another. Even if it was a injured person, they were openly oppressive. But thanks to my status I was able to help the human. He stayed with us while recovering much to the villagers disapproval.

Eventually he woke up and I explained to him the situation.

I had no idea of the outside world, much less the occupant. Even back then I never saw why everyone hated the human.

The human was in the forest on a job. He was attacked and barely left with his life and then I saved him. I insisted on him staying and full recovering he was eagerly agreed to. During our short time, I heard stories I never heard before. Tales and legend, mystery and rumors. I believed every word, imagining a strange world, different from mine.

On the day he was to leave, I was sadden. During our short time I learnt so much and wanted to learn more about the world. ‘Love at first sight.’ That was the term humans created for themselves. Before we parted ways, the human asked me if I wanted to see him again. I adamantly answered him and handed me a odd rod.

‘In four days, go to the highest tree and pointed towards the sky and fire.’ Those were his instructions. I excitedly waited for the day while trying to hide it from everyone. On that day I did as I was told and waited. When night came I couldn’t fall asleep and my mind wandered on what exciting adventure I was going to experience.

I could recall everything as if it happened only a few day ago. My eyes suddenly opening to smoke and fume ashen the air. I ran to find and help my mother and little sister. It was when we looked outside the tents that we faced true horror. Everything was burning, tents, flowers, the villagers, everything. The villagers were running around, screaming.

The source of all the fear were knights on horseback, running through the village killing everything that moved. I could only stare until the human from before appeared. Unlike before he was dressed in armor like the knights but this time a wicked difference. A cruel smile plastered his face with specks of blood on his face and armor. I couldn’t help but stare in horror at the human I once considered my friend.

Before I could even question what was happening he charged at me and pushed me down. Other knights rushed over to my mother and Alia. He pinned me down and started to explain what was going on.

He was part of a raid group to get rid of demi-human settlement, elves were one of them. If it wasn’t for me, he would have died. But not only that, she led him to a good village to plunder. Throughout the explanation he talked in a mocking tone.

I couldn’t believed what I was hearing. Tears flowed like a river as I blamed myself for everything was happening. My wallowing didn’t last long as soon the human forced himself onto me. Slowly and forcefully he ripped off my clothes. A lustful and vile look appeared as he continued.

I could barely fight back as he had his entire weight down on me. But I still fought, eventually freeing my hand. I wasn’t thinking and didn’t care and simply used my spell. A point blank crystal shard spell that resulted in a large crystal burying itself from underneath his head. Blood poured from his limp body onto me.

Pushing aside his body I went to help my mother and Alia only to see father helping them. Alia looked to be unconscious while father and mother were holding them back.

Mother: “Als! Go and help your sister, escape!”

I understood mother’s cry but couldn’t willed myself to do it. Eventually the pressure was too much and I followed their instruction. Grabbing Alia I ran and ran. I didn’t look behind me or stop, all I did was simply ran.

Cuts and burns stung my body while blisters bleed as I ran and ran until finally coming to a stop. I was beyond tired. My entire body ached as I collapsed with Alia. Resting was only short lived as I continued our our journey. I rushed to the capital, Ashnew to ask for assistance and revenge.

Through some miracle I made it and was able to receive audience with the royal family thanks to my name, Evergreen. I had expected to be welcome with open arms but was meet with amnesty. All the members looked at me with disgust and hatred.

It was only later that I found out that my father was exile due to him fathering a child who wasn’t what the family wanted, he fathered me. I was looked upon as a bastard child, one that wasn’t welcome there. No matter how much I plead or beg, we were forced out of the capital and every subsequent village.

We were chased away from the only home we ever knew and was forced to live while constantly moving. Eventually it all caught up and we were captured while moving about the border of the human continent. Transported to the Holy Empire we were sold as slaves. Fortunately for us, we were sold to a moderate noble.

I had heard about the ruthlessness of humans and how they treated their slaves but it was only until I witness with my own eyes that I knew the true horror. There wasn’t a difference between us and property. For several years I served the noble and I considered myself fortunate for being a maid rather than one for personal use like so many others. During those years I trained in secret to perfect my magic for the day we would escape.  

Eventually his time came to a close and that when I acted. Through some miracle I was able to free us and we were considered a free demi-humans in the Empire, a very low minority. But the biggest dilemma then was what to do next.  

If we left the empire, we would be living in the wilderness again. And the possibly of being enslaved again was high. But living in the Empire meant constant looks and gazed with never ending prejudice. Faced with little opinion I chosed to live in the lower section of the Empire. Staying out of sight and slowly training myself. I had entered the academy as it was a way to distinguish myself and a way to help Alia.

And that’s when I met you.

I ended my long backstory with that and all was silent. I shared my history, my past with no one until now. Throughout the story new tears would start to form at certain interval of the story. By the end of it my eyes were red and puffy. I looked to Nu to see what his reaction was. I had expected him to have a look of pity or a sadden look. But it was none of it, he kept a straight face throughout the story.

Nu-Ru “I’m sorry.”

His voice carried power and was generally sincere not coming from pitying me or anything of the like. And yet for some reason I truly believed he meant what he said. After letting out everything, all there was left was silence. As I got up to walk back to Alia Nu suddenly sprang up and ran towards the entrance.

His sudden action caused me to pause for a moment as he was frantically looked around.

“Grab Alia! Hurry!”

I couldn’t do anything but stare dumbly at Nu at his sudden outburst but there was urgency in his voice. I picked up Alia and ran to the entrance to see Nu armed with a broken sword and a worn out leather shield.

It was lightly pouring as we got out. We didn’t make it that far as scampering noise could be heard from all over. In seconds beast rushed out of the forest. They were large wolf like creature with a sharp and glistening black skin.

Nu-Ru: “What are those things?”

“They’re Bakwolf. Nobles use them to hunt, but I’ve never seen so many of them before much less in the wild.”

A total of eleven of them surrounded us. In an normal situation the odds would be stacked in our favor but with Nu unable to use magic, I was slowly recovering and Alia was unconscious. It was a grim situation. Fear penetrated my body and all I could do was tighten my grip around Alia.

Nu-Ru: “I’ll distract while you run.”

“What?! Are you crazy! Without your magic you’re useless.”

Nu-Ru: “What’s your point? If I can still fight then I’ll fight.”

He readied himself but all I could do was stare at him. Suddenly out of nowhere a powerful emotion swelled up inside me and bursted out, lashing at him.

“…Why?…Why are you like this? Why are you so kind to me? Why are you… willingly to go so far to… protect me?”

Fresh tears formed in my puffy eyes as my mind wandered one question. Why did he care so much about me?

“Do I need a reason to protect someone?”

Amongst my doubt that one answer cleared it all away. I looked up to see resolute in his face, determined to complete his task. Tears overflowed from my eyes but this time, they were tears of happiness.

I couldn’t help but felt utterly pathetic at myself. Ever since meeting Nu, I always ignored and showed prejudice against him. The same one that humans showed onto demi-humans. I questioned his help multiple time, believing that he was the same as everyone else.

I wanted to apologize for everything but the situation was growing direr. The bakwolf slowly closed in. Time was slowly ticking away and I had chose on what to do. Run away like a coward like those many years before and saved me and Alia or fight an almost unwinnable battle, trying to save Nu.

I chose a third opinion. I quickly and gently laid Alia on the ground and focused my mana. A large crystal dome was constructed around her.

Nu-Ru: “What are you doing?”

“I’m tired of running. And I am tired of relying on you as well. It’s just like you said, if you can fight then fight.”

Nu-Ru: “You and your reckless decisions…Make sure to stay behind me.”

Although he lightly chastised me I could tell there was relief in voice.

One of the bakwolf grew impatient and charged at us. I used |Crystal Shards| to injure as much as I could. I was still weak, we both knew that but through some silent exchange we knew our roles. I used as much to slow down and injured it before Nu finally finished it off.

With us working together we covered one another weakness, but it was still too soon to celebrate. The bakwolves still outnumbered us and it was only a matter of time before they simply charge in recklessly.

That time came closer than I had expected as they rushed towards us. In response Nu charged straight at him. Mustering as much strength as I could, widen the range to hurt as much of the bakwolves as I could.

The blade was broken but it was effective enough to kill two more bakwolves. They still had the number advantage so they simply threw themselves at Nu. The shield was battered and broken with fang and claw marks covering it. Nu didn’t leave without any injuries either. Most were scratches and marks over his body.

“Look out!”

One of the bakwolf managed to get behind him. He was already preoccupied so he couldn’t deal with the new threat. I exert myself for more mana and prayed that the spell would work.

“|Crystal Spear|”

Launching a mass of crystal it pieced its body and managed to kill it. But the small victory didn’t last long as his weapon and shield finally gave up.

“Nu-Ru!”

They all rushed his position the movement the broken weapon and shield fail. An image of Nu being ripped apart entered my mind but Nu proved me wrong.

Launching himself at the dead backwolf he pulled out the crystal spear and stabbed at the incoming pursuer. I hadn’t thought of using the spear as a weapon as it would eventually dispelled but I couldn’t help but admire his quick thinking.

Forcing them to back off Nu looked back at me and only nodded. All I needed was that one action and I already knew his plan. Charging with the spear he sought to end the fight.

Nu fought with a vicious tenacity, not caring not many got a hit onto him. I stayed back and provided him with support but also conjuring up spears for him to use. Within a couple of minutes it was over.

After killing more than half of their numbers the rest fled. Nu, standing on top of several of the corpses was exhausted. One of his arm looked to be a bit limp. Blood and gash marks covered his naked arm with cuts and bruises all over. I could feel myself staring at him, entranced.

Before getting down, he survey the surrounding again before coming back down.

“I think that is it for now. Thank you for helping me, I’m really glad you weren’t hurt.”

A warm feeling washed over me when I heard his words. He turned away and went back to surveying, making sure everything was finally over. As I watched his back I felt an off sensation. One that I had long forgotten and threw away as a weakness, a guilt. Something that I hadn’t felt for ever since that time.

Love.