Rise of The Fallen

–kora–

Why must everything regarding my love life have to be so complicated? Why is it that every time I feel even the slightest bit for someone they end up hurting me?

Why can't I just find love and be happy?! Am I destined to be miserable and alone the rest of my life? Is that it? Are some people just born cursed? Everyone I've ever cared for has either left me or betrayed me. 

I thought that life here would be different. That I could change and that I could finally be happy but no matter what path I take I always end up back in this hole of sorrow.

It's so unfair! Why can't I just be happy! 

Opening my eyes my vision was blurred by tears as I lay on the cold ground.

A shiver trailed across my body as I pulled the blanket tighter around my form. It's so cold in here. a warm fire would be nice but I don't think I can bring myself to get up, and the light would bother me too much right now.

It would be nice to have elazar here. He would keep me warm without a fire and being able to lay in his arms to stay warm while I slept would be amazing…but I'm not sure if I can face him right now nor do I think he would be willing to do such a thing not after what I did.

What I did…I don't even fully comprehend what I've done. Last night I could hardly understand what me and Elazar were even talking about. He blamed me for that man's death when all I wanted to do was help, and mutilate his body? I didn't do such a thing, I would never do something like that on purpose. I just- 

Fresh tears spilled from my eyes as I squeezed them shut and grabbed my head. The memory of that Thing, Crawling out of his mouth was still fresh in My mind. I still have no idea what that was or what had even happened!

But Elazar seemed so distressed and angry about all of it, I couldn't get the words out of my mouth. I could bring myself to talk to him when he was like that. I'm not even sure he would have listened if I had spoken up. He was sure that I had done something unforgivable but I don't even know what that would've been.

I don't know how Any of it is my fault! I'm so confused about all of this!

Silence filled the cave as the outdoors sound I could hear was my harsh breathing and the bounding in my head.

After a few moments I huff, and wipe the tears from my eyes. Crying wasn't going to help anyone, and I know I can't just ignore him forever.

Maybe I am the problem. Bad things always seem to happen as a result of my actions so why am I blaming him for my faults? 

Had I not tried to be a hero we wouldn't have gotten into a fight, that man might even still be alive and none of this would have happened. 

Sitting upright I sulked and hugged my knees to my chest before seeing the stuff elazar left next to the firepit for me. Food wrapped in leaves and what looked like new blankets were neatly laid out on a cloth square just a few feet from me.

I can't help but feel guilty for ignoring him but…

Looking at my arm, dried blood stained my skin and the bite mark was covered in gnarly scabs. I winced seeing the injury after not taking care of it the entire night.

Glancing to the entrance I wondered how long it had been since he left, maybe he's sitting outside right now? He seemed really panicked yesterday, what did he mean his people were after me? First things first though, before I talk to El I should wash off. 

Throwing the old blanket off I climbed to my feet and stepped over the water basin off near the back of the cave. Splashing some water on my face I cleaned any dirt from my skin then moved to try and clean off my arm. Rubbing the dried blood off my skin with my other hand I cringed as I swiped over the bite mark and the water slowly became tinted pink.

Holding my arm up I quickly grabbed some clean cloth hanging from one of the unused tanning racks and quickly dried off my injury. The lighting changed slightly showing movement from the entrance and I paused feeling my anxiety spike. 

Elazar must have stepped inside… u stared down at the bowl of water unsure what to say or do. He was also silent, making my chest feel tight. Would he still be upset with me? What do I even say? Good morning? How's the weather outside? 

Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes for a moment as I felt his presence slowly approaching me. I just need to sit down and talk with him, we can settle this like adults.

Turning around to face him opened my eyes, immediately seeing legs covered in some kind of white chalky paint, and a tail raised with the intention to strike. Trailing my gaze up I realized I was looking at a completely unfamiliar xandisian wearing a skull mask over his face, with jewelry made of bones.

As He peered down at me and I backed up, knocking the water basin off its stand, spilling it across the floor before pressing myself back against the cave wall. My heart hammered in my chest as the figure before me towered over me, radiating a deathly air around him.

This wasn't elazar.

He tilted his head to the side while gazing at me, his tail twitched behind him and I frantically looked around the cave for a weapon or a way out. As if sensing what I was about to do he lashed out grabbing me but the neck before I could reach down to grab the basin on the ground. He pinned me against the wall holding my neck in a steel grip.

I tried to yell and call out for help only to have my airway cut off as he closed her hand around my neck tighter, choking me. Helpless I clawed at my hand trying to pry his fingers away from my neck, but my stubby nails couldn't even break skin. 

What does he want from me?! Who is this guy!?

Struggling even more to break free I kicked at the stranger hitting him as hard as I could in the shin to no avail before aiming for his groin. Before I could make contact however, I was thrown across the room like a ragdoll and hit the ground hard, landing on my shoulder. "Ahh?!"

Pain flared from the point of impact, throughout nearly my entire body and I cried out, grabbing my arm and gritting my teeth. I knew I needed to get up and run but as I attempted to use that arm an unbearable jolt traveled through the  nerves in my shoulder and any support it might have given me was gone. Fuck! 

The pain in my shoulder was almost enough to make me pass out but I fought back the Tears and white hot flashes of pain and forced myself onto my knees. 

 Willing my eyes to open I could see the xandisian striding towards me with an axe in hand and I did my best to scoot away with my one good arm only for him to grab me by the leg with his free hand and drag me back.  He started pulling me towards the entrance and I screamed and kicked at him, doing whatever I could to break free. 

Becoming irritated by my struggles as I kicked him in the face, he let go of my leg giving me the briefest moment to roll over and try to get up.

As I pushed myself up I was harshly shoved back down by a heavy weight on my backside and looked to see him pinning me down with his foot. 

"Stop, please! What do you want?!" I shouted in the xandisian language but he didn't even seem phased by the words. Kneeling on top of me he grabbed both my arms, bending them behind my back. 

Blinding pain from my injured shoulder being bent at an awkward angle made me scream as the man tied my wrists. Fresh tears clouded my vision as I looked towards the entrance, nearly fainting as black dots danced across my vision.

There was nothing I could do, was this one of Elazar's people?! Was he going to kill me?! How did they even find me!? I could hardly think and didn't even feel my legs being bound as fire spread throughout my entire arm making me feel feverish and sick.

I needed to break free, to get out of here, and find somewhere to hide- my entire world tilted and I became dizzy from the pain and sudden movement as I was thrown over the man's shoulder. 

What Is happening?! Where is he taking me, what is- my thoughts stopped as I hung upside-down and could now see a very distinct marking painted on the xandisians backside. The image of a skull with bleeding black eyes stared back at me and my breath hitched in my throat. 

This was the same image drawn in my notebook. The same image that had been carved in the dead xandisians chest. Is he- was this person responsible for torturing that other guy and tying him to the post?!

No no I have to get free! I tried to squirm out of his hold but stopped as he growled and dug his claws deep into my leg. Adding to the pain radiating in my shoulder. 

"Let me go!" I shouted. I have to break free! I have to-

An angry snarl silenced my thoughts and the xandisian holding me turned towards the entrance to face the source of the sound. 

While hanging off his shoulder I peered towards the cave's opening to see none other than Elazar standing in the doorway holding his spear up with an enraged look upon his face. 

He angrily hissed at the man holding me, while his tail lashed out behind him. "Ela-" I was dropped on the ground and cried out as the impact jolted my injury. 

With a pained whimper i Looked up to see I had a clear view of both of them, As the painted intruder readied his axe and faced off against A furious looking Elazar. I'm not sure I've ever seen him so angry before.

The painted man readied himself as Elazar stared him down, baring his fangs like a bloodthirsty, angry predator before lunging. 

He swiped at the intruder with his spear only managing to slash the air as they dodged his attacks. He went for a stab but the other xandisan dodged to the side and swung his axe down cutting straight through Elazar's spear, rendering it as nothing more than a wooden staff. 

El took the chance to grab his arm with one hand then dropped the staff to punch him in the face with the other.

The painted man dropped his axe and stumbled back. As Elazar grabbed his discarded axe to use against him the intruder dodged again and again before grabbing Elazar by the wrist to stop him from swinging the axe. They then struggled for control over the weapon and both their tails became entangled , each of them trying to keep themselves from being stabbed. 

As they wrestled for control over the weapon they ended up tossing the axe away and throwing themselves to the ground. It didn't take long for both combatants to start tearing into each other with their claws and tails, constantly rolling around in the dirt. As the intruder swiped at Elazar's face with his claws and missed, El bit into his arm, digging his fangs deep into their arm, holding it in place.

El returned the action with a swipe of his own claws that knocked the mask off the intruder's head and ended up cutting across their face, blinding them in one eye as blood splattered the cave wall. The assailant snarled and blindly attacked Elazar in rage with his free hand and tail. Snarls and growls filled the air as I watched the two fight it out.

I tried to move my hands to try and free myself only to cry out as the pain coursed through me. I can't do anything!

Elazar was shoved off, and ended up releasing his arm. He landed near the firepit and shielded himself as the painted xandisian hissed and left atop of him. The man pinned Elazar's head down with one arm and grabbed his left arm, pinning it down as well. Elazar's free hand narrowly stopped the crazed xandisians tail from stabbing into his side while his own tail was caught underneath him.

He snarled up at the intruder as they pushed the blade of their rail closer to his side, cutting into his skin. 

"It's a shame killing you hunter. You would have made a worthy host to the queen's offspring…give up and give yourself over to our god so that you may become one of the ascended!"

"You are delusional! Worshiping a monster! A parasite! The draven is no god!" El shouted back angrily. 

"You are blind… all of you. You should consider it an honor to birth one of her children!" 

Elazar ended up hissing in response, still at a standstill with the intruder. "No matter, we do not need you." The intruder's gaze moved towards me and I felt my stomach sink. "The human will suffice as a host. The queen will appreciate having a new seedbed."

As if suddenly being imbued with a rush of energy, Elazar snarled and let go of the tail, letting it sink into his side before jabbing his claws into the other xandisians neck. 

Taken by surprise he let go, giving Elazar the chance to roll them over. He pulled the blade of his tail out of his side and I looked away as he ripped it clean off. The intruder looked up in fear and tried to grab Elazar's arm as he was grabbed by the head.

"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER!" He roared before smashing the man's head into the ground over and over. I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to watch as the sound of a wet thud against stone and subtle cracking was permanently embedded into my memory. 

After a few more thuds everything went silent and all I could hear was the blood rushing through my ears and Elazar's harsh breathing. 

I'm not sure how much time passed, and I hadn't even heard El moving. I could just sense his presence over me and cracked my eyes open to look up at his pained face. Blue blood was splattered across his arms, chest and face along with multiple cuts and scrapes from the fight. But what bothered me the most were his claws, drenched in the blood of his own kind. 

He quickly cut the ropes binding me and helped me to sit up as I immediately grabbed my arm and whimpered in pain. "Kora…" one of his hands rested on my backside and I could feel the warm blood soaking into my shirt. Shutting my eyes I shuddered and looked elazar in the eyes. He looked scared. Was he upset with himself for what he had just done or was he scared of losing me. 

As my eyes moved to the side I could see the lower half of the other xandisians body behind him but a hand on my cheek drew my attention back to Elazar's face as he looked at me intently. 

"I'm sorry…" he spoke quietly before gently pulling me against his chest in a hug, careful of my injured arm. As one of his arms wrapped around my torso and  his other hand cradled the back of my head.

I hadn't even realized I was holding my breath until I let it go and nearly fell apart right there. "It's over. You're safe." He mumbled, more to himself than to me. Closing my eyes I took a shaky breath as we both sat there, clinging to each other Like a lifeline.