Shadows in the Woods(1.34)

Shadows crossed over the floor as an old man rose from his chair and stared out the window, his eyes narrowed as visions of the future appeared in his mind. One vision flashed through his head clearer than any others.

He dashed to warn his family, but instead, stopped at the feeling of Thorin's spiked vines, which now protruded through his back and out of his chest.

"It's too bad you couldn't tell anyone about that new vision of yours huh.." He snickered and tipped the seer's head up, meeting his eyes. "I won't be having anyone stop me anytime soon."

"Just because no one knows doesn't mean they won't kill you!" He spat at Thorin. "It'll only delay your demise!"

"Oh, but that brat who should kill me is nothing but pathetic." Thorin sighed. "I doubt I'll be dying in the next century either way."

"They'll defeat you in a group you idiot!" The seer hissed. "YOU ARE NOT SAFE!!"

"NEITHER ARE YOU!" Thorin snapped the seer's neck and slammed him on the ground. "I hope you have enough breath to write your message in blood." Thorin sneered, baring his fangs as he stalked out.

Jaxon lay watching the stars after another long day of training, they could feel themself getting stronger. 'Maybe I should take a break..' They thought to themself, before laughing. 'Right.'

They stood up and flung six daggers towards the targets that stood attached to the trees around them. They shoved their hands in their pockets and looked above them towards the stars, their eyes sparkling.

They ducked and dodged out of the way quickly as daggers came flying back towards them and hopped up into a tree. They surveyed the area, trying to figure out who could've possibly decided to attack them.

"Where on earth could that idiot have gone..?" Someone's voice rang out from underneath them. "I thought they were supposed to be pathetic or something."

Jaxon narrowed their eyes as the person came into view, it was guy around his hair with messy blue hair and pale, pale skin. He wore a winter coat and dragged a chainsaw behind himself.

Jaxon stiffened at the sight of the weapon, not even realizing the boy was wearing a mask. They steadied themself on their branch and hoped not to be spotted.

"Come out you hero impersonating wretch," the boy with blue hair called, "or I'll tear every single tree in your precious forest down to find you."

"Then why don't you tell me what you want." Jaxon muttered form above.

The blue haired boy looked up and Jaxon and narrowed his eyes. Jaxon noticed the mask that stayed on his face and reached for their sword. 'One of Malachite's Masks?' They thought.

"Oh, I just want you out of the hero's business." The boy growled. "I don't need some asshole impersonating the real thing."

"And.. uhh.. who is the real thing then..?" Jaxon raised an eyebrow.

"Me, obviously." The boy ran forward, turning his chainsaw on and heading for the tree that Jaxon stood in.

Jaxon simply jumped out of the tree and landed on their feet behind the boy. "You call yourself a hero?" Jaxon hissed. "How are you supposed to save someone when you're lugging that thing around?" They shot flames at him.

The flames were blocked with a wall of ice and Jaxon could hear the boy let out an exasperated sigh on the other side.

"The real Blood Hero would've gotten through my wall of ice in seconds, yet you were simply blocked." The boy growled. "How pathetic."

Jaxon shot another batch of flames at the wall, much hotter flames than before, which quickly melted the ice.

Jaxon shoved their hands in their pockets and waited for the ice wielder to make his way over, dragging his chainsaw behind him.

"I'll kill you for impersonating him!" The boy shouted. He raised his chainsaw and slashed at Jaxon much quicker than expected.

Jaxon barely moved out of the way and dashed forward once they had dodged. They quickly punch him in the face, knocking him to the ground and pin them by placing their foot on their chest, just light enough so as they won't suffocate their opponent.

"You done yet frosty?"

"What'd you call me flame face!?" He thrashed around as if he thought he could escape, but Jaxon simply applied more weight over their leg and the boy stopped moving again. "Why are you pretending to be Blood Hero!?"

"I'm not." Jaxon muttered.

"What the hell are you talking about, you're not!?"

"I'm not." Jaxon sighed and began walking away. They didn't need this right now, and they were getting tired anyway.

"You get back here and talk to me!!"

"No."

Jaxon dashed off into the woods before the boy could try anything else.

When your hero dies.. Do you move on without closure? Or do you let the rage build up inside until you feel you have to seek revenge against anyone who makes your hero look small?

Elijah lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with his eyes narrowed.

"Why must I be so pathetic?" He pitied himself. "Why can't I just get up..?" He felt as though he was sinker deeper into his darkness instead of dragging himself out into the light. 'I guess I'm stuck..' He thought.

TAP! The sound of something loudly hitting his bedroom window was heard and he sat up. 'I guess that works too..' He thought.

Elijah stood up and looked out his window, to find an arrow suctioned to the glass with a note attached. He looked down, not seeing anyone around and pulled it free.

He unfurled the note and tried to straighten it out to read. He gave up halfway through and just held it open to read it. "Meet me by the lake tomorrow at midnight, we need to talk." There was nothing to signify who had sent him the note, so all he had to go on was the neat hand writing he was looking at.