The Clash and Calm

« …. » speak

"..." Think

____POV Hécate____

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« Do you have a first aid kit? Yuki got injured in the leg when she was caught by goblins, » Chiyoko frantically asked me.

Without a word, I opened my inventory and took out a first aid kit. Holding it in my hands, I approached Chiyoko and the others to tend to the person named Yuki.

But as soon as I got close, she ordered me to back off.

« Hecate, please back up! Can't you see you're scaring them? » she commanded me fiercely.

Following her order, I stopped dead in my tracks, partly because I was surprised by her tone and partly by the order itself.

I simply couldn't understand why she was ordering me around, let alone her outburst. I just wanted to help.

As I looked into Chiyoko's eyes searching for an answer, she spoke again.

« Here, throw me the first aid kit and go back to what you were doing, » she said, a bit more calmly than before.

And that's what I did. However, I made sure to throw it just at her feet, turned around sharply, and stormed off to show my annoyance at what had just happened.

Once seated with my back to them, I resumed my activity, which was eating. Or at least I tried. I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. I simply didn't understand why she was giving me orders, let alone raising her voice at me!

I can understand that I scare them, and I didn't realize it until she pointed it out. But it's not my fault if I scare every creature below a certain level. I don't even know where the limit is. Besides, she knows there's nothing I can do about it. So why did she yell at me?! What was going through her head?! And why does it hurt me so much! That's the worst part!

I was so angry and lost in thought that I didn't even realize I was squeezing my food, and consequently, my ration.

My entire ration spilled over my hands, and let me tell you, it was very hot.

I threw everything on the ground, stood up abruptly, and started cursing in my native language.

« I'm going out for some air, »I grumbled, walking determinedly towards the forest.

« Hecate, wait! We're missing some.. » Chiyoko began before I cut her off abruptly.

« "I said, I'm going out for some air! » I exclaimed without turning back or stopping.

"If I stay one more minute, I'll kill them all," I thought.

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___POV Chiyoko___

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"This is all we needed," I thought.

Honestly, what got into her? Why is she so angry? Is it because I yelled at her earlier?

If that's the case, I'm the only one to blame! Seriously, she doesn't care that the poor elves are traumatized by their experience and terrified of her. She doesn't care about anyone! The only thing that matters to her is herself.

In recent months, she didn't care who she killed or how she did it. Only the result mattered to her. For instance, when we attacked a pirate base. As soon as she spotted it, she fired everything she had: missiles, shells, and when she landed on the island, bullets, grenades. She took no prisoners or anything. All that was left was ashes and smoke.

I tried to stop her, but it was too late. And even if I had been in time, I couldn't have done anything. It's impossible to negotiate with that stubborn head. Once she has an idea, she goes for it.

And when I asked her why she killed all those people indiscriminately, she said, and I quote, "They deserved it." Okay, they were pirates, but there might have been children or innocent people among them.

She's lucky she's my friend because otherwise, I would have imprisoned or killed her a long time ago. And how does she thank me? She leaves everything to me!

I don't know when she will return. I need to find sleeping bags for the elves and shelters. I'm even thinking of giving them my tent and sleeping under the stars myself.

At least it's not raining, and the elves aren't afraid anymore now that Hecate is gone.

SCRAAAATCH

"Correction, the elves aren't afraid anymore."

With the sound of distant thunder, I hurried to check all the elves for injuries while giving them their meals (which, to my surprise, had been prepared by Hecate).

And even after I had checked each elf and made sure each one had their meal, I began to talk to each of them about their traumatic experiences.

I was so absorbed in my task that I didn't eat. In the end, I heard my stomach cry out in hunger, but I still hadn't eaten. Others come before me.

And after an hour, Hecate finally showed up at the end of the day, or rather, at night. And I don't know if I prefer her being away or not because the elves started to be afraid of her again, and she sat down with her back to us.

« I swear, » I muttered under my breath.

And now, I had to resolve the issue with Hecate before it turned into an armed conflict. My meal was going to be cold by the end.

So, after making sure the elves needed nothing else and reassuring them about Hecate, I went over to Hecate and sat down next to her, back against the elves.

As soon as I sat down, I saw Hecate's muscles stiffen out of the corner of my eye.

"Great, she's on edge," I thought.

I waited a few minutes to see if she wanted to speak, but as usual, she said nothing. So, I had to, as usual, take the initiative.

« Did you have a good walk? » I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

« Not long enough, » she replied curtly.

« Listen, I'm not going to beat around the bush, you need to think more about others. You're aware that you scare others just by being there. You can't just run up to people! »

« And what do you want me to do?! You ask me for something, I bring it to you, and you yell at me! Do you want me to levitate it over to you?! Do you think I'm a magician?! I just wanted to help, and you yelled at me! You even gave me an order! You know how I feel about orders » she retorted. 

With her explanation, I finally understood why Hecate was so angry, and a large part of why she was angry was my fault. On one hand, she wanted to help, and I pushed her away, and on the other, the order. I didn't mean to give an order, but I guess, with all my stress, anger, and frustration, I inadvertently gave her one.

This situation reminded me of a dispute several months ago when I intentionally gave her an order. She wanted to jump into the water to pursue a sea monster.

I told her it was stupid and that she couldn't kill it, but she wanted to do it anyway. When I say she's worse than a donkey, it's not a joke.

So, to stop her, I ordered her to take the helm of the boat and head to our next adventure. Let me tell you, we both paid the price for that. And when we reconciled, she explained that she felt submissive and that it reminded her of the day she was betrayed. That's why, since then, I do everything to avoid giving her orders or telling her what to do.

"The people who did that to her are lucky to be dead, otherwise, they would have experienced something worse than death!"

Anyway, it's time to defuse this situation.

« I'm sorry... I didn't mean to yell at you or give you an order. Just, everything that's happening is making me frustrated, angry, » I said, looking down.

« Why are you frustrated and angry? » she asked, more calmly than before.

« It's true, you don't know. The reason there are 10 elves with the goblins is that the villagers gave them away in exchange for peace. »

« What? »she said, barely containing her rising anger.

« According to them, the goblins were ravaging their fields, their animals, their wood reserves. Everything, really. And since no one had a combat system, they managed to negotiate with the goblins to stop them. The price was to give away 10 girls, and that's what they did. »

« They are completely stupid, » she replied after a minute or two of reflection.

« I know. They should have found another solution. But now that all the goblins are dead, there's no reason for sacrifices. »

« Yeah, but I still want to hit them on their heads. »

« You're not the only one, but please avoid doing that. It's just creating victims for no reason. »

« We'll see. »

« So, are we at peace? » I asked calmly.

« OK, we're at peace, but only because it's you, » she replied with a playful tone.

« What an honor you do me. »

After my reply, we fell into a peaceful silence, enjoying each other's company.

After 5 minutes, a sound came from my stomach.

Gargblrgblbl

"I forgot I haven't eaten yet."

As I started to get up, Hecate handed me her new ration.

« Here, take it. You need it more than me, » she said.

« No, don't worry. I'll go get my ration that you made. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, you spilled yours. »

« Take it, I insist. I don't want you to eat a cold ration. And for me, I've already eaten enough. So, go ahead. »

« No, really, don't worry. It wouldn't be the first time I eat cold, » I replied, continuing to get up.

« I give it to you as an apology gift. You can't refuse a gift, right? »

« I don't really have a choice, do ? » I asked, and she shook her head no.

So, I gave in and took her ration to eat.

While I ate in silence, I remembered that we would soon go to sleep and that the elves had nowhere to sleep.

« Hecate, where will the elves sleep? » I asked between bites.

« In the tent on the right, » she answered, pointing to the tent.

" »Huh, isn't that my tent? Where will I sleep then? »

« With me. I've already put your bed in my tent. »

It wouldn't be the first time we slept together, but usually, we slept in bunk beds, not face to face. This would be the first time I'd see Hecate's sleeping face. She always woke up before me. So I've never seen her asleep. But now, I will!

Now, I want to go to sleep as quickly as possible!

And unconsciously, I began to eat faster.

Once finished, I got up, turned around, and told all the elves that we had to go to sleep because we were waking up early. And unsurprisingly, they all agreed.

After making sure everyone was settled in as well as possible, I went to my tent.

Once there, I saw Hecate already in bed, but one thing bothered me. She was still wearing her hood!

I always wear mine too, to hide the fact that we're human and not elves (which has brought me a lot of questions from the elves). But now, we're alone. So why is she still wearing it?

Resolved to see Hecate's sleeping face, I almost jumped on her to take it off.

Surprised by my action, she didn't have time to react, and her face was revealed. At the same time, I took off mine.

« Why did you do that? »she asked, annoyed.

« Because I want to see your sleeping face! I've never seen it, and I'm sure you must be super cute! » I replied cheekily.

After seeing Hecate blush, I realized my mistake. How I said it, it sounded like I was crazy about her, but that's not the case! Sure, I think she's cute and I love her company, and I have fun with her, and that... ARRR, that's not it!

In a rush, I cleared up the misunderstanding.

« Uh, I mean, as a best friend, I say you're cute and that you'll be very successful with boys and everything, » I exclaimed, panicked, making nonsensical gestures with my hands.

« Thanks, » she said softly, looking down.

« You're welcome hahahaha. Good night, » I replied hastily before jumping into my bed and covering myself with my blanket. I didn't even bother to take off my shoes.

As I replayed the scene that had just unfolded, I heard Hecate speak.

« I prefer girls, » she said softly before covering herself even more with her blanket.

"Oh fuck," I thought, realizing that the night was going to be very long for me.