Ch.45

Although Evander tried to move, he couldn't lift himself from the ground. His back ached, and he realized the arrow that pierced his throat had been removed. A flash of light filled the air, blinding him for just an instant‌—and then everything went black.

As it turned out, the elf had the final say. Evander lay on the ground, staring at the sky while trying to ignore the pain. Somehow, he understood that he was dying. He just hoped it would be quick and painless.

In his last few moments, the half-elf pictured the group‌—especially Duer and the human girl. He looked upon her as she stared into the woods, hoping the elven creatures would return soon. And he also tried to look beyond her, to find some part of himself buried somewhere deep in the forest. Evander didn't know how he'd ever find it, but there must have been something inside him left over from those previous times he had returned home. All he could think about now was what he was going to miss the most.

For an entire year, Evander had watched the humans try to rebuild their lives. But before that, there had been so much more‌—so many people who no longer existed. Now he was alone. Everything and everyone he knew was gone forever. Or were they? Maybe he wasn't all that different from them. After all, how did it matter anymore?

The half-elf closed his eyes and hoped for a quick death. In fact, he didn't care whether that came from the elven arrow, or perhaps an army of wolves, or something even more horrible. Evander was ready‌—and in his own way, he felt happy because he wouldn't have to live with the consequences of what had happened to his tribe anymore. That was the kind of elven magic he believed in. And Evander was certain he hadn't killed anyone‌—at least not knowingly. Even after so long, Evander still couldn't believe what he'd done, however much he hated himself for it.

His last thoughts drifted to Duer and the others‌—people who had become family in his mind. Evander always wondered whether or not he had abandoned his old friends by leaving them behind. But that was hardly the problem. The biggest issue was the fact that he simply couldn't remember where he had found himself when he returned to this land. Although the elf‌—the elven creature‌—had already told him exactly how he wound up in this forest, Evander didn't care. There was nothing left to worry about. After all, Evander wasn't completely sure what had happened. All he knew now was that he'd been driven out of his home, forced away from everything he loved, and needed to find a way back to his old tribe. But where that path might lead him, Evander couldn't imagine.

The half-elf heard footsteps coming closer, which made him realize someone else had joined him on the ground. Someone whose voice sounded familiar. Before the human came into view, Evander caught a glimpse of golden eyes. Then, just before his eyes closed for good, he saw the other elf stretch out her hand, as if she wanted to keep him from moving further away.

"I thought you could use this," said the elven creature. "Now, let's see if your magic has gotten any better."

Evander didn't even bother opening his eyes‌—or saying anything at all‌—as he reached inside his coat and took out the small item that had been in his possession since childhood. For a moment, the elf watched as he struggled to make the glow brighter. The half-elf also noticed the elf had gone back to watching the trees, although there was no longer any movement among those branches.

Then the elves were suddenly gone. Just like that. Without warning‌—although Evander should have expected it. After all, nothing about his situation seemed to make sense anymore. No one was holding him down. At least not in the physical sense. But now that the elves had left, Evander felt powerless once more‌—and it was the same way he had felt when the army had surrounded him back then. Of course, the elves didn't pose the greatest threat. After all, the best weapon these creatures could offer was a mysterious poison that would kill someone within days or even hours. And after a year with no news from anywhere else, the elf had taken the full force of the plague.

One of the elven creatures still stood in front of the half-elf, though. When Evander realized what was going on, he immediately assumed control of the elven‌—or should he say human‌? —weapons and struck first. An instant later, Evander received several different reactions. Sometimes the elf flinched, other times he actually smiled, but almost always there was some reaction from the other elf. And yet, there was nothing on the ground when the elves disappeared. In fact, the only thing there was a small pool of blood.

Evander watched in amazement as the elf crossed over his dead body and continued walking without so much as an expression on his face. He went over the events all over again in his mind‌—this time trying to find any explanation for why the elven creature hadn't tried to save him. Even if the half-elf wasn't bleeding to death, the elf could have prevented him from dying by giving him the antidote. That was the reason the elves gave for what happened‌—the reason Evander could believe in.

But that's where it ended. Evander still had no idea who the elves were, or whether they could still be in pain. And once again, he didn't understand how he'd become their prisoner. For that matter, he was still completely unsure about everything‌—about what was happening in his life. After all, there must have been something behind what had occurred. Sure, it might be more than he could handle right now, but then what choice did Evander have? His tribe was gone, and he wouldn't stop wondering about what happened to them. But knowing this land so well, there had to be something. There had to be a hint of answers somewhere deep in the forest.

Evander ran his hand along the bark of one of the trees, feeling the texture under his fingers. The elven magic had left a mark on him too. That meant he had to find out who these people were. Once Evander managed to figure out what they wanted from him‌—if anything‌—he could walk away. It might be painful, but Evander believed his friends would understand.

Without warning, the half-elf leaned toward the tree and placed his hand over the elf's chest. Then, before the elven creature could even react, Evander closed his eyes‌—and lost consciousness.