Erender Elensar

[erender]

The Beginning:

Ishnu-alah for those of you who read this. My name is Erender, and for those of you who are even acquainted with me, you are probably not familiar with my background. Today that will change.

I was born ninety-three years ago, never seeing my mother or father, but making a residence for myself in the small society of Elven hunters my parents left me in. As you can tell, I was not brought into this world with greatness or luxury; if I wanted something I had to work for it. My mother, I was told died from a great sickness, she was very ill... but death took her quickly from what I know; my father on the other hand was still alive from what my "family" told me, although they knew not of his where-abouts, and some even doubted his existance. Even though I didn't know him, I cared for him enough to hope he was still walking this world. Thusly, They were not around to bring me up into this world how it would please them, so I was to make my own path. Day in and day out, or rather night in an night out, (most Night Elves tend to live a nocturnal life) I would perfect the abilities expected of me - shooting countless arrows at a hay target to increase my skill and accuracy with a bow, or stalking harmless prey in the wilds to further increase my stealth. I did this for many years, making sure I would not be second place to anyone, at any time. When the moment came where I would prove myself.

By and by, my life and training progressed, but so did a bond with the natural world around me; but that is just it, all there was was a small connection between me and the natural world, I needed someone to further that progression. That is when my mentor began to guide me through the aspects of the natural world, showing me how I could "manipulate" abilities of various beings around me. This was a long and arduous task that I still recall as if were yesterday, and that yesterday I have yet to regret or forget. As I began to learn the beginning aspects, I discovered that I now possessed a slightly keener sense of reflex, as well as a heightened sense of deadliness with a bow, and the speed of a cheetah. I was now well versed in the ways of a survivalist, marksman, and tracker.

My training was done,
The test was soon to come...

[erender]

The Dream:

...I opened my eyes, darkness was all that surrounded me, and a slight headache was all that my mind new so far. As I stood up, I began to look in every direction - hoping to be able to see some form of outline at the most. Nothing. After it seemed like a minute or two passed, I began to worry; My eyes should have permitted me to see, even in a place as dark as this. I knew panic would only lead to problems, on that thought I began to recollect my consciousness and move around a bit - my arms in front of me, wanting to feel something that might give me a general idea of where I was at. As I wandered around for a bit, tripping every now and then over what seemed like rocks, my hand finally felt something. However, this object was sharp and seemed to have a curve to it; as I "examined" it closer I noticed it was an axe. At that very moment there was a flash of light nearby that caused me to go blind for a few seconds. I shielded my eyes and looked away, blinking wildly trying to regain my vision from the instant change of brightness.

As I opened my eyes, I saw what I had been standing in... bodies, everywhere. Weapons scattered about: Spears, arrows, swords, axes, bows... blood staining the forest floor as if it was just raining it. My eyes were wide open now, as well as my legs shaking at what sights were before me... I quickly fell to my knees as I couldn't hold myself up anymore. I looked to my right, where I left of my investigation of the object, and saw it was embedded in a Night Elf's severed head... his eyes too were as wide open as mine with blood streaming down around them. However much it pained me to look at it, my eyes were glued to the sight... even if I did try to look another way I would only see more carnage. Would it be worse that what I saw right now? Or would it be a "prettier" sight? ...I could not take that risk... but something else finally drew my look away, a blood curdling scream that came from the source of the light. As I turned toward the sound, I saw a female Night Elf's body drop next to what appeared to be some sort of demon, ritual markings ran all over his body - from his chest all the way to his hands, where he wielded two dual blades. The light however, grew much dimmer with the female's death... as if that was what caused it to shine. I was so caught up in seeing another body being added to the heap that I didn't even notice the demon had spotted me; as the light grew dimmer however, I noticed this to be a Male Night Elf - not a demon as I previously thought. As my eyes caught his, a grin spread across his face, and pulled up another body that was lieing on the ground beside him... this one still alive, but badly wounded. As the executer lifted up the other with ease - as if he weighted as much as a child - he set him in the same position as the last: on his knees with his head looking at the earth. From what I could see, he was garbed differently than all the rest, clothing made from leaves or other flora from nature... a Druid.

As I sat there on the ground, I thought to myself, "Your not going to let him kill another one, are you? How could you sit by and watch this happen?".

As my mind urged me to do something, my body refused, it was if I was pinned down by some unseen weight. The executer raised one of his blades... but before he descend it the invalids neck, he grinned at me again and lowered his blade. He grabbed the Elf's hair and thrust his head back, showing me his face. I wasn't sure why he did this, but a moment later he spoke.

"I'm sorry... you had to... see this...", he coughed a bit of blood up, "I... love you... my son".

The executer then dropped the mans head back so it hung limply, quickly raising the same blade, and cut straight down.... severing the Night Elf's head. My eyes grew wide as it rolled toward me and the body fell over. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and seen, this man... my father... I had just let die. The one person in life that I still had hopes for surviving somewhere, had just died. Some rage began to build up in side me... something broke the invisible shackles holding me down and forced me to stand up. Foolishly, I charged the armed executer with nothing but my bare fists to fight him with. I was rushing at him, full speed with nothing on my mind but killing this murderer; as I got within feet of him I leaped at him, surprisingly making contact and taking him off his feet. As we hit the ground I pinned him down, cursing at him, and breathing heavily... I began to let the rage out slowly. When I was calmer and more clear minded,

I asked him in a voice that had as much life it in that was left in my father, "Why did you do it? He was the only family I had left and you murdered him!... Why did you do it?"

There came that grin again... but this time more wicked, wider, his teeth bared, or rather fangs...

He replied in a cool voice "... The question isn't why did I do it... the question is: Why did YOU do it?"

At that moment, my eyes went wide again, I had not taken note of it till this point but it was as if I was starring into a mirror, seeing a more matured version of me on the other side. As I starred, transfixed upon him, he began to laugh a maniacal, deep laugh. All of a sudden, his body sank into the ground... all that was left was his shadow. I could feel my headache start up again, I reached for my forehead with my right hand. Immediately, "his" arms wrapped around mine and so did his legs to mine... as if they were snakes. The blood across the battlefield began to slosh around, creating huge puddles, then waves raging around rapidly. Without realizing it, I was surrounded by the liquid, I tried to breath but all I sucked it was blood. I coughed and tried to swim up, but the shadow was still holding me tight. As I held my breath my headache became more painful and more painful. I opened my eyes to try to see, but it was just like before, I could see nothing, only this time it was red, not black, and my eyes started to sting the longer I held them open. I shut them quickly and tried to wipe them with my hands but they were still tied down. My eyes stung and my headache grew as I tried to struggle free. My lungs were starting to wane from lack of air. I was trapped like this for what felt like an hour, thinking to myself
"This is it... this is where it all ends... Damn... it...".
As the pain increased I began to think unlike myself. I began to believe death was my salvation over this torture. I could not go on any longer, whether I wanted to or not... I was giving in. As I let my head dangle forward, I began to feel relaxed... as if a great burden had been lifted. I began to feel a cool water over my forehead, a sense of relief spread over my entire body however. My head still ached, but my eyes no longer felt pain. At once I opened them.

...It was dark... again. I tried to sit up, but something caught me half way to my destination and slowly dropped me back down. I was back at the village, my mentor right beside me with a bucket of water, a cloth on my forehead that had been soaked in it not too long ago. He spoke to me in our native tongue...
"Erender, how do you fare?"
I groaned a little before answering softly "I'm... fine... what happened?"
He set the pale on the other side of him and looked back at me, replying "You broke out in a fever when you were sleeping. Some of the others said they heard yelling coming from here, so I thought you might be in trouble. I began to see if you were physically hurt, but it didn't seem so; although you did have a fever. Shortly before you woke up I fetched a pale of water and a cloth to hopefully stop it, you were trashing about wildly though when I got back so I had to watch over you from there on out.
I slowly nodded, grabbing the bucket of water I began to drink from it to quench my thirst. A smile came over his face as he saw I was okay.
"You should get some rest" He said "You've been through a lot tonight... I assume"
I nodded and pulled the blanket back over me, laying on my back, I stared up at the ceiling, slowly closing my eyes. As I did I heard my mentor get up and walk to the door, stopping at the entrance to say "Good night". Then he left.

... Again... darkness...

[Nathaenii]

(( Just wanted to say I'm digging this. Not that I don't dig all the stories here. Just felt like voicing it. ;D ))