Would there ever truly be peace with what he had witnessed? Or would a raw, gaping wound remain on his conscience for leading those in his charge to utter destruction? Did it even matter anymore or was this a battle that could never really be won? No, victory would be his one day. Pushing the painful doubts from his mind and reaffirming his ragged faith, Kallo let out a heavy, weary sigh and turned his attention to his companion as she went about eating her portion of the meal. A gnawing in his gut told him just how hungry he truly was, even if he had chosen to ignore it till now. Deciding to be the gentleman he had been raised to be, he allowed Levani to finish her meal as he remained leaning against the roots of the massive tree they sheltered under. There was a certain amount of comfort in watching his companion forget about the past couple of days as she enjoyed the meal she had prepared for them.<i>'Such a beautiful creature.'</i>The smile that accompanied that thought was genuine, just as the trust he was starting to feel for her. She was more than he had hoped to find in his journey to destroy the black and the dark God that created it.<br/><br/>His pale eyes watched with curiosity as she moved towards him, a bit of uncertainty painted across her features. As she touched the back of his hand with hers, a warm, comforting smile was offered in return, an unspoken thanks for her compassion towards him. He welcomed the comfort gladly, needing it more than he would dare to admit to himself. Too long had he traveled alone since that fateful day, too long had he shoulder his burdens alone. She was right. As much as it pained his pride to admit, she was absolutely right. “Thank you lass... I...” His voice trailed off as his pale eyes matched her golden orbs, unsure of how to proceed in explaining any of what had happened. Sharing his thoughts, his fears, his emotions, it was foreign to him, something so alien he wasn't sure how to begin. Reaching out to place a hand gently on her shoulder, he offered a slight bow of his head. “Go get that wound cleaned and dressed and we will talk. Though you may not consider me a masterpiece after I'm done.”<br/><br/>Before she could respond, he pushed himself from the roots and moved towards the small clay oven, eager to put the gnawing in his stomach to rest. Quickly gathering what food was left, he took a seat near the oven, his back to Levani and the entrance to her home beneath the tree. Pushing his worries about the coming conversation to the side, he began to eat the food she had prepared, surprised at how well it was cooked and how tastefully it was spiced. Being used to traveling rations and dried meats and cheeses, this food was easily the best meal he'd had in months. Maybe longer. It wasn't much, as far as portions go, but it would suffice for the moment, easing the ache in his stomach.<br/><br/>Once finished with his meal, Kallo took the opportunity to kick dirt onto the embers, putting them out for the night, then set about cleaning the pan and dishes they had used, feeling that it was the least he could do to show how grateful he was. He used the last of the clean water in the bucket for the task, but made a mental note to be the one to go get more in the morning once they had gotten some much needed rest. With his task completed, he stacked the cleaned dishes and pan to the side of the clay fireplace and got to his feet, giving one last glance around the clearing, making sure that all was as peaceful as it seemed for the night.<br/><br/>As Kallo entered his companions home, he saw her sitting at the table, moss pressed to the spot on her forearm where she had been wounded. “A moment lass and I'll give you something to help with that.” He quickly pulled the large blade from it's sheath on his back and leaned it against the wall near the entryway. Pulling at the straps on his armor, he pulled the plates from his chest and arms, removing his armored gloves as well, leaving him with a thick linen shirt and his leather and plated pants and boots. His discarded armor was placed with his sword near the entrance.<br/><br/>Now that he was more comfortable, he moved to the table and took a seat across from her, pulling a small vial of amber oil from a pouch on his belt. “If I may?” The question was accompanied by gently taking her hand in his, pulling her arm across the table to better see the wounds, removing the moss with his free hand. His touch was gentle, yet firm enough that she would have to fight to pull away from him. “This will soothe the wounds and speed the healing process.” With her arm now laying outstretched on the table before him, he released his hold and opened the small vial, spilling a few drops on his fingers before capping it and setting it to the side. “So... you wanted to know what that pendant means to me?” While speaking to his companion, Kallo took her hand in his, offering a bit of comfort should she need it, as he began to spread the cold oil onto her wounds, rubbing it gently into the skin.<br/><br/>“That pendant belonged to my brother. It was a gift from his wife before they got married. Such a simple token... but it meant everything to him.” A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he continued to rub the oil fully into her wounds and the surrounding skin, the oil cool and soothing against the pain the wounds would cause. “The last time I saw that pendant was on the day my brother died. The day I led him to darkness.” He wasn't sure why he was choosing to be so open about what had happened so many years ago, but he continued on, pushed by the fact that he had held it in too long. The need to speak of this burden was almost too great to bear. “Our homeland was attacked by the dark God. Everything was destroyed or corrupted, everything but a small number of us who fought back. Those who were left turned to me for guidance, for leadership... something I didn't want, but felt I had no choice but to give. I was a hero to my younger brother and I couldn't bear to let him down...” Raw emotion threaded through his words, threatening to overtake his thoughts and make him shut down, as he had always done before. “So I took on the mantle of leadership and decided it was time to strike back at the blackness that surrounded us. In my pride... I didn't see how foolish a thought it was. So I led those who followed into the darkness to find the black God and face him.”<br/><br/>Kallo slowly shook his head as his voice trailed off, falling silent for a few moments. Having finished rubbing the cooling oil into her forearm, he released her hand, letting his fingers linger on her soft skin longer than was necessary. Maybe the comfort he thought he was giving to her, was meant for him instead. “I led them to their destruction. The black God struck everyone of us down... but he made a point to show me how foolish I had been to stand against him. He made me watch as he ripped my brother's soul from his body, only to devour it. Not only did I, in my pride, lead my friends to their death... I fed my brother's very soul to the dark one himself. That pendant...” Kallo's head hung low as his tone grew quiet, mournful, his hands clasped together on the table before him. “That pendant was a message sent to me from the dark God... letting me know how foolish I am. How foolish it is to think that I can stand against the tide of darkness that rolls before him.” Pale eyes lifted to meet his companion's gaze, a deep sadness welling up within. “As much as I want to just give up and let the darkness consume me... I can't. I have to keep fighting. But I can't do it on my own... not even with my Goddess' blessings. That's why I came searching for you lass. I came to beg for your help... even if I'm not worthy of it.”<br/><br/>With at least part of his tale exposed to his companion, he fell silent, a quiet fear lingering deep within his pale eyes. The fear of what she might say made him want to grab his gear and continue on his path alone, but something in the back of his mind held him there, hoping that she wouldn't turn his request down, that she would still be willing to help him face the blackness again.