<span style="font-family:Philosopher">Avi caught the waterskin and gave it a light toss, feeling its new weight - or lack thereof, as it landed in his palm. Instinctively, he shot a look towards the elf, but let his irritation dissapate before a scowl could form on his face. Sure, water was one of the - if not the most - essential resource for travelers, but it was <i>his </i>decision to offer it to the girl. He was in no position to chastise her for drinking it all, especially after all the running and fighting she’s been through. He hooked the flask back onto his side before taking a deep breath, letting her words digest in his gut. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">Yeah</span>, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">no shit my life</span>’<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">s in danger</span>.” He wanted to snap at the elf. But he held his tongue, opting to walk to where his sword laid instead. It wasn’t that he wanted to ignore her warning, but that he found that actions spoke louder than words. If he was going to gain her trust and find that cure, sweet talking alone wouldn’t do the trick. Plus, he was too tired to move, much less speak. He picked the blade up and brushed numerous fragments of dirt off before slipping it back into its sheath. <i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">God knows how important this weapon will be in the coming weeks</span></i>. Without saying a word, he took off his pack and slung it across his chest, approaching the the elf with gentle eyes. He pondered the numerous ways he could carry her, ultimately opting to lift her on his back. <br/>
<br/>
Turning around, Avi bent his knees and hooked his hands around the underside of her thighs. In that moment, he seized up, his fingers recoiling from the utter warmth and softness the elf’s skin possessed. For a second, the rutting beast buried deep inside the depths of his inner persona churned, rousing lewd and indecent thoughts in his mind, clouding his judgement with ideas of sex and lust. Some heat rushed to his face before he shunted the images from his mind. There were better things to do than to crave the touch of a woman, especially if said woman held the key to your sister’s survival.<br/>
<br/>
With a grunt, he lifted the elf up, careful to not disturb her injured leg too much, and leaned forward as the entirety of her weight pressed into back. He felt two distinctive orbs smush against his upper back, closing his eyes as he pushed out the carnal thoughts that resurfaced in his mind. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">Wrap your arms around my shoulders and hold on</span>.” He adjusted the woman on his back, experimentally shrugging his shoulders as he adapted to the new weight. After some some small corrections, he began to walk through the forest, relishing the quiet ambience the wildlife brought as the subtle impacts of his footfalls intertwined with the sounds of the groves.<br/>
<br/>
He let his thoughts wander as he glanced up at the seemingly endless canopy. How did the humans come to hate the elves? Given his own circumstances, Avi killed only for survival; out of necessity. His whole entire life, he’d taken the lives of others so his own and his sister’s could prosper. At least, that’s what he wanted to believe. In reality, he was an evil man, hiding behind the guise of good deeds for his own self interests. Even the mere action of saving what maybe the last of the eleves was a decision made off of his own selfishness. </span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">He chuckled at the irony of it all. </span><i><span style="font-family:font1522365474"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">To do something selfless for a selfish cause</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> Lia would mock me for it</span>. </span></i><span style="font-family:font1522365474">His inner demons came to fruition in that moment, burying his conscience in yet another layer of self-loathing. He was a mercenary; a man who killed for money. He told himself that the only reason he murdered those men was for his own survival, but in reality, he could’ve taken plenty of other jobs for money.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Philosopher"><br/>
Murdering others was just easier for him.<br/>
<br/>
It wasn’t that he didn’t have a conscience. He knew the difference between right and wrong. What was just and what was corrupt. Yet, despite this, he felt no pleasure or pain as he watched the life drain from others. As long as he and his sister were alive at the end of the day, he simply <i>did not care</i>. Was that normal? Or was it the beginnings of something cruel and sinister? Avi pursed his lips. Could this also be applied to the genocide? Did the human’s massacre the elven people for money? Did they do it out of necessity for survival? Or was it like hunting: purely for sport and pleasure? In all cases, he felt something hitch in his gut. Avi let out a soft sigh. <i>Thinking about hypotheticals is a waste of time</i>. <br/>
<br/>
“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">To be honest</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">,</span> <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">I don</span>’<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">t know what I</span>’<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">m getting into</span>.” He finally broke the silence and addressed the elf’s question. His voice was uncertain, yet steady. Deep down, he was afraid; Afraid of the unknown, afraid of what the twisted road of life had in store for him, afraid that he’d never make it back home to see his sister again. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">And to be honest</span>, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">after seeing whatever those things are</span>,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> I think that anyone who would want to associate with you is a fool</span>.” He chuckled at his own joke, realizing that he was the fool for sticking with the elf. Avi took </span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">a deep breath before continuing. “</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">Look</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">,</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474"> I understand that as long as I stay near you</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">my life is in danger</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">.” He took a few paces before stopping, looking over his shoulder so that his stormy grey eyes met hers. “</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">But there</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">’</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">s lives on the line</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">and I</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">’</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">m willing to give my own if it means saving them</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">So</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">until then</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">I</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">’</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474">ll fight</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474"> -</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474"> and kill if need be</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474"> - </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(179, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family:font1522365474"> until I have that cure</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">.” He turned his head and continued walking.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Philosopher"><br/>
“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">Even if that means protecting you from those</span>… <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"><i>Things</i></span>.”<br/>
<br/>
The path turned narrow and rocky, riddled with tree roots and small rocks that made the trail difficult to navigate. All around him, flora seemed to flourish, growing in abundance until nothing but green filled his eyes. Birds and bugs began to sing their evening melodies, suddenly flooding the air with a cacophony of sound that resonated throughout the forest. To the left was a looming rockwall that followed the forest path, scarred and chiseled away by years of erosion and wear, whereas the right was marked by wildlife and vegetation, only to suddenly drop away at a clearing. Avi temporarily let his body fill with accomplishment. His feet ached from walking for days on end, his mind fatigued without sleep and his soul weary without affection. He adjusted the woman on his back. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">We</span>’<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">re here</span>.” <br/>
<br/>
The clearing gave way to a small circular area surrounded by sheer rock faces covered with moss and vines. In the center was a small pond, transparent and flowing; so clear that one could see the bottom of the pool along with its own ecosystem of small fry and plants that thrived within its body. Fed by a cascading waterfall that crashed against the surface, the water rippled and rolled along its rocky shores, pushing and pulling in a continuous struggle for dominance, only to disappear around another river bend, going to a place unknown to him. Around the pond was a multitude of lithe trees that hung over the body of water, almost breaking the surface as they bent down. Avi relished the view for a moment before walking over to the shore and placing the woman down on the pebble beach. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">We should rest here tonight</span>. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">Fix those wounds and get ready for tomorrow</span></span><span style="font-family:font1522365474">.” He paused for a moment, as if he were contemplating something. Finally he outstretched a hand towards the elf.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Philosopher"><br/>
"<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">I don</span>'<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">t think I</span>'<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">ve introduced myself yet</span>. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">The name</span>'<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">s Avi</span>."</span>