Rise of The Fallen

–Kora–

The next several days passed in a blur. After our little ‘accident’, we spent the rest of that afternoon learning to communicate more effectively.

Up until late in the night, we continued teaching each other what certain words meant, how to pronounce them in each other’s language and then proceeded to utterly fail at trying to have practical conversations.

We both had a lot to learn, and continued to spend nearly all hours of the next few days doing just that. Learning.

Each morning, Elazar went out to scavenge food and we both gathered sticks near the cave for firewood.

It was strange, waking up each morning with an alien native sharing my space, but I didn’t mind the company he provided. I hadn’t realized how lonely I’d been for the past few months, living down here and surviving on my own.

Having Elazar with me made things a lot easier than before. He provided me with food and water while my injuries completely healed. I had attempted to go out with him to scavenge but he insisted I stay near the cave until I got my strength back. After nearly a week, I finally managed to convince him to take me out with him.

He started teaching me different things about the forest and plants. He showed me what could or couldn’t be eaten, what was toxic or dangerous, what was ripe or rotten.

He even tried teaching me how to traverse the forest more easily, although it was still a pain considering his strides were so much longer than my own. We had to resort to more climbing than crawling with the paths he took. It only made sense considering he was too big to really use the same trails as me.

Elazar showed me different locations to find certain plants or animals, and even a fresh water supply. I couldn’t believe how abundant with food the forest actually was after struggling for so long. I’d almost died of starvation, and the world around me had been rich with nutrients all along. I just hadn’t known where to look.

Even if I had somehow survived that night I was attacked, even if I hadn’t been injured to the point of not even being able to get back up, I’m not sure how much longer I would have lasted without him.

Elazar managed to find something useful around every corner. Whether it be food, medicine, a tool or basic supplies. He always knew where to look.

I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised; he’d grown up in these jungles. He knew them better than any fancy scientist or super computer genius on Krosa ever would.

Considering I’d been essentially dead weight for a week, I didn’t understand why Elazar was so intent on helping me. But when I’d attempted to ask him, he didn’t quite comprehend the question.

It was as if helping and taking care of me was the most logical thing for him to do, even though we hardly knew each other, and weren’t the same species.

It’s strange. There’s something about him that I just–it’s hard to put into words.

Even now, while we were out scavenging for food in a part of the forest I hadn’t yet explored, he kept most of his focus on me. Helping me, guiding me. But a thought kept lingering in the back of my mind…why? Why waste his energy on someone like me? Why put in so much effort for someone he hardly knew?

The idea that he was using me for some malicious purpose left a bad taste in my mouth, and I struggled to dismiss my insecurities.

He’s shown no red flags, and has done so much to help me get back on my feet. So why am I still thinking like this? Why am I still so set on the idea that he’s the same as any other man who’s taken advantage of me?

I know I told myself I would never rely on another soul for as long as I lived, but that was only because I couldn’t fathom the idea of being abandoned or used again.

But after spending so much time with Elazar,

“Kora!”

My head snapped up at the sound of Elazar’s voice. He was a bit further away, standing atop a large root growing out of the ground from the twisting trees. That root alone was taller than me by a few feet, and yet he’d climbed it effortlessly. He beckoned for me to join him, tail twitching.

Taking a deep breath, I willed my morose thoughts away. I’d deal with my fears and insecurities later.

Making my way over to him, I climbed some smaller gnarled roots protruding from the ground until I came to the offending barrier blocking my path. It was at least two if not nearly three feet above my head and I could see where Elazar had dug his claws into the wood to climb up.

He crouched down, offering me a hand. I took it, warmth radiating from his touch as I braced my foot on the wall. With his help, I climbed up and over the large growth, standing beside him.

Now that I could use height to my advantage, I looked along the path, spotting more of those giant twisted roots growing wildly through the forest, nearly covering the ground like a pit of anacondas.

The canopy of treetops overhead nearly blocked out most of the sky, with branches traveling up hundreds of feet above us. I’d never seen trees like this in my life, but this part of the forest was littered with them. They made the trees near the river look like mere saplings.

I’d assumed we were simply going upriver when we started today’s journey, but clearly I was wrong.

Most of the vegetation was sparse, no doubt because of the giant roots covering the ground. Mostly, there were just hanging vines, moss and smaller plants attached to the bark or indents in the trees around us.

Despite all that, it almost seemed like a maze that someone could easily get lost in if they blindly wandered in.

Wait, isn’t that what we’re doing?

Elazar climbed down to a lower tree limb on my right. Once he was stable, he turned to me holding his arms up as he offered to help me down. He didn’t look lost, or concerned with our location, which was reassuring.

Sitting on the edge of the root, I pushed myself off the giant wall and toward my companion, trusting him to catch me.

It was really strange that I didn’t even question if he would, for all I knew he could pull away at the last second and I could just end up falling and hurting myself.

I would be completely stranded and trapped in this barren area.

But Elazar did nothing of the sort, he gracefully caught me in his arms holding me secure against his own body before setting me down on the ground, making sure I was stable on the uneven surface before letting me go.

He walked along the root to a spot where it twisted and entwined itself with another limb, and hopped over to it with ease. Looking back, he offered his hand once more. I took it, and carefully followed suit, both arms extended out to keep balance and not fall between the gaps.

We weren’t very high off the ground, but falling would still very easily get me hurt or even stuck in this area. And the last thing I wanted was to break an arm or leg.

Once I was past the first gap, Elazar helped me across many more and raised branches as we continued through the area, headed for some unknown destination.

“So, exactly where are you taking us?” I asked amidst the constant chatter of tree lizards and other insects buzzing around.

El glanced over his shoulder at me then back at the tangled forest ahead. His tail whipped back and forth anxiously as he struggled to find the words.

After a few seconds, he turned back to me. “We sak’lo for falling trees. Has many sha’vira! Sha’vira very good.” He rubbed his hand over his stomach.

“So we are looking for food?”

His brows pinched together, and he ran his hand through his hair, a clear sign that he was exasperated.

His eyes met mine and he shrugged.

Great. Just great.

Sighing, I climbed up to where he was standing. “Alright let’s go. Hurry up then.”

He perked up and we continued forward through the twisted trees. Elazar took point again, leading the way a few feet ahead.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but peek through the gaps, showing the ground and hollow spaces underneath us.

“Kora.”

Returning my attention to El, he pointed out a particularly wider gap that was two feet apart between the roots. I would have to jump across it. He stood on the other side, waiting as I approached and glanced down into the gap.

Much smaller vines, twigs and dead leaves covered the ground below.

Elazar crossed his arms over his chest, looking at me expectantly on the other side.

What, does he think that’s a tough jump?

“Move aside, big guy, I’m not a princess.”

Rolling my eyes, I gave him a sign with my hand to move aside and he arched a brow before taking two steps back.

I looked across at the branch covered in moss and huffed before leaping toward it. I landed on my feet on the other side, but the moss was slick and I lost my balance, stumbling and throwing my arms out in an attempt to stabilize myself.

A strong hand grasped my arm, pulling me forward and keeping me upright as I regained my footing. My gaze shot up to meet those familiar silver eyes, and I blushed as a smirk played on the sly jerk’s face.

I stood up straighter, and pulled back a bit, panicked. “I-I had it under control!”

Elazar crossed his arms again, looking his nose down at me. I awkwardly averted my gaze. “Look, it’s harder to keep balance on uneven surfaces while wearing shoes! Don’t give me that look!”

He chuckled and shook his head. Tightening the strap of my bag, I tried to follow, only to catch a glimpse of something moving on the ground. A blue-ish colored vine was slowly gliding across the branch between us, climbing up from the gap we had just crossed.

Wait, why does that plant look so familiar?

“Hey Elazar,” I began, voice trembling. He turned to me confused, as I watched the vine slither towards me. “What is that?”

I took a few steps backward as the vine rose off the ground a few inches, coiling back like a snake ready to strike.

Elazar looked down to the plant, his eyes widening and his once lax posture turning stiff.

“Move!” he shouted, rushing forward and pushing me out of the way just as the vine struck.

“Ah?!”

I stumbled back, watching in horror as the vine coiled around Elazar’s leg faster than I thought possible, causing him to trip forward. He growled, quickly using his tail to cut the thing, only for another vine to appear from the gap and grab it.

Oh fuck, the vines were trapping him!

He dug his claws into the branch we were on before reaching for the knife on his belt. I rushed to his side to help as a third vine, covered in thorns, lashed out, grabbing his free leg around the ankle.

He shoved me away, again, right before he was dragged into the gap, disappearing from view.

“Elazar!?” I screamed, eyes wild and my breathing uneven.

I peered down into the hole, hoping to spot Elazar. Instead, I glimpsed a tunnel of sorts funneling through the ground that had been covered by debris. I stood up, calling out for Elazar.

He didn’t respond.

Shit, shit!

Panicking, I spun in a circle, looking around for something that I could maybe stick into the hole, or use to help him escape the tunnel. I needed to help him! But I was just surrounded by giant trees!

Fuck! What should I do? Do I call for help? What are the chances someone from his tribe is even in the area? Not to mention there’s little chance of me telling them I need help before they try to kill me! Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I looked down, eyes locking on that damned tunnel as only one idea came to mind.

“Shit.”

Without wasting another second, I quickly climbed down toward the hole. Unfortunately, there was little for me to hold onto as I began my descent, forcing me to drop down into the tunnel a few feet below.

I shrieked as I fell into the mouth of the tunnel, sliding through it with about as much grace as a drunken grandpa. I tried grabbing onto anything I could to slow my momentum, but the dirt around me was loose, immediately crumbling in my grasp, and any roots or twigs snapped as soon as I caught hold.

After a few harsh bumps and scratches, I reached the end of the tunnel, slamming onto the ground with a pained groan.

“Ow!”

Spitting out dirt that had found its way into my mouth, I wiped debris out of my face and eyes, sitting up and looking all around me.

Small streams of light peeked through overhead, lighting up a bit of my surroundings. Various large roots were weaved into the ground all around the entrance of the tunnel, with fungus growing all around them.

I blinked several times, slowly adjusting to the lack of light as I realized where I was.

Great. A dark, ominous cave with no signs of my alien companion.

“Fuck.”