Rise of The Fallen

–one week later–

–kora– 

Kion coming back was unexpected to say the least. Though I'm not so sure it's a bad thing, he and Elazar seem to get along pretty well which was surprising to me at first. I had this idea that Elazar was an outcast in his tribe and treated like garbage by everyone, but seeing these two interact and talk, that image has become distorted.

Kion is immature and young still, that much is clear he's hardly taller than me by a few inches and his body is lean. He severely lacks muscles and is a lot more agile than Elazar.

It's interesting to see and meet another of Elazar's kind. I've had zero interaction with anyone from El's tribe and the small exchange I had with other xandisians…well they didn't go so well.

When Kion first found us I didn't know how to react or what to think. Truthfully I was scared. Even if he was just a kid, at that moment everything came to a screeching halt. 

Now that things have calmed down though I'm no longer worried and I think Elazar is a bit more relaxed too. Kion's presence really has lightened the moon amidst the turmoil, worry and other emotions. It's nice to have another friendly face to talk and interact with and El now has some company from his own kind. Someone he can talk and relate with.

Kion helps us with gathering food and supplies during the day and returns to the tribe at night so no one really notices he's gone.  He also notifies us when hunters go out and where they hunt making it easier for us to avoid the other tribes folk. 

We managed to find an animal den we could take shelter in for the time being. It's not nearly as grand as a hunter's den with how cramped it is but it's better than nothing. Me and elazar barely fit inside so we spend most of our time outside of the den until it's time to sleep.

We've also been trying to improve on my disguise and I've gone back to covering my skin in charcoal any time I leave the camp.

In the week that we've been out here, there haven't been any drakov sightings nor had Elazar's tribe taken notice of me.

Another plus to being here is being so close to those magic healing waters. My shoulder has healed wonderfully, although Elazar still insists on me taking it easy. I wish we didn't have to hide from El's people, I feel guilty because I'm the one thing keeping him away from his own kind. Even if it is his choice, I'm not sure I've seen him be so confident while talking. 

With Kion he seems a lot more comfortable speaking about things. Even now they were openly discussing what they could do to diminish the chances of us being caught. 

"If we cut off the horns of a jablek it will look much more convincing!" Kion argued.

"We cannot simply go hunt down an jablek for its horns. They are out of season in this area, the herds have traveled too far north-" Elazar responded.

"We can steal the jablek horns from talok's various hunting trophies!"

"No, now that ratha and talok have fully mated ratha shall be staying within his den. She will notice if you try to steal from them. The hood will be enough for now." Elazar finalized as he worked on the project in his hands. 

Kion watched him wrap some needle-like thorns carefully aftwr dipping them in some dark viscous jelly, while I cooked some meat over the fire. 

"What is this for?" He picked up one of the bundles confused.

"It is a precaution. A weapon for Kora to use should she encounter anyone."

A weapon? I peeked over to see a few tiny leaf bundles smaller than my pinky finger, lined up in front of Elazar. 

"What do you mean if she encounters someone? What are these supposed to do?" 

Elazar sat up straighter looking down at the bundles before turning his head to look at me. "Kora, come here for a moment." 

Standing up I brushed the dirt off My knees before walking over and crouching down. Elazar held out his hand palm up. "Your arm." He gestured.

Curious placed my hand in his hand he grabbed some plant fibers that he had previously woven into string and a leather strip. Using both he made some kind of band around my wrist and tied one of the bundles onto it.

"The thorns are laced with a potent venom that can paralyze someone temporarily, with a single prick. There's always a chance you may encounter the drakov or another of our race here in the forest and I do not wish for you to be left defenseless. It is not easy to kill our kind so this will enable you a chance to escape should you get caught. And should you be bound-"

Elazar pulled out a familiar Saber tooth that was sharpened into a small knife-like blade and fastened it to the bracelet. "You can use this to cut your ropes."

"Oh! That's a great idea! It will also keep kora out of trouble if she comes in contact with the others!" Kion exclaimed while I admired the tool.

"Yes, should someone attack her she needs to be able to defend herself, but killing or injuring another from our tribe will only cause more problems. This is a safe way to ensure no one is fatally hurt in such an event."

"But isn't the goal not to be seen or caught? This will only be useful up close, what if they have ranged weapons? A single scratch from a poisoned arrow could prove fatal…she needs a ranged weapon just in case like a… a sling! It's easy to use and learn!" Kion exclaimed excitedly.

Me and Elazar shared a concerned look, Kion was right. A hunter could easily shoot me.from a distance if I tried to run. Or I could be impaled by a spear. I shuddered at the idea of such an outcome.

"A sling is a child's toy tossing rocks at a warrior or hunter will only anger them." Elazar mused thoughtfully.

Kion pouted a bit after having his idea shot down and we all sat there trying to come up with another idea. 

We needed a non-lethal ranged weapon but what could possibly- my eyes widened as I came up with an idea. The flowers.

"I have an idea!" Jumping to my feet I rushed over to our supplies and grabbed some cloth and an empty container. Kion and Elazar shared a confused look as they got up. 

"El where can I find a patch of red flowers? The ones that put you to sleep!" 

His confusion turned to worry. "Why do you wish to find the zolvin flowers? That area is dangerous-"

"Just trust me I have an idea. If I can collect the pollen from those flowers I can make pellets as ammo for a slingshot, it will be a ranged weapon that I can use!"

He seemed conflicted and unconvinced by my idea. "No, we will come up with something else. I will not take you out there and let you put yourself in danger." He shook his head and turned away completely disregarding the idea.

My smile fell and I couldn't get another word in as Elazar walked away and retrieved his bag sitting near the campfire. "I must go back to the village to retrieve some supplies, we can discuss this further when I return…" he glanced back at me and kion. "Stay here and stay hidden. I will be back by nightfall."

With that he turned away and left us alone. My finger impatiently tapped my arm as I had them crossed. He didn't even try to consider the possibilities! Elazar doesn't think I can take care of myself…maybe I just need to prove him wrong.

Grabbing my things I slung my bag over my shoulder, put on the hooded cloak Elazar gave me and tied the fake tail around my waist. I then picked up the pouch full of charcoal dust that me and elazar prepared, and rubbed some over my skin to cover up while Kion watched me. "Kion, do you know where the zolvin grows?" 

The young boy perked up at my question but answered with a confused tone. "Y-yes? It's just east of here-"

"Good! Let's go!" I started walking east and kipn stammered looking between me and the camp before running over to catch up.

"Wait! Elazar told us to stay here! Where are you going!?" Kion asked panicked. "He's gonna be really upset if I disobey him and you get lost o-of worse, hurt!"

I paused to look at Kion with confidence.  "WE are going to go harvest some flowers so that WE can make the sleeping pellets I talked about and WE are going to show Elazar that we are more capable than he thinks. I need you to come with me as a back up, in case something goes wrong like me inhaling the pollen you will be there to pull me out and bring me back to safety!"

"But-"

"No buts! Elazar thinks we are incapable of being helpful, that's why he never told you about me and why he refuses to let me do anything on my own! If we show him he's wrong just imagine the possibilities!" I grabbed Kion by the shoulder as he looked at me unsure. I felt bad for practically using him like this but this needed to be done. "Are you with me or not?"

He was hesitant for a moment but his worry quickly changed to that of determination and he nodded in acceptance.

I smiled and patted his shoulder. "Great! Then let's go!" 

We continued our walk through the forest and I quickly flipped my hood over my head. If things go according to plan we will be back by the time Elazar returns. 

He may get a little upset but what's the worst that could happen?

—hours later—

Kion and I both peeked over a log to peer into the field of red. Hundreds of scarlet blooms covered the area, growing along the trees, the ground and even rocks. Their small stringy vines clung to any surface they could, practically sucking the life out of the surrounding foliage. Amidst the entanglement of flowers were various animal bones scattered across the ground, all victims of the flowers' potent pollen. 

I rubbed my legs just remembering what it felt like when those vines tried burrowing into my skin while I was unconscious. I shuddered at the memory feeling itchy all over. "Are you sure about this kora?" 

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry this won't take long we just have to wait for them to sleep."

Me and Kion arrived hours ago and have been waiting for nightfall. With how densely packed these flowers are we didn't want to risk a chain reaction of all of them spewing up pollen in the air creating a huge cloud of sleeping dust. So we decided to wait for the flowers to go to sleep and close up. There would be less chance of the whole lot of them reacting if they weren't active.

Looking towards the sky, I could make out the last dying rays of light as the sun's fell over the horizon.  As soon as darkness encompassed the area, the flower blooms all closed up, succumbing to a docile state to conserve energy. Me and kion's eyes  met and we both nodded. 

Lighting the makeshift torch we created I tied a piece of cloth over my mouth and nose to hopefully help keep myself from pollen. I'm not too sure how well it will work but it's better than nothing.

I krept towards the field and Kion stayed a short distance behind me carrying the torch to try and illuminate the path. As the light of the torch reached some of the flowers though they seemed to react as if ready to open their blooms once more. I froze on the spot signaling for kion to.stop his approach. He pulled back some, pulling the light away and the flowers closed back up.

'So they react to bright light…' I glanced at Kion and signaled for him to stay before crouching down and pulling out my container and knife. Carefully I started cutting off the blooms and stuffing them inside. I'll probably need as many as I can get to make the pellets, but as long as I don't jostle the rest of the blooms, they shouldn't react.

As I was cutting I froze thinking I heard something across the field. Looking ahead of me however I couldn't see anything past the treeline with how dark it was. The moons had not hit their peak so this was the darkest time of the night.

"Kora." I turned back to kion who looked worried as he glanced around nervously. He wanted me to finish up quickly. 

Turning back to the flowers, I cut enough blooms to fill the container then sealed it shut and put it in my bag. As I stood I heard a distinct clicking sounds echo through the trees ahead of me and froze. 

Fuck. Kion shared my panic as we backed away from the field. Looking all around us for the source of that sound.

"We need to go, now!" I whisper-shouted before turning around to face kion.

Immediately I saw the all too familiar pale figure creeping out of the treeline behind him. Moonlight shined down upon its pale body, showing off the many scars and weapons imbeded all acoss its back. As it slowly crept closer it opened its maw ready to pounce. 

Without a second to spare I grabbed Kion and pulled him out of the way just as the creature lunged forward, snapping at the air.

We landed on the ground, and Kion dropped the torch. The draven growled as it turned its face towards us showing its half broken maw and missing eye. 

"Run!" I screamed and we both scrambled back to our feet to get up and take off running. 

The discarded torch that had landed near a dried up dead bush caught the foliage on fire and the draven suddenly took a step back, looking at the flames fearfully. As they quickly grew and spread, creating a barrier between us and it.

We didn't dare to look back and ran through the trees. I could hear the creature giving chase behind us and looked back, unable to see anything through the darkness. Suddenly Kion grabbed my arm pulling me in a different direction. 

With the both of us being so small and agile we were able to duck and weave through various small spaces and fallen logs making it harder for the draven to navigate through the brush. The fire from the torch quickly spread and started burning the field behind us. Kion pulled me through a gap two dead tree's and the draven lunged at us snapping it jaws mere feet away from us. 

Startled we backed away as the dravens head became stuck between the trees. It pulled back trying to get free but it's horns kept it trapped in place as it growled and snapped at us. 

Soon enough the flames caught up and licked at the draven s legs as they consumed the dead brush around it and grew. Seemingly realizing the circumstances it was in it started thrashing and screeching wildly while clawing at the gap. 

We continued to back away while watching as the draven panicked and screeched. The burning remains of a dead tree cracked and started to collapse. The burning remained toppled over atop of the draven covering it in fire drawing an agonizing, ear-peircing screech to emanate from it as it finally broke free breaking off one of its horns in the process.

The draven staggered away from the flames and thrashed about wildly as it's backside burned. Black blood seeped down the side of its face from the broken horn as it continued to shake off the flaming debries. Forgetting all about its prey it quickly took off into the dark of the forest trying to get away from the burning fires.

Not wanting to stick around in case the creature decided to come back for us, I grabbed kions hand and we left the area to head back to camp.

–???--

Walking around the burned ashy remains of the forest. I scaned the area where the fire had burned all the dead foliage and the carnivorous flowers that grew there. 

Grabbing a burned blossom I watched as it crumbled and turned to dust in my hands. Looking to the sky there wasn't a single cloud. It hadn't rained in this area for days so this fire was far from a natural event. 

Walking around I looked for the source, but it was hard to find anything admist all the ash and debris.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something out of the ordinary. Walking over I crouched down and inspected the tracks on the ground. They didn't belong to any animal nor the xandisians. These were human.

I smiled while inspecting them and looked up seeing they led deeper into the forest. 

"Found you…"