Rise of The Fallen

–many months later–

–kora– 

Opening my eyes to see the bright blue sky and treetops high above as I walked always gave me some sense of calm. Smiling, I watched the trees sway with the blowing of the wind.

“Kora” Elazar called out from behind and I looked back as caught up to me with the larger bags he was carrying. “We are in another tribe's territory, you must cover up.”

I gave him a pouty look and pulled my hood over my head while rolling my eyes. “It's not like we are deep in their territory, the chances of running into one of them is slim.”

Elazar shook his head with a sigh before running his hand through his hair, between his horns that were newly healed. “We still must stay cautious.” 

“Fine” I huffed before grabbing the mask hanging from my bag and putting it on. Elazar then started walking ahead of me. As he went I could see he was still as careful as ever, looking around at all of his surroundings and keeping his hand on his knife.

On instinct my hand moved to my belt to grab the hilt of the blade I was carrying. 

Kion's blade.

–flashback to 3 days after the fight–

As I was busy packing up supplies from the food we collected I couldn't help but glance over at Elazar who was quietly sitting under a tree with his head down and eyes closed. 

We've not spoken a word since what happened and he's been completely out of it. He's hardly eaten anything and doesn't really reply when I try talking to him. 

I turn my gaze away looking at the fruit in my hand. The shame and guilt I felt must be ten times worse for him…

Taking a deep breath I tied the bag closed and stood up to go add wood to the fire only to get startled by the sound of a branch snapping nearby. 

Immediately adrenaline started pumping through my blood as I ran over to Elazar and grabbed his spear, holding it up. He was more alert now as well but too injured to really move.

As the sound of something approaching got closer I could see a tall figure approaching. I gripped the spear tighter, aiming the head towards the xandisian as they approached. Realizing the same thing as I, Elazar stood up, using the tree for support. 

Out of the treeline stepped out none other than roku. He stopped as soon as he saw our defensive postures. “Just leave us alone! We are leaving the area now!” I shouted at him in xandisian as he stood there conflicted. 

We hadn't had the chance to leave their territory yet because of Elazars injuries, not to mention gathering the supplies necessary for travel. I was afraid the tribe might come looking for us and attempt to chase us out of their area if they found us lingering.

Roku didn't move to attack or seem to get angry seeing us, he seemed conflicted,  looking at us. After a long pause he eventually did speak. “I am not here to fight or drive you out.”

I didn't lower my spear and continued to stay on guard but Elazar moved to grab my shoulder before stepping forward, holding his injured side. “Then why are you here roku?.”

The two stared at each other for a long moment and I lowered the spear watching them both. 

“I am here because I wish to repent. Although no apology would be great enough for what I have done… what any of us have done.” He reached into his satchel pulling out a bundle of cloth and we both watched cautious of the man before us. 

As he held out the bundle and unwrapped it, it was revealed to be a blade without a handle. One much smaller than any of their knives.

“Kion?” Elazar breathed before stepping forward. As he staggered I rushed forward to help support him and Roku moved closer holding out the blade. 

“It's traditional for the blade of one who has passed on, to be given to the next of kin or family but seeing that he had no true blood kin…”

“We are the closest thing.” Elazar finished while staring at the blade solemnly.

After a moment he did his best to straighten himself and hold his hands out to accept it. Roku gently placed the knife in his hands and backed away and looked towards me.

“Although his body is gone, may his blade still ever protect you.” 

Rokus words caught me a bit off guard as he bowed and turned away to leave. 

“Roku!” El called out, making the man stop in his tracks and glance back. “Thank you.”

He was silent as he pulled his gaze away and lowered his head in shame. “I deserve no thanks… farewell brother.”

With that, Roku disappeared into the forest.

--End flashback–

Taking a deep breath I took my hand off the knife and ran to catch up with Elazar. “Hold up! Didn't you say there was a river nearby?”

He gave me a questioning glance with one brow arched before looking to the east. “Yes, I believe it is over there. But why do you wish to know-”

“Bet you can't catch me before I get there!” I rushed towards the direction he noted, jumping over rocks and through bushes. 

“Kora wait!” El shouted after me before giving chase. 

I laughed and continued running towards the treeline where the river banks lay just beyond. But before I could break through, I was tackled to the ground and shielded by very familiar strong arms. 

Once we came to a complete stop Elazar released me and sat upright looking at me like I was crazy. “You cannot go running off to play in the river! What if someone sees you!” 

I sulked and turned my gaze away defiantly. “I just wanted to bathe-”

“Kora you know rivers are more frequented by wild animals and people! It's too dangerous!” Groaning I pushed elazar off me to sit upright. 

“You're so strict sometimes.”

“and you are too reckless.” 

We both glared at each other for a long moment before grabbing one another and kissing. As I grabbed Elazar's horns he grabbed my hips pulling me closer. 

After a long heated kiss we finally broke apart for some air and I gasped panting. “at least you're a good kisser.” I teased before smiling at him.

“I'm good at more than just kissing–” He whispered while leaning in once again.

The sound of a feminine voice startled us both and we immediately shot upright looking towards the river. Peering through the bushes we saw a dragon-like creature standing in the river. A xian I think it was called?

As the creature stood there, seeming anything but happy it suddenly decided to shake itself like a dog to remove the water from its feathers then took off running into the forest, revealing a person who had been standing beside it in the river.

My eyes widened in shock as I saw pale skin and long white hair. That person was human, but on top of that it was another woman. 

“Nezu!” she shouted after the creature after being left alone, standing in the river, naked. 

“A female?” Elazar muttered confused and immediately I slapped my hand over his eyes to keep him from looking at the naked girl. 

This seemed to irritate him slightly as he pulled my hand away and glared at me. I glared back at him before mouthing the word ‘privacy’ at him then looked back at the girl.

She huffed before returning her attention to the river and bathing herself. El also looked but he was less intrigued by her appearance and more worried.

“How do you think she managed to tame that xian?”

“I am not sure…We should go–” he whispered quietly. 

“What?” I looked back at him confused as he glanced around at our surroundings. 

“We are in unknown territory, there could be others of my kind around, that female calling out might draw them here, we need to leave.”

“But that means she's in danger too! We can't just leave her!”  I looked to the girl who was still washing off in the river, completely exposed out in the open, like a shining beacon. “She's completely oblivious to the danger! And who knows if that xian will even come back!”

Elazar ran his hand over his face in frustration. “It's dangerous! She may panic like you did with our first meeting!”

I stared at the girl intently seeing how small defenseless she was. If even a single hunter saw her and decided she was a threat. They'd kill her. 

“Then we take her with us. You grab her ill grab her clothes. We pull her out of sight and use the sleeping powder on her so she doesn't kick up a fuss and make too much noise. Then we get the hell out of dodge and we introduce ourselves when she wakes, far from earshot of any wandering hunters.

“That is too dangerous kora!” 

“I'm not leaving her! Look at her she wouldn't make it 5 seconds if someone caught her! I have to do something. Are you going to help me or not?

We stared each other down, neither of us wanting to give in to the other.

After a long tense moment Elazar cursed under his breath and stood up. 

“Fine. But at the first sign of danger you run.” he caved.

I smiled at him before standing up and patting his head. 

“You know that'll never happen... “

(Note: Whoopi full circle! Man that was wild, honestly this is probably my favorite story that I've written so far! I absolutely loved koras character and energy, and elazar! They fit so well together~ I'm still just as devastated about kion as you all are 😔 he deserved so much more, but I couldn't just let him suddenly go with them when he has 0 presence in LTF and there's no way any of them would have left him behind.

Elazars origin story was always a tragic one, even since I first introduced them in LTF. He had a hard time believing that a tribe would allow a human to live with them after his past experiences. And everything that happened between these two formed the bond that they have in LTF so these things, this pain, was necessary. Idk whether this should be considered a happy or sad ending, (probably both) but I will say it's the first time I've actually killed off a character that wasn't a villain so it hurt 😭 rip little kion. I'm so sorry 😭

That being said I hope you all will  join me in the next story. You all gotta meet kora and alitas babies still. And find out how alita managed to come back. 🥰 thank you all for the love and please don't forget to comment or review! I'm gonna start doing some heavy edits so you can all look forward to those updates as well for LTF and RotF! And the new art commission I'll be getting for az&alita 😉I think I wanna get one done for all 3 boys as well because how can you not want to see nanku/xeith and our dear baby, kion.

For those of you who are interested, ill be doing a free read event for LTF on 12/14/23 for 3-5 days so don't Miss out!

Love you all!~