Land of Taria: The Awakening

Chapter 7

"Most leaders don't leave their group to handle an enemy on their own, ya know?" The Drinoan faces Jason, who stands in the clearing. "I can tell you're skilled. You didn't even make a noise when you approached me. Consider me impressed."
"Normally I'd appreciate the compliment, but I'm a little focused on how my friends were all taken down by you." Jason looks at the Drinoan and studies her.
"Let's just simplify it down to the difference in skill. What do you want?"
"Well you have two options. Either I turn you in and you are put in trial in Cortulnse or you join me and my group."
The Drinoan stands there for a moment and begins to chuckle. She laughs for a moment before looking back at Jason.
"You're being serious? That's adorable. But I'm not looking for any friends right now." The Drinoan grabs her daggers and gets in her fighting stance. Jason looks at her. He studies her posture and how she is holding the daggers.
"I only remember giving you two choices." Jason smirks. The Drinoan growls and lunges forward, slashing at Jason. Jason backs away and proceeds to dodge each of her attacks. She throws one of her daggers at him and he grabs it, but he doesn't notice the chain wrapped around the knife. She pulls on the chain and brings Jason toward her, kicking him in the stomach, but Jason grabs her foot and flips her over. She lands on the ground, looking up at the white cloaked man, who doesn't seem to have even broken a sweat. She jumps back up and grabs her bow, shooting multiple arrows at him. Jason spins his body, weaving through and around the flurry of projectiles. He lands on the ground and pauses, staring at the Drinoan.
"I'm offended. You used dull arrows against my comrades, but you shoot sharp ones at me."
"I don't give a shit about your hurt feelings." She tosses her bow on the ground and runs up to Jason, throwing a punch. Jason grabs her first, stopping her in her tracks. She throws another punch with her other arm, but Jason stops it. She goes to headbutt him but Jason slams his knee into her groan. He then throws a punch, landing it right on her jaw. She stumbles back and grabs her stomach, spitting on the ground. She wipes her mouth and notices the blood coming from her lip.
"What the hell are you?" She looks at him.
Jason stands there for a moment, towering over her.
"Death."
In a flash, Jason unsheathes his sword and swings it at the Drinoan. She grabs her daggers and deflects it. The Drinoan begins backing up as Jason continues to bring his sword down on her. She begins growing tired and her movements become sluggish. She jumps back and tries to catch her breath, but Jason relentlessly grabs her and pins her on the ground. He goes to strike her sword down and plunge his sword down into her chest, but she raises her hands.
"Stop!" She yells and Jason freezes. They look at each other and Jason puts his sword back in the hilt. He walks around her and extends his hand.
"I think I'm gonna lay here for a moment." The Drinoan breathes heavily and after a moment, she begins to find the wind that was knocked out of her lungs. She takes a few deep breaths and sits up, grabbing Jason's hand. Jason pulls the Drinoan to her feet, and they stand there. They glare into each other's eyes, not letting go of the other's hand. They stand there for a moment before Jason releases her hand and grabs her bow. He hands it to her and she swings it over her shoulder.
"T-thanks." She hesitantly says. She sheaths her daggers and walks over to the fire, sitting next to it. Jason walks over to Ty'Vander and begins cutting him lose.
"So what is a group like you doing with Cortulnse?" The Drinoan asks.
"I'm just a friend of the Mayor." Jason states, picking up Ty'Vander and places him by the fire. He does the same to Doruntus, Matías, and Autumn. He sits next to the Drinoan by the fire.
"Have you made your decision?" Jason asks. The Drinoan looks at Jason, before turning her attention back to the fire.
"Why are you being so casual with me?" She asks. Jason stares at the blaze for a brief moment before taking a deep breath.
"In my years, I know what a defeated enemy looks like. You lost the fight and you're tired. You aren't a killer. You pose no threat to me." Jason states, poking the fire with a stick.
"What if I choose to go on trial?" The Drinoan briefly looks at Jason.
"Then you're going to be put in prison."
"What if I go with you?"
Jason looks at her for a moment.
"I can't guarantee your safety, but I can guarantee you'll find a home."
The Drinoan snickers. "I've destroyed every home I've had."
"I know." Jason states, receiving a weird glance from the Drinoan.
"What do you mean?" She asks. Jason pauses for a moment before looking at her.
"We're not that different. You'll realize it yourself later."
"And you're telling a complete stranger this why?"
"Because I want you to feel welcomed and not feel as if you're alone. I know someone who has suffered when I see them." He says, looking down at the blaze. The orange and yellow flames reflect off of his eyes and the Drinoan looks at him for a moment, wondering what he has gone through.
"What's your name?" Jason says after a while of silence.
"What?" She asks, a little surprised by the question.
"Your name? You've got a name, don't you?" Jason chuckles and looks at her. She ponders for a moment before opening her mouth.
"Luna. My name is Luna Milnervosa"