One on the Dark Path Finds Light

Chapter 3, The Elf Feels Betrayed by Many

"I'm going to kill you!" Ephraim shouted, brandishing his sword. "How dare you send Niopina to attack that town?!"

Haerimnyr grinned. "Don't get cocky now, Ephraim. Remember who your master is before you start pointing swords at people."

Glenn watched this play out with shock, confusion, and hurt swarming his heart and making him want to cry. But he bit back his tongue and listened to the conversation.

Ephraim looked down and made an aggravated noise. Something like a mix between a grunt and a growl. He clearly wasn't happy with Haerimnyr. Glenn heard him mutter, "You shouldn't get cocky, or I'll chop your tongue out, asshole."

Haerimnyr's grin became a frown. "I heard that. I could easily kill you, small fry."

Ephraim's movements were quick and flashy as he pressed Haerimnyr against the wall with the blade of his sword. "Oh, is that true? How come I've got caught like this then?"

Haerimnyr glanced at Onyx. It was clearly a plead for help without using words. Onyx understood and tried to bind Ephraim. But Ephraim whipped around and pushed the tip of his blade to Onyx's sternum. Onyx held his hands up and looked at Haerimnyr.

"Nyrim, don't. He's really mad right now. Just don't touch him," Onyx said.

Ephraim grinned and glanced back at Haerimnyr. "What an adorable pet name. Truely does fit an animal like you, My Lord."

Wow, even when Ephraim is this mad, he still has such good manners! Glenn praised silently. But he couldn't bear the thought that Ephraim was working with them. That he knew right away it was them who sent that army of Niopina.

Ephraim's grin became a sickly-sweet smile. "Now, excuse your humble servant. He must go kill something so that he doesn't have such despicable blood on his hands." Then he turned to the door.

Glenn quickly and quietly closed it and fled the area. He was teleported back to the snow-covered forest. Nothing felt the same anymore. Too suffocating and drowning. He felt so. . .betrayed and hurt. Like he could never trust anyone again. He had trusted his brother, only to find out that he was evil. And he had trusted Ephraim, only to find out he worked for that very same evil.

He decided to check in on Akia and his mother to make sure they were doing good. He traced the exact path he always had and ended up in front of his home. It looked the same, pretty much, except for the fact that there were now decorations hanging from the windowsills and door. 

He knocked on the door multiple times, but still no one answered. He figured his mother and Akia were out for the day and had locked the door. But when he turned the handle, it was unlocked. . .

Suddenly, something jumped at him. He blocked quickly and felt a dagger sink into his side. It stung and he dropped his bow. He clutched the wound and collapsed to his knees. Tears formed in his eyes and began to fall. He could feel warm, sticky blood seep out of the wound onto his hands. He groaned and his vision went blurry. Noises became distorted and he fell onto his side, the blood staining the snow deep red.

The last thing Glenn saw before he passed out was the other person's face, which was a blurred mess.

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When Glenn woke up, he was laying. A strange smell like weeds wafted through the air, making it hard to breath, and he could hear footsteps around him. When he opened his eyes, he saw a tent full of medicine bottles and herbs. He saw a person. A person dressed in a white coat.

Suddenly, a pain like no other flared in his side. He tried to sit up, but that made his entire abdomen hurt. He could still hear footsteps, but he had closed his eyes, so he couldn't see the person anymore.