Hope

Judgement

   'Mate' is a powerful word for this human, but unfortunately, it was what came out of my mouth.  It's not...that I loved my little human--No! I just merely...admired his durability. Anything thrown at my little human has proved to be nothing more than a test of his survival. A test which he has succeeded in passing, time and time again. Like the fall of the Last City, I observed him as he shot his way through with that Guardian and somehow made it out...So I planned my troops and managed to catch him--Though I didn't want him right away, I got him. The more I looked at him, the more I felt--estranged. 

Humans, never did I think they would be worth anything. Never before did I think they'd be useful. Helpful. Or anything. But here I am becoming smitten with one of them. But what makes this one different? What makes me unable to pull the trigger on this buffoon? I sighed and felt my data pad buzz for my attention. "Not now." my voice command triggered and it stopped. I looked towards the human, somewhat glad we were alone. I walked over and sat next to him, wishing I had more to give him so he could have a proper meal.

The more I looked at him, the more I felt like he needed me. He was so...weak. He was so small especially compared to a Cabal, or even an Eliksni like me, now that I thought about it. Though his durability and survivability to the most extreme of situations were commendable, even respectable, I didn't want him to meet a match he couldn't succeed in. I enjoyed this human; I wanted him safe--I needed him safe...Not out of love--But out of fear I would lose such a formidable...I had no idea what to call this human. I didn't wish to say, Adversary. Nor, Friend...Neither of those words would ever fit...I suppose I would have to think about this. 

      For now, I reached my arms around his body, I practically dwarfed him, but it wasn't like he was an ant or anything. He stared up at me with those big eyes I could look into for -days- on end and still be entranced. I leaned my head in slowly and cupped his face. This moment in time, this was it. I was finally going to do it. Was I going to...kiss him? ...Servitor's grace I just got done saying I don't love him and here I am doing this!

          Another set of buzzing interrupted my actions. I froze dead on the spot, and quickly let go of my mate, before my anger got the better of me, checking the data-pad I held It and growled loudly as I angrily typed in the password, almost punching a hole straight through. A message was stating I was urgently needed to discuss something back in the cave me and my soldiers dwelled. I hissed and turned left and right looking for something to take my anger out on.

      I tossed the Data Pad and watched it clatter against the tree-line, looking over my shoulder at him. He looked up quizzically but said nothing. His soft eyes and messy hair were adorable. Like a freshly born fawn trying to find his legs in a world that doesn't make a lot of sense...My heart melted, and I smiled under my helmet...Ugh! This lack of Ether was making me crazy...That was it! I walked over to him and...gently set my hand on his head and ruffled his hair.   "I'm going back to my cave." He looked at me confused, and I knew that he didn't understand me. I handed him my knife and nodded, maybe our very very -very- short training session could keep him alive until I returned...I dared not bring him back a second time. I looked off and saw the second pair of eyes watching me...I knew those eyes. I ignored them for now and chose to deal with it later. He was here for me, not my little human. 

    I looked down at my little human and knelt somewhat, to let my head rest on his for a moment. My helmet was resting gently on his soft skin. I stood up after a moment and walked off towards my cave. I hated leaving him alone. Anything could happen while I was gone and I'd be the one to blame for his death. Those same eyes followed me as I walked. Soon the trees looked familiar, and I was finding myself back at the mouth of the cave as the earth's cool wind brushed by me. I walked in and immediately felt the tension.

  My whole band of Eliksin warriors was glaring me down, weapons out and ready. I hissed and swung at any that got too close. Annoyed I approached into the clearing area of the cave. Commander Wortrok was there. He stepped forward wielding a spear and hissed at me. "Captain Asilvar..." he began slowly. His armor was regal, with fur inside like mine to keep warm. I hissed and cracked my neck as I stared at him...This man was my enemy, and this was the first time I've seen him in person.

"Finally get yourself out of the city ruins, scum?" I asked tilting my head at him.

He growled and stepped forward. "You are a failure to our people...for what we wished to achieve." 

    I crossed my arms, and let the other two fall limp at my side. "Captain Wortrok...what do you want?" I quietly asked. He motioned forth a Servitor, it floated over and looked me up and down, then began to suck the ether from my body! I was angry; I was in pain. The sheer amount of physical strain on my body was causing me to double over and growl like a beast. I felt my size slowly begin to shrink. I coughed and sputtered, looking up to Wortrok as he kicked me in the face, sending my sprawling back...I felt so small now. I raised my arms and saw how thing they were so thin now. I tried to sit up-but Wortrok slammed his foot down onto me.

    "For the crime of giving mercy to the enemy. And fraternizing with the enemy...I demote you." he knelt to me and squinted. "As if you'll survive without your ether." I could feel his grin under my helmet. What was happening? Why did he come from the city to my cave? Why this? ...why this? Wortrok picked me up by the head and dragged out from the cave, my warriors, hissing and spitting at me. Kicking punching my already weak body...it was all going by in a blur, and I was to bear witness to the pain and hatred that was being dispensed. Wortrok reeled his arm back, and with a growl, hurled my bruised body out of the cave and into the forest.

        I flew through the air; my journey was short as I landed into the bush. I lay there, bloody and beaten. I was a captain, now no more than a mere vandal bleeding out. I growled and coughed blood into my helmet and took a breath. I was out of ether, but I was out of options...I wasn't - entirely- out of ether yet. I pulled hit a button, and let my suit slowly feed me my nourishment. It was a fifty/fifty chance that I was going to die. My armor's ether supply was minimum at best, but It was a chance as I slowly began to fade to black...It was a chance that maybe I could get out of this alive. I heard soft steps and someone's warm hand touching me. As I fell asleep, I listened to the sweetest thing.



"A-Az? ...Az what happened to you...Don't worry--I'm sure Rester's Ghost can help!"