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Revenge and Just Desserts (Part 9)-An EQ fanfic |
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Xaryan struggled, twisting and turning, trying to loosen his body from Streak's grip. The human's hands were rough against his body, squeezing tighter and tighter as he laughed. He tried to kick at his attacker, but his legs were not long enough to reach and his faced the sky, so biting was not an option. That left only one...
**ATTACK**
The night flyers that had chased off Streak's companions suddenly dove on him. Talons outstretched, they ripped into his leathers penetrating flesh. Soon his back and shoulders were covered with talon marks that bleed profusely, soaking what little clothing Streak still had on. Angrily, he through his elf captive to the ground and grabbing the burning stick again. Swinging it around, he did not care that smoldering embers landed in dry grasses and leaves. Fierce shrieks sounded out into the moonlit night, proclaiming victory as the birds flew off. The wolves waited, all in a ring, around the fight; jaws were snapping and teeth were bared as Streak stumbled towards them. Then a large shape lumbered from his waiting spot. A black bear, blending so beautifully with the darkness, rose up on his hind legs and gave a furious bellow of challenge. Xaryan turned just in time to see sharp yellow teeth glinting in the light as a large paw swiped the five-finger one across the chest and into the campfire.
Streak screamed as he fell, managing to turn himself as he fell so as not to land completely in the flames. His clothes caught fire and the flesh of his arm began to burn before he rolled away. Not satisfied with this, Xaryan called out to the bear. "Knock him into the flames! Let his flesh burn!"
The bear obeyed orders, butting Streak back into the flames with his massive head. The wolves and felines closed in to prevent escape, while the bear sat down on his rump. Tired and sore, Xaryan got up and walked over to the bear. He watched as the human screeched as his flesh began to sizzle, finally taking comfort that Ayala's death had been avenged. **You did good, o giant of the forest. Now go and remember none of this. The rest of you are free to go as well. I can finish the rest on my own. **
Xaryan patted the bear on the leg before backing up slowly. He had tweaked the bear's memory a little bit and was sure that the massive creature was now confused with the smell of blood, fire, and burnt flesh. Looking about with small beady eyes, the bear gave a confused grunt, and then trudged back into the woods. In the morning he would not remember a thing. The other turned and walked solemnly away, not once looking back at what they had participated in. They were beasts of nature, and their mindset was simple enough. Live in the now, and this now was over.
~Somewhere in the forest~
Felladin sniffed the air. His nose was one of the keenest in the Holt's and there was a faint hint of something on the breeze. Lonebow looked at him quizzically and sniffed as well. It was getting stronger now as the group continued to move. Very unpleasant, like meat left too long over the spit; it was the smell of...
"Flesh...burning! It is all that is on the wind," Felladin called out.
Just then the missing tribe wolves raced towards them, happy to see their elves once again. Tongues licked happily and lupine eyes danced with joy. Each pair tumbled for a second, enjoying the reunion. All but one...Leaf sprung off Spear's mount and looked around. "Where is Mountain? And where is Xaryan?"
Trouble walked over to Leaf and looked her in the eyes. It was hard for wolves to communicate elves other than their own, but Leaf and Maker were so close that Trouble felt much love for her. He wrinkled up his nose as he sent. **Leaf-friend attack no-fur. Much others there, keep eye on friend. Not far, want show?**
Leaf nodded eagerly. Climbing onto Trouble, she raised her arm and sent to her tribe-mates. **Follow Trouble.**
~At the campfire~
Xaryan grabbed his dagger from the dirt and walked slowly over to Streak. He had given the human the chance to get out of the fire and extinguish the flames. Streak's clothing was almost gone and his hair had burned down close to the scalp. His wounds were oozing blood and skin cracked from the fire, he still managed to get up to his knees. In doing so, he placed himself almost eye level with his elven enemy. Slowly, the vengeful elf circled him, watching for any clever last move. But there was only pain and agony on the human's face. Ghostcaller came up from behind and pushed Streak down, causing him to land at Xaryan's feet.
<Human, you are bleeding and burnt. Your tribe has left you and no are coming back for you. Give up and I might spare your life.>
Though badly burned and bleeding, Streak still had his pride. His mouth was burned and the flesh starting to peel, but he managed to get his head up and spit at Xaryan's feet. Chucks of charred flesh dropped to the ground when he did this, but in his eyes it was worth it bit of pain. Xaryan kicked his head to the ground in anger. This was something new to the elf, for never had he intentionally harmed another. Part of him was appalled, but part of him wanted more.
<I know it was you who killed by beautiful Ayala. And you admitted that it was you who troubled my friends and loved ones. I think tonight, I will do all a favor and put you out of your misery!>
He shouted this as he stabbed the stone blade right between Streak's shoulder blades. Blood splattered upwards, staining the elf's hands and arms. The blade stuck only for a moment, before being pulled out. The bone handle was now red and gleamed in the light of the fire. Again, this time with such hatred and fury that he was blinded by red, Xaryan stabbed down. Streak rolled over just as the blade came down; it caught him in his stomach. Blood squirted everywhere this time, soaking into Xaryan's clothing and seeping into the ground.
Years and years later, any which came into the clearing would suddenly go cold. Their skin would get bumps and chills would run up their spines. They would say how one could feel the anger and malice where in the air as they hurried to escape past.
The human lay gasping as his life's essence streamed out of him. Xaryan tried to recover his knife, but the blade lay buried within Streak's flesh, refusing to let itself be freed. Streak's eyes began to roll back in his head as he felt his spirit start to leave his body. With the last of his strength, he grabbed Xaryan's arm and pulled him down so the two were face to face.
<You...> and with that he gasped and fell back to the cold forest floor.
Xaryan jerked his arm away and backed up. His thirst for revenge had been quickly quenched and now a new feeling was replacing it. He felt the shock and awe of taking another's life slowly enter his system. Unable to look down at his victim, Xaryan turned away and walked to the bushes. Ghostcaller and Deception came up next to him, pressing their bodies on either of his sides. Silently, the bloodied elf dropped to the ground and began to vomit violently. Mountain, seeing that his pack was no longer in danger, left them to return to his own elf friend.
 Naree · Mon May 09, 2005 @ 06:20am · 0 Comments |
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