Eight
It was hard to stay asleep for the entire night. I’m not used to night time being eighteen to twenty hours long. I’m used to only getting eight hours of sleep unless I can’t sleep. I kept waking up, and staying awake for a few hours before making myself fall asleep. I don’t know how this world could sleep for so long, but I guess if you’re used to it I guess it makes sense. I wonder if I’ll get used to it or if I’ll forever be stuck on my world’s hours. I just lay as I waited for Necra to wake up. I kept thinking about that dream I had, and how weird it was. How I felt like I was drowning, then someone was saving me. Then Necra and I were standing in front of an entrance to somewhere made out of a giant tree. Was that Destiny’s lair?
I shook my head as that’s crazy. It was just a dream, and I only had it because we’ve been talking about it. I’m sure it’s in a building of some sort or maybe in a cave. Who knows. The drowning part of the dream, was probably just from everything that’s happened so far. I let out a sigh as I glanced over at Necra who’s still sleeping. I know I should still be sleeping, but it’s hard when I can’t stay asleep. I stood up stretching, as I decided to take a small walk. I’m not gonna go far, as I don’t want to get lost or run into anyone or anything. I’m just hoping a small walk will tire me out a bit so I can sleep a little longer.
I walk around as I stare up at the stars, and I do admit they are much beautiful here than my world. I stop as I heard what sounded like a waterfall nearby, and I always wanted to go see one in real life. I walk towards the noise as when the waterfall came into view I was amazed. I had to be careful not to get too close as I didn’t want to fall in. But, the view was gorgeous. I wonder if the waterfalls in my world were this beautiful, or if these are special because they belong in a magical world. The moon shinning off the water, made it feel almost magical, romantic even. It’s too bad I’m here alone, and have no idea what my life will bring me.
An arrow suddenly shot over my head and right into a tree. I jumped as I spun around, but I lost my footing. I screamed as I fell over the edge and over the waterfall. I saw a shadowy figure come running over to the edge, as they leaned over like they were trying to catch me. I didn’t have time to comprehend anything as I hit the water, and soon it consumed me as I went under. The current pulled me, and I had a hard time breathing as I couldn’t get back up to the surface. I started to feel lightheaded as my chest tighten with lack of oxygen. When my vision started to blur I saw someone reaching towards me, before quickly pulling me out of the water. They lean me against a tree as I coughed up water, feeling the pressure against my chest loosen. I took a couple breaths before looking over, expecting it to be Necra but it was someone else. I jumped away from him afraid, as he quickly stood up putting his hands up in surrender.
“Whoa, take it easy there girl.”
“Wh-who are you? What happened?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I shot my arrow at you, thinking you might’ve been a vampire or a demon. Or one of the night creatures. I didn’t realize you were human.”
“Y-you shot at me?”
I then notice his bow and arrows hanging on his back. I also notice his pointed ears, and his bright emerald green eyes. I noticed he seems to be a bit shorter than Necra. I might not know much about magical creatures, but I’m highly certain this one is an elf or something. They are creatures of nature right, or something like that?
“I’m terribly sorry. Will you forgive me?”
“I guess, since you saved me from drowning.”
I stop as I realize my dream came true. Of course I didn’t see an elf shooting at me, and then me falling over an edge of a waterfall. But, the drowning part and being saved I saw and it happened. Is that just coincidence? It must be, it has to be. I went to say something, but then Necra jumps down from wherever he was and growls at the elf as he stands in front of me. I stood there shock, as I never actually seen him protecting me from something before. Of course I don’t need saving, at least I don’t think I do. The elf though quickly drawn his bow as he aimed it at Necra, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I ran around Necra as I stood in between them with my arms outstretched, trying to stop them.
“Don’t fight! Please?”
“You’re with this demon?”
“He’s my friend. He’s helping me get to Destiny’s lair.”
“A demon is a humans friend? That’s a new one. Why are you heading towards Destiny’s lair?”
The elf lowered his bow as he stares at me, but glances at Necra every now and then. I explained my situation with him from the start, and he listen quietly. I explained to him how I got here, and everything that’s happened since. When I finished my story, he puts his bow and arrow away before letting out a long sigh.
“That’s a lot for someone to have to handle. I’m sorry to have made your life here worse.”
“You saved me. So it’s in the past now, but don’t do it again?”
I say awkwardly as he just nods and gives me a smile. I saw Necra folds his arms over his chest in annoyance. I turn towards him and thanked him for coming to save me, and he just stares at me in shock. I give him a small smile as he quickly looks away muttering it was no big deal.
“So, you two mind if I tag along?”
“Uh sure.”
“No.”
Necra and I say it at the same time. We looked at each other and I gave him a weird look as he glares at me. He tells me that he’s not coming with us, and this time I tell him to stop being a baby.
“We aren’t bringing an elf with us, Kiera.”
“Oh? But it’s okay for her to be in the company of a demon?”
“Listen you stupid elf! I was here in the beginning, and we don’t need anyone else.”
“The beginning? Since yesterday?”
“Shut up you stupid elf!”
“Guys! Come on, can’t we all just get along? We aren’t gonna hurt each other, just traveling together. Can’t we just be nice and work together?”
“Not with an elf.”
“Not with a demon.”
“Come on. You guys aren’t that different you know.”
“What!”
They both yell at the same time, and I just calmly explain it to them. That they are both from Faelania, both want to help me, both have some good intentions and that they both have magic within themselves. A little or a lot it doesn’t matter, it’s still magic.
“Even if that’s true, that doesn’t make us the same girl. He’s a demon. They’re made to be evil.”
“Is that what you and everyone else know? Or is that just what you and everyone else want to believe?”
“Well it’s just how it’s always been.”
“It’s how you were taught, basically. You didn’t give them a chance. There’s a saying back in my world. If you treat someone like they are the villain, then eventually they are gonna start acting like one. Think about that.”
He did, and once he realizes that maybe I was right he apologized to Necra who seems surprised. I saw him awkwardly switching his weight to one side, as he doesn’t know how to take all of this. I felt almost proud of myself, getting them both to at least tolerate each other. I then let out a yawn as after all of that I’m now tired. Go figures. Necra suggests getting away from here a bit, and find a good spot to rest. We followed him as we left the scene where I almost drowned. Well, the view was nice before I got a little too close than I wanted. This journey definitely will be more interesting with an elf joining us. Considering I have a feeling there will be lots of arguments between him and Necra.
When we got a good distance away, and found a good clearing. I found a tree that I leaned against trying to figure out what morning will bring us. The elf collected some wood to make a campfire. I’m honestly grateful because it’s been very cold out here. When he started it up I felt the warmth from the fire, and I felt somewhat content.
“Where are my manners. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Renajan. What are yours?”
“I’m Kiera.”
“Necra.”
“So, you said that Destiny brought you here because you have to find your bound mate. Is he yours?”
My eyes widen as I look over at Necra whose eyes are also widen. I don’t even know how you can tell if someone is your bound mate. So if he is, wouldn’t he tell me? Then again, probably not. But what does it mean to have one? Is it literally like a soulmate? If so, that would mean we are supposed to be in love but I feel nothing for him. Just friendship.
“No. She isn’t my bound mate.”
Necra growls at that statement, and it made me flinch a bit.
“Calm down. I wasn’t asking because of what everyone says. I was just genuinely curious.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you said, we all have treated demons badly before actually getting to know them. There’s also been a rumor going around for as long as I’ve been around. That demons don’t get bound mates, and that they don’t have hearts.”
“That’s dumb.”
“It’s just how things been around here in Faelania.”
“Well, it’s a dumb way how you guys been doing things.”
“We don’t make up laws. It’s the kings who tells us what to do.”
“So, the kings tell you to give an entire species the cold shoulder?”
“Yeah, and that they had no heart or even a soul.”
“Okay enough! Can we stop talking about my species! Let’s just go to sleep.”
I watch as Necra walked away from us and lay down further away. I felt bad, he must had such a hard time growing up, knowing nobody liked him just because a king said so. No wonder these demons are out doing evil. That’s what they were always told they will do in the end anyways. That’s just messed up, and nobody deserves to be treated that way. I don’t know how to help him, but I guess being his friend is at least a start.