Chapter 36: Confrontation

Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice but falling in love with you was beyond my control.

- 2nd Lieutenant Mira, 203rd Cadian Shock Troops Imperial Guard Regiment

The boulder was wracked by explosions and the sound of firearms ricocheting on it. She could still hear the muffled cries of the orks from the other side of the door. Then all went silent. She and Rodemman waited as they stared at the stone door with him holding his utility knife. But Uelesh greatly doubted that it would be of use against an ork especially one that has the blessing of infernal powers.

"I think they...gave up." Rodemman mumbled out but the eldar wasn't so sure about that.

Her suspicions were confirmed when a larger explosion shook the cave that they were on causing debris to fall from the ceiling.

"I spoke too soon."

"We have to move." She said as the orks continued their efforts in breaking the sturdy boulder.

The two sped into the dark and narrow passageway as the ork's firepower continued its assault. Uelesh, with her enhanced eyesight was able to navigate through the path. But behind her, she could hear the occasional cursing and pained groans as Rodemman blindly followed her. Soon enough after several minutes of running, the sounds faded into silence as they found themselves in a forked road. Their panting was deafening under the blanket of silence adding to the feeling that they were alone.

"I...I think we...lost them." Rodemman said between his ragged breathing.

"Yes, but we seem to have reached the point where we have to choose."

Examining the three pathways that faced her, Uelesh narrowed her eyes in an attempt to see anything beyond the arches. Needless to say, she failed to see more than what she could already see as the shadows hindered her greatly. Nonetheless, all three felt ominous. Contemplative muteness gripped her, she remained at such state until something bumped onto her. Swiftly spinning around, she took hold of whatever that had collided with her and found herself staring at a pair of terrified eyes.

"W-wait! Uelesh, it's just me!" Dropping her hold on his wrist, she scowled at Rodemman.

"You of all people know to never surprise me! I could've killed you!" She screamed as her insides started to bubble up in a sudden rage.

"So-sorry. It's just that I can't see much in here and you were sile-"

Uelesh growled making him stop in midsentence. She could see his widened eyes and opened mouth given that their proximity to each other. She balled her fists until the point that her knuckles would've turned white. For the past few hours, she had fought orks and an abomination of a wolf, felt and spoke to the presence of the Great Mother, fell through a chasm and into freezing water and narrowly escaped a group of orks. Those feats alone were enough to temporarily ignore her emotions as the need to survive became more important. But now that they were out of harm's way despite being inside an unknown tunnel complex, she was free to express her mind.

"Sorry? Sorry!? That's all you can say!? I almost drove my hand through you!" She yelled at him not caring whether her voice would attract some Isha forsaken creature.

"How can you act so nonchalant when but a few hours ago you nearly died!? No, you did die! Your pulse was so weak and body so cold that you were practically nothing more but a corpse!"

Rodemman simply stood in front of her, quiet and unmoving. Her eyes felt damp as she closed the gap between them and held onto the collar of the remains of his flak armor.

"Do you know how helpless I was!? Of how hopeless and useless I felt while watching you slowly slip away in my arms!?"

She had lost enough, first was her brother, her comrades and her most trusted friend then her caravan. She had always thought that her war mask would aid her in forgetting the deaths of her former allies during her years as a warrior. But she knew that the ache and memories lingered at the back of her mind. Those hidden emotions clawed back up from the recesses of her mind as Rodemman's body lay limp in her arms. If it weren't for Isha, she would've suffered another loss. She knew that she had sworn to herself that she would make her feelings known and that includes both her love for him and anger at his carelessness.

"I would have lost you if it Isha hadn't intervened for fraks sake!" Uelesh's voice cracked as she continued to hold him.

The guardsman said nothing. His face betrayed none of whatever he was thinking and the he stood still as a statue. Recovering from her outburst, she wiped the tears of her face before turning her back at him. She took a deep breath before willing her voice to act.

"Forgive me for my outburst. Let us continue, I believe that the right most passage is the correct way. Hold onto my shoulder for guidance if you must but never do that again." Her voice was as cool as steel albeit it still shook.

No response was given except for the movement of his hand as it rested on her shoulders. The pair walked in perpetual silence. They would only converse whenever they would reach another crossroad and whenever one of them is in need of assistance. Rodemman relied on her for her senses while Uelesh relied on him for his surprisingly vast experience with underground labyrinths. This continued for quite some time as they worked their way through the twist and turns of the underground labyrinth.

Judging by the poor quality of the halls that they were going through, whoever made it lacked the proper equipment. Her eyes were becoming heavy and her legs were sore. She had grown exhausted faster than she would have normally been which led her to believe that it was a side effect of drawing out the powers that Isha has given her.

The two encountered a pair of passageways. Uelesh massaged her temples in annoyance.

Damn, I know that his was made to confuse all of those who enter but this is ridiculous.

"So? Which one to take?" Rodemman asked softly.

She was about to reply when a curious echo caught her attention. Straining her pointed ears, she heard the soft sound of something falling. It was like a droplet falling into a pool of water. Walking closer to the two arches, she pinpointed that the sound was coming from the left hand side. The scent of fresh water called out to her as well.

"It seems that there may be an underground lake or river on the left pathway." The eldar announced.

"And where there is a river or lake, surely there is a way to the surface." He answered back.

With a nod, the two went through the left path and continued on their journey. Forcing her feet to be placed in front of the other, she willed herself to walk but was failing fast. Yet the sight of a faint bluish light emanating from the next turn motivated her to move forward. It was not long until they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. They entered a cavern full of thousands upon thousands of ice-like crystals. It was on the ceiling and on the walls, it shone brightly giving an illusion that everything within the cavern had frosted with all but one exception. At the center of it all lies a spring with a blanket of fog. The water itself was pristine as it gave a perfect view of its floor which glowed in an icy blue hue.

"By the Emperor, we may not have found a river or lake but we most certainly have found a sanctuary in this wretched place." Rodemman said as he unclasped his hand on Uelesh's shoulder.

The sudden lack of weight on her shoulder broke her from her stupor. She noticed that Rodemman was still dumbfounded of their find and was already bent over inspecting a nearby crystal formation. The eldar woman cleared her throat and made it known that they have no time for useless side quests. They had to return to their forces as soon as possible. She was confident that Rodemman would agree. But to her shock, he shook his head in denial.

"No, let's stop here for tonight. We've put enough distance between us and those blasted orks and our bodies will only suffer if we overexert ourselves." Rodemman said.

"No, we continue until we reach the end of this labyrinth or at least cover more of this maze. We must find our way back to our forces." She insisted, glancing behind her.

Standing to his full height, he looked at her sternly. Uelesh narrowed her eyes at him, she was displeased by the way that he was looking at her.

"No, we rest. You can barely walk as it is now." He rebutted with a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

Uelesh scowled and faced him. "I am well enough to walk, Rodemman."

Her green eyes bore onto his as they stared at each other.

"Uelesh, I am not a blind man. Your body is struggling to keep up with our pace."

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists but she knew that he was right. Any more unnecessary punishment then her body could give in. She closed her eyes and sighed in defeat.

"Very well." She muttered before looking for a suitable spot to settle down.

Rodemman nodded before walking down further and nearer to the spring. Reluctantly, Uelesh followed him to the edge of the spring where an alcove carved into one of the larger crystal formations gave a perfect spot to rest. He flopped down onto hardened surface before leaning onto the near translucent wall. She followed in suit and the two sat next to each other without uttering a single word. They were supposed to be resting but she found the atmosphere between them to be not helping with their cause. With a sigh, he stood up.

"I'm going to bathe." He simply said before moving behind the alcove.

She was left alone and in those few moments, she questioned whether her anger was indeed in the right or not. It didn't take long until Rodemman called out to her to either close her eyes or to look away. She had a vague idea why he instructed her to do so, she opted for the first option albeit with flustered cheeks. She heard him enter the pool followed by a pleased groan. She debated internally if it was wise to bathe. Things such as the spring was untested for any sort of possible harmful bacteria as well as Rodemman being there made her think twice. But in the end, she relented to her whims.

She trusted Rodemman and if ever she was going to pursue her feelings, she felt that it was the right time to exercise that trust.

A hot bath would be nice. She thought as she has been exposed to the cold clutches of a storm too long for her liking.

Walking to where her companion had shed his clothes, she soon found a pile of haphazardly strewn clothing. Or at least, his boots and his clothing for his lower half. Swiftly an ever so graceful, she had undone her mesh armor starting from her bracers. The plates slid off revealing a black skin-tight body suit. That too has been discarded and was folded neatly next to her armor. Peeking, she saw Rodemman sitting within the pool, leaning onto the rocky edge contently with eyes closed.

She took her chance and moved as silently as a fardome. Uelesh then plopped herself beside him causing ripples upon the surface of the spring. When standing, the water level was up to her midriff but when she sat, it enveloped everything but her shoulders and upwards. The warm water coursed through her eliciting a grateful sigh and thus making her presence known to Rodemman. Her muscles began to relax as the frigid coldness that had assaulted her slowly vanished. The sheer silence deafened her and once again, she retreated to her own thoughts but found none. Her mind was blank when a low voice resounded.

"I...may be calm and composed on the outside but in truth I have never experienced something so terrifying. Until now, it haunts me like a ghost." He said.

Rodemman's eyes were open but he continued to look up to the ceiling. The blanket of mist masked much of her body despite the clear water being a perfect window to peek at her form.

"I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory. When's it gonna get me? In my sleep? Seven feet ahead of me? If I see it coming, do I run or do I let it be? Is it like a beat without a melody?" The manner he said it earned her attention.

She knew that tone. She knew because she had once used it when she asked herself if the needless deaths were necessary. Whether or not the sacrifices of those dear to her and others were justifiable by what they have accomplished.

"Those were the questions that I continually ask myself. I have always thought that I have no reason to fear it as it is but a part of the cycle of life not to mention being surrounded by it for seven years. I have seen my friends die by my very eyes."

Uelesh listened to him as he breathed sharply before continuing.

"When I was struck down, I knew that it would have been my end. But your voice registered, called out to me and soon I was watching that damned wolf make its way towards you. When your weapon ran out of bullets, when it towered over your paralyzed form I-" His voice cracked and tears started to form in his eyes.

"I was afraid. I was watching a nightmare unlike any other unfold before me. I felt powerless and helpless, I have thought that my inheritance could aid me to save you but in the end I failed."

Uelesh had cupped her mouth and was in the verge of weeping as the guardsman brought out his suppressed emotions.

"But when you were able to fight back and with the beast slain, I found myself relieved. I-I didn't know what took me over then but the sight of you well and alive, kneeling beside me eased my pains. I thought at the time that as long as you were safe, then I will rest easy."

He leveled his face and stared at her eyes. There was sorrow, pain and fear in his eyes. It was the eyes of a man who had seen the cruelty of the galaxy and has lost many.

"Forgive this foolish and selfish man. I have never thought of the implications of my death to you. But if asked, I would rather die than to see you fall. It may be selfish but I just can't stand watching someone important to me lose her life."

Rodemman's words caused her mouth to fall agape behind her palm. Her eyes widened as stars fell freely.

"Sorry if I was careless, if I was distracted when I should have focused. Forgive me when I failed to save you, that if it weren't for your Goddess, I could have died. We both could have died. I-" Unable to continue listening to his aching voice, she silenced him by planting her lips onto his.

She wrapped her arms around his trembling form and felt him return her actions. She had always thought that she was quite experienced for her age bracket. She had personally experienced the hells of war, traveled to other craftworlds and exodite worlds to trade and to negotiate with willing mon'ekeighs. But Lofn always told her that she lacked experience in terms of the more intimate interactions. She had dismissed it as she had not cared nor want for such relationship until now. Thus when she planted her lips onto his for the first time, it was short and sloppy. Still, it was an explosion of sensations for her.

It was her first time doing it and given that the gesture was not originally from the eldar culture, she didn't care whether she had done it correctly or not as long as she has her feelings reach him. Separating, their eyes met with faint traces of tears. Uelesh cupped his cheeks and smiled.

"Forgive me as well. I was scared of losing you, never have I felt this before so I was wary and scared. But the sight of you weakened and almost lifeless, it was as if my soul was teared out from my body. Ever since we have met, it was as if I have only caused you pain and sorrow." She then slowly touched the scar on his right eye.

"Sometimes, I think that I am the reas-" It was her turn to be pleasantly surprised.

Rodemman ended her words in a similar fashion as she did just moments ago. This time though, it was longer and slightly more heated. She responded to his actions and after a few moments, they separated again.

"I will never allow you to think of that. You are dear to me so it is only natural for me to protect you." He said firmly but his reddened face made it too hard for her not to chuckle.

He smiled as she giggled. Uelesh composed herself once again before smiling at him again.

"I'm...sorry for my behavior earlier. I was frightened by my experience." She said sheepishly.

Rodemman nodded in return. "That makes both of us."

Now was the moment of truth. She had steeled herself prior but it still was nerve wracking. Taking a deep breath in preparation, she voiced out the words that she has been keeping to herself.

"I love you." Again, she was afraid as seconds became years.

His dumbfounded face quickly changed to that of relief with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

"I love you too."

P.S. Sorry for being dead for awhile. My netbook finally retired after years of service so I lost practically everything that I have on this fic (and various research and reading materials). I was able to salvage some so I guess that's a good thing.