I have been asked a rather unique question a while back

I have been asked a rather unique question a while back. That question was: What do I hope to gain as I write this story and not get paid for it? What's the point? Well, the answer to this question is rather simple. I enjoy it. Though it may take me months if not years to get a new chapter uploaded on Fanfiction, I enjoy writing, or typing in this case. And when I get positive feedback, I am rewarded with a sense of accomplishment that I managed to write something that someone else enjoys as well. Of course I have received my fair share of negative feedback as well. I won't deny that I'm bit hurt that people who don't like my stories have to tell me with such mean words. Words like: "This Story fuckin sucks ass! Stop writing this garbage" and the like. If you don't like it, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, you don't have to make me feel bad about it.

Yet, despite whatever my critics say, and there are a hell of a lot of positive ones out there than there are negative ones, I write because I enjoy writing. And what do I hope to gain? Well, a sense of fulfillment whenever I receive a positive response either by review or e-mail. No, I'm not getting paid to spend my time in front of this computer, typing new chapters and new stories. But there are also a lot of writers, young and old, who contributed to Fanfiction without even thinking about being paid to share their talents. And I am one such person. Sharing our talents with those who enjoy them is payment enough. I can assure you of that!

DISCLAIMER: Again, I do not own Magic: The Gathering, or its original characters. I only own the idea of this story as well as the made up characters added.

WARNING: This chapter contains violence, harsh language, suggestive themes, possible sexual content and other adult situations. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If these offend you, then you may want to leave and read something else instead. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

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Chapter 43 – Afterthought

They say that when you're facing death eye-to-eye, your life flashes before you. Themis however, was skeptical of that theory as the arrow flew towards him and he had yet to see anything resembling his life, though he's not sure if he wanted to relive it again, even for the briefest of periods. Yet even now, he did not move. Was his body traumatized to the spot? Or did Themis no longer care if he lived or died? Too many thoughts raced through his mind as the arrow continued on its path towards his head.

Yet it was not the end. Almost from nowhere, a second arrow flew in the air and severed the shaft of the first one in mid-flight. Themis blinked when he realized that shards of splintered wood suddenly rained on him.

"You have been told to hold fast your weapon Jurik!"

A female voice said amongst the crowd of Elves that still lingered on the edge of the hole they have named the Den. Themis looked for the speaker and found her almost instantly. In terms of beauty, she could rival or even surpass Lady Irenes. Her long golden yellow hair framed a youthful face, though Themis was sure she was much older than that of twenty-some-odd years, if Elves indeed aged differently than humans. Clutched in her hand was an elegant long bow that she had used moments before to shoot an airborne arrow from the sky. Many of the other Elves gasped in surprise at her actions.

"The Lady has given her order, yet you willingly disobeyed her!"

She told the one who attempted to kill Themis, but still, the male Elf resisted

"Do you not see this boy is somehow controlling Irenes? In order to save her he must die!"

"Did you not hear her the first time? He is a mere human child. He could not possible have such skills!"

'I'm not a child!'

Themis' mind rebelled

'I'm 21!'

"I couldn't care if he was still in swaddling clothes. He is a threat Quarna, and I plan to safe guard this grove!"

The one called Jurik rearmed his bow and drew the arrow back, yet before he released this next arrow, another arrow flew from Quarna's bow and severed Juriks bowstring, rendering his bow useless. Most of the other Elves had distanced themselves from the two lest an ill aimed arrow should hit someone.

"Again you disobey. This is treason!"

Quarna told Jurik as he sneered at her. Whether because he was accused of being a traitor or because Quarna was superior to him with a bow, Themis didn't know. But for the first time since he was forcibly brought to this settlement of Elves, Themis felt like he could actually trust one of them.

"Return to your hut Jurik. I'll not want to speak to the Lady about this."

Jurik cast a withering glare at her, then at Themis. Then on his heel, Jurik walked away deeper into the forest. Once Themis was sure Jurik was gone, he looked up at Quarna.

"Thank you."

Themis said. Quarna said nothing, but gave him a strange look. Themis felt like his thanks had just offended her, as though she wanted to say 'Your thanks is not wanted. I saved your worthless hide because it was the Lady's order.' Or something like that, yet she didn't say a word to him. Instead, she turned to the others that had gathered and addressed them as easily as if she were Lady Irenes herself.

"The Lady has allowed this one to live. There will be no more attempts on his life."

Those gathered easily agreed.

"Return to your homes. We are done here."

And without further delays, the Elves left the Den and abandoned Themis where he stood; standing on bones in a pit near a wounded Quick Sliver.

"Uh… I'm still down here…"

He said in a merger attempt to draw attention to his situation. However, none of the Elves turned back. Upon their departure, only silence greeted Themis.

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"There you are!"

A rather familiar voice suddenly screamed in happy delight. Themis looked up and saw two very welcomed faces as well as a mouse that perched on the top of one of them. He wasn't sure how much time had passed since the Elves left him alone in this hole, but right now, he didn't care.

"We've been worried sick Lord Themis. I'm glad you're alive."

"Narkgul told Zyerne that we check big hole Nesbit saw. Didn't I? Didn't I? Narkgul thought Themis be were all crazy Elves be."

If the little Goblin got more excited, he may slip off the edge and find himself stuck in the pit with Themis. Themis couldn't help but smile; in fact, he couldn't stop himself even if he tried. He wiped a tear from his eye in an attempt to look manly, but he was aware the two could see through the ruse.

"I'm glad to see you all. Please tell me you have a rope or a ladder."

"What happened to all the Elves?"

Zyerne asked as she searched their supplies.

"We saw them all here a few moments ago, and then they just left. Is everything alright?"

"They decided to let me live."

He said as he looked around him to find no sign of the Quick Sliver

"I think…And don't call me 'Lord Themis'! Do you know how many times I've asked you not to call me that?"

Zyerne looked at him with a smile that may have meant to be playful, but somehow Themis knew there was another reason behind it.

"Why Elves put you in hole? Me no get it."

Narkgul asked as Zyerne tossed one end of the rope she found into the pit. Themis immediately took that end of the rope and waited for Zyerne to secure her end.

"They said it was punishment. There's a Sliver down here and they wanted it to kill me."

Zyerne returned a short time later after tying her end of the rope securely to the trunk of a nearby tree.

"But didn't that… 'woman' take you to their clerics?"

Zyerne asked in confusion as Themis slowly scaled up the wall with great help from the rope.

"Why heal you if they were planning on killing you in the first place?"

"I don't think…"

Themis grunted as he pulled himself upward

"They… planned to kill me… not at first… anyway."

"Then what made them decide to change their minds?"

Zyerne asked curiously. Themis was only half way up the rope when he had to pause himself. His arms were not accustomed to climbing ropes, and his shoulders began to throb.

"Irenes said something about wanting my 'untapped power' in order to protect themselves. I think I pissed her off when I told her no."

Rested enough, Themis resumed climbing.

"But why would you say no? I thought you would be happy to help those in need."

"It wasn't anything I can simply hand over. I'm not sure what exactly she was talking about. Besides, I didn't like the way she was behaving when she asked for my so-called power."

When Themis was close enough, Zyerne and Narkgul reached down, took his arms and dragged him up over the edge and allowed him to collapse on the same ground as they stood. Themis took a moment to regain his breath.

"It wasn't so much that she asked for it, but when she did, she gave me the impression that she wanted something 'else' from me."

"Like what?"

Themis looked Zyerne in the eye. He wasn't sure how she would react if he told her. He was pretty sure his only saving grace was his refusal to the Elf.

"Let's not worry about it. I say let's get the Hell away from this place first!"

"Narkgul fully agree. Seen nuf trees to last lifetime."

Narkgul stuck his tongue out in disgust. The way he twisted his face brought a brief smile to Themis. Zyerne then dropped his bag from her shoulder and presented it to him. With a bigger smile, Themis accepted his bag and flung it around his shoulders, remembering its weight against his spine. It felt strangely comforting.

"I also have this."

Zyerne added as she held out the green gemstone to him. As soon as his hand enclosed around it, the gemstone shone its bright green light, and it felt warm to the touch. Almost as though the stone was excited to be back into the hands of its user. Zyerne didn't question why it responded to him instead of her, but was glad nonetheless, that Themis had been reunited with her, and that he was still well alive.

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Lady Irenes sat in her wooden throne in distraught. She had hoped to gain whatever Themis' power was in order to use it to protect her home. She was aware he was merely human. At first, she thought seducing him may have been the fastest way to achieve his cooperation, but when that failed, she then thought fear might work, but that also failed. It was strange for her. She was under the belief that humans, no matter whom, could be swayed in one form or another. Themis' rejection of her has unproven that theory. Perhaps his indominatible will was what she detected. If that were the case, then she could not use it, even if it were meant for good intentions. She was so deep in thought that she failed to notice three of her subjects approach her and kneel before her.

"Highness. We have a disturbing report."

One of the Elves said to her. Disinterested, she sighed

"More undead in the lands?"

"No, Highness. We have just learned that our prisoners, the Goblin and the Cat-girl have escaped during our time at the Den. They must have also broken into our supply hut, the items we confiscated from them are also missing."

"Oh."

She sighed, still not showing any sign of interest in this new development. Her mind was currently elsewhere.

"He you sent patrols?"

"They are currently searching the grove as we speak."

"Call them back."

She sighed again, this time rising to her feet with such elegance, it momentarily stunned the three warriors that have reported to her.

"But Highness…"

"They are not a threat. I've decided to leave them be."

"Yes Highness."

The Elves bowed once more and dismissed themselves to perform the task that Lady Irenes had asked of them. Alone again with her thoughts, she stared into the trees, as though hoping their visage would comfort her in her moment of uncertain discomfort.

'I will woe this day if my decision has damned us in passing.'

She told herself.

'He willingly heads north, closer to the bogs ruled by the Cabal. No human would do so unless the reason is great. I pray, Gaea, that I am not wrong in allowing him to go.'

A slight breeze played in her long golden hair. The ends playfully tickled her form and Irenes briefly smiled at the indirect answer that Nature has provided.

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None of them knew how long it took, nor did any of them cared, just so long as they can get farther away from the Elves settlement. Themis, Zyerne, and Narkgul, with Nesbit still riding his head, made a hasty trek north, closer to the waiting plains, and then after crossing that, into Cabal territory. To Themis, it seemed like he had been in this world of Dominaria for nearly an eternity, and the end of his journey was approaching, though it was still far off. Right now, he was just glad to be with Zyerne and Narkgul again, while at the same time, glad to get away from the deranged Elves.

"Why crazy Elves not try and catch us? They must know not we not in jail tree."

Narkgul huffed between breaths as he followed Themis and Zyerne through the forest without tripping. The dense floor was littered with trunks, branches and bushes that the three had to maneuver around. Themis asked for a clear beaten path, but that seemed too much to ask at the moment.

"Don't know. Don't care."

Themis replied.

"Don't ask."

Zyerne added with a slight chuckle, trying to imitate Themis' tone as she clearly took the lead in the party's trail.

"Don't worry about it Narkgul. We could use whatever luck the Gods have provided."

"Me just don't get crazy Elves. Wish Narkgul understood."

"She said not to worry about it."

Themis stressed before Zyerne added

"Remember my promise? I still plan to keep it."

Narkguls tongue hung over his green lips and his speed increased dramatically. Until now, the three were simply doing a rushed walk, trying to avoid wearing themselves down before they had cleared the forests, but Zyerne's suggestion motivated the Goblin to go into an outright sprint past her and Themis. It was almost comical to see the Goblin running with dust and fallen leaves kick up under his feet. Themis blinked in shocked confusion. He couldn't recall the last time Narkgul ran so quickly.

"What promise?"

"He and Nesbit got us freed from the Elves prison. I told them I would serve them a feast as a reward once we got out of this place."

Themis laughed, a long forgotten sound to Zyerne's ears

"I see what they mean. The fastest way to win a man's heart is through his stomach."

He laughed, quoting the old saying. Zyerne didn't understand it, though she did have an additional phrase to add.

"Perhaps that is true for Goblins. But I'm not trying to win his heart."

Themis' face turned a slight shade of pink as he realized what she was saying. He won't deny the fact that she already had a special place in his heart, but he was still too timid to tell her that. He recalls what had happened at the hot springs, their talk after Gerald's celebration, and all that took place before, in between and after those events. There were several times where he thought it would be nice to express his love for her the way that a man can truly express his love to a woman. However, he shook his head clear. Now was not the time to dwell in hopeful fantasies. But then again, hopeful fantasies never hurt anyone, right?

"Don't worry Lord Themis. Of course you're invited. I won't prepare it otherwise."

She said in reassurance. Was it just him, or was the Goblin not the only one motivated to leave this forest?

TO BE CONTINUED

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They get ever closer to their goal. But what awaits them before they can get there? Our heroes will undergo a time of testing, realization, understanding, emotional conflicts, physical stress, mental anguish, friendships, betrayals, discovery, mystery, love, joy, fear, pain, hurt, sadness, hopefulness, hopelessness, and FLUFFY BUNNIES!

I know it was too much, but I had to write something creative, otherwise I'll loose my touch… DON'T TOUCH ME THERE!

Just Kidding. Hope you laughed

Until Next Time

Theo