Choice of Foes
Chapter 4

Aelle winced and clutched her hands over her chest. All was blocked out bys omething unknown to her. The only things she could hear was Sarabande calling her name and her hoarse breathing. She closed her eyes, trying to fight the pain.

"Aelle!"

A strong warm hand foudn its way to her chest, right over the heart. From the hand emanated a soothing warmth, calming the panic that coursed through her body. Upon opening her eyes, she foudn herself in Sarabande's arms, surrounded by a green aura.

"Pneuma. You need to get back to the chokepoint." Sarabande spkoe, casting another green aura a few steps away.

Aelle resisted his grip and pulled an arrow from ehr quiver. In a swift movement, she aimed at one of the charging enemies in the courtyard and with a sound twang, let go of the arrow. An incoming knight on his pecopeco fell, struck down by an arrow lodged into the holes of his visor.

"Aelle, listen to me. We must go."

But the young huntress' attention was focused on one of the charging invaders. Emerald hair, adorned by white angel wings. Mini-glasses perched on his nose.

"Eadric."

In an instant, an arrow was locked in her bow, aimed at the familiar face in the crowd. As she pulled at her bowstring in an effort to send the arrow straight at her enemy, a hand restrained her bowhand gently. It was Sarabande.

"It is best that you strike him last. Let this war be beyond the two of you." the priest advised.

With a curt nod, Aelle silently agreed and lowered her bow. As she was about to turn around to head back to the chokepoint, the sharp whistling of an arrow caught her ear. It was soon followed by the sound of the sickening piercing of flesh and a grunt. She turned to look at Sarabande and found him cringing in pain.

An arrow was embedded in his chest, narrowly missing his heart.

"Pull it out." he spat, blood beginning to taste in his mouth.

Aelle gripped the arrow's shaft tightly and with a swift, strong force, pulled it out. The priest held back a scream but clutched at his chest and in turn, chanted a heal spell softly.

The wound at his chest closed, the blood clearing from his priest garments. The pained expression left his face but was replaced by that of confusion. The huntress knew who to shoot next.

Arm swinging swiftly to grab an arrow from the quiver, Aelle aimed once again at Eadric. But this time, she did not hesitate in letting go of the arrow. Upon release, the arrow soared in the air, whistling a song of war. She half-expected her arrow to reach it's target but also half-expected to be shot back in return.

To much of her surprise, a white-chested falcon flew into the arrow's path and destroyed the arrow in one fell swoop.

"Aelle! Look out!" Sarabande shouted then began chanting softly.

Eadric, from afar, aimed at the huntress. With blessed precision, he released his arrow and watched his target look at him in disbelief.

Aelle watched the arrow approach her. She then closed her eyes in anticipation, waiting for the arrow to strike her down. But as she waited, her patience wore thin. An arrow usually took only less than a moment to get to its destination. This one took more than five. As she opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded once again by the green aura that saved her life more than once.

The priest raised his hand and chanted softly another of his incantations. Aelle immediately felt her movements quicken and her hand steadier in carrying her bow. Upon instinct and a smug smile, she drew another arrow and aimed again at Eadric.

She found the hunter rushing towards them, short sword drawn. They both knew that arrows and falcons are of no use against a Pneuma spell. But what is a hunter if he cannot skin his prize?

Aelle released the arrow and ash she expected, the falcon swooped down again and caught it in midflight. With the slight sound of her whistle, a silver-winged falcon flew towards the white-chested bird and the two engaged in an air battle. Screeches filled the air as the two creatures locked in serious battle. But down below, their masters were to follow suit.

Sarabande tossed Aelle a short sword and smirked.

"Use the Fortune sword well. make me proud."

With a curt nod, she ran to meeet teh charging hunter. Blades crossed with a sound clang, heated glares exhanged between the two hunters. This was a battle between two friends. And neither will surrender to each other.

"I thought I told you not to come here?" Eadric spoke as he pushed against their locked weapons.

"Tch. Not to come and defend my home from tresspassers? Seriously, you think I am a fool?" Aelle spat with disdain.

A long gash trailed across her left cheek, blood trickling down her chin. But as the hunter dealt this damage, his arm suffered the same.

"Elf Child, do not make me strike you." he spoke ominously, eyes narrowing.

"You already did."

In an instant, Aelle had already drawn her bow and strung an arrow. Before Eadric could move another muscle, a poisoned arrow pierced through his shoulder. He pulled it out with a sound groan of pain and moved to parry the girl's short sword. He blocked every blow she threw at him but as every block was successful, he could feel his energy being drained and his body weakening. With a last burst of defensive strength, he parried the short sword, sending it flying into the air and into the ground.

Aelle, panicked, tried to spring back from where Eadric stood. But as she moved, Eadric's short sword drove itself deep into her thigh. Blood gushed from her wound. Her breathing had become labored and her heart pumped faster though painfully.

This is it.

Eadric rose his dagger in an effort to finally end the battle. But as he was a hair away from burying his short sword into the girl's head, a huge white burst of energy slammed against his chest, sending him flying a dozen paces awya.

Sarabande ran to Aelle's side and withdrew the dagger from her thigh. As he removed it, Aelle screemed in pain. Bits of flesh hung onto the weapon along with her blood. Chanting softly, the priest healed the wound quietly.

"Aelle, do you really plan on killing him? The poison in his system... will it last?" he spoke worriedly, eyeing the unmoving body of the hunter from afar.

"The poison I gave is not fatal. It will only weaken him..."

"Do you plan to kill him?" the question came again.

She paused. All this came to be because she decided to fight for her principles. But it had gone as afar as she was going to kill her bestfriend. One who is also loved by others. This war, for her, was the most meaningless she has ever participated in. The most childish. And probably one with the most casualties.

A sharp pain stabbed against her chest, making her grunt softly. Sound seemed muffled to her ears. She could faintly hear Sarabande calling to her. She could feel herself shaking in utter weakness as she rose to her feet and took a few steps forward.

She could see Eadric struggle to his knees, looking at her almost defiantly. Strangely enough, tears came to her eyes, her chest throbbing in pain.

"I never wanted any of this Eadric. I want it all to end."

"Then let us... Elf Child..." he staggered, blood tasting in his mouth.

Aelle sobbed softly as she gripped the short sword's hilt tightly. As she was a few steps away from Eadric, she raised the short sword into the air, pointing downwards. She knew what she was to do.

For every step she took, her heart seemed to refuse. Pain shot through her chest every time. Air escaped her lips and she could feel her heart fighting against her.

You must not kill him!

Eadric looked at his Elf Child with tear-filled eyes. They were both dying. Both were too weak to fight. The only thing they could do now was fade. He watched the girl approach him slowly but steadily with short sword raised over her head.

A step away from the hunter, Aelle felt her chest heave. She gasped for air but could not get any. Her knees buckled and she fell onto Eadric. She felt weak and sleepy. She felt herself succumb to the urge to rest and closed her eyes.

Eadric sobbed softly as he saw his dearest friend at rest in his arms. But what comforted him most was the smile that formed on her lips.

End