Chapter Ten * short bonus* (CHRIS'S POV)
I loved Emma. That was just the just of it. I tried really hard to convince myself I didn't, but, ultimately, I did. I was supposed to despise the Atova Tribe, and everyone in it. I was supposed to be like the rest of my family. The rest of my tribe. I was suppossed to look down upon them, like all my fellow Hious members did. But I didn't. I shut my eyes, wishing this terrible war hadn't started. Wishing that Emma was by my side, in my arms, watching the beautiful fire crackle in the moonlight, as we always did. I sighed, my thoughts replaying the memory I knew all to well. Fifteen years ago. The war had been going on for a past fifteen years. I was in the forest, with my father. We were collecting rocks to hold down our tent for a predicted storm that would happen. We had heard a rustle in the bushes ahead, and a beautiful girl came from the shadows. She had the most gorgeous brown eyes I had ever seen, deep and sweet, the color of chocolate. She looked about my age, although she was quite a bit shorter than me. She had looked me over, a smile tugging on her lips, but she had quickly scurried off.
I ended up meeting and falling for her. The next few days that had followed were perfect. We spent countless nights in the dark, gazing at the stars. I loved her, and I knew she loved me back. The kisses we shared proved it. I felt safe with her, and the feelings of bliss I got when I even thought of her were amazing. It didn't last long though. We had been in our own little world, snuggling close to the fire, when my father found us. He had a look of digust when he saw me with an Atova girl. I tried frantically to stop him, to save her, but he did it. He killed her. Killed her for the soul purpose of a mark on her shoulder. Everything after that moment was blur. I remember a lot of blood. I remember her scream, cold and heart wrentching. I remember running out into the world, my heart ripped apart. I remember seeing the cheif. He took me in, let me live with him. He taught me everything he knew, and made me the man I was. Which isn't exactly a good thing. I always had enough to eat, and everything most people would dream of having in our world. It was nice, until he taught me to hate. I found myself hating the Atova Tribe, because he wanted me to. I felt I owed it to him, so I killed countless numbers of them, not thinking twice. I became the head of command, and he sent me into the forest that one, cold, dark night, to retrieve Phil and to 'teach Dan a lesson'. The moon hadn't been all that bright while I was tormenting Dan, so I didn't notice his eyes. It wasn't until he was in the cheif's hall, begging for the life of Phil and Carrie did I realize them. They were the exact shade of bown as Emma's. Now just looking at him made my heart ache for her. Making me want to burst into tears. Why was I doing this!? What had I become!? My father. That thought made me want to sob even more. But I was too strong to think these petty things, right? Obviously not.
I was dragging Dan down the corridors to his death. Dragging him away from his one love because of the soul reason of a mark on his shoulder. Just like my father had done to me and Emma. I couldn't look at him as I kneeled him down onto the yard, knowing what would happen. It was too late to stop it. Or was it? The arrow was coming. Coming closer. I saw Emma's face flash in my mind, remembering the light leaving her eyes that night. I couldn't let that happen to Dan. Phil and him- they were exactly like Emma and I had been, and I couldn't be the one giving them the same fate.
I tackled him, forcing him out of the way, feeling the immense shock and pain sting through my body as the arrow burst into my chest. I saw all the blood stream down my torso, a pool of it under me.
I felt hands on my cheeks, half expecting it to be Emma when I saw those eyes. It was Dan, though. His face covered with confusing, appreciation, and worry.
"Chris?! Why did you-" He started, but I interrupted him. I knew I didn't have long left and there was something I needed to say.
"Dan. Listen. Everything you and Phil stand for-" I wheezed a bit, the pain growing. "Everything. It's what I want to die for. What the cheif does, its all wrong. Please fix it. Phil had it right. These birthmarks" I nodded towards my shoulder weekly, it taking a lot of strength. "they don't define us. Please don't forget that." I sighed, closing me eyes. I didn't know if I was dead yet. I heard someone whisper "Thank you. I'll never forget." before everything was white, and I saw Emma, the real Emma, once again.
A/N IMPORTANT: *an epilogue will be coming btw* THIS IS A SHORT CHAPTER EXPLAINING WHY CHRIS CHANGED HIS PESEPECTIVE ON DAN AND PHIL :D *in case you were confused*