As the last rays of the sun were disappearing behind the tree line, Lahnia wrung her hands nervously. She was hidden among the branches of an oak tree, high above the ground with her feet dangling over the edge of the large branch that she was situated on. Throughout the day she had been there, not wanting to wander too much as she waited for her sister in fear of being found, either by demon or elf. So she had a lot of time to think.

She had wondered constantly if this was the right decision. She knew she had to leave the village for good to protect them, but it was selfish for her to want to see her sister again. However, she would have to live with her decision because it was already set in motion. So she just sighed and waited, as she had all day.

The moon was well centered in the starlit sky by the time Lahnia heard the rustlings of bushes that could only be made by a large animal. Excitement swelled within Lahnias heart, with the months of hopelessness gone she is about to see her beloved Myra again! She peered through the branches of the tree she was residing in, having a clear view of the clearing before the great tree that Lahnia usually met her. And finally, a person stepped from the underbrush of the forest, her sister! But, wait, there was someone behind her.

Oh no.

"Plazo" Lahnia whispered in absolute horror. He held a blade to Myra's throat, and even from this distance she could see the tear stained face of her terrified sister.

How could she have done this? She was so stupid to involve her sister like this. Of course they would check the village, but how would they have known her sister? Much less, that she was going to meet Lahnia? No matter the reason, she had to deal with this, to get her sister to safety.

Once the two were centered in the clearing, Plazo began to speak.

"Lahnia!" He shouted, glancing all around to try to see where she hid.

"I know you are here! Come out, I have your sister!" Lahnia peered at his determined face from her perch, and took a deep breath, steadying her will. She dropped down from the branch, her feet digging into the cold mossy forest floor.

Plazo swung his head towards her at the sound, and steadied his gaze at her as she walked through the tall grass closer to the two.

"Release her" Lahnia demanded, her feet now planted firmly before them and her eyes held a steady yet powerful gaze. Plazo shuddered from her stare, he hadn't seen this much fury in her before. He could still feel Myra trembling under his arm as he held the blade steady at her neck, reminding him of the position he was situated in. He stood his ground.

"It is a simple trade, you for her"

Lahnias eyes tightened, and she spat out:

"And I can trust you to release her if I do?" Plazo was taken aback.

"Of course, I am of my word, you know that"

Lahnia scoffed.

"Says the person who holds a knife to my sisters throat" She spat back venomously, anger dwelling in her eyes.

Plazo was taken aback, hurt at her harsh words. After all, he had to do this. There was no other way. Before he could voice that fact, however, she spoke up again.

"I agree to the trade, so release my sister" With that, Lahnia began walking up to them. Hesitantly, Plazo removed the blade from Myra's throat and the small girl, still shaking from fear, quickly ran from him into Lahnias arms. They hugged for a few bittersweet moments, before Lahnia kissed her forehead and whispered an order to run. She then released her, Myra dashing off to the tree line.

She turned and faced Plazo, who eyed her suspiciously for any movements. Cautiously, he walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder beginning to lead her back.

As soon as his blue heavy hand went on her shoulder, a flash of memories came swelling back to Lahnia. This was it, she would have to go back to the demon camp. To the repressed life. To the terror of living under Lord Ghirahims rule. To loneliness. These feelings overwhelmed and panicked her.

I can't do this she thought to herself.

I can't go back! With a surge of desperation and the power that resulted she quickly ducked down from Plazos hand, and as he looked down at her with surprise she sprung back up, her fist hitting him squarely in the jaw. Lahnia wasn't sure if it was for the suddenness of the attack or the momentum, but Plazo fell back to the ground, stunned. Before he could react she started sprinting for the tree line, shaking out her sore hand.

She heard Plazo begin to chase after her, too quickly. She glanced back, surprised to see him already gaining on her.

How can a bokoblin run that fast?! Of course, Plazo had speed rather than strength.

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her back, and she was pushed into the ground. She wrestled around viciously for a few moments and found herself turned around so she was on her back, with Plazo's body hovering over her. She felt her wrists being pinned to the ground next to her head by his hands, and when she started kicking he used his ankles over them to pin them down. She looked up snarling at Plazos face, he was breathing hard, trying to regain his breath from the sprint.

"Why can't you just let me go?! I don't belong there!" She yelled in Plazos face. She felt herself on the brink of tears, the panic and terror getting to her as she felt the warm liquid start to slide from her eyes. However, his eyebrows knotted together and eyes stiffened with anger. He practically snarled in Lahnias face, their eyes in a death lock only inches from each other.

"And you think I do? I have to do this! I have no choice in this!" She tightened her lips in defiant anger, and was about to speak when out of the corner of her eyes she spotted Myra at the edge of the field, watching them with wide, horrified eyes. She should be long gone by now! Why was she back? Plazo, not noticing her, went on.

"You don't understand, I would have wanted to let you go. But I can't." Lahnia watched through Plazos arms as Myra crept over to where the two stood before, and her eyes widened as she saw a flash of metal. Myra had picked up the machete that Plazo had dropped as he ran after Lahnia.

"If I don't get you back to the camp, he will find and kill you. He will find and kill the both of us." Her eyes snapped to Plazos, whose face was now pleading, defeat and desperation etched in his features. She was shocked at what she heard. The Demon Lord would kill Plazo? For her actions? She was fine taking responsibility for her escape when the consequences were her own, but to involve Plazo? He was an innocent bystander, he shouldn't suffer for her actions!

As she was thinking this Plazo was still talking, but she heard no more. She focused her eyes behind Plazo once again and with shock saw her sister closer than before. She stood directly behind Plazo, without his notice. The machete was raised above her head, the sharp blade glinting in the moonlight, as if it was a precious gem instead of a deadly weapon. It was poised right over Plazo's back. With desperation clear in Myra's face, she tightly shut her eyes and began to swing downwards.

Lahnia panicked.

"Myra, NO!"

A/N A wild new chapter appears! Out of the boredom from winter break, I thought I might continue this quest once again.

What do you think? Comments are wonderful gifts that I cherish and hold dear to my heart, so any comments, critiques, or speculations are more than welcome! Thank you for reading!