Writing Prompts Archive/11/Nuima Mornedhel

**All good things come to an end**

*The snow turned red when the Elezen pressed the right hand on her belly, breathing heavily through her clenched teeth while her face showed nothing else but pain and despair.*

*A person showed up right next to Nuima who had sunk on all four trying to stop the bleeding.*

*"You know that they'll get her?", the male Elezen asked her and knelt down to get a better look at her pale face.*

*"She... will make it...", Nuima gasped and raised her head slightly to stare at the footsteps in front of her slowly vanishing into the snow.*

*"You have been so careful all the time. And now? You should've known where this gets you.", he signed and looked in the same direction like her watching the snow falling while the sky was slowly turning dark.*

*Nuima was wandering in a peaceful forest close to Coerthas. It was pretty cold and her breath could be seen by forming small clouds in front of her mouth. She wouldn't be surpried if snow was starting to fall in the next moment. Her steps made no sound on the smooth forest floor and all she saw was green in all variations around her due to the light that would make it through.*

*Suddenly she heard footsteps coming closer pretty quickly and the Elezen turned her head slightly to the side when a woman and a man, dressed pretty simple, stopped right in front of her, looking surprised. They surely came out of a village close to them and were out of breath when they eyed her for a short moment. Nuima's hand slowly slid to a dagger under her dark coat without making them notice, when the woman suddenly changed her facial expression ‌and‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌Nuima’s‌ ‌collar‌ ‌with‌ ‌both‌ ‌hands.‌ ‌"You‌ ‌are‌ ‌none‌ ‌of‌ ‌them,‌ ‌are‌ ‌ya?",‌ ‌she‌ ‌asked.‌ ‌"Please,‌ ‌our‌ ‌daughter‌ ‌was‌ ‌kidnapped‌ ‌and‌ ‌we‌ ‌were‌ ‌following‌ ‌the‌ ‌kidnappers‌ ‌bu‘‌ ‌we‌ ‌lost‘em!",‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌were‌ ‌wide‌ ‌open‌ ‌as‌ ‌she‌ ‌stared‌ ‌at‌ ‌her.‌ ‌"You‌ ‌are‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen,‌ ‌righ‘?‌ ‌Your‌ ‌ears‌ ‌will‌ ‌surely‌ ‌hear‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌ours.‌ ‌Can‌ ‌you‌ ‌help‌ ‌us?",‌ ‌she‌ ‌asked‌ ‌desperately.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌looked‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌shocked.‌ ‌"Of‌ ‌course,‌ ‌I‌ ‌will.‌ ‌Try‌ ‌to‌ ‌calm‌ ‌down‌ ‌and‌ ‌I‌ ‌will‌ ‌hear‌ ‌what‌ ‌surrounds‌ ‌us.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌said‌ ‌laying‌ ‌her‌ ‌hands‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌hands‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌that‌ ‌still‌ ‌held‌ ‌her‌ ‌collar.‌ ‌"Thank‌ ‌you!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌said‌ ‌quietly‌ ‌and‌ ‌let‌ ‌go‌ ‌off‌ ‌Nuima.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌made‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌steps‌ ‌away‌ ‌from‌ ‌them‌ ‌and‌ ‌concentrated‌ ‌with‌ ‌closed‌ ‌eyes…‌ ‌on‌ ‌herself…‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌surroundings…‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌noises‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌forest…‌ ‌the‌ ‌rustling…‌ ‌the‌ ‌chirping.‌ ‌The‌ ‌man‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌looked‌ ‌expectantly‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌when‌ ‌she‌ ‌turned‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌to‌ ‌them‌ ‌again‌ ‌pointing‌ ‌her‌ ‌finger‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌lips.‌ ‌"But‌ ‌we‌ ‌didn’t…",‌ ‌said‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌when‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌interrupted‌ ‌him.‌ ‌"Dont…‌ ‌breathe.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌whispered.‌ ‌The‌ ‌wind‌ ‌blew‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌trees‌ ‌were‌ ‌moving‌ ‌slightly‌ ‌from‌ ‌one‌ ‌side‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌other‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌opened‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌again‌ ‌after‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌moments‌ ‌turning‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌in‌ ‌another‌ ‌direction.‌ ‌"I‌ ‌could‌ ‌hear‌ ‌someone‌ ‌cry.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌said.‌ ‌"That‌ ‌must‌ ‌be‌ ‌her.‌ ‌Follow‌ ‌me,‌ ‌but‌ ‌remain‌ ‌silent.",‌ ‌and‌ ‌started‌ ‌running.‌*

*‌After‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌minutes‌ ‌of‌ ‌running‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌forest‌ ‌where‌ ‌she‌ ‌always‌ ‌had‌ ‌to‌ ‌slow‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌wait‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌already‌ ‌panting‌ ‌woman‌ ‌and‌ ‌man,‌ ‌they‌ ‌reached‌ ‌the‌ ‌beginning‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌clearing‌ ‌and‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌gestured‌ ‌for‌ ‌them‌ ‌to‌ ‌stop.‌ ‌She‌ ‌looked‌ ‌around‌ ‌attentive‌ ‌and‌ ‌listened‌ ‌but‌ ‌all‌ ‌she‌ ‌could‌ ‌hear‌ ‌was‌ ‌a‌ ‌crying‌ ‌child‌ ‌close‌ ‌by.‌ ‌Carefully‌ ‌she‌ ‌entered‌ ‌the‌ ‌clearing‌ ‌and‌ ‌walked‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌big‌ ‌tree‌ ‌and‌ ‌took‌ ‌an‌ ‌even‌ ‌more‌ ‌careful‌ ‌look‌ ‌behind‌ ‌it.‌ ‌A‌ ‌small‌ ‌blond‌ ‌girl‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌lovely‌ ‌blue‌ ‌dress‌ ‌was‌ ‌sitting‌ ‌there,‌ ‌her‌ ‌legs‌ ‌tightened‌ ‌to‌ ‌her‌ ‌body,‌ ‌her‌ ‌arms‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌knees‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌resting‌ ‌on‌ ‌them,‌ ‌sobbing.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌could‌ ‌see,‌ ‌that‌ ‌her‌ ‌wrists‌ ‌were‌ ‌handcuffed‌ ‌once‌ ‌because‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌fresh‌ ‌excoriated‌ ‌spots.‌ ‌The‌ ‌poor‌ ‌girl‌ ‌must‌ ‌have‌ ‌escaped‌ ‌her‌ ‌kidnappers‌ ‌earlier/*

*Nuima‌ ‌knelt‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌her‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌and‌ ‌beckoned‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌couple‌ ‌that‌ ‌had‌ ‌been‌ ‌following‌ ‌her.‌ ‌"I’m‌ ‌here‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌you.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌whispered‌ ‌smiling‌ ‌and‌ ‌put‌ ‌a‌ ‌hand‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌shoulder.‌ ‌The‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌flinched‌ ‌and‌ ‌moved‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌stare‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌scared.‌ ‌When‌ ‌she‌ ‌noticed‌ ‌she‌ ‌didn’t‌ ‌know‌ ‌the‌ ‌friendly‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌she‌ ‌relaxed‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit‌ ‌and‌ ‌new‌ ‌tears‌ ‌ran‌ ‌down‌ ‌her‌ ‌heated‌ ‌cheeks.‌ ‌"Don’t‌ ‌cry,‌ ‌cutie.‌ ‌Everything’s‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌alright.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌smiled,‌ ‌when‌ ‌suddenly‌ ‌the‌ ‌girl‌ ‌screamed‌ ‌loudly‌ ‌and‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌turned‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌moment,‌ ‌something‌ ‌hard‌ ‌hit‌ ‌her‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌temple‌ ‌and‌ ‌everything‌ ‌turned‌ ‌dark.‌*

*‌Her‌ ‌fainting‌ ‌did‌ ‌not‌ ‌last‌ ‌long‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌opened‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌immediately‌ ‌when‌ ‌hearing‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌scream.‌ ‌She‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌away‌ ‌again‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌had‌ ‌already‌ ‌surrounded‌ ‌her,‌ ‌laughing‌ ‌evilly,‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌closed‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌again.‌ ‌God‌ ‌damn,‌ ‌how‌ ‌could‌ ‌she‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌so‌ ‌naive?‌ ‌She‌ ‌thought‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌words‌ ‌her‌ ‌friend‌ ‌Y’sheq‌ ‌told‌ ‌her,‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌careful‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌way‌ ‌to‌ ‌Ishgard,‌ ‌when‌ ‌their‌ ‌ways‌ ‌split.‌ ‌Sharp‌ ‌pain‌ ‌was‌ ‌rushing‌ ‌through‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌and‌ ‌making‌ ‌her‌ ‌feel‌ ‌dizzy‌ ‌while‌ ‌she‌ ‌felt‌ ‌her‌ ‌own‌ ‌warm‌ ‌blood‌ ‌running‌ ‌down‌ ‌her‌ ‌face.‌ ‌She‌ ‌had‌ ‌just‌ ‌led‌ ‌the‌ ‌kidnappers‌ ‌back‌ ‌to‌ ‌their‌ ‌victim.‌ ‌Quietly‌ ‌moaning‌ ‌she‌ ‌opened‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit‌ ‌again,‌ ‌when‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌had‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girls‌ ‌wrist.*

*‌"No!‌ ‌Let‌ ‌go!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌screamed‌ ‌frightened‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌escape‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌held‌ ‌her‌ ‌tight.‌ ‌"You‌ ‌won’t‌ ‌run‌ ‌away‌ ‌again,‌ ‌dirty‌ ‌lil‘‌ ‌child!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌shouted,‌ ‌slapped‌ ‌her‌ ‌face‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌girl‌ ‌was‌ ‌sobbing.‌*

*The‌ ‌man‌ ‌suddenly‌ ‌froze‌ ‌while‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌handcuff‌ ‌their‌ ‌victim‌ ‌again.‌ ‌A‌ ‌dagger‌ ‌was‌ ‌held‌ ‌against‌ ‌his‌ ‌throat‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌lifted‌ ‌his‌ ‌arms.‌ ‌His‌ ‌accomplice‌ ‌stopped‌ ‌with‌ ‌tying‌ ‌up‌ ‌and‌ ‌looked‌ ‌at‌ ‌him‌ ‌scared‌ ‌but‌ ‌angrily‌ ‌when‌ ‌Nuima’s‌ ‌head‌ ‌showed‌ ‌up‌ ‌behind‌ ‌his‌ ‌shoulder.*

*‌"Let.‌ ‌Her.‌ ‌Go.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌said‌ ‌quietly‌ ‌but‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌dangerous‌ ‌voice‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌situation‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌frozen.‌*

*‌"NOW!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌shouted‌ ‌and‌ ‌immediately‌ ‌regretted‌ ‌it,‌ ‌when‌ ‌new‌ ‌pain‌ ‌was‌ ‌emerging‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌wound‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌head.‌*

*The‌ ‌girl‌ ‌tore‌ ‌away‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman’s‌ ‌grip‌ ‌and‌ ‌stumbled‌ ‌backwards.‌ ‌Then‌ ‌she‌ ‌looked‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen.‌*

*"Run…‌ ‌as‌ ‌fast‌ ‌as‌ ‌you‌ ‌can.",‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌said‌ ‌and‌ ‌nodded‌ ‌to‌ ‌her.‌ ‌She‌ ‌felt‌ ‌released‌ ‌when‌ ‌the‌ ‌girl‌ ‌disappeared‌ ‌between‌ ‌the‌ ‌trees‌ ‌and‌ ‌concentrated‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌two‌ ‌kidnappers‌ ‌again‌ ‌who‌ ‌were‌ ‌now‌ ‌her‌ ‌own‌ ‌problem.*

*‌"You‌ ‌tricked‌ ‌me…",‌ ‌she‌ ‌said‌ ‌quietly.‌*

*‌"I‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌even‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌know‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌which‌ ‌hole‌ ‌you‌ ‌crawled,‌ ‌but‌ ‌it‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌you‌ ‌crawl‌ ‌back‌ ‌in…‌ ‌and‌ ‌stay‌ ‌th…",‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌couldnt‌ ‌even‌ ‌complete‌ ‌her‌ ‌sentence‌ ‌when‌ ‌his‌ ‌elbow‌ ‌rammed‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌rips‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌stumbled‌ ‌backwards‌ ‌coughing.‌ ‌She‌ ‌saw‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌disappearing‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girls‌ ‌direction‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌comrade‌ ‌walking‌ ‌towards‌ ‌her‌ ‌looking‌ ‌angry.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌dagger‌ ‌had‌ ‌left‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌red‌ ‌line‌ ‌on‌ ‌his‌ ‌throat‌ ‌and‌ ‌his‌ ‌hands‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌her‌ ‌hand‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌sharp‌ ‌weapon‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌coat‌ ‌pushing‌ ‌her‌ ‌against‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌tree.‌*

*"You‌ ‌dirty‌ ‌lil‘‌ ‌bitch.‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌hurt‌ ‌ya.",‌ ‌he‌ ‌smirked‌ ‌and‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌her‌ ‌throat‌ ‌instead‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌coat.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌gasped‌ ‌and‌ ‌punched‌ ‌his‌ ‌face‌ ‌again‌ ‌and‌ ‌again‌ ‌while‌ ‌smelling‌ ‌his‌ ‌stinky‌ ‌breath.‌ ‌He‌ ‌backed‌ ‌up‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit‌ ‌and‌ ‌wrapped‌ ‌his‌ ‌hand‌ ‌even‌ ‌stronger‌ ‌around‌ ‌her‌ ‌slim‌ ‌neck.‌ ‌But‌ ‌he‌ ‌had‌ ‌just‌ ‌made‌ ‌enough‌ ‌place‌ ‌for‌ ‌her‌ ‌knee‌ ‌to‌ ‌land‌ ‌a‌ ‌hit‌ ‌in‌ ‌his‌ ‌stomach‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌sank‌ ‌down‌ ‌on‌ ‌his‌ ‌knees‌ ‌moaning.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌gasped‌ ‌for‌ ‌air‌ ‌and‌ ‌stumbled‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌steps‌ ‌away‌ ‌from‌ ‌him,‌ ‌where‌ ‌she‌ ‌found‌ ‌a‌ ‌thick‌ ‌bough‌ ‌and‌ ‌beat‌ ‌him‌ ‌so‌ ‌hard‌ ‌with‌ ‌it‌ ‌the‌ ‌wood‌ ‌broke‌ ‌in‌ ‌its‌ ‌middle.‌ ‌His‌ ‌body‌ ‌fell‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌ground‌ ‌and‌ ‌stayed‌ ‌there‌ ‌completely‌ ‌knocked‌ ‌out.‌ ‌She‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌coughing‌ ‌and‌ ‌let‌ ‌go‌ ‌off‌ ‌the‌ ‌left‌ ‌over‌ ‌wood‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌hand‌ ‌and‌ ‌held‌ ‌her‌ ‌throat‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌pain‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌was‌ ‌exploding‌ ‌again,‌ ‌making‌ ‌her‌ ‌stumble.‌ ‌But‌ ‌there‌ ‌was‌ ‌no‌ ‌time‌ ‌to‌ ‌relax.‌ ‌The‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌in‌ ‌danger‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌won’t‌ ‌let‌ ‌that‌ ‌vicious‌ ‌woman‌ ‌get‌ ‌away‌ ‌with‌ ‌it.‌ ‌She‌ ‌quickened‌ ‌her‌ ‌pace,‌ ‌the‌ ‌dagger‌ ‌clutched‌ ‌tightly‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌hand,‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌victim‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌pursuer.‌*

*‌Snow‌ ‌started‌ ‌to‌ ‌fall‌ ‌silently‌ ‌and‌ ‌making‌ ‌everything‌ ‌seem‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌more‌ ‌peaceful‌ ‌while‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌was‌ ‌running‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌quiet‌ ‌forest.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌steps‌ ‌were‌ ‌quiet‌ ‌like‌ ‌before‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌ears‌ ‌could‌ ‌hear‌ ‌something‌ ‌pretty‌ ‌close‌ ‌in‌ ‌front‌ ‌of‌ ‌her.‌ ‌She‌ ‌jumped‌ ‌over‌ ‌a‌ ‌log‌ ‌that‌ ‌was‌ ‌laying‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌way‌ ‌and‌ ‌braked‌ ‌sharply‌ ‌when‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌appeared‌ ‌in‌ ‌front‌ ‌of‌ ‌her,‌ ‌tied‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌tree,‌ ‌screaming‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌through‌ ‌a‌ ‌toggle.‌ ‌Something‌ ‌fast‌ ‌flew‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌direction‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌lifted‌ ‌up‌ ‌her‌ ‌hand‌ ‌right‌ ‌fast‌ ‌enough‌ ‌to‌ ‌feel‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌ball‌ ‌explode‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌back‌ ‌of‌ ‌it.‌ ‌Some‌ ‌smoke‌ ‌and‌ ‌powder‌ ‌evolved‌ ‌from‌ ‌it‌ ‌and‌ ‌blew‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌face‌ ‌where‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌started‌ ‌to‌ ‌burn‌ ‌like‌ ‌fire.‌*

*‌"Aaaaaaah!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌screamed‌ ‌and‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌it‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes,‌ ‌stumbling‌ ‌backwards,‌ ‌while‌ ‌tears‌ ‌were‌ ‌already‌ ‌running‌ ‌down‌ ‌her‌ ‌cheeks.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌heard‌ ‌the‌ ‌footsteps‌ ‌running‌ ‌towards‌ ‌her‌ ‌and‌ ‌put‌ ‌herself‌ ‌in‌ ‌defensive‌ ‌position,‌ ‌her‌ ‌dagger‌ ‌held‌ ‌in‌ ‌front‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌while‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌see‌ ‌something‌ ‌again.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌were‌ ‌still‌ ‌burning‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌footsteps‌ ‌stopped.‌ ‌The‌ ‌woman‌ ‌probably‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌gauge‌ ‌how‌ ‌high‌ ‌her‌ ‌chances‌ ‌were‌ ‌attacking‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌like‌ ‌this‌ ‌and‌ ‌started‌ ‌to‌ ‌move‌ ‌around‌ ‌her‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌and‌ ‌as‌ ‌quiet‌ ‌as‌ ‌possible‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌girl‌ ‌was‌ ‌screaming‌ ‌scared.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Duskwight‌ ‌tilted‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌slightly‌ ‌and‌ ‌listened‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌arrived‌ ‌behind‌ ‌her‌ ‌ready‌ ‌to‌ ‌attack.*

*‌Everything‌ ‌happened‌ ‌very‌ ‌quickly‌ ‌when‌ ‌suddenly‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌appeared‌ ‌again‌ ‌and‌ ‌ran‌ ‌towards‌ ‌them‌ ‌still‌ ‌staggering‌ ‌holding‌ ‌his‌ ‌head,‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌turned‌ ‌around‌ ‌to‌ ‌parry‌ ‌the‌ ‌attack‌ ‌and‌ ‌slice‌ ‌the‌ ‌throat‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌behind‌ ‌her‌ ‌feeling‌ ‌her‌ ‌blood‌ ‌sprinkle‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌face‌ ‌and‌ ‌was‌ ‌knocked‌ ‌down‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌moment‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌who‌ ‌rammed‌ ‌a‌ ‌knife‌ ‌into‌ ‌her‌ ‌belly.‌ ‌She‌ ‌screamed‌ ‌in‌ ‌pain‌ ‌and‌ ‌fell‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌floor,‌ ‌grabbing‌ ‌his‌ ‌coat‌ ‌and‌ ‌taking‌ ‌him‌ ‌with‌ ‌her‌ ‌just‌ ‌to‌ ‌stab‌ ‌her‌ ‌dagger‌ ‌into‌ ‌his‌ ‌neck.‌ ‌All‌ ‌she‌ ‌could‌ ‌feel‌ ‌was‌ ‌the‌ ‌cold‌ ‌metal‌ ‌slicing‌ ‌through‌ ‌her‌ ‌flesh‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌gasped‌ ‌breathlessly.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌sight‌ ‌became‌ ‌more‌ ‌clear‌ ‌again‌ ‌even‌ ‌though‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌were‌ ‌still‌ ‌burning‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌saw‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌laying‌ ‌right‌ ‌next‌ ‌to‌ ‌her‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌woman‌ ‌leaning‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌log‌ ‌she‌ ‌jumped‌ ‌over‌ ‌before.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌blood‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌flowing‌ ‌out‌ ‌the‌ ‌evil‌ ‌woman’s‌ ‌throat‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌stared‌ ‌with‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌wide‌ ‌open‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌floor…‌ ‌gagging…‌ ‌gasping.‌*

*With‌ ‌clenched‌ ‌teeth,‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌forced‌ ‌herself‌ ‌to‌ ‌stand‌ ‌up‌ ‌again‌ ‌and‌ ‌pull‌ ‌the‌ ‌knife‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌body.‌ ‌Pain‌ ‌rushed‌ ‌through‌ ‌her‌ ‌body‌ ‌while‌ ‌she‌ ‌was‌ ‌stumbling‌ ‌towards‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl,‌ ‌pressing‌ ‌her‌ ‌hand‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌wound‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌belly.‌ ‌She‌ ‌fell‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌knees‌ ‌and‌ ‌cut‌ ‌the‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌loose,‌ ‌who‌ ‌hugged‌ ‌her‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌sudden‌ ‌as‌ ‌soon‌ ‌as‌ ‌she‌ ‌was‌ ‌released.‌*

*‌"It’s‌ ‌okay…it’s‌ ‌okay…",‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌whispered‌ ‌and‌ ‌closed‌ ‌her‌ ‌free‌ ‌arm‌ ‌around‌ ‌her.‌ ‌"I’m‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌you‌ ‌home."‌*

*"I’m‌ ‌Reylagh.",‌ ‌the‌ ‌girl‌ ‌sobbed‌ ‌and‌ ‌looked‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌small‌ ‌snowflakes‌ ‌falling‌ ‌around‌ ‌her‌ ‌making‌ ‌her‌ ‌look‌ ‌like‌ ‌an‌ ‌angel‌ ‌even‌ ‌more.‌*

*‌"Nuima.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌smiled‌ ‌strained‌ ‌while‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌suppress‌ ‌the‌ ‌pain‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌lower‌ ‌body.‌ ‌"We‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌go!‌ ‌Now!",‌ ‌Reylagh‌ ‌said‌ ‌restless‌ ‌and‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌pull‌ ‌her‌ ‌up.*

*‌"I…‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌think‌ ‌I‌ ‌can…",‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌said‌ ‌in‌ ‌pain‌ ‌and‌ ‌they‌ ‌heard‌ ‌a‌ ‌giggling‌ ‌gasping‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌still‌ ‌living‌ ‌woman‌ ‌when‌ ‌noises‌ ‌came‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌forest.*

*‌"But‌ ‌the‌ ‌others‌ ‌will‌ ‌catch‌ ‌us‌ ‌and‌ ‌I‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌want‌ ‌you‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌killed!",‌ ‌Reylagh‌ ‌begged‌ ‌desperately.‌*

*Nuima‌ ‌looked‌ ‌around‌ ‌and‌ ‌heard‌ ‌more‌ ‌steps‌ ‌coming‌ ‌towards‌ ‌them,‌ ‌making‌ ‌her‌ ‌heart‌ ‌race‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌adrenalin‌ ‌rush‌ ‌made‌ ‌it‌ ‌possible‌ ‌for‌ ‌her‌ ‌to‌ ‌stand‌ ‌up‌ ‌again.‌*

*‌The‌ ‌little‌ ‌girl‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌her‌ ‌free‌ ‌hand‌ ‌and‌ ‌pulled‌ ‌her‌ ‌forward.‌*

*They‌ ‌left‌ ‌the‌ ‌forest‌ ‌and‌ ‌walked‌ ‌as‌ ‌quick‌ ‌as‌ ‌possible‌ ‌through‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌tunnel‌ ‌that‌ ‌was‌ ‌hewn‌ ‌into‌ ‌rock‌ ‌many‌ ‌decades‌ ‌before‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌snow‌ ‌got‌ ‌deeper‌ ‌as‌ ‌soon‌ ‌as‌ ‌they‌ ‌entered‌ ‌the‌ ‌highlands‌ ‌of‌ ‌Coerthas.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌gasped‌ ‌from‌ ‌exertion‌ ‌and‌ ‌stumbled‌ ‌behind‌ ‌Reylagh‌ ‌who‌ ‌still‌ ‌pulled‌ ‌her‌ ‌forward.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌heart‌ ‌beat‌ ‌very‌ ‌fast‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌felt‌ ‌weaker‌ ‌and‌ ‌weaker‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌snow‌ ‌was‌ ‌dancing‌ ‌around‌ ‌them‌ ‌making‌ ‌it‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌see‌ ‌much.‌ ‌Her‌ ‌body‌ ‌felt‌ ‌hot‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌breathed‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌cold‌ ‌air‌ ‌hoping‌ ‌it‌ ‌would‌ ‌make‌ ‌her‌ ‌feel‌ ‌better‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit.‌*

*"Reylagh,‌ ‌stop…",‌ ‌she‌ ‌mumbled‌ ‌and‌ ‌fell‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌knees‌ ‌almost‌ ‌passing‌ ‌out.‌ ‌The‌ ‌girl‌ ‌turned‌ ‌around‌ ‌and‌ ‌grabbed‌ ‌her‌ ‌shoulders,‌ ‌feeling‌ ‌her‌ ‌body‌ ‌shake.*

*‌"Please,‌ ‌come‌ ‌with‌ ‌me.‌ ‌We’ll‌ ‌be‌ ‌safe.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌begged‌ ‌and‌ ‌looked‌ ‌at‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌anxiously.‌*

*‌The‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌smiled‌ ‌and‌ ‌placed‌ ‌a‌ ‌hand‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌cheek.‌ ‌"You‌ ‌can‌ ‌do‌ ‌it.‌ ‌You‌ ‌already‌ ‌brought‌ ‌us‌ ‌so‌ ‌far.‌ ‌Run‌ ‌as‌ ‌fast‌ ‌as‌ ‌you‌ ‌can."‌*

*"No,‌ ‌you‌ ‌saved‌ ‌me…‌ ‌You’ll‌ ‌die,‌ ‌if‌ ‌I‌ ‌leave‌ ‌you‌ ‌behind.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌started‌ ‌crying‌ ‌desperately‌ ‌and‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌shook‌ ‌her‌ ‌head.‌*

*"I‌ ‌won’t,‌ ‌I‌ ‌promise.‌ ‌Come‌ ‌back‌ ‌with‌ ‌help‌ ‌and‌ ‌I’ll‌ ‌still‌ ‌be‌ ‌here‌ ‌waiting‌ ‌for‌ ‌you.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌smile‌ ‌hiding‌ ‌the‌ ‌pain‌ ‌as‌ ‌much.*

*‌Reylagh‌ ‌seemed‌ ‌to‌ ‌think‌ ‌about‌ ‌it‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌moment‌ ‌and‌ ‌then‌ ‌nodded.‌ ‌"I’ll‌ ‌come‌ ‌back‌ ‌soon.‌ ‌Wait‌ ‌for‌ ‌me,‌ ‌I’ll‌ ‌hurry!",‌ ‌she‌ ‌hugged‌ ‌her‌ ‌quickly.‌ ‌"Thanks‌ ‌for‌ ‌everything!",‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌turned‌ ‌around‌ ‌and‌ ‌ran‌ ‌away.‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌lost‌ ‌sight‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌moments‌ ‌later‌ ‌and‌ ‌groaned‌ ‌in‌ ‌pain.‌ ‌She‌ ‌opened‌ ‌her‌ ‌cloak‌ ‌and‌ ‌it‌ ‌flew‌ ‌down‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌snowy‌ ‌floor.‌ ‌The‌ ‌cold‌ ‌caught‌ ‌her‌ ‌breath‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌heat‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌body‌ ‌was‌ ‌strong‌ ‌enough‌ ‌to‌ ‌keep‌ ‌her‌ ‌still‌ ‌warm‌ ‌for‌ ‌some‌ ‌time.*

*‌The‌ ‌snow‌ ‌turned‌ ‌red‌ ‌when‌ ‌the‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌pressed‌ ‌the‌ ‌right‌ ‌hand‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌belly‌ ‌again,‌ ‌breathing‌ ‌heavily‌ ‌through‌ ‌her‌ ‌clenched‌ ‌teeth‌ ‌while‌ ‌her‌ ‌face‌ ‌showed‌ ‌nothing‌ ‌else‌ ‌than‌ ‌pain‌ ‌and‌ ‌despair.*

*‌A‌ ‌person‌ ‌showed‌ ‌up‌ ‌right‌ ‌next‌ ‌to‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌who‌ ‌had‌ ‌sunk‌ ‌on‌ ‌all‌ ‌four‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌stop‌ ‌the‌ ‌bleeding.‌*

*‌"You‌ ‌know‌ ‌that‌ ‌they'll‌ ‌get‌ ‌her?",‌ ‌the‌ ‌male‌ ‌Elezen‌ ‌asked‌ ‌her‌ ‌and‌ ‌knelt‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌a‌ ‌better‌ ‌look‌ ‌at‌ ‌her‌ ‌pale‌ ‌face.*

*‌"She...‌ ‌will‌ ‌make‌ ‌it...",‌ ‌Nuima‌ ‌gasped‌ ‌feverishly‌ ‌and‌ ‌raised‌ ‌her‌ ‌head‌ ‌slightly‌ ‌to‌ ‌stare‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌footsteps‌ ‌in‌ ‌front‌ ‌of‌ ‌her‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌vanishing‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌snow.*

*"You‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌so‌ ‌careful‌ ‌all‌ ‌the‌ ‌time.‌ ‌And‌ ‌now?‌ ‌You‌ ‌should've‌ ‌known‌ ‌where‌ ‌this‌ ‌gets‌ ‌you.",‌ ‌he‌ ‌sighed‌ ‌and‌ ‌gazed‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌direction‌ ‌like‌ ‌her‌ ‌watching‌ ‌the‌ ‌snow‌ ‌falling‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌sky‌ ‌was‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌turning‌ ‌dark.*

*‌"Well…‌ ‌you‌ ‌are‌ ‌here…‌ ‌so‌ ‌I‌ ‌guess,‌ ‌this‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌end?",‌ ‌she‌ ‌asked‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌and‌ ‌took‌ ‌a‌ ‌look‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌person‌ ‌right‌ ‌next‌ ‌to‌ ‌her.‌ ‌He‌ ‌saw‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌and‌ ‌nodded‌ ‌without‌ ‌a‌ ‌smile‌ ‌on‌ ‌his‌ ‌face.‌*

*‌Nuima‌ ‌sank‌ ‌down‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌cold‌ ‌floor‌ ‌and‌ ‌rolled‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌back‌ ‌as‌ ‌if‌ ‌her‌ ‌body‌ ‌had‌ ‌decided‌ ‌to‌ ‌accept‌ ‌its‌ ‌destiny.‌ ‌The‌ ‌cold‌ ‌was‌ ‌taking‌ ‌away‌ ‌her‌ ‌pain‌ ‌slowly‌ ‌and‌ ‌she‌ ‌felt‌ ‌dizzy‌ ‌and‌ ‌tired.*

*‌"I…‌ ‌would‌ ‌have‌ ‌loved…‌ ‌to‌ ‌see‌ ‌Ishgard…‌ ‌only‌ ‌once.",‌ ‌she‌ ‌whispered‌ ‌while‌ ‌the‌ ‌snow‌ ‌started‌ ‌to‌ ‌cover‌ ‌her‌ ‌body.‌*

*‌"You‌ ‌are‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌place,‌ ‌much‌ ‌better‌ ‌than‌ ‌Ishgard…‌ ‌Without‌ ‌pain…‌ ‌and‌ ‌without‌ ‌hate…‌ ‌and‌ ‌violence…‌ ‌and‌ ‌fear…"‌ ‌He‌ ‌placed‌ ‌his‌ ‌hand‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌shoulder,‌ ‌looking‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌her‌ ‌face,‌ ‌where‌ ‌her‌ ‌green‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌were‌ ‌watching‌ ‌him‌ ‌tiredly.‌ ‌She‌ ‌lifted‌ ‌her‌ ‌own‌ ‌hand‌ ‌that‌ ‌was‌ ‌covered‌ ‌in‌ ‌blood‌ ‌and‌ ‌placed‌ ‌it‌ ‌on‌ ‌his…‌ ‌but‌ ‌she‌ ‌couldn’t‌ ‌grab‌ ‌it…‌ ‌his‌ ‌hand‌ ‌vanished‌ ‌when‌ ‌she‌ ‌tried‌ ‌to‌ ‌touch‌ ‌it…*

*‌His‌ ‌whole‌ ‌body‌ ‌disappeared‌ ‌disintegrating‌ ‌into‌ ‌a‌ ‌thousand‌ ‌snowflakes‌ ‌being‌ ‌blown‌ ‌away‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌wind‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌arm‌ ‌stayed‌ ‌on‌ ‌her‌ ‌upper‌ ‌body.‌*

*"Thanks…‌ ‌brother…",‌ ‌she‌ ‌whispered‌ ‌one‌ ‌last‌ ‌time‌ ‌slightly‌ ‌smiling‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌closed‌ ‌slowly.‌ ‌ ‌*