Deep Affection
The Orcs army had retreated, but not in an orderly fashion; their tracks were clear, and some unlucky ones couldn't keep up with the Orcs. Nathanos caught up with one Orcs and immediately charged towards Orcs flank, circling around to the front of Orcs so quietly and swiftly that the orc didn't even notice him. Finally, he climbed a small hill that could be used as a stepping stone and leaped down. The Orcs's ears rang, and just as he looked up, Nathanos kicked him to the ground and pointed his bow at him.
"No!" The Orcs, realizing what he was about to face as he fell to the ground, immediately shouted, curling his legs up and covering his face with his hands. In his panic, he didn't care whether Nathanos could understand Orcish, and just kept yelling, "Don't kill me!"
Nathanos had originally planned to shoot the orc in the arm at close range with an arrow coated with anesthetic, but seeing the Orcs sweating profusely and not daring to resist at all, he lowered his weapon. He also noticed that the Orcs reached into a satchel and some herbs and a small knife covered in dirt were scattered out. What was even more interesting was that Nathanos found that this Orcs was different from the other Orcs; his skin was not bright green, but brown!
"Don't move!" Nathanos said to him. The Orcs still didn't dare look at him, but he nodded. Suddenly, the human heard some movement behind him and immediately turned around to aim. "Who's there? Come out from behind the rock!" he shouted, but he only heard light and agile footsteps, one step, two steps.
"Damn it!" Nathanos cursed inwardly. When he saw Alleria emerge, his face filled with surprise, and a sense of dread rose within him. He realized the Female Elf didn't speak to him, or even look at him. Her eyes were fixed on the Orcs behind Nathanos, and her Sathoryl was already nocked an arrow. A cruel smile played on the Female Elf's lips as she pondered where to strike the Orcs to kill him in agony.
"Alleria, listen to me!" Nathanos blocked her way. The Female Elf stopped and glared at him with the same look she gave an Orcs. This made him feel a pang of heartache. He questioned himself once again: what had hatred done to her?
"This Orcs, he is a prisoner I captured... on Turalyon's orders, and... he has already surrendered, hasn't he?" Nathanos said.
Alleria didn't answer; her brows conveyed two words to Nathanos —get out of the way! Nathanos's brow furrowed, and the Female Elf's two fingers, which were holding her bow, pulled back a few centimeters! It was a warning, but Nathanos had no intention of backing down. Moreover, the Orcs had somehow stood up; he hadn't chosen to ambush Nathanos from behind, but simply stood there trembling. 'Why don't you run!' the human screamed inwardly. He now hoped this guy would escape quickly while he still had control of the situation, but when the Orcs opened his eyes from the fingertips covering his face and saw Alleria's murderous gaze, he dared not move another inch, as if resigning himself to fate.
"You said you would be with me!" the Female Elf said.
Nathanos felt as if the arrow on Sathoryl had left Alleria's hand and pierced his heart! Those words took his breath away. After a moment of stunned silence, Nathanos shook his head. "Yes, I said that. But I won't hunt Orcs with you, nor will I let you do so, because that would destroy you."
"Enough!" the Female Elf roared, utterly enraged. Her face contorted with fury, and she no longer cared who stood in her way; she was determined to exact revenge. "Arrogant humans!" She drew her bow, and as she released it, a bolt of lightning seemed to flash through the cold air as the deadly arrow shot forth. Nathanos's eyes widened; in that instant, time seemed to stand still! Humans, Elf, and Orcs —a multitude of thoughts flashed through their minds.
The moment the arrow left her hand, Alleria snapped back to reality, realizing her mistake. Her pupils dilated, and the anger on her face gradually turned into terror and regret. Her heart, like that arrow, screamed at Nathanos —Get out of the way!
When the Orcs heard the sound of the bowstring tightening, his mind went blank. He had no idea what would happen next, even though the hair standing on end on his body told him the answer, and he unconsciously cried out, "Ancestral blessing!"
The arrow struck Nathanos' right shoulder with lightning speed. The human was first shocked, his body leaning back. He felt the force of the arrow and was certain it would pierce him and fly towards its true target—the Orcs! Before the pain intensified, Nathanos gritted his teeth, and with all his might, as the arrow left his right shoulder, he turned to the right...
The air suddenly fell silent, or rather, froze. The Orcs could faintly hear the trembling of his own teeth grinding, then he heard heavy breathing. He was certain it wasn't him making that sound, because he had been holding his breath, at least until he opened his eyes. He realized he wasn't dead! What was happening? He slowly opened his eyes, his right hand accidentally brushing against his sweaty forehead. His eyes widened, widened, and widened again, until a faint pain shot through his eye sockets. The arrowhead was pressed against his forehead! Nathanos's right hand trembled as he gripped the arrow. The Orcs stopped breathing completely, and the next second, he passed out.
The human's facial expression was incredibly complex: terror, panic, and pain! His lips trembled as he muttered, "I'm not an ancestor!" Then he slowly lowered his right hand, a tearing sensation washing over him, yet Nathanos did not lower the bow stained with his own blood. He felt a burning sensation in his chest, then spat out a mouthful of hot blood, spilling it onto the already crimson earth. Nathanos's breath was extremely weak, and when he looked up at Alleria, a wave of loss and sorrow washed over him.
"She really attacked? She really attacked!" Nathanos stared at Alleria with a questioning tone and a look of utter disbelief. The Female Elf covered her mouth with her hand, tears streaming down her face. Nathanos had actually stopped her in this way. She shook her head frantically, completely unable to believe it. The moment she released the bowstring, she had regretted it. She wanted to shout "No!" but she knew it was too late. Nathanos's determination shocked her; it felt like a dream!
"Bastard!" she cursed, charging at Nathanos and slapping the human hard across the face. Nathanos didn't flinch; the burning sensation on his face was nothing compared to the pain in his shoulder.
"Are you out of your mind? Why are you doing this?!" Alleria grabbed Nathanos's arms and shook him violently. "Why! Why! Why didn't you get away?" The Female Elf cried out, her body limp against his chest. Nathanos suddenly felt a sense of relief. His eyes trembled slightly. Alleria's last question had completely put his worries to rest. She wasn't entirely blinded by hatred; her heart had finally made a choice between hatred and the people she cared about.
Nathanos hugged her tightly, ignoring his own injuries. He was overjoyed. At this moment, he hadn't saved Alleria; he preferred to believe that Alleria had saved him and saved him!
The Female Elf moved her two hands, which were pressed against Nathanos's chest, upwards, encircling his neck, and then lifted her head to kiss him forcefully and passionately. The night in the Blasted Lands was no longer cold...