I stumbled out of the ruined village; my mind focused on how one mans greed caused so much pain. The Village elder's corruption led to the existence of the Dulhan, how his need for what another man had led my party to their doom. Which led me to ponder if that this was truly the doom of my party or was it the raising of curtains on the whole show of what I thought was my party. I had been extremely close to Oscar since we grew up together. I was an orphan from some long-forgotten war, living on the streets when he had found me. He was always the energy in the room, his bold face always steeled for whatever he had to face. A large grin constantly plastered on his face as he went around. We grew close quickly as kids, dealing with local bullies together and running away from the sisters of the Holy Order. We were always in trouble. I pondered on when things changed between him and I. We had fought together for a very long time, if I had to pinpoint it, it was her. Raina, she was the biggest problem we had ever ran into. I never truly understood why we had her involved with our party. Oscar had come up with some excuse of how certain jobs needed higher number of party members. Even at the start it seemed like she had it out for me, constantly attacking me in petty ways.
"Oh, little John," She would say in that nasty sweet tone of hers, it always had some complaint attached to the back end of that oh little John. She was also the annoyance that came up with that name. My name was Johnathan, first she tried to shorten it to Johnny, but she said it wouldn't roll of her tongue just right. She would fuss over the little things like how Oscar wanted his bag packed, all according to her. I personally think Oscar got addicted to the attention she was willing to give to him. She once accused me of being jealous of her being wanted by Oscar.
"Listen Raina, I honestly can't stand you; I find you quite annoying and have thought so since the very first day you attached yourself to Oscar and myself. You have completely upended the whole team dynamic Oscar, and I had going. I for one have zero issues with what or whom you spend your time with including Oscar, that being said if you could unfix your lips from his ass long enough to fight that would be terrific." I growled after a battle had gone really badly. Both Oscar and I had gotten injured due to her carelessly fussing over Oscar.
"Don't be jealous Johnny, it's not his fault he has hero potential." She coughed looking down her nose at me.
Oscar, whom at this point had completely been won over by her actions and treatment of him.
"Oh, come off its Little John, she messed up let's not hold it against her. Go chill out, will you?" He groaned as he propped himself up.
His leg had been almost mauled off by the cavern tiger we had fought. Mind you I had to carry him from the field we fought into the inn we stayed. I glared at him before sighing.
"You really have changed for the worst Oscar, I think after the job your uncle has for us, we will go our own ways. I can't continue putting my life in the hands of such a useless fool and his pet stalker. You will die because of her inability to keep her head in battle and out of your ass." I said calmly as I turned to walk out of the room.
I could hear Raina complaining about what I had just said about her and her perfect hero. Oscar told her to stop quietly with a certain sadness in his voice. I doubted anything I could have to say would get him to awaken from his own stupor. I walked away. I think that was the moment they decided to betray me; it would make sense. I sat up straight and noticed that the sun had begun to set. I had no idea what I should do next. I wasn't even human anymore, Should I hide myself away?
"You know you think a lot for a monster." A familiar womans voice came from right behind me.
"There isn't much more that I can do in this situation." My raspy voice responded.
The tall redheaded elf walked slowly to the front of me. Her eyes looking me up and down.
"Well, it's not like you can't hide that appearance of yours behind some armor and cloaks. The problem is your face and voice. It's nearly impossible to do anything about the later. We can use a mask for your face though." She said scratching her chin in a thinking notion.
"Why are you trying to help me?" I asked quietly.
"Call it a morbid curiosity." she responded without a second thought.
I sighed, was life a giant game to this woman.
"Who are you even?" I asked watching the elf.
"Call me Rea. I'm a woodland Fae. Now we need to figure out how we are going to get you the things you need to at least move around from town to town. Thats going to be tricky, most humans are going to attack you on sight. If only your appearance took on more of a human look. Oh well we will make do." She chimed happily as she floated around me.
She pulled on my arm, forcing me to stand. She began pulling on my arm, her humming filling the air as we walked away from the dead village. She guided me along a narrow dirt path that wildlife seemed to be the only travelers. The woods grew thicker the longer we went on. Rea, humming the whole way we walked would stop, look at little critters, flowers and certain bugs she came across. She seemed to not be bothered by anything completely free from the worries of the world. Her smile carved on her silken face, the green, emerald eyes dancing each time she would look into the light. Her joy was almost infectious. I caught myself humming to her tune a few times, a small fire of hope reignited in my chest, as if things would be ok.