Tiafell: The Enchanting Elf Ch. 36

Chapter 36: Licking Wounds

Brion and Kanah had been helping carry wounded dwarves to the infirmary, despite their own injuries. After changing out of his blood-soaked clothes, Cirris met them as they were about to head back out.

"Cirris? What are you doing up and about?" Brion asked.

"I want to help. Other than my face, I'm not hurt," Cirris replied. "But I should ask you and Kanah that! You two are in worse shape than I am!"

"We Amazons believe that if you can still walk after battle, you can help those who can't."

Cirris chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like something you guys would say. Come on, let's get going."

As the three headed out, Kanah inquired about Tiafell's condition. "How is Tiafell doing?"

"He's still hanging in there. Mom and Hinako are here now, and Hinako is cutting out the infected tissue." Cirris told her.

"It's incredible that Tiafell is alive at all. But to be cut down by someone you trust with all your heart..." Brion closed his eyes, imagining the pain of such a devastating betrayal.

Kanah growled loudly. "I don't care how Tiafell or Vasati feel about Alto! When we see that bastard again, I'm lopping his fucking head off!!"

"Yeah, I feel the same way," Cirris gritted his teeth. "I'm sure Mirya does as well."

"As do I. However," Brion interjected, "Alto soundly defeated me, Kanah, and Orvik, then went toe-to-toe with Nadia before besting her. I don't know if anyone but Tiafell can fight him. The question is: would Tiafell want to?"

Before Cirris or Kanah could respond, a commotion ahead caught their attention. Shouting dwarves encircled something near a body of water with weapons drawn. Nearby, others stood off against subterraneans, moments away from coming to blows.

"Wait, that's where..." Brion ran ahead of Cirris and Kanah. He arrived at the scene and pushed through the crowd. Soon, Brion saw what agitated the dwarves. "Zera!"

Alive but critically injured, Zera had crawled out of the water on her hands and knees. The subterranean leader hissed at the dwarves surrounding her, clutching her spear.

Zera calmed down slightly when she heard Brion's voice. "Where is Dred...?" She wheezed.

Brion approached Zera with his arms stretched out, hoping to encourage everyone to stand down. "Dred and Esteban got away. I'll explain everything else later. Right now, we must get you some help. You'll die if we don't!"

The dwarves loudly protested and demanded Zera's immediate execution. The subterraneans roared in fury.

"These dwarves... would rather see me dead. I will... defend my people... to the bitter end!!" Zera tried to stand but collapsed onto her side, losing consciousness.

A dwarf approached, axe at the ready. "Stand back, boy. I'm going to cut off her head!"

"No, wait!" Brion moved between him and Zera. "I know that dwarves and subterraneans are mortal enemies, but you both have a deadlier one in Dred! Is it at all possible to put your differences aside until Dred is eliminated? We'll be more effective if we fight him together!"

"Never! I will not tell ye again; step aside or die with her!!"

"Stop!!" Orvik yelled from outside the crowd, which cleared a path for him. The Dwarven Chief limped toward Brion, having refused treatment to help gather the wounded. "I trust ye and yer friends. But are ye certain Zera won't turn on us the moment she recovers?"

"I am," Brion began making his case. "Dred manipulated Zera, then betrayed her when her 'usefulness' ended. I understand the subterraneans have threatened dwarves for generations, but you have threatened them just as much! You share a common threat in Dred and his forces. What they have done here is only a taste of what they intend to do to the entire world! I saw it in today's battle; you put your differences aside to fight a common, deadlier enemy. Let's all do it again, and combat Dred's forces as a united front!"

Orvik's brow furrowed. "How would that benefit us?"

"I know how badly you and the other dwarves want to leave this mountain. Zera and the subterraneans want these caves for themselves. If we all work together, both sides can get exactly what they want, and when this war is over, you'll never have to see them again. More importantly, if Dred is not stopped, everyone will die, including all of you!"

"And what if yer wrong about Zera? What if she turns against us?"

"If it comes to that, I'll take care of her myself, but I don't think it will. I can judge an opponent's character in the heat of battle. Zera may not be the friendliest person, but she would do anything to keep her people safe. That is what we call honor, and if we can convince her that helping us will protect the subterraneans, I truly believe we can trust her."

"I know what honor is, Lad." Orvik barked, then mulled Brion's words over for a few moments before answering. "Fine. We'll give her one chance, but only if we keep her under lock and key. I still do not trust her, but I trust the allies of Gadrael's chosen one."

Brion bowed his head appreciatively. "Those terms are acceptable. Thank you, Orvik."

"Yeah, yeah..."

At Orvik's command, the dwarves reluctantly lowered their weapons; the subterraneans stood down. Four dwarves picked Zera's limp, heavy body up by her limbs.

"Um, Brion?" Cirris began apprehensively. "Are you sure about this?"

Brion exhaled sharply. "I know it's a risk, but we took one in trusting Trista, and it paid off. Zera is an honorable, fearless leader who puts her people first, like Mom once was. I can't sit by and let someone like that die unjustly."

Cirris firmly put his hand on Brion's shoulder. "Alright, that works for me! Tiafell and the others will be proud of you!"

A smile formed on Brion's face. He didn't vouch for Zera to gain anyone's approval, but it was nice to have. "Thanks."

Brion, Kanah, and Cirris followed those escorting Zera to the infirmary, with many dwarves ready to kill her the moment she moved, and many subterraneans ready to do the same to them.

~~~

Having finished giving Nadia blood, Samora rejoined Mirya and Trista, who were still waiting for an update on Tiafell's condition. After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened.

"I'm finished," Hinako said, stepping out and closing the door. "I cast healing magic after removing the infected issue, and Gadrael seems to be at work herself, so Tiafell should be fine in three or four days, though I cannot say when he will regain consciousness."

"Hinako, I..." Mirya trembled, barely keeping herself together. "I don't know how to thank you. When he died, I... I didn't want to go on..."

"Mirya..." Trista consoled Mirya along with Samora.

Hinako waved her hand dismissively. "You should thank Gadrael. Without her, Tiafell would not have come back. Until now, I have always dismissed them as make-believe, but Tiafell's survival is nothing short of a miracle."

Nadia bolted into the hallway. "Hey, guys? You all need to see this!"

Everyone but Mirya, who stayed behind with Tiafell, went outside with Nadia. They saw dwarves carrying Zera into triage, then followed Brion, Kanah, and Cirris.

"Brion, is that the subterranean you fought?" Nadia pressed tentatively.

"Yes," Brion answered. "Her name is Zera; she is the leader of the subterraneans. Dred used her people to dig the tunnel that brought his forces here, then tried to kill her. All Zera wants is to keep her people safe. If we can save her and prove that we are willing to help the subterraneans, I think she could be talked into joining our side."

Samora had serious doubts. "There's a lot I need to be caught up on, but what makes you believe we should trust her? From what I've heard, she willingly sided with Dred."

"I recently learned that some people deserve a second chance. Trista got hers and proved herself to be a trustworthy ally. Yes, Zera did work with Dred, but only because he lied to her about helping her people. That doesn't make her all that different from Trista. I believe Zera should have the same chance to set things right."

Brion's words struck a chord with Trista. He and Kanah took the longest to accept her as an ally, but they eventually did. Now, Brion was willing to give someone else that same opportunity. However, unlike Trista, Zera consciously chose to work with Dred. Trusting Zera would be a greater risk.

Inside the infirmary, Trista cautiously slid her hand across Zera's cold, scaly head. She felt deep anger and resentment in the reptilian's mind and heart, but beyond that, there was no malice. Zera loved her people and wanted nothing more than to reclaim the caverns her ancestors once lived in before the dwarves forced them to retreat deep underground.

Trista withdrew her hand, then gave her assessment. "Zera is not a very nice person, but I do not sense true evil within her. I believe we can reason with her, but I agree that she should be confined until we've negotiated with her."

"That's all I could ask for." Brion smiled at Trista. "Thank you, Trista."

Trista blushed and bashfully brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "You're welcome, just doing what I can to help!" She was elated to receive Brion's praise.

"Very well," Hinako sighed. Ordinarily, she and her comrades would have already slain Zera without a second thought. "Bring her inside, and I'll get to work."

While Hinako treated Zera, Samora and Trista took the others to visit Tiafell.

~~~

Tiafell's spirit sat nude in a grassy field inside Gadrael's realm. He could hear Mirya crying and speaking softly to him.

Gadrael, also nude, appeared beside Tiafell. "Welcome back."

Tiafell looked up at the goddess. "Yes, thank you for-" The elf stopped mid-sentence when Gadrael smacked him on the side of the head, knocking him over. "Ow!! What was that for?!"

Gadrael stood over Tiafell, wagging her finger. "What did I tell you about dropping your guard?!"

"Not to..."

"And what did you do?!"

"Dropped my guard..."

"Exactly! You're fucking lucky I moved your lung, pancreas, and spleen out of the way when I did! You were also lucky I reached out to Marlon in Heaven so quickly! Do you have any idea how unlikely it was to find someone in the vastness of Heaven who knows you in such a short time?! And when you came back to life, I was barely able to close the cut in your aorta before you bled to death again! I told you there is only so much I can do to prevent your death, and what did you do with that knowledge? You went and pushed my abilities to their absolute fucking limit!!"

Tiafell slowly sat back up. "I-I'm sorry! And I am truly grateful! I won't let it happen again!" He stammered, then focused on a single blade of grass. "The person who stabbed me, his name is Alto. He was one of the only two friends I had in Elfandall."

"If you consider him a friend, I'd hate to see who you consider an enemy."

"Yeah, well... Vasati, my other friend, told me that Alto was angry with me for leaving. Nadia once said that Esteban warps the minds of those he turns into vampires. She also told us that Alto can never regain his sanity as long as Esteban lives. When I recover, I am going to kill Esteban and bring Alto back to his senses!"

Gadrael lay horizontally in the air, hovering in front of Tiafell. "What if nothing changes after this other vampire dies? What if it's too late for Alto?"

Tiafell fell silent, offended by Gadrael's question. But she made a good point. He didn't know how much of Alto's insanity Esteban's influence caused. The elf thought carefully before answering. "Then, I'll put Alto down myself. He would want me to..."

"Alright, just be prepared to do it if you must. Whatever happens, do not drop your guard again, no matter who is in front of you, got it?"

"I won't," Tiafell confirmed somberly. He drew his knees up and changed the subject. "It pains me to hear Mirya cry like this. Can I wake up and talk to her? Let her know I'm okay?"

"No can do," Gadrael flatly refused, using her arms to make an "X". "You're in a coma for a reason. Your body needs time to heal. Plus, this is a chance for us to merge our energies further so you'll be even more powerful when you face Dred and this Esteban person again. You'll talk to your girlfriend soon enough."

"Girlfriend..." Tiafell rocked back and forth. Thinking of Mirya as his girlfriend made him incredibly happy. "I have sex with all my friends, but falling in love is something I never thought much about. Knowing that Mirya loves me fills my heart with a sensation that is foreign to me. And yet, it's also what I've always wanted without realizing it." He tilted his head back and gazed into the sky. "A home... and a mate to share it with, maybe a child or two." Tiafell smiled serenely. "Yes, I would love that. I would love that very much."

Gadrael put her feet on the ground, then sat beside Tiafell. "Ah, love... that's one of the reasons I'm so fond of mortals."

Tiafell looked at her.

"You mortals do so much more with your short, finite lives than most gods have done in eons. You cook and enjoy good food, create harmonious music, build marvelous settlements, develop deep, loving relationships, have the kinkiest sex, and teach the next generation how to do these wonderful things and improve on them!"

"Well, to be fair, I think you're describing the very best of us. Many mortals are selfish and apathetic to others. Some live only to destroy."

"I know, I know!" Gadrael patted Tiafell's back hard enough to make him grunt. "Yes, there are mortals who cause the suffering of others, and some spend their entire lives in torment for one reason or another. It's been like this since mortals have existed. My point is that mortals take their lives far less for granted than gods do. We live forever, and many of us see that as an excuse to be lazy. 'Let mortals handle their own affairs,' as they often say. Though our laws prevent us from directly interacting with the mortal realm, we're not entirely powerless if a threat like Dred arises. Yet the gods are perfectly content to let worlds burn because stopping it would interrupt their naps."

Gadrael lay on her back. She ran her fingertips up and down Tiafell's spine as she continued. "My heart breaks every time a world dies. All those people, all their potential, all their love, gone, as if they never existed. Around ten thousand years ago, I was done watching and decided to do something about it. I could save only one world, and yours was in the most danger at the time, so I came here. Back then, a powerful vampire sought to cast your world into never-ending darkness and rule as its god. I sought the one person who could use my power most effectively, and formed a partnership with her. Together, we destroyed this vampire and brought peace to Elistria. After that, I paired with three other champions; you are the fourth. To this day, I don't entirely know why I am different from the other gods. Why should it matter so much to me when worlds die? Why do I step in when other gods won't?"

"Because you have a kind heart," Tiafell answered, turning around to face her. "I can sense that you have compassion beyond what I can understand. Maybe you are the 'Goddess of Compassion' too. You take your responsibilities seriously enough to act when needed, and help in every way your laws allow. I believe you are a wonderful goddess, whose beauty is only surpassed by the contents of her heart!"

Gadrael cooed coyly, using her arms to squeeze her breasts together. "Is this how you talk to all women?" She giggled playfully. "Seriously, I'm wet right now!"

"Haha, I talk to all my friends like that when they need encouragement."

"I see..." Gadrael chirped as she sat up. "I might just steal you away from Mirya!" She tapped Tiafell's nose, then laughed. "I'm kidding! Now, we should get to work and merge our energies further."

Tiafell blinked. "Are we going to have sex again?"

"Not yet. First, I want you to spend the next few days underwater. Before you say anything, spirits can't drown! The spring water will flow through your soul and, by extension, your body, helping you recover faster. It also has the added benefit of containing my energy, so it's a great way for you to merge with it! Just don't be surprised if I join you and..." Gadrael lowered her voice, saying in a seductive voice, "have my way with you..."

Tiafell giggled and shook his head. "Okay. I've always loved baths!"

With that, Tiafell followed Gadrael to a crystal-clear spring and descended into the water. The supernatural spring was more soothing than anything the natural world could offer. Gadrael joined Tiafell occasionally and had her way with him many, many times.

~~~

Deep in the dungeons of Basilix Castle, Cardexx sensed a steep decline in demonic presence over the past twelve hours until none remained. Even Dred had disappeared, making Cardexx the only surviving demon. He could not discern anything concrete, leaving him with more questions than answers.

Sometime after the last demon was snuffed out, Cardexx felt a familiar yet unusually powerful presence closing in on him. Soon, Esteban turned the corner and stood triumphantly before the cell door.

"Good evening, my friend!" Esteban greeted Cardexx amiably.

"Esteban..." Cardexx struggled to stand, weak from the constant draining of his blood. "What's going on? What happened to the other demons? And why are you so powerful?" As soon as he asked that last question, the answer hit Cardexx. "You didn't... YOU DAMNED FOOL!!!!"

Esteban chuckled and propped his arm on the bars. "It is just as you suspect, my friend. I have absorbed Dred into my body! The Red Crescent Coven has taken over Basilix Castle, and you are the last demon alive here! In one week, I will use you and Dred to cast Eternal Night. I need Dred's power to cast the spell, and yours to speed it up. Normally, it would take months for Eternal Night to encroach across the world, but with your power, it will only take seventeen days."

Cardexx marched to the cell door, reached through, and angrily grabbed Esteban's shirt. "YOU POWER-HUNGRY MANIAC!!!! You have no idea what you have done!! You think you're creating a 'vampire paradise', but all you've done is turn yourself into a cocoon for Dred and ensure the world's destruction!! At his core, Dred is a parasitic creature that feeds on hosts until he consumes every last drop of their essence. Then, when he is finished, he breaks out of the husk like a butterfly, born anew!"

Esteban laughed heartily. "You worry too much! Dred is trapped within a crystal right here." He tapped his chest, over his heart. "This seal is far stronger than the one Marlon used. Dred may try, but he is not going anywhere!"

"You're wrong." Cardexx loosened his grip. "It may not happen today, tomorrow, or even this week. But your seal is going to fail, and when it does, there is no telling how powerful the new Dred will be when he rips himself out of you." He let go of Esteban and stepped back. "Tiafell must find Gadrael soon. It's our only hope now."

"How odd that you know about Gadrael." Smirking, Esteban menacingly leaned forward. "Or is it? After I absorbed Dred, I learned some fascinating secrets about you!" He bowed, not taking his eyes off Cardexx. "To think that I have been in the company of such an important man this entire time! Hopefully you can find it in your heart to forgive any disrespect I have shown you..." Esteban mockingly uttered, "'Your Majesty'."

Cardexx's eyes widened, and his mouth hung open. The surprise from Esteban's words was only momentary, however. Cardexx's scowl returned immediately, and he narrowed his eyes threateningly. "Is this what you came here to do, gloat about your stolen knowledge and power?" He snarled viciously.

Esteban chortled as he held his hand over the cell door lock, using magic to open it. He ducked under the stone frame and entered. "No, I came to tell you about something else. At Dred's command, we went to the Dwarven village to stop Tiafell from finding Gadrael, but we arrived too late. Tiafell slashed Dred to within an inch of his life, and when he was about to deliver the finishing blow, Alto stepped in and stabbed your son in the aorta, killing him. Your son was a tragic, yet necessary sacrifice that allowed me to absorb Dred and claim his massive reserves of energy for myself."

"BASTARD!!" Cardexx charged at Esteban, who caught him by the throat and slammed him against the back wall with enough force to rattle the bars. Cardexx was too angry to feel it, roaring, "Liar!! I was promised that Tiafell is Gadrael's next chosen one!! He cannot be dead!!"

Esteban's tone shifted; his face softening. "I am sorry, Cardexx, truly. I take no pleasure in watching you mourn your son." Esteban seemed genuine in his sympathy. In fact, his entire demeanor changed completely, as if a different person had taken control. He opened his other palm. "I have a gift for you. Consider it a show of respect from one father to another."

A glowing white orb appeared in Esteban's hand. He put it against Cardexx's chest and forced it through. At first, the middle-aged demon cried out, feeling crushing pressure around his heart. Once the orb was fully inside, Cardexx felt no pain and was whole again, a sensation he had not felt in twenty years. Esteban dropped him, letting him slump over.

Cardexx pushed himself upright. "My soul... Why have you returned it to me...?"

"I promised that you would die with your soul intact, and I have kept my word." Esteban walked out and closed the cell door behind him. He used magic again to lock it, then continued speaking in a much darker tone. "This is my final act of kindness. From this moment forward, ruthless carnage is the way forward. Anyone who tries to stop me will be crushed with extreme prejudice!"

Esteban left without saying another word. His calmer, more remorseful personality had taken control, but even that one was willing to shed oceans of blood for his "righteous cause". No price, even what was left of his soul, was too high.

In his cell, Cardexx's body adjusted as it and his soul reconnected. He remained on the floor, folding his legs under him and crossing his arms.

"Returning my soul was a mistake, Esteban," Cardexx stated quietly. He closed his eyes and slipped into a deep meditative state somewhere between awareness and unconsciousness. His mind expanded far beyond Basilix Castle, eventually reaching the Echoing Mountains, where he sensed familiar auras.

"Tiafell, my son. I sense it; you are injured but alive. And Gadrael is indeed with you. Good, hope is not lost after all. Now that I have my soul back, I can help you. I'll stop Esteban from casting his Eternal Night, and bring him to you so you can destroy him and Dred at the same time. Until then, Tiafell, rest and regain your strength."

Cardexx slipped further into his meditative state. He pondered why Esteban returned his soul, concluding that the Vampire Lord must have had an ulterior motive. Cardexx couldn't piece the motive together, so he spent the next week preparing for every possibility.

~~~

With all the wounded accounted for and receiving treatment, Samora located Orvik in the infirmary, who finally agreed to undergo medical attention.

"Chief Orvik?" Samora began. "I am Samora of Gatharham. Tiafell and his friends are my students and family. I would have come here with them, but circumstances prevented that."

"Aye, I heard about ye from Cirris and Mirya. What can I do for ye?" Orvik asked as dwarven nurses circled his torso, wrapping bandages around him.

"I wish to discuss the relocation of everyone to Janazheim Castle in Central Gashua. Of course, only so many people can use the transportation circles at once. I suggest that we take the most critically wounded first. The trip will take four hours, but time slows for those in transit, so it will only seem to take a few minutes. The castle's hospital should be able to help; I have already sent word for them to prepare. After that, we can talk to King Escandar about finding somewhere for all of you to live."

Intrigued, Orvik stroked his beard. "This is what my people have wanted since the cave-in that trapped our ancestors. Very well, I have no objections. We'll take the wounded to this 'hos-spit-all' first. If I may make one suggestion, I wish to be included in the first group. As Chief, it is my duty to determine how safe the outside is for my people."

Samora nodded. "I assure you it is safe, but I understand. Alright, we'll get started as soon as we can safely move the wounded. I suggest that we take Zera as well. She will be kept in a medical prison cell until we can negotiate with her."

"I personally think keeping Zera alive is a mistake, but ye seem like capable folk." Orvik rose while nurses continued tending to his wounds. "What're we waiting for? Let's get started!"

"Chief! We are not finished dressing yer wounds!" One of them exclaimed.

"Bah! I've had sores inside me arse hole worse than this! This is what we have been dreaming of for a thousand years! I'm not gonna let a few scrapes and bruises stop me from leading us outta here!!"

Once the most critically injured dwarf was out of surgery and ready to travel, Orvik and Samora led the first wave back to Janazheim Castle using the transportation circle. They took those who needed the most urgent medical attention first. Zera was among this wave, carried on a gurney with chains binding her hands and feet. Henzele chose to stay behind with the children.

After Samora sent a telepathic message announcing their arrival at Janazheim Castle, Hinako led the second wave. This one included those who were not in danger of dying from their injuries but otherwise needed further treatment. Tiafell, still in a coma, was taken with this group. Mirya tagged along, not wanting to leave his side.

Trista led the third wave, which consisted only of herself, Cirris, Nadia, Brion, and Kanah. The remaining dwarves stayed behind, waiting to hear back from their chief.

Little did they know the ultimate showdown with Esteban and the Red Crescent Coven would begin soon.

~~~

Inside his crystal, Dred had curled into a ball. His left arm and most of his torso had regenerated. Three appendages sprouted out; two contorted into legs, and the third became a tail.

Dred opened his eyes and let out a low, hollow chuckle.