The evening breeze gracefully danced around the woman’s golden hair, letting it fly in the wind. The cliff was high; and the waves gently met the stones, splashing up in beautiful and living paintings. Eliana hummed for her self, having folded her arms. She turned around in an instant by the sound of young feet running along the stone pathway. A fragile, but beautiful girl ran towards Eliana in a hasty pace. Eliana bowed her head briefly, though not saying a word. The younger girl approached, catching her breath. Her eyes matched the dark and blue sea below, whilst her hair was that of the fertile earth. Her age must’ve been around Eliana’s, perhaps a year or two younger.

“Ellie! Oh my dearest Ellie!” she shouted out, as she lovingly wrapped her arms around Eliana, letting out a sigh of relief. A smile warmed Eliana’s lips, as she happily returned the hug. She was unsure if she heard Daisy sobbing out of joy, or laughing. Perhaps a mix of both? When the two finally let go, Daisy straightened her dress and smiled warmly. That was, until the agenda of the meeting came back into her mind. She lowered her head slightly, before looking up at Eliana.

“Ellie… If only you had said something-“ she was interrupted.

“I couldn’t.” Eliana sternly replied.

“I know. But if only – many would be happy to help! You… You don’t have to go! Maybe if you do, we can together! I’ll come along! And, and-….” Daisy stopped herself this time. A single tear rolled down her cheek, before she wiped it away, shaking her head.

“Please Daisy, I just need to know.” Eliana’s tone had changed. She had taken a step closer. 

Daisy looked over her shoulder, biting her lip.

“You were right. I mean, I could not find much, however, it’s as you thought.” Daisy nodded.

“Not the west?” her eyes opened up. 

“Definitely not. The name is a blind end. Daisy smiled, along with Eliana.

The winds had eased off, but thundering clouds approached in the distance, letting their grey shadow fall upon the western kingdom. Eliana narrowed her eyes, looking over Daisy’s shoulder. She sensed voices, rising up, both in tone and numbers. Two figures with shining new armour made their way towards the two girls. 

“Daisy. You didn’t talk to anyone did you?” Eliana’s heart sped up, along with the adrenaline.

“Just a few… But they wouldn’t say a thing!” Daisy turned around, almost squeaking out by the sight. She poked Eliana several times. 

“Get out of here! Let’s go!” Daisy said as one of the knights shouted for them, holding up his crossbow. Eliana was about to be on her way, but stopped as she heard the sound of string firing wood and metal forward. She turned around, to the sight of cloth ripped apart, pierced by a metallic front. The sea blue eyes had stiffened, staring miserably into Eliana’s. They begged, but whether it was for help or something else, Ellie did not know. All she saw was the red pouring down the wood of the bolt. It had gone through the shoulder, and Eliana felt a strange pain in her own. A loud bang was heard, just as Eliana was tackled to the ground. 

But the ground turned to wood, the loud noise wasn’t as close, and Daisy… Daisy slowly faded away before Eliana’s eyes. She screamed out in pain as she had fallen upon the wooden floor of the inn. A tear ran down her cheek, as she came back to her senses. She looked around in confusion, before lying her head back down on the floor, muttering for her self.

Anathema had made her way to the sorry wreck of a person, helping her up and supporting her. She glanced to the windows, hearing the noises outside.

“Hrmf. What’s happening out there?” she sighed, making a grimace.

Eliana waved her hand around shaking her head, breaking out of Anathema’s helping grab, and stumbling to a chair. She clenched her fist violently, her shoulder still hurting as it had, but this time something different had occurred too. She knew perfectly well what it was, and looked towards the windows. Eliana had developed bags under her eyes, as a result of constant bother and pain. 

Eliana looked up towards the hunter, trying to focus on her before opening her mouth.

“You’re… I never got your name?” Eliana carefully asked, supporting herself with her elbow. 

She kept an ear to the answer she’d get. The sky lit up, and the shouting outside continued. It had to be fighting, which meant death, which meant… A sigh.. The urge came again, the urge to travel beyond. She almost dozed off, but managed to snap into reality. A single string managed to escape her right eye. Eliana shook briefly, followed by a grunt. She looked back at her shoulder, grimacing. It was doing something, something it definitely shouldn’t. 

Getting parts of your soul ripped out never did seem to have the most positive effects.