[Center][color=red][H1] Elsen [/H1] [/color][/Center]


[Indent] The giant stood at the gates to Elsen, the gentle breeze lightly tossing his hair back. He was being accosted by a group of the local guardsmen, by the newest decree; non human-kind were allowed in the cities anymore. This notion had never bothered the wanderer, as his towering presence along signified the danger that would ensue if he was angered. Yet, these men knew nothing but duty, and with such a mindset, had demanded his leave in a loud demeanor. Flashing their weapons towards him, the man did not budge whatsoever. Amid shouts, one guardsman, rather decorated compared to the rest had stepped forward. The commander, the giant thought. He attempted to shove the massive bear of a man that stood at the gate to no avail. Instead, he had just provoked him. [/Indent]


[center][Color=red]"Hmpf... So be it, worm. "[/Color][/center]

[Indent] He immediately shot out his right arm like a cannon, the massive hand grasping onto the human's neck like a vice-grip. Effortlessly, the commander was lifted from the ground like a paperweight. Brought to eye level with the giant, his cold green eyes stared dead-center into the commanders. He then reared back slightly, tossing the commander into his own soldiers. He drew his sword, his huge frame tense and ready for the first fool to move upon him. [/Indent]


[center][Color=lightblue] "You brigand! You dare attack the Commander of the Elsen Guard? I'll slay you myself, beast!" [/color][/center]


[Indent] The commander was hastily picked up by his soldiers and drew his sword. He was enraged at the audacity to be attacked by an outsider, much less at their very gates. Noting the commanders sudden action, it was by pure peer-pressure that the rest even drew a weapon while outnumbered, it was clear that they were outmatched a thousand fold in strength, but would that strength hold in a battle? Only one way to find out, the guardsmen had to engage. The first man to swing his sword was the commander himself, yet he found his attack simply batted away by the giant's longer arm, grasping the hilt of the sword, he yanked the commander forward, driving his huge boot into the armored man's chest, knocking the wind right out of him. Swiftly after, the giant ran him through the chest with his sword, stepping on the corpse to pry his blade out, stepping back calmly. [/Indent]


[Center][Color=red] "I fear no man." [/Color][/Center]

[Indent] Enraged by the merciless slaughter of their leader, the rest of the guardsmen tried to rush him in rag-tag coordination, yet they were simply outmatched, the giant's swordplay made them look like recruits. One would slash, and have his attack stopped by the brutish man's blade, which would immediately cut up across the chest of the first assailant while pulling to defend another angle. It was clear this man was a skilled warrior. His blade was coated liberally in blood, and his torso, arms and face were drenched in the blood from the fight. However, not a single drop of this blood was his own. He turned away after lifting the last guardsman up into the air, impaled through the right side of the chest, and then with inhuman force bringing the blade down, and out of the man with a downward-motion, essentially slamming his skull, and torso into the ground. Twelve men dead, simple as taking candy from a baby. [/indent]


[Center][Color=red] "Fools. If this is the filth that passes for a soldier these days, this country is fucked." [/Color][/Center]


[Center] [i]He had retreated into the wilderness, searching for a river or lake to clean himself and his blade off.[/i] [/Center]



[Center][Color=Red][H1] The River North of Elsen, bordering the forest.[/H1][/Color][/Center]


[Indent] The man knelt down next to the running waters, cleaning his blade off in the flowing water, whilst cupping large handfuls and lathering it across his bloodied arms, chest, face, and stomach. With a heavy sigh, he stood up after his reflection looked somewhat clean. Drying his blade in the grass, he slowly began to retreat into the forest, looking for any interesting things to do or people to see along his way. Inside, he still immensely loved nature, perhaps due to his wolf-blood, or perhaps it was the pure serenity that it brought to his weary mind. Regardless, he found a small clearing amidst the forest and stood there in silence, taking in his surroundings. At the given time, he had not located any threats to be aware of. Peace and quiet. [/Indent]


[Indent] Yet, something disturbed him about the silence of this place. He turned his back on it and made his way back to the river, sitting his back against a huge oak tree. A snap of his fingers brought a spirit to his side, wreathed in a faint blue ethereal glow. A man, dressed much like a commoner from another country presented the giant with a lute. The musical instrument had been custom designed for a man his size, and the spirit vanished after performing it's task. Cradling the instrument for a few moments, plucking a few notes, then a few melodies, the giant began a song. The slow, resonating melody brought a hue of despair and agony to the air, only to be followed by his gruff, Northern accent singing. [/Indent]

[Center][Color=red] "I remember when we were still together 
Had the world in the hands. 
Nobody could share us we lived as just one thing 
Tell me "what's happened"? We're lost in the night. 
I was your hope and you the air I breathed 
We stayed under the rainbow dreaming of Heaven. 
With you I could fly as an eagle through the wind. 
Give me light to see, I've become blind another time." [/Color][/Center]

[Indent] After this verse, the man stopped singing momentarily, perhaps self-aware that he did not have a singing voice. He played the chorus instumentally, before beginning the next verse [/Indent]

[center][color=red] "And the sun is warming my skin
All the memories fly in the wind
Our love more true was when we were children
I can't stay another time in loneliness without you" [/color][/center]

 
[Indent] The somber melody strung out through the air like a heavy cloud, a simple exhale felt like he was pushing against a mountain. Yet, paused once more, simply staring about, before repeating this song over and over, as if memorizing it again and again. [/Indent]