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[h1][center][color=silver]Life[/color][/center][/h1]
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"Why are we doing this, Dratiri? We could be punished by the elders!" the young man shouted above the roar of the waterfall, unsure of what to do. He stood precariously upon the edge of a large waterfall, right behind a young woman. She wore nothing but simple clothing, the mist in the air coated her body in tiny water droplets, reflecting the bright light of the day. Her chestnut hair was long and curly as it fell down her back.

"Quite your crying Tiok, you know exactly why we are here! You even agreed to come!" the Dratiri shouted back at Tiok, he looked flustered and afraid. He was taller then she, and it didn't really look like he had grown into himself just yet. He looked young for his age, with soft hazel eyes and a mess of brown hair a top his head. His usual boyish grin was replaced with a stoic look. She cursed under her breath and turned her head around. There was no going back now, it was far too late for that.

"I know, I know!" Tiok said, "I just didn't think we would actually be doing this! Just look how high up we are!" and it was true, the waterfall was the largest in the land, even taller than the trees. Below them was a large tumultuous pool of clear water, that then continued to flow down river. The pool itself was deep, cool, and was the home of many sharp rocks. 

The elders had forbidden anyone from swimming or jumping in the pool of water. It was dangerous, they said, and likely to cause injury. Such talk never had persuaded Dratiri to seek safer pursuits, in fact, she relished a challenge. The girl was a thrill seeker, and when not tied down with chores, she was out exploring the land. Tiok was just like her, but more levelheaded when it came to certain dangers. This was one of those times.

Dratiri spun back around to face Tiok and walked up to him. "You promised me we would do this, Tiok! Before the tribe moved on again, you said! Please, please, please! Will you not jump with me?" Dratiri then stood on her toes, and quickly kissed Tiok upon the lips. She then grabbed his hand and moved to the side of him so that they both faced the drop before them. She squeezed his hand, looking up at his worried face.

"It'll be fine!" she said. 

Tiok returned the squeeze and bent down to kiss her on the forehead. He took a deep breath of her forest scented hair, always finding it to relax him. He leaned back up and looked at her with a smirk. The look in her eye was fierce, determined and if he said no, he would never hear the end of it. 

He took a deep breath and exclaimed, "I love you!" 

Dratiri felt warm in that moment, and good and happy. It felt good to be loved, to be wanted. Even better to enjoy such an event with her life partner.

"I love you back!" she shouted at him with joy.

And the two faced the uncertainty of what was before them, together. They held a bond forged by strength of their connection. Both ran in unison to the cliff's edge, hearts pumping with blood through the roar of the water.

They jumped, now letting fate decide their future. The fall could be felt in their stomachs, and adrenaline began to pump in their blood. Dratiri screamed with delight, and Tiok simply screamed. Then as quickly as it had begun, the two disappeared into the mist at the bottom of the falls. 

The fight for survival can be seen in all species that walk the earth. They have a will to live, to grow, to reproduce and live contently. Such was the fight they faced in the treacherous waters that pounded their bodies. Thinking smart, Dratiri let the fast current sweep her away, but not without first having her leg sliced by a jagged rock. She let her mouth open to scream and swallowed water, now desperately trying to breath. She began to panic and flail about without thinking, bashing her legs and arms against more rocks. Eventually the current became calm, but she was far too weak to move. Was this how she died?

The world began to go black as she felt something grab her. She tried to breath as her head exited the water, but instead she coughed up water, now feeling dry earth and a hand rubbing her back. 

Tiok's voice came next, "Breath Dratiri, breath! You're safe now. You're safe." and safe she felt as her breathing became normal. 

She looked up at him with blue eyes, a mischievous smile pursing her lips. 

"Let's go again." she said playfully.

Tiok rolled his eyes and began to laugh, which in turn Dratiri laughed as well. After a moment, he kissed her and then looked to her cut leg. 

"Hmmm, this one will be an interesting story for the elders. What shall we say? You tripped and fell? Or you tried to ride a Rognyak again?" Tiok said.

Dratiri grumbled, "How many times do I have to tell you, I wasn't trying to ride it! I just wanted a closer look. Now are you going to help me up or what? That cut won't fixed by you after all."

Tiok then helped Dratiri up while saying, "Oh of course, how could I forget that you decided to take a closer look at the Rogynak by attempting to climb it's back? Silly me. Now come on let's g-" Tiok's voice caught off, as his face was frozen with fear. Dratiri began to speak, but instead turned to follow his gaze.

Emerging from the forest, was a group of men brandishing crude weapons stained with blood. In fact, the little torn clothing they wore was dyed a dark red. They were Raving, and there was three of them.

Tiok went to stand in front of Dratiri, the gesture not going unnoticed by the woman. The Raving were feared by all who could think and not act upon darker impulses. The situation was dire, for normally they could outrun the men, but with her cut leg it would be impossible and they both knew that. 

Tiok then spoke to them, "We don't want any trouble, please. Just... Just let us go."

They jeered at this, and the largest of the men stepped forward. His bald head loomed above the both of them, and he was riddled with menacing scars. There was hunger in his black eyes, not unlike that of a predator lusting after a kill. To see that in a human was [i]wrong[/i]. Tiok and Dratiri were terrified, for they knew what the Raving would do.

"You might not want trouble..." He began in a gruff voice, "But we do. Now... will you make this easy? Or hard?"

Sensing the hopelessness of the situation, Tiok took a defensive stance in front of Dratiri, holding his fists upwards as if ready to strike. 

The bald man chuckled, "I like spirit, boy. Makes killing you so much more fun. Rhodak, Yash," He spoke to the other men, "The girl is yours. Leave the boy to me."

Dratiri began to hyperventilate as the men began to approach. Meanwhile, she was being pushed back into the shallow water by Tiok as he stepped backwards.

In a burst of motion, Tiok both ran forward and shouted, "Dratiri run! Run!" as he collided with the men. But they were hardened warriors, and a boy without a weapon was as useless as baby. The bald man quickly let him have a backhanded slap, the force of the blow staggering Tiok to the side.

Dratiri had tried to run, but her leg felt stiff and un-moving, so she fell in the water. The two other men quickly descended upon her as she screamed for help.

Now distraught and needing to help his love, Tiok tried to stand but the bald man stomped on his back repeatedly. He could not scream as he felt his ribs break, but he felt tears roll down his cheek, and heard the laughter of the bald man. The pain was too much to bear, and as his eyes shut, he could vaguely see Dratiri struggling in the water to break free. Then the world went black.

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[center] End Of Part One [/center]