[center][h1][b]Xenelith[/b][/h1][/center]
[b]Time:[/b] Morning
[b]Location:[/b] Roshimi City
[b]Interaction with:[/b] Terneus Andros[sub][@Dezuel][/sub]
[hr]
There were a thousand things Xenelith wanted to say. The truth for starters. But it would never resonate with someone like Terneus. A man so deep in his own delusion that only the end of the world could pull him out of it. However, that wasn’t the only thing he wanted to do. He pulled an inch of the blade out of its sheath, wanting to force the light elf’s hand. Something deep inside of him wanted to just bloody the man. To cut him down into pieces and make an example of him. Yet in the corner of his eye, he noticed his own troops gripping their own swords. They all looked ready to kill. They were outnumbered though. At best half would die. Xenelith pushed his blade back in and turned away from Terneus. He wouldn’t waste anymore words. Despite the fact that Terneus would no doubt either think or hurl any insult he wanted.

His troops, somewhat disappointed, turned with him and left. Some looked over their shoulders. Begging the Androsian Knights to charge them from behind with challenging looks. “We had your back sir.” One of the soldiers said. “You could’ve taken him. We would’ve stopped those damned knights.” Then another soldier chimed: “Yeah, we shouldn’t let him say those things. The Light Elves lost to us. Besides, he’s probably helping the rebels. You’d be doing our king a service.” Then one more voiced his thoughts: “He insults us, sir. We shouldn’t just let that happen. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

Keeping his rage down was a challenge for Xenelith. He had been keeping a straight face as his own troops were telling him how he should’ve acted. Yet when he knew he was well out of sight and earshot of Terneus he turned to the next soldier that was about to say something, pushed him against the nearest wall. Then he turned to the closest tree of the lane, stretched out his arm and gripped it with his power. His own shadow stretched out towards that of the tree. Black tendrils snaked upwards along the stem. As he tightened the grip with his hand, the bark dried out and the leaves lost their lust, green look. Crumpled, dried leaves began to fall off the tree. First, a few that were carried by the wind, then more, until all the leaves fell off. Leavening nothing but a withered, broken husk of a tree. He released his grip on the power. For a moment everyone looked at him in stunned silence while he caught his breath. He thought it would blow off steam. It didn’t. It just made the snake that coiled around his heart tighten. His gaze turned to the soldier he was still holding firm against the wall.

[b]“If I had attacked, you would've die.”[/b] He turned to look at the other dark elves. [b]“All of you would’ve died! And for what? Justice? Retribution? That vile piece of undeserved arrogance would’ve gotten a royal pardon just to keep the peace. Which needs to be kept now more than ever.”[/b] Yet he hated that fact. They couldn’t be in an all-out war with the Light Elves. Not now, when more and more fairies and demi-humans were rising up in defiance of the crown. Especially now that Risa rose up. The girl didn’t realize it yet but her last name carried power. The rumors would attract people. If she wanted, she truly could lead a grand rebellion. The Light Elves couldn’t be part of that. Still, something selfish nagged at him. Hoping his lighter kin would just pick up arms en mass. So they could finish what they started a century ago. [b]“And for what? Some meaningless insults. What do you think your ancestors suffered through? They were [i]beaten[/i] down every day and night. Not just by some meaningless lunatic! They were spat on by their own family! Their own parents!”[/b] He spat in the face of the soldier he was holding against the wall. The elf’s confusion turned into all-out blind rage. The soldier pushed back but Xenelith was stronger. [b]“You feel that!? You feel that anger? That hate? That’s what those before you felt. Constantly! They couldn’t react. They couldn’t strike back. They swallowed it up. All of it. That’s what made them strong. Stronger than you or me.”[/b] The man calmed down yet Xenelith could still feel the blazing hatred from the elf’s eyes. [b]“So I’m telling you now, swallow it. All of it. Now.”[/b] Slowly he released his grip from the elf. Who didn’t retaliate, though Xenelith knew well enough that he wanted to. 

When he felt like the whole situation was sufficiently cooled down he went up towards the nearby railing overlooking a large lane stretching before him. The tree he had withered down stood beside him. [b]“You think I am weak because I let him insult me. The truth is that every insult makes me stronger.”[/b] As fun as a hunt for Terneus would be, he wasn’t the prey. The rebels were. Everything in him believed the delusional governor was supporting the traitors. Yet there was no proof, only strong suspicion. [b]"His time will come. Sooner rather than later."[/b] Meanwhile, the Princess was still running loose, gathering god knows how many supporters. He needed a way to flush her out. A message she couldn’t ignore. 

Leandron step forwards from the row of soldiers. “We are willing to die for you, sir. We are willing to die for Dakka. For the Dark Elves. That’s why we are here. To defend our people.”

Xenelith chuckled. Such was the lofty ideals of youth. They always were willing to die for something. He missed that passion. In him that same fire had died long ago. [b]“Then first be willing to live for it. Your corpse is little use to me. Live to kill another day.”[/b]

His mind trailed back towards the tree next to him. [b]“If only I could wither the rebellion.”[/b] He said out loud. Then the idea entered his mind.

He looked back at the lane he was just overlooking. It was flanked by so many great, beautiful trees. [b]“I need you to send a message.”[/b] He told his dark elves. [b]“No more mercy. Rot the trees and tell the people we are coming for Risa Millina. Tell them the Dark Elves will not let Roshimi flourish until her blood runs in the streets. Wither it all for so long the traitors hide in this city.”[/b] 

The Dark Elves grinned. “No more mercy.” They repeated. “Wither the trees! Roshimi will not flourish. Roshimi will not flourish!” They spread out, passing on the words. There were enough frustrated Dark Elves in the city to carry on the message. Xenelith returned to his railing overlooking the beautiful lane and plaza at the end of it. By the end of the day the trees would be barren like on Dakka. Brown, dried leaves would be carried by the gentle wind. Together with his message.