Ch.46

Evander woke up alone. After all these years, the half-elf finally remembered who he was. With a single breath, the half-elf sat up and looked around‌—even though there was nothing to see. And yet, he sensed something was different, something he had to get used to. A few minutes passed as Evander stared at the ground before he started to panic. But since there was still no movement among the trees, he knew he didn't need to worry about anyone being around.

Eventually, Evander managed to take control of the elf's body and move it farther from the site of the dead elf. It didn't matter where the half-elf went. In fact, there was nothing left of the path‌—not even any visible tracks. Evander kept walking until he found a small clearing. There he decided to lie down for a while and think things through.

Once the half-elf was tired enough, he turned himself into the shape of the elves again‌—which was how they could do it so often. But instead of making it difficult for him to breathe, this time Evander controlled the breathing. In other words, he sat quietly and allowed the air to enter his mouth. But there was no reason not to try out the elf's clothing for size either‌—although Evander never wore a jacket of any kind.

Now that the half-elf knew he could do these things‌—things that didn't seem nearly as hard as they had on the last attempt‌—Evander wondered why it took so long for him to realize what the elves really were. It was supposed to be simple. The elven creatures walked around in full armor without any trouble, as if they had all the time in the world. Still, Evander couldn't figure out why they wanted him, or what they wanted with the magic inside the half-elf's body. After all, it seemed like it would be easier for them to use the half-elf's body than trying to get inside Evander's own mind. And yet, there was no explanation for why the elves needed Evander.

When it came down to it, Evander still wasn't sure about anything. For more than a year, he'd gone from place to place and never questioned anything. But now everything had changed. He finally understood his situation and the implications of using the magic inside him. But it made no sense why the elves would want it. Everything changed when Evander knew the elven magic wasn't real. Why would anyone make up stories about creatures who were simply going to end up killing their own people? That was even before the plague struck‌—when everything was still calm and peaceful. If the elves could give magic to their people, what possible reason existed for making everyone go mad‌—especially after so many years of peace?

"We don't know where we are going, but this is the way," said one of the elves. The half-elf had a perfect view of the forest from above. Now that he realized what was happening, there were no reasons to stay inside the elf. So, as soon as the other creature stopped talking, Evander slid away‌—trying to get into the tree just as easily as before. He chose the elven spot they had been sitting in before, although he wouldn't have cared where else the elves wanted to sit.

"Why do you think we're going toward the river?" the second elf asked, not bothering to look back at his companion.

Evander nodded to show he understood and kept waiting for his next command. Despite what he believed, the half-elf never thought this trip would actually take him back to his old tribe‌—assuming the elves ever told him where he needed to go. But now that the elf had finally spoken up again, Evander couldn't wait to find out exactly where they were going. If his old friends weren't there, then something would change. The elves might even tell him he could keep following them, or at least travel with them from time to time.

The elves continued walking through the forest, though they didn't talk to each other once again. Instead, they seemed lost in thought and moved silently without any indication the elves had another destination in mind. Unfortunately, Evander could only guess as to what was going on inside their heads. Once the elves left his sight, however, Evander heard a sudden voice in the distance.

"So, what do you say?"

Although it was far away, Evander immediately recognized the voice. It belonged to the one he called Duer‌—the same person who had guided him through the forest when he first met the elves. Of course, there was no way Duer would remember anything about what happened to Evander during that year in the woods. For all Duer knew, the half-elf must have died. The elven magic came out of nowhere‌—a fact that still left the half-elf shaking his head. After all, he'd always believed this place to be safe.

"What do you think?" the voice repeated. "I don't even care anymore if you stay with us. We're going to find out what happened to your old people. And I can't believe anyone could forget about them for this long."

Evander lifted his head slightly. He couldn't see Duer‌—not without leaving the safety of the tree, but he could definitely hear the elf speaking. That was enough. As soon as the half-elf saw the nearest trees begin to move, the half-elf rushed forward and took control of the bodies. There was a strong temptation to grab the elven weapons, but Evander resisted that idea as best he could. The elves wouldn't know the difference and would certainly look more powerful. Besides, he didn't need any help.

Meanwhile, Duer led his friends deeper into the forest. It went on and on‌—always through thick woods‌—but eventually, they stopped walking and sat down next to the river. They waited in silence until a young female elf approached them. She was beautiful, even though her face held nothing but hatred. If only her eyes looked as bright as she did, then there might have been some hope for Evander to remain with the elves. But judging by the look on the elven girl's face, he knew he wouldn't be able to resist her at all.

"You know," she said, "we could always use another body. And, if you don't mind, I think I should join my people in the great hunt. If nothing else, they deserve some kind of revenge for what happened to our leader."

The young elf wasn't lying either‌—even though she had every reason to. At least Duer would have believed her. The elf was standing right beside him, but she wouldn't let the half-elf control her. In fact, Evander thought Duer would try to prevent her from going on the hunt‌—at least he would try to stop her if it meant losing power over the elf. If that were the case, then the half-elf could take his chances. He couldn't spend time with the elves because he wanted to make them change their minds.

Of course, there was no point in making up excuses either. The only way Evander would be able to stay was if the elves planned to keep him forever. That wasn't something the half-elf believed at all. With so many people‌—men and women alike‌—the elves could easily find someone else. Evander would simply be a burden they weren't willing to accept.

When the young elf turned toward the other elves, however, Evander realized her words were more than simple insults. This time, Duer could see why she was being asked to go on the hunt. He knew how it felt to want revenge against the mages‌—even after centuries. It seemed the young elf never got past her anger. But Duer and the other elves wouldn't ever give up on finding revenge. It was the one thing they never stopped worrying about‌—never allowed anyone to forget about.

In that moment, Evander finally understood what the elves wanted from him. Of course, they would keep him around as long as he could get magic into their bodies‌—which only worked after the elves had already been exposed to the disease. The elves didn't even care if the half-elf ever returned to his old life. In fact, Evander would be glad to walk away and live like an ordinary human again‌—even if he would eventually age. It would be worth it, knowing the elves still existed and were happy.

It was something the half-elf couldn't let himself think about. And yet, even then, he hoped his friends‌—at least some of them‌—hadn't turned into what the elves became. If so, he could deal with all of this. But for now, the half-elf made sure his face remained expressionless.