After the ritual, me and the elder carried the human to the guest house.

Dropping her in the bed, we left and closed the door behind us, standing outside

Speaking no words

None came to mind.

I was now an elder, survived a trial which was almost impossible.

I should feel proud, happy, excited.

But I felt no such things.

The elder seemed equally saddened, maybe more

Something seemed to nag at her

Something nagged at me

“Elder, what happened?”

She jumped at my words, not ready for the silence to be broken

Her eyes met mine

“I-I dont know”

She turned away, looking towards the street, then whispering to herself.

“She should not have survived, the ritual failed“

I joined the elder, looking out at the street.

Both silent again

Both trapped in their own heads.

Then the elder spoke

“I will have to inform this to the other elders. Guard the human, let no one in”

She started walking away, hands on her chin

But then she stopped, looking over her shoulder.

“Oh, and. Welcome to the elders.”

Face staying neutral

Simply nodding in response.

She then continued walking, disappearing from view as she rounded a building.

Leaving me alone, guarding the human.

I wonder how often I’ve stood still

How many times I’ve taken orders

Done my duty

Now it would be different.

I’m an elder

One on top

Whatever that means

I just hope I can repay the human

I just hope she can forgive me.

A few hours had passed

The day had turned brighter

And the elder had returned, smile big on her face.

She then waved at me, making me follow her as we went inside.

Inside we found the human awake, staring up at the ceiling.

An artwork to be sure, even I can appreciate the great work that has been put into it.

Not many of these have been painted

The art lost to time.

The elder spoke

The exact words escaped me, seeming

Unimportant

Something about the void.

But what drew my attention was the human

She looked like a cat

Trapped without a way to escape

Eyes wide

But she stayed calm, barely moving.

Then the elder said something, piquing my interest

“....Fauns, created for the purpose to help the dragons kill the gods, for you see, I know one dragon who fought the gods, and he travelled through the void”

Wait what?

What is the elder saying, how can she say something so blasphemous?

The Dragons?

But we woul-

“I think, that we Fauns used to worship the dragons, in the hopes that they would take the place of gods and make us a higher being in return”

Worship?

Higher being?

That’s impossible

We’ve been true faithfuls to the gods ever since...

Ever since...

“But don’t tell anyone, most Fauns are true faithfuls and would burn me if they knew I had said this.”

Saying that, the elder glanced at me, face covered in a big smile, but eyes looking mischievous.

It can't be true.

...

Right?

Then the elder started glowing, presumably using her healing to see if the human was still damaged

But she reacted very strongly to the magic

Screaming in response

I took a step back.

Horror filling my eyes

Oh no

I’ve done this

I’ve made her lost

Lost in her head.

Then she went quiet.

And our eyes met

Such beautiful eyes

Eyes from no mere human

Looking more like a cat

No

More like a salamander

Glowing in a green ember

Piercing me

Seeing my soul, knowing what I’ve done

“Come closer”

The elder spoke

I hesitated

But only for a second

Moving closer

Stopping beside the bed beside the elder.

“You may be wondering why he is here, and I assure you, he won't do you any harm. In fact, he is gonna be the one repaying what we have done to you. See him as your personal, I think you humans call them butlers”

I will?

...

I take no pleasure in it

But it must be done

“Repaying me?”

The human responded, voice very quiet, shaking a little

“Yes, we.... Hurt you. And for that we must pay back wh-

At the elders word, the human recoiled, eyes turning shut

Hugging herself, clawing herself

Making herself small

A little ball

I looked with pleading eyes at the elder

Who in return started healing the human

Hushing her, telling her it’s okay.

In the span of a few seconds, the human calmed down.

Staring into the eyes of the elder

One looking scared

One looking sad

Then she was lightly pushed, lying down on the bed.

The elder said a few more words, and then we left

Leaving the human alone

Alone with her thoughts

“Elder, should we really leave her alone?”

“Yes. Few can go through such a thing and come out whole. But all those that have must heal on their own. Giving her company will only lead to suffering later down the line.”

I nodded, but found myself disagreeing

No, what she needs now is company

No one should have to be alone.

She should have someone to talk to, someone to trust

“And don’t get any ideas. You're not ready to help her.”

Ready?

What does she mean, I’m a soldier, I’ve been trained to handle pain

I do admit that the pain from the ritual was worse than anything I’ve ever felt

But I would survive, come out stronger.

“And I don’t mean the physical kind”

As if hearing my thoughts, the elder replied

Then walked away

“Tell me when she wakes again.”

Leaving me alone with my thoughts,

I really hope I don't become cryptic like that

But considering I’m immortal now

I don't know, maybe one day.

Hours passed, little to nothing happening.

Only a few interested individuals came up to talk.

Asking questions of different kinds

All was met with silence, and a pointing finger

Indicating them to leave

A few grumbles, but everyone left without too much trouble.

Then I heard the human yelling something from inside.

Quicker than even I was prepared for, I swung the door open

Meeting the eyes of the human words cut off as she stared at me

And I stared back

Words stuck in my throat

Wanting to say something, but unable

What the hell?

What is this-

“Eeeeh, eeer... Hi?”

The human said awkwardly

Looking at me a little weird...

Don't look at me like that

I don't know either

I want to speak-

“Okeeeeeey... Well, I’m hungry, when is food ready?

Oh, I’ve been staring at her

Without saying anything

This...

Is very embarrassing

I quickly make my way outside.

Running away

Even though I could easily walk to the mess hall.

As I came close, I quickly made my way through the gathered crowd, all waiting for their turn to eat.

Pushing my way through, I got a lot of angry glances.

But few dared to speak up, as they noticed who I was

And presumable, they might have already heard about my exalt to elder.

As I neared the table, I got a quizzical look from one of the chefs

One of my friends

A big fellow, twice the size of most

Mostly because he’s so fat

And his mouth is twice as fat

Even his horns are fat.

“Hey great one! I thought you were dead.”

“Funny way of greeting your dead friend”

“What do you mean, oh great one?”

“It’s nice to see you to fatman, now make me some human food”

“Oh, the great one deigns us with his presence, and asks us humbly to make him some food.”

“No, I need human food, you fat pig”

“Oooohooo, the great one not only calls his friends pigs, but dares kidnap humans too?”

“I did not kidnap anyone, I-“

Going silent at this remark

Smile turning to a frown.

Friend noticing, hitting the table with the palm of his hand

Taking me out of thoughts

“Anyways, I’m glad your back! You got to tell me all about it later, but for now, a plate of human food coming right up.”

A new smile spread on my lips

“I would be more than happy to receive it. And can you tell one of your waitresses I have a task for them?”

A big smile spread on his

“Hehehe, I never thought you would ask. I will find you the biggest Faun around”

Smile turning to a frown.

“I’m not talking about that you dense asshole, it’s something important”

“Hehehe, suuuure. Getting rid of your itch is really important”

Winking at me, he hastily made his way further in to the kitchen, leaving me.

That mother of fat

Such an ass

His ass is probably the biggest in town, so he’ll have a hard time finding anyone.

Posting myself outside the kitchen door, I waited

A few minutes later, I’m met by a new Faun

“Hello Great one. I heard you requested me?”

Greeting me was a very young Faun, with a body fitter than most

Horns not too long and perfectly circular, her smile looking innocent but eyes scheming

That asswipe.

“Yes, I need you to bring some food to a dear guest of mine”

The waitress nodded, seeming

Dissapointed?

“As you wish”

“And you are to not say anything to her, keep quiet and respectful.”

A bow, looking up to me.

“Where is the guest?”

“I’ll show you. But first we need the food-“

Saying that, my fat friend came out of the kitchen.

Holding a steaming plate of human food.

I’m not good with humans, so I hope he did not cook up something weird.

I’m actually depending on him right now.

He looked to me, then to the waitress

Eyebrow raising, smile growing

Ah you ass

You fat-ass

Then he handed the food to me, I in turn handed it to the waitress.

Who took it awkwardly

“Sooooo, I hear you both are gonna have a good time-“

“THANK YOU for the meal, we are leaving now bye!”

I interrupted him, quickly dragging the waitress outside

“Have fun!”

He yelled after us, laughing loudly to himself.

No, he’s not an fat-ass

He’s a gianormous ass

Getting outside the mess-hall, we walked for a few minutes before the waitress spoke to me.

“So, what more do you need of me?”

“Nothing. Just, give my guest the food, then leave.”

Looking down on the plate of food, she did not respond

...

An awkward silence emerged

Trying to find something to say, I found myself stumped

Mute

She, in turn, walked beside me.

Not taking her eyes away from the food

Also looking lost for words

Or maybe not

Just not wanting to talk

Maybe.

Soon we made it to the guest house, the walk feeling more like hours

I gestured for her inside.

A question forming on her lips

“Are you not going in?”

She asked

I shook my head

“No, I’ve been informed to leave her to herself”

The waitress nodded

“I see.”

Then she opened the door and walked inside.

As the door closed behind her

I hurriedly put my ear on the door, listening closely.

“Hello“

The human said, getting nothing in response.

I heard the waitress put the food down

Then she walked to the door

I hastily moved away, straightening my clothes.

Then it opened and out came the waitress

Looking at me weirdly

Moving closer, I asked

“How did it go? Did she seem fine? Was she smiling? Why did you not respond? Did she seem happy with the food? Was I-“

Before I could continue with the onslaught of questions, she interrupted me

“I’m stopping you right there, she seems fine. Now, do you need something else from me?”

She raised an eyebrow amusingly, letting the question grow

I in turn, gawked at her

How brazen

“No.”

I said, not knowing what else to say.

She, in turn, bowed and walked away.

“Or wait! I need you to tell the elder that the human is awake.”

Without turning back, the waitress continued walking

I hope she heard me

She heard me

...

I think

Well, I have to wait here anyways.

If anything, I’ll have a reason to blame my friend.

It would be fun seeing the elder reprimand him.

Just thinking about it makes me smile.

I should probably plan my revenge.

Maybe bring the entire army to feast when he works.

He would finally be working up a sweat, he needs to sweat a little

If he ever wants to find someone good, he’s gonna have to lose the weight

Oh, just picturing his face.

Hehehe

It’s gonna be glorious.

“What are you smiling about?”

Alarmed, I jumped in freight.

Looking towards the source of the voice, seeing the elder

“Hahaha, oh boy, seeing hardened soldiers jump in freight like a gazelle makes my day, every day.”

Another cryptic word

Gazelle?

Sounds dangerous, I like that.

When the elder came closer, her laugh quieted down, looking up to me.

“How is she?”

“Ehm, she is.. Fine”

A nod

“You have not been inside yet?”

I closed my eyes, feeling weirdly struck by her words.

“No.”

“Mmmhm, I see”

She then opened the door, me following closely behind.

As we walked inside, I could see the human sitting on the floor, eating the human food.

Oh no

I forgot to bring a table.

How can I be so thoughtless, I’m a horrible-

“Is it to your taste?”

“Yes, it’s good, thanks!”

The human answered, smiling brightly.

Huh, she seems

Fine

“No worries young one. Now tell me, how do you feel?”

“I feel great! It’s like I’m young again. Look!”

As she said that, she jumped to her feet

Jumping around in delight, a big smile reaching her eyes

I, in turn, shuffled behind the elder, feeling

Out of place.

“Haha yes I can see that, but you know, you're still very young”

The elder stated, looking just as happy

“Well yeah, but in mind I’m totally your age.”

“I very much doubt that, young one.”

I do to human

“Hrmpf, you're just saying that to tease me”

“Yes.”

“Aowch, why so blunt?”

“Because it is the truth. Now young one, would you like a tour of our city?”

I’m sorry for our elders’ bad behaviour. I promise that most of us are not this unsensitive

“Why yes! That would be absolutely amazing!”

As she said that, we moved outside

Human walking with a spring in her step, a smile still clinging on

I awkwardly took my step beside the elder

Keeping the human on the opposite side.

After that we started walking.

Small talk that did not pique my interest

Instead, glancing at the human.

Huh, she seems

Fine.

She seems

Happy.

How...

How is that possible?

Then she yelled, something truly absurd.

“TAKE ME TO WHERE YOU GUYS POOP!”

I gawked, without realising

Our eyes met

She smiled at my reaction

And I kept staring.

How can she be so carefree?

Has she not...

Is she not-

Scarred?

The elder answered, looking to not even be bothered by the question.

“Follow me.”

...

This is absurd, how...

...

It does not matter

I should be happy.

My debt can be repaid, I can be

Saved.

I can be

Happy.

And as I thought that

Something felt lighter

My steps taking me further

And a aching heart pumping faster.