The Revenant murmured something under its breath. Elzan's head snapped toward the figure, eyes wide, he hadn't quite caught what it said.
Elzan: "Pardon?"
The Revenant didn't move at first. Just the crackle of the fire filled the silence. But then…
Revenant: "Ruv… You can call me… Ruv…"
(Its pronunciation is similar to Rue, but instead of 'e' sound, it is 'v' sound)
Softer and clearer. Elzan turned fully toward him, eyes wide.
Elzan: "I-I see… Sir Ruv it is…"
Revenant: "Just Ruv…"
Elzan: "A-Alright… R-Ruv…"
It was a bit unusual for Elzan to call the Revenant by the first name he thought.
Elzan: "Is Ruv your first name?"
The figure remained still, only the shifting light of the flames flickering across the mask. But the subtle drop of the chin, just slightly, was enough, a nod.
He glanced at the fire, feeling a strange warmth, not from the flames, but from the moment.
Elzan (softly): "Thank you… for telling me."
He smiles slightly as he gets to know the name of the Legend.
They spent the time at the cave, the sky is getting darker and darker. A sudden chill crept through the cave, crawling up their backs like invisible fingers. Elzan shivered. Something in the air had changed.
Without a word, the Revenant began to move. Metal clinked lightly as he reached for his armor. Elzan's eyes widened.
Elzan: "W-Wait, your wound—it's not fully healed yet!"
But the Revenant said nothing. With slow, deliberate movements, it buckled the chestplate back in place, then reached for the helmet. The firelight glinted off the battered surface as it lowered it over its head, once again concealing the face.
Elzan's breath caught. A cold feeling began to stir in his chest. He could feel like a danger, drawing near like a shadow.
He glanced at the Revenant, now standing tall in full armor once more. The sight alone made Elzan's heart race, but he understood that the Revenant seems to be preparing for something.
Without a word, Elzan quickly began stuffing his belongings into his bag. He reached into the side pocket and drew out a small pocket knife. The wind howled faintly outside, and for a brief moment, all was still.
Then suddenly… a sharp object flew through the air. It was an arrow. Elzan barely had time to react before an arrow sliced through the entrance of the cave.
But the Revenant moved first. In one swift move, it unsheathed its sword and snapped the arrow clean mid-flight. The severed pieces clattered harmlessly to the ground.
Elzan's eyes widened in shock, his pulse pounding in his ears.
Elzan: "Oh gracious!"
Revenant's silence was his only answer, but the way he held his blade, steady, for the unexpected attack.
More arrows hissed through the air, flowing through like silent death.
Elzan shouted, grabbing his pack and ducking as shafts thudded into the stone around them.
The Revenant spun toward the entrance and gave a short nod toward the forest, then turned and bolted out of the cave. Elzan followed without hesitation.
They dashed into the trees, weaving between trunks and ducking low branches. Behind them, the sharp twang of bows echoed as more arrows sliced through the forest.
The two darted in erratic directions, zigzagging between trees, making themselves difficult targets. The arrows slammed into bark and scattered leaves with every step. Elzan panted hard, sweat mixing with fear, his legs burning as he ran.
But then… A figure emerged high on a rocky ridge, cloaked in a dark blue hood. Unlike the others, this archer did not shoot blindly. He moved with precision, calm, and practiced. His gloved fingers pulled the string of a longbow taut, his aim steady as his eyes tracked the moving figures below.
He waited. Calculated. Then…in a flick, the arrow sliced through the canopy, threading between swaying branches. The wind barely had time to whisper.
The Revenant's head snapped toward it, but it was too late.The arrow was buried deep into the shoulder.
Elzan: "Ruv!"
Elzan cried, rushing forward as the Revenant collapsed, his weight crumpling like stone. Elzan caught him just in time, barely managing to stay upright. The force nearly took them both down. He held the Revenant's heavy frame up with all his strength, one arm braced against his back, the other clutching his waist.
Elzan: "Stay with me! You can't fall… not now!"
While Elzan was trying to carry the Revenant by his shoulder, he could hear the rustling footstep getting closer from the woods. Thinking that they must be after the Revenant and they might want him alive, he looks at his surroundings, searching for a way to escape, but how? At this point, they were surrounded by wilderness, no road, no landmarks…