The heavy rain continued to pound the forest without mercy, hammering against the tent roofs with a ceaseless roar that refused to subside. Occasional gusts of fierce wind howled, causing the tent frames to shudder as they withstood the fury of the elements.
Even though the storm was still raging outside, news of an Elf inside Party Noiver's tent spread regardless. The curiosity of the merchants and adventurers outweighed their fear of the bad weather. Some of them were willing to stand in the downpour or huddle under thick cloaks just to steal a glance through a slight opening in the tent flaps.
"Did you see that? Her skin is as white as alabaster." whispered one merchant, his voice nearly drowned out by the sound of the rain.
"Truly a beautiful figure..." chimed in another, shivering from the cold.
Inside the tent, warmed by the glow of several lanterns, the sound of the rain sounded like a constant drumbeat. Novalia sat beside a makeshift bed made of piled straw covered with a blue sheet. She gazed intently at the Elf's face, which was beginning to show signs of life.
The Elf's eyelids fluttered slowly before finally opening completely. A pair of clear green eyes, filled with fear, stared up at the tent ceiling, then darted wildly around as thunder boomed in the distance. Her breath hitched when her gaze locked onto the human figure beside her.
Her body tensed, her defensive instincts immediately taking over despite her physical weakness.
"You're awake?!" Novalia greeted her gently, trying to keep her voice from being drowned out by the roar of the rain.
The Elf scooted back until her back hit the tent pole. Her expression betrayed a high level of wariness.
"Wh-Who are you?" her voice was hoarse. "And... where am I?"
Novalia gave a faint smile, raising both hands slowly. "My name is Novalia, an adventurer. And right now, you are safe. You are inside our tent, sheltering from the storm."
Hearing the word 'safe', the Elf furrowed her brow. Her memory reeled back to the searing pain, the cold mud, and the terrifying darkness of the forest before she had finally seen the firelight.
Novalia reached for a wooden cup filled with warm water. "What is your name? And how did you end up here in the Kingdom of Fellims? Considering we almost never encounter the Elf race."
The woman stared at the water, then took a small sip. "My name is Evaliza Enheilm... I escaped from some madmen. Slave traders who wanted to sell me."
Novalia's eyes went wide. "Slave traders?" she exclaimed in shock. "But... how could you be caught? Isn't the Elf race skilled in archery and magic?"
Evaliza bit her lower lip. "They were cunning... At that time, they held my younger brother hostage. They had a sword to his throat. I had no other choice but to surrender."
"Then, where is your brother now?"
Silence fell for a moment, only the sound of rain filling the void. Evaliza's shoulders began to tremble.
"He... he was killed." a sob broke free, competing with the rumble of thunder. "When we tried to escape, he tried to free me. He protected me from their attacks. I fought back briefly, but there were too many of them, so I decided to run."
Evaliza's tears flowed freely, mingling with her deep grief. Novalia immediately moved closer, rubbing Evaliza's back gently. "Calm yourself first, Evaliza."
Outside the tent, amidst the heavy downpour, two young men stood listening.
Keyzier stood letting his body get soaked to the bone, pelted by the rain. His face was rigid, rainwater dripping heavily from the tips of his hair and chin. Beside him, Donovan stood tall, listening with a serious expression even though he was also drenched.
"Slave trade in Fellims?" whispered Donovan, his voice faint amidst the whistling wind. "I didn't think scum like that operated here."
Keyzier didn't answer. His jaw hardened, his hands clenched into fists until his knuckles turned white in the cold night.
Inside the tent, Novalia offered some bread. "Evaliza, eat something first. You were critical earlier. Luckily our party leader, Keyzier, acted fast to save you."
Evaliza stared at the food blankly, then gently swatted Novalia's hand away.
"Why did you save me?" her voice sounded hopeless. "It would have been better if I had died with my brother."
Hearing her words, Keyzier grew furious at the Elf woman.
Whoosh!
The tent flap was torn open roughly. Strong wind and splashes of rain immediately barged in, soaking the tent floor.
Keyzier stepped inside, soaked to the bone, bringing the cold air from outside with him. His gaze and face showed his anger toward Evaliza. Disregarding the water dripping from his body everywhere, he snapped.
"Hey, stupid Elf!" His voice boomed, even overpowering the sound of the rain outside.
"What do you think I saved you for? Don't just say you want to die like that whenever you please! What exactly did your brother sacrifice himself for, huh?! So you could die foolishly and follow him?!"
Evaliza looked up, her eyes flashing with anger. "I didn't need your help!"
"Are you kidding me?!" Keyzier retorted, rainwater dripping from his furious face. "Before you passed out, you begged for help! And now you say 'I didn't need your help'? Do you want to waste your brother's sacrifice and our help now? Come here! Let me kill you right now, you stupid woman!"
Evaliza trembled with emotion. "You... you don't know anything! You, who have never seen someone you love sacrifice themselves to save you, have no right to judge me!"
Keyzier fell silent. His expression turned dark. He stared straight at Evaliza, ignoring the cold wet clothes clinging to his body.
"What did you say?" his voice lowered, sharp and cold.
He took a step forward. "Just so you know... I have seen Novan, the person I care about most, sacrifice himself right before my own eyes!"
Donovan, who was still standing at the entrance, letting his back get battered by the rain, just listened in silence.
"He almost died protecting me!" Keyzier's voice trembled. "What do you think I felt? Helplessness, guilt... I felt it all!"
Keyzier pointed at his wet chest. "To this very second, I have never wanted to waste his sacrifice! If I gave up after Novan sacrificed himself for me, it would be the same as spitting in his face!"
Those words silenced Evaliza. The sound of the rain outside seemed to be the only thing daring enough to fill the silence between them.
Novalia immediately stood up, grabbing Keyzier's wet and cold arm. "Key, that's enough! She is grieving!"
Keyzier shook off Novalia's hand. His eyes remained locked on Evaliza.
"If you consider your brother precious," Keyzier stressed, "don't waste the life he fought for! I hate people like you! You ungrateful woman!"
Then, Keyzier gave Evaliza a sharp look. "If you want to cry, cry to your heart's content tonight! But tomorrow, get up! Use the life your brother saved to take revenge on the criminals who killed him! Or would you rather choose to be a loser who dies following him?"
"Keyzier!" Novalia scolded loudly. "Control your temper!"
Keyzier looked away. Without a word, he turned and stepped out, piercing through the curtain of heavy rain once more.
"You are truly selfish! I regret saving you! Stupid woman!" his cursing slowly vanished, swallowed by the roar of the storm.
Keyzier disappeared into the darkness of the night and heavy rain, leaving Evaliza frozen in place.
In front of the tent, Donovan sighed deeply, wiping his wet face, watching the back of his best friend walking through the storm to cool his head.