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This is a work of fiction. Names, monsters, skills, places, etcetera, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by FrozenArrow. All rights reserved.

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" Iryl..! "

" Hey! Iryl! "

It has been two days since the accident happened.. Ken is still lying unconscious in Mirana's wooden shack and gives no sign of waking up any time soon. As for Iryl...

" Hey! Iryl! Iryl!! Get a hang of yourself already! It's been two days since you locked up in your house! Iryl!! "

After the incident Iryl broke down and fell unconscious on the ground. Luke carried him all the way to Mirana's shack.. But, several hours later when he woke up... He saw Ken lying on the bed..

Before anyone could tell him anything, he was already running with tears in his eyes.. The elves that were gathered at Mirana's hut at the time made no attempt to stop him and so.. We are back to where our story started with Iryl locked up in his wooden shack and the elves banging on the door outside.. 

Inside the small shack Iryl was lying in his bed staring at the wall with his currently blank gaze.. His mind was not in a normal state with several thoughts passing through his mind..

' I almost killed someone... Again.. '

' Those were the very same eyes... No matter where I go they will always follow me.. '

' Their gazes were clearly saying.. MONSTER! '

' Even though they didn't say anything.. I know what those eyes were saying.. Haha.. Hahahaha.. Ha... '

' Even when I woke up.. Their faces were the same as if they were looking at a monster.. '

They poor elf had his mind broken in pieces. He no longer knew what was right and what was wrong and is now trying to isolate himself in order to escape reality..

' In the end.. Was that dream really what I am.. What I am supposed to be..? '

' This emptiness.. How long has it been..? Ahh.. That's right... I should have realised it earlier.. Even though I thought I knew it first hand.. '

The elf was now one step closer to insanity. His mind broke the moment he saw the gazes from the other elves.. 

Memories flew in his mind in rapid succession. His past, his mistakes, the emptiness, the betrayal from the one he loved.. 

For one more time he learned.. No, he remembered how nave he had become after his reincarnation..

' Fate.. Fate doesn't allow me an easy life.. Hated.. Feared.. I will always end up alone in the end.. '

The elf who was just one step away from insanity had finally found the way he would take and made a small grin appear on his face..

' Haha.. If that's your answer then so be it.. I will carve my own road.. Fate... Shall be in my hands... '

' Make the world think I am the devil.. I don't care! Make them despise me! I don't care! Let them know who I am.. I will take everything head on.. No matter what threat comes my way.. I will send it to its demise.. ' 

With those thoughts in mind Iryl stood up from his bed! The tears on his face had long since dried up and were replaced with black circles under his eyes.. The lack of sleep had his on the verge.. 

His eyes though.. They were no longer blank.. After long years of being gentle they had once again took back their long lost sharpness! They were so sharp that anyone who saw them.. Would have fear penetrate his mind in seconds.. 

But.. Deep inside the sharpness his eyes had lost the flame his eyes once had.. That flame which is known as 'hope' was now replaced only with emptiness.

Meanwhile! Outside of Iryls house several elves were gathered. Those were none other than Iryls close friends who knew him the best.. 

Dan was hitting the door while shouting.

" Hey! Iryl! Get out man! You know it wasn't your fault! Everyone knows that! And they won't blame it on you! Even Ken! After all he was the one who told you to heal him.. "

" Tsk.. No answer huh..? "

Another voice came from behind him..

" Maybe... We should.. Leave him alone.. He will need time... "

The one who talked with a fidgety voice was Lilith who was also among the group. Then Dan said in a loud voice back at her..

" He is not okay Lilith! If we leave him alone for too long who knows what will happen to him! It has already been 2 days! He didn't even come out to eat Lilith! "

" Sorry.. Sorry..! "

Lilith through the years had always kept her low character and could be easily intimidated..

" And Luke! Weren't you close with Iryl!? I thought you used to live together! "

" ...That was.. Before I joined.. The hunting group... "

" Uwaa... You are not helping at all.. Wait.. What are you even doing here..? "

Luke didn't answer..

" And Serth! Isn't Iryl your friend why don't you say something?! "

" Me?! Even if I say something.. I doubt that he will listen.. "

A vein popped up on Dans head as he said..

" Ughh.. What are you people even here for then?? " 

Dan exhaled and filled his lungs with oxygen.. Then in a loud voice like before he said..

" Hey Iryl! If you don't plan on coming out I will break down the door you hear me?! "

" I will count up to.. "

The lock on the door creaked open and the door opened slowly revealing Iryl behind it.. Iryls friends let out an 'ah..' sound once they saw him. Then Dan took the initiative to speak.

" What.. So in the end you were afraid of me breaking down the door huh? Ehh? Iryl? "

He had a grin on his face as he said the last words.. Iryl though didn't pay much attention to him and just shrugged it off with one sentence..

"...I am leaving.. "

" Huh? "

Dan let out a stupid sound as he lost the grin on his face and said..

" Leaving..? Were are you going..? Ahh! Now I get it you are going to eat aren't you?! "

" No, Dan I am leaving.. "

Dan and the others had completely lost their happy facade from their faces and it was replaced with a sad expression.. Only Luke remained indifferent from the start.

" Hey.. Iryl.. You are not thinking of leaving the camp right? You know that you are not allowed to go back to the village before 16.. "

Iryl shakes his head and says.

" No.. I am not going back to the village... I am just leaving the camp.. "

Lilith, Dan and Serth paled as they heard his last words.. Luke just turned around and took his leave.. Dan couldn't tolerate Luke's behavior so he shouted at him..

" Hey! Luke! Where are you going?! Do you even realise what is going on?! "

Luke ignored him and went his way.. Lilith then said with her low voice..

" I.. I am going to tell... To tell.. Mirana! "

She then hurriedly run towards her hut.. Serth then said..

" Hey Iryl.. Are you sure about it?! I mean leaving the camp.. Isn't that just ridiculous? "

" Yea he is right! Iryl! Why are you even saying those things?! "

The two elves had yet to see Iryls eyes.. He slowly moved his head upwards and turned his gaze towards them.. The two elves flinched a little and he said..

" Don't get in my way.. "

His two friends were too frightened to even move a finger after experiencing his cold gaze and just stayed in their tracks.. Iryl then with slow movements made his way towards the gate, leaving behind both Dan and Serth.. On his back was only a small leather bag that most probably contained stuff of the utmost importance for his journey.. 

Several minutes later at the camps gate.

" NO! We can't let you pass! No elf is allowed to exit the camp except of those from the hunting group! "

"..."

Iryl was currently being blocked by two elves that were stationed at the gate.. For some reason all three gates of the camp have at least two guards stationed at them.. Probably the gates are the weak point of the wall, so they place someone on guard just to be sure... (AN: Not like beasts ever attacked...)

" Now.. Go back! It is already troublesome guarding the gate kid.. Don't make our day tougher.. "

" ..I'll say it one more time... Out of my way.. "

Iryls stare made the guards flinch a little but, they remained at their posts..

" Like.. Like I said.. You can't pass! Do you realise how troubling it will be if we let you pass?! Don't make us use force on you! "

" Hoh..! Are you my enemy then..? It is fine if I go all out then..? "

Iryls gaze turned cold enough for the guards to grab the bows in their back.. But, before anyone could start a fight someone shouted from behind them..

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

" IRYL!!! "

Mirana was running towards their direction with a demon's expression on her face.. The two guards fell on their backs as they saw Mirana.. But, Iryl stayed indifferent on his feet without making a move..

As Mirana closed in, in a running motion she tried to grab Iryl from the shoulder like she usually does when she is angry...

Iryl with the least effort needed, he made a side step to the left and avoided Mirana's (death) grasp. He placed his right foot a little further out and.. The next thing Mirana knew was that she was lying face first on the ground.

" ..Mirana huh..? "

" Ouch... What was that even for?! "

Mirana cried out as she stood up and rubbed her nose. With no answer coming back from Iryl she kept going.

" And where do you think you are going?! "

" ..Whos knows..? "

" See?! You don't even have a plan! Alright that's the end of the story! Let's go back now and have serious conversation! "

One more time Mirana tried to grab Iryl from the hand but he moved one step back.. Then he turned his face slightly upwards enough to face her and said..

" ..I am not going back.. Face it..! "

Mirana froze and just stared back at him.. Iryl once again turned his gaze towards the gate to make his leave.. But, another voice came from behind him. This time though it was from Narxus.

" Iryl! Don't you dare take one more step from where you are! "

Iryl stopped on his tracks and turned back..

" Narxus.. Sorry.. This is my decision in the end.. "

" Wait! Iryl.. I am sure huff huff.. That if we explain them the concept of your ability that they will understand! You don't need to leave right?! "

" ... "

Silence filled the place and Iryl looked upwards towards the sky.. Then he said..

" ...I saw it.. On their gazes.. That look.. It was as if they were looking at a monster Narxus.. "

Narxus was already in front of him and tried to interrupt him..

" I am sure that if.. "

" It's too late! I hate it! I don't want to pass the same thing again! "

Tears welled up in Iryls eyes but, he didn't let them to flow down.. With his right hand he wiped his teary eyes and once again turned to leave.. 

As he made his way towards the gate the two elves that were standing guard moved their hands towards their bows but, before they could reach their bows something flew in the direction of the gate and stabbed it in the middle..

Iryl for one more time turned his gaze back to the direction where the projectile came from and said.. 

" Luke... "

Narxus's eyes gleamed as he saw Luke make his way to them.. The elves that were gathered around from the commotion turned their gaze at him as well. Then Narxus took the initiative to speak..

" Luke! Finally someone who can reason with him! Please stop him from doing something absurd.. "

Luke like always didn't say anything and made his way towards Iryl.. As he closed in he passed next to him and Iryl followed him with his gaze.

Then he went close to where the guards were, and they fliched a little. But they didn't do anything.

He only stopped when he was right in front of the projectile he threw. With a fluid move of his right hand the projectile was removed from the gate.. As for what it was.. 

He once again turned around after inspecting it for a little and moved towards Iryl.. 

" ...Here.. "

" That is.. "

" A sword.. I made it for when the time came.. But, looks like you will need it sooner... "

" ... "

Iryl didn't say anything and took the sword in his hands. After a short inspection he said..

" ..That is a good sword.. "

" Of course! The best I've made so far.. "

The two elves made eye contact and just stared at each other for a while.. All the elves that were gathered didn't utter a word as Luke and Iryl stared at each other.. Soon after Iryl broke the stare contest and said as he looked down to the sword..

" ..Thanks.. "

" ...Don't even mention it.. "

" Then.. See ya.. "

For one more time he made his way towards the gate.. This time the guards didn't try to stop him. They knew really well who Luke was. So they just said..

" Is.. Is it alright?! Leader? "

" ...Leave him be.. He is strong.. He just needs time.. "

" But.. Still there are a lot of dangers out there! "

" ...That's right.. But.. He will be fine... He is not allowed to die after all.. "

Luke muttered the last words enough for no one else to hear and then said in a loud voice..

" Hey! Iryl! I am sure you will find the east side of the forest to your liking! "

Some of the elves paled when they heard him and one for the guards turned to him and said..

" Sir.. The east side.. You can't mean! "

" ..That's right... Forest of the lost souls.. "

" That is suicide! The place is filled with poison plants and beasts! Not even our mightiest warriors dare to enter there! "

The door was already half open and Iryl had finally made his first step out of the camp! In front of him were the grassy lands and in the horizon he could see the forest that covered most of the continent.

For the last time he turned back and looked at the elves that were gathered in the other side of the gate. His gaze fell on Mirana who was crying on the ground while pleading him not to leave.. Narxus was also on the ground hitting it with his fist while cursing his inability to help him..

As for Luke he was staring straight at him with a firm look on his face.. Then Luke shouted..

" No way! Don't tell me you decided to return already! "

Iryl smirked back at him and turned the other way.. With a fluid move he then vanished like the wind.. His destination..? Of course it is the forest of  the lost souls.

Luke was staring at the closing gate as he thought.. 

' I am sure that he will get stronger over there.. He will be able to cultivate his spiritual ability well in the forest. '

Once the gate was fully closed he turned the other way and went his way.. As he walked he saw Mirana crying and said..

" ..Don't worry.. He knows what he is doing.. Iryl is strong after all.. "

" Why..? WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HIM!? I AM SURE HE WOULD LISTEN TO YOU!! "

Mirana cried as she shouted back at Luke.. He stopped for a moment and said before going his way..

" Don't belittle him! "

Then he said in a low voice as he moved..

" If you truly love him.. You should know what is better for him.. "

" But.. Still.. You sent him straight to death... "

Luke didn't bother to answer and the elves had already started to disperse.. A few minutes later, Mirana was the only one left there who kept crying on the ground while Narxus was sitting next to her waiting for her to calm down.. No matter how hard he tried words didn't come out of his mouth..

END of chapter 16

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Author's notes:    Hello dear readers! Thank you for taking your time to read yet another chapter! Ehh.. Well.. I have news that are good for me and most probably bad for you... Let's see.. Where to start.. Well the thing is that college life starts this Monday. I am afraid that I don't know how much free time I will have from now on to write.. And that's not all.. Since my college is not in the same city as my house I will have to move out.. That will happen this Friday.. Now.. Let's take a look at the worst news.. I will need at least 1 week to adjust there and I doubt that my parents will let me have access to the internet... Well, I will most probably play my cards right and have some access! (Devil smile) Anyway.. I don't know yet how I'll be able to upload chapters and how much free time I'll have to write so.. Well.. Ther will be free internet access in the library but I don't know if it will be easy for me to upload from there.. Anyway! I will try to inform you of my future plans as soon as possible. I want to keep updating if possible..

PS: Don't expect a new chapter this Sunday.. No internet access either way... If I have internet access in my college I will put out an announcement so... Thank you for eing with me all this time! I hope you will keep reading for as long as I make updates :) 

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