[ Chapter 12 ] Identity

Both Ana and Hearts stare at Fiend, taking in the sight of his full face: short, messy, spiky, silver hair, gray/silver accent in his eyes, and skin tone was fair. Upon the mask breaking, Fiend covers his face, turning away from the two.

(Author´s note: I don´t think I stated Ana´s and Hearts' skin tone but Ana's is a light skin tone and Hearts is a Fair skin tone.)

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Why did it have to break!¨

Anathea walks closer to Fiend, her tone is with concern.

[ Anathea ] ¨Umm… so you´re actually human…?¨

Fiend moves, unable for Anathea to react, lightning-fast gripping, bringing his claws to her neck, dangerously close. Fiend´s voice was dull and deadly, his eyes were set in stone.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨If you tell… Anyone! What I look like… I'll end your life.¨

Anathea is shaken by a looming fear of death. Causing her unable to do any actions as she stands there. Hearts come in trying to hit Fiend.

[ Hearts ] ¨Chill out!¨

Hearts lashes out with a punch to Fiend´s face. Fiend catches her blow, without any effort, pulling her closer to him.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Same with you too!¨

Fiend uses the hand he holds back at Ana´s throat to elbow Hearts in the face causing her to reel back and grunt from the pain. Anathea sees her opening, grabbing her staff, as she does. Fiend kicks her, sending her back hitting Hearts both tumbling out of the cave.

[ Anathea ] ¨Oof!¨

As Anathea and Hearts both stand up from the attack, they see Fiend slowly walking from the darkness of the cave. His figure becomes more prominent as he takes his steps.

[ Anathea ] ¨Wait! We don't want to fight.¨

Fiend zooms next to Ana without her being able to see or react in time, he does a slash with his claws to her neck.

[ SIlver Fiend ] ¨Too bad.¨

Hearts jump in to stop Fiend´s attack. Hearts now had her gauntlets on, pushing against Fiend´s force. Anathea touches her neck softly.

[ Anathea ] In her mind ¨He was trying to kill me…¨

[ Hearts ] ¨Look! Please just calm down!¨

Fiend easily overpowers Hearts pushing her hands up from their clash.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨No.¨

Fiend kicks Hearts away into a tree, crashing into it back first, then falling.

[ Hearts ] ¨Guah!¨

[ Anathea ] In her mind ¨We´re completely outmatched.¨

Anathea points at her staff, a white light shines from the tip.

[ Anathea ] ¨Erase!¨

Three beams of light appear shooting out like booms towards Fiend.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Weak.¨

Fiend hits two of the light beams away with his hand, the third catching it and crushing it.

[ Anathea ] ¨He stopped Erase!?¨

Fiend walks slowly to Anathea, like a prey backed into a corner.

[ Anathea ] ¨Fiend! Please, we can talk this out.¨

Fiend lunges forward, Ana uses her staff to cover her face, but nothing reaches her. What is heard is the sound of resisting. Anathea lowers her staff, seeing that Fiend is being bound by wood roots from the ground.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Wood Will?¨

Loud footsteps are heard coming from the woods. The next second, a figure jumps from the trees, his figure in the sky. He has dark green hair, neck-length spiky hair, brown eyes, medium skin tone, and looks very young. It is the same deep teen voice Ana and Hearts heard earlier.

[ ??? ] ¨You need to calm down!¨

He lands standing in front of Fiend, looking stern and serious.

[ ??? ] ¨Seeing your face doesn´t mean you have to kill them.¨

Fiend studies the man´s figure and body. He wore a slightly tight black shirt, baggy white pants, a jacket tied around his hips, and black shoes. Fiend tilts his head at the man.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Who are you?¨

The young man points at himself, stern and voicing loudly.

[ ??? ] ¨I am Fer Uni, brother of Kusan Uni. I heard all of what you guys said. You´re the Silver Fiend.¨

Fiend still binded by Fer´s tree roots, stares at Fer blankly. Fiend takes in the height of Fer.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨How tall are you?¨

A large vein appeared on Fer´s head, his tone became that of anger.

[ Fer ] ¨I´m 5´1. Have a problem with my height?¨

Fiend's tone becomes a slightly smug tone.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨It seems more like only 5 feet.¨

Fer lashes out with loud outbursts at Fiend.

[ Fer ] ¨I am 5´1! I am not 5 feet tall!¨

(Author´s note: He is 5 feet exactly.)

Fiend breaks the tree roots binding for one of his arms.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨But now… You know what I look like too. I have three I need to kill now.¨

Fer doesn´t back down from the challenge, a tiny sweat drops from his head as he stances and reaches for his jacket covering his hips. He digs into the pockets of his jacket, taking out two daggers.

[ Fer ] ¨Hehe… let´s see you try.¨

Fiend breaks completely from the tree roots that bound him, quickly blitzing to Fer. Fer leans back barely dodging Fiend´s claw slash.

[ Fer ] In his mind ¨So quick!¨

Fer retaliates with a right slash to Fiend's eye. Fiend catches his arm preventing further action. Fer slashes with his other arm to Friend's stomach, which Fiend also catches. Fiend twists Fer´s right-hand dagger off his grip, then punches Fer.

[ Fer ] ¨Urgh!¨

Fer leans with the punch to divert its force for less damage, then hits back Fiend with a right-hand punch.

[ Fer ] ¨How´s that!¨

Fiend turns back his head slowly, unimpressed.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Not bad… but not good enough.¨

Fiend kneed Fer´s stomach, causing a groan of pain. Then, he continued with a punch to Fer´s jaw, sending him down to the floor.

[ Fer ] ¨Guah!¨

[ Anathea ] In her mind ¨We´re completely outmatched…¨

Fiend grabs Fer´s shirt pulling him back up. He raises Fer to his height, his other hand coming to Fer’s neck, and Fiend’s claw nares out to his neck.

[ Silver Fiend ] “Nothing personal kid.”

[ Fer ] “I’m no kid.”

Fer makes a smug face at Fiend. Fiend pulls back his hand, ready to cut Fer’s neck. Fiend pushes forward about to slash Fer’s neck. Anathea screams out to Fiend.

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[ Anathea ] “Wait!”

Fiend stops, his hand nearly about to kill Fer.

[ Fer ] In his mind “I almost died…”

Anathea puts a hand on her chest, her tone is pleading and beseeching.

[ Anathea ] “Don’t kill him!”

Fiend drops Fer, and Fer lands down.

[ Silver Fiend ] “Why should I?”

[ Anathea ] “I brought everyone here! Hearts and that Fer. It was my idea why we came here. So… let me… be the one to take responsibility!”

Fiend stands there for a couple of seconds, staring at Ana. Walking closer slowly, each step feels like an eternity to Ana. With each step, Ana becomes more terrified but keeps her resolve. When Fiend reaches Ana face-to-face.

[ Silver Fiend ] “Then I’ll end you first.”

Fiend raises his hand towards Ana. She closes her eyes as it reaches closer to her, awaiting what’s coming. Ana feels the looming feeling of death over her. Hearts tried to get up, but the damage was too great for her to get up.

[ Hearts ] “W- wait.”

As Fiend’s hand reaches Anathea, Fiend flicks her forehead.

[ Anathea ] “Itai!”

Anathea opens her eyes, staring at Fiend. A pout prominent and a red mark on her forehead. Ana has both hands touching her head, with tiny tears in both her eyes.

[ Anathea ] “What was that for?”

Fiend scratches his head, looking at Ana.

[ Silver Fiend ] “You aren’t prepared to die yet.”

[ Anathea ] ¨Are- are you still gonna kill us…?¨

Fiend shakes his head no.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨No… you changed my mind. The way you stood up for your friends. Even if you were against an opponent you couldn't win against.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨So you´ll let us be…?¨

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Yes, as long as you don´t tell anyone who I am. I´ll keep you guys alive.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Wait… your name isn´t… Silver Fiend right?

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨No… that is not my name.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Would you mind telling us… your actual name?¨

Anathea´s tone was sweet and caring. Fiend's eyes tremble up as he stares at Ana, in his eye, he sees a figure of someone next to her. The woman's figure was young, fair-skinned tone, with short green hair, and simple village clothing, reaching her hand out to Fiend. All was visible but the figure´s eyes were blurred. It was a memory in Fiend's head of someone.

[ Memory Girl ] ¨What was your name?¨

Fiend saw her next to Ana, then back to reality. It was just Anathea standing there.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨My name huh… you remind me a lot like her.¨

Anathea tilts her head a bit from confusion.

[ Anathea ] ¨Who…?¨

Fiend changes the topic, not answering the question.

[ Silver Fiend ] ¨Silver Fiend is a title… it is what they call me… but my actual name is Gilden. My name is Gilden. I don't remember the last time someone asked for my name.¨

Hearts finally get up but are still limping from the damage.

[ Hearts ] ¨So… what will you do now…?¨

[ Gilden ] ¨I'm sure you two aren't going to won't reveal my secret. However!¨

Gilden points at Fer.

[ Gilden ] ¨I still don´t trust you.¨

Anathea runs in front of Fer blocking Gilden.

[ Anathea ] ¨He's trustworthy! I can say.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨What makes you say that?¨

Anathea's tone became soft and true.

[ Anathea ] ¨He also help you…¨

[ Gilden ] ¨How so?¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Well you see…¨

Flashback 20 minutes; Hearts and Anathea panic as they both see Gilden on the ground. Walking around and contemplating what to do.

[ Anathea ] ¨What do we do?!?

[ Hearts ] ¨Don´t panic, we just need to help him right?!¨

Fer´s voice was heard in the woods behind them.

[ Fer ] ¨Help him into the cave!¨

[ Narrating Ana ] ¨We panicked as you fell, we didn't know how we should help you. Then we heard Fer´s voice telling telling you to put you in the cave.¨

Fer walks from the woods, appearing in front of Ana and Hearts.

[ Fer ] ¨Help him into the cave you idiots. He passed out from exhaustion, he needs to rest!¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Who… are you?¨

[ Hearts ] ¨Why are you so shor-¨

Fer points at Hearts with killing intent, cutting her off.

[ Fer ] ¨Not another word! I am Fer Uni.¨

Ana and Hearts both flinch a bit from the sudden change. Fer calms down soon after.

[ Fer ] “Just help him, he is unconscious. He just needs time to rest.”

Ana and Hearts help Gilden up onto both shoulders on each side, walking to the cave.

[ Anathea ] “Did you hear what we were talking about?”

[ Fer ] “Yes, I did. Why would you guys talk to the Silver Fiend? He’s known to be an evil force.”

Hearts chime in.

[ Hearts ] “I thought that too, but ever since she brought me here, he hasn’t tried to kill us,”

[ Anathea ] “He told us to leave 'cause it’s not safe. Fiend isn’t a bad guy I’m sure. If he was. he would have killed us already.”

[ Fer ] “So you’re telling me to believe that the Fiend born from evil… isn’t evil?”

[ Anatha ] “Yes, he doesn’t seem evil. When he was fighting that Emessio soldier from the city. He was winning but didn’t do any major harm to kill them.”

They all walked into the cave laying Gilden down. Fer stands next to the wall.

[ Fer ] “I find it hard to believe whether I shouldn’t reveal where he’s at right now.”

Anathea walks in front of Fer.

[ Anathea ] “Please don’t. I’m sure he has a good heart, trust him please.”

Anathea gives Fer a sort of puppy eye.

[ Fer ] ¨Trust him…? How can I trust him if he hasn't done anything for me to trust him.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨He is misunderstood… I am sure.¨ In her mind ¨And… he said bullshit to his own story.¨

Anathea heard what Fiend said even though Hearts didn´t. Fer crosses his arms.

[ Fer ] ¨You sure are persistent… how about you?¨

Fer looks over to Hearts.

[ Fer ] ¨Do you think Fiend is evil and trustworthy?¨

Hearts thinks for a second then replies.

[ Hearts ] ¨Hmmm… it was hard to decide at first, and I'm still not entirely sure. But I feel like he's worthy. For a Fiend, he told us to be careful and warned us which is unlike what an evil being should do.¨

[ Fer ] ¨I see… Fiend seems like he isn't what he seems in the rumors.¨

Fer scratches his head.

[ Fer ] ¨I´ll think about it, other than that. I am leaving. I have nothing else to do here.¨

Fer walks out of the cave before he turns back.

[ Fer ] ¨What are your names?¨

[ Anathea ] ¨I am Anathea Choju, an elf.¨

[ Hearts ] ¨I am Hearts Blue.¨

Fer turns back and walks away. He walks back into the forest.

[ Fer ] In his mind ¨An elf and a fiend… maybe… this can help me… maybe I´ll trust them.¨

In the back was heard Heart's voice.

[ Hearts ] ¨I think he needs a pillow… why not your legs?¨

[ Anathea ] ¨EHHH??!? My legs… so… my thighs???¨

[ Narrating Ana ] ¨Fer helped us help you and he even didn't try and hurt you. I think he's trustworthy.¨

Back to the present. Anathea explained what happened with Fer.

[ Anathea ] ¨So you can trust him!¨

Gilden looks to Fer.

[ Gilden ] ¨Fer… right? If you ensure you won´t leak my face… I´ll trust you.¨

Gilden walks over to Fer, sticking his hand out to help him up.

[ Fer ] ¨Besides the fact you tried to kill us… you don't seem like a bad guy Fiend.¨

Fer takes Gilden's hand, and Gilden helps him back up.

[ Hearts ] ¨Fer… why did you come here?¨

Fer looks over to Hearts.

[ Fer ] ¨I came after Fiend… and then I found you two.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨Why are you after me?¨

Fer sighs and sits down.

[ Fer ] ¨I was hoping to see what the Silver Fiend was. And I got it.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨What are you guys gonna do now?¨

[ Fer ] ¨Go back to Straya.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨I´m unsure… what will I do next? I´ve been on the run.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨If you don't mind me asking Gilden… what do you wanna do? Besides, survive.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨Why do you ask?¨

Anathea hesitates as she speaks.

[ Anathea ] ¨I- It's because… when Hearts was explaining the rumors about you… you said under your breath… that it's bullshit.¨

Fer and Hearts were caught off guard by what Ana said.

[ Fer ] ¨So… his rumors aren't true?¨

[ Hearts ] ¨Would you mind telling us Gilden?¨

[ Anathea ] ¨I´m assuming what is going on about you isn't true.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨You shouldn´t pry into my past… but I will say… most of the rumors aren't true… and I want to try and… make it so the Silver Fiend title isn't a name to be feared. I wanna fix my reputation.¨

Anathea offers her hand to Fiend.

[ Anathea ] ¨Then I can help you. You see, my goal for coming here to Astrea is to form better relationships with the elves and humans. If we´re to help each other, it's a win-win right? So what do you say?¨

Gilden thinks for then gives his answer.

[ Gilden ] ¨You would help me out… then I´ll come along.¨

Hearts smiles as she watches their communication.

[ Hearts ] ¨Alright! We got another member.¨

Hearts walks closer to Gilden and Hearts.

[ Hearts ] ¨How about you Fer? You wanna join us?¨

[ Fer ] ¨Join you guys? Nah, I´m good. I have things to do.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨That´s a shame but if you change your mind, you can talk to us.¨

Fer walks back into the woods.

[ Fer ] ¨Don´t worry Gilden, I won´t tell your secret.¨

Fer disappears into the woods, walking away.

[ Hearts ] ¨He seems like a good guy.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨If we're gonna work together, I might as get rid of my armor. ¨

The black and silver wind quickly returns covering Gilden´s body, and the next second the Silver Fiend armor is gone. He was in ragged clothes that were old but usable. Underneath the clothes, you could see Gilden´s toned and athletic build.

[ Gilden ] ¨I can´t have anyone figuring out I´m the Silver Fiend.¨

Anathea feels a drop of rain hit her hand.

[ Anathea ] ¨It´s… raining.¨

It slowly begins to rain more and more.

[ Hearts ] ¨Let´s rest in the cave till the rain passes.¨

They all walk into the cave they were in not too long ago. Anathea sit´s down and so does Hearts.

[ Hearts ] ¨Why don´t you sit down Gilden?¨

[ Gilden ] ¨I´m keeping a small eye out, just in case a monster attacks.¨

After a couple of seconds of Hearts and Anathea resting they hear a sound of a stomach grumble. It came from Gilden. He touches his stomach.

[ Gilden ] ¨Sorry… I haven´t eaten in a while. Don´t mind me.¨

Hearts smiles looking over to Gilden.

[ Hearts ] ¨You know what, I´m hungry too.¨

Hearts gets up and walks over to the basket of sandwiches Nora had made for them. It left there when they helped Gilden when he fell unconscious. Hearts picks it up looking at Ana and Gilden.

[ Hearts ] ¨Let´s eat shall we?!¨

Hearts walks in between them and opens the basket, it has five wrapped sandwiches that had friend Niupai (aka beef in this world), lettuce, and tomatoes. Hearts takes one and so does Anathea.

[ Anathea ] ¨Looks very good! I can´t wait.¨

Anathea brings the sandwich to her mouth, nearly into a bite. Ana then notices how Gilden didn´t take a sandwich. Anathea reaches closer to Gilden. She stands up more and leans her sandwich to Gilden for a bite. Hearts had already taken a bit of her sandwich.

[ Hearts ] ¨Mhmm~ very nice.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Here. Take a bite. I know you're hungry.¨

Gilden hesitates for a bit.

[ Gilden ] ¨I don´t wanna eat.. But if you´re insisting then I´ll eat.¨

Gilden leans in and takes a bite into the sandwich.

[ Gilden ] ¨T- that´s good.¨

Anathea smiles leaning the sandwich more towards Gilden.

[ Anathea ] ¨You can have it. This one is yours.¨

Gilden holds the sandwich as Anathea backs off grabbing another sandwich from the basket. Gilden takes another bite of the sandwich.

[ Gilden ] In his mind ¨She´s so trusting…¨

Gilden looks over to Ana and Hearts talking, admiring their camaraderie. Looks out the cave and into the sky, as the rains slowly stop, seeing the sun reappear. The sun beaming light and shining out of the clouds.

[ Gilden ] In his mind ¨But… I have people I can trust now.¨

Gilden takes another bite into his sandwich. In the back is heard from Hearts.

[ Hearts ] ¨So, did you like him resting on your legs? I can´t believe you went with that.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Eh!?! You lied to me? You said it be more comfortable for him?¨

Hearts laughs as she eats and Anathea blushes a bit from embarrassment, speaking back to Hearts.

[ Anathea ] ¨Do you know how embarrassing that was?!?¨

Hearts continue to laugh, Gilden smirks a bit looking at the sky.

[ Gilden ] In his mind ¨These two are idiot´s…¨

Gilden turns back to both of them,

[ Gilden ] ¨Rain has stopped, we can leave now.¨

Anathea gulps the rest of the sandwich in one bite leaving Hearts with a derpy face of surprise for a couple of seconds. Anathea gets up grabs the last sandwich, walking over. Hearts follows right after, all reach the cave entrance, the sun still bright into the sky.

[ Gilden ] In his mind ¨I found some people… are you proud of me.¨

The three of them stand there, all three walking out of the cave together. Anathea is still eating her other sandwich.