Lost in the Crossroads

Eighteen - Caleb

Caleb’s whole body was aching. The wounds and bruises on his body throb in sync with the pulsing of the chains restraining him to the ground. The chains prickled his skin; absorbing his magical power and rendering it useless as it were sucking his life. His vision hazy from the lack of food and water, stomach protesting every now and then. He refused any food that they offered to gave him. Only a fool would accept food from their captor, especially mages.

He doesn’t understand what the mages will accomplished by poking him with their staffs and their fingers. They looked like they were looking for something. Something that Caleb could not find out. He thought of many things the humans would find different on his body comparing to theirs.

The ears, most likely.

This is the first he has been close to humans. The list he could think was unsuprsingly short.

Height. Skin color.

Ah yes, they have different kind of senses too. Theirs were definitely superior compare humans. Eyesight. Hearing. Smell. And touch.

Caleb shivered at his own train of thoughts. He wasn't aware that humans touch could be repulsive. One touch on his skin was enough for him to be wary of their presence at any time. Goddess, he could still feel the critters crawling on his skin. What kind of---abilities? He wasn't sure if that was an ability yet he couldn't stop thinking what kind of a creature a man is with that kind of touch. Surely, being touch by an ogre was better than them. He knew, of course. He touched one. Dead as that one might, it was still an ogre. The contact wasn't repulsive compare to the humans.

And their eyes. Caleb shut his own to keep from seeing them in the dark. Gaia, their eyes. They looked insane. Obsessed even. They keep looking at him with those crazed eyes. Like he was some sort of object. Something to fascinate them. Satiate their curiosity. And toyed with their magic.

A toy. His stomach heaved in warning. Caleb has to fight the urge to throw of what remained in his stomach, remembering their repulsive touches.

Was that all they see on him? A toy?

Are all humans like them?

Caleb gulped, dry throat tightening from the movement. He tasted bile in his mouth. Disgusting. It has been like this for days. His head leaned on the railings of his cage. Arms straining on his sides with the chains holding it up.

Once they have enough of their probing, the mages placed him in a cage made out of restriction magic. Upon realizing his powers, they cut him off it as soon as they can.

He takes in a shuddering breath.

Kael’s lack of presence in this human infested camp lessens the growing despair inside him. Goddess, he’d never thought a day would come for him to be relieve of Kael separated from him.

Elven twins are rare. Their magic was more attuned to nature; they can call to its power like breathing air. They're bound in birth and also in death.

When one of them perished, both of them will die. Caleb wouldn’t know what he will do if Kael was here. He might have lost his mind. He wouldn’t be able take it if those humans touched his brother like they did to him. He doesn't know what he will do if they looked at Kael the same way they looked at him.

As long as Kael was alive somewhere his eyes could not reach, he will be fine. He will live as long as his brother was still alive. He could bear any pain as long as his brother was not by his side in this place.

Yet, that fool!

Caleb gritted his teeth. He could hear the pounding of his heart through the silence of the night. He could feel his brother. So near yet so far. Presence fluttering in and out of his senses.

His limbs trembled with the knowledge of Kael rescuing him. Why can’t he just stay away? Does he not understand the severity of their situation? What was he thinking?

Kael should have known that their magic was not effective against the mages. They tried before yet it was not enough. The mages were too powerful and knowledgeable in the arcane arts compare to them. They only learned the fundamental ways of controlling their magic and nothing more. Night Elves are not fond of magic. Caleb understood why. The first time he released his power without limiting it, he couldn’t stop. He doesn’t know how.

To have such power at the tip on his fingers, growing along with his rage and toppling his enemies, was addicting. The thought of matching the destruction the mages had made on their village was tempting. So tempting. He doesn’t want to stop.

Kael did. He doesn’t understand how but it was his twin who stopped him. Calling out to him in great distress, he could not in his life ignore that cry, only to realize within his magic-addled mind the destruction his powers had wrought upon the entrance of their village. And his body burning with magic exhaustion.

Caleb admits he overdone it. If Kael hadn't call out to him, only Gaia know what will become of him.

Magic was dangerous. It was poison. Falling to its allure shall bring destruction to oneself. It’s a wonder how those humans wield it with such grace and confidence.

It also justified the fear that most of the races felt on them; they were simple to fall on the allure of magic. Easy to corrupt and fell into madness.

His eyes landed on the runes written on the cold metal of his cage. Stunning letters vibrating with power. Such a creation. He wasn’t certain if Night Elves could create such things.

Anxiety wedged it way on his throat. If Kael got caught again because of his own foolishness, they won’t be able to repeat the same trick to escape. They managed to fool the mages once. It won’t happen again. The mages made sure of that and the magical cage holding him was the proof.

Gaia, help them! He doesn’t want his brother to be with him at a moment like this.

No! Not with those humans around.

Just the thought of his brother in the cage with him made Caleb’s stomach coil and his blood boil. He was already prepared to lay bare his everything for his brother to live.

Why Kael cannot understand?

Caleb's limbs trembled from frustration and helplessness.

Can he really not do anything now? His magic was useless. He couldn’t even summon it.

Shouting out for help would make it worse. Who would heard him other than his own brother he oh so wanted to go away?

A rustling of clothes caught his ears. Quite the mundane sound in a camp full of moving people. Though it was immediately followed by a loud thump. Caleb straightened from his position, muscle and joints protesting from the movement. He winced at every protest of his body.

Gaia, everything hurts.

There was a lot of rustling outside. The sound of a body struggling, he concluded. Three persons were outside his tent. He could easily discern with their different breathing patterns.

One was breathing evenly, deep in slumber.

Another was controlled and regulated. A stranger, his eyes narrowed.

And the other was raggedly gasping, dying. A tiny sound of dripping made his muscles coiled tightly in tension. Blood. His hearing focused on the slow and steady pitter-patter. The sound slowly increased its volume, pounding his ears, making his heart race.

There were two knights guarding him. Now there’s one and a silent, deadly stranger.

What is happening?

Caleb strained his ears and waited. It can’t be his brother. He knows Kael’s footsteps anywhere. It was not this confident. He would be able to feel his brother’s presence once he got close to him. His arms feebly struggled against the chains binding him, wanting it free for the incoming danger.

This stranger’s presence was too close to him for his own good. Too dangerous. What was it?

A hitched of breath. It was not his. He was desperately holding his own. A gasp. A desperate struggle. A choke. The last knight guarding him was gone with the other. There was another moment of rustling, a tongue clicking in agitation.

Caleb tried to summon his magic. It doesn't answer.

Goddess! He tugged on his chains, panic rising.

Then a hand peeked through the opening of the tent. A figure stepped in, cautious and vigilant. He suppressed a frustrated whine, toes curling and blood dripping on his chin from biting too much on his lip.

He noticed her eyes first. Silver. Shining dimly in the dark like of a Night Elf. Yet, this one was a human dressed like a bandit and moving like a stalking feline.

The chains holding him rattled. His fists clenching and unclenching, trying to hold onto something. It was easy to forget where he was with all of the humans surrounding him but with the woman’s presence in front of him, it hit him like an arrow shot by his own brother.

What could be worse than man in this cursed land?

A witch.

The magic circles surrounding his cage crackled in life, illuminating the figure of the witch.

He hoped it was not true. His magic was nothing against the mages, what of it against a real witch?

What could he do against her bound and defenseless?

“This is almost disappointing.” She murmured, moving away from the opening with cautious steps on the ground. Her eyes flittered all over the room, unbothered with the pulsing of the magical stones in the tent. She doesn’t seem bothered with his eyes following her every movement.

“And there’s the magic.” She clicked her tongue, unimpressed by what he hoped was him.

He doesn’t want to catch the attention of a witch. Who would?

She stopped before his cage.

Caleb’s last tread of hope diminished in thin air. “What do you want?” He bit out, choosing to channel the rage inside him instead of the fear crippling him. It has always been his greatest point.

The witch arched an eyebrow at him. Her attention turned into the magical stones pulsing with light, eyes narrowing. “I’m getting you out.”

Deep inside him, Caleb had already known the reason of her presence in this human infested camp yet hearing it was different. Dread had once again made itself known with it being realized right in front of him in a form of a small woman. “Why?”

What does she want from him? What do they want from them? He wasn’t that different! Him and his twin! Night Elves do have magic. Most of them simply abstains it in order not to fall into madness.

They were not that different!

“Because your brother asked to.” She answered simply. Like she had not just dropped the guillotine on his neck.

It felt like his heart stopped beating. All the rage he was holding inside him dissipated into hollowing dread. Could it be the witch was the reason why he could feel Kael’s presence in the dark woods?

“No.”

Not his brother.

His breath came out in a startled gasp. “No, he didn’t.” he repeated, aching limbs straining against his bonds as he stared in horror at the witch in front of him.

What kind of sweet nothings this woman had whispered in his brother’s ears? What kind of bargain did she offer to his brother?

Power?

Wealth?

Fame?

In exchange for what?

Kael cannot be that foolish. Naïve, perhaps but not entirely foolish. Anyone with a right mind would not bargain with a witch.

Someone desperate, though.

"Gaia, no." He repeated breathlessly.

“Yes, he did.” Her lips pursed, taking a step back. She traced the magical runes and stones completing the circle of his cage, assessing.

Caleb refused to think he’s brother could be that desperate. They could succeed on their own. Aid was not needed, especially from a witch.

Cold settled deep in his gut. Caleb remembered his brother talking about his dreams when they got captured. His brother was gifted with the foresight. The first night of their capture, he dreamt of a salvation. A path of silver. He insisted that it’s the wish of the Mother. It was the reason why Caleb did everything to get Kael out of the mages’ clutches. But what if it’s the witch all of this time? Luring them into a trap. Wanting them for herself.

He should have noticed it! The dream was too convenient concerning their predicament. They were fooled!

“The only thing I could think about with all this s**t is to take out the batteries lighting that cage.” The witch murmured deep in thought, pacing around the magic stones. “And the batteries are…” She started kicking the magical stones off the drawn magical circle on the ground. Slowly but surely, the magical restriction binding him was dissipating. The chains loosening around his body until it fell uselessly on his feet. The magic of the mages failing without its source. His eyes blinked, perplexed with the simplicity of the solution of the problem he keep struggling about. Had he known it was that simple, he might have escaped a long time ago. The witch might have not been here.

“Damn. This was too easy for it’s own good.” The witch murmured again, frowning deeply as she started eyeing the surrounding items in the tent. Her postured relaxed for someone who entered the enemy camp.

Arrogance, it runs in their race.

Though, Caleb has to agree with her. She made his entire struggle useless with her arrival. His tongue traced the ridge of his teeth, tasting blood from the hollow of his cheek. The magical lock on top of his cage clicked open, the railings slowly vanishing in thin air like a wisp of light.

He started gathering all his remaining strength, his magic was still recuperating but with the witch small stature he felt like he could defeat her physically. He was after all a Night Elf. Witch as she may be, she was still a human and Night Elves are superior to them in many aspects.

He waited until the last whips of light from his cage was gone without a trace before he pounced at her. Every part of his body protested and screamed to stop. Goddess, it hurts. There was a weight on his back he could not shake off. Yet he kept moving.

He won’t let her have him or his brother! He has to kill her now! For the sake of their lives.

He saw her surprised look and his triumph. One quick snap of her neck and it will be done. His brother will be free from her clutches.

Before he could even reach her, the witch twisted away and Caleb couldn’t comprehend what happened next. One moment he was reaching out her and the next he was already back to the ground with his face shoved harshly on it and an arm twisted on his back with a hard knee pinning him on the back of his head.

He wheezes in pain. The scent of earth assaulted his nose with his heartbeat competing against the tremor of his body from the hold of the witch.

Oh Goddess. What happened?

A shiver traveled in his spine despite all of his defiance. And he was reminded of what kind of creature was perched on his back. A witch. The very being that could put fear to almost anything in this world. Even to the Mythos.

Did she move faster than him? Or was he that slow?

The beat of his heart picked again. His foolishness warranting his death.

“Are you done?” The witch asked, voice devoid of any emotion.

His breath hitched, body pressing closer to the ground and away from her hold. What is with all of these humans? Where did they get such strength? He could feel the power in the land, hear the whisper of the trees yet he could not summon anything to aid him.

This cannot be the end for him. If he dies, Kael would certainly follow him. Caleb wouldn’t be at peace then.

“Good.” The witch said when he felt the pressure on his back lessen. “I’m letting you go. Don’t do anything stupid. I don’t have time for your homicidal tendencies.”

Caleb panted heavily, mind wandering in confusion. Did she just say—release him?

After a few tense moments, the witch finally released her hold on his head. Caleb didn’t dare to move. He doesn’t even understand what was going on. Why would she release him? What on Gaia’s name does she want from him?

“Hey, kid? You still alive?” she asked, crouching on his side. “You better be still alive or else Alex’s gonna kill me!” she said, prodding his bruised side that forced a groan out from him.

It also served as a reminder of the abused his body had taken from the mages. He slumped on the ground, the pain from his wounds and bruises demanding to be felt and pushing the witch’s presence aside.

“Ah fuck.” He heard the witch cursed. There was something different with the way she talks. He just couldn’t think properly at the moment to distinguish it.

What was she doing, anyway? Was she not planning to take him away?

Fear shot through his disabled body.

Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! Please! His mind screamed. Tears of frustration welling up on his eyes as his vision turned dark. He vaguely felt his hand fisting dirt but could not hurl on the witch’s face.

His heart ached for his brother's presence.

“I won’t.” Caleb swore he heard from the witch’s mouth as darkness took him.

​Caleb was not fond of waking up in unknown places. He was used waking up by his brother side. And not--- he scowled, thinking of why his body was moving on its own. Moving like he was being drag. Fear once again made itself known as everything came rushing back to him.

Immediately slapping the hands that was gripping his shirt and crawled away from his captor. Caleb only moved steps away from the one holding him before he landed back to the ground. He shook his head from the sudden dizziness his abrupt movement has caused him. His eyes blearily scanned his surroundings.

The knight’s tents are around him, devoid of light and sound from its occupants except for some occasional snoring. The stink of humans was prominent in the air. Sky dark with the thick waves of clouds above.

He was out in the open. How did he end up here?

He found his answer staring down at him with a perplexed expression.

Goddess, what is going on?

“Now that was quick.” She commented, her eyes vigilantly searched through their surroundings. “You good, kid?”

“How long?” He rasped, mind wandering for a moment why he had ask her in the first place. His fingers twitched. His magic was returning and the aches on his body has surprisingly dull. He refrained from touching most of his body to be certain.

Did she healed him?

“Minutes.” She surprisingly answered.

Was she carrying him? His eyes rounded on her small figure. Can she not use magic to transport him?

"Looks like you’re healing too. That’s convenient. I don’t think I can drag you for long without gathering some unwanted attention. Must be good for someone who has magic.” She continued.

His mind stopped careening from so many questions in his head with what he heard from her mouth. Did he heard it right? “You talk like you do not have magic.” He said with a little difficulty. His voice sounded scratchy even to his own ears.

Her head tilted to the side, brow arching elegantly.“Do I look like someone who have magic?”

“You’re a witch.” He answered, eyeing her suspiciously.

“No. I'm not." She ​​answered.

He frowned deeply, fist clenching on the ground. "Are you mocking me?" He tried not stare much on her eyes, subtly trying to find an escape in his situation. His strength was returning now that he was outside of the cage and he could feel the ground.

"No." She said, not even blinking.

Goddess, he never felt infuriated in his life other than his brother's foolishness. Lying on his face like this. Who in Gaia's name this woman think she is?

"You're a woman. Therefore a witch."

"Was your mother a witch?" She asked, eyebrow rising.

"No!" He snapped, aggravated by such claims. He trained his eyes on her heatedly. Hoping his magic could just burn her.

How dare she accused of his mother being a witch?

"That's weird. She's a woman. Therefore a witch." The witch said, mockery thick in her voice as she threw back his own words.

"My mother is an elf!" He grounded out, nostrils flaring.

"Still a woman." She retorted. "Therefore, a witch."

"Do not lump us with you humans." He said, rolling his shoulders back. "We are different from you."

The witch stared him down at that, sharp silver eyes gleaming with intelligence that no human female should have. She looked through him as if he hadn't live for two hundred years.

Caleb shrunk down. He stared, wide-eyed, and for a moment he thought he was facing a Mythos for the first time in his life.

In what way are you truly different from us? Her eyes seemed to speak.

Caleb didn't dare to respond.

Some females are exempted from the cursed of magic in humanity, he knew that. If there are not then the Mythos might have burned all humanity in order to preserve peace in the land of Gaia.

He should not have opened his mouth in the first place.

Looking at her closely, she was rather plain for a witch if she was one. He was expecting something terrifying, hideous and dirty. She doesn't have spots on her face, eyes oddly lacking the crazy glint that runs in humanity and she doesn't smell, much.

His whole body seized up at the scent of blood coming from her. There was blood on her hands, drying slowly.

Once again, the sound of pitter-patter caught his ears. He turned his back. A risky move yet if the woman wanted him dead she would have already done so when he was unconscious. She certainly had no qualms in killing a defenseless man.

His breath hitch at the sight of his dead guards. They looked like they were sleeping peacefully on their chairs but the steady sound of blood dripping told another story. There are no signs of struggle.

He doesn't feel any pity on them. Oh no. They deserved it. Savage creatures that they are.

It was only disturbing that not one of his people had done this but one small woman that could be or not a witch.

"Hide!" The woman hissed and pushed him. His eyes widen at her hands on him. Repulsive human hands. He slapped it off him.

"Do not touch me!" He hissed, his magic rising from his skin.

"None of that now, brat! Move and hide behind that body." She hissed back and keep pushing him. Her tone had turned urgent and he couldn't help but be curious as there was some kind ruckus starting on one of the tents while slapping her hands off him and actually moving to hide on the body of one of his guard. She followed on his side, crouching and one hand hovering on him. He warily watched that hand.

Even without straining his ears he could hear the panic voices rising from one tent. The large tent at the head of the formation. His fist clenched. He knew those voices all too well.

His eyes glanced on the woman by his side, wisely keeping her distance. He wasn't certain if he could defeat her with his magic. Not now that the mages are awake.

He peered on the knight's dead body seeing as light illuminated inside the large tent, showing the shadows of the moving mages inside.

The woman by his side, she oddly smells of forest, shifted and pulled out something from her back. Something black and smells of fire. She pointed it on the entrance of the large tent. Her eyes focus on that one spot.

Caleb waited, fingers twitching and magic rising for a moment of inattention in order to escape from her.

A figure stepped out of the tent, shouting urgently. "My supporter has been triggered! Someone had reached the prisoners!" He never bothered with his name but Caleb knows that mage. He touched him.

He had only enough time to glance at the woman on his side when an ear splitting sound rang in the air making him jump in fright.

It was short but it was enough to make him lost his mind. The only thing he could hear was the ringing in his own ears.

He flailed away from the witch, shutting his eyes and clamping his hands on his ears.

What is that?! What is that?! Oh goddess, what just happened?!

The witch did that. He knows she was the one who caused that.

He cringed when an unbearable weight landed on him, coppery scent assaulting his senses.

It won't stop! It hurts!

His mouth opened for a scream, vaguely aware of hand smothering it. He barely gave it any attention, screaming the pain out.

Oh goddess! The ringing won't stop! Was he going to lost his hearing?

Gaia, please! Make it stop!

"--ey! Hey! Hey!" His eyes snapped open, finding the witch above him straddling his body. The ringing was slowly dying but still there. The relief was not enough to stop the stomping of his heart.

"Can you---Can you hear me, kid?"

Caleb breathed heavily on his nose, a hand removed itself from his mouth sticky with his own saliva. His owns hands was still on his ears. He really doesn't want to take it off.

"Blink if you do." She instructed, looking down at him with---concern. He doesn't want to believe that for a second. She hurt him. And it hurt so bad.

He blinked warily, searching for that black thing. It was that, right? It had to be that thing to make such sound. It was hers. What kind of sorcery was that?

"Okay." She breathed out. "Damn. I'm sorry. I didn't know it will affect you like that."

Anger surged through him. "Then why did---!" He stopped, coughing dryly.

The witch moved off him, accommodating his throbbing body.

He gritted his teeth once he was done with his coughing fit, heart still thumping hard on his chest. The ringing was still there, low and uncomfortable.

It was a warning that he could still lose his precious hearing senses. And she could easily take it.

"Because that guy was a mage, right?" She answered his unfinished question. Caleb turned his attention back at her, refusing to lower his guard on her one more time. It almost cause him a lot. She was crouching low next to him.

It only occurred to him that he was somewhere in between two tents. How did she managed to drag him that far with that small body of hers?

"Looks like the others had triggered something." Her lips pursed, displeased.

Others?

"There were more of you?" He asked sitting up.

She narrowed her eyes on him, a fist hammering softly on his forehead and remaining there. "None of that, now. I want you to listen to me. At this moment, think of nothing of witches or some s**t. I'm your ally and will continue to do so, unless you piss me off. Understand?"

He scowled at her. Does she really expect him to believe that? She was threatening him with her mere presence. What does she expect him to think?

She thumped her fist lightly on his forehead. And that was when he finally noticed there were no critters crawling on his skin with her touch.

His eyes crossed staring at that hand.

She's human. He was certain of that. What makes her different?

"Understand?" She repeated impatiently, snapping his attention on her humanly face. A warning glint entered her eyes that made him nod warily. "Good. Now that we establish that, you got to listen to what I say. Don't even think of running away. The lives of your people depended on this."

His people? Caleb's mouth opened but stopped when she put pressure on his forehead. "No questions. We don't have time for that." She c****d her head to the side. The ringing was gone in his ear to his eternal relief and Caleb could hear the ruckus of the humans in the camp. They're awake and about, weapons being ready.

Goddess, not again.

"So, this is what you're going to do."