It all seemed to happen in slow motion, and all I can remember doing is moving...
Not in any particular motion.
Not with anger.
Or hatred.
Or even aggression.
Just Moving.
The pixies' shining swords came like the wind, slicing and cutting at me in an attempt to end the fray as quickly as possible...
They knew what was about to happen, for they could sense it.
A small shimmer first, then a large wave as my fear and adrenaline took over my body...
I felt as if I was watching myself go through the motions, like Smith himself from the sidelines.
In my eyes, the Fae seemed to be moving toward me very slowly.
The first came with a flip and a thrust aimed at my face. I dodged it easily and swept her feet from under her body.
The second and third were moving as one; they were back to back, facing me with their swords swinging through the air like a pair of Koi in a stream. As one, they attacked. Slowly, their blades fell toward me, and with a strange and great sense of ease, I pushed them both out of my way and kicked one in the chest, sending her into her companion, and both swiftly to the ground.
I stood still now, shrouded in a strange, mysterious vapor that I couldn't tell was my very own aura.
I wasn't tired or in pain or worried in any way. It seemed now that my mind had cleared, and that, strangely, a second presence was alive within me. I looked down and was taken aback by the light emanating from my spear. It seemed to have its own aura.
"Us me..."
It seemed to say in its own way.
"Don't fear, young warrior...use me to eradicate your foe..."
The spirit within the crystal spear was so strong that it almost overwhelmed me. I knew now that not only was the Elvin woman's spirit there...but my father's was too.
My moment of sentiment was interrupted by the outcry of the last pixie. I had almost forgotten she was there, but I caught on again, snapping out of my dream-like state just in time to flex backward and dodge her deadly attack.
"I WILL KILL YOU, HUMAN SCUM!"
Why they called me human, I didn't know, but I sure was getting tired of it.
"I...AM...NOT...A HUMAN!"
I yelled in frustration.
"SO STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
This time, I was on the offense.
It wasn't fair for me to do so, for I was still in my "heightened aura" mode, and I knew where to strike before she could block. I dropped to one knee and used the blunt end of my spear to sweep her legs from beneath her, and then, while she was still in mid-air, I leaped, spun, and kicked the small-yet-deadly pixie in the stomach, sending her tumbling across the leaf-littered ground.
It was done.
After the last foe had fallen, I felt a sudden nausea, then a slight tremor as the aura from the spear retreated back into its home.
"Dat was sum mighty fine strickin' ye've done dere lad...I might just say I've never seen a lad yer age an size do such fightin'!"
With a great laugh, Smith climbed to his feet using his large axe as a support.
"You okay?... Smith?"
I asked as I lent him a hand.
"I'll be fine youngin, ye just go an wurry about yer friend dere!"
Suddenly Himora flashed in my mind and I was off towards him at breakneck speed.
"WILL DO!"
I called out behind me.
I arrived on the scene less than a minute after I had left Smith. Himora was in good condition fighting the obviously well-trained pixie. I noticed a small cut above his left eyebrow (a cut that would mirror his previous one that he had received earlier in my village). but besides that, he looked more than good, he was even smiling!
"Finally...a good challenge...I almost wish we could be friends."
Himora's stance seemed to grow intense and on the other side, the little pixie grew uneasy. Her eyes met his, and I could swear I seen a spark leap between the pair. Then she caught sight of me and shouted.
"Only in the boyish dreams of a weak human could that ever happen!"
She made a sudden lunge for Himora's throat with her side blade (which was drawn faster than I could see) and just before it made contact, his own side blade was in front of it causing it to ricochet off of his, and slide across her shoulder blade, leaving a deep cut. She let out a high, sharp scream.
"Aaaung!"
It was almost sad to see her stumble back in pain and fall to her knees in defeat. I wanted so desperately to drop my spear and take her in my arms. My niece flashed in my head, and my heart softened. I took a weak step forward with my spear held low in one hand.
"Bastion! No!"
Shouted Himora as he grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me back to reality.
"She may be hurt...but that only makes her more dangerous."
It must have been some form of pixie magic again.
"I...I know, but..."
Himora was obviously more resistant to its effects than I was.
"NO! No buts! Just keep your distance."
I took his word and held back the choking feeling that I had in my throat. I felt as we were wrong although clearly, they had attacked us first.
"Why do you attack us?"
I questioned her.
"We don't wish to do you any harm...so why do you continue to assault us like this? I...we don't want to hurt you..."
The little pixie stood rather awkwardly and stooped to pick up her knife.
"Just go...you've won...It's over. I no longer wish to oppose you...go."
Her response surprised me a bit. I couldn't really tell what she meant (or if I was right), what this was all about. Suddenly my sadness and sympathy for her began to slip away. It soon was replaced with a mild anger.
"You...you were testing us? But...why?"
She lifted her small, round head and smiled.
"It's my job...to make sure that only the best enter Seather...And the weak? Well...let's just say, they don't get in."
Her hand fell from her shoulder to her side, and to our surprise, the cut that was there had simply faded away. Himora was the first to speak.
"How...did you do that?"