461 Stone to Flesh (1/2)

...He was far too tired to be overly careful of his steps. He'd activated too many skills in succession, in defeating the final gorgon. It felt like his brain was roasting on hot coals... like the heat was expanding the liquid within. When it finally popped, he'd hopefully reincarnate somewhere nicer. It'd all be over for the him in this world... but at least he'd be over this blasted headache.

Aria sat alone on the empty battlefield... adjacent to the magically petrified statue of Gold-Rank Weaponmaster Bannok. Nearby, stone debris laid about, remnants of the human's shield and shield-arm. Those were beyond saving.

The Priestess had stripped off her light armor and tossed the pieces haphazardly around her. In naught but a bloody pink tunic... and with dark circles underneath her reddened eyes, she looked pitiable and frail.

”I'm fine, hon...” She muttered in his general direction, ”Ya don't hafta worry 'bout li'l ol' Ari...”

Tycondrius did not consider himself good at determining emotions... but he could tell that the elf was being deceitful.

'Fine' was subjective.

The Priestess was in a state of mourning and was in-fact, still weeping. Her mate had just been effectively killed-- and with his last breath, he sacrificed his body to defend her.

Her magical tattoos, usually a stark white on her dark skin, looked mundane and blurry. Her life force was waning, such was her grief.

Aria was not 'fine' by any definitions Tycon knew of.

He took off his helmet and used it as a seat to quietly sit beside her.

......Hm.

He offered some of his rations, ”Would you like a... dried apple slice?”

Elves liked dried apples.

”No... Not quite in the hankerin' fer foodstuffs', Mister Tactician...” Aria smiled politely... ”I reckon it won't sit well.”

It seemed that Aria was suffering from psychosomatic symptoms, so severe was her distress. Tycon's concern grew exponentially.

Tycon leaned forward, supporting his chin with his fist... trying to strategize his next words.

Thankfully, the dark elf spoke first.

”You know... my momma didn't want me to marry a human...” She chuckled to herself... sad and somewhat derisively... ”'He's no good for you,' she'd say. 'Humans are all no-good, unfaithful wretches that only think about one thing... Fightin', fightin' and more fightin''”

Tycon nodded, his mind still distracted... ”So technically... three things?”

He was rewarded by the elf's light giggle, a more honest one... shortly followed by more tears silently sparkling down from her eyes.

”Yeah... Papa was all for it, though. I like to think he could tell Bannok was a good man. I just...”

”You just?”

Tycon remained solemn and silent. He had plenty to say about their gorgon opponents... He could hail their martial prowess... or he could insult their general stupidity.