2 (2/2)

The next day, Jin was outside, training. Run over these things here, push and pull those things there. It was a simple regimen that Elizabeth had constructed but doing so for over five years consistently had sculpted his body. Not that he understood the merit in that.

”Yer movin' too slow!” He heard Elizabeth say from behind him. He had just finished carrying a crate full of rocks towards a nearby boulder. ”If ya still movin' like that, I could probably still beat ya.”

”Is that before or after you grow another mole?” Jin replied with a smirk.

”Oh! Low blow, luv. Low blow.” She was cackling away though. ”Listen, meet me back inside when yer ready. I have to tell ya something.” She said. Jin arched an eyebrow as she walked away. Are we low on supplies again? He wondered.

He took a moment to breath, wiping away some of the sweat that had accumulated on his body before he got back to work. An hour later, he was done. Sore and tired, he still made his way back inside of the cabin. He found Elizabeth sitting by a carved-out window, staring at something outside. He stumbled forwards and sat down on a wooden chair nearby.

”So, what's up?” He asked.

”Yer leaving today.” She said. The simplicity with which she stated this was like she had just said ”it rained yesterday, eh?”

”W-What?” Jin asked.

”Yup. Gather yer things.”

”Wait, wait, why?”

”It's time.” She said. ”Listen. Before ya were born, I made a promise to prepare ya for life outside. It was never yer mother's intent for ya to spend all yer life here. I think yer ready.”

”I don't even know how to use a sword properly yet! You never taught me.” Jin replied.

”Because I don't know how to either. I just know how to swing it at people I want dead, and I'm fast enough to do it. Ya can learn that kind of stuff outside.”

”B-But, what about you? Hunting, I mean.”

”Jin, I'm old, sure, but I can still move around. I let you hunt because it's easier on me, but I can handle myself. Don't you worry.”

”I…” In a matter of seconds, Jin had run out of things to say. One question appeared in his mind. ”Will I be seeing you again?”

”Charlotte only knows.” She put her hand on her mouth, as if she'd just cursed. ”Sigh Ya got me citing religion now. Oh, boy. Listen Jin, I never got to see much of Azeria. That map, over there,” she pointed towards the paper Jin had been analyzing earlier. ”There are so many places I wish I could've seen. But, alas, I'll never get the chance.” She breathed. ”Your mother, she was afflicted with a curse. It's a curse that sped up aging and made it so slight illnesses became lethal diseases. At first, I thought it was just her, I thought I was fine. But, whatever magic affected her, affected me as well. I assume it affects our entire family. Except for you, that is.”

”What?” Jin tilted his head.

”Half-elves are immune to curses. Them pointy ears ya got, they didn't just show up outta nowhere. Yer father is an elf. I knew him.”

Jin's eyes widened. His father. He hadn't heard much about this man, only that apparently, he was the reason his mother died. That's all Elizabeth would say.

”My father…”

”He was an awful man. He probably still is. But, if there's one gift he left ya, it's that blood. And, because of that elven blood inside of ya, ya don't have to suffer like we did. So, I ask of you this. I want you to go out there and see the places on that map that I never could. That yer mother never could. I want you to go around the world, come back, and tell me all about it, Jin. Can ya do that?”

Jin closed his eyes and hung his head. Why now? Why so sudden?

”I'll come back.”

”I know ya will.” Elizabeth replied with a smile. ”Now, get yer things. Sun's gettin' lower. There's a village to the north of here, about a day's walk away. You'll have to make camp. Remember what I taught ya?”

Jin had always wondered why she taught him how to do that if they were living in a cabin. What need would he ever have? Now he knew.

”Yes.”

”… Good.” She was putting up a brave face, but Jin could see she was apprehensive about sending him away. It was like her to hide that from him. Nevertheless, her order had been issued. He had to go. He had to leave this comfortable home.

An hour later, Jin stood, outside, facing the wilderness. Elizabeth stood behind him. He carried his bow on his back, a steel sword he didn't know how to properly use, and a dagger. He was dressed in brown leather, and had his hair tied into a ponytail. His yellow eyes scanned the area in front of him.

”Oh, I almost forgot!” Elizabeth said. ”Wait here.” She left and returned just as quickly. ”Take this, give me that bow.” Elizabeth handed him a different bow. This one was lighter and worn.

”What's this?” He asked.

”That bow belonged to yer mother.” Jin's eyes snapped back towards Elizabeth. ”She'd want ya to have it. A memory, to remember her, and the one who gave it to ya.”

Jin smiled as he took the weapon, and placed it on his back.

”I love you, Aunt Eli.”

”Sigh Yeah, yeah, I love ya too.” She replied.

Just like that, Jin was off.

He began walking over various vines and roots that extended out of the ground. The whole time, he wanted to look back. Was Elizabeth still there? He wanted to check. To get another look. But he knew that would only hurt his resolve. This was what Elizabeth wanted for him. What Sofia wanted for him.

Before he knew it, it was already nighttime, and a small fire burned on top of a few different logs in front of him. His eyes hung low. He thought of Elizabeth. Of his mother. He wondered what she looked like. She had the same color hair as him, apparently, only her skin was a shade brighter. Jin looked down at his hands. He sighed, and leaned back on a rag he had placed on the floor to act as a bed. He stared at the sky above. He was shocked when he had a realization.

For the first time in years, he wasn't afraid to fall asleep. He knew that if he did, this time, it would be Elizabeth, and that mysterious woman he called his ”mother” would take up his dreams.

The next day, he found himself standing on a cliff that over looked a vast plane of sand, snow and grass. The snow up to his left, the grass below him, the sand to his right. And locked away, between each of these, was a collection of wooden structures he figured was the village.