6 Racism (1/2)

Stunned, Elhorn turned his head. At that moment, the familiar face of a handsome Elf greeted his eyes. Unlike most Elves, he had blue hair which he tied into a ponytail. While a blue scarf covered his forehead. His clothes also differed from the forest Elves and High-Elves. He wore the clothes of an adult human male. A plain gray tunic matched with black breeches, and silver-colored boots. Also, he had a quiver filled with Demiri arrows strapped to his back, while he held an odd looking bow with his right hand. Unlike the bows used by the forest Elves, his looked as if someone made it from metal. Under the noon sun, it glistered like a gemstone. Apart from his blue hair, he looked identical to Elhorn in all aspects. Another distinguishing feature, was the star-shaped scar he had underneath his left eye.

”Hariel…? Is that really you?” Elhorn said.

”Brother Elhorn, it is me. Please, pull yourself together. We can still save our sister, I don't think the human woman has gone far,” Hariel said while using his hands to pull Elhorn to his feet.

Seconds after his declaration, a thunderous explosion reverberated into the air. Compared to the previous explosions, it was a hundred times stronger. The shock waves produced from the explosion uprooted several trees and launched the fallen trees and other debris in various directions. The speed at which the debris moved caused a greater destruction than the main explosion. The bodies of the slain Elves and Ogres also exploded into a bloody mess of flesh and blood.

Wasting to time, Hariel grabbed Elhorn and ran at the fastest speed he could muster. Looking at the blue scarf covering his forehead, it had a faint red glow as he ran. His eyes, too, had this red glow. Hariel's speed had surpassed that of a typical elf. Instead of running towards another region of Mathras, he ran to the grove which had his village. Although he ran at a speed that reached superhuman levels, the destruction caused by the sound wave reduced the distance each second. With less than fifty meters left until they reach their settlement, a shocking scene followed.

The statue which had been dormant for countless number of years, released gong sound which reverberated into the air. It surprised Lumvug and the other Elders who prayed for Elhorn and the slain Elves. Since they were born, they had never seen the Statue react. No matter how much they prayed.

”The Ancestor has heard our prayers! We will triumph over the invaders!” Lumvug said.

After his declaration, all the Elders prostrated towards the statue.

Like the Elders, Elhorn had the same reaction. If Hariel was not carrying him, he would have prostrated himself in worship of the statue.

”Our Ancestor has answered our call! Those vile creatures will never no peace… Our Ancestor will get revenge for us!” Elhorn said.

Having watched so many of his brothers and sisters die, he was on the verge of losing his sanity.

Meanwhile, Hariel had no reaction to Elhorn's words or the strange sound from the statue. Instead, he continued to run closer to their settlement. With the distance reduced to thirty meters, Hariel stopped in his tracks while staring at the approaching destructive wave.

Seconds later, another loud explosion echoed. This time it resulted from the approaching wave striking an illusionary golden wall, which protected the Elf settlement. Observing the massive statue, it emitted a faint golden radiance.

Although the explosion from the impact destroyed everything with a hundred meter radius around the settlement, it did not affect even the tiniest leaf within the barrier. A few minutes later, the illusionary wall disappeared. It coincided with the moment the red glow from Hariel's scarf vanished.

”Brother, are you all right? Do you need my help to heal your injuries?” Hariel said as he stared at the kneeling Elhorn. Meanwhile, silence greeted his words. Because, Elhorn immersed himself in praying towards the statue. Which caused Hariel to have a somewhat dejected expression on his face, ”Brother. Please, don't follow the teachings of the High-Elves. A god did not create that statue…” before Hariel could finish his statement, someone interjected, ”Silence! You dare speak blasphemy against our Ancestor?!”

While the shout reverberated, Hariel raised his head to stare at the new arrivals–Lumvug and the other Elders. From the expressions on their faces and their deep breaths, Hariel's words displeased them.

Angered, the seven Elders stared at Hariel and the kneeling Elhorn. The seven of them had a confused expression on their faces as they observed Hariel's facial features. Seconds later, Lumvug had a stunned expression on his face. Because, a sudden realization dawned on him.

”Oh! No wonder! It's you! How dare you return to the tribe?! Hariel, do you think twenty years will erase what you did?” Lumvug said.

Rage distorted his wrinkled face while he pointed at Hariel. Upon hearing the Hariel's name, all the Elders became stunned.

”Hariel! How dare you show yourself here! Because of your brother, we showed mercy. But, you return to mock our decision and insult the ancestor!” an enraged Elder said. Just like him, the other Elders hurled various insults at Hariel. However, Hariel refused to speak or pay attention to the Elders. Instead, he stared at Elhorn who looked as if he had gone insane.

”Parfs! Eliminate this traitor!” Lumvug said.

Contrary to his expectations, No cheers of acknowledgement or rain of arrows fell on Hariel. Instead, silence greeted his words.

”Elhorn! What are you doing?! Eliminate the traitor!” Lumvug said.

Angered to the extreme, his body trembled as he shouted. Still, Elhorn remained in his kneeling position, praying.

”Elhorn! Do…” before Lumvug could finish his statement, Hariel interjected, ”Shut up! Don't disturb my brother! What? Do you want to declare him a traitor, too? Open your eyes, you frauds! Your Parfs? They all died and don't even have a body to bury! While my brothers and sisters fought for their lives, you stood before a useless statue praying!”

”Lies! There…” before Lumvug could finish his statement, Hariel nocked four arrows on his bow as he stared at the Elders with a stern expression on his face. Lumvug knew if he spoke further, Hariel would not hesitate to end his life.

Insulted by Hariel's actions, the bodies of the elders trembled. But, they couldn't do anything.

”Brother Elhorn, listen to my voice… That woman placed a curse on your mind, and it is corroding it,” Hariel said.

The moment he finished speaking, a green hazy light appeared on the tip of his arrows. Which pointed towards the Elders.Because, Hariel whispered, they did not hear what he said. They assumed the brothers colluded with each other. While this thought entered their minds, Hariel released three of the arrows. A second later, another four joined the previous three arrows in midair. The seven arrows made a beeline movement towards the frightened Elders. The sudden turn of events rooted them to the spot.

”Hariel! You want to kill the Elders of…” while Lumvug's voice echoed, one arrow flew past him and the other Elders, too.