One on the Dark Path Finds Light

Chapter 4, The Elf and His Friends Hunt Evil

Haerimnyr scowled. "Neamei, what are you doing hanging out with Glenn?"

Neamei didn't pay attention to Haerimnyr's words and hugged him around the middle. "Brother!"

Haerimnyr's scowled softened to a frown and he stroked Neamei's head once before turning his gaze up to Glenn. "Boy, where did you meet my little brother? Hmm?"

"Well, ahem, my house. . .He actually attacked me with a knife. . ." Glenn said.

"Hmm," Haerimnyr hummed as Neamei pulled away. "So, you did accomplish your mission?"

 Neamei nodded.

"Why did you not come back then?" Haerimnyr asked.

Neamei hung his head. "Well, I was helping Glenn heal his side, but then he ran away. I then went to Anevio—"

"Neamei, you went to Anveio?" Haerimnyr said, grabbing his wrist and checking for injuries. "I told you not to go there. You know what roams around those parts."

Neamei hugged him again. "Please don't be mad! I'm sorry!"

Haerimnyr patted his shoulder. "It's fine, I was just scared you were hurt. . ."

Neamei smiled, burying his face in Haerimnyr's shirt. "Brother. . ."

"Neamei, I'm going to have someone take you away now, okay?" Haerimnyr said.

Neamei pulled away. "Huh? Wait, no! I have to help Glenn—"

"No," Haerimnyr said. "I'm having someone come take you away."

Neamei shook his head and backed behind Glenn. "No. You're not taking me away!"

Glenn had silently sworn to protect him, even if meant having to against Neamei's own brother. Haerimnyr walked closer. "Neamei, come here."

"No!" Neamei said, hiding behind Glenn.

Haerimnyr frowned and grabbed Glenn's arm. "Get out of my way." He then tossed him to the side.

Glenn's entire arm bone cracked and shattered on impact against the hard, cold ground. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and nearly choked on it. Haerimnyr grabbed Neamei by his shoulders. Neamei squeaked and pushed Haerimnyr away. "Glenn! No, what did you do?!"

Glenn couldn't get up because of his arm. He wanted more than anything to help Neamei, but his arm couldn't hold weight. His arm had shattered after all. He weakly said, "Neamei. . ."

Neamei pushed Haerimnyr again. "Go! I have to save him!"

Haerimnyr sighed and said, "Neamei, hold still. Someone is coming to help you."

Suddenly, someone dropped into the cavern. The person walked over and restrained Neamei carefully. Glenn recognized the person as Ephraim. His heart hurt at the sight of him, but he couldn't say anything to stop him and try to explain.

Ephraim glanced at Glenn, a look of pure torture in his eyes, but he said nothing and left the cavern with Neamei. Haerimnyr followed close behind. Glenn called out but his voice didn't reach Haerimnyr or Ephraim and he was left there, with a shattered bone and hurt swarming his heart and smothering the light out. He just wanted to help Neamei and explain to Ephraim. . .

Before Glenn knew it, he had begun to fall asleep. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but it wasn't long before he fell into a shallow sleep.

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Glenn woke to a sharp pain in his shoulder and all through his arm.

"Ow. . ." Glenn groaned, trying to open his eyes and sit up. He could feel a pair of hands push him down gently. That same pair of hands then raised his good arm. They stretched it over his head, which caused more sharp pains all through his broken arm.