First Steps

-----Fabian's POV

I'm unsure how many days it's been since Ilfa's absence, but I've been putting more and more effort in trying to walk once more. More of the black, charred pieces of skin from my legs whittled away, exposing more of my fresh skin underneath. The skin as well has started to appear more normal looking compared to how fleshy pink it was before. As for my ankles however, they're still needing time to heal as any kind of pressure is still quite painful. But this changes today.

Elf: "千丨ㄥㄒ卄ㄚ 卂卩乇"

Once again, the same elf comes into the room, throwing some food inside before setting the glass of water on the ground, not even wanting to take a single step inside to place the water on the bedside table. But I'm used to this treatment by now. And once the door closed, I began to mentally prepare myself for the first step.

Slowly, I move my legs off the side of the bed, gently placing my feet onto the ground without putting any weight onto them. The pain is barely noticeable, but I guess I haven't really started yet. I take a moment to take a few deep breathes, trying to calm myself as much as I can, wiggling my toes just to make sure my feet are still in fact alive.

Fabian: "Let's do this."

I shift a bit of my weight onto my feet as the pain gradually increased, although it's not too bad right now, but the pain would soon increase to an uncomfortable level the more weight I put onto my ankles. I'd say maybe 30% of my weight is now on my ankles? I'm not sure. I pause here for now to take a few more deep breathes, steadying my heart before continuing.

50%, 60%, 70%, More and more of my weight slowly transfers from the bed to my feet as the pain reaches a level where it's getting hard to breathe, causing me to grit my teeth as I try and force myself to push further. I place my hands onto the side of the bed, preparing myself to just fully submit myself to the pain in order to stand up.

Fabian: "C-come on!"

And in one final attempt, I push off the side of the bed with my hands, forcing me up into a standing position as all the pain rushes to my ankles in an instant, causing my legs to start shaking. But most importantly, I was in fact standing. With adrenaline coursing through my body, I try to force myself to take a step, but as I lift one of my legs, my foot that's still on the ground buckles under the pain and pressure, causing me to fall back onto the side of the bed. My ankles begin to throb as the pain slowly subsides, allowing me catch my breath.

Fabian: "So close..."

I was far from being upset about this. In fact I was filled with excitement. The fact that I actually managed to stand was incredible progress. Maybe in a couple days I could take those next steps, but I guess I still need to get to the food... A part of me does want to try and make it there on foot this time instead of crawling. Even if I just make it there and crawl my way back, I'd be happy. And so, after taking a short break, I prepare myself for my second attempt.

Now that I know I'm capable of standing, I just push straight off the bed, submitting my ankles to the pain once more as I find myself once more in the standing position, only this time I won't rush into taking a full step. Maybe I can start with small shuffles instead.

I end up grabbing hold of the bedside table this time for some added stability as I prepare for my first step. It's weird being in a situation like this. It's as if I'm a baby learning how to walk for the first time. And so, I think through the process of walking in my head while trying to block out the pain as much as I can mentally. And in a few moments, I take a leap of faith, quickly raising my foot up before immediately placing it back down on the ground a few centimeters forward. The shock from the impact of the ground sent a lightning bolt through my legs, but I somehow managed to stay standing as I look down to see for myself that I truly did just take a step; albeit a very small one.

Fabian: "Okay!"

Now was my other leg's turn. Just like before, I raise my foot before quickly placing it back down next to my other foot. And once again, a bolt of lightning shoots through my leg from the impact of the ground, almost causing me to cry from trying to hold back my screams. It was then that I realized just how hard my heart is beating as I take a moment to try and breathe properly. But that would prove to be too much as my legs finally buckle once again, causing me to collapse onto the ground. I managed to stop my fall with my arms, but there's no way I can take the pain any longer. You did great today as it is, Fabian.

I begin to crawl towards the meat as I immediately begin to eat the "clean" parts of it, blowing the dust and debris off if there was any in the process. Today's meat seems to be better than yesterday's as the meat was still a bit warm and held some juices as well, but the difference is still like night and day compared to the ones that Ilfa brought back with her. I wash the meat down with the water beside me, but I absentmindedly end up drinking the entire glass before I could even realize.

Then suddenly, I heard footsteps coming from the other side of the door in front of me. Panic soon sets in as I desperately grab hold of the meat before beginning to turn around, but it seemed as I was too late as the door to the room opened. I instinctively let go of the meat as I look away form the door.

Fabian: "Sorry!"

What was I even apologizing for anyways? I don't know why, but I felt like declaring it just in case. The elves cant see past the door so maybe I was scared that they'd be surprised to see me right on the other side?

Ilfa: "Fabian?"

But the words that followed alleviated all my stress as I look up to see the one person I wanted to see. Although I'm a bit shocked to see her back so early.

Ilfa: "What are you doing on the floor?"

She immediately went to help me up from the ground as the pain quickly returned to my ankles, but Ilfa took care to take most of my weight as she guides me back to the bed.

Fabian: "You're back?"

Ilfa: "Yes. It seems like there weren't many who wanted to take this land for themselves. And in fact I've gained quite a few allies now. And actually, I'm now seen as their leader of sorts."

Fabian: "H-huh? What do you mean?"

Ilfa: "Nevermind that. Why were you on the ground just now? You should be resting."

Fabian: "I was practicing to try and walk."

Ilfa: "And you so happened to knock over the food in the process? Pfft."

Do I even tell her the truth? Ilfa seems to be in a good mood right now, even scoffing at what she thinks was me being clumsy. A part of me just wants to accept it and keep her smiling, but another part of me wonders what would happen if I do tell the truth.

Ilfa: "Hmm? That's not it?"

Fabian: "..."

Crap, I fucked up. I haven't even said anything but her smile has already vanished as her face fills with worry, her beautiful, bright red eyes staring at me as if she's pleading for answers.

Fabian: "The food was already there in the first place."

I didn't want to say the whole truth just in case, but-

Ilfa: "Who?"

But it seems like she's not happy with my response. Her eyes now looked determined as if she's now demanding for answers instead of asking.

Fabian: "I don't know their name, but it's an elf."

Ilfa: "..."

I end up looking off to the side after saying that as I'm too embarrassed to stare into Ilfa's eyes any longer.

Ilfa: "Thank you. Do you know what they look like?"

Fabian: "I'm not sure."

I never paid attention, but I feel like if they showed up, I could probably tell if it was them or not.

Ilfa: "Alright. Sorry, Fabian. But I'll be back."

She then gently pats me on the head before leaving. She picks up the meat I left behind by the door, only she didn't bring it back over to me and instead leaves with it, closing the door behind her. She sounded quite different towards the end there, making me feel anxious about what's to come, but she said she'll be back so I guess I'll find out.

And that would prove to me sooner than I thought as Ilfa returned in what felt like 30minutes. But she didn't come alone. With her was a horde of elves, numbering too many to count. Their skin ranged from many different shades of purple, and some even to the point of dark blue as well. All their gazes were fixed on Ilfa and I as Ilfa stood between me and the elves.

Ilfa: "山卄ㄖ 山卂丂 ㄒ卄乇 ㄖ几乇 尺乇丂卩ㄖ几丂丨乃ㄥ乇 千ㄖ尺 ㄒ卄丨丂 卄ㄩ爪卂几'丂 几乇乇ᗪ丂 山卄丨ㄥ乇 丨 山卂丂 Ꮆㄖ几乇?

Elves: "..."

Ilfa spoke in a language I'm familiar with, but I still have no idea what she's saying. All I know is that it sounds like the language the elves use.

Ilfa: "丂ㄖ 乃乇 丨ㄒ"

Ilfa: "Fabian? Do you recognize anyone here?"

What's going on? I had a feeling that Ilfa wanted to know who it was, but to bring them all like this and asking me? This feels like they're all criminals, especially with all their worried expressions. But my eyes soon spot a familiar looking elf as the elf also locks eyes with me, but before I could say anything, I noticed that her eyes were filled with fear, causing me to question whether this is the right decision or not. Our eyes remained locked onto one other for a few more moments before she closed her eyes tightly, almost as if she's accepted her defeat. I finally look back to Ilfa who seemed to be waiting patiently for me to answer.

Fabian: "...I don't."

I don't know why I chose to lie, but for some reason after seeing the look in that elf's eyes, It made me feel like if I went through with Ilfa's plan, she'd die right then and there. All the elves began to whisper to one another except for the elf that I was looking at. Her eyes opened wide as if shocked to hear an outcome such as this.

Ilfa: "Fascinating. You really are a peculiar one. I knew I was right to pick you up. So then let me ask you something. Why?"

Fabian: "Maybe you didn't bring all the elves here?"

Ilfa: "Fufufu~ Is that so? Are you sure you don't recognize anyone here?"

I take a moment to glace back over to the elf before. Her eyes still wide as her body remains frozen in place while the other elves whisper to her and the others as Ilfa and I talk.

Fabian: "I'm sure."

Ilfa: "Very well."

Ilfa: "ㄚㄖㄩ 卂ㄥㄥ 爪卂ㄚ Ꮆㄖ."

All the elves began to move, but the elf that was still frozen in place stayed behind as if she didn't hear Ilfa just now. Or could it be that Ilfa paralyzed her? Either way, I don't think this has ended just yet...