Shadows at Dawn: The Siege of the Elven Enchantment 3

At home, Aerylin covered herself with her blanket while Nerida was in the kitchen. I know what you want to ask *is Aerylin living alone?*, yes she is living alone, the details will be shared to you in the later chapters. READ ON...

Nerida was worried about her friend Aerylin and did not know what else to do to solve the problem. Nerida didn't know what to do, she did not want her friend Aerylin to feel left out of the celebration, neither did she want to miss the celebration but for her best friend, she had to.

Nerida came out of the kitchen holding a cup made out of moss, she used her powers to mix the elixir she made for Aerylin to calm her nerves. She gently leans on the long stick used to hold the mushroom doors together, while mixing the elixir.

'Aerylin, get up' Nerida said as there was no response from Aerylin. 'Aerylin don't be like this, talk to me, I beg you' Nerida pleaded. 'You do not need to beg me, I have taken enough from you already and I will find a way to pay you back' Aerylin said while still lying on her bed covering herself with the blanket still tightly squeezed around her beautiful well shaped body.

'Aerylin, you do not need to pay me back, what are friends for?' Nerida asked when sharply Aerylin replies 'I am not a friend, I am a parasite, because all a parasite does is to take from the host and even if it's to give something back to he host, its always something that will endanger the life of the host. I am tired of being a parasite but masking it with the entitlement called friendship, I am tired of this whole game because it only benefits me and endangers you, please Nerida for your safety, leave me alone, I do not need you in my life anymore, I am tired of causing you so much pai and anguish, I am tired of you being a host to my parasitic nature, for the good of both of us, you need to distance yourself from me because I will only do you more harm than good and that is not how any friend would act, please Nerida, I am begging you, I tell you this because you are very dear to me, distancing yourself from me will do you good even to me too, Nerida I tell you this not to hurt your feelings but to help you save your life. I do not want to wake up one morning and come to your house only to see that you are not around and then I see your burial poster handing on a tree, please you need to go away from me, even if it will cost you your life, at least I will be with the hope and mind rest that the one you called friend did not cause your death, I need you to stay away from me...' Aerylin stated and was cut off by Nerida who felt the need to speak after listening to all Aerylin had to say. '... for how long?' Nerida asked

'For how long, will you distance and ex-communicate yourself from the other elves who want to communicate with you for how long?' Nerida asked. 'For as long as it takes, didn't you see what happened out there? I didn't spend up to thirty minutes out there and I was already embarrassed, even old wounds that were slowly beginning to heal was opened up Nerida...' Aerylin said and paused a bit trying to catch her breathe then she continued 'I can't keep posing a threat to you each time we encounter, it's best for you to go and never return, stay away from me and anything that looks like me, it will be good for you, just get out' Aerylin said.

Nerida could not believe her ears, she took time to process her thoughts and what she would say next. 'Aerylin, I can't believe you are the one saying this, I mean, we have been friends for so long and you want to end it because you think you pose a threat to my life? come on if you were in my shoes you would have done the same for me even greater, you would have taken bigger risks just to make sure I did not feel left out and now you want to end our friendship because of something that is not that serious...?' Nerida asked with a puzzled expression written clearly all over her face.

'Nerida, you think human life is not serious? you don't understand what I mean do you? you always think that I am a friend but no I am a parasite with a very dangerous parasitic nature that is ready to devour anyone and anything that dears to get close to me, I wonder if I will ever be able to forgive myself after this' Aerylin replied.

Nerida was stunned, she could not believe that her long time friendship was being broken by a minor [not-so-minor] issue. Nerida was speechless as her mouth was open and the fire fly was about to fly in before she finally spoke. 

'I can't believe you are the one saying this but if you say this and you want this so badly then I will gladly stay away from you, goodbye, forever I think' Nerida said turning around to leave and paused, she turned back only her head and said 'I hope you are sure what you are doing' Nerida said and left the scene finally. Aerylin waited a while and laid back on the bed, she covered herself with the blanket and squeezed herself in it, this time it was tighter than before, she was hurt by the words she said to Nerida and she hoped that she would forgive her.

Nerida walked home with a heavy heart, the weight of Aerylin's words echoing in her mind. It was a stark reminder of the sacrifices she had made throughout their friendship, always prioritizing Aerylin's safety and well-being above her own. Aerylin had bluntly pointed out that Nerida often risked herself in perilous situations, whether it was standing up to bullies who targeted Aerylin or diving into treacherous waters to save her from drowning during one of their adventurous escapades. While Nerida believed her actions were rooted in love and loyalty, Aerylin's observation felt more like a condemnation than a compliment, leaving Nerida to ponder the implications of her choices. She questioned whether her willingness to put herself in harm's way truly demonstrated strength and courage or if it merely highlighted a reckless disregard for her own life. The emotional turmoil stirred within her as she walked, each step pounding out a rhythm of self-doubt. Did Aerylin understand the depths of Nerida's dedication? Or was she simply unable to see beyond her own fears and insecurities? As Nerida approached home, the comforting familiarity of her surroundings offered little solace, for she felt a growing rift between herself and Aerylin, a friendship that may have been built on understanding yet was now marred by unspoken worries and hesitant revelations.

'Why does she always thinks she poses a threat to my life, I don't get it, she always thinks she is the one to be sacrificed for?' Nerida asked herself while going home kicking side stones on her way. Soon she reached home and went to the kitchen to get some water. *She is a water elf why does she need water? I know that is what you guys want to ask, well, water is life yes but for water elf is like their fuel, the more water they drink the more stronger they become and the more water powers and virtualizing ability they get*. READ ON....

Nerida sat gently on the bed, she held the moss shaped cup in her left hand and started talking to herself about Aerylin's behavior. 

Nerida engages in a fascinating form of self-dialogue that often goes unnoticed by those around her, as she converses silently with herself, articulating her thoughts and feelings internally without the production of audible words. This practice, known as subvocalization, serves various purposes: it aids in problem-solving, boosts creativity, and enhances emotional regulation. While outwardly her lips remain still and her voice unheard, within her mind a vibrant exchange takes place, allowing her to process complex ideas and sift through various perspectives. This form of introspection can be particularly beneficial in helping her navigate challenging situations or when faced with difficult decisions, as she sorts through her options and weighs the potential outcomes. Moreover, this silent dialogue often manifests itself through facial expressions or subtle gestures, giving those who observe her a glimpse into the mental activity that underlies her quiet demeanor. In many ways, Nerida's internal conversations are a testament to the rich and intricate world of thoughts that each individual experiences, highlighting the complexities of human cognition and the ways in which we connect with ourselves in moments of reflection or contemplation. This silent form of communication not only fosters a deeper understanding of her own motivations and desires but also contributes to overall mental well-being, allowing her to express and reconcile her inner thoughts without external validation.

Suddenly she sees the same dark clouds that Aerylin talked about during the celebration. She drops the moss shaped cup and it shatters pouring the water on the floor. She rushes over to the table, and pushes all scrab books aside and writes down the numbers 5-7-and 9. The same numbers huddle up in the clouds, she looks up and says 'I need Aerylin'.