A friend

"Melena?" The voice mutters incredulously, "Gods, you fight like a hellcat. And here I was thinking I was rescuing you. I would hate to think what would've happened if you had a weapon."

Given time, your eyes begin to adjust to the dim light. You stare at your would-be attacker with a mixture of surprise and relief.

"Scars?"

A smile cracks the half-elf's face, making his naming scars bend slightly at the cheek.

"And how's my little angel doing- Whoa!" Scars tries to say but he's interrupted when you tackle him in the chest.

Words could not show how relieved you were. Maybe it was because of the **** and the fear of being attacked in the dungeon. Maybe it was from the stress of being the bearer of the Shining Stone. Maybe it was because, despite seeing all these new sights and new people, everyone and everything you had ever known had been killed and you were afraid to connect with anyone else for fear that, they too, would die and leave you alone again, and seeing Scars, alive and well and here to save you like the knight in shining armor you always read about in stories, dashed away all your fears and made you realize that maybe...just maybe...there really is hope in this world. Or maybe you were just happy to see him.

Whatever it was, you kissed Scars on the lips, hard.

His lips are soft and yet firm against yours. You can feel the rush of blood running through your head, pounding away, and you can feel his own heartbeat through his chest as it presses up against yours. When you finally pull back for a breath, you look at him in the eyes, wondering how he would react to your impulsive action.

He blinks.

“Um...? W-well, it’s, uh, it’s nice to kiss- I MEAN see, see you too....ahaha...ha.”

Hearing him stutter makes you giggle, a fresh change from the tension that came before. “How did you know where to find me? Why did you come? You got what you wanted didn’t you?”

"Morina found me.” Scars said, glad to have a change of topic, “Gave me the medallion. Told me where you were. I couldn't very well leave my favorite girl in this cage, now could I?”

"But how did you manage to get inside? There are wardens all over the place and it sounds like a war is raging up there!"

"I’m a thief, angel. A locked door is like a sign saying ‘cool kids only’, and I’ve always been the coolest kid on the block.” Scars said cheerily, twirling a set of lockpicks, “As for the wardens...let's just say that I am very well acquainted with all the guards in this city."

You want to say more, but the sounds of battle draw closer to the guard station and you move to stand next to Scar.

“Let’s get you out of here.” Scars said, noticing your concern.

Then, above the sound of fighting and killing, the shrill roar of some unnameable beast cuts through the noise. It sounds violent and angry. The echo makes you shiver and you know that, based on how it sounded and pure instinct, this monster is coming towards you. The thought becomes reality when the front door shudders from an enormous impact. And then again, making the wood splinter as it caves inwards, as something tries to **** open the door.

When the beast collides with the door a third time, the half-elf silently draws his twin swords out from their scabbards, wielding one in each hand, and faces the doorway.

“Melena. Whatever you do...” Scars whispers urgently, “...stay behind me.”