AN

Okay, so someone asked me about this in the last chapter, and I realized that I didn't explain this well. Someone does not need one of their parents to be a higher species in order to be a hybrid/bastard. As long as one of their ancestors is one, and one of their other ancestors is human, they will be a hybrid regardless of how far removed they are. At some point, if they're far enough removed from the higher species, they might become a brand new species that is more human-like, however. We see this with Vexes (fairies).

Oh! And also, I just wanted to say, if someone is speaking in signage, 'it will look like this' from now on.

~🌤~

"W-what do you mean?!" Xel stuttered, turning half of his eyes to Elisha and the other half on Miesall. "She's not a... bastard, she's a..." elf, he wanted to say, but there was no word for it. It now made sense why — the higher species didn't care to call hybrids by their preferred names, they just used the term bastard, and if further clarification was needed, they would say which species they had descended from. Still, he stubbornly chose not to believe it, because one of his old friends was also an elf. "But— what about Martyn? He can't be one!"

Miesall frowned, lowering his stance now that he had said all he needed to to stop Xel. 'Why not?' He asked. It was more of a rhetorical question, one to further show Xel the truth. Xel opened his mouth to speak, but he found that Miesall had been right, no matter how badly he wanted to deny it.

"Is something wrong?" Elisha asked, her head still tilted to the side as she looked up at the other two. She was so small, so innocent. She didn't look as though she half belonged to a race that would slaughter Watchers mercilessly. Then again, neither did Martyn.

"Don't worry about it." He dismissed.

"Well okay, let's go then!" She exclaimed, once again taking Xel's hand. Before she take a step, however, Miesall had already formed an obsidian spike to wield as a sort of dagger. He moved swiftly, quickly holding against the girl's neck. He wasn't taking any more chances, it would seem as the truth was out. She gasped, her face immediately paling as confused tears sprung to her eyes.

"Miesall! What are you doing?!" Xel scolded. This was just an innocent girl. She had done nothing to deserve or warrant such an extreme measure. She was a child, no less!

'Didn't you hear me? That girl is part Listener! She's going to kill us both in cold blood! The persona you see now is just a facade!' Miesall retorted. 'And stop speaking out loud. She can probably understand you, and even if she can't, there is a good chance that Listeners are in the area— Language is known by virtually all of the higher species!'

Xelqua got himself out of Elisha's grip, holding his hand as if he had hurt it. He turned his gaze to Miesall, almost shocked at how he was acting. The elf hadn't even done anything! 'What about Martyn? He never did anything like that.' He protested.

Miesall fluttered his wings. 'Yeah, but only because we contained him in the world of Evolution. If given the chance, he would have done the same.' He was sure.

It was in that moment, looking at the creature that had been his friend for decades now, that he began to question. Miesall was on the edge of attacking this girl because she supposedly would do the same. He said that Martyn would too, but that didn't sound like him — that he would attack someone unless he had good reason to or if it was all in good fun.

He recalled what wars he had been taught between the Watchers and the Listeners. Each and every time, the Listeners tried to mercilessly slay the Watchers, who were only defending the players. The Listeners wanted the worlds to descend into chaos, allowing anarchy and villainy to ensue. Permadeaths, looting, stealing, ruins of worlds were sure to follow.

At least, that's what he had been told. Standing there, he wondered if the stories he had been told were drenched in bias; that the Listeners would attack the Watchers in the same manner primarily because the Watchers would do the same. An endless cycle...

'He wouldn't have. I know him better than you ever could from observing him.' Xel defended at last. Miesall almost look taken aback by this, but he continued. 'Look, come to the village with me. You'll see they aren't all bad.' And to add to it before he could protest, he cockily added, 'they're just bastards. They're nothing compared to us, right?'

Miesall frowned, lowering his weapon. Elisha took this opportunity to step away, just far enough to not be hurt. Although her tears had spilled over now, she looked from one winged creature to the other, trying to understand them.

'There could be Listeners.' He reminded.

'Alright then...' Xel stalled, trying to think of something else to encourage Miesall to come and see his biases. 'Let's go, just peak in. If we see a Listener, we run before they even know we know they're there.' Miesall's frown lightened up a lit bit, clearly considering this. Xel offered his hand. 'It'll be fine, trust me.'

Miesall sucked in a breath before taking the other's hand. It came out as a sigh, realizing that was sure to regret this later, if he wasn't already.

"We're sorry we scared you, Elisha." Xel spoke now, ensuring that his voice was as calm as possible. "We heard bad stories about your people, which makes him nervous. Please forgive him."

The little elf considered this, looking from one to the other. She slowly wiped the tears out of her eyes before slowly nodding. Thankfully, she seemed to be fairly mild tempered, easily forgiving the Watchers. "Right this way." She said before beginning to walk again, being sure to walk a good distance from Miesall.

In less than a minute, they were on the outskirts of the village, and the Watchers got their first real look into the settlement. As it was morning, many elves were out and about. They continued on a bit deeper. It seemed they hadn't been noticed quite yet, or that the elves hadn't cared.

Women walked about with baskets, taking down laundry from the night prior. They worked in a sort of rhythm with each other even though they weren't directly helping one another.

Children ran about, playing. A particular group hoped on a group of stones, playing a game of hopscotch. Their laughter rang throughout the village, and a train of running children brought the same tune throughout all the streets.

Men wandered from shop to shop, going about their business. Some carried loads on their backs, pointing to their inventory being completely full. Others stood around and talked to each other.

Xelqua couldn't find the words to describe how, but somehow, the people all were one unit. They went about doing unrelated things, but there was a sort of harmony to them. The children jumping on rocks made a sort of beat, which the others in turn followed. Their laughter was the melody, in which the adults followed along in with their melodious speak.

In everything they did, they turned their tools into instruments. The toolsmith hit the anvil, tinkering enchantments onto weapons in coordination with the kids hopping on rocks. A woman using a washing board followed along with the others, using it as an instrument as she washed her clothing at the same time. A young boy sat next to her, shaking a rattling toy. Perched up on the second story, a teen sat half out a window, guitar in hand, bringing the tune all throughout the streets. On a patio, an old woman rocked in her chair, the planks underneath her creaking to the beat.

The entire village was alive. Yes, in the way that it had been last night, but also in an entirely different way. The area was not just a community; it was a song, and each and every elf was contributing to it in anything and everything they did. Xelqua had known that music had been emphasized in elven culture, but he could've never imagined that it was weaved this deep into the fabric of their societies. Even Elisha's excited giggling contributed to the song.

Xelqua had lost himself into the song, finding himself stepping in accordance to the music, swaying as he walked. He was so invested that he hadn't realized when an older gentleman had stepped in front of their path, blocking it. He had only realized when Miesall had reached out, gently grabbing his arm to keep him from advancing further.

"Eldar! I found people in the forest!" Elisha exclaimed, running up to the old elf. It was only then that Xelqua considered him. He was easily over six feet and despite his old age, he seemed to be in good shape. Long, grey curls poured down his back. His eyes were narrowed, a deep wisdom and caution clearly behind them. His garments set him apart as an esteemed person; if not a leader, surely a highly respected person among the townsfolk. What had most caught his eye, however, that over his mouth he wore a green mask made from the same material that his tunic had been made out of. Unlike the rest of his clothing, which had golden stitching on it as a design, his mask was plain and simple.

His voice came out in a low growl as he glared at the two before him. "You are Watchers, are you not?"

"Watchers...?" Elisha began, her face beginning to pale. Evidently, she had heard the name before, and had been told bad things about them. "S-sir, I didn't know..." He shushed her by bringing her into his arms and patting her head. He forgave her, seeing as she was just a girl.

Miesall straightened at the acknowledgement, but he did not speak.

The old man cleared his throat. He recalled the tongue that had been passed down from generation to generation. The formal language of the higher species. "We have been told of your coming."

People nearby had begun to stop what they were doing, the village's song fading as one by one, this scene was noticed.

'They knew?' Miesall signed. 'How could they have known?'

"You're probably wondering how we know this. There has been a rumor going around our people that two Watchers like yourselves are here to scout out the worlds for war." The elder explained, his words slow and calculated.

"No we aren't!" Xelqua exclaimed, earning him a look from Miesall. He ignored it, his body trembling at the idea of accidentally starting a war because of his stupidity. "Look— we didn't mean to go down to the worlds! It was a complete accident, I swear! We just want to get back home..." Miesall looked about ready to tackle him, wanting him to speak no more. Perhaps the old man had realized this.

"It is true that Watchers are not supposed to lie..." he began, stroking his masked chin as he stared down at the two. "Of course, they are also a species of self-indulgent hypocrites that may lie as it benefits them."

Miesall immediately snapped his gaze to him, his wings unfurling in offense. 'Blasphemy! That is unequivocally false.' He signed, even though he couldn't be understood. Xelqua felt nervousness build up inside, watching these events unfold. He side stepped as he extended his arm, now partially in front of Salt.

Eldar sighed. "However, even so, I am inclined to think that you are saying the truth now. Watchers have no reason to own communicators. I presume that you are traveling to spawn, then, since this is a void?" Xelqua nodded. "I'm afraid your a good ways off. I suspect that with your wings, it would still be at least a four day's journey."  

"Still?!" Xel exclaimed, his mouth widening. "We've been traveling for about that long already!"

The elf nodded slowly. "Perhaps we have a way to get you home faster." He replied.

"Really? What is it?!" Xel asked, relief and excitement washing over him. Maybe this was it— they'd be home in no time, and after some time in the Void, they could both forget this ever happened. Miesall wasn't so sure, keeping his guard up as he continued carefully monitoring the situation. He did at least relax a little, showing that he wasn't going to attack right then and there.

"We could get a communicator and open a portal that way." Eldar replied. "Our community does not believe in communicators, but we can fetch one and have it here before nightfall tomorrow."

'Nightfall tomorrow!' Miesall exclaimed to Xel. 'That is a day and a half! There is no way I am walking among bastards for that long! Not to mention, that is well long enough to summon their purebred species.'

'It's the fastest way, Salt.' Xel signed, now turning to his traveling companion. 'Like I said before, at the first sight of a Listener, we run. Simple as that.'

Miesall furled his wings again. Every part of him told him about the horrors that he had been taught; what happens to the Watchers unfortunate enough to get into the hands of the Listeners. Still, the faster they got home, the better. 'Why would they help us?' He asked, the biggest question on his mind, drowning him in suspicion. 

Xelqua take a breath, calming himself. He realized that he would have to act as a mediator or a translator of sorts for his friend, who refused to speak to them. He echoed the question, much to the salty one's distaste. 

"You are trespassing on our land and in our world. The sooner you leave, the better." Eldar put matter-of-factly. Loosening his grip on Elisha, he turned to a woman nearby. "Set out at once; there is no time to waste." 

Without hesitation, the woman dropped what she was doing, rising to her feet. Without hugging her child goodbye, she ran off to complete her mission. 

With that settled, the elder slowly knelt down so he could look directly into Elisha's eyes, running his hands around her arms. The edges of his own eyes crinkled into a smile as his rough aura softened. "Thank you for bringing them here. Now, I want you to stay with them." Whispering into her ear now, he added, "Listen carefully to them. Tell me or the others if you get a bad feeling, no matter how small. Alright?" 

The girl nodded slowly, showing a large smile of her own. The leader let her go, prompting her to turn back to the two Watchers and run to them. "Guess what! I get to be with you and show you around!"