It was a pleasant day. The sun was warm, the birds were chirping. Today was the day of the El Puente Fair. Felipe put on his new outfit, he was looking forward to showing it off. The fair went off with a bang, everyone chatting and having fun. Things started off with a scavenger hunt, and everyone zoomed off searching for things. .This seemed like it was going to be the perfect day.
Not too long after the scavenger hunt took place, the next event was happening! A talent show; Felipe’s mind was elsewhere, something started to feel off. While the performance was taking place, "What are the odds?”. Once the second person started their act. Nothing but panicked shouting could be heard from the young Hyspians who were there. The pre-teen turned saw nothing but the orcish raiding party that started to surround everyone and forced them all into the recessed ground they had been using as a stage.
The Orcs tied everyone up one by one. Felipe felt his throat tighten and mouth go dry, fear setting into his bones as he recalled the stories of what the uruk-kind had done all his life. He knew they were real, however, they had only been boggy-men up to this point. During all of this, a voice called out “He’s just a child, he knows nothing of the war.” The raiding party spoke among themselves, deciding that no harm would come to the cub. The group of young Hyspians were all placed onto horseback and escorted off to the Krugistan lands. During this, a smaller man told Felipe to stay close, for he wanted to ensure the child stayed safe.
They arrived somewhere underground, it was dark and a metallic scent was heavy in the air most likely due to the bloodshed that had taken place. Felipe was separated from the others, his friends that he had been captured with to be placed in a smaller cavern high above everyone else. The hinges of the door swung shut behind him and the lock clicked close; there was no way to run. He was told to stay.
His holding cell had a small mat on the floor, he took a seat knowing he’d be there a while. His hazel eyes stared at the iron door that separated him from those out there, both friend and foe. Below, he could hear shouting “BRING EM TO THE PIT! TIME FOR THEM TO LEARN SOME STUFF!”. They were going to make them fight to the death.. His heart raced as the yelling went on. A key tumbling in the lock of the door sounded. Could they be making him join in? Only, it wasn’t an orc coming to take him to face off against his fellow man. It was the person from before, the shorter one who told him to stay close. He brought green tea, some bread, and berries to share. He had taken a seat next to Felipe and spoke.
“The others will most likely die. Are your parents among them?”
“No, my one friend was. She is a family friend, almost like a sister.. And I don’t wish to see her harmed.”
“Unfortunately, it is too late for her, you have my condolences.”
Tears started to form within the young one’s eyes. “Oh, I see” was said through blinks to hold them back.
After this, he asked what Felipe knew about the war that was waging on. “I’ve been trying to stay out of things. I want to live a peaceful life and learn more about animals- mainly bugs,” he responded. The kind man explained
“The Hyspians lured the previous Hordespeaker, Grommash, into their lands before nailing him to a cross and killing him in a brutal fashion. In my eyes, they are no better than savages. This goes for all humans. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I allowed the terrors of war to reach people as young as you.”
Felipe had offered his condolences for the prior horde speaker, “Humans are how do you say it.. Not good a lot of times. Why I stick with my animals and bugs. They make better friends most of the time.”
“There is an evil seeded deep within them. If you wish to become civilized, I would advise that you remain in Jinshen and attend our esteemed academy. Additionally, spiritual training with the Jiaoshi may help purge the evil hidden deep within your soul.”
“As much as that sounds tempting. I think something else calls to me. I do wish that the seed of evil did not exist. And if there is anything I could do to help I’ll be happy to try. But I don't think that would be an option.”
“I do not believe there is anything that you may do to help. In time, the Hou-Zi will return to their former glory and reduce humanity to nothing more than a few tents. The Kha wish to push this further and commit genocide, but I'd prefer not to cross that line.”
“Crossing that line does not sound good. I would not be opposed to hearing all about this. I do like to learn. But I still wanna see the world and see what all it has to offer.”
“I am not asking that you remain locked away within this chamber. I am offering you a home within Jinshen, an exception to our ban on non hou-ren.”
“May I ask what would happen if I don't accept?”
“You will return to Hyspia and fall into their endless cycle of violence and grief. A terrible fate. You would never reach enlightenment and join your kin in the afterlife.”
“May, I have some time to think on this matter?”
The man would shake his head in agreement before he stepped away to double-check if the one spoken about had been slain yet, the door once more being locked behind him. A Kha who could not stand the sights of the horror that had taken place that day came back with the man that had been keeping Felipe company. Together, they informed that those who hadn’t died were about to, and the person he had inquired about had long since passed. The boy choked back a small sob that threatened to come forth at the news he was given. It was at this moment he knew he had to do whatever it took to make sure survived. With the group being dead, only he knew what truly happened here to his kin.
The small man would talk to Felipe more, seeing if he could get an answer about whether he wanted to study. Before he left again to go and see if the coast was clear for us to leave.
Felipe took this opportunity and asked the kha, "What would happen if I did not stay?". The Kha simply stated he did not know, but he would not stay in a realm that condones the murder of children. As the shorter man returned to the holding cave, Felipe stated that he wants to see the Vale, which he was told about. The kha informed Felipe that that is where he comes from. The kha looked to the small man and asked to spirit Felipe safely to the location. The he wanted an answer from the young-one on the matter of studying. Felipe knew he had to get out of there, even if he had to lie. Felipe asked if he would come back and study; would that be allowed? He nodded his head "Yes" and informed them that the coast was clear. The small man told the kha that if anyone asked about the cub, Felipe came with him and he is from the “Holy Sea”. Felipe and the kha would make their way out of the cave, departing for the Vale.
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