all under one moon

the world is often thrown into war. While heroes die in every war as that war passes into history, often times more goes on when the blades aren't swinging.

Elias Turen stood shifting his heavily armored body getting a better grip on his sword. They were locked in a war with the elves, the disgusting heretics. Every child knew of their sacrifices of their priestesses, how the warriors would cut off their middle finger in reverence of their god, and how they made deals with demons and nymphs giving them their long life and pointed ears. The soldiers also wanted to be the ones to kill the most of those heretics. he stared out across the valley and saw their numbers partially emerging from the trees. the king of Elias' home had demanded they accept their rule and when they hadn't, had declared war on them. Elias and Marcellus, his older brother, had joined in the place of their ailing father. He looked at his brother who had been granted the rank of a cavalry lieutnant, and who now sat on his horse in the cavalry section of the army. He suddenly heard the sound of the bugle and saw the pikemen run forward.

Te-maut glanced at the opposing army from where he stood, concealed by the trees. His people, the Aui or as men called them the elves, were a peaceful  people unless they were provoked into war like what happened here. He shook his head, running his hand through his black hair before rubbing his light red eyes. He suddenly saw a portion of the army, the Human's pikemen charge before falling to their arrows. Glancing up  he beheld his queen, the young Ai-iha , standing at the back of the army. She had insisted to come and was, of course, permitted to. She looked relieved, probably because his sister's sacrifice was successful in preventing the Darkness from aiding the humans in their war. his sister, he reflected sadly had been the high priestess of her order and had sacrificed herself to keep the evil at bay. He watched as the human archers raised their bows releasing the arrows. 

Elias watched in satisfaction as the arrows flew toward the Elvin ranks most aimed at the queen of the elves who stood in the back. None of the elves made a move to defend her or themselves which meant they were either brave or foolish. He was proved wrong on both accounts as the.arrows just bounced harmlessly off an unseen barrier, they weren't brave or foolish, just magic users. He and the rest of the army surged forward at the command of their general, everything coming to a confused halt as fire sprang up before them. the Elves however hadn't moved a muscle and just stood staring at them, their wizards doing all the work. Suddenly spears ripped through their ranks as the spearmen took advantage of their focus on keeping the fire up. As the order was given again he and the rest of the army surged forward. This time the Elves had nothing to keep them back, and finally bared their fangs.

.Te-maut unsheathed his blade as the humans came forward and fought to the best of his ability. At one point it looked like the Aui might drive them back but then a human cavalry unit came forward and evened the tide. The battle raged like this for hours neither side gaining an advantage, but slowly whittiling their numbers down. as the end of the battle approached Te-maut, resting for a moment. felt a spear pass in between his shoulder blades. As he fell to the ground in pain an awful realization hit him. he was gong to die of an easily treatable wound. His people didn't notice him as they struggled for survival. He just lowered his head and prayed to his gods that the end would come soon.

Elias fought to end this plague against humanity, also fighting to quell the mutinous thoughts in his gut. He heard a shout and saw the Cavalry rush forward, aided by the catapults. He watched as the Elvin archers released another volley of arrows into the growing twilight toward the cavaliers. Most of the arrows  found their mark and Elias watched horrified as his brother fell. He screamed, his soul and body combined in one anguished cry that became lost in the sounds of combat. the archers,  Hnoted satisfaction, were no more a well placed boulder ending them. suddenly and without warning he foud himself knocked to the ground by an opponent. He kicked out, watching as the elf went flying back, his light build increasng the air time. The elf sprung to his feet however and rushed him. As Elias swung out the elf ducked and rolled behind him. As he turned, the elf speared him in the stomach. He fell, knowing a slow death awaited him.

Thirty minutes later the battle was over, neither side had won, and neither had lost. only two combatants remained alive, Elias and Te-maut. Elias, laying for hours waiting for his end to come, raised his head and saw his companion. As he saw the elf laying on the ground, the stupidity of what his people had done hit him and he crawled over to the elf. As the elf, dying as well, lifted his head, Elias spoke each word more painful than the last. "Death has shown...me something...We-we're brothers." He said using the last of his strength to hold out his hand. Te-maut grased it as his strength left him, gazing up at the bright moon. "Yes, brothers under one moon."