Wonderkind

He was looking down at it, his head tilted slightly. He opened his mouth to speak just as she was yanked away from him by the back of the neck. The assailant held a sword to her throat as he made her back away from Zerras, who had turned to look at them with wide eyes. Reeve's voice was stern and cold.

"I should have known it was you, Zerras Algranoth. The world figured you had been dead for the last 200 years, but it appears you were just lying in wait to make a comeback."

 

He looked down at her coldly, his gaze sharp as he pressed the sword tighter to quell her struggle or silence her words.

"Shut up, elf. I was a fool for not seeing through your lies." He looked back at Zerras. "Give me your hearthstone and I won't kill her. Try anything and she'll be dead in a second."

 

"No," he said quickly and firmly. "I'm not listening to you. Don't say another word." He looked back at Zerras, who was watching her with a frown. Reeve stood near the edge of the cliff with June, holding her close to drop. He came over, holding the hearthstone tightly. He considered using Oblivion, but he wouldn't make it in time. Instead, he dropped the stone into his hand. Reeve pushed June toward Zerras as he dropped the stone on the ground and drove his heel onto it, shattering it into pieces. Zerras's eyes widened and he drew Oblivion as he carefully set June aside, charging at Reeve with thoughtless anger. The goal he had worked for was gone. Reeve braced and sparks flew as the swords clashed. The fight didn't last long, though, and Reeve feet shifted as he shoved Zerras off the edge of the cliff.

 

The hearthstone looked unsalvageable, and Reeve grabbed her arm.

"You shouldn't go down there."

Zerras groaned, leaning his head back. He definitely had some broken bones. Everything hurt. He looked over wearily, seeing Oblivion rest at his side. His shaky hand reached over and took it, gripping the handle as he picked it up, his gaze tracing the familiar blade and handle and landing on the red gem in the center. He used to stare at it for hours when he had first gotten it as a child, his fingertips brushing the crimson surface. It seemed to glow under his touch, and his eyes widened in slow realization. He forced himself to his knees, every muscle protesting. He took the sword in both hands before driving it into the stone, the blade ringing and vibrating at the force. He did it again and again and again and the shiny metal broke into pieces, the hilt falling apart and freeing the gem. He picked it up and stared with wide eyes. The reason this sword was important he got it after his father died. His fingers closed over it, and he held it tightly before pulling down his collar and pressing the gem to his chest. It melded immediately, falling into the place his own hearthstone once was.

 

"You can think what you want," he said fiercely. "I am trying to protect people from his wrath. He's a murderer, Juniper. He's a terrible person."

 

He scowled, shaking his head in disgust.

"Say what you will. I don't care anymore."

Just at the moment, they would both hear some rocks tumbling at the edge, and see a clawed hand grip the edge of the cliff.

 

It was Zerras, but he looked incredibly different. He had sharp claws, his whole eye that violet color with a cat-like pupil. Rather than the two red horns he usually had, there were four large, black horns. Most noticeably, he had two large wings, helping him cling to the edge of the cliff.

 

He took her hand surprisingly gently, climbing up.

Reeve's eyes widened and he glared, gripping his sword.

Zerras met his gaze and dashed forward, easily knocking him down and pressing his hand over his throat to keep him pinned. June would notice he had a pointed tail. She wouldn't have seen it on the cliff.

"I am not who I used to be," Zerras said, his voice a low growl. "I don't want conquest. I don't want to fight." He released him, getting up with a small frown. "Just leave us alone."

Reeve watched him, looking conflicted. He slowly sat up.

"..Okay."

 

He relaxed slowly, the wings disappearing and horns shrinking as he went back to normal.

"There was a demon hearthstone in the sword this whole time," he said with a small laugh, his brows furrowed.

Reeve got up, a deep frown on his face.

"If I catch word that you ever go back to your old ways, I will hunt you down. Until then," he hesitated, crossing his arms nervously, "I'll leave both of you be."

 

He didn't say anything, only sheathing his sword with a small sigh and turning to leave.