Expertly following Shadow’s tracks, Elijah began searching for his companion. During this search, he came upon more unsettling signs. There was another set of tracks amongst Shadow’s as if following the horse. These tracks resembled something out of a nightmare and confirmed Elijah’s fear about what lurked in the forest. The tracks slightly resembled a humanoid’s foot, though the five toes were extremely narrow and elongated. The pad of the foot was nearly eighteen inches long, and the toes ranged anywhere from six to ten inches in length. From the tracks, Elijah could tell that each digit was accompanied by a talon. Dín Zal? had told Elijah long ago about such a creature and had warned him that it is best to avoid them at all costs. But Elijah had to rescue his companion, regardless of the danger. Regardless of the We’tí’ka(WAY-TEE-CAH) prowling about.[1]
Equipped with the knowledge of what he was facing, Elijah knew his next task was to find the creature’s lair. He also knew that this must be accomplished before sunset, as it would be nearly impossible for him to win a fight against a We’tí’ka in the dark.
“Please have escaped,” Elijah whispered to himself worriedly as he continued to follow Shadow’s tracks. This search lasted for several hours until he came upon a sign that allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. Shadow’s tracks had darted off towards the right, the direction of the road, whereas the creature’s tracks continued to go straight. The creature must have given up the chase once the sun fully rose. Elijah thought to himself. And it looks like Shadow managed to find his way back to the road. Elijah took a deep breath and chuckled to himself. You always did know how to disappear right before trouble. He thought as if talking to his horse. Well, at least you’re safe. Now, time to deal with the We’tí’ka.
Elijah continued tracking the creature until he noticed that its tracks veered off to the left and went down a steep hill into a slight ravine. Elijah carefully made his way down the hill, and once he got to the bottom, he began to smell the nauseating yet strangely sweet aroma of decaying flesh. Elijah knew the We’tí’ka’s cave was nearby, and he prepared himself to come face to face with the creature.
***
The ravine Elijah trekked through appeared to have been carved by a river, which was now nothing more than a small creek trickling along. Stones and tiny pebbles lay littered about the landscape. Not idle terrain for footing. Elijah thought.
“The wisdom one gains from hundreds of battles is not how to overcome your opponent despite the terrain,” Dín Zal? had once told a much younger Elijah. “But how to overcome the terrain despite your opponent. In most scenarios, the least important part of a battle is who you are battling.”
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Elijah shook his head, snorted, and grinned, thinking about his master’s words. Dín always did love to philosophize. Despite having grown accustomed to the riddles and metaphors his master spoke in, Elijah had yet to appreciate or even understand some of them. A sharp sword will always defeat sharp words. That was Elijah’s philosophy. At least before Dín Zal? showed him otherwise.
***
Walking down the ravine in search of the We’tí’ka’s cave seemed to be taking all day, and Elijah began to let his mind wander. He thought back to his training at Night Hold over one-hundred years ago. One day, when Elijah was about fourteen, he was overflowing with confidence, as all boys at that age are, and had become particularly annoyed with his master’s lectures and thought experiments.
“Wrong!” Dín Zal? said, criticizing his young apprentice, as Elijah attempted to practice dueling with another young apprentice named Martin Fey. Martin was a few years older than Elijah and nearly a half-foot taller. He continually overpowered Elijah as they dueled with their wooden swords, and Elijah had begun to get frustrated. As Elijah’s frustration grew, so did his sloppiness, and Martin was making him pay for every mistake. Eventually, Dín Zal? grew tired of watching his apprentice be defeated, walked over, and grabbed Elijah by the shoulder. “That’s enough for now,” he said calmly, with a tone of understanding.
“I don’t understand,” Elijah had said, full of fury. “How am I supposed to defeat someone if they are stronger than me?”
Dín Zal? no longer had to take a knee to look his apprentice in the eyes. Elijah now stood around the same height as the elf – roughly five foot nine. Though Elijah was glad that he continued to grow for a few more years since now, he was six foot two and stood taller than most people he encountered.
“In battle, you are confronting yourself more often than you are confronting your opponent,” Dín Zal? said.
“How is that supposed to help me!” Elijah said emotionally.
Dín Zal? closed his eyes, lightly breathed in, and then exhaled. “My boy,” he began. “Do not let your mind be clouded by worries and doubts. Even the greatest warriors have no control over the abilities and tactics of their foes. Focus on yourself and what you can control. You’ve trained well, let your skills and knowledge guide you. The only thing you can control is what you do, so stop focusing on everything else. You cannot make Martin smaller physically.” Dín Zal? took a moment to meaningfully look Elijah in the eyes. “But you can, however, make him smaller here,” he said, touching Elijah on the forehead.
Elijah glared at his master for a moment, Dín Zal? could tell his apprentice found the lesson annoying. Finally, Elijah’s emotions took over, and he yelled, “And what exactly do you know? You’re just an old man! When was the last time you ever actually fought someone? Can you even swing a real sword anymore!” Elijah then yanked away from his master’s hand and stormed off.
***
How stupid I was. Elijah thought to himself while walking down the ravine. If only the younger me could have seen Dín fight that group of Ruffians in Shawsport a couple of decades later. Elijah chuckled. I definitely would not have been yelling at him then.[2]
A few moments later, the stench of decay that Elijah had grown accustomed to while walking down the ravine returned, more putrid than before. The We’tí’ka’s cave must have been extremely near, but it had begun to grow late. Elijah knew the sun would surely set in an hour or two. He knew he did not have long before the creature would have the advantage.
This realization would have worried a younger Elijah, it may have even been enough to force him to abandon his mission. Now, however, it was not terror that painted his face but excitement. Let the night come. He thought. It will be easier for the creature to find me than it will be for me to find it anyways. And besides, we have to overcome our terrain despite our opponent. Right, Dín? What better practice is there for low-vision night combat than to fight a We’tí’ka? So, Elijah stopped walking and kneeled down next to the trickling creek in the ravine. He closed his eyes and began to meditate, preparing his mind and body for combat.
Soon, the sun disappeared below the horizon, and darkness engulfed the forest. The We’tí’ka slowly emerged from its cave, smelling Elijah’s flesh. Elijah heard the creature’s long and sharp talons scrap against the rock as it approached him.
- We’tí’ka is an Elvish slang term for People Eater, a creature created through cannibalism. For more insight into the Elvish language see Appendix E. For additional information about the flora and fauna of Terra, see Appendix H. ↑
- Shawsport is a town in Last Light. For more information about the Towns and Providences of Terra see Appendices B and C. ↑