~Mark

Adrenaline pumped through my veins, filled with purpose as I ran back to Thomas. "Brother, I remember a man helping me named-" "Helping you? Is that what you think he did? He's the one that kidnapped and nearly killed you in the first place!" Thomas cut me off angrily. "No, he told me it was someone else from the Oclemora!" I protested. "And what makes you believe him? He's Oclemora, he was probably lying!" Thomas countered. "Fine, don't believe me, but I'm going to find him." I stated calmly, turning back towards the forest. "Mark!" Thomas shouted. I froze mid-step, looking over my shoulder at him. He never called me by my name until now. "I know what we did. Our clan isn't made up of heroes, but villains. I have to save the real hero." With that, I disappeared into the forest, Seipteach hanging around my neck. My mind raced as I tried to think of where he could be. I couldn't accept that he could have died in the cabin fire, somehow I knew he survived. Now it was just a matter of finding him. "Where would Sean go since his house is gone?" I wondered aloud. Then the answer hit me. The Oclemora. He spent the most time with them, it would only make sense. The only problem was, I would probably be killed on sight if I step foot there. I hesitated by the village entrance. Their village was smaller, their homes made of stone with children running around playing, adults standing outside talking and laughing, as if they didn't have a care in the world. This is for Sean, I reminded myself as I cautiously entered the village. Immediately all eyes seemed to swivel towards me, the talking ceased and the children silent as parents ushered them inside. "Welcome Mark, leader of Lupius clan. How may I help you?" A man dressed in an emerald green robe greeted me. He had vibrant forest green eyes that were filled with wisdom, as well as kindness. He had short silver hair with a silver beard that nearly hid his mouth. He had a bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back like all of the men and women. "Sir," I bowed before continuing. "I am looking for a dear friend of mine, Sean." "Sean?" A man I recognized as Nate repeated. "I only want to speak with him." I ignored Nate. "We haven't seen him in a year. For some reason, we found his cottage burnt to the ground, so we assumed he was dead." The man explained. "He's not." I assured him. "I will contact the Broderskap and see if they know of his whereabouts then." The man signaled one of his men. He nodded before running into the east of the forest. "Look, I'm really sorry about starting war with your people and I want to fix it, but I don't know how and I realize that our clan doesn't down serve it, but will you make peace with us?" I rambled, pouring all of my thoughts out to this man I've never met. He listened intently, waiting until I was finished before speaking. "Of course I will try to make peace with your clan, depending on the willingness of your leader." The man smiled kindly. I felt myself relax, glad I spoke my thoughts. "Brother, what are you doing here?" Thomas, along with most of our men armed with weapons burst into the village. "I'm fine, I-" "Come with me now!" Thomas commanded. "No." I defiantly stood my ground. "If it is war you want, then it is war you will get!" Thomas snarled, unsheathing his sword. "Wait!"

~Sean

All eyes turned towards me as I revealed my hiding spot behind the village. Word had gotten around quickly that I was being searched for, but when I heard who was searching for me, I knew it was time to come out of my hidden home in the unexplored regions of the forest. I was thinner than I used to be, my ribs pronounced under my pale skin. My hair had faded from green back to its natural brown color and my baggy pants were torn in various places, spattered with mud. "You." The man Mark called Thomas spat as I approached him. "There is no need for war. Mark came looking for me, and here I am. Leave them be." I replied calmly, despite the giddiness I felt. Mark remembered me, he wanted to see me again! "Either way, you are still the person that caused all of this trouble in the first place." Before I could understand what was happening, I felt a sharp pain explode in my abdomen, looking down to see Thomas's blade impaling me. "I promised that I would make you pay for what you have done." He hissed in my ear before retracting the blade. "W-Why?" I choked out, blood dribbling from my mouth as I collapsed to the ground. Mark caught me before my face hit the dirt, cradling my head in his lap. "No!" Nate cried, firing an arrow at Thomas that embedded in his shoulder. "Attack!" Thomas ordered, grimacing in pain as he yanked the arrow out. Instantly both sides surged forward, arrows flying and swords swinging. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't of come here." Mark apologized, tears glittering in his chocolate brown eyes. "It's...okay." I managed, having a had time getting air in my lungs. Suddenly Mark fumbled for something around his neck. I recognized it instantly as he pressed it to my stomach. "Seipteach." I murmured weakly. "I'm a healer." Mark closed his eyes in concentration. "Ordaímse an fear seo créachta a cured, chomh maith leis na pian go bhfuil sé ar endured!" He chanted. Nothing happened. "I-I thought..." He trailed off, head hung in defeat. "It will be alright." I promised him, my eyes fluttering closed as I let myself be taken away by the bright white light surrounding me.

~Mark

       "No no no no no, Sean please, don't give up on me!" I pleaded as his eyes closed, releasing one last sigh before his head went limp in my lap. Shakily, I laid Sean's head down on the ground, scooping up a sword from one of my fallen allies. "I will avenge you Sean." I whispered before charging into the fray. Everything seemed just like my dream I had last year, Oclemora and Lupius clan members dying left and right, even Thomas was lying nearly dead on the ground, arrows protruding from him. "Wake him up." He told me before dying. Wake him up? Who? How? I glanced back at Sean. He looked the same as he did when I left him. I ran back over to him, grabbing Seipteach from where I had abandoned it on the ground by Sean before kneeling by him. The words seemed to flow from Seipteach into my mind as I pressed it to Sean's wound once more. "ag baint úsáide as an chumhacht seo tá mé undeserving de go dtugann na an neart a leigheas mo ghrá march." I whispered softly in his ear, letting the words flow out of my mouth. Miraculously, the wound faded away completely. Only Sean did not stir. I finally allowed the tears I fought so had to hold back fall, squeezing Sean's slightly warm limp hand in mine as I cradled his head against my chest, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "I failed you. I am no healer, only a hunter."

Then I felt his hand squeeze back.