Character

"Pick it up." The older Elezen paused for a moment as his eyes bore down on the young lad. "Pick it up now."

Kajika was on his knees, holding back the emotions that consumed his every thought. He looked back up at the elder and slowly extended his hand towards the sword which lay in the pile of dust. His hand wrapped around the hilt as the desert dust wafted in the air. He raised the hilt, while the heavy blade lingered on the ground, then exerted his strength and raised the blade into the air. Standing slowly, he resumed a position of defense, then lowered his sword hand as his other wiped the sweat from his brow.

...

"Now it will stop," she despairingly whispered to herself. "No more. No more." She wiped the tears from her cheek with a sideways swipe of both of the palms of her hands. "No, no harm for him. Please just make it stop."