A Light in the Dark Forest

He was silent for a short while, contemplating Nakata's words. He threw him the bear hide, hoping it would satisfy as a shirt for the time being. It was still unclean and wasn't sliced very well - assumingly due to lack of proper equipment rather than lack of skill - but it would likely suffice. He began preparing the bear meat to be cooked upon the fire. It took a few minutes as he adjusted the height and angle of the meat over the flames. Several times he made adjustments that appeared trivial. More than once he appeared to have not even moved it at all, despite toying with it. When he finally seemed satisfied, he relaxed with his back against the wall, opposite of Nakata.

"Master Nakata. One cannot help but wonder if the questions you pose are truly relevant. Indeed, we have fought against undead abominations together, and I pulled you from the frozen lake at risk to my own self. Is it truly so important to know so much about the one that sits across from you?" While people would typically ask this as more of a rhetorical question, his was most serious. He wanted to know why Nakata was so interested. But before Nakata could even answer, Alistair pressed on. "It is of my opinion that it is important for you to understand that the knowledge you seek could get you killed. Despite your... capabilities... there are indeed things in this world - and some not even in this world - that could cause suffering beyond even your imagination. They could in fact take advantage of your ability, causing horrendous pain while you simply regenerate the wound. Knowing this, do you still seek that knowledge? What reason do you have beyond simple curiosity?"

He smiled. "I think your heart is in the right place but perhaps your mind is not." He moved to adjust the bear meat over the fire. "Consider for a moment the knowledge I gave you spread to others. Perhaps you spoke of this knowledge with other people. Now not only are you in danger, but others would be as well. Do you believe yourself strong-willed enough to keep such a secret? What if they were to press onward such as you yourself are doing right now?"

"The reason my abilities cannot be inherited by normal humans, Master Nakata.." He paused. "Are because my abilities are not something I am able to do on my own. Does that even make sense? I am not the one performing the actual ability. I have... help." He leaned back now, smiling to himself as if recalling a good memory. "It is not my prerogative to help you achieve it. My purpose is... beyond that."

"I'm afraid it is far more complicated than that, Master Nakata. I do not doubt your words, but I am afraid that the reason I am here far exceeds your comprehension." He moved to adjust the bear meat once again. It was nearly done. "What would you say if I told you that in an instant, the entirety of this world as you know it could change for the worst? What if I told you that the knowledge you seek could become the direct cause for that occurrence? Would you still seek it in hopes that my words never bear truth?" He paused and his eyes looked into Nakata's. But this wasn't any normal look. It was a pressuring look. Nakata had never seen Alistair stare like this before, but it was completely different from his typical care-free persona.

It would likely be difficult for Nakata to keep such direct eye contact for so long, but at the same time Alistair's eyes beckoned him to look back. "Tell me, Master Nakata. What is your purpose in life? What is your destiny?" These words echoed throughout the cave as if spoken by some higher being, the intensity of their meaning burying themselves into Nakata's ears. Alistair did not relent his intense stare, it was almost as if all light in the cave, that of course came from the fire, instead projected itself from his eyes.

It would finally be that the room returned to normal as Alistair relaxed once more with a smile. "My purpose is to ensure ones such as yourself still have a future worth protecting." He said. "And that is all the reason I need to do what I do. Come." He said, standing up. "If your words are true, then you will have no issue proving it to me. If you can prove to me that your words are more than mere fantasy, then I will bestow my knowledge upon you." He removed the bear meat -which was now toasted quite nicely.. perhaps slightly burnt - from the fire. He offered Nakata a piece before beginning to dig in himself. Of course, truly the meat must have been quite hot still. But he didn't seem to mind it.

"Right after we eat, of course!" His stomach growled as if in anticipation.

After the meal, he stood and stretched, seemingly satisfied. "How well can you see in the dark? We're going in." He said, looking to the far end of the cave. "I explored a bit while you were sleeping, after about fifteen minutes time I still had not reached the end. By my estimate, it descends far underground. There is no telling what we may find." Hopefully not what he was looking for.

—

There were mortal beings up above them. They could feel that something was close by. Would they be the ones that made up their meal that day? What an easy hunt this would be! How often did the food come to them. Oh yes! They could barely contain their excitement. It looked like this would be a great feeding area... for a while.