Once e raised his head, his eyes changed from angered to purely shocked.

  If he could choose something to happen in this forest, this would probably the thing he would like the least.

  It had a head similar to his own. His upper body was almost identical.

  The rest was structurally equal to his body.

  A man, clad in light armour was strolling in the forest.

  "----"

  The man had a sheathe on his hip, and held his hand ready on the sword's handle. Even though he was quite smaller than Val, he still stood in terror. Were they friendly? Hostile? Or were humans terrified of angels, just like Val was of the one walking in front of him?

  He stood still, observing the human's movements.

  Val swallowed. And then his hands directed themselves to the sharp rock on the grass. Once again, as he had done against those boars, he looked at the stone in his hands with a feeling of betrayal. His instincts were the opposite of what he actually preferred to do.

  ???: "---?"

  Val was spotted.

  The man looked toward him, at first with curiosity. He leaned closer, even though he was so far that that wouldn't have any effect. With a hand over his eyes to protect from the light, the man inspected who he had in front of him. His eyes were almost closed, a sign that he was trying to look at something far away.

  Val didn't dare move.

  Still with eyes semi-closed, the man waved, even though he wasn't so sure of what he was looking at.

  And so, the breath Val was holding in him was released. The space expanded once again around him, giving him a feeling of space. Relief.

  He was now able to take a step toward the still-inspecting man.

  Though, as soon as that step was taken, the man straightened up his body and let his arms down to their resting position.

  Val immediately froze once more, this time with a look of confusion.

  On the man's face, was an expression of fear. The most fearful look that Val could imagine was now on the man's face.

  Did he do something wrong?

  "----"

  The man, maintaining his aura of fear, put his other hand on his sword and parted his legs slightly for balance.

  "---!"

  In a flash, the man was in front of Val, ready to attack, with his sword extended toward him.

  Val: "Hup!"

  Swiftly, he evaded, dashing to the side of the humans attack.

  He looked back at Val, slowly turning his head.

  Man: "You. Just die already."

  Val: "Umm i'd prefer not to."

  Val responded almost ironically, not being able to interpret what the man had said.

  The fearful look was still plastered on the human's face, and it wouldn't yet let go.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Man: "You're an angel, right? What are you doing here?"

  The man paused, waiting for a reply. It was not given.

  Man: "Are you from Meshen? You are, aren't you? That would be even better!"

  Val: "Sorry, but i really don't know what you're talking about. I mean no harm."

  What the hell was this 'Meshen' place?

  The man, though, seemed only more aggravated by the ignorant response.

  Man: "Sure. If i tell the guys back home i killed a Meshen Angel, they'll go nuts!"

  He started rambling. While he did so, he also straightened up for just a moment, sword still in hand. Now it was certain; This human really wanted to kill Val.

  He could sense it-- a new attack would be launched any second no-

  He felt a strong hit in his stomach, and he fell back several meters, rolling. A kick was successfully thrown against him.

  Though the man seemed to be jumping left and right, almost teleporting.

  As to prove his theory, Val found the man above him, ready to once again slash with his sword.

  The weapon flung toward Val's face.

  He felt a sharp pain on his hand. Opening his eyes, he notice his hand was protecting his face, and stopped the blade from hitting his vitals.

  Turns out angel skin is sturdier than expected.

  The man's fearful grin turned to simple worry and confusion.

  As much as he hated the idea of it, he used his legs to launch the man off him, to free himself. Once the man fell behind him, Val got up and started running toward where the man had come from. The mad had effectively been stunned, at least for a couple of seconds.

  Or so he thought.

  While he ran, turning to his side, he saw the man preparing another attack with his sword, right beside him.

  Man: "You angels don't belong here!"

  The man let out a laugh while catching up to Val.

  Man: "Tell that to your comrades! If you go back alive, that is."

  His sword once again was thrusted against the poor angel, who knew nothing about what this man was referencing.

  This time, Val was able to narrowly outrun the man, as he was busy attacking. However, that human was still able to get Val to trip on his leg.

  He rolled over. Until he hit a tree.

  "-!"

  He didn't even have time to think that he found himself defending his own neck with his forearm. The sword got closer and closer.

  "----"

  This was life or death. He couldn't run, he couldn't hide. His survival would be based on this decision, here and now.

  Again, torn between two voices in his head.

  1: "Kill him. It would take minimal effort."

  2: "You see what taking action brought, right?"

  --

  He didn't have the time. No time to think this through. No time. None. No--

  The forearm he was using for protection sprung to action, hitting the man is his head. The hand rotated, with the humans head under it. Once Val's arm reached the ground, the head following it was crushed.

  "----"

  He stared.

  "----"

  Still sitting against the tree, he stared at the consequence of his actions.

  The forest was silent.

  Slowly, he raised his bloody hand from where the human's head was. He dislodged the sword from his forearm.

  "----"

  Still, he stared.

  "----"

  Without thinking twice, he got up.

  "----"

  He didn't even bother picking up the sword, or finding any valuables on the body.

  "----"

  His face was filled with worry.

  "----"

  Even though the damage was done already, he ran, as he always does.

  He couldn't possibly bring himself to do such things.

  "----"

  He ran. He had the idea of running toward where the man came from.

  "----"

  Val: "Huff, puff..."

  He continued to run. His only interest was to get as far away as possible from the body.

  Tears almost formed under his eyes.

  But before he could cry, he tripped.

  Val: "Owww... Fuck this!"

  He slammed his fist on the ground.

  Then he stopped acting for a second and gave way to thought.

  That was a mistake. Thought would bring bad things.

  Shaking his head, he got up, and walked some more.

  What had just happened?

  That human had attacked upon the realization that Val was an angel. Did humans hate their kind?

  And what about this Meshen place? The man also seemed to not hold that place close to his heart.

  It would be smart to hide the fact he's an angel for now.

  Drawing that conclusion, Val looked up to probably what is the biggest hint that he's an angel.

  A ring, floating over his head.

  He decided to wear it as a collar, a necklace, a choker. Whichever you prefer.

  He grabbed two sides, and stretched them. Then he brought it down, around his head, and finally, around his neck.

  Now it actually looked like something someone would wear. Though, It felt heavier around his neck than it ever had above his head.

  It was getting dark once more.

  "----"

  As Val sat against a tree, he wore a miserable face. A single dilemma, was behind it. One that had pestered him constantly in the last days.

  Who should he listen to?