Totoka River if given a knife and a hand in which to hold it, the mind would eventually eat itself

yes! but, god... that was painful. he felt the crunch of his skull as it smashed into the other male's and all at once, stars erupted into his vision. he was sure that he'd bitten down on his tongue in the process, but it seemed to have surprised the brute just as much as it had rattled illidan's brains. the boy watched him take a few staggering steps to adjust himself, shaking his head to clear the ringing. in that moment, the wildling took the opportunity to rise to his feet and take a defensive stance that would protect his throat.

through the entirety of his scuffle with the stranger, the boy could not stop seeing the battered figure of his father on the shore of the lake. he couldn't remove the images of the broken jaw or the scavenger birds that had landed to feast on the remaining bits of flesh. he did not want to end up like his father – not yet. he did not want the birds to flutter down to tear away at his skin. this sandy stranger would not be allowed to take his life.

illidan made an attempt to appear stalwart and capable, but he could feel how close the other male had been to his throat and he knew the danger that he possessed. it had not been wise to snap at him, but he was tired of being treated as though he was a plague. he was capable, damnit, and he was going to show them that he was.