“What’s a Fairwood elf doing here?” The tanned girl spoke up, a nervous grin plastered on her face. She looked Maisie up and down, not sure what to do. Should she wait for an answer or act like nothing ever happened and turn around to complete her day? Maisie, on the other hand, stood there, stunned and confused.
Huh? What on earth was that?
“What’s a Fairwood elf?” The young woman finally asked. The tanned girl slowly turned around, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. When Maisie's confused expression didn't budge, the auburn-haired girl's eyes then narrowed. Was she being messed with?
“How do you not know who you are? Have you hit your head or something?” The lilac-eyed girl replied, tilting her head to the side. Maisie mimicked the girl’s action and tilted her head.
“I’m not from this world, so I have no knowledge of whatever a Fairwood elf is, sorry.” Maisie replied pretty straightforwardly. The auburn girl was now fairly certain she had stumbled upon a mad woman. Or maybe she was an attention-seeker. The tanned woman hadn't heard good things about their kind, but she wasn't one to judge a population without first-hand experience. So, she had two options. The lilac-eyed girl could turn around and continue with her task or entertain the woman before her. After some deliberation, she chose the latter.
"So, where are you from?” A simple question, which Maisie could answer. It was simply up to the girl before her to believe whether or not she was telling the truth.
“I’m from Zaegon.” The tanned girl’s eyes widened. However, the seriousness of Maisie's expression made it believable. Intrigued by the answer, she then took a single step forward, appearing before Maisie in a flash.
‘She’s fast.’
“To think I’d not only meet a Fairwood elf, but an elf that claims to be from another world.” She murmured. Maisie’s body felt heavy all of a sudden. The effects of shock and disorientation were finally catching up to her, and she slightly buckled. Noticing this, the tanned girl was quick on her feet, grabbing Maisie by the waist and helping her balance. Maisie, in turn, muttered a quick 'thank you'. The elf then proceeded to take a seat on a large rock, needing to rest for a bit.
“This is all too much.” She whispered. “What’s going on? Where on earth am I?” Her head was squeezing, trying to conjure up some answers. The tanned girl was beginning to see that Maisie was genuinely struggling and that she may not have been lying. So, as a good gesture, the tanned girl stuck her hand out.
“The name’s Kalthona. Kalthona Sugaal.” Maisie stopped falling apart for a second, and she shook the girl’s hand.
“Maisie Knightwood.” The elf replied. Kalthona grinned, then proceeded to lift the young woman off the rock.
“Well then, Maisie Knightwood, you need to pick yourself up,” Kalthona let off Maisie’s hand. ”You’re in Eldoria now.” She handed the white-haired girl a flask. “Here’s some clear water, by the way.”
“She’s really nice.’
“Thank you.” Maisie downed the water and sighed at how cooling it was for her inflamed throat. The two girls then walked side by side. This stroll allowed Maisie to study the woodlands. The various different berries that grew on the vibrant bushes made Maisie hungry, and Kalthona noticed this. So, she dug into a fanny pack and pulled out a grey sack.
“Here.” She handed them to Maise and said, "They're dates.” The elf took it, thanking the tanned girl, and began snacking on the sweet food.
“How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Kalthona asked. “I’m seventeen myself.” She added.
“Nineteen.” Maisie answered. “So, what do you do for a living?” Maisie asked, wanting to get to know her new acquaintance a bit better.
“I’m part of an adventuring guild. I’m actually on a job.” Kalthona replied, taking a date for herself.
"An adventuring guild, huh? That's pretty nice." The white-haired man replied with a soft smile.
"Hell yeah, it is. The pay is amazing too." Kalthona said, grinning.
The two girls exited the woodlands, crossed a stone bridge, and entered an open meadow. Maisie’s blue eyes glimmered as the vibrant green grass and the various flowers caught her eyes. She then looked at the sky and sighed in bliss at how big the clouds were and how blue the sky was.
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Not being able to contain her excitement about seeing such beauty for the first time in a long time, Maisie ran forward and began spinning in circles, allowing a string of hearty laughs to leave her mouth. When was the last time she saw a white cloud, a blue sky, and a meadow not ruined by the stain of war? When was the last time she breathed in fresh, crisp air that didn't contain any ash or smoke? When was the last time she ran around a meadow freely, without having to worry about tripping over piles of corpses? Kalthona watched the young woman, feeling energised as well, so she joined the elf. They linked hands and spun each other around, laughing and dancing.
“I’m free!” The blue-eyed woman yelled at the top of her lungs. The tanned girl didn't know what she meant by that, but she didn't care. They were both enjoying the moment, and that's all that mattered.
Thud
A gust of heavy wind then bursts through the area, blowing the girls back a bit. The heavy winds were then followed by a loud roar. Maisie placed her arms up, blocking the dust and debris from hitting her face. The roar was petrifying, freezing Maisie in place. And when the dust cleared, what stood before them was equally as scary.
It was a large wolf-like creature with white fur and a blackened face. It stood on its hind legs, and two massive, black antlers protruded from the side of its head.
“Now this is what I’m talking about!” Kalthona yelled, pumped to the heavens. She vanished, reappearing as she glided across the meadow at lightning speed. Her buns unravelled and became two long pigtails flailing in the wind.
Maisie watched as flames appeared around Kalthona’s hand and continued watching as a red-bladed, bronze-handled axe appeared. The wolfish monster swung its hand down and missed Kalthona by a mere inch, smacking the ground instead. Maisie once again protected herself from the debris. The attack didn't break Kalthona's stride; instead, she laughed gleefully.
"Is that all you got?" She taunted the beast, playing with her weapon like it was a light tool. Maisie had not seen a soldier this masterful with their tools or even this excited in the face of danger.
Kalthona lit up her feet with flames, allowing her to boost herself in the air. The tanned girl then spun around, bringing her axe down with a charged flame attack. The area was lit up orange for a second, and the gust of wind that followed made it difficult to see. However, when it cleared up, there stood Kalthona holding the axe over her shoulder, standing on the dead monster with a massive grin on her face.
“Job completed!” The tanned girl exclaimed, ecstatic that she didn’t have to hunt for it any longer.
‘That was a job!?’ Maisie was stunned. Kalthona hopped off the now-vanishing monster and made her way back to the elf.
“The townsmen nearby had been complaining about attacks from the monster, so my guild was hired to complete the job.” She explained. “You should join. We’ll be able to tell you more about your magic if you truly are not of this world.” Maisie faltered. Would joining really help her? She did need to know more about her new race and what kind of magic she had. Money would have also be nice. She looked back at Kalthona, who slightly towered over her. The auburn-haired girl's eyes were wide and filled with determination. She wanted Maisie to join, so the elf gave in.
“I would like that.”
******
Kalthona and Maisie had gone to Longlorn Town to collect the payments from the defeated monster. The experience was truly something. The children had rushed around Maisie in awe, while the older folks kept their distance with judgmental stares. Maisie didn't know what she did to deserve such treatment, but she somewhat knew it had to do more with what she was than who she was. After leaving the small town, the two young women headed south, chatting about everything and anything.
Now, the girls had arrived at an enclosed city, with a massive castle in the dead centre of the place. Kingdom of Halia, home to Kalthona and her guild. They walked through the gate and into the busy town centre. The sun was beginning to set, coating the area in various shades of purple, amber, and small hints of blue. It was mesmerising to the elf. Her eyes moved from shops, restaurants, and cafes to food stands lined up on the cobbled streets. Various people stood around, conversing with one another, while others closed their businesses for the day. Maisie watched as everyone around her socialised, including the tanned girl, who was greeted by a variety of different people.
Most people ignored Maisie, not that she minded. However, some people looked at her like the town folk in Longlorn. Noticing this, Kalthona cut her conversation short and dragged the elf towards the north of the town square before reaching a tavern of some sort. Maisie's eyes widened as she stood before the building.
"Well, here it is." Kalthona said, jazz-handing in front of it.
Sabre Soul Guild
It was written in bold, white colours, which stood out against the all-brown interior. This was moving a little too fast for Maisie, but she couldn't turn back now. Not when she agreed to join. So instead, she quietly stood behind Kalthona as the flame mage slowly opened the tavern door.
Smack
Maisie’s eyes widened as a stool hit the tanned girl dead in the face, and she watched on as it slowly fell off her face. A massive red print started to appear, and the tension surrounding Kalthona was making her uncomfortable.
The noise within the tavern died down, and everyone looked at the two girls.
3,2,1
“OKAY, WHICH ONE OF YOU CUNTS HIT ME!?” She screamed. Everyone pointed at a red-haired boy who was still in a throwing position. Without a second thought, Kalthona rushed before him, and a brawl broke out. Maisie stood there, wide-eyed, before letting out a small laugh.
This was interesting.