Chapter 6: The Elven Survivor
A Camp in the Shadows
The night was eerily quiet, broken only by the occasional crackle of the campfire. Hiro sat cross-legged near the flames, his thoughts focused on the ruins they had explored earlier. Across from him, Jason snored softly, his bandaged arm resting against his pack.
Hiro’s gaze flicked to the staff lying beside him, its smooth surface catching the light of the fire. The staff was a gift from Azrak, one that could transform into a spear when needed—a versatile weapon Hiro had come to rely on.
His mind drifted to the carvings from the last ruins. Among the faded symbols and worn stone, one motif had stood out—a tree. Its intricate design had struck him, the roots and branches weaving together in an eternal dance. Hiro hadn’t been able to decipher its significance, but it tugged at him as if whispering a truth just out of reach.
A faint sound pulled him back to the present. Too deliberate to be the wind, it was followed by the rustle of leaves. Hiro’s hand moved instinctively toward the staff as his amber eyes scanned the darkness.
The Failed Theft
A shadow darted toward their camp, silent and precise. The figure moved quickly, reaching for Jason’s pack. But Hiro’s reflexes were faster. With a sharp gesture, he activated Time Paralysis, freezing the intruder mid-motion.
Jason stirred, groaning as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Jason: (groggily) “What now? A demon? Or are we upgrading to forest bandits?”
Hiro ignored him and approached the frozen figure. Pulling back the hood of their cloak revealed a face he hadn’t expected. Silver hair framed sharp, angular features, and piercing green eyes glared back at him, defiant even in her immobilized state.
Jason blinked, his fatigue vanishing in an instant.
Jason: (in disbelief) “An elf? Holy shit, that’s an elf! Hiro, do you have any idea how rare they are in these parts?”
Hiro released the spell, and the woman stumbled slightly before recovering. Her hand went to the dagger at her waist, but she didn’t draw it. Instead, she locked eyes with Hiro, her sharp gaze assessing him.
Layra: “You didn’t have to freeze me, you bastard. I wasn’t going to hurt you.”
Jason smirked, his hands igniting with small flames.
Jason: “Yeah, because sneaking into someone’s camp and grabbing their stuff is such a friendly move.”
Layra shot him a glare before turning her attention back to Hiro.
Layra: (calmly) “I needed supplies. This forest is unforgiving, and I figured you wouldn’t miss a few scraps.”
Hiro’s voice was calm but firm, his expression unreadable.
Hiro: “That’s not the whole truth, is it? Why are you really here?”
The Elven Survivor
The elf’s stance shifted slightly, her hand moving away from her dagger. Her sharp green eyes softened, though the edge in her tone remained.
Layra: (quietly) “I’ve been tracking the demons. They’re moving through this forest, heading somewhere. I thought you might know what they’re after.”
Jason frowned, his flames dimming slightly.
Jason: “Tracking demons? That’s a hell of a hobby. Why not just steer clear of them like everyone else?”
Layra’s features hardened, a flicker of pain crossing her face.
Layra: “Because they destroyed my home—my kingdom. I’ve been following them ever since, trying to stop them from desecrating what’s left of my people’s legacy.”
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Hiro’s gaze narrowed, a flicker of curiosity flashing in his amber eyes.
Hiro: “The ruins we’ve been investigating—are they tied to your kingdom?”
Layra nodded, her voice dropping as her expression darkened.
Layra: “Yes. Those sites are sacred to my people. The demons are searching for something connected to the Sacred Tree—the heart of our magic. If they taint it, they’ll gain power beyond anything you can imagine.”
Jason let out a low whistle, the weight of her words sinking in.
Jason: “Damn. That’s bad. Real bad.”
Layra turned her sharp gaze to Hiro, her expression guarded.
Layra: “Your magic... It’s rare. Time magic, isn’t it? I’ve seen it used before, but never by humans. You’re stronger than most. You might actually have a chance to help me find what’s left of my kingdom.”
Hiro’s eyebrows rose slightly at her observation but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Forming an Alliance
Hiro lowered his staff, his tone even but resolute.
Hiro: “We’re after the same thing—stopping the demons. Your knowledge of the elven kingdom could be valuable. Join us.”
Layra’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Layra: “Why should I trust you? Humans don’t exactly have a great track record with elves.”
Jason stepped forward, his hands raised in mock surrender.
Jason: “Hey, we’re not here to loot ruins or screw anyone over. Trust me, we’ve been too busy fighting demons to cause trouble.”
Layra glanced at Jason’s bandaged arm, her expression softening slightly.
Layra: “If I join you, it’s not for your sake. It’s for my people—and for answers.”
Jason smirked, clapping his hands together.
Jason: “Good enough for me. Welcome aboard!”
Layra rolled her eyes but allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips.
Layra: “Let’s see if you’re as strong as you look.”
A New Obstacle
As the fire burned low, Layra examined the fragments Hiro and Jason had collected from the ruins. Her fingers traced the intricate symbols, her tone grave.
Layra: “These markings... They’re from my homeland. The demons are retracing the ward-keepers’ steps, dismantling what’s left of our magic. Their goal is the Sacred Tree.”
Hiro: “If they reach the tree, they’ll gain control over the magic binding this land. We can’t let that happen.”
Layra nodded, her jaw tightening.
Layra: “Then you need to know something. Some ruins—especially the intact ones—are protected by the Adventurers’ Guild in Eldoria. They won’t let you explore without registering as adventurers.”
Jason groaned, throwing himself back onto his pack.
Jason: “Great. More damn bureaucracy. I thought the demons were supposed to be the hard part.”
Hiro’s expression remained serious, his mind already calculating.
Hiro: “If that’s what it takes, we’ll do it. The guild might even have information we can use.”
Layra’s gaze softened slightly, her tone losing some of its edge.
Layra: “Eldoria is a month away. We’ll need to move quickly if we want to stay ahead of the demons.”
Jason yawned, waving a hand dismissively.
Jason: (mumbling) “Great. Wake me when we’re halfway there... or when something’s trying to kill us again.”
Layra chuckled faintly as she settled by the fire. Hiro remained quiet, staring into the flames. The journey ahead loomed long and uncertain, but the determination in his amber eyes burned as fiercely as ever.
End of Chapter 6: The Elven Survivor!