I hoped to the Gods, if there were any, that I wouldn't get lost in this forest. I did my best to follow the dirt path. But parts of it were so overgrown that I had to squint to tell apart the path from just normal forest ground. Every once in a while I would step on a twig and wince. I would freeze sometimes because I could've sworn I saw something in the corner of my eye. But I couldn't see anything. That was the issue. Other than my immediate surroundings lit by the lantern, I couldn't see anything.

But after what felt like forever, my efforts seemed to have bore fruit.

I emerged into another clearing within the forest. And luck was on my side because the clouds parted mostly and allowed the clearing to be slightly lit by the moonlight.

It was a bit underwhelming when I saw it. A medium-sized cabin that looked like it had been abandoned decades ago.

Despite that, I approached the cabin's main entrance. The door seemed to have been in relatively good shape.

As I came closer I realized something.

I do not have a key... That's a problem. Is breaking into your property a crime...? Is this even my property?

I came up to the door and looked around. It was silent, other than a slight whistle of the wind and tree branches swaying.

I knocked.

Then I waited.

I didn't know what I expected, someone to answer the door? Tell me „Oh, hi, you must be Kellynstir's long-lost relative!“

I sighed and ultimately decided I'd turn back and return in the morning...

As I turned around I was greeted by something that I really, really did not want to see.

A crossbow.

Pointed right at me.

Fuck

„Tell me your intentions and you just might leave this place alive.“ A female voice behind the crossbow said. She had a hood over her head so I couldn't see her face.

„I- uh“ I stammered „I'm... Is this the residence of a Kellynstir Rosallyn... The third?“

The moment I uttered his name the woman took a step forward.

„How. Do. You. Know him.“ She told me. It was less of a question and more of a demand.

„I-... My name is Wyatt Rosallyn, I received information that I have inherited property of... Kellynstir. He is a relative, I don't know which one, I did not know I had any relatives, at all... Let alone here. So I came to check it out.“ I stammered out quickly.

The woman softened her stance but still aimed her weapon at me.

„You're a Rosallyn? Wyatt.“ She asked.

I cleared my throat and nodded. „Yes.“

She lowered her crossbow.

„I didn't expect you to come so soon... Are you alone?“

„No, I arrived with a guide of sort. He's waiting for me out in the clearing... And, you were expecting me?“

„Have you been followed?“ She ignored my previous question.

Should I tell her?

„Wyatt, were you followed.“ She repeated.

„I think not, we had to stop at some point and we saw patches of burnt grass. Owen, my guide told me it was the work of mages... We hadn't stopped until we came here.“ She stared at me for a few moments.

„Follow me, quickly.“ She said as she turned around and started running in the direction where I came from. Her agility and speed were startling, to say the least.

„Hey, wait!“ I started running after her.

I charged right into the foliage, branches were hitting my face and I was trying my best not to trip all the while holding onto the lantern clumsily. After a minute of weaving through the path, I managed to get back onto the overgrown road. I panted heavily and took a moment to catch my breath. I looked to my left and I saw the sign which I found earlier with the K.R initials.

Then I shifted my gaze toward the clearing across the road. I jogged across the road and looked around. I saw smoke not too far from where I was. I ran to the wagon, I saw the embers of a fire that died out. But I couldn't see Owen anywhere... To make things worse I couldn't see the horses anywhere as well.

„Wyatt!“ I heard a voice exclaim, it was from that hooded woman. I turned around and saw her crouched next to someone... That was him.

I ran up to them.

„Is he alright? Owen!“ I crouched next to the woman.

He was lying on the ground face down, I could see his eyes were open but he was not blinking. I pushed him so he would lie face up...

The first thing that hit me was the smell.

Burnt rubber... Wood, charcoal...

Roasted meat.

Then my eyes processed what they saw. Almost half of Owen's face was gone, I could see his skull. There was smoke billowing from his eye socket. A pit formed in my stomach and I could sense a cold sensation spread across my body like lighting.

„I- Oh my... No... No“ I collapsed onto my behind and dragged myself back.

„He's... Gods no...“ I stammered out.

„He's dead... We have to leave. Now.“ The woman said, her tone was indifferent. Cold.

I tried to get on my feet, but I started shaking too much. The woman approached me, she probably tried to help me get to my feet.

Then I saw something behind her.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A flickering light off in the distance.

„What's tha-„ I began to ask but just then, where once was a flicker there was a flash.

I saw a ball of light approach us at immense speed.

The world slowed, I could see the clouds blocked off the moon. The only light was that ball that was getting closer, and closer.

I saw the woman raise her hand.

And just when the ball would hit us. It hit something else, a solid invisible wall. I could see it faintly glow an azure blue color. Waves formed on the wall. The ball exploded, emitting a strong near blinding light.

Sparks flew, and I could feel a shock wave hit me with enough force that it would've made me stumble if I were standing. The wind blew the hood off the woman's head.

Short raven black hair to her shoulders.

Crimson red eyes.

Elven Ears

Just then time seemed to go back to normal, the light of the fireball dissipated quickly. The woman used one hand to shoot the crossbow in the general direction from where the ball came from.

Then I saw another flicker on the opposite side. Then a flash.

The woman, the elf, dropped the crossbow and raised her hand in the direction of that ball. I saw water rise from the ground, dew from the grass. The water formed a solid wall transparent like glass, when the fireball hit a wave of heat and steam hit me. Thankfully it didn't hurt me.

I got off the ground, adrenaline was pumping through my veins.

„You have to run.“ The woman told me. I could hear she was heaving.

Where to? We're surrounded!

I looked around and I saw that I couldn't go anywhere. I saw three figures approach from all sides, one from the forest where we came from, and two from either side where those fireballs came from.

I saw another fireball shoot from one of those mages, the woman managed to stop that one as well using the same wall she did the first time. This time she retaliated, raising her hand with an open palm I saw as grass was ripped from the ground and aimed toward the perpetrator. The blades of grass glowed faintly. Then upon closing her palm the blades of grass flew like bullets toward the mage.

Unfortunately, it had no effect because the guy raised a wall of his own.

I shifted my focus to the other figure that was approaching... And I saw it, him, floating above the ground and coming right at me like a train.

I was barely able to exclaim anything when he grabbed me mid-flight like it was nothing, he dragged me across the ground for who knows how far. I screamed I didn't know what else to do.

Then he stopped, and with a single motion of his wrist, he raised me at eye level with him. I felt something strong grip my neck. I was choking.

He spoke, at first I didn't understand. He was speaking another language, some Elvish language.

Then he started speaking in Weserian.

„An elf protecting a human? Who are you?“ He said. I couldn't see his face. He also wore a hood over his head. But I knew he was an elf. I tried to reach for the knife Owen gave me, but I couldn't find it.

In the distance, I saw the woman barely fend off the other two. Then I saw another fireball hit her wall. But this time she was knocked off her feet like a train hit her. She was on the ground. Then she was picked up in the same manner as I.

She didn't look at the one who was holding her, no. She was looking at me.

Even though it was far I could see panic in her red eyes.

Even though I couldn't hear, I saw her lips move.

„Run“

I couldn't, I couldn't run.

„You're of no use...“ I heard the elf holding me say. Then I saw he balled up his fist and I felt the pressure on my neck become significantly stronger. I was being choked to death.

I felt a cold sensation in my body. I was losing strength with each passing second.

I felt as my eyes started turning to the back of my skull.

Then all I saw was black.

----------------------------------------

„Rosallyn?“ I heard the professor call my name. I perked up in my seat.

„Can you explain to us how a rifle would fire a bullet? The process that happens within the barrel when one pulls the trigger.“ I saw the professor look at me expectantly. I also saw the other students staring at me.

„Well...“ I began „What kind of rifle, are we talking about a standard rifle with gunpowder? Or an air rifle?“

„Why not both?“ The professor said.

„Then, I'll start with the gunpowder one. Once the trigger is pulled a hammer hits the primer... At least in most modern rifles. The primer detonates, causing a small explosion which makes a chain reaction that causes the gunpowder within the cartridge to ignite. The ignition causes a rapid expansion of gases which in the compact space of the barrel causes an immense buildup of pressure. And that pressure only has one way to go, and that is out. Out of the barrel... Hence, the bullet being in its way, it catapults the bullet out of the barrel at great speed.“ I finished.

„Good.“ The professor nodded. „Now what about an air rifle?“

„Well, the air rifle is simpler. You have a bullet or pellet within the barrel. The barrel is connected to a small tank with pressurized air. Upon pressing the trigger the pressurized air is released into the barrel. Then with the same principle I mentioned earlier, an enclosed space, a barrel, and a sharp rise in pressure forces the projectile out at high speed.“ I explained.

„Excellent... Now how would you do that if you had no enclosed space?“ The professor asked.

„I...“ I pondered for a few moments. It was a strange question... Maybe it is a trick question?

„The projectile must be bigger, I guess. An explosion would launch it, though it would be very inaccurate. Well, the same with a smaller projectile. The main concern I have is that it is unsafe. Also, an explosion that is not enclosed goes in all directions. Thus less energy goes into the projectile... Pressurized air on the other hand can be concentrated into a singular point... Of course, there are various issues I see with that as well. But I think pressurized air is both safer and more efficient at launching a projectile without an enclosed space. Though, it would be immensely impractical.“

„Indeed... But when you have to run it doesn't matter all too much.“ The professor told me.

„Run?“ I asked, confused.

„Run.“ The professor repeated.

„Run.“ I heard everyone in the classroom say in unison.

I felt an immense pressure on my neck. I felt as if I was choking. Everyone was starting to get up from their seats and surround me.

„RUN.“ They all chanted.

I was going to die.

But then, the doors of the classroom flew open. I saw someone enter, but I couldn't see their face, it was as if their face was a blur.

The person charged in and pushed past the professor and the other students who were all still chanting the same word over and over again.

He grabbed me by the shoulders. His face might've been a blur, but I felt like this person was here to help me. I somehow knew he wore an expression of both worry and determination even though I couldn't see it.

„FIGHT!“ The person shouted.

„FIGHT!!!“ He screamed.

Then some unseen force grabbed a hold of me, and I ascended at great speed toward the ceiling.

Blackness.

Then a burst of energy.

My eyes opened. I saw the moonlit night.

I saw the elf holding me with his invisible hands.

My body was limp.

Then again I felt it, a burst of energy in my entire body. Then I felt as if that energy quickly concentrated into one singular point in my right elbow.

Without thinking I raised my arm, and my fingers formed into a fist.

Then, as if my body acted on its own...

I let it all go.

Before I could blink my fist connected with the elf's jaw, I felt a hurricane-strength wind propel my fist to the target. I felt the air crack as all the kinetic energy released into the bastard's jaw.

At that very moment, I felt the pressure around my neck disappear. I was dropped to the ground, I stood for a few moments before collapsing to my knees. I saw the elf in front of me, his hood had been blown off from the wind.

He looked confused, his hand reached to touch his face.

He could only touch his tongue, which flayed around... His entire jaw was missing. He grabbed his head before his eyes turned inside his skull and he collapsed.

Then I felt it.

The pain.

It began in my shoulder, I probably dislocated it.

Then my fist, I looked at it... What was left of it...

It looked like a flower that blossomed, my fingers the petals. Red, at the heart of it bone protruded out.

It was an electric feeling, indescribable.

I grabbed it with my other hand, my head hit the ground, and I was in a fetal position.

I screamed, I wailed in pain.

I could hear in the distance confused voices speak. Then I heard screams and shouts. I heard a few small booms.

Then I heard someone approach.

I had no more strength to react. Whoever of those two will come first will kill me.

And honestly, I'd prefer death to the pain I felt at that moment.

But the panting voice that arrived was that of the woman who protected me. She lifted me up to a sitting position and dropped to her knees. She grabbed my disfigured hand and started speaking something... It sounded foreign. But she repeated it.

It was a chant... An incantation?

She hovered her hand above what was left of mine and a soft greenish glow started emanating from my hand.

I felt the pain soften, then disappear completely.

I stared at her, she was focused on my hand. So focused in fact... She didn't realize I lost consciousness.

At least, I could get a good night's sleep. And maybe wake up from this nightmare.