《Elwin's Last Stand》 Chapter One There was a crisp stillness to the morning air as if the forest itself held its breath in anticipation. Elwin knew better, and so did his mate, Vanima. You look like something is on your mind. Want to talk about it? Shaking out his fur, Elwin leaned in and wrapped his tail around hers. I know the order my mother helped set up so long ago didn¡¯t last long, but I never thought it would end like this. Vanima huffed in mirth.We are the only ones alive who were around when the darkness last showed itself. You can hardly blame the ignorant for not putting faith in a god they have no experience with, let alone the perverse nature of the darkness. The average wood elf lived two or three centuries compared to the nearly two and a half millennium they had lived thus far. I don¡¯t regret asking Silvertree to extend our lives, but with his followers succumbing to old age without passing their faith on, I don¡¯t think he can keep it up much longer. The truth behind Elwin''s words stung her, knowing she was the one who pushed him to ask. Vanima only prayed that they could repay Silvertree one day for gifting them so much time together. Their mental conversation petered out when they arrived at the tomb entrance. The last of the Shadow Breakers who remained in the forest greeted the couple. Everyone bowed showing reverence to Silvertree''s champion and mate. As former alphas to the local wolf pack who were instrumental in squashing the darkness during the last conflict and the ones who helped create the order, their presence was significant. Renna stepped forward and knelt so she could be face-to-face with Elwin. Both wolves recognized the bone necklace with the green gem nestled inside that hung around Renna''s neck. Created the moment Silvertree''s mate died during the first dark war, this artifact became the conduit that allowed its bearer to channel their god''s power. ¡°Thank you for gracing us with your presence this morning. The decision to disband was not made lightly." Elwin licked her cheek and nuzzled up in the crook of her neck.You¡¯re welcome. Did I ever mention how you remind me of Fraeya? Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Despite being an elder in her own right, Renna giggled like a little girl. ¡°I¡¯m honored, but don¡¯t you say that about every female who had the honor of guiding the Shadow Breakers?¡± Don''t mind my mate, he can get overly affectionate in his old age when he¡¯s near someone who resembles his childhood crush. Vanima proceeded to bite down on his ear hard enough to pull him off and licked his face before he could complain. A few of her friends coughed to remind Renna why they were all there. She stood back up and positioned herself at the entrance to the tomb and spoke. ¡°I feel that it would be fitting to recount our history one last time before we part. Three thousand two hundred years ago this forest experienced the second dark war. Silvertree attempted several times to find a champion to fight for his cause. Elwin succeeded where his father failed, but he did not do it alone.¡± Howls from the local wolf pack punctuated her point, and she continued. ¡°Vanima, his mate, who also lost someone close to her before finding Elwin has been by his side since the beginning when he first took over as alpha. The Wataki Soma tribe who has resided within Unn Thalor located on the outskirts of this forest became the birthplace of our order. Alma, Elwin¡¯s mother, and Fraeya who became her blade were the founding members of the Shadow Breakers.¡± With a slow reluctance, Renna took off the necklace and cradled it in her palm. Head bowed, she prayed. The necklace glowed a soft white sending a pulse of energy that pealed back the earth to reveal the tomb¡¯s entrance. Both wolves silently entered followed by the Shadow Breakers. Once inside, Renna placed the artifact back where Fraeya had found it so long ago. After the tomb had been vacated, Elwin howled and slammed his paw down causing a magical ripple that reversed the flow of energy resealing it once more. One final hug from Renna left the two wolves alone with their thoughts. Let''s go, Elwin. We should check in with the pack before leaving. His old pack managed well without his leadership. After hundreds of years of hunting any predators that encroached on their territory, most knew better than to try. Howl!Low pitch with a little gravel. That must be Esker their oldest scout letting the others know who approached. Both Elwin and Vanima howled in return acknowledging their intent. Arriving in the clearing, they were greeted by the current alphas with the rest of the pack sprawled out around them. Several cubs were rolling around oblivious to the world which brought back memories of his offspring, but that was long ago. Howl!Greetings forest guardian. Lester and his mate Layla stepped forward and nodded in reference. Elwin joined them in the center and projected his mind to all present. Your duty to our two-legged brethren has ended, but not your responsibility to your god, Silvertree. Protect the holy site and I shall help protect you in kind as I have done for many generations. A chorus of howls echoed in response to his declaration. Satisfied, Elwin turned around and left with Vanima. A champion. A legend. A myth. The banished elf who saved his people only to slip away and let time forget about him. Through the ashes of hatred and scorn, darkness will spread, but would he answer the call once more and bathe the land in righteous light? Chapter Two Do gods exist? How did they come into being? Is there only one, or are there multiple higher beings watching over us? Those among the wood elf population claim to know the answers. None alive can prove the answers because history, primarily passed down orally, has disappeared after thousands of years since the last dark war. Only rumors and conjecture remained three hundred years after a religious order from a well-known forest dissolved. *** Following a trail only a keen eye could discern, two brothers made their way toward the destination of their curiosity. ¡°Haldir, why did I agree to go with you on this crazy hunt for a god that almost no one from our tribe even believes ever existed?¡± He looked slightly down at his younger brother and grinned. ¡°As I said before, Erlan, our aunt Pyria talked to a traveling merchant who met someone who claimed to be part of a religious order called the Shadow Breakers who guarded a forest and some ancient relic.¡± He looked up with a skeptical smirk and said, ¡°I just hope this doesn¡¯t take too long. Before the tribe heads further south and the temperature drops, we assured them of our return.¡± Haldir grabbed Erlan¡¯s shoulder, pointed off into the distance, and yelled, ¡°Look! It¡¯s two wolves on a hill just outside of the forest. Could they be the ones from the story? The champion and his mate who used to be an elf like us.¡± With a sigh that dripped with pity and acceptance of his brother¡¯s beliefs, Erlan shook his head. ¡°If the stories were true, they would have been alive several thousand years ago. Do you honestly believe they could still be around?¡± He winced at Haldir¡¯s expression and regretted his words accurate they may be. ¡°Haldir, perhaps-¡± ¡°No. You¡¯re right. Why would they be alive? We would be lucky to live to 300, let alone ten times that. Even if they have already perished, there must be remnants for us to discover.¡± I¡¯m not dead yet young elf. Haldir looked back to where the two wolves had been, but there was nothing. He shook with glee and explained, ¡°He is alive! I heard his voice in my head!¡± Not wanting to argue anymore, Erlan started walking again knowing his brother wouldn¡¯t be far behind. Near the end of the day, both brothers ventured into the forest. The distant howls heard could only belong to the local wolf pack. Armed with a longbow and sword, they swiftly caught rabbits for dinner and camped in a clearing. ¡°If the stories are to be believed, there is a tomb hidden somewhere close to the pack''s den. In a day or so, we can investigate the nearby village for clues. Erlan sat in silence and nodded along with Haldir¡¯s plans, enjoying the rabbit stew they prepared. Despite wanting to be anywhere else, he had no choice but to chase this lead for the sake of his brother. *** Unbeknownst to the two sleeping nomads in the forest, a determined and highly mischievous elf had plans of her own. Penelo spent years preparing for her rendezvous with destiny. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Stay in the village, they said. The forest is too dangerous, they said. Those old stories about the Shadow Breakers will bring you nothing but trouble, they said. Well, I say they are nothing but old stuck-up geezers who want to ignore our town¡¯s history.¡± Creak. ¡°Traako!¡± Attention back to her early morning escape attempt, Penelo moved between buildings and around the night patrol. Her last obstacle was the wall. Once, there was a vast open field between the perimeter and the forest, but now the forest is nearly touchable. Aware of her one opportunity, Penelo timed her move perfectly, waiting for the scout to pass before sprinting to the top by leaping back and forth where two walls met. Before Penelo could change her mind, she twisted her body and flung herself over the edge. Stars twinkling in her eyes, she pushed off against the wall and tucked in her shoulder as she hit the ground, rolling to a stop in time to press her back against a nearby tree. ¡°And my combat instructor said flashy acrobatics were just a one-way ticket to a snapped neck. Why not combine efficiency with style?¡± Light on her feet, Penelo melted into the forest in search of her destiny. But what did she find instead? Fate in the form of a lone elf. ¡°Hello, are you a Shadow Breaker perchance?¡± ¡°No! Get away. You can¡¯t have it. Thief! Scoundrel! Taste regret as you bleed to death.¡± Regret? Penelo didn¡¯t have time for such trivial thoughts. Especially when the lunatic charged at her blade drawn. Did Penelo face her opponent with grace and efficiency? Hell no. She ran. Lungs full of air, Penelo screamed, ¡°Help me! I¡¯m too young to regret.¡± *** During their upbringing, Haldir and Erlan¡¯s tribe raised them to roam the wilderness, and individuals who couldn¡¯t stay alert didn¡¯t last very long. Penelo¡¯s cry for help didn¡¯t fall on deaf ears. Lucky for her, right? Awake in moments, both brothers reached for their weapons and ran without a word spoken. Haldir took the lead, sword drawn. His brother braced his bow, string nice and taut, then grabbed his quiver of arrows before following. The sight of a young elf scrambling away from an elder yelling as he charged at her with his sword drawn, pushed the brothers into action. Haldir raced to intercept while Erlan dashed to the side and fired an arrow causing the elf to react. The elder¡¯s sword deftly knocked the projectile off course. He scowled at the two newcomers and said, ¡°Bugger off so I can deal with the thief.¡± Cowering behind her protector, Penelo screamed, ¡°All I did was ask you a question, you piece of traako!¡± Unfamiliar with the last word, but understanding the gist of its meaning, Haldir raised his blade and said, ¡°No.¡± Erlan couldn¡¯t resist taunting the elder, and said, ¡°Go suck on a rock and piss off.¡± The next several seconds flashed by sparks of metal on metal, along with well-placed arrows that never hit their mark. He may have had several decades of experience wielding his weapon, but his foe had to have over a century over him as he defended against both brothers while attacking at the same time. One missed parry is all it took for Haldir to gasp in pain when the sword sliced into his side and ripped out. ¡°No!¡± Knowing his older brother needed him now more than ever, Erlan charged, firing arrows one after the other, pushing the elder back. He let go of his bow and picked up Haldir¡¯s sword without slowing down. The moment before he clashed, his free hand reached for his hunting dagger and threw it at the elf¡¯s head knowing it would only be a distraction. With all the force he could muster, he lifted his leg and slammed his foot into the elder¡¯s gut, knocking him to the ground and leaving him gasping for air. Not wasting his chance, Erlan whipped Haldir¡¯s blade across the elf¡¯s throat and stabbed their heart leaving the blade impaled, and rushed to his brother¡¯s side. *** Penelo could do nothing as she watched the two strangers deal with the consequences of her mistakes. One lay holding his side while the other held him as he cried out. Before she could blurt out an apology, she froze in horror at the sight of the local wolf pack surrounding them. A bright flash of light revealed the forest god she always believed existed but couldn¡¯t prove. ¡°He¡¯s dying!¡± cried out the archer, Erlan, as she would later learn. Please save Haldir. You¡¯re the reason we came into this forest.¡± Unbeknownst to her, others were seeking the truth about the past, just like her. If you know who I am, then you must understand what I require for my aid. Haldir took a pained breath and shook his head. Blood leaked from his mouth as he smiled and said, ¡°Your champion yet lives,¡± and breathed out his last. Silvertree melted back into the forest along with the wolves, leaving Penelo alone with Erlan holding Haldir in his arms crying. She moved and sat next to Erlan, hand placed on his shoulder. She managed only a weak smile at that moment. As if they both came to the same realization, they both whispered, ¡°It¡¯s all true.¡± Did destiny serve any purpose when it cost this man¡¯s life to uncover the truth and encounter the forgotten god of her people? Penelo did the only thing she could and squeezed Erlan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Chapter Three If you left the forest and Elwin''s territory and crossed over a mountain to the West, you would find yourself in a small valley that the descendants of those who fought for the dark side in the first dark war called home. Unlike others of their kind who settled down, they remained true to their nomadic heritage, but they did not choose a peaceful existence. Decades before Haldir took his brother Erlan into the forest where they met Penelo, one boy from this tribe would find the eyes of the dark lord on him. He just didn¡¯t know it yet. ¡­ ¡°How did I get stuck babysitting two incompetent brothers from a fool of a slave who got fed to the wolves because she couldn¡¯t sire another child, as our leader demanded?¡± The elf spat at the feet of the two brothers and said, ¡°You should express gratitude for being born male, or else another tribe would have bought you to make up for the failure of a worthless woman.¡± Fists clenched. Rage-fueled desire manifested into pure physical aggression. Knuckles met flesh in a bloody dance amplified by the collision of bone on bone that resonated within the forest. Only the cry of pain from his brother woke him from his desire to pummel the pompous fool to death. A bear had his only family in its jaws, dragging the flailing elf away. Folas spat out blood and laughed. ¡°That''s all you''re good for. Just another meal for someone stronger than you.¡± Unwilling to do anything but watch his brother vanish, he clenched his fist and smashed it into the already broken nose, silencing the laughter next to him. ¡°I, Ruven, swear that I will kill you one day.¡± He looked down at the unconscious elf, spat in his face, and shouted, ¡°Get up Folas, it¡¯s time to head back to the tribe.¡± No one ever asked what happened to his brother and he never spoke his name again. That was the way of his people. Ruven would spend the next several years training with the other adults, having proved he was strong enough to survive. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡­ Hello, my child of darkness. Unfazed by the voice in his head, Ruven replied, ¡°Hello?¡± Do you seek power? ¡°Of course! Who or what are you to offer someone like me power I do not already have?¡± I know you are still seeking vengeance over Folas and have been waiting for the right moment. ¡°That''s a given. I must perfect my craft so that he suffers sufficiently to satisfy my desires. How would you know about that?¡± I¡¯ve had my eyes on you ever since that day, child of darkness. I seek to grant you absolute authority over those beneath you. ¡°If what you say is true, what must I do to gain this power you speak of?¡± Build a shrine in my name and offer sacrifices. I recommend starting with Folas. After that, bring others under your wing who can follow in your footsteps so that my darkness may spread across the land. Laughter echoed in the forest. He could taste the fear that would soon drip from his victim''s every pore as they clawed at the life slipping through their fingertips. Ruven spent his free time collecting the bones of dead animals and crafting twine from plant fibers. He used natural pigments from the wildflowers to paint the bones red and purple before tying them together. After securing his creation to a tree with canine teeth embedded through the twine into the wood, Ruven constructed an altar made from compacted dirt mixed with rocks, tree branches, and whatever else he could find. ¡°The only missing piece left is to add the blood of my first sacrifice. I hope you¡¯re ready to die, Folas, because I am.¡± Weeks of preparation would come to fruition. ¡°Ready to die? So, this is what you have been up to? Our leader sent me to find you, but I could only find a bloody corpse. Isn¡¯t that a shame?¡± Instinct urged Ruven to roll to the side, unsheathing his blade, deflecting Folas''s redirected strike away from him. He stomped on the elf¡¯s foot, slammed the pommel of his blade into Folas¡¯s cheek, spun, and landed a backkick to the gut. ¡°As the child of darkness, I will now soak your blood on my new altar.¡± On the ground from the wind being knocked out of him, Folas could do little to stop the sword from stabbing into his arm. Ruven kicked the weapon aside and gripped Folas by the throat, which turned their scream into a gurgled gasp for breath. Any effort to struggle ended when Ruven slammed them down on the altar, head bouncing back up from the impact. Now that his sacrifice had been subdued, Ruven pulled out his hunting dagger. He cut off Folas¡¯s clothes, then dug into their flesh. Blood soaked deep into the altar, which radiated black tendrils of intangible smoke. The smoke coalesced into a ball and slammed into Folas, ending his life. ¡°Color me impressed, whoever you are. I shall be your child of darkness if you can hold up your end of the bargain and grant me power.¡± You may call me Darkness. Fear not, child, for I shall grant you your darkest desires. Chapter Four ¡°You don''t need to apologize, miss.¡± Penelo sat there and cried, the guilt overwhelming. Through blurry eyes, she looked up at Erlan and nodded. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, squeezed, and then rose. ¡°My brother would have wanted to be laid to rest here. Let''s take care of the elder while we''re at it. I''m sure Silvertree would be pleased. After several fruitless minutes trying to dig a grave, the two elves fell over backward in surprise when the ground began to shift and mold into two holes. Silvertree would like me to pass on his appreciation for your efforts. Please allow me to help. Penelo stared in awe at the two wolves dumbfounded about how she might reply. My dear, I believe you have rendered this poor girl speechless. It wasn¡¯t my intention, Vanima. I forget that most of our kind aren¡¯t used to conversing with millennia old wolves. Her mouth caught up with her brain and she shouted, ¡°Elwin and Vanima! It¡¯s an honor to meet you both. I knew the old stories were true. You¡¯re actually real. Barely anyone back home even believes you truly existed, yet here you both are.¡± Elwin sat a little taller and huffed at his mate. See? No need to get your tail in a knot, my dear. It appears we have a fan. Erlan''s reaction had been more subdued than Penelo¡¯s. He acknowledged the two wolves and began moving his brother and the elder into the two graves. When he was done, he hummed a tune, interrupting Penelo''s rambling. For generations, his people would guide the fallen to the next part of their journey by humming a tune that resonated with the deceased. When Erlan opened his eyes, someone had filled both graves, leaving a small mound of dirt with a rock placed at the top. ¡°Thank you.¡± Vanima moved up to Erlan and pawed at him until he kneeled and allowed her to press her muzzle into his chest until he hugged her and cried. You¡¯re welcome. Unfortunate it may be to lose someone so close to you, there is more yet to come if you will allow fate to guide you. My beautiful mate is trying to communicate that the darkness has resurfaced once more, and we are responsible for defeating his new followers just like we did a long time ago. Frightened, Penelo paced back and forth chewing on her fingernail. ¡°It''s been thousands of years since you defeated the darkness if the stories are to be believed. It took an entire town and your wolf pack to defeat them with Silvertree''s help. There are only four of us here.¡± This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Letting go of Vanima, Erlan stood up and backed away shaking his head. ¡°No. Don''t you dare drag me into this. That was my brother¡¯s fantasy, not mine, and look what it got him. I want nothing to do with this." Vanima bowed her head. I understand your grief young one and sympathize with your desire to stay safe, but please listen to what we have to say. If we do not defend the innocent t from the darkness, everyone you know will not escape unscathed. Elwin and Vanima recounted their previous encounter with Silvertree. ¡­ The previous day after the couple noticed the brothers entering the forest, Silvertree requested their presence. I wish this day had never come, but I must impose on you once more. The darkness has found new followers. I can feel their presence pressing up against my domain. Will you honor your mantle as my champion? Vanima stomped on Elwin¡¯s paw and dug in enough to cause him to yelp in pain before he could respond with his normal sarcasm. We would be happy to offer our strength to protect this land and honor the gift of time you so graciously gave us. Isn¡¯t that right, Elwin? Ears low and pressed against his face, Elwin whimpered. My mate is correct, but I refuse to do it alone and I no longer wish to lead my former pack into battle. The elves who inhabit this land must take on this fight. Tomorrow, within the forest, you will find those who may offer such aid, but I must warn you, I sense great sorrow looming over my domain. ... Elwin sighed and collected his thoughts before finishing his thoughts. Unsure of where such a threat may originate, Vanima and I guarded the wolf pack and the relic last night. In the morning Silvertree told us not to interfere with your fight until they had contacted you all. He leaned into his mate and rubbed against her first before finishing. To be honest, I doubt we could have arrived in time. Penelo had calmed down enough to notice Erlan slumped against a tree, his face awash with emotions. She could only guess the dilemma he must be in. A desire to stay away from conflict and live, and the consequences to him and his own for ignoring such a threat. She kneeled in front of him and cradled his head in her hands. She looked into his eyes until he focused on her. Penelo smiled, and said, ¡°You are braver than you give credit to. They aren¡¯t asking you to fight a war alone. What we need are allies, and that means finding others who can stand beside us against this threat.¡± Penelo pressed her forehead against his and sang a soothing lullaby until Erlan relaxed. As she began to stand back up, Penelo lost balance and fell. To everyone¡¯s shock, including Erlan, he caught Penelo and placed her in his lap. Red from ear to ear. She sat there in silence. Scared, yet comforted by Erlan¡¯s presence behind her. The two of you make a great couple, but now is not the time, my dears. Elwin, please explain the plan we discussed earlier. Distracted by the howls of the other wolves in the area, Vanima smacked him with her tail to get Elwin back on track. Oh yes, sorry about that. Even after all this time, you can¡¯t ignore the animal spirit inside once you become like my mate and I. The plan is to separate into two teams if we can get both of your cooperation and cover more ground. Penelo scrambled up, brushed herself off, and said, ¡°I hope we can at least attempt to persuade my village first. My descendants were the original defenders against the darkness when you fought them.¡± That shouldn¡¯t be an issue, my dear. Representatives from your home are currently heading in our direction. Looking for a foolish elf who entered the forest in secret perchance? Vanima huffed with mirth but made no more comments. The hunting party would be on them in moments. ¡°Oh.¡± Penelo took a big gulp, unwilling to look up. ¡°Well, traako.¡± Chapter Five Frustration etched into his forehead, Zeno stood there and watched as his daughter slept. She was nearly considered an adult in her forties, with little interest in becoming a hunter like he had, yet she persisted in learning risky acrobatic maneuvers. Yet, what concerned him most was her obsession with the stories his wife told. At least Nuala thought they were just folk tales, whereas Penelo wanted nothing more than to prove to everyone that some form of truth could be found in the forest. ¡°Zeno, dear, leave the poor girl alone and come to bed.¡± He turned to his wife and asked, ¡°Will she ever grow up and understand that proving your stories are true will only get her killed if she keeps trying to sneak into the forest alone?¡± Nuala scowled and beckoned her husband. ¡°Those tales are an excellent lesson about why we should be kind to others, and respect the wildlife, but not be overzealous about it. Besides, I''m sure she learned her lesson after the last attempt. If anything, you terrified the poor girl half to death when you scolded her.¡± According to the stories passed down to Nuala, long ago there was a large-scale fight against the wildlife led by the local wolf pack after their village disrespected the forest animals. The creation of the Shadow Breakers after the truce created a partnership between the elves and wolves. The order became fanatical and had to be kicked out of the village. To her knowledge, the remnants of their order finally left the forest about 300 years ago. Morning greeted Zeno and Nuala with a quiet home devoid of one mischievous child. Zeno sighed, and said, ¡°I suppose I didn''t scare her enough the first time.¡± ¡°Just because she isn¡¯t here doesn¡¯t mean she did something stupid. Stop coming to outrageous conclusions without knowing the truth first.¡± ¡°Yes, dear. Why don¡¯t you ask around while I speak with my friends, and while you''re at it, please let them know I want to meet up with them." When Nuala found her husband at the wall with a group of hunters, she shook her head in response to his silent plea. He turned to the captain of the hunters, and said, ¡°Gather your best team of trackers and meet me at the council hall. I will not rest until we find Penelo.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Nuala squeezed his hand and dragged him off. The council''s development has been ongoing since the Shadow Breakers left. At first, the families with the strongest hunters took over and handpicked the leadership. When the village grew, protesters made demands until the ruling families stepped down and the popular vote elected the first three-person council. It¡¯s now required to be at least 200 years old and have served the village in an official capacity to be qualified to hold the position. Unless voted out, most remained until death, which occurred between 250 and 350 years old. The current council comprised: Morthil, the oldest who had been instrumental in some of the modern improvements to the village¡¯s infrastructure, Qamara, the next oldest who worked with the medical team helping mothers during pregnancy, and Zeno, the youngest who recently retired as the captain of the hunters when the previous council member passed away. Morthil and Qamara greeted Zeno with sympathetic smiles. Surprised to see them here already, Nuala leaned in and whispered, ¡°They may be two of our oldest, but that doesn¡¯t mean they forgot how to walk.¡± Seated inside, he wasted little time and asked, ¡°Will you agree to my urgent request to join a hunting party to find my daughter? I believe she snuck into the forest on her own sometime last night.¡± Everyone in that room knew how protective Zeno could be for Penelo. After Nuala lost their first child during childbirth, it had been a miracle she had given birth to a healthy baby girl. That Penelo acted recklessly only exasperated everything. Qamara waited for Zeno to make eye contact, and said, ¡°Thank you for coming to us first. We all know you would rather be out there already.¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Without missing a beat, Morthil followed up with, ¡°I assume the new captain you promoted, along with those hunters in the back, are joining you?¡± Zeno nodded. The two elders looked at each other, then said in unison, ¡°You have our blessing.¡± Nuala pulled her husband in for a kiss, and said, ¡°Get going already. If Penelo scaled the wall, I''m sure someone will find a trail.¡± She looked at the hunters and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, captain?¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am!¡± The hunting party grouped up at the gate where Zeno faced his friends and former hunters. ¡°Abarat, as the captain, you will oversee guarding our rear and monitoring everyone. Fariane, Ievis, and Saida will take the lead in this hunt and protect us from any threat. I will step in as needed.¡± The captain turned to his hunters and barked a set of orders, then watched the three scouts spread out. One went to look for signs along the inside, another on top and the last around the outside of the wall. In short order, they returned with their findings. Ievis found scuff marks that showed an acrobatic maneuver up the wall that cooperated with Fariane, who noticed signs of a body landing in a roll and hiding behind a tree on the outside. The hunting party moved out, a team of three in front, Zeno in the middle, and Captain Abarat covering the rear. Several minutes later, the scouts signaled they had found Penelo and wasted no time aiming their bows at the stranger and the two wolves sitting nearby. Zeno took a breath before speaking when the ground shook underneath them and a voice boomed inside their skulls. Do not threaten my mate. Lower your weapons or I will end you. Unsteady, Zeno watched his daughter panic as she shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t shoot! I''m not in danger.¡± She hesitated, then said, ¡°If you don''t count the forces of darkness, but that isn¡¯t an issue right now." Giddy with excitement, she pointed at the stranger and introduced him as Erlan, then the two wolves. ¡°The one here who threatened to end you all is called Elwin. Before you ask, it is Elwin from the stories my mom shared. The other is Vanima, his mate. As you can see, the wolves from long ago are real and they still exist.¡± She took a deep breath, and continued, ¡°Unfortunately, that means the darkness threatened our village in that battle, not the forest animals.¡± She pointed at Elwin and Vanima, and said, ¡°They didn¡¯t attack our home because of some injustice. They were heroes who pushed the darkness back and saved our home. That same darkness that grows once more.¡± Abarat used hand signals and ordered his team to secure the area and monitor the two wolves, leaving Zeno to his daughter. He noticed the two obvious graves and pointed. ¡°Before we get into the voice in my head and the new company you keep, care to explain who died? You didn¡¯t get hurt, did you?¡± Zeno took a step forward, only to stop when Elwin snarled. Now dear, quit being so hostile. This elf is obviously part of her family and only wants to protect her. The wolf Penelo identified as Vanima bowed her head. I apologize for my mate''s behavior. He gets antsy when I''m put in danger. Even after several millennia, he still frets over me. It¡¯s adorable. Confused and anxious, Zeno opened up his arms and begged with his eyes. Penelo obliged, running into his arms and embracing him. ¡°I''m fine, father. I knew you wouldn¡¯t approve, so I snuck into the forest to find proof and I did.¡± Penelo hesitated before, and said, "I ran into this elder who started chasing me with his blade, but these two elves saved me." He raised his eyebrow, and asked, ¡°Two?¡± Then he remembered the graves, and it all made sense. Zeno let go of his daughter. He prostrated himself in front of Erlan, and said, ¡°Thank you for saving my daughter. I am sorry her actions, innocent and foolish they may be, caused you to lose someone precious to you.¡± The elf looked uncomfortable, but managed a meek, ¡°Thank you,¡± before lowering his head. Zeno focused back on the two wolves and sighed. "I find it hard to believe that my daughter¡¯s fascination with those folk tales was more than just lessons to teach the young." There was a time when my mate and I were elves too, before Silvertree saved us from the darkness and transformed us into wolves. His protectors from the darkness. I am curious how time has diluted the validity of these stories. Please share. Vanima howled in laughter when Zeno and Penelo shared the history as they knew it. Oh, Elwin, my dear, this is what you get for leaving them to their own devices. First, they revolt against the Shadow Breakers, the order we founded to safeguard against the darkness and now they treat us as a children¡¯s tale to keep them in line. Penelo tapped on her father''s shoulder, and asked, ¡°Can we take them back to the village and discuss if our people would fight against the corruption spread by the darkness once more? They deserve to know the truth.¡± The weight of responsibility fell on Zeno''s shoulders, but he didn¡¯t waver. A hand signal to his captain followed by a series of whistles from the rest of the hunting party and they were ready to head back. ¡°Excuse me? I¡¯m just a nomad who wanted to be there for his brother, and all I could do was watch him die to protect someone I never met before. I don¡¯t belong here.¡± Zeno could see the rage build as he watched his daughter stomp over to Erlan and smack him in the face so hard he stumbled back and fell on his ass. She glared down at him and said, ¡°Stop acting like a stranger and a coward. I watched you defeat that elder with skill and precision. Plus, you made me sit in your lap when I tripped.¡± She pointed her finger in his face and said, ¡°Start taking responsibility.¡± Shocked, Erlan pushed himself up and nodded, head down, defeated. ¡°What did you do to my daughter?¡± All you could hear in response as everyone moved were two wolves howling in laughter, covering up the nervous chuckles from the scouts. Penelo looked at her father, rolled her eyes, and kept on walking. Zeno massaged his temples and let out a deep breath. ¡°Your mother is going to love hearing about this.¡± Chapter Six Back across the mountains to the West after the shrine had been made and its first sacrifice painted the ground in red, the new champion of darkness returned to his people. Ruven walked up to the guard posted at the entrance and stood there. The guard eyed him for a second, then said, ¡°Welcome back. Did you see Folas? The boss wanted you back at camp.¡± ¡°He did.¡± When he didn¡¯t elaborate, the elf said, ¡°Great, so where is he now?¡± Tell him he accepted my embrace. Ruven considered his god''s suggestion, and replied, ¡°He welcomed the gift of darkness and embraced eternity.¡± A look of puzzlement caused the guard to pause, then asked, ¡°So, when is he coming back?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not.¡± Flustered, they asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Unconcerned, Ruven shrugged and kept on walking into the camp. Embrace eternity? I liked that. ¡°They all will embrace your eternity, eventually. Folas just happened to be the first.¡± The guard yelled behind him, ¡°What did you say?¡± The shouts that came from deeper within the encampment diverted his attention from the guard and directed it towards the excitement that could only be found when a challenge was made. ¡°Of course, the boss would want me to be here. He always makes sure his potential rivals see him crush anyone who might want to take over.¡± As a territorial nomad tribe, they used multiple campsites throughout the year. They forced their slaves to carry all their equipment and reinforce the old perimeter fence each time they moved. This ensured their safety and food was never in short supply from overhunting. This had been the only life Ruven had known and he fit in perfectly. The perfect breeding ground for aggression, anger and hate. The seeds of darkness that were planted long ago when the first dark war ravaged the land. Fights to the death to prove dominance always leave me satisfied. Hurry up so you don''t miss all the fun. ¡°Of course, darkness. I would hate to miss a good fight.¡± Several children were training with wooden swords near the arena, supervised by a few older women. Every child had to survive the rite of passage to be considered a member of the tribe. As for the women, they rarely had any standing within the tribe, and from the dead, emotionless expression on their faces, they were likely captives used to populate the tribe. He grabbed one and lifted the child. ¡°Fetch food and drink and bring it to me at the pit.¡± Ruven held the dangling child until they nodded in understanding, then dropped them on the ground. They dropped their wooden sword and ran off as he made his way over to the challenge pit to find a seat. Several elves moved out of the way when he approached and sat down. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. He may not know it yet, but as a champion of darkness, Ruven now radiated an aura that caused anyone with a weak will to feel powerless around him. It only worked in proximity, but with time, it would grow to encompass the entire camp. The roar of the crowd in tandem with the smell of fresh blood being spilled energized Ruven. His friends Jonik and Falael noticed his arrival and waved him over. Their friendship blossomed after Ruben had outmatched them both in a fistfight. Strength and power determined who had the right to be respected in this tribe. ¡°What took you so long, Ruven? The main event is about to start.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it Jonik.¡± His friend shrugged and went back to watching the last set of slaves fighting to the death. The winner had the choice of joining the clan or leaving. What they didn''t know is that anyone who chose the latter option received a quick death shortly after leaving. The child appeared holding a cup and a plate and offered them to Ruven. He snatched them up, and the child ran away. ¡°Hey, Falael. Who challenged Darfin for the right to lead this time? Don¡¯t tell me it was Sinaht.¡± Falael shook his head and pointed to a burly elf standing on the other side of the pit. ¡°It¡¯s Jhaan. He thinks just because he knows how to hold a sword without cutting himself, he can face Darfin. His ego must have exploded ever since he got those women pregnant. Even Folas could do that if he had the balls to try. Speaking of, have you seen him? ¡± He grinned and downed the rest of his drink. ¡°Darfin sent him to find me, and I used the opportunity to kill him.¡± His friend glanced over in surprise, then grinned. ¡°About time. He has been a thorn in your side for a while.¡± Following the removal of the dead body, Darfin entered the pit and raised his hand, silencing the crowd. ¡°Welcome all to the main event you have all been waiting for! Today, Jhaan has challenged me for the right to lead our tribe. Who here believes he could ever defeat me?¡± Most of the crowd burst out in laughter while a small minority roared Jhaan¡¯s name encouragingly. Jhaan entered the pit with a two-handed sword. Jhaan had won every fight he had ever been in through force and superior strength. Ruven doubted he would lose in a fight against the elf. For close-range combat, few could match him. All it took was quick feet and precision to take on a brute like Jhaan. Darfin unsheathed his curved one-handed sword and dagger. Everyone knew that if Darfin cut you with the dagger, he would inevitably win the match. Their leader had met an elf who specialized in crafting medicinal remedies and concocting poisons long ago. He used them to take over the tribe and offered them a carefree life in exchange. His favorite cheat caused the muscles near the wound to go numb and make it difficult or impossible to hold a weapon or walk. Don¡¯t be mistaken about his fighting prowess. If that had been his only ace in the hole, he never would have lasted this long. Darfin mastered his two-weapon fighting style over a decade ago. Jhaan rushed forward, sword held to his side. He halted his dash by planting his foot in front and swung his blade up at an angle toward Darfin¡¯s neck. Darfin pushed back at an angle, avoiding the attack, and leapt forward, using his blade to push Jhaan¡¯s weapon further on its current trajectory, and stabbed with his dagger. Twisting his body to the right as he dragged his lead foot back, Jhaan rotated his sword, hilt up, deflecting the dagger, and turned it into a thrust. Darfin knocked the thrust away from him as he spun, reversed his hold on the dagger, and stabbed again. Jhaan let go with his right hand and let gravity help him deflect the dagger. He took a right step in as he landed a punch to the back of Darfin¡¯s head. The veteran fighter rolled with the punch and came back up in time to see Jhaan swing down with all his might. Darfin sliced into Jhaan¡¯s ankles with his sword, causing the brute to jerk back mid-swing, allowing Darfin to deflect the attack and throw his dagger right into Jhaan¡¯s throat. The challenger dropped his blade and attempted to reach for the dagger, but failed to reach it before Darfin grabbed it and yanked it to the side with his left. Continuing his rotation, he spun around and finished cutting Jhaan¡¯s head off and watched the body collapse. The crowd roared in applause, stomping the ground as they thrust their fists up. Ruven noticed Jhaan¡¯s most avid supporters were being taken care of during the commotion. He looked at Falael and Darfin, pointed at Darfin, and said, ¡°After I¡¯m done growing stronger, his head will be mine.¡± All three shared a knowing grin. He stood up and waved for them to join him. Talented that man may be, he will be powerless against the might of darkness when wielded by my champion. Chapter Seven Elwin could tell the new elves that rescued the girl were still wary of him and Vanima. He could respect a father who wanted to protect his family, but if they held on too tight, they would soon find their hands empty. Zeno let out a high-pitched whistle and an elf who led the procession returned to his side. ¡°Abarat, I need you to send one scout ahead of us and warn everyone not to attack our guests.¡± ¡°It will be done.¡± Someone carried out the order after three short whistles and a click. At the edge of the forest, Zeno turned to Elwin and said, ¡°Please let me explain the situation inside before you enter to ease any concerns.¡± So be it. The last time I entered was several thousand years ago when I had put my life on the line protecting your people from the darkness. I''m sure much has changed since then. ¡­ Saida stood next to the elf in charge of the current rotation on the wall, relaying her report when Zeno walked in, holding Penelo''s hand despite her struggling. Abarat stood at the entrance in case they needed to defend the town, while Fariane and Ievis stood near the two wolves and the nomad Erlan. Penelo objected to this, but Zeno wouldn¡¯t budge. Nuala crushed her daughter in a hug, tears welling up in joy. ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re safe, my daughter. Please don''t go into the forest alone without letting someone know.¡± Penelo mumbled a response muffled by her mother¡¯s affection. Satisfied, Nuala let go and looked at Zeno with an expecting gaze. ¡°Yes, dear. Our daughter is safe, but we have more pressing concerns now that involve everyone.¡± Zeno turned to face everyone and raised his voice. ¡°I bring grave news of a potential threat to our home. An evil that threatened our people several millennia ago may rise once more.¡± He rubbed his temples and sighed. Penelo took this opportunity and said, ¡°The stories about the wolf named Elwin are true, and I can prove it. He and his mate are just outside the gate.¡± One glare later and Zeno continued, ¡°As my foolish daughter said, we have two wolves outside with power beyond understanding who have requested our aid to fight an enemy that threatened our home long ago.¡± Someone shouted, ¡°Animals can¡¯t speak!¡± Ignorance will not free you from reality, foolish elf. My name is Elwin, and you will deny the truth at your own peril. The mental intrusion silenced the crowd except for Penelo, who said, ¡°I told you so,¡± before Nuala covered her mouth and glared at the girl. Zeno whistled, causing every elf who used to be under his command to turn their attention to him. ¡°I take responsibility for the two wolves. My party will escort them to meet with the other two elders. Your duty is to remain vigilant.¡± He looked over at Abarat and said, ¡°Now, captain.¡± ¡­ ¡°Animals can¡¯t speak!¡± Elwin grew irritated by the ignorant fool and targeted everyone nearby mentally and gave them a piece of his mind. Ignorance will not free you from reality, foolish elf. My name is Elwin, and you will deny the truth at your own peril. Vanima rubbed up against him to soothe him. Do not blame them for what they do not know. The two of us are an anomaly, not the norm. Let us focus on what we need to convey and convince them of the peril before them. The elf who guarded the entrance approached them and said, ¡°Please let me introduce myself. I am Captain Abarat. Please follow me. If you could refrain from communicating with my people until we reach our destination, I would be grateful.¡± Elwin barked in acknowledgment, stood up, and followed. His mate was by his side, with a reluctant Erlan trailing behind. The two elves who had stayed behind remained on either side with the third who had entered first, joining the rear once they crossed inside. He could see Zeno, Penelo, and another elf ahead of them as the group wound their way through the street. Several elves stood watching on the sidelines, curious why two animals were being escorted. Their escort pushed anyone who moved in for a closer look back. Abarat stood by an open door and said, ¡°If you weren¡¯t aware, Zeno holds the highest honor among our people along with two others you are about to meet. If a decision needs to be made, these three will do it. You may speak freely while inside.¡± If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡­ Zeno sat next to Morthil and Qamara. Together they comprised the elder council. Penelo sat next to her mother nearby. Abarat entered with the two wolves and the nomad, while his three scouts surrounded them. Qamara knew the history of her people better than any other alive, including the stories disregarded as just a fable to teach the young. She began the meeting by addressing her guests. ¡°I would like to welcome the three of you.¡± She turned to Erlan and a sad expression crossed her face. ¡°I am sorry for your loss but have nothing but gratitude for your effort to keep Penelo safe.¡± Her attention turned to the two wolves sitting on their haunches, quietly waggling their tales. ¡°I am told your names are Elwin and Vanima. Am I correct?¡± You are. Believe it or not, I was born an elf from here long ago. The darkness sent corrupted animals to spread corruption, but the forest god fought back by saving me. Transformed into a wolf, I had a second chance to make a difference. The revelation surprised Qamara. Her curiosity drove her past the shock as she asked, ¡°What of you, Vanima?¡± My parents were elves from a different tribe. The darkness claimed my life and Silvertree gave me a second chance. I convinced Elwin to ask for an extended lifespan as our boon for ending the second dark war. Confused, the elder asked, ¡°What do you mean, second? What happened before?¡± The emergence of two forest gods brought blessings to the elves in this area. Silvertree and his mate. A division split the population and their hatred coalesced into the darkness. Only Silvertree survived the encounter but could not defeat the darkness. ¡°Thank you Vanima. As far as I understand, there is a force that we cannot comprehend getting ready to strike again, and they have given you the responsibility of gathering allies to fight against it once more. Penelo stood up and said, ¡°Regardless of your decision, I will join them in their quest to ask the other tribes for aid.¡± ¡°Penelo, sit down now.¡± ¡°No father. This isn¡¯t up for debate. The Shadow Breakers protected our people, but our ancestors turned their backs on them, and I refuse to ignore the past.¡± ¡°Daughter, please. We will discuss this later.¡± Nuala pulled her daughter back down next to her before Zeno lost his temper. Morthil spoke up and said, ¡°I appreciate you both for sharing and enlightening us about history lost to our people. There is much to discuss. The weight of our decision may be too much for the three of us to decide on our own. Please give us time to meet with our tribe.¡± Elwin bowed his head. As you wish. Keep in mind that I must reach out to other tribes if we are to have any chance of victory. Your people may not be the first to face the darkness, but I can guarantee they will come back to the forest to finish what they started long ago. Elwin howled, speaking one last time, but to everyone he could reach within his sphere of influence. My name is Elwin. I beg you all to heed the words of your elders for the darkness approaches. The wolf collapsed, leaving his mate hovering over him, licking his nose. Qamara stood up and said, ¡°Penelo, you will be responsible for the welfare of our furry guests. Let them rest at your home. Saida darling, please alternate guard shifts with Fariane to guard Zeno''s home. Captain Abarat, I need you to organize meetings with each district''s head families so we can gather a consensus.¡± She turned to Zeno and said, ¡°Morthil and I have much to discuss, so I want you to spend some time with your family and keep our guests safe.¡± She met the nomad''s gaze and said, ¡°As for you, Erlan, there is a guest house you may occupy. Someone will escort you.¡± ... Several days passed by in a whirlwind of activity. The council met and discussed the news with each district, asking them to meet with every family and cast a vote to aid Elwin or not. The majority determined the district leaders'' vote. It all culminated with a final discussion in front of the council. Elwin and Vanima were present to answer questions. Out of the twelve districts, five were approved, five were rejected, and the last two were undecided. ¡°Neia from District Five. You request more information before you cast your vote. The floor is yours.¡± ¡°Thank you, elder Qamara. My question for Elwin is thus, what proof do you have that the darkness exists?¡± Come to me, child. Place your forehead to mine and I will show you what you seek. She followed his instruction and went down to one knee. When Neia made contact, her mind went blank before being shoved into a memory. The darkness sent their forces against the town and raised the dead from the first Dark War. Blessed by Silvertree, I led the wolf pack against them with support from my childhood crush and her. Together we pushed back the darkness. The vision, along with Elwin¡¯s voice, slipped away. Neia hugged the wolf and said, ¡°You have my vote.¡± She stood back up and addressed the rest of the room. ¡°I have seen the past and can affirm the veracity of the war against our home. The forest wolves fought to protect us, not the aggressors who wished our end.¡± Qamara looked to Ryfon from District Nine, and said, ¡°You are the last to decide. The floor is yours.¡± The elf stood up and addressed the room. ¡°Our people have known peace for generations. There is balance in the forest and trade between tribes has flourished.¡± You have my mate and I to thank for keeping the larger predators at bay within our territory. Bears, tigers, and panthers used to migrate in and out of the forest. The darkness took advantage of their strength and killed any they encountered until Elwin took them down. Ryfon acknowledged the wolf and continued, ¡°Regardless of how my concern is towards maintaining balance. If we act aggressively, will this not invite a similar response in kind?¡± Vanima left Elwin¡¯s side and stood before Ryfon, causing the armed elves nearby to tense up. Disease does not ravage your people because of balance. Proper care for health lowers the chance of an illness occurring. The darkness is a blight on this land that will consume us all if we do not take the steps to protect the balance you hold sacred. He stepped back and turned to the council. ¡°District nine votes in favor.¡± All eyes were on the three elders. Zeno stood up and addressed the room. ¡°In a vote of seven to five, the resolution to assist in the fight against the darkness has passed. Please return home and notify everyone. We prepare for war. It is time to defend our home once more.¡± Vanima and I will continue seeking aid from other tribes. I do not wish to burden you all any more than I must. If we do not return in time, hold your ground until we do. Qamara clapped her hands and spoke. ¡°We have much to do. Dismissed.¡± Chapter Eight Wisps of shadows coalesced in a pool of murky darkness at the base of the altar before Ruven. Reach out and grasp my power and make it your own. Command the darkness. Dominate it, and in return, control those around you. Once my power has manifested, it can be used to devastating effect for those who can wield it. The last few years since his first sacrifice had been productive. After he established a new altar near each site they traveled to, he offered tributes every chance he got. Morality played no part in his indiscriminate torture and slaughter of the weak, innocent, and dark-hearted alike. Beast or a sentient being, it did not matter. When he couldn¡¯t find prey on his own, he would take from the slaves and prisoners his tribe had captured and offer them to his god. The more they suffered, the greater the reward would be. Any hope of salvation for Ruven had dried up and shriveled away, consumed by the darkness that now controlled him. Nothing could escape this god once it had a hold, especially its champion. Ruven could hear the screams of the dying echo in his head as pulled the wisps toward him into his palm. The darkness promised him he could pull from within, given enough time. For now, he relied on the power that accumulated at the source of misery. The darkness in his palm felt real. Tangible. The force in his palm, which he could manipulate, felt real and tangible to him. Ruven felt compelled to throw it like he would a rock aimed at his next victim. Visualize it striking your target and exploding. Hatred and misery manifested. Let my power wash over them. Ruven tensed his muscles and hurled the shadow ball with all his might into a nearby tree. It smashed into the bark in the blink of an eye, showering the area with debris. A high-pitched shriek broke his concentration, earning his ire. We appear to have an unwanted guest. Why not test your newfound power on a moving target? ¡°You¡¯re dead, you just don¡¯t know it yet,¡± Ruven called out as he reached toward the pool of darkness and ripped a chunk of dark energy, and the chase began. Twigs snapped beneath the pounding feet of an interloper who dared taint the sanctity of Ruven¡¯s place of worship. The silhouette dashed between trees, frantic to escape. Once there was a clear line of sight, Ruven focused on their back and hurled the ball of dark energy and watched in amazement at its speed and accuracy. Crack! The sound of the body being slammed into a tree echoed into the night. He relished the pain his victim must be in. On closer inspection, he found Lusha, the plaything of Ailen, another elf who vied for dominance in the tribe. She wasn¡¯t the first to be sent to spy on him during his night escapades. You would think after the first few died, they would give up. She wheezed, coughing up blood. Eyes staring up in anguish. If he had to guess, he would say that hitting the tree had crushed her chest. ¡°Why?¡± The poor girl asked why. Why not indulge her? It will be entertaining. ¡°Why you ask? Because my god granted me new power, and you appeared. So, how did it feel being hit with my dark energy?¡± Between gasps for breath, she wheezed out, ¡°Monster.¡± Nodding, Ruven agreed. ¡°A monster lurking in the shadows. A spider waiting for prey to feast on." Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. He leaned down, grabbed her chin to force her gaze, and whispered, ¡°Prey like you.¡± Letting go, Ruven grabbed her ankle and began walking back to the shrine, dragging her behind him. Disappointed when he noticed she had passed out, he picked her up and dropped the elf on the shrine. When a few slaps did nothing, he took out his dagger and stabbed her in the shoulder. She jerked awake long enough for him to grin as he ran his blade across her throat and watched the life in her eyes fade away. ¡°We should celebrate my new achievement by forming a raid party. I could even invite Ailen. Oh, really? ¡°Yes. It would be a shame if something happened to him.¡± ... Several days later, Ruvan gathered his closest companions and requested an audience with Darfin to request permission to lead a raid. He scouted out ahead of time for a group traveling close enough to their camp for an easy ambush. ¡°Come in.¡± Ruven entered the large tent, letting his eyes wander over the harem Darfin gained from previous raids. When one got pregnant, Darfin would kick them out and find a replacement. He could see the appeal but had no interests besides causing pain and growing his power. ¡°Sir. I located a group traveling within striking range. I¡¯m sure there are a few that would be useful to you. Permission to lead a raid?¡± Who said he couldn¡¯t pretend to act subservient when it benefited him? Regardless, Darfin¡¯s time to die would come soon. The elf dismissed Ruven with a wave, and said, ¡°Get it done. Don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Jonik and Falael looked at Ruven expectingly and smiled when he nodded. ¡°Assemble our people at our normal spot. Don¡¯t forget to Invite Ailen. It¡¯s fine if he wants to bring his friends.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± An hour later, a small group had gathered around. Ruven and his two friends stood together. Ailen brought Sinaht with him. Another brute who hungered for power. Four others sympathetic to Ruven¡¯s ambitions rounded out the rest of the raid. That meant when the time came, it would be seven against two. If they survived long enough to die. ¡°Listen up everyone. Our mark is a group of around seven traveling nearby. Four adult fighters, two who would be perfect souvenirs, and a child. Falael and Jonik will split up and take two each and surround them.¡± He turned to Ailen, and said, ¡°You and your friend can join me in the attack. You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡± The two exchanged a glance before Ailen turned back and said, ¡°With pleasure.¡± ¡­ Ruven found the group camped after a few hours of travel and signaled his friends to surround it, mindful of the single elf on guard duty. Three tents around a single firepit made up the makeshift camp. Besides the guard, he could see two others sitting by the fire. Bow and arrow in hand, Ruven aimed at the night watch and let his arrow fly. Time appeared to slow down as the elf he hit grasped his neck and collapsed. His friends used that moment to spring into action. Another elf lay dead with one trophy subdued by the time Ailen and Sinaht reached the tents. The skilled fighters easily cut down two adults who burst out with weapons drawn. As they were about to enter the tents, Ruven made his move. He grabbed the attention of his two friends and grinned. They moved behind Ailen and pinned him to the ground without an issue while Ruven stomped the back of Sinhat¡¯s leg, causing him to drop to one knee. Laughing with glee, Ruven disarmed the brute and stabbed the elf in the chest and neck from behind, spraying blood all over the front of the tent. The body slumped over when Ruven felt satisfied. His attention turned to Ailen, still being held down by Jonik and Falael. The other four watched with amusement. He leaned down and said, ¡°This is what you get for sending her out into the dark to spy on me. Do you even care? I enjoyed staring into her eyes as I slit her throat.¡± Ruven stood up and said, ¡°Everyone inside the tent can either come out voluntarily or make me come in and get you myself. I doubt you will like what I do then.¡± A few seconds later, the last two shuffled out, hand in hand. He grabbed the child by the collar and yanked them away, kicking what had to be their mother to the ground. Ignoring their protests, he turned the child around and said, ¡°I have a proposition for you. You are going to kill that elf being held down, or I will force you to kill your mother.¡± The child trembled in his grip. They calmed down enough and said, ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°Wonderful! Just a reminder if you try any funny business, your mother will be the one to pay for your actions.¡± After one of the four picked up and restrained the kid''s mother, he handed the child a spare dagger. He helped Falael turn Ailen over and slammed his foot into their groin. ¡°He is all yours. You can¡¯t stop until he stops breathing.¡± The next several minutes were messy. The child lacked the strength to cause significant damage and lacked the knowledge of how. A few lucky hits opened Ailen¡¯s veins, which caused him to bleed out. Dagger dropped and forgotten, the child ran back to their mother and cried. Satisfied with his work, Ruven ordered the others to tie up the captive''s hands and forced them to move. Darfin expected his new spoils promptly. Cloaked in darkness, he felt at home in his element. ¡°What will become of us?¡± Without looking back, he replied, "The two adults will provide for the tribe while we give the child a chance to become one of us if they can survive." You fed me well tonight. I have high hopes for the child. They have¡­potential. ¡°So do I darkness." "So do I.¡± Chapter Nine Over the millennia, Unn Thalor had changed, but they had left part of the original settlement untouched. If the stories passed down were to be believed, the Shadow breakers protected the area. Elwin asked the council if he could walk around. Qamara was happy to learn more historical knowledge, and Morthil¡¯s fascination with anything related to the town caused him to follow. Zeno had his hands full working with Abarat to prepare for the looming conflict. Elwin paused when he reached an old cottage with clear signs of renovations to keep it standing. A fence cornered off the area around the front where a bench sat beneath an apple tree. Someone had placed a wooden carving of an elf with her hand resting on a wolf''s head under the tree. Mother, I''m home. Vanima rubbed up against him in comfort before addressing the others, since they heard him speak. This cottage was his home and where his mother Elma lived. The carving is likely a memorial to Elwin and her. The Shadow Breakers would have done this. In the shade provided by the apple tree, the elders stood close by, observing the two wolves resting in the grass. When he was ready, Elwin joined the two elders and visited the rest of the protected historical section. He did his best to share his recollections from his youth before they banished him and the few times he entered as a wolf during the fight. ¡­ While Elwin enjoyed the grass, Penelo was home, sitting across from an uncomfortable Erlan, fidgeting as they both waited for a snack from her mother, Nuala. She was sure he would rather run back to his tribe and convince them to escape, but she had to convince him otherwise. Placing a tray down on the wooden table, Nuala tsk-sked at her daughter. ¡°Leave the poor boy alone. He clearly wants nothing to do with this mess.¡± In a clipped tone, Penelo looked up and said, ¡°No. This isn¡¯t a problem anyone can ignore. Be skeptical all you want, but I refuse.¡± She pointed at Erlan, causing him to flinch. ¡°We need a nomad who has experience traveling these lands who can defend themselves to help us gather allies. Unless you have another elf hiding, please leave us be.¡± Her mother shook her head and walked away, giving the boy a sympathetic smile on her way out. He opened his mouth to speak, but one glare from Penelo shut him up. ¡°Ignore my mother and eat. I know you haven¡¯t been eating properly. I''m never going to forget how you and Haldir fought to keep me alive. This, however, doesn¡¯t change our situation. The darkness will come and, if left unchecked, will devour everything in its path. You think you can run, but no one can escape the inevitable. The only chance we have is to find those who will carry the torch and expose our enemies.¡± Erlan ate in silence. After he had set his plate down, he asked, ¡°Why can¡¯t I go back and bring back another more qualified than me?¡± She leaned over the table and grasped his hands in hers. Eyes bored into his, Penelo opened the floodgate to her soul. ¡°Because I want you there by my side. I trust you.¡± Gripping his hands, she pleaded with her eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks unabashedly. ¡°I need you.¡± Nuala yelled from another room, ¡°It appears my daughter is smitten with you. You¡¯re better off not resisting, it won¡¯t end well for you. I would know. It¡¯s how I snagged her father.¡± Flustered, Penelo let go and shouted, ¡°I don¡¯t need your help!" Erlan sat there dumbfounded, not sure how to process this new revelation. ¡°She what? You what?¡± Back to irritated, Penelo asked, ¡°Must I spell it out for you?¡± Still in shock, he could do nothing when she reached over, grabbed him, and pulled the nomad in for a kiss on the cheek. ¡°I like you, you adorable fool.¡± Free from her grasp, he leaned back. A single thought reached his brain. ¡°Well, that¡¯s surprising.¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The anger that reached her face traveled to his as a red handprint that whipped his head to the side. Before another thought could surface, Penelo was gone. The front door slammed behind her. Nuala poked her head in and said, ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there like a fool. Go after her.¡± He stood up and took a few steps towards the door. Confidence building with each step. ¡°Yes, ma''am.¡± ... The next day, the council met to discuss the next steps for Elwin in his search for more support among the other clans nearby. Without solid proof, no one would take them seriously without Elwin or Vanima around to prove it. That left them with only one viable option. ¡°Thank you all for coming here today. After much deliberation with those who are knowledgeable about the different tribes close to ours, we are ready to move forward.¡± Qamara sighed and continued, ¡°The suggestion to split into two groups will be our best bet.¡± Looking over at Zeno with a sigh, ¡°The issue we have is who will join Elwin and Vanima?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t let her!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care what you want, father. I''m going. There isn¡¯t another elf in our tribe more passionate about our past who is still young enough to travel. They need me, and protecting my home from the darkness is worth the risk.¡± Woof. The tension between the pair broke with a single noise from Elwin. That¡¯s enough. Settle down or I will make you. The pressure he pushed down on them quieted the room. This anger and grief will only fuel our enemies in the realist sense. They feed on negatively. Thrive off death. Emotions are powerful when infused with the power of the gods. Your concern for Penelo is justified. Yet, the truth of her words matches her desire. ¡°Dear. You can¡¯t keep fighting our daughter like this. She will only grow to resent you if pushed. We both know how stubborn she can be.¡± Nuala''s words cut through Zeno''s defenses, which caused him to cry. The family united for a hug, pausing the meeting for a moment. Qamara took back control and said, ¡°Erlan has agreed to be our guide to the East where his tribe wanders. Elwin will accompany him with three trained fighters to help keep everyone safe. Vanima used to live somewhere out west, so she will lead with Penelo and three more for protection. The rest of us will prepare to welcome those that agree to fight by our side.¡± After going over the logistics, everyone said their goodbyes and left for home. In the morning, they would depart. ¡­ Elves lined the streets as the group made their way towards the front gate. All three elders, accompanied by Abarat, lead the procession. The mood of the onlookers was a mix of curiosity, concern, and those who believed the two wolves were a bad omen that would bring disaster and thus had to be detained when they became violent. Elwin howled, halting the group. He approached a fearful young elf who had thrown a rock at the wolf, resulting in them being forced to the ground. He made physical contact and spoke. See for yourself the darkness I face to protect you. Several images flooded the elf¡¯s mind. Moments later, Elwin moved on, satisfied that they had grasped the danger lurking in the shadows. Let them go. They have seen the truth. After reaching the front gate, the council stood at the entrance, facing the two groups as they separated. Elwin sat with Erlan and a three-person squad handpicked by Captain Abarat. Vanima moved next to Penelo and the three scouts Fariane, Levis, and Saida. Combined, these ten would seek allies to send back here to face an unknown enemy. Qamara raised her hand, silencing the crowd. ¡°Thousands of years ago, one of our ancestors chose her own selfish needs above all else, condemning one of her own to death simply because they could not take the time to understand the evil that lurked beyond the safety of their walls.¡± She walked up. Placing a hand on Elwin¡¯s head, and smiled and said, ¡°Elwin''s friends and family deserted him alone in the forest, where he suffered a mortal blow. Our people. The forest god''s generosity allowed him to save us all as a wolf. If it wasn''t for him, the darkness would have consumed and destroyed our home.¡± Moving around to hype up the crowd, she continued, ¡°He has returned to us once more with a plea to support him against the darkness. I asked you all to vote and many of you agreed we will not turn our back on our brethren. That this is a cause worth fighting for. We will not be complacent and wait for an undead army to siege our walls. We control our destiny and together we will secure our future.¡± The crowd went wild, cheering the elder and vowing to push back the darkness. Elwin moved next to Qamara and spoke in everyone¡¯s mind who was nearby. I promise you all, Vanima and I will lead our groups out into the wild and bring back allies who can help you push back the darkness. You all expanded your borders, so the dead elves I fought before would be in the ground under your homes, but I doubt the darkness could bring them back to life a second time. This revelation caused a few gasps, but Zeno raised his voice quickly. ¡°Thank you for that interesting revelation, Elwin. As our ancient ancestor just said, we have nothing to worry about. Let us all offer our thanks as they depart so that we can then focus on what needs to be done to prepare for their return.¡± The six scouts talked with Abarat one last time, while Zeno took his daughter to the side for one last tearful discussion. They made their way outside before separating once more. Elwin faced his mate, love and trust being shared with Vanima. They hadn''t experienced a separation like this for over two millennia. Penelo broke the silence, pointed at Erlan, and said, "Don''t you dare die. You need to take responsibility for taking my heart.¡± Chapter 10 The forest welcomed the group with open arms. Leaves were fresh with morning dew. Elwin walked by Erlan¡¯s side, the pain of not having his mate nearby a soft echo ever-present. The sorrow of losing his brother was etched on Erlan¡¯s expression. Ignoring the three newcomers, Elwin focused on what mattered. Letting Erlan say a last farewell to Haldir¡¯s grave. The young elf let out a breath and fell to his knees. Wiping away fresh tears, he said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry you died. I''m sorry I wasn¡¯t fast enough to save you. I know you wouldn¡¯t want me to blame myself, but it¡¯s hard. So hard. You died instead of taking the gift knowing Elwin was still here, but it¡¯s not enough. It took some convincing; you know me, but I agreed to step up and do what needed to be done to keep our people safe. I may never live up to what you could have accomplished, but I will try.¡± Whispering from the three scouts behind them caught Elwin''s attention with his enhanced hearing. ¡°She deserves better than him.¡± ¡°If he couldn¡¯t protect his own family, how could we trust him to protect her?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t trust an outsider, let alone a nomad.¡± Turning his head, Elwin growled threateningly towards the scouts, quieting their chatter. Erlan looked at Elwin questioningly. Let''s go. Once they cleared the forest, Elwin called for a halt. I need everyone to listen up. Let me make this very clear. I need everyone to listen up and understand that I am the one in charge. You must follow my orders without question. He glared at the three scouts until they all replied, ¡°Yes, sir,¡± followed by a meek nod from Erlan. Our first destination is to recruit Erlan¡¯s tribe and allow him to share the news of his brother. After that, we will ask the tribe for suggestions on who to reach out to next. He walked up to the scouts, causing them to flinch. One by one, he looked at each. Onvyr, Cailu, and Alea. Abarat handpicked you three to represent your clan and assist us in our endeavor. Don¡¯t disappoint me. Content with his warning, they continued their march. Feeling like he could still connect to Vanima, Elwin reached out with his mind. He felt her warm embrace caress his thoughts. Are you alright? What troubles you? I¡¯m afraid the three scouts Abarat chose will become a problem. They feel protective of Penelo and feel Erlan is unworthy of her affection. I understand, Elwin. I shall relay this to her. What will you do about it? Nothing for the moment. If it escalates, I will put them in their place or put them down. Do what you feel is right, my love. I shall keep you in my thoughts. As will I, Vanima. As will I. ... Heading in the opposite direction towards the mountains in the West, Vanima guided Penelo, along with Fariane, Ievis, and Saida, whom Zeno, Penelo''s father, had assigned. ¡°So, I let go of my mom¡¯s hand and darted off to the side down an alley so I could play with my friends instead of gathering supplies for dinner. I felt so proud of myself until I got home and had to face my father. When I was older, we were talking about all the crazy stunts I had pulled, and my mother mentioned how she let me go, knowing some lessons had to be learned the hard way.¡± Penelo continued to talk about her childhood. She asked Vanima random questions along the way. The three scouts walked in silence, taking their jobs seriously. Vanima had a better perception, but it never hurt to have help. ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t you share about your childhood?¡± Maybe tonight after we set camp. The young elf didn¡¯t miss a beat as she dived back into her rambling, filling up the silence. Meanwhile, the scouts were shifting nervously at the distant howls around them. Connecting to Fariane, Ievis, and Saida, Vanima eased their concerns. The local wolf pack assigned a few wolves to protect us until we made it to the edge of their territory. Fear not. "And then Ena slapped Ryul for going on a date with her sister, Zilyana." Turns out Zily tricked Ryul into thinking she was her sister because she was jealous. Granted, they look similar, but to spend that much time and not notice. What a moron.¡± Penelo, please listen up. As the leader of our group, I wanted to make sure we all knew our role and aim for this mission. The goal is to find allies to bring back to the forest to defeat the darkness. I have not seen my people in a very long time and do not know if they are still around. We shall head in that direction regardless and speak to any who would listen. Penelo, your responsibility is to represent your people and help me convince others to join our cause. Vanima gazed at the three attentive scouts and nodded. The three of you will continue to support us. I trust you will see it done. ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡± They continued west, away from Unn Thalor and her heart. Before she could turn her focus back on Penelo and her rambling, she felt his presence reach out. Vanima caressed him through the mental connection. Elwin shared his concerns over the elves that were assigned to him and, with some reassurance on her part, she let the connection fade with his parting words. As will I, Vanima. As will I. She composed herself, then interrupted Penelo. I have news from Elwin. ¡°But she couldn¡¯t see¡­ Wait, what? You do?¡± The three scouts Abarat assigned to help Elwin and Erlan have potent feelings towards whom you have decided to potentially mate with and have made their feelings known. ¡°Mate? I haven¡¯t slept with anyone! Why would they care who I wanted to be with, anyway?¡± Saida chuckled at Penelo¡¯s distress, only being aware of half the conversation. Erlan is not one of your people, but a nomad from a different tribe. They do not see him the way you do. They weren¡¯t there when he fought to protect you. ¡°So, what is Elwin going to do if they act on these unwanted feelings?¡± The mirth on Saida¡¯s face vanished at the implication. Vanima brought them all into the conversation before she continued. If the scouts helping my mate try to hurt Erlan or interfere, he will use force to make them submit. That includes removing them permanently. This quieted the energetic elf, allowing Vanima to focus on her thoughts and what she would need to do in the coming weeks. ... That first night out, Erlan sat by the fire next to Elwin, lost in thought. Alea was preparing to make dinner while Onvyr and Cailu went out to hunt. He wanted to break the elf out of his thoughts, so he asked Erlan a question. Can you tell me more about your tribe and what to expect from them? ¡°Oh, sure. I don¡¯t mind telling you.¡± Alea paused when he spoke, then returned to her job. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°We refer to ourselves as the Xilyra tribe. I learned that our founder''s first love rejected her, so she left her tribe, along with a few others who wanted to join her. Under her leadership, she became a nomad. Since I was born, my tribe has followed the same seasonal migration pattern, keeping to ourselves.¡± How did you and your brother get approval for your venture into the forest? ¡°Easy. My brother agreed to let go of his obsession and devote himself solely to the clan if they let him go on the condition that they wouldn¡¯t wait for us to return, knowing that we may die in the attempt.¡± Erlan slumped in his seat, tears welling up. ¡°They were half right in that regard.¡± Onvyr and Cailu returned, handing Alea the game they had hunted. As they made the exchange, Erlan heard one of them whisper, ¡°He should have died along with his brother.¡± Focusing on all three, he pressed his mind against theirs forcefully, causing them to buckle at the knees. I thought I made it very clear who was in charge here. Are we going to have a problem? Alea shook her head, fear of Elwin on full display. ¡°I apologize, we¡­¡± Silence. He let go of the pressure and relaxed. I don¡¯t care about your apologies; I expect compliance and results. The four of us will take turns keeping watch tonight. If you try anything, I will make you regret it. ¡­ Vanima dreaded talking about her past, but as promised, she would honor her promise from earlier in the day. ¡°Ma¡¯am, permission to take responsibility for finding tonight''s meal and night watch?¡± Fariane¡¯s question caught her off guard. After a moment of consideration, she huffed in agreement. You may. I will sleep in Penelo¡¯s tent and keep her safe. Penelo sat on the ground near the fire and patted her lap, looking at Vanima expectingly. Deciding to humor the elf, Vanima walked over and laid her head on Penelo¡¯s lap. Like your tribe, mine had found a permanent home to thrive. They had ties to many other tribes and wanted to keep in contact with them, including yours. My first mate, when I was still an elf, had encountered Silvertree in the forest on his way back home from Unn Thalor. He tried to rally the rest of the tribe to support him, but just like yours, they resisted and kicked him out. Vanima fell silent, letting Penelo pat her head, scratching behind the ears. My parents wanted me to break ties, but I refused. I followed him, but attackers near the forest''s edge ambushed us. Beasts controlled by the darkness attacked us. We never stood a chance. My mate sacrificed himself to protect me. While I was bleeding out and moments away from death myself, Silvertree intervened and forced the beasts away, offering me the same choice that Elwin and Haldir had. Despite the passage of time, Vanima could still picture his face. Elwin would always be dear to her. He rescued her after she gave up and became complacent within the wolf tribe. Penelo leaned over, hugged Vanima, and said, ¡°It¡¯s ok. You don¡¯t need to talk about it anymore. Thank you for sharing.¡± Howls from the wolves nearby alerted Vanima that their escort was departing in the morning. Everyone looked to her for understanding, so she obliged. The wolves who were watching our backs will depart back to pack in the morning. We are on our own. ... Several days had gone by in relative peace for Elwin. Erlan was opening up to him more the closer they got to his tribe. When Elwin mentioned how his life after becoming a wolf had changed him. That freedom resonated with Erlan. ¡°I don¡¯t understand the appeal of living in one place. I prefer the wilderness where I can roam with my tribe.¡± Cailu snarled at Erlan. ¡°How dare you!¡± The scout lunged, fist clenched, causing Erlan to flinch backward and fall over. Alea grabbed Cailu and said, ¡°You need to stop. Are you trying to get yourself killed?¡± Onvyr body checked Alea as he unsheathed his blade. ¡°We have had enough of this fool. Penelo deserves better than a nomad.¡± Elwin didn¡¯t have full use of his power so far away from Silvertree¡¯s domain, but what he had, he used to its full extent. He stepped between the advancing scouts and Erlan scrambling backwards on the ground. He infused his growl with enough force to bring the two crashing down on their faces. That is enough out of the two of you. Alea could only sit there in horror as her two friends lay there in pain. I made myself clear the first time that you would regret it if you tried anything. For the sake of our mission, I will give you one last chance. But I want to make one thing clear: you have no right to determine who Penelo pursues romantically. Confused, Erlan pushed himself up, composed himself, and said, ¡°I don¡¯t understand where this animosity is coming from, but Penelo is the one who pursued me. I never asked for this. It¡¯s anyone''s guess what will happen to us in the future. What I know is that if the darkness gets what it wants, none of us will be alive to find out.¡± Free from Elwins'' pressure, Alea bowed her head to Erlan and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my part in our animosity towards you. I only want what''s best for Penelo. All of us grew up around her and her father was very protective of her growing up.¡± Cailu and Onvyr, what do the two of you have to say? Free to move once more, Cailu pushed himself up and bowed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If Penelo left her home to be with you, it would devastate her parents, especially her father.¡± Muscles tensed, Onvyr reached for his blade, only to be kicked in the face by Alea. Blade pointed at his heart; she glared down at the elf. ¡°If you don¡¯t let this go, I will kill you myself. Is this how Zeno trained us to behave?¡± Alea, stand down. Lowering her sword, she complied. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Before Onvyr could move, Elwin lunged, shoving him on his back, clamping his jaws around the elf¡¯s throat. Cailu reaches for a weapon only to be rebuffed by Alea. ¡°Don¡¯t force me to cut you down, my friend.¡± A soft, frail voice broke the silence. ¡°Please, Elwin. Please don¡¯t kill them because of me.¡± He left pinpricks of blood where his teeth cut into the skin after letting go. As you wish, but if any of you decide to jeopardize this mission again, I won¡¯t wait for an apology before I rip out their throat. That is a promise. It¡¯s about time you all proved why you deserved to be chosen by Abarat. When everyone had risen and collected their belongings, Elwin barked out a command. Move out. ... By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Vanima had grown accustomed to Penelo¡¯s antics. She could tell the elf craved the thrill that came from an adventure. The downside is her na?ve perception of the danger involved and her lack of training to handle an actual fight. Watching Haldir sacrifice themselves while protecting her was just a taste of what she would need to face in the coming war. ¡°Her hair whipped around, smacking them in the face. You should have seen how much I laughed when they stumbled back and fell. Do you have any fond memories of hanging out with your friends before you met Elwin?¡± The scent of an unknown animal wafted into Vanima¡¯s nose, causing her hair to stand up. The wolf inside of her reared up its hackles in anticipation. They were all in danger. Everyone to me now. Penelo up against that tree. Saida, I need you to stay by her side. Fariane and Levis use your bows to take down as many as you can, then use your swords. Whatever you do, don¡¯t die. Penelo fumbled, trying to pull out the sword her father gifted her with the day she left. The veteran scouts reacted immediately, obeying her orders. Saida grabbed Penelo and dragged her to the tree, bow already out, looking for targets. Howl! Vanima sent out her challenge, and a myriad of replies answered it in kind. Invader. Threat. Eliminate. Protect the pack. Of course, they had to run into another pack of wolves. Her kind can be very territorial, after all. Listen up, everyone. A pack of wolves is about to attack. Stay calm, keep an eye out for your surroundings, and trust me. ¡°What do I do? I don¡¯t want to die.¡± Penelo cried out and held her cheek, revealing a red handprint. ¡°You are in the wilderness now, Penelo. We will do everything we can to keep you safe, but now is the time to focus. Hold the sword like we practiced and keep your back to that tree.¡± Vanima appreciated Saida¡¯s support at that moment and felt secure enough to avert her attention back to the pack closing in on them. Over a dozen wolves broke cover and gave chase. Vanima charged forward, arrows whizzing past her into the front flank of the enemy force. She raked her claws across the muzzles of the wounded, weaving in and out, preventing them from cutting off her escape. Ievis and Fariane dropped their bows and pulled out their swords, standing back-to-back as they guarded each other from the lunging wolves. Howl! Run, you fool. Only death will meet you today if this fight continues. Howl! Death to the invaders! The front line was broken; the alpha entered the fray next to two females. Saida, are you free to support me? ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡± Watch my back. I¡¯m going after the alpha. Breaking away from the few survivors of the initial wave, Vanima charged forward, arrows and cries of the wounded buzzing around her. She tapped into her limited pool of energy gifted by Silvertree to increase her movement and enhance her claws and teeth. Blurring across the ground, she closed the distance, leaping on the back of a female. Claws dug in and ripped as she jumped over to the other female, jaws clamping down on the back of their neck and jerking it to the side. After the first moment, one lay bleeding out while the other lay dead with a broken neck. Unguarded, the alpha lunged, teeth bared, swiping at the afterimage left behind by Vanima¡¯s passing. Crashing into his side, she exposed his front side, which she took full advantage of, tearing into his belly with abandon, howling in defiance over his corpse. Your alpha is dead. Run while you still can. Spirits broken, along with most of the pack, the survivors tucked in their tails and ran. Fariane moved around, finishing any wolf that hadn¡¯t died yet, putting them out of their misery. Levis sat against a tree, wrapping a cloth around a nasty wound on their leg. Tired but satisfied, Vanima made her way over to Penelo and Saida. The seven corpses surrounding the couple pleased her, but the moment she saw the look on Penelo¡¯s face, the realization hit her. She never had to kill something before, let alone in a life-or-death situation. Multiple cuts and scrapes littered Saida¡¯s body, but she stood up to the onslaught and protected her charge. The young elf trembled, tears mixing with the blood that had splashed across her face, now smeared. Her sword was still halfway in a wolf who had leaped at her and impaled itself. Honestly, it was a miracle she survived. Child, are you alright? The fight is over. We won. You survived. We all did. Penelo stumbled, trying, and failing to avoid touching the surrounding dead, and fell to her knees before Vanima and hugged her. Through the sobs, Penelo rambled into her fur. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to do it. They only wanted to protect their home. Why couldn¡¯t they just let us pass?¡± I am not an ordinary wolf, Penelo. Normal wolves survive by protecting their territory. You can¡¯t reason with them. You need to come to terms with what we are doing here. The darkness grows in strength and our only chance at survival is to find allies ourselves for the fight. ¡°Ma¡¯am. Despite being wounded, Levis can still move. Fariane finished securing the area. We should head out before the scavengers arrive.¡± Vanima looked up at Saida and huffed into Penelo. Agreed. Get up, Penelo. Don¡¯t forget your sword. We need to go. Sniffling, Penelo pushed herself up and looked at her sword, then back to Saida with a pleading expression. Sighing, the scout reached for the impaled sword and yanked it out; the sound causing the young elf to lurch to the side, emptying her stomach. The only way she survives this war is by learning. I hope she grows from this experience. Holding her hair, Saida nodded in agreement. ¡°Here¡¯s hoping we all survive long enough to see the moment.¡± Chapter 11 Death. Misery. A euphoria of pleasure at the expense of others. Ruvan eyed Feno, recalling how they met twenty-four years ago in a raid. Threatening his mother to force the kid to kill Ailen had been satisfying. Darfin used and discarded the kid''s mother like all the others. After Feno found her body, Ruvan promised to avenge her for a price. Loyalty till death and beyond. Jonik, Falael, Feno, Nylian, and Rhalyf stood around the altar. Each had brought a sacrifice to offer to the darkness. Over the years, it had become a contest among them trying to impress their leader with an impressive kill. ¡°Hey, boss, why didn¡¯t you bring an offering tonight?¡± Eyes sparkling with mischief, Ruvan said, ¡°That¡¯s because my offering walked here alone, Feno.¡± Peering into the darkness, he called, ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Lusha? I know Darfin forced you to spy on us.¡± Licking his teeth in anticipation, he tapped into his power and whispered in the hidden elf''s ear, ¡°Fear not, I will enjoy making you regret it.¡± With a casual glance at his followers, he grinned. Steady footfalls approached Lusha curled up in a ball, face drained of color. Hot breath blew in her ear, snapping Lusha out of her daze and into action. Tendrils of solidified shadows tripped her in the attempt to scramble away. ¡°Where do you think you''re going? The altar demands blood.¡± Hand firm around her throat, he dragged her back. ¡°The darkness demands your blood." Her screams were the pinnacle of pleasure that reached a crescendo as everyone took turns slicing into their palms and letting the blood mix with Lusha''s. You have done well, my champion. It¡¯s time to take over your tribe and gather your forces for an assault. I require plenty of bodies for my army. After tossing the remains for the wildlife to feast on, Ruvan led his group back to camp. Rolling Lusha''s eye between his knuckles, Ruvan said, ¡°Tomorrow, Darfin dies. When I strike the final blow, be ready to strike down his inner circle. They will have orders to do the same to you." ... Anticipation buzzed through the crowd that had shown up for the fight. According to the circulating rumor, after delivering the challenge along with one fresh hazel eye, Darfin allegedly beat the slave to death. The pre-show sacrifices comprised slaves who tried to escape, only to be betrayed by one of their own. Forced to fight each other, the sole survivor could leave. Escaping the arrow to the back shot from the guard would be a different story. ¡°The day has come for our upstart ambitious young warrior to show us his true mettle. I have been waiting decades for this chance to slice that smug smile off his face.¡± Darfin glared at Ruvan, who remained silent despite the provocation. Instead, Ruven pulled out his dagger and pointed it at the longest-surviving leader in centuries, unveiling his aura, and causing everyone nearby to shrink in fear except those who offered their blood on the altar. Growling in defiance, Darfin took out his signature curved one-handed blade and poison-laced dagger. Most anyone who knew Darfin would realize he hadn¡¯t lost a single fight in over three decades. Those with reach lasted the longest. The odds of surviving with a single dagger were negligible to an ordinary elf. The champion of darkness was anything but ordinary. Death itself would cower at the tendrils of darkness he could wield. ¡°I, Ruvan, pray to the darkness and ask to be blessed as I bathe in the blood of my enemy.¡± The crowd watched in stunned silence when the two collided. Darfin slashed down across Ruvan''s chest, only to stumble forward when his blade cut through the air instead. Reinforced by darkness, Ruvan blurred to the side and used his free hand to punch the sword with enough force to shatter. Stunned, Darfin dropped his ruined weapon. Fingers numb from the impact, he circled his foe, trying to size him up. That¡¯s when he noticed one crucial clue. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Where a normal shadow should be, a pulsing pool of pitch-black darkness danced around Ruvan¡¯s feet. ¡°What are you?¡± Arms outstretched, he willed the shadows to climb up his legs, encasing him from head to toe in darkness. ¡°I am the champion of darkness. Kneel before my might or I will crush you under my heel.¡± Forced on his back heel for the first time, Darfin could do nothing as Ruvan rained down dozens of slashes across his body. Every attack pierced his defense. When he tried stabbing into the blur of shadows, an icy sensation of death incarnate manifested. Commanding his shadow to return, Ruvan stood over the bleeding and defeated elf holding Darfin''s poison dagger. He spun to the left and hurled Darfin''s dagger at the elf hidden in the shadows, aiming a bow at him. The elf reached for the hilt protruding from his chest, stumbled, then collapsed. ¡°I rule over the shadows. None will evade my gaze. Now watch the birth of a new age.¡± A tendril of shadow emerged from his own and lifted the defeated elf by the ankle until the two of them were looking eye to eye. The crowd needs some convincing. Show them what happens to our enemies. Black sharp claws enveloped his fingers moments before he plunged his hand into Darfin¡¯s chest and ripped out their beating heart. Ruvan''s subordinates took that moment to slaughter the loyalists left behind. The crowd panicked. Many scrambled to escape. Shoving his aura down on the audience, he yelled, ¡°Enough! Sit down or join the dead. You are mine now. Rest well for our tribe is going to war. The darkness demands it.¡± ... After several weeks of weeding out the loyalists trying to take back control, Ruvan had saturated his tribe with enough dark energy through his aura to influence them. They marched towards the closest permanent settlement nearby and camped far enough back to avoid immediate detection. He gathered his inner circle to discuss the plan. Pacing back and forth, Ruvan said, ¡°Tomorrow a few of you will go alone pretending to be travelers, looking for a place to rest after leaving your tribe. If they ask why, just make something up. When the last rays of light vanish, your job will be to open the way for us. Lethal force is acceptable. I will lead the charge when you have completed your task.¡± When the silence took over, they knew it was time to go. Darkness craved to be satisfied, but it would have to wait a little longer. ¡­ Feno took the lead, guiding Nylian and Rhalyf toward the settlement. Several guards stood watching over the gate, bored but alert. When they were within each shot, an elf walked out to greet them. Ruven instructed them to leave their weapons behind, besides a dagger, to appear less threatening. ¡°Greetings travelers. What brings you to Felis Auxry?¡± Hand out to greet the guard, Feno said, ¡°My friends and I are heading east looking for a new home. A disagreement with our tribe''s leaders caused some discomfort we wanted to distance ourselves from.¡± The guard took his hand and shook, nodding in understanding. Feno asked, ¡°Could we spend the night? A roof over our head would do us some good.¡± ¡°We would be happy to have you. Follow me.¡± Resting inside a guest house later that day, Feno prepared for the operation. ¡°Plan is to leave at different times and walk around, meeting up as the last rays of light vanish. We may not have Ruvan¡¯s capabilities, but our vision in the dark can pierce further than ever before. Use it to your advantage.¡± ¡­ Melding into the shadow, Feno smirked at the added benefit he had over his comrades that allowed him to avoid detection. He didn¡¯t expect the other two to survive. They were loyal, but their deaths would be an acceptable trade if they proved to be useful. When he reached the wall, he climbed up the ladder up to the top of the wall and pulled out his dagger. Taking out a small vial, he poured the prior leader''s favorite poison on the blade and advanced on the guards. One by one, he snuck behind, covered their mouth, and stabbed them in the side, then around straight into their heart. When he cleared out the top of the wall, he whistled, signaling Nylian and Rhalyf to take out the guards standing by the gate. Out of the five elves, three went down quickly before the last two recovered, pressing in against Rhyalyf. A missed parry left him open to a counter, losing an arm. One scout split off to find help, only to find a dagger impaled in their leg. Landing in a crouch, Feno walked over to retrieve his dagger and finish the scout as Lylian finished the other. He found a torch and walked toward Rhalyf, bleeding out on the ground. He stuffed a piece of cloth in their mouth and pressed the flame up against the stump until the bleeding stopped. ¡°Nylian, find a safe place to store him and join me.¡± Time was of the essence, so Feno stepped up to the gate and shoved it open. He could feel the wave of Ruvan¡¯s dark aura expand along with the charging crowd of elves led by Ruvan himself. The night many would soon call the bloody shadow massacre began. ¡­ ¡°Kill anyone who resists and round up the rest.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Feno and Nylian joined Ruvan in the frontal assault into Felis Auxry. The initial resistance fell apart quickly, leaving those who hid in their homes. The attackers dragged the villagers out of their homes and tossed them into the blood-soaked dirt. Surrounded by Ruvan¡¯s warriors, the captives huddled together in the courtyard. He focused his aura on the group and forced them all to the ground. ¡°Rejoice, for this is the night where you become one with the darkness and transcend into something more.¡± Those too weak to fight from Ruvan¡¯s tribe started dragging the dead and dropping them into a pile in front of the gate. The shadows swirled around the dead in a vortex of power. Empowered by the growing darkness, Ruvan bellowed out, ¡°Darkness, I offer these dead to you in your name. May the suffering of the innocent bring you joy.¡± With a nod, the tribe descended on the captives, cutting them down to the last. The vortex of shadows spiraled faster and faster until they hit a crescendo and exploded, knocking everyone but Ruvan down. ¡°Long live the Darkness!¡± Chapter 12 Drawn into the weight of the moment, the nomads stumbled back to their feet in awe. The shadows that saturated the air condensed until it resembled an elf. Its form rippled and pulsed with energy, distorting its appearance. What Ruvan knew at the core of his very being, those bottomless piercing blood-red orbs that were staring at him would be his demise. Nothing would ever change that fact. For good or ill, his god would devour them all. It was his very nature. Eyes closed, he whispered, ¡°May we all find comfort in death''s embrace, for we shall find none in life.¡± The ground shook till the earth split asunder, revealing a black obsidian monolith that shot up several meters in the blink of an eye. When the dust had settled, a solid black slab had formed at the base. Hovering beside it, darkness pointed at his champion and spoke. ¡°To me, champion. It¡¯s time.¡± If he wanted to or not, Ruvan walked, presenting himself to his god. Quivering tears flowed down his cheeks for the first time. His thoughts spiraled deeper into the abyss of despair. I''m afraid. I don''t want to die. Please help me. Mother. Darkness slammed a fist, knocking the wind from his lungs, then tossed him into the air via a multitude of shadow tendrils, landing hard on the altar in a daze. "My champion, you should feel honored." You exceeded all my expectations. I couldn¡¯t ask for a better vessel.¡± Stunned, Ruvan watched darkness shoot up and spiraled toward the ground around the monolith, diving straight into his mouth. Veins felt like they were on fire. Ruvan could only hear someone screaming, not knowing it was him. The concept of a soul was foreign to the mortals of this realm, but not to an immortal god whose power came from the misery, pain, anger, and the death of others. If you let him get a hold of you, your soul would be forfeited. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Food to be devoured. Nothing more. Nothing less. Silence filled the courtyard. Unsure of what happened or what to do, the nomad tribe stood paralyzed with indecision. Who they knew as Ruvan slid off the altar and addressed them. ¡°Welcome to the new era of darkness. Together, we shall swallow this land in my power. None can escape my wrath. Thanks to all your effort, I can now raise my army.¡± As he spoke, Ruvan, the reborn dark lord, enveloped the surrounding dead with his aura, infusing them with mana and bringing them back to life. Soulless corpses reanimated. Undead soldiers for his army. They weren¡¯t as powerful as the skeleton warriors from the previous war. They didn¡¯t have to be. His hoard would multiply and crash down against any resistance he faced. He waited for this very reason. Lulled into peaceful complacency, these mortals who scatted across the land could not resist. Death would be the only future waiting for them. The undead marched out of the gate, pooling around the entrance, dead silent to the world. A couple dozen nomad warriors and a handful of women and children remained. The dark lord pulled from Ruvan''s memories and said, ¡°Step forward and kneel, Feno, Jonik, and Falael. You three shall help lead my army.¡± Hand pressed over Feno''s face, the dark lord branded a black palm print. ¡°Rise Feno, my dark knight. Second only to me, you shall lead my forces. Use these powers to lay waste to the land." Pressing a single thumb to the temple of the other two, he said, ¡°You both shall work under my knight as captains. Rise and embrace the darkness.¡± Inspired to craft a force that could sow chaos ahead of them, he called Nylian and Rhalyf forward. Before the latter could voice his concerns over the missing limb, the dark lord said, ¡°Bring five of your strongest warriors to fight by your side.¡± Feeding off the nomad''s fear, he blasted dark energy through Nylian and Rhalyf spreading out to the other ten behind them. Writhing in agony, all twelve collapsed to the ground. Bones snapped. Skin stretched and reformed until only beasts remained cloaked in shadows. Like what his counterpart did, these elves now coexisted with the souls of beasts, but his essence had corrupted these. ¡°Go forth and kill anything you find. Let the land flow with the blood of mortals.¡± Consumed by hunger and compelled to do the dark lord''s bidding, two groups of six beasts ran past the remaining nomads and the undead, going in separate directions howling with rage. ¡°I''m coming for you, Silvertree. I killed your mate, now I¡¯m going to kill you too.¡± ¡­ The pulse of dark energy that spread when the dark lord had been reborn crashed into Silvertree''s domain, alerting him. What he wished would never come to pass had arrived. Soon his mate¡¯s killer would enter the forest for a third time. I must ask Elwin for help once more. He may be reluctant, but Vanima will convince him it¡¯s the only way. He is my champion, after all. Unbeknownst to both sides, in the coming months, the forces of darkness would encounter those searching for allies against the dark lord. The time for reliving the past had ended. Chapter 13 The days following Erlan''s guidance blended together. Ever since Onvyr and Cailu attacked Erlan, a rift between the three scouts swallowed decades of comradery. Onvyr permeated resentment towards Alea for assumed betrayal and disgust at the weak spine of Cailu after he folded to Elwin¡¯s demands and apologized. When they were a day out from reaching the nomadic tribe, Elwin ordered Onvyr to head out and hunt. He must have realized something was amiss by the glare as he passed by. Elwin connected the two scouts and motioned them to sit. Out of respect for both of you, I¡¯m giving you two options. Will you do it, or shall I? Cailu stared at Elwin in shock, unable to come up with a coherent reply. He looked to Alea for guidance, only to find tears flowing down her cheeks. She squeezed her friend''s shoulder and let out a breath. ¡°Will you honor us by gifting him a swift end?" So it shall be. Before he was out of earshot, Elwin could hear the two talking. ¡°what do you mean, Alea? How could you be alright with this? He is our friend and brother at arms. I agree he hasn¡¯t been the same since our fight, but does that justify killing him?¡± The sting of a slap echoed in the silence, punctuating Elea''s next words. ¡°Elwin clarified that darkness feeds off anger, hate, and resentment. If Onvyr didn¡¯t turn on us now, that abomination would turn him into one of his minions. How many more would have to die because we couldn¡¯t do what had to be done?¡± Settling into his animalistic nature, Elwin drew in his presence, becoming one with the land. In their haste to leave, Onvyr¡¯s tracks were clear enough even a day-old pup could follow them. The scout stood there seething with rage and mumbling nonsense. Several arrows snapped in half by his feet. Elwin centered his mind and dashed forward, slicing into the back of Onvyr¡¯s calves, eliciting a howl of rage-filled pain. Leaping back, Elwin rammed his head into the wound, causing the scout to crumble backward onto his back. Thank you for your service, but I must remove any liability. ¡°No!¡± Elwin jumped into the air and slammed down full force, silencing Onvyr with an empowered paw through the neck, decapitating them. Bowing his head in respect, Elwin prayed for peace in death before returning. He found Erlan awake, comforting the two remaining scouts. ¡°I can¡¯t understand what Elwin has experienced. All we can do is trust his judgment.¡± My childhood friend was out on patrol training some new scouts when a shadow beast attacked them. I did my best to protect them, only saving her because she trusted me enough to follow. A wolf who couldn¡¯t even communicate yet. One of those we thought dead came back as a minion killing part of my pack. When the three of them found him, fur covered in blood, he continued. Please continue to put your trust in me and I will do all I can to keep you safe. Letting go of the two scouts, Erlan looked to Alea and asked, ¡°Can you get everything packed up so we can head out? We should make it to my tribe before the sun disappears.¡± Still fixated on the blood-soaked fur, she mumbled, ¡°Sure.¡± He met Erlan halfway and looked up, titling his head in question. ¡°May I help you clean the blood off? You must have noticed how uncomfortable they were knowing whose blood that is.¡± That will be fine. It has been so long since I cared to notice how my appearance might affect others. ¡­ Half the day had gone by in relative silence, Erlan leading the way with the two scouts keeping an eye out on either side. They left Elwin alone except for a few inquiries regarding potential threats only he could sense out. Erlan held out a hand, halting their progression. Several protectors from his tribe were closing the distance towards them. He opened his mouth to explain, then shut it, deciding it wasn¡¯t worth it. ¡°Just a reminder, Yalanue Daethyra is our leader. Three advisors help keep the tribe going. We only need her vote, but without the other''s support, it will be difficult.¡± Six nomads, blades, and bows drawn arrived and surrounded the group. Erlan looked to Shalendra, who he knew led this group, bowed, and said, ¡°I have returned.¡± She scanned the newcomers with half interest, noticing the wolf sitting by Erlan¡¯s feet with curiosity. ¡°Who are they, and where is your brother? Where is Haldir?¡± Motioning to his companions, he said, ¡°This is Alea and Cailu. They have been keeping me safe.¡± He placed a gentle hand on Elwin¡¯s head and said, ¡°This is my new friend, Elwin. A loyal guardian.¡± She must have understood his lack of reply to her last question. The twitch in her left eye told him how she felt. Recovering quickly, she pointed at Elwin and asked, ¡°Is that going to be a problem?¡± Wolf. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± One of her subordinates chimed in, ¡°Are you trying to talk to an animal, ma¡¯am?¡± Shalendra spun around, met the elf¡¯s gaze, and pointed back to camp. ¡°Go back to camp and bring out Taredd. This whole mess stinks of trouble.¡± Chided, the elf ran off back towards the camp. It wasn¡¯t long before Taredd arrived, greeted Shalendra with a nod, and then turned his attention to Erlan. Pinching his nose in exasperation, he asked, ¡°Why should I let you or your new friends go anywhere near our people? We still need an answer to where your brother is. Did he decide to abandon our people for that silly story?¡± Shalendra and her party put their hands on their weapons when Erlan reached out a hand and told Elea, ¡°Give it to me.¡± She complied silently, handing him the blade, sheath, and all, and stepped back next to Cailu. Sword in hand, Erlan thrust it into Taredd¡¯s chest. Daring him to say more, the elf stepped back, clutching the blade. ¡°How did it happen?¡± A tear escaped as Erlan said, ¡°A young elf was being attacked by an elder who wasn¡¯t all there in the head. The two of us were in the forest looking for clues when we heard her cry for help. Haldir died in the attempt. I avenged his death, at least.¡± ¡°So, I ask again, Erlan. Why should I let you or your new friends anywhere near our people?¡± Decades of conditioning snapped Erlan out of his thoughts and to attention. ¡°Sir, we not only found clues regarding the forest''s history, but I also met and conversed with the forest god. The news they shared could have dire consequences for every elf alive. I brought them here to ask for aid and explain why it¡¯s needed.¡± The weight of responsibility pressed down on Taredd¡¯s shoulders as he decided. ¡°Follow me. If your pet shows any signs of aggression, we will kill him. Am I understood?¡± Wolf. I would like to see him try. Elea chuckled at Elwin¡¯s response, causing Shalendra to focus on the elf, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± She smiled and said, "The threat amused Elwin, that''s all." Shalendra looked at Elwin, then back to the scout with an eyebrow raised. ¡°Really? You can talk to wolves?¡± Emboldened by his friend''s actions, Cailu chimed in, ¡°Erlan just admitted to talking to a god, and you think knowing what a wolf is saying is the odd one here?¡± ¡­ News of Erlan¡¯s return had spread like wildfire. Gossip and rumors within the crowd reached a climax as Taredd led the group inside, surrounded by Shalendra and her hunters. Vasati and Sanev were off to the side, eager to reunite with their son. Haldir¡¯s sword in hand, Taredd handed them the blade and bowed. Overcome with loss, Vasati crumpled to the ground in tears. Sanev stood tall, hand resting on his Vasati¡¯s head. Erlan presented himself to his father, resolute in his conviction. ¡°He died protecting another, and the elf died by my hand with that blade.¡± Guided back up with a steady hand, Sanev hugged Vasati and Erlan. The crowd let the family have their moment, attention returning to the two newcomers and the wolf. Before curiosity got the better of Shalendra, Taredd asked Erlan to rejoin his new friends and follow him to meet with Yalanue Daethyra and the other two advisors. Everyone parted with a little nudging from the hunters, allowing them free passage to the leader''s hut. They reached the center of the camp in less than a minute, where an older elf greeted them, flanked on either side by two other elves around Taredd''s age. ¡°Welcome children of Unn Thalor. My name is Yalanue and besides me are Tishala and Yrathea. Now that you have met my three trusted advisors, could you please illuminate why you all are here?¡± With a step forward, Erlan took a knee and bowed to Yalanue, right fist pressed to the open left palm, and said ¡°You all know the stories of a war between two forces of immense power that were passed down from elves who claimed to be or knew of those who were part of the Shadow Breakers. Haldir convinced me to join him in his search to find any hint of the truth.¡± He glanced behind his shoulder at Elwin, then looked up at Yalanue. ¡°I have talked with the god of the forest. The darkness that threatened to claim this land has returned. War is coming and if we don''t stop it, no one will escape the shadows. Unn Thalor has agreed to fight their enemy once more, but they can''t do it alone. Will you give aid, or wait for the darkness to find you?¡± ¡°Aid? We aren¡¯t fighters!¡± ¡°What of the children? You don¡¯t expect me to agree to putting them in danger?¡± ¡°Let those who are capable deal with this if what you say is true. It has never been our way to concern ourselves with conflict.¡± ¡°We should leave. Why risk our young?¡± Tired of their squabbling, Elwin looked at Yalanue and connected his mind to hers. May I speak? Surprised, the older elf looked around, confused, until she met his gaze, and he bobbed his head up and down in confirmation. Yes. You may speak in your head; I shall hear you. ¡°Who are you, truly?¡± Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. My name is Elwin. Champion of Silvertree. Hero of the second Dark war. ¡°What hope do we have against a foe so powerful?¡± It¡¯s not a matter of if you can. It¡¯s the consequence of choosing to do nothing and I die trying to stop it a second time. The leader of the Xilyra tribe clapped her hands, silencing her advisors. ¡°Tishala, calm down. No one is asking the children to put themselves in danger. You have done a wonderful job caring for our young. If what they say is true and this new war reaches us. Who will protect them if we fall?¡± She turned to the other elf and said, ¡°Yrathea, you know our people better than anyone here. I trust your judgment, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t make a difference. Fighting is only one aspect. If you are willing, I will show you a glimpse of the past so there are no illusions about the threat that we may face. ¡°You may.¡± Elwin sat up, causing Taredd and Shalendra to arm themselves, ready to strike the wolf down. Revealing himself to everyone else, Elwin connected to everyone in the hut and put a little pressure on the two threats, forcing them to lower their weapons. There is no need to threaten me. My name is Elwin, Champion of Silvertree. I only seek your aid. Nothing more. He walked up to Yalanue and sat down. Touch your head to mine. Sitting down, legs crossed, Yalanue cupped Elwin¡¯s head and placed her forehead to his. A landscape opened in Yalanue¡¯s mind. Perpetual gloom covered the entire valley, giving it the feeling of being swallowed by death. She felt Elwin shiver from the dark god¡¯s power washing over him, only to be counteracted by the warmth from the necklace he wore. She watched him charge into a horde of animals and walking corpses controlled by the darkness. Partway into the charge, the ground erupted in a cloud of debris as skeletons clawed their way out, flesh re-knitting over bones. Startled by what she saw, Yalanue pulled away, severing the connection. Eyes wide with fear and dread, she knew her people couldn¡¯t face this alone. A decision had to be made. Standing up, she returned to her spot and addressed her fellow nomads. ¡°I have seen the truth of his words. We can¡¯t fight this on our own, but we can support those that do. This I decree. We shall travel to Unn Thalor and aid in this fight however we can, even if it is not on the front lines.¡± ¡­ After the sun had vanished, Yrathea had prepared a memorial. Erlan stood by his parents before Haldir¡¯s sword, which was thrust into the ground. Anyone who wanted to pay their respects left a flower on the ground. It would be the surviving family members'' job to take the flowers and weave them together. After everyone had left their offering, Erlan took this opportunity to share Haldir¡¯s last battle and his last moments before Silvertree. By now, everyone knew Elwin wasn¡¯t a normal wolf, but not to what extent. Elwin had one last task to achieve before leaving the next day. They were down a party member. The crowd had dispersed, leaving Erlan and his parents talking to Yrathea. Elwin brought Alea and Cailu with him and met with Taredd. Greetings. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner, but it wasn¡¯t my place to speak. Erlan deserved the chance to talk to his people. Hand scratching his chin, Taredd shrugged. ¡°What can I do for you, Elwin?¡± One of our members did not survive the trek here, and I was hoping to ask if one of your hunters would like to join us on our mission to seek aid. I do not doubt Erlan¡¯s capabilities, but we could use another local who could help us find allies. Intrigue at the request turned into a hearty laugh. ¡°I have just the hunter for you.¡± He looked over at Shalendra and said, ¡°Go fetch Caeda.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Elwin let his mind wander until a young elf ran up to Taredd. ¡°You called for me, Father?¡± He pointed at Elwin and said, ¡°They need another nomad to help them navigate and you''re going to join them.¡± ¡°I''m what? They what? You what?¡± Flustered, Caeda looked back and forth between her father and Elwin, confused. ¡°You are one of our best hunters and have been begging me to let you go out on more patrols. If I recall, you asked to join Haldir and his brother when they requested to venture into that forest.¡± The pain at the mention of Haldir gave Elwin the impression she had other reasons for wanting to join the brothers. He made a connection just with Caeda and asked a question. Laugh if you are comfortable joining Erlan and me on this mission and scratch your head if you would rather stay behind with your people. She froze at the mental communication, then narrowed her eyebrows in concentration. Caeda scratched her head and told her father, ¡°I rather stay with you all.¡± Elwin cut off Taredd¡¯s reply with a loud huff. She made her choice. Are there any others who would be qualified and willing? ¡°Let me do it.¡± Taredd whipped his head around to Shalendra in confusion. ¡°You? But I need you and your squad to help keep our camp safe. Who would do it if not you?¡± ¡°You said it yourself. Caeda is one of the best hunters we have. Let her do it.¡± Shalendra crossed her arms, daring Taredd to disagree. ¡°Yes! I can do it. Let me do this, Father.¡± Sigh. ¡°So be it. Please leave. I have much to discuss.¡± Of course. Stay strong, for the days to come will challenge us all. ... The trek over the mountain had strained Penelo¡¯s lack of endurance. Between Vanima and the three scouts, they dispatched any predators they came across. The shock of having to kill for the first time had waned over the few days it took to traverse the mountain pass. Vanima hadn¡¯t ventured this far west since she had been an elf herself. She could recall vague landmarks but didn¡¯t trust her memory. A forest had blossomed against the mountain, with trees standing proud and tall. Since they were using a well-trod path, it didn¡¯t take them long to enter the forest proper. Soft footsteps alerted Vanima in time for her to alter her party. Stand guard, we aren¡¯t alone. An arrow sped towards Vanima only to be deflected by Ievis¡¯s sword. Saida reacted by knocking an arrow and firing back, hearing a cry of pain in response. Penelo refocused after the initial clash and said, ¡°Please stop fighting. We only seek to find other tribes in peace.¡± A rough voice hidden behind a tree said, ¡°You put an arrow into Galan¡¯s shoulder. How is that peaceful?¡± ¡°They tried to kill my best friend. It¡¯s hardly our fault for defending ourselves.¡± Another hunter pulled back an arrow and fired at Penelo. Fariane tackled her, the arrow grazing the scout''s back. Vanima enhanced her legs and dashed towards the elf, slamming into them hard enough to knock the wind out of them as they tumbled into the air, crashing hard against a tree, and falling unconscious on the ground. Tired of this farce, Vanima made her voice known to every hunter nearby and shouted. Attack us again and I will kill you all. War will soon ravage this land and only a united force will survive the storm to come. Will you help us or get in our way? The same voice from before said, ¡°I don¡¯t know how you''re talking in our head, but it¡¯s clear who holds the power here. We shall guide you to our camp and let others decide what to make of you.¡± Good. Now collect your unconscious brethren and tend to your wounded. We must be off. ¡°Of course, right away. You heard, well whoever they are, get moving.¡± True to their word, the hunters guided Vanima and her party to their encampment. It looked well lived in, yet capable of being torn down and moved in short order if needed. On the way, Qildor, as he introduced himself, explained that they did not have a traditional tribe. Rather, three different groups had joined forces for mutual benefit while retaining independence. ¡°Our group comprises scouts and hunters who left various tribes and met each other along the way. The other two have survivors of a nomad attack that nearly wiped out their entire home and a group of merchants that travel across the land but come back to us to rest and share what they have found.¡± The runner Qildor sent ahead of them returned with an older elf with a scar across their face from the left eyebrow down over the bridge of the nose, ending across the cheek. His body posture oozed confidence and years of battle-hardened grit. ¡°You can call me Pharom. The others prefer to listen to my advice, so I do what¡¯s best for them. I heard my hunters attacked your group and learned the hard way why that was a bad idea. Thank you for not killing them. They may not be the brightest, but strength is universal.¡± He pointed at the injured and they moved on without complaint. ¡°So, what brings you all to this side of the mountain and why do you have a pet wolf?¡± I am no pet. You may call me Vanima, mister Pharom. ¡°Oh, I apologize. Just Pharom is fine.¡± Pharom, please listen to Penelo standing next to me. She is the daughter of a great warrior from Unn Thalor. She is still wet behind the ears but she excels in her tenacity. Vanima looked up at Penelo and nudged her leg expectingly. With a bow, Penelo met Pharom¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°A very long time ago, there was a war fought between two forces of imaginable power. They sought the help of beasts and elves alike to fight for them. The last war ended before the gates of Unn Thalor. My home. The evil that tried to corrupt our home lost, but they have returned and will bring death to all they come across. Vanima is the mate of the champion who became the hero of that war, and the two of them need help to build a force that can push back the tide.¡± The rugged veteran elf stepped up to Vanima and Penelo and took a knee. ¡°I can¡¯t speak for the others, but I can vouch for the other fighters when I say count us in.¡± We would appreciate meeting the others. ¡°Of course. Follow me.¡± Pharom put his fingers to his lips and whistled. Two hunters appeared; heads bowed. ¡°Listen up, there is an unknown threat, and we do not know where it is.¡± He paused and glanced at Vanima. ¡°Do you know where it is?¡± No, but I wouldn''t be surprised if the darkness dispatched forces to attack. Attention back to the two elves, he said, ¡°Since we don¡¯t know where this threat is, we need to widen our search perimeter. I will try to convince the others that it will be safer on the other side of the mountain.¡± ¡°At once, sir.¡± Everyone parted ways for Pharom, with Vanima and her group trailing behind. The stark differences between the combat-oriented group and the survivors became more apparent as they traversed the camp. You could see it in their eyes. The desire to escape the memories that would never leave them. One group fought back against their demons while the others wanted nothing more than to find peace. A semblance of the life they had before death ripped it away, and they were here to ruin that fantasy. Better to do that now while there is still time to give them a chance at surviving this. Pharom took them to an open area full of tables and cooking pots. A communal area to eat. ¡°Let me introduce Hagluin. They represent those who survived the Xilren tribe massacre.¡± An elf with a missing arm below the elbow bowed their head in recognition. ¡°Welcome. If you''re hungry, my people would gladly serve you.¡± Pharom turned to look at another elf with a unique outfit unlike the simple clothes most worn in the camp. They had a glint in their eyes that promised a scheme of some kind. "Say hello to Aithlin, a merchant of renown who convinced many to join forces after so many of their kind died on the road." ¡°If there is something you need, I¡¯m sure I can find it for you.¡± The hunter''s representative sat next to Hagluin and Aithlin and folded his hands together quietly. Penelo, you''re up. Startled, she jerked towards Vanima, then bounced her head in quick agreement, which confused everyone present who thought the wolf was just a pet. ¡°Thank you for listening to me. I explained it to Pharom, but I will do my best to convey why I am here. I come from the Wataki Soma tribe who live in Unn Thalor on the other side of the mountain to the East. At least ten generations ago, a fight between two powers beyond our understanding and their proxies took place. The dark faction lost, but not truly defeated. I have met Silvertree, the being who stood up against the darkness. They told me that the darkness stirred once more. I seek allies to face this. Together, we stand a chance. Scattered, only death awaits us.¡± The three representatives leaned in and whispered back and forth. Pharom said something that perked Aithlin¡¯s attention, which turned into a two-on-one debate. Hagluin sighed and spoke up. ¡°I will not ask those under my protection to subject themselves to another fight. That is why we agreed to support the other two groups for protection. I agree that joining forces may increase our chances of survival, but I ask you, this young elf. What proof can you bring to back up this claim of yours? Why should I trust you?¡± Vanima concentrated a portion of her power into a single paw and stomped it into the ground, causing the tables to shake and cups to tip over. My name is Vanima. I am no ordinary wolf, but an elf transformed. Blessed by Silvertree himself. I fought in the last dark war long ago with my mate, the champion and hero for Silvertree. Together, the two of us are the only living beings left alive who were there during the last war. Giddy with excitement, Aithlin clapped their hands and offered Vanima a big smile. ¡°I do not understand how you can talk in our head or this power you wield, but I know an opportunity when I see it. If this Silvertree is gathering everyone around to fight this darkness, you will need supplies and information. I excel in that regard. I agree.¡± Pharom and Aithlin stared at Hagluin until they caved to the pressure. ¡°I concede. We shall help however we can.¡± Everyone shook hands to solidify the deal, then sat down for a hearty meal. Midway through the meal, Aithlin asked, ¡°Would you humor me and answer a question, Vanima?¡± She restricted her communication between the two of them and responded. Go ahead. ¡°Excellent. As I mentioned before, I am good at gathering information. Would you care to share where you used to live before meeting your mate? The past fascinates me. Who knows, I might share what I have learned in return, if it''s relevant.¡± Before venturing over the mountain and answering the call to action by Silvertree during the last war, I left my home and the Fardi Olora tribe behind. ¡°So, you used to live in this area. Fascinating. I know about your former tribe. Though it isn¡¯t a pleasant story.¡± I had hopes but felt no attachment to them. Anyone I cared about is long dead. ¡°Understandable. I know little about the time when you lived as an elf, only how it all ended. I met a descendant of a survivor who told me about how his tribe had fallen to an attack. A similar experience to Hagluin¡¯s former tribe. It must have occurred around two generations ago. I have met the residents who live there now, and I never would have guessed what transpired.¡± Meanwhile, Penelo was having a conversation of her own with a hunter about her home and the forest beyond it. After she described the older elf who tried to kill her, the faces of many hunters turned to her. ¡°Miss, are you sure about that?¡± ¡°Of course. I stumbled into him and wanted to offer my help, only to be accused of stealing. I don¡¯t believe he was right of mind, but very skilled with a blade all the same. Two nomads came to my rescue. Only one survived.¡± The hunters nearby all looked at each other in understanding and sadness. Confused, Penelo asked, ¡°Why? Did you know them?¡± Pharom overheard the conversation and replied, ¡°Yes, we knew the elf. He was a friend and former commander of our forces when we first teamed up. One day, he left us and journeyed off on his own. The best we could guess is that he traveled over the mountain. It¡¯s sad to know he¡¯s gone.¡± The hunters sat in silence for a fallen comrade, then drank to his memory. When the sun had vanished from the sky, everyone left to find sleep. Left to their own devices, the scouts helped Penelo set up their tents and rest. Vanima stood and watched just outside of the camp. Unease ruffling her fur. We have little time left. I can feel the pressure of the darkness filling the air ever so slowly. ¡­ Somewhere off to the West, a small force of mutated shadow beasts raced across the land. Attracted by the light of a fire, they adjusted course and closed the distance. The dark aura paralyzed the travelers. The screams of the dying provided the only warning to those asleep before the tents, along with anyone inside, fell to the shadow beasts. The darkness has returned. Chapter 14 Two men shrouded in darkness strode through the remains of a campsite. Tents ripped to pieces. Coals strewn across the dirt, hints of heat lingering within. The defining feature had to be the remains decorating the ground with streaks of red and organs. The smell didn¡¯t bother either of them. One had no perception of smell, and the other had grown numb to it all. The dark lord felt comfortable inside Ruvan''s body. It fit him like a second skin. ¡°Make sure I''m not disturbed while I bring new life to these unfortunate travelers.¡± Dark knight Feno pounded a fist to his chest and said, ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Ruvan let his aura swell and encompass the dead. Shadows drifted like smoke dragging the bodies, stuffing their insides back inside, and reattaching limbs. He poured a little extra energy into the missing chunks of flesh to rebuild them. His mutated shadow beasts needed to eat, after all. A final push infused his new minions with undead life. Feno watched the dead with Ruvan. He delighted in the newest group of cannon fodder that were pushing themselves up without a sound. His brand heated, snapping him out of his revelry. Attention focused on Ruvan walking away, he ran to join, undead shuffling behind them. They arrived with the rest of the hoard milling about in the dark next to the rest of Feno''s elite fighters chosen from the remaining nomads and infused with power from the thumbprint brand on their foreheads. ¡°Report.¡± An elf ran up, took a knee, and said, ¡°We located a roaming tribe. Everything is ready, my lord. We eliminated the night watch. They won¡¯t rotate for several hours.¡± Absorbing the location from the warrior''s mind via the brand, Ruvan sent his undead loose. His army sprinted into the night, a wave of death ready to devour and add to their ranks. All the unaware elves needed to do was die. Feno diverted his subordinates to the other side so they could cut off any who attempted to flee. A surge in despair, sadness, and rage flooded the air, giving the undead a burst of energy and sending them into a frenzy. The cries of pain faded into the background. A futile effort against an unwavering disaster. An ebb in newly created dark energy told Ruvan it was time to do his part. When he reached the perimeter, his dark knight ran up to report. ¡°We are searching for any survivors hiding among the dead. I instructed the undead to surround us and kill any who evaded detection and tried to escape.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Flowing around the dead like a child on their birthday, Ruvan hummed with delight. The center where the defenders made their last stand had the highest concentration of death in the air. He stretched out his aura until every corpse entered his field of vision. Focused on his craft, he began playing with his new toys. Despite not being able to salvage a few of his older toys, the dozens of fresh bodies made up for the loss. ¡°Join your new friends. Let the ground tremble before your might.¡± Shouts erupted all over, only to be silenced by Feno and his elite spread out in search of the living with the help of the undead. Ingenuity in the face of death deserved a reward. He gathered the lucky few and gifted them with a greater purpose. Bones and flesh stretched and snapped into his most hated rival. A pack of mutated wolves emerged hidden beneath a layer of shadows. Gifting his newest collection to Feno, Ruvan sent a command to all under his influence. ¡°Our task is complete. Return home.¡± As he waited for another tribe to be located, Ruvan spent his free time sculpting one of his toys into a superior undead with bone blades sprouting from its shoulders where its arms used to be. He increased its ability to stay silent by replacing the feet with padded paws, claws, and all. I shall call you a Reaper. ¡°I apologize for interrupting you, master, but we have visitors.¡± Annoyed, Ruvan looked over at Feno and asked, ¡°What visitors? Did more undead show up without my knowledge?¡± ¡°They call themselves the Gwanith. A collection of murderers and outcasts who find pleasure in causing pain. They introduced themselves by executing a recent deserter and tossing the head at the gate.¡± Amused at the show of cruelty, Ruvan ordered his newest creation to stay by his side. ¡°Come, my knight. We shall test our guests at the altar. If they show promise, you can have them. It takes guts to walk around a hoard of undead.¡± Reaper on his left, Feno to the right, Ruvan opened his arms in greeting. ¡°Welcome to Felis Auxry. For the audacity to survive long enough to enter my domain, I shall give you a chance to join my army before I kill you all and add you to my army. There is a catch, though. I need sacrifices to fuel my power, and you¡¯re the only ones around worth killing." The elf in the front turned around, slicing the head off the nearest elf, and looked at Ruvan expectantly. He shook his head and pointed to the altar. ¡°I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I need you to use the altar. The more they suffer, the less of you need to die. That first one didn¡¯t count.¡± ¡°Yes, my lord.¡± Grabbing the fellow next to the corpse who flinched by the shirt, he smashed their nose in with the butt of his sword and dragged them to the altar. ¡°The first two who hold him down won¡¯t be the next." Time slowed down between the screams and the shattering of bones. A true artisan at work who knew how to maximize pain hitting nothing vital. They would be perfect additions to his elite squad. ¡°Line up and stand before me so that I may grant you the power you desire.¡± Each of his recruits welcomed the gift except one, who recoiled at his touch, bolting for the gate. Reaper shot past in a blur of speed, slicing down at an angle with both bone sword arms cutting clean through from the neck down to the hips. ¡°Dark knight, take command of your new warriors. Show them what it means to be a member of my army.¡± Fist slammed to his chest Feno said, ¡°Yes, sir. With pleasure.¡± Mind drifting back to the Reaper, Ruvan recalled his new toy already thinking of how to improve them before replicating his work. ¡°No rest for the wicked, is there?¡± Chapter 15 Vanima and her party spent the next several weeks seeking potential allies with the aid of a merchant. They encountered various levels of acceptance, even after revealing Vanima''s identity. Their guide appreciated the protection, but he knew it couldn¡¯t last. In the early morning, Vanima returned from hunting and reconnaissance. Stopping in front of their guide, she connected with his mind. It is no longer safe. You need to leave right now. Grab your things and don¡¯t look back. Everyone watched the elf tremble in fear. He scrambled to gather his pack and ran. Fearful silence was his only goodbye when they looked into his eyes. Penelo stepped up to Vanima and asked, ¡°What did you say to make him run away in fear?¡± She brought everyone into the conversation and huffed in acceptance. The darkness has sent his minions out to kill and spread despair. They are moving too fast to evade. We must face what comes. I can¡¯t guarantee our survival. Penelo, you will train with the scouts. Tonight, we fight for our lives. ¡°Yes, Ma''am.¡± ¡­ Saida gave Penelo a bow with a quiver of arrows and pointed to the fabric dangling from a tree branch. ¡°Hit the target. You have five arrows. Every miss and you owe me a penalty.¡± ¡°Wait! What penalty?¡± A raised eyebrow from Saida was her only reply. With archery, you didn¡¯t argue with the elf. Settled into her stance, Penelo raised the bow, pulled an arrow out from the quiver, and took a deep breath as she pulled the string back. Exhaling, she let go of her tension and the arrow. It soared through the air, nicking the target in the corner enough to move it. ¡°You got lucky. I want you to pierce it, not brush by.¡± Eyes closed, Penelo centered herself and made her second attempt and missed. ¡°Congratulations. Three more to go.¡± She completed her training with two hits and three misses, earning her cleanup duty for the next three days. Ievis pat Penelo''s back in sympathy and said, ¡°Grab your sword. It''s my turn.¡± The two faced with swords drawn, Fariane on the sideline ready to join later. Sword pointed at her, and Ievis made sure Penelo grasped the importance of his lesson. ¡°We face an unknown quantity of mutated creatures blessed by the darkness. Do not think for a second that you can rely on us to save you when every one of us fights for our lives. Show me you have any hope of surviving this fight.¡± Satisfied with the determined look in her eyes, Ievis moved on. He put her through the different drills from stances, defensive maneuvers, and attack angles. Adjustments had to be made until he felt comfortable enough to put those lessons into practice by attacking her. Clash! ¡°Adjust your stance. Don¡¯t loosen your grip when you block. The enemy won¡¯t wait for you to pick it up off the ground.¡± Clash! "Better. Don¡¯t just move in one direction. Awareness of your surroundings will keep you alive, so keep adjusting.¡± Clash! ¡°An improvement. Rest up. Fariane, as her partner in this fight, you two will face me next. I will use two swords to make it interesting.¡± This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The last bout pushed Penelo to greater heights. Ievis used both swords with the grace only a veteran could, a blur of metal twirling deadly intent. Fighting as a duo, Fariane adjusted to fill any gaps in the defense, surging forward to push Ievis back. Vanima joined in as a distraction to assess how attentive Penelo was to her surroundings. That is enough. Saida killed an animal and prepared it for our meal. Rest up and relax. ¡­ Six silent shadow-covered predators felt Silvertres''s power which sent them into a frenzy. Nylian led his five warriors toward the camp before the sun had vanished, too eager to kill the dark lord''s enemy. No longer resembling an elf, these five mutated beasts ran on four legs, claws digging into the dirt each time. Leading the charge, the largest of the six crashed sideways into a tree. Vanima standing above him, paws empowered with bright light. Penelo charged out with Fariane, swords shining brightly, and slashed into the closest shadow, exposing the beast long enough for Fariane to spin, cutting its head off. Ievis exposed another beast from the other side, allowing Saida to put several arrows into its head. Vanima could only grant them all this buff for a short while. Two died, leaving her with the biggest threat and three more for her group to face. Squaring up against the beast, she used her smaller stature and agility to maneuver. Strike and retreat. Evade death that hid inside the rolling shadows. Saida fired more arrows, convincing two shadow beasts to verge toward her and Ievis, leaving one for Penelo and Fariane. It¡¯s the best they could do for their young charge. Penelo gave ground, trying to evade the claws she glimpsed each time she or Fariane deflected a strike. They could tell Vanima''s buff had already lost potency now that she was fighting for her life. The creature was relentless in its attacks. It changed the angle and direction of its strikes between the two. Once it had assessed the weak link, it pounced. Penelo stumbled, putting Fariane in a position to charge or watch her get mauled. Arm brace for the impact, Fariane reacted. The claw caught flesh, and she screamed. Agony flamed to life. The pain trailed down her cheek in a spray of blood she couldn''t see. Vision ripped away, plunging her into darkness. ¡°No!¡± Penelo screamed moments from her demise, thoughts only of her friend clutching her face. Blood spilled from a gash along Vanima''s side, the price for her intervention. She pounced on top of the shadows looming over Penelo. Teeth and claws tore into its flesh, distracting it long enough for Fariane to thrust her sword into its chest, hand still pressed to her mutilated face. Stand your ground, Penelo. Fariane needs you. Dashing to the side, Vanima returned to her game of predator and prey probing for an opening. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battle, Ievis and Saida fought for their lives. Twirling both blades, Ievis held a defensive line so Saida could strike out. Now that Penelo and Fariane weren¡¯t fighting, Vanima let their buff dissipate so she could strengthen the other two. Taking a risk, Ievis slid under a leaping shadow, slicing into its belly, leaving one caught between two veteran scouts. It died howling defiantly. ¡­ Nylian felt the last of his fellow shadow beasts fall to the enemy. Filled with the aroma of death mixed with the suffering felt by the injured, he condensed it all. A blast of dark energy knocked everyone left alive to the ground. Furious, he ignored the wolf and charged toward the weakest left to protect their injured. His mutated visage was on full display as he sailed in the air, moments away from ending another puny life. Maw opening wide, Nylian let go of the last shreds of his former self and succumbed to the beast. ¡­ Neither Saida nor Ievis could do anything but watch the horror. Not even Vanima could reach the elf in time. The sight of Penelo raising her sword gave her hope. Pouring her energy into that sword, she watched the beast obscure her view. The light of the sword tip bursting from the top of the creature''s skull was the only clue as to the outcome. Penelo scrambled back, screaming, sword forgotten. Her hand pressed to the stumps where two of her fingers had used to be, Penelo cried. Vanima observed her party now that the fight had concluded. Everyone sported a myriad of scrapes and bruises. Ievis bandaged Fariane''s face. Her right eye had been torn but she retained her other eye. That left Saida, who wrapped Penelo¡¯s hand. When the elf thrust the blade into the open maw, its teeth sliced off two fingers. Considering the alternative, the loss was worth it. As for her wounds, the slash to her side had broken a few ribs. The last of her gifted power reserves went to heal herself, leaving her drained. ¡­ When Vanima had recovered her pool of energy surrounded by friends who cared deeply for each other, she strained her capability and sent Silvertree a message to pass on to Elwin. Shadow beasts encountered west of the mountains. Return home. She had no way to confirm if her mate would get the message. Only faith in Silvertree. ¡°What do we do now? There is no way we can face those again and survive.¡± Hand placed on Penelo¡¯s shoulder, Fariane squeezed it and said, ¡°Stop blaming yourself over my injury. I can see it in your eyes.¡± She winked with her one visible eye. The other scouts giggled at the joke despite their best efforts to hide it. Jokes aside, Penelo is right. We can no longer traverse these lands safely now that the enemy is aware of our presence. It¡¯s time to return home and organize our new army. They all knew this fight had been only a taste of what darkness could bring to the field. Victory was anything but assured. Please be safe, my mate. I¡¯m coming home. Chapter 16 The following morning after Haldir''s memorial, Elwin sat outside, waiting for Erlan to say farewell to his parents. Shalendra stopped by and grabbed Alea to gather supplies. Cailu was about to ask why, but Elwin cut him off. Don¡¯t bother asking. ¡°Why not?¡± Alea turned her head, confused. Don¡¯t worry about it, Alea. She shrugged and continued walking, deep in conversation with Shalendra. As to why not? It¡¯s because they want to talk, and you would be in the way. Leave it at that. His posture shrunk in defeat. ¡°Fine. Is there anything I can do?¡± You can go find Taredd and let him know we will leave soon. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Tarred met Elwin at the perimeter with his daughter, Caeda. She stood by her new scouting party, who joined to say goodbye to Shalendra. Erlan stood silent, his brother¡¯s sword resting on his hip. You have something to fight for. Someone who wants to see you again. Trust me. That can make a difference when your back is against the wall. The young elf met Elwin¡¯s gaze. Resolve etched on his face. Clapping her hands, Shalendra motioned for her new teammates to gather around. ¡°Listen up. I appreciate all that Erlan has done, but I should take over as a guide. You all know I¡¯m the most qualified to do so. Any objections?¡± To his surprise, Alea and Cailu turned to Erlan as if he had any say in the matter. You were our guide. I trust your judgment. What do you want to do? He stepped up to Shalendra, pulled out his brother¡¯s sword, and placed it over his heart. With a bow, he offered her the blade and looked at her patiently. She grinned in pleasure, taking the weapon and repeating the gesture. ¡°I look forward to working with you. You have changed much since you left. Your brother would be proud.¡± True to her word, their guide took them swiftly throughout the nearby land, tracking down various tribes to persuade them to join their cause. Between Erlan''s heartfelt reasoning and Shalendra¡¯s aggressive pragmatism, they inspired many to join the cause. When doubt and fear took hold, Elwin would step up and reveal his capabilities along with the truth. If we fail, there will be nowhere to run from the darkness if it has free rein to consume our land. When they had exhausted every avenue to recruit without staying too far from home, Elwin turned them back toward the forest. Elwin felt hope and encouraged by the level of support he found among his former brethren. Elwin, my champion, if you can hear this. Return now. His heart dropped when Silvertree¡¯s mind connected with his own. Your mate fought the enemy. They will surely retaliate after such a loss. The spike of dread at the thought of Vanima facing those monsters without him sent a chill down his spine. He vowed to return swiftly, knowing he might have to leave his friends behind. He didn¡¯t tell them any of it, though. Elwin could sense Erlan looking at him, trying to figure out if anything was amiss when he froze mid-step, but he paid them no mind. Try to keep up, we have a lot of ground to cover. ... Elwin, I need you now. They are attacking Unn Thalor as we speak. I sent the wolves to help. Silvertree¡¯s guardian dug deep into his connection and prepared to run. Enemy attacking now. Can¡¯t wait. Alea will lead them. The ground rumbled from the force of Elwin''s initial launch. The others gawked at the spectacle, Erlan most of all. Shalendra slapped Alea''s back and grinned. ¡°Your people need you. We need to follow." She composed herself and said, ¡°Cailu and Erlan in the center. Shalendra take point. I will watch our rear. Move out!¡± They could follow Elwin''s path by the blur of movement kicking up dust until he entered the forest, disappearing. Alea only hoped there was a home to return to when they arrived. Enveloped by Silvertree''s presence, Elwin no longer had to rely on the power he held within. Fur coated in a soft glow; he pushed his body near the breaking point. The howls of pain registered a fraction before he burst into a clearing. The local wolf pack fought several monstrosities hidden beneath shadows. It was a massacre. Retreat my brothers. This is no longer your fight. Hissing as they shrank away from the power waffling off him, Elwin advanced, giving his brethren a chance to flee. A few had to be dragged away by the scuff of their neck toward their den. Before the shadow beasts could pursue, Elwin crashed a wave of gravity down on his foes, slamming them to the ground. He closed the distance in a single breath. Howl! You shall not defile this ground any longer. The darkness does not have sway over this land. In a single bound, Elwin leaped onto the nearest beast, teeth clamping down on the back of their neck. All four claws dug deep for support. He infused his jaw with power and ripped the head from its shoulders. The shadows no longer concealing the former elf and the mutations it had gone through. Red, piercing eyes glared daggers at Elwin. Rage filled their roar as they charged. The fight had truly begun. Leaning into Silvertree''s embrace, Elwin reflected on the friends and family he lost so he could harness the love he shared with them and the loyalty his old pack held for him. A sacrifice that he could never forget. Both Trivana and Chiyan taught him that running away can always be an option. Not today, though. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Blood is the payment for hard truths. Nature can be a cruel, unforgiving force where the strong survive. Elwin accepted the responsibility for leading his pack against that tiger and Carca, Tinwe, Huine, and Ceuran were the cost. When the enemy stacked their forces against them, he charged in, believing in the cause and his pack. Tisha fought all she could, and the love Darshee held for her best friend united them in the end against a monstrous foe. Tasar did his duty and returned home, but he could not fight against the loss of blood. At its climax, both Kailu and Ashera fell to a corrupted elf, and Siraye, who survived the fight against the cougar, did not come out of this fight. Elf and wolf alike, every death had meaning. It was not all for nothing. They had pushed back the darkness. The light of the sun once again broke away the evil that had failed to hold it tight. Battle trance fading away, Elwin stood over three mutated beasts, dead and exposed. I am Silvertree¡¯s champion. It will take the darkness themselves to challenge me. I do not fear you. Howl! This is my home, and I will protect it. ... The top of Unn Thalor¡¯s wall was brimming with activity. A flurry of hand signals and clicking noises, a telltale sign that something had happened. The inhabitants knew there was a threat out there somewhere. Were they under attack? Did Elwin and Vanima fail, and they would be on their own now? Could this be the end? Several thoughts ran through everyone''s head when the call went out to the designated shelters, where it was safer. Zeno walked past the retreating elves, his escort by his side. ¡°The rest of the council are safe. My people need me. We need to find out what¡¯s out there.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Joining the other hunters on the wall, Zeno stood next to Abarat, his successor, as he organized their defense. ¡°Report, Captain.¡± ¡°The team we had out on patrol ran back when the wolves started howling. Whatever has them riled up can¡¯t be good for us.¡± Zeno placed his hand on Abarat¡¯s shoulder and squeezed. ¡°Elwin did his best to prepare us for a fight against this darkness. It¡¯s up to the hunters of the Wataki Soma Tribe to do their part until they return.¡± Voice raised; Zeno projected to every elf on the wall. ¡°We will hold the line. There is no retreating, no matter what comes at us.¡± A resounding ¡°Yes, sir!¡± echoed across the wall, filling Zeno with confidence. Zeno felt proud over the resounding "Yes, sir!" that echoed across the wall. A handful of shadows raced across the ground, weaving between the trees. Abarat took charge, pointing at the threat, and gave the order. ¡°Fire.¡± Arrows showered the ground. Every target hit with precision, to no avail. Nothing could pierce the darkness protecting whatever hid beneath. The shadows made a screeching cry moments before they crashed into the wall. Zeno steadied himself. Trying not to let the concern show, he raised his fist in the air defiantly. To everyone¡¯s horror, the wall rattled between each jolt. The creatures were using their claws to climb up. Abarat pulled out his sword and raised it into the air. ¡°Draw your blades. We make our stand here.¡± Fear not. My champion is close. The unknown voice brought hope to Zeno. The shining light that blazed to life along the wall gave them time. They could do this. ¡­ Hidden in the shadow of a tree deep in the forest stood an elf. The outline of a black thumbprint blazing with power on his forehead. He observed the conflict with the detached clinical eye as he gauged the enemy''s defensive capabilities. Next to the elf stood the dark lord''s newest creation. The reaper. They built it for agility and quick attacks, sharpening its bone swords protruding from their shoulders to deadly effect. Reserved as a last resort, Ruvan had instructed the elf to retreat if his creation faced a powerful foe. To his dismay, the shadow beasts fell from the wall, which now radiated light. The antithesis to the dark lord and his ilk. Silvertree intervenes. Send my reaper in. Let¡¯s show them what genuine despair is. ¡°At once, my lord.¡± Willing the reaper into action, the elf watched death incarnate enter the fray. ¡­ Shouts of alarm altered Zeno of the new threat racing toward the wall. The shadow beasts walked back and forth along the wall, snarling in frustration. He hoped the blessed wall would hold up to this new threat. An elf appeared in the air over the wall. Long sharp bone blades protruded from its shoulder and wolf-shaped paws, claws and all adorned the bottom of his legs. There was no mistaking this abomination for anything but a creature of death. Two hunters fell from the wall in pieces where the bone sword horror now stood. In the next instant, several more bodies fell to the dance of death. Abarat issued an order and charged the monster. Zeno wanted to protest when the hunters dragged him away, but there was nothing any of them could do against such a foe. The last he saw, Abarat had toppled the creature over the edge, vanishing from sight. ... Shocked at the scene before him, Elwin watched two figures fall from the glowing wall toward the group of shadow beasts huddled at the bottom. He trusted Silvertree and the power he had harnessed over the millennia. Tree branches swayed from the shockwave that Elwin¡¯s burst of speed produced. Shoulder-checking one shadow beast into the wall, he used the rebound to dive into the mob of shadows, teeth, and claws lashing out, leaving a third of the remaining forces on the ground exposed. The rest of the beasts pounced on the elf who had fallen from the wall, teeth tearing away flesh with abandon. The creature that had fallen with the elf stood up, preparing to launch itself up into the air. Howl! Not on my watch. Condensing his power, Elwin hit the bone horror with a gravity slam that caught it in the gut halfway up the wall from its jump and smashed it back into the ground with bone-crushing force. Ignoring the others for the moment, Elwin charged the creature to end the biggest threat. To his dismay, it stood up, bones snapping back into place. Consuming the energy formed after the hunters and shadow beasts died, its bones ground back into place, cracks disappearing. It twisted its head around at an unbelievable angle, snarled, and pounced with a feat of acrobatic mastery. Both arms slashed down at varied intervals, slicing all in their path, be it shadow beast or tree. All cut down by its might. What Elwin lacked in pure raw strength and slicing potential, he made up for in cunning and tactics. In terms of speed, they were a match unless Elwin used Silvertree¡¯s power to push himself, but he had already done that earlier and couldn¡¯t risk the stress. The remaining mutations struggled to decide between the blessed outer wall and the blessed wolf that had devastated their forces. Elwin used this to his advantage, darting between them with the bone horror hot on his tail. When only half remained, he jumped on the wall, pushed off, and spun backward while rotating, clearing the swinging bone blades below him. Focused on the skull of his foe, Elwin compressed his energy into a pinpoint and slammed it between the eyes with enough force to snap its neck back. He took advantage of the momentary pause in combat to leap on its chest, grip its neck with his teeth, and rip its head clean off. This is when an elf appeared next to him with a ball of shadows in his palm. The ball of darkness slammed into his side, knocking him into a tree. The newcomer picked up the severed head and ran, the headless bone horror chasing after him with the surviving shadow beasts taking up the rear. Preparing to pursue, Elwin saw Silvertree deep in the forest and stopped. There will be time enough for that. I will send a wolf out to follow the trail back to their home. The fight had been long over when Shalendra led Cailu, Erlan, and Alea to the other side of the forest, up to the gate of Unn Thalor. Elwin stood guard at the gate, solum expressions on everyone¡¯s face who came to retrieve Abarat¡¯s remains. Zeno thanked Elwin¡¯s efforts to stop the darkness¡¯s minions. Dark thoughts of what-ifs and impossible hurdles to overcome troubled the old man before Elwin. Recognizing the pain Zeno felt, Elwin placed a paw on their foot. I know how you feel. I lost many of my pack in a hopeless fight before I could harness a piece of Silvertree¡¯s power and strip away the darkness. In the end, it''s only a piece of armor easily broken when shown the light. ¡°Thank you, my friend. With Abarat gone, I return to my old post and lead my people in this war. It is where I belong.¡± Alea and Cailu ran past Elwin to help support their fellow hunters, take care of the dead, and check on the shelters. Unsure what to do, Erlan stood next to Elwin trying not to be noticed while Shalendra studied the shadowless beast corpses that littered the ground. ¡°Hey, Elwin. Did you know these things used to be an elf? Just changed somehow.¡± Yes. The darkness corrupts and twists life until it¡¯s unrecognizable. It subverts reality, turning death into a goal to be achieved in the worst way possible. ¡°And we have to fight an entire army of those?¡± I don¡¯t know. It has been a very long time since I had to face the shadows like this. We don¡¯t have a choice. Someone needs to stop the darkness and Silvertree only has us. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡­ That night, Elwin entered the forest to honor the dead or sacrificed themselves to protect the forest next to Silvertree himself. That is when he received the message from Vanima. She had encountered these beasts as well and would be returning home. The message was weak when it arrived. It is unknown how long it took to reach me. Stay strong, my champion. I trust my mate. She will return. When you can feel her presence, please let me know. With pleasure. Welcome home. Chapter 17 In the early morning, Elwin ran out of the gates of Unn Thalor, his only parting message: She''s here. Sitting on the edge of the forest facing the mountains to the East, he watched the sun crest the horizon, bathing the landscape in light. On the path walked four weary travelers and one wolf he knew very well. Elwin let his mind envelop hers in a loving embrace that Vanima sank into drinking in his essence. Welcome home, my mate. Vanima broke away from the group, racing toward him full bore. I''m back! She pounced on him, causing them to roll around, joyful barks and sloppy links being exchanged. To any outside observer, they would only see wild animals being wild, but to their friends walking up to join them, they knew better. This is what it looks like when two lovers who had spent several thousand years together reunited after being separated for the first time since the second Dark War. Penelo had a different vibe to her, less bubbly, with a resolve engraved into her soul that could only be obtained by venturing out into the world and surviving what life tossed her way. The two missing fingers on her hand were a testament to the challenge she must have faced. The scout Fariane didn¡¯t fare any better. A makeshift patch wrapped around her right eye. A fresh scar ran down her face where a claw had raked it. Although her injury was severe, she walked with pride and confidence. A true veteran who deserved the respect she had garnered from her fellow scouts. Ievis and Saida looked well off. Their smiles belayed the enjoyment of seeing Vanima so happy. Settled down, the two wolves turned toward the small group. Elwin bowed his head to them. Thank you for walking the hard path with my mate. To Penelo privately, he spoke. No matter the changes we face to our outward appearance, it is the personal growth from within that counts when our backs are against the wall. Squeezing her injured hand into a fist, Penelo placed it against her chest with a smile. Attention focused on Fariane after conferring with Silvertree, he surprised her with a question. Would you except Silvertree¡¯s blessing and regain the sight taken from you as our eternal thanks for your service and dedication to our cause? The scout''s stoic demeanor crumbled along with her knees as she fell to the ground. Tears flowed down her one good eye. Ievis and Saida reacted, both placing a hand on her shoulders with concern. Body trembling with emotion, Fariane felt Vanima push into her chest, and she hugged the wolf. Rattled, Penelo looked to Elwin for answers. ¡°What did you say to her?¡± Her eyes turned to Vanima, and she fell silent. What say you? Unable to speak, she projects her response through the mental connection. What is the cost? In a familiar flash of light to those who had witnessed it before, Silvertree appeared. My champion once asked your tribe to bear the burden of being the guardians against the darkness. The Shadow Breakers. After being shunned and abandoned, they disbanded. Choosing to spread their knowledge far and wide in the hopes of preserving the truth. Howl! Will you pick up this mantle as your forebears did before? Fariane met Elwin and Silvertree¡¯s piercing gaze with conviction and said, ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin hopped on Vanima¡¯s back and placed a paw on the scout''s scarred cheek, allowing his god''s power to flow through him. With this blessing, you shall see through any darkness. Shadows will never keep you away from the truth they seek to hide. Whenever those with ill intent try to deceive you, your eye shall see them for who they truly are. Elwin''s paw glowed brightly, forcing the others to shield their eyes. Elwin stepped back next to Silvertree when the light faded. Hugging Vanima one last time, Fariane stood up on shaky legs and removed the cloth covering her right eye. Where an empty socket had been, Fariane now had a solid white orb that pulsed with magical energy, which only those sensitive to such phenomena could notice. Deed done, Silvertree vanished back into the forest, satisfied with the rekindling of the Shadow Breakers. Vanima returned to Elwin¡¯s side, tail wrapping around his in a loving embrace. The bubbly elf from before resurfaced as Penelo crashed into Fariane, hugging her friend and protector while mumbling incoherently. Fariane comforted the elf, whispering something that calmed Penelo. Inspired, Fariane asked, ¡°What about Penelo?¡± Before either wolf could respond, Penelo shook her head. ¡°No. It¡¯s a badge of honor that I will carry with me forever. I can learn how to adapt.¡± Let us return home. We can exchange stories on the way back. Vanima relayed the ambush she set up and the six shadow creatures they slew with an emphasis on its leader, who oozed an aura of darkness. Elwin shared the attack on Unn Thalor and the forest by the group of shadow beasts and a new creation with bone swords for arms that killed many defenders before Abarat sacrificed himself to drag it off the wall. ¡°Wait, what? Is my father alive? Why didn¡¯t you say something sooner?¡± Calm little one. They pulled your father from the fight when they faced the deadly threat. He has taken on his former role again until a replacement can be promoted once more. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He returned to his retelling, sharing the outcome and his victory despite the new elf appearing at the end to rescue the decapitated monster he defeated yet still ran away. They discussed the various levels of success in gaining support for the war until the gate to Unn Thalor opened for them. Penelo crashed into her father¡¯s open arms, embracing him. Her mother stood nearby, receiving her hug. Her parents fussed over the two missing fingers, but she brushed them away with the same resolve she showed earlier. Zeno nodded to the scouts, studying Fariane¡¯s pure white eye and the scar across her face for a moment. Released from duty, the three scouts bowed and entered to a joyous cheer from everyone nearby. Sulking in the shadows nearby stood Erlan. He focused on Penelo. Feeling mischievous, Elwin slipped into Penelo''s mental space long enough to point him out. Her gaze zeroed in on the elf, and she growled, pointing at her feet. ¡°My man doesn¡¯t hide in the shadows. Get over here now, mister.¡± Zeno sputtered out an incoherent response while Nuala smiled with pride for her daughter. Not wanting to anger the fierce, newly bloodied veteran in the making, Erlan raced over, lifting Penelo in the air and spinning her around. Giggling in excitement, she clung to him. The kiss they shared caused her father¡¯s jaw to drop so hard it could have snapped a piece of wood in half. Hands intertwined, she glared at her father and winked at her mother. Without another word, she dragged Erlan off. Zeno attempted to make a move, but Nuala slapped him for his effort. ¡°No, you don¡¯t, mister. She is old enough to make her own decisions.¡± ¡°But she is just a kid!¡± Scowling at her husband, Nuala said, ¡°She already survived an encounter with those shadow beasts. Many of us could die in this war. She deserves to be happy.¡± Defeated, he breathed out a sigh. ¡­ Qamara stood next to Morthil in the council chambers when Zeno entered with his wife and the two wolves following. She made eye contact with them and bowed ever so slightly. Greetings to you too, Qamara. I agree, Elwin. It is good to see you well. My mate informed me of the recent attack. A sad knowing smile crossed her face, only to focus on the others walking in. Fariane arrived without the rest of her group, which was quickly overlooked when Qamara gazed into the solid white orb in her right eye. ¡°You must have a tale to tell to go along with that new eye of yours, veteran scout, Fariane.¡± Amused, Fariane replied, ¡°I can see more now than ever before. The darkness shall not hinder me any longer.¡± Alea joined the session with her new best friend, Shalendra, the nomad that replaced the scout Elwin killed before they could betray them. Qamara felt heartbroken when she talked with the scouts'' relatives. Elwin did what he could to help, but losing a loved one is never easy. After everyone had settled down and Zeno joined her at the front, she looked over the room and said, ¡°Thank you all for joining us for an important council meeting. The last of two groups we set out to find allies has returned. The attack on our home showed us a glimpse of the threat we face in the darkness.¡± As if they had rehearsed this prior, Morthil continued, ¡°All doubt as to if we should face this enemy has vanished. The choice we must make is where this battlefield will take place. The enemy knows where we live, but can we say the same?¡± Pardon me, council, but I have news. Morthil acknowledged Elwin and remained silent. Silvertree asked one of his wolves guarding the forest to follow the enemy as they retreated. When they return, we shall know where to strike. That is what I propose. We take the fight to them. Conflicted over the implications, Qamara gave voice to her concerns. ¡°I appreciate wanting to distance those who are unfit to fight from the front lines, but the burden we would place on ourselves to keep everyone fed and supplied would be high.¡± Vanima took a step forward. I may have a solution to this dilemma. One of our new allies, a group of well-traveled merchants who know the area where we would be venturing. Let us use them as our guardians who keep our people cared for. Zeno gathered everyone''s attention by clapping his hands and said, "It appears we must wait for our new allies before more can be discussed." We should adjourn for now.¡± Morthil and Qamara both consented, ending the meeting with no further discussion. ... Elwin could wait no longer. If anyone else made it, they would need to catch up. Penelo, let your father know we need to assemble every leader. ¡°Of course.¡± She kissed Erlan on the cheek and ran off, leaving the elf in an awkward position. Alea and Shalendra stood there chuckling in the background, which only caused Erlan¡¯s cheeks to brighten further. Vanima brushed up against the flustered elf, easing his tension. She loves you. Nothing to feel embarrassed about. You should enjoy the time you have. Twiddling his thumbs, he mumbled, ¡°I know. I¡¯m just not used to the attention. Haldir was always in the spotlight while I stood in the background.¡± Nuala appeared around the corner and waved them down. ¡°It¡¯s time. We should hurry before their egos get the better of them.¡± The council room could not accommodate everyone''s demands, so they pushed several tables outside so that everyone could sit together. At one end sat Qamara, the chosen representative for the Wataki Soma Tribe. Yalanue Daethyra from the Xilyra Tribe sat next to her chatting amicably. Elwin and Vanima sat near Qamara listening to the group of leaders. The table went silent when Qamara stood up and said, ¡°Thank you all for agreeing to aid us in this endeavor. Our time has ended, and we can wait no longer for others to reach us. Let us begin by introducing ourselves. I am Qamara, one of three council members that rule over the Wataki Soma Tribe.¡± Yalanue stood up and said, ¡°My name is Yalanue Daethyra, leader of the Xilyra Tribe.¡± The rest of the tribal leaders took turns standing up and introducing themselves. ¡°Katar and Cargwyn Valran, leaders of the Shuvo Tribe.¡± ¡°Darunia Arctic of the Kuma Tribe.¡± ¡°Rania Perkas from the Libryen Tribe.¡± ¡°Flaryn Glilvaris, leader of the Erfina Tribe.¡± ¡°You can call me Qildor. I lead the hunter faction in the Haus Tribe.¡± ¡°Dain Liastra, it is a pleasure to meet you all. I lead the Waejyre Tribe.¡± ¡°The Pahana tribe welcomes you all. I am Aienik Qipetor.¡± ¡°Dirra Femlee at your service. I lead the Pabanise Tribe.¡± Discussions centered on who should take the lead in this joint effort against the darkness began turning into a chaotic jumble of shouts and arguments. When Flaryn Glilvaris of the Erfina Tribe stood up, clenching his fist in anger, Elwin had enough. He leaped over Qamara onto the table and activated his power with increasing gravity, forcing Flaryn to sit down. He circled, growling at anyone who tried to argue. As Silvertree¡¯s champion and the most powerful warrior here with experience fighting the darkness, I will take charge. If you are strong enough to stand, you are more than welcome to challenge my rule. Several tried to push against the gravity spell, pressing against them to no avail. The more they struggled, the stronger it became. When the last few gave up, he huffed and sat down. I am sure many of you can agree that we have many friends and family who aren¡¯t fit to fight and wish to stay safe. To ensure this, we must take the fight to the enemy. Vanima, my mate, tells me that Aithlin and his group of merchants who are familiar with the area will help. They will take charge of the supply line that keeps our fighters well-fed. Conversations started up as different leaders pitched in different ideas. No one dared to argue while under Elwin¡¯s watchful gaze. The time for war had arrived. Elwin met Vanima¡¯s gaze and wrapped his aura around hers in a mental hug. It will be alright, my love. Together, we can do this. We must. You will not be alone. I shall join you when he enters the fray. Until then, I will remain in the background. I will avenge the loss of Ninquel¨®t?, my mate. Chapter 18 The dark lord sat in his workshop working on his creations. His grim reaper prototype showed promise in the upcoming war. Today, he had one of his wolf mutations strapped to the table, squealing in pain. He tried drilling into their teeth to add a way to dispense poison, but when he added the poison sack, it burst, killing it. After a few failures, he moved on to altering their fur to better resist attacks. A mental tug on a dark thread leading to Nylian caught his attention. He separated a part of himself and sent it along the line until he could see through the mutated shadow beast squad leader. He recalled sending him and his friend out with a group of five each to cause havoc. Nylian growled in frustration. A wolf fought his beast with two groups of elves facing off against the rest. Seeing the two dead already irritated him, but he could always make more. When he noticed Silvertree¡¯s power radiating from their weapons, the deep-seated hatred burst forth enraging his minion. Switching over to one of the other shadow beasts, he took control and forced the youngest of the two back. Her partner charged in, so he slashed at her face, ripping into her eye and down her cheek. He felt something jump on the beast''s back, distracting him enough for the injured elf to thrust their blade into its chest, severing the link. Back to Nylian, he urged his minion to press the attack harder. He roared when the last two shadow beasts fell, leaving the squad leader alone. Outraged, he forced Nylian to breathe in the aroma of death and channeled it into a blast of dark energy that knocked everyone over. Free of the pesky wolf, he charged the youngest elf, going for the easy kill. Blinded by rage, he could not save Nylian when the sword, blazing white with Silvertree¡¯s energy, impaled its mouth, obliterating the link. The dark lord retreated before he felt the backlash. Wanting to know more about his foe, he directed his consciousness back across the land to discover more. He made it in time to watch the light spell fly out toward the mountains. He followed it into his rival''s domain. Back in the forest next to the town that he assaulted so long ago. He cared not how it had changed. The passage of time meant little to beings like him. Rushing back before Silvertree could attack his unguarded consciousness, the dark lord planned. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Do they wish to fight me? Let us test their mettle with a small force to begin with. I want to see my reaper in action. There is time yet still. Before the fun begins, I need to perform more tests.¡± ¡­ Erlan strode from his workshop, his reaper silently following behind him. His tests were complete. Time to assemble a force to attack the forest. He pulled on the connection to Feno, his dark knight. The elf arrived a few minutes later, the dark handprint visible on their face. ¡°I am at your disposal, my lord. What would you have me do?¡± ¡°Our enemy revealed their location to me. Pick one from your ranks to be my eyes during the assault. I will give them command over my reaper and a force of normal shadow beasts. I will leave my undead army here for the war.¡± An elf appeared in short order to receive command over the dark lord''s minions. Erlan directed his dark energy into the elf, empowering them to guide the beasts and giving himself an anchor to piggyback his consciousness and observe the fight himself. The force set off toward the mountains, avoiding conflict along the way. They reached their destination inside Silvertree¡¯s domain, just outside the forest. He commanded the elf to send a few shadow beasts into the forest to engage with the wolves he knew would be there while the rest focused on the settlement. The reaper held back, letting the pack of shadow beasts engage with the elves. The shadow beasts ignored the arrows and climbed the wall, only to be forced off when it glowed brightly with power. Silvertree intervenes. Send my reaper in. Let¡¯s show them what genuine despair is. ¡°At once, my lord.¡± The dark lord raged at the sight of Elwin charging in from the forest. He would be too late to save the elves from his reaper, though. After leaping onto the wall, it sliced into any elf it could with its bone sword arms until someone tackled it off the wall. A shockwave erupted from the force behind Elwin¡¯s sudden charge into the group of shadow beasts, slaughtering them with ease. Those close to the reaper pounced on the fool who tackled the reaper, ending their life. His creation rose and prepared to jump back on the wall again when Elwin used the power granted by Silvertree to slam it back to the ground. Using all the chaos and death permeating the air, the reaper quickly put himself back together. Outraged by his rival¡¯s champion, he flooded his creation with the need to kill the wolf at any cost. To his dismay, Elwin defeated his creation, forcing the elf watcher to run in and blast the wolf with a dark bolt, giving them time to collect the severed head and order the body to follow them back home. Consciousness whole once more, Erlan walked around his workshop pondering how he could improve his forces before they clashed again. ¡°I will be ready for you next time. You won¡¯t escape my wrath this time, Elwin. Once you die, I shall devour Silvertree once and for all.¡± Chapter 19 Penelo felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her in. The morning chill sent shivers down her arms. Despite that, her heart felt warm beside Erlan. Flexing her right hand, she marveled at the custom glove prosthetic that provided a replacement for the two missing fingers. Erlan enlisted the help of his clan to search for artisans to craft the contraption before asking Elwin to bless it. Silvertree worked through Elwin to bless it. You are now bound to the glove. It will move as if they were your real fingers. Fight proudly and survive. Several camps dotted the forest where her allies woke from their slumber. Today was the day they would leave for war. She mumbled, ¡°Survive? Is that even possible against such a foe?¡± ¡°Penelo?¡± Shaking her head, she took hold of Erlan''s hand and led him to the ladder. ¡°We should check on the others.¡± ¡­ Fariane walked next to Elwin and Vanima in the forest. Her blessed eye perceived more now than ever. They arrived in front of a tree surrounded by the wolf pack. The heart of the forest. The tomb of Silvertres¡¯s mate. Vanima stepped up to the base of the tree and slammed her paw down, sending a ripple of magic out that revealed an entrance. Enter the tomb and retrieve the artifact crafted from the bones of N. First worn by Freaya and returned to its resting place by Renna when the order disbanded. Elwin moved to stand by his mate and face the elf. You are the leader of the Shadow Breakers now. Enter and claim the symbol of your mantle. She followed the footsteps of the few before her with the honor of seeing the story of a god. At the heart lay a tomb with a necklace placed on top. Fariane lifted it up in amazement and placed it around her neck. She felt the energy pulsing along with her heartbeat. Upon exiting the tomb, a memory popped into her head of a prayer that would close the entrance. She turned around and bowed. Offering a prayer, magic spread across the ground, concealing the heart of the forest once more. Both wolves bowed to Fariane. Elwin nudged the elf toward the pack. It is customary for the Shadow Breakers to keep a wolf by their side. If you focus on any willing animal, a connection will open up allowing the two of you to communicate. Trusting her furry friends, Fariane walked among the pack using her eye to see what hid below the surface. The truth that is normally hidden. One wolf sat proud, eyes begging her to take a chance. Fingers traced the wolf''s fur after she closed the distance. ¡°Hello. Do you have a name?¡± Silly elf. Of course I do. You may call me Asena. Let me be your companion. It has been a very long time since my pack could hold such a prestigious position for our god. ¡°Forgive my silliness. It would be an honor to have you by my side. ... ¡°Greetings, Councilor. The merchants have the route planned out to keep the army supplied on our way to our destination.¡± Lowering her head in acknowledgment, Qamara said, ¡°Thank you, Aithlin.¡± ¡°Excuse me, I have a report.¡± ¡°Go ahead Dirra.¡± ¡°Thank you, Councilor. The Pabanise tribe has combined forces with Qildor of the Haus tribe to scout ahead and create an information chain in case we encounter more shadow beasts.¡± She knew people could view such a task as a death sentence, but tough decisions had to be made. The new temporary settlement for the flood of noncombatants came into view. Pressure from Penelo elevated the Xilyra tribe¡¯s council into temporary leadership of the settlement. Yalanue stood with Yrathea and Tishala as they discussed logistics. ¡°Hello Yalanue, I hope all is well.¡± ¡°Oh, greetings Qamara. There have been conflicts between clans, but your tribe''s hunters have helped patrol and settle disagreements. My friends here have integrated our social structure to keep our youth occupied and allow everyone a place to talk to someone when they need it.¡± Qamara made her way back to the gate of Unn Thalor and climbed up the wall to view the procession. Elwin, Vanima, Penelo, Erlan, and the rest of their advanced party took their place at the head of the column. Silencing any unrest, Elwin combined the different tribe tribes into one force. Elwin assigned the role of general to the tribal leaders Pharom, Dain, Aienik, Darunia, and Flaryn, who worked under him. Each leader handled two hundred warriors, each of which was broken down into groups of forty controlled by an officer that assigned five squad leaders eight warriors a piece. Between Elwin and his group of ten, the five generals, twenty-five officers, one hundred and twenty-five squad leaders, and one thousand soldiers, the army had swelled to one thousand, one hundred and sixty-six. Assisting the primary force was the merchant caravan of forty-eight led by Aithlin, the scout division of thirty under the command of Dirra and Qildor, and the eighty civilians spread out between the five generals to cook and maintain the camp working under Cargwyn. That increased the total number involved in the war effort to one thousand three hundred and twenty-eight. At the first command meeting, Elwin let the generals and the leaders of the other three groups know he would create a mental link with them for communication to relay information when they were within reach of his ability. With a force this size, everyone needed to work well together to increase efficiency and minimize the chance of their attack lines falling apart. Combining the forces of ten different tribes made this even more important. The Councilor swelled with pride at the force Elwin and Vanima created in such a short amount of time. All she could do now was work with Yalanue to keep the new settlement functional and supply the merchants so their warriors wouldn¡¯t starve. ¡°Please come back safe. May Silvertree watch over you all.¡± ¡­ Elwin walked beside Aienik, the leader of the Pahana tribe, now one of five generals leading his army. It was a slow process crossing the mountain. After they regrouped in the forest where the Haus tribe called home, they set off toward their destination. Hailing from this side of the mountain, Aienik volunteered to take the lead in their new formation. ¡°Who gave you the idea to organize us in such a way? All I have ever seen in my years of fighting against other clans have been a single group charging or spreading out to ambush.¡± There are over a thousand elves under my command from ten different tribes. I asked for guidance from Silvertree and together we came up with a plan. If I left the tribes alone, everyone would fall back on what they know. That would only lead to death against this foe. They walked down Aienik¡¯s column as they discussed how Elwin organized the army. An officer walked in front of each group of warriors who stood in rows eight abreast, with squad leaders walking on either side. This was repeated four more times. On either side, a few scouts from Dirra and Qildor''s unit moved about. Sixteen civilians assigned to the general followed in the back with a few wagons full of camp supplies. ¡°So, how many of us are there?¡± One thousand three hundred and twenty-eight. Twenty-nine if you count Silvertree. ¡°Thank you for checking in with me. I should check in with my men.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Understood. I will see you tonight for the command meeting. He continued to visit the other generals spread out across the land. Three columns lined up in a line, with the final two generals parallel on either side of the center group. Every general would take turns in one of the five spots in the marching formation. The safest is the center surrounded by over eight hundred warriors. That night, Elwin invited everyone from his group to the command meeting with the five generals who brought one of their officers along, and the leaders who commanded the supply line, scouts, and civilian regiment. Twenty-six would be in attendance altogether. Elwin sat in the middle of the large tent with Pharom, Dain, Aienik, Darunia, Flaryn, Aithlin, Dirra, Qildor, and Cargwyn circling him on the floor. The officers stood back and listened, with their only objective being to report back to the rest of the officers and squad leaders. Erlan and Penelo sat relaxed on the floor while Ievis, Saida, and Cailu stood by the entrance, alert to any unwanted presence. Shalendra found a spot next to her new best friend Alea as they chatted quietly in the back. The pair that captured the attention of all in attendance stood watch. Fariane with her blessed white eye and her new friend and guardian, Asena. The wolf from the pack that guards Silvertree¡¯s forest. Greetings everyone and thank you for joining me tonight. My mate, Vanima, was supposed to join us, but the scouts needed help to patrol our surroundings, so she volunteered. Let us start this off with a report from each of you. Dirra stood up and said, ¡°As our commander said, Vanima is off helping my scouts. Qildor let me go alone so he could coordinate with the rest of our team. After consulting with Vanima and her team, we confirmed the enemy left behind the remains we found near the path today. We could not find any fresh trails.¡± Thank you. Maybe the six shadow beasts my mate and her team dispatched handled this area. Either way, let''s not let our guard down. She sat down, and Aithlin took her place. ¡°Greetings. My team has established a functional supply line and has coordinated with Cargwyn to distribute.¡± The elf in question remained seated as she added, ¡°Thank you, Aithlin. The cooks from Hagluin¡¯s group of survivors from your tribe have been phenomenal. I shall thank them personally if I survive to make it back to the rest of our tribesman.¡± Aienik coughed to grab the attention of the room and stood up. ¡°I am sure he would rather have his people back home safe than your thanks, but I agree with the sentiment. Now, I will present my report to you. I still feel uneasy about how we distributed the men among us, but I can''t ignore the results. The squad leaders who were numerous handled minor disputes. If it escalated, the officer stepped in.¡± He sat down with a huff and laughed when the other generals looked at him. The other four shared similar opinions with nothing of great importance. Satisfied, Elwin was about to let everyone go when Fariane gasped, Asena pushing up against her leg in worry. That is when he felt it. The darkness had found them. They were in his domain now. ¡°He saw. Did I? Was that him?¡± Down on her knees, she hugged Asena as she trembled with fear. Knowing the others would not understand, he stood up on all four. Everyone out, now. Generals, if you have questions, ask them privately when I meet with you tomorrow. Officers, this does not leave this tent. Do I make myself clear? A chorus of, ¡°Yes, sir¡± echoed before everyone started filing out, leaving Elwin alone with Fariane and Asena. He connected his mind with both and sat patiently. It¡¯s going to be alright. You have me now. We are partners. Asena is correct. The two of you are a pair. You should rely on each other. Your blessing is a two-edged sword. It lets you see through the darkness, but a god of his power can see you too. This is the responsibility we have placed on your shoulders. Lifting her head up, she said, ¡°I understand, Elwin. The dark presence overwhelmed me. So much death, anger, and hatred condensed into one focused intent to destroy.¡± Vanima and I will work with you each night to help build a defense to protect your mind. It won¡¯t make it go away but should help. We may need to involve Asena to keep it going, but I can¡¯t say what that might do to her in the long run. Licking her friend''s tears away, Asena pressed into Fariane. I will do anything. I made a vow to Silvertree to give my life if necessary to help defeat the darkness. Overwhelmed with emotion, the elf pulled Asena in for another hug and cried. There was nothing else he could do, so Elwin left the two of them alone, letting the guards outside know not to let anyone inside until they came out. ... The dark lord separated his consciousness from Ruvan¡¯s body and traveled across his domain in search of the filth that dared cross into his land. After he lost the squad of mutated shadow beasts, he partitioned off a part of his being to monitor for any sign of Silvertree¡¯s magic. What he found astounded him. The gall to bring such an army to face me. It¡¯s inconceivable. They march to their own death. A death that I will use to finish this once and for all. He entered their camp and made his way to the center. There was a large tent where he felt the most concentrated source of light energy pooled. Entering, he ignored the wolf champion in favor of the elf who stared directly at him with her pure white orb. She mumbled words as she fell to her knees in fear. He drank in her fear and departed, satisfied with how the events had unfolded. They were coming to him. He would make them regret it. On his way back, the dark lord used his mental connection to all his subordinates to demand everyone return home. Our foe comes for us. We shall wait for them with open arms. Return and rejoice for war has arrived. The time for the great slaughter is upon us. Feno stood next to Ruvan on the wall as they looked out at the horde of undead standing still. An army of elves approached amid the early morning light. Spread across the land, the dark lord approved of how well organized it appeared. In contrast, he reviewed his own forces and what he could bring to bear against Silvertree and his champion. The mutated shadow beasts were unchanged, but their numbers had escalated. Since his reaper variant fought Elwin, he had reinforced its neck joints at a slight cost to mobility before making more of the finished product. His newest mutation took the form of a wolf-sized bird with talons and a beak that could pierce a skull. In his attempt to make a prototype that could sustain flight, the dark lord sacrificed many of his newest followers. There were a few other hidden projects only he knew about, but they would need to wait. His mind drifted back to the foe before him. ¡°What do you think of our enemy, my dark knight?¡± ¡°They appear ready to die, my lord. No one could survive our full might.¡± Ruvan laughed, which spread among his forces and led to a chorus of howls from his mutated shadow beasts. The ground rumbled after he ordered his undead minions to stomp in unison. Raising his fist, he chanted, ¡°Death! Death! Death!¡± ¡­ Hours before the ground shook with the combined might of the undead, Elwin awoke next to Vanima. The sun had yet to break free from its nightly prison. The two of them walked among the tents as the army stirred from their slumber. No one bothered to break down the camp. They would leave that to those who still lived to see the sun vanish once more. Qildor stepped out of the shadows and crouched. ¡°My scouts have returned. The enemy must know how close we are, but make no move to attack.¡± Thank you. The dark lord knows we have come for him. There is no reason to give up the advantage. Pick a squad to remain to retreat if none of us survive. Someone needs to survive to spread the news. ¡°It shall be done.¡± His ears guided him to a disturbance. An irate Tarred demanded his daughter stay behind. ¡°You can¡¯t force me, father. I don¡¯t report to you. Darunia is my general. I¡¯m one of her best fighters. Need I remind you who trained me?¡± Desperate to keep Caeda safe, he continued, ¡°Our people will need a capable hunter to lead them away from these lands if we fail this day. Surely you can see this?¡± She shook her head in disappointment. ¡°What you fail to realize is that there will be no hope of anyone back home if we fail. Why would I abandon the forty warriors and their five squad leaders under my leadership? You should be ashamed for even asking.¡± Tarred stood there in tears watching his daughter walk away. I respect your desire to protect your family, but everyone here must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop a god who wants nothing more than to devour everyone and everything. That includes myself. Vanima moved up and rubbed up against his leg to comfort him. Do not let this strife be the last between you and your daughter. Wiping away the tears, he forced a smile and ran after his daughter. This is another reason Elwin broke up the tribes. He wanted to dissuade families from using their authority over loved ones that could compromise the mission. Cargwyn and her civilian team made a light, hearty meal for everyone, bringing Elwin and the rest of the command team to their share during the final meeting. All five generals, twenty-five officers, which included Tarred and Caeda, one hundred and twenty-five squad leaders, and both scout leaders. Thank you all for joining me. I will share my battle plan for today¡¯s assault. We will face hundreds of undead that stand idle blocking our way to the gate. We expect more shadow beasts to mix in with the horde. I also expect the appearance of the bone horror that attacked the wall of Unn Thalor to appear. Darn, Aienik, and Flaryn will line up and act as our frontal assault. Both Pharom and Darunia will flank the enemy on both sides. Work as a team and support each other. Silvertree will gift us all with a blessing to pierce the shadows. Vanima and I will break into two teams and target the stronger foes. We will be connected through my mental connection, so speak up. When the dark lord makes an appearance, Silvertree will take the field and join me in battle. For what it''s worth, it has been an honor to fight by your side. Every elf stood up and saluted their commander. Silvertree''s champion. Their last hope of stopping the darkness. Now that the time had come, Elwin turned to his army standing strong in the face of the dark lord''s forces and the audible roar of ¡°Death¡± being chanted, and for a single moment connected to every elf under his command. Today we make history. This day marks the turning of an age. For a third time, the darkness threatens to take what we all cherish, and for a third time, we shall say no. Do not hesitate or fall prey to doubt. You''re the proud and honorable warriors who answered my call. With one voice united. Let us remind the dark lord what we fight for. Repeat after me. Faith and love! Over a thousand voices united, hands pounding their chests in salute to the rhythm of their hearts. ¡°Faith and love! Faith and love! Faith and love!¡± Howl! With a roar of defiance, he gave them all the order. Charge! Chapter 20 Elwin stood there while the rest of his army charged down the hill toward the undead. They had yet to move besides the stomping. Silvertree, still in hiding, worked his blessing through Elwin into the entire army, granting them the ability to pierce the shadows, be it from a blade or arrow. As a side consequence, he felt like he could follow that connection to any elf and experience the fight through their eyes. Intrigued by the idea, he turned his attention back to the field of battle and called out his first order. Everyone halt. Wield your bows and rain death on our enemy. Focused on one officer in the front line of Darn¡¯s formation, he let his consciousness slide into the back of their mind. ¡­ Leading the charge, Hathros yelled out, ¡°Halt and bring out your bows! Orders from the commander.¡± He grinned as he saw his bow and arrows glow a soft white from the promised blessing. Training kicking in, he set an arrow to bow, raised his arm to aim with the warriors to his left and right, and let loose. If it weren¡¯t for the soft glow, the sight of over a thousand arrows flying simultaneously would have blocked out the sun covering the ground in darkness. Arrow after arrow peppered the undead without a response from them. Some fell to the onslaught, but most remained unphased. The howls of anger and pain coming from the shadow beasts hidden within the horde drew everyone¡¯s attention. Screaming out his defiance, he said, ¡°Do not let fear take hold! Let them know the truth of our conviction. Let your arrows fly.¡± His legs almost buckled when the undead suddenly charged up the slope. A new presence brushed against his consciousness. Your men need you, Hathros. Get ready to charge. ¡­ The commander surveyed the battlefield and communicated new orders to his generals. We will hold Pharom and Darunia in reserve. Darn, you will spearhead the charge. Aienik and Flaryn, both of you will wait until Darn passes to begin. Elwin followed the flow of energy to Tannyll, a squad leader in the very center of Darn¡¯s front line near Hathros. The conviction held within the warrior''s mind gave Elwin the courage to see this through to the end. ¡­ Feet pounding beneath him, Tannyll held his long, curved blade in the air as he charged down the slope. The smell of rotting flesh hit his nose, causing him to dry heave. Determined not to let his squad down, he pushed through the gag reflex and willed himself to move past the anxiety. Countless undead riddled with arrows charged, hands outstretched, clawing at the air. Mouth open in a silent scream, the horde¡¯s front line jumped in the air the moment before impact. Tannyll swung his sword up, cleaving the rotting corpse in two. He stepped back to counter his imbalance, but that didn¡¯t stop the onslaught of bodies charging behind it. The force of a falling tree slammed into his chest, taking him to the ground. After losing his sword to the crowd, Tannyll cried out a defiant, ¡°No!¡± Several broken fingernails clawed at his body, searching for a weakness in his hardened leather armor. He fought desperately to push them off and get up, but to no avail. When the teeth sank into his neck, Tannyll knew he wouldn¡¯t. In his last moments, he felt a presence stroke his mind. You fought well, Tannyll. Rest in peace. ¡­ Horrified by the truth of what war could be, Laiex focused on the fight in front of him in time to witness Tannyll get tackled to the ground and swarmed by the undead. With a yell of defiance, he cut down those feasting on the elf before joining the survivors of the initial clash while pushing forward. The undead fought desperately to reach them, even to the point of attacking their own kind in desperation. Several died, left on the ground covered in gaping wounds. The unanswered cries for help from those that yet lived mingled with the roar of combat. Falling back into his decades of training, Laiex let the flow of battle wash over him as he danced between life and death. Heart full of hope, he said, ¡°We can do this. Push them back!¡± Amidst commands and words of encouragement from the officers and squad leaders who still drew breath, Darn¡¯s warriors did their job pushing into the enemy horde. That is when the shadow beasts pounced. Lost in the battle flow, Laiex became confused. He couldn¡¯t feel the weight of his sword anymore. The pain hit him the moment he saw an arm holding a weapon disappear in the crowd. A shadow beast struck him again, ripping his chest open and biting down. Elwin retreated from Laiex, finding himself in Darn¡¯s mind. More of the mutated beasts had leaped over his warriors to engage with the squad protecting him. General Darn, I need your men to retreat slowly. Aienik and Flaryn will hold the line as we draw the enemy in. Our reserves will move out and flank the enemy. Back in his own body, Elwin communicated the plan with the rest of the generals and let his mind jump into Pharom on the left flank. ... ¡°Listen up. It is our time to show the enemy who they should fear. Move out with bows at the ready. We shall attack their flank, giving our brethren a better chance of victory.¡± They ran closer to the enemy''s entrenched position parallel to the two armies clashing and pivoted to face their foe directly. From his perspective, Darn¡¯s center formation was being overrun, but he knew better. Elwin wouldn¡¯t stand by and let that happen. ¡°Let¡¯s remind them who we are. Ranged attack at the ready.¡± Every elf under Pharom¡¯s command raised their bow and showed the darkness that you can¡¯t get rid of the light. Satisfied, Pharom gave the command, ¡°Aim. Fire.¡± ¡­ Bellatala became engulfed in rage after witnessing her people being butchered. Now that she held her bow once more, she aimed for every target she could find. No one from her clan could best her in accuracy. Every time an officer called out a shot, she hit it. Her general, Pharom, expected much from her today. It didn¡¯t take them long to figure out that the best way to tackle the undead was to reduce their mobility. Well-placed shots to their knees often had the best results. Regarding the shadow beasts, they could only pray they hit something vital. ¡°Target the shadow beast near Aienik¡¯s front line!¡± She heard the order and shifted toward the beast that continued to clash against a squad, desperate to protect their wounded. Lifting her bow, she took a breath and let it out. The soft glow of her arrow soared into the sky. A piece of wood connected to a crafted arrowhead infused with the hope of a god who only wanted peace. Bellatala kept the arrow in sight, marveling at the beauty she could find within a single moment. A blink of an eye. The step before the plunge. Out of sheer luck, the beast''s head twisted to the side from an elf¡¯s slash to its head in time for her arrow to sink deep in its eye. It stood up on its hind legs in rage, only to be pelted by the rest of her squad shortly after hers did. The warriors engaged directly with the beast took advantage of the situation, sinking their blades deep into its chest, and cutting its head off when it collapsed. The undead left them with no time to celebrate. Only the survivors after the fight had that luxury. As the enemy was being shot down one by one, their presence became a genuine threat. Several hundred undead turned to face them and charged. Bellatala no longer felt like being there anymore. The reality of war rumbled in the ground with each footfall. ¡­ Elwin returned to his body to assess each formation and took stock of the situation. Darn no longer retreated while Flaryn and Aienik pushed the enemy in the best they could. His flanking maneuver with Darunia and Pharom was a success. They pulled a portion of the undead and shadow beasts away from the central fight. That meant it was time to move on to the next phase. Bring the fight to our enemy. Engage! Trusting them to follow his orders, he sent off another command to the central force. Everyone needs to fall back to Darn''s position so you can reform your attack line. We are going to box them in with all five of you. Curious about how Tarred¡¯s daughter Caeda fared, he shifted over to the elves under Darunia¡¯s command. ... She knew her father fought somewhere in that mob of bodies. Caeda would have been a hypocrite to wish he was anywhere but here. Her father''s parting words after he chased her down gave her the confidence to give the fight everything she had. The same open maw her father faced now raced toward herself. Witnessing the enemy''s tactic from the sidelines, she prepared them ahead of time. ¡°Everyone, stop! Front line, take a knee. We will hit them with a ranged attack!¡± Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Numb to the putrid smell of rotting flesh, Caeda focused on shallow even breaths as she went down to one knee. Her side had riddled the right flank, taking out several of the undead and a few shadow beasts before they turned their ire to them. They again let loose against the charging mob. When the undead had nearly reached them, she said, ¡°Bring out your blades. Front line, let the initial group pass us and push back against the rest. Trust the warriors behind us to do their job.¡± With a precision only decades of training could provide, Caeda and her warriors slipped their bows away and pulled out their swords in one fluid motion. Still down on one knee, she looked up into the broken jaw of an undead as it leaped in the air. Pushing herself into a forward roll with pinpoint accuracy, Caeda swung her blade down as she rose, slicing into the charging undead, letting the warriors behind her finish the one in the air. Twisting her body, she pulled her blade up at an angle, letting more undead pass her, but not without cost as her sword sliced into them. Belting out a yell, Caeda planted her feet firmly on the ground and held the line. ¡°Push them back!¡± Balancing between the flow of battle and keeping awareness of her surroundings, Caeda and her warriors held the undead back. This granted Darunia more options with her back line. Ordering them to take up their bows once more to support the front. The chaos which was capitalized during the beginning of the battle by the shadow beasts did not exist against the right flank. Leaping over the undead, the shadow-covered foes cried out in anger, chests full of fresh arrows knocking them out of the air. To keep everyone focused, squad leaders or their replacements guided their squad to split up when faced with a shadow beast, half engaging the target while the other half was holding the undead back. Her sword sliced into the shadows, forcing the beast to evade her defensive strikes. An arrow whizzed by her cheek, puncturing her enemy in the mouth as it screamed, opening it up to a quick thrust of her blade into its throat, twisting it viciously before pulling it back out. The number of dead lying on the ground hampered their movement, forcing the elves to adjust as they forced the undead to backpedal. Caeda and Elwin, who witnessed her struggle through the magical connection, felt that they had a firm hold on the right flank. This complacency nearly cost Caeda her life. Someone tossed an undead into the air, causing chaos within the already chaotic fight. Eyes pulled up at the spectacle, arms flailing in what appeared to be distraught at its current predicament, the shove that sent her flying caught her unaware. Before she reacted with deadly intent, she heard the warrior call out her name, ¡°Caeda, watch out!¡± Two shadow beasts bore down on her position with an increased ferocity compared to their kind earlier. Blood splashed across her face from the force of the monster''s claws raking across her savior''s back. Three others placed themselves between her and the second, weakening their battle formation. Get up and fight. Hearing Elwin in her mind snapped her back into action. Using her now-dead companion as a shield, Caeda avoided losing her head. Pushing her emotions into the back of her mind, Darunia¡¯s best officer on the front line of the right flank pushed herself up and spun into action. She sliced the head off an undead, then used its falling body as a springboard to launch herself at the shadow beast. Battering away the claws aimed at her head, Caeda thrust her sword deep into its chest, piercing its heart, and screamed in defiance. ¡°You will not kill me!¡± She grabbed a fallen sword from the ground and charged the last remaining shadow beast from the surprise attack. Arms pulled across her chest, she swung both swords out, taking their head off. Her general coordinated with the other officers and reformed the front line. Satisfied with her ability to keep fighting, Elwin felt it was time to move on. I¡¯m proud of you. Keep it up. ¡°You can count on me, sir.¡± The warriors who heard her looked over in confusion, causing her to laugh as she sliced into another undead. ... Elwin relayed the successful strategy against the enemy to the other generals before finding Tarred fighting on the right side of the central force. The officer stood in the third row coordinating with the others, while most of the fighting occurred within the first two. After receiving the new tactics, Tarred helped start it, pulling out his bow. He began sniping at specific targets, focused on the shadow beasts whenever they popped up. Their formation slowly solidified, giving them an edge in this deadly encounter. The warriors had eliminated at least a third of the enemy force on the battlefield, but lost dozens themselves. What surprised Elwin the most was the absence of the bone horrors on the battlefield. He knew the destruction they could bring. They were a threat that would force his team to react. What shocked him even more was the small flock of shadow creatures rising from inside the enemy''s town and aiming for their left flank. He had to get a closer look at this new threat. You should be proud of your daughter, Tarred. She crafted the new tactics and is the reason our right flank is secure. Elwin felt the elf grin in satisfaction as he moved his consciousness across the field of battle. ¡­ ¡°Watch out Ilphas!¡± The warrior looked up, allowing Elwin to see the flying monstrosity. Around his size, but smaller than the beefed-up shadow warriors, they appeared to struggle in the air. They must have been a new experiment. Did that mean the dark god finished his bone horrors? Undead and shadow beast alike, they didn¡¯t care about what flew in the sky. Their master gave them one order: kill the enemy. Unable to think for themselves anymore, the undead could only carry out single commands, whereas the shadow beasts kept enough of their cognitive ability to adjust on the fly during combat. The difference between dying and having their body forcibly mutated by the dark god''s power. Ilphas struggled with three others to keep the clawing hands from multiple undead at bay. The rest of his squad had singled out a shadow beast for elimination. His eyes glanced up, trying to monitor the new threat heading their way. Pharom had ordered every warrior in the back who could fire at the flyers to do so. The new enemy failed to maneuver out of the way, sending half of them to the ground. This gave Ilphas hope. Those that survived the trek toward the left flank dive-bombed the group of elves with reckless abandon. Several crashed into the ground, smashing into anyone unlucky enough to be under them. The disruption tossed the entire formation into disarray, allowing the shadow beasts to gain the upper hand again. Panicking from all the pain-filled screams from those crushed under the flyers, he never saw it coming. Claws sunk deep into his shoulders and yanked him off the ground, his grip on his sword lost. Hands grasping in a futile attempt at dislodging from the creature, his eyes opened wide. Ilphas¡¯s friends and companions grew smaller and smaller until the entire battlefield came into view. That is when the pain vanished, and he fell. Close your eyes, Ilphas. It will be over soon. ¡°What do you mean, close my eyes? Can¡¯t you save me?¡± I¡¯m sorry. The warrior''s cry of defiance as he plummeted toward the ground shook Elwin to his core. ... Back in his own body, surrounded by his friends and companions on the top of the slope, Elwin stared at the flyers. It¡¯s time. Vanima brushed up against her mate and licked his face. Together or separate into two groups? Elwin wanted to stay by her side now more than ever, but the dark lord wasn¡¯t dumb. He needed to spread out his forces to keep them alive. Vanima will take her party to the right flank. Caeda has helped to keep her warriors alive along with her general, Darunia, and I want to make sure it stays that way. He turned to face everyone and addressed them. Erlan and Penelo, you both carry my hopes and dreams of a future free of this darkness. I want you to bring happiness to the next generation. Fight and survive this so that you can carry the torch I pass on to you. Penelo pressed her face into Erlan¡¯s chest, arms trembling as she cried. Erlan only nodded as he held her. Ievis, Saida, Alea, and Cailu. Prime examples that any hunter of the Wataki tribe should strive for. Knowing you all are here feels me with comfort, and for that, I thank you. The four hunters grinned with pride. Their accomplishments said more than any words could now. Fariane, you have the same qualification as your fellow tribesman, but are so much more now. As the leader of the Shadow Breakers with Asena by your side, it¡¯s your job to remember the past and protect the future against the darkness. Even if we win this fight, it is never so easy to kill a god. She kneeled and hugged Asena and said, ¡°You can count on us, Elwin.¡± Shalendra, you, my friend, are one fiery beast and I wouldn¡¯t ask for it any other way. Never let that fire die for anyone. Alea¡¯s disappointment if you did would surely wound you. With a grin on her face, the wild hunter pulled Alea in and gave her friend a hug and said, ¡°You can count on me.¡± Alea smiled, embarrassment clear on her face. Focused on his mate, Elwin closed the distance and pressed his forehead to hers and spoke privately to her. I won¡¯t lie, my love. Doubt lingers in my mind about my ability to confront a god. I¡¯m scared. Vanima comforted him the best she could. The last few millennia together had been more than any other mortal could ever dream of. Using a small portion of her power, Vanima let the memories they shared flash in their mind''s eye, reliving the best moments of their past in the blink of an eye. I have no regrets, my love. Neither of our lives has been the same ever since you took over as the pack leader and I wouldn¡¯t change anything about it. Wherever you go, I will follow. Even in death. Amidst the solum moment between him and Vanima, the news he was dreading arrived. General Pharom cried out in the mental link, ¡°Bone Horror!¡± Our people need us now more than ever. Move out! ... Vanima took her team to the right toward Darunia, while Elwin led his team to Pharom. On his way down the slope, Elwin could see the warrior''s formation fall apart against the swift devastation those two bone sword arms could bring to bear. At least a third of the elves under Pharom''s command had died from the combined onslaught of the dark lord''s army, and more were dropping by the second. Looking up to the sky, Elwin turned gravity against the remaining flyers, causing their wings to buckle and crumble to the ground. Shalendra and Alea support the right side. Erlan and Cailu go to the left. Leave the bone horror to me. Shocked at what he saw, Elwin raced toward Pharom and his personal squad who engaged the bone horror. Two elves had tackled the mutated creature, a sword arm thrust into their chests for the effort. They gave their lives for a chance Pharom took full advantage of. The general roared in defiance and charged. Three more warriors tackled the bone horror in the legs, knocking it to the ground from the combined weight. Leaping in the air, Pharom swung his two-handed sword, a special gift from Aithlin, and aimed his sword down into its neck, avoiding the warriors who struggled on top of it. The general let go and pulled out his bow and continued to fire off arrows into its face. Still, the bone horror lived. Knocking everyone off, including the general, it stood up, sword still wedged in its neck. Pharom gambled on one last attempt. Rushing in, he grabbed the hilt of the sword and yanked it out. Digging in, he twisted around and slammed the blade on the other side of its neck with enough force to cut clean through. His moment of triumph vanished along with his lower half after the bone horror had severed the general''s spine from the waist down. Several warriors rushed in, stabbing the creature in the front and back until it moved no more. Elwin reached Pharom a moment after the elf hit the ground. Their eyes met, and the elf opened his mouth to speak, only to cough up blood instead. You did well, my friend. I will look after your people. Pharom breathed out one last time. Erlan rushed over and placed a hand on Elwin¡¯s back and said, ¡°We need you. Another bone horror is approaching. What are we going to do with the rest of Pharom¡¯s group?¡± The enemy has shattered the left flank. Retreat and merge them with Aienik¡¯s warriors. I will stay behind. ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Elwin watched his team guard the retreating warriors who raced toward Aienik¡¯s battle formation, crushing the shadow beasts who ambushed his friends under his gravity manipulation and allowing them to reach their destination safely. He stepped in front of the bone horror and growled. Paw¡¯s empowered with superior speed and strength; Elwin danced around his foe, striking when he could. Recalling its abilities when he clashed with its kind along the walls of Unn Thalor, its speed and power were enhanced. The dark lord must have strengthened its neck bones after the first one had its head ripped off, but at a cost. Elwin could reach its blind spots with ease and strike. When another joined in, he knew it would be a matter of time before the dark lord himself joined this fight. A thought occurred to him, so he tested it out, choosing to play with the two bone horrors. Dancing between the two, he tricked them into attacking each other in their attempts to cut him down. When they clashed so hard they fell, he manipulated gravity to crush them to the ground. Jumping higher than usual, he increased his own gravity and slammed his paws into both necks, shattering them. Leaping back to avoid being impaled by the still-moving creatures, Elwin blinked at the bright light next to him. Silvertree had arrived. His presence became obvious through the destruction he caused. The bone horrors, along with any nearby undead were gone. The dark lord and his inner circle approach. Chapter 21 Screams of pain and defiance permeated the air on her way down the slope toward General Darunia with Penelo, Fariane, Asena, Ievis and Saida behind her. Vanima could see the remaining flyers fall from the sky all at once. The force of her mate''s magic echoed across the battlefield. On arrival, Vanima surveyed the right flank with optimism. Greetings, Darunia. With the emergence of the bone horror on the battlefield, Commander Elwin sent my team to secure your position. With a smile, General Darunia looked down at Vanima and said, "My warriors and I would appreciate your help." Vanima faced her team and handed out her orders. Ievis and Saida, I want you to support the back line by offering ranged support. Those shadow beasts leaping in the air won¡¯t kill themselves. The rest of you will head to the front. Penelo flexed her hand, marveling at the blessed prosthetic, and rushed after Fariane and Asena. The young elf was less experienced, with no real training before they left Unn Thalor together. Yet, for all her shortcomings, Penelo had conviction and a will to step into the fire for a cause she believed in. She faced her fear and turned it into an iron will. Fariane and Penelo''s trust in one another had grown since that first fight against the shadow beasts. Add in the young eager Asena who wanted to prove her worth to the new leader of the Shadow Breakers and Elwin and you get a trio of motivated warriors. Sitting next to the general, Vanima began relaying information to her team. She knew this wasn¡¯t her fight. Not yet. ¡­. Hand gripped tightly on her blade, Penelo joined in the fight on the front lines. Those under Darunia''s command fought with discipline and relied on teamwork to watch each other''s backs. Weaving between pockets of conflict, Penelo cut down countless undead preoccupied with fighting others while trying to stay balanced navigating the dead lying on the ground, blood soaking into her shoes. She couldn¡¯t understand how the others could fight with the taste of death stuck to the back of their mouth. ¡°Penelo, to your left.¡± Sliding her left leg back, she lifted her blade and parried the claws, swiping down toward her face. She leaped back, allowing Asena to charge in, swiping at its legs and retreating. A perfect distraction for Fariane¡¯s follow-up strike to its side. Struggling to keep her feet in the correct stance, Penelo thrust her blade into the beast''s chest several times. Her arms received a few shallow cuts as recompense. Asena spent much of her time tearing into any undead that got too close. Focused on her training, Penelo waited for an opening and thrust her sword into its open maw when it roared, ripping it out the side before she could lose more fingers. Fariane always knew where best to strike. Her pure white iris penetrated the shadows, revealing the beast that hid within. Dodging around to its back, she pierced the back of its head and up into its skull. As it fell, she grinned, and said, ¡°Well done. Let¡¯s keep going.¡± Howl! ¡°This way, Penelo. Asena found another one.¡± ¡­ Focused on keeping everyone around her safe and organized, Caeda received a mental update alerting her of Vanima''s presence along with her team. Their power alone wouldn¡¯t be enough to end the conflict and save them all, not with an evil god and whatever they were hiding, still waiting to enter the battlefield. ¡°Anhayn, stop drifting away from your squad. You don¡¯t want to get swarmed by the undead like Vulalar did.¡± A wolf jumped in the air, knocking down an undead, and dug its claws into a shadow beast that was heading toward her location. Fariane engaged the beast, giving her companion time to disengage and preoccupy the undead nearby. Penelo followed behind, exchanging blows with the Shadow beast. The pair were in perfect sync. Returning her focus to the swarm of undead around her, Caeda weaved around, cutting into the rotting flesh with both of her blades. ¡°Keep it up, everyone.¡± ... Ievis stood next to Saida with his bow held firmly in his grasp, waiting for the next worthy target to appear. A lot had happened ever since the day Penelo ran off into the forest and met an actual god. He was thankful for all Elwin and Vanima had done for his tribe. Between him, Saida, and Fariane, they had accomplished much ever since the three of them formed as a team when they were kids. That''s why Penelo¡¯s father entrusted his daughter''s safety to them. It wouldn¡¯t surprise him to find out if the elf had trained them for this very reason ever since she was born. Much would change after this fight if they all survived this. Penelo wasn¡¯t the same carefree girl she used to be. What would become of their team now that Fariane became the new leader of the Shadow Breakers. ¡°Hey, Saida. What happens to us now that Fariane has revived an abandoned religious order?¡± The elf scoffed at the question, shook her head, and said, ¡°We stand by her side. After all this time together, why wouldn¡¯t we?¡± After firing off several arrows into a charging shadow beast that had bypassed the rest of their team, Vanima rushed in and finished it before returning to Darunia¡¯s side. ¡°It¡¯s not that I am against us staying together, Saida. Just that there is all this uncertainty surrounding what our friend has become and I¡¯m uncertain how we fit into all of it.¡± Saida whipped her bow around, smashing it into the head of an undead and stabbed it in the eye with an arrow. Kicking it to the ground, she pulled out a dagger from her belt and rammed it into the side of its head. When it kept squirming, she stood up and slammed her foot into its head until the skull shattered. Covered in blood and bits of brain matter, Saida looked over at Ievis and said, ¡°Instead of worrying about what might happen, let¡¯s focus on what we can see in front of us.¡± Her grin turned sour when she saw Ievis¡¯s expression. Pointing out toward the enemy-controlled town, he shouted, ¡°Bone horror!¡± His proclamation caused many nearby to take an inadvertent step back, as it sent a cascading wave of gasps throughout the ranks. ¡­ Ievis and Saida, with me. As Vanima ran toward the new threat, she passed on a single message to the general. Keep your warriors focused on the threat in front of them. Let me handle it. Darunia yelled, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare break formation! Did you forget why our commander sent Vanima? She is here to deal with problems like this.¡± Paws enhanced, Vanima bolted for the bone horror. As it reached the point where it could leap into the mass of bodies fighting, Vanima slammed into the abomination in midair. All four of her paws dug into the mutated creature, sending it crashing to the ground. Quick to recover, it sprang back up and jumped, bone swords spinning as it twisted its body in the air on its descent. Dashing to the side, Vanima avoided being diced to pieces. Ievis and Saida spread out and engaged the bone horror with their bows. Every time it shifted away from her, Vanima would force its attention back on her. With its superior speed and agility, she knew it would cut them down. There was no doubt about that. It took all she had to dodge its attacks. The pattern and direction of its sword limbs alternated constantly. A maelstrom of bone and death. She didn¡¯t have the luxury of facing its kind before, like Elwin. In times like these, Vanima wished she could slam her opponents to the ground like her mate. The bone horror cut down many of the arrows fired at it by Ievis and Saida. To the fast-moving mutation, their attacks were an annoyance at best. The longer this fight went on, the more frustrated the two elves appeared. Do not let your frustration cloud your judgment, you two. If I could afford to go all out, I would, but we both know this won''t be the deadliest foe that walks onto this battlefield today. That is the moment it changed targets. Accepting the long gash down its leg from Vanima, the bone horror made its move. No! Saida dropped her bow and dove toward it. Unable to halt its momentum, its arms swung down, striking the ground a few feet away from the elf, just missing the bow near its feet. Vanima hadn¡¯t been idle. Pouring more of her energy into one powerful attack, a resource she couldn¡¯t regain quickly so far from the forest, Vanima latched on to its back and bit down on its right arm chipping some of her teeth and yanked until the limb ripped from the socket. Puzzled, it stood there for a moment, staring down at its missing limb. This gave Saida a chance to get away, her bow left behind. Ievis asked, ¡°You alright, Saida?¡± ¡°I think so.¡± Laughing, he replied, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Did you notice anything when you dived under it?¡± With a shake of her head, she said, ¡°No, but if I did, they would probably be bigger than yours.¡± rm still in her mouth, Vanima created some distance and ran toward the bone horror with its severed arm dragging along the ground. Upon reaching her destination, she pushed off with her front paws and performed a backward somersault. She then drove the bone blade up between its legs, cutting into its flesh until it became wedged in the creature''s rib cage. Brought out of its confused stupor, it lashed out with its remaining arm. The hair from her tail brushed against the blade as it barely missed her. When it tried to move, the two halves of its lower body ripped up from where the blade had stopped, causing all its internal organs to spill out. Vanima ignored the final desperate twitching as it raised its remaining arm, then let it splash down in the blood pooling around it. Her tongue moved about inside her mouth, feeling the rough edges around her teeth where they had chipped. I apologize. I have made it impossible for the two of you to check between its legs. You can kill the next one we meet and find out then. The two elves look at each other, then back at Vanima before laughing uncontrollably. When the flash of light radiated on the left flank where Elwin had been, their moment of joy had died. Silvertree has taken the field. Prepare yourself. You¡¯re on your own this time. A stillness washed over Vanima. The sounds of battle became muffled. Breathing in, she tasted the blood, rot, sweat, and something else familiar. Primal. Something the wolf spirit inside recognized. Rage. An intense loathing that wanted nothing more than to kill. A beast let out of its cage. The uncontrollable ferocity that ran toward her. Howl! It¡¯s time. Leading her team toward open ground free of corpses, she waited for the small group of shadow beasts to arrive. Fariane stood next to her, eyes fixated on the largest target, and said, ¡°A clear leader with five under it. Just like the team we eliminated before.¡± ¡°If they ask for your left eye this time, I¡¯m going to stab them in the face and see how they like it.¡± Patting the young elf on the head, Fariane said, ¡°The idea is commendable, but if you did that, they wouldn¡¯t be able to see your point.¡± That¡¯s enough. We face them like we did before. The sense of finality etched into her mental command silenced them. There was no escaping the reality of this moment as it charged toward her. She looked over her shoulder at the rest of her team. Stay safe and watch each other¡¯s backs. What she saw in their eyes gave Vanima hope. Penelo gripped her sword, a slight tremor causing the sword to sway. Fariane still stared down at the encroaching enemy, but her hand now rested on the top of Asena¡¯s head. Saida now held Ievis¡¯s hand, the other holding her fallen weapon. The two of them shared unspoken words within a glance. Vanima held this moment in her mind and took the plunge. Feet pounding into the ground, she met her foe. Mouth agape, it roared, sending a shockwave of dark energy that slammed into her, knocking Vanima back. Claws digging into the ground for purchase. She met its unbridled rage with icy determination. Nothing more than another hunt. Another kill that would keep her and the ones she loved alive. When it opened its maw to roar a second time, she howled, infusing the sound with enough raw energy to cancel out the effect when the two forces collided. Free to move, Vanima danced with the beast. ... Fariane guided Penelo and Asena off to the side, giving them space to maneuver. Ievis and Saida were already engaging two of the shadow beasts at range, pulling them into a fight with the pair. The remaining three seemed drawn to the energy coming from her eye. The most potent source of Silvertree¡¯s magic after Vanima. As of late, she had her moments of doubt if her new white eye had been worth the cost of what she could no longer look away from. It peeled back the shadows and uncovered the truth hidden beneath. Fariane had confidence it could do more if pushed, but only when the time was right. They had killed plenty of shadow beasts before this encounter, but these monsters were on an entirely different level compared to the dozens of new victims still adjusting to the dark lord''s machinations. She couldn¡¯t prove it at first, but with her new eye, the truth of their origin was clear to see. Everyone they fought today used to be an elf, be it the undead, flyers, bone horror or shadow beast. If this group formed at the same time as the ones they killed while recruiting for this fight and survived all this time, they must have gained a wealth of knowledge. Her analysis lasted long enough for her to make contact. The first beast ducked under her first thrust and kicked her in the gut, sending her flying backward. Gasping for breath, she rolled away from its claws and bounced back up. Asena bit down on its leg, trying to keep it away from her, only to be gripped by the neck and tossed to the ground. The onslaught forced Penelo onto her back foot as she struggled to defend against it. This had to stop. Focused on her right eye, Fariane¡¯s desire to see not just her opponent¡¯s movements, but their future actions. Grabbing her head from the pain, Fariane shoved the dizziness away with pure will and roared in defiance. A white shadowy figure now preceded each beast, giving her a moment to react with precision every time. Since Asena was unconscious on the ground, it was up to her to face two at once and hope Penelo could hold out. Letting her body flow like water, she danced between the two monsters while dodging their claws and acrobatic kicks. Accustomed to the double images, she adjusted her attacks to strike their weak points where they would be. If their howls were anything to go by, they weren¡¯t used to being pushed back in a fight. When she saw her companion struggle up, Fariane grinned. ¡°Now, Asena!¡± The young wolf''s jaws bit down on a leg, which caused the closest foe to stagger, allowing Fariane to cut its paw off at the wrist. It spiraled in the air, sinking into the chest of its companion in time for her kick that forced the claws to puncture deeper inside and knock it to the ground. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Focused on the wounded shadow beast that still stood, she left the other one to Asena. The wolf wasted no time ripping out its throat before it could toss her again. Sparing a glance over at Penelo, she called out, ¡°Roll forward to the left and swing your blade hard to the right!¡± Satisfied with the howl of pain coming from Penelo¡¯s direction, Fariane danced around, teasing the beast. With a mental command, Asena left to assist Penelo, leaving the two of them alone. ¡°It¡¯s just us now. You better hurry before you bleed out.¡± Between the blood loss and rage, it fell after she clashed with it three more times. Asena stood on top of a corpse next to a weary Penelo. The two of them appeared to get along, which made her smile. Eyesight back to normal, the three of them turned to Vanima in time to witness the end of her fight. Ievis and Saida were already doing the same. ... Vanima¡¯s heart sank when she noticed Asena lying still on the ground with Penelo barely holding on. A pulse of energy reverberated from Fariane''s eye, a new miracle in the making, which was a pleasant surprise to the old wolf. Glancing at Ievis and Saida, she felt proud of their prowess. Falling back on the decades of experience of watching each other''s backs, they fell into a rhythm that never gave their foes an opportunity. The air crackled with dark energy from the paw slashing down over Vanima¡¯s head. Scooting to the side nimbly, she avoided the claws, only to be blasted in the side by the debris kicked up from the paw that slammed into the ground. Eyes sharp, she dove in and slashed into the back of its leg at the joint. Weight still pressing down, the shadow beast crashed down face first in the dirt. Leaping up, Vanima focused all her enhancements into one paw before aiming for the beast''s neck. Crack! A moment of silence passed; dark energy burst from its neck as the bone snapped back into place. Vanima leaped into the air again when it opened its mouth. Before it could unleash another magical roar, she slammed the same enhanced paw down on its lower jaw. With another crack that turned into a wet ripping sound, the shadow beast''s jaw bounced off the ground and settled. Dark energy stopped the bleeding, leaving one angry, jawless monster with its tongue hanging out. It charged, intending to smash through her. Diving between its legs, she used a reinforced claw and dug into its back hind leg. A chunk of muscle tearing off the bone. Now that the leg could no longer hold its weight, the shadow beast fell. A wave of dark energy radiated from an unknown force that made their way toward her position. Vanima needed to end this fight now. Shifting the energy fueling the reinforcement to her mouth, she jumped on the beast''s back and bit down at the base of the neck. Pulling for all she was worth, paws digging into its back, a throaty gurgle escaped as its neck muscles snapped from the pressure. Jerking her head to the side, a series of pop, pop, pop followed by one last crack sent the beast''s head flying. Tongue lying limp in the dirt. It is done. Everyone needs to gather around me. Vanima scanned the group as they approached with magnified vision. An elf covered in black armor holding a helmet in one hand approached. Ten more elves similarly garbed followed behind him. The one in the center had a full black handprint covering their face while the other ten only had a thumb marking their forehead. When they were within shouting distance, the elf stopped. The others lined up next to him, five on each side. General Darunia. I need five warriors. Vanima could see four of the general''s guards and their squad leader running over to join her. With a salute, the warrior stood at attention and said, ¡°Squad captain Finnea at your service. I have brought along Haluan, Silvith, Kilarah, and Baervara.¡± Stick together and do your best to stay alive. These are elves with the same amount of training as you, but with the dark lord''s blessing. ¡°Understood!¡± Turning to face her squad, she gave them a nod and faced the enemy. Hand placed on the hilt of her sword. A loud booming voice came from the enemy elf in the center. "If you have finished gathering more allies, I would like to get on with this.¡± Loud explosions of light and dark burst into the air as the dark lord clashed with Silvertree. ¡°As you can see, my master is finishing what he started long ago.¡± Penelo, you and the others take the left. Finnea, take your team to the right. When the elf saw what she was doing, he laughed and did the same. ¡°Come wolf. Let us see who is worthy.¡± Swords raised high, both sides closed the distance. Leaving the headless shadow beast behind, Vanima raced toward what would be one of the toughest fights of her life. Placing his helmet on, the black-armored elf raised his sword and unleashed a wave of dark energy that engulfed him and his weapon in shadows. The weight of his conviction infused within the shadows that pressed down on her. A physical manifestation that wanted to crush Vanima. ¡°Is this the best a fighter blessed by Silvertree can do? Pathetic.¡± If she didn¡¯t go all out, there wouldn¡¯t be a second chance. Silvertree told her so. She was on her own. Go all out or die. Vanima unleashed her full potential. No more holding back. Blazing white light flashed into existence, enveloping her in its warm embrace. The dark aura pressed back; she howled in defiance. Vanima started to perceive and process what she saw at a faster rate, which gave the impression of slowing down time. A phenomenon heightened by her increased speed. This also allowed her to monitor her companions during the fight. Finnea and her squad engaged the enemy. The dark lord''s warriors hurled a dark ball of shadows, forcing the squad leader to intercept. Relying on the blessing still coating their weapons, Finnea sliced the magical projectile in half, causing it to split in two. The two halves veered to the side, clipping Silvith and Baervara in the shoulder, flipping them in the air from the force. Vanima dodged the shadow projectiles only to be forced back to avoid the expert swordsmanship from the leader. Every time she pushed herself a little harder to go faster, he closed the gap. When Vanima moved in to strike, he would try to cut her down or let his armor deflect the strike. If she created more distance, he would hurl a barrage of shadows at her. Silvith now fought with one arm pressed against his chest. He gritted his teeth after each deflection. The force of the attack reverberated down his blade. The rest of the squad didn¡¯t fare any better. Vanima felt like they were only messing around with the warriors. Fariane had taken center point with Ievis and Saida on either side, with Penelo and Asena in the back offering support. The new leader of the Shadow Breakers hadn¡¯t held back, either. Eye blazing white with energy. Vanima could see the elf react before the enemy even moved. Sacrificing part of her ability to deflect hits off her fur, Vanima increased her speed yet again. Blurring up and over his strikes, claws extended, and she slashed into a gap in his armor near the shoulder. Satisfaction at hearing him grunt in pain for the first time. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that.¡± Another ball of shadows crashed into the ground in front of Finnea, creating a cloud of dust obscuring Vanima¡¯s view. Forced to wait, she shifted her gaze back to Fariane. One of the black-armored elves said, ¡°I grow weary of this farce. This ends now!¡± Breaking from his formation, he charged, sword held high, ready to strike with a ball of shadows held in his palm. Saida deflected his strike, giving Fariane the chance to slice up the middle of his hand to the wrist, dissipating the energy he held. Saida¡¯s follow-up attack took the elf''s head off. The helmet rolled around on the ground. Lifeless eyes hid underneath. As the enemy emerged from the dust cloud, they stabbed Silvith in the shoulder. Unable to bring up his one good arm to deflect the second strike, the sword streaked across Silvith¡¯s face, slicing into his eyes. A shadow ball hit Finnea in the ribs, causing her to be knocked to the ground as she tried to come to their aid. Sword lying on the ground. Helpless to defend themselves, the enemy stabbed them in the heart, twisted the blade, and yanked them up as they pulled it out. Covered in his blood, they licked their lips and roared. In their latest exchange, he grabbed Vanima''s tail and flung her into the air in an arc until she crashed into the ground, knocking the wind from her lungs. She felt a few of her ribs break from the impact of his foot that sent her bouncing across the ground. Trying to find her breath, Vanima felt the pressure of his foot against her throat. Prepared to finish her, she roared. The magical-infused blast forced the elf back long enough for her to get back on her feet. Angered by the loss of their comrade, the enemy pressed their advance, trying to take out Ievis. Managing a sold punch to his ribs from their free hand that sent him reeling back, Saida cried out, ¡°Ievis, no!¡± Fariane must have seen what would happen next since she cried out, ¡°Saida, don¡¯t do it.¡± Warning ignored, Saida bounced off the ground after the dark shadows smashed into her back. Ievis howled with rage. Letting the elf slice into his side, he ripped off their helmet and smashed it into their nose. When another tried to defend against Ievis, he threw the helmet at their face. Ievis thrust his blade in and out of the elf''s neck, using both hands when the helmet obscured their vision. It came at a cost. Would he regret such a decision? Vanima hesitated to reach out to him. Hidden behind his now-dead companion, the elf sliced into Ievis¡¯s side, trying to cut him in half. Penelo swung down, slicing off a few of the attacker''s fingers that held his sword at the same time Asena bit down on the back of their foot. Stumbling backward, Fariane went on the offensive as Penelo and Asena guarded Ievis, who lay on the ground. Saida bent over him. Finnea¡¯s squad didn¡¯t fare any better. After losing Silvith, the enemy pushed them even harder. Five against four, when the enemy had the advantage, could never be an easy fight. Baervara backpedaled on the defensive, two swords striking from multiple angles. Her wounds from the beginning of the fight slowed her down. It only took one missed parry. Sword knocked aside. Another slashed across her chest. Wide open, they stabbed Baervara in the mouth. Weapon falling to the ground, she gripped the blade with both hands and pulled. The elf laughed as he kicked her in the gut. Because of the rate at which her mind processed what she saw, it felt like an eternity between the sword sliding out of her mouth and the elf¡¯s head bouncing on the ground. When on the field of battle, there can be only one type of currency exchanged. Misery. The pain and suffering of others fueled the dark lord. Vanima faced death firsthand just before the second dark war. She should have died long ago. That didn¡¯t make the process any easier when she faced the mortality of those close to her. ... Tears rolling down her cheeks. Fariane faced off against the three as Penelo and Asena held back the last one. Not far away, hundreds fought for their lives just like her. Just like he did. Just like she should be doing. Hand laced with his, her eyes begged him not to go. Ievis reached out with a trembling hand and caressed her cheek. His thumb brushed away a tear. Blood dribbling out of his mouth, Ievis coughed and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to cry on my account.¡± Squeezing his hand, she said, ¡°You fool. We were supposed to grow old and raise a family together.¡± ¡°War has a cost, and I¡¯ll be damned if I let you go before me.¡± Howl! Fariane cried out, ¡°Saida, I need you now or we all join him.¡± Saida looked back, but he was already gone. Eyes glazed over. Hand still clasped in hers. Sadness turned into regret. Regret became anger that transformed into rage. Clasping his sword, Saida rose and pulled out her own. Wielding two blades, she stared at the one assaulting Penelo and Asena and said, ¡°Move.¡± ¡­ Relieved to see Saida get up, Fariane knew it was time to step up her game. There were magical tethers linking the leader with his men, and then to his master across the battlefield. It was time to see if she could sever that connection and give everyone a fighting chance. Dodging her pursuers, she ran toward Vanima and with all her might slashed down in the air, using the rest of her stored energy to manifest the shadow tether before she sliced into it. The sudden absence of dark energy caused the enemy to stagger. No longer able to see from her right eye after using up all the stored magical energy, she grinned. ¡­ Confused why Fariane would run toward her with three elves chasing, she almost let her opponent slice her in two. That is when a string of shadows appeared in the air right as Fariane used her blade to slice into it. Sensitive to the magical aura around them, Vanima felt the energy reverberate in the air. The leader stood there slack-jawed as his fighters staggered from the loss of power. Eyes filling with rage, he said, ¡°How dare you mess with the connection my master created!¡± Finnea, Haluan, and Kilarah seized the opportunity and earned their first kill, slashing another across the face from below their right eye, down into the cheek. The ferocity of Durunia¡¯s warriors pushed the elf''s back. Vanima was dodging the chaotic stream of curses and shadow balls being hurled by the enemy leader when she looked at Saida once more. The veteran hunter had already killed the elf closest to her and had rejoined the fight against the final three, now wedged between her and Fariane, who stood so they were always within her left field of vision. Still at a stalemate, the leader disengaged and stepped back. His gaze turned toward the fight between the gods, causing her to do the same. A massive wall of shadows had erupted. The elf sighed and said, ¡°Block my retreat! The master has given me orders,¡± then turned his back to run back toward town. Prepared to stop him, Vanima felt a crushing weight against her chest. She vaguely noticed the rest of her team, along with Finnea¡¯s squad, join forces to cut down the remaining elves. Looking over to where her mate fought, she knew. The bond she and Elwin shared spanned more than just time. It was deeper than that. Silvertree brought them together and after constant prodding, convinced Elwin to trade in his boon for immortality together. As surely as Fariane severed that magical connection, so too was her connection with Elwin gone. No. It can¡¯t be happening. Not him. Why did it have to be him? He was her rock. Her reason for being. Elwin had to be the one who saved them all. As Silvertree¡¯s champion and hero of the second dark war, it should have been a given. So why? Why could she no longer feel him? She had to know. Her feet took her away from the others and toward the fight between gods. Friends and companions left behind. ... Silvertree¡¯s aura enveloped Elwin in the ensuing silence. Bone horrors and any remaining undead nearby disintegrated by his god''s might, which left them alone. Hundreds fought for survival. Several hundred more were already dead because he asked them to fight. To make the sacrifice now when it could still matter. Still make a difference. Despite the longevity of his former race wielded, they could not comprehend the gods or the wars they fought. The lives they sacrificed to further their goals. So why did he choose to become a pawn? That¡¯s simple. Survival. What about after that? Did he not ask Silvertree to leave him alone after defeating the dark lord''s minions during the last war? Of course he did, and he meant it. Once again, the question arises: why did he do it? That, too, is simple. Love. Vanima wanted to grow old together and then some. A few millennia together and his love for her still shined brighter than ever. Yet, the question demands to be asked. Why did he do it? Guilt? Obligation? Duty? Did any of it matter? Elwin might try to convince himself that this too had been simple. Vanima wanted to honor the boon Silvertree granted them and he would do anything for her. On the surface, this would satisfy most. But not Elwin. Not deep down. He would never admit it to anyone, let alone himself, but he grew weary of living. Watching everyone he ever knew grow old and die. Yes, he had Vanima. Without her, he would have lost the will to live long ago. Did this change how he felt about this fight or his desire to live past today? That¡¯s up to him. A lone figure walked alone out of the town gates. He may appear to be a normal elf, but they were anything but. Whoever that elf had been no longer existed. Only a god remains. One inside an elf flesh suit. An oppressive aura pressed against him, even at this distance. The death of hundreds fueled the god''s rage to the brink of overflowing. Elwin leaned on the connection he had with Vanima, feeling her warmth as he waited for the fight to begin. ¡°Greetings, Silvertree. I see you haven¡¯t changed since I last saw you.¡± And I see you have devoured another follower and stole his body. At least you had the decency to remain incorporeal last time. ¡°Yes, and what did that get me? Your wolf next to you ruined everything. It¡¯s much simpler if I take direct control. It brought you here to me, after all.¡± True. Let us end this. ¡°Not yet. I have a gift for your champion.¡± Snapping his finger, a shadow beast the size of a giant bear jumped out of the dark lord''s shadow and roared. ¡°Try not to die too quickly, my furry friend.¡± Howl! I am no friend of yours. With a shrug, he waved his hand toward Elwin and said, ¡°Enjoy your first meal, shadow reaper.¡± Enhancing his body with all he had, Elwin prepared for the beast who bore down on him. The shadow reaper jumped into a puddle of shadows that appeared in front of it, reappearing to the left. A claw transformed into a bone sword mid-swing, slicing part of Elwin''s ear off. Not only could it create shadows to teleport but mutate their limbs into bone blades at will. The dark lord called it a shadow reaper. Of course, the lunatic would combine two atrocities into the deadliest creature ever to walk this land. Silvertree matched the dark lord shot for shot, flying magical balls of pure energy that collided creating massive explosions in the air between the two. Forced to move away to avoid the two gods, Elwin focused solely on surviving the constant harassment from the teleporting beast that could transform any limb into a bone sword at will. Feeling the gaze of the dark lord on him, Elwin became alarmed when a bolt of concentrated shadow zoomed toward him. Knowing he could not dodge such a strike, he looked to his god for help. Blazing at the speed of light, Silvertree slammed the bolt into the ground with his antlers and forced the dark lord''s attention back on him. He knew this fight couldn¡¯t continue forever. Resolve found Elwin put his life on the line and attacked. Accustomed to the energy signature when a shadow portal opened, Elwin never let the beast get the drop on him again. This, however, did not stop the shadow reaper from using its superior size and strength to lash out with killing intent from every direction. Little by little, his opponent grazed him dozens of times, and through Silvertree¡¯s energy, he had healed himself. The missing tip of his ear was the only visible wound he showed. Forced into an extensive use of his energy, the worst-case scenario became inevitable. Away from the forest and unable to recharge his reserves deep within enemy territory, he couldn¡¯t last forever. This was the reason he watched hundreds die when he could have saved them with his abilities. That¡¯s the problem with power and responsibility. There is always a cost that one must pay. Could he find the resolve to pay what he owed? Let¡¯s be honest. If anyone deserves to pay, it should be the dark lord. He only knows how to take. Never give. Satisfied with his new resolve. Elwin fought for the chance to make his dream a reality. Roar! A single paw emerged under him. Bone sword stabbing up in the air where he should have been. Switching tactics, the beast emerged behind him, front paws slamming into the ground, releasing a shockwave of energy toward Elwin. In the air, after dodging, he waited for it to open another portal before focusing his gravity spell on its back legs, forcing it to crash halfway through. Using the spell on himself, he slammed into its face, digging into its eyes. The soft squelch when he burst its eyes satisfied him. The shadow reaper roared with renewed rage. Elwin tried to create some space, but not fast enough. It closed the distance, bringing one bone sword down while the other sunk into a pool of shadows from behind. Desperate for a way out, Elwin used an enhanced claw to bash the transformed limb behind him as he spun out of the way, only to find another portal opening. Unable to dodge, he poured everything he had into strengthening his side before the bone sword slammed down. Elwin¡¯s legs buckled. Crack! His body rippled from the impact, causing massive damage inside. ¡°Hurry and finish it already.¡± I will not let you. He is my champion. The dark lord raised a wall of shadows with one hand. In the other, he set off a cascade of explosions. Curious why he saw the sky and ground alternating so quickly, Elwin¡¯s confusion became obvious when the pain registered. Oh. His thought got interrupted by the shadow reaper digging its claws in his fur, lifting him, and then slamming Elwin into the ground repeatedly. Dazed, he couldn¡¯t register the weightlessness he felt or the red-hot pain that pierced his body. This moment reminded him of the first time he received a mortal blow. The shadow beast that killed his friends and fellow hunters. That, by all rights, should have killed him after his people abandoned him to face the beast alone. I guess it all came around full circle, huh? Still being held in the air by the bone sword that impaled him, Elwin saw a flash of white light bulldoze into the shadow reaper. Antlers digging into the monster''s flesh, Silvertree picked it up and slammed it into the ground, causing Elwin to slide off the blade and bounce into the dirt. This should hurt. Why can¡¯t I feel it? While Silvertree was evading the dark lord, the wounded beast, with its wounds already healing, sauntered over to Elwin. Its eyes were balls of shadows now thanks to Elwin. Unable to move, he could only watch the massive paw rise into the air and fall. His head rang for a moment. Then there was nothing. Elwin had died. He could no longer feel the connection to Vanima, which made him want to cry out, but couldn¡¯t. Something tried to devour his essence. The shadows tried to tear at the seams of who he was. His soul doesn¡¯t belong to you. Get your shadow fingers off my champion. The tethers of darkness trying to drag him into the abyss abated after Silvertree shielded him from the dark god. ¡°You fool! I will make you pay for stealing my prize away from me.¡± Drifting higher into the air, Elwin could feel himself dissipate. Somehow able to perceive the ground still, he watched the shadow reaper take another hit from his god. His former god? Deciding it didn¡¯t matter, he became a passive observer of its tumble in the air until it crashed into the walls of the city. A wolf raced to his old body, howling. Who were they, and why would they care about him? His thoughts were fleeting. Memories vanishing with the wind. Emotions tugged at the corner of his consciousness until even those drifted away. Before he gave in to the inevitable, he reached out one last time on a whim and said, ¡°I love you.¡± Something or someone tried to follow that connection, but he was already gone. This truly was Elwin¡¯s last stand. Chapter 22 Vanima''s panic-driven race across the enemy army''s back line was temporarily slowed when a giant beast tumbled across the ground. It slammed into the town''s outer wall, causing the structure to shutter. Following the trail left behind by the monster now lying limp against the wall, Vanima moved closer to the battle between the gods. It would be fine. There had to be a reason their connection got severed. The dark lord must have done something. He would still be there. Fighting. Nothing else mattered. Howl! Her mournful cry reverberated, joining the chorus of battle around her. Elwin! Get up. Heal yourself. You¡¯re better than this. Please. Nudging him with her nose. Pawing at him with a childish belief. Vanima crumbled on the inside. He had been the best of them all. Their commander. Her partner. But no more. Why did it have to be you? I pushed you into joining this fight again. It¡¯s not fair. It should have been me. Please don¡¯t leave me alone. A presence lighter than a feather brushed against her mind for the briefest of moments, passing on a single message. I love you. She latched onto the magical signature, but its origin vanished along with the shred of hope. Forced to accept what she refused to believe, but had to, Vanima connected to her team. He is dead. Elwin is gone. His body lay on the ground. Blood seeped out of his chest where something had pierced all the way through. Head crushed. Part of his ear missing. The finality of the moment struck deep within. What do I do now? You fight. It is the only way. He knew that, and so do you. The rest of her team ran up next to Vanima. Penelo was crumpled to the ground by Elwin''s body. Hands placed against his blood-soaked fur, she cried. Fariane and Esena bowed their heads in respect. ¡°I saw a light vanish over his body while we ran to catch up with you.¡± Hearing Fariane speak, Vanima whipped her head around. Her mind reached for something to say. Nothing ever came. Saida had a glossy look in her eyes. Vanima recognized the loss. The same face she would make now if she were still an elf. Fariane coughed and said, ¡°What do we do now? Silvertree had used Elwin as the anchor when gifting them the blessing. That means they¡¯re on their own now. Worse, they can¡¯t communicate mentally anymore." Troubled by the relegation, Vanima turned her attention away from her team and the massive explosions nearby from the two gods lashing out at each other to observe what remained of Elwin¡¯s army. The survivors of the left flank had merged with the Aienik''s unit. Darunia started to retreat and assist with Flaryn''s squads. She could tell that around a third of the army had been killed, and many more were falling as their weapons dimmed and they lost their communication network. It wouldn¡¯t take long before the undead and shadow beasts broke the army. Knowing her companions would have similar thoughts, Vanima addressed them. To answer your question, Fariane. We stay here and fight whoever supports the dark lord. If we lose the fight here, saving everyone behind us will be pointless. As if the black armored elf heard her words, the leader Vanima faced earlier arrived. Four others stood next to him. Their aura was more oppressive than the group he brought before. ¡°We meet again. I see there is one less nuisance to handle now. My master is an expert in death and misery. Quite beautiful, if you ask me.¡± I have experienced enough of those to last several lifetimes. Vanima shoved the anger she felt at the disrespect this elf showed her fallen partner and instead asked a question. What¡¯s your name? The elf laughed and said, ¡°I see no reason not to share. My name is Feno. You may address me the dark knight.¡± A roar from behind him sent a chill down her spine. The monster, which was sent flying into the town wall, not only survived but also rejoined the fight. ¡°It appears my master¡¯s latest creation has seen fit to join us." Penelo bent over to Vanima and said, ¡°Can we face that and the haughty knight, or whoever he thinks he is, at the same time?¡± Fear not, child. There are those who have answered my call. They will avenge the death of their brethren. Silvertree shoved energy into Vanima and her group, gifting them his blessing again along with a recharging Vanima''s energy, Fariane¡¯s eye, and as an afterthought, Penelo¡¯s prosthetic. Good luck. Loud howling erupted from the direction of a forest behind Daruinia''s former position on the right flank. There were dozens upon dozens of wolves all running together. Several families who may normally be rivals now charged toward most curtain death to kill the abomination who felled the one wolf they all respected. The champion who lived longer than any of their species could. The champion who could take down a full-grown bear cougar or mountain lion. Vanima connected her mind to the group of wolves and growled. Kill the beast! Avenge my mate. Voice muffled under his helmet, the dark knight pointed his shadow-coated blade at Vanima and said, ¡°Time for round two, fur ball.¡± Back at full power, Vanima charged ahead, leaving the four minions to her team. Perception increased. She danced around Feno''s strikes. Familiar with his abilities from the previous encounter. Her confidence almost got her killed. Slamming his hand on the ground, Feno released a blast of darkness centered on him. Paws shoving hard into the ground, she jumped high into the air, avoiding the attack. This left her vulnerable to the shadows about to slam into her. Vanima shifted her weight and slashed into each projectile with an attack of her own. When the black knight moved in to skewer her, she infused a roar with enough force to send him skidding back. Safely back on the ground, Vanima launched herself at the dark knight. ¡­ The rage Saida felt under her skin broiled. A deep-seated hatred that Elwin had warned everyone could and would corrupt them to the point of betrayal. Silvertree¡¯s blast of energy crashed into the wall of fury she held and obliterated it. With Ievis'' sword still in her offhand, she took a deep breath and faced her foe. One of the new black armored elves that followed the dark knight. Unlike the cocky attitude the previous group portrayed, these four moved with confidence. No matter. They would still die. They all bleed. She faced her opponent head-on, both swords twirling in the air dismantling every ball of shadows thrown her way. The brute she clashed withheld a large two-handed sword he could swing around with one after reinforcing his arm with dark energy. It took all her skill and experience to parry the massive blows. Nimble on her feet, Saida moved inside their reach and clicked her tongue in annoyance when her blade slid off the armor. Her second strike slipped into a gap under the helmet, sinking into their shoulder. The elf responded by gripping the blade and jamming his knee into her gut. Sword tossed to the ground, Saida returned to her standard fighting style amid her gasps for breath. Remembering a technique she had perfected with Ievis, Saida maneuvered until the elf lost their balance. When they raised an open palm to blast her in the chest, she hurled her weapon into their hand, piercing it along with the spell, which fizzled out. Focused on the blade, Saida ducked under the massive weapon and grabbed the discarded sword on the ground. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Now behind the elf, Saida kicked the back of their knee, forcing them to buckle. Raising her voice, Saida said, ¡°This is for Ievis,¡± then tossed her weapon high into the air, gripped his shoulders, and leaped over him. Twisting around, she regained her grip and drove both of her knees into his gut. Catching her tossed sword, she thrust the blade through the helmet''s eye slit until it hit the back. Yanking it out, she said, ¡°and that was for Elwin.¡± ¡­ Torn between her desire to rush back and support her people and the responsibility she had to protect her friends, Penelo felt helpless after finding Elwin dead. Blood coating the ground. Like the blood that had soaked into her feet long ago. The elf who challenged her held a short sword and a small shield. An unorthodox fighting style for a race that prided itself on perfecting the longsword and bow. Gripping her sword, she let her mind empty, leaving only the elf in front of her and the desire to survive. The two clashed periodically while circling each other. Neither committed to the attack, which baffled her given the air of confidence coming from them. It all changed when Saida landed a solid strike on her opponent''s shoulder, leaving her with just one blade. Their companions'' struggle spurred them into action. ¡°Are you ready to taste death?¡± Penelo growled, deflected the elf¡¯s thrust, and kicked out at the shield before punching them in the face with the hand holding her blade. Feeling the power coursing through her prosthetic, Penelo unleashed a blast of energy into the elf¡¯s jaw. They spit out a glob of blood along with a few teeth and grinned. ¡°You¡¯re going to suffer for that.¡± Penelo responded with a faint to draw out an attack and slammed her foot between their legs. Kneeling on the ground wincing in pain, he swung his sword, only for it to be knocked aside. She yanked his helmet off and smashed it into his open hand, shattering his fingers and the spell forming in them. Hand gripping his hair, she pulled it back and said, ¡°How does this taste?¡± Not waiting for a reply, Penelo thrust her blade down the elf¡¯s throat. The elf struggled in vain despite the piece of sharp metal ruining the inside of his mouth. Penelo let go of her sword, clenched her fist, and smashed them in the temple with another empowered strike. Their head whipped around before they crumpled to the ground. Triumphant, Penelo placed her foot on their shoulder and pulled it out, eyes searching for Fariane and Elena. ... Both elves walking toward Fariane placed their helmets on and unsheathed their long curved blades. One of them looked up and down as if she were just a piece of meat which creeped her out. ¡°Listen up, darling. Why don¡¯t you make this easy and give up? I promise I''ll make it quick.¡± Choosing to ignore the taunt, Fariane instructed Asena to corral the two so she could use her eye long enough to sever their magical connection. She couldn¡¯t afford to go easy on them. Eye flaring to life, Fariane adjusted her stance and charged at both fighters. She reacted before they attacked each time. Each dodge and parry kept her prey on their back foot. Asena could only dodge the frantic strikes that came her way as she dove in and slashed their legs when she could. When one of the two tried to focus on the wolf, Fariane punished them for it. To her, the fight had been going on for a while, but not in reality. Either way, it had gone long enough. Forced to avoid hitting each other, Fariane leaped up in front of the distracted elves, eye pulsing brighter than before, avoiding the bright string of light connecting her and the others to Silvertree while slashing through the shadows responsible for their increased power. Free hand holding their heads in pain from the backlash, Fariane nodded to Asena, and they both moved in for the kill. To an outside observer, one might think Fariane, with her skill alone, had the upper hand. The biggest flaw of such an assumption is the influence of the gods. Two powerful beings that mold, empower, and defy the natural laws that govern this world. The two elves she faced were skilled. No denying that. The shadows they wielded could cause great bodily harm. What they lacked in this fight came down to luck and a poor match-up. Every fight Fariane discovered how best to mold her will into reality by believing it so. Desperation fueled a desire only those who stood on the precipice confidently could grasp. Fariane''s mastery of her weapon and her precise reflexes gave her an even playing field. She forced the miracles into being, which gave her the needed upper hand, but the outcome of any encounter in war balanced on a knife''s edge. She could hear the dark knight growl in frustration for a second time because of her interference between his squad and his master. Paying them no mind, she waited for Adena to plow into the leg, buckling the elf on the right in time for his head to line up with her foot when she landed her kick. They bumped into their partner, who only now regained their composure. What he didn¡¯t account for was his friend¡¯s weapon, which slammed down into his foot when they tried to keep from falling. Fariane turned his scream into a melody of pain and regret. Left leg chambered for another kick, she slammed his chest with her foot, pushing him back. The sword, still being used to keep his friend up, didn¡¯t budge. Asena bit down on the sword hand of the pitiful elf wailing about his torn foot and took a few fingers with her. Recovered enough to push back to his feet, the creep who talked, in the beginning, roared and charged. He forgot about Asena. They tripped over the darting wolf. A hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him in just before her knee smashed into his ribs. Fariane grinned at Asena, who just finished silencing the screamer. Blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. Hand raised up, the elf dropped his weapon and said, ¡°I give up. You win.¡± With a devilish grin, she said, ¡°Unlike you, I won¡¯t make this quick,¡± and punched them in the throat with her offhand. When they reached for their neck, she stabbed her sword into the ground, ripped off their helmet, and smashed it into his nose. When he stepped back, Asena was there, causing him to trip landing on their back. Startling the elf, she gripped the helmet with both hands and pummeled his face over and over. When someone placed a hand on her shoulder, she whipped her head around. Fariane was ready to attack, only to let the helmet drop when Penelo''s worry-stricken face brought her back from the brink. Looking down at the body under her, there wasn¡¯t anything recognizable anymore. Drained from the fight, Fariane let Penelo help her up. ¡°Thank you. Sorry about that.¡± The cry of pain from Vanima cut Penelo''s reply off. They weren¡¯t in the clear yet. ... Moments in time. Heartbeats counting down before the end. Whose will it be this time? Vanima wished it could be hers and not Elwin¡¯s. She wanted it to be theirs even more. The dark knight and his god. Shadows swallowing up the light. Trusting her remaining squad to survive, Vanima focused on Feno. The shadow burst he set off around him was still fresh in her mind. Hiding in the dust cloud created from the spell''s aftermath, Vanima circled around and rushed him on his flank. Energy swelling in her chest, Vanima howled directly into the knight''s ear at point-blank range. Hand clasping his ear, Feno whirled around, sword drawing a circle in the dirt. A barrier erupted from the ground where the sword left a mark. Vanima looked over at Saida as she tossed her weapon in the air before leaping over the elf and thrusting her knees in their gut before catching her weapon and killing them. Shifting over to Penelo, she watched her kick the elf in the groin. The veil of shadows fell around Feno, who started attacking Vanima again at range. Dodging his attacks, until she could get close enough and opened her mouth as if to roar. When Feno jerked back in response, she reversed directions and dove in, empowered jaw biting down into the hand of his sword arm. Bone and muscle snapped and tore away, along with the rest of the dark knight''s hand. His sword fell to the ground. Feno roared with rage. Offhand snapping down, he caught Vanima by the ruff of the neck and slammed her into the ground. Dazed by the impact, she could do nothing when he kicked her hard enough in the ribs to break them as she tumbled across the ground. She looked up in time to see Feno hold up a shadow hand where the stump should be and hurl several balls of shadow at her. Saida leaped in and cut down the first and the second, but the third moved faster. Vanima watched Saida drop her sword, hands holding her head as she screamed. Shadows covered her body like flames. She tried to get up, but the pain was too much. Fariane engaged with the knight, using her eye to keep up with his movements enough to defend against them. Penelo rushed over to Saida, doing what she could to keep the elf from clawing away at her face. It''s over. We can¡¯t win this. Silvertree, I¡¯m sorry. I know. I had hoped it wouldn¡¯t come to this. There is one last option. She watched her god dart away from his fight and slam into the shadow reaper. Most of the wolves who fought it lie on the ground, dead. Impaled on his antlers, he tossed the mutated monster into the air and slammed it with a ball of light so bright that the monster disintegrated into the air. Silvertree stumbled from the impact as the dark lord stabbed them in the side and retreated. His form became transparent as he rose high into the air, growing brighter with each passing moment. Silvertree''s barrier remained impenetrable despite the dark lord''s attempts to hurl shadows. I am weary of this fight. Vanima, I apologize. I couldn¡¯t protect you or Elwin. I don''t see a way for these fights between the darkness and myself to end, but there is a way to bring hope to the future if I sacrifice myself and grant my power to my people and their descendants. ¡°What are you doing, you fool? I have waited several millennia to kill you myself. Get back down here so we can finish this fight once and for all!¡± Goodbye. Exploding in a shower of light that encompassed the entire battlefield, Silvertree ceased to exist. Light manifested as rain poured down over the entire area. Those who fought on his side received instant healing. Any individual with a drop of darkness experienced agony as the light boiled their skin. Everyone who absorbed the light received one last message. Listen to me now. Take a piece of me and infuse it into your very being. Grasp the power you now wield and shatter the darkness with your light. Future generations will inherit your power and carry the mantle of responsibility to defend against the darkness. As Silvertree¡¯s light rained down, the dark lord and his remaining knight retreated to town, abandoning his army of undead and surviving shadow beasts. No longer in pain, Vanima stood up and joined her friend. Penelo held Saida¡¯s hand. The elf¡¯s face healed, but still scarred. No longer able to see at all. Fariane stood next to her companion and gazed out over the battlefield. The tide of battle had shifted, but at what cost? What would become of Silvertree¡¯s ultimate gift to his people? Wait for me a little while longer, my love. I will join you soon, but first, I must finish what you started. Chapter 23 Twisting his head to look back at Elwin, Erlan couldn¡¯t help but think this would be the last time. He wanted to turn around and run back. He said, ¡°Should we-,¡± only to be cut short. ¡°This is war. We follow orders. He trusted you to keep the survivors under Pharom''s command safe, or do you think you have a better chance than him facing a god?¡± Shalendra never minced her words. As the former lead hunter in their clan before joining Elwin, he couldn¡¯t refute her words, so he said, ¡°I know. Penelo would kill me if I did something stupid enough to get me killed.¡± Cailu chuckled and said, ¡°With the undead running about, she may have to.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, all of you. I''m going to report to General Aienik. The rest of you keep those shadow beasts off our flank,¡± said Alea, a stern glare leveled at her companions. The warriors were grateful for the extra bodies filling the ranks for the fallen, but morale plummeted when they realized less than seventy out of two hundred returned. Between the hesitation and the shock on their faces, Erlan couldn¡¯t help but notice. Shalendra raised her weapon and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare give up now. If you jeopardize our formation because of cowardice, I will cut you down myself.¡± Anger and determination flooded the warriors who heard her declaration, which fueled the strikes raining down on the undead. She nodded, turned to Erlan, and said, ¡°Now it¡¯s our turn.¡± Taking point, Shalendra cut a path through the undead with Erlan and Cailu on either side in a triangle formation. Bellatala, the ace archer and survivor from Pharom''s group, stood next to Alea in the back, offering ranged support. A bright flash caught his attention where he last saw Elwin, but he soon forgot about it. Focused on what was in front of him, Erlan watched Shalendra cut an undead in half, grab its arm, and throw it at the nearby shadow beast, forcing it to swipe the mutilated corpse out of the air. She focused on the creature''s arm, moved in, and cut it off at the elbow. Darting in, Erlan swung low as Cailu aimed for the head. Quick on her feet, Shalendra finished it with a thrust into their chest and a hard slice cleaving the head off. That is when everything fell apart. The mental presence he felt from Elwin was there one moment and gone the next. That was the only warning Erlan received before everyone¡¯s weapons dimmed. Silvertree¡¯s blessing no longer had a conduit to flow through. That could only mean one thing. Elwin lost. Dead. The undead became harder to kill and the attacks that used to pierce the veil of shadows no longer could. Communication from the chain of command fell apart next after losing their mental connection. Another gift that linked them to Elwin. Faced against another shadow beast amidst a panicking army formation, Shalendra remained focused. Put on the defensive, she had to guess where to strike. This is when a second beast who sliced open two warriors to reach her position came for her. Closest to the beast, Cailu moved to intercept. Sword knocked out of Cailu''s grip; Erlan blinked in confusion. His body collapsed to the ground, head rolling away, lost in the crowd of moving feet. He watched another friend die in front of him. Shalendra cried out, sword flailing back and forth between the two beasts. Erlan wanted to help but he was the only one keeping the undead off her back. Knocked to the side, he could do nothing as the beast jumped on top and sliced open her chest. Saying sorry to Penelo in his thoughts, Erlan dove into the shadow beast. His last ditched effort gave her a few moments. Long enough for it to batter him away, claws digging into his shoulder. The largest flash of light he had ever seen burst across the battlefield, transforming into a shower of light-infused rain. Both undead and shadow beast alike cried out in pain. Skin bubbling everywhere the rain touched. Everyone else stood there in amazement. Open wounds closed within moments. Shalendra stood up, hand placed over the fresh scars that ran across her chest. Listen to me now. Take a piece of me and infuse it into your very being. Grasp the power you now wield and shatter the darkness with your light. Future generations will inherit your power and carry the mantle of responsibility to defend against the darkness. Did Silvertree speak into his mind? What did they mean? Power? That made no sense to him. Focused on her hand, Shalendra laughed when a small flame erupted in her palm. It grew, becoming more unstable. Curious, he said, ¡°Try throwing it.¡± Giggling, she did just that. The closest shadow beast still writhing on the ground burst into flames after the spell hit it. If she could control fire, what other possibilities were there? ... At the same time Erlan had been rushing back with the survivors, Caeda still fought on the front lines. Vanima and her team dispatched the bone horror and faced a group of elves outfitted in black armor. Traitors who helped the dark god wipe out fellow elves. She wanted to scream when the squad Darunia sent to assist fell, one after the other. Her only consolidation was the traitor''s demise when the leader retreated. Caeda''s confusion over Vanima''s disappearance grew when her blades dimmed while Daruinia¡¯s mental communication cut off mid-sentence. No longer in a position to think about anyone else, Caeda fought for her life. The call went out to retreat and merge with General Flaryn. The rampaging shadow beasts decimated several squads amidst the flailing undead. Twin swords deflecting undead clawing the air while dodging several shadow beasts. There wasn¡¯t much else she could do. ¡°Sinaht, no!¡± ¡°Verrona, he''s dead. Come back!¡± Her words fell on dead ears. Two more under her command fell. That left Lordan, Respen, and Dirue, who still fought by her side after their squad leader died, saving them against a shadow beast. After they joined forces with Flaryn, a giant flash of light followed by light-infused rain shifted the flow of battle in the elves'' favor. When Silvertree sent his departing message, Caeda felt a bubble of energy grow till it burst in her chest. Feeling the desire to release it, she clenched her fist and yanked it up. Several spikes of dirt shot out of the ground, impaling the undead nearby. They could do nothing but claw at the dirt and flail around helplessly. Laughing, Caeda reveled in her new power. ¡­ Tarred fared little better than his daughter during the brief time between the flash of light near the left flank and the moment their lives changed. Still reveling in the pride he felt for his daughter after Elwin spoke into his mind, Tarred focused on guiding those with bows toward the shadow beasts in his zone of influence. Far in the back, he had yet to draw his blade, but that wouldn¡¯t last. When the warrior nearby didn¡¯t react to his warning, when a shadow beast jumped them from the side, he panicked. That''s when he noticed the soft white glow that gave their weapons the boost they needed to fight the dark gods'' forces had vanished. Turning to the archers, he said, ¡°Draw your blades. We fight for our lives. There¡¯s nowhere to retreat.¡± Following his advice, Tarred prepared to do the same. His eyes passed over Darunia''s force, who was in the process of retreating toward his position. ¡°Good luck, Caeda. If anyone can find a way out of this, it would be you. Everyone thought I was putting too much pressure on you because you were my daughter, but that was far from the truth. No one could ever tell you what to do. Least of all me.¡± The undead trampled over the dead as they closed in on Tarred¡¯s position. Mentally preparing for his last stand, Tarred bellowed a war cry and rushed into the gap the undead had made. Without the blessing of the light, he knew he would need to exert more effort with each strike. The expert swordsman struck with precision and power, aiming to disable them long enough to finish the job. Hope twinkled in the back of his mind, but the shadow beast shattered it along with his sword arm when it jumped him and bit down on his arm. Crying out in pain, Tarred used his free hand and jammed his fingers where he thought its eyes might be. The soft popping sound followed by a squelch as he slid deeper inside gave him a small modicum of satisfaction. When it cried out in pain, he yanked his arm out and a warrior behind him pulled him back. Clutching his mangled arm to his chest, he could only watch as others rushed in and tried to kill it. After two of them had died, a bright light exploded over the battlefield, followed by a shower of wet light. All the shadow beasts let out howls of pain. The undead cried out louder than before, but other than that, they didn''t react. Tarred noticed his arm, which was the next miracle. Perfectly healed. Not only that, but everyone else received similar treatment. Hearing what he could only guess to be Silvertree speaking in his mind, a new well of power became known to him. He didn¡¯t know how to wield this gift, so he looked up to the sky and wished he could summon a storm and strike down his foes. He always enjoyed watching the thunderstorms during his childhood. When clouds appeared out of thin air building up directly over him, he said, ¡°I wonder.¡± Focused on willing them to shift over to the undead hoard, they moved. Thrilled at the possibility, he felt compelled to raise his hand, clench his fist, and yank it down as he said, ¡°Strike down my foes!¡± Several lightning strikes blasted into the undead, the closest being the shadow beast who had nearly killed him. The force caused the warriors who were fighting it to be blasted back. Glaring up at him, one of them said, ¡°You could have killed us. That was you right? Wait, how did you do that?¡± Laughing, Tarred said, ¡°You heard the voice in your head just now, right? We were all gifted with power. This is my gift. Feel the energy inside you and tap into it.¡± It was going to be alright. They would survive this. There was no other option. ... Forced to leave Elwin¡¯s body behind with the few surviving wolves staying back to guard it, Vanima took her team and positioned them to cut off the enemy''s escape back into town. Have you all figured out what you can do with Silvertree¡¯s gift? Despite losing her eyes even after the light-tinted rain healed them, Saida looked at Vanima and said, ¡°I can sense where everything is and feel like I can travel between the shadows like the shadow reaper. Some of the dark lord''s power must have mutated when Silvertree gave his gift. Before any of you ask, no, I don¡¯t feel that god''s presence in my head.¡± Fariane suddenly appeared behind Saida, who only turned her head to look behind casually, and said, ¡°I appear to have a knack for appearing in a place I can see, but I don¡¯t think I can go very far. Besides this cool trick, I can still use my eye to know what the enemy is about to do.¡± Penelo held out her hand, a ball of air swirling in her palm. She lost control and sent it flying directly into her foot. Crying out in pain, she reached down to see the damage when a soft glow enveloped her hand. She could feel the pain vanish as if it had never happened. Confused, she said, ¡°I guess I can mess with the wind and heal.¡± That was¡­informative. Saida and Fariane will use their mobility to move about and eliminate anything that tries to reach town. Penelo, until you can use the wind without hurting yourself, try to focus on healing anyone who needs it. Asena, can you watch over Penelo? Wolf! You can count on me! Vanima huffed and moved forward, closer to the back of the undead hoard. Elemental explosions erupted across the battlefield. Fire, ice, wind, and earth tore into the undead, along with lightning strikes from above. The attacks were uncoordinated and just as likely to hit a friend as a foe. Hopefully, Penelo wasn¡¯t the only one capable of healing. The undead never retreated. That left the shadow beasts that still held on to enough sense to know when it was best to regroup back in town. The only obstacles stopping them were three elves and two wolves. Vanima still had the power she received from Silvertree, but she could feel her body aging once more. When she ran out, there would be no more. Wait a little bit longer, my love. I will join you soon. Vanima moved forward as Fariane and Saida flanked her with weapons drawn. A few shadow beasts tried to run around, only to have two swords arcing through their necks after the two elves teleported behind them. Letting out an empowered howl, Vanima knocked down three beasts who charged at her. Saida blinked in and out around them, striking the beasts down in a single blow. Nothing could hide in the shadows now that she could manipulate them. A beast tried leaping over Vanima. Halfway to escaping, an invisible force cut it in half. Avoiding the mess the body made as it fell, Vanima looked behind her. To her surprise, Penelo stood there, sword drawn as if she had just cut an arc through the air. Shrugging, she quickly said, ¡°I had a tough time controlling the air in my hand, so I tried applying it to my blade like Silvertree¡¯s blessing had. I figured it was worth a shot and tried imaging the blade reaching it when they jumped, and it worked.¡± Good job. Try not to hit one of us. The next wave of escaping shadow beasts was closing the distance, so they continued fighting. Saida and Fariane teleported from one to another while Vanima used her force growl to push them back. Penelo, who never moved from her spot next to Asena, cut any that survived the deadly trio. Between the barrage of elemental attacks from the army decimating the remaining horde and Vanima''s team blocking off the retreat, none of the horde outside the town walls survived. Though the cost of this minor victory was high, leaving the dark lord unchecked would have made it worse. That did little to comfort those who survived. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Even Silvertree, an immortal being, was gone. A sacrifice for the rest of us. A chance at a better future. Knowing they deprived their immortal counterpart of the kill they so desperately sought after for several millennia. Killing his followers and any mortal body he inhabited would be our only option if we wanted to keep the darkness back. At least for now. ... When the dust had settled, and the survivors began gathering their fallen, Vanima guided her team to where the generals met. Saida carried Ievis in her arms. Penelo held Elwin¡¯s body close to her chest. His fur was wet with new tears. Everyone who noticed stopped what they were doing to salute their fallen commander. Generals Darn, Aienik, Flaryn, and Darunia stood together, lost in conversation when Vanima arrived. Noticing first, Darn raised his hand to silence the others. His expression hardened when he noticed Elwin. Greetings generals. As you can see, I have taken over responsibility for this army. Any objections? They did not offer any. Good. Much has happened. While you all held off the bulk of the horde, the rest of us faced the dark lord and his most elite forces. Elwin fell to a new abomination while assisting Silvertree. At this revelation, Vanima could see the fear in their eyes. Be at peace. Silvertree destroyed it before they sacrificed themselves. The responsibility of defending this land and our people falls to the elves now. I will see this through to the end. Flaryn coughed and said, ¡°Dirra and Qildor sent scouts out to monitor the town until we are ready to move.¡± ¡°Cargwyn is organizing meals to help feed the survivors,¡± said General Aienik. Darunia followed up and said, ¡°I tasked one of my warriors who can heal using their new gift to find others like themselves to create a new unit responsible for taking care of our injured in the future.¡± Good. You can handle all of that. I noticed some strong offensive abilities during the fight. So, I want you to find those who can destroy the town wall quickly to help with our assault. When the wall goes down, I will lead my team in to hunt down the god and his black knight. Pick our elite members under your command who can control their new power to go in with us to watch our backs. Darunia placed a hand on Aienik¡¯s shoulder and grinned. ¡°We already thought of a way to take care of that wall. He can form giant mounds of dirt and harden them. I will use my fire to set them ablaze. Aienik has an officer who can grip it with an invisible force of some kind and hurl it at the wall.¡± ¡°That is correct,¡± said General Aienik. ¡°I watched them catch a leaping shadow beast in the air, crush them, and hurl the corpse at another. It was a sight to see.¡± ¡°I have an officer who can call down lighting. He would be useful for attacking anyone on top of the wall. I believe you are familiar with him. Officer Tarred,¡± said General Flaryn. Excellent. I need to talk with my team. Gather your forces and meet me near the wall when you are ready. Don¡¯t take too long. It¡¯s not over yet. All four saluted and turned back to their discussion. Vanima noticed Tarred talking to Caeda. It warmed her heart to know they both survived. She then guided her companions toward the others who had followed Elwin. Erlan stood up when he noticed Penelo, who crashed into his chest after placing Elwin''s body on the ground. Shalendra saluted. Focused on preparing a meal, Alea only nodded briefly. Fariane walked over and sat down, whereas Saida just teleported and sat. Tilting her head, Shalendra said, ¡°Fancy trick. How do you see with your eyes,¡± waving her hands around her face, ¡°like that?¡± Looking directly at Shalendra, Saida said, ¡°I don¡¯t see like you do. Just perceive what is around me through my gift. My ears help me with the rest.¡± Fariane looked over to where Cailu¡¯s body lay, a piece of cloth covering his neck. Erlan noticed and said, ¡°Shadow beast killed him. He stepped in to save Shalendra. If it weren¡¯t for Silvertree¡¯s sacrifice, both of us would be dead along with him.¡± Bowing her head, Saida said, ¡°Ievis saved me.¡± She didn¡¯t elaborate. Rest up. We have a dark lord to take care of. ¡­ Sitting near where Elwin died, Vanima watched the select few chosen from the army for the final attack approach. Generals Aienik and Darunia led the procession with officers Tarred and Maiele, leaving Darn and Flaryn behind to watch over the rest. They would go after the dark lord if this failed. Half a dozen teams of four marched behind them. Crowding the streets with warriors who had a loose grasp over the devastating power at their fingertips would only cause accidents. There was a suggestion they should use long-range attacks using their gifts to destroy the town. If this was anything but a god walking around in an elf body, she would have considered it. No. She had to guarantee this plague never left this town ever again. Even if it killed her. Waving her over, Vanima nodded to Darunia and joined the small group for one last meeting. Report general. ¡°Yes, commander.¡± Pointing at each in kind, Darunia introduced the six team leaders who were joining Vanima during the assault inside the town. She recognized Caeda, who was fighting on the front lines near her position when she faced the black knight. ¡°I have tasked our strongest close combat team, led by Caeda and Bellatala, the ace archer who survived the bone horror massacre on the left flank.¡± Each elf stepped forward in acknowledgment. ¡°They will guard your backs as you clear a path and eventually face off against the dark lord.¡± And the other four teams? ¡°They will focus on searching for anyone hiding, be they friend or foe, so you can focus on the mission.¡± Good. You may begin. Dismissed. Everyone saluted Vanima and moved into position. Among friends once more, along with Caeda and Bellatala''s team nearby, Vanima waited. Dirt began forming in the air till they were the size of a full-grown bear. By the time they hardened, Aienik gave Darunia the signal to light it up so Maiele could grasp it with her invisible hand and throw the flaming rock into the wall. Slow at first, their teamwork and proficiency increased until a steady stream hammered against the town¡¯s wall. All the while, Tarred focused on forming thunderclouds over the wall. When he maxed out his ability to expand the unnatural storm, he raised his hand, clenched his fist, and yanked it down while he said, ¡°Strike down my foes!¡± Off to the side, Vanima heard Caeda. ¡°Father, you old fool. That was so lame.¡± The lightning storm that thundered across the battlefield rained down death for what felt like an eternity. When Tarred collapsed, the storm fizzled out, leaving the clouds behind. The barrage from the two generals halted at the same time. It¡¯s time. Follow me. Leading the charge, Vanima placed Saida and Fariane next to her, with Penelo and Asena in the middle. Shalendra, Erlan, and Alea guarded their rear. Caeda and Bellatala led their team close behind, with the other four teams further back. The outer perimeter lay in shambles. On closer inspection, shattered rocks from the barrage littered the ground with burn marks spread out from Tarred''s lightning storm. Alea, you mentioned how you can imbue your arrows with air. Think you can blast a path through the debris? Already pulling out her bow, she turned to Bellatala and said, ¡°Join me. If anyone can hit the same target as me with power and precision, it would be you.¡± ¡°With pleasure.¡± Aiming at the center of the debris where the front gate should have been, they set their arrows, pulled back as they imbued them with air and the other fire, and let loose. The projectiles sunk into the same mound of dirt, sending a shockwave of fiery wind in all directions, leaving a path for them to enter. I can¡¯t promise everyone will make it out once we enter but know this. The only way the dark lord leaves is if you die, including me. Anyone looking for inspiration can ask the dead. I only care about the results. Entering the town properly, Vanima ordered the support groups to spread along the wall. Piles of corpses everywhere. Evidence of being blasted by the onslaught that took down the wall, but not all. Leaning down, Fariane said, ¡°We aren¡¯t alone.¡± ¡°Hiding among the dead,¡± said Saida as she unsheathed her weapon. Listen up. The enemy are cowards who hide instead of facing up head-on. Watch our backs and show no mercy, for they will show you none in kind. Shalendra moved up with Alea and said, ¡°Can I?¡± You may. She watched Saida point out where the enemy hid, then turned to Alea and said, ¡°Let''s try out that attack we were discussing on the way here.¡± ¡°With pleasure,¡± was Alea''s only response. Tossing six arrows into the air, Alea used her gift to catch them and point each in a different direction. A feat of concentration. Flames coated Shalendra¡¯s hands as she wove fire into the arrows floating in the air. She then concentrated until the heat turned the flames blue. A color that was never seen from a fire up till now. Holding hands, they released the projectiles that exploded into each pile in the blink of an eye. Chunks of undead flew everywhere and the shadow beasts hidden under cried out in pain. Move out. Bellatala, shoot anything that chases after us. Caeda, keep them safe. A chorus of, ¡°Yes, Commander,¡± trailed behind Vanima. Any pretense of hiding abandoned, undead, and shadow beasts alike burst from abandoned buildings on all sides. Elemental explosions tore into the enemy before they could get close enough to do any damage. Saida teamed up with Fariane to guide them through the winding streets, their gifts following a trail toward the dark lord. A concentration of shadows so dense it was visible to Saida and the origin that all tethers of dark energy connected to which were visible to Fariane¡¯s eye. Giant fists made of water punched anything that got too close to Penelo. Erlan¡¯s sole focus was protecting the girl who chose him. No pushover herself, Penelo cut arcs of deadly air that bisected anything caught in its path. Shalendra and Alea stood on either side of the couple, firing off precise explosive missiles imbued with either fire or air with pinpoint accuracy. A combination of fire and electric arrows protected their rear, along with an elf that shaped ice into daggers before throwing them and another who mimicked Penelo¡¯s air strikes with their blade. They were free to wreak havoc because of Caeda and her team''s protection. Earth spikes, balls of swirling water, wind that shoved enemies into each other, and one elf crazy enough to slam their hand into a shadow beast''s head, causing it to burst into flames. No longer the strongest, Vanima let her friends and fellow warriors do the heavy lifting. She would save her strength for the dark lord. A presence felt coming from inside the largest structure nestled in the back of town. A row of bone horrors stood guard with a brand-new shadow reaper among them. Spread out. Support groups keep our backs safe. Everyone else, let¡¯s end this. Appearing next to Saida, Fariane said, ¡°With me, we are the only two who can keep up with a shadow reaper.¡± Grim-faced, she said, ¡°Agreed.¡± In a voice that could only be Feno, the black knight, the Shadow reaper stood up on its hind legs and said, ¡°I have failed my master for the last time. He gave me this new body and ordered me to end your lives so that I may redeem myself.¡± Roaring in pain, Feno leaped into the air, sending Fariane and Saida flying, swords bloody from piercing the dark knight. Shalendra and Alea targeted the bone horrors along with Penelo, who bounced between healing and sending windblade attacks, all the while protected by Erlan who smashed anything who got close. Again, Vanima only watched. Not yet her time to act. She instead focused on the fight between Feno, Saida, and Fariane. In tune with the shadows, Saida teleported along with Feno. Never wasting a moment between attacks. Leaning into her ability to see the near future, Fariane stopped every surprise strike each time Feno transformed his limbs into bone swords aimed at her and Saida. How she deflected the powerful strikes without losing a limb astounded Vanima. One after another, the bone horrors fell. Speed and deadly force crushed under the elemental might of her companions. I have a plan. After listening to Vanima, everyone got into position. Teleporting to a specific spot, Saida lured Feno into attacking her. Erlan used his water fist to smash into the knight''s face when they appeared. Slamming into the building behind him, Shalendra and Alea let loose their enlarged fire missile, piercing the knight''s chest before they could teleport. ¡°No!¡± Fariane appeared a moment before Feno, taking the bone sword thrust in the gut as she shoved Saida aside. The elf vanished into a shadow and drove her sword into Feno¡¯s neck, twisted her blade, and shoved it up into his skull. Fariane slid off the bone limb. Penelo rushed to her side to heal. Erlan gripped the mutated knight with his water hand and tossed him. Still visibly angry, Saida teleported and continued to strike at the knight, who refused to die. Shalendra ran over, a blue flame building in her hand. Shoving her hand into Feno¡¯s chest where her last projectile entered, she let her gift explode. Screaming in pain, the valiant warrior fell back. A stump was all that remained. The explosion took her hand. The elf who turned traitor and became a knight, then a mutated beast, died. Chest exploding from the inside, his god cut off his lifeline to the power fueling his gifts. Unable to heal, Feno could do nothing. ¡°Master. Why?¡± Despite the heavy loss of blood, Fariane stood next to Saida. Alea fussed over an annoyed Shalendra, who stared at the stump where her hand used to be. They didn¡¯t come out unscathed, but everyone survived. This proved Silvertree didn¡¯t make the wrong choice. They could do this. This is it, my friends. The dark lord awaits. Let¡¯s not keep a god waiting. Vanima urged her companions toward the large, closed double doors and for Saida and Bellatala to keep any reinforcements from interfering. Not wanting to risk an ambush, Erlan poured his energy into one powerful water fist and smashed it into the center, shattering the wood. Teleporting in time to shove the young elf out of the way, Saida said, ¡°Get down!¡± Reacting before Saida moved, Fariane appeared, sword drawn in the process of slashing up at an angle deflecting the ball of dark energy that emerged from the darkness within. Mouth agape at the sight before her. Vanima''s shock turned into outrage. How dare you take his form! No longer satisfied with the mortal body he stole; the dark lord mutated it until it became a perfect mirror image of Elwin. Even the part of his ear he lost during his last fight. Holding on to his ability to speak, the dark lord lifted his paw, licked it, and said, ¡°Who better to kill you than your lover?¡± Shouting with rage, Saida teleported behind the dark lord, who vanished, causing her to lose her balance. Once again Fariane was there deflecting the bone sword aimed at Saida''s back. And thus, the fight had begun. Tossed to the ground from the force she had to parry, Fariane couldn¡¯t stop the dark lord from tapping into the mutated portion of his power inside Saida and thrust his will on her. Instead of getting up, Fariane just laughed, which caught the god off guard. Gripping her sword, Saida spat out blood with gritted teeth, and said, ¡°Get out of my head! You aren¡¯t welcome.¡± And just like that, the newly minted shadow user vanished, sword sinking into the dark lord''s side. As he struggled to connect with his shadow, his ability to teleport became delayed. Rejoining her sister-in-arms, Fariane continued being Saida¡¯s shield. Huddled between the fight against the dark lord and the two support groups fending off the undead and shadow beats trying to reach them, was Penelo, who stood by to heal anyone she could with Erlan and Asena by her side. Preoccupied with the shadow beasts leaping out of the building, Alea and Shalendra used ranged attacks pelting them with balls of fire and air. Trapped in the moment, stuck in the middle of the chaos occurring all around her, Vanima hesitated. A wall of shadows split the party in half, leaving the dark lord alone with Alea, Shalendra, Vanima, and Saida, who used the same shadow to teleport. The few precious moments Saida could give allowed Shalendra and Alea to put everything they had into combining their abilities. It did not go unnoticed. Appearing behind them, they leaped to the side as they let their gift release point blank. Interfering with his shadow, Saida had to watch her friends vanish within. A vortex of fire whipping around. Shadows blasted outward, dispersing the flames, leaving a furless, heavily burned-up god masquerading as Elwin standing over two charred corpses. Another death and sacrifice to defeat the dark lord. No longer separated by the wall of shadows, Fariane returned to the fight with Saida. This ends now. All eyes fell on Vanima, who glowed brightly, eyes locked on her lover''s face, wishing the dark lord had chosen any face but his. Moving fast enough that the muscles in her legs tore. Bones cracking under the pressure. Pain meant nothing to the rage she felt. ¡°Saida, hold him there!¡± As Fariane shouted and stabbed her sword down into the dark lord''s paw, a blast of shadows tossed her to the side. Doing her part, Saida thrust her blade into the ground where the shadows pooled. Laughing as she too flew backward from the grotesque dark lord still recovering from the last attack. Teeth clamping down on the god''s throat, Vanima whipped her body around, using the speed she accumulated to rip the Elwin imposter''s neck out. Unable to move, she could only growl, blood dripping from her mouth. Drawing her sword, Penelo slashed the air several times, cutting deep gouges in the dark lord''s fur. Following her lead, Erlan used his water fist to grab the God¡¯s head before he could finish healing and squeezed. A barrage of elemental attacks crashed into the dark lord from Bellatala and her group. Vanima could only watch next to Penelo, who started working on her legs. Saida and Fariane stood guard nearby, leaving the fight to the ranged group. When the heavily injured god appeared in front of Bellatala, he tried to use the failing mortal body to roar. ¡°Not so fast!¡± Earthen spikes sprung from the ground impaling the dark lord, ending the shadow blast resulting in an explosion that left little behind. The only parting words left by the dark god spoken in everyone¡¯s mind. This isn¡¯t the last you will see of me. I shall return after all of you are dead and forgotten. Then I shall have my revenge. Wishing she could abandon everyone and take Elwin back to the forest, their home, but knew there would be time for that later. Fariane, find the generals outside and tell them the news. Saida, I need you to lead those who can still fight to finish clearing out the town. ¡°Is it over? Did we do it?¡± Erlan placed his hand on Penelo¡¯s shoulder, pulled her in, and said, ¡°Yes, it''s over. We can go home and tell our people they don¡¯t have to fear any longer.¡± Laying down, feeling the weight of her true age pressing down on her, Vanima stopped responding when the two young elves engaged with her. Asena sat next to her in silence. Time passed for the weary elf inside a wolf¡¯s body. Saida appeared before her, hand sifting through her fur in a soothing motion. Leaning down, she said, ¡°It''s done.¡± The new leader of the Shadow Breakers joined Saida''s side, bent down, and lifted Vanima in her arms. When she didn¡¯t resist being handled, Fariane looked at the others and said, ¡°Move out. There is nothing left for us here.¡± Chapter 24 As the sun hovered over the horizon, a somber mood followed the procession led by Fariane, who held Vanima in her arms. The soft rhythmic rise and fall of her chest reassured those who feared the worst. Asena growled at any who got too close. The wolf took her position as the protector of the leader of the Shadow Breakers seriously. When she reached the hole that they blasted away to enter the town, Fariane observed the battlefield. The surviving elves had spread out, separating the dead. She looked over at Saida and said, ¡°Did they decide what to do with the fallen?¡± Instead of answering, she vanished. A shriek came from a nearby roof, followed by her return. ¡°The scout says they plan to have a funeral pyre tonight." Their presence at the entrance drew the attention of Generals Aienik and Darunia, who were walking toward her. When Tarred, who walked behind them, saw his daughter, he ran toward Caeda. His progress halted when Saida appeared and grabbed him by the neck, jerking him backward. When he reflexively reached for his sword, she said, ¡°Do you want to die in front of your daughter?¡± Flustered, he said, ¡°Why are you doing this? We¡¯re all on the same side and the fight is over.¡± Without looking back, Fariane said, ¡°Tell your father to stand down.¡± Following orders, Caeda said, ¡°Father, you need to listen to them.¡± Hand no longer holding the pummel of his sword, Tarred fell backward after Saida returned to Fariane¡¯s side. This caused the generals to halt. Confusion and worry now replacing the joy on their faces. "We destroyed the dark lord''s mortal vessel, but the dark lord himself remains." He can influence our minds, forcing us to act in a way we normally wouldn¡¯t. Until we are far away from here, I won¡¯t let my guard down. No harm will come to Vanima.¡± Everyone stepped aside, allowing Fariane to move forward. Saida and Asena continued to dissuade anyone who got too close. When she reached the generals who had stayed behind during the final attack on the town, she offered the same warning before going into her explanation of the fight. "We made our way through town, carving a path until we reached the black knight, who transformed into a shadow reaper." He was no match against our new gifts combined. The dark lord faced us in the shape of our late commander. Alea and Shalendra sacrificed themselves in the fight to weaken the god. Vanima pushed herself past her physical limits to strike a severe wound. That is when Caeda joined the fight and landed the final blow.¡± General Flaryn said, ¡°Thank you all for ending this nightmare. Will you be taking over command for Vanima?¡± ¡°No.¡± The flat reply left the small group in silence. ¡°Then who?,¡± asked General Darunia. Everyone followed her finger toward Caeda, who stood next to her father. Eyebrows raised, Caeda pointed to her chest and said, ¡°Me?¡± Her tone never altered when she said, ¡°Yes.¡± Shaking her head, Caeda said, ¡°Why? There are others more deserving.¡± ¡°Everyone needs a hero to follow and look up to. As the warrior who landed the final blow to our enemy, you have become a living symbol.¡± Shoulders slumped, Caeda rubbed her forehead in silence until her father said, ¡°You can do this.¡± Eyes, eating her father''s, Caeda smiled and said, ¡°I will agree if it lasts until we return to our people and disband.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± said Fariane. All the while, Vanima remained unresponsive. Leaving the generals and their new acting commander, Fariane returned to the makeshift camp where Cailu, Ievis, and Elwin¡¯s bodies lay wrapped up. Cargwyn brought a portion of the food they helped prepare and left it nearby when told not to get any closer. When the sun had vanished, Caeda approached and said, ¡°It¡¯s time to say our respects to the fallen. Please join us. I have set aside a section in the front and informed everyone to keep their distance.¡± Nodding to the commander, Fariane stood up and followed Caeda with Vanima in her arms. Penelo, Erlan, Saida, and Asena followed behind her. Facing everyone with the unlit pyre behind her, Caeda addressed the crowd after a wind mage amplified her voice. ¡°Today we stood up against a superior force far from home so that we could keep our friends and families safe. Elwin paid the ultimate price to fight back against the darkness. Silvertree, the god who gave us a fighting chance, sacrificed themselves. The new gifts we now wield are a reminder of their trust in us to carry the mantle of responsibility protecting this land against the dark lord.¡± She turned around, picked up a torch, and signaled the elf who stood nearby. They created a small flame and tossed it into the torch, lighting it up. The body of General Pharom lay on a smaller pyre in the front. The warriors under his command had found where he lay after the bone horror had cut him down among the dead. Tossing the lit torch on the body, she stood back and watched the flames consume him. A flurry of fireballs flew, revealing dozens of larger pyres scattered behind Pharom. Hugging Vanima close to her chest, Fariane watched the dead burn. Hundreds of wooden markers representing all the fallen stuck in the dirt across the ground nearby. A memorial to honor the dead. No one moved until the flames died down halfway through the night. By the time the sun appeared, the survivors were on the trail heading back toward Unn Thalor. ... As they reached the base of the mountain, Caeda did her best to keep morale up and convince anyone being reckless with their new gifts to stop. Caeda had to step in and break up arguments frequently. Tension had risen as blame was being placed on others from different tribes over the loss of a friend or loved one during the battle. It came to a head when Saida appeared in the middle of a fight, avoiding the elemental attacks being tossed around and beheaded the initial instigator and would have continued if not for Caeda¡¯s intervention, pleading to let her handle it. Few would dare risk her wrath after that. With everyone settled down to rest before making the trek over the mountain, Caeda prepared to make her rounds. She checked on the three camps under the command of Dain, Aienik, and Flaryn. Darunia had ordered her warriors to merge with Dain¡¯s group for the trip back. Aienik had no issue keeping the survivors who joined up after Pharom fell. Darunia, now second in command, followed Caeda along with Qildor, who provided an update on the scout reports. ¡°No signs of undead or shadow beasts. We have enough supplies to make it back home,¡± said Qildor, before veering off. Secluded from everyone else lay a small camp where Fariane sat by the fire. Vanima snuggled in her lap. In the shadows, Saida maintained a watchful presence. Nothing could get past her senses despite the lack of functional eyes and after her execution, most were smart enough to keep their distance. Penelo and Erlan talked to fellow clan members nearby. Caeda enjoyed seeing Penelo act more like herself. Losing Elwin had affected her the most after his mate, Vanima. It took some convincing, but Fariane agreed to place her and her friends'' dead companions, including Elwin, in a cart. A rotation of guards kept it secured around the clock near the smaller campsite. No one bothered arguing over the request. Nothing was scarier than upsetting Saida except for getting on Fariane¡¯s bad side. Between Penelo and the new healer unit, they came up with a method of preserving the dead inside from decay, though it had to be administered every few days. A warrior who could control ice helped during the day to watch to keep the bodies cool. ¡°Has there been any change?¡± Her friend looked at her, eyebrows raised in confusion. ¡°Vanima?¡± Receiving a nod in confirmation, Darunia said, ¡°No, commander. There are reports that Fariane convinced her to drink water but refuses to eat.¡± ¡°Thank you. The best we can do for her now is to make her last days as comfortable as possible. Have there been any more accidents today? Some warriors have adjusted better than others to the new gifts.¡± chuckled to herself, Darunia said, ¡°The new healing group we created has been hard at work healing burns, cuts, and broken bones from their abilities being uncontrollable or used without being cognizant of their surroundings. At least they aren¡¯t attacking each other anymore. They know what would happen if they did.¡± The trip over the mountain had been uneventful. Just as the reports had said, there were no traces of the forces left by the dark lord. When they reached the edge of the forest, the wolf pack greeted them. Fariane held up her hand in the universal signal to halt. Caeda noticed and relayed the orders, halting the procession. She may be in charge, but anyone close to her knew Fariane held the true reins. Handing Vanima over to Penelo, she walked toward the pack with Asena. She took a step to move closer to Penelo, paused, and stepped back when Saida¡¯s head jerked to the side to stare at her. Knowing better, she moved back instead. ¡°She''s scary. A lot has changed since the day we faced off against the dark lord,¡± said Darunia in a hushed tone. Getting the impression the elf in question could hear them, Saida shrugged and continued to wait. The wolf pack had sent a few of their members to greet Fariane and Asena. When they separated, the wolves melted back into the forest. After retrieving Vanima from Penelo, she started moving once more, and the army followed with hushed murmurs. Caeda could sense the mood shift as they drew closer to their destination. They saw a host of movements along the path leading to town. The scouts they sent ahead the night before gave the council ample opportunity to prepare for their arrival and inform the other clans. As they passed by the crowd, cheers erupted from both sides. There were gasps of shock and fear when some of the returning elves displayed their new gifts to maneuver around the growing crowd in their attempt to reunite with loved ones. The constant in the maelstrom of joy and tears was the bubble of space given to Fariane and her group in the front, trailed by a single cart. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they reached their destination. The end of the journey. They had completed the deed and paid the price, for better or worse. ... When the survivors reached the gate, they lined up in their original five formations, which forced everyone present to acknowledge at least a third of them didn¡¯t make it back. Each general stood in front, except for Pharom. They assigned Bellatala the honor of representing them. The leaders of the supply line, scouts, and civilian groups stood in front of their respective members. Caeda appeared on top of the wall to address them as their commander for the last time. Hundreds of elves from the various clans stood in the back to listen while the civilians of Unn Thalor crowded the courtyard, including the current council. Looking down at the cart and the four surviving elves of the core team, along with Vanima in Fariane''s arms and her wolf companion Asena, Caeda felt the cost they had to pay at that moment. Voice echoing far enough to reach everyone¡¯s ears, Caeda said, ¡°As acting commander, I am declaring the war over and our mission complete.¡± The sound of all the applause and cheers was deafening. She raised her hand and signaled for them to silence. When it had died down, she continued, ¡°I would like to acknowledge and honor some warriors who made this achievement possible. Please show respect as I do. If you need to verify if a friend or loved one died, please meet with Dirra and Qildor after my announcement.¡± Collecting her thoughts, Caeda took a deep breath and said, ¡°Elwin, the hero of the last war and commander who led all of us, died fighting the dark lord.¡± The collective gasp turned into a shocked silence. ¡°Silvertree, the god of the forest, sacrificed himself to bless every surviving elf who followed Elwin into battle, a new gift that has the potential to pass on to future generations. From the Wataki tribe, seven brave elves joined Elwin and Vanima to bring you all together and take down the dark lord. Penelo, Fariane, and Saida return, but Alea, Cailu, Ievis, and Onvyr did not.¡± The cries of sorrow from friends and family members of the fallen behind her in the courtyard made her flinch, but she continued. ¡°From the Xilyra tribe, both my father Tarred and Erlan, along with myself, have come home safe. Shalendra fell in our fight against the dark lord himself.¡± Pushing through the pain, she said, ¡°Cargwyn, wife, and co-leader of the Shuvo tribe, kept everyone fed while keeping our camps organized. Darunia, the leader of the Kuma tribe, deserves commendation for her effort as a general and my second-in-command on the way back home. I served under her as an officer during the fight and am alive today because of her leadership. Let''s commend Bellatala, another member of the Kuma tribe. One of the best archers I know and her contribution under Pharom¡¯s command and as part of the group who entered the town to hunt down the dark lord.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Taking a moment from her report, Caeda saluted her new friends. A smile returned to her lips when everyone behind Darunia and Bellatala cheered in agreement. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the Pabanise tribe¡¯s leader Dirra and Qildor from the Haus tribe who handled our scouts, it would have been difficult to stay informed as we marched toward the enemy. The rest of us should show honor to everyone under the command of Dirra, the leader of the Pabanise tribe, and Qildor from the Haus tribe, as they risked their lives to keep us safe during our march toward the enemy. "To the Libryen tribe and Rania, I may not have a particular individual to honor, but I would like to express my gratitude for your contribution of people to the cause, and my sympathies go out to those who have fallen." Next, I would like to thank Flaryn, the leader of the Erfina tribe and a wonderful general. It pains me to say, but I must inform you all that the leader of the hunters from the Haus tribe fell during battle. Between his sacrifice and Elwin¡¯s intervention, they saved the group from being completely massacred. Pharom¡¯s friend and leader of the merchants who took responsibility for our supplies made sure no one ever went hungry.¡± When the mix of sadness and joy from the news fell away, Caeda said, "Let''s also give recognition to General Dain, the leader of the Waejyre tribe, and General Aienik, the leader of the Pahana tribe, for their leadership." Saluting the crowd, every warrior returned her gesture. ¡°Everyone dismissed. Go back home and rebuild your lives. I dissolve this army and relinquish command.¡± Now that her responsibility was over, Caeda went down the ladder where she found her father. No longer able to hold it in any longer, she crashed into his chest and cried. ¡°It''s going to be alright, my child. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± ... After Erlan had reunited with his parents, Vasati and Sanev, at the refugee camp, he returned to find Penelo. Zeno watched as his daughter cried into her mother''s chest. Nuala soothed her distraught daughter. Carrying Vanima in her arms, Fariane approached the family and addressed Zeno. ¡°We need to meet with Morthil and Qamara in the council room.¡± His face scrunched in worry looking over Vanima. When Saida coughed, he said, ¡°Of course. Right away. Please follow me.¡± Looking over at his wife, he said, ¡°Nuala, please take care of our daughter. I have business with the council.¡± ¡°Of course, Zeno. Erlan is back and he will be with us to help.¡± Between the pure white orb staring at them from Fariane and the scarred face from Saida, no one came close to the small procession leading to the council room. Morthil and Qamara stood up when they arrived and bowed. Zeno joined the other two before they sat back down. Not wasting any time, Fariane stood there and said, ¡°With Elwin gone and the power keeping Vanima alive cut off after Silvertree disappeared for good, she doesn¡¯t have much time left. I plan to take her back to the forest for a small ceremony with those I invite tomorrow. Anyone who disrupts it will not live to regret it.¡± ¡­ After defeating the dark lord, Vanima had not reached out to anyone for a long time. She had used up most of her energy for that last strike. It was all she could do just to keep herself alive on the wisps of power still lingering. When her mind picked up Fariane¡¯s voice telling the council about her plans to return her to the forest, she reached out. Dear friend, please take me to the home of Elwin''s mother. I want to sleep there under the tree for my last night next to Elwin. Fariane responded with a mental communication of her own. It will be done. Saida and I will watch over the both of you. As she promised, Vanima slept under the tree next to Elwin''s body, with Fariane sitting in the swing while Saida hid in the shadows. ¡­ A small procession left early the next morning. Fariane held Vanima while Penelo gripped Elwin''s wrapped body close to her chest. Qamara from the council followed behind. After the meeting, Fariane agreed to grant a concession and allow another to join. Opening a path for them walked Saida next to Asena. When they passed through the gate, Caeda and Bellatala met with the two groups who joined them during the last push against the dark lord. Aienik, who had helped to breach the town¡¯s defenses, joined up along the way. They asked him to use his ability to manipulate and harden the ground for the ceremony. Any elf who had fought under Elwin stopped what they were doing to salute. A young child tried throwing a rock at Fariane as he said, ¡°You let my parents die!¡± With her unique white eye, Fariane saw it coming and shifted out of the way. Saida took this opportunity to vanish and reappear next to the child before the rock ever reached Fariane, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him into the ground. Mouth close to his ear, she said, ¡°Do not sully your parents'' sacrifice when the body of the one who led them is being carried to his tomb.¡± Popping back in front of the procession, they continued. The child left behind curled up on the ground in tears. The entire wolf pack and the warriors tasked with protecting the ceremony blocked the way of the small crowd that tried to follow. Any onlookers still around had to watch them meld into the forest. ... As they drew near the hidden tomb, Vanima felt the lingering wisps of energy. The thought of joining her mate and letting go of this mortal body was comforting. She let her mind wander in and out of the memories washing up to her consciousness. Pausing on a particular vision left her longing for her old body back. A single chance to hold her loved one close to her chest. Not wanting to let this desire fade, Vanima reached out. Could you indulge me one last time? Fariane, Asena, Saida, Penelo, and Qamara all stopped to look at the wolf in Fariane¡¯s arms. Aienik stood off in the back with Caeda and Bellatala. All three had a puzzled expression. Caeda said, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Saida appeared next to Fariane, fingers sifting through her fur as she said, ¡°Ask and it shall be done.¡± I want to die as an elf, not a wolf. The silence felt like a weight she couldn¡¯t hold up when Fariane said, ¡°I can¡¯t do it alone, but I will try.¡± Trusting her friend, Vanima relaxed into Fariane¡¯s arms. Time passed in a haze. Her consciousness struggled to focus. A surge of energy brought her back to reality. The ground erupted with earthen spikes, isolating them from the rest of the forest. Another surge and the spikes hardened, reminding Vanima of their siege against the dark lord. She felt the gentle embrace of the forest floor take her into its arms when Fariane placed her down. Vanima looked up at the three elves who had stayed by her side while struggling against the darkness. Feeling the power swell around Fariane, she focused her attention. The elf smiled and said, ¡°Saida and Penelo, I need to draw from your power. Will you help me?¡± Moved by her friend''s request, Vanima looked at Saida and Penelo. The young elf did her best to put on a brave face as she nodded and said, ¡°You have done so much for me since I was born. Meeting Elwin and Vanima for the first time and proving there was truth hidden behind the old stories changed my life.¡± Flexing her fingers and the two fake digits attached to her hand that were now powered by her source, she said, ¡°I''m ready.¡± Bowing, Saida said, ¡°Of course. What would you have us do?¡± Bending down, Fariane placed her hands on Vanima and said, ¡°Place a hand on me and our dear friend. I will draw on your power to help fuel this miracle. You both need to be willing and submit. Any resistance could irrefutably harm Vanima.¡± Complying with her request, all three took their positions while Qamara stood observing. Vanima reveled in the comfort that the power running through her made her feel. Forced to shut her eyes from the bright light radiating from Farine¡¯s eye, Vanima trembled in fear. An emotion she thought long dead. That is when the pain hit. It was as if an enormous monster had picked her up by the head and tail and pulled it until her spine shattered. Every bone in her body shifted under her skin. Vanima clung to consciousness until she heard Fariane¡¯s voice. Stop fighting the change. I won¡¯t let you die until you get your last wish. Again, she placed her faith in an elf she only knew, but for a fraction of her existence. The pain ebbed away until she passed out. Gentle hands caressed Vanima¡¯s face, fingers brushing lightly against her pointed ears. Her ears! She had elvish ears again. Eyes flung open, Vanima looked up at Fariane, Saida, and Penelo who, despite showing signs of fatigue, looked happy but with a layer of sadness hidden behind their gazes. She looked down at her own body. An elven body. Granted, she was naked, but a few millennia as a wolf cured any shyness she might have had for that. Relieved when she wiggled her toes, Vanima tried rolling on her side to get up. Propped up on her elbow, she went to push up when her muscles gave out, planting her face into the ground. Thanks to Fariane¡¯s ability, she was the first to react. Grabbing her shoulder, the elf helped roll her over onto her back. Embarrassed, she said, ¡°I could use some help.¡± Penelo and Fariane both offered a hand, which she took, and they gently lifted her with Saida standing behind, just in case. When Penelo placed her hand on Vanima¡¯s forehead to heal, she shook her head. ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡± Hand trembling, Penelo lowered her head, mumbling, ¡°Sorry.¡± One hand holding Fariane¡¯s for support, Vanima took her first step, reached out with her other hand, and cupped Penelo¡¯s chin, lifting it, and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to be sorry.¡± From behind, Saida said, ¡°So this is what your voice sounds like. I always wondered, since we only ever heard you in our heads.¡± The realization must have registered with Penelo too, since her eyes went wide. She smiled and said, ¡°You have a beautiful voice.¡± Curling a stray hair behind her right ear, Vanima said, ¡°Thank you.¡± With a wisp of power, she strengthened her legs enough to walk. It wouldn¡¯t matter soon enough. Hand free of Fariane¡¯s support, she turned around toward Saida. ¡°We both lost a loved one to the darkness in this war, so I know how you feel.¡± Finger pressed against Saida''s lips when she protested, Vanima said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to lie to yourself let alone a dying elf like me. The darkness killed my first love before I became a wolf and met Elwin." No tears could ever fall after she lost her eyes, but Saida sobbed all the same. Vanima pulled her in, hugged the elf, and said, ¡°I''m not saying you must find someone new. If I can find love twice, then anyone can. Just be open to the possibility. Ievis was a remarkable warrior.¡± Composed once more, Saida stood up and grinned. ¡°I''m curious. Did you ever have any kids?¡± Put off by the sudden question, Vanima stood speechless before laughing. When she could catch her breath, she said, ¡°As an elf, no. My first partner and I ran away from home when Silvertree contacted him, asking for help. After my transformation, I had several pups, but after a few hundred years, we both agreed we were done.¡± Barely holding in her giggles, Saida said, ¡°I guess Elwin was an amazing partner.¡± ¡°He was. If he wasn¡¯t, I never would have convinced him to use Silvertree¡¯s boon to extend our lives.¡± Next, she faced Fariane, the newest leader of the Shadow Breakers. Arms out wide, she looked at her friend expectantly. A moment of hesitation and Fariane embraced Vanima. With a soft voice, she said, ¡°I wish I had met you sooner. Your friendship means the world to me, and I wouldn¡¯t ask for a better friend to be by my side at the end of my road.¡± Tears slid down Vanima¡¯s shoulder. When she could speak, Fariane said, ¡°I''m going to miss you, my friend.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trusting my legacy to you. Do your best to prepare future generations against the return of our enemy.¡± Looking Vanima in the eye, she said, ¡°I will,¡± with a determined voice. Next came Penelo, the young reckless girl who snuck out trying to prove her parents wrong and, despite lacking any actual combat experience, still stepped up and joined the cause. She may have lost a few fingers, but Penelo survived as a battle-tested warrior. ¡°You should be proud of yourself. Both Elwin and I saw a little of ourselves in you and Erlan. He even suggested passing on the mantle of the new hero couple to the two of you. That didn¡¯t turn out as we planned. Regardless, life never goes the way you think it will. What I ask is that when the day comes and you give birth, you will instill into them a level of respect and responsibility with their inherited gifts.¡± Penelo flexed her right hand, looked Vanima in the eye, and said, ¡°You can count on me. Erlan will make a wonderful father. To be honest, I don¡¯t think I could handle living as long as you did. It terrifies me a little. That doesn¡¯t mean I want to die anytime soon, but knowing it won¡¯t last helps me cherish the time I have.¡± Nodding to Penelo, Vanima looked over at Qamara and waved her over. The elder council member approached her cautiously. With a bow, she said, ¡°Thank you for helping save my people and home from certain destruction.¡± Vanima could see the woman had more on her mind, so she said, ¡°What troubles you? This isn¡¯t the time to hold back.¡± Shoulders slumped, Qamara said, ¡°I don¡¯t know how we will manage all the elves now and in the future with these new abilities. I fear we have traded one danger for another. From the reports I have heard, it would only take a handful to destroy the entire town if they desired it.¡± Thinking carefully over the problem, Vanima proposed, ¡°Fariane and Saida, would the two of you be willing to convert the refugee settlement outside of town into the Shadow Breaker¡¯s base of operations and help train and identify threats to the community?¡± Both elves agreed without hesitation. Qamara stood up with confidence and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± Strength beginning to wane, Vanima walked over to Elwin¡¯s body, picked him up, kissed where his forehead was under the cloth, and faced the four elves. ¡°Before I go, I will sing you a song. Elwin and I loved to sing together, so I will be ending it with one.¡± Clutching Elwin close to her chest, she sang, ¡°From a time Beyond my faintest dream There¡¯s a presence in my mind When you love that much You¡¯re not afraid to say There¡¯s a home where all our stories will end The end With him and me.¡± Her voice bounced off the hardened earthen spikes, amplifying it. Emboldened by the moment, she continued, ¡°Feels like my world is over The darkness bit too much Reaching for a love I had That gave us precious laughs A moment in time I chased A thrill that made me whole No longer my place to live in.¡± Lost in the moment, she sang the beginning chorus again before singing, ¡°You may feel like I gave up But my time is gone So when my melody fades away I hope you think of me.¡± After her voice faded with, ¡°The end, the end with him and me,¡± Vanima let the tears flow as she cried into Elwin''s body. No one moved, just watched as the cloth soaked up her tears. When the weight of Elwin''s body made her arms tremble, she looked at Fariane and said, ¡°Please open the way. It''s time.¡± Hand placed over the relic around her neck, Fariane pushed energy into it and opened the secret tomb. Vanima smiled at all her friends and entered. Darkness swallowed her up, but she knew the way by heart. Next to the last resting place of Silvertree¡¯s partner, Vanima curled up around Elwin on the ground. Breathing in one last time, she let go with a sigh of contentment for a life well lived. I''m on my way, my love. ¡­ One hundred years later, Fariane stood next to Saida watching over Penelo and Erlan''s son teaching a group of children about the history of the Shadow Breakers and how they needed to be responsible with their new powers. The couple had named him Elwin in honor of the late commander and hero of two dark wars. Considered elders themselves, Fariane knew Elwin would be her successor. Curious, she turned to Saida and said, ¡°Have you seen Shalendra? I asked your daughter to fetch something for me.¡± Stepping out of her Shadow, the elf in question smirked and said, ¡°I don''t need to walk to move about, just like my mother. Why would I need to rush?¡± Saida sighed, popped behind her daughter, put her in a headlock, and said, "You rascal, you''re old enough to know better. Why can¡¯t you act more like the warrior you were named after?¡± Vanishing out of her mother¡¯s grasp, Shalendra put her hands on her hips, pouted, and said, ¡°That¡¯s not fair. Why do you have to compare me with her every time?¡± Elwin, done with his lesson, approached from behind and said, ¡°If you showed some maturity, she wouldn¡¯t need to.¡± Moving before the irritated Shalendra, Fariane caught the fist aimed at Elwin''s jaw. Saida moved a moment later and smacked her daughter in the back of the head. ¡°That is enough out of you. Head home and stay there. If I hear from your father that you disobeyed me, you will find out the reason people fear me.¡± With a yelp, Shalendra vanished. Elwin shook his head and said, ¡°What brings the two of you by?¡± Remembering the reason she came in the first place, Fariane said, ¡°Your parents invited us over for a meal and asked me to come get you." Hand scratching his chin, Elwin said, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. Mom wanted to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the third Dark War. I''m grateful to both of you for protecting my mother so she could give birth to me.¡± The two elders grinned at the elf, and slapped him on the back, leading him toward Penelo and Erlan¡¯s home inside Unn Thalor. Time moved on. The elves would continue to develop the powers tied to them and their offspring. Under the guidance of the Shadow Breakers, they formed multiple places of learning to educate the youth, but time would once again obscure the truth, leaving the few who never forgot the past with the responsibility of holding to Vanima''s request to Fariane, but that is a story for another time.