《Starry Eyed Fighters》 Prologue A large screen at the entrance of Silver Lining University lights up with a pop, displaying the image of a captivating young elf woman speaking into a small microphone. "Alright, ye lot, gather ''round! I''m Professor Belle, and welcome to Silver Lining University¡ªthe finest university in the universe," she begins, her Irish accent adding a warm lilt to her voice. "Today, I''m givin'' ye a quick rundown on how our world works, especially for those o'' ye not native to Earth or comin'' from beyond." She pauses for a moment, chucklin'' softly. "Here''s hopin'' this one''s recordin''... it''s me tenth go at it." "Let''s start with a bit o'' history. Back in 2013, a group of magical beings saved Earth from a meteor shower that nearly wiped us out. They revealed themselves to mortals, gettin'' involved in the world more directly. That revelation changed everything, uniting people in ways ye couldn''t imagine. Fast forward to the year 4112, and Earth, along with many other species, has reached levels of advancement that boggle the mind." Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "Our world now plays host to a grand mix o'' beings¡ªgiants, elves, vampires, and a whole host o'' others. Each one brings their own magic, alien abilities, and technology to the table. Thanks to them, our progress has skyrocketed. We can live on distant planets, travel across the universe, and communicate with worlds we never thought possible. Earth''s connections with other planets have never been stronger." Belle''s tone shifts, becoming more serious. "But none of this came without a bit o'' chaos. We had our fair share of galactic wars and tournaments along the way. Thankfully, the Cosmo Council stepped in, and those dark days are long behind us." "The Cosmo Council''s a coalition of governments from nearly every planet in the universe. They''re mostly a bunch of old-timers, but don''t be fooled¡ªthere''s plenty o'' wisdom behind those grey heads. Their one mission is to keep law and order across the cosmos¡ªno matter the cost." Her eyes spark with excitement as she wraps up. "And that''s that! Ye''re all officially students here now. The universe is vast, full of wonders waitin'' to be explored." With a warm smile, she adds, "I hope each of ye finds yer true purpose in this wide, wild world." She ends the recording with a satisfied click. Chapter 1: Got to start somewhere Deep in her dreams, a woman''s ethereal voice murmured to the dreamer, "Your wings and fate are tied to Re¡ª" before abruptly cutting off, like a phone call dropped without warning. "What is she trying to tell me?" the creamer wondered, lucidly aware. On a cold, pitch-black Thursday night, a white school bus screeched to a halt in a decaying village in Transylvania, Romania. The bus, bearing the emblem of Silver Lining University, carried only two passengers: the weary driver and a slumbering teenage girl. SLU (Silver Lining University) was renowned as a prestigious institution, famous for its advanced research in magic and the highest caliber of education in the universe. The journey from Seattle, Washington had taken nearly 25 hours, and the long trek had clearly worn on both driver and passenger. With a heavy yawn, the driver spoke into the bus''s speaker with a tired voice, "Final stop, Professor Virgo!" The young professor stirred from her muddled sleep, slowly lifting her head from the bag resting beside her. "Ugh¡ªbollocks, that intrusive dream again," she muttered, holding her jet-lagged head with one hand. She wiped the drool from her pale face and fumbled for her prescription crystal-colored glasses, encased in a small box on the seat next to her. Groggily, she sat up straight and rummaged through her bag, eventually pulling out a purple scrunchie. She gathered her disheveled, long blonde hair into a neat bun. Stretching her neck, back, and legs, she stood up with a satisfying crack, then began to collect her belongings, carefully stowing them in her duffle bag before slinging it over her shoulder. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Ready at last,she made her way to the front of the bus, stiflin'' a yawn as she murmured, "Scuse me," in her soft Irish lilt. "Thanks a million, sir, for drivin'' me all the way from the university. Really appreciate it," she added, giving a polite bow. The bus driver nodded in return. "No problem, professor. But are you sure this is your destination?" he asked, his brow furrowing. She gripped the strap of her bag and met his gaze. "Aye, it is." Turning fully in his seat, the driver gave her a skeptical look. "No offense, but what would a prodigy professor from Silver Lining University want in this dump? I''ve heard rumors... they say vampires once hid in this village. Not exactly a friendly bunch.". The young elf scholar nodded. "Ah, I appreciate yer concern, but my job''s to learn an'' uncover the unknown. This ''dump'' is exactly where I need to be." Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with determination. "Me goal''s to find a vampire and learn more about ''em and their magic for me research." The driver let out a chuckle. "You really live up to the crazy stories I''ve heard. Snooping around in vampires'' business is a kind of crazy no ordinary elf would go for," he said, shaking his head. He turned back to the wheel, preparing to depart. "Well, I''ve got to head back to the University, but before I go..." With a fluid motion of his index fingers tracing a circle in the air, the bus driver conjured a delicate swirl of Consuete air magic. The pen and paper rose smoothly, cradled by a shimmering spiral of mystical wind, and drifted effortlessly into his hands. A soft click echoed as the pen activated, its tip emitting a faint, magical glow. The air around him resonated with a gentle hum of enchantment as he scanned the list of names on his checklist. "What''s your full name again, professor? Need it for the report." Stepping off the bus, the girl replied, "Me names, Belle Virgo and don''t forget it." Chapter 2: What happened to this Village? As the bus disappeared down the worn-out road, Belle turned toward the village with a determined gleam in her eye. The air was cold, biting at her pointed ears as she approached a tall, rusted fence. Ten feet high and as wide as an airplane, the fence had a gaping hole at its center, as if it had been blown open long ago. As she crossed through the jagged opening, an icy breeze brushed her face, sending a chill down her spine. "Shite, it''s as cold as a polar bear''s lunch out here," she thought, shivering. She rummaged through her bag for a forest green bomber jacket and gray beanie, trying to keep herself warm as her thoughts wandered. She felt a twinge of guilt for lying to the bus driver about her purpose here. Her real reason was far more personal¡ªher parents had disappeared in this village 100 years ago, and she needed answers. She couldn''t afford for the Silver Lining University to catch wind of her unauthorized investigation; they''d already spent a fortune on her research. Grandad and Granny had been her first clue. They''d last heard from her parents when they''d taken on a quest from the Adventurers'' Guild to aid a mixed village of vampires and SEF¡ªStarry Eyed Fighters. That was before the entire village fell silent, and the Starry Eyed species mysteriously vanished from their native lands. Rumors had since swirled about powerful figures behind the scenes and possibly even angelic involvement. No matter the facts or the gossip, Belle needed to know if her parents were entangled in this grim mystery. She slapped her freckled cheeks, the sharp clap breaking her out of her reverie. Focus restored, she took in the scene before her¡ªa village shrouded in darkness, the only light provided by a full moon hanging over its heart. With no other light source, Belle conjured a small orb to illuminate her way. "A wee elven light spell should do the trick. Won''t use up too much mana, either." Belle thought. The village wasn''t large, but not quite small either. The houses near the entrance, though decaying, still bore traces of Georgian architecture. These structures, once grand, were now overgrown and crumbling. Inside, floors had collapsed and staircases had disintegrated, forcing her to use magic to safely float from one level to the next. After thorough searches, she found no clues; the decay had devoured every hint of life. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "This whole place can''t be like this, or it''s all a bloody waste," she muttered in frustration. As she moved along a grassy trail lined with derelict houses, the once-vibrant village now felt more like a forest reclaiming its land. Trees and wild plants thrived where streets once bustled, while remnants of old furniture rotted in place. Rusted shop signs and the stale scent of long-unused well water hinted at a past life here, but even the sturdier cottages¡ªdusty and small¡ªseemed abandoned forever. Belle paused at each structure, jotting notes about their layout and condition. The cottages reminded her of home, of Kinsale in Ireland, with their quaint charm. Yet each was marred by signs of violence¡ªbloodstained walls, shattered windows, and strewn belongings. She couldn''t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Her heart pounded heavily as she spun around, searching for whatever presence she sensed. "Eejit," she chided herself. "This place wouldn''t be empty." She could feel the subtle menace of a mana aura, sharp and predatory. Her nerves prickled, but nothing revealed itself. Shaking off the encounter, she pressed forward, more alert than ever. The village center was a graveyard. Bones lay scattered across the ground, an eerie scene lit only by her conjured light. Kneeling beside two skeletons¡ªone with fangs, the other with a different, supernatural aura¡ªshe traced the outline of their clasped hands. "They must''ve died together," she murmured, noting the gaping wounds in their chests. This was proof enough; the village''s inhabitants had been both vampires and SEF. Belle''s anger flared as she took in the scene¡ªa battlefield where life had been extinguished with brutal precision. Whoever attacked did so with a calculated intent to annihilate. After a moment of quiet rage, she calmed herself and knelt to pray over the bodies, wishing peace upon their souls. "If I find the ones responsible, I''ll make ''em pay tenfold," she whispered with fierce resolve. She continued searching, hoping to find any sign of her parents among the bones, but there was nothing. At the outskirts of the village, she discovered a cluster of burned houses, overgrown with unnaturally thick vines. These plants seemed almost to guard something. Curious, Belle reached out, and the vines parted to reveal a hidden passageway. "Aha, I knew this place was hidin'' somethin''," she said with a triumphant grin. Pulling out her phone to document the find, she accidentally activated the selfie camera¡ªand froze. Behind her, reflected in the screen, were the hungry eyes of a spider-like creature. She leaped forward in terror, dropping the phone. She whirled around to confront the beast, but only darkness greeted her. She swept the area with her light spell, but the creature had vanished. "Am I losin'' me mind?" she muttered, unsettled. "Those eyes were massive. How could somethin'' that big just vanish like that?" When she looked for her phone, it was gone. "No, no, no!" she cried. "I saved up for months for that, I did!" After a fruitless search, she wiped away her tears and trudged down the newly uncovered path, her footsteps heavy with both fear and determination. Chapter 3: A desolate path? As Belle stepped inside, a heavy, foreboding aura settled over her, like an unspoken warning to turn back. The path stretched ahead, a barren void of darkness broken only by a narrow road of brown bricks. The air hung in an eerie balance, at once warm and cold, leaving her skin prickling with unease. Driven by curiosity about what lay beyond, Belle attempted to expand the glow of her light orb in every direction. Yet each time, the darkness seemed to crush her efforts, as if stomping out an ant beneath a heavy boot. Despite repeated attempts, her magic could not pierce the oppressive blackness. "Damn it, why won''t it work?" she muttered to herself, frustration tightening her brow. "It''s like this place is suppressing magic." "I should stop," Belle thought, her mind calculating her next move. "No point in overexerting my mana supply on more Elven light spells. They might not cost a lot individually, but they drain quickly when overused. Even with plenty left in the tank, it''d be foolish to waste it." "Granny always said, ''Don''t be messin'' around with yer mana supply, or ye''ll wither like a dry leaf without a drop o'' moisture" Belle chuckled to herself, remembering the advice with fond amusement. Resigned to the meager light she could muster, Belle pressed forward. The path seemed endless, stretching on in a dismal silence. Yet, oddly enough, the road itself was polished and clean, as if someone tended to it regularly. Someone''s been here recently, she thought, glancing down. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. "Pl...ea...se... he...lp... me," a faint, tremulous voice whispered from the bricks. Belle''s ears twitched, and a shiver crawled down her spine. "Is someone there?" she asked, bending cautiously to inspect the ground. Her fingertips grazed the surface, and a flood of desperate cries erupted in her ears. "Let us out!" the voices wailed, their pleas merging into a dreadful cacophony. In that instant, a powerful force began to drain her mana and vitality, as if sucking her very soul from her body. Her arm shriveled before her eyes, the skin losing its youthful hue and moisture, shriveling like a drying leaf. She reeled in pain, gritting her teeth as the voices grew louder, a maddening chorus pounding against her sensitive elven ears. "Stop a chur leis! Let go o'' me hand!" she cried, her voice tinged with panic as she fought to free herself. Her struggles were in vain, her strength slipping away as quickly as her mana energy. With one final burst of will, she reached for her duffel bag, fumbling to unzip it with her free hand. She grasped a small vial, uncorked it, and drank the elixir in a desperate gulp. Warmth surged through her, restoring her strength just enough to wrench her hand free from the cursed ground. Staggering back, she clutched her chest, gasping for breath. "Thank the gods I spent those research funds on a few mana elixir vials," she murmured, her voice barely audible between heavy breaths. Quickly securing the vial back in her bag, Belle resumed her journey, now more cautious with each step. She could feel the subtle drain of her mana as she moved, a persistent tug that grew stronger the farther she went. Six hours, she thought, glancing at her grandfather''s pocket watch. The unending brown brick path seemed to mock her as the darkness pressed in on all sides. Six hours of this damned road, and nothing to show for it. No signs, no landmarks, nothing but endless gloom. The weight of her isolation began to sink in, deepening her frown. With her phone gone and nothing but snack bars for company, hope started to fade. She wondered if she would find anything at all, let alone the answers she sought. After trudging for several more hours, chewing on the last of her snacks, she suddenly halted. Before her, two doors loomed, side by side. The left door was a rubber material, blood-red, and inscribed with an unfamiliar language. The right door was a wooden material, yellow colored and bore a carved white star at its center. The two doors stood as if they were exits from the endless, soul-sapping road¡ªa choice she had not anticipated, but one she would have to make. Chapter 4: An exit from a Young boy Belle studied the two doors carefully, examining every detail as she weighed her options. After a moment, she decided to try her luck with the right door, which seemed less menacing than the ominous one on the left. Just as she reached out to grasp the handle, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the darkness surrounding her. The noise startled Belle, and she quickly spun around, her small sphere of light illuminating the pitch-black void as she searched for the source. "Who''s there? Show yerself!" she demanded, her voice steady but tinged with caution. The fear creeping into her chest was swiftly accompanied by a surge of adrenaline, preparing her to confront whatever lurked in the shadows. The footsteps grew louder, drawing nearer with a pitter-patter rhythm that made her pulse quicken. "Whoever ye are, I''ve still got enough strength left in me to turn this wee place to ashes," Belle declared, her tone firm. A playful voice responded from the darkness, "That wouldn''t be a clever idea, seeing as this path is your only way in or out, pointy-eared girl." Belle''s breath caught as she felt a light tap on her left shoulder. Her heart seemed to drop into her stomach as she turned her head slightly, catching sight of a barely discernible black-hooded figure in her peripheral vision. Even with her light, she could only make out a pair of still arms hanging by the figure''s sides. Assuming the worst, Belle quickly rubbed her palms together, summoning a small Consuete fireball spell in her palm, dropping her bag to the ground as she pivoted to face her would-be assailant. The shadowy figure retreated a few paces, appearing to gauge her reaction. Without hesitation, Belle hurled the fireball at him like a baseball pitcher aiming for a strike, her movements swift and precise. "If I knock ye out, ye better have some answers for me," she shouted as the blazing orb sped toward its target. The figure ducked beneath the fiery projectile with surprising agility and rushed forward, both arms reaching out in an attempt to grapple her. Before she could dodge, the figure closed the distance and gripped her wrists tightly, lifting her arms above her head. Belle struggled against the vice-like hold, glancing up at her restrained hands and then back at her captor. The figure''s hands were small¡ªalmost childlike¡ªand she deduced from their size that her attacker was likely a boy, perhaps half her age. "Oi, lad, I used to play on one o'' the best Gaelic football teams in the world," Belle growled. "Ye''d better brace yerself." Twisting her waist, she swung her right leg in a powerful roundhouse kick. Her foot connected with the figure''s head, forcing him to his knees and sending a pair of sunglasses flying off his face. The lenses shattered as they hit the ground. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. With a pained yelp, the boy released her wrists and staggered backward, pulling off his hood to reveal a youthful face. He rubbed the sore spot on his head with a grimace. Free from the boy''s grasp, Belle summoned more light to get a better look at him. He appeared to be around twelve or thirteen years old, with a slim build and ebony skin. Short black curls, highlighted with red tips, framed his face. "Just as I thought¡ªa shrimp," Belle said, a small grin forming as she realized her guess had been accurate. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her wrist. She glanced down to see that her veins had begun to bleed, ruptured by the pressure of the boy''s grip. She murmured an Elven healing spell in Irish to mend the injury, all the while scrutinizing the boy with narrowed eyes. Looking at his mana energy with her sharp eyes, Belle thought, "This isn''t just any ordinary lad. He shouldn''t have been able to take that kick without goin'' night night for a wee bit ." "Oww, that hurt! Why did you do that? I was trying to help, and you attacked me," he protested, his voice indignant. Belle crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Well, sneakin'' up on a lass in the dark ain''t exactly polite now, is it?" "My mistake," the boy said with a sheepish shrug. "I thought you''d react differently." Belle''s expression softened a bit. "Just don''t be makin'' assumptions like that again, alright?" The boy rubbed the back of his head and gave her a small, apologetic smile. "I learned my lesson. It won''t happen again, I promise." With a half open eye he glanced at her wrist. "Sorry for gripping you so hard¡ªI''m still not very good at controlling my strength." Satisfied with his apology, Belle nodded. "Fair enough. Sorry I kicked ye and broke yer glasses," she said, extending a hand. "I''m Belle." A few minutes later, they sat side by side on the road, resting after their brief tussle. Belle turned to the boy. "So, what''s your name, lad?" He hesitated before answering. "It''s Rex," he said softly, opening his eyes to meet hers. Revealing his yellow star-shaped pupils, which illuminated the dim lighting. Belle''s gaze was drawn to his unusual eyes. "You have... those eyes," she murmured, her voice trailing off. Rex seemed unfazed. "Oh, my star eyes? My aunt says they''re special, and I shouldn''t show them to others, but I trust you." He gestured to his broken sunglasses. "Besides, there''s no point in hiding them now." As Belle studied his appearance¡ªhis casual clothing, his distinct curly top hair¡ªshe guessed that he likely lived nearby. She seized the opportunity to press for information, grasping his cold black gloved hands as she leaned in closer. "Yer one o'' the Star eyed folk, aren''t ye? D''ye know any vampires?" Rex''s cheeks flushed as Belle''s touch caught him off guard. "I know three, actually. My aunt is one of them." A thrill ran through Belle at the thought of findin'' what she was after. "Can ye take me to them?" she asked, her voice urgent. "I really need to have a word with one." Rex looked away, hesitating. "My aunt doesn''t usually meet outsiders, and I''m not even supposed to be talking to you. But... you seemed different, like you weren''t a bad person." Belle smiled. "Cheers for givin'' me the benefit o'' the doubt." Rex nodded. "No problem. We don''t get many good people around here." He glanced at the right door. "Anyway, it''s a good thing I stopped you¡ªonly I can open that door." Belle raised an eyebrow. "What d''ye mean by that?" Rex pointed to the door. "If you had touched it, the protection spell my aunt cast on it would have turned you into a brick, just like many other travelers who came before you." The thought of becoming a permanent part of the road made Belle''s skin crawl. No wonder the magic here felt unfamiliar¡ªit was vampiric, a kind she wasn''t familiar with. "Thanks for the warnin''," she said with a nervous chuckle. "I don''t reckon I''d make a very good brick." Rex grinned proudly. "Glad I could help. We should get going, though," he added, glancing at his watch. "My aunt will wonder where I am." As they walked toward the star-marked door, Belle cast a sidelong glance at Rex. "Why''d ye really help me? Surely there''ve been other decent folks." Rex''s expression became pensive. "Something about you felt familiar, like I''d met someone like you before." Belle''s thoughts raced. Perhaps he knew her parents¡ªor at least had some connection to them. There had to be a reason his aunt took such drastic measures with the door''s spell. Rex opened the door, allowing a bright light to flood the dark path. "After you, Belle," he said, holding the door open. Belle squinted against the sudden brightness. "Prob''ly best I cancel me light spell now," she said, extinguishing it with a quick gesture. She picked up her bag, dusting it off, and started toward the light. Just before stepping through, she hesitated. "Rex," she asked, "what would''ve happened if I chose the other door?" A heavy silence hung in the air, and Rex''s grip on the door tightened as he struggled for an answer. Finally, he met her gaze with a cold intensity. "You don''t want to know, Ms. Belle. Trust me." Belle shuddered at the thought, casting one last glance at the blood-red rubber door before disappearing into the light. Chapter 5: A quick chilling conversation! Stepping out from the doorway, Belle immediately lost her footing on the slick surface and landed with a thud, flat on her backside. "Ugh. What the hell? Is this another trap, Rex?" she groaned, looking up at Rex who stood behind her, grinning. "Nope, this is just where I live. Well, sort of¡ªwe still have a bit further to go," Rex replied, reaching out a hand to help her up. Being stubborn, Belle ignored his offer and attempted to stand on her own. But her legs, unsteady and frozen from the cold, betrayed her, and she slipped again. After several more unsuccessful attempts, she begrudgingly accepted Rex''s help, managing to finally stand. Squinting against the sudden, harsh sunlight, Belle took in her surroundings. A silent, frosty wind whipped around her, biting at her exposed skin. As her eyes adjusted, she realized that all around her were towering mountains of snow and ice, stretching as far as the eye could see. Despite the bright yolk-like sun hanging in the sky, there was no warmth to be felt¡ªthe freezing, dry air dominated everything. Shivering uncontrollably, Belle zipped her jacket with trembling fingers and rubbed her hands together in a desperate attempt to generate heat. "Are... we... in... fookin''... Antarctica?" she asked through chattering teeth. Rex grinned proudly. "We sure are! Isn''t it cool? Get it? Antarctica? Cool?" He chuckled at his own corny joke. Belle stared at him blankly, unimpressed. "Do I look like I''m grand with this right now, lad?" she replied, her voice thick with frustration and the cold. "Alright, alright. I probably should''ve warned you about where we were heading. My bad," Rex said apologetically. "And I guess I forgot that elves have really sensitive ears. You can borrow my hoodie if you want." Belle blushed, her freckled cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. She was touched by Rex''s thoughtful offer. "What a gentleman," Belle said with a small smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I''ll pass for now." With a snap of her fingers, Belle summoned a small floating flame, hovering it just above her head like a tiny sun. "Well, now that I''ve got a bit of warmth, we can keep moving. Lead the way." Rex nodded and began walking ahead, guiding Belle through the thick snow. The drifts were at least two feet deep on all sides, and Belle immediately regretted her choice of low boots and jeans. The cold bit through the fabric, chilling her to the bone, while Rex walked easily, as if on a leisurely stroll. How does he not feel this cold? Belle thought, exasperated. It looks like he''s taking a casual walk in the park, and I''m here freezing my arse off! Desperate for a distraction from the biting cold, Belle decided it was a good time to ask Rex some questions for her research. "Hey, Rex, mind if I ask ye somethin''? That door we went through... it brought us all the way to Antarctica. Was it some kind of teleportation portal? I''ve never seen anythin'' like it before." "Sort of," Rex replied, glancing back over his shoulder. "It''s a vampire-specific skill. My aunt taught me about it. Want me to explain how it works?" "Aye, please do! I love learning about this stuff," Belle said, eager to hear more. Rex thought for a moment before continuing. "Alright, so there are two types of doors¡ªwooden and rubber. A wooden door can be shaped and molded for back-and-forth travel to a specific location or the place you were previously. Think of it like paper¡ªyou can write on it, fold it, tear it, or crumble it up, right?" Belle nodded, following along. "Well, a vampire has to first tear a hole in reality, and then they ''write'' the destination they want to travel to. After a few seconds, a large chunk of wood forms and folds into a door. Pretty cool, right?" Belle nodded, fascinated. "What about the rubber doors?" "Ah, those are a bit different. Rubber doors take about 24 hours to form and can use up a whole day''s worth of mana for an average vampire. But they''re much more flexible¡ªrubber doors can travel anywhere. It''s more time-consuming, but worth the effort if you need to go somewhere far." Belle raised an eyebrow. "And the door we went through...?" "That one''s special," Rex said, grinning. "Both types of doors can be assigned to specific people. My door with the star carving? That''s my personal door¡ªonly I can open it. Unfortunately, I don''t think my aunt will ever make one for you." "Fascinating. Truly fascinating," Belle said with genuine awe. "Which lasts longer¡ªwood or rubber?" "Wood," Rex answered without hesitation. "Rubber doesn''t hold up well in extreme temperatures, like what we''re dealing with right now. But the flexibility makes it a useful tool for specific needs." Belle nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with new ideas. "Thanks for the explanation, Rex. It''s brilliant." They walked in silence for a few more moments before Belle asked, "By the way, how old are you, Rex?" Rex smiled at the easier question. "I''m 112 years old. What about you?" "I''m 116," Belle responded. Rex''s star-shaped pupils gleamed as he nodded. "That explains it¡ªSEF like me age differently. We live a long time, almost like real stars in the sky." Belle reflected on his words. So it''s true¡ªSEF really do live nearly immortal lives, like the stars they''re named after, she thought. I wonder if he knows anything about what happened in that village a hundred years ago, but... he''d be too young to remember, just like me. They continued walking, climbing up a large snowy hill. As they reached the top, Rex suddenly stopped. "This is it," he announced, facing forward. Belle looked around, puzzled. All she could see was a vast, empty expanse of ice stretching out for miles. "What d''ye mean? There''s nothin'' here," she said, confused. Rex chuckled. "Oh, right. I forgot¡ªyou can''t see what I can. We''ll fix that later. For now, just take my hand." Belle hesitated for a moment but then reached out and grasped Rex''s hand. The moment their fingers touched, her vision shifted, and the once-empty landscape transformed before her eyes. A massive LED sign in purple and white letters loomed above them, reading "Rehij City." "Rehij City...?" Belle repeated, staring up at the sign. "What a strange name." Rex shrugged. "One of the Cryptids who built the city came up with it. But most people call it the City of Cryptids." Belle''s stomach dropped as she repeated Rex''s words. "Wait... ye don''t mean this is the City of Cryptids, do ye?" "Bingo!" Rex replied with a grin, completely unfazed by her horror. Chapter 5.1: A little Elven Lesson Lesson one: Never fight a Cryptid alone, especially as an elf¡ªit never ends well. Cryptids are entirely immune to magic, particularly Elven magic, which makes them formidable adversaries. Unlike other dangerous creatures, Cryptids aren''t typically driven by greed or hunger; in fact, they prefer not to eat most things. However, there''s one major exception: they have an insatiable craving for elves. The reason for this obsession has never been fully understood, largely due to the Cryptids'' secretive and unpredictable nature. What makes them even more dangerous is their intelligence, which rivals that of elves and vampires. They''re fully aware of their preferences, and that awareness makes them far more calculating and deadly when encountered. An elf facing a Cryptid alone has only two viable options: run or negotiate. If neither is possible, escaping their line of sight is the next best strategy, as Cryptids are universally color-blind and can only focus their eyes¡ªor eye¡ªon one target at a time. This singular focus can be exploited if an elf can move fast enough or stay out of sight. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. As for why magic doesn''t work on Cryptids, it''s because they are magic. Cryptids exist as pure, living manifestations of magic, able to both produce and absorb it effortlessly. This innate connection to magic renders them immune to spells and resistant to magical attacks, making them virtually untouchable by conventional Elven means. Lesson two: Never, under any circumstances, visit the City of Cryptids. This should be obvious after the first lesson, but stepping foot into the fabled city is akin to signing your own death warrant. The legends surrounding this place are steeped in mystery and danger. It is said that a hidden city exists somewhere in the world, shrouded from the eyes of outsiders, where Cryptids are born, live, and grow. This city is their stronghold, their sanctuary¡ªand for any outsider, especially an elf, it is a place of no return. The stories warn that those who manage to find this city never return. If they do, they are forever bound to the city, tied to it by some unknown force or curse. The rare survivors speak of an inescapable connection to the city, their lives irrevocably changed. For any elf foolhardy enough to venture there, it''s not a matter of if they''ll meet their doom, but how soon. Chapter 6: Rehij City, the City of Cryptids The sign above the barrier to city limits emitted a purple and white hue, reading ''Rehij City'' for all eyes to peer. Hand in hand, Belle and Rex would stand next to each other with radically different expressions on their faces. Rex appeared far happier than Belle, feeling the nostalgia of home; and Belle physically showed that she wanted to be fifty feet further away from the city''s limits. Rex would begin to pull Belle along before a firm tug would stop him from moving any further. "What''s wrong? Cold feet?" Rex would ask as he turned around with a concerned look. As Rex turned, he would see Belle appear as stiff as a board with a rather dour expression. Her discontent turning into a serious gaze, Belle would ask, "Rex, of all of the places you could drag me to, why''d it have to be here" Rex would take note of Belle''s worsening mood and adjust his own accordingly. "I get that you''re worried, you being an elf and all," Rex would bring his and Belle''s clasped hand up towards their faces. "But I''ve got a plan. Just keep a level and a low head and stick close to me." "Rex, I don''t think ye quite get just how dangerous it is for an elf to be here." Belle''s gaze would shy towards the rugged terrain of the city''s outer limits. "I''m not afraid of much, but cryptids are one of the few things that put the fear in me." "Ms. Belle, hold on a sec. If you want, I can take you back to the village and I can deliver your question to my aunt by myself." Rex would say, offering a second option to Belle. "Though, after what I saw you do at Brick Road--and our little scrap we had--you''re one tough cookie!" Belle would look back up to Rex as he continued. "I doubt any of the cryptids here could hurt you; cause I won''t let them." The ever-recurring sincerity in Rex''s voice would motivate Belle to temporarily move past the mental roadblock she had set for herself. In all reality, she had never seen nor met a cryptid in person. Though the stories the elves had told of them would make checking that off on her bucket list a very low priority. Taking a few deep breaths, Belle would remoralize herself in order to keep moving herself forward. "Come this far. If I turn back now, I know I''ll regret not learnin'' what happened to me parents for the rest of me days." Belle would speak to the air, not directly addressing anyone. "Let''s go, Rex." Mortal and immortal men both have limited information of what goes on in the Rehij City. Many believe it to be the birthplace of the cryptid species, and the place they are most willing to do their dirty deeds. No one person would ever want to find themselves in Rehij City, lest they have a purpose that needed to be kept under the table, so to speak. The city itself was initially a small village in Antarctica, though an unusual occurrence caused that village to merge with another dimension; the result of the merge twisting the land and shrouding the town in a dome of pitch black, with only the occasional light peeking through. The cryptids would then make a civilization out of the readily accessible ice and snow, using what unnatural resources were in that initial village. Belle found it rather difficult to find her footing in the city as the pathways seemed to warp and spin every which way. The paths would spiral, though with every step her feet remained firmly on the ground and felt as if it were the right side up. "What kinda magic is this...? Feels like me senses are all over the place..." Belle said, resisting her body''s urge to vomit. "It''s an adjustment for sure," Rex said, trying his best to move Belle along at a brisk pace. "But I''m takin'' you somewhere that''ll have something to help you adjust." Slipping into a larger crowd of cryptids and corrupt businessmen alike, the pair would reach the inner city. The frost-covered buildings would resemble skyscrapers, and the pathways would twist even further into spirals and other geometric shapes. The hustle and bustle was not any good for Belle, especially with the motion sickness. Her ears would be attempting to decipher the indescribable language of the cryptids, her eyes attempting to translate the language on signs,and the general commotion heightened her senses to the point where her mind was on high alert, and her body physically confused; the combination almost making her sick as she fell to her knees from fatigue. Rex noticed nearly immediately, taking a knee to figure out what was going on. "Rex, I can''t... I can''t take much more o'' this..." Belle said, doing her best to form a sentence with enough volume to be heard. "It''s just a little further. Can you walk?" Rex said, trying to hurry Belle along. "I know it''s rough for you, but we can''t stick in one place for too long right now. You gotta power through." Rex would extend his hand and help Belle back up to her feet, now rushing her along while pushing past the crowds. After a few moments, the pair would arrive at a shop which had ''24/7 ODDS & ENDS'' plastered on the top in neon lighting. The inside resembled a bodega corner store with snacks, refrigerated beverages, and the like. In the far corner of the shop, however, was a wall of ominous looking masks all hung from a rack on the wall. There was a relatively wide variety upon the wall. Some masks resembled animals, or other species. Some were featureless and had no notable features. And some looked alien in appearance, as if the inspiration was something cosmic rather than mortal. "So, what''s your cup of tea, Belle?" Rex asked, looking to Belle for a response. Belle, nearly sapped of all of her strength and leaning against an ice cream freezer, would point to a rather plain looking mask with no unique features. Rex would take it off the wall and go to pay for it at the register, and in the split moment where he walked past, Belle would see thorns which lined the rim of the mask, confusing her. In another moment, Rex would return to Belle wearing a new pair of red/black shades, mask in hand--and paid for. "These masks help with that knot in your gut the first few times you''re in here." Rex said, putting the mask in Belle''s hand face side down. "They act as both a form of medicine, giving you a form that''s more resistant to the adverse effects, though these masks only do that for about a day." Belle would again look at the back of the mask, concerned about the thorns. "How... How does it stay on?" Belle asked. "Those thorns there. It''s like getting pricked from a needle, but it fastens the mask onto your face." Rex said. "The masks also come off the same way, the thorns come off after the time period''s up. Enough questions though, put it on!" Belle would hesitate for another moment before putting the mask to her face. In a moment, the thorns would latch on to the elf and cause a muffled scream to erupt from underneath the mask as she collapsed to the ground. The pain would be indescribable as the mask merged onto her face and began to change her form from the inside out. Her biology, her entire form was being forcibly transformed into that of a human''s, albeit for the day. Once the hardest of her struggle was done, Rex would again take a knee to try and console the pained elf-turned-human. "Should have warned you that the first transformation usually isn''t too pretty..." Rex said sheepishly, feeling some blame for Belle''s pain. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. "Is fuath liom an ¨¢it seo(I hate this place)"Belle would frustratedly say, once she gained enough strength to leave the fetal position. "Ye''d think that''d be the one thing ye wouldn''t forget." Though despite her initial mixed feelings toward Rex, he again helped her. Her senses felt dulled and relaxed, and though her surroundings were still unfamiliar, they were no longer actively harmful. Sitting up and using her magic to create a mirror at her fingertips, Belle would look at her new form. She looked just about the same, though now unmistakably human. A welcome surprise, and a good cover for the time being. "Sorry about that, really!" Rex said sheepishly. "I''m just so used to wearing them that I''d forgotten what the sensation was like the first few times." "Is that how ye know so much about these masks? From experience, is it?" Belle would say, rising to her feet. "That, and my aunt actually makes these masks for the city." Rex said. "Struck a deal with the mayor a while back. In exchange for the security of her family and friends within city limits, she would make these masks. She makes the masks you see here, and masks that are a bit more permanent as well." ("Permanent...?") Belle thought to herself. ("How interesting.") "Well, in any case, I bet you''re hungry! That mask probably kicked your metabolism up to the max while disguising you. I know a spot though, let''s--" Rex would be interrupted by Belle. "Let''s not, actually. We''re here on a mission an'' we''ve a time limit. I can wait ta eat ''til we get ta where yer aunt is." "You''ve got to take care of yourself at some point, Ms. Belle! C''mon, it''s right around the corner. I''ll be buying, too-!" Rex would say, pretty much darting out of the store for Belle to follow. Conceding to Rex''s tempo, Belle would follow Rex to the restaurant next door. The restaurant looked ancient, a late 80s to early 90s themed diner which had a checkered tile floor and red booth seats. The pair would seat themselves, each in one of the booth seats. Within a few moments, a cryptid waitress would approach the table. "Welcome to Classic ''n'' Creepy Diner, home of the finest edible food in the Rehij City. What can I get y''all started with today?" The cryptid had an unnaturally tall and slim woman''s figure, and it appeared that her body was made of storm clouds. Her face was entirely featureless, and portions of her head were sectioned off to resemble a ponytail. The red and white diner''s uniform covered most of her body, though from her wearing short sleeves it could be seen that her "skin" shared the same color as her cloudy looking head. Her name tag had ''Cloudia'' written in plain text. "I''ll have my usual Cloudia, the Earthen Mac & Cheese and a tall glass ''o'' water!" Rex said, enthusiastically. "Uh-huh." Cloudia would write down the order, then turn to look at Belle. "And for you?" Initially freezing at the cryptid looking straight at her, Belle would stammer a bit before saying, "The same as Rex, please." Cloudia would raise an eyebrow. "Hun, you know the Mac & Cheese is pretty big, right? Sure, you don''t wanna share with Rex here?" Belle would look at Rex with confusion and then say, "We''ll share it, so. Just a glass of water for me, then." "Alright then. I''ll bring your waters out in a second." Cloudia said, walking away to take an order from another table. "Rex, how come that cryptid was speakin'' English?" Belle would ask, naively. "Well, isn''t that a bit of a racist remark? I thought the Silver Lining''s finest of staff would be more inclusive." Rex said, antagonizing Belle a bit before answering her question. "Even cryptids can be bilingual. Besides, it''s better for business if you can cast a wide net of potential customers, right?" "That''s true." Belle would say. "Plus, due to inclusivity, the businesses around here can jack up their prices and the customers would be none the wiser. ''So that''s why you don''t see a lot of cryptids in these spots, cause locals always know where to save their money." Rex would say in a more hushed tone, being a local himself. "Well... if ye''re a local yerself, how come ye keep comin'' back here?" Belle would say. "Cause the mac & cheese really is to die for!" Rex said, jolly as ever. "What exactly makes it so special? I don''t get it." Belle would say, mildly confused. In response, Rex would list off the ingredients in the Earthen Mac & Cheese. It seemed that Rex had managed to guess every ingredient that''s in the pasta dish with near 100% accuracy; learning with 100% accuracy after pestering the line cook for years on end. The recipe seemed normal at first, though the last ingredient was... "DIRT?!" Belle would scream as she stood in shock, garnering the attention of every other patron in the restaurant in turn. Belle would quickly apologize and sit down, her face red with embarrassment. "Dirt." Belle would say quieter, still in disbelief. "I''ll have to pass on this one, lad." "Ms. Belle, you gotta give it a try. You''d be the first person I know who would!" Rex said, basically pleading with Belle. "Can''t imagine why anyone wouldn''t." Belle would say sarcastically, looking through the paper menu for another item on the menu to eat. "C''mon, just one spoonful! You owe me that at least, given that I''m helping you and all." Rex said, using that leverage to try and sway Belle. "Fine. But only one." Rex was visibly excited at Belle accepting his terms. As the two waited for their food to arrive, they would talk to pass the time while sipping on their waters. Once the food arrived, Belle would understand why the waitress asked if the pasta wanted to be shared. The dish was deep and equally as wide, nearly taking up the entire circumference of the table. Belle would be shocked, both that the dish was so large, and that Rex had the ability to put away so much food all at once. "That''s the power of the dirt. Makes the mac & cheese grow." "Ye can''t be serious." Belle said in disbelief. "That''s what the line cook told me! Let''s dig in!" Rex said, taking the spoon from his cutlery rollup and ravaging the dish like a hungry wolf. Within a few minutes and without pause, Rex had eaten over half of the pasta in the dish. "Jeez, have ye ever heard of the word ''restraint''?" Belle would say, looking a bit disgusted at Rex rampaging through the pasta. "I tell you; one bite and you won''t be able to stop. C''mon, try it!" ("This lad''s got me eatin'' dirt in me pasta."...") Belle would think, digging her spoon in for a spoonful. ("Hells, why not?") Belle would eat the pasta, and despite everything, it was far too good to pass up. Though unlike Rex, Belle would continue at an even and reasonable pace. "Good, right?" Rex would say, trying to gauge Belle''s reaction. "Serviceable. Nothing more, nothing less." With that, Rex simply nodded and looked outside to the city while Belle finished her food. While the city was already built with oddity in mind, the occasional interesting face would pop out to Rex within the Rehij square. Though this time looking outward, he felt a sense of unease. On the street, there was some maniac, waving a flashlight around on one of his arms, using it to get the attention of others and to ask questions. Perhaps he was a reporter or some kind of informant getting new stories. Though it would be weird for a cryptid dressed as a cowboy to be a reporter. ("A cowboy...? Who is that?") Rex said, squinting his eyes as he looked out the window. Though there was a good distance between them, Rex could make out some of the features of the figure. Six arms with a humanoid top and a large spider body for legs, almost like a centaur. And the thing is, looks like he has... Three ... Heads. And is looking right at Rex. "Crap ." Rex said, his joviality gone. "Ms. Belle, we gotta leave. Now." "Huh?" Belle said, before being grabbed by the wrist by Rex as he stormed out of the restaurant. "Sorry, Cloudia! I''ll pay the bill later, gotta jet!" Cloudia would just sigh, disgruntled both by the waste of food and the fact Rex dipped on his bill. Despite his good nature, Cloudia simply refused to let bygones be bygones. "Damn kids... Dining and dashing like that." "Don''t worry ''bout that none. I''ll foot the bill, for a price." A deep, southern voice would hit the air, causing Cloudia to freeze in place. The clacking of his six legs on the ceiling would stop as Cloudia looked up towards the cryptid. "Good. Bad. Ugly." Cloudia would greet each of the heads on the spider-like cryptid. "I would say it''s good to see you again, but I''m not supposed to be seeing you." "We can save the small talk for later. I''m on a hunt. That boy and the girl with them, which way did they go, and what''s their names?" The head currently in control of the body, named Good, would ask this while taking out a wad of cash from seemingly out of thin air. "Boy''s name is Rex, and I think the girl''s name is Belle. Think she''s got a mask on, too. She acted real skittish while I was talking to her, and there was a faint scent about her¡ªsomething angelic and almost elf-like.." Cloudia said with only some hesitation while she counted and pocketed the persuasive tip she just got. "Now that''s some cooperation. I''ll buy you a drink on m'' way out once we''re done here." Good would leave as quickly as he left, a sly grin on his face while he began his pursuit. "Sorry, Rex. But you know how I feel about leaving a tab open." Cloudia said to no person in particular, leaning against the bar. "Find it in your heart to forgive me."