Bonus Chapter 1: Ebony's Memories (I)
Ebony's P.O.V. (Winter, 18 years ago before the main story, sometime after the Inquisitor ravaged Ebony and Ivory's home and killed their parents. She escaped from the separate slave cart from the Inquisitor's goons.)
-Elves actually have a longer lifespan than other races in Espoir. As mythicals, they can live up to a millennium.
-Ebony is actually 172 years old this time while Ivory is still 32 years old when she was kidnapped by the Inquisitor's goons.
(For reference, the physical looks that is ten years for an elf is equivalent to one year for a human. This makes Ebony, 17 years old and Ivory, 3 years old in human lifespan )
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The thick snow is covering my path and I got no way to hover across. This harsh weather mixed with my lack of supplies really is a bad thing. The trees are sad and the cold is painful, but, there's nothing really more painful than someone wrecking your home and killing the people you love the most.
I swear to all the gods out there, I will bring back my sister to my arms and kill that man who took everything away from me.
"Heh, wishful thinking.", I said to myself, weakly. "Do I really think I could live after this?"
The unbearable cold is starting to worsen as a snowstorm approaches. The only shelter I have is a small cave I found while trekking. Until then, I'm alone, starving and sick. If only someone could help me...Anyone...
I just shook my head and rushed towards the cave. The backpack I got only holds certain mementos from my ashen home and a rabbit I luckily found dead in the side of the road. Even though I have a food, I have no way to start a fire. That's why...
*crunch*
I got no other way than to eat it raw and freezing. As I was chewing the bland, cold food, I saw the necklace my mother gave to me in her dying moments. Here lies the picture of my family.
"Ivory...", I wept when I saw the face of my lost sister. "I will find you no matter what."
The snowstorm keeps on raging as night approaches. I started to eat the other half of the rabbit I saved for dinner.
"Thank you for the food.", I started munching on the carcass as the light slowly disappears.
Howls of different animals and monsters can be heard from afar. The only thing that's protecting me from the outside is a bush as a camouflage. The freezing wind slowly enters the crevices of the cave, giving chills to my entire body.
Shivering, I started to huddle up to generate some heat.
*grumble*
Bad timing, my stomach started to ache and my body starts to feel weakened, even worse when paired with the cold weather. I cuddled my backpack to hopefully generate more heat as the winds got stronger.
Some time passed, my condition got worse. My head is starting to spin and my eyes are getting blurry. The tip of my fingers are also becoming numb. This is also the third time I puked the food I ate. Voices of unknown sources also started to talk to me.
"Just give up. You can't live this.", one voice taunted me.
"You're useless. You're useless. You're useless.", another voice whispered in my ear.
"It should have been you that died, not them. Not them.", a growing hatred starts to build up on me.
"Aaaahh! Stop it! I don't want to hear you anymore.", the voices starts to merge together creating a symphony of despair.
"You can't live. You can't live. You can't live.", the combined voices is starting to break me.
My body started to react wildly and the shivering got worse. My skin is getting paler and the end of my fingers are starting to black. Frostbite is slowly creeping up on me. Numbness control over my body.
*clank*
A small, metal necklace clanked on the floor of the cave. Right, it's my mother's necklace. I saw my parent's happy faces and it gave me hope. A hope that can never be extinguished.
"I will live. I will get out of here and find my sister, no matter what. That's what I promised to my parents.", the voices started to dissipate as I embraced my self even more. "No despair could ever defeat me. I will not be fell."
Even while shaking, I tried to live through the night. I huddled up even more, weeping by myself. My body eventually got tired as I fall into a deep sleep.
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" *inaudible* ...s she dead? I ... think so... She's sti-- breat--", I can faintly hear the muffled voices of men, trying to wake me up. "H-hey, wake up! Wake up!"
I instantaneously opened my eyes and saw two men reaching their hands to me. Their surprised reaction let me have a moment to take my knife and point it to them. The two men instantly held their hands up and dropped their bags.
"Woah, woah, easy there. We don't mean no harm. No need for the unnecessary hostility. We're here to help you.", the tall guy nodded slowly as he tried to approach me.
"Oh yeah, no harm done. We just want to see if ye okay? Yeah?", the small guy with a great beard also nodded slowly but he did stay put.
I stayed quiet while slowly backing up from them. In turn, the tall guy also followed me forward. My stomach still grumbles and my body is still weakened but I don't want to entrust my lives to strangers.
"My name's Hassan. This one is Klaus. We are here to find some deers for lunch when we found you unconscious here in the cave.", I still back up slowly. "I see. Not a very trusting...elf."
"I hate your kind. You took everything from me. I will never entrust myself to you, even if I die.", Hassan's eyes widen yet it hints of sadness and regret.
"I see. So you're also one of his victims.", I sneer in confusion towards him. "So you're one of the survivors when the Inquisitor ravaged Mistle Coven."
"H-How did you know the name of my home?! A-And who is this Inquisitor?!", Rage slowly built up on me as I take extra precaution towards the two men. I revealed my second knife and this time Hassan stopped walking.
"Sigh, just...please let me explain. The Inquisitor is the man who rules the kingdom of men. He is a greedy, lascivious, relentless man that will stop at nothing to attain his goal. His goal this time...was to eliminate Mistle Coven. A place where he doesn't have control over it.", His face looks sadder and his approach to me became gentler. "Trust me on this one, we mean you no harm."
I didn't listen to him and still backed up...not until I hit a fluffy thing. I can see Hassan getting nervous and scared.
*low growl*
"No matter what you do, stay quiet and don't move suddenly. Walk towards me...slooowllyy", Hassan carefully whispered towards me and reached out his hand. "Klaus, get her bag."
"No!", the unintentional scream I made woke up the large creature behind me. A giant hibernating bear slowly stood up, with fury in its eyes.
"RUN!!!", We all ran outside the cave as fast as we could while the bear chases us outside. It is morning when we came out and the light shines brightly in the sky, covering the white forest.
The enraged bear did not stop chasing us as my body gradually weakens. I tripped up while running and Hassan noticed it. Without hesitation, he stood face to face with the bear while holding both of his hand as high as he could. The bear stopped in its path and roared towards the scared Hassan.
"Damn it! I hope this works!", Klaus also joined in and held his hands as high up as as he could. This makes the bear hesitant as it seemed that two larger creature is in front of it. Eventually, the bear left defeated as both the men plopped in the ground, panting.
"Are you okay, miss? Does anything hurt?", my stomach grumbles as the two men laughed. "Did you already ate anything?"
"J-just a raw carcass of a rabbit. I-I'm fi--", I plopped up in the ground, exhausted and weak.
The last thing I heard before turning unconscious is the two men clamoring.
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I woke up with warmth in my side. I slowly opened my eyes to see a kid smiling widely at me. I sat up to see that I'm in a house unbeknownst to my knowledge. It seems that two men saved me after all.
"Mom! She's awake! She's awake!", the boy jumps high while calling the attention of her mother.
"Come now, don't be noisy to our guest, Ybrahim.", she piped down the gleeful kid.
"Hello. Good morning. How are you feeling now? Does something still hurt? Do you need anything?", the gentle voice and aura of the woman soothes my nerves. She reminds me of my deceased mother.
"N-No, thank you...Who are you?", I asked.
"My name's Emilia. I am Hassan's wife, the one who saved you. This is Ybrahim, our only son. He's 6 years old. We've been living in these woods alongside others. We've say that we already formed a community yet we're still struggling in this winter.", her face shows sadness and a hint of despair but she masked it with a smile on her face.
"I-I'm Ebony. Thank you for saving and caring for me. I will repay you in any way I can.", Emilia just laughed while saying that it's okay and it's not a problem.
Footsteps can be heard outside the room showing that someone's coming. The door opened with a chime when Hassan entered the room. He holds a bowl of hot soup. He sat in my bed and gave me the soup. I happily ate it and thanked the family.
"What were you doing in the wilds on this season? You do know how dangerous it is, right?", Emilia's face shows concern and care. I can't do anything but to trust her since her husband saved me.
I told everything that happened in the past few months. How this Inquisitor wrecked my home. How he killed my parents. How he kidnapped my sister. Everything he took from me.
The family looked at me in awe while I was telling my story. Even Ybrahim carefully listened to my story. Emilia held my hand and hugged me. I can't do anything but cry my heart out.
"There, there. Shh, I know how hard it is.", She gently caressed my head like a mother caring for her child. "You're now safe with us."
"Don't cry now. I will take care of you. In return, please be my big sister.", Ybrahim hugged me with a huge smile in my face.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop crying but...I don't know the decision of your parents.", Emilia and Hassan looked at each other, smiling.
"We've decided to adopt you.", Hassan said with glee. "We've been wanting a second child for a long time but I guess luck is not on our side. Would you like to be our daughter?", he held out his hand.
I tried to hold his hand but hesitated. In the end, I can't still trust humans. No matter what they do to me, the flashbacks of the fire and ash of my home vividly comes back to me. Trembling, I politely refused.
"I-I still need to find my sister. God knows what the Inquisitor did to her. She's just a toddler.", I clenched my fist and lowered down my hand, both angry and defeated.
With a sigh, Hassan understood what I want to achieve but still he warned me, "I see. I won't force you to anything that you don't like. If that is your decision then so be it, but I want to tell you something. *sigh* You're still too weak to battle with anything. I'm not offending you, I just don't want you to be hurt. Can you postpone the search for your sister for let's say two to three months. I will gladly teach you how to fight."
"I-I can't postpone it! It's a matter of life and death!", I said angrily.
"I know, I know but if you recklessly go after that man, both you and your sister will die a-and the sacrifice of your parents will be in vain. You should know how to protect yourself first before protecting others.", Hassan looked at me with resiliency and determination. I know, deep in my heart, that this guy wants to help me.
I sighed and looked at Hassan, scared. "How could I know you will not betray me? How could I know I could trust you?"
"I can't force you to trust me. I don't know how to gain your trust in the easiest way. But I do know that you're the one who's gonna feel when to trust someone. I do know that when the time comes, you'll accept us. And I'm not taking that granted. I just want to help.", Hassan held my hand and put it in my heart. He looked at me nodding and smiling.
"I-I'll accept your offer. Please, help me.", Ybrahim jumped again and Emilia clapped with glee.
"Then so be it. Rest well for now. Everyone, out of the room. Let our dear Ebony get some rest.", the whole family went out the room and Ybrahim waved goodbye at me.
In the end, I was still alone but this time, I'm in the warm embrace of someone who cares for me. I'm besides a fire that could keep me warm and I could eat food that won't hurt my body.
"T-thank you, Goddess Lunala, for this blessing and help.", I unconsciously cried with joy that lets me relax. This made my body comfortable and I fell into a deep, relaxing sleep again.
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I woke up in the afternoon, feeling refreshed. I stretched my arms and legs and went out the bed. I carefully arranged my bed before heading out the room. The chime on the door gets the attention of Emilia who was knitting in the living room.
"Good afternoon again, Ebony. How was your rest?", she smiled at me while continuing to knit a sweater.
"It was good. Thank you for your hospitality. I really don't know how to repay you."
"Oh, don't be like that. It's fine. I'm just happy you've recovered because you've been sleeping for 3 whole days.", I got shocked with what I heard.
"T-Three whole days? I'm really really sorry for the inconveniences.", Emilia just chuckled at me.
"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you're alive and well now. You're still going to save your sister, right? My husband's outside, waiting for you.", I waved goodbye to Emilia and proceeded to the backyard of their house.
On the way, I saw Ybrahim taking care of plants. I greeted him and by my surprise, he hugged me immediately.
"Ybrahim, what are you doing?", I asked.
"Oh this? I'm taking care of Mama's plants. When we're out of food, this is where we get our dinner. Mama's plants are so delicious because Papa's cooking are amazing.", He continued to take care of the plants while happily explaining it to me.
"I would gladly eat your food. They are so delicious. Please take care of the plants so we'll have a good, bountiful harvest."
"I will, Big Sister. I will grow a hugeee beanstalk where everything can pick up its fruit so everyone can eat. The beanstalk will grow way up in the sky that you can climb it to meet the gods. I will call it, the God's Ladder Beanstalk of Amazingness.", we both laughed with his goofy idea.
"You remind me of my sister. Even if she's young, she makes us happy by doing goofy things like dancing suddenly or telling us incredible stories that she wants to go too.", I sighed while Ybrahim looked at me, concerned.
"Be positive, Big Sister. When you save your sister, she will also become my Little Sister. And when I grow up, I will take care of both of you.", I pat Ybrahim's head while he's smiling at me. "Go in your way now, Papa's waiting at you."
I waved goodbye to Ybrahim also. I then walked to the pathway covered in snow. The stalks made of wood are covered with vines of different plants while those are also covered in it. The ardent snow falls from the sky slowly and beautifully. The other houses in the community are filled with laughter and glee. Our neighbors also waved to me and I greeted them back warmly. This community consists not only by humans but also other races such as dwarves. I hope that by few years in the future, I will see how this community grows and I will happily jumped in the middle of it thinking "This is a paradise."
This reminds me of my home - when it was still there. The faces of those who live there, ready to bring you hospitality and peace, but there are always people wanting to take it for granted.
"Hey Ebony, why the long face? Are you still sick?", Hassan asked while brandishing a large sword in front of a dummy.
"No, Mr. Hassan. You're community just remembers me of home. The warm, soft embrace of home. Ironically, it's winter haha.", We both laughed.
"I'm glad you're enjoying your stay here. If you want anything, just ask me...or Klaus.", Hassan smiled at me.
"I will, Mr. Hassan. I just want one thing in the whole world - it is to become stronger to finally save my sister.", a faint hint of frailty was shown in his face.
"I really hope you save your sister. I will support you in any way that I can, even if it meant battling against my brother.", Hassan clenched his fist on the hilt of his sword.
At first, I was really confused about what he's babbling, but not until I take a good look at his face. White hair, red striking eyes, low, husky voice. My hands trembled when I finally got what he meant, there's no mistake - Hassan is the brother of the Inquisitor. In a fit of rage, I confronted him.
"W-Why didn't you stop your brother? Why?! Do you know how much blood he spilled over things that do not make sense?! How could you not stop him?!", I kept on punching Hassan while he just stands there quietly. "Now, you want to redeem yourself by saving what's left of your brother's ravage. You're a hypocrite, Mr. Hassan."
"I am, yes. I am a hypocrite, Ebony. I could have done something when everything is still there. I could have stopped him. But I didn't. I'm a coward, Ebony.", He dropped on the ice cold ground while crying.
"Even if you knelt in front of me, I will show no remorse to you. You're partly the reason why I am suffering right now, why everyone is suffering right now.", Emilia and Ybrahim rushed outside to see the commotion. They stopped me from saying anything. Emilia comforted Hassan while Ybrahim pulled me into my room
When we finally arrived in my room, he plopped down in my bed with sadness in his face.
"He knows.", Ybrahim said weakly. "Papa knows the burden of not stopping his brother. You're thinking right now that even if I'm young, I don't know anything but you're wrong. Papa cries every night in his room and Mama comforts him."
"But he could've stopped all the killings and plunders. Why didn't he do it?", I asked furiously.
"It's because he loves his brother, like how you love your sister. We do unimaginable things for family and my Papa regrets that he fell for that.", Surprised, I just sat there pondering for a second. "Please, do not blame him anymore. This world is beautiful like my parents would always say. I am young but they say I talk like an adult when I'm serious. Even for that, they still love me for who I am. I guess, that's how Papa felt for his brother. If anyone is to blame, it's the Inquisitor and his actions."
"I-I'm sorry. I threw a fit of rage without considering the feelings of your father.", I lowered my head, full of regret. "He saved me yet this is how I repay him."
"You should not apologize to me. Apologize to him.", Ybrahim held my hand, looked at me and nodded. He acted like a man while I acted like a child more than him. This is my signal to go out and apologize to the man who saved me.
"Don't forget. Everyone is hurting.", Ybrahim said sadly.
I left my room and head to the living room where I saw Emilia comforting her husband. Emilia looked at me with disappointment. Looking at them with regret, I saved up my courage and tried to talk to him, even if I'm stuttering.
"I-I deeply...apologize, Mr. Hassan. I-I shouldn't have said all those things. I didn't care about your feelings at all. I feel like I'm the only victim here but the truth, you're having the most burden out of all. For that...", I knelt in front of the two, apologizing non-stop.
"I accept your apology, Ebony.", Hassan said softly. "I'm the one who need to apologize to you and for your family. I hope you give me a chance to redeem myself."
I instantly hugged Hassan and he hugged me back, like a father figure. He stroked my hair and comforted me even if I was in the wrong. When I looked at him, his smile brightens up my mood yet the shine of it comes from the flame of burden he is holding unto. Emilia just smiled with how we reconciliate. Ybrahim, on the other hand, went out the room and saw the scene. Back to being a child, he rushed towards us and joined in the hugging. The whole scene looks like a lovely family on a cold weather, huddling with each other happily.
"Sigh, I'll make a nice, warm dinner for everybody. Behave everyone.", Everyone nodded like a child. Emilia then went to prepare food in the kitchen.
"I'm glad you made up, Papa and Big Sister.", Ybrahim chuckles.
"Of course, we will. I still need to teach Ebony here how to handle her knives and I can't really teach her when she's still mad at me.", I sneered at Hassan.
"So you just made up because it's gonna be harder for me to train? So you still don't forgive me, is that what you're saying, Mr. Hassan?"
"No, no, no. I totally forgive you. I'm just saying that I can't really do anything if we're not okay.", Hassan scratched his head while laughing awkwardly.
The three of us talked about a lot of things. Like how my home smells of the morning breeze and the houses sway with the trees they're connected with. Ybrahim asked me if incidents happened with the swaying treehouses but I assured him that the houses were strong.
Meanwhile, Hassan talked about the human kingdom, where everything flourished with technology. Apparently, their transportation are automatic carts that isn't pulled by horses called 'cars' and their buildings are towering in height. He talked about the scenery between those buildings when the sunset crept in. He said it was the most beautiful and peaceful scenery he saw. The colors were complimenting with each other, the clouds cast the perfect shadow and the wind was blowing perfectly. Ybrahim was amazed in what he heard. He then kept nagging Hassan to tell more stories.
Therefore, it was almost nighttime when Hassan stopped telling stories and Emilia finally prepared the dinner. She called us to the dining room in which we happily obliged. In a long table, it seems like a feast was all set. There are a bowl of vegetable salad, a roasted fowl, mashed potatoes, bread and some wine. The family sat on the chair and prayed. Apparently, the one who they're praying at is the same god as mine - Astraea Lunala, the God of the Moon. Delighted, I joined them in their prayers.
After we've done our prayers, I asked why there are praying for the same God of the elven people.
"Our God...abandoned us. That's why all of this is happening. The Inquisitor, the racism, the plunders and crimes. No one is guiding my people.", Hassan carefully explained. "Not wanting to be my brother's slaves, me and my family alongside others left the kingdom of humans and went up North in which we established our community. And now, you're sitting in the middle of it."
"It still doesn't answer my question.", Hassan laughed softly.
"Patience, young one. I'm still enjoying my story. After we left our kingdom...Can you please pass me the mashed potatoes? Thank you. Ehem, as I was saying, after we left our kingdom and went up north, building a community in scratch was hard. The resources are hand gathered and the manpower is small. One spring day, some of the escapees decided to just come back and be a slave to the Inquisitor than die as nothing. This then lowered our manpower a lot and we are falling to despair. That same night, alongside a full moon, a light came down from us and offered its help.", Hassan paused for a moment to finish his food and drink some water.
"The light turned to be an elven woman. Her voice is so heavenly and her beauty is utterly incomparable to others. Her hair is as soft as dandelions and her gentle, loving turquoise eyes captivates those who look at her. She introduced herself as Astraea Lunala, the God of the Moon and the bringer of Truth and Justice. At her awe, she helped us build our first houses, gardens, watchtowers and walls using the power of the nature, though her main power was Ice magic. She has shown her prowess of it by surrounding our areas by ice, making sure no intruder come by in the construction.", Ybrahim looked confused at his father while her mother is attentively listening.
"Papa, I can't remember any of this. When did this happen?", he asked.
"Oh, it is before you were born. Your mother and I were still best friends that time yet I still vividly remember all the details. Back to the story, the construction of the community went for a full week. The people rejoiced with the help of Lunala and held a big feast. After the feast was done, the god took on the stage and thanked everyone for their cooperation. She promised to guide us in the right path and help us when we are in need. We then gladly pledged our loyalty to her as our new god. The only request she ever made was - 'People, I helped you build your community and survive. In return, I want you to help others with all you can even if they are from other races.'"
"What a great story. Please tell us what happened after, hihi.", Emilia teased Hassan.
"Sigh, some people tried to disagree with our God, therefore, was banished from the new community. She then appointed someone to be the leader of this community. Everyone nominated me. Hesitant, I tried to turn down the offer but Lunala said she sees potential with me. I walked up to her at the stage and she gave me a new power - the power to move at high speed. She then gave me a last name - she called me Hassan I-Sabbah. She just requested for me to use this power when necessary and always resort to peaceful resolution. I complied and therefore, she introduced me as the new leader of our community."
"Y-You're the leader of this community, Mr. Hassan?! I-I didn't know!", the family chuckled.
"I guess, we did left that part HAHAHA. To continue, she left the town in my hands to handle. I gladly accepted the honor and now you see the result. This town actually have a name but you didn't ask so we didn't tell you yet. You also didn't go out the streets, therefore, you didn't saw the signs HAHAHA.", I looked at Mr. Hassan with an annoyed expression. He took a glass of wine and made a toast. Ybrahim and Emilia followed and so do I. "Ebony, I officially welcome you to the town of Death's Liberty - the town where freedom lies and safety is assured. Cheers!"
The glasses clinked at each other and everyone rejoiced. We all ate our food and thanked our God Lunala for this blessing. I tried to wash the dishes but Emilia insisted in doing it. She just requested for me to rest up. Meanwhile, Hassan went out the street to help a woman that is missing her dog. Ybrahim went to his room and slept immediately.
I went outside in the backyard and sat on a bench. The stars twinkle exquisitely and the moon shined bright, lighting up the darkness of the streets. Cold wind blow from different directions and the chirps of crickets breaks the silence of the night. I breathe deeply and seek out this peaceful moment that I will never ever forget.
I promise...I will become stronger and faster and I will save my sister. I will introduce her to Mr. Hassan and his family and we will live here peacefully.
My short lived dream was abruptly interrupted when an explosion happened on the outskirts of the town. Everyone in the town woke up from the sudden explosion. From afar, we saw the woman, which seek the help of Mr. Hassan, came running back to seek the help of the townspeople.
I immediately went out the streets to find Mr. Hassan even though Emilia tried to stop me. I didn't comply and rushed towards the source of explosion. The fire was burning profusely and some of the buildings are destroyed. My body trembled when I saw Mr. Hassan lying down in the ground, blood trickling down his head. Shivering, I noticed something is walking from the fire. The same shadow that arrived when my home was destroyed, the shadow of the devil - The Inquisitor!