Chapter8"The beast of Legends"

Daichi and Elysia walked through the dense forest, the silence between them growing more awkward with each step. The trees loomed above them, their thick branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight.

To break the awkwardness, Daichi started a conversation. "So, Elysia, how long have you been a merchant?"

Elysia glanced at him, then looked away. "Not long. My father taught me everything I know. He used to tell me stories about the old days, legends and such."

"Legends?" Daichi asked, curious. "Like what?"

Elysia hesitated before responding. "There's one about a legendary beast that has protected the Elven kingdom for over a thousand years. It's not a dragon, but something else. It was said to be one of the companions of the first hero, King Thalos."

"Really?" Daichi's interest was piqued. "What kind of beast?"

Before Elysia could answer, Daichi felt a sharp, powerful pain in his head. He screamed, clutching his temples.

"Daichi!" Elysia tried to comfort him, but he continued to scream in agony.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Amra and Liora were desperately trying to find a way back to Daichi. They encountered a group of Elven guards.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" one guard demanded, pointing his spear at them. "Outsiders are not allowed in the Elven kingdom."

Liora stepped forward, trying to remain calm. "We're looking for our friend. Please, we mean no harm—"

"Silence!" the guard barked. "All outsiders are to be detained and brought before the queen."

Amra, frustrated, spoke up. "We're here on an important mission. We need to—"

Another guard interrupted her, raising his weapon. "Enough! You will come with us, or face the consequences."

Seeing the situation escalate, Liora tried to defuse it. "Wait! We can explain—"

The guards didn't give her a chance. They lunged forward, and in the ensuing struggle, Liora was injured. Blood seeped from a cut on her arm as she fell to the ground.

Amra, seeing her friend's injury, dropped her weapon and raised her hands. "Stop! We surrender. Just don't hurt her any further."

The guards seized them both and began marching them towards the Elven kingdom Eldoria.

In the midst of the forest, Daichi's cries of pain echoed through the dense trees. Elysia rushed to his side, her concern etched on her face as she knelt beside him. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to soothe him, but his pain seemed beyond her reach. As Daichi's agony intensified, he collapsed, unconscious, onto the forest floor, leaving Elysia with a worried gaze, unsure of what had caused his sudden distress.

Darkness enveloped him, and suddenly, he found himself standing in a vast, ethereal domain. Shadows danced around him, and a chill ran down his spine as he realized he was no longer in the physical world.

"Where am I?" Daichi muttered, his voice echoing into the void.

Darkness enveloped him, and a deep, commanding voice echoed through the void. "Who dares to enter my domain? State your purpose, intruder."

Daichi, trying to keep his composure, replied, "My name is Daichi Sato. I am the Chosen Hero—"

Before he could finish, his Chosen Hero mark began to glow brightly, illuminating the darkness around him. The voice's tone sharpened with curiosity and annoyance. "The Chosen Hero, you say? Why do you bear that mark?"

Steeling himself, Daichi gripped the Blade of Eternity, feeling its reassuring weight. "I am here to acquire the Lance of Luminescence from Princess Elara. I got separated from my companions and—"

The voice cut him off, dripping with arrogance. "You think you can simply waltz in here and claim the Lance? Do you even know what you're up against?"

Daichi's eyes narrowed. "I am Daichi Sato, the Chosen Hero. I'm here to fulfill my destiny and save Astralon. If that means making Elara fall in love with me to gain her trust and her Lance, so be it."

A rumbling laugh echoed through the darkness. "Bold words for such a young hero. I am Vaeleos, the guardian beast of this forest. Your task is more perilous than you realize."

Daichi stood his ground, refusing to be intimidated. "What do you mean?"

Vaeleos's voice softened slightly, though it retained its arrogant edge. "A great disaster looms over the elf kingdom of Eldoria. If you wish to save them, you must be prepared for the trials ahead. Your Chosen Hero mark will guide you, but you must act swiftly."

Taking a deep breath, Daichi felt a surge of determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Eldoria and fulfill my destiny. Thank you for the warning."

Vaeleos chuckled. "We shall see if you are truly worthy of the title you bear. Until fate brings us together again, Daichi Sato. Remember, your mark will show you the way out."

With those parting words, the darkness receded, and Daichi found himself waking up on Elysia's lap, tears streaming down her face. The eerie silence of the forest was broken only by the rustling leaves and distant cries of unknown creatures.

"Hey, what's with the waterworks?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension still gripping his chest.

Elysia's eyes widened, and she hugged him tightly. "I was so scared! You suddenly collapsed, and I didn't know what to do."

Daichi gently pushed himself up, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really. Just had a strange encounter. Turns out there's more to this forest than meets the eye."

Curiosity and concern flickered in Elysia's eyes. "What do you mean? What happened?"

Taking a deep breath, Daichi recounted his conversation with Vaeleos, the guardian beast. "He warned me about a disaster threatening the elf kingdom of Eldoria. And he mentioned my Chosen Hero mark will guide us out of this forest."

Elysia listened intently, her expression thoughtful. When Daichi mentioned Princess Elara and his mission to acquire the Lance of Luminescence, she fell silent, lost in deep thought.

"There's something you're not telling me," Daichi said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you look so worried?"

Elysia hesitated but then shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm just concerned about this disaster Vaeleos mentioned. We need to move quickly."

Daichi frowned but decided not to press her further. "Alright. Let's not waste any more time. I'll use my mark to guide us out of here."

Focusing on his Chosen Hero mark, Daichi willed it to show them the way. The mark began to glow, emitting a soft light that pierced through the oppressive darkness of the forest.

"Follow me," Daichi said, leading the way. As they walked, the eerie silence of the forest seemed to close in around them, and every shadow felt like a lurking threat. He couldn't help but think of Vaeleos's warning and the challenges ahead. Would they be able to save the elf kingdom and acquire the Lance of Luminescence?

Elysia walked beside him, her mind racing with thoughts she kept to herself. She knew she had to reveal her true identity as Princess Elara eventually, but for now, she needed to see if Daichi was truly the hero they needed.

Only time would tell. But for now, they had a path to follow and a destiny to fulfill.