Similar

When she returned to the carriage, Celia was waiting for her, leaning casually against the wagon with her arms crossed. Despite her relaxed posture, her sharp orange eyes were locked onto Raven with an intensity that betrayed her concern.

"So," Celia began, her tone calm but probing. "What did you see out there?"

Raven exhaled slowly, brushing a stray strand of silver hair from her face. "Something... unsettling," she said, her voice low. "It wasn't just some random fiend looking for prey. That thing was adapting, mimicking combat forms, like it was testing me."

Celia's expression darkened. "Testing you?"

Raven nodded, her mismatched eyes narrowing as she recalled the fight. "It shifted forms mid-battle. At first, it was a beast—pure instinct and brute strength. But then it turned into something more humanoid, wielding a weapon like it was trying to match me blow for blow. It wasn't just reacting—it was learning."

Celia straightened, her hands dropping to her sides. "That's not normal, even for creatures in the Shadowed Vale. Did it say anything?"

Raven shook her head. "No words, just guttural sounds. It couldn't talk, but it didn't need to. Its actions spoke loud enough." She paused, glancing at the dark forest that loomed in the distance. "And then, when I killed it, it dissolved into black mist. Whatever that thing was, it wasn't working alone. It felt like... like it was connected to something bigger."

Celia's gaze followed Raven's to the shadowy treetops, her expression unreadable. "The creatures in the Vale are dangerous, but I've never heard of them behaving like that. This mission might be more complicated than we thought."

From inside the carriage, Princess Evanna's voice called out, breaking the heavy silence. "Is everything alright out there?"

Raven glanced toward the carriage, then back at Celia. "For now," she said, her voice steady.

Celia arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "'For now,' huh? That's not exactly reassuring, Wraith."

Raven shrugged, already moving toward the carriage. "I'm not here to reassure you, Celia. I'm here to make sure we all survive this."

As they climbed back into the wagon, the princess watched them closely, her sharp blue eyes taking in every detail. "Judging by your expressions, I assume the encounter wasn't routine?"

Raven settled into her seat, her katana resting across her lap. "Not routine and definitely not normal. You might want to tell us what we're really walking into, Princess."

Evanna tilted her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I told you before, I have business in the Shadowed Vale and beyond. But perhaps I underestimated how closely the Vale's shadows are watching us."

"Underestimated?" Raven echoed, her tone sharp. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"

The princess didn't flinch under Raven's piercing gaze. Instead, she clasped her hands neatly in her lap, her demeanor calm. "I suspected. The Vale has always been a place of unrest, but there are rumors—rumors that something deeper stirs within its heart. Something ancient."

"Ancient and hostile," Celia muttered, leaning back against the seat. "That's fantastic news."

Raven frowned, her grip tightening on her katana's hilt. "If you know something that could help us stay alive, now's the time to share it."

Evanna's smile faded, and for the first time, her composure cracked ever so slightly. "There's a place within the Vale—a forgotten temple tied to the Kingdom of Elves. It's said to hold... answers, but also dangers. If these creatures are tied to it, we'll find out soon enough."

Raven's gaze narrowed, her fingers drumming lightly on the hilt of her katana. "Answers and dangers, huh? Care to elaborate on what exactly we're walking into?"

The princess hesitated, her piercing azure eyes shifting between Raven and Celia. "The temple is said to be sacred to the elves, but it lies beyond their borders, deep within the Shadowed Vale. It's ancient, predating even the founding of the current kingdoms. Stories say it was a place of communion with the spirits of the earth and sky. But something... changed."

"Changed how?" Celia asked, her voice calm but edged with suspicion.

Evanna exhaled softly, her tone dropping to a near whisper. "The temple's sanctity was corrupted. The elves abandoned it long ago, but not before a faction within their ranks—their kin who were consumed by darker ambitions—claimed it as their own. They are what we now call the dark elves."

Raven tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Dark elves?"

Evanna nodded, her gaze locking onto Raven's mismatched eyes. "They are not like the elves you might have encountered in cities or courts. These beings dwell in the shadows, wielding a power many fear: dark magic. Their mana is unlike the natural energies of other races. It's twisted, potent, and unforgiving—bearing a striking similarity to the energy you command, Wraith."

Raven's hand tightened around her katana's hilt, her expression darkening. "So, you're saying there are elves out there who could use mana like mine? And they just happen to live in the middle of this cursed forest?"

"It's not just their magic that sets them apart," Evanna continued, her tone grave. "The dark elves are fiercely territorial, and they protect the temple as if it holds the last remnants of their pride. They don't take kindly to intruders."

"Wonderful," Celia muttered, crossing her arms. "So not only are we trekking through a monster-infested forest, but we might also have to deal with an entire faction of hostile dark elves. Anything else we should know, Princess? Perhaps there's a dragon or two guarding this temple as well?"

Evanna's lips twitched into a faint, humorless smile. "No dragons, as far as I'm aware. But the dark elves are more than enough to make this journey perilous."

Raven leaned back slightly, her expression contemplative. "If this temple is so dangerous, why go there at all? What's so important that you'd risk your life—and ours?"

The princess hesitated again, her fingers brushing the edges of her cloak. "The temple holds something the Kingdom of Elves has long sought to reclaim—a relic of their past that may help unify their fractured people. If I can bring it back, it could strengthen the alliance between their kingdom and ours. But it's more than that."

Her voice softened, taking on a hint of vulnerability. "There are whispers of another power stirring in the Vale. If these creatures are connected to the dark elves—or worse—then we need to understand what we're dealing with before it's too late."

Raven exchanged a glance with Celia, the weight of the mission settling heavily between them. Neither spoke, but the unspoken understanding was clear: this journey was about more than just protecting the princess. It was about uncovering a threat that could ripple far beyond the shadows of the Vale.

"Alright," Raven said finally, her voice firm. "We'll go to this temple and see what's waiting for us. But if this turns out to be a suicide mission, you'd better hope the elves' alliance is worth it."

Evanna inclined her head, her composure returning. "I have faith in you, Wraith. And in you, Celia. Together, I believe we can overcome whatever lies ahead."

Raven's mismatched eyes studied the princess intently, the golden and crimson hues reflecting the faint light filtering through the dense canopy. She tapped her fingers lightly on the hilt of her katana before speaking. "Thank you. I'm honored to hear those words, Princess. But I think I'm starting to understand the bigger picture here."

Evanna raised a delicate brow, her expression curious. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Raven's gaze didn't waver. "You're not just on some diplomatic mission to fetch a relic or strengthen ties with the elves. This is about something far bigger, isn't it? You're working to forge an alliance between humans and elves to face a shared threat—the dark elves."

The princess's lips curled into a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. "You're perceptive, Wraith. Not many would piece that together so quickly."

"Hard not to," Raven replied, her tone dry. "You're heading straight into one of the most dangerous regions in the Vale, to a temple guarded by beings who, by all accounts, despise humans. Add in the timing—these creatures lurking in the shadows, growing bolder—and it's not hard to connect the dots."

Celia, who had been listening in silence, crossed her arms and leaned slightly against the wagon. "If that's the case, Princess, then why not be upfront about it? If this mission is as critical as it sounds, we should all be on the same page."

Evanna's expression softened, and for a moment, she looked weary—more like a young woman shouldering an immense burden than the poised royal she appeared to be. "You're right. I owe you both the truth."

She took a deep breath before continuing. "The dark elves are not just a lingering threat to the Vale. Their actions have grown increasingly bold in recent years. Skirmishes along the borders, attacks on isolated elven settlements... It's becoming clear they're mobilizing for something greater. If we don't act now, they could pose a threat not just to the elves, but to all kingdoms."

Raven's eyes narrowed. "And you think this alliance will be enough to stop them?"

Evanna nodded, her voice firm. "The Kingdom of Elves is fractured, Wraith. Political divisions, old grudges... they've made it difficult for them to stand united. But if we can recover the relic from the temple, it could serve as a symbol of hope—something to rally their people around. And if we, as humans, show our willingness to stand beside them, it could lay the foundation for an alliance powerful enough to face the dark elves head-on."

Celia tilted her head, her crimson hair catching the faint light. "You're asking us to fight their war."

"It's not just their war," Evanna said, her tone resolute. "The dark elves won't stop with the Vale or the elven lands. If they grow strong enough, they'll come for all of us. This alliance is our best chance to ensure that doesn't happen."

Raven leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "And what makes you so sure the relic even exists? Or that the elves will accept our help?"

Evanna met her gaze steadily. "The relic is more than just a story. The elves' records speak of it in detail—its location, its significance. As for their willingness... That's why I'm here. To prove that we're willing to stand with them, not against them."

A heavy silence fell over the group, the weight of Evanna's words settling in like the shadows of the Vale.

Finally, Raven exhaled, breaking the tension. "Alright, Princess. I'll play along for now. But if this mission turns into a fool's errand, don't expect me to stick around for diplomacy."

Celia smirked faintly, her tone light but pointed. "And don't expect me to be your knight in shining armor, Princess. I'm here to keep you alive, not to solve ancient elven politics."

Evanna's smile returned, faint but genuine. "I wouldn't ask for anything more. Your protection is all I need to see this through. And I'm sure I'll handle the rest of it for now."

And soon enough, they would arrive at their location.