Pandora's Elf

It was 9 am, the duo had just finished breakfast and was ready to resume their journey towards The Iron Gate. Currently traveling through the Mystical Forest, they had decided to adjust their travel route and go towards Rainëgar, the elven kingdom. The plan was to find a deer in the way so that Eizit had a mount to ride.

That would save them about 5 days worth of travel, going down from 2 weeks of travel to just 1 week, 1 week because with Azael having a horse they should find a deer within today.

Following the plan, the duo rapidly went through the forest for a while. Eventually, Eizit spoke to Azael.

"I just realised, remember when we discussed that Spiegel's food felt more real than Hansha's?"

Azael nodded and simply said yes, so Eizit kept speaking.

"Either we are stupid or this videogame is made way too well."

Azael seemed confused for a second, leaving a short 'oh-'. Right away, he burst into laughter.

"Dude! How can we say a videogame's food feels more real than the one from real life"

Eizit laughed too, but eventually said something seriously

"Though, it's true... This food feels more natural"

Azael got serious

"It is... But it may be because it was programmed to feel this way"

Eizit nodded and shrugged off the question, overthinking it wouldn't take them anywhere.

The duo kept walking for a while when they suddenly heard something in the distance, it was a scream of a girl, followed by a splash sound. Azael was the first to address it.

"What was that?"

Eizit started running towards the source of the sound, whatever it was, it could be someone in danger.

"Hurry!"

Azael mumbled to himself as he indicated the horse to follow Eizit, and follow him fast.

"There goes the little hero again"

Quickly enough, the duo found themselves in front of a young lady, she had a mage staff on her hand, it was made of a white tree branch with red leaves.

The girl had a twisted crown braid hairstyle, of an intense red colour, her white pointed ears and palid skin contrasted with her hair.

She wore a green mage coat with golden details, in match with her green eyes.

The girl's shoes were normal brown ones.

In front of her was a big wild boar, which had all of it's face wet, probably that was the splash they heard.

The boar made angry noises and charged at the girl, who raised her staff in front of herself and pronounced some words, her voice high pitched but soft, shaky due to her fear, and loud!

"Pandora's Spell!"

One shiny star shined over the tip of her staff, and then it was absorbed by it. Followed by a bright light, a spell being used. Her body was suddenly surrounded by a rainbow light, and she screamed.

"Noo! The boar doesn't use magic!"

Eizit rapidly dashed towards her, jumping in front, the boar charged at him and hit him. Eizit was sent flying over the girl's head, she gasped.

"A-are you okay!?"

Eizit only replied by yelling "Azael!!"

Followed by Azael appearing galloping his horse towards the boar, the boar turned to look at him and started charging. But Azael raised a shadow from the ground, asfixiating the boar.

The horse kept charging at the boar and slammed on it.

Then, Azael stabbed it with his shadow.

The boar died.

"T-thank you for saving me"

The girl said to both Azael and Eizit.

"It was nothing, we're here to help"

Azael replied, being as stubborn as always.

"Well, we're actually here because we were searching for a deer for my friend."

The girl giggled, thinking that Eizit was very kind but Azael was kind of the opposite, she didn't mind tho, they saved her life.

"I see, I never thought I'd see a tiefling and a dark elf doing a good deed. However, I'm open to new stuff as long as it's good stuff. Follow me"

She said, a big smile on her face. She whistled and a deer appeared shortly after, she pet it and told something to it's ear. The deer left.

"He'll come back with a friend for you. I'm Sophie Starborn by the way!"

"I'm Eizit Darkwood, nice to meet you! And thanks for the help."

"I am Azael, just Azael."

The girl smiled at them, and picked up her staff.

"So, where are you headed? I assume you must go somewhere if you're searching for a deer."

Eizit was going to reply, but Azael started talking over him, he didn't want him to say anything that could make her attack them.

"We're going over to the Iron Gate, we want to start working there to gain some money. The people in the Kingdom of Chamuel didn't want to give us job because of our races, so we're heading over a neutral place."

The girl nodded, understanding why they weren't in Chamuel, and more specifically why they were travelling around the kingdom.

"I see... Can I go with you, guys? I want to become stronger and I'm sure you'd help me!"

"Of cour-"

"First, what is your star? It seems like it's related with magic, but I've seen you conjure a spell that didn't seem to help you"

The girl shyly nodded.

"It's called Pandora's Spell, it randomly gives me a spell and unleashes it right after. I can make stronger spells that people of my current power, however, it depends on luck..."

Eizit quickly replied to her.

"But isn't that fun? You'll never know what you'll get next, yet, if you manage to use that well you could become a very versatile mage!"

"I-I guess... But I could also be an useless mage"

Azael replied with a harsh tone, he was determined to speak the truth, or more so what he thought, whether it was hurtful or not.

"So not only do you have to go under randomly getting a star, but the star you got gives you random powers. Fucked up."

The girl giggled slightly, trying to ignore what Azael said. Eizit replied to try and cheer her up.

"It's not that bad! My star is way worse, it's painful and so stupid!"

"What is it?"

"He can partially make his body combust"

"Like explode?"

"Yes, it is super painful..."

"But the explosions must be strong and look cool!"

"Yes, it's super cool seeing him be unable to move for 2 minutes..."

"Let's change the topic, Azael!"

"Yes, please, I don't like talking about sad stuff..."

Said the girl, looking over at the dead boar. Short after, the deer came back, and behind him was a slightly smaller deer. Eizit looked at it, and thought:

"Oh come on, is it because I'm small?"

The deer approached Eizit, and looked at him. Eizit pet it, and the deer seemed happy. It leaned forward, letting Eizit hop on him. Eizit did so.

"Well, shall we get going?"

Azael hopped back on his horse, and looked over at the girl. She was looking at him with pleading eyes. Azael sighed.

"Yes, you can come with us"

The girl quickly hopped on her own deer, leaving a 'yayy' of excitement.

"I won't be a burden! I promise!"

Eizit looked over at her, he had an idea.

"Do you know these forests well, Sophie?"

She nodded, smiling. Azael, noticing what was Eizit's plan, asked her:

"Do you mind leading us? We may be able to get to the Iron Gate faster if you guide us."

"Sure thing! Follow me!"

The girl started galloping with her deer, towards the north-west. Eizit followed behind her with his deer. Last was Azael, whose horse wasn't as fast as the deers, due to not being used to the forests. Noticing this, the deers slowed down slightly.

The newly formed group advanced through the forest, getting closer and closer to their destination.

Eizit put something inside his bag, and Azael noticing so asked him what he was pocketing.

"Four boar legs. I didn't have time to get all of it, but at least we got some."

Azael wondered where he got the knife from, but didn't ask him. He probably got it after fighting Navi.

It was currently 12 pm, they met the girl 2 hours and a half after departing and now they were going towards the Iron Gate. If they kept like this, they would probably reach it in a week, maybe even under that time. Their journey looked promising!

***

Dahlia Noire galloped through the forest, following the footsteps from Azael's horse. She eventually reached the dead boar.

"Oh, looks like the little group of weird heroes met someone more. Just more people to make dolls from!"

Dahlia took over something from the floor and then hopped back on her exotic horse, resuming her chase, now knowing she won't be able to close distance easily.

***