Tenebrous's Village

7 Years Ago

A silver-haired girl walked through the forest, carrying two rabbits from her hunt that evening. Her name was Crystalia.

Feeling satisfied with her catch for the day, she walked with a bright smile.

However, her smile faded when her ears caught a faint cry for help. She stopped in her tracks, sharpening her hearing to make sure she wasn't imagining it.

"Help!!!"

This time, the scream was crystal clear. Without hesitation, Crystalia rushed toward the source of the voice. Upon arrival, she saw a couple surrounded by three Enforcers still mounted on their horses. One of them dismounted.

"Please, don't hurt us! My wife is pregnant," the man pleaded, his face filled with fear.

He then threw a plastic bag filled with fruit. The bag tore open, scattering its contents across the ground.

"Here! I'm returning everything I stole," he said.

"Ah, so he's a thief," Crystalia murmured from a distance.

"Now, hold out your hand!" the Enforcer ordered.

"What? Please, don't hurt me."

The Enforcer then pointed his sword at the man's wife, silently threatening to kill her if he refused.

In a desperate attempt to save his wife and unborn child, the man reluctantly extended his arm. Without warning, the Enforcer swung his sword, severing part of the man's limb. A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air as his wife sobbed hysterically.

"One more!" the Enforcer demanded coldly.

"No! Please! Don't kill us!" the wife dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

One of the other Enforcers grabbed her and pulled her away. Meanwhile, the man, now weak from blood loss, hesitantly extended his remaining hand.

Just as the Enforcer raised his sword to deliver another brutal strike, an ice-coated arrow with a sharper tip than usual shot through the air and pierced straight into the Enforcer's heart, killing him instantly.

Crystalia had used her power to save the couple. She reached for another arrow from her quiver and placed it on her bow, preparing for a second attack. However, before she could aim, a sudden attack flew toward her, forcing her to dodge to the side.

Strangely, the attack wasn't from a weapon but rather a black energy blast—one deadly enough to kill in seconds. She could tell from the damage it caused as it missed and struck a large tree, leaving a massive, deep hole in its bark.

Crystalia turned her gaze back to the couple, only to see an Enforcer charging toward her on horseback, cloaked in thick, swirling black mist. Shocked, she found herself unable to move.

Fortunately, a fireball intercepted the Enforcer just as he reached Crystalia. At that very moment, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her away—it was Astraea, her older sister.

"I told you not to use your powers, no matter what!" Astraea scolded as they ran.

"I just wanted to save them!" Crystalia protested.

Blow after blow came their way. This time, they had no choice but to use their abilities to evade the relentless Enforcer.

They eventually stopped in an open field, turning to face their pursuer.

"Good. You should stop running and fight me, because now that I've seen you, you won't be escaping anywhere," the Enforcer sneered, unsheathing his sword. The dark aura around him grew even thicker.

"Who said we were going to fight you? Zaraea, I brought you a training dummy," Astraea smirked.

A brown-haired girl suddenly leaped down from a nearby tree, landing with such force that the ground trembled beneath her feet.

"Roger that," Zaraea replied, clenching her fists.

...

Present Day

An elven woman took aim at Nimora, who was riding a horse through the forest, following a narrow trail.

She released an arrow, striking Nimora's right arm and causing her to fall off the horse. The elf immediately rushed toward her.

Upon reaching the spot, she found no one there. However, the arrow she had fired lay on the ground, its tip stained with blood. There was no doubt that her shot had landed, yet there were no traces of blood anywhere around.

Suddenly, Nimora attempted to stab her from behind. But an elf's instincts were not so easily fooled. With ease, she dodged the attack and knocked Nimora down before aiming her bow at the girl.

"Alright, I've lost," Nimora admitted. "But I have no ill intentions here."

"Then why have you come?" the woman asked.

"I'm here to meet Dr. Thrain Blackwood. I need an antidote for my sister."

"I do not trust humans," the elf said coldly.

"I'm not an ordinary human," Nimora replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you hit your mark?" Nimora raised her right arm, showing a hole in her clothing where the arrow had struck—but there was no wound.

"Who… exactly are you?" the elf asked, still refusing to lower her bow.

"I am Nimora, daughter of Eiron and Elyriana."

The moment she heard those names, the elf immediately lowered her bow. Then, she knelt and bowed her head.

"Forgive me. I didn't realize it was you," she said.

Nimora was puzzled by the woman's sudden change in behavior, especially since she had never met her before. She helped her stand up.

"It's fine. It's not a big deal. Stand up and tell me your name."

"Galadrielle Starseeker. You can call me Gala."

"Alright then, Gala. Can you take me to Dr. Thrain?" Nimora asked.

"Of course."

The horse Nimora had been riding was nowhere to be seen since she had fallen due to Gala's attack. Now, they continued their journey on foot.

The distance wasn't too far, and soon they arrived at a village. Nimora's eyes widened in awe at the breathtaking sight before her.

All this time, she had never realized that hidden deep within the lush, green forest was a beautiful and peaceful village. This village was home to the elves—elegant and graceful beings with pointed ears and eyes as blue as the sky.

The houses stood in perfect harmony, their elegant structures blending seamlessly with the towering, dense trees. Winding stone and dirt paths meandered through the greenery, creating a picturesque landscape.

At the heart of the village stood an ancient, massive tree known as El'ara. It was considered the spiritual center of the village, where the elves frequently held rituals and ceremonies beneath its vast branches.

The elves of Tenebrous Village lived in perfect harmony with nature. They used its resources wisely, never taking more than they needed. They also deeply respected the animals that lived around them, often providing them with food and shelter.

Tenebrous Village was also renowned for its breathtaking flora and rich biodiversity. Vibrant flowers, rare and unique plants, and towering trees thrived throughout the village. The elves were highly skilled in medicinal practices, using the plants around them to heal illnesses and injuries.

Time moved slowly and peacefully here. The elves lived simple lives, never rushing, always cherishing each moment. They were grateful for the beauty and abundance of nature that surrounded them, living each day in quiet appreciation.