Following Oreon's advice, the three ventured deep into the forest, heading east. With the moonlight almost entirely obscured by the dense canopy, Oreon had to navigate by the few silver beams that pierced the leaves. He could still hear the search party shouting behind him, though their voices were fading.
As the sounds of pursuit die away, the night sounds of the forest take over. Owls hooting, leaves rustling, and the distant howl of an animal.
Celestia, though weary, walked with regal dignity beside Oreon. Her footsteps were barely audible on the forest floor. From time to time, she would look back towards the manor with a tense expression.
"They've released tracking hounds." She murmured, her keen Elven hearing picking up sounds Oreon couldn't. "We should find water if possible. A stream that would mask our scent."
"Tracking hounds?" Oreon's eyebrow rose slightly as he turned to look over at Celestia. "You can hear them from down here?" Oreon became somewhat curious.
"Elven hearing," she explains quietly. "We can perceive sounds at distances and frequencies that humans cannot. The hounds are still near the manor, but they've caught our scent. They'll be following our trail soon enough."
Sylvanie snorts derisively from where she walks a few paces ahead, slashing irritably at hanging vines with her stolen sword. "Another reason your 'leap of faith' was idiotic," she calls back without turning. "We left a trail of broken branches and disturbed earth that a blind tracker could follow. Not to mention the blood." She gestures to a small cut on her arm that's leaving occasional droplets on leaves as they pass.
"Let me see that," Celestia says softly, her fingers already beginning to glow with gentle golden light. "We cannot afford to leave a blood trail."
Sylvanie pulls away instinctively, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Save your strength," She mutters. "It's just a scratch. You'll need your magic if those holy zealots catch up to us."
Despite her protest, Celestia firmly takes hold of her sister's arm, her touch gentle but insistent."You're not helping if you're leaving behind a trail, sister," she replies with the patience of one who has had this argument many times before.
A warm glow emanates from her palm as she passes it over the wound, sealing it within seconds. "There, that should suffice."
Oreon watches the interaction with interest, noting the dynamic between the sisters. The golden light illuminates their faces briefly in the darkness - Celestia's serene determination and Sylvanie's reluctant acceptance.
That's a useful trick," Oreon comments as they continue moving. " Light magic, right? The paladin mentioned it was...compatible with their needs. What did he mean by that?"
Celestia's expression darkens slightly, her blue eyes troubled as she considers her response as they continued on their trail.
"The order believes that Elven magic, particularly light magic, can be... harvested," she explains carefully, her voice barely above a whisper. "They've developed rituals to extract magical essence from our kind. It powers their weapons, their barriers, even their healing abilities."
She unconsciously rubs her wrists where the manacle marks are still visible, her gaze distant with painful memories.
"That's why they keep us alive rather than simply killing us. We're more valuable as living vessels of magic than as corpses."
Sylvanie turns back, her face contorted with rage in the dim forest light. "Tell him the whole truth, sister." She hisses. "Tell him how they drain us slowly, day by day, until we're nothing but husks. How they keep us just alive enough to regenerate our magic, only to take it again. How they--"
"Enough, Sylvanie," Celestia interrupts, her voice gentle but firm. "The human doesn't need to hear every detail of our captivity."
Sylvanie stays a few paces ahead of Oreon and her sister. Her stolen sword was ready at her side. In contrast to her sister's elegant movements. She stalked through the forest like a predator, eyes constantly scanning for threats.
"Fine then, but this town you speak of, Human," she said skeptically," will they welcome two elves? Or should we expect more humans eager to clap us back in chains?"
"You don't have anything to worry about," Oreon responded as he continued to guide the way. "It's a small town that is full of people who stand against the order, so you don't have to worry about the Order knowing about you being there," Oreon assured.
A slight huff came out of the mouth of the Dark Elf. "How naïve." She started, causing Oreon to turn his attention to her. "You think a town of humans will welcome us with open arms? The Order has spent decades painting our kind as demons, magic-wielders who threaten their precious divine order. Even those who oppose the Order often share their prejudices." She gestures broadly at her distinctive features - her violet hair, crimson eyes, and pointed ears.
"We can't exactly hide what we are. The moment we step into your 'friendly' town, someone will recognize us as elves. And then it's just a matter of time before greed outweighs whatever principles they claim to have."
Celestia continues her regal movement despite the fatigue she was feeling as her eyes moved in Oreon's direction, as she gracefully stepped over a fallen tree branch. "My sister's concerns aren't unfounded," she says diplomatically. "We've seen rebellious towns turn Elves over to the Order for the right price. A single elf can fetch enough gold to feed a family for months. Two Royal Elves..." She trails off, letting the implication hang in the air.
"I get it." Oreon frowns, considering their words as he pushes aside a low-hanging branch. "But this town is different. It's called Haven's crest. The people there have suffered under the Order's taxation and conscription for years. Many of them have sheltered non-humans before." He pauses."Besides, we won't be announcing your presence to the entire town. I know someone there--an old friend who runs the local tavern. She's helped me hide...Non-humans, before."
Sylvanie snorts. "I say the moment they see our ears, they'll either run screaming or try to claim the bounty on our heads." Sylvanie scoffs. "Besides, you forget who you walk with, human." Sylvanie points out. "My sister is the former queen of Vel-Andria, and I'm the dark elf princess, second in line, should my sister fall. This isn't exactly inconspicuous."
"Well, I don't see us having a choice in the matter," Oreon responded, slightly annoyed. "By the looks of it, the shackles the order had you in drained most of your magic, so you can't fight at full strength." Oreon slightly glanced back at the Dark Elf. "Not to mention we have three paladins and a pack of tracking hounds on our tail, and it's not like me fighting them alone is going to do any good, so the best chance we have is hiding somewhere we can at least catch a break." He ended as Celestia gave him a slightly interested look, but it quickly vanished behind her calm, regal facial expression.
Sylvanie narrows her eyes at Oreon, her pride clearly wounded by his accurate assessment of their situation. She opens her mouth for what would undoubtedly be a cutting retort, but Celestia speaks first.
"He's right, sister," she says quietly, her voice carrying a gentle authority that seems to immediately temper Sylvanie's anger. "Our magic is depleted, and we are in no condition to face the Order's forces directly. Strategic retreat is our wisest option."
Sylvanie grunts like a child but doesn't argue further, instead muttering something under her breath in the ancient Elven tongue that sounds distinctly uncomplimentary.
Celestia's eyes slowly darted between the two as she spoke calmly, trying to ease the tension between them. "Both of you make valid points," she says, "Sylvanie is right to be cautious. Our experiences with most humans have given us little reason for optimism." She brushes a strand of pale blonde hair from her face, her expression pensive. "But with knowing who we are now, you're still risking your life, walking with two elves of royalty; so, sister, maybe we can relax a bit. Not all humans appear to be like those bloodthirsty vermin. "Celestia slightly taunted Oreon.
"No." Sylvaine retorted, giving Oreon a pointed look. "Some are just mysterious rescuers with secrets about magical shards who throw people out of windows."
"I didn't throw you out of a window!" Oreon yells at her defensively, "You jumped out of the same window I did!" He exclaimed.
Again, Sylvanie scoffed, her sword slashing at a low-hanging branch. "After you crashed through it like a drunken ogre! What kind of escape plan involves hurling yourself off a cliff?" She responds. "But fine, excuse my technical error." Her voice was sarcastic." You just led us to a window and gave us the wonderful choice between certain death by paladins or death by falling!"
"Well, excuse me for not laying it out for you!" Oreon shouted back, somehow pulled into a war of words with Sylvaine. "I'm sorry if our options were so limited, but hey if you didn't enjoy trying to fly away from the holy assholes that were trying to kill us, then you could have stayed!" He lightly growled in annoyance.
"I'm just saying!" Sylvanie slashes another branch out of frustration. "Some warning would have been nice. "Oh, by the way, we're about to plummet to our potential deaths." Would that have been so difficult?" She ended. Unbeknownst to the two. Celestia suppresses a small smile at the exchange, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead.
"To be fair, sister, it did work." She points out diplomatically. "And I don't recall you offering any alternatives."
"That's because I was busy trying not to get skewered by holy warriors," Sylvanie grumbles, kicking aside a fallen log. "Besides, I'm not the one who supposedly had a plan."
"I never said I had a plan!" Oreon pressed as Sylvanie closed her eyes with a huff as she crossed her arms.
Celestia slightly glanced over at her sister. "He saved us from captivity." Celestia gently pointed out. "And the fall would have been much worse without my magic."
"Which is nearly depleted thanks to those binding chains they kept us under," Sylvaine mutters, kicking another fallen branch. "Don't pretend you're not exhausted, Celestia."
The forest grows quieter as the trio presses deeper into its heart; the trees become ancient and gnarled. Moonlight barely penetrates, casting everything in deep shadows. A soft gurgling sound reaches their ears, the sound of water flowing nearby.
"I hear water," Celestia says softly. "Not far ahead. A stream, I think."
The forest surrounding the trio has become overgrown, with ancient trees and dense undergrowth making the path difficult to navigate. Between the trees, strange, luminous fungi cast an eerie blue glow, their light punctuated by the distant calls of animals throughout the night.
"I still have questions for you, human." Sylvaine persists, eying Oreon suspiciously. "How can you be positive that this 'friend' of yours won't stab us in the back and deliver us right to the Order?" She questioned once again.
"Not every human is as volatile as you may think," Oreon responded. The three stepped into a clearing, the thinner trees allowing the bright moonlight to reveal a large, lovely stream flowing down below. The stream gurgles softly, the silver moonlight dancing across its surface. The water runs clear and swift, perfect for both drinking and masking their trail. The small clearing beside it offers a moment's respite from the dense forest.
"Perhaps not their first thought," Sylvaine said skeptically, kneeling by the water to splash some on her face. "But what about their second or third? Gold has a way of changing human priorities."
Oreon kneels by the stream, cupping the cool water in his hands and drinking deeply before responding to Sylvanie's persistent suspicion.
"Mira isn't motivated by gold," he says, firmly wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "She lost her husband to the Order's crusades, he was executed for trying to protect beastkin children from being slaughtered by Order troops." He cups his hands to take another drink from the stream.
"She helps people like you because she believes it's the only way to fight back against them." He said, wiping his mouth again. "Not everyone has the luxury of open rebellion; that's just a quick way for most people to lose their lives." He finished.
Celestia observes him thoughtfully as she drinks, her sapphire eyes reflecting the moonlight. After a moment, she rises gracefully to her feet.
"Your friend's story is not uncommon," She says softly. "The Order has brought suffering to humans and elves alike. Perhaps there is common ground to be found in shared pain. However, my sister's Cynicism isn't unfounded." She spoke softly. "As I've stated before, trust doesn't come easy." She takes a deep breath." Especially for us, our history with the Humans and the Holy Order isn't a pleasant one, even some of our kind had turned against us for power promised through betrayal. So forgive us for the constant interrogation." Oreon leans against a nearby tree as Celesta glances around the clearing, her expression softening slightly as she takes in the peaceful scene. "But I sense no immediate danger here. We should rest, if only briefly. The Holy Order won't give up their pursuit so easily." She ended as she sat down gracefully on a nearby stump.
Sylvanie remained crouched by the water, her crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight as she studied Oreon's face for any sign of deception. After a moment, she dips her hands into the stream again, the cool water washing away the dirt and dried blood from her fingers.
"A touching story," She says, her tone still skeptical but slightly less hostile. "And convenient. But I suppose we have little choice but to trust you...For now." Her eyes narrowed at Oreon. "But if this Mira betrays us, I'll make sure she joins her husband in the afterlife."
Oreon frowns at the threat but chooses not to escalate the tension. Instead, he moves to sit against the base of a tree, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
"We should reach Haven's crest by midday tomorrow if we maintain our pace," He says, pulling a small leather pouch from his belt. He pulls out dried strips of meat, offering them to the sisters. "It's not much, but it'll keep your strength up.
With a graceful nod, Celestia accepts, her movements elegant even in their present plight. Snapping her portion in half, she offered her sister the larger piece.
"Eat, Sylvaine," She urges gently. "You've been pushing yourself too hard.
Sylvanie hesitates before taking the offered food with a sigh, her stubborn expression softening slightly at her sister's concern.
"I'm not the one who is on the verge of collapsing because she's been overusing what little magic she has." She mutters, but there's no real malice to her words. Ripping into the jerky with bared teeth, she scans the forest, her senses sharp, alert to any sound or movement.
The sisters eat in silence for a moment, the only sounds being the gentle gurgling of the stream and the distant hooting of an owl. Oreon takes the opportunity to check his wounds, wincing slightly as he presses a finger to the deep gash on his forearm, the raw flesh still throbbing from their earlier escape.
"The Paladins mentioned a shard earlier," Celestia's voice, a sudden chime in the quiet, draws his attention as her eyes meet his. "If I dare be so bold as to ask, what exactly were you doing in that fortress? I doubt you risked entering the Order's stronghold solely to free two Elven royals."
"I've been wondering about that the second you freed us?" Sylvaine spoke, taking another bite of the meat that was given to her."Because I still can't fathom why a human would even bother, but that's beside the point. That Paladin made sure to ask about that shard first before talking about us." She finished her food with a gulp, her crimson eyes locked on him as well. "So what gives?"
Oreon looks up, surprised by the direct question. He hesitates, clearly weighing how much he wants to say. Oreon let out a long, weary sigh, barely audible above the gentle breeze. He shifted his gaze from the stream and looked up at the star-filled night sky. After contemplating for a moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny red shard.
"This is a dragon shard." Oreon started to explain. "A piece of a shattered orb that was created from the dragonborn. When the holy order first assembled. They sought the dragonborn's greatest weapon. An orb full of chaos energy strong enough to Turn Off the Stars in the night sky," Oreon examined the shard, turning it slowly in his fingers, his eyes tracing the sharp edges.
The crimson shard catches the moonlight, casting blood-red reflections across the trio's faces. It pulses with an inner light, almost like a heartbeat, seeming to respond to Oreon's touch.
Celestia's eyes widen in recognition, her breath catching in her throat. "The Orb of Draconis," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and trepidation. "I thought it was merely a legend." She leans forward, her face illuminated by the shard's subtle glow, careful not to touch it.
"Our ancient texts spoke of a weapon of immense power created during the First Age. But the Dragonborn were said to have destroyed it rather than let it fall into the wrong hands."
Sylvanie moves closer, her earlier hostility momentarily forgotten as she stares at the shard with fascination. "Well, clearly they failed," she remarks dryly. "Or you wouldn't be holding a piece of it right now."
Oreon nods grimly, carefully wrapping the shard back in a protective cloth before returning it to his pocket.
"The order discovered that the orb wasn't destroyed, just shattered into five pieces and scattered across the realm," He explains. "They've been hunting them for decades. This is the first piece I've...managed to take from them. "He continues, his voice dropping to a whisper. "They already have two pieces. If they collect all five..." He trails off, letting the implications hang in the air between them. Celestia's expression grows grave, her ethereal features tightening with concern.
Celestia reaches out hesitantly, her fingers hovering near the shard but not touching it. "The stories tell of the Dragonborn creating a weapon to rival the gods. Harnessing power beyond mortal comprehension. Power to shape realms and erase anything in a blanket of destruction." She continued. "But, the Order annihilated the dragonborn, marking the beginning of their first act of genocide."She murmurs," Then they turned their attention to the elves and other magical beings...So that means…They've been searching for the shards this whole time, and that's why..."
Celestia's voice falters as the weight of the revelation settles upon her shoulders. Her sapphire eyes reflect the crimson glow of the shard, twin pools of worry in her otherwise composed face.
"If they reassemble this orb," She continues softly. "They would possess power enough to reshape the world in their image. A world where only humans-and only those humans who bow to their doctrine--would be permitted to exist."
Sylvanie's expression darkens, her crimson eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. "So that's their endgame," She hisses. "Pure dominion." She gritted her teeth. "It's also possible they may not erase everyone, but if the complete orb can let them reshape reality, then they may enslave everyone instead." She ended as she turned her head towards Oreon. "So that leads to the question, human, what are you going to do with it? and more importantly." Sylvanie added, her hand instinctively moving to the sword hilt. "Why show it to us? We could kill you and take it ourselves."Her crimson eyes gleamed as Oreon quickly locked eyes with her, a tense situation as they both looked at each other.
"Sylvanie!" Celestia admonishes sharply.
"What?" I said we could, not that we would." Sylvanie retorts with a shrug. "I'm merely pointing out the tactical error in revealing such a valuable item to former strangers." With a sigh, she released the sword hilt, crossing her arms like a scolded child, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
Celestia turns her gaze to Oreon. "So, why do you risk yourself for us when you carry something of such importance?" The question hung heavy in the air, thick with unspoken tension, as Oreon stared at the two elves before answering.
"If you must know," Oreon began. "I didn't know you guys were there to begin with. My initial reason is simple, and that was to steal the shard." Oreon continued. "I didn't know my father had captured two elv..." Before Oreon could finish his explanation, Sylvanie's lightning-fast reflexes sent her hand shooting out, her fingers clamping around his throat. He was slammed against the rough bark of the tree, the impact jarring his breath. His eyes widened in terror, his throat constricting under her relentless hold, each gasp a desperate fight for breath.
Sylvaine's crimson eyes blazed with fury, her fingers tightening around Oreon's throat; the veins in her slender neck bulged with unexpected strength, and a guttural snarl escaped her lips. The tip of her sword pressed against his ribs, the cold steel a stark contrast to the warmth of his skin, pressing just enough to be felt through his clothing.
"Your FATHER!" A snarl ripped through the air; her teeth bared. "Your father is the one who kept us in chains? He eviscerated our land!" Sylvanie's sharp cry cut through the air as Celestia rushed forward, her hand clamping down on her sister's arm to stop her.
"Sylvanie! Release him at once!" Her voice, usually warm and inviting, now held a note of command, sharper than usual.
"He freed us, the sins his father committed…." Celestia was cut off.
"He's one of them!" Sylvanie hissed her grip tighten as she glared at her sister. "A wolf in sheep's clothing. He didn't rescue us. This is probably just some sick game between him and the Order!"
"Wait…Ah…A…Minute." Oreon gasped for breath, his face contorted under Sylvanie's firm grip. "Just give me a chance to explain." He tried to speak.
The forest became eerily silent, the air thick with anticipation, as if the very trees were holding their breath, their leaves unmoving. The shard pulsed intensely in Oreon's hand, its crimson light casting Sylvaine's enraged features in an almost demonic glow, the heat radiating off it like a furnace.
"Give me one reason." She growled, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't slit your throat right now?"
Oreon struggled. His feet dangled slightly above the ground. His eyes remained wide as he struggled to breathe. "I…I'm sorry…" He tried to mouth. "I…I didn't know what…my father…was doing." Oreon gasps. "All I knew was that he had the shard. I didn't…know that Alaric…"
Unbeknownst to Oreon, the name would trigger a visceral reaction in Sylvanie, a flood of painful memories. The primary cause of her suffering. The man, whose name alone was enough to send shivers down her spine, was the reason for the elves' capture; the mention of his name caused her to snap. Before Oreon could react, a searing pain ripped through his stomach as Sylvanie's stolen sword pierced him, the cold steel a stark contrast to the warmth of his blood as it spurted forth; he felt her grip on his throat loosen as he crumpled to his knees, his vision blurring. His expression was one of pure terror as his wide, fearful eyes locked with Sylvanie's cold, hard stare; her lips curved into a cruel smile. He slowly looked down at his wound, a searing pain shooting through him, clutching it with his hands as he slowly fell to his side, his breath hitching in ragged gasps.
"SYLVANIE! NO!" Celestia screams, but too late.
Blood spread across Oreon's fallen form as Sylvanie stood over him, her chest heaving with rage, her sword dripping crimson blood from the tip.
"Son of Alaric…" she spat, the name like poison on her tongue. "Spawn of the Purifier of Vel-Andria."
Celestia rushes to Oreon's side, her face a mask of horror, her hands trembling as she frantically presses against the gushing wound, crimson staining her fingers.
"What have you done?" She yelled as she turned to her sister. "He saved us!"
"He is the son of that man who murdered our Father!" Sylvanie shoots back, trembling with emotion. "The Purifier who ordered the execution of the Elven children at Silverbrook!" she seethed.
Golden light begins to emanate from Celestia's palms as she attempts to heal Oreon. Her face was strained with concentration. "The sins of the father do not fall on the child, Sylvanie!" As she concentrated on healing, her sapphire eyes glowed softly, reflecting the inner light of her concentration.
"I should have known," Sylvanie whispers, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword, trembling. "The resemblance…Those eyes…"
"Help me save him," Celestia pleaded, blood staining her hands as she worked.
"Damn it Celestia!" Sylvanie growled. "He's the Purifier's spawn! Why are you trying to save him? "Her rage intensifying.
"Because he freed us when we didn't think we would ever see the night sky again." Celestia breathed as she continued to concentrate on healing Oreon's wound. "We sat in that damn dungeon for months with no hope of getting out, we were used and tossed away repeatedly and then the one person, the ONE person who comes and looks our way and frees us and you repay that kindness with vengeance!" She turned a stern glare towards her sister, who took a step back at Celestia's outburst.
Sylvanie slowly took her eyes off her sister, and they fell upon Oreon's pained, stricken face as his eyes clutched shut, trying his best to fight through the pain.
"I can stabilize him, but my magic is depleted. "She says calmly, but urgency is noticeable in her voice. "We need to find shelter, herbs…"
"Let him bleed." Sylvanie spits, though uncertainty flickers in her eyes. "He's probably leading us into a trap, anyway." She slightly turned her head.
"We need him alive!" Celestia shoots back." Not just because it's right, but because he knows these lands. Without him, making it out of this forest would be the least of our worries." Celestia turned her head to her sister, her eyes pleading. "Please, Sylvanie, help me. We need to save him."
"Or we could just leave him," Sylvanie suggested, slightly crossing her arms, her crimson eyes still staring at the fallen male. "Take the shard and go our own way."
Celestia's hands tremble with exertion as the golden light from her palms flickers, her magic reserves dangerously low. Sweat beads on her forehead as she struggles to maintain the healing spell.
"And go where?" she demands, her voice uncharacterisically sharp. "To what safe haven? With what allies? The Order hunts us across every kingdom. We have no home, no resources, and no plan." Her sapphire eyes flash with rare anger. "Think beyond your rage for once!"
Sylvaine flinches at her sister's words, her grip on the bloodied sword loosening . For a moment, she looks almost childlike in her uncertainty, the fierce warrior facade cracking to reveal the wounded soul beneath.
"But...But we survived before." she argues, though her voice lacks its earlier conviction. "We don't need him."
Celestia's healing light dims further as she struggles to maintain the spell, her breathing becoming labored. "Look at me, Sylvanie!" Celestia, quickly glares at her. "I can barely stand. My magic is nearly depleted. And you-you're driven by rage, not reason."
"Celestia look at him, he's the son of...."
"Don't argue with me, Sylvanie!" Celestia shouted, pressing her hands against Oreon's wound as he slowly began to calm down, the healing slowly working to restore him. Golden light continues to emanate from her palms, the bleeding slowly stopping as his breathing began to regulate. "The cycle of violence has to end somewhere, or at least, not involve those who don't deserve it."
Sylvanie's body shook at her older sister's outburst. She wanted to reply but bit her lip, not knowing how to respond.
As Celestia pressed on, determined to close his wound, she looked down at him with concern. "Stay with me, focus on my voice. I won't let you die for my sister's grudges."
Oreon stared at Celestia, his breath catching in his throat, his body convulsing from the lingering effects of the attack; a metallic tang filled the air. "Am…I…. Going…. To…Die." Oreon breathed as Celestia coaxed him through as she continued to heal him.
"No, you're going to be fine; just stay with me…Stay with me…. Just stay with me…." The world swam before Oreon's eyes, Celestia's voice, a distant whisper as darkness threatened to consume his vision.
"No, don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes…. Don't…" The voice, an indistinct murmur, barely reached Oreon's ears as his eyes fluttered closed, his body still and unresponsive.
-Dream-
"Are you just going to sleep all day?" As Oreon opened his eyes, a bright, friendly female voice chirped happily, a sound as cheerful as a songbird's. Blinking, he saw her face, elegant, framed by dark hair and highlighted by the morning light. "Wha…"
The girl's lips curved into a small smile as a delicate giggle escaped. "Come on, sleepyhead, get up. Mom's already getting breakfast ready." With a twinkle in her bright brown eyes, the woman spoke, her eyes glistening with life.
"What the… Ali….Alice." Oreon blinked with confusion. "But…But…How?" Hesitantly, he reached out, but quickly recoiled as if burned, his eyes wide with a strange fear of the woman.
Standing taller than Oreon, she tilted her head, her black hair catching the sunlight. The familiar weight of her holy garments settled on her shoulders as she offered another smile, a faint scent of incense clinging to the cloth. "What's wrong, silly? You act like you've seen a ghost or something." She giggled again. "Come on, we have to go." She said as she turned her back towards him.
"Alice…Alice…" Oreon's desperate plea echoed in the silence, a raw sound filled with unspoken grief, as the rhythmic tap of Alice's retreating footsteps slowly disappeared. "Wait…Don't go….Alice!" Suddenly, the idyllic scene dissolved into chaos; Alice's broken body lay amidst the flames, the once-beautiful scenery now a charred and horrific landscape, the smell of burning flesh heavy in the air.
"No…No…." Oreon's voice cracked…."Alice…Don't go…Alice…." His voice broke. "ALICE!"
The scene shifts, and a searing, agonizing scream rips from Oreon's mouth as the *crack* of a whip echoes through the air. "You useless boy!" The sound of the whip cracking echoed, and a rough masculine voice added to the harshness of the scene. Oreon screamed, the raw agony of the whip tearing into his flesh. The sounds of the whip cracking, the sting of each blow, and the smell of sweat and fear filled the air with each strike faster than the last; a relentless assault. Trying his best to avoid the attack, his body twisted and turned, but it felt like the threat was coming from every direction. "Useless! Useless! Useless!" the masculine voice screamed as the final whip strike was brought down, but the scene changes again.
Oreon blinked in confusion, his eyes darting to the woman whose holy garments, now torn and stained with battle, were a stark contrast to her usual appearance. Her long brown hair was messy, and her golden eyes narrowed as she stood in front of Oreon. "How dare you!" She screamed as she held on to her sword, facing a dark, muscled, shadow-like figure in front of her. "HOW DARE YOU!"
"Mom…" Oreon spoke, immediately taken aback by her appearance. "Mom…No…Don't go…." He reached out towards her before he began running, trying to catch up to her. "Mom, No!" He reached out.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SON!" She charged forward, her sword drawn and ready to attack.
"NOOOOO!" Oreon screamed.
-Dream ended-
Oreon's eyes flew open; the muted glow of the moon, filtering through the dense canopy above, illuminated the forest in shades of gray and silver. Oreon stirred and became aware that he was lying on a bed of moss next to the stream, his torso covered in makeshift bandages made from torn fabric. The searing agony in his abdomen from the stabbing had dulled to a persistent ache.
Celestia sits beside him, the faint warmth of her healing magic still radiating from her hands, her face pale and drawn with exhaustion. "You're alive." She said softly, relief evident in her voice. "I wasn't certain you would make it."
A few feet away, Sylvaine sits with her back against a tree, arms crossed, watching you with a complex mixture of emotions. Suspicion still lingered on her face, but perhaps with a slight hint of guilt.
"The Son of Alaric lives." She remarks coldly. "How fortunate."
"Sylvanie," Celestia warns. Her tone is weary but firm.
The dark elf averted her gaze, her jaw set in a grim line, the silence heavy with unspoken words. The dragon shard, pulsing with a faint crimson light barely visible in the moonlight, rests between Oreon and Celestia.
Oreon groaned softly as he slowly sat up, observing his surroundings.
"Easy now." Celestia murmurs, her hand gently pressing Oreon's back as he tries to rise. "The wound was deep. I've stopped the bleeding and repaired what damage I could, but thanks to the Holy Order's bindings, I'm nowhere near where I once was."
Sylvaine continued to sit with her back against the tree, watching the scene with an unreadable expression. Her sword lies across her lap, cleaned of the blood from the earlier attack.
"Three hours," she states flatly. "That's how long my sister has been keeping you alive. Three hours she could have spent resting or putting distance between us and order."
Celestia gives her sister a weary look. "It was the right thing to do, Sylvanie. Besides, I wouldn't have had to exhaust what strength I had left had it not been for your actions," She chided.
"You should have let him die." She muttered, just loud enough for them to hear.
"Sylvanie." Celestia admonishes gently.'
"What?" Sylvanie finally turns, her crimson eyes still burning with barely contained rage. "You heard him. He's Alaric's Son. The Son of the man who destroyed everything we loved. Took our home from us. He should be dead as payment for that."
Celestia places a cool hand on Oreon's forehead, checking for any signs of a fever.
"How do you feel?' She asks, ignoring her sister's outburst. "I know it's not much, but I do apologize for my sister's rashness." Celestia apologized, earning a withering glare from Sylvanie while Oreon slowly rose, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
"Don't worry about it…" Oreon responded from a sitting position. "It wouldn't be the first time someone wanted my head because of my father's dealings." Glancing at Sylvanie sitting by the tree, Oreon stated, "Though killing me wouldn't have brought him tears of any kind. If anything, he would probably have laughed and finished it off with a good riddance." Oreon sighs. "Besides, you're not the first person to lash out at me because they found out I'm the son of my father."
Oreon's gaze dropped to the makeshift moss bed beneath him. "I'm used to it…." His voice was low at his last statement.
Celestia's expression softens with compassion as she studies his face, her gaze filled with warmth and understanding. "Drink." She urged gently as she reached for a waterskin fashioned from leaves and offered it to him, which he graciously accepted. "You speak of your father's cruelty as if you've experienced it firsthand." She observes quietly. "The scars I found while healing you…They weren't all recent."
Sylvanie shifted against the rough bark of the tree, the crimson in her eyes now tinged with reluctant curiosity, despite her continued wariness. "So, you admit it," she said coldly. "You are his blood."
"Afraid so. Can't say that I asked for it though." Oreon replied as he leaned back a bit.
"Blood doesn't determine who we are," Celestia interjects, her voice gentle but firm. "Actions do."
"Save your philosophical musings, sister," Sylvanie mutters, finally sheathing the sword that she stole. "That don't change what Alaric did to our people. To our father." With a mixture of hatred and curiosity in her eyes, she slowly approached Oreon, stopping a few paces away to study him, her every step measured and deliberate.
"Why would the Purifier's son steal from him? Turn against him?" She demanded. "What game are you playing? And why do you carry scars on your back that match those of slaves?" Sylvanie added perceptively, her crimson eyes narrowing like a hawk's, her gaze intense and unwavering.
"Sylvanie," Celestia chided again.
"No, it's a fair question," Sylvaine insisted. "If you're truly Alaric's enemy, then prove it. Tell us what you plan on doing with the shard. Tell us why you, a human, freed two elves who should mean nothing to you."
A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the quiet rustle of leaves, causing Celestia's eyes to dart between Oreon and her sister before finally settling back on Oreon. "And perhaps," Celestia added, the words a soothing balm against her sister's harshness. "You might tell us your name. It seems we've bypassed that formality, and…Maybe we can use this time to understand each other, I fear…" She paused for a moment. "We cannot move forward without trust between us, so please, share your story and in return, we'll tell you ours." Finishing her sentence, she and her sister watched as Oreon lifted his head with a weary sigh, the sound heavy with unspoken emotion.
"I guess I should start from the beginning, then." He answered, his brown eyes a narrowed slit, studying the two elves as they waited patiently, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the breeze.