Chapter Text
After finally defeating Glenn and bringing peace to the kingdom, Ascheriit and Elseria ventured deeper into the magical forest they had discovered while hunting for Glenn’s hidden lair.
The air was alive with an otherworldly shimmer, the trees glowing faintly as though the forest itself breathed magic.
“Wow… this place is beautiful,” Elseria whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
Ascheriit’s gaze was sharper, thoughtful. “This must be where Glenn sought greater power.”
Elseria nodded slowly. “That would make sense. The air here is overflowing with magical energy.”
They walked on, their boots crunching softly against the mossy earth, until a glimmer of light caught their attention. It pulsed from the side of a mountain in the distance, bright even as night began to descend. Hoping it might lead to shelter, they pressed closer. Soon, rooftops came into view—an entire village, hidden deep in the forest and untouched even by Glenn’s forces.
A sudden rush of air startled them. A tiger-like beast soared overhead, landing behind them with a thunderous thud. Atop its back sat an elf with stark white hair bound into a long ponytail, her sharp pink-red eyes fixed on the pair.
Her voice was firm, commanding. “What brings you here? This is a sacred, protected place.”
Elseria stepped forward with calm composure. “I am Elseria, and this is Ascheriit. We defeated Glenn’s forces, who seemed very interested in this forest, so we came to see it for ourselves. That’s when we discovered your village. We were hoping for a place to rest for the night.”
Ascheriit remained silent behind her, though he couldn’t ignore how the stranger’s gaze lingered on him, sharp and measuring.
After a long pause, the elf relented. “Very well. You may stay for the night. I am… curious about your elven companion.”
With a subtle command, her beast strode back toward the village.
They followed at a measured distance.
“You never gave us your name,” Ascheriit said quietly.
The elf glanced over her shoulder. “Where are my manners? I’m Aeliana. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Elseria offered a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Aeliana guided them through the shadowed trees, the glow of the village drawing nearer with every step. “We rarely receive visitors,” she said. “You’ll stay at my home tonight. Tomorrow, I can introduce you to the others properly.”
A few more minutes brought them to the heart of the village. Lanterns flickered warmly against carved wooden walls, casting the quiet settlement in a serene light.
“Welcome,” Aeliana said, gesturing to a sturdy dwelling. “This is my place. Make yourselves at home.” With that, she left them to their own devices.
Ascheriit and Elseria exchanged a long glance once she was gone.
“I don’t like her,” Ascheriit murmured.
Elseria tilted her head. “Why? She seemed kind enough.”
“She kept staring at me—at my elven features, in particular.”
“Maybe she rarely meets other elves,” Elseria reasoned gently. “Not every person with curiosity harbors bad intentions.”
Ascheriit hesitated, then sighed. “Perhaps. Still… I can’t shake a different feeling. But I’ll trust you.”
Inside, the guest room was simple but clean. Ascheriit locked the door and methodically checked every corner for traps or hidden dangers, finding nothing.
Meanwhile, Elseria slipped beneath the covers, her tone soft but firm. “Come to bed and rest. For now, we’re as safe as we can be.”
After a final wary glance around the room, Ascheriit joined her. Within minutes, exhaustion claimed them both, and the hidden village fell into silence around them.