Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Start of it All

‘Hey Val, when will you ever get a new sword. That old sword of yours is just too weak for you don’t you think? Look at my rapier,’ asked Haquis who came out of nowhere during Valerie’s sword training lessons.

‘Oh shut up Haquis, it means more to me than you ever think,’ Valerie snapped back. ‘Where’s Dylan this time? Skipping lessons again?’

‘Don’t know, don’t care,’ Haquis replied trying to act cool just like Dylan.

‘That’s so lame you know?’ Sefra retorted back at the side making her shots and trying to concentrate. She smiles her sweet smile when she successfully got a bulls-eye, again. ‘Oh I just love it when you smile your sweet smile :D’ said Haquis with a sly grin. Sefra ignored him and continues her training.

‘Well I’m off now. I’m done training today, gotta head to the Tree to have some relaxation time! Yay!’ Valerie exclaimed.

‘You’re going to that place again? Don’t you find it boring? All you get to do is sit there and read books. The way I see it, it’s a waste of time,’ asked Haquis. ‘That’s none of your business thank you.’

‘Oh, do be careful, I think that place is creepy.’ Sefra warned. ‘Want me to tag along to be your, ahem, personal guard?:D’ asked Haquis hopefully. ‘You’re disgusting you know Haquis? Besides, I thought you said that place was boring,’ mocked Valerie with a smile. ‘Hmm, good point. Well, just be careful, ok?’

‘Right.. Meet you guys tonight at the Treehouse ok? And don’t forget to remind Seigheart to come along ok Haquis? And please do try to persuade your brother to come along. He seems lonely all the time.’

‘That’s cause he’s anti-social. And Oh man, do we have to ask Seigheart to come along? He always brings along his ‘pet’.

‘Wow, first time seeing Mr.Tough Guy showing his fear. This must be a miracle! Thank Mya for it!’ teased Valerie. ‘.......’ was all he replied.

‘Hahahah. I think Resha’s cute. Besides, your brother and Seig are best friends,’ said Sefra.
‘But Seig treats his ‘pet’ more like a best friend than Dylan,’ said Haquis with a grin.
‘Oh stop being so mean to your brother.’

‘Brother? We’re just half related. Besides, our personalities are completely different.’

‘We know, no wonder you’re so uncool! Hahahahah,’ teased Valerie again.

‘=.= Who’s the meanie now?’

‘Oh nevermind, meet you guys tonight, k? Its getting late. Ciaoz.’ And off goes Valerie.

Once in a while, Valerie likes going to a location deep inside the forest next to the cemetry. She goes there alone most of the time to an open plains in the forest where there’s a great and magnificent tree called The Great Tree of Caras. Valerie likes climbing the tree and spends the time alone where she clears out all of her thoughts and could just relax and get away from the fast paced and hectic life of the elvish city. But the main reason she goes to this tree is because this is the tree that her mum had sent her and her twin sister. She could still feel a magical force lingering around the tree. Why did her mum send her there? She doesnt know, the priest was the one who brought the 2 sisters up ever since they were a child have no idea why were they sent there because the forest can be filled with trecerous things during the night, but thank Mya he had a vision about this and quickly went to fetch them says the uncle countless of times already. And countless of times Uncle Elune told her not to go to there as it was dangerous for a vulnerable elven maiden to go so far out alone, but never had she listen to his warnings and tells him ‘I’m one of the greatest Elven maiden who knows how to handle a sword. I’ll be carefull. Don’t worry.’

Another reason why he didnt wanted Valerie to go to that location is because the tree is nearly at the boarders of the High-Elven territory. Beyond the border line lines the territory of the vile humans, he claimed. He always tells them stories about how dispeakable, ruthless, cold and cruel humans treat themselves, what more, if they find someone who isn’t even one of them. Not even her sister Vivian could stop her from going to the Great Tree of Caras. She was just too stubborn, just like a spoiled child. She knows that its dangerous, but she didnt care, all she wanted was some time alone. Time when she could meditate.

Whats even more dangerous about Du’Taure is that some people say that they spotted a Dark-Elf one night. Unlike the High-Elves, who live on vegetables and fruits alone, the Dark-Elves live on raw meat and legends say that if they spot a virgin High-Elven maiden, they would do anything to obtain her and would make the poor soul their captive for the rest of her miserable life. The Dark-Elves worship Lavedaxu who’s the completely opposite of the goddess Mya. Though there was once a bloody war between the 2 clans a during The War, there was no report of spotting a Dark-Elf ever since besides this one. But she had heard rumours from the marketplace that the whole of Darkmeth was protected by a barrier which prevents anyone other than the High-Elves to enter the Darkmeth. So it was impossible for any Dark-Elf to enter. They also claimed that a magical weapon was the source of power for the barrier and they will be safe from invations as long as the sword was in place, and only the Guardians knew out its location and on how to remove it. No one else would be able to enter their territory.

What she normally does there is actually lie on one if the broad branches and just closes her eyes and feel the surrounding nature and the comfort and just feel the breeze in her face while reading her books. Since every elf needs their education anyways, so might as well enjoy reading Valerie always thought. She also thinks that the most magnificent view in the whole of Darkmeth is probably the sunset view that you can see from the height of the Great Tree.

When it was about time, she headed back to her uncle’s small cottage that was beside the church. On the way she saw a familiar face at the city’s central fountain.

‘Hey Dylan! What are you doing here? And why didn’t you go for fencing lessons today?’

‘Oh, hi. I didn’t feel like going. I think it’s boring. All they teach there are boring stuffs. I want something new, something exciting, a challenge perhaps,’ said Dylan without paying much attention on her and continue to gaze at the horizon.

‘Err, ok.. You’re going to the Treehouse right? You know, just to hang out with the guys?’
‘Probably, I’ll drop by Seig’s place later before heading there.’

‘Cool, cya later then. Bye.’ And off she continues heading to her cottage with a blush. ‘Oh I hope I didn’t sounded as dumb as i thought,’ prayed Valerie in her heart.

xxxxxx

When she got back, she found Vivian cooking already. So she snuck slowly to her room. ‘And where you think you’re going young lady?’ asked Vivian with a sly grin. ‘You know that you have to learn how to cook one day for your future husband’

‘But I hate cooking! Why can’t the guys do the cooking instead?’

‘That’s cause we have to work and provide the food for the family and protect the family. It had always been that way for million of years already’ answer her uncle who just entered the door with a friendly smile.

‘Oh welcome back Uncle,’ said sisters at the same time. ‘But I have plans for tonight, can’t I learn cooking some other time?’

‘Plans? Don’t tell me you’re going to The Treehouse with that half-human again,’ asked Elune.

‘Oh don’t be so harsh. He didn’t wanted to be a half-human. Besides, he was brought up by elves and educated in the Elven ways.’

‘Why cant you hang out with that Derek guy. He seems nice.’

‘You mean his parents seems nice. I never liked the looks of him. He seems creepy to me, and he spends too much time with that pet dragon of his.’

‘Never refer a dragon as a pet. They are ancient creatures and lived far longer and are much wiser than us elves can ever be.’

‘Okok, sorry. So, can I skip cooking lessons? I’m really exhausted already.’

‘You went to the Great Tree again didn’t you,’ asked her sister.

‘Oh man, don’t tell me you’ve just learnt the ability to read my mind at your witchcraft classes.’

‘Nope, your boots have a leaf sticking out and you have a smell of the forest, so i deduced you went to the Great Tree, again.’

‘How many times must I tell you not to go into the forest. You might get eaten by the creatures in there, or even worse, get kidnapped by Dark-Elves,’ scolded her uncle.

‘Bla bla bla bla.. I know I know, I will take care of myself. Don’t worry so much Uncle. Besides, I heard that we have a barrier protecting our city?’

‘Don’t believe everything that you heard, especially the ones from the bar young lady,’ replied her sister as she cut was peeling potatoes.

‘Okok, so I’ll take that as a yes for being excused from cooking lessons?’

‘Only if you promise to turn up for tomorrow’s dinner.’

‘Thank you!!!! :D’

xxxxxx

It has been their tradition for fears to drink yale together at ‘The Treehouse’ for years already every once in a while where they can just hang out. But Dylan is the one who seldom turns up, more like hardly ever, thought Valerie with a sigh as she was heading towards the place. But they have fun anyways sharing about the past activities and how are their life getting on and stuff.

When she got there, the familiar aroma of the kitchen and many familiar smiling faces are all around with their usual chatter of the recent gossips and rumours. ‘Don’t believe everything you see or hear, don’t believe everything you hear,’ Valerie making a mental note to herself, trying not to act too interested regarding the latests news and issues. She was looking around for her friends and it took her a while cause there was surprisingly quite a lot of people that night.

‘Hey guys,’ exclaimed Valerie as she sat down.

‘Hey beautiful,’ said Haquis smiling.

‘Where’s Dylan and Seig?’

‘Hopefully not coming,’ answered Haquis softly.

‘I heard that. They’re probably running late. Anyways, did you notice the hooded guy over there at the other corner of the room? Never saw him before. He seems, well, bizarre, I think. Can’t tell if he’s sleeping or meditating or thinking,’ asked Sefra.

‘Oh yea, didn’t notice him till now who is he anyways?’

‘No clue,’ both of them answered.

Just then a growl silenced the whole room and in comes a white tiger and a handsome looking young man with a staff entered the room. Sefra always says that his grey eyes are stunning.

‘Hi Seig, Hi Resha’ said Sefra as Sefra took a seat. ‘You’re as cute as ever aren’t you Resha?’ as Sefra was cuddling it.

‘Hey Seig, hows sorcery classes today?’ asked Valerie.

‘The same as usual, boring as ever. Wont they ever teach something interesting?’ Seigheart sighed. Resha just looks at him with an understanding look.

Seigheart’ is a spellcaster who is able to use both healing and dark magic and is in the same class with Vivian. But what is interesting about Seigheart is his ability is to be able to communicate with animals. He spends most of his training with his companion, Resha whom he claimed that he had saved from Trolls during The War once and had never left him.

The group was chattering around and out of nowhere, Dylan suddenly sat down amongst them. ‘Wow, didn’t see you came in brother. Silent entrance as usual eh?’ ‘Whatever’ was all that Dylan replied Haquis.

‘Who’s the the hooded guy over there? Never saw him before.’

‘We were wondering the same thing. Bah, just ignore him. Probably one of those farmers who live at the far end of the city. Anyways, did you hear about.......’ on and on Haquis went about the latest news that he heard throughout the week.

The group hang around later than usual because it was some time since they caught up with one another. But Dylan was acting cool as usual. That’s why Valerie kept asking him questions, so that he wont be left out among the conversation. By that time, nearly more than half of the people who were there already left the place. So the group decided that it was time for them to head back as well.

‘Oh, that hooded guy left already, didn’t see him went out,’ said Haquis.

‘That’s cause you’re too busy with the girls, I’m sure Dylan noticed him walk out as well right?’ asked Seigheart. He just agrees with a nod.

‘Well, whoever he is, he won’t be bothering us. See ya guys!’ and he left with Dylan followed by Seigheart and Resha following behind him.

‘See you tomorrow Sefra!’ said Valerie out loud as she went the other way and waved goodbye to her. ‘This was a fun night, at least Dylan turned up,’ thought Valerie with a happy smile.

She went through the familiar road heading towards her cottage. When she turned at a dark corner, she saw something among the bushes and went to take a look at it. Suddenly, the old hooded elf jumped up and knock her head with his staff and she went out-cold with a ‘Ugh’.

Valerie had a bizarre and somewhat frightening dream during that time. She dreamt she was walking along a path with shadows and mists circulating around her, she could even feel the cold and sadness that these sadness bring. She also saw a perculiar symbol which she can't quite make out because all was a blur. Another thing which she vividly remember a scent from the dream which she had smelt before but could not quite remember where or who the scent came from.

When she woke up, she was at The Great Tree of Caras all alone. At the horizon, she saw an evilish glow of red. At that instant she knew what she was seeing, it was Tirion under fire. She was so shocked that she didn’t know what to do, or even wondered why she was at the Tree. All she wanted to do was go back to find out what happened. So off she went.

She was careful enough to hide in the corner while she was approaching the edge of the forest. When she reached the cemetery, she saw Elves with dark skin who were carrying off prisoners. The Dark-Elves exclaimed Valerie! I thought they were unable to enter unless someone released the barrier? The first person whom she suspected was the hooded guy. She was filled with fear as she was worried about her uncle, her sister and all her friends. And that was the time when she saw the few of the Dark-Elves carrying Vivian and her uncle out of the cottage, apparently unconscious. Other than that, she also saw the Dark-Elves carrying a reddish glowing sword. ‘No!’ shouted Valerie silently. She was just about to go out of her hiding and went to help her sister and uncle when her path was blocked by the hooded guy.

‘Greetings, Valerie.’

‘Who are you? What are you doing here? Why am I doing here? Why have you captured.....’ She was silenced by the man.

‘I’m very sorry to have met you in such circumstances. My name is Azeazel, and I come from another dimention where everything the same as this world, just in a completely opposite way. I am here to warn you about the invasion of the Dark-Elves, and you’re the only one who could stop all this mayhem.’

‘But why didn’t you told me earlier in the bar just now? This doesn’t make any sense. I must be dreaming’

‘Unfortunately, this is no dream. All this is real, I was weakened by my journey here and was unable to sense your presence at the bar and was in need of rest. Only after I’ve left the place that I just noticed it was you. The world from where I’m from is the future of Tirion 30 years later, thats if you don’t do something about it.’

‘But what can I do? I know nothing about all this and you might be some sort of trick and is one of them.’

‘Well then, if you don’t believe me, come with me back to the Great Tree, that’s where I can gather enough energy from the Tree to be able to teleport us to the other world.’

‘But you could still not prove to me that what you’re saying is true. Why should I trust you?’

‘Very well. ‘Vashikem, omletvis swordis!’ chanted Azeazel as staff glowed and in his hands, her sword materialized in his hands and he handed it over to her. ‘This is your sword is it not? Is this enough proof for you?’

Valerie couldn’t say anything. Never had she seem such magic that could materialize something out of nowhere.

‘I’ll take that as a yes. Come, let us go. Our time is limited, we must be swift’ And off they headed back towards the Great Tree of Caras. When they reached there, Azeazel was sweating and looked worried.

‘Before we teleport to the next world, I would warn you, the place where we’ll reach is not the safe place to be. It is a world dominated by the Dark-Elves and their king, Weil Xela. You must go and find the rebel group and convince them that you’re the only one who could help save them.’

‘But won’t you be there with me as well?’

He didn’t answer her and he chanted a spell and his staff glowed with a luminous green. At the same time, the whole tree glowed and a purple symbol appeared bellow them and all of a sudden, they were gone. All that Valerie could feel was a tingling sensation and she felt really dizzy.....

When they reached the place, the first thing that she noticed was that the whole palce was really really dark and all the trees there seemed dark and glowed with an evilish purple. The only tree that looked the same was The Great Tree of Caras itself. But her attention was drawn by the coughing and wheezing of Azeazel. He seemed really really tired and he suddenly collapsed without a word.

‘Hey, Azeazel, are you ok? You seem....’ She was forced to stop because she heard a sound nearby the trees. When she thought everything was fine already and drew her attention back to Azeazel’s coughing, a group of half a dozen Dark-Elves jumped out of among the trees and seized both her and Azeazel.

‘Hoho, look what we have here. An Elf-Maiden, and a young one too, The king shall be pleased,’ said one of them with a smile. ‘Let go of me you filthy beasts,’ shouted Valerie.

‘And she fights too, the king loves naughty ones,’ said another one of them with a mockery laugh. ‘Bring the other old elf as well, he might be useful, and his staff can be of some value. And we can go celebrate our success with the reward that the king is going to give us,’ said the same Dark-Elf happily.

‘Yea, but don’t you think we can still play around with the girl a little before we hand her over?’ grinned the third Dark-Elf. ‘No, you know that the king wants only virgins, he’ll have our head if he finds out that she was raped by us. We’ll just claim our reward and drink to our success!’ said the first Dark-Elf who’s apparently the leader because the others agreed with him.
‘Noo, let go of me! Let go of me!!’

‘Oh put a cork in it,’ said the leader as he grabbed her and tied a clothe over her mouth and eyes. ‘Thats better, we getting get moving before all the pretty ladies are taken.’

xxxxxx