Chapter 2. The Arrest

"Are you somehow an oracle?" How can a trash like me become an ardent leader? "

She coughed again, then tightened her grip on the back of the sofa. I see it when I see it. If it doesn't happen, it's my failure. "

With her eyes tightly shut, she steeled herself for the impending agony. A breath caught in her throat as she prepared for what lay ahead. Then, a sensation, as if the fabric of reality itself was being woven anew, rippled through her. She gasped, a rush of awe and astonishment surging within her.

A delicate touch, cool and gentle as a whisper of wind, brushed against her cheek. And then, like starlight tracing a path, a trickle of tears, silvery and radiant, graced her skin. It was as if the very essence of enchantment coursed through her veins, an ethereal symphony of emotions that left her breathless.

Legends whispered that a royal elf's blood held a value beyond measure, a currency of unparalleled significance, worth its weight in the purest gold. And in the same sacred breath, it was told that an elf's tears, each a crystalline gem of their deepest emotions, carried a worth equal to the most precious silver. The realization of this, the weight of it all, settled upon her like a mantle of both responsibility and wonder.

The air around her seemed to shimmer with magic, a tapestry woven from threads of surprise and revelation. Her heart beat in time with the secrets of the cosmos, each pulse echoing with the thrill of discovery. In this moment, she was a vessel of ancient mysteries, a bridge between the mundane and the extraordinary.

The silvery tears continued their descent, a river of dreams made manifest. Each droplet carried a fragment of her essence, a testament to her connection to realms beyond mortal comprehension. And as the tears traced their path, she knew that her journey was no longer bound by the ordinary, that she had stepped into a realm of enchantment and destiny.

As the last tear fell, a sense of purpose swelled within her—a fervent whisper of excitement and trepidation intertwined. The world had shifted, its boundaries expanded, and she was now a part of a tale far grander than she could have imagined. With newfound resolve, she opened her eyes, the world before her aglow with the promise of adventure and magic yet to come."Why are you crying?" I asked. My curiosity was obtrusive.

"My intention for the poor people of Springgan..." she sobbed. I heard the sadness and frustration in her voice. "The gift I have will go to waste." But now I see you and the light in you, Idrish. "

Her hand extended towards mine, a delicate invitation cloaked in anticipation. As her warm fingers closed around mine, a shiver of awe and surprise traced its way up my arm. It was as if an invisible current, sparked by an otherworldly connection, surged through our touch. I stood in deliberate silence, allowing the magic of the moment to wash over me.

In the wake of her touch, a gilded path of light unfurled, a spectral gauntlet materializing between us. Its every contour gleamed with a luminescent brilliance, each segment a symphony of illuminated filigree. I could feel the veins in my wrist respond, a tingle of energy like a celestial thread weaving through my very being.

A fleeting discomfort prickled across my hand, a sensation that threatened to unravel the enchantment woven between us. Yet, before I could recoil, the royal elf's hand held mine in an unbreakable grasp. In an instant, we were enmeshed in a web of crackling electrical currents, our essences entwined in a dance of energies beyond mortal comprehension.

The sheer intensity of the moment rendered me speechless, my breath caught between astonishment and the raw surge of magic. It was a tableau of the extraordinary, a convergence of realms that left me trembling on the precipice of disbelief. And then, as if the universe itself marveled at the spectacle, a cascade of tears—silver and gold—streamed from the royal elven woman's eyes.

The ethereal tears shimmered in the air, a crystalline testament to the emotions that transcended the boundaries of our worlds. A fragile smile graced her lips, a curve that seemed to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and newfound purpose. Her words held the weight of ages, a proclamation of her mission guided by the stars themselves.

The revelation left me spellbound, my senses tingling with the vibrations of an unseen symphony. The truth that unfurled before me, woven with threads of fate and destiny, rendered me a mere observer in a realm of cosmic design. As the royal elven woman began to dissolve, her form fading into particles of golden light, I stood frozen in a mix of terror and reverence.

A surge of panic and awe coursed through me as I realized the significance of what had transpired. The weight of responsibility settled onto my palm, a sensation that held both the weight of ages and the promise of the unknown. My hand felt laden with purpose, as if a mantle of destiny had been placed upon it.

A gasp escaped my lips as I stared at my hand, the realization washing over me like a tidal wave. The magic of the elven realm had left its indelible mark, and the metal gauntlet that now encased my hand pulsed with a mystic energy. As I raised my gaze from my hand to the vanishing form of the royal elf, a mixture of thrill, anxiety, and a hint of excitement filled my being.

The world around me seemed to shift, a tapestry of enchantment weaving my ordinary life into a destiny far grander than I could have fathomed. The electrifying touch of the elven magic remained imprinted on my soul, a testament to the extraordinary journey that awaited me.

***

The night was a tapestry of restless wonder, where dreams intertwined with the realms of imagination. Sleep's embrace, potent with both exhaustion and anticipation, held me captive in its deepest chasms, as if the very fabric of reality had woven itself into my slumber.

In the hushed corners of night, a whisper of starlight danced upon my senses. Dreams, vivid and enigmatic, brushed against my consciousness, their tendrils beckoning me into a world of magical mysteries.

"Behold, the queen has departed our realm!" A shrill cry, slicing through the velvety stillness, jolted me from the depths of my dreamscape. Cali's voice, a symphony of fear and surprise, reverberated in the room. She clutched a tissue, as if it were an anchor in a sea of the extraordinary.

Within an instant, a blaze of gold and flames painted my vision, a radiant spectacle that etched itself onto my mind's canvas. The enigmatic woman, whose very presence defied the bounds of reality, dissolved into the ethereal currents of the beyond. A farewell, shrouded in the brilliance of her existence, marked the end of her earthly sojourn.

A tempest of emotions brewed within me, a maelstrom of astonishment and awe. The impossible had transpired, leaving an indelible mark upon my consciousness. Yet, amidst the surreal, a decision crystallized—a resolve to shield Cali and Poras from the weight of this revelation.

Unspoken vows took root within my heart, each a testament to the commitment that bound me to my siblings. The burden of knowledge need not become the yoke that stifled their youth. The torrent of events had left them battered and emotionally spent, their fragile spirits ill-equipped for the magnitude of the enigma that had unfolded.

The echoing call of responsibility resounded through the chambers of my soul, a reminder that I was bound by a sacred trust. A commitment to guard them from the storm that raged beyond their understanding, a tempest whose origins they would never fathom.

Cali, with her youthful vulnerability, bore the brunt of this perplexing reality. Poras, strong as he was, shouldered his own concerns. But as the eldest, it was my solemn duty to offer them solace, to shield them from the tempest that raged on the horizon.

An oath, etched in the sacredness of sibling love, bound me to this task. I couldn't forsake them, couldn't allow them to face the unknown without the refuge of my guidance. The night's revelations may have thrust us into an adventure beyond our imagining, but my purpose remained unwavering—to protect my family from the chaos that awaited.

With the world still steeped in shadows, I leaned into the resolve that kindled within me. The challenges that lay ahead were vast and enigmatic, their contours as unpredictable as the shifting sands of destiny. Yet, despite the uncertainty, a fire burned within me—an ember of determination that refused to be extinguished.

As the night embraced me once more, the echo of Cali's scream faded into the backdrop of the surreal. The stars outside shone with a renewed brilliance, their celestial dance an ode to the mystical journey that had just begun.

"I told you, Idrish, those royals cannot be trusted. They've fooled us once! " I heard Poras from the kitchen. He washed the dishes.

"She traveled at dawn. It's not safe for her to stay here. It's not safe for us even, "I lied." It would be one of the many white lies I had to tell to settle everything in peace. It won't hurt them to take those lies. I wanted them to live normally and peacefully without risking their lives because of someone else's ideology. I didn't want them to be like my father—dead because of his principles.

When I saw they believed my lie, I stood up at once. My hands were still heavy from holding it. I felt the familiar flutter of terror in my chest. It came from the Royal Stranger. The thought of her vanishing into dust still gives me the creeps.

I looked at my hands intently, expecting to see the same radiance as last night. In the next few days, I'm sure to learn the nature of the woman's magic on me. I just pray that my Cali and Poras won’t be harmed due to this.

"Are you hunting today, Idrish?" Cali was busy picking up the rags we used last night. There were still traces of the golden liquid there.

Observing my younger sister, I conveyed my agreement with a solemn shake of my head. The remnants of the rag, its purpose served, found their fiery fate at Cali's hands. The sparks danced upward, a mystical waltz of transformation as the half-used fabric dissolved into the embrace of flames. The argument that had waged within me had been quelled, my objections silenced, for prudence dictated that no vestiges of the elven royalty be allowed to linger within our haven. Perhaps it was a strategic act, a measure to conceal any trace that could lead pursuers to our door. Those who sought the vanished royal queen might soon unveil this thread and prepare their response.

But then, as swiftly as an arrow's flight, I froze. My heart orchestrated a symphony of its own, a rapid rhythm that surpassed the cadence of normality. Panic, swift and unforeseen, seized me in its clutches. A shiver raced down my spine, a silent warning echoing in my very bones.

Tracker! The thought erupted like lightning, electrifying my senses. A hunter, subtle and shadowed, had emerged from the realm of possibility into the landscape of reality. Whispers had reached my ears, tales spun of elven sentinels who bore an emblem, an arcane sigil capable of unveiling the identity of any elf, be they crowned or common. A herald of doom, their presence signified danger beyond measure, a peril that brooked no escape.

With deft fingers, I plucked the last vestige of cloth from the pile before Cali. A sudden acceleration of my pulse was a beacon of urgency, a resonating drumbeat that reverberated through my chest. The queen's enemies, like bloodhounds scenting a trail, could not be permitted to trace our steps, to pursue us to the ends of the earth.

In the crucible of the moment, decisions crystallized. Our destiny hung in the balance, teetering between revelation and concealment. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon me, a mantle of guardianship that I dared not forsake. For my sister's safety, for the sake of my home, I resolved to thwart the unseen predator, to outwit the tracker that lurked within the shadows.

The tapestry of our existence had taken an unforeseen turn, spiraling into a dance of danger and daring. The thrum of excitement mingled with the chill of trepidation, a heady cocktail that spurred me into action. No more could I linger in the complacency of obscurity; my life had become a tapestry woven with threads of magic and menace.

With the remnants of cloth clutched tightly in my grip, I felt the surge of purpose that coursed through my veins. Like a sentinel of old, I stood ready to defy fate itself, to shield my family from the encroaching storm. In this precarious moment, my resolve was unshakable—a beacon of hope against the encroaching shadows, a symbol of defiance against the very heavens that conspired to test us.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Cali asked. She seemed to be scared after seeing my reaction. Her beautiful almond eyes become wary as her jaw starts to drop.

I had to move fast and divert the track. I need to distract and keep the tracker away from our home, away from my siblings.

It is serious! I wanted to clench my fists but restrained myself to not show Cali. The last thing Poras would have liked to see was me upset while he was busy performing his tasks.

A pair of daggers, my heavy coat, and the woolly beanie my late mother sewed prevented me from answering my brother immediately. After double-checking that I had everything I needed, I went to see Cali, who kept his mouth shut.

I felt the ache in my chest begin to grow. I felt as though my being had been sucked into the turbulence. This may be the last time I see my siblings alive, given the dangers lurking outside. Despite my best hopes to the contrary, I knew I should prepare for the worst.

Instinctively, I started to cry. What the hell did I do? In my carelessness, I had nearly jeopardized Poras' and Cali's lives. I can't believe what I've done.

"Idrish, are you okay?" Cali seemed to have felt my uneasiness. With her gaze, it looked like he already knew I had a problem that I was trying to hide.

"I know you've been keeping it to yourself. Please tell me you'll get through this one?"

Unsaid. Untold disquietude. Cali knew I would not tell her everything, but she was asking for assurance that I would be safe and get through it as usual. I sighed and tried to fake a smile. I quickly knelt to hug my brother.

Tears started running down my cheeks. I squeezed into my brother's clothes sleeves to wipe them and hide them from him. When I was confronted, I tried not to cry. "I will be okay. But remember, always remember what I have been telling you, ‘Look after Cali?"

After a moment, she nodded. I gave Cali a tight hug goodbye and made plans to go. I glanced away from the younger girl and noticed Poras staring at me. This time, his eyes are filled with confusion. Doubtful. Questioning.

"Leaving too early, eh?" a rhetorical question that seems obvious to me. But I could feel the worry in his eyes when he saw me holding the rags with the golden blood on them.

This could be my last. I was doomed. The royal family of the tenth may discover my deception and end my life. I wish I had luck, but who could outrun an army of royal elves? A rated elven cannot, meaning an unranked commoner like myself has little chance of surviving.

I tried to hold back the tears, but they kept rolling down my cheeks. I saw that I had no problem with Cali watching my back. The muscles in my lips quivered as I forced myself to suppress the tears. Poras was of an age where he could comprehend everything, but seeing the expression on his face at that moment made it harder for me to hold back the tears.

Poras averted his gaze. He was aware of the circumstances and most likely contemplated all that may go wrong with me once I left the house. He could feel the tension in the air. In addition, he was aware that I was acting in this manner for both him and Cali. After that, he let out a deep sigh, and suddenly, he grabbed me and gave me a bear hug. He towers over me in both height and girth. I was entirely enveloped in the comfort that he provided. This was his very first and, from all appearances, final hug to me.

"I'm sorry, Poras... I am such a mess." I uttered with a steady voice.

The man, for his part, dried his eyes. His voice cracked as he made the vow, "Drish, I've got her covered. To put it simply, live. Until you return, we will wait here."

"Wipe everything that has the scent of her. Stay safe," I said.

When Poras broke our embrace, I wasted no time getting out of the house. I thought I heard Cali calling me as if she knew something terrible was about to happen. After eighteen long years of hopes and tears, I finally managed to escape the house that had been our haven.

It is possible that I will not be able to return.

On my arrival, a fierce snowstorm met me. The cold wind is hitting me in the face and stinging my skin. I didn't waste any time getting to the woods where I'd encountered the elven king. As I made my way to what might be my final resting place, I sobbed the entire way uncontrollably.

When I first entered that woodland, I nearly lost my breath. It's the same metal snare as the one I used the day before. Because of the snow, it is hard to see if an elven army has gone through the area.

I was compelled to close my eyes and focus on the sound of the wind. Only the whistling of the fierce wind was audible to me. No traces of human or animal traffic were found, and no domestic bears or wolves served as transportation for the royal army.

I still have a chance to survive.

In a calm tone, I tore up the rag the mysterious woman had used the night before. I began tying the pieces of bleeding cloth further south from the metal trap. To throw off the tracker, I tied them every ten meters.

I wandered for about five kilometers south. I was ten kilometers away from my residence. It was eventually enough to keep my two brothers safe.

When I finished, I sat in the shade of a massive boulder. That's a long way from the last bloodied rag I hung up. I leaned against the cold, hard stone, taking a few long breaths. My eyes were shut. That's how I felt: weak and drained. My stomach felt hungry and empty. Perhaps I'll still be alive when someone who can help me discovers me. That was a fortunate break for me.

A nap seemed in order, so I went ahead and took one. In my dream, the elven monarch suddenly collapsed and vanished. I don't have a clue how long I slept under the boulder.

A cold metal stick was beneath my chin as I woke up. Attempting to protect my neck from the sword's blade, I recoiled. One of my automatic responses was triggered. To put it bluntly, I felt that I was about to die.

As I opened my eyes, I saw a flash of silver. The blade was pointed directly at my face, and instinctively I snatched it away. The incredible sharpness of the blade tore through the heavy gloves protecting my hands.

I rolled away from the knife and looked around for more attackers. Ten of them altogether. Ready to kill: ten elven warriors. The formation was as follows: three in front, four behind, two to the left, and one to the right. The odds of making it out alive were highest on the right side.

My hands landed on the stony ground as I sprang to the right. When I dropped my arms, I used a quick swivel of my foot to dispatch the elfin fighter. This swift kick mimicked a roundhouse but was executed horizontally.

The man I hit fell. Before it could get up, I quickly turned around towards its back. I grabbed my daggers from the sheath and took one of the blades on its neck; the other dagger served as a warning. The dagger pointed at the other warriors.

"She got one of us!" exclaimed one. He was holding a bow, ready to stab me in any part of my body.

"She's no ordinary commoner. She's fast and strong. Dune, are you okay?" asked one while talking to the man I pointed the dagger at.

"Dune will die if you don't move one hundred meters away!" I screamed. I needed one hundred meters to try and save myself. Though the elven warriors were known to be very fast, I was not born and raised fragile, so a hundred meters was enough for me. "Move!"

"Then kill Dune!" loudly shouted the man who pointed the sword at me earlier. He looked bored as he spoke. "Oh, commoner, I'm bored. Go on! Kill him!"

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, an undeniable proclamation that reverberated through my being. My carefully crafted plan, woven with threads of stratagem, lay shattered at my feet. Failure stared me down, its unrelenting gaze a bitter pill to swallow. In the crucible of this confrontation, the tide had turned against me, leaving me grasping for a lifeline.

With a sharp intake of breath, I sealed my eyes shut, determination igniting within me like a beacon in the night. A decision, resolute and unwavering, coalesced within the corridors of my mind. If destiny demanded that my journey find its terminus here, in the heart of danger, then I would face it head-on. Better to stand shoulder to shoulder with an elven warrior of equal stature in my final moments than to bend to falsehood and deceit. The price of honesty, I knew, might be steep, and forgiveness might remain an elusive specter. But such sacrifices were to be expected in the tapestry of this treacherous existence.

And so, with resolve alight like a star in the firmament, I braced myself for the inevitable. My fingers tightened around the hilt of the dagger, a stark embodiment of my choice. Yet, before I could embark on this grim path, a force unlike any other surged through me—a surge of energy, a current of power that defied explanation. A visceral shockwave, as if lightning itself had chosen me as its conduit, coursed through my spine with electrifying intensity. My very bones felt aflame, and a sensation of excruciating pain rendered me temporarily senseless.

The agony, an indescribable torrent of sensations, reached its zenith, painting my world in shades of disorienting chaos. The boundary between pain and panic blurred, and I was on the precipice of surrendering to the onslaught. The raw intensity of electrical shocks assaulted my senses, the pain so profound that it threatened to breach the walls of my composure. It was as if the universe itself had conspired to wring every ounce of strength from my form, reducing me to a trembling vessel at the mercy of this otherworldly force.

As the torment continued, a peculiar sensation clawed at my consciousness—the unsettling feeling of strength waning, vitality ebbing away like the tides of a receding ocean. I grappled with the cruel reality that my physical prowess, once a steadfast ally, was being leached from me, my body succumbing to the relentless tide. A numbness crept through my limbs, an ominous harbinger of surrender that loomed on the horizon.

In the midst of this maelstrom, a flicker of celestial light pierced the gloom, illuminating my gaze as I lifted it heavenward. The sky itself seemed to crack open, revealing a radiant luminescence that was both breathtaking and haunting. In that luminous moment, my lips moved of their own accord, uttering the names of my beloved siblings—Cali and Poras—a whispered invocation that carried the weight of a thousand prayers.

And then, as the darkness embraced me like a long-lost friend, I surrendered to its embrace, my consciousness fading into the abyss. The threads of reality and the tapestry of fate intertwined in that last breath, leaving me suspended between realms, a conduit of both power and vulnerability.