Elena limped out of her burning town. Her entire body hurt, she had been badly burnt after escaping a burning house. Every little gust of wind sent searing pain through her. Orcs had just pillaged her town and brutally killed all who resisted. Her friend of 4 years, Charlotte was dragged away to slavery, if she even survived getting to the orc's village. She couldn't shake the images of watching everyone she's ever known or loved getting brutally shot, decapitated, or cooked alive. Gun fire still rang in her ears and from her former town. She had a blank stare in her eyes while she slowly hobbled away from the now bright orange elven town. Then, she fell. Down a ditch; a steep, deep ditch. She broke her left arm. Elena cried out in agony. Elena curled into a ball, soaking mud into her prayer clothes. The trench had provided the slightest comfort from the cold wind. But at the same time, the mud was sinking into her cuts and burns. Then, a horse neighed. Horse footsteps sounded through the ditch. Elena wished she would fall through the silt. Her bright, almost neon green coat was sure to give her away. The footsteps of the stallion got louder and louder, though, even though she couldn't see the rider, he didn't seem to notice her. Every sound possible was dampened by her concentration on the steed's footsteps. Silence came over the trench. Then, she let out a whimper. And immediately, she knew it was over. The horse's footsteps stopped. And Elena felt the orc's glare digging into her back.
Apocalypse Studios presents
Fever Land; Elves
Elena swallowed, hard. Her throat was dry, and it burnt. Elena heard the horseman dismount and slowly advance towards her. Elena heard the mud squish beneath the orc's feet. Snap! A twig under the orc popped.
"My, you survived!" said a polished voice.
Orcs didn't have polished voices; their voices were unpleasant and often broke up while talking as polished as an orc could. Elena turned, taking a chance. Slowly she opened her eyes. A short, slightly wide man stood before her. A long red beard, some overalls, and a coat. She was instantly relieved. It was just a dwarf. They didn't live on this island though.
"We should go." said the dwarf, pointing to his steed.
"Yeah, yeah." Elena replied.
The dwarf helped Elena up onto the horse and used the horse whip. Crack! Elena felt the sudden acceleration and was filled with pain. She yelped and the dwarf stopped the horse. He looked down at the large burns covering her body. He pulled off his coat and tossed it over to her. Elena put down her prayer clothes, most likely stained forever under her and put over the enormous jacket. It sagged down the sides and was also now probably stained for life with Elena's blood and pus from popped blisters.
"Th-thanks." she muttered out.
"Don't mention it." said the dwarf.
"Re-really."
"Rest for now, I have a boat ready. We'll talk later."
Elena leaned onto the dwarf and quickly fell asleep. She awoke in an old run down dark elven town overlooking the edge of a cliff. It wasn't a tall cliff, just about 30 or 20 feet. A sailboat was cradled in a tight dock in a cove. Some steps lead down to the dock. A man from below walked out onto the deck and looked up. He motioned for the 2 to come down. The dwarf grabbed the horse's lead and slowly lead it down the stairs. Elena hesitated for a moment but began walking down. Right then, she heard beeping. Elena checked behind her. Someone in a midnight black hoodie stared at the two. It began pressing some device repeatedly. Morse code. Elena didn't know morse code, but she's heard it.
"... .... . .----. ... / .-.. --- --- -.- . -.. / -... . .... .. -. -.. --..-- / .-- . / -- .- -.-- / .... .- ...- . / -... . . -. / ..-. --- ..- -. -.." that was all.
"Let's go!" shouted the dwarf, already halfway down.
Elena was petrified. She knew what it was. A dark Elve.
".-- . .-.. .-.. / .-- .... .- - / .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / .-- .- .. - .. -. --. / ..-. --- .-. ..--.. / --. . - / .... . .-. -.-.--"
Then, he charged. Right at her. She reached out her right arm and grabbed the man by his neck. He smiled and pulled her off, easily. She threw a punch, hopelessly and was met with the same burning pain she felt while escaping her burning house. The Elve had pushed her elbow against his knee breaking her last working hand. She screamed. The Elve, not seeming satisfied enough, kicked her burns and pistol whipped her with his revolver. As Elena whimpered on the ground, the Elve laughed. He had a genuine laugh. A sadistic laugh. He slapped his knees and all.
"Well, I've had my fun." he said raising his revolver and pointing it at Elena.
"Or wait, have I?" he questioned, rubbing his chin.
Elena coughed out blood.
"Remember me?" he asked bending down.
His grey skin had an engraving of a tree on his nose bridge. Elena looked at the mark. She knew damn well what it was, she just couldn't get anything out.
"Damn it, that's right, that was your stupid dad. He charged out into the field, spear and all in hand. If only he hadn't tried me. And after, your mom, oh your mom! She begged and begged for her life. She was all like; 'Please, I have a child at home, a baby, she needs me! I she doesn't have a mom! Please oh I beg of you!' If only if only. Your race really needs to be put back in place. We came along first; we saw the volcanoes that formed the island. We adapted, we learned, we changed. When the 'normal Elves' came along saw the advanced species and felt bad for not being as adapted we killed them, but you've always came back. Elves are persistent. Hey, look at me, I'm not done."
Elena was distracted. She watched the dwarf running up the stairs.
"Hey!"
The dark Elve turned his head and quickly drew his revolver. Bang! Bang! Bang! 3 shots were fired. One hit the dark Elve in the shoulder. The dwarf fired two more. One in the chest and one right through his eye. The dark Elve fell. He was still alive. Elena ran next to him. She picked his head off the ground. He mumbled out; "You dirty, dirty, fu--"
Elena broke his neck. She felt fulfilled, like she had dealt with a curse. The dwarf lead Elena down to the boat. He started talking about his life before wounding up as a merchant. He had quite the life. He lived in Landu and worked in ruby mines for the royals. Then the revolution happened, and he quickly snatched up some gems before buying a ticket aboard The Freedom. Once they had gotten to the boat Elena stood before the ship. The horse was tied to the mast. The sail had a sizeable imprint of a long sea creature. The bottom of the ship was teal and spotted with a calm shade of blue. She stepped onto a rickety old wooden ramp and stepped onto the deck. She had laid on a bed and fell asleep again.
Elena woke up all bandaged up. Gauze and other supplies surrounded her. She began pulling herself up. The first step she took narrowly missed a bucket full of vomit and waste. Elena slowly stumbled into a separate room where eleven dwarves sat tightly cramped around a compact makeshift poker table.
"Oh, you're awake!" bellowed a dwarf.
"Yeah, but you should still rest, we have another day of traveling tomorrow 'till we reach Nofi." said another.
Elena tried speaking but nothing came out.
"I'll help you to the bed." said another, the one that saved her.
"What did you do with the gems?" asked Elena.
"Oh, I bought this beauty."
"Well that surely couldn't have costed all the gems you took."
"Yeah, I got this crew, best money I've spent. I was lonely before, but now, now I have loyal crew that I travel the world with. But I do have some left over. I've been saving for when I settle down and start a family."
"Mhh, must feel good knowing what you want to do." Elena said.
"Yeah, but what about you? You still have lots of years ahead of you."
Elena laid onto her bed.
"My entire clan was exterminated. What future do I have?" asked Elena.
The dwarf sat down next to her. He fiddled with his extensive beard.
"A sailor?" he asked.
Elena looked at him. She smiled.
"Thanks." she said.
The dwarf chuckled; "Well I better get to the helm; Alrik needs his rest. Go to sleep."
The next day, the ship had docked in a cove similar to the one in the dark Elven town.
Elena woke up. She wasn't being moved by the waves and a fresh pair of clothes were folded at the foot of her bed. She quickly changed into her clothes and realized her burns had started healing. They still hurt if touched from specific angles, but they had begun healing. She looked down at her legs; the wounds had cured unnaturally quick. She only gave it a moment but just brushed it off as luck. She picked up some coins that had spilled from a note left by one of the dwarves; Brokkr; "We left for some trading. Eitri should still be in the bottom deck. Take him if you want to go out. Help yourself to the cash."
Elena sat back down on her bed. She wanted to go out. But she didn't want to wake the dwarf up. Elena laid down and tried sleeping. Nothing. Then, she heard the horse snicker. She slowly got out of bed and went above to the top deck. She saw the beautiful stallion tied to the mast. She also turned her head to the sight of a large seaside city with small stalls selling food.
"Hey..." she whispered.
The steed looked her dead in the eye and Elena could've sworn she's heard some mumbling. She fell back in shock. The mumbling continued. Elena backed away from the horse as the mumbling became clearer.
"Why... why would... why would you... how could... how could you... leave... leave him..."
Elena's breathing deepened. Her heart began beating out of her chest. The world around her started falling apart. Then, Elena fell off the deck. She slipped between the starboard side and the dock. She fell unconscious. The onlookers only watched in terror while a girl drowned.
"Someone do something!" yelled a shopkeeper.
"You do something old man!" yelled a pedestrian.
Then someone jumped in. They grabbed Elena and pulled her out. Elena coughed out water.
"Thanks." she said.
"Heh, don't mention it."
That's a strange way to respond. Elena looked at her savior. A dark Elve; same engraving. Elena tried screaming for help but quickly was gagged by the Elve's hand. She tried shaking. Her body wouldn't move.
"Last Elve huh?" he said.
Elena knew exactly what he meant. She must've been the only survivor of that attack. She was indeed the last "normal" Elve left. Elena's body would only let out a single tear in which the Elve flicked it out to the sea. Then, Elena started twitching. She felt much more alive suddenly. She grabbed the Elve's arm and slowly pulled it off. The Elve looked down and screamed; "Freak!" He ran off into the crowd of bystanders. Elena threw up into the ocean. Blood had been splotched over her entire face. Elena let go of the arm. Splash! Everyone looked on, shocked. Police sirens blared. 2 cars had stopped before the crowd. The sheriff and 3 other police men came out pointing their guns at Elena. One put his gun in his belt and turned to face the crowd. Elena was thrown into the backseat of the cop car, and they entered the sailboat. Eitri was forced to come along with Elena in the back seat.
"Eitri right?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"The horse, it tried talking, and it got a couple of words out."
"Probably some Elven ability. Thorin would know. He has thousands of books on the different races."
"What about me ripping off the Elve's arm?"
Eitri went silent.
"Eitri?" asked Elena.
"Hello?" she asked, waving her hand in front of him.
"Oh, yeah?"
"What about my super strength and healing?"
"Uh... anything else you want to know?"
"Answer me Eitri, please; what about my super strength and healing?"
"Fine, but don't tell the others, especially Brokkr I said this okay?"
"Fine."
"Brokkr, the one that saved you put Alulu flowers in your water, they'll start taking a negative impact soon enough."
"What kind of impacts?" asked Elena behind gritted teeth.
"Fatigue, most of all."
"And none of you thought to inform me?"
"Brokkr gave us a reason to live, we owe our utmost loyalty to him. You know where I was when he came knocking on my door?" asked Eitri.
"No, but you should've had told me if it causes me to hit a weaker point than I already was at on Thunder Island."
"I was going to hang myself in my own apartment!" yelled Eitri.
Elena went quiet. Eitri began sobbing a million tears a second.
"Damn it, we saved your life, your race, and this is how you repay us! You've already turned Brokkr into some softy and the rest of the men can't get drunk anymore because Brokkr said that's a bad influence on you! All you've done is tear apart our once inseparable group! And even then, the men just go ahead with it and don't bat an eye, and it's only been a day!"
"Alright drama birds, let's get going."
cops escorted the two into a castle. There stood a girl, she was next to a man, most likely the king. She was dressed in a similar shade of blue as the bottom of the boat. She also had a small golden crown over the white hair. The king sat in the throne.
"Okay, thank you." said the king.
Two cops stood next to Elena and Eitri.
"Listen Scarlet!"
The girl; Scarlet, snapped into reality. She turned her head quickly and the crown slipped off. She juggled it a couple of times before finally getting her grip on the thing.
"Begin." ordered the king.
"Yes, your majesty." said the officer next to Elena.
"This one ripped off a dark Elve's arm. We don't have any context besides there was most likely a previous scuffle between the girl and the Elve's gang. And the other one is just the guardian."
"Gang?" asked the king, cartoonishly shocked, "Well, I won't tolerate any gangs in my nation. But my time is coming, I must teach my daughter how to judge, Scarlet?"
Scarlet seemed to have drifted off again.
"Damn it Scarlet!"
"Huh? Oh, uh... she's fine, find that gang." said Scarlet, completely out of it."
"Ugh! Do as she says, let them go, find a dark Elven gang, allow me to talk to my daughter."
The cops helped the two into the car and began driving.
"I watched my brother die." said Elena.
"I could've saved him. But I cowardly ran out of that house. I could only watch his last moments as he screamed while hopelessly rolling on the ground. He didn't even get a proper funeral. He was only 6."
Eitri looked at her with eyes that said, "I'm sorry."
The rest of the ride was quiet.
Elena felt sudden dread when she saw the boat. 11 dwarves stood in front of it seeming all stressed out. Brokkr saw Elena first when she stepped out. He ran towards her; "Oh, I thought you'd died!"
Brokkr tried hugging her, but she pushed him away.
"You really couldn't ask me first, huh?"
Brokkr looked confused.
"Oh, don't look at me like that! You know! Those Lala flowers or whatever! Now, I'll suffer! You really suck you know that right?!" she yelled.
"You can go spend your rubies on someone else, I'm leaving."
Brokkr grasped his chest.
"Don't play with me." said Elena, turning to the streets.
Brokkr began following behind her.
"Wait, please,"
"No." sobbed Elena.
A tear fell from her face. She turned her back and stuck her thumb out. A small black car pulled over and unlocked their doors. Elena entered and cursed Brokkr one last time before the car started up again and left.
"Rough day?" asked the driver.
"Yeah." exhaled Elena.
"Where you headed?" asked the driver.
"Pfft, I don't know, wherever you're going?"
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine. I didn't have to watch them die."
The driver hushed briefly before asking, who was the dwarf?"
"Foster parents."
"Oh, uh... should I turn back?"
"No, they lost custody." forced Elena.
"Oh, uh, O.K but just making sure, the foster agency is fine with this, I won't get in trouble, right?"
"It's a foreign agency."
"I should turn back."
The driver started a U-turn.
"Wait, no. Just take me to the-the..." Elena searched around.
The driver stopped. "Okay sweetie, this is getting confusing."
"Sorry, uh, those were my "uncles" family friends. He didn't want me to go to the fair. I'm meeting a friend there."
"The fair?"
"Carnival, sorry."
Elena pointed out to a bright Ferris wheel.
"Oh, okay. My son is there to so, I guess this works out."
The ride was long and awkward. The driver was obviously uncomfortable after that entire thing about her family and stuff.
"Uh, so, do you live with your uncles?" asked the driver.
"No, I live with my cousin."
"Is that here?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
Finally, they arrived at the fair.
"Okay, have fun with your friend."
"Thanks, I will."
Elena ran into the fair. Elena went to the ticket booth and got some tickets. Just forget about it all, it'll be fine. But she still couldn't shake the feeling that maybe it wouldn't be. Elena looked at everything clueless. She suddenly felt thirsty and hungry. She used her last money on a can of soda and a drumstick, but even then, still hungry, still thirsty. The vendors wouldn't take the plastic tokens Elena had paid for. She wandered over to the Ferris wheel. There wasn't a very long line and even if there was, what did Elena care. In her gondola two boys began slapping each other playfully while their other friend she was guessing sat next to her. Hunger and thirst began eating more and more out of her energy until she lost control. She started foaming at the mouth and twitched a bit. She felt it. Then, she went down, onto the floor. She went from slight twitches to full seizure. She violently began shaking the boys started panicking.
"What do we do?!" yelled one.
"I don't know!"
"We should wait 'till we hit the ground!"
The gondola stopped. They were the highest one. There was no way down for Elena. Then, screams.
"Crap!"
"What?"
All 3 went pale. Elena couldn't see but down, orcs and dark Elves had started massacring people yelling and demanding Elena.
"Who the hell's Elena?" asked one of the boys.
"Like I would know."
"Why do they want one person?"
"Guys, we should help her." said one of them.
Creek... The metal beams on the Ferris wheel started making noises. One of the boys looked through one of the windows and went white. He started hyperventilating.
"No, no! Jein get Taj."
"Alright. Listen Taj what'd you see..."
Jein's face filled with terror.
"Duck!"
Jein and the other ducked. A sword sliced through the top half of the gondola.
"Please, we don't have Elena!" begged Jein.
The dark Elve smiled. And the two boys looked back at Elena.
"Yes."
"I'll cut you a deal. Give me the girl and I'll let you and your friends live. Maybe even help with the hyperventilation."
The 2 looked at Elena and then at their friend.
"Times up." laughed the dark Elve, lifting his sword and swinging it. The sword fell from his hand and clinked a few times against some beams before hitting the ground.
"Hehe... hahaha!" the dark Elve laughed uncontrollably and pulled a dagger out of his belt; "Even better."
The Elve jumped down onto a beam with Jein on it.
"Let's dance!"
The other boy, Tyrone, jumped back into the gondola. Elena was out of the seizure but definitely couldn't fight. Meanwhile below them, the dark Elve, Draven and Jein were running around the beams.
"Listen, Elena, Elena! I need you to say something."
"Check on your friend, I'm fine, I'll heal."
Tyrone hesitated but let Elena down and checked on Taj.
"Tai! You have anything up there?" asked Jein.
"Elena, you have something?"
Elena dug into her pockets. She had a few tokens left.
"Look up!"
Jein caught the tokens and skipped across more beams. He was close to the ground but still too high. He waited for Draven and as he came into sight, Jein skipped higher. Then, he missed a step. Jein caught himself. Draven balanced to Jein. And stood above him.
"Well... if only you agreed. If only if only..."
Jein looked up, terrified.
"I do believe in honor. So..." Draven took off a golden earing he had on and bent over to put it in his shirt pocket. Jein latched onto Draven and pulled him over the side. Draven was heavy. He had metal armor and Jein couldn't hold on. Jein loosened his grip instantly after pulling him over. But Draven had Jein by the sleeve.
"Tyrone!"
"What?!"
"Thanks."
"No!"
Jein let go of the beam. Tyrone couldn't watch his longtime friend died. He closed his eyes and focused on helping Elena and Taj.
"Elena you're sure you're fine?"
"Yes."
"Taj, you're good?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Yeah. Everyone's fine, everyone is fine. Noone's hurt. No body is hurt." Tyrone pushed his back against the wall.
"Tai!"
Tryone jumped up and saw Jein holding onto Draven's boots. Draven was holding onto a beam and trying to shake off Jein. Under Jein was a thin pole. Jein jumped for it. Everything slowed. Elena had just gotten up and saw Jein mid-air. Taj also watched as Jein landed and gained his balance. Draven watched, dread filled his entire body for the first time as Jein threw the tokens at Draven causing him to flinch and let go. He smashed through the pier and landed in the water splashing Jein.
"Screw you!" he barely got out.
As soon as Draven was done, a long, slender creature swam by and tore him apart. Jein jumped into a gondola as the military came around and finished the axe and sword wielding terrorists. The ride started up again to help the kids down. Once they were all down on the ground, the military took the boys to their parents. Elena, being an orphan just stood off to side while the parents cried about how worried they were and how proud they were that we killed a "bad guy." Jein's mom spotted Elena off to the side, alone and motioned for her to come over. Jein's mom was the woman that had given her a ride to the fair.
"Where are your parents sweetheart?"
"I'm an orphan."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's fine. They died honorably."
"Uh... Elena Starborn?"
"Yeah?"
"You need a shot."
"Okay."
After everyone went to Jein's house. It overlooked the ocean. The 4 of them sat by a fire and warmed up.
"Hey, Elena?" asked Jein.
"Yeah?"
"You can change; we have spare clothes."
"My size?"
"You're a hell of a tall person. I'm sure my mom's clothes would fit, I could ask."
"Oh, no, I wouldn't want to be a trouble."
"No, it's fine, really. My mom has lots of clothes, she wouldn't mind lending some. Especially after all that."
"Okay. Thanks."
"It's fine,"
Jein went inside the house and came out with a new dress made of silk, a velvety hat, and a belt.
"There's a hat too if you want that." joked Jein.
"Thank you, very fashionable." teased Elena pulling out a hand fan from the hat.
Elena came out of the bathroom. The dress was green, not prayer coat green, more like military green. She held the hat because she felt like dressing like a leprechaun with the green hat with a ribbon. She did like the feathers. She walked through the living room where the moms were talking and drinking wine.
"Ooh, look at you!" joked one.
"You better watch your back those Boys'll want ya'"
Elena smiled and said; "Thanks, I will."
Elena opened the door to the balcony and stepped out.
"Wait, Elena, right?" asked Jein's mom.
"Yeah."
"You're sleeping here tonight, the military said that'd be good for you."
"Okay, thank you."
"No problem, anytime."
Elena turned and sat back down. Jein looked at her; "What'd she say?"
"I think you're adopting me." joked Elena.
"Hope not, I want to stay an only child."
Elena laughed. Taj seemed distant. He tapped Tyrone's shoulder and pointed at something. Elena did try seeing what it was, but they wouldn't move, and she didn't want to alert Jein.
"No, but I'm sleeping over here tonight, probably with all of you." she said.
"What are you looking at?" asked Jein.
"Nothing."
"Hey, uh, guys..."
Taj moved out of the way. A boat was burning out in the ocean. But it wasn't any boat, it was the sailboat. Brokkr. Elena saw someone jump into the water.
"What the hell is happening?"
"Right... Elena, why were those, things after you?" asked Taj.
Everyone turned to Elena. Even Jein who, was starting to feel like family was secretly listening in.
"Uh, uh... um,"
A tear began rolling down Elena's cheek. She backed off. Memories flooding her head. These boys had just helped her out of a hole, now they just put her back in. The horse, her brother, the tree, the dark Elves, she ran. Tears had started going down her face like a broken damn. She ran; she flung the door to the living room open.
"Hey, Elena please don't slam doors, Elena? Hey, what's wrong? Elena!" Jein's mom exclaimed.
Elena went through the front door and through started running.
"Hey, you can talk to me!"
Elena's mom ran to her car and revved the engine before it kicked to life. She followed next to Elena who had started jogging.
"Please, get in the car, you can talk to me, I won't tell anyone."
Elena stopped and whispered; "Promise?"
"On my life."
Elena climbed into the front seat.
"Okay, we'll just go on a ride, just talk to me, okay?"
"Okay."
"You're new to Nofi, right?" asked Jein's mom, turning a corner.
"Yeah."
"Where were you from before?"
"Thunder Island."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I've never heard of that.
"Yeah, most people won't. Really on merchants and rejected races go there."
"Agh, that's no way to think. If merchants go there, there's probably a lot of materials there, right?"
"Salt and oil."
"Well, that's... something."
Elena giggled. She rested her head on Jein's mom's shoulder.
"You know I'm an Elve, right?" asked Elena.
"No! Really? Wow? That's why you're so tall!"
"Yeah, oh right, thanks for the dress, and the ride, the dress reminds me of Wednesday prayers."
"Oh yeah, why's that?"
"The girls wore bright green coats with gold fibers making a circle where the heart was."
"What'd the boys wear?"
"Same thing, just red coats."
Thud! The car stopped.
"What happened asked Elena.
"We hit something."
Jein's mom (Mom) stepped out of the car and to a deer hanging onto life.
"Oh, poor thing." She rubbed its head.
Elena reached out and pet it. She whispered; "I'm sorry."
The deer started mumbling.
"Fault... your fault... his... his tears... his tears evaporated... his tears evaporated while... while he cried..." that was repeated constantly.
"Stop. Please! Ah! I had no choice! I would've died!" screamed Elena.
The voices stopped. Mom looked at Elena.
"You want to talk a bit more?"
"Yeah, that'd probably be good." gasped Elena.
They moved the dead deer's body to the side of the road. And Elena did a quick Elven prayer. Then, back into the car.
"So,"
"Yeah, I should talk about that."
"Probably."
"I wouldn't be here if orcs didn't burn my village. They covered the entire place with gasoline and lit it up. I was in my room practicing for a school play. My brother was in the next room trying to teach himself to make arrowheads. Once we got word that there was a fire in the village I ran to my brother's room. It was too late. The room was ingulfed in flames he was sitting on his bed begging me to save him. The floor was covered in hot ashes, and the roof was collapsing. All I could say was 'Sorry' before the roof fell in on him, but he survived. I had to watch as he rolled around on hot ashes trying to get it to stop. And he couldn't even cry, his eyes must've been dry and his screams were shrill. His tears evaporated off his face!"
Mom put her hand on Elena's shoulder.
"I'm glad you left those, 'family friends' they weren't really family friends, were they? Those boys can be real rowdy, since you came, they've been the calmest they've been in years. Thanks."
Elena wiped a tear off her face and chuckled.
"Could you maybe adopt me?"
"I'll check the paperwork. It'll come tomorrow."
Elena looked at her with a confused look.
"Oh, damn it! It was a surprise, don't tell Jein."
Elena laughed. "I won't"
The 2 turned around and headed home. When they got there everyone was already asleep.
Elena woke up. Everyone was out on the balcony. She opened the door to see naval ships around the site of the sailboat. All that was left was debris. A knock on the doorbell had surprised Elena. She opened the door and there was a dark Elve. He didn't seem like the fighter type, but she knew dark Elves. She got ready to fight but instead he turned and just looked at her, smiled and gave her a folder.
"Oh, I need a signature or a photo."
"Uh photo?"
Elena noticed that the man didn't have a tree on his nose bridge. The man took out an old camera and took a photo of the package on the doorstep. Elena picked up the package and read; "Nofi Adoption Papers; Elena Starborn." she gave it to Mom and told Jein that she had a surprise for him. Everyone followed behind, curious. When Jein saw the folder cover he shed tears, hopefully of joy.
"No way, mom, really?"
"Yes!" Mom replied, excitedly.
Jein hugged Mom and then Elena.
"Thank you!"
Taj and Tyrone seemed happy for Jein and let him have his moment. Then once he had finished jumping off the walls they strolled over to him and slapped him on the back. "Congrats dude, and uh... I guess dude? That's fine right?"
"Yeah." Elena replied.
Another knock on the door. Jein opened the door, and two officers came in with a warrant. "We need Elena Starborn."
"Yeah?"
"We'll need a private room, or we could take her down to the station."
"There's my room on the far end of the hallway to the right." Jein offered.
"Thank you."
The cops lead Elena down the long hallway and into the room. There they sat her down and they both drew their guns.
"Hands up Elve."
"Gun down."
The one that pulled his gun on Elena turned to face the other. They looked each other dead in the eyes. Bang! Bang! Both cops were shot. The good cop was killed the dark Elve pulled gun to Elena and pulled the trigger. Clink! The gun jammed.
"Damn it! Damn it!" the dark Elve hit the bottom of the mag repeatedly.
"Elena?" the entire group must've been rushing.
The dark Elve tipped over a bookshelf onto the door. Then, Elena lunged at him. They went through a window. The dark Elve landed on the glass shards. Elena grabbed a piece and tried killing him. Then, she started giving out. She felt her arm getting numb. The dark Elve flipped her over and started trying to slit her throat. Elena's arms became weaker and weaker until she felt the shard start digging into her shoulder. Jein came from behind and stabbed the Elve with a pen and tossed him off. Blood was leaking from her cut but other than that and some scratches and bruises, she was fine.
"What happened?" asked Jein.
"I, think it's-- I'm just hungry."
"Okay, yeah, we should probably eat."
Elena and the others went inside to eat. Mom had called the police. The body was taken in by the military. The cops cleaned the glass and blood. Elena watched the cops tidy up all the bodies and glass. She felt terrible.
"Hey, Mom?" asked Elena.
"Yeah?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure."
Elena and Mom stepped into the garage. A cop told them they shouldn't leave.
"Ma'am, under our watch, we're not allowed to allow you to leave."
"Then turn around."
Mom revved up the engine again and the garage opened.
"Ma'am!" demanded the cop.
Elena was pushed into her seat as Mom stomped on the pedal. The cop cursed. He rushed to his car. Sirens on a started a pursuit.
"So, what's on your mind?"
"That ship. Those 'family friends' they were on there."
"Oh,"
"Yeah, but I saw someone jump off. I have an unshakable feeling that I'm just getting you and you're and your family in danger right now."
"No, I love you, I'll protect you. Even if it kills me."
"Thanks."
For a moment, a peaceful silence went over the car. The first calm moment Elena had since before the attack. Mom turned a corner and there was a ship. A large fleet behind it. A sea chant began being sung. Elena felt dread fill the car. The last thing she wanted in this very moment was a fight. Mom looked at Elena with the same "sorry" eyes Eitri had given her. Mom did a U-turn and went back up the street. The cop had caught up to them just right around the corner.
"Officer!" yelled Elena.
"Yeah, what?! You just risked my job!" angrily yelled the cop.
"Check that corner." Elena said.
"Better be worth 83,000 a year." grumbled the cop.
He got back in his car and turned the sirens back on. Boom! A flaming piece of metal went into the sea. Elena froze. A cannon ball couldn't have done that that quick!
"Elena, sweetie, get in the car."
Elena looked at the orange glow. Screams, begging, crying. She took a step back. her burns suddenly were still hurting, and her face began melting off. She tried putting it back, her skin fell through her fingers, bloody.
"Elena, get in the car!"
Mom ran by her side and pushed her in. Elena turned to Mom. She tried talking to her but then, something from inside her throat fell out. Bloody. Elena held it. Mom didn't notice.
"M--mo - m - om." she grunted.
Mom looked at her. And everything went back to normal. Her face snapped back on, and she could talk. Elena breathed deeply.
"Elena are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Remember what I said Elena talk to me."
"I'm fine."
"Talk to me, please."
"I'm fine!"
Mom looked at Elena.
"Let's focus on telling the others about the incoming war, how about that?"
"Elena I--"
"Maybe we need to think about the greater good!"
"I am your mother now; you will listen to me whether you like it or not!" yelled Mom.
Elena sunk into her seat.
"Listen, you're my daughter now and I have to ensure your mental state is stable! You know what happened to my husband? He fought against Royal Flush and came back with PTSD! Oh, everyone thought he was crazy, he tried killing me while I was pregnant and now, I only have 1 kid! And to think if I had talked to him, I could've had stayed in Scipi Lono and avoided this war! I could've had 2 kids. But now I have to keep you sane through this insanity!" Mom yelled.
Elena quietly wept. She couldn't even look her own mom in the eyes.
"Are you happy? Glad about me adopting you? Be grateful for god's sake!"
3 tanks past the car. Then, a large truck passed by carry soldiers. Lots more of them passed by. By the time the two arrived back home, no one was home. A note on the counter read; "the boys went missing, we're looking for them."
Elena began walking out the front door when Mom stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To find them."
"Not without me."
"No, I can find them myself."
"No, I'm your--"
"Will you leave me alone, you didn't even sign the damned papers, you're not my mom!"
Mom looked offended. She tried yelling back but Elena had shut the door. When Mom opened the door, Elena was already heading back to the fair and half-way there.
Jein, Taj, and Tyrone sat tied down to a chair. Each of them had a bag over their heads.
"Who's there! We have devices on us you know!" yelled Taj.
"No you don't, we checked." calmly said a voice similar to Draven's.
"Draven? We killed you!"
"Yes, you killed Draven, and I must congratulate you on that. He was quiet the warrior. I never expected him to die to some kids."
"Where are we?" yelled Tyrone.
"Pfft, like we'd tell you, even though I'm not sure what'd you do with that."
Taj and Jein started jumping around and squirming.
"Mh, I'd like to see where this takes you."
"Tyrone, join us." both said.
"They won't feed us. We have to save our energy."
"Oh, no, we will feed you, only if it takes too long, we're waiting for our guest of honor."
"Elena." Jein said.
"Ah, yes, the girl."
"Tai? Remember that carnival fight?"
"Yesterday? Yes, I remember. Why?" asked Tai.
"No, the one with Kyle. I just thought we might think of the good times."
"Yeah, Tai, I took your tokens." Jein admitted.
"You bastard, framed Kyle." chuckled Tyrone.
"Yeah. Funny, we also got stuck last year on top the Ferris wheel with Kyle." Taj giggled.
"Heh, good that Kyle moved, avoided this whole situation." Jein added.
"Remember that haunted house last Halloween?" asked Tyrone.
"Yeah, Kyle and Sam came right?" asked Jein.
"No that was 2 years ago." answered Tyrone.
"I do miss Kyle though." Taj said.
"Ugh, why'd you stop struggling? Now I have to wait!" whined the dark Elve.
Elena came face to face with the biggest dark Elve she's seen. She carried a large obsidian sword and had a face so scarred, the tree on her nose bridge was barely visible. 2 solid iron shoulder pads and 2 knee pads. She had chest plate that only went down to her abs and. A helmet with a spike and a head on top. Around her, cop bodies surrounded her. Elena was alone. The entire pier was baren. A grey fog had settled. The dark Elve puffed and charged. Elena was helpless as she was slapped by the obsidian sword and knocked out. She awoke, blind. A bag over her head, tied down to a chair, gagged. She heard screams coming from below. Birds chirped along with each scream.
"At long last, our superior race will be the only Elves left."
The bag was lifted off Elena's face and she looked around. She was surrounded by marble. A mosaic of Jesus was the only source of light. Red, blue, white, and some other colors shone down. But, illuminated by red, white, and blue, were three kids, Jein, Taj, and Tyrone. Her shoulders burnt. To both her sides were broken windows letting in light right onto some newer cuts and burns. She felt rough hands rubbing on her shoulders irritating them.
"Good, you're awake."
Elena turned and saw Brokkr. He smiled; "I missed you. I can't believe you really thought you could just leave."
"My own daughter to!" he laughed.
"Well, I've finally got my hands on you and your captors."
A dark Elve walked by. He grinned.
"Brokkr, your plan worked, you're quite the genius. Like I said, you get the girl."
"No, no! I will not go him." yelled Elena.
Brokkr stumbled in front of Elena.
"I don't believe you have a choice." said Brokkr.
He loosened the ropes and began pushing Elena through a marble hall. Bang! Blood went all over the floor. Elena turned. The dark Elve redirected his revolver and pointed it at Elena. She jumped. Bang! Through one of the broken windows, Elena saw a bird. She began trying to speak to it.
"He... die... he died... he died because... because..."
"I know, I could've saved him! But now I'm getting back my glory! I'm dealing with a family burden!"
The bird hushed.
"Tell your friends and all other animals into the forest to help me!" ordered Elena.
"Yes Ma'am." replied the bird before flying off.
the bird flew through the trees, yelling in all animal languages to help kill the threats to Elena in the cathedral.
Meanwhile, Elena was hiding behind a box.
"Well, you don't hear a girl yelling at a bird often, I've broken you, haven't I?" asked the dark Elve.
"If you don't respond I'll shoot your friends' heads off."
Elena saw the dark Elve holding a gun to one of their heads. Click! He pulled back the revolver hammer.
"3... 2... 1..."
Elena slammed the dark Elve against the marble wall. He grunted but easily pulled her off like a wet band-aid. He punched her face and pinned her down. He took out a Swiss knife and started cutting her nose bridge. A tree. Tears ran down her face only strengthening the pain. Then, Bam! The doors to the cathedral shattered sending slinters into the dark Elve.
"Elena?" asked Jein.
"Crap!" yelled the dark Elve.
He pulled his revolver and shot Jein. It missed. He tried another shot but instead, clink. Clumsily, the dark Elve reached for more ammo, but he dropped the bullets giving the animals time to pull him away.
"Wait!" yelled Elena as a wolf took a bite out of his leg.
"We must stop the attack. I have a plan."
Elena climbed to the top of the cathedral and lifted the dark Elve by his hair. Jein and the other 2 rang the rusty, overgrown bell. Orange settled over the horizon of the island. The screams were hushed as everyone on the small island looked towards the center. Elena felt weak with all the eyes watching her. She shakily raised the dark Elve and yelled; "This is your commander! Look at him, weak, helpless!" her voice echoed through the island.
"Listen to his words, not mine."
"Continue the raid." said the commander hoarsely.
"Retreat. Honor the people who have beaten me and never come back!" Elena yelled confidently.
The orcs and dark Elves looked around before running back to their ships.
"No! No!" yelled the commander, but it only came out as a whisper. People cheered as all the soldiers once furiously killing, ran. Elena grabbed the pen Jein had used against the dark Elve cop and stabbed the dark Elve.
Artillery shells were fired at the war ships as they tried fleeing in shame. and for once, Elena was freed from the wars of her past.
