The pathways of Titanum forest hadn’t been tended to in years. The faeries of the realm rarely left, and it was even more rare that they received visitors.
The strange and often dangerous plants of the forest had retaken most of them, lying in wait for unsuspecting prey.
However, there were still safe routes if you knew where to look. Melissari knew the paths of the forest like the back of her hand. She led the group, with Yeldarb and Isara in tow.
The elf’s eyes remained fixed on the horizon, but Yeldarb found himself nervously glancing at the verdant and lush foliage beneath his feet.
“Are you sure these plants aren’t going to attack? I’ve heard some pretty terrifying stories about this place,” Yeldarb said, trying desperately to mask the fear in his voice.
“I’d like to see them try! I’ll burn them to a crisp,” Isara said.
“You’ll do no such thing!” Yeldarb shouted.
Isara laughed. “Relax, Yeldarb, I’m just kidding.”
Melissari glanced back at the two companions behind her. “The young Tallion possesses fire magic?” she asked.
Yeldarb sighed. “Something like that.”
They continued their journey in silence for some time before Isara spoke up again.
“Hey Melissari, how come you know this forest so well? Aren’t you from Avondale?” she asked.
“I am, but there was a time when the children of the World Tree were united. Elves and Faeries once lived together in harmony,” Melissari replied, her voice laced with nostalgia.
“What happened?”
“We came to a disagreement, one that could not be resolved. So, we went our separate ways. The elves stayed in Avondale, and the faeries sought refuge…here.”
Isara sighed. “That sounds rough. What could have possibly driven you apart like that?”
Yeldarb jumped in, eager to take his mind off the terrifying flora that surrounded him.
“I can answer that! The elves of D’veen wished to open their borders and trade with the other races of D’veen. The faeries, on the other hand, wished to remain secluded and did not trust the other kingdoms of the realm. Such polarizing world views cannot co-exist.”
Melissari stifled a smile. “Correct. You know your D’veen history, it seems.”
Yeldarb grinned. “It’s a fascinating subject!”
Melissari stopped and held out her hand. Yeldarb and Isara froze. Ahead of them, the narrow path opened up into a clearing.
It was filled with tiny buildings made from wooden walls and woven leaves for the rooftops. The tallest of them only came up to Yeldarb waist, but the craftsmanship was undeniable.
“Is this the faerie village?” Yeldarb asked.
Melissari nodded. “One of them.”
“Why is it empty?” Isara asked.
Melissari pointed ahead. “I’m more concerned with that. That species of tree is not native to Titanum.”
Yeldarb and Isara’s gaze followed Melissari’s finger until they spotted a tree in the center of the village that towered above all the buildings. Its bark was a faded golden color, and its leaves were a dull grey.
It certainly looked different than any other tree or plant they had seen thus far on their journey.
“Where does that type of tree come from?” Yeldarb asked.
Melissari took another step forward and pulled the bow from her back.
“Avondale.”
The three entered the village slowly, following Melissari’s lead. As the trio approached the tree, a muffled sound filled the air. It sounded like screaming. They froze.
“Where is that coming from?” Isara asked.
Melissari stepped forward and pressed her ear against the tree’s pale trunk.
“It’s coming from inside the tree. Someone’s trapped in there.”
Yeldarb ran over and pressed his ear against the trunk as well. “Titans be damned, she’s right! We need to free them!”
Yeldarb pulled the dagger and wand from his belt and approached the tree. Melissari reached out and grabbed his wrist before he could drive the blade down.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“This tree should not exist here, which means that magic must have been involved. If the faeries trapped this person in there, they must have done so for a reason.”
Yeldarb lowered his blade. “I suppose that’s fair. What should we do then?”
Melissari examined the tree closely, running her fingers across the half-dead leaves. Yeldarb felt something moving around in his pack.
He opened it and looked down. The Quintari stone Finton had given them was glowing a bright yellow color. It leapt around the bag like an excited child.
“Looks like Finton is trying to reach us. I’ll see what he wants,” Yeldarb said.
Melissari nodded. “Don’t go too far. Plenty of hungry plants in this area.”
“Lovely. Don’t worry, I won’t.”
Yeldarb walked to the edge of the village and pulled the Quintari stone out of the bag. It was flashing in his palm.
“How do you use this thing?” he asked.
He tapped the surface and suddenly the sounds of the world around him went quiet. The voice of Finton Merrybrook filled his ears.
“Yeldarb? Can you hear me?” Finton asked.
“Yes, it’s working.”
“Oh good! Listen, are you at the faerie village?”
“Yes, we just arrived.”
“Good, good! I wanted to warn you that I came across a sellsword shortly after you left. He goes by Blackheart. He’s looking for a faerie named Solara Dreamweaver. He must not find her, do you understand?”
“Yes, but the faerie village is empty.”
“Nevermind that, they’re probably hiding after everything that’s happened. If you find Solara, tell her that I sent you,” Finton said.
“And what about the sellsword?” Yeldarb asked.
“If you cross paths with him, do not engage. I sent Sarai to follow him and I haven’t heard back from her. He’s dangerous, I believe he’s in—”
A shrill sound cut through Finton’s words like a bolt of lightning. Pain seared behind Yeldarb’s eyes.
The sounds of the forest returned swiftly. The sudden interruption still left his ears ringing.
“What happened?” Yeldarb asked, tapping the stone. “Finton, are you there?”
Yeldarb heard a voice behind him. He spun around and spotted a knight talking to Melissari and Isara.
A black, hooded cloak swung in the soft breeze behind him. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade.
Yeldarb slid the Quintari stone back into his bag and approached slowly. “We got interrupted. Who is this?”
“This is Blackheart,” Melissari said.
The knight turned to face him with a cold stare. Yeldarb’s eyes immediately wandered to the scar that spanned from the bottom of his eye to the center of his cheek.
A bitter smell filled the air.
“Two Tallions and and elf traveling through an uninhabited forest? What are the odds?” Blackheart asked.
“We are merely here seeking the council of the faeries,” Yeldarb replied.
Blackheart nodded. “As am I. Have you seen this one?”
He pulled out a rolled parchment and unfurled it. Painted across the surface was the visage of a faerie.
Yeldarb committed her features to memory.
“The village was empty when we arrived,” Melissari said.
Blackheart rolled the parchment back up and put it back in his bag. “What business do you have with the faeries?” he asked.
“We’re part of a new adventurer’s guild called The Order of the Pawn! We’re here because there have been reports of the Rot being seen outside Avondale,” Isara said.
“Dammit Isara, he doesn’t need to know that!” Yeldarb shouted.
Blackheart smiled as his hand curled around the hilt of his blade.
“Thank you, my young Tallion friend. That’s actually quite helpful.”
Blackheart ripped the sword from his sheathe. Yeldarb, Isara, and Melissari all drew their own weapons.
“If you all leave now, I will spare your lives,” Blackheart said, his eyes scanning the three fighters.
“There are three of us and one of you! You’re outnumbered. Surrender, and we shall offer you the same mercy,” Melissari replied.
Blackheart’s grin widened. “Oh, my dear elf, even with three of you, this will be far from a fair fight.”
Yeldarb’s heart skipped a beat as he saw black tendrils sweep across the irises of Blackheart’s eyes.
“By the Titans…He’s infected!” Yeldarb screamed.
Blackheart shot forward with inhuman speed. He grabbed Yeldarb with his free hand and lifted him by the neck. Yeldarb looked down as Blackheart’s eyes flooded with a blackness that rivaled the night sky.
“You should have fled when you had the chance!” Blackheart shouted.
Yeldarb’s vision began to blur as he frantcially reached for the wand at his side. He managed to curl his fingers around the base of the wand just as Blackheart let out a yelp.
He let go of Yeldarb, dropping him onto the ground below. Yeldarb looked up and saw an arrow sticking out of the knight’s back.
It was lodged between this breastplate and his shoulder armor. His eyes shot over to Melissari, who readied another arrow.
Isara ran to Yeldarb’s side, helping him to his feet.
“Yeldarb, should I transform?” she asked.
Yeldarb shook his head, still gasping for breath. “No, absolutely not. You’ll burn the forest down!”
Blackheart ripped the arrow out of his back and gripped his sword with both hands as he approach Melissari.
“Tell me, elf, how does it feel to know you escaped the Rot, only to be later ended by its hand?” Blackheart asked, raising the sword above his head.
“I will have vengeance for my people!” Melissari screamed, pulling back another arrow.
She let the arrow fly. Blackheart spun to the right and dodged it with ease. He moved so fast that his silhouette blurred, leaving only a shadow where he once stood.
Melissari readied another arrow. “How is that possible?”
Blackheart laughed. “The Rot offers power beyond comprehension!”
Yeldarb approached form behind, his wand at the ready. “Blizara Insola Shakar!”
Shards of ice formed in the air and shot into Blackheart’s back. The impact sent ice crawling across his armor, freezing the joints, and locking him in place.
“Damn Tallion and their magic!” he shouted, struggling against the ice that encased him.
Yeldarb drew his dagger and leapt into the air. He brought the blade down toward Blackheart’s neck.
A pair of black tendrils shot out from inside Blackheart’s armor. They curled around Yeldarb’s wrists and ceased his approach. He dangled in the air as Blackheart broke free of the ice.
Yeldarb screamed as the tendrils tossed him across the clearing. He hit one of the trees on the edge of the village and collapsed onto the ground.
“Yeldarb!” Isara shouted, rushing to his side once more.
Blackheart turned his attention back to Melissari. The tendrils that had emerged from his back floated above him.
His smile dripped with black ichor that ran down his neck. She saw herself reflected in the obsidian orbs that had replaced his eyes.
“Time to finish the job,” Blackheart said, gripping his sword.
Melissari was frozen. Paralyzed by fear. She could practically hear the screams of her people echoing in her mind.
The sword shot forward and Melissari watched as the blade slid effortlessly through her skin.
It drove through her stomach, bursting out her back as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
The pain felt distant. The cold metal retracted, leaving a gaping hole in her torso. She collapsed onto the ground.
The world spun around her as the screams of her people still echoed in her mind.
“And so ends the story of the elves,” Blackheart whispered.
He turned away from her as she bled out on the forest floor.
Blackheart approached the tree that did not belong and dug his gauntlets into the bark. He ripped the tree open with ease, sending shards of wood scattering across the clearing.
From within, a scrawny man emerged. The veins in his skin ran black. He smiled through rotting teeth at the sight of Blackheart.
“Took you long enough! So, what seed did you come from?” he asked.
The man’s eye went wide. “No…you’re the original, aren’t you?”
Blackheart didn’t respond.
“Tell me, will I still be me after it’s over?” he asked.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Blackheart replied.
The man nodded. “Well, it beats being stuck in that damn tree. Let’s get this over with.”
Yeldarb and Isara approached slowly from the left side of the village. They paused as Blackheart wrapped his armored hands around the man’s throat.
His jaw unhinged like a snake’s, dropping down to accommodate the whole of the man’s head. With a single, terrifying bite, he swallowed the from inside the tree man whole.
Yeldarb and Isara watched in horror as Blackheart’s jaw snapped back into place. Wisps of black smoke began pouring from his armor.
“Much better,” he said.
Yeldarb spotted Meslisari across the clearing. He could see the gaping wound in her stomach. She looked like she was still breathing.
“Melissari is wounded,” Yeldarb whispered.
Isara turned to Yeldarb. “You know what needs to happen.”
Yeldarb nodded. “Right, do it. Kill the bastard.”
Isara nodded, closing her eyes. Yeldarb darted across the clearing and rushed to Melissari’s side.
Her blood soaked the ground beneath her. If she weren’t an elf, she would have been long dead.
“Melissari, can you hear me?” Yeldarb asked.
Her eyes fluttered as she looked around for the source of the voice. “World Tree, is that you?” she asked.
Yeldarb carefully picked her up. She cried out in pain as he lifted her.
“I’m sorry, but we have to get out of here,” Yeldarb whispered, carrying her into the forest.
Back in the clearing, Isara approached Blackheart from behind, her fists clenched at her sides.
Blackheart didn’t bother to turn around. “I admire your spirit, girl, but you don’t stand a chance against me.”
“Maybe not,” Isara said, her voice shifting. “But HE DOES!”
Blackheart’s eyes went wide. He spun around as Isara’s body exploded into flames. The young Tallion girl grew to a towering height in the blink of an eye.
Within seconds, a rage demon towered above Titanum’s canopy.
The rage demon turned its horned head toward the sky and let loose a road that shook the very foundation of D’veen.
It’s brimstone fists shot downward, crashing into the center of the village. Blackheart rolled out of the way, watching as liquid fire drenched the space where he was standing.
He looked up at the towering beast. “Nice trick.”
The rage demon swept its leg across the length of the village, turning nearly half of the tiny buildings into smoldering ruins.
Blackheart tried to run, but even with his inhuman speed, he couldn’t outrun such a massive foe.
The hooved foot of the demon crashed into his armor, scorching the metal as it sent him flying into the trees.
Blackheart landed hard. He stood to his feet and slid his sword into the holster at his side. He looked back at the demon one last time.
“I got what I came here for. Looks like we’ll have to finish this fight another day,” he said, fleeing into the forest.
The rage demon was losing control. It spun in place, kicking down trees and crushing buildings with its fists. It had lost sight of its target, now consumed only by anger and lust for destruction.
Fire took hold of Titanum, spreading away from the village. Yeldarb was nearby, still carrying Melissari as her warm blood soaked his hands.
He coughed as smoke filled his lungs. This was precisely what he had feared. He paused and looked around, fearful that Blackheart would sneak up on them.
“I have to stop her,” he said.
Yeldarb slowly lowered Melissari toward the ground. “I’ll be right back.”
He pulled out his wand. The sound of rushing water filled his ears. Confused, Yeldarb turned around just as wave crashed into him.
He fell backward as water rushed by all around him. He stood up quickly, wiping the excess liquid from his face and spinning around.
“Where did that come from?” he asked.
He looked over to where the rage demon had been moments before. It was gone.
The fires were gone too, replaced only by smouldering trees and wisps of smoke. Had the wave extinguished everything?
Yeldarb heard movement to his left. He turned and raised his wand as a small creature emerged from between the trees. Isara stood behind, her skin covered in ash and soot.
It was a faerie. She had the form of a woman in miniature form. She moved through the air carried by tiny wings that fluttered behind her.
She had green skin and deep violet eyes that regarded Yeldarb with suspicion.
He recognized the faerie from the portrait Blackheart had been carrying. This was Solara Dreamweaver.
“You nearly burned down the forest,” she said.
Yeldarb gestured to his wet clothes. “That wave just now, was that you?” he asked.
Solara nodded. “If I hadn’t intervened, your friend here would have burned the forest down.”
“Well, thank you. I’m sorry, but we had to resort of desperate measures. That knight just now was infected with the Rot, but he somehow retained his humanity.
He was strong, too strong. Please, we need your help. My friend here is gravely wounded,” Yeldarb said, gesturing to Melissari.
The faerie’s eyes softened as she looked down at the elf lying on the ground nearby. “Yes, I saw the entire fight. I may be able to save her, but first, you must tell me what you’re doing in our forest. Who sent you?”
“We were sent by a bard name Finton Merrybrook.” Yeldarb replied.
Solara’s eyes lit up at the sound of Finton’s name. “Come with me, we have much to discuss.”
Thank you for Reading! Here’s Your Musical Pairing
Listen to this while you wait for chapter three, releasing in two weeks!
I love having a powerful but not insurmountable villain. Blackheart was smart enough to flee when the tide began to turn, and there's a proper drawback to the rage demon form. Looking forward to more!
I am loving this! It's so hard to not badger you for all the chapters and a book series already! Your world is huge and the potential seems endless. Also I just love your writing 😁