The Dark Elf

by C C Morgen

  Ali was still panting in exhaustion, yet the look she gave was someone who seemed relieved that we all survived. It was over and our mission was successful. I rose to my feet and rushed to meet her across the edge. I embraced her in my arms and squeezed her tight with relief that she was all right. She weakened and pressed her face against my chest. I could feel the wetness on her face as she cried. She didn’t want the others below to see her vulnerable.

  Her body relaxed after a minute and I took Valora into my hands, which was now asleep after a long battle. The essence in the blade was now silent. It had protected her from the fire, which was unusual for a magical weapon to have such power. However, I noticed an enchantment embedded within the blade that wasn’t there before when I first held Valora. Like someone blessed it with a charm that only a God could give. The metal radiated a sensation of coolness like the sea unlike anything I’ve ever felt. It reminded me of what Ali described about the ocean with the scent of salt lingered in the air around the weapon. The sea blessed her.

  “Ali—are you ok?” I caressed her face and guided her to look at me. “You scared me for a moment going up against him by yourself.”

  She broke free from my arms. “I’m fine. I think I need a long rest after this.”

  “What happened? You just defeated the Lord of this castle, and nearly died yet you could kill him. And who was that Dark Elf?”

  She had a puzzled look. “Dark Elf?”

  Suddenly, I remember the images from feeding off her. “That was your father.”

  “You saw him too?”

  “Yes—but only briefly,” I answered. “It was like he was moving through you.”

  “I felt him fight through me—it’s like his spirit guided mine. I was he. Even Castilian acted confused on who I was. He called me General like I was my father.”

  “You were your father for a short time—that’s the true power of Valora. She can summon spirits. That’s why I said she’s a remarkable weapon.” I glanced at the blade in my hand and gave it back to Ali. “We should get down from here. The men are probably wondering if we’re ok.”

  “You’re right—Eric is probably waiting to bear hug me.”

  I giggled. “You don’t want him to be waiting too long then.”

  We climbed down the walls and got back on the bridge where the men met back up with us. Gabriel hugged Ali first, beating him to her. Eric shoved him off to the side and lifted her into his arms. It was a delight to see them crowd around her like she was a heroic warrior that just turned legend in our eyes. However, she didn’t smile. The pain was still in her eyes as she played it off huddling with the men. They rose her over their shoulders, praising her for the glory.

  “Should we go home?” I spoke out. “We can stop at the inn and drink as much as we want. I’ll pay for everything.”

  “Sounds like a good proposition to me,” Eric declared.

  The men released Ali and placed her back on the ground. Then we made our way across the bridges. I strapped Valora and her other sword along her back, but I kept the quiver and her Elven bow to carry through the castle. There was nothing to worry about anymore since the mountain was now officially abandoned.

  The Ghoul had scattered across the land with no master to control them anymore. We watched while hiking down the mountain path, leading to the barren wasteland, the trail of dust disappearing in the distance. Eric walked alongside me and Ali, and the others were ten paces ahead of us, eager to get back to civilization and the alcohol that awaited them back at the Inn. I had to admit, the wine in the tavern was on my mind along with Ali. Our time together in the armory lingered on my mind for the rest of the journey. After we summoned the Shadow Striders, we rode back to the last village we stayed at before traveling here. We passed the fence post where I first kissed Ali.

  She laid asleep against my back peacefully, leaning into me. I knew her body overexerted with Valora. However, that power I witnessed in the barrier and the mysterious green magic that aided me to keep it all concealed, it was all questions that didn’t have an answer.

  Ali breathed on my back and I heard a slight moan like she was in a dream. It didn’t seem like she was in distress, so it was probably a good one. The very sound made me happy, because I knew it was probably about me.

  We arrived at the village where I saw a familiar face in the distance talking with a group of lower Demons at the corner of the tavern. His slick blonde hair and a large silver ring on his finger caught my attention right away. “Lord Derex,” I called out to him. He turned and glared at me, as if he didn’t expect to see us. Then he suddenly grew a fake smile on his face and walked over to greet us.

  “My, my—the eight warriors are all here.” He glanced at each of us with wide eyes. “Since you are here and well—that means you were successful in completing the king’s task?”

  “You should have seen it Lord Derex,” Eric spoke first. “Ali faced the old lord single handedly and defeated him.”

  “Cut off his head,” Gabriel added.

  “Clean off,” Eric finished.

  “Yes, Lord Derex—we all survived,” I answered. “One less old lord to worry about.”

  Ali awoke to the commotion.

  “Rise and shine.” Derex approached near her, making me suddenly reach for my large dagger defensively. I halted, trying to see what he does. Something was off about the way he was acting. His eyes didn’t seem pleased at all to see us. “You’ve done well Ali by becoming the hero of the kingdom.”

  I scowled at him. “What brings you here Lord Derex?”

  “Oh, I had business nearby,” he answered, casting his eyes away. “I stopped this way to see if there was anything I needed to report to the king. You know just in case for the inevitable right. However, I’m amazed to see you all, and well. You must be tired and hungry. Let me treat you all for a celebration. Drinks, food, a warm bed— and a nightly companion—feel free to enjoy. It’s all on my tab. How does that sound?”

  “It’s a fine offer Lord Derex,” Ali finally spoke. “We will take you up on that.”

  “You will join us, right?” Eric asked while dismounting the Strider. I hopped off as well along with Ali.

  He bowed his head, “It willed be an honor. I would never deny the company of our kingdoms saviors.” Derex glanced at me once again. “I’m sure your sister will be pleased to hear from me you’re alive and unharmed. She was like an angry hound for the last three days, growling at everyone. It wasn’t very becoming, but we all understood the grief of nearly losing a sibling.”

  “I’ll write a letter myself since we are lying here tonight. It would be better in my hand, so she can have a peace of mind.” I grabbed Ali’s wrist and pulled her along with me into the tavern. When we got inside, I saw that she was hunting Derex with her eyes. Then she went behind my back and pulled out the dagger. “What are you doing?” I lipped so no one would hear. She nodded her head and hid it under her vest. We went over to the bar and the men came in and sat at the large table in the corner of the small room.

  Derex came in a sat at a smaller table with two other men dressed in black and wore hoods. They were his bodyguards since he was the prince of hell. He ordered wine and asked the Innkeeper to bring ale for the rest of the men. Ali ordered a wine for me and her, and the bartender poured two chalice full and slid it to us. The way she stared at Lord Derex was like she thought the same as me. There something wrong with his story of being here.

  The day ended fast, and it soon became nightfall with the moon slowly rising into the sky. The men were drinking until they could no longer hold their pints. Ali kept her eyes on Derex, laughing along with the men. She glanced at me and then took my hand, guiding me upstairs to the rooms rented to us. We entered one and shut the door. There was a small bed in the right corner where I sat and rest. Ali went over to the window and looked out, searching the premises.

  “I don’t know why he’s here, Ali. The way he looked at us and made that fake smile. Something is off abo
ut all of this.”

  “I know—I don’t think he’s being honest with us.” Ali knelt in front of me. “Your safety matters to me right now.” She gazed into my eyes. “If the goal was to wipe out all the main bloodlines, I will make sure you and Claudia are the ones to survive above all. I don’t care about the rest of the faction.”

  I embraced her in a kiss, tasting the warm wine on her lips. “Shh—don’t get so worked up.”

  She laid her head on my lap. “I’ll deal with him tonight if he tries anything.”

  “Ali—he’s a lord. Please do nothing unwise. We just need to stick together and get back to the kingdom as soon as possible. My sister will handle everything once we are back—if that’s the case.

  “I’ll stay with you tonight though. I don’t want to leave you alone.”

  I smiled. “I don’t expect you to.” I yanked her in the bed to lie beside me. “I don’t want you to be anywhere else but by my side right now.”

  “Once we get back to the kingdom, it will be hard to keep up with this.”

  “We will work something out.” I caressed her cheek with my hand. “I’m sure there’s going to be a celebration in your honor.”

  “Will you be there?”

  “I will—but with my sister and family.”

  “Oh right. Claudia. She will be happy to see you again.”

  “She will—but I kind of like my freedom right now. Lets not have it end too soon.” I kissed her again, but this time she was distant. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing,” she answered. “Just still tired. We should get some rest for now.” Ali kissed my forehead, and she held me throughout the night.

  At a certain part of the evening, Ali rolled out of bed to look out the window. She had a look that something was wrong. Her eyes were serious, and her jaw was tense as if she was gritting her teeth.

  She left the room, and I sat up from the bed soon after to peek out the window. It was Lord Derex, waiting outside for Ali. She exited the tavern and strolled towards him. I knew she still had the dagger on her the way her hand grazed her back, ready to take it out if she needed to. Derex had a devilish grin on his face as his lips moved, which gave me no comfort, because I didn’t know what they were saying. She slowly removed her hand away from the dagger and stood tense, but not defensive as she crossed her arms. What was going on? I couldn’t see her face at all. She kept her back towards me, and it seemed like they were talking for a long time.

  Then after a while, Ali walked away and came back inside. I sat on my bed waiting for her to open the door. It creaked open, and she entered quietly, closing the door once again behind her. She sighed and pulled out my dagger; then laid it on the stool in the other corner.

  “What did he want to talk to you about?”

  “Nothing to be concerned about,” she answered vaguely. “Don’t worry about it. Get some sleep.” Something was off about her answer as her eyes cast away from mine as if she couldn’t look at me straight. When I laid back down, she sat on the edge next to me, brushing the hair behind my ear. “Everything will be alright now. You don’t have to worry about anything anymore.” Her voice had sorrow in it, but I didn’t dare ask why. Something about that meeting didn’t seem right.

  Ali stayed sitting next to me that night, and she never revealed what really happened three years ago. Even Claudia and Eric don’t know what really happened with Ali that night as I watched them continue to enjoy each other and the food in the dining hall. They didn’t even know how much I loved her after everything. Only Ali and I knew what really happened between us on that journey.

  Those days are forever saved in this locket with all the special time we shared.

  CHAPTER 23

  Ali

  A FTER TALKING WITH DEREX it was all finally clear about what my heart truly wanted. It took three long years to grasp the truth since my vow to protect Angelica and Claudia. The oath wasn’t easy to keep; however, certain things were necessary to ensure their safety here in the kingdom.

  Things have changed so much between us. All this time, I’ve avoided her feelings to see if she would move on to someone else. In the end, she never did. She always came looking for me and her smiles were only for me when I returned from a hard mission, ordered by the king and princess.

  Living in the Underworld, keeping secrets has stained my soul unlike I never imagined. The darkness inside me has grown strong and has gripped onto my innocence, after my talk with Derex that evening. I never knew my weakness for the Nigrum sisters could sway me. Then there was my mother’s unexpected visit after we returned to the kingdom as heroes from defeating Castilian.

  My mother’s devious aura made her presence known to me outside the enchanted gardens the night of the celebration. She had come alone through the dark portal she summoned in the shadows. Her expression alone had no praise to give me. It was just a scornful look like she wanted to drag me away by the tip of my hair. The frown on her face and the way she teased me with her hateful words. ‘The darkness is inside you. It grows stronger as we speak. It won’t be too long until you succumb to it. When that day happens, you will become my heir and all that is held dear will truly vanish before your eyes. Don’t get too comfortable my child… You will beg to turn, and all this will crumble along with those sisters your heart has fallen for. Love is not our future. Not for a Harpy heir. The power will tempt you soon. When that happens… I will take you home.’

  I never knew what she meant until the dark arts became natural to me, studying under Angelica. My rage had become worse than the blackened eyes and the black veins that poisoned my body. If I were to accept the darkness, it meant my mother would win and I would have to go home and accept the dagger to become a Harpy.

  I pushed away these feeling growing heavily inside my soul. It meant I was slipping away the more resistance in fending off the darkness they destined me to embrace. Angelica does not understand what it would mean if I turned. She even encouraged it, because she doesn’t want to risk losing me in death. If only she knew, my secrets.

  All these thoughts were vivid in my mind as I strolled down to the west wing of the castle to the seven warriors’ hall; built for us when we swore in to serve the princess, the next Queen to the throne. I entered the main corridor and just outside the door; I heard swords clinging before entering the chamber.

  Leonidas and Achilles were dueling once again as they always do every morning in the fighting circle, drawn in the center of the room. The lines glowed red like a barrier when they attacked each other, using brute force, clashing the blades of their swords and ramming into one another. They fought without holding back their strengths to test their abilities.

  Leonidas fought shirtless, which I saw his enormously toned muscles flex at every movement while attacking Achilles, who wore his thick leather chest plate, which protected him from the mass blows being inflicted on him as Leonidas elbowed him hard in the chest.

  “You fight barbaric, Spartan.” Achilles taunted him as their swords clashed again. He shook back his long dirty blonde hair to get it out of his face. Their hits created shockwaves within the circle. If it were not for the barrier being raised that absorbed the attack, it would destroy the room. They would demolish the room in an instant with the gifts the empire gave them to enhance their strength.

  Under the commission for the Demon Empire has rewarded them well. Magical weapons that can cut through boulders; enchanted armor and charms that can increase their strength to be equivalent to a higher-level Demon. In return, they would give their lives to the princess.

  Leonidas retaliated by tackling Achilles to the ground. “Do all the sons of Zeus fight like an untrained child?”

  As always, they were like children themselves, brawling to raise their large egos. “You two never change. We’re not children here.” I distracted them from continuing.

  They quickly parted from each other and rose to their feet. Achilles straightened his stance and Leonidas picked up his sword that was
thrown to the floor when they switched to hand-to-hand combat. They both cleared their throats and lined up in front of me.

  “Okay—what was it this time?” I asked with a scowl on my face.

  “Just about who had the better history when we were alive in Greece,” Achilles answered first before Leonidas could.

  “Ali—who do you think was the greatest fighter back then?” Leonidas asked sincerely.

  “Really—again?” I rolled my eyes. “This is all about who was the better warrior back in the third realm.” The annoyance grew in me just as it always did with how the men acted at times. They were decent men now, not like how they were before, always drinking and indulging in sex and meaningless battles. They were married now and had settled in far-off provinces in the Underworld, having a family of their own when the empire didn’t summon them here for missions. “You both were once the warriors of Greece. Start acting like it for once. These matters are not important. You both had your advantages and flaws when you lived as heroic figures. You both died for the sake of your country and your ideals. You should honor each other for living such legendary lives and not brawl like senseless children squabbling over meaningless arguments.”

  “I believe she will not give us an answer,” Achilles whispered to Leonidas.

  “Well then—I guess we need to...” Leonidas picked me up and over his shoulders, bopping me up and down. “Force an answer out of you.”

  “We will make you give an answer,” Achilles added.

  “I’ll carry you like this all day if I have to,” Leonidas threatened while laughing.

  “Ok! Ok—fine!” My stomach ached from his rock-hard shoulders, pressing against my abdomen and blood rushed into my head, giving me a slight headache. “Put me down already.”