Chapter Text
This starts in a village called Elderglen. Nestled in a lush, green valley surrounded by misty hills, the small fantasy village of Elderglen exudes a timeless charm. Its cobblestone streets wind through quaint cottages with thatched roofs and flower-filled window boxes.
Each house is unique, adorned with hand-carved wooden beams and intricate, glowing runes that shimmer softly at twilight. At the heart of the village stands a grand oak tree, its ancient branches spreading wide, and beneath it, a bustling market square comes alive with vibrant stalls.
Villagers in colorful garments barter goods like enchanted herbs, handwoven tapestries, and sparkling gemstones. The air is filled with the hum of gentle magic, as small, hovering lanterns float above the stalls, casting a warm, inviting glow. The village is encircled by a wooden palisade, with a single, arched gate that opens onto verdant fields and a shimmering, crystal-clear river that flows nearby.
The villagers, a mix of humans, elves, and friendly mythical creatures, live in harmony, sharing tales of old and enjoying simple pleasures like music and storytelling by the fireside in the local tavern, "The Starlit Mug." Elderglen's serene atmosphere is complemented by the nearby Enchanted Forest, a place of wonder where mythical creatures roam freely and the very trees seem to whisper secrets. It's a village where magic feels real and every corner holds a touch of enchantment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The entire afternoon was peaceful, with different types of people from all around. A group of Triads called the Ash Waters were walking along the cobblestone paths seeming to approach the village of Elderglen to have some business with a certain elf. That was, until one of them dropped a special artifact, seemingly unaware of it.
As Ado came out of the store holding a bag of magic marshmallows he had just bought, he took some out of the bag and started eating some. Suddenly, he came across a strange but shiny-looking artifact that had come out of nowhere. Confused, he picked it up with his free hand and inspected it before hearing a citizen shout; "THEIF!!!". Ado didn't know what to do, having the gang members of the Ash Wasters turn around to see Ado holding the artifact, he made a run for it, dropping the bag of marshmallows in the process.
Eldrin was outside a tavern, telling (incredibly fake) stories to a crowd - even explaining the (totally true) reason he wore his eyepatch. His lyre was in his bag, as he had no new songs as of then, meaning he had no reason to pull the lyre out. He could faintly hear the chaos happening, though he chose to ignore it. Being given gold was more important than what was happening around him. While he was explaining his "past adventures", the sounds of the conflict had gotten closer to him, making the sounds much more audible.
Eldrin stood outside the bustling tavern, a mischievous grin plastered across his face as he regaled the gathered crowd with his outlandish tales. His voice carried a confident, almost theatrical tone, drawing the listeners in despite the obvious embellishments in his stories.
"Aaannnnd that, my friends, is how I single-handedly defeated the dragon of the Northern Peaks!" Eldrin declared, gesturing dramatically with his hands. "Of course...of course..it was no ordinary dragon, yes. This one had scales as hard as diamonds and breath that could melt steel! But with a flick of my wrists, and a well-aimed arrow, I brought the beast down!"
The crowd gasped in awe, some exchanging skeptical glances, but most were too entertained to care about the veracity of his claims. Eldrin's eyepatch, a key part of his persona, added an air of mystery to his character. He had a different story for its origin every time he told it, each one more fantastical than the last.
"Noooow, now, you might just wonder about this eyepatch," he continued, tapping the leather patch covering his left eye. "Aha!..Now this is no ordinary accessory whatsoever. This, was given to me by the Queen of the Elves herself, as a token of gratitude for saving her kingdom from a horde of marauding orcs. She said it would g-g-graant me the vision of a hawk, allowing me to see through any deception."
He rolled his tongue at the "grant" part with a huge confident smile on his face. As Eldrin spoke, he could faintly hear the sounds of chaos in the distance. Shouts, the occasional smashing reached his ears, but he chose to ignore them. The gold coins being tossed into his hat were far more important than whatever trouble was brewing nearby.
"And then there was the time I ventured into the Forbidden Forest," Eldrin said, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "The trees there are alive, you know. They whisper secrets and guard ancient treasures. I, the Great Elf of Elderglen was the first, the very first to navigate its twisted paths and return with my sanity intact!"
The crowd leaned in closer, hanging on his every word. Eldrin's lyre remained in his bag, untouched. He had no new songs to play, and besides, his stories were more than enough to keep the audience captivated.
However, the sounds of conflict grew louder, creeping closer to the tavern. Eldrin's keen ears picked up the distinct shouts and pots smashing. He paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder, but quickly resumed his tale.
"But enough about my adventures," he said, flashing a charming smile. "What brings you fine folks to this humble tavern tonight? Surely, you have stories of your own to share."
A burly man in the front row spoke up, his voice gruff but friendly. "We came to hear your tales, Eldrin. They're the best entertainment in town!"
Eldrin chuckled, bowing slightly. "You're too kind, my friend. Now, let me tell you about the time I outwitted a band of cunning thieves in the heart of the city..."
As he continued, the sounds of the nearby conflict became impossible to ignore. The crowd began to murmur, some turning their heads towards the source of the commotion. Eldrin's eyes narrowed, and he finally acknowledged the disturbance.
"Seems like there's a bit of excitement happening nearby," he said, his tone still light but with a hint of seriousness. "Perhaps it's time for a new adventure. Who's with me?"
The crowd cheered, some drawing their weapons, ready to follow Eldrin into whatever chaos awaited. With a flourish, Eldrin grabbed his lyre and slung it over his shoulder, leading the way toward the sounds of chaos, his heart racing with anticipation for the next story he would weave.
"Yeeahhh! Let's go! Follow myyy lead!"
A little girl from the crowd shouted, holding up a wooden sword she had gotten from one of the shops, walking in front, Eldrin let her take the lead and the crowd began marching towards the sound.
Ado continued running trying to flee from the scene, scared and confused wanting to find a way out of this situation. He then noticed a group of people marching toward the noise that he caused, he slowed down and looked straight at the elf, it was that bard he had seen once at the weapon shop...but he wasn't sure.
He then runs through the crowded place bumping into the guy and quickly handing him the strange-looking artifact before making a run for it making the crowd of people gasp in shock and disbelief. He turned a sharp corner wanting to lose the people who were chasing after him, the Ash Wasters, and a few other witnesses.
Eldrin was caught off guard, holding the artifact in his hands. He looked down at it, observing, confused. He looked around, seeing that the bartender had witnessed it all. And before Eldrin knew it, he was kicked out. With the artifact still in his hands, Eldrin gripped it, irritated. He tossed the artifact onto the pavement, having no care for it.
Everyone else was a bit surprised at his sudden action and looked at the arch-demon who ran off. Eldrin was only in the village to tell stories and get gold, nothing else. But his chance of getting gold was ruined. He began to chase Ado.
Eldrin was caught off guard, holding the artifact in his hands. He looked down at it, observing, confused. He looked around, seeing that the bartender had witnessed it all. And before Eldrin knew it, he was kicked out. With the artifact still in his hands, Eldrin gripped it, irritated. He tossed the artifact onto the grass, having no care for it. He was only in the village to tell stories and get gold, nothing else. But his chance of getting gold was ruined. He began to chase Ado.
Ado was caught off guard when he looked over his shoulder and saw the bard and a few of the people from the crowd were now chasing him, out of fear he stopped and quickly looked around the area trying to find another way to lose them all. He quickly ran through the street where the beauty supply store was having many bypassers confused and some even wanting to know what was going on.
Having half of the town confused, he bumped into some flower pots leaving obstacles to run over, and a few people before accidentally running in a circle. He stood there panting, kneeling down to catch his breath before spotting the bag of magic marshmallows, he grabbed the bag and quickly ate some having a snack break since he didn't see anyone chasing him anymore.
It took him a while to finish the bag before it refilled itself in the blink of an eye, a few seconds later, the bard came around the corner hesitantly looking for the arch-demon who had seemed to ruin his potential to get gold and a couple of praises. Then, he spotted the arch-demon, and with pure rage in his eyes, he charged after him. Ado was then chased into the forest, a bard, an unknown gang, and some other people ran after him for a crime he accidentally committed.
As the men ran, seemingly hurriedly, Lysandra was busy humming to herself, as a few birds and other creatures stuck around. She had an angelic sense to her, one that was rather inhuman, but one the birds found comfort in. Being filled with deep guilt and contempt ever since she fell from heaven, she strayed away from the other people of Elderglen. She was so busy in her thoughts that she hadn't even realized the male starting to run towards her.
In a flash, Ado zoomed past last, startling the birds and making them fly away, along with other animals. Eldrin and many others came running through, leaving Lysandra both shocked and confused. She hadn't identified the men, and while she preferred being alone, her curiosity got the best of her, and she quickly came down from the tree branch, and followed behind the group of men with hopes of something interesting.
Having to turn many corners and hide behind multiple bushes and trees, he was finally able to lose them all but ended up standing in front of a palace that looked abandoned. Having flashbacks of the Jade Triads he had no other choice but to run into the courtyard, looking well-maintained...it gave off bad vibes already since it looked abandoned.
He quietly but swiftly walked through the garden where the flowers looked like they were just watered and the bushes just cut up and groomed, it all looked so fresh. But he had no time to waste, not knowing where the group of people went, he entered the building where the doors were opened welcoming him in. He backed away for a second and looked behind him hearing people calling out and shouting where he was. Ado sighed deeply and quickly entered the building not knowing that the place was actually abandoned.
Eldrin was looking around the area, not considering looking inside the abandoned building just yet. He looked all around the outside, before quietly going inside of the abandoned building, looking around, his brows narrowed. Eldrin wanted to give Ado a piece of his mind - maybe even get gold out of it. He carried his bag over his shoulder, walking around inside the building.
Lysandra continued running before she noticed how quickly the group seemed to scatter. Several of the men were still looking around for the 'thief', some going to the left near the Cobblestone Trails, and some going in a direction Lysandra had never necessarily seen before. The only thing she could identify was the tall building on her left. She turned around, eyeing the building.
"I've never seen this before."
She thought to herself, slowly approaching the small steps that led to the entrance. What was it? A church? If so, maybe Lysandra could regain her angelic role back in heaven. She walked inside, looking around as well. That's when she noticed the male in front of her. Was it an elf? Lysandra preferred to stray away from these beings, so she kept her distance.
Ado had taken a left walking down the long hallway until he was met with a noise coming from the end of the hall, he didn't know what to do thinking it was one of the guys that were chasing him so he quickly turned back but noticing the bard entering the building and looking around for him.
Ado quickly hid behind the wall and glanced down the hall before he swiftly opened the door that was near him and went in. The room was quiet...too quiet almost...he cautiously ran his hand to feel the light switch and flicked it on before noticing a figure sitting on the chair that was by the desk. The figure stood up and revealed himself showing a wicked smile on his face letting out a few laughs and giggles seeing how terrified Ado was.
A scream came out from the room, almost as loud as a rocket ship taking off.
Eldrin flinched at the sudden scream but immediately ran towards the area where he heard it, hoping to find Ado in the area. He was desperate to get his revenge on that arch-demon.