Deep in the forest, the night was as dark as ink.
Kain and his companions ran toward the source of the piercing scream that had torn through the air. The trees swayed as they passed, and the atmosphere felt thick and oppressive. Other than their hurried footsteps and ragged breathing, the forest was eerily silent.
It didn't take long for them to find the scene.
In the clearing, bloodstains, shattered shards of ice, and distorted traces of wind elements told the story of an intense battle. Scattered across the ground were Milena's feathered gauntlets and Lorne's bracers amidst the chaos.
"They've been taken…" Tario said gravely.
"But the problem is…" Roddy narrowed his eyes, staring at the conspicuously clear orc footprints. "These tracks are too clean."
Kain crouched down to inspect the scene, running his fingers over a deliberately trampled patch of mud. His expression grew grim. "These aren't signs left behind to call for help. They're clues meant to lead us into a trap."
They followed the tracks cautiously, every step deliberate and calculated. Before long, a sudden snap broke the silence as Roddy stepped into a concealed patch of grass. A blinding flash of lightning erupted from the ground.
Tario reacted instantly, yanking Roddy back, but the ground beneath them collapsed, revealing a pit filled with jagged wooden stakes.
"...Traps?" Tario muttered in disbelief.
"This isn't something orcs would set up," Roddy said, his voice heavy.
Kain's face remained stern, his silence speaking volumes.
As they continued forward, they encountered more deceptive designs—forking orc footprints, deliberately destroyed tree markings, and even the corpse of an orc riddled with ice shards. At first glance, it seemed to be Lorne's doing in self-defense, but upon closer inspection, Kain noticed the cuts were too precise, too calculated to have been made in the chaos of battle.
"This is a game," Kain murmured, his voice low. "A hunting game…"
After hours of tracking and evading traps, they finally glimpsed the orc party near the edge of a canyon. Lorne and Milena were bound near the orc leader, their hands tied behind their backs. Though weak, their expressions remained defiant.
"I'll distract them. Tario, you circle around from the side—" Roddy whispered.
"Wait." Kain raised a hand, stopping them.
His gaze locked onto the orc leader.
The creature was massive, clad in gleaming armor. Its movements were not those of a wild beast but of a seasoned commander. Most unsettling of all was its cold, calculating gaze as it surveyed the terrain. It wasn't just a brute; it was a tactician.
Suddenly, the orc leader turned, its piercing eyes seemingly cutting through the forest to land directly on their hiding spot.
One glance, as sharp as a blade slicing through the trees, sent a chill down Kain's spine. Even Tario and Roddy instinctively held their breath.
The orc leader smirked coldly and let out a low growl that echoed through the canyon. The entire orc party sprang into action, retreating swiftly and erasing all traces of their presence as they went. Not even footprints remained.
Kain and the others immediately gave chase, but no matter how hard they ran, they couldn't catch up. They pushed forward relentlessly, only to feel as though they were running deeper into an endless maze.
The path grew narrower, the air colder. The orcs' presence vanished entirely, leaving only the sound of their own pounding hearts and labored breaths.
"...Gone," Roddy gasped, staring at the empty forest trail ahead.
Tario kicked a nearby rock in frustration. "They slipped away just like that?"
"No." Kain closed his eyes, straining to listen to the wind. He spoke softly, "They didn't just retreat. They've completely mastered the terrain… We're moving in their rhythm now."
For a moment, silence fell over the group. The forest around them seemed to grow heavier, the stillness oppressive.
Then, an icy, familiar presence crept up behind them.
They turned sharply, weapons instinctively drawn.
From the shadows, a figure emerged—unexpectedly, it was a young girl.
She had long, silver-white hair, and her eyes were as dark as a starless night. Dressed in a light gray robe, she walked barefoot across the forest floor, yet her steps made no sound.
Her aura was chilling, a mix of ferocity and coldness, but her expression was surprisingly gentle. She tilted her head slightly, her smile innocent and childlike.
"You've worked hard, haven't you?"
The trio froze, taking a cautious half-step back in unison.
"Who… are you?" Kain asked, his voice steady but wary.
The girl covered her mouth and giggled softly. "Me? I'm… here to help you."
She blinked, and for a brief moment, a faint purple light flickered in her eyes. "I know you're looking for those two. They're not dead. Not yet."
Kain didn't lower his guard. He studied her movements—silent footsteps, robes that swayed without wind. His heart sank. This wasn't an ordinary being.
"You're… a shadow elf?"
The girl didn't deny it. She simply smiled and shook her head. "Some names are too dull. Why not call me… Lua?"
Her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it sent a shiver down their spines.
"I know you don't trust me. But if you want to save them, you'll have to listen to what I have to say."
Lua's voice was soft, but it cut through the air like the cold wind of the night.
Kain acted without hesitation, slashing his hand through the air. A gust of wind roared to life.
Roddy and Tario moved in unison—an earthen wall rose from the ground, and a bolt of lightning shot through the trees. But the girl—Lua—had already vanished.
Her voice echoed from all directions, ethereal and dreamlike.
"Don't be so tense. I'm not your enemy."
The three quickly adjusted their formation, standing back-to-back as Kain scanned their surroundings with a sharp gaze. "Are you working with the orcs?"
"No," the voice replied, this time so close it felt like a whisper in their ears. "They are slaves to slaughter. I… am merely a part of the shadows."
Suddenly, Lua reappeared, stepping out from behind a tree. Her expression was calm, her hands resting at her sides, showing no signs of hostility.
"I can take you to find those two girls," she said, her tone slow and deliberate. "But I have my own reasons for helping."
Kain didn't respond immediately. His eyes signaled Roddy and Tario to remain alert while he asked coldly, "Explain yourself, or we won't waste time on someone whose motives are unclear."
Lua nodded and walked to a patch of ground where light and shadow met. Sitting cross-legged, her voice became soft and distant, like a storyteller recounting an ancient tale.
"Do you know where elemental attunement comes from?"
The three exchanged glances but said nothing.
"Elemental attunement is simply a resonance between you and the elements. But the wind, fire, lightning, and ice you see… they aren't singular forces. They've existed on this land for eons. Since the moment the world was born, the elements have flowed freely. When forces of the same kind gather and merge over time, they… gain sentience."
She looked up, her gaze fixed on the empty night sky.
"Sentient elements are what you call… elemental spirits."
The statement left the trio stunned.
"You mean spirits… are born from the elements themselves?"
"Yes. Elamia is unique. This land holds energy closest to the origin of life, so it's no surprise that spirits are born here."
"And… shadow elves?" Tario couldn't help but ask.
Lua smiled faintly, her face momentarily shadowed under the moonlight.
"We come from the shadows. Not from evil, nor darkness, but from everything you choose to ignore: fear, hatred, loneliness, sorrow… When these emotions accumulate, when the light no longer warms, the shadows give birth to us."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over them. "You fear us because you don't understand us. But we are not all cruel. We simply… are not as straightforward as the light."
Kain studied her, his wariness unwavering yet less hostile.
"So why are you here?"
Lua's voice softened. "I need your help with something. I won't force you, but I'm willing to take you to your companions as an exchange."
"What is it?" Roddy asked.
"I can't say yet." Lua stood, her eyes drifting toward the forest's depths. "But you'll understand soon enough. This war… is far more complicated than it seems."
She turned back to Kain, her tone grave. "They're still alive, but the orcs are accelerating their plans. These orcs are unlike any you've faced before. This isn't a raid—it's… an invasion."
Her words struck like thunder in their hearts.
Tario hesitated, muttering under his breath, "Can we trust her?"
Roddy frowned, looking to Kain. "We don't have a choice. Lorne and Milena can't wait any longer."
Kain was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "We'll listen to what you have to say. But from now on, we'll decide our own path."
Lua nodded gently, her smile returning.
"Very well. Then let's begin—where you're standing now is right next to the path the orc army will soon take."
The trio immediately moved to the nearest cover.
In the distance, the sound of steady footsteps began to approach.