The afternoon was beginning to fall over the elven village. A gentle wind caressed the leaves of the trees as Ares and his adoptive mother, Elysia, walked together along the paths near their shared home. Though elves were known for their longevity and wisdom, Elysia had a special patience with Ares, helping him understand his place in the world and the history surrounding him.
Over the years, Ares had asked many questions about his life, his magic, and the world around him. Today, however, he carried a restlessness that had been lingering in his mind for some time.
"Mother…" Ares said, gazing at the horizon. "I've always heard stories about the Elven Wars. But no one has ever really explained what happened. Why did they fight each other?"
Elysia looked at him, her expression turning serious, as if a shadow from the past had caught up with her for a moment.
"It's a long story, Ares. The Elven Wars were a series of conflicts between the elves and other races, especially the dwarves and humans. Although elves are mostly known for their wisdom and connection to nature, it wasn't always that way. For centuries, tensions between the races grew."
Ares stopped and looked at Elysia, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Why? What caused those wars?"
Elysia sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"The Elven Wars didn't begin for a single reason. It was a clash of interests. The dwarves, for example, began expanding their territories throughout the mountains and underground, and they encroached on elven lands. Meanwhile, humans—who were much less powerful in terms of magic at the time—began to rise in power and started competing for control of fertile lands."
Ares nodded, trying to understand. He knew the history between humans and elves had always been complicated, but he still couldn't fully grasp the magnitude of the conflict.
"What happened between the elves and the dwarves?" he asked.
Elysia looked at the ground, as if the words were harder to say than usual.
"Dwarves are known for their strength and skill in forging, but their magic is much more limited. While some dwarves were born with enhancing magic, they could never match the natural magic of the elves. This created a deep rivalry. The elves, who had always seen themselves as guardians of nature, viewed the dwarves as a threat to the world's balance, while the dwarves felt the elves were arrogant and failed to give them the respect they deserved."
Ares frowned at that. He knew that dwarves had often been rejected for lacking elemental magic, and now he understood a bit better where that hostility came from.
"So, the elves fought against the dwarves?" he asked, seeking more answers.
"Yes. There were many battles and clashes over the centuries. The elves wanted to protect their lands and magic, while the dwarves sought expansion and new resources. But what really escalated everything was the rise of humans. During the Elven Wars, humans began to grow more competent in magic, especially fire and air magic. That disrupted the balance of power in the region."
Ares reflected on what his mother said. He knew humans had won many battles due to their intelligence and ability to adapt. But he also knew that elves and other magical races had always looked down on humans.
"And what happened during the Battle of Richard?" Ares asked, knowing it was a pivotal moment in history.
Elysia looked at him, surprised, but then nodded.
"The Battle of Richard was one of the most impactful moments of the wars. Richard, a young human mage, became a legend after defeating 100 elves in a single fight. His magic was said to be incredible, and he managed to overcome a small elite elven squad in their own territory. That victory became a symbol of human strength and how humans began to play an increasingly important role in the world."
Ares looked at her in awe. That story had struck him deeply the first time he heard it. Richard—a human—defeating elves. That same story sparked a deep admiration in Ares for the strength and determination Richard had shown—something Ares himself longed to possess.
"That's incredible…" Ares said, eyes shining. "That mage, Richard… he must've been really strong."
Elysia nodded, her gaze distant.
"He was. But that battle also marked the beginning of a long chain of events. The Battle of Richard made many elves reconsider their views on humans. Some even began seeking alliances with them—something that would have been unthinkable before that victory."
Ares thought about it, the blue fire in his chest flickering. Richard had been human, and even though his magic was very different from Ares's, he felt a connection to him. Richard's strength, his bravery… Ares wanted to be as strong as him.
"And what happened next?" he asked, eager to learn more.
"Well, after the Battle of Richard, things between elves and dwarves worsened. There were several more battles, like the Battle of the Stampede, where 1,000 dwarves were ambushed by elves in a mountain. Only one survived—and he managed to fight off 100 elves before being captured. That event changed many people's perception of the dwarves. Instead of being seen merely as strong warriors, they began to be seen as brave people."
Elysia paused, as if recalling something ancient.
"After the Battle of the Stampede, the dwarves were defeated and forced to retreat into their territories. Over time, the dwarves were divided into two countries: one, the Kingdom of the Dwarves, where the survivors tried to rebuild what had been destroyed, and another—a territory where all races were allowed to live. That division marked an era of relative peace, though tensions still remained."
Ares nodded, processing all the information. His mind raced with questions—but also with determination. The strength of those events, the battles that had shaped the fate of entire races, showed him what he needed to do: become strong, overcome his blue fire, and fight for his place in the world.
"And the dwarves? What about them now?" Ares asked, sensing the sorrow in Elysia's voice.
"The dwarves still live in their mountains, but their kingdom is no longer what it once was. They are a proud race, but many of them have been displaced by others—especially humans. The elves, while they still protect their territories, never forgot the wounds of those wars."
Ares nodded slowly, looking at the horizon. The Elven Wars had changed everything. And though his life had been peaceful until now, he knew the world was much larger—much more complicated. But his determination would not falter. If he had learned anything from all of this, it was that power isn't defined by your race—but by your strength and will.
"I'm going to become stronger," Ares said firmly.
Elysia smiled, proud of her adoptive son.
"I know you will, Ares. And I'll be by your side."