The warm glow of a crystal lantern danced on stone walls. Aryan blinked awake, his chest aching, body sore—but alive.
He sat up abruptly, gasping. "Where… am I?"
Three figures stood near the entrance of the chamber, their expressions tense but calm. One of them—a young man with chestnut hair and a wide grin—stepped forward.
"Whoa, slow down," he said. "You've been out for a while. We found you half-dead in the Scraplands."
Aryan squinted. "Scraplands?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah. You nearly died, man. We brought you here to heal."
Aryan's eyes flickered to the two others beside him.
The boy gestured toward them. "The one who healed you—that's Lyra. I'm Zane. And this guy here," he pointed to the quiet, serious one with sharp green eyes and dark robes, "is Mira."
"Mira?" Aryan frowned. "Wait—Mira's a boy?"
Zane shrugged. "Yeah, everyone assumes otherwise. Common mistake."
Mira didn't respond, only crossed his arms and studied Aryan.
"And where is here, exactly?" Aryan asked, pulling his tattered robe tighter.
Zane gave a sheepish grin. "You're in the lower region of the Elven Sanctuary. Our hidden refuge."
Aryan froze. "Elves? Hold on—you're saying… you're elves?"
Lyra gave him a soft, almost pitying smile. "You look surprised."
"Surprised? This world—it's supposed to have only humans, beasts, and monsters. I've never even heard of elves existing."
Mira's eyes darkened. "Because history has been hidden from your kind. We don't exist to you because of your kind."
Aryan looked around, trying to process it all.
"I… I didn't know. I swear," he said. "Most of this world is a mystery to me."
Before any of them could speak further, a blaring horn echoed across the rocky cavern.
WUUUUHHHHHHHH!!!
A blood-chilling alarm.
All three elves froze.
Aryan flinched. "What the hell was that?!"
"We're under attack," Mira said, voice suddenly cold.
Lyra turned sharply. "Don't tell an outsider everything!"
"I'm not trying to—" Aryan started, but Zane stepped in.
"It's fine. He just woke up, give him a break."
Aryan stood, wincing. "Whatever's happening, I'll leave. I don't want to bring trouble to your people."
Mira blocked the exit. "No. You're in no condition to face what's outside. And besides, it's too late."
CRASH!
A nearby wall exploded inward, showering rock and dust.
Through the smoke, four beasts emerged—each one large as a horse, covered in jagged bone plates, with glowing green eyes and serpent-like tails.
"They've breached the inner chamber!" Mira shouted.
The elves drew their weapons, ready to fight—but Aryan stepped forward, heat rising from his palms.
He snarled, eyes glowing faintly orange. "I've had enough of monsters."
In one swift motion, Aryan released a flame shockwave, engulfing the four beasts in fire. They shrieked, burned, and fell within seconds.
Silence returned.
The alarm dimmed. Smoke rose from charred fur and stone.
Zane stared. "He took them out… alone."
Lyra folded her arms. "They were C-rank at best."
"But still," Mira added, "He didn't hesitate."
Later that night...
The air was cooler now, the sky above a swirling purple-black as Aryan sat alone in a small chamber, recovering.
In the next room, the three elves gathered in whispered conversation.
Zane leaned against the wall. "We should tell him."
Lyra frowned. "No. He's an outsider. What if he's dangerous?"
"He saved our lives," Zane argued. "He deserves to know."
Lyra crossed her arms. "He defeated a few beasts. Big deal. That doesn't mean he's trustworthy."
Mira looked at them both. "But he isn't like others. That flame… it wasn't just magic. It felt ancient."
Zane nodded. "Exactly. He's not just a survivor. He could be someone important."
Lyra sighed. "Fine. But you tell him."
Zane grinned and walked off.
Aryan glanced up as Zane entered the room.
"You're not sleeping?" Zane asked.
"Hard to sleep when you're being hunted," Aryan muttered. "What now? You gonna tell me to leave?"
Zane shook his head. "No. I'm going to tell you the truth."
Aryan straightened.
"This land—this sanctuary—it's part of a divided region," Zane began. "Our half is home to the High Elves like us. But the other half… belongs to the Dark Elves."
Aryan's eyes narrowed. "Dark Elves?"
Zane nodded grimly. "They're strong. Ruthless. And this whole territory was once one united land. Until something happened—something terrible—that split it in two."
"What happened?"
"That… we don't fully know," Zane said. "Only the elders do. But the Dark Elves have been growing stronger—and soon, they'll make their move."
Aryan stared out the window, heart pounding.
One war had just ended.
And now, a new storm was on the horizon.
Chapter End.