The golden sun hung low over the ancient treetops of Elderleaf, spilling amber light across the village nestled deep within the forest. Homes of carved wood and woven vines rested among the roots and branches of towering oaks, their windows glowing warmly with lanternlight. Paths of smooth stone curved between the houses, worn by centuries of elven footsteps. The scent of herbs and fresh bread drifted through the air from outdoor ovens, mingling with the faint sweetness of blooming wildflowers.
Elderleaf, to those who called it home, had always been a sanctuary peaceful, timeless, safe. Its people lived in harmony with the land, their laughter and work a quiet rhythm that seemed untouched by the storms of the world beyond.
At least, that was how it was supposed to be.
Alex sat on the porch of his family's home, his legs dangling as he watched the evening bustle unfold. Women drew buckets from the well, chatting softly as children darted between them with squeals of joy. Hunters returned from the forest paths with rabbits and deer slung across their shoulders, greeted by nods of approval from the elders. Smoke curled upward from cooking fires, carrying with it the savory promise of supper.
Beside him, Lyanna rocked a small wooden doll back and forth, humming one of Mara's old lullabies. At only three, she still knew nothing of the world's dangers. Her hair caught the sun like spun gold, her eyes wide and full of innocence.
"Look, Alex," she said brightly, lifting the doll toward him. "Mama says she's a princess."
Alex smiled faintly, brushing dust from his trousers. "Then you should be her knight, Lyanna."
She giggled, clutching the doll to her chest. "No, that's you! You're my knight."
Before Alex could answer, the sharp swish of steel rang through the air. He turned his head to see Kael practicing nearby on the dirt yard. At ten years old, Kael's frame was still small, but his every movement was focused and deliberate. He swung his wooden training sword with steady precision, sweat dripping from his brow as he repeated each motion.
"You'll get left behind if you just sit there," Kael called, his voice carrying a mix of challenge and encouragement.
Alex hesitated only a moment before hopping to his feet. He fetched the small wooden sword Father had carved for him and stepped onto the packed earth beside his brother. Raising his blade awkwardly, he tried to mirror Kael's stance.
"Swing. Step. Breathe," Kael instructed, his tone steady the same way Father spoke when drilling him.
Alex followed clumsily, his arms straining but his eyes focused. He swung again, and again, determination carrying him through the growing ache in his muscles.
Then the System chimed in his vision.
Ding!
[Training Mission Complete: Sword Basics I]
+5 EXP
Sword Mastery: Level 2 → 3
Alex's lips curved upward. Another level. A tiny step forward, but progress nonetheless. He glanced at Kael, who smirked knowingly.
"Better," Kael admitted, lowering his blade. "One day you'll catch up."
"Maybe sooner than you think," Alex teased, though he only half-believed it.
Still, even as he laughed with his brother, Alex's gaze slid toward the treeline. His half-elf ears twitched at the faint rustle of leaves. Something about the forest felt… different. Wrong.
The System flickered alive again.
[Notice: Environmental Scan Available]
Would you like to activate? Y/N
Alex's heart quickened. He whispered, "Yes."
The blue panel widened.
[Scanning…]
- Area: Elderleaf Forest (Safe Zone)
- Wildlife: Rabbits, Deer, Small Wyverns
- Status: … Anomaly Detected
- Threat Level: Unknown.
[Recommendation: Remain Alert.]
His chest tightened. Anomaly detected? Elderleaf had been safe for generations. For as long as he remembered, no danger had crossed its borders.
Before he could dwell on it, Kael sheathed his sword and walked over. "You're spacing out again. Don't tell me you're tired already."
Alex blinked, shutting the panel. "No, I just… thought I saw something."
Kael raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Then keep training. Sword doesn't swing itself."
That evening, the family gathered at the table. The smell of spiced venison stew filled the air, steam curling from the bowls Mara set before them. She hummed softly as she served, her presence bringing warmth even in silence. Her hands were quick, graceful, and she gave Lyanna a gentle pat on the head when the little girl leaned forward eagerly.
Lyanna clapped happily as she tore bread into small pieces for her doll, while Kael recounted his training with a proud grin.
Alex listened quietly, spooning stew into his mouth, but his thoughts lingered on the System's warning.
The door opened with a creak, and Father entered. His tall frame filled the room, but his expression was shadowed. He removed his cloak with deliberate slowness, as though heavy with thought. Mara noticed immediately.
"What is it?" she asked softly, her hand finding his across the table.
Father hesitated, his jaw tight. "…Tracks. Not of animals. Boots. Dozens of them."
The table fell silent.
Kael straightened, fists clenching. "Humans?"
Father's gaze darkened. "Perhaps. Too organized for hunters. They were near the border."
Mara's face paled, but her grip on his hand tightened. She swallowed hard, her voice low but steady. "Will they come here?"
"I don't know," Father admitted. "But we'll be cautious."
Lyanna blinked in confusion, reaching for another piece of bread. Alex's heart hammered against his ribs, the stew on his spoon forgotten.
The warmth of the home felt thinner that night, fragile against the weight of Father's words.
Later, as moonlight filtered through the shutters, Alex lay awake listening to the forest's whispers. Every creak, every rustle set him on edge. Then, as though answering his unease, the System appeared again.
[Hidden Quest Activated!]
Quest: "Shadows Over Elderleaf"
Objective: Observe changes in the village. Record unusual events.
Reward: +10 EXP, Hidden Information.
Failure: Consequences Unknown.
A hidden quest. The System never gave those without reason.
The next morning, Alex wandered the village, alert for anything unusual. The cobblestone square bustled as usual, but the atmosphere felt strained if one looked closely.
At the market, he noticed hunters returning with lighter loads. Their voices were hushed, their eyes darting nervously toward the forest.
Ding!
[Observation Complete: Nervous Hunters]
+2 EXP
At the well, he overheard two elders whispering about strangers on the distant roads, cloaked and armed.
Ding!
[Observation Complete: Rumors of Strangers]
+2 EXP
And each night, Father's patrols grew longer, his return later, his shoulders heavier. Mara stayed awake waiting for him, sitting by the fire until the door finally creaked open. She said little, but Alex could see the relief in her eyes each time.
Ding!
[Observation Complete: Extended Patrols]
+2 EXP
Piece by piece, Alex felt the dread building. The quest's progress bar crept upward, glowing ominously in his vision.
Days passed. The children played less freely in the fields. Mothers kept their little ones closer. Even the birds seemed quieter, their songs muted.
One afternoon, while trailing Kael during his practice, Alex froze. Through the trees, just for an instant, he saw it: metal glinting in the undergrowth. A helmet. Armor. Watching.
His breath caught.
"Kael," he whispered urgently. "Look."
Kael spun, following his gaze. But by then, the shadows were empty. Whoever had been there had already slipped away.
"There's nothing," Kael said firmly. "Don't let your imagination scare you."
But Alex knew. He had seen it.
Ding!
[Critical Observation Achieved!]
Hidden Quest Progress: 80%
Warning: Village Threat Level Rising.
That night, he couldn't hold his tongue. At dinner, while Lyanna hummed to her doll, Alex set his spoon down with trembling hands.
"Father," he whispered. "I saw them. Men. In the forest."
The air turned still.
Mara's eyes widened, her lips parting as fear flickered across her face. Kael looked at him sharply, searching his expression. Father's grip on his cup tightened until his knuckles whitened.
"Are you certain?" he asked, voice low.
Alex nodded. "I'm sure."
Mara reached for Lyanna's hand beneath the table, squeezing it tightly as though to anchor herself.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Finally, Father exhaled heavily. "…Then the shadows are closer than I feared."
They finished the meal in silence.
That night, Lyanna curled against Alex in bed, her doll pressed tightly to her chest. Her soft breaths soon evened into sleep, but Alex remained awake, staring into the darkness. His heart felt heavy, as though a storm loomed just beyond the trees.
The System shimmered one last time.
[Hidden Quest Complete!]
Quest: "Shadows Over Elderleaf"
Reward: +10 EXP
Hidden Information Unlocked.
[Information: Human raiders are moving toward Elderleaf.]
Estimated time of arrival: 7 days.
Seven days.
That was all the time they had left.