The forest stretched endlessly around Alex, its trees standing like silent guardians. He had been walking for what felt like hours, though his small legs carried him only a short distance each time. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, thirst cracked his lips, and exhaustion dragged at every step.
Still, he pressed on. The promise to his mother burned in his heart, the only thing keeping his legs from collapsing beneath him.
The forest whispered with life birds calling overhead, squirrels darting along branches, the distant splash of water somewhere unseen. To anyone else, the sounds might have been comforting. To Alex, they were reminders of how small and fragile he was in this vast wilderness.
He stumbled over a rock and fell to his knees. Dirt smeared across his face, mixing with dried tears. For a long moment, he just stayed there, head bowed, shoulders shaking. "I can't… I can't keep going…" His voice cracked, barely a whisper.
But the memory of Lyanna's laugh, Keal's determined smile, his father's proud gaze, and Mara's warm embrace filled his heart. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to rise again. "No… I can't stop. I promised."
He staggered forward, each step more desperate than the last. His vision blurred, his body swaying.
And then voices.
Alex froze. Harsh, guttural tones cut through the forest, carried by the wind. The same raiders as before. His blood ran cold.
Panic surged through him. He darted off the faint path, scrambling into the underbrush. Branches scratched his arms, thorns tore at his legs, but he didn't care. He crouched low behind a bush, heart pounding so loudly he was sure they would hear.
The raiders came into view. Three of them, armored in mismatched pieces, torches still burning despite the daylight. Their blades glinted faintly as they moved.
"Search the area," one barked. "The boy couldn't have gotten far."
Alex clamped his hands over his mouth, forcing himself not to make a sound. His entire body trembled. He prayed to the gods, to the forest, to anyone who would listen: Please… don't let them find me.
The men spread out, kicking at bushes, peering behind trees. One drew closer, his torchlight brushing against the leaves near Alex's hiding place. Alex bit his lip until blood filled his mouth. His vision swam with terror.
And then a sharp whistle cut through the air.
The raiders froze.
From the trees above, a figure descended like a shadow. Cloaked in deep crimson, with long white hair bound behind his head, the elf landed with grace that seemed almost otherworldly. His armor gleamed faintly with the emblem of a flame, and at his hip hung a sword that pulsed faintly with heat.
The raiders stumbled back. "An elf!"
Before they could react, the newcomer's blade flashed. Fire erupted from its edge, scorching the air with heat. In a blur of motion, the first raider fell, his weapon clattering to the ground. The second raised his sword in defense, but the elf moved faster, his strike carving through steel like paper.
The third raider turned to flee, but a burst of flame roared from the elf's hand, engulfing him in searing light. His scream echoed briefly before the forest swallowed it.
Silence fell. Smoke curled upward from the scorched earth. The elf wiped his blade clean with practiced calm, his golden eyes scanning the trees.
Alex cowered in the bush, too stunned to move. His small body shook violently. He had just watched a man kill three soldiers in the span of seconds.
Then, the elf spoke his voice deep and steady, carrying both command and warmth. "Come out, child. I know you are there."
Alex flinched. His heart screamed to stay hidden, but his body betrayed him. Slowly, he pushed through the leaves, his small frame stumbling into the open. Dirt and ash clung to his face, his clothes torn and bloodied. His emerald eyes were wide with fear.
The elf studied him carefully. "You're no raider."
Alex tried to speak, but his throat was too dry. He only managed a croak, his lips trembling.
The elf's gaze softened, though his posture remained firm. He crouched to Alex's level, placing his sword aside so as not to frighten him. "You're from Elderleaf, aren't you?"
At the mention of the village, Alex's chest tightened. His eyes filled with tears. He nodded, his body shaking.
The elf's jaw tightened, sorrow flickering across his features. "I came too late, then…"
Alex choked on a sob, clenching his fists. "They… they killed everyone… Mama, Papa, Keal, Lyanna" His words broke into uncontrollable weeping.
The elf's eyes darkened, though his hand moved gently, resting on Alex's shoulder. "I am sorry, little one. Truly sorry. But you are alive, and that matters. What is your name?"
"A-Alex…"
"Alex," the elf repeated, as if memorizing it. "My name is Captain Kaelen of the Fire Nation. You are safe now. I swear it."
Alex blinked up at him, confusion mixing with fear. Fire Nation? He had heard whispers from his parents about their soldiers, their flame-wreathed banners, their strict laws. But Kaelen's presence felt… different. Strong, yes, but not cruel.
Kaelen stood, extending his hand. "Come. I will take you from this place. You cannot survive here alone."
Alex hesitated, his small body trembling. Trust was hard after so much betrayal, so much loss. But looking into Kaelen's eyes, he saw no malice. Only resolve. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and grasped the captain's hand.
Kaelen lifted him easily, settling the boy against his side. Alex clung to him, his tiny hands gripping tightly as if afraid he would vanish too.
"Rest now," Kaelen said softly. "Your fight is over for today."
The System chimed faintly in Alex's vision.
[Quest Complete: Fleeing Into Darkness.]
Reward: Title – Survivor of Elderleaf.]
[New Quest Assigned: Survivors of Fire Nation.]
Alex buried his face against Kaelen's shoulder, tears soaking into the elf's cloak. For the first time since the night of flames, he felt a fragile thread of safety. His village was gone, his family lost, but perhaps just perhaps this was not the end.
Kaelen's stride was steady as he carried the boy deeper into the forest, the smoke of Elderleaf fading behind them. Ahead, the banners of fire awaited, and with them, a future Alex could not yet imagine.
But for now, he slept.