Norik woke up with the rays of the sun hitting his face and stands up:

  -Norik: "Ouch! It feels like I got beaten up..."

  -Undying: "Good morning, that’s the feeling you get when you sleep on the ground for the first time."

  -Norik: "Ah, good morning. Agh! Is that bread?" he points to a small basket on the ground.

  -Undying: "Yes, I bought it while you were sleeping. You can drink water from this canteen."

  -Norik: "Thank you."

  After finishing their meal, the two got up and continued toward the Forest of Mist. However, along the way, the prince stopped everywhere he could to observe the surroundings and talk to people. This led to Undying scolding him:

  -Undying: "CAN YOU BE QUIET FOR ONE SECOND?!"

  -Norik: "Sorry! This is my first time personally leaving Hagam, so I’m curious about how everything works!"

  -Undying: "*sighs* It’d be good if you’d at least stay close, but every time you see someone in need, you immediately want to help. It’s as if you’ve already forgotten the advice I gave you last night."

  -Norik: "Well, about that... I really believe it’s na?ve of me, but after I helped a girl a long time ago, I decided I wanted to help as many people as possible. It’s so rewarding to see people smile, especially hers. I’ll never forget the gratitude on her face. That’s why I want to do good."

  After the prince explains the reason for his generosity, Undying lowers her gaze, as if lost in thought:

  -Undying: "... As long as you don’t get into trouble, which I believe isn’t too much to ask."

  -Norik: "Right! If I’m not mistaken, we’re near the forest because I remember the path taken by the carriage."

  As they continued, a woman’s roar is heard:

  - "HOW DARE YOU?! I WILL DEFEND MY DRACONIAN HONOR TO THE END!"

  -Norik: "That voice...!"

  Recognizing the voice, Norik runs toward the sound:

  -Undying: "Agh! It seems he truly doesn’t listen to me!"

  Upon arriving at the source of the voice, a middle-aged warrior of average height, with honey-colored eyes, long dark blonde hair, fair skin, and wearing turquoise-blue armor, was fighting off thieves with a long silver spear. The prince recognized her and shouts:

  -Norik: "AKANA!"

  She turns to him, expressing pleasant surprise:

  -Akana: "Prince Norik! Thank the Origin you’re safe!"

  The thieves take advantage of the brief distraction and surround them. One of them yells:

  - "HAND OVER EVERYTHING! ESPECIALLY THE PRINCE WHO JUST ARRIVED!"

  -Akana: "I won’t let you lay a finger on His Highness!"

  Before one of the thieves could approach Norik, Undying stabs him in the back, killing him. She joins the two:

  -Undying: "If the problems increase, I’ll raise the price of the contract."

  -Akana: "What? Who?"

  -Norik: "Undying! Sorry, it’s just that I heard a voice and..."

  -Undying: "Let’s just finish this." she interrupts the prince.

  Norik fight one of the thieves while Undying continues striking them with impressive speed. Akana is momentarily confused by the situation but quickly regains composure, grabs a shiny red diamond-shaped stone, and transforms into a large dragon of the same color as the stone, with yellow eyes and horns. The thieves were terrified and flee immediately. She transforms back into her human form and boasts:

  -Akana: "Hah! Mere thieves are nothing compared to the power of a Hagam dragon!"

  Undying and Norik approaches her:

  -Norik: "I’m so glad you’re alright, Akana! How did you manage to survive the Grinus invasion?"

  -Akana: "I was on guard at a border post on the opposite side of where the attack started. I only managed to flee because other guards asked me to look for you. Unfortunately, I couldn’t protect Hagam, but at least I found you. By the way, why Alder isn’t with Your Highness?"

  -Norik: "Well... it’s a long story." he said sadly.

  -Undying: "Sorry to interrupt, but you two know each other?"

  -Norik: "Oh, yes! Undying, this is Akana, as she mentioned, one of the border guards. Akana, this is Undying, an assassin I hired to help reclaim Hagam."

  -Akana: "Bah! An assassin from Eflessia? Your Highness, we don’t need someone as dirty-handed as her to help us!"

  -Norik: "I disagree, Akana. I’m only alive because of her. Besides, the more help we have, the better."

  -Akana: "Even if that’s true, I don’t trust assassins. I’ve heard that many have killed their own contractors."

  -Undying: "I don’t care whether you trust me or not. I will fulfill the contract to the end."

  -Norik: "I know that, and I trust you. If you really wanted to kill me, you would’ve done it already. Well, now that the fight is over, let’s head to Ydillia. I’ll tell you what happened on the way, Akana."

  An hour passed, and the trio arrived at the Forest of Mist. Akana now understood the events during Norik’s escape:

  -Akana: "That explains why Your Highness is wearing such simple clothes. I apologize for not being able to protect you during your escape."

  -Norik: "There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m just relieved you’re safe. Besides, I believe you actually owe an apology to Undying."

  -Akana: "For what, exactly?"

  -Undying: "If you’re worried about offending me, don’t be. I’m already used to various insults. I don’t need an apology."

  -Akana: "Exactly! I believe you should apologize to the prince for treating him so informally! Didn’t your parents teach you manners?"

  -Norik: "AKANA!!" he shouted in a reprimanding tone.

  -Undying: "No, because my mother died giving birth to me, and I never met my father," she said coldly and continued ahead into the forest.

  Norik let out a sigh and reprimanded Akana:

  -Norik: "That’s all the more reason to apologize to her."

  -Akana: "What?! I am a proud warrior of Hagam, and..."

  He leaves her speaking to herself and goes after Undying:

  -Norik: "Undying, I want to apologize for Akana’s rudeness."

  -Undying: "Why are you apologizing when it was she who was rude?"

  -Norik: "Well, I am her sovereign, so when one of my subjects acts or speaks improperly, it is my responsibility to correct them and apologize to the offended party."

  -Undying: "I still don’t understand that logic, but there are far worse things than insults, Norik. That’s why I’m not bothered."

  The prince smiles slightly and said:

  -Norik: "That’s one of the reasons I trust you, Undying: your sincerity."

  She feels surprised and a little embarrassed by the compliment and tries to mask it with a neutral expression. At that moment, Akana calls out for Norik but hits an invisible barrier as she tries to move deeper into the forest:

  -Akana: "What?! No... wait..."

  - "Ydillia only welcomes those granted permission by Queen Jósal," said a female voice from within the forest’s mist.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  -Norik: "You can let her in; she is a soldier of Hagam. I presume you are an elf from Ydillia?"

  - "Correct, my name is Azalis, a servant of the queen. I don’t know who you are, but if Your Majesty allows your entry, I trust you will cause no harm to Ydillia."

  -Norik: "I am Prince Norik of Hagam. It is a pleasure to meet you, Azalis. Could you lead us to Queen Jósal?"

  -Azalis: "Yes, however, the soldier will need to wait here until Her Majesty permits her entry."

  -Akana: "Are you serious?!"

  Azalis finally emerged from the forest mist: a small, young elf with long pink hair and eyes, pale skin, and wearing a long white dress with a single strap on her left shoulder. She turned to Undying and said:

  -Azalis: "It’s been a long time, Undying. Why not enter Ydillia instead of just rescuing elves and bringing them back?"

  -Undying: "Yes, it’s been a while. I do so because I prefer not to cause problems for Queen Jósal."

  -Norik: "Wait... you two know each other?!"

  Akana also showed surprise upon hearing their conversation, and Undying addressed the prince:

  -Undying: "I’ll explain it to you once we reach the heart of the forest."

  As they enter Ydillia, Undying explains to Norik that in Kradlos, there are people who capture and sell other beings as commodities. These are called 'slavers,' and those captured are 'slaves.' Most of them are elves since they cannot fight:

  -Undying: "Slavers are the worst kind of people in Kradlos. When I see one, I kill them and take the slaves back to where they lived before being captured."

  -Azalis: "Yes, that has been invaluable to Ydillia. All the rescued elves are very grateful for your work."

  - Undying: "It’s nothing much."

  -Norik: "No, it’s truly incredible. Everything you’ve told me before makes sense. You’re a good person, Undying."

  -Undying: "I-If you think so... (Damn, if he compliments me one more time, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep this neutral face...)"

  The three arrived at a massive sequoia tree, with a thick trunk and several fallen, dry branches. In the middle of the trunk was a large wooden gate adorned with various colorful flowers and silver carvings. Azalis knocks on the gate and said:

  -Azalis: "Your Majesty, may I request an audience with the Prince of Hagam and Undying..."

  The two doors of the gate opens, revealing inside the tree a bright white hall adorned with long branches and fruits of different sizes and colors. In the center of the hall was a throne resembling a large tree trunk, and seated on it was a tall, beautiful elf with long, dark brown, wavy hair tied in a lengthy braid. Her skin was the same tone as her hair, and her eyes were as green as a freshly sprouted leaf. She stood and looked at Norik:

  -Jósal: "Prince Norik... I offer my deepest condolences for what happened in Hagam."

  -Norik: "Regarding that, Queen Jósal... I would like to request Ydillia’s assistance in reclaiming Hagam and, please, to release Akana—a soldier waiting outside the barrier. She has dark blonde hair and is wearing blue armor."

  -Jósal: "I can grant the second request, Your Highness. However, unfortunately, Ydillia has also faced several invasion attempts by Grinus. The forest has only been able to stand so far thanks to the light barrier I’ve created."

  -Norik: "Well, that’s unfortunate... If you can, I would also like to understand Ydillia’s current situation."

  -Jósal: "Certainly. Grinus has been attempting to manipulate young elves..."

  Eastern part of Ydillia, 10:27

  Two elves were conversing cheerfully—one was short with fair skin, light green short hair, and eyes of the same color, and the other was of medium height with shoulder-length brown hair, slightly tanned skin, and dark blue eyes. Both were dressed in white robes that reached their knees and wore brown sandals:

  -Green-haired elf: "Hey Rendell, have you been practicing your dancing?"

  -Rendell: "Yes, I think I’m gradually improving. If only we were in a time of peace, I’d have more time to practice."

  - "Hey, you two! Look what I got!"

  The two turns toward the voice and saw another young elf, a redhead with yellow eyes, approaching them with a medium-sized sword. Rendell looked alarmed and said:

  -Rendell: "What are you doing with that?! Drop it now!!"

  - "This beauty here? I got it from some Grinus soldiers! What are you afraid of, anyway? That I’ll turn into a monster like in the ancient legend?" he said mockingly.

  The elf with the sword began gesturing as if attacking, but as he did so, the arm holding the weapon began to turn black, stiffened, and the darkness spread across his body:

  - "WHAT IS THIS?! AAAAAAAAAH!!!"

  -Green-haired elf: "T-The legend is true!!"

  -Rendell: "We don’t have time to think about this! Run!"

  The two run to the heart of the forest, with the green-haired elf arriving first and frantically knocking on the gate. Queen Jósal, realizing they were elves, opened the gate, and the two entered, running:

  -Jósal: "What happened, my young ones?"

  -Rendell: "An elf has been corrupted!"

  -Jósal: "Oh no... this means that Grinus has managed to taint one of the elves..." she said with a worried tone.

  -Norik: "Queen Jósal! Allow me to help you in the name of the alliance between Hagam and Ydillia!"

  -Undying: "I also want to help,not just because of the contract I have with you, but I can’t leave Ydillia like this."

  -Jósal: "I deeply thank you both. I’ll ask Azalis to take you to where they saw the corrupted elves."

  -Rendell: "Your Majesty! I will go with them!"

  When she looked at Rendell, Jósal notices his determination and allows his participation:

  -Jósal: "Be careful, Rendell."

  -Rendell: "I won’t do anything beyond my capabilities."

  They leave the heart of the forest, with Azalis accompanying them to the eastern part of Ydillia, where four corrupted elves were destroying everything in sight. Akana joined them as soon as they arrived:

  -Akana: "What happened?!"

  -Azalis: "The excess power corrupted these elves. As beings considered pure by the Origin, we cannot even handle a weapon without our bodies becoming corrupted..."

  - "HELP!!" cried one of the elves.

  -Azalis: "I’ll rescue the elves in danger. Can I count on you to defeat the corrupted ones?"

  -Norik: "Absolutely!"

  While Azalis rescues the elves, the four fight the corrupted ones one by one. Norik was surprised when Rendell rushes into the fight, but to his astonishment, Rendell strike one of the corrupted creatures with healing magic, causing it to scream in pain. The prince, distracted by what he had just seen, failes to notice one of the corrupted running to attack him and only snaps back to reality when he heard Akana’s shout:

  -Akana: "YOUR HIGHNESS, WATCH OUT!"

  He quickly tries to dodge but was grazed on his face. The prince grabs his sword and counterattacks the creature, striking one of its legs. The corrupted let out a cry of pain but then jumped at Norik to attack him again, causing the prince’s sword to be knocked away. Norik finds himself at the mercy of the creature, which is about to leap at him again when it suddenly screams in pain and collapses to the ground. Behind the fallen corrupted stood Undying, withdrawing her dagger from its body. The prince watches as the recently killed monster slowly dissipating into dust. Undying addresses him upon noticing his surprise:

  -Undying: "If you feel remorse, it’s best to let it go—it was either you or it."

  -Norik: "I-I know... I just don’t understand how they could have done this to an innocent." Moments later, other cries were heard: Akana and Rendell have successfully defeated the last corrupted. Rendell kneel and places his hand on the dissipating body:

  -Rendell: "I hope you find your peace with the Origin..."

  Norik approaches Rendell:

  -Norik: "Don’t worry, I’m certain it’s in a better place now."

  -Rendell: "Thank you so much, uh..."

  -Norik: "I am Norik, Prince of Hagam."

  -Rendell: "Oh! I apologize for my rudeness!"

  -Norik: "There’s no need to apologize. By the way, I’ve read about the corrupted in books, but I didn’t know they were affected by healing magic."

  -Rendell: "Well, they are weak against that type of magic. Elves learn from an early age that corruption is vulnerable to the purity of healing magic."

  While Norik and Rendell were conversing, Akana continued accusing Undying:

  -Akana: "Don’t think that just because you helped His Highness, I will trust you!"

  -Undying: "I never spoke for or asked for your trust."

  -Akana: "It’s very bold of you to say that without even looking at me! Where’s your respect?!"

  - Undying: "You can insult me all day, but I believe the final word lies with the prince. So you’d best get used to me until the contract ends."

  Before Akana could respond, Azalis appeared and asked everyone to return to the heart of the forest. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the queen:

  -Jósal: "I am deeply grateful for helping the elves."

  -Akana: "It is an honor to hear this, Your Majesty. However, what were those creatures? An elf mentioned something about excess power..."

  -Azalis: "*sighs in disapproval* I believe you already saw me at the entrance of the forest, but I’ll introduce myself again: my name is Azalis, and I serve Queen Jósal. Regarding your question, do you know about the limits of power?"

  -Akana: "I know that the Origin blessed each race created with varied powers and defined a limit for each creation."

  -Azalis: "Yes, each race has a limit to the power it can achieve. When this limit is exceeded, they turn into corrupted beings. It’s like a punishment imposed by the Origin on those driven by greed for power."

  -Jósal: "Correct, and that’s why elves must always be reminded of the importance of harmonious coexistence and achieving their goals through peaceful means."

  -Rendell: "I understand that, Queen Jósal. It’s just a shame that the council isn’t aware of the true nature of elves. It was because of them that Ydillia couldn’t aid Hagam, correct?"

  -Jósal: "Very perceptive, Rendell. Unfortunately, yes. Despite being the legitimate ruler of Ydillia, I cannot take certain actions without the approval of the Elder Council of elves."

  -Norik: "You don’t need to blame yourself for that, Your Majesty. Even if I can’t get help now, I’m sure there are others who disagree with Grinus’s actions and might assist us."

  -Rendell: "Speaking of which: Your Majesty, please grant me permission to help Prince Norik!"

  Everyone looks surprised by Rendell’s request, except for Undying and Jósal.

  -Jósal: "Permission granted, Rendell. Among the young elves, you’ve always had a more open mind due to an interaction you had in the past, correct?"

  -Rendell: "Yes, Queen Jósal. Thanks to that, I want Ydillia to have a harmonious relationship with various countries and villages. The best way to achieve that is by better understanding Kradlos."

  -Jósal: "Have an enriching journey and return safely to Ydillia."

  Rendell thanks her and leave the country with the group. At the forest’s exit:

  -Norik: "Welcome, Rendell! I see you’ve already hidden your ears."

  -Rendell: "Thank you, Your Highness. Yes, I already know about the dangers of exposing them due to the many stories I’ve heard from rescued elves."

  -Norik: "Good to know you’re aware. Akana, your hair is long enough to hide your ears, but I think it’s better for you to avoid transforming into a dragon to avoid drawing too much attention."

  -Akana: "What, Your Highness?! Then how will I protect you?!"

  Norik and Rendell explains Kradlos’s slavery to her. Akana was shocked:

  -Akana: "I understand. However, I believe I can protect you better in my draconian form."

  -Undying: "I think it’s better to follow his advice."

  -Akana: "I am the one guarding His Highness, not you!"

  -Norik: "Hey! I already said to stop this!"

  -Rendell: "Is this normal...?"

  -Norik: "Unfortunately, yes."

  -Rendell: "Well, it’ll be an eventful journey. Where are we going now?"

  -Norik: "To be honest... I don’t know, because Hagam has only formed a political alliance with Ydillia. I said that to Queen Jósal, but I have no idea who to recruit..." he said sadly.

  -Rendell: "If you’ll take suggestions, I’ve heard of a powerful and wise sorceress who lives near the original ruins."

  -Undying: "Ugh..."

  -Norik: "What is it, Undying? Do you know her?"

  -Undying: "Unfortunately, yes. If you want to recruit her, that’s your decision. But I’ll warn you now—she doesn’t seem quite sane to me."

  -Norik: "Any help to reclaim Hagam is valuable."

  -Undying: "Alright. I’ll show you the way there. It’ll take a day on foot."

  -Norik: "Alright, and if needed, we can sleep in a village or under the open sky."

  Everyone agreed and heads toward the ruins.