Emma lies against the cave wall, seemingly unconscious from blood loss. Blood seeps from her stomach, draining her life away slowly. A dark stain marks the wall behind her, evidence of her desperate struggle to reach this place.

  A soft jingle echoes through the cave as a sleek black shape emerges from the darkness, its fur glistening softly, inviting to the touch. Moments later, a burst of golden light illuminates the cave walls.

  Sunlight bathes a pristine white beach, where gentle waves lap at the shore, stretching far beyond sight and painting a beautiful landscape.

  Two elf hunters walk along the beach, wearing coats and leather armor, each carrying a bow on their back. One holds a fishing spear, while the other carries a fishing rod made of dark wood. They scan their surroundings, searching for a good spot.

  Shorter elf begins speaking. "This spot looks promising. I sense we’ll catch something big today, don’t you think?"

  "You sense something big? Last time, the 'monster of the deep' you sensed turned out to be a rather large clam," Taller one teases with a smirk.

  “Don’t blame me! The sea provides what she will. But anyway, did you hear that story?” Shorter elf asks.

  “You’re talking about that red dragon flying over the forest? I didn’t see it myself, but my friend te—” He suddenly stopped, his gaze shifting. “Wait, someone’s there.”

  The elves fall silent and cautiously move to investigate.

  "Hmm… why is it so hot?" Zara wonders as the sun shines brightly, warming her back. She lies face-down on the beach, her dress muddy and wet, her hair resembling a bird’s nest, disrupting the natural beauty surrounding her.

  A wave crashes against her legs and thighs. “Huh?” Startled, she wakes on the sand, the sea hitting her back relentlessly. Zara begins to crawl, struggling to escape the shore. Her legs feel frail, moving awkwardly, as if she hasn’t used them in ages.

  After a fierce struggle, she reaches the shade of a tree line along the beach and leans back against it to rest.

  I try using my hands to brush off the sand that clings to my dress. For some reason, I can move my legs now… What a relief! I cautiously touch them, they feel weak but responsive. And I can actually move them!

  Sitting there, I can’t help but smile at my legs. “YES! YES!!!” I shout, excitement and happiness storm inside.

  “Who are you?” a voice interrupts my celebration.

  “My name is Zara, but that doesn’t matter! Look! I can move my legs now!” I wiggle my left toe, showing off my newfound ability.

  “Uh… nice. I guess?” The voice replies back awkwardly.

  “Oh! You can’t use your legs before?” another voice chimes in.

  “Yeah! I couldn’t walk due to a severe spinal injury. It’s been a pain for so long. But yesterday, a black cat touched me, and now I can start to move them! Can you believe that?” I reply, my excitement rushing through. If I build up my leg muscles enough, maybe I could walk again… even run!

  "That's nice, but you're on our territory," A tall figure stepped into view. He appears almost ordinary at first, wearing worn-looking coats and leather armor. But as I focus, I notice the details, a slight chubbiness softens his features, and a pair of long, sharply pointed ears peek out from beneath his short blond hair, revealing his nature. Beside him stands another elf, shorter and fitter, like a cheetah.

  My heart races as I realize I've been talking with two elves. Wait… Elves!?

  “Vael, we need to report this to the Chief. A human this far into our territory…” Smaller elf says seriously, glancing at me. “Could you carry her back?” After Vael nods, the smaller elf leaps into the trees, jumping from branch to branch into the depths of the forest.

  I try to stand, but my legs aren’t strong enough. I slumple back against tree trunk with my butt and a frustrated cry. “Aww!”

  Vael looks at me curiously yet calmly. “Are you capturing me?” I ask, a hint of humor and awkwardness in my voice.

  He thinks for a moment before replying, “You could say that, but if we leave you here, you might be killed by some beast in your current condition.” He points his fishing spear at my legs. The spear looks sharp and strong. It appears to be made from dark, sturdy wood with a sliver metal tip attached to it.

  “Where are you taking me?” I ask, realizing my limited options.

  “I’ll bring you back to our chief. Maybe you can ask him to send you home. I’m not sure either,” he says, pondering the situation. “But first, we have to get there. Are you ready?” He takes a step closer to me.

  "Wait a minute—err... Whoa!" Before I can protest, he scoops me up, hoisting me awkwardly by his side as if I were a luggage to be deliver.

  I am face down, craning my neck to see forward. He is already halfway up a tree, leaping from branch to branch with surprising agility. The forest floor becomes a thrilling blur, like riding in a fast car, but this time I am facing downward through the trees. After my neck starts to feel uncomfortable from craning to look forward, and the forest looks all the same anyway, so I give up and just look at the blurring ground below.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I been a luggage for a while. Looks like we have arrived at some wooden house higher up in the tree, when the elf stops leaping.

  Vael sets me down on a wooden platform high above the ground. I see five elves standing in front of a small wooden house, waiting for us. Two of them look very old, dressed in fine robes, while the others appear younger, wearing leather armor similar to Vael’s.

  The old elf in the middle begins speaking. “Vael, report everything back at the guild.” His expression is serious. Vael nods quickly, then jumps off, leaving me sitting on the wooden floor with the five remaining elves.

  They do not speak at first, instead, they observe me silently. I try to stand, but it is challenging, so I crawl to a nearby fence and use it for support, hugging it tightly as I manage to stand.

  The old elf finally breaks the silence. “Who are you, and why are you here?” His voice is calm but carries a tone of seriousness.

  “My name is Zara Grace, but I’m not sure why I’m here either. I woke up on the beach, Vael and another elf found me there,” I explain, still trying to make sense of my bizarre situation.

  “Don’t lie to me, young human, it’s impossible for anyone to get lost and be there by any chance.” he replies, his brow furrowing in thought. “But we are not barbarians. If you cooperate and tell us the truth, we will not resort to violence.”

  I use the fence for support, but my legs begin to shake as I struggle to maintain my balance. The old elf’s expression softens. “You guys can bring her in,” he glances at me. “We can continue inside.”

  Inside the building, there is an empty table with two chairs. They place me in one, and the old elf that has been speaking takes another seat. Another old elf stands beside him, remaining silent. One of the younger elves approaches the table and places a cloth and a crystal ball in the center.

  The old elf across from me begins speaking while looking directly at the crystal. “This is chief Aelion Sunleaf. We found a young female human deep in our territory. she bears unmistakable markers of privilege, her clean skin and hands suggest a life untouched by the hardships of the common.”

  He continues “Tell us what happened and how you managed to end up on our beach." He looks back at me.

  “What is that crystal? Do we live and other people are watching right now?” Instinctively, I brush my hairs and face with my hands, trying to adjust my manner.

  The old elf raises an eyebrow. “No, the crystal is merely a recording device.” He pauses. “Do you understand that you are being held captive and investigating right now?” His gaze is focused and curious.

  “Yeah, I noticed. But you didn’t tie me up or put a rope on me,” I reply, trying to smile and appear friendly.

  Chief Aelion pauses for a moment before responding. “Well…you seem harmless and pose no threat.” He continues without pause. “Could you now explain why you are here?”

  I recount the events from the previous night. As I speak, I can feel the interest from all the elves in the room, they listen intently. It is a strange sensation. Never have I experienced this level of attention on me before.

  "After the black cat touched me with its paw, a golden light appeared. I passed out. Later, I woke up on the beach, where you guys found me." When I finish, I feel a mix of emotions about the events, mostly my inability to do anything…

  “Err…to be honest, I’m kind of lost and not sure what to do,” I admit, attempting to smile despite how stiff my face feels.

  Chief Aelion stands up and exits the room, followed by another elder beside him. They look deep in thought, leaving me unable to discern their expressions.

  Three younger elves remain inside, their eyes gleaming with curiosity as they watch me. My story does sound fascinating, doesn’t it?

  “Can I have some water?” I ask, a little bit thirsty. One of them comes closer, handing me a leather pouch. I drink some water before placing it back on the table.

  The chief came back with the same elder, seem like they were discussing something about me outside.

  Aellion addressed me “I feel nor ill or malicious intent from you. But to be safe, I will examine your Mana.” As he speaks, I notice the tension in the room easing a bit.

  He steps closer, looking at me expectantly. Unsure of what is to come, I simply sit still, waiting.

  “Give me your hands,” he requests, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone. “Oh, sorry,” I reply, extending my hands toward him. He grasps them firmly, closing his eyes. “Try to relax and clear your mind.”

  An unfamiliar feeling... like foreign waves of energy invading me.

  Aellion speaks, gaining my attention. “Faint trace of mana…you have an innate talent for magic,” he continues. “Normal human strength…weaker than expected…” Suddenly, his eyes shoot open, his brow furrowing as he looking at me intently. “An energy glowing from your right thigh… a mark? It’s giving off energy by itself. The energy felt ancient…” He pauses abruptly, releasing my hands.

  “Child, show me your right thigh,” he says, his tone now far more serious than before. A wooden staff with a sharp crystal rests in his hand. The other old elf beside him frowns, and I can see that the younger elves appear pale.

  At first, I didn’t notice it. Then suddenly, the air grew heavy, like an unbearable weight pressing down on me. It emanates from the old elf. My hands trembled uncontrollably, sweat soaking into my dirty dress. A deep, paralyzing fear. More intense than anything I had ever experienced. But this isn’t just fear… it is the horrifying certainty that I am about to die. My chest tightens, my breathing turns shallow and rapid.

  "I don’t know anything! I’ve never even seen elves before, and I don’t have any bad intentions! Please don’t hurt me!” The words cry out from my lips as panic overwhelms me. I grip the table tightly.

  Then, as suddenly as it arrived, the heavy air vanishes leaving no trace. But I am still shaking, drenched in sweat. The old elf approaches me, his staff now gone, replaced by a knife. Its blade gleams with a faint, soft blue light, the glowing blade looks so beautiful with its faint blue radiance light.

  “W-wait!” But before I can react, something incredible happens. Aellion arm blurs, moving too quickly for my eyes to follow, and in an instant, the knife is gone, peacefully tucked away.

  “Hm?… a cat paw?” The old elf studies my thigh with interest. I glance down and, to my surprise, see a perfectly cut square hole in my dress. Ruined.

  “Hey, that’s my dress!” I exclaim, a little angry. But as I look closer, I notice something odd. A small cat paw tattoo on my thigh. It looks cute, but am I too old for this? That black cat…

  Lost in thought and forgot to pay attention. The old elf touches the tattoo with his index finger, his expression serious as his eyes closed, putting all his attention into Mana flow. “A curse? No…The mana it giving off something far greater. A gift?…Bestowed from higher up. From where? No…Wait!!!”

  Aelion suddenly on his knees, he hit the wooden floor hard. He looks pales and sweat also dripping down from his face. Though he has withdrawn his finger from the mark, his hand continues to tremble.

  He stands up and picks the crystal ball before speaking with cracking voice "Zara Grace, we will let you know what we will do with you later." He then walks to the door, not giving me any opening to ask. He looking even paler as he walks away. The younger elves exchange worried looks before following him out, leaving me without any explanation of what has just occurred.

  I sigh, exhausted and confused about everythings. And a deep sense of helplessness as I keep getting pushed around, unable to control anything.