“Where is it!?”

“Over there! There's one in the alley!”

People wearing uniformed clothing ran past dark streets in a flurry; white smoke trailing from extinguished street lamps swayed as they passed by. Under one such lamp, a flicker of flame appeared once more to reignite the wick and oil.

“Did you get the Nifyr?” a voice seethed with regret, coming from a man kneeling on the ground with a child in his arms. His eyes— a shade of crimson matching his medium length hair— looked incredibly pained as he held onto the cold body devoid of mana; biting his lips in frustration as the child had reminded him of his own daughter.

“Simone, did you get the Nifyr?” his head still lowered, the Luca Varethe inquired again.

An effeminate man of light brown hair, slightly pointed ears, and emerald eyes— Simone replied with the same pained expression, “We took care of the one that lingering nearby. Sadly, it appears we arrived too late...” He added, “She should be around the same age as little Celeste. Today would be her tenth birthday, right captain?”

“...That's right, although it looks like we won't be home for this year's celebration.” Luca stood and handed the child's motionless but still breathing body to another person that had just arrived.

He then instructed, “Identify the victim and notify her family members. Check the nearby residences. The child's of elven kin, her home shouldn't be far.”

“Huh?” Simone's eyes widened, “I hadn't noticed! An elven child this far from the council dwelling?”

“Captain Luca!” another person interrupted, heavily panting, ”A squad of our men is being surrounded by Nifyr at the eastern block!”

“We just can't seem to catch a break, hah.” Releasing a sigh of resignation, Simone turned towards to their captain.”

“Bah— Everyone! Gather around! We're to provide relief for the squad at the east block!” Luca yelled, exercising his authority and gathering those present in the area before rushing to the location of the report.

A few hours later, on a wide street at the Daerin's eastern block, a brightly lit area revealed the red-haired captain standing in the middle of scattering flames.

A portion of the flames that had yet to dissipate, began moving towards Luca in a threatening manner. In its midst, a hand clad in pure darkness with fingers resembling sharp claws reached out in futile attempt, before ultimately falling to the ground and disappearing within the remaining flames— the rest of its body long scattered to the void.

“No matter how many times I see it, you never cease to amaze me, captain,” the emerald-eyed Simone appeared and stamped out the smolder of an ember on the ground.

Flickering with red light to attract the Nifyr before igniting the surroundings and bathing them with flames— their captain, Luca Varethe, not only was he suited to command the Flame Brigade, he himself held enough firepower to rival an entire unit. Nevertheless, no matter how powerful he was, he was only a single person with limits.

“Captain, the frequency of reports have died down. I think we can retire for the night,” Simone urged Luca. Breathing heavily and bent down with hands on his thighs— continuing patrol in his state would only invite misfortune, Simone thought.

“Bah— no need! There might be more that appear!” Although appearing to be stubborn, Luca understood Simone's intentions, he instructed, “Everyone, take a break! We'll resume patrol in an hour!”

“Fine, but captain— brother-in-law,” Simone shifted his form of address, “We're near your house. Why don't we drop by and see how my sister and Celeste are doing? We should at least greet her, yes?”

Luca deliberated for a moment before conceding to his brother-in-law's request. After a quick survey of the area to assure that there were no Nifyr in hiding, they proceeded towards the nearby Varethe residence.

“Hah...” Simone sighed, “I finally convinced you.”

With how hectic everything had become recently, rarely was there time to spend at home— how could they when they were too busy dealing with the Nifyr infestation inside of Daerin?

“Darned shadowy bastards,” he groaned.

Sinister creatures that lurk within the darkness and scurry between shadows— Nifyr began appearing a few years ago, wreaking havoc inside of the city and alarming the Elven Elder council.

Although classified as magic creatures— unlike the elves or normal magic beasts— Nifyr were unique in that they could only be perceived through the eyes of someone with developed mana roots. In which case, those with unawakened mana seeds, and those without mana seeds— usually children and elves— to them the Nifyr were basically invisible predators.

“Hah...” Simone released another sigh, “Although today's her tenth birthday, it's sad that little Celeste isn't even allowed out of the house...”

“Bah—! My daughter's special... a bit too special...” Luca ground his teeth. He hadn't elaborated, but both he and Simone reached an understanding.

Luca's daughter, Simone's niece— if Celeste had been born normal, like usual humans and half-elves, she would have nurtured a mana seed of pure white. Or if they'd been more fortunate, she would have been like her father, Luca, who'd been born with a red seed.

Unfortunately, Celeste was born with cold skin— a cruel blessing they lamented.

With the threat of the Nifyr in a land where the only spirit present was of the element of fire, Celeste shared the same fate as that of the elves who have chosen to lock themselves within the confines of their homes till the end of their days.

“If only—” Luca anguished, ”—If only the city weren't this damned dark!”

Luca and Simone made their way to the Varethe residence and in the meantime—

“How pretty...” in front of a wooden-framed mirror accomodating her petite size, Celeste was expressing delight at the present her mother had prepared for her.