The next day Teya awoke to find herself still a human. A part of her hoped that everything that happened had just been a dream. But she was very wrong. She got up from the ‘bed’ and found that her back was aching. It would seem that sleeping on a thin piece of cloth that rested on wood was not the most comfortable option.

She then looked around and saw that she was the first one awake. The main room was empty and the sun had yet to entirely come up. It must have been about an hour to sunrise upon inspection of the sky, which was lit but not quite enough so that the stars disappeared from view. Quietly, the now human girl, made her way through the cabin door. “What was the point of having a door if it was never locked?” she wondered to herself as she went outside. But then again, she figured that the need for personal security wasn’t much of a concern for this little cabin that was secluded on this overlooking hill, some distance from the town. Plus the presence of a guardian was, more than enough, a cause for comfort.

The ambience of the morning was quite nostalgic. Teya remembered all those millennia ago when she would awake early in the morning, as she had now, and just stare into the sky until the sun rose from its nightly slumber. That was a long time ago. Sure, even in Elven form, frozen beneath a tree, she could have viewed the burning flares of light that emerged from the edges of the earth. However, the feeling of freedom, knowing that she could move as she pleased, elevated this experience of hers. But, what about her friends and family? Well, they would be free eventually. That is, if they were not defeated by the Guardians.

But that aside, Teya still did not understand how she came to be human. It happened just after Steven came to visit her. And then suddenly, she felt this power flowing through her and then found herself being able to move. But if she recalled correctly, that feeling was not magic. At least not magic that she knew. It was warm and soothing, like sitting near a fireplace. And that was what made it strange, the heat could be felt not by her spirit but her body. Normally, a spell that transformed someone would use their spirit to cover the body in a cloak that allowed them to change forms. But internally, the person did not change. It was merely a magical cloak that warped its user’s outward appearance into whatever they pleased. What happened to Teya was different? She was not hidden by some cloak of magic. Her body itself had undergone a physical transformation. And for the time being, it did not show any signs of reverting.

Teya knew not what to do. She began walking towards the forest but stopped at the edge. Was anyone there? That would be unlikely. Not many of the Elves besides her would stray this far from the village. But even if there was someone here, Teya could not see them. She had lost her magic somehow. Her father would be quite angry when she found her missing. Especially now that she had to be a breaker and there was no one else powerful enough to replace her.

A feeling of guilt sunk into her heart. Whatever shall she do now?

~

While Teya had been glooming in the morning dew, Steven had taken the courtesy to sneak behind her. Once more, as if it had been some sort of clever bit, the boy managed to surprise the girl with his sudden appearance. She jumped and knowing that she no longer possessed her creation magic, she grabbed him by the arm and flipped him over. But after realizing that it was Steven, she frantically apologized as the boy groaned in pain, whilst lying on the dew covered grass.

She lent him a hand up. Steven rubbed his back and gritted his teeth. “You ought to stop doing that?” Teya said to him.

“I guess so.” Steven replied as he cracked his back. “What are you doing up so early?” Steven asked.

“It’s a habit.” Teya replied.

Indeed, it was a habit of hers to wake up too early. However, it had been a while since she indulged in the act. Truth be told, she liked sunrises. So she’d always wake up to watch them. It was odd for an Elf whose powers depended on the moon to be up during the day. Usually, this was when most retreated to slumber if Teya recalled correctly. It had been quite some time before any Elf actually slept.

“What should I do now?” Teya asked Steven who had started doing stretches beside her.

“I guess we should try and find out what happened to you. But before that, let’s have breakfast.” And like that, Steven began ascended the hill. Teya followed and soon after, they bathed and ate breakfast together.

“So, who are you?” Steven’s brother asked (his name was Arthur as Steven told her).

“I’m Teya.” She replied, dipping a spoon in the vege soup.

“And where is Teya from?” Arthur leaned closer from across a table. It would seem that it was a habit of these two brothers to not have any sense of personal space. Teya wanted badly to push him back.

“I don’t remember.” Teya lied and stuffed her mouth with soup.

“Surely there must be something you remember.” Arthur said as he retracted into his chair and crossed his arms.

“Arthur!” Sarah reprimanded. “Leave her alone. And hurry up! Steven and Maria are already finished. Don’t think you’re going to skip out on school again today.”

Arthur grew quiet after that. Teya watched as the siblings readied themselves and soon left the cabin for school. Steven made sure to tell her that he would help her after school. Sarah, too, left afterwards. No doubt to meet up with other Guardians.

Now what was Teya supposed to do all on her own? She wandered around the cabin looking for something to occupy her time. Luckily, she found a bookshelf in Sarah’s and Maria’s room. Sadly, however, the books bored Teya. Most of them were textbooks for school and the others were just fables for children. So Teya looked around again. Steven’s and Arthur’s room was even worse. There was nothing in there besides the matrasses, a couple of drawers and an old closet. But something caught Teya’s eyes. It was a sword rested beside the closet. She recognized it.

The sword was forged centuries ago by her father’s personal friend who was killed long before the Elves came to dwell in the forest. It was a blade that read the heart of its wielder based on three categories: courage, honesty and heart. Courage to race into the most dreadful battles, honesty to tell the truth and deceive none, and heart, to love and find hope where there is none. If you did not possess these three virtues then the blade would not accept you. What was such a blade doing here? Teya reached out and grabbed it, it burnt her hand. A cold hand for those who lack courage, a flash of shocking light for those who deceive and a raging heat for those who lack hope. She had little hope for the dark times ahead.

~

Nine days they had left. Nine days to ready for battle. Sarah had attended the meeting. She heard of Roon’s success in killing four Elves. But she also heard of the Elves refusal to move. Now there was no doubt in Sarah’s mind that the Elves were ready for battle. Dave had failed to buy them enough time for reinforcements to arrive.

In total, they were about twenty Guardians fit for battle. Half of which could use magic, and less than half with abilities. Their plan was simple. Fortify the borders of the forests with runes and defend it with their lives. Sarah would gladly do so…or at least there was a time where she would have, but now with three children to care for, she didn’t quite know about that.

“Might I offer a suggestion?” Welsh was at the table today. He was one of the main council members but he usually never showed.

“Speak.” Rion commanded, hood over his head.

“I’ve recently revealed our existence to the young Arthur.” Sarah knew that. But where was Welsh going with this? “And I’ve given him a gift. A sword crafted by the Elves themselves some millennia ago. I believe that with this blade, and a bit of training, that Arthur would be a valuable asset in our plight.”

“I object!” Sarah stood up and slammed her fist against the wooden table. The vendor woman and the mayor looked at her. Jaiken chuckled at her with a boyish grin. “I don’t know what blasphemy you told him but Arthur cannot fight. Magic sword or not, he’s not fit for battle.”

“Well, with my guidance he could be.” Welsh stroked his left cheek with a finger. “On another note, while Maria is not capable of fixing the barrier, she is still quite capable of basic magic. In fact, she’s better that most of the lot here. Why not include her as well?”

“No!” Sarah shouted. She would have gone off at the man but was stopped by Rion.

“Welsh, perhaps we should leave the children out of this.” Rion said calmly, his hands knotted and rested on the table.

Welsh smiled and he fell back into his chair. “I’m just saying. We’re in a pinch right now. If we don’t use everything we’ve got, then we’re all going to die, children included whether they like it or now. They already know about the Guardians and I’ve confirmed that Arthur is willing to fight so why shouldn’t we…”

“Enough!” Rion commanded, his voice that of a roaring lion. He fell silent for a bit, his head downed in his hands. “Fine.” He said finally. “If they agree, I will allow the children to fight alongside us.” he looked at Sarah, her face fierce with anger. “However, they will be at the back lines. The very last resort.”

Sarah didn’t like this at all. Last resort or not, everyone who was there would have to fight. And eventually, the Elves would make it through their ranks. She had planned on letting her children flee from the town and go elsewhere, perhaps rendezvous with the incoming troops form the main branch of Guardians but now...now she didn’t know what to do. Arthur would fight. He was a stubborn boy, through and through. Maria would too, but for different reasons. Her guilt for not being able to fix the barrier, even though no one quite expected her to, would fuel her will to fight with them. And Steven, that boy would follow his siblings to the ends of the Earth. For someone with no interest in particularly anything, she knew that he cared deeply about his brother and sister. Sarah really didn’t like this at all. She sat down quietly.

~

“Arthur.” Mr. Welkin walked into the library where Arthur had been waiting. However, he had fallen asleep on the table. He awoke to see Mr. Welkins sitting opposite to him. Sharply he rose up and rubbed his eyes, Mr. Welkins was late today. Usually, the man would be here early in the morning, so Arthur came to library hoping to find him. Despite not finding Mr. Welkins, Arthur still chose to remain in the library, mostly because he didn’t want to go to math class. And luckily for him, the librarian didn’t care even the slightest about whether he was here or in class, just as long as he stayed quiet.

“Mr. Welkins?” Arthur said surprisingly, while still rubbing his right eye.

“You seem tired.” The man replied. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Well, I’ve been practicing using the sword. But nothing’s happened as yet, and I’m also not very good a swordplay.” The boy replied honestly.

Mr. Welkins smiled and fixed his glasses which had fallen a little to the right. “That’s why you have me.” The man said. “This afternoon, I will be paying you a visit. But right now, I believe that you should be in class.” Mr. Welkins got up and gave Arthur a stern look.

Reluctantly, Arthur got up and followed his teacher to the classroom. At least, he would learn to use the sword better with Mr. Welkin’s help. That thought would get him through his hellish classes. With a sigh and downed head, Arthur entered his classroom.

~

“Do you wish to fight?” Sarah asked Maria, who was lying in bed pretending to be asleep. The girl had been keeping herself awake at night, waiting for everyone to fall asleep so that she could practice her magic. To add to that, the girl still had her morning sessions with Sarah. But despite it all, she hadn’t been able to master her power. Sarah didn’t blame her, mastering an ability could take years at the very least. This girl had only started training for a couple of months now, after the council realized that she could potentially fix the barrier. Before that, Sarah hadn’t pushed her to use her magic much. Now, a part of her wished that she did.

“What does that mean?” Maria replied, voice grumbled under her pillow.

“Do you want to help us fend the Elves off on the full moon?” Sarah reworded her question to which Maria replied with no hesitation, “Yes.”

Of course she would say yes. “You could die, you know?” Sarah said, somewhat hoping to convince the girl otherwise.

“I know.” Maria replied. It was silent for a few minutes before Maria asked. “Will Arthur be joining us?” Maria asked. She then added, “He was practicing with that sword all afternoon with Mr. Welkins.”

“I’m afraid so.” Sarah replied, her voice quiet as a mouse and soft as a kitten’s paw.

“What about Steven?” Sarah didn’t answer her question. She just glanced at the girl, who had revealed her pretty face from under the pillow. Upon those refined, delicate features of the woman, the words were written clearer than a summer sky after a storm - “What do you think?”

After that, the two turned away from each other and slept through the night. There was no noise that came from Maria’s bed afterwards. It would seem that the girl chose not to leave her bed tonight. Perhaps the satisfaction of being an asset in battle eased her mind, lessening the pressure of mastering her ability. But even so, Sarah hoped that not one of her children, be it Arthur or Maria, and especially not the little Steven, would have any part to play in their upcoming battle. And if they did, may the spirits of the nine worldly Gods be with them.

~

Steven went into the main room and saw Teya lying on the ground. Tonight, she had stacked some old clothes along with a few other table cloths over the mattress to create a much more comfortable bed. But she wasn’t asleep, her head turned as soon as she heard the boy enter the room. He sat beside her.

“What do you want?” Teya asked.

“Didn’t I tell you that I’d help figure out what happened to you?” the boy replied quietly.

“And how do we do that?” Teya asked as she rose upwards. Steven noticed that while sitting, they were about the same height. Though she was still slightly taller.

“Well…” Steven scratched his head. “Maybe I could go into the forest and ask your family about it?”

“Even if they did reply,” Teya began, knowing that theie plan was to remain frozen until the full moon. “they’d probably kill you. And probably me as well.” Teya pulled her legs closer and rested her chin on to her knees.

“Well...” Steven replied, nudging his head to the side. “Do you have any ideas yourself?” he asked quietly.

Teya stole a glance at his face. She couldn’t see much in the dark. Seems that she didn’t retain her Elven eyesight either.

“You should ask the man in your dreams. It’s just a feeling but he probably knows a lot more about you than I do. And if we’re lucky, he’ll know what you did to me.” Teya said, now making strong eye contact with Steven through the darkness of the room

“I suppose that’s a start.” Steven said with a slight sigh. Truth be told, he would have preferred not to speak to that man again. But right now, it would seem that it had to be done.

“Well, in that case, you should be off to bed. The sooner, the better.” Said Teya as she laid on her side and snuggled a pillow, which Steven had graciously offered her. And with that said and done, Steven went to his room. Even when resting, it would seem he still had much to do.

~

The scenery was the same. Steven looked towards the rocky staircase that lead to the army below. They all lingered about – some ate what seemed to be uncooked flesh, others slept and quite a few engaged in fights amongst themselves, growling and slashing at each other like wild beasts. Steven refocused his attention and surveyed the platform. Chaos was looking into the void. Right beside where he stood was a carefully crafted chair, made entirely of stone. It was befitting of a king.

“Chaos.” Steven began, his voice deep and frightening.

Chaos turned around and bowed. “My lord?”

“Tell me what you know of Teya Moonshadow?” Steven commanded, making his way towards the slender man.

Chaos smiled a wicked grin of black iron. “I know only of Teya from what you’ve once told me. She is a half Elven girl that you knew long ago before you built your armies. You always spoke fondly of her. But other than that, I know nothing.”

Half Elven? Teya never mentioned that. “In that case, Chaos. Since you seem to know more of who I am than myself, what can I do about her situation? Somehow, I think you’re already aware of it. ”

Chaos returned his attention to the void, staring deep into nothingness. “You can do many things. Some of which I don’t even know, and still far too many for me to explain in this short time that we have with each other. Perhaps you could more specific in what you want to know?” Chaos glanced at Steven, his eyes burning with fire. Steven swore he saw within the man’s eyes, a horde of screaming souls howling for mercy, many of which dug their wretched nails into their skin that bled with black blood.

“Can I change an Elf into a human?” Steven asked.

Chaos chuckled and began walking towards the stairs, next to Steven. “If you could, then I have not seen it. Though if you ask me, I rather doubt that even you have the power to change what is to what isn’t.

Steven didn’t know if he still made expressions. But Chaos must have saw something on his face since he seemed to understand what was going on in Steven’s mind. “You could, however, release a spell that restricted one from their human heritage.”

Steven looked at Chaos, who was a head shorter than him. He couldn’t tell if Chaos was small or if he was too big. “How?” Steven asked.

Chaos looked at Steven and then began walking again. This time, he went to the well. “From what you once told me, this Teya always looked Elven. But her mother was human.” Chaos stopped and rubbed his hand against the side of the well. “Half breeds possess the qualities of both their heritages. It is possible that someone had repressed Teya’s human side within a spell. But if someone who possessed the power to break such spells, say you, were to change that, then that would explain why she is now human.”

Steven saw the well overflowing with golden water. The dream was nearly over. “I’m afraid that this all the time we have for tonight, my lord.” Chaos bowed and the world became a golden ocean. Steven panted, and once more awoke on his bed.