The bright sun filtered through the green canopies of Runewood. Its rays casting gentle glows over the winding roots and vibrant green moss below. Jeis's hut, carved into the side of a thick, ancient tree, stood alone like a lonely mushroom.
That peace, however, shattered the moment Mathes arrived.
Jeis had yet to make up her mind about the unexpected arrival of the three humans when a storm of whispers rippled through the woods. Mere seconds after Mathes's arrival, members of the elven tribes began appearing one by one, drawn by the unmistakable magical aura clinging to the Elven Queen's aide like a second skin. They knew that if Mathes was here, something important was unfolding.
Within minutes, more and more elves gathered outside Jeis's sanctuary.
From the treetops, sharp-eyed and elegant Goldhair elves perched like silent watchers. Their golden eyes shimmered beneath their flowing blond hair and their pale skin gleamed under the sunlight.
From the south, Dark Elves emerged from shadowed paths with daggers and bows slung over their backs, eyes glinting with caution and disdain as they eyed the humans coldly.
From the stone patch, brown-skinned elves, led by Kardel of the Tinkerwood tribe, strode while mounted on enchanted deer-like creatures but with faces of a tiger. Their thorny antlers etched with runic letters glowing faintly with magic powers. The elves wore leather armor infused with elven tech runes, their glowing magical weapons holstered but ready.
"Humans again? Here?" Kardel hissed, his eyes narrowing at the three humans standing by the door. "Their heads are mine," he muttered with venom.
Rhiki, the infamous dark-blue-skinned leader of the Velka'Dar—the Dark Elves—stepped forward, sneering. His sharp ears twitched as he sensed the child within. He then turned to the dark elf that welcomed them.
"You dare bring more outsiders into our sacred lands? Have you forgotten the Last Accord, Jeis? You broke it once, and now you're breaking it again. Have you lost your mind?" Rhiki growled, unsheathing his twin dark daggers.
Robert and Marissa instinctively moved to shield young Rin, who peeked from behind his blanket, clutching a wooden leaf-carved toy Jeis had given him. Jeis's daughter also sensed the growing tension, hiding behind her mother.
One of Rhiki's warriors raised his hand, dark tendrils of magic swirling as he muttered a curse. "Enough talk. Let's just end this."
But he never finished.
In a blink, Mathes appeared before him, eyes burning with icy fury. His lips parted, and power surged within second.
[STORM TOUCH]
A wave of silver-gold energy erupted from Mathes's scepter. The offending warrior was blasted off his feet, slammed into a tree with such force that bark split from trunk.
"Ough~"
Purple blood poured out of his mouth from the impact but it only too him a minute to be able to stand up again - albeit the shaking.
"I dare anyone else to disrespect my presence." Mathes coldly released his chilling aura that sent shivers to everyone around - even to Rin.
Uowoooo~
'Thats a magical Legolas?" Rin thought with wide eyes.
Silence fell in the entire area. Nobody dares to move now that Mathes has their attention.
Mathes's voice rang out, calm but laced with warning. "Who gave you permission to let your men act, Rhiki? Raise a hand against this child again, and I'll not hesitate to end more than one of your people."
Even Rhiki, bold as he was, took a cautious step back. As seasoned as he might be, he knew better than to cross the Queen's right hand.
"My apologies. I-I will make sure to punish him later Lord Mathes." Rhiki bowed his head with lowered voice.
Robert blinked, stunned. "Was that... elven High Magic?"
Marissa commented, "He didn't even cast. That was pure mind-chanting."
Jeis nodded slowly. "Mathes is not just the Queen's aide. Aside from her, he's the only Goldhair to reach the realm of mind-chanting. He is her messenger and the one who executes the law. His strength is second only to the Queen Mother herself."
Mathes turned and gently raised his hand toward Rin. The boy did not flinch. He simply stared with wide, curious eyes.
With a flick of his wrist, Mathes lifted Rin from Marissa's arms. It was a telekenisis.
Ukhoo~
"Oh sh*t I am flying!" Rin's little figure laughed while being lifted. The blanket slipped away, revealing something few had ever seen except in the Leaves of Prophecy.
Golden light pulsed across the child's skin in the center of his chest, forming the unmistakable sigil of a phoenix—its wings spread wide, encircling a spiral sun.
Gasps echoed.
"The child... is marked by the Golden Phoenix, The Holy Beast that guards our land." Mathes declared. "And this child -based on the mark of the phoenix, is the Golden Sparrow that was stated in the prophecy. Or so, I hope."
Kardel stepped forward, stroking his beard, its tiny runic braids glimmering faintly. He frowned. "A human? That's... impossible. The prophecy was meant for the elven people, not humans." He narrowed his eyes. "How certain are you, Lord Mathes?"
"You dare question prophecy from the Whisker Oracle?" Mathes's voice dropped to an icy whisper, but Kardel stood firm.
"I question everything. That's how I've lived this long," Kardel replied calmly.
Rhiki snarled. "Even if it's true, it doesn't make them one of us. I refuse to believe a human is the prophesied savior of the elven people." His cold eyes flicked to his warriors. "We are strong enough on our own. Perhaps it's time we stopped depending on prophecies altogether."
Mathes's gaze hardened but he said nothing. His duty was to deliver the Queen's will, not to debate hearts unwilling to listen.
Kaelthus, silent until now, watched quietly. The air around him shimmered like moonlight, a subtle hint of the immense power coiled beneath his robes. Despite the event, he refused to comment knowing that Mathe's words- a fellow Goldhair, are enough to represent their tribe's stand.
"No. They will not live among our people," Rhiki said flatly. "I don't want my children or my people near them. Humans bring nothing but destruction. Have you even heard about the current child massacre at the Aurelus Kingdom?"
"They won't," Mathes replied. "By decree of Queen Amara, they will reside apart from our clans, by the river near Jeis's land. Far from our settlements and closer to the human border."
Robert stepped forward respectfully. "With all due respect, we're not here to invade or cause trouble. We seek only refuge from King Aurelus, who seeks this child's death. We have come in peace-"
"If your kind abandoned you, why should we welcome you?" Kardel cut him and asked bluntly. "I, personally, despise your kind. Wherever you go, destruction follows. I have seen your kind kill each other for just a meager plot of land. Your people even lose your mind for a piece of gold chunk. What a load of lowlife. Humans are greedy and evil!"
Jeis interjected, her voice steady. "We all carry prejudices, but not all humans are evil. Marissa, as many of you know, once saved my daughter. I owe her a life-debt. By offering refuge, I honor that debt. They will be under my protection."
Reluctantly, the council murmured, some agreed some dont. But the truth remains - no one dared oppose the Queen's decree or Mathes's authority. It took some time for the debate but slowly they had to accept that the queen had already given the command and that it is final - wether they like it or not.
Before leaving, Mathes issued one final warning.
"Do not forget the markings on the child. Prophecies are not hopes; they are inevitabilities. Oppose it, and you invite ruin."
The tribal leaders said nothing. But as the moon rose high, dark plans were already blooming within some hearts.
"Only time will tell..." Rhiki said as he and his men dissapeared into the shadows. The Goldhairs and Tinkerwood tribe also left with eyes filled with unyielding hostility.
Later that evening, Jeis guided Robert and Marissa to their new dwelling. Far from the tribes but closer to her home.
"Here we are. What do you think of this spot, Marissa?" Jeis said as she stopped in a wide open space. A moss-covered field stretched along the riverbank, its soil veined with visible streams of natural mana.
There were glowing herbs that bloomed under the moonlight, and rings of luminescent mushrooms marked the borders of their sanctuary.
It was peaceful—for now.
Robert knelt beside a patch of silverroot and laughed. "This place is a treasure trove. We could build an entire apothecary right here!"
Marissa smiled, contented for now. "Thank you very much, Jeis. I do not know what would have happened to us if not for your help."
Jeis smiled, "You have the Queen Mother to thank for that. But I still would like to warn you, keep yourselves away from the elves."
"We know and we will do our best. Thank you Jeis once again." Robert said thankfully and he scanned the area and found the perfect place to build a makeshift hut.
"I believe we can manage here," he said with smile of contentment. But Marissas smile slowly dissapeared. Something heavy weighed on her mind that she couldn't yet share.
Somewhere on the western side of Runewood, beneath the towering Central Tree, shimmering lanterns illuminated tapestries woven with ancient spell-threads. The Elven Council had gathered to discuss the humans and the prophesied child.
Queen Amara sat upon her elegant chair, adorned with intricate elvish designs and runes. She was ageless and impossibly beautiful—her molten emerald eyes gleaming, hair woven with vines of light, and a presence that stole the breath from any who stood before her.
On her lap sat her favorite pet: a Punto. The three-eyed, emerald-colored rabbit, no larger than her palm. It was a rare magical creature found only in Runewood—cherished and protected by the elves since the ancient days. Unlike the ordinary white Punto with a single horn and gray fluffy body, this one bore three thorns and shone with radiant green hues like a little fluffy jewel.
As the eternal mother of the three elven tribes, Queen Amara stood atop the elven hierarchy. Despite her slender frame and delicate features - not to mention her massive 'assets', she possessed a power that not even King Aurelus could challenge. Only the Emperor of the mighty Wha-Lah Empire stood as her equal.
Mathes stood silently beside her, his sharp eyes sweeping over the council members and tribal leaders.
"I have heard your concerns, my children," the elven queen spoke with grace and patience. Her voice was soft yet carried the weight of thunder, silencing the clamoring elves.
"The Golden Sparrow is among us, and the phoenix sigil upon his body confirms it." She gestured to an ancient mural along the chamber walls—an elegant depiction of the Golden Phoenix with a tiny golden sparrow beneath its mighty wings.
Even before Robert and Marissa had crossed into Runewood, the Whisker Oracle had contacted Queen Amara, showing her visions of the human realm and confirming the arrival of the prophesied child. Without ever meeting them, she already knew the storm brewing within the Austerra Kingdom.
Despite the protests rising in the council chamber, Queen Amara remained steadfast. "The Whisker Oracle has spoken. Our fate is now tied to this human boy—whether you wish it or not."
Kardel tapped his runic weapon against the marble floor. "Then, Mother Queen, allow us to test his worth! If he is to become part of our world, let him prove it himself."
Rhiki grinned, malice flickering in his eyes. "Mother Queen, I suggest we let him take the Forest Fang Trial when he turns seven. If he survives, we shall acknowledge him. If not... the forest reclaims its silence."
The chamber buzzed with tension. Even Kaelthus narrowed his eyes, sensing the venom in Rhiki's proposal. Although seven years old looks like a lot of time, it was in fact just a mere second for the eyes of the long-lived elves.
Queen Amara frowned. "Children, that trial is designed for seasoned warriors of our land. You ask too much of a human child, Rhiki."
But Rhiki anticipated her objection. "Queen Mother, if he is truly the prophesied one, no beast—no matter how fierce—should stand in his path. Is that not the nature of fate?"
Just as Queen Amara prepared to refuse, a sudden voice—ancient, brittle, and echoing—resounded from the shadows.
"Let it be so."
The voice of the Whisker Oracle rang not only in their minds but throughout the entire chamber. The mysterious Oracle—a being none had seen but the Queen herself, yet all revered—had long guided the elves of Runewood with divine foresight.
For two thousand years, it had forewarned them of disasters, invasions, and plagues, while Queen Amara served as the voice to carry out its decrees, the elven tribes was able to enjoy such peace and prosperity because of this oracle.
But this prophecy— as a human savior—unsettled many. Especially the prideful elves who looked down on the humans because of their unfavorable records.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Queen Amara closed her eyes before scanning the room with her domineering gaze. "The Oracle has spoken and approved of your proposal. In seven years, the child shall face the Test of Forest Fang and prove its worth on our land. Are there any objections?"
Rhiki, Kaelthus, and Kardel exchanged silent glances. Smirks curled on their lips. Plans already spun in their minds—to ensure the trial would be nothing short of a death sentence to the human who dare pose as their savior.
"Very well. We accept, Mother Queen," the three leaders said in unison, joined by nods from the elvin council. The humans would remain in Runewood - for now. But in seven years, should the child fail the trial, their exile would be certain.
It did not take long for Jeis to bring news to Marissa and Robert.
When she explained the coming trial for Rin, a suffocating silence filled the air.
"It's suicide," Marissa whispered. She knew well that the creature—the Night Crawler—was no ordinary beast. It excelled at hunting humans, immune to most elemental spells. Only physical attacks imbued with piercing enhancement could wound it.
Robert clenched his fists. That child, despite being just days old had already surpassed many death threats far more than any other child. He knew that the child is destined for greatness and he is prepared to do his best to witness his reign in the future.
With resolve burning in his eyes, he declared, "Then we train him. I've faced Night Crawlers before. Harder than any knight. Harder than any mage. Divine Frame or not, I'll teach him to fight, to think, to survive."
"But he has no frame, Robert. No power to defend himself. We don't even know if the child has any skill," Marissa argued.
"Remember, he carries the power of the Golden Phoenix," Robert countered firmly. "And more importantly, he has a mind capable of learning. We'll help him forge his own path. I'll teach him everything I know—combat, survival, potion crafting.
He then pointed to Marissa, "You will guide him in magic and those boring academic stuff and how to harness the Phoenix's power within him - if its possible. We don't need a Frame to prepare him—only time."
Marissa looked at the child, lost in thought for a moment, before finally speaking.
"Very well. For the sake of the Aurelus Kingdom. I shall aid you. But on one condition," she said, standing before him with her beautiful, sparkling eyes.
Robert watched her approach, a soft smile slowly forming on his face.
"I need your commitment, Robert," Marissa said, standing close with those alluring eyes gazing into his.
Robert stood up, facing her, and replied gently. His hand reached out, softly brushing against Marissa's smooth skin as he spoke.
"If it's with you, it's always been, Marissa."
And just like that, a heated night unfolded, marking the first human family to settle in the land of the elves.
Soon, they began discussing their future plans—how to share responsibilities, how to train someone without a Frame, and how to understand the mysterious power of the Golden Phoenix.
Unbeknownst to them, little Rin, nestled in his blanket nearby, had been listening.
His young eyes, once filled with innocence, now burned with quiet fury. The memories haunted him like a nightmare—the father and king who abandoned him, the cruel execution decree, the blood spilled to protect him, and the strangers who risked everything to keep him alive.
Fate had not forsaken him. No—fate had forged him. Every loss, every betrayal, every sacrifice was shaping a path he was only beginning to see. And while deep in thought, his eyes grew heavy, and he slowly drifted into sleep.
In the next moment, Rin found himself submerged in a river of blood. In his adult human body once again, he gasped for air as the thick liquid dragged him under.
'What is this?' he thought, instinctively trying to swim, desperate to save himself. But the blood swallowed him whole, pulling him into its endless depths.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes to find himself sinking before a massive bird—a phoenix, its feathers drenched in crimson. The sky glowed a faint red, as if the sun itself bled into the horizon. The Blood Phoenix opened its glowing eyes and glared at him with hostility. It spread its wings and let out a deafening shriek, forcing Rin to cover his ears. The next moment, the monstrous bird exploded into a liquid mass, like melting flesh, revealing what lay within.
Babies. Countless babies.
Some looked barely a year old, others still carried their placenta. All of them cried, covered in blood and wounds. The sight was horrifying—some missing eyes, others with deep cuts across their necks, and some with stab wounds in their tiny chests. They surrounded him from every side, so numerous that his eyes couldn't count them all.
Suddenly, another phoenix descended from above. It was massive, with wide burning wings and a golden crown resting on its head. Its eyes blazed with the insignia of the Aurelus Kingdom. It dove straight into the river of blood, devouring the wounded babies scattered below.
But the babies resisted—they crawled toward it, grabbing the phoenix with their small hands. Their mouths opened and bit down with what little strength they had. Some bumped their heads into it while others smacked it with their tiny fists. Their cries echoed like the battle cries of men in war.
It was clear to Rin—these children wanted to fight the red phoenix.
Their screams rang in his mind, thousands of voices blending into a language he could not understand. Yet deep inside, he knew what they were saying. The insignia on the phoenix's eyes told him everything.
Aurelus.
And Rin knew what they sought.
Revenge. They wanted revenge against the tyrant king.
Suddenly, Rin noticed a golden dagger in his hand, placed there by one of the children—this one with a stab wound through its tiny heart. The child stared at him with lifeless, hollow eyes and pointed toward the red phoenix in the distance.
Its mouth opened, speaking words Rin couldn't understand, but he knew their meaning.
Fight it. Avenge us.
But before Rin could react, the massive Red Phoenix charged at him with blinding speed, its wide flaming beak opened. Before Rin could escape, it had already devoured him whole.
UWHA~
He let out a faint scream as he woke up, gasping. The peaceful glow of the night bathed his baby face.
'A dream... and a bad one at that,' Rin mumbled in his thoughts as he scanned the small hut.
He lay in a makeshift cradle. Robert slept outside, sword resting on his arm, while Marissa slept beside him, her hand resting near his head. Lately, he found himself sleeping a lot—perhaps a result of his tiny body always feeling tired.
"I don't really know you people yet, but I promise to grow up strong and repay you both one day," Rin vowed softly.
As the twin moons crossed paths in the night sky, their pale lights merging into a single gleaming eye above Runewood, Rin clenched his tiny fists beneath the blanket. In that moment, a promise was born—sharp as steel, unbreakable as the ancient roots beneath him.
He remembered the thousands of babies crying in despair, and the little figures who bravely fought the red phoenix.
The small hands that guided him to the golden dagger. The bleeding eyes of the child who pointed him toward battle. At least now, Rin knew that there were spirits longing for revenge against that man.
Rin was not alone on his path to vengeance.
In his own baby words, he whispered his promise beneath the two moons above.
Ughoo~ Uwaa~
"Hear me, king—whoever you are. When I grow, I will find you."
Ugah.
"And I will destroy you."