Elven Blood

The Dome.

The dome was a protective area deep in the forest, enchanted with an invisibility charm. The sisters only knew about it through a friend of theirs. The only way to enter the dome was through a huge oak tree that was rumoured to be 300,000 years old. The sisters sped walked towards the oak. Fira placed her hand on the heart of the oak and whispered an ancient incantation. The ancient oak glowed a pale blue glow. It split apart to reveal a beautiful staircase inside of the trunk. The sisters tried to walk as calmly as they could up the stairs before reaching the dome itself.

They entered the dome, seeing most of the citizens from their village and a group of villagers from the neighbouring town. Delilah couldn't fake it anymore and ran into one of her friend's arms. She broke down into tears. Villagers crowded around the sisters, asking what had happened to see Delilah cry like that. As Delilah could not even think about the event without exploding into a fit of tears, Fira was the one to tell the tale. Villagers had felt sorry for the two girls....except for one of them. "Who cares? It's a great thing that he died, you deserve to be sad. No one likes you, no one cares about you, so shut up."

A villager, who had been showing great friendship and compassion to the sisters and their father after their mother died, had walked up to the the girl. His fists were clenched when he rose them up into the air, launching his fists at the girl. "Stop!" A voice shouted over the silence. It was Maritha, an old woman who easily showed mercy to others.

She disapproved of the girl's attitude, but believed that blood spillage, especially a young girl's blood, will not have changed anything. The man dropped his fists and roughly spoke to her. "What is your your name, girl?" "What's your name, brute face?" "For a girl, you're not petite." "For a man, you're not chivalrous." "I said what is your name, girl!" "Stoneice. Ayaka Stoneice." "Well then, Stoneice, I believe we won't be getting along so quickly." Ayaka kept silent. Her cold personality was not uncommon but she had never put someone down like this. She was a mercenary, a skilled one too for her age. Fira broke the silence. "Guys, I'm leaving. Make sure Delilah is safe. May Eden watch you and may Starlight light your path." She took out her staff and her bag, heading for the doorway.

She was close to leaving the dome, until Maritha spoke up. "Fira, are you sure you have to do this? Risking your life will not bring back your parents, let alone make them happy. I don't want you to hurt yourself. You need not do this, child." "Elder Maritha, I need not to bring back my parents, but to avenge them. I am leaving for the sole purpose to avenge them." Maritha nodded. She understood grief, as her husband and son was lost to Sinbloods. "Let me place some protective charms against you." Fira nodded and Maritha began her work. She placed quite a few charms on Fira. Fira was all charmed and she opened the door. She left, leaving the only protection she had, behind.