Dragonfire: Celestia

Chapter 11: King of The Elves

Kei was leading the others through the city streets. The burning buildings made for a sorry sight. Strangely, there were no bodies in the streets. Perhaps there were in the buildings. But there weren’t any corpses in the open. “How did this happen?” Kei asked, “I agree. Such incompetence from the Elves. But that isn’t so unusual. The Elves couldn’t find their pointed ears if they were cut off and handed to them on a platter.” Yulan said. Kei seemed like she wanted to respond, but she chose not to. Konari on the other hand had something to say. “Well Elves are stupid. I know from personal experience just how terrible they really are. Honestly, they’re pathetic.” She said. Kei seemed like she really wanted to say something now, but still held her tongue. They stopped when they heard something fall behind them! They turned around, and found Yuki on her hands and knees! She was breathing heavily. “Are you alright?” Kei asked, rushing over to her, “S-So…so h-hot…” Yuki answered. Yulan sighed. “She is an Ice Elemental. She’ll get used to it.” He said. Kei looked at him, and folded her arms under her chest. “You speak of the incompetence of Elves, yet you didn’t mention we had an Ice Elemental before rushing into a scorching town?” She asked.

“She has a will of her own. She should have mentioned it herself.” Yulan answered, “But you knew. And you decided to say nothing. She failed to mention it, but the fact that you, someone others look up to, knew about this and chose not to say anything is stupid. We could have avoided this, and yet you just kept going like nothing was wrong. Or perhaps you were too busy brandishing your crown to actually benefit the team?” Kei responded, “I’m just on the team. It’s not my job to do what Albedo is too stupid to do herself. She read the files, and she should have mentioned it. But she didn’t, and neither did Yuki.” Yulan said. Kei let out a frustrated sigh. She was angered by his insult towards Albedo, and his demeaning tone towards Yuki. But she decided not to get into an argument with him. “J, help Yuki back to the wagon. We can’t risk her overheating in here. We may be able to withstand it, but this type of heat can be fatal to an Ice Elemental.” She said. J seemed uncertain for a moment, but did as Kei asked. Yulan let out a sharp exhale. “You’re getting rid of our tracker now? Brilliant.” He said, “Either we send her away, or we risk her dying. I think you will understand my decision.” Kei replied. Yulan sighed, but did not respond.

“This guy is an asshole.” Kei thought to herself. She continued leading them deeper into the city. Eventually, they reached a large stone archway. It was attached to a wall, almost like a gate. They passed through, and were shocked at what they found. A gargantuan palace, made entirely of gold! Beautiful plants and trees surrounded it, untouched by the flames scorching the city. A brick wall surrounded this courtyard, sturdy and strong. But that wasn’t all. There were dead bodies…everywhere. Guards and citizens alike laid dead in the large courtyard in front of this palace. The palace was a large, primarily squared building, with towers and slanted roofs branching off in some places. Though the front had ramparts above in place of the average slanted roof. The entrance was massive, with a set of double doors the size of a house. They were open, revealing a dark interior. There were more and more dead bodies closer to the doors, leading inside. “Well…that’s disturbing…” Damian said, “We can’t help them now. But the King may still be alive. Come on.” Kei responded, leading them onward. There was so much blood. The bodies were ripped apart…as if some animal got to them. The walls surrounding the courtyard were painted with blood, not to mention the golden walls of the palace. The shine had been dulled by the bloody innards plastered to it. As they drew near the door, Kei stopped them.

A voice rang out. Deep and powerful, with a somewhat raspy tone to it. “Ahhh…the Celestial rats have finally come out of their cages…” It said. Kei ushered everyone back. Something was coming. Powerful footsteps boomed from just within the palace. Large, grotesque hands gripped the doors, guiding an even more grotesque face out of the darkness. It resembled a deer, if the deer were made of twisted flesh. The flesh was bubbly, with two human eyes as a pose to animal-like ones. Its antlers were broken, with strange horn-like bones growing out of them. “Finally taken notice of her…no doubt…” It said. Kei ushered everyone back further as the creature fully emerged. “Hear my words…and flee…” It said. It was roughly eight feet tall. Its legs bent invertedly at the knees, shortening it slightly. It wore ragged black robes, with yellow fur lining throughout. It had fur growing throughout its body, though it was patchy, and only added to the rather hideous nature of it. The fur was yellow, and curiously matched fur on its robes. It reached its long, thin fingers into the pile of corpses at its feet. “Tell your master…that there is no stopping her…” It said. It gripped the hilt of a long golden sword stabbed through three people’s heads.