-Steelheart Saga-

Chapter IV - Last of the Elves

Krysté was back in her armor, riding on horseback to the destination described in her orders. She arrived in the Shadow Wood, named so for the thick treetops that blocked out the sun. The Elven Knight slowed her horse to a walk as she tuned her ears, concentrating on the chirping birds and woodland animals. She picked up on the chatter of voices a few meters west and dismounted, clutching her Blod'ven's hilt while approaching slowly.
Krysté stopped behind a tree and spotted them. There was a Human male and an Elven female conversing, both wore the crest of the Kristenalian Guard. "Hello?" She said, stepping out from behind the tree. The Knights turned and met her gaze.
"Right, I thought I heard someone out there." Said the woman. Her skin was dark and despite her youth, her hair was white. She had striking red eyes and golden lips. "My name is Vana. It's nice to be in the company of my own kind once again."
"Indeed." Krysté looked her up and down, noticing the coloration of her armor and how it differed from her own. "I'm Krysté, of Wo'enne Forest. I've recently been re-assigned from the outpost near the Toxic Rot."
"No kidding." The Human said. "That place was my own stomping grounds. Back before it had that ghastly name." The man wore battle scars on his face. He looked as if he hadn't slept a day in his life. His hair was short and brown and his eyes were a shade of amber.
"I've come on behalf of Lord and Lady Galier back in the Royal City." Krysté said.
"Then, you know our mission, yes?" Vana asked.
"I do." Krysté answered. "We're to locate the resident Werewolf and retrieve the stolen heirloom of House Galier."
"Right then. Now that we're all on the same page, I suggest we regroup at camp." The Human said. "Name's Grunth. I'm the commander of this infantry. Pleasure to be working with you, Krysté." He offered his hand for a shake, but Krysté merely stared at it.
Vana cleared her throat. "Let's get going, shall we?"
Krysté retrieved her horse and followed the other Knights to their camp, where she was greeted by the smiling faces of her peers. Her face remained stoic as Vana introduced her to the camp.
"Gather round, everyone." She said, holding her hand out to Krysté. "This is Krysté, a Knight who comes to us from the Toxic Rot. She was recommended for this task due to her exemplary service against the demon hordes. While she's with us, it's expected you show her the utmost respect. Have you anything to say to the troops, Dame Krysté?"
Krysté scanned over the camp of Knights. She noticed a certain gleam in their eyes. One that made the distinct lack of enthusiasm regarding her presence at her previous post all the more noticeable in hindsight. "Oh, well...it's an honor to serve among you. That is all."
Knight Commander Grunth knocked her on the shoulder. "Welcome to the legion!"
The Knights cheered. They spoke amongst themselves and Krysté's ears could pick out their conversations, although their words weren't of the usual degrading sort she'd come to expect of Humans.
"Look at that, another Elf!" Said one of the troops.
"And she's so pretty! I'm jealous of her hair." A female Knight said.
"Did you see that sword she's carrying?" Asked another Knight. "Thing's massive. She probably doesn't even need our help!"
She felt a tap on the back, glancing back to see Vana smiling. "What's wrong? You look like you've never heard a compliment before."
Krysté turned around to face the other Elf. "It's just that I've not known Humes to be welcoming of our kind."
"That quite depends on the Hume." Said Vana. "Right, boss?"
"Quite right." Commander Grunth agreed. "There may be those who'd like nothing more than the extermination of your people. But our legion is open to any who may aid our mission. You'll find no such discrimination here. After all, under the Shadow Wood, we are all equal. We are all prey to its wickedness."
Krysté nodded. "That's good to hear. When do we begin?"
"When the sun sets." The Commander pointed at some light rays shining through the gaps in the thick treetops. "Tis the night of a full moon. Come nightfall, the beast will come stalking these woods. Then, we move out."
"Understood, sir." Said Krysté. "What would you have me do in the meantime?"
"Get to know the camp." Commander Grunth gestured out to the mingling Knights. "You'll fit in nicely. The troops are awfully curious about you. Go ahead and make yourself at home." He walked ahead, passing his subordinates and attending to other duties.
Krysté looked around, but hesitated to approach any of the Humans, many of whom were staring, seemingly gossiping about her.
"You don't have many friends, do you, Dame Krysté?" Vana asked, stepping beside the transfer Knight.
"Does it matter?" She asked.
"Just a bit." Vana said. "I mean, surely there's more on your mind than your chivalrous duties, yes? Isn't there anyone you can relax your guard around?"
"Why do you care?" Krysté snapped.
"Oh, come now. Really, there's no need to be so serious." Vana locked eyes with Krysté, who was glaring back with a fiery gaze. "Why don't we walk together?" She offered her hand, a smile on her face.
"I'm not interested." Krysté brushed past her, strolling further into camp.
"Nonsense!" Vana shouted, drawing the attention of the surrounding Knights. "I'd like to get to know you better, Dame Krysté. Surely, you wouldn't refuse the invitation of a superior, would you?"
Krysté stopped in her tracks, glancing back. "I see you're not letting this go. Fine then. If it'll appease you for the time being, I'll go." She turned back, returning to Vana's position.
Vana smirked. "See? I knew you couldn't resist."
"Let's make it quick." Krysté marched forward, exiting the camp with Vana following behind, bouncing along while humming a happy tune.
"Hm-Hmm-Hmmm!" Vana hummed while skipping.
"What are you doing?" Krysté asked, side eyeing the other Elf as she marched steadily onward.
"I'm just glad to spend time with another Elf!" Vana answered, swaying her head from side to side. "There's not many of us left, you know. We've got to cherish each other, now more than ever, yes?"
"If you say so." Krysté grumbled.
"Don't be like that! You said it yourself, the Humes weren't kind to you." Said Vana. "We're alike though, aren't we? Survivors, yeah? Lady Knights, too."
"We are not alike." Krysté spat.
"Sure we are." Vana giggled. "You may act all dark and stormy, but you're not fooling me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Krysté asked, her eyes narrow.
"As if you don't know!" Vana teased. "You really want me to say it? Okay then. You're lonely, duh. Bet that's what makes you so grumpy, yeah? Lost your Mama and Papa to the demons, I bet. Me too! But that's okay, the fates have brought us together. Is our meeting not proof enough that the Goddess binds the Elven, even now?"
Krysté stops, scowling at Vana. "You don't know me. I've been fighting to restore our lost Kingdom while you frolic in the forest and mingle with Humes. You've even erased your Elven name. You do know that they will never see you as one of them, right?"
"Éloria." Vana said. "It's Éloria."
Krysté scoffs, splitting off and wandering out into the Shadow Wood. Vana jogged behind.
"Hey, hang on!" Vana called out. "The Humes aren't so bad, you know! Sure, a bit silly, but they can be quite sweet once you get to know some of them. They're quite the curious bunch, really."
"Is that so?" Krysté said. "The Humes I've known are vile creatures, twice as cunning as any hellspawn. The round ears' nature is to covet."
"Krysté, that isn't true." Vana slowed to a walk as she caught up with Krysté, leaves crunching beneath their boots. "There are opportunists everywhere. Even among our people. If we are to restore the Elven Kingdom, they are our only hope."
"The fate of our race is in our own hands!" Krysté snapped.
"No, Krysté, we have already lost the fight!" Vana argued. "Our numbers are too thin to resist the demon hordes. All we can do is work with the Human Kingdoms to quell these demons that blight our world. Only then, can we rebuild."
Krysté outpaced Vana, stopping at a tree and resting her hand against it, dropping her head low.
"Dame Krysté?" Said Vana, taking cautious steps forward. "Are you alright?"
Krysté slammed her fist against the tree bark, then dropped to her knees, hands covering her eyes. "Those bastards!" She wailed. "They've taken everything from us..." The stalwart Knight whimpered against the tree.
Vana stopped where she stood, a gentle breeze blowing by, leaves falling from trees and sunlight peeking through the swaying treetops. She sighed, then glanced at the sobbing woman. "I know..." She mustered.
"I don't even know how many remain." Krysté spoke through tears, her words slightly choked. "What if there's no one else? Could our civilization truly be dead?"
"I don't have any answers." Vana confessed, glancing at her boots. "But I believe encountering one another to be more than mere chance. Surely it's a sign of the Goddess, no? It seems that in our time of need, the fates are gathering Elven survivors. At least, I think so. The woods no longer speak to me as they once had."
Krysté wiped her trees, then sniffled and cleared her throat. She stood, facing Vana and resting her back against the tree. "It's the same for me. It's like there's something blocking the land from our ears."
Vana stepped forward, reaching her hand out to Krysté. "I know." She grabbed Krysté's hand, glancing up to meet her gaze. The grief was written plainly on her face. "Perhaps we should head back."
Krysté closed her eyes and nodded, taking Vana's hand and walking back with her.
Come nightfall, Knight Commander Grunth rallied his soldiers and marched into the Shadow Wood, Krysté among the footsoldiers and Vana by the commander's side as they swept the cursed land for their Werewolf. The Kristenalian Knights scoured the veiled forest high and low, following the whispering winds long past the witching hour. Eventually, a bestial howling caught the legion's attention. They chased the source of the sound, where they found their Werewolf, viscera hanging from its toothy maw as it crawled into the open trunk of a dead tree.
Commander Grunth raised a hand, halting his legion as he took calculated steps towards the tree. The land was quiet, only the buzzing of insects and rustling of leaves were heard as the entire legion of Knights waited with bated breath.
"Commander?" A gravelly voice muttered from within the tree. The Knights readied their weapons as they saw a middle aged man in Knight armor hanging upside down from within the darkness of the dead tree.
"Lieutenant Lucius?" Grunth asked, making out the details of the man's face, only to notice the furry, clawed hands of the Werewolf grasping the edges of the opening. "We thought we'd lost you!"
"I think you have, sir." The lost Knight said as the Werewolf stomped forward. The legion saw only the top half of the man hanging from the monster's jaw, his armor stained with his own blood.
"Attack!" Ordered the Knight Commander. The Werewolf roared, throwing Lucius as it lunged for the Knights, clawing against their armor and gnashing its teeth at their throats.
Krysté shoved the other Knights aside, drawing her massive greatsword and using its broadside to shield the legion from the wild attacks of the vicious beast. The Knights changed formation, moving out to surround the beast, only for it to leap back, clawing and scratching in an enraged frenzy. Certain Knights were caught by its claws, which were sharp enough to cut through their armor and break skin. The rest of the legion backed off, second guessing their approach. Krysté reset her stance, watching the beast carefully while approaching.
Vana dropped to a knee, throwing down her sword and shield to grab the bow on her back. She retrieved an arrow from her quill as the Werewolf tore through the nearest Knights, severely injuring many before sprinting off into the woods.
"After it!" Commander Grunth ordered. Krysté followed the legion, struggling to keep pace while carrying her greatsword, but pushing herself ever onward. The Werewolf was howling while barreling through the Shadow Wood. Field medics attended to the downed Knights as Commander Grunth and Vana followed from the back.
The beast swiveled, nearly tripping as it pounced, biting down on a Human Knight's neck and ripping out his throat. It snarled, the nearby Knights hesitating, gripping their weapons but failing to take action. Krysté, breathing heavily, caught up with the monster and attacked with an overhead slash, her blade crashing into the leaves but failing to strike the nimble creature. She struggled against the weight of her greatsword as she kept an eye on the Werewolf, which was stalking around and baring its teeth.
The Werewolf singled out Krysté, reeling back a clawed hand only to be struck with an arrow to the right breast, causing the creature to stumble back and yelp. Vana scrambled for her next arrow, glancing towards Krysté.
"Shield's up, Knights!" The Commander shouted, slamming his own shield down and ducking behind it as he marched towards the raging beast. His troops did the same.
Krysté retrieved her greatsword, twisting the hilt to hold the broadside up, following the Werewolf with her ears as she pressed forward with the rest of the legion. The Knights huddled together as their target howled, then leaped ahead, its claws bouncing off the shields as it attacked. One Knight bashed the Werewolf's snout with his shield, then swung his broadsword, cutting the beast down its chest.
The creature whined, then scampered away from the Kristenalian legion. Once again, the Knights chased it down, plunging deeper into the Shadow Wood in pursuit of the vicious wolf. The Humans charged ahead without a second thought, but Krysté and Vana both froze. Their ears perked up as a sinister whispering began not far from their position.
"What's wrong with you ladies?" Commander Grunth asked. "Get after it! Posthaste!"
"We've wandered into demon territory." Krysté said.
"What are you talking about?" The Commander asked.
"It's true, Commander." Vana said. "We can hear their wicked tongue. There are demons afoot."
"Well, we can't just sit here, we've got to warn them! Come on!" Commander Grunth ran forward, and the Elven Knights followed close behind. They caught up to the rest of the infantry, who struggled tirelessly against the Werewolf. The beast was flinging itself around the environment in a chaotic scramble, clawing and biting anything in its path.
The Knight Commander clanked his sword against his shield repeatedly. "Demons! There's demons!" He shouted. "Rally up!"
"But sir, what about the Werewolf?" Asked a Knight who was slowly backing away, his sword raised.
"Let it go!" He ordered. "It's too dangerous! Focus on the horde!"
The beast swiped at the Knights, gnashing its teeth while growling.
"We've angered it now!" Krysté shouted over the noise. "It's not going to let us go!" She charged forward, sword raised. The Werewolf noticed the oncoming Elf, hopping aside and scratching at her with both claws. It managed to cut her abdomen beneath her armor plates. Krysté grunted, dropping her heavy sword down as the beast hopped back, slicing clean through its foot. The creature whined and screeched, toppling over and clutching for its split foot.
Krysté raised her blade, stepping forward and holding it over the creature.
"Good work, Dame Krysté." Said Commander Grunth.
Krysté stuck her blade through the Werewolf's neck, pulling it back a moment later. She returned her weapon to her back, then faced the infantry. "You all, return to its den and recover the heirloom. I won't be needing help with the demons."
"You're not serious!" Said of the troops.
"Arrogant, isn't she?" Another remarked.
The Knight Commander stared upon the Elven warrior with eyes narrow. "So that's why the brass recommended her..." He muttered.
"Your orders, Commander?" Vana asked.
Commander Grunth cleared his throat and stood straight. "It's like she said. We'll double back, recover the heirloom, then our mission shall be accomplished. Dame Krysté should have no trouble quelling the stirring demons."
"Commander, please, you can't leave her to handle an entire horde by herself!" Vana pleaded.
"You sure about that, Lieutenant?" Asked the Knight Commander. "Krysté here comes recommended for experience in demon culling. Her report claimed she'd take on missions completely solo at her previous post. Wasn't sure I quite believed that, until now."
"At least let me stay and help." Vana insisted. "I know these woods better than she does."
Commander Grunth nodded. "Alright. I want you both back in one piece, Lieutenant." He turned to the foot soldiers. "As for the rest of you? With me. The hard part's over now." The Knight Commander turned back, leading the troops through the Shadow Wood, back to the dead tree the Werewolf used for shelter.
Krysté marched onward, using her ears to follow the sounds of the rising demons hidden in the dark. Her cuts were still bleeding through a tear made by the Werewolf's claws in the fabric of her under armor. "I don't need help." She said, "I've done this a thousand times."
Vana jogged up to Krysté. "You're bleeding."
"So what?" Krysté asked, clutching the hilt of her Blod'ven as she navigated the dark forest.
"I have bandages." Said Vana.
"There's no reason to stop." Krysté said.
"Don't you know demons are attracted to blood?" Vana asked.
"Let them come. Makes my job easier." The stalwart Elven Knight took a sharp turn, the howls of the demons growing louder as the two Elves proceeded deeper into the heart of the Shadow Wood.
Vana sighed. "You don't have to act like this all the time, you know."
"Like what?" Krysté asked.
"Like you're too tough to ask for help." Vana answered. "That wound is a weakness. What if the demons infect you? Then I have to haul you all the way back to camp and that tough girl image of yours is shattered."
"This is who I am. I signed up to kill demons, I don't need you to like me." Krysté insisted.
Vana rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever. And while you brood, the rest of us are left to keep you from getting yourself killed."
"My work speaks for itself." Krysté shot back.
"You know, maybe the fact you can't get along with Humans has more to do with you than it does with them." Said Vana.
"I don't need to conform to their expectations." Krysté spat. "The Humes are a means to an end. I've no desire to live among them once this is all over. Why should I pretend to be like them?"
Vana shook her head. "Nevermind..."
Krysté drew her sword, her eyes darting around the clearing she'd just entered. She saw their crimson glowing eyes up above. "They're in the trees!"
"Great..." Vana retrieved her bow, readying an arrow as she aimed up, noticing several demons in the treetops.
"Stay behind me." Krysté instructed while stepping forward. Vana followed behind, keeping her bow steady. Several demons lept for the Elven duo, Krysté slashing one on the way down and kicking another to create distance. Vana picked off the demons above as Krysté swung her greatsword back the other way, slashing a demon across the cheek. She pulled her blade back, then thrust it deep into the gut of the demon, shoving it off her blade with her foot and turning to cut down a demon that was attempting to surprise her.
Vana backed away, providing room for Krysté to swing her sword while picking off demons out of the treetops. Multiple demons, each with arrows sticking out of them, surrounded Vana, hissing and snickering at the Lieutenant. She swapped her bow for her broadsword, taking on a trio of demons as Krysté cleaved and splintered her way through a number of hellspawn.
Vana slashed a demon, swiveling around its back and swiping at the next one. She hacked away at the enemy, scrambling to end it before it could end her. She'd left a demon unaccounted for, which interrupted her desperate cuts and slashes with a painful bite to her left arm. Vana grunted, falling back against a tree as her arm bled, the demons laughing at her.
Krysté emerged from the shadows and trees, vanquishing the hellspawn with a simple few sword swipes, stabs, and slashes. The demons fell, and Krysté stood over them, her armor and greatsword stained with their black blood. She locked eyes with Vana. "It's done." She said.
"So it is." Vana sheathed her broadsword, then walked over, grasping her injured arm.
"Let's move. The Commander awaits." Said Krysté as she put her sword on her back. The Elven warrior walked in the direction of camp, and Vana followed.