The Gambler

The Elven Kingdom

As Hiro and the Royal Guard approached the borders of the Elven Kingdom, Hiro was immediately struck by the otherworldly beauty that surrounded him. Towering trees loomed overhead, their branches intertwined like the guardians of a forgotten realm. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and the soft melody of birdsong. Drawing closer to the heart of the elven realm, he encountered the outskirts of their settlements, where graceful structures melded seamlessly with the natural landscape.
Elven sentries, clad in elegant attire, watched with keen eyes as he approached, assessing his presence with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Passing through the bustling streets, adorned with softly glowing lanterns and vibrant greenery, he marveled at the artisans at work, crafting exquisite wares with skill and precision.
The Elven people moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, their timeless beauty and ethereal aura leaving him spellbound.
Finally reaching the heart of the kingdom, he stood in awe before the magnificent palace of shimmering crystal or the ancient tree-city that served as its center. Here, amidst the whispers of magic and the rustle of leaves, he found himself in the presence of the rulers of the realm, beings of wisdom and ageless grace.
"Elara!" Says the Elven Queen—a figure of unmatched grace and timeless beauty. She stood tall and regal, her presence commanding the reverence of all who beheld her. Adorned in garments of shimmering silk and adorned with delicate jewels that seemed to capture the very essence of starlight, the Queen's attire flowed around her like a cascade of moonlit waters.
Her hair, like spun silver, cascaded down her back in waves, adorned with intricate braids and adorned with delicate flowers that whispered of the forest's secrets. But it was her eyes that held the true depth of her power and wisdom.
Deep pools of emerald green, they shimmered with an ancient knowledge and an inner strength forged through centuries of rule. They held the secrets of the ages, reflecting the beauty of the natural world and the magic that flowed through it. Her voice was like music, soft and melodic, yet imbued with a quiet authority that brooked no dissent. When she spoke, her words carried the weight of ages past and the promise of ages yet to come. Yet despite her regal bearing and the weight of her responsibilities, there was a gentleness to the Queen—a warmth for her daughter, Elara.
"Mother! I'm so glad to see you!" Elara bursts into tears as she embraces her mother with open arms. Hiro corrects his posture and adjusts himself to the situation. Tears are forming in his eyes, due to a small bit of jealousy forming in his heart.
"You're the new recruit?" Says a much more stern voice, it echoes through Hiro's soul. The Elven King—a figure of majesty and power, yet tempered with wisdom and compassion.
Tall and noble, with an aura of quiet strength that seemed to emanate from his very being, the King commanded the respect of all who beheld him. His features were chiseled and ageless, bearing the mark of centuries of lineage and wisdom passed down through generations. Clad in garments of rich silk and velvet, woven with threads of gold and silver that shimmered in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above, the King's attire spoke of his status as both ruler and steward of the natural world.
A crown of intertwined branches and leaves adorned his brow, a symbol of his connection to the land and the ancient spirits that dwelled within it. His eyes, like pools of deep forest green, held the wisdom of ages past and the promise of a future yet to unfold. They sparkled with a quiet intelligence and a hint of mischief, revealing a spirit that was both wise and playful. When he spoke, his voice carried the resonance of thunder rolling across the mountains—a deep, commanding sound that brooked no argument yet held within it a warmth and sincerity that endeared him to his people.
"Mm" Hiro clears his throat, "Yes, yes sir!" He says, standing up straighter than before. The King walks directly in front of Hiro, so close that Hiro feels almost queasy as the King's aura penetrates him. 'He smells like flowers, weird.' Hiro thinks to himself, the thought eases him a little bit.
"You're a mage?" The King asks.
"Yes, sir." Hiro responds, the easiness that he felt a moment ago, gone.
"Why are you with Elara?"
"I was traveling, and she showed me around the city we were just in."
"You were traveling? Don't you mean running? From the war? From your duty as a Mage of the Human Faction?" 
"Faction? Clan? Royalty? I don't get any of it." Hiro says, he realizes quite quickly that he said that out loud rather than in his head like intended.
"You would dare defy traditions?" The King is extremely suspicious now.
"Um." Hiro thinks for a second, "I would. If tradition is to murder your own kind and those they call friends or brethren, then yes. The traditions that we Humans follow are outdated and cruel. People should be able to live together in harmony in whatever Colony they wish rather than being outcasted to their own Colonies and refused friendship. It was my friendship with your daughter that allowed me to save not only her, but your Royal Guard as well!" Hiro takes a deep breath.
'Woah, where did all that come from?' Hiro thinks to himself. The King is taken back. 
"Nobody speaks to the King like that!" A male Elf from the crowd emerging yells.
"Silence!" The King says, his voice booming through the entire forest.
"Sir, with all due respect. This boy, Hiro. He saved not only my life, but my two men and your daughter. We would not be here without him." Jefald says, as he takes a knee towards the King next to Hiro. Hiro follows suit. The King sighs, "Hiro." The King motions for Hiro to stand.
"Sir." Hiro responds, looking the King dead in the eyes, nearly becoming entranced by the beauty that lays inside them.
"You are officially apart of my daughter Elara's protection detail of the Royal Guard, under the command of Jefald. You are the first Human to ever be welcome in this Kingdom, let alone apart of it. Do not make me regret my decision." As the King finishes his sentence, he spins and walks to his wife and daughter, whom are still embraced in each other's arms. He joins them. Jefald stands and reaches his open hand out, "Look forward to working with you, Hiro Yun." Hiro grabs his hand with his own, and shakes it.
"Like wise, Captain."