The Gambler

Captain Jefald

"How'd it go with the SOA?" Jefald asks, sitting down in a big chair, holding a small glass filled with brown liquid. The room they are in is a simple office it appears. Not Jefald's at the Castle, as it doesn't have the giant window behind the desk. Hiro sits across from Jefald in a leather brown chair that sits next to the crackling hearth. 
"Not so well, it would seem." Hiro has an identical glass with an identical liquid in it.
"What- what is this?" Hiro asks, swirling the liquid, "It doesn't look like the normal wine everyone drinks here."
"It's not wine." Jefald chuckles, "I may be an Elf, and a high ranking one, but I have always preferred the whisky from the New Colony." Hiro reluctantly takes a sip and it burns all the way down his throat, and into his stomach. After a second of burning, he taste a hint of smokey apple flavor, that just lights up his tastebuds.
"Wow, this is amazing. Burns a little, but taste great!" Hiro laughs.
"You are a weird one, that's for sure." Jefald laughs back, "Now, what happened at the SOA yesterday?" Jefald sets his drink on the small table next to him.
"Yumida attempted to jump me. He kept asking me if I felt tough now with his, quote on quote, mage killers." Hiro chuckles.
"How did you react?"
"I left. I do my best to stay calm in every situation. So far though, there's been two situations where I didn't stay calm, and they made a mess of things."
"Our ride to the Kingdom, and the spar?"
"Yeah. The ride to the Kingdom, I had no feelings whatsoever, it was like-" Hiro stops and takes a sip, "It was like I wasn't in control of my body. The same thing happened at the spar."
"Hmm, that does sound troublesome. Honestly, in both cases, you did the thing that was right in that moment. I have a strange suspicion the SOA was attempting to assassinate you in sparring. They've done it before, to new recruit mages being trained. I wanted to intervein as you were supposed to be on my crew, but they would've had my head." Jefald never looks away from the fiery hearth.
"They've done this before?" Hiro sits up, setting his drink down on a small table next to his chair.
"Twice. Though we aren't permitted to speak about it."
"So, the Captain doesn't need training?"
"Of course not. You fought against him, do you think he needs training? Yumida has over 100 confirmed kills in his line of business. The guy is a monster." Upon hearing Jefald say those words things started to click. Yumida was exceptionally skilled when it came to his shadow movements and such. 
"I realized something."
"What's that?" Jefald asks, glancing back at Hiro.
"He purposefully took the hits from me at sparring that put him in critical condition."
"Think so?"
"I know so. He had dodged my attacks multiple times before, but then all the sudden doesn't? Something is off." Hiro glances at the hearth.
"Hmm. That is an interesting theory; Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do it about it. For now, watch your back and let's just continue to do our work." Jefald says, standing.
"Yes sir, Captain." Hiro says, following his lead in standing.
"That'll be all for tonight, Vice Captain." Jefald holds his right hand out to Hiro. Hiro grabs it with his right hand and shakes him hand.
"Goodnight, Captain."

Hiro is walking down a long hall in his uniform, boots clacking against the tile beneath him. The hall goes much farther than Hiro can see, with doors every ten feet or so on each side. Hiro's mind continues to think about the SOA. What are they planning? How could someone be so evil and be apart of such a beautiful world? So far, his detestable evil aura was only felt once before by Hiro-
"The bandits." Hiro mutters as he stops to see the King and Queen walk out of one of the rooms.
"Oh, Mr. Yun." The Queen says, her voice lifting every spirit of Hiro.
"Ma'am." Hiro bows his head, "Sir."
"Lift your head, son." The King says, beckoning the Queen to continue walking. Hiro lifts his head to see one of his cards floating besides the King.
"Hello, Yumida." Hiro whispers.

"HIRO!" Princess Elara yells as she jumps into Hiro's arms as he approaches her door.
"Hey." Hiro chuckles. She lets go of him he sets her down, she smiles and closes her door.
"Ready?" She asks, beginning to walk out into the garden. Imagine a place where nature dances in perfect harmony with artistry—a serene sanctuary crafted by the gentle hands of the Elves. That is what Hiro is walking into. Tall, slender trees with leaves like shimmering emeralds, their branches forming graceful arches overhead. Delicate flowers of every hue bloom beneath, carpeting the ground in a soft riot of colors.
Crystal-clear streams meander through the garden, their gentle babbling a soothing melody that fills the air. Bridges crafted from vines and adorned with glowing faerie lights span the water, inviting visitors to wander further into this enchanted realm.
Stone pathways wind their way through the foliage, guiding travelers past intricately carved statues and elegant fountains that seem to spring from the very earth itself. Each corner reveals a new wonder—a hidden glade where butterflies flit among the flowers, or a quiet alcove where one can sit and listen to the whispering of the breeze.
Above it all, the sun filters through the canopy in dappled patterns of light and shadow, casting a golden glow upon the scene. In this timeless garden, one can feel the magic of the Elves woven into every leaf and petal, a testament to their deep connection with the natural world.
Elara sits in the alcove, Hiro follows suit and sits next to her. Hiro's mouth is wide open, in awe of the astonishing view that lays before his very eyes.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Elara asks, leaning her head against Hiro's shoulder.
"It truly is. I can never even imagine such a thing where I am from." Hiro's words are true, and dance off his tongue without him even thinking about them.
"Do you miss your home?" Elara asks, the wind and sounds of the garden fill the silence that would have followed.
"Not even a little. I miss one person, but they are gone anyways. I would like to believe this is my home now. This place, that has helped me move on from my past and embrace my future. This world, has given me a sense of hope I never would've imagined having back." Hiro's words, are straight from his heart. 
Elara leans in and kisses Hiro on the cheek, his cheeks instantly light up a bright rose red. 
"This is your home, Hiro." Elara smiles as she stands and continues walking, reaching her hand out for Hiro to grab. Hiro grabs it and they continue to walk down the path.
"Jefald created this place, with his bare hands." Elara says, sadness washing over her face.
"Captain Jefald did this?" Hiro is in awe. Such a beautiful thing was created by Jefald?
"Yes. He made it for his wife, and daughter."
"Wow, I would be here all day if my dad did that for me."
"They were." Elara stops in her tracks, her hands begin to shake subtly. Hiro holds her hand a little tighter.
"Were?" Hiro's worry can be heard echoing in his voice.
"They were killed a few years before you arrived. The murderers still remain unknown, but Jefald hasn't stepped foot in this garden since, and never will." Elara has tears running down her face. Hiro embraces her, putting her head against his chest.
"You cared for them?" Hiro asks, his voice much more stern now.
"Deeply. Elune was my best friend." Her sobs echo in Hiro's head.
"I'll find who did it, you have my word." Hiro grabs her shoulder's and makes her face him.
"I will make sure they never make you cry again. I'll make sure they receive punishment equal to the pain they have caused." He says, the seriousness of his words matched by his face. He wipes the tears off Elara's face.