Demons and Deceit

Chapter 4: A New Bond and A Mystery

"SAMUEL POV"

Samuel, a 21-year-old cosmic elf, embodies the ethereal beauty of the cosmos in his every detail. His tanned skin contrasts with his striking purple and blue hair, which swirls like a galaxy in motion. The colors of his hair flow seamlessly, reflecting the vast celestial expanse. His pointy ears, a hallmark of his elven lineage, peek out from beneath his flowing locks, adding an air of timeless grace to his presence.

As he is escorted to his room within the palace, Samuel's outfit blends casual comfort with a touch of elegance. His relaxed clothing features subtle patterns that hint at his noble heritage, with designs inspired by stars and the cosmos. Each step he takes through the grand hallways carries a hint of grace, reflecting both his refined presence and celestial charm.

I was shown to my new room in the palace, and it was a bit surreal. The bed was neatly made, the room spotless, and they even brought me a cup of tea. It felt odd to be treated like royalty, but I could definitely get used to this! I opened the balcony door to let in the fresh air. The sunset cast a warm glow over the calm sea, and for a moment, I almost forgot about the chaos of last week.

A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. I hurried over, trying to shake off the feeling of disorientation. "Okay, handle this well, you can do this," I heard someone mumbling from the other side. My pointed ears might be a bit of a giveaway, but they're pretty handy for eavesdropping too.

I opened the door with a grin. "Hi, Were you just talking to yourself?.."

The young man on the other side blinked in surprise. He was dressed in blue and gold robes, clutching a wand and a book with some magic ingredients scattered around. "Talking to myself? Wait, did you hear me through the—"

"Through the door, yes. Our pointed ears aren't just for show; they're quite useful for hearing." I flashed him a playful smirk.

"Whoa, that's both amazing and a little creepy," he said, eyes wide. "Can I come in? I need to talk to you." "Sure, come on in," I said, stepping aside. "I'm Alexios Thornheart, but you can call me Alex. And you must be Samuel Stardust, the famous Cosmic Elf, right?"

Samuel chuckled, a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, that's me. But seriously, 'infamous'? That's a bit much. "Anyway, I'm here to discuss something important with you." He told me. "Sounds intriguing," I said, gesturing to a seat. "What's up?"

"The king has tasked me with protecting you, for whatever reason, the demons are interested in hunting you down." Samuel's eyes widened in surprise as he processed Alex's words. He leaned back slightly, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Wait, what? Demons are after me? I've always kept a low profile, stuck to my shop, and avoided the spotlight. Why would they suddenly come after me now?" He rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of the situation. "I mean, I've heard rumors and stories, but I never thought they'd come after me, especially not with everything that's been happening. This is... a lot to take in."

He glanced around the room, his usual calm demeanor wavering. "I appreciate the protection, really, but this is a lot to process all at once. Are you sure it's me they're after? And why would the king suddenly get involved? This feels like a nightmare." Samuel's voice trembled slightly, betraying his anxiety despite his efforts to remain composed.

"Hey, hey, calm down, I'm gonna answer your questions" Alex told me with a composed demeanor "First off, have there been any suspicious customers in your store lately?" He asked me with a serious face. "Well, there is a woman who's been visiting the shop," Samuel began, his expression serious. "She's been coming in regularly for the past few weeks. Always dressed in a long cloak and a mask that hides her face."

Alex's eyebrows furrowed. "A masked woman? That sounds... suspicious. What's she been asking you?" Samuel shifted uncomfortably. "She asks a lot of personal questions—about the shop, the people who come in, and even some things about me. She's very persistent and always seems to know just a little too much."