The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

The Attack on Hage

The village of Hage was in chaos. Poisonous vines writhed and slithered, cracking walls and overtaking gardens, their sickly purple glow casting an eerie light over the darkened village. Digit Taliss, or the elf spirit now controlling his body, stood at the center of the chaos, his once steady presence replaced by malice and destruction. His body radiated mana, the green and black aura a clear sign of his possession.

Mynx landed lightly beside Sister Lily, her bow shimmering with cosmic light as she loosed an arrow. The shot severed a large vine creeping toward a terrified villager.

"Stay back, Sister Lily! These aren't just plants—they're infused with poison and dark magic."

Aphi sprinted to her side, the air around him glistening as water spiraled upward from the well behind him.

"And apparently the plants bite,"

Aphi winced as he healed a shallow gash on his arm with a swirl of healing water. Digit—or rather, the elf—hovered above them, his expression distant and cold.

"You struggle in vain, mortals,"

The elf spoke, his voice an unnerving mix of Digit's and his own.

"Your kingdom has taken much from us. We shall take everything in return."

Mynx narrowed her glowing eyes, her heart pounding. She recognized that voice, the cadence, the accent—it was undeniably an elf.

"An elf. But why? Why are you attacking Hage? Patri wanted peace!"

The elf let out a hollow laugh, his voice dripping with venom.

"You are naive, girl. Patri is the one that brought us back. We remember the truth. Humanity's crimes cannot be forgiven."

Her grip on her bow tightened as she processed his words. The swirling lights she and Aphi had seen earlier—it wasn't just a strange phenomenon. Those were elves being revived through possession. She glanced at Aphi, who was watching the elf intently.

"All those lights. They were elves being brought back. But why like this?"

"Talk later,"

He raised his hands,

"Water Magic: Tidal Surge!"

A torrent of water surged from the well behind him, crashing toward the elf. The wave smashed against a barrier of writhing vines, sending a shower of droplets into the air. It was enough to push back some of the plants, but the elf barely flinched.

Mynx nodded, understanding the urgency in his voice. She pulled back another arrow, the string of her bow vibrating as she charged it with cosmic energy.

"Fine. But I'm getting answers from him one way or another."

She loosed the arrow, its light piercing through the air like a comet. The elf reacted swiftly, twisting his body in midair and evading the shot, but the arrow grazed his shoulder, leaving a burn mark where it struck. A surge of mana exploded outward from the wound, rippling through the vines and forcing the elf to retreat several feet.

"Impressive,"

The elf clutched his wound,

"But you're outmatched."

The elf raised his arms, and vines erupted from the ground, lashing out in every direction. Mynx leaped into the air, her agility allowing her to dodge the onslaught. She fired another arrow mid-flight, striking the base of one vine and severing it cleanly.

Aphi wasn't as lucky. A vine wrapped around his leg and yanked him off his feet, slamming him into the ground. He groaned, his mana flickering as he tried to counter with a burst of water.

"Aphi!"

Aphi grunted,

"I'm fine,"

He slashed at the vine with a blade of water.

"Focus on him!"

Mynx flipped backward, landing on a rooftop. She raised her bow and channeled her mana into a complex spell.

"Cosmic Magic: Starlight Volley!"

A flurry of glowing arrows rained down, each one targeting a different vine. Explosions of light filled the air as the arrows hit their marks, forcing the elf to retreat further. But he wasn't done.

The elf extended his arms, chanting in an ancient tongue. A massive bloom of poisonous flowers sprouted around him, their spores filling the air.

"Beware the spores!"

Aphi yelled, forming a dome of water around himself and Mynx.

Mynx's bow shimmered brighter as she prepared her strongest spell yet.

"Cosmic Magic: Orions Barrage!"

A massive crescent of energy shot toward the elf, slicing through the vines and flowers. For a moment, it seemed like the tide had turned. But the elf's magic flared, and he summoned a massive, writhing serpent made entirely of vines.

Nash and Recca appeared, their faces pale but determined. Balto prowled beside them, his glowing blue eyes locked on the elf.

"Mynx! You and Aphi have to go!"

She landed beside him, shaking her head.

"Are you insane? He'll destroy this village if we leave!"

"You don't have a choice. The capital needs you more. We can't afford to lose you here."

Balto growled low, his voice carrying a tone of authority.

"They're right, Mynx. If the capital falls, there's no hope for anyone. Leave this to us. I'll watch over the kids,"

Aphi staggered to his feet, glaring at the elf.

"This is suicide. You're not ready for something like this!"

Recca's eyes were fierce, unyielding.

"We don't have to win. We just have to buy you time."

Mynx looked between them, her heart heavy. She hated leaving them behind, but they were right. If the capital was under attack, their duty lay there.

"Promise me you'll stay safe,"

Nash smiled at her,

"We will,"

Balto gave her a sharp nod.

"Go. Now."

With a deep breath, Mynx turned to Aphi.

"Let's go."

They took off into the night, leaving the chaos behind. But as the sounds of battle faded, Mynx couldn't shake the heavy weight in her chest. Something about this fight felt wrong—like it was only the beginning.