Stealing Light and Rising Darkness

Chapter 2

Mages all over the empire have continued to weaken and lose their magic. Even our ships have begun to just drop at random, killing hundreds and forcing us to use old plasma reactors to produce power, all in the span of a few month. Despite all this elves are still ages beyond human capabilities for power production. Not to mention my own power still seems to strengthen and once paired with my katana, becomes far more concentrated and deadly. Elves never moved to putting magic into rifles and other weapons, so not much to say there. The only thing that really messes with me are the human roaming around with no respect for our ways, even going so far as to stumble around drunken in the streets.

"Well aren't you pretty." a human slurred. Ugg, I can smell the alcohol on him, does he bathe in it?

"Go away." I ordered before walking off, though by the smell I have a follower. I tried losing him in the market, but for as drunk as he is he follows pretty well. Annoyed, I teleported in a plume of black flames to my destination, the base of a white and gold tower that serves as the castle. I walked into the throne room to find my father sitting half asleep and bored out of his mind upon the throne. "And here I thought you liked bossing people around." I said walking up to the thrones. My mother's laid empty most of the time since she spent the daylight hours in her office, now more so than ever as her company transitioned to using plasma based technology.

"It helps when people come here, but no one has come today." my father said with a yawn as I knelt before him, the tip of my katana resting on the ground as my right hand rested on knee. "I'm sending you to Ethra, one of our colonies we founded along side the humans." my father stated, his ability to stay awake obviously decreasing with is age.

"Ethra, heard it's pretty nice year round. Vibrant beaches, rolling planes, towering mountains, and constant lightning storms that can start fires at random. Sounds lovely, when do I go?" I asked, standing up. My father rolled his eyes.

"Tomorrow morning." he stated, waving his hand in dismissal. Nodding I left for my room to get things together. I felt my wrist pad vibrate, damn I'm popular today.

"Yes?" I asked, though the ID on screen wasn't familiar.

"Meet me in the courtyard at midnight, don't be late." a highly distorted male voice demanded before cutting the line. Odd, not many people have my communicator ID, and those who do swore not to give it out without my permission. I really should report this, but it could be interesting meeting the person who has the guts to tell me what to do. I mean, even the council gives me a choice on my missions. I reached my room which is bare, save for a bed roll in the far corner and a desk next to the door. I rarely slept here so most my clothes stay up in my quarters in the ethereal knight's orbital base, even those are just my normal maroon shirt with black pants and socks, but that's all under my long coat and vest. Truth be told my father hates my wardrobe and praises my sister for wearing dresses, mostly the old fashion ones. My sword rested on the desk along side a small box, I don't remember leaving that there. Curious, I opened the box revealing two elegant bladed pistols but with no way to vent the weapon batteries. I shook my head, figures mom would try to develop ranged weapons to focus my magic. I picked up the pistols, sending my magic into them before being tossed to the other side of the room when they overloaded. I wonder who dad's gonna blame this on, mom or me?

I walked though the courtyard under the shimmering light of Terra's twin moons known as Nuri and Quella, named after the elven goddesses of light and dark respectively. I waited in the center of the hedge maze as per the most recent "request" of my little stalker with my katana in hand for safety..

"Surprised you came without an escort, that could have gotten ugly." the same distorted voice said as lights walked around the corner.

"Human in power suit, looking for a fight?" I asked, placing my free hand on my hip.

"Observant, though most elves are." he said as I spotted a pistol in his hand.

"Do you really think that little gun can take out my barriers before I cut you in half?"

"Yes, these rounds were made specifically to deal with magic users."

With that he fired and for the first time in a while I felt actual pain. Never the less I drew my sword, not wasting time on stance or technique. I swung wildly in my rage as the human ducked and fired several more rounds, each seeming less effective, are my barriers adapting? After the next few rounds I stopped feeling the shoots, only now calming and taking a proper stance.

"Personally, I hate humans and you aren't helping that fact." I said, forcing myself to calm and slow my blood flow. "Now die you worthless piece of trash." I lunged forward, burring my sword in his stomach before cutting upward, killing him. Wish I could have seen the look on his face when that happened.

"Stop right there!" a guard yelled, rounding the corner with his partner.

"Geez, you two are late." I groaned, feeling light headed from the blood loss.

"Sorry ma'am, got lost in the maze." Really, that's your excuse.

After a stop by the doctor, I headed back to my room. Thankfully with my accelerated healing from my magic I should be fine to head to Ethra in the morning. It unnerves me to think how easily that human got to me, maybe I should wear some sort of body armor or figure out how to make my barrier adapt quicker. Well maybe his blood will liven up tomorrow for the gardeners.