Keeper Of The Stars: Unchained

Chapter-1

The smell of damp leaves and bark drift through the forest of Elcove as the birds sing the music of their ancestors to the world. Elcove is an ancient enchanted Forest known to hide a very deep secret. Elves, fae, and mythical beasts reside in this massive enchanted Forest. In a Grove deep in the forest a group of mercenary hack away at the dense vegetation searching for the legendary churobo, a mythical white rabbit with glowing gold eyes. At the head of the group a tall burly man with a grey beard grumbles in complaint about the situation he and his group are in. He looks back to the mage of their group, a middle aged woman with short curly red hair. "Vanessa, are you sure you saw a churobo in this direction?" The burly man asked her as he hacked away at the dense ferns and vines that covered the ground and hung from the trees. The woman called Vanessa sneered at the man and said "yeah I saw it! Why question me bruce?" She sauntered forward and flicked the man on his shoulder. Bruce flinched in irritation. Suddenly the archer of the group Regenold signaled them to be quiet. "I think I heard something." He said as they stood quietly and listened for a sound. Vanessa sneered at Regenold after a minute passed and said "you must be going crazy with all the bugs buzzing in your ear!" Suddenly a huge level two panther lunged out of the bushes and bit vanessa's throat while she screamed tearing it open as it dragged her to the ground. Vanessa's scream shook the two men to their bones. Bruce started slashing at the panther as Regenold started shooting at a close distance from fear. More level two panthers crawled out of the dense underbrush and growled at the two. Bruce looked at Regenold and they both shared an understanding. "Well Bruce my old friend, I believe our adventures end here. See you in the afterlife. In our next life, don't find another vanessa." Regenold said with a chuckle before he was brought down by the group of panthers. Bruce looked at his fallen childhood friend and smiled as tears fell from his eyes. "Okay old friend. I didn't like her anyways." He said chuckling as the panthers lunged. The man's scream echoed throughout the forest and reached the ears of a churobo. The churobo flicked it's long ears and made a squeak before hopping off towards the village of the elves. The churobo suddenly heard a sound and paused. It was the sound of a young child crying not too far away. The churobo was curious and cautiously approached the sound. Under a huge maiya maiya tree a pale and frail looking child lay curled in a ball crying. It barely had clothes that looked like a potato sack and had holes in many parts of the itchy fabric. Curiosity hit the churobo and it approached the little boy. The little boy looked up in fear when he saw a fluffy snow white churobo gazing curiously at him. The boys steel grey eyes shined silver in the light as he relaxed and stared back curious about the churobo. His pale skin had bad bruises from signs of abuse, and his eyes had a hint of sadness. The churobo was amazed by the boys beautiful appearance. He almost mistook the boy for a girl from his feminine features. The boys white hair made him look almost celestial as it was down to his shoulders. The boy didn't look more than four years old. The Churobo decided to bring him to the elves. He may be human but if the churobo stayed beside the boy the elves would respect the boy because the churobo is a sacred being. The boy sensed what the fluffy creature wanted and he followed it. They eventually reached a huge naturally built wall and the old elf king in a royal forest green attire walked out slowly with his cane. He looked at the churobo and bowed his head. "What does the great churobo of Elcove wish to speak of?" The old elf king asked respectfully in the beast language. The churobo told him of the encounter with the group of mercenaries and how they fell into the nest of the panthers. Then he explained how he came across this boy and told the elf king to take care of him and treat him right while teaching him the way of the forest. The boy watched curiously as the exchange came to an end and soon the churobo hopped off into the forest. The boy turned around when he heard "boy what is your name?" The boy looked up at the elf king and said nervously" I-I don't have...a name." the elf king's eyes flashed with pity for a moment. He could tell that the boy was abused. "How about I give you a name and a place to stay?" The elf king smiled at the boy and asked. The boy looked suprised for a moment and then said yes. The elf king gave him the name of Silvon Runhalt. "I shall call you Silvon Runhalt. Runhalt is your first name and Silvon is your surname. I gave you my last name out of respect for the great churobo. You can call me Ophorus. Runhalt smiled at Ophorus happily. Years pass and Runhalt was taught the ways of the elves and the ways of the forest. Runhalt grew up with respect for nature and the beings in it. The elf king introduced the boy to his people and all but a few accepted the boy. Hilforn, a commanding warrior elf second only to the prince despised humans and their spawn. He felt humans cause alot of trouble to the forest and to the animals in the forest.
Unfortunately he cannot do anything just yet so Hilforn began making a plan to overthrow the old king and then get rid of the kid. Runhalt was in the elven library studying about the different types of plants in the forest when an elder walked in and noticed him. Runhalt greeted his elder respectfully but the elder just huffed and ignored him. He knew he wasn't an elf and he was raised out of respect for the churobo but he felt sad about the conflict between his people and the elves. The sage elf told him once about what the humans do to the creatures of the forest and even their own kind. Runhalt felt sad about it and vowed to never end up like his brethren. Runhalt continued to read the book of plants when he got a summons from Ophorus. He placed the book back on the shelf then walked towards the house he grew up in. Runhalt opened the door and saw Ophorus sighing tiredly behind his desk. "Father, what is wrong? You seem tired." He asked while sitting down his fine brows furrowing in concern. Ophorus paused when he heard Runhalt call him father. His heart felt elated and a smile appeared on his wrinkled face. "I have a mission for you. I want you to go into the city of Sigmod and find a man named Gilbert at the local inn. Give him this package." Ophorus said while handing Runhalt something square wrapped in cotton cloth. He sighed while leaning back into his chair and said to him "son times are tough on this old man. When you give Gilbert the package you will understand. Son it's time for you to go out and explore the world. Go find your purpose." Runhalt looked at the time withered old elf king and smiled sadly. He knew it wouldn't be long before he would have to leave since the other elves were getting restless with a human among their ranks. He was 16 now and can cast many spells and wield weapons to protect himself. Over the years Runhalt's figure grew a few inches and his once baby face began to thin and take the shape of masculinity even though he still kept his feminine features. Runhalt spent the whole morning packing up for the log journey. In the evening he stood by Ophorus on an overhang and watched the sun sink down over the forest. Runhalt turned to the old man he grew to respect and smiled. The sun's orange glow cast a soft glow around him like a halo. "I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I will honor my name and carry my teachings with pride, father." Runhalt said as he blinked to keep his tears from falling. Ophorus looked at the son he come to know and raise then smiled. "Son, I myself have to thank you. If it wasn't for you I would never have known the Joy's of parenthood." Ophorus chuckled then coughed in his hand and said "...and the not so joyful moments too." Runhalt looked at him with an aggrieved look while pouting. Ophorus laughed out and hugged Runhalt tightly. "Safe travels my son. May you find your purpose and happiness." Ophorus then turned away and wiped a tear secretly. Runhalt and Ophorus turned to watch as the sun sank below the trees and the stars slowly slide into place. Runhalt and Ophorus went back to the home where they both shared their goods and bads to prepare for what was to come tomorrow....the journey to Sigmod.

Chapter 1-end