Above is how I see Valen. I definitely do not own the image!
Valen POV
"You looking for something?" The sharp voice cut through the early morning mist.
Valen turned to find a man stride out of the shadows toward him.
The way he carried himself gave off a dangerous air, and Valen remembered the dagger in his pocket.
"No." He kept his answer short and began walking away, not looking to start a fight with this mysterious man.
He stepped in front of Valen, moving forward until Valen felt his back against a wall.
"You seem new, so I won't waste any time."
Valen told himself to remain calm and unconcerned.
The man stepped closer, uncomfortably close.
"The king may have been defeated, but us elves will never forget what you did. We are planning our revenge, and you can decide which side you want to be on."
Valen was shocked, but he didn't let any emotion show.
There was a band of rebel elves?
He had thought they were all celebrating when the cruel king was killed.
Apparently not.
"Well," he started, "I appreciate the warning but I have already chosen my side, and you-"
At the man's -elf's- signal, four burly figures emerged from the fading mist.
Valen sized them up in a glance, deciding to try his best.
Not a second later, one man swung his fist toward Valen, but he ducked and spun around, facing the next man.
He grinned as he approached Valen, unsheathing a knife from his belt.
The other men came toward him, and he realized he was cornered.
This should be fun.
A glowing light formed suddenly beside him, making him step away.
His enemies did the same.
Valen thought he detected fear in one's eyes, but he could be sure.
The light faded into the form of a rather pretty girl about his age, standing with her arms crossed.
The elf pushed his way through his goons. When he saw the specter, he laughed.
"This is what you're afraid of?" He chuckled, his voice turning serious.
"Take them both out."
The girl clenched her fists. "Do not challenge me."
He laughed.
One man launched a dagger.
Before Valen could react, the ghost stepped in front of him.
The dagger lodged in her chest, but she pulled it out and smiled.
"Was that supposed to hurt?"
She clapped her transparent hands, and the mist cleared from around them.
"Go home, elfies. Crawl back to your king." She ordered.
They obeyed, if reluctantly.
"Oh wait. Merikh is dead." She chuckled. "Oh, well."
The last of the mist cleared, revealing sunlight and villagers shopping.
Valen exhaled in relief, and turned to the spirit girl.
"Thanks for-"
She was gone.
He hadn't even gotten her name.
