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Riven's Tale – Journey to the Elven Village
Riven turned to Darel and asked,
"Darel, where's Lex?"
Darel shook his head, his voice trembling.
"I don't know, my lord… He fled north. He was too fast—I couldn't keep up."
A faint smirk appeared on Riven's lips.
"North, huh? Very well. Let's go then."
The journey began. Riven, Darel, and Nox walked together. A new plan was forming in Riven's mind, and that sly grin never left his face.
Nox asked nervously,
"My lord, are you alright?"
Riven nodded slowly, then gave a faint smile.
"Ah, yes, I'm fine. Don't worry. Tell me, Nox—do you think your family loves you? Is there anyone in the elven village who cares for you?"
Nox hesitated, surprised.
"Yes… I have a brother. He loves me," he whispered.
Riven laughed mockingly.
"Hahaha… good, good."
Darel remained silent, deep in thought. Riven's gaze briefly shifted toward him, the smirk still present.
In Darel's mind, a single thought echoed:
Elian… I must find a way for this.
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The Next Morning
By morning, Darel had caught fish by the river and finished his preparations.
Riven turned to Nox and said,
"Is breakfast ready? Come, let's eat together. You must be hungry too, Nox."
Nox nodded. Darel looked uneasy but replied softly,
"Alright."
They grilled the fish over the fire and ate in silence.
As soon as they finished, Riven stood up.
"Let's move on," he said.
Just then, a wagon appeared in the distance.
Darel raised his hand and shouted,
"Wait! We're heading to the elven village! Can you take us with you?"
The driver glanced at Riven, then nodded.
"Alright, hop in."
The three climbed onto the wagon, and the journey continued. Hours passed. Nox dozed off from exhaustion, while Riven quietly observed the surroundings. His plan was becoming clearer with each passing moment.
After a while, the driver stopped.
"This is as far as I go," he said. "Go straight ahead—you'll reach the village. My road ends here."
Riven nodded.
"Understood."
Nox opened his eyes and looked around.
"My lord… yes, this is the elven village," he whispered.
But a strange fear filled his heart. The air had changed—thick, heavy, and eerie. Riven scanned the area, his eyes glinting with both curiosity and a sinister spark.
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The Barrier and the First Encounter
As Riven, Nox, and Darel approached the village, a massive barrier appeared before them. Its energy pulsed with a power that seemed to bend nature itself.
Riven stopped, frowned, and reached out his hand.
"Hm… open," he said—calm yet commanding.
The barrier cracked instantly and shattered into fragments. Waves of energy burst outward. Darel and Nox stepped back in fear.
"Wh–what's happening?" Darel whispered, eyes wide.
Riven smirked.
"Let's keep going."
On the other side, the elves felt it—a dark presence approaching.
A demon was coming.
That aura… it was strong enough to shake the world itself.
The king and his guards gathered at the village center. Their breath caught in their throats as unease spread.
One elf stepped forward, voice trembling.
"Who approaches? A human… or a demon disguised as one?"
Riven locked eyes with him, his tone cold as ice.
"Did you just call me a demon? You remind me of old times. Now… breathing might be a little difficult."
In that instant, Riven's aura spread across the area. The air grew dense—almost suffocating. The elves stumbled back, some collapsing to their knees.
Nox screamed in panic,
"My lord! Stop! Please!"
Riven tilted his head slightly.
"Calm down, Nox," he said. "But remember—when pawns resist, the game becomes chaotic. I make the rules here."
Then, a voice echoed from within the village.
"Nox! I found you!"
A young elf, eyes brimming with tears, rushed toward them—it was Nox's brother.
Riven swiftly stepped in front of Nox.
In a chilling tone, he asked,
"Do you want your brother back?"
The elf nodded firmly.
"Of course! He's my brother!"
Riven's voice turned to frost.
"Then we'll make a deal. Refuse… and Nox dies."
Darel shuddered. So that's what he was planning… he thought.
Nox cried out in fear,
"My lord! No! Please—!"
The elf charged forward in fury.
"Damn you, demon! Let go of my brother!"
Riven drew his blade, seized the elf's arm, and halted him mid-attack.
The elf screamed in pain.
"Ahhhh!"
Riven's eyes glimmered with a dangerous light.
"In this game," he said coldly, "the pieces change places—and I set the rules."
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The Pact and the Healing Spell
The deal was made.
Nox ran to his brother, tears of relief streaming down his face.
But Riven stopped him—and in one swift motion, cut off Nox's fingers.
Nox screamed in agony.
"Ahhhh!"
Riven's face remained expressionless.
"Old one," he said, his tone sharp, "show me your healing magic."
An elderly elf woman hurried forward and placed her hands over Nox's wounds. Soft light spread as the spell took effect, closing the wounds slowly.
Riven watched intently, eyes tracking every motion of the spell.
"Oooh…" he murmured, a slight smirk curling his lips. "Impressive."
Nox felt the pain fading, replaced by a cool sensation.
But Riven's gaze—cold and curious—made his heart tremble even more.
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