Morning light filtered through the leaves of the Great Forest, but it was not an ordinary morning. The air itself trembled with mana. Birds refused to sing. Even the wind held its breath.
Because something ancient was waking.
Airi stretched her arms outside the newly built cabin. Her long hair spilled over her shoulders like a fall of moonlight. Haruto sat on a tree stump, sharpening the basic sword he bought from the shop. Frost lay nearby like a lazy mountain of fur, his tail sweeping calmly.
Airi looked at the sky. "Today feels different."
Haruto did not lift his gaze. "Something is approaching."
Frost's ears twitched. "Multiple heartbeats. Fast. Not animals. People."
Airi blinked. "People? Here? In the Great Forest?"
Haruto stood up with a sigh. "Let's go check."
Airi walked between Haruto and Frost. Her steps were small, but she held herself with surprising confidence. Haruto could sense how strong she had become after awakening healing magic yesterday. Her presence alone radiated warmth.
They followed Frost deeper into the woods.
The Dark Ones
The Great Forest was known as a cursed lands and no human had ever stepped inside willingly. Thick roots twisted over the ground. Ancient trees swallowed the sunlight. Everything smelled of moss and power.
But the deeper they went, the stronger Airi felt a strange sensation brushing her skin. Not danger. Sadness.
Voices echoed ahead.
"…we need shelter… the children cannot continue…"
"…if we enter the deeper forest we will die…"
"…we have no place left…"
Airi peeked through bushes and gasped.
Black tents.
Silver haired people with dusk colored skin.
Long ears like finely carved blades.
Dark Elves.
Their clothing was torn. Their faces carried exhaustion. Some held injured children. Others struggled to keep watch.
Airi's heart clenched.
They are suffering.
Before Airi could take a step forward, Frost moved ahead, body tensed.
Several elves instantly noticed Frost and screamed.
"A wolf lord!"
"Get back!"
They drew weapons. Thin daggers. Wooden bows. But their hands shook in fear.
Haruto walked out of the bushes calmly.
"It is alright. We are not enemies."
The moment the Dark Elves saw him, their expressions changed. Their pupils widened. Fear turned into shock. Then recognition.
Whispers rippled like a wave.
"That mana… how is that possible…"
"He is not human."
"No… not just that. Look at the girl beside him."
Airi stepped out too.
For a moment, the forest wind stopped.
The elves froze.
Their eyes widened. Their throats tightened.
And then without a command, all of them dropped to their knees.
Boiled leaves rustled, and several of them pressed their foreheads into the mud in desperation.
"O Supreme Ones… we did not know you resided here. Please forgive our intrusion."
Airi flinched. "Ehh? No no no. Please stand. You do not have to do that."
But they remained kneeling, trembling.
Haruto whispered, "They think you are gods."
Airi blinked rapidly. "Me? Why me?"
Frost chuckled softly. "Because you radiate power without knowing it."
Airi pouted. "I do not radiate anything. I am just Airi."
Frost and Haruto shared the same silent thought.
She really has no idea.
The Tribe Leader
One elf stood from the group. He was older, with long braided hair and eyes like dying embers.
"I am Lumeris, chief of the Duskwalker tribe. If we have offended you, I will give up my life."
Airi jerked forward in panic.
"No. Absolutely not. No one will die."
Her voice echoed through the forest, filled with unwavering authority.
Lumeris bowed again but slower. "We were forced to enter this forest. Humans raided our home. They destroyed our sacred tree. They captured our young. We… have nowhere else to go."
Airi looked around at the injured children. Some had bruises. Some had wounds still bleeding. Some were shivering from hunger.
Her tiny fists clenched.
Anger, unfamiliar and heavy, filled her chest.
"Humans did this?"
Lumeris nodded.
"They called us monsters. They claimed we were demons. They burned our homes."
Haruto's eyes hardened.
"So that kingdom attacked you too."
Frost growled low, the earth trembling under his paw.
Airi walked toward the injured children and crouched. She touched one boy's arm gently.
His skin was cold.
Airi whispered. "Let me help you."
Golden light began to shine around her hand.
Not fierce like fire.
Warm. Gentle. Healing.
The boy's breathing eased. His bleeding stopped. His bruises disappeared.
The elves stared in awe.
"She… she healed without chanting…"
"Such pure magic…"
"She must be a celestial being."
Airi blinked. "Celestial what now?"
Before she could react more, every Dark Elf dropped to both knees again.
This time, not out of fear.
Out of reverence.
"We pledge our loyalty. Please accept us."
Airi's eyes widened. She quickly waved her hands.
"No wait. No pledging or bowing. If you want to stay, stay because you want safety. Not because you think I am someone special."
Lumeris lowered his gaze, touched by her sincerity.
"You saved our children. That alone… makes you worthy of devotion."
Airi stepped back nervously.
"I just wanted to help."
Haruto placed a reassuring hand on her head.
"You did more than help. You gave them hope."
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
The First Decision
Airi finally spoke, firm and clear.
"If you want a home… stay. We will protect you."
The elves inhaled sharply.
Haruto added, "We are building a new world. A place where no one hurts people just because they are different."
Airi held out her hand to Lumeris.
"We would like you to live with us."
Lumeris stared at her hand. His eyes trembled. Slowly, he placed his hand in hers.
"With gratitude… we accept."
Frost's Warning
Frost suddenly growled. Deep. Ferocious. His fur rose.
Haruto sensed it too.
Something was near.
Something not alive.
The shadows thickened between the trees. Darkness twisted, forming a humanoid shape. A faceless figure emerged, wrapped in black mist.
The Dark Elves screamed and backed away.
Lumeris shouted, "A wraith. A creature of cursed shadow."
The figure bowed slightly.
"I am not here to fight."
Haruto narrowed his eyes. "Shadow Raven."
The wraith turned its head toward Haruto and Airi.
"I have watched you. The world has felt your presence. Even the Emperor now knows."
Frost leaped forward, growling, "Leave. Now."
"I cannot." The wraith's voice sounded like whispers from ten different mouths. "I am bound by command to deliver a message."
Airi stepped forward.
"What message?"
The wraith lowered its head.
"The Emperor declares you a threat."
Airi's heart dropped.
Haruto tightened his grip around his sword.
"And if we refuse to bow?"
The wraith's form wavered.
"Then war will follow."
Silence.
The elves trembled. Frost's growling deepened. Haruto's mana surged.
Airi looked at the wraith.
"You watched us… but did not harm us. Why?"
The wraith paused.
"I do not take lives. I observe. I record."
Airi tilted her head.
"Do you have emotions?"
The wraith hesitated, then answered.
"I was human once."
For a brief moment, a small flicker of emotion entered its voice.
"Run. Before the Emperor decides to hunt you himself."
Then the wraith scattered into black smoke and disappeared.
A Choice That Changes Everything
The Dark Elves looked at Airi and Haruto, terror in their eyes.
"You will be hunted… because of us."
Haruto turned to Airi.
"Airi. If we let them stay, we become their shield. Their fate becomes our fate. Are you sure?"
Airi looked at the children. The injured. The frightened.
She remembered the arrow piercing Haruto's chest.
She remembered humans trying to hurt them.
Her voice was quiet but firm.
"I do not care who threatens us."
She stepped forward, mana flaring like a golden sunrise.
"If someone lays a hand on the people who seek our protection…"
Light exploded from beneath her feet, swirling like a divine storm.
"…then they will face me."
Frost lowered his head respectfully.
Haruto smiled faintly.
"You are getting pretty cool, Airi."
Airi's cheeks turned pink.
"No I am not."
The Dark Elves bowed again, this time not in fear.
But in devotion.
"We pledge our lives to Lady Airi, Guardian of the Forest."
Airi panicked and flailed her hands.
"N-no no do not give me titles I am small."
Haruto laughed. "Too late. You have followers."
Airi puffed her cheeks. "I am not a goddess."
Frost smiled. "You say that, but you act like one."
Airi crossed her arms. "I am just a girl who wants everyone to be happy."
The Dark Elves smiled softly.
To them, that was exactly what made her divine.
End of Chapter 6
Airi has taken her first step into becoming a leader.
The Great Forest now has its first citizens.