Night settled heavily over Eldross.
The city that once gleamed with prosperity now carried an uneasy tension beneath its surface. Lanterns flickered along the streets, casting wavering pools of light across cobblestone paths. Guards—some human, some far less so—patrolled the roads with dull indifference.
In the deeper shadows of a narrow alley, a lone figure stood watching the inn across the street.
His cloak blended with the darkness, the hood drawn low over his head. Only a small portion of his face was visible where faint lanternlight brushed across pale skin and sharp features.
Elven features.
His eyes gleamed with quiet calculation.
The man leaned casually against the stone wall, arms folded as he studied the building in the distance. From the outside, the inn appeared ordinary—just another gathering place for travelers and merchants passing through Eldross.
But he knew better.
A slow smirk curled across his lips.
His fingers drifted toward the dagger resting at his waist, lightly gripping the hilt as if greeting an old friend.
"So…"
His voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper lost in the alley.
"…after all these years, you're still as stubborn as ever, Eryndra."
For a moment, he simply stared at the building.
Then his expression shifted.
The smirk softened slightly as something darker flickered behind his eyes.
"You could have had everything," he murmured to himself.
Power.
Influence.
His gaze hardened.
"Me."
A bitter edge crept into his voice.
"But you threw it all away."
Years earlier…
Moonlight bathed the white marble courtyards of the elven capital.
Elegant towers stretched into the sky, their silver spires reflecting the pale glow of the moon. The palace grounds were quiet, the only sound being the gentle rustle of leaves in the night breeze.
In the center of the courtyard stood two figures.
One was dressed in elegant noble attire—dark green robes embroidered with silver thread. His posture was proud, almost regal.
Velmorian.
The other stood opposite him with her arms crossed and a thoroughly unimpressed look on her face.
Eryndra.
Younger than she was now, but no less sharp-eyed.
Velmorian held a small ornate box in his hands.
The craftsmanship alone marked it as something meant for royalty—delicate carvings of vines and stars ran across its surface, and the metal hinges gleamed in the moonlight.
He extended it toward her.
"Eryndra," he said calmly.
"You know this is the best path for you."
His voice carried the quiet confidence of someone who believed his words were absolute truth.
"A future with me would secure your place among the elven elite."
He paused, letting the weight of his offer hang in the air.
"You wouldn't have to live like a rogue anymore."
Eryndra stared at him for exactly three seconds.
Then she scoffed.
The sound echoed sharply in the quiet courtyard.
She turned away from him as if the conversation had already ended.
"I'd rather be a rogue," she said flatly, "than be shackled to someone like you, Velmorian."
The name hung in the air like a blade.
Velmorian's expression darkened immediately.
His fingers tightened around the small box, his knuckles turning pale under the pressure.
"You belong with me, Eryndra," he said slowly.
"Our families expect it."
His voice hardened.
"I expect it."
Eryndra glanced over her shoulder.
Her golden eyes gleamed with amusement.
"And that," she said with a smirk, "is exactly why I'll never be with you."
Velmorian's jaw clenched.
He stepped closer.
"You're making a mistake."
His voice trembled—not with weakness, but frustration.
"You can't run forever."
Eryndra rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Watch me."
The simple reply hit him harder than any blade.
Velmorian's hands curled into fists.
"You're wasting your talent!"
His voice rose.
"Your magic. Your combat skills."
He gestured toward the palace behind them.
"You could be legendary among the elves!"
His eyes burned with anger.
"And instead you choose to live like some lowly mercenary?"
The humor vanished from Eryndra's face.
Her expression hardened.
"At least I'm free."
The words fell like a verdict.
Back in the present…
Velmorian slowly pulled back the hood of his cloak.
Long silver hair fell around his shoulders, framing sharp angular features and cold, calculating eyes.
A smile formed on his lips.
But it wasn't a pleasant smile.
It was the kind that promised suffering.
"You could have been mine willingly," he murmured.
His gaze drifted back toward the inn.
"Now…"
His smile widened slightly.
"I'll simply take you by force."
The streets of Eldross bustled with evening activity.
Velmorian walked among the crowds with effortless confidence. Merchants shouted from their stalls, travelers haggled over prices, and distant laughter echoed from taverns.
None of it mattered to him.
Demonic guards passed by occasionally, their armored forms towering over most of the citizens.
Not a single one of them stopped him.
Velmorian smirked.
"Allying with demons…"
He chuckled quietly.
"…was the easiest decision I've ever made."
His eyes gleamed.
"They promised me Eldross."
His voice lowered slightly.
"And you."
Deep within a fortified keep at the heart of the city…
Velmorian stepped through heavy iron doors into a dark chamber.
The air inside felt heavier.
Thicker.
Two figures sat at opposite ends of the room.
Lilith lounged elegantly in her seat, her posture relaxed but commanding. Her crimson eyes flicked toward Velmorian as he entered.
"You're late, elf."
Her voice was smooth, but edged with quiet superiority.
Velmorian bowed slightly.
"My apologies."
His smirk never faded.
"I was gathering information."
He straightened.
"And I have good news."
Across the room, Kraggor cracked his knuckles.
The massive demon barely looked interested.
"If it's not about crushing the resistance," he growled, "I don't care."
Velmorian chuckled.
"Oh, but you will care."
His eyes gleamed.
"The ones stirring trouble in Eldross?"
He paused deliberately.
"They're not just rebels."
Lilith leaned forward slightly.
Velmorian's smile widened.
"Eryndra is with them."
Lilith raised one elegant eyebrow.
"Ah."
A knowing smile touched her lips.
"I see."
Her eyes sharpened.
"You want her for yourself."
Velmorian didn't bother denying it.
"She was mine long before she ever thought of running."
His voice turned cold.
"Now I'm simply reclaiming what belongs to me."
Kraggor snorted loudly.
"Hah!"
"You think we'll let you take one of our enemies for yourself?"
Velmorian shrugged.
"I don't need your permission."
He leaned forward slightly.
"But I do need the opportunity."
Lilith tapped her long nails against her armrest thoughtfully.
"And what," she asked slowly, "do we gain from this arrangement?"
Velmorian lowered his voice.
"I know Eryndra better than anyone."
His smile sharpened.
"If she's here, then the others must have a plan."
He spread his hands slightly.
"Give me a chance to lure her out…"
His eyes glinted.
"And I'll deliver all of them to you."
Lilith and Kraggor exchanged a glance.
Then Lilith smiled.
"Very well."
Her voice carried quiet amusement.
"But if you fail…"
Her eyes gleamed.
"She won't be yours."
A pause.
"She'll be ours."
Velmorian bowed again.
"I won't fail."
Back at the inn…
Eryndra suddenly shivered.
The feeling crawled down her spine like cold fingers.
Vael immediately noticed.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Something wrong?"
Eryndra shook her head, though the tension in her shoulders remained.
"I don't know…"
Her gaze drifted toward the street.
"But I have a bad feeling."
Leona leaned forward curiously.
"You don't do bad feelings."
She tilted her head.
"Who's got you on edge?"
Eryndra hesitated.
Then muttered quietly.
"Velmorian."
Vael's expression darkened slightly.
"That elf noble?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"The one who—"
Eryndra nodded.
"Yeah."
She crossed her arms.
"If he's here…"
Her voice lowered.
"It means trouble."
Outside the inn…
Velmorian watched from the shadows.
A slow, sinister smile spread across his face.
"See you soon…"
His eyes gleamed.
"…my dear."
Elsewhere in Eldross…
Reider walked calmly through a narrow alley.
His hands rested casually in his pockets as his sharp eyes scanned the surrounding rooftops and windows.
Every movement was deliberate.
Every step controlled.
From the opposite direction, another figure turned the corner.
Velmorian.
Neither of them noticed the other until it was too late.
Their shoulders collided with a dull thud.
Velmorian staggered half a step back.
His eyes flashed with irritation.
"Watch where you're walking, peasant."
Reider tilted his head slightly.
"You should take your own advice."
Velmorian scoffed, brushing dust from his cloak.
"Tch."
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Reider smirked faintly.
"Lucky, huh?"
He stepped aside casually.
"Sure."
"Let's go with that."
Velmorian huffed and continued walking.
"Ugh."
"Commoners."
Reider watched him for a moment.
Then shrugged.
And continued on his way.
Not far away…
The market district buzzed with activity.
Eryndra leaned casually against a wooden stall, speaking with a merchant about supplies.
Her posture looked relaxed.
But her eyes remained alert.
Velmorian turned the corner.
Then froze.
His eyes widened.
Then narrowed slowly.
"So it is her…"
His fingers curled into fists.
He stepped forward.
Then suddenly stopped.
Because someone else had just walked up beside her.
Reider.
He stood next to Eryndra with easy familiarity.
Eryndra smirked and nudged him playfully.
"Took you long enough, sleepyhead."
Reider shrugged.
"Some of us enjoy resting after a long day."
Eryndra laughed.
"You?"
"Rest?"
"That's a first."
Across the street…
Velmorian stared.
His expression twisted from confusion to pure fury.
Who… is that?
His jaw tightened.
Why is she so comfortable around him?
His hand twitched toward the dagger at his waist.
Reider suddenly glanced in his direction.
His gaze was sharp.
Velmorian instantly ducked back into the shadows.
Holding his breath.
Reider stared at the alley for a few seconds.
Then turned back.
Eryndra raised an eyebrow.
"Something wrong?"
Reider shook his head.
"No."
"Just thought I felt a mosquito."
Eryndra snorted.
"A mosquito, huh?"
She grinned.
"Need me to squash it for you?"
Reider chuckled.
"Nah."
His eyes briefly flicked toward the alley again.
"It'll come to me sooner or later."
Back in the shadows…
Velmorian leaned against the wall.
His rage burned quietly.
Whoever that boy is…
His grip tightened on the dagger.
He won't be standing next to you for long, Eryndra.
His eyes darkened.
You belong to me.
And I'll remind you of that.
Back at the market stall…
Eryndra nudged Reider again.
"Alright."
She gestured toward the street.
"Let's get moving before Vael sends a search party."
Reider sighed.
"She worries too much."
Eryndra grinned.
"She worries about you too much."
Reider glanced sideways at her.
"And you don't?"
Eryndra immediately looked away.
Pretending to inspect a row of merchant stalls.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
In the alley behind them…
Velmorian watched.
His eyes filled with dark determination.
Enjoy your moment, boy.
His grip tightened around the dagger.
It won't last.