I enjoyed the trees, the freedom, hunting among my kind, away from the prying eyes of the world. But here I am now, traveling on horseback to the Kingdom of Valenford, seeking out this so-called hero. The forest had been my sanctuary for decades, a place where my pointed ears weren't a mark of otherness but simply part of who I was. Now, as the stone walls of the human kingdom rose before me, that comfort felt like a distant memory.
As I approached the gates, judgment etched itself across the guards' faces the moment they caught sight of my ears.
"State your business!"
"I'm just visiting for a few days. Thinking of joining the adventure guild." I kept my voice steady, refusing to let them see how their stares unsettled me.
"Hmmph." One guard spat on the ground beside my horse. "That'll be five copper. The adventure guild is on a straight path; you can't miss it. And if you do something stupid, I'll hang you by your ears."
The threat hung in the air like smoke. All I could do was nod and mutter, "Yes, sir," before moving on, my jaw tight.
After tying my horse at the stable, I took in my surroundings. Humans everywhere no orcs, no dwarves, just a handful of elves and gnomes scattered like afterthoughts in a sea of suspicious faces. The weight of being unwelcome pressed against my chest. How disheartening.
The adventure guild was exactly where the guard said it would be. I pushed through the entrance, and every head turned. Conversations paused. Eyes tracked my movement across the room as I made my way to the reception desk, my boots echoing too loudly on the wooden floor.
"I would like to register as an adventurer."
The receptionist looked up with a crooked brow, as if I'd just asked her to solve an impossible riddle rather than fill out simple paperwork.
"Hey, baby!" A voice called from behind me. "After you register, want to join me and my party? I see you have a bow we could use a ranger."
Laughter erupted from a nearby table. I sighed, finding their remarks as predictable as they were tiresome.
"No, thank you. I prefer to work alone."
"Don't be like that; it's dangerous out there!" He moved closer, and the stench hit me sweat and stale ale, like he'd crawled out of a pigsty. He slammed his fist against his chest. "Let a strong man like me protect you."
"I don't need protection. I'm fine." The receptionist slid paperwork across the desk, and I focused on it, trying to ignore him.
"Look, I'm trying to be nice here." His grimy hand reached for my shoulder. "After you fill that out, there are a couple of quests on the board we could "
"Hey fella's, give the a girl a break, no wonder you guys are single"
"Oh shit, it's Leon..."
The men scattered instantly, suddenly finding urgent business elsewhere.
Relief flooded through me. I turned to see who had intervened.
My breath caught.
A tall man stood near the entrance, brown hair tousled like he'd just returned from battle. His armor was scuffed and worn in a way that spoke of real experience, not decoration. Calloused fingers rested casually on his sword hilt. His face was all sharp angles and stubble, but his eyes gods, his eyes held something that made my heart stutter. Warmth. Confidence. The kind of presence that made you want to follow him into the dark.
He strolled over with an easy smile. "Hi, my name's Leon. Are you alright?" He stretched out his hand.
I took it cautiously, feeling the rough warmth of his palm against mine. "My name is Elvnia. Thank you for... assisting me."
"No problem! These guys sometimes don't know when to stop." His smile widened, genuine and disarming.
I covered my mouth and laughed softly, surprised at how easily he'd put me at ease.
"So what brings you here?"
"Oh, I just wanted to register with the guild. Maybe go on a few adventures."
"Great! Me too. I have a few quests to tackle, and I was just looking for an archer anyway. What do you say?"
I nodded, following his lead like something in me had been waiting for this exact moment. There was something about his presence that whispered follow me to victory.
As we exited the guild, I spotted a battalion lined up on horses, a carriage positioned in the center that looked fit for royalty.
"Come on, get in." He opened the door for me.
I hesitated, but climbed in anyway.
Inside sat another woman dressed in silks and jewels that made my travel-worn clothing look like rags.
"And who may you be?" she inquired, her tone polite but cold.
"Oh, stop it, Princess. She's here to help with our expedition. I can tell she's a strong archer." Leon smiled at me, and warmth bloomed in my chest.
"Also an elf," she pointed out, her smugness barely concealed. "Of course she's a good archer."
The words stung more than they should have.
"I apologize, Princess. I hope my presence isn't troubling. If you'd prefer, I can take my leave."
"Don't mind her." Leon wrapped an arm around the princess in a familiar, almost affectionate gesture that made something twist in my stomach. "Let me get the important stuff out of the way. My name is Leon Devon, the summoned hero. I'm sure you've heard."
My eyes widened. The summoned hero. I'd found him without even trying. "I have heard. Actually, I was here looking for you."
"Me? Why?"
"According to my elders, the World Tree spoke of a hero, I was to be with you in this time of crisis. That the wind I possess can help guide you."
"Wow, that makes you the fourth to find me. According to the prophecy, it should be six altogether."
"Six? Where are the others?"
"We're on our way to pick up the priestess now. Two are riding in the back, and our tank Dante is up front, the guy with the massive shield, you can't miss him even if you tried. They prefer to travel on horseback. When we reach our destination, I'll introduce you."
Years passed in what felt like heartbeats.
Quest after quest, growing stronger together. Laughing around campfires. Fighting back-to-back against impossible odds. Thoughts of home of the forest, of my people began to fade into the background like morning mist. As long as I was around Leon, I felt like I'd found something I hadn't known I was missing.
Until we fought the necromancer.
We barely survived that mission. We returned to Valenford bloodied and exhausted, seeking refuge in the church to heal our wounds and restock. That night, Leon called a meeting.
I could see it in his eyes something had changed. His once joyful, infectious personality had morphed into something cold and sharp-edged. He slammed his hand on the table, capturing everyone's attention.
"Look! From here on out, you will all follow my orders. You do what I say, when I say it. You kill when I say kill! If I say jump, you say how high!" His voice was steel. "That necromancer burned an entire village because we hesitated. We lost over half those villagers to his skeleton army because someone " his gaze cut to Alex, " thought they could change his fate, save the little of humanity he had left."
He glanced over us one last time. "DISMISSED!"
We filed out in silence. But I couldn't leave it like that. Something felt wrong, like watching a wound fester. Later that night, I went to his room and tapped softly on the door. "Leon, it's me. I just want to talk."
Footsteps approached. The door creaked open.
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
My heart clenched. "Leon "
"Come in." His voice was thick with grief.
As soon as I stepped inside, he pulled me into an embrace not friendly, not casual. Desperate. Hungry. Like he was drowning and I was air.
By the Goddess, I liked it.
"It's okay, Leon. I'm here." His tears soaked into my shirt. I rubbed the back of his head, trying to offer comfort.
"So many died..." The words were barely a whisper.
"I know. But we'll make it right. Together."
He lifted his head, searching my eyes for something absolution, maybe. Understanding.
Then he kissed me.
His hands roamed my back before settling on my waist. My arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, like we'd practiced this a thousand times. His tongue slid against mine, and the world melted away until there was nothing but heat and need and the thundering of my heart.
We moved toward the bed. He pulled back suddenly. "I'm... I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me."
I cupped his face and kissed him harder, pouring everything I felt into it all the longing I'd buried, all the nights I'd watched him from across the campfire and wondered. I pulled his shirt off, flinging it across the room. He lifted mine over my head, his hands finding my breasts, squeezing gently. A moan escaped my lips.
I unclasped my bra, letting it fall. He looked at me with raw desire, and the words that came next would echo in my mind forever.
"I want you."
"Take me."
That night stretched until dawn painted the window gold. In the days that followed, Leon returned to himself his gleaming eyes, his unstoppable smile. Our missions flew by, each completed task bringing us closer, making our stolen moments more precious.
I listened to every word he said like they were sacred vows. Fought beside him without question. Aimed at targets without hesitation.
Until the spider dungeon, damn I hate spiders.
We barely survived. Again.
Upon our return to the church, there it was that cold aura emanating from him like winter frost.
"Leon, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine."
"Where are you going?"
"Just need to handle some things. Go ahead and head to your room tonight, okay?" He masked it under a smile, but I could see the cracks beneath.
"Yeah... sure."
Days passed. He didn't return. I didn't know what he was doing, and each moment without him gnawed at my trust, at my certainty. I busied myself with the other party members cleaning gear, shopping, preparing for our march against the Kingdom of the Sin of Pride.
One night, unable to sleep, I found myself on the rooftop, gazing at the moonlit streets. Movement caught my eye. Leon, making his way into a dark alley.
Curiosity pulled me forward. I leaped from roof to roof, positioning myself directly above him.
He wasn't alone.
A girl stood with him, her face hidden in shadow until the moonlight illuminated her features.
Tina.
"Why are you doing this to me, Leon?" Her voice broke with tears.
He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the wall. "You want them safe, right? Then do what I say."
"I... I don't want to do this! You know I don't want to!" She pleaded. "Let's just forget about this. I won't say anything. We can move on. I'll forgive you!"
"If you don't, you know what will happen. Your mother, your father, your sister I'll burn them to ashes. Hell, I'll burn down the entire village."
"There has to be another way!"
"I don't want to do this, but it's what the church wants. It's about the relic your lover boy carries. It's bound to him, and the only way to take it is through his death. So make a choice: him or your village. Choose."
She slid down the wall, defeated. "Fine... fine, I'll do it."
"Good girl." He pulled her up and kissed her deeply.
Her eyes widened. Shock gave way to fury. Her arm swung through the air.
Crack!
The slap echoed through the alley.
Leon's head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming across his cheek. For a moment, neither spoke.
Tina stood trembling, tears glistening not from sadness anymore, but humiliation and rage.
He laughed. "I like it rough."
"Don't you ever put your FUCKING HANDS ON ME!"
"Or what?" He pulled out a piece of parchment inscribed with glowing runes. "Matter of fact, come to my room tonight. If you don't... you know what will happen."
"Leon, this isn't like you! What about... Elvnia?"
"What about that elven slut? She's nothing but stress relief. A plaything."
The words hit me like arrows.
Each one found its mark.
Buried deep.
"My room tonight." He cut his finger with a dagger, letting blood drip onto the parchment. "This is a binding contract. You will swear to me that you won't mention any of this to anyone. Do you swear?"
He grabbed her wrist, pressing the dagger against her skin.
"DO YOU FUCKING SWEAR IT?"
"I DO!" Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I DO!"
"Good."
He cut into her hand. Her blood flowed onto the parchment. As the light faded, he folded it with a sinister smile. "You know what happens if you break it, right?"
She sat on the cold ground in silence.
He chuckled. "See you tonight."
I couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
My hands curled into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.
Every instinct screamed at me to jump down. To put an arrow through his throat. To make him answer for every cruel word.
But he was the Hero.
The man who had saved countless lives.
The man I had followed across kingdoms.
The man I...
What about that elven slut? She's nothing but stress relief. A plaything.
The words echoed.
Again.
And again.
Each repetition sank deeper, like poison spreading through my veins.
Was that all I had ever been?
Every laugh around the campfire. Every conversation beneath the stars. Every embrace. Every kiss. Every whispered promise in the dark.
Had it all been nothing?
Something cold trailed down my cheek. I raised a trembling hand and brushed it away.
Tears.
I hadn't even realized I was crying.
My vision blurred. Yet what disgusted me most wasn't the pain it was the shameful truth buried beneath it.
Despite everything I'd heard. Despite the threats, the manipulation, the cruelty.
Despite knowing the man below wasn't the hero I'd fallen in love with.
A selfish part of me still wished I was the one going to his room tonight.
The realization made me sick.
I wrapped my arms around myself and stared up at the moon, searching for comfort in its pale light.
There was none.
Only emptiness.
For so long, I'd convinced myself that my place was beside Leon. That wherever he went, I would follow. That perhaps, one day, the road would lead somewhere we could finally call home.
Now I understood how foolish that dream had been.
Because the truth was painfully simple.
Long before I met Leon. Long before the adventures, the battles, the promises.
I already had a home.
And somewhere along the way, I had forgotten it.