1 Monster

I stood alone on the shore, gazing out at the endless expanse of the ocean. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks echoed in my ears, a familiar rhythm that once lulled me to sleep each night. But now, it only reminded me of what I've lost.

I used to call this place home. Now there's nothing here for me anymore—no friends or family waiting beyond those rocky shores. Right, there was no one for the exiled.

A sudden gust of wind blew through and ruffles up my hair as if trying its best to comfort me. It does little good, though, because I was too far gone into thought over these past few days since leaving my tribe behind.

My head spun with all sorts of questions about why they'd do such an awful thing, but right now, I can't even begin to fathom how I'll survive without them.

How will I ever find food? Will anyone else accept me after being shunned by everyone around my entire life? What if I get sick? I didn't even know how life works above water.

There are so many things I have yet to learn. So much more than any other member of my species could possibly understand. And then there's the biggest question of all: Why did they cast me away from everything I knew for something I didn't choose to be born with? Something I never asked for.

The answer eluded me like some sort of trickery devised just to torment me further. All I wanted to do was scream in frustration. Instead, I held back, biting down hard on my lower lip while staring off toward the horizon where the sun sets every day.

A new moon rises each evening before sinking below the sea, casting shadows across the waters. I wondered whether or not it would look different during a full moon instead. Would the sky turn red like blood spilled upon the waves? Or maybe green, like seaweed glistening under the light of the stars. Perhaps purple…like the rarest gemstone found throughout the world. Maybe blue, like the depths of the deepest seas.

All these thoughts swirled around inside my mind as I tried to grasp onto anything to ease my pain. To make sense of all this madness.

But none of them worked. Not today. Today, I feel numb. Empty. Like someone had taken all my emotions and stuffed them into some dark hole within my chest. Then left me to wander aimlessly through the rest of my existence, searching for answers that were never meant to exist.

"Well, time to get going," I mumbled to myself. "No point in standing around."

With a final glance over the edge, I turned and began walking inland, following the path carved out by countless others who came before me. I walked farther and deeper into the forest, taking note of the small animals scurrying about their business among the trees. Some scampered away, fearing I might harm them, whereas another pair approached closer, sniffing curiously at my feet.

Their bright eyes sparkled in curiosity as they peered up at me, begging for attention. With a sigh, I kneeled down and scratched between two of their pointed ears, feeling warm fur beneath my fingertips. One licked my cheek with his wet nose, causing me to laugh lightly.

It felt strange to be accepted by these creatures. As odd as it sounded, I almost wished I was an animal, so perhaps I'd fit in better with them. That way, I wouldn't need to worry about all these silly feelings that always seemed to plague me. No more guilt, regret, anger, sadness, loneliness…nothing. Just peace. And nothingness.

My stomach growled loudly enough to startle both away. Forcing my own hunger aside, I rose to my feet again, dusting off my hands and brushing off the dirt. These animals aren't worth bothering, especially not now.

I kept moving forward, passing a grove of tall oaks whose branches reached high overhead, blocking out most of the sunlight. Each tree looked identical to the next, save for the occasional branch that grew straight upward rather than curving downward.

Strange-looking plants lined the ground underneath, sprouting up randomly. Most appeared dead, brown, and withered despite having been watered daily. Others are alive yet still seem pale and wan. Yet others, however, continued to thrive, growing strong and healthy even in the midst of this harsh environment.

What a weird sensation to see the world without water everywhere. Without the constant presence of flowing streams and waves. Nothing to drink. Only dirt and rock to take sustenance from.

Why am I so fascinated with these things anyway? This land isn't mine to claim, nor should it be.

This place belongs to the humans. To the people of the human kingdom.

And although I've heard stories told about them, I've never seen a single one. Never met a real person face-to-face. Until now, it seems.

There they stood, a group of kids staring at me in awe. At least ten of them, ranging anywhere from ages seven to twelve. They wore simple clothes made of rough cloth, similar to the ones worn by the elves. None looked particularly well-fed either, which worried me deeply. Were they starving? Had they already given up hope of finding food somewhere nearby?

Or worse yet, did they intend to hunt me down? After all, I must've wandered quite far from my tribe if I hadn't stumbled upon any signs of them yet. Did they suspect I belonged to one of the neighboring tribes, coming close enough to raid us? Or perhaps they're hoping that we'd trade goods for whatever meager amount of supplies I had on me. Whatever the case, I couldn't let myself be caught unaware.

As I approached, the children stared at me intently, watching my every move.

Then suddenly, one boy steps forward. He wore a leather tunic with a belt holding a wooden sword strapped tightly against his waist. His hair was long, falling halfway down the nape of his neck, and he had several scars running down one side of his face. I could tell he was younger than the others, probably nine years old or less, but he carried himself confidently nonetheless. Even though I was sure I'd soon hear him shout at me for trespassing on their territory, I managed a smile.

"Uh, umm, hello," I said. "I'm Aleratha. I'm an elf from the Milailt tribe, and I don't mean any harm."

He stared at me silently, then glanced over the crowd surrounding me. When he turned back to meet my gaze, relief flashed across his features, quickly replaced by fear and uncertainty.

After a moment of silence passes between us, the young warrior spoke first. "We haven't seen a creature like you around here before."

His voice trembles slightly, making me think twice about trusting him completely.

Yet I decide otherwise based solely upon the fact that I'm hungry as hell. If there's even the slightest chance of getting food from these strangers, I'm willing to risk it.

"Do you know where I might find some food?" I asked hesitantly.

"You didn't answer my question," the boy replied, stepping closer to me. "Where exactly are you from? Do you speak our language? Are you really an elf?"

"Yes, yes, and…" I trail off, unsure what else to say. Is it wise to reveal too much information? Especially considering the circumstances. I don't trust these boys. Nor do I care to give away any secrets, no matter how innocent sounding they may be.

"Mommy says elves live in forests and mountains, not oceans!" one of the other children blurted out, earning a glare from the older ones.

Ignoring them, I forced myself to remain calm and collected, forcing my own nervousness into hiding. "Is that true?"

"That's what Mommy tells us," he replied.

I nodded slowly, wondering if it really was the truth or simply a story created to scare them into behaving themselves. Either way, I have no reason not to believe them. After all, there are plenty of stories told amongst humans regarding mythical beings like me. Elves, dwarves, trolls…all sorts of monsters that lurk in the woods and swamps. Creatures of myth and legend. Tales passed down through generations and embellished over time, becoming increasingly fanciful and unrealistic as time goes on. But these stories also serve as cautionary tales for youngsters. Warnings to stay away from places unknown lest they fall prey to evil beasts lurking within.

Although these children don't know the difference.

For all they know, I was just another monster that came to eat their flesh. Another beast of darkness and malice ready to devour them whole.

But come on, look at me! I look just like them except for my long ears and horns. Besides, I'm not exactly monstrous-looking, am I?

Suddenly from behind the tree, a tall ragged man appears. His hair is gray and thinning, hanging limply over his shoulders. Dark bags form beneath his bloodshot eyes, giving him a tired appearance. He didn't bother to hide the fact that he was drunk, stumbling about as he tried to catch up to the kids.

"I get why these kids are scared of you," he mutters drunkenly, slurring his words together. "It's not your appearance; it's not like these kids haven't seen an elf before. There is something—"

"Sir Reinhardt!" the young boy blurted, pointing his sword at him. "Wh-what are you doing here? And you-you're like dr-drunk again? I'll tell the—"

"Shut up, you stupid brats," he snaps angrily, cutting them off mid-sentence. "I do whatever I want, and I go wherever I want. The whole village would be gone without me, looted by bandits of all sorts. Ya know that?"

Reinhardt snorted in amusement at the sight of me staring at him in bewilderment. "So, girlie girl. As I was saying, I'm surprised you haven't even realized yourself."

He took another sip from his bottle. "There is a monster blaring inside you."