Silent Killings

While the topic of the sudden appearance of a strange forest within the sky emerged, contrary to daily activity, many elves began a hurried pace towards the Elfin Realms exit.

Silently following them, multiple shadows across the many exits lied within their shadows.

***

Among the many elves that begun their exit from the realm, this one was among the first.

He wore a dark green robe with the hood down. A brown leather bag laid strapped over his shoulder while at his waist a sheathed sword swung with the hurried movement of his legs.

The Elfin Realm had two primary exits. Located at the opposite poles, the North and South of the Royal city, portals controlled by the Royal Palace and guarded by selected Elfin Guards remained opened all throughout the day, closing at night to prevent sudden attacks. Of course, these are the only portals to leave the Elfin Realm and were placed within the royal city to prompt quick response from the Queen and her palace should need be. So, for elves who lived hundreds of thousands of kilometers towards the outskirts of the realm, the journey to the royal city though the portals connecting cities would be the only way to leave the realm.

As this Elf headed to the southern exit within the royal city, his attire wasn't particularly suspicious, as many lower class elf's were hunters.

***

Several hours pasted before he finally made it to the Realms exit. By this time, the sky had started to darken.

The Elf narrowed his eyes at the sky. The night was slowly approaching, only meaning the Elfin Realms Northern and Southern would soon close. He quickly hurried his pace, adapting a spirting motion.

It was coming night time, so activity began to cease towards the southern half of the Royal City, making maneuvering a miniscule task. It was only a few minutes later that a platform came into view. Marble white steps rose to meet a portal the size of a 2 story building. Its view was barely obscured by the towering walls with Elfin guards evenly spaced out keeping watch that surrounded it.

The Portal was at center of the southern city, easily identifiable by the radiating purple light of the transportation formation, as well as the mini castle of a fortress around the base of it. The main portal was raised, while the entrance sat around below it. Though it seemed easily bypass-able, it was common knowledge that an incredibly strong invisible barrier surround the airspace around it.

It was said before that an enraged general of the draconic race once tried to forcefully enter the Elfin Realm, but was unable to pierce through the protective space formation. This helped eliminate anyone foolish as too try and attempt suicide further as the general was later slain by the Queen at the time.

The Elf calmed his approach as he slowed down before the entrance to the fortress of the portal. The two guards at the entrance seemed to be readying to close the gates as they started to activate the armament formation.

"Wait!"

The two guards turned to look at the now sprinting elf. They immediately identified the elf's occupation, seeming to be a hunter. They inward disdained at such a late arrival, slowly deactivating the formation midway.

While they may have wanted nothing more than to close the formation regardless of his pleas, they as guards have experienced many situations as this, sometimes daily. Still, to do everything last minute, there was a reason this elf was the lowest of the low, a hunter.

There were many professions, hunter being one of the most common spread. As Elf's have a natural affinity to nature, it made the profession one of the easiest, being able to catch and locate smaller animals such as rabbits. So, all in all, it was the job useless beings resorted too, at least in their mind.

"Hurry"

The Elf let out a breath of thanks to the lenience of the guard as he present his token of identification.

The token of identification was a rune stone stored with immediate personal information at ease of access to authoritative individuals, as the runes possessed the natural aura of the owner, allowing one to confirm information.

The Elfin Guard quickly confirmed the Elf's identity as he stared to the Elfin Guard opposite to him. An exchange of a sort seemed to pass through their eyes, though the Elf seemed oblivious to it.

"You may go"

After getting the guards conformation, the Elf bowed as he quickly walked up the steps. Everything resumed as the guards reactivated the armament formation.

***

Appearing at the other side, the Elf was greeted with a scene similar to that of the other side of the portal. Passing through the checkpoint, he was finally out of the Elfin Realm.

The Elf didn't stop though. Continuing forward, he walked for another hour before he stumbled upon a forest. It was only then did he seem to rest.

Coming to a comfortable spot relatively deep into the forest, he pulled out a stone.

It was a long-distance delayed communication stoned.

Though, it was then that he signed.

"I knew it couldn't have been that easy, huh?"

He slowly turned around. Still, nothing was there. He chuckled to himself.

"Come on, you couldn't have actually thought I didn't spot your reckless tracking? Haha! I just waited until we were far enough from the checkpoint to kill you!"

A figure slowly manifested out of thin air.

An Elfin Guard, is what he thought her to be. She had simple black hair and green eyes. Black robes covered her featureless body, with a short sword at her waist. She was in every means... ordinary.

Seeing this, the man couldn't help but further laugh. Disregarding his laughter, she spoke, in a bland, flat voice.

"Since when did you know?"

He laughed harder, putting one of his hands to his stomach.

"The Elfin Realm has sat at the top for too long! It seems you guys no longer take anything seriously! Really..."

He reached for his sword, unsheathing it.

"...to send... such trash... they could've at least sent a beauty to kill me, that way I could have some fun with her for the work of entertaining her efforts!"

Flames gathered at the end of the sword.

The Elfin Women should no reaction. Her common green eyes just remained fixated on him.

"Come on little girl, don't just stand there, unsheathe your sword"

It was only after his wording that she unsheathed her sword, displaying clearly to him her inexperience.

"It seems your new, to think the Palace would send a rookie to perform such a task... I'll tell you something girl, you must've made enemies, cause someone definitely wanted you dead!"

He suddenly dashed towards her, his immense speed causing gusts of wind to pick up the surrounding leaves.

It was only then that the women showed any emotion, struggling to quickly raise her sword in response. Barely making it in time, her sword managed to connect. Though, the sheer power of the contact sent her flying backwards, crashing into a tree.

The tree split, then sending her tumbling on to the ground.

"Truly pitiful..."

*Cling*

A sword suddenly pierced through her heart, her blood gushing out as it ran down her black robes. Her eyes remained wide in surprise, she hadn't even seen his move. It had all happened so quick, and she... had never stood a chance.

"I'll make sure to thank whoever sent you, it truly made sure this information ended in the hands of the dragon race with ease!"

He removed the sword, causing the women's body to slump lifelessly to the ground.

"It could be said that I am a rich man starting today..."

He suddenly paused. Turning to look at his shoulder. A single drop of water lied still on his amor. He stood confused. Looking up at the clear darkening sky, he examined the nearby trees for possible precipitation

*plop*

Another droplet sudden landed on his other shoulder. Was it an animals saliva?

"It seems all affiliated to dragons possess such mindless, unwavering pride... surely this has to be the reason for their inferiority to us, no?"

Two light blue eyes suddenly opened before him. They seemed similar to flames in a dark room, the center of attention for all who gazed over them.

"Valkyrie Xue!"

Blue tinted hair flutter down as a figure appeared, manifesting from a swirl of water.

"I thought it to be unfortunate that one of our own would be willing sell us out to our enemy, though now, it seems that only the bottom of the barrel were the dragons able to scrape from us. I'm glad they have helped us to identify such vermin"

Water gathered to form a beautiful sword of water, reflecting the light of the rising moon.

"Wai-"

His head suddenly fell, his body slowly following in its footsteps, collapsing to the ground, creating a pool of red that dyed the soil a darker color.

In all this time, Xue hadn't moved once, only staring at the Long Distance Delayed Communication Stone in his hand. In the next moment, it was in hers.

Water suddenly gushed out from thin air as the true surroundings were revealed. The Body of the black haired women became a puddle of water, slowly seeping into the ground.

Soon after, the environment returned to normal, Xue disappeared from sight.

It seemed as if everything that had happened... was just a dream.