Underground Party

Rian left the house after making sure Vita was asleep and that Lu was in his room. She walked towards the middle of the village with heavy steps as she remembered the order she got earlier. 

'You have to come to the Underground Party my ass. Why even bother calling it like that, when we all know the secret behind it?'

She was now supposed to head to one of the most disgusting gatherings she knew in her entire life. 

Just thinking about it made her want to empty her stomach on top of the Chief's head. 

'That… Would have been a great feat. Maybe I shall do it once.'

The silly idea made her mood finally better, but she quickly sighed tiredly. 

'Still, it doesn't change what I'm about to see.'

Rian soon arrived at the center of the village and stood in front of a tall sturdy tower made of stones and veins, or as people call it, the Vin Tower. 

She stood there and chanted softly, causing an oval-shaped door to open in front of her. 

Taking another deep breath, Rian stressed to herself, 'Whatever you see there, it's NONE of your business.'

Entering through the door, Rian could feel the space around her changing, giving her more weight on her shoulders which ironically ached at the same time. 

'I… Really can't force a fight here today.'

She calmed herself and Steeled her heart before proceeding to move ahead, and soon enough, she saw the scene that she hated the most. 

The hypocrisy of this village. 

'Harmony between Elves and Dark Elves? Equality? Such bullshit.'

Rian's face turned bitter as she saw how the people who were sitting gracefully were the Elves, while next to them, the Dark Elves had to crawl while serving them. 

'Such an act…'

Although disgusting, It was the case almost everywhere. Dark Elves were not appreciated that much, due to how they were associated with Darkness. 

Darkness Elements were the most powerful once, but eventually, the strongest Elementals died, and the prideful Elements decided to refuse signing any contracts.

The sudden weakness made the Dark Elves to be an amiable target for the Elves who wanted to conquer them from the start. 

Eventually, this hierarchy had been established around the forest. Elves as the elite, and Dark Elves as a Lesser Race. 

If any showed any complaints, they were harshly disciplined, using any means. 

Most of the Dark Elves here, or around the village to be specific, had deep scars and marks around their body, showing how the treatment was terrible. 

Although it became better eventually after the village improved, these 'Underground Parties' were to prove something. 

'The hierarchy was still there, even if on the surface we were equal, you are still lower than us.'

Rian still remembers clearly how the Chief had announced this in the first Underground Party, and then took two Dark Elves who had protested before punishing them severely. 

One went completely blind, but the other was not as fortunate. 

Rian pushed these memories and settled down on a chair. A Dark Elf approached her and handed her a drink, and she did her best to thank him without anyone's notice. 

If someone noticed her, she would be dragged into a stupid fight once again. But with her current condition, she felt like she was only inviting trouble. 

After a long while, the Chief stood up at the center of the gathering and raised his glass. 

"Today, we celebrate our Rami Village's prosperous era once more."

Every Elf stood up and clapped, engulfing the room in the loud echoes of their so-called happiness and pride. 

Rian was one of them, although her emotions could be described as dread at the very least as she knew the next 'ritual'.

"So, let's make a toast."

Upon those words, a group of Dark Elves scattered across the room, each handing a glass of Misiam Wine to their respective Elf. 

Misiam Wine was a special nectar that was mixed with light Elements' power, which reacted harshly against any Darkness Elements. 

The Dark Elves were either trembling or trying to hold themselves together as they knew what was about to happen. 

Rian saw that and sighed internally, then took the glass, apologizing in her head, 'I'm sorry for being weak…'

"Now, let's process our toast!"

With the Chief's order, the Elves all poured the wine on top of the Dark Elves, causing each to react in their own way. 

Some cried in pain, some trembled and shivered, while others stayed silent while biting their lips. 

The pain of the Dark Elements and the Light Elements clash was not something to be taken casually, especially given how it was a direct contact. 

The Chief looked around, satisfied, he nodded. 

"Our Rami Village is the only village that allows those Dark Creatures to roam casually under the daylight. I even adopted one of them to show that."

Glancing around, his gaze met with Rian for a moment and he continued. 

"But these lowlifes shall never overstep their boundaries, and these rituals shall be engraved in their bodies and souls."

Rian lowered her head instinctively, trying to avoid the Chief's gaze as she knew this was directed at her. 

The Chief did not pay any more attention to her, only announcing to the crowd. 

"For our Rami Village prosperous era!"

"For our Rami Village!"

The cheers and laughter resounded through the room, and the solemn atmosphere slowly turned lively. 

Rian stood up, touched the shoulder of Dark Elf who was next to her and used her Wind Element to remove any droplets of the Misiam Wine from his body before leaving silently. 

'Whatever, I came here as promised. Now I don't need to stay here any longer that I displayed the ritual.'

The Chief noticed her departure but only gave a cold laugh, thinking about how that strong Elf was nothing but a stupid softie on the inside. 

Rian laid down in the middle of the forest, trying to wash her guilt away in a way or another, when she heard a voice calling out to her. 

"What are you doing here, Ria? I thought you'd come to meet me today."