Chapter 1

Dizzy, dazed, disoriented, they were all words to describe how I was feeling at that exact moment. My feet hardly met the ground in a straight line, my knees about to give in and force me to fall to the floor. Someone was pushing me, someone tall, with a deathly grip that even the strongest person I know wouldn't be able to get out of, and that was saying something. He never spoke, other than a few hushed phrases like 'shut up' and 'be quiet'. I tried to look at him, but every time he forcefully made sure I was facing forwards. He kept pushing me down lots of stone corridors, maybe even caves, even after I had just woken up. How I'd got there I didn't know, all I remembered was falling asleep and being forced to walk down wherever we were. It was mainly empty, there weren't many people around, and the lights were scarce and gave the caves a creepy vibe with the orange glow they gave off. Thelampshades were grimy too, leaving spots of darkness on the walls. 

The man made a sharp turn, pushing me down a separate corridor filled with cells. I didn't see what was in them, he stopped me from looking. Why I didn't know. He reached the end, and I heard the jangling of keys. The door opened, I was thrown in, and someone ran past me with a ferocious cry. I stood up immediately, looking at who ran past. She was about the same height as me, with long brown hair and skin that was quite close to the colour of her hair. The man who brought me here had grabbed her wrist, and kept it behind her back as she yelled curses at the top of her lungs. Her face was pulled into a tight scowl, obscuring her features. The man on the other hand was tall, and had skin that looked almost black. His hair was a bright white, and was shaved on one side. His eyes were black, and at that current moment had a slight tinge of red in them. 

The man threw the girl back in the cell, and she landed beside me. She yelled more curses, and the door slammed shut. 

"Who knew you could be such a fighter, Altium," the man spat, a smile playing on his lips. 

"Shut up!" The girl yelled. "I command you to shut up!"

"You have no power out here, Altium," his smile widened. 

"I have power everywhere," she replied. 

He chuckled a bit. "Foolish Altium. Your power reaches the border. We are way past that,"

"Way past the border?" She mumbled. "We can't be! The only thing past the border is the humans, and we all know they won't let us near,"

"I didn't say we were with the humans," he replied. "But we're close. And you're even closer," he pointed at me. 

"What?" The girl looked me over for a few seconds, then shot across the cell. "You're keeping me with a human?"

"Hey!" I yelled back. 

"I'll leave you two to sort out this chaos," the man turned, and it was only then that I noticed he had large ears, pointed ones to be exact. 

The girl huddled in the corner, keeping her eyes on me. I was confused; there were no other beings other than humans, were there? If so, why hadn't we found them?

"So…" I began, trying to start up a conversation. "Where do you come from?"

She stared back at me for a while before replying. "Why do you want to know? So you can report it to the other humans?"

"No!" I replied. "I just wanted to stir up a conversation,"

"One that will be lethal for the elves," she mumbled. 

"Elves?"

"Yeah, elves. Got a problem?" She retorted. 

"Elves… elves exist?" I asked. "What?"

"You didn't know?" She asked. "You're lying!"

"I'm not!"

"You are! I can tell you are!" She yelled stubbornly. "I don't care, you're not getting and information out of me,"

"I don't want to!" I yelled back. "I just want to know why I was kidnapped, and to at least have someone to talk to!"

"Kidnapped? You came here willingly to learn more about elves, didn't you?"

"No!"

"Stop lying!"

"I'm not!" I told her. "I promise you, I'm not lying. I don't know a thing about elves, I'm scared for my life, and I'm somewhere I've never been before. Now cut me some slack!"

She stared at me for a couple seconds, before looking away and puffing her cheeks slightly. She let out an agitated groan, leaning back and glaring at me.

"You're relentless, y'know that?" She complained. 

"What's that got to do with this?" I asked. 

"Nothing," she shrugged, turning away from me. 

I had nothing good to tell her, so said nothing. She said nothing either. It was like that for a long time, with neither of us saying anything. I gave her a few small glances, seeing if she was willing to talk to me, but she didn't. She just stared at the wall outside the bars, unblinking, as if she was in a daze of some sort. 

Time passed, and it felt like it had been hours since I arrived. I knew it wasn't, but it felt like it. My eyes were droopy, and I was ready to fall asleep. I heard someone walking down the corridor, and a gruff voice spoke. 

"Sleep," was all it said, and the lamp further down the corridor was almost blown out. It was dimmer than before. 

I looked over at the girl; she didn't look back. Instead, she curled up, and I assumed she fell asleep. With nothing else to do and a fatigue biting at me, I decided to as well. 

***

I was woken up to the cell door rattling. The man, or elf, from before was there, rattling it to get us up. As soon as he saw we were both up, he smiled. 

"You two have a long day ahead of you," he said, smiling. "I hope you slept well,"

"Fantastically," the girl rolled her eyes. 

"Glad to hear it," he replied. "You either do this one of two ways; you follow me and have a good day, or you don't and spend your day regretting your decision. Which are you going for?"

"Like I'd listen to you," she scoffed. 

"I would if I were you," he spoke in a different tone, like a completely different person. "You don't know what they can do, what they can accomplish,"

The girl was taken off guard by the sudden change. The man waited for her answer, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well?"

"Alright, alright, I suppose I'll do it," she waved her hand in the air, standing up and stretching. 

"What about you, human?"

"I guess so," I replied. 

"Good," he unlocked the door. "Now don't dawdle,"

He walked away at a slow pace, letting us follow behind him. The girl kept her eyes off me, instead looking around the caves. There was nothing interesting really, just a bunch of closed doors. 

The elf led us down lots of corridors again, and eventually stopped outside a large metal door. 

"Watch your tongue. She's pretty damn strong," his face had softened like before as he spoke, taking us both off guard like before. As soon as he finished speaking, the usual smirk resurfaced on his face. "Good luck,"

He opened the door, leading us into a small room. In the centre was a desk, where a middle aged woman sat. Unlike human old women though, she had curled black horns on her head, and black eyes without any pupils. Like the elf with us, she had dark skin, except her hair was black, not white. In front of the desk stood another elf, his long brown hair pulled into a long plait, the colour paler than the girl's.

"Please, come inside," the woman smiled at us. 

We both followed the elf inside, and stood in-between the two elves in front of the desk. The one there stepped to the side to let us stand there. 

"I wasn't expecting a human," she looked me over. "I suppose the Goddess works in the oddest of ways,"

"Can you just explain to us why we're here?" The girl asked. The tall elf elbowed her, shaking his head slightly. 

"Calm down Alys, she's just a curious soul," the woman smiled. "Have you ever heard of the Guardians?"

"Vaguely," she replied. "I know that they have the power of the elements. You… you can't possibly mean-"

"Yes," she nodded. 

"But the guardians are fable! They're just fairy tales!" She replied. 

"You're clearly mistaken," I told her. "I don't have any magical powers,"

"That's where you're wrong," her smile grew. "For the next few weeks you will learn how to control these powers. Then, you will use them however I say,"

"However you say?" The girl retorted. "Like I'd listen to you,"

Before the girl could finish, she doubled over, grabbing her stomach, her legs barely supporting her. Alys gave her a glance of sorrow before staring blankly at the woman again. After a few seconds it stopped, and she leant on the table. 

"What… what was that?" She asked. 

"You've clearly never met a dark witch before," she smiled. "So, you will do as I say, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, not wanting the same fate as the girl. 

"Okay," she pushed out. 

"Good," the witch smiled. "For now, Alys and Zath will supervise and help any way they can,"

The two elves nodded, turning around and exiting the room. Not wanting to be hurt, I did too, grabbing the girl lightly and helping her along. 

"Let go," she hissed, glaring at me. 

"Can you walk on your own?" I asked. "That looked like it hurt,"

"Yes, I'm fine," she ripped her arm from my grasp, and stumbled for a while before stopping. I grabbed her again, helping her. 

"I'm only helping. Don't get so angry for that," I told her sternly. She rolled her eyes. 

"I told you she was strong," Alys shook his head. 

"It was a mistake, alright?" She retorted. 

"One that won't happen again?" He asked. 

"Why do you care?" She yelled. 

"Quiet, Altium," he hissed, a lot stricter than the last two sentences he uttered. "And quite frankly you're a Guardian, we need you alive not dead,"

"I suppose that's a good enough reason," she attempted to shake my hand off again, but I didn't let her. 

"So, where are we going now?" I asked. 

"Somewhere for you to try and practice," he replied. "You need to learn soon,"

"I suppose so," she replied. 

The rest of the walk was in silence, with the girl glaring at me often. I brushed it off, helping her to walk. I did nothing bad to her, so why was she mad? Maybe because I was a human? But even then, what had humans done to make elves hate us so much?

Alys stopped in front of a door. The other one, Zath I think, unlocked it and opened it for us. Inside were lots of plant pots with different plants, most of which I had never seen before. They both stepped inside. 

"So what do we do?" The girl asked. 

"Whatever you want. Just practice," Alys shrugged, standing by his friend in the corner.

The girl shook my hand off and walked to one of the plants, picking up one of the petals with her finger, observing it. I walked to her, wanting to start a conversation. 

"You never told me your name," I began. "Care to tell me?"

"Elaria," she replied. "You," 

"Oliver,"

She stayed silent. "Look, don't get me wrong, I don't like humans, but why haven't you attacked me? You're oddly nice to me,"

"I don't attack people, simple," I replied. 

"Times have changed, Altium," Alys began. "The humans aren't like they were all those years ago. They don't know we exist, let alone the wars that occured. They're quite pacifist actually,"

"I see," she nodded. "Well, I'll give you a chance,"

"Thanks," 

"Mess it up at any time, and it's over with, got it?" She pointed at me. 

"Calm down, don't kill him," Alys complained, rolling his eyes. 

"Don't meddle in their conversation, Alys," Zath told him. 

"Just saying, we need him alive," he shrugged. "Now it would be best to get on with practice,"

"If you don't mind me asking, how do I do that?" I asked. 

"Teach him, would you?" Alys asked Elaria, gesturing in the vague direction of where I was stood.  

"Alright, alright," she nodded. "You simply do this,"

She moved my hands next to the flower, so my palms were facing it. She smiled slightly, doing the same. 

"Just think of what you want to do, and it'll happen," she told me. 

"Is that it?"

"Pretty much," she shrugged, laughing slightly. "It's simple, I know,"

"I was just expecting magic to be more… complex," I replied. 

"Really?" She smiled at me. "Magic is just… magic,"

She slowly picked up a petal on the flower, and it immediately grew brighter and more lively. I was in awe at her magic. Id never seen anything like it before. 

"It's a shame they're kept in here, some sunlight would do them good," Elaria mumbled. "They won't keep for long in here,"

"That's why you're here, to keep them alive," Zath replied. 

"I wasn't telling you," she replied. "Ever heard of talking to yourself?"

Zath rolled his eyes, turning back to his friend and mumbling something. Elaria must've heard it, since her pointed ears twitched and she glared at them both. 

"Care to say that to my face?" She asked. 

"Say what?" Zath retorted. "I've got nothing to say to you,"

"I heard my name," she spat back. 

"Very observant," 

"What did you say?"

"Nothing for you," he shook his head smugly. "Stop butting into my conversation,"

"I have every right to know what you said about me," she straightened up, making herself visually taller. "I am above you. You will obey me and tell me what you said,"

"Like I said before Altium, your power doesn't reach this far, now calm down," Alys glared at her, and then turned to Zath. "Don't do that again. You don't want to upset her, who knows what she will do,"

"Who's she?" I asked, raising my finger slightly as if i was putting my hand up. "If you don't mind me asking,"

"His Puella," Zath explained, gesturing to Alys. "The witch you just saw,"

"That was your Puella?" Elaria asked, jumping back slightly. 

"What's a Puella?" I asked. 

"Two elves come together, do things, then become a Puella and a Pur," Zath explained. 

"Oh, I see," I nodded, making a vague connection between a Puella and a Mother and hoping I was right.  

"But still, you had to put up with her for your whole life?" Elaria asked, leaning on the table. "How horrible!"

"She can hear you," he retorted. "So keep quiet,"

Elaria sunk back, knowing the consequences. She rolled her eyes slightly, looking away and behind me. 

"A word of warning, don't talk about her. She has eyes everywhere," his voice became softer again, his features lessening from the tight scowl that once covered his features. "You don't want to get hurt,"

I heard Elaria mumble something faintly and cross her arms. She scowled at the door behind me before letting out a long sigh and leaning on the table, twirling a petal between her fingers. It glowed under her fingers, like a blue light was covering the flower. 

The next however long it was passed in silence, with me observing Elaria's work and sometimes trying to replicate it, and the two elves both talking in hushed tones. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Elaria tensed up every so often, so I could tell it was a sensitive subject. I often heard her muttering under her breath, what she said I don't know. It sounded like she was speaking in another language, her letters formed together to make sounds not commonly used in the English language. I couldn't make any of the words out so I wasn't sure of my theory, it could just be her hushed tone. Nevertheless, she was saying things. Her and Zath often exchanged a few glares, but nothing was said. Every tine it happened, Alys would elbow Zath, and he'd stop. Very occasionally, I'd have to do the same to Elaria to make her stop too. She was relentless with her glares; every opportunity she had she'd glare at him, often unnoticed by the two of them. 

The door was pushed open forcefully, so much that I was surprised it didn't fall off its hinges. The one who entered was small, with a large beard. He reached just over half my height, and I was quite tall. He smirked at Alys. 

"Oridottir," Alys began, "So nice to see you,"

"Won't be fer long," he chuckled, a gruff one. 

"Why do you say that?" Alys asked, his head tilting to the side slightly like a lost puppy. 

"They found semethin' o' yers," he held up a photograph. "Ye ferget ye gleves,"

It seemed as though the colour drained from Alys' face, his usual scowl replaced with a scowl and a side of fear. He regained his composure after a couple seconds. "How do you know it's mine?"

"The logo," he held up another photo. "Made by Iy,"

His face became more fearful. 

"Yer Puella ain't ter happey," he chuckled slightly. "She wans ter se ya,"

He mumbled something under his breath, before walking to the short man. The man chuckled, a gruff one, and grabbed his arm. He smirked, revealing disgusting teeth, and dragged Alys out, slamming the door behind him. 

"They found something of his?" Elaria asked. "That's brilliant news! We may be found!"

"Shut it," Zath complained. "She can hear you. Don't go plotting anything now,"

"Shut it Periculo," Elaria spat. "Your friend isn't here to protect you,"

"Who says I need protection?" He asked, smirking. 

Elaria rolled her eyes. "Whatever,"

"What's a Periculo?" I asked, putting my finger up like before. 

Elaria groaned, glaring at me. "They're from the deepest, darkest pits of Infernum, and possess dark magic stronger than a dark witch, and are ruthless murderers that murdered many elves,"

"We are not," Zath replied. 

"Yes you are," she spat, crossing her arms. "Most deaths are due to you Periculo,"

"Maybe if you treated us better we wouldn't hunt you," Zath looked away. "And a minority of the population doesn't define the majority,"

"Who says?"

"Well, most elves steal from other elves, notably the poorer elves, and leave them homeless to die, does that mean you're like them?" Zath retorted. 

"Not all of us do that," Tyria crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks out as she sulked. 

"My point exactly," 

"So you have dark magic?" I asked tentatively, crossing my arms across my body for protection. 

"No, I'm one of the only elves around here not to," Zath shook his head. Elaria was about to interrupt, but Zath shook his head. "A Periculo isn't bad. Well, most anyway. They just like the same… how do I put this? Instead of being attracted to Elaria, I'd be attracted to Alys. Not saying I am, he's not my type, but it's the only example," he seemed a bit flustered, and rubbed his neck. 

"So you're gay then?" I asked. He looked at me oddly. "But why are you painted out to be so bad? All you do is like people,"

"You're standing up for him?" Elaria jumped back. "Don't tell me you're one too,"

"A bit," I replied. "But that's beside the point. We're not bad,"

Elaria rolled her eyes. "It was written that any Periculo is evil and worships the dark god," 

"And yet I've never been shown this 'article'," Zath mumbled. 

"Well, they're not bad, so just get along," I said, not sure she would or not. 

Elaria let out a loud groan. "I suppose i'll give you a chance too. But like Oliver, you only get one,"

"Thank you, Altium," he smiled at her slightly. "Now get on with what you should be doing,"