Starfall's Wish - Chapter 8 - First Draft (Patreon)

Nestled within the boreal forest, at the foothills of towering mountains, lay the village of Tayut, in the borderlands between Fērizith and Aŋur. Its modest size allowed it to blend in seamlessly with the surroundings, its wooden houses boasting roofs thatched with straw and walls adorned with climbing ivy. The sun peeked through the dense canopy overhead, casting dappled light on the winding dirt paths that connected the village, while the distant murmur of a nearby stream lent a soothing ambiance.

As the group entered Tayut from the dangerous north road, they were met with curious stares from the locals. Their weary faces, dirt-streaked and sweat-stained, contrasted sharply with the villagers' contented expressions. A blacksmith paused mid-hammer swing, eyeing them cautiously as he wiped his brow with a soot-covered hand.

"Welcome to Tayut," called out an elderly woman, her voice surprisingly strong despite her frail appearance. "We don't get many travelers from the north road these days. You must be tired."

"Thank you for your kind words," replied Yuka, inclining her head respectfully. "It has indeed been a long journey."

The woman nodded sagely, then gestured towards the center of the village. "You'll find the inn just down this path. They offer warm beds and hearty meals, which I'm sure you could use."

"Much obliged," Yuka said before leading her group further into the village.

Theng and Dīl walked side by side, their eyes flitting about the unfamiliar surroundings. As the pair passed by a modest playground, they caught sight of village children chasing one another around a large oak tree, laughter bubbling through the air. Theng's stoic expression softened, and even though he remained mute, it was evident that curiosity had piqued his interest.

Dīl, noticing Theng's gaze, nudged him gently and motioned towards the children. Without a word, the two approached the playground, where the village children paused their game to scrutinize the newcomers.

"Hello!" one little girl piped up, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in Theng's long blonde hair and tanned skin. "Do you want to play with us?"

Theng's lips curved into a faint smile, his first since arriving in Ulp. He offered a nod, and the village children erupted into excited chatter, welcoming Theng and Dīl into their midst. Despite their inability to speak, both Theng and Dīl communicated through gestures and laughter, quickly becoming absorbed in the playful atmosphere.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting warm hues on the quaint village of Tayut, it seemed that perhaps, for a moment, even those who had traveled the dangerous north road could find respite in such a haven.

Rōshi leaned against a nearby tree, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Theng and Dīl integrate with the village children. The sight was endearing, but Rōshi couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at the back of his mind. His gaze flitted to Yuka, who stood nearby, her green eyes alight with joy as she took in the scene before her.

"Yuka, we need to talk," Rōshi said, pulling her aside. His voice held a tinge of urgency that belied his calm exterior.

"Of course, what's on your mind?" Yuka asked, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

"Tayut is...charming," Rōshi began, choosing his words carefully. "But I think we should move on. We can't afford to become complacent."

"Rōshi, we've been traveling for days without rest. Look at Theng and Dīl; they're finally enjoying themselves. We all need this," Yuka replied gently, gesturing to their companions.

"Yuka, it's not safe. The High Elves could be lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike," Rōshi insisted, his eyes scanning the village perimeter with suspicion.

"Rōshi, I understand your concerns, truly. But my intuition tells me they've moved on. We haven't seen any traces of them since we left Fērizith," Yuka countered, placing a reassuring hand on his arm.

"Intuition isn't enough, Yuka. You know I prefer to rely on myself and my own abilities. It's just...I don't want to put you or anyone else in danger."

Yuka smiled warmly at him, understanding the depth of his feelings. "I appreciate your protectiveness, Rōshi. But sometimes, we must trust in others and our own instincts."

"Besides," she continued, pointing to a group of villagers in the distance who seemed to be preparing for some sort of celebration, "it appears that Tayut is getting ready for a festival. Word travels fast in such places – if the High Elves were nearby, we'd likely have heard something by now."

Rōshi sighed, knowing there was truth in her words. His gaze returned to Theng and Dīl, their laughter ringing through the air as they played with the village children.

"Alright, Yuka. We'll stay, but only for a short while. I can't shake this feeling that danger isn't far behind," he relented, though the worry remained etched in the lines of his face.

"Thank you, Rōshi. I promise we'll leave as soon as we've had a chance to rest and gather our strength. It's important to take care of ourselves too, you know," Yuka said, giving him a gentle nudge.

"Fine, but we won't let our guard down," Rōshi replied, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant shades of red and orange.

"Agreed," Yuka nodded. And for now, they would allow themselves to enjoy the respite offered by the quaint village of Ulp, all the while remaining vigilant for any signs of the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume them.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village of Tayut as the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky. The cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the distant laughter of children and the scent of woodsmoke from nearby hearths.

"Come on," Yuka said to Rōshi, Theng, and Dīl. "Let's find a place to rest for the night." She led the group through the narrow dirt streets, the homes around them adorned with intricate carvings and splashes of vibrant color. Lanterns hung from eaves, their flickering light casting playful shadows on the ground beneath.

"Here," Yuka said, stopping before a cozy-looking inn nestled between two tall oaks. A painted sign above the door depicted a plump goose resting atop a stack of fluffy pillows. She pushed open the door, revealing a small but welcoming common room filled with locals enjoying food and drink.

"Ah, welcome!" called the innkeeper, a rotund man with a bushy beard and twinkling eyes, very much reminding Yuka of Ang, "We have some rooms available upstairs – I hope you'll stay with us tonight."

"Thank you," Yuka replied, exchanging a few coins for the keys to their rooms. "We're all quite tired after our journey." The innkeeper nodded sympathetically, pointing them towards the staircase.

As they climbed the stairs, Yuka's mind raced with thoughts of the day's events. Her intuition had been right; there was no sign of the High Elves here in Tayut. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Pushing those worries aside for now, she focused on the simple comforts of the inn.

"Theng and Dīl, you can share this room," Yuka said, opening the door to reveal a snug chamber with two beds covered in thick blankets. Theng and Dīl nodded in silent agreement, entering the room and settling down for the night.

"Rōshi, you're next door," Yuka continued, unlocking the adjacent room for him. "Sleep well."

"Goodnight, Yuka," Rōshi said, his voice softer than usual. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "You were right about staying here. It's nice to have a proper bed after so long on the road."

"Thank you, Rōshi," Yuka replied, touched by his admission. "Sleep well."

Finally, Yuka entered her own room, sinking gratefully onto the plush mattress. She untied her boots and let out a sigh of relief as she peeled off her travel-worn clothes. A wooden tub sat in the corner, filled with steaming water and fragrant herbs. The thought of submerging herself into its warm embrace was too tempting to resist.

As Yuka sank into the bath, she let out a contented sigh. The soothing warmth of the water enveloped her, melting away the tension from her muscles and easing her troubled thoughts. For a brief moment, the dangers they faced seemed far away, and she allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment of respite.

When she emerged from the bath, Yuka felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. Wrapping herself in a plush towel, she padded over to the window, gazing out at the quiet village below. The laughter of children had faded, replaced by the gentle murmur of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the trees.

"Tomorrow, we'll face whatever comes our way," she murmured, pulling the curtains closed. "But tonight, we rest." And with that, Yuka slipped beneath the soft blankets, allowing sleep to claim her at last.

And so, Yuka and her companions settled into the inn for the night. They were comfortable and warm, and Yuka felt a sense of peace wash over her as she fell asleep.

But their peaceful slumber was suddenly interrupted in the middle of the night by a loud commotion outside their window. Yuka jumped out of bed in alarm - what could be causing all this noise?

Cautiously, she peered out the window and was surprised to see a group of high elves arguing with each other in the village square. Although the elves' voices were muffled by the window, Yuka could tell they were discussing something important - whatever it was had made them so heated that even their shimmering hair seemed to be shaking with anger.

Yuka watched in silence as the argument went on for what felt like hours. Suddenly, one of the elves stopped talking and looked up at Yuka's window - it was almost as if he knew she was watching him. He stared at her for a few moments before finally turning away and continuing his conversation with his companions.

Yuka shuddered - whether or not this elf actually knew she was there didn't matter; she wanted to get out of this village as soon as possible! She quickly woke her companions up and told them about what she had seen outside their window

After a few minutes of frantic discussion, Yuka and her companions devised a plan to sneak out of the village without being spotted by the elves. They decided to wait until just before sunrise, when the Elves would be less likely to spot them.

Yuka and her friends packed up all their belongings in silence, careful not to make any noise that could alert the elves. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, they were ready - it was time to put their plan into action!

The group snuck out of the inn as quietly as possible and headed towards the edge of the village where they planned on leaving unnoticed. But just before they reached their destination, Yuka heard a soft whisper coming from behind her - someone was following them!

Yuka spun around, her heart pounding in her chest. Standing behind them were two high elf guards - and between them was a figure draped in a deep purple cloak. Mabyaku stood silently, his piercing gaze sending chills down Yuka's spine. She felt as though if she moved an inch he could reach out and grab her - but instead he just stared at Yuka with an expression that seemed almost sorrowful.

Finally, Rōshi stepped in front of Yuka, ready to fight Mabyaku. "I won't let you take her or my friends," he said fiercely, his voice echoing throughout the night.

Yuka watched in awe as Rōshi and Mabyaku stared each other down, neither one of them willing to back down. Slowly, Mabyaku pulled out a shining blade from within his robe - it glinted menacingly in the moonlight and Yuka felt her heart skip a beat.

But then, unexpectedly, Mabyaku tossed his sword to the ground. Rōshi was ready to fight, his fist clenched tightly around the haft of his club and his jaw set. Then Rōshi rushed forward swinging his club at the high elf. Mabyaku dodged easily and the two of them began to fight.

Rōshi tried his hardest to land a blow on Mabyaku, but he was no match for the elf's agility and speed. The fight went on for what seemed like hours as Yuka and her friends watched in horror, as if too afraid to move or make a sound.

Rōshi was on the edge of defeat, close to losing the battle when another high elf emerged behind him, weapon drawn and poised for destruction. But Theng acted swiftly by seizing the blade from the elf's. The glint of the steel cut through the air before it found its mark, leaving a gaping wound and the enemy slain.

Theng towered above the elf as he crumpled to the ground, and Yuka felt a jolt of horror - he had changed so drastically, the transformation had been too quick for her to process. Before her stood a powerful being, not the carefree child-like person she'd come to know.

Without warning, a host of high elves appeared from behind the trees like an infestation of locusts, armed and ready for conflict. Suddenly, as quick as they had come, Dīl leaped forward, moving with lightning speed, fists and feet flailing as he laid out each one of the creatures with a single blow. Yuka's heart raced with dread as she watched them all fall to the ground in a single violent dance.

With every punch and kick that Dīl threw at the high elves, more and more of them appeared from around the village. Yuka felt her heart sink - there were too many of them, how could they ever hope to win against such an overwhelming force?

But then Theng stepped forward, his sword glinting menacingly in the moonlight. With each powerful stroke he made, the snow turned red with elf blood and it seemed like no matter how many elves there were, Theng would be able to slay them all.

Dīl fought with even more rage as he leapt and kicked his way through the enemy lines. His bare hands were a blur of motion, each punch and kick taking out another enemy. Theng and Dīl fought together like brothers, supporting one another in a seemingly impossible mission.

After what felt like an eternity of fighting, the last high elf fell to the ground, defeated by Theng's swift sword and Dīl's mighty fists.

Yuka's heart dropped as she heard Rōshi's desperate cry. He lashed out with a primal scream, swinging the club in a frenzied effort to hit Mabyaku. The power of the blow reverberated through his body, yet it still did not connect, leaving him fuming with rage.

"Why must you take everything from me?!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the night.

Mabyaku sighed heavily, as if this was a conversation he already had many times before. His expression was one of sorrow, a sadness that Yuka found hard to watch.

Rōshi howled with rage, his fists clenching hard on the club's handle and quivering from his aching anger. "You took my mother!", he screeched, swinging wildly at his opponent, yet missing. His face flushed and his breathing became labored as he screamed, "You killed my grandfather!" Veins pulsed in his forehead and sweat flew as each swing flew out with a vengeance.

Mabyaku evaded Rōshi's attack with a calculated precision and grace, barely missing each swing thrown his way. His feet glided over the ground like a phantom, while his body shifted and weaved, avoiding the powerful blows with an almost supernatural speed.

Rōshi lunged forward, howling again, "You stole even my name!" he screamed, swinging again and again. But his efforts proved futile, leaving his arms to hang limp at his sides as he stares at his opponent in disbelief.

Rōshi roared ferociously, "You can't have her! I won't let you near them! I'll fight you to my dying breath to keep them safe!" His eyes blazing with an inferno of determination, he charged forward, desperate to protect his beloved sister and friends.

"That will not be necessary," Mabyaku replied, the stoic reassurance in his voice somehow calming the air around him. He struck with a powerful blow, and Rōshi's club shattered into jagged, splintered pieces, slicing through the air like a shower of razor blades. The young man stood dazed and stunned as the fragments of the club disappear into the snow.

Mabyaku grabbed Rōshi with a powerful grip and hurls him to the ground with a thunderous crash. Rōshi's body snapped and contorted from the impact, echoing in Yuka's ears like a chorus of a thousand screams. The sight of her brother in pain sent a wave of icy terror through her veins.

A bloodcurdling scream erupted from her as Theng and Dīl fixed Mabyaku with intense, fiery stares. Time seemed to stop as Yuka stared in helpless shock, unable to fathom the sight before her.

Then, with a flash of Theng's blade and the crack of snow beneath Dīl's feet, the real fight began. Mabyaku blocked the sword with his palm, sparks flying in the air as metal clashed against flesh. He caught Dīl's fist with a single hand and with a mighty shove sent him flying backwards, crashing into a nearby wall with an echoing boom. Mabyaku nimbly leapt away from Theng's sword as it whistled through the air, each slash coming dangerously close to his skin. With a surge of adrenaline, Dīl sprung up from the ground with a low growl that sent shivers down Mabyaku's spine. His eyes burned with an intensity that could have melted iron.

As Mabyaku and Theng and Dīl fought for their lives, Yuka watched in horror. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe. All she could do was witness the battle with her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. Her eyes widened as they traded blows and dodged attacks, each of them determined to come out alive.

And then, in the midst of this chaos, Yuka's eyes caught a glimpse of Rōshi lying motionless on the ground. Overcoming her fear, she stumbled towards him, determined to make it to his side. With every ounce of strength and courage she had left, Yuka pushed her way through the fight and scooped Rōshi up into her arms. Tears streamed down her face as she held him close - he was alive!

Yuka held Rōshi close, pressing her body against his in a desperate attempt to protect him from the chaos that raged around them. The clanging of metal and the cries of those in battle echoed in her ears, but she refused to be distracted from her mission. Her grip tightened around her companion as if her life depended on it, even as the sounds of the fight grew louder and more intense.

Theng and Dīl fought with an intensity that Yuka had never seen before. With each swing, Theng's sword clanged against Mabyaku's palms, sending sparks flying. Dīl spun in the air as he unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, his movements so swift that even Mabyaku could barely keep up.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of fighting, Theng and Dīl managed to corner Mabyaku. With one last fierce blow from Theng's sword or a powerful kick from Dīl, they hoped to fell the elf.

Mabyaku stood completely still. His body was relaxed and his guard dropped, as though he didn't care if his opponents attacked. He brought his right hand up to the center of his face. With the speed of a lightning strike, he drew a glyph onto his forehead that glowed with a white light. A wind picked up and soon, the unrelenting gusts tore across the battlefield, hurling enormous snowflakes like missiles as the combatants faced off. The force of the wind was so great that it caused the snow to swirl around them in a frenzied dance of chilling aggression.

Theng and Dīl burst forward with a roar, their shadows flickering in the whipping snow. In a split-second, Yuka lost sight of them as the blizzard swallowed them up like a fog, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of dread. She shuddered to think of what was going on beyond the veil of the storm, her heart pounding in her chest.

Then, all was still. The snow froze in mid-air and the fog evaporated, revealing Mabyaku with both young men clenched tightly by the throat. The silence was oppressive, yet somehow worse than the sounds of battle that had come before.

The elf turned, dragging the limp bodies of her friends away. She was left in utter silence, with only the faint wheeze of her brother's breath to remind her that he was still alive. Minutes seemed to stretch on forever as she waited helplessly, consumed by worry and despair.

Eventually the sky had turned from black to dark blue and stars that could still be seen had begun to blink from the heavens. The sun rose over the horizon and its first golden rays spilled down on them like honey poured into their hair.

Then Mabyaku returned, pulling a sled with the reins slung over his back. He trudged forward, his eyes cold and distant. Yuka felt her heart skip a beat as he drew closer - Theng and Dīl were alive! She saw both of them chained on the sled, with gleaming golden thread bound across each of their foreheads.

Without a word, Mabyaku dropped the reins and then quickly loaded up Rōshi onto the sled as well. Yuka's mind raced with chaotic thoughts and emotions, but she knew there was nothing to be done. They were not in control of their own fate anymore; it was out of their hands now. All they could do was wait and hope for the best.

Yuka walked beside the sled, keeping an eye on her brother and friends. Her steps were slow and heavy, weighed down by a sense of dread that had been growing inside her since the moment Mabyaku had taken them all. But despite her fear, she refused to break her stride; for better or for worse, this was now their path.