Year 60

  *As Emma and her team leave the supplies with the workers, they head south toward the shore. Emma sits in the cart, going over some papers. Gareth hops in the back and sits down next to Norman who’s writing in the corner.*

  Gareth: Look at the bright side. The Leawk is back to its old migration route. I’ve heard my father talk about it needing to be done for the past Decade.

  Emma: Yeah, but now we have to fight through crabs.

  Gareth: They’re only ‘C’ rank monsters, more bark than bite. So what’s the problem?

  Emma: Yeah, but now we're losing all the time we saved. *Sigh* I just keep reminding myself that it helps everyone get some needed training.

  Norman: Why don’t we take a boat?

  Emma: Too expensive.

  Gareth: How so?

  Emma: *Irritated* It just is okay?!

  *Emma’s face starts to turn red with embarrassment.*

  Emma: Sorry. I don’t do well in open waters.

  Gareth: Wait really? That’s your weakness?

  *Gareth is just about to laugh when Emma turns to him.*

  Emma: Why don’t you go help take care of some crabs?

  Gareth: Sounds good. I’ll get right on that.

  *Gareth nervously runs ahead, and Norman avoids making eye contact with Emma while they continue.*

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Reaching DeepDock, Emma quickly runs to Brent’s shop. As she bursts through the door, Brent drops his cup out of surprise.*

  Brent: What the! What’s the hurry, Emma?

  Emma: Has Arie been here?

  *Brent laughs as he picks up the pieces of his cup.*

  Brent: No. You’re here first.

  Emma: Wait. But how? By all of Gareth’s math. We should be at least a month behind them.

  Brent: Yeah, now that you mention it. Even Queen Seraphina’s letter said to expect someone by the middle of fall.

  Emma: Hey. Can you give me them both?

  Brent: You think something's up?

  Emma: If she had given up, we would’ve received news by now.

  *The doors swiftly open again, and Orlando runs in. *

  Orlando: Captain!

  Brent: Can you elves slow down? What happened to your more docile behaviors?!

  Emma: Sorry, Brent. Orlando, calm down and explain.

  Brent: It’s Ariella, she’s been kidnapped!

  *The windows crack. The twilight fangs fly across the room and into Emma’s hands. Emma’s hands tremble in anger as she looks at Orlando.*

  Emma: How? She’s still an ‘A’ rank at the end of the day?

  Orlando: We received reports from her team, they said they ambushed them with mages. They were Dwarves. Last seen heading south from Morrowood

  Emma: You can all meet me there.

  *Emma runs out of the shop and hops on Lily’s back as she takes her medium form. A couple of elves notice and make comments as Emma’s eyes start to turn purple in front of them. Emma leans down and whispers something to Lily.*

  Emma: Help me save her?

  *Lily’s body tenses as she jumps onto the nearby wall. Using her claws, she sprints across towards the western exit. Onlookers point in wonderment as they leave the city.*

  —--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Emma’s team catches up with her in Morrowood. They find her yelling at some of the elves from Ariella’s team.*

  Emma: So you’re telling me no one was able to see them?! They snuck in and captured her in her sleep?! And! All you managed to find out was they headed south.

  Monica: Captain!

  *Emma turns to her team, her eyes swirl in anger with hints of purple coming and going as Emma struggles to keep herself calm.*

  Emma: We’re heading south.

  Monica: When was the last time you slept? It’s been a week already. I know you’re a green elf at heart, but you still need some rest.

  *Lily walks next to Emma, snarling. A low rumble can be heard as she breathes in anger. Emma hops on her back, the two breathe in unison. Emma looks forward, tightening the reins around her hand as she speaks.*

  Emma: I’ll sleep when I collapse. Saving Arie comes above all else right now. I know of a fort south of here, but it’s in the center of the pass. It’s old and abandoned. Perfect place to hide. Meet me there in two weeks.

  Monica: With the winter blizzard? We’ll be lucky to make it there by spring even with a dwarf.

  *Emma sits up and turns to Monica.*

  Emma: that mountain there.

  *Emma points to a mountain reaching just above the others and into the clouds.*

  Emma: It’s on the west side at the base of it. Can’t get lost if you can see from here.

  *Emma and Lily take off towards the mountains. Monica looks to the others.*

  Monica: Well you heard the captain.

  Ross: should we get some more healing supplies before we go?

  *One of the elves from Ariella’s team steps forward with blue eyes.*

  Elf: If you’re going, please take us. We managed to avoid having to fight anything dangerous until now, so we have more than enough.

  Monica: *Smiles* Looks like you’ve got your answer Ross. *Turns towards the mountains.* Let’s head out everybody! Let’s save ourselves a princess!

  *Monica cheers and all the others follow as they begin moving towards the mountains.*

  *As the blizzard covers the old, damaged fort, a couple of Dwarves patrol the edges.*

  *Dwarvish*

  Guard 1: You see the one girl? Boss thinks he might let us go some rounds with her before selling her off to Valoria.

  Guard 2: Course I did. I may not like elves, but their women on the other hand.

  *The first guard turns to his friend and sees a dark looming figure holding him up by the throat. Its eyes are closed and their face expressionless.*

  Emma: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

  *The guard turns to scream, but Lily bites down, crushing his skull. Another bandit lifts up his drink, cheering with a group of dwarves. As he slams down his drink and lifts out a squishy ball. He turns to see it’s an eyeball and drops it in disgust.*

  Dwarf: Who’s the sick fuck?

  *The dwarf looks around.*

  Emma: Sorry, she dropped it..

  * Emma points to Lily and she drops the chewed up dwarven body. The dwarves all grab their weapons, except a few, who start to panic.*

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Panicking dwarf: It’s the NightWarden!

  *Some of the dwarves drop their weapons and run upon hearing the name. The fort fills with screams of both fighting and terror. Monica blows open the eastern wall and elves pour in. Emma grabs one of the scared dwarves, lifting him above her by his beard.*

  Emma: Where is she?

  Dwarf: She's in the basement of the main building! Just don’t kill me! Please I…

  *The dwarves' head rolls as Emma walks towards the tower in the center of the fort, when a large Armored ball shoots out at her. Emma jumps back and hears laughter.*

  Dwarf: I’ve heard about you NightWarden. My nephew used to talk about you all the time. Boss said we might expect you.

  *Emma starts walking towards the dwarf and he pulls the ball towards them and catches it. He begins spinning the ball again when it suddenly stops. The sound of ringing metal silences the fort for a moment and the dwarf turns to look. Monica has used her hammer to punch the ball through the ground. As the chain pulls down, the dwarf goes to pull back. As the dwarf quickly slides across the floor, his top half of his body falls off. Stella wipes the blood from her blades and the two look back to Emma.*

  Monica: Captain! We haven’t found Ariella yet.

  Emma: *Dwarvish* She’s down below.

  Monica: What?

  *Emma walks toward the hole and hops in. Landing in the room, she looks around at the dwarves around her. The only thought in her head was “Find Ariella.”*

  Monica: Storm the main building!

  *As the team pours in, Emma opens her eyes to a deep shade of purple, her knives begin to fly down the halls, cleaving dwarves in their path. She unsheathes the twilight fangs as she slowly walks down the stairs. Reaching the basement, she sees a stone door at the end of the hall. As she enters the large arena, the ceiling opens up. Ariella lies on the ground tied up, unconscious.*

  Dwarf: If you want to know what we gave her, all your people will leave here.

  Emma: That’s not happening.

  *The dwarf points his large battleaxe at Emma*

  Dwarf: I think you misunderstood. You’re coming with me. I’m sure the NightWarden will fetch me a nice price.

  *The Dwarf blinks and Emma attacks. The dwarf blocks both of her strikes, then continues to deflect all her knives as they come at him all at once like a swarm of angry wasps. Emma drops her knives and the two clash. At first they seem evenly matched, but as the Dwarf swings his axe, Emma notices her legs being pulled towards him as the Dwarf uses magic to pull the earth between them. She quickly uses two of her knives to act as skates as she jumps back.*

  Dwarf: I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fight. But at the end of the day. Yer just an Elf.

  *The Dwarf’s body enlarges as he charges Emma. She blocks his attack, barely, and is sent back into the wall. Monica bursts in.*

  Emma:*Common* Stop!*Stands up* This is my fight.

  *Emma turns back to the dwarf and her eyes turn green. Lily walks into the doorway next to Monica and sits down. Monica looks to Lily.*

  Monica: If you say so.

  *Lily nods*

  Emma:*Dwarvish* Who sent you?

  Dwarf: They told me if you came willingly they’d spare the princess.

  *Emma smirks and the dwarf raises his eyebrow. Emma turns the twilight fangs into dual ice blades. The two clash, and Emma appears to be pushing him back. As Emma blocks a lower swing, the ice shatters, pushing Emma back. The dwarf slams his axe into the ground, which causes the ground to open up and shoot hot steam. Emma’s left arm gets burnt and she drops Veilshroud. The dwarf leaps at Emma and swings down. Emma barely manages to jump back, but he spins around and hits Emma in the stomach with the pomel. Emma stumbles and the dwarf stands up, smiling.*

  Dwarf: Feeling tired now?

  *The world starts to fade around Emma. She closes her eyes.*

  Emma Thinking: NO! Not yet!

  *Emma grabs her knife and stabs herself in her left arm. Monica winces in pain. She grabs the twilight fangs as she sprints towards the dwarf, again she blocks his swing. He kicks at her, but she turns to smoke. The room turns dark, stars fill the room and a music box starts to play.*

  Emma: *Dwarvish* I promised her I would never let someone take her away.

  *The dwarf turns to see Emma in the center of the Aroura ballet. He notices his movements are slower. Emma slowly begins walking towards Ariella, and the dwarf tries to swing at Emma, but his axe just goes through her. Her body turns to smoke for a moment where the axe touched, but then turns back to normal. Emma walks past him and he starts to bleed. He stomps his foot and breaks the Illusion to see Monica holding Ariella next to Lily. He looks around for Emma, but can’t see her.*

  Emma: *Common* You used a poison on her.

  Dwarf: Even if I did, it’ll take you years to figure out how to cure it.

  Emma:*Dwarvish* Maybe, I’ll start with peeling your skin away.

  *Emma’s voice comes from right behind the dwarf, he turns swiftly with sweat dripping down his face.*

  Emma: You’re not scared are you?

  *Lightning strikes down and the dwarf looks as a cyclone has begun to form above them, he looks back in front of him to Emma, her eyes purple. He watches as she begins growing, twisting into a giant twisted creature, He screams as she lifts him up and rips off his arms. The sounds of his bones while she crunches on them one by one. *

  *Suddenly the room changes back, he gasps for air only to find out Emma slit his throat. He turns to see Emma kneeling to pick up Ariella and collapses. Emma sits down next to Lily and Celestra, holding Ariella tightly. Monica turns to one of Ariella’s men and they walk out, the sound of fighting dies off and cheering can be heard.*

  Monica: Here, Stella found this in what we think is his office. It said antidote.

  *Emma grabs the bottle and dips a finger into the bottle, licking it off her finger to test it. She then cuts into Ariella’s arm and pours the Antidote in the wound.*

  *Ariella's eyes begin to flutter open after a moment. First, she sees Celestra healing her open wound on her arm, then looks up to see Emma holding her, in tears. Ariella smiles and stretches as if waking from a long nap.*

  Ariella: What happened? I feel like I just woke up. And why is it so cold?

  Monica: You don’t remember being kidnapped?

  *Ariella sits up, Emma sits on her knees with her hands resting in her lap as she looks at Ariella, pleadingly.*

  Ariella: No. I.*Pause* I woke up and noticed a man in my tent. Before I could respond everything went dark. Then I woke up here.

  Monica: Emma reached the twilight fangs first and we were way behind schedule. We got notice of you being kidnapped and once Emma heard, she ran off.

  *Ariella turns to Emma and reaches out for a hug. Emma smiles as she holds her.*

  Ariella: So that’s why you’re so clingy.*Smiles* Is Celestra Okay?

  Monica: She delivered the letter.

  *As Ariella holds Emma, she notices she gets heavier, knocking her over. Emma begins to snore softly.*

  Monica: She hasn’t slept since we found out.

  Ariella: How long was I gone for?

  Monica: You’ve been gone for two months but Emma found out three weeks ago.

  *Lily jumps up and Licks Ariella’s face.*

  Ariella: I missed you too Lily.

  *The Rest of the two teams enter. Celestra cuddles up to Ariella now that her arm is healed.*

  Ariella: I’m glad you’re safe.

  *Celestra licks her arm.*

  Ariella: So what about the race?

  Monica: I mean, technically Emma road Lily until Morrowood. So She’s disqualified.

  Ariella: But I left the designated route as well… Well, let’s head back to DeepDock for now.

  —--------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *The teams have grouped with two carts. Emma wakes up next to Ariella in one of the carts from the sound of the wheels turning. She cuddles up to her, waking her up as well.*

  Ariella: Morning. *Smiles*

  *Ariella sits up*

  Emma: Arie.

  Ariella: Thank you Emma. I heard everything. We’re heading back to the capitol now so you can rest still.

  *Ariella grabs Emma’s face with both her hands, slightly squishing her face.*

  Ariella: You have nothing to apologize for.

  *Tears form in Emma’s eyes.*

  Ariella: If you were with me you would’ve been kidnapped too.

  *Ariella lets go of Emma’s face.*

  Emma: I know. But with everything that’s happened with those around me. Lyra said she was told to watch me, but I can’t sense her presence. And that was years ago.

  Ariella: You saved me. And we both know if they hadn’t kept me asleep, I would’ve been fine. I use Ice magic.

  Emma: They talked about raping you. If I were any further behind.

  *Ariella sees the anger in Emma’s eyes.*

  Ariella: I’m sure you would’ve raised the kid. *Laughs.*

  Emma: No!

  *Ariella looks at Emma. Emma squeezes her hand to the point she bleeds.*

  Ariella: I was just trying to…

  Emma: I know. But you’re not allowed to leave me! Not you too…

  Ariella: Are you still having those nightmares? The ones about the capital burning?

  Emma: *Nods* Ever since the ruins. So far you haven’t been in them. And I’m afraid it’s a sign of things to come.

  *Ariella hugs Emma before she starts to stand up, balancing herself as the cart moves.*

  Ariella: Well, if you see me die. Tell me how and I’ll avoid it until after it all happens. Is that good enough?

  Emma: Yeah.

  Ariella: Now come on. I’m sure they don’t want two pushovers for captains.

  *Ariella reaches out to Emma and the two hop off the cart. Gareth orders for the teams to park the two carts.*

  *Emma looks up at the dusk sky.*

  Gareth: Good to see you alive and well Cap... Emma.

  Emma: Yeah, sorry. I’m sure the look on my face freaked you out.

  Gareth: Not as much as yours is going to be.

  *Emma looks at Gareth, confused as Orlando walks over.*

  Gareth: You kind of advertised your powers to DeepDock.

  Orlando: I tried to explain it as special training. But I’m not so sure they believed me. Then some of the dwarves kept calling you Neach. Or something.

  Emma: *Laughs* Neach-gleidhidh oidhche It means NightWarden in their tongue.

  Orlando: Okay. That makes more sense.

  Monica: Is that what some of those dwarves were screaming at the fort?

  Emma: Yeah. Funny part is until now I never messed with bandits. Except for a few rare occasions in Mithrun.

  Gareth: An elf capable of taking down some of the biggest beasts underground… You don’t think it would freak someone out?

  Emma: Fair point. I never cared for the nickname anyway.

  *Ariella walks talks to some of her team before walking over to Emma.*

  Ariella: Do we have any leads on who sent them?

  Emma: Oh I know. And if I ever see her again I’m going to kill her.

  Ariella: Who? Lyra? I always thought she liked me?

  Emma: It was an act. She’s been attacking those close to me, trying to sell them into slavery. The boss of those bandits seemed to have known I would be here by the way he reacted to me. And she’s already tried with Kimmy, then David.

  *Emma tenses up in anger, and Ariella bumps into her, playfully.*

  Ariella: Cheer up.

  Emma: This has happened three times! I wish she would just show up and fight me instead of being a coward.

  Ariella: Mom said they have been quiet for a while now, so maybe she can’t get out much.

  Emma: Doesn’t change my opinion on her.

  Ariella: Well, I’m safe. So let’s head back. Apparently Mom has a surprise for you.

  Emma: Better be tickets for a massage.

  Ariella: She didn’t say. But if she doesn’t. I’ll treat everyone to one night. As a thank you.

  Emma: Can you afford that?

  Ariella: I saved a lot of my money, unlike some elf I know.

  *Emma sticks out her tongue before realizing they’re in front of the others and stands up in embarrassment.*

  Emma: *Clears throat.* Anyway. Let’s head out!

  *The two teams mount up and begin their journey home.*