Realm of Monsters

Loh recounted the story,

“Elzri was an inconspicuous drow. He was one of four siblings. His brother, the eldest, was a brave warrior and mage who led his men to victory in countless battles throughout Dusk Valley’s hills and plains.”

“The second eldest, Esletha, dazzled the people with her incredible magic. She was undefeated in the dueling rings. Her magical prowess was only matched by her beauty. Everyone loved her.”

“The youngest was spoiled by her parents and was given anything she desired. She was loved by aristocrats and commoners alike.”

“Elzri was the second youngest. He didn’t have the attention and affection that was afforded to his youngest sister, nor did he command the respect and honor that the eldest did. And of course, no sibling could match Esletha in her prowess, beauty, nor intelligence. Yet, that didn’t bother Elzri. He was simply content to live a comfortable life in the shadows of his siblings.”

“And so he did. His siblings grew in power and prestige as the years went by, while Elzri remained the black sheep of the family. When Elzri was in his late twenties, his father became bedridden from illness. There was no amount of white magic that could heal him. Not even a mage lord could escape death.”

“His children gathered around his deathbed to hear his final words. The eldest was eager to hear his father name him successor and leader of their House. However, rumor had it that his father was going to name Esletha the next family head. After all, she was a powerful mage who was on her way to becoming a Mage Lady.”

“Even the youngest was hopeful. She had been eyeing their southern estate for years and had spoken on countless occasions with her father to inherit the estate.”

“On the other hand, Elzri didn’t wish to be there at all. He didn’t have much of a relationship with his father. He only came because his father threatened to cut him off entirely if he didn’t see him one last time. So, it came as a surprise to all when their father named Elzri his successor and the inheritor of all his worldly possessions, leaving the others destitute.”

“At the time, Elzri sat in the corner, quiet and in disbelief of the revelation. The eldest could not comprehend why their father had made such a choice, he stood mute, stunned from the betrayal. The youngest cried and begged her father to not cut her off. Esletha, the second eldest, was livid, she demanded that he rethink his decision.”

“Their father was uncompromising. He gave no reasons as to why he chose Elzri, not even to Elzri himself. Eventually, the children were forced to leave the room as their father’s wives came to attend him.”

“Esletha was not one to give up, however. She had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to become the next head of the family. She would not let her ignorant little brother take it all from her. The very next day she held a ball in honor of her father and invited all the prominent Houses, including the other six ruling Houses.”

“Esletha even managed to drag the recluse Elzri to the ball. She said she wanted to make peace with her brother and wish him the best in his future leadership. But, when everyone had gathered, Elsetha announced her father’s ridiculous

Announcement

of his heir. The aristocrats laughed at an embarrassed Elzri.”

“Esletha took advantage of the situation and baited Elzri into a duel, where the winner would be the true heir of their father. Everyone watched as she issued the momentous challenge. Elzri had no accomplishments to his name, no way to defend his honor. If Elzri did not accept he would seem weak and unworthy to inherit his father’s position. He had no choice. Elzri reluctantly agreed.”

“A few days later, Hollow Shade’s largest arena was filled to the brim. People gathered from all around to see the mage duel. Elzri the adept versus Esletha the high master. Despite the obvious difference in power, the terms of the duel were technically in Elzri’s favor. He didn’t have to defeat his sister, he only had to stay standing or within the arena’s bounds for ten minutes. Unfortunately, it was more than enough time for Esletha to defeat her little brother into submission.”

“Esletha was a tri-manifold mage, a chromatic orange, brown, and black. Elzri was only a chromatic yellow, he hoped that would be enough. He just had to focus on his durability spells to keep him safe. However, Esletha was counting on it.”

“The horns rang, announcing the match had begun. Esletha held nothing back, she summoned an enormous stream of fire to blast him off the arena. Elzri wasn’t quick enough. The flames engulfed him. The crowd screamed, most in terror, some in shock, a few excited.”

“The crowd's screams died as the flames evaporated, revealing red arcane symbols surrounding an untouched Elzri. It was an advanced red ward spell. Esletha frowned in confusion. It should not have been possible, Elzri was a chromatic yellow. Yet, there he stood, unharmed. The crowd sat on the edge of their seats, stunned."

"Elzri stretched out his arms and said, ‘Finally, it’s my turn.’"

"Wave after wave of searing flames shot out from his hands. Esletha tried blocking with her own magic, but it was futile. She realized in horror that her unassuming little brother was actually a hexa-manifold archmage. He overpowered her easily. Yet, he didn’t stop there. He cast shadow tendrils to wrap around her limbs and dangle her up in the air, a sorry spectacle to all.”

Loh opened her eyes and looked at Stryg, “You see, Elzri had never been ‘just a simpleton.’ When he had been tested for magic, it had been made very clear that he was a prodigy. His father took quick action and hid the results from everyone, including his other children. He would not let anyone endanger his son’s future. So, he gathered the best and brightest magi to train his son in secret.”

“Elzri, of course, didn’t like being treated poorly by all those around him, but he knew his place, he knew who he was and the legacy he stood to inherit. So, he stayed quiet and made himself small and unassuming in public. When his father grew sick and weak, he publicly nominated Elzri his heir. Thanks to his mentors, Elzri was prepared to inherit his family’s mantle.”

Loh tapped Stryg’s forehead, to his mild annoyance. “That’s why I’m keeping your talents a secret, to complete your training without endangering your future. And when you are ready, you will step into the light as a giant among men.”

Stryg’s cheeks darkened a shade, he turned away. “...I trust you.”

“As you should,” Loh grinned.

“What happened to Elzri and his duel?”

“Elzri went too far,” Loh sighed. “He tortured Esletha in front of the crowd. Then something happened no one expected. The eldest brother jumped out from the crowd in an effort to protect Esletha. Elzri burned him to death without hesitance. He then slit Esletha’s throat. Soon after, the youngest sister would renounce any inheritance and claims she had to the House. And so, Elzri became leader of one of the seven ruling families of Hollow Shade... The Great House of Noir.”

“Noir?” Stryg sat up, “As in your family?”

Loh nodded reluctantly, “Elzri is my grandfather.”

“Wait, what? I thought families don’t kill each other?” Stryg knew tribes would sometimes fight and even kill amongst themselves, but he was under the impression families did not.

She closed her eyes tightly, “Maybe in commoner families. It’s common enough in powerful Houses. My grandfather’s rule was challenged. While there were many ways he could have dealt with the situation, he wanted to ensure his rulership wouldn't be riddled with doubt. So, he killed the other claimants, his siblings.”

“That does make sense. A chief cannot allow insubordination. You must deal with your threats, whatever they may be,” Stryg nodded.

“They were his siblings!” Loh snapped. “They weren’t just some random strangers. They were his family and he killed them. Do you know what that means? The weight that carries?”

“Not at all. I told you, sylvan goblins don’t have siblings. We are all children of the tribe,” Stryg tilted his head.

“Of course, you don’t,” she shook her head.

“Do you have siblings?”

“No,” she said curtly.

“I see,” Stryg slowly nodded. “So… what now?”

Loh stretched over the grass, “Training, lots of training.”

~~~

She was the happiest little girl in the whole city. The sun was shining, the sky was bright, and the scent of flowers colored the air. It was the best day of her life. She had just ridden with some of the most amazing centaurs in the Valley and hung out with her best friend. And to top it off, her riding instructor told her she had real talent. She might even be able to compete in the Crimson Tracks someday.

She skipped all the way from the training tracks to her house. She knew her mother did not like her to track mud into the house, but she was too happy to care. She could plan her future riding career later, for now she needed to get rid of the rumbling in her tummy.

She sneaked into the kitchen with quiet footsteps, pretending to be some sort of spy infiltrating a top secret fortress. The kitchen staff went about their duties, too busy to notice or maybe too busy to care. She reached the pantry door and wrapped her small hands around the knob.

“There you are,” a stern voice called out from behind her.

The air turned frigid, the sunlight disappeared, and the room darkened to a shade of icy blue. She could see her own breath, cold white. Her shoulders trembled as she slowly turned around. The kitchen staff were gone. A single looming figure stood in front of her, his form seemed to practically take up the entire room, his presence suffocating.

She swallowed, “D-daddy?”

Her father’s hand shot out like a viper pouncing on its prey. She did not see the hand so much as felt it crack across her face. The force of the blow sent her careening into one of the cabinets. Her back smacked into the cabinet handle as her head smashed into the hardwood.

A spike of pain shot up her spine. Her vision swam. She could taste the blood inside her mouth where her teeth had cut her cheek. Warm blood trickled down the back of her head. Tears dribble down her face.

“What did you do today?” her father asked calmly.

“I went to the training tracks. Mommy said I could go,” she tried wiping the tears away, but they kept falling.

“I do not care what that bitch said. I care about what you did at those tracks,” her father drew closer.

“I just rode on the tracks a few times,” she bit her lip.

Her father’s hand blurred. She expected the strike yet it came as a surprise just the same. Her head slammed into the marble floor. Her ears rang, the world grew quiet, but she could still clearly hear her father’s voice.

“Do not lie to me! Your maid told me what happened. You did not just ride some stupid animal. You fraternized with that filthy human girl again!” He screamed, froth practically coming out of his mouth.

“We only played for a little bit. Aren’t you friends with her dad?” She tried pushing herself up, but her knees failed her.

“Just because I work with him once in a while, does not make us friends,” her father laughed. “We are different from them, they will never be like us, because they can’t. They were born sheep and we were born lions. And we do not make friends with the livestock!”

“But, she’s my best friend,” her lip quivered.

“Don’t you understand? Commoners, humans, beastkin, hybrids, they are all animals, animals! And all those freaks are beneath us. I’ve put this off for too long. Gods help me, I will not let you shame me for another second,” he grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt and slammed her into the wall. “If you won’t listen to me, I’ll beat it into that dimwitted brain of yours and then maybe I’ll pay a visit to that little human bitch.”

“I’m sorry! I won’t play with her again, don’t hurt my friend!”

Her father threw her across the room. Her body skidded across the floor before it banged into the door.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she curled into a ball.

“That’s not good enough,” her father took off his jacket and grabbed a nearby frying pan. “Sometimes words aren’t enough to make someone understand. But, pain always gets through. I promise when I’m done, you will never disobey me again.”

“This isn’t happening, this isn’t real,” she whispered.

“Pain is always real, soon you’ll understand. You will finally understand your place in this world,” he raised the pan up high.

“This is a dream, this is a dream,” she whispered over and over.

The iron pan struck her arm, shattering bone. Her wretched scream rattled the windows. She tried to drag herself away, but her father followed her, a skip to his step.

“Pain is a good thing, dear, trust me,” her father smiled kindly.

“Help, someone help me,” she whimpered.

“That’s what I’m doing,” her father slammed the pan down on her shoulder.

Her screams were eclipsed by a thundering roar up above. A colossal shadow overtook the house. A scaled emerald tail swept past the window.

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