Veiled Trust

Year 12

~Emma and Ariella are celebrating completing a quest over dinner at the guild hall.~

Emma: I’m really getting tired of slimes. No matter where we go or what we fight it feels like one gets involved lately.

Ariella: I know like that one that fell on your head from the tree when we were resting.

Emma: I didn’t even sense it was the weird part.

~Penelope walks over to the two~

Penelope: Emma we found more info on that elf you were looking for.

Ariella: Oh? Is a secret lover?

Emma: No, it’s a private request from DeepDock.

~Penelope hands Emma a paper~

Penelope: Be Careful Emma. I’ve heard he’s killed before.

~Penelope walks away~

Ariella: Can you just tell me what’s going on already?

Emma: I was waiting until I got more information. I’ll tell you back in the room.

~The two finish dinner and head up to their room. They sit at a table while Celestra and Lily rest on the two beds.~

Emma: I was contacted in DeepDock to find an elf like me and bring them to the next town when we get there.

Ariella: Okay, so what’s the actual plan?

Emma: If I don’t do it they might kill me.

Ariella: Okay then. How can I help?

Emma: There’s more.

~Emma explains how Robin and the others have gotten stronger.~

Ariella: So you have to kill evil people to get strong enough to fight them?

Emma: I’ve fought plenty of bandits, but I’ve never deliberately tried to kill someone.

Ariella: What if it just has to be something truly evil? Like maybe an evil monster counts.

Emma: It’s possible. But, I can’t think about that.

~Emma puts on her armor and puts a mask on.~

Ariella: Why are you going now? Don’t rush.

Emma: The note said he regulars the docks. Tonight I’m just checking if the information is true.

Ariella: Take Celestra with you. Call me if anything happens.

~Ariella picks up Celestra, she turns into a hairclip and Ariella places her in Emma’s hair.~

Emma: Okay, Lily, protect the princess.

~Lily Nods~

~Emma in stealth runs along the roofs of some warehouses. She stops at the front of one and starts looking down and around.~

Emma thinking: If he’s already killed odds are me just being here could either bring him closer to me or make him run.

~Emma starts to turn around when she suddenly jumps back off of the roof grabbing a rope to slow her fall. Standing at the top of the warehouse a younger male elf with green eyes glowing in the night. Emma looks at his soul and sees a vessel with a very small amount of liquid.~

Elf: Huh, I’ve never seen that before.

~He points his blade at Emma~

Elf: Why are you looking for me?

Emma: I was asked to find you. Our Brothers and sisters have been looking for you.

Elf: Oh? Tell you what.

~The Elf appears behind Emma.~

Elf: Show me then.

~He swings a dagger at Emma, She dodges and manages to kick his hand casting, create water, and freezing his hand and she flips backward. The blade appears back in his hand and he breaks it free.~

Emma thinking: That’s a spirit weapon!

~ Emma continues to dodge the attacks over and over. Until the blade strikes her. She holds her stomach and as she begins to fall he walks towards her.~

Elf: If this is your best then You’re not worth my time.

~He strikes Emma and she turns to smoke. With a quick thud, Emma knocks him unconscious.~

Emma: I guess just having that strength means nothing without training.

~The blade turns into a lizard-like spirit and guards the elf.~

Emma: I’m not gonna hurt him. Believe it or not, I’m the nice one.

~Emma reaches out her hand and speaks using telepathy.~

Emma: If you come with me I’ll get you both a good meal. And as long as we’re traveling together as well.

Lucas: You can call me Lucas. So you really are like Josh.

Emma: Is that his name?

~Emma notices some footsteps, she turns to see two male humans walking up one larger with a club and the other, a thinner-looking one with a knife.~

Lucas: Where’s your spirit?

Emma: At home.

Lucas: use me then.

~Lucas turns into a curved blade and jumps into Emma’s hand.~

Lucas: Please protect Him!

Thin Human (TH): Looks like someone finally caught that little thief.

Large Human (LH): We’ll take it from here little girl.

~Emma looks at their souls. Black. The sinister voice Emma’s heard before gets louder in her head.~

Voice: Kill.

Emma: No.

Voice: KILL

~Emma’s eyes turn purple and she goes silent.~

Celestra: Emma.

~Emma steps towards the humans.~

TH: you know since we are being so nice and taking this runt off your hands how about a thank you kiss?

~The thinner human walks towards Emma. She continues past him then stops a few steps after. Silence fills the docks. The thinner human's organs drop to the ground. Terrified the larger Human throws his club and turns around to run away. He takes a step and falls forward. His feet now removed from his body he looks back. Just before he screams Emma pushes the blade slowly into his throat, he coughs blood on her face and she blinks her eyes back to normal. She falls back and screams. Lucas turns into his animal form.~

Lucas: Quick we need to go before we get caught.

~Celestra picks up Josh and gets Emma on her back, Lucas rests with Emma. they get back to the room and Emma lays him on the bed before running to a bucket and starts throwing up.~

Ariella: Emma! What happened?

Emma: I .. I .. I..

Celestra: She killed two humans at the docks in self-defense. But it was like she lost control.

~Emma continues to mumble and Ariella brings a wet cloth over and wipes the blood from her face. Emma ends up passing out from the mental stress. Lily changes to her larger form and they lay Emma on her.~

Ariella: So what happened? Who are they?

~Celestra Explains everything and introduces Lucas, who is guarding Josh.~

Celestra: Lily said She could feel Emma in distress. Then it was like emptiness. She thought it was Emma focusing on her breathing. She could tell she wasn’t hurt so she didn’t react at the time.

Ariella: And that’s why a little before you all got here she started to get fidgety.

—-----------

~The next morning Ariella and Emma are eating breakfast when Josh wakes up.~

Josh: Where am I?

Emma: you’re still in town. Technically you could leave now, I explained things to Lucas and he agreed to go, I don’t need you to come with us until we are leaving town.

Ariella: But.

~Ariella passes some food to Josh.~

Ariella: If you want to stay with us until then we don’t have a problem with feeding you.

Josh: I don’t need your charity.

Lucas to Josh(TJ): They aren’t going to take anything from you they just want to help you become stronger. How you chose to act in the end is upto you. We’ve been wishing everynight to not have to steal our next meal.

Josh: Fine. I’ll stay, but I want to provide for myself.

~Emma looks at Ariella~

Emma: If we get some lower-rank missions he can join us. He’s not weak by any means just unrefined.

Ariella: Well he’s like you so that doesn’t surprise me at all.

Emma: Well. How does that sound, Josh? Lucas?

~Josh and Lucas stare at each other then nod in agreement.~

Josh: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested why you don’t have a light? Wait there’s some liquid in there now.

~Emma’s hand twitches.~

Emma: I can explain it over time. Believe it or not, but I have some questions about all this too. First and foremost, when you killed those people did you have control?

~Tear forms on Josh's cheek~

Josh: No...

Emma: So that seems to be the same for all of us.

Josh: Wait, you believe me?

Emma: It happened to me last night when I protected you. I heard a voice.

~Ariella Excuses herself and heads out to let the two talk.~

Josh: Thank you.

Emma: What why?

Josh: The people I killed were my parents. They weren’t good people but they still were my parents.

~Josh remembers his mother and father stealing to bring food to Josh. Then he looks at their soul, a deep gray.~

Josh: When I turned ten I heard the voice. When I woke up someone was calling me a murderer. I ran and have been hiding since.

Emma thinking: That's what Grace meant by I had good parents. Maybe we’re meant to kill our parents? But why?

Emma: Well I don’t think you did it. Something is trying to possess us, maybe others like us will know how to deal with it.

Emma thinking: Or they embrace it.

Josh: Hopefully, I’ve been afraid to go outside during the day because of it. How do you do it?

Emma: I don’t focus on it. I’ve got things in front of me to protect. I don’t want to look past it and miss it. We’re elves, we have time to perfect it.

Josh: ~Smiles~ I know what you mean ~He looks at Lucas~ We have to protect each other.

Emma: My recommendation. When looking at people, look at them, not into them. Their eyes, their hair.

~Josh looks at Emma intently.~

Josh: Your eyes. Are beautiful...

~Ariella walks back in and Emma turns bright red at the same time.~

Ariella: Oh?

Emma: It’s not what you think!

~Ariella slams the door and runs away, you can hear her laughing as she goes down the hall.~

Josh: Did I say something wrong?

Emma: Nope! Nothing wrong at all. Anyway, just like that focus. I’ve never had issues with seeing people at a distance of any shade. So look out the window and practice. When you’re ready, I’ll be downstairs talking to Ariella. Oh and to avoid any shock, this is the adventurer's guild. I’ll be back in a bit in case it becomes too much I can help you sneak out later.

Josh: I’ll be fine but thank you.

~Emma Runs out the door after Ariella. She finds her downstairs talking to Penelope.~

Penelope: Does your dad know?

Emma: It’s not like that!

~Penelope and Ariella laugh.~

Ariella: How’s your boy doing?

Emma: I’ve made it very clear I’m not interested in boys.

Ariella: yes but your reaction every time says otherwise.

Emma: I’ve got more important things. Anyway, Aunt Penelope, Did she explain we need lower quests?

Penelope: If it means that boy will get the help he needs I’ll pull some strings. No one has seen him in the light so he’s safe to walk around here. We’ll just call him your brother if anyone asks.

Emma: That works. Thank you. His extended family has been looking for him since what happened to his parents. They’ve asked to keep it quiet because of the allegations that he killed them, but there have been signs he wasn’t in control.

Penelope: Well here.

~Penelope grabs some sweets from under the desk. And passes them to Emma~

Penelope: Tell him Aunt Penelope is here to help. ~Smiles.~

—-------------------

~five goblins stare at Josh, Two more goblins have arrows pointed at him. Emma and Lily leave stealth and Attack the archers. In the confusion, two of the 5 goblins turn around to go after Emma. The other three goblins charge Josh. Ariella shoots an Arrow that splits in two, hitting two of the goblins running after Josh. Josh dodges the attacks until Lucas comes out of stealth. Lucas grabs the goblin and crunches down breaking bones, He then continues to eat the goblin whole. Emma walks up to Josh and Lucas wiping the residual blood from killing the other two goblins.~

Emma: Not bad. Next time we’ll work on getting you and Lucas moving at the same time.

Lily: Should we be teaching him any of this?

Emma(TL): I’m hoping he’ll turn out like me. Just because he goes with Robin doesn’t mean he’ll become evil.

~After collecting the right ear of the six goblins they head back.~

Josh: Sorry about the last ear. Lucas was curious.

Ariella:~Laughs~ It’s fine. We only needed for to begin with.

Emma: What happens when Lucas eats things?

Ariella: Yeah, spirits don’t need to eat.

Josh: We found it acts like a battery for me.

Emma: I wonder why though. I don’t know if it works with Lily but everything I’ve read says it has no effect.

Josh: I mean if we’re unique elves why aren’t they unique spirits?

Ariella: He makes a fair point.

~Emma looks at Lily~

Emma: Wanna eat a goblin?

Lily: ~Gags~ gross!

~Everyone laughs~

Ariella: That’s a no for sure. I don’t blame her. What about your own King crab like that one we caught in DeepDock?

~Lily’s tail starts to wag excitedly.~

~That night Emma joins Josh on the roof watching the stars.~

Emma: Hey, I don’t know how to bring this up but it’s about the “Family.”

~Emma uses visible air quotes.~

Josh: I knew it was too good to be true.

Emma: Like I said before you’re free to leave but I’d like you to know everything before I bring you.

~Emma tells Josh about the veil seers and the legend.~

Josh: Why did you decide to trust me?

Emma: Because I’m sure they already know I’m against them. They’ve been watching this whole time. Odds are they have eyes on us now.

Josh: So my options are to help eradicate evil or fight against a group of super elves?

Emma: I’ll help train you regardless. Because I promised my mother. I’d be the one to protect the smiles.

~Josh slides something to Emma.~

Josh: I don’t know. If getting rid of the evil people means we’d have more overall smiles left right?

~Emma looks in her lap and unfolds the paper Josh passed her, hiding it from potential eyes.“Then we’ll do it together!”~

Emma: Yeah it would be easier. Everyone being nice and caring. I’m just not ready to commit to taking a life.

Josh: Yeah, I agree.

Emma: I’ve killed plenty of monsters, Goblins are a common example. They’re the size of gnomes, but I couldn’t take a gnome's life. Maybe it’s because goblins seem more like wild animals. They're smart, but they run on instinct.

Josh: Is that why you’re an adventurer?

Emma: What do you mean?

Josh: Well wouldn’t it stand to reason eventually you’ll either kill a bandit or you’ll fight something intelligent enough to be considered closer to a personoid?

Emma: I’ve actually wanted to test that out. I’d ask The others, but they’re already so strong. I’d like a chance to catch up. Oh, To answer your question. No, wanted to join Ariella Originally. We’ve been friends for years.

Josh: Aren’t you afraid they’ll target her?

Emma: Every day. I wake up every day and my first thing is to check on Ariella. I used to wake up before her just to be there when she woke up. I stopped when I realized for now all I can do is get stronger. Robin could still destroy me.

Josh: He’s the guy I’ll meet right?

Emma: Yup. almost every time he talks it feels like a threat.

Josh: I’ll be sure to keep Lucas hidden. My parents managed to teach me how to turn him into things, that’s about it.

Emma: You’ll learn fast. It’s almost like we were built with a deeper understanding.

Josh: That’s why I can remember everything in this life.

Emma: Yeah I’d rather not remember my own birth. I blocked that part out. ~Laughs~

Josh: ~Laughs~ Fair.

~The two head back to their rooms for the night. Ariella is sitting on her bed brushing her hair.~

Ariella: How is your boyfriend?

~Emma just glares at Ariella without saying anything.~

Ariella: ~Laughs~ Seriously though how’d he handle it?

~Emma passes the note~

Emma: He seems to understand everything better than I expected.

Ariella: ~Nods~ Well That’s all we can do for that then.

Emma: You know I’m gonna stop bringing boys around for you if you’re gonna keep pushing them on me.~Smiles~

Ariella: Relationships are a bigger deal for me.

Emma: You know I forget you’re the princess sometimes.

~The two laugh~

Emma: Honestly thinking about boys stresses me out. I can tell if they lie by their soul.

Ariella: That’s necessarily a bad thing you know. We get along just fine.

Emma: Then why don’t we just agree to no relationships? We both agree it would be nice but too much for us.

Ariella: So we need to find someone else to join us who can do all the dating for us. I tried that now I just have you.

Emma: Hey!~Giggles~ I thought you wanted me so you could sneak around and go out more often.

Ariella: Shh. Don’t tell my secrets.

~They both laugh and spend the night talking about what kind of members they'd want in a party.~