_{When a mortal bestow a treasure upon you…that will be the symbol that this war will soon end…don’t give up hope so soon young prince....}

Those words…that voice...sweet, gentle, mesmerizing voices playfully whispering those words into my mind. Those words…her words…were the only words she had said to me since I had last seen her. Now, they’re just a distant memory from an ancient, lost soul. Remembering her words, I found myself laughing inside.

"A treasure from a mortal being huh?" I asked myself. Impossible.

"The only mortals alive in this horrible world are those dreadful humans. Also, we’re in an age of war between the elven and human races. Pft, no humans would even dare to look at us now…let alone other petty animals." I abruptly stopped running and looked at my comrade blankly.

"That may be true..."

Suddenly, a feeling of terror and bloodlust shot through my senses. I swiftly threw myself under the long, uncut swamp grass and motioned my soldiers to do the same. Forcing myself lower to the filthy mud, I glanced back reassuringly. My squad seems to be perfectly fine. Why shouldn't they be? They're perfectly trained elven soldiers. Every technique, spells, tricks, movements and skills have been trained and mastered by these elven warriors for many long years.  No human could last battling our strong warriors for more than a mere second. My chest filled with pride just looking at them. Unfortunately, my pleasure was cut short by the sound of dogs barking. I frown sourly and commanded the soldier beside me,

"You there, take three soldiers and head west towards the Azarakh Forest and meet me at the town north from there. I'll take the rest through this swamp."

The soldier nodded obediently and gestured the other three to follow him. They were gone in a flash and I was left to lead the remaining soldiers away from the blood thirsting hounds. The plan was for me to lead my troop north out of the swamp and into the plainlands and continue west to the planned destination. Giant trees surrounded the misty swampland, their branches reaching high up to the sky and their great trunks leaning heavily into the lifeless surface of the swamp waters. The thick mist didn’t make our journey any easier as the sound of baying dogs became clearer to me.  Glancing a last look behind, I made a silent leap into the swamp waters and sink myself deep into its cold depth.  

***

The ruthless howls of the nocturnal killers soon arrive deep in the swampland, their growls and grunts intruding the peace of this waterlogged territory. Their only purpose is to hunt down and kill the runaway elves.  As the murderous bloodhounds paused, they sniff the muddy ground and the moisture-filled air for their prey’s scent but their attempts were proven futile as their masters called them to hunt down a different path.  The killer dogs quickly ran back to their masters, barking madly yet oblivious to the hidden figures hiding in the murky swamp waters and up the majestic oak trees.

I gave an audible sigh of relief as soon as I got out of the freezing swamp water. Seeing my presence, my soldiers quickly rush towards me. I scowled inwardly, irritated by the fact that it would be so much easier if I’d hidden myself in the trees instead. Their thick foliage could’ve provided a full cover to my lithe body. But then again, I guess the swamp water must have washed away my scent since those hunting dogs missed my presence. Although, something else is bothering me…

“Sir, what now?” A booming voice interjected through my thoughts.

“Ah yes, you there, scout the remaining area! I don’t want to encounter anymore…interference.”

I finished my last word distastefully. Encountering another enemy would delay too much time. Moreover, I have somebody important that I must meet urgently.
On my command, we continue our march north after my soldiers reported nothing suspicious. Half an hour passed when the mist started to thin and the few bright rays of sun could be seen. I quicken our pace and concentrated only on the exit we would soon pass. But before I could utter my next step, a weird sound reverberated throughout the swamp. For a minute it sounded like a humming of some sort but before I was able to decipher what it was, a silver tip of an arrow tore itself from the mist and appeared in front of me.

For a moment, I thought I felt the chilling grasp of death touching me right after the silver tip of an arrow struck me in my right abdomen. Its stinging needle biting my flesh ferociously. But what surprised me more was that the arrow was strong enough to break through my well-crafted armor. I shriek in pain but quickly regain my balance. “It’s an ambush!!!” I heard somebody shout in the background. And as if they were waiting for that precise moment, men in dark cloaks suddenly appear from all sides of the swamp and surrounded us -- their swords and daggers gleaming menacingly in the gloom. Finding no time to pull out the arrow embedded in me, I unsheathed my broad sword. Screaming my country’s battle cry, I made a powerful charge at the enemies and we began the battle with a thundering clash.

Minutes passed and one by one the number of enemies slowly began to reduce. I couldn’t help but to grin widely at another victory. Still smiling, I beckon my soldiers to advance forward. Then, unexpectedly, the soldier abreast of me fell to the ground, his blood rapidly flowing out and a black and silver arrow buried itself in his chest. Shocked, I jumped backwards only to be startled with another shot of arrow. The second arrow was shot forcefully into my abdomen and placing itself right beside the first shot I took. Only this time, I lost my balance.   

I manage a final glance at my fallen soldiers just before the ominous marshland greeted me into its water once again. Blood flowed out of me as I listen to the raging cry of the battle. Screeching pain rapidly grasp my body as I lay motionless in the cold swamp water. Finding only as much strength to keep my eyes open, I watch the sky floating above me. Its colors a shade of red and as red as the dead bodies that lay lifeless on this damp earth. Without me, a war will arise, blood will once again shed, and all elven kingdoms and our nation would be swept from existence. Yet, I'm lying here, numbed by the shot I took. I spat a good amount of blood from my mouth. How pathetic, from all the hardships I’ve been through, this is the way my life ends. Here I am, lying in this filthy swamp, all signs of energy exhausted from me, dying from this man-made arrow. I suddenly felt nauseous and everything began to blur. Is this how it’s like to die? I feel cold in the muddy water. My soldier’s forlorn screams could be heard as I close my eyes…and a figure…looking at me… I didn’t have the time to find out before the numbing pain overwhelms me as I finally close my eyes.

****

Cold…so cold…no other feeling exist beside this unbearable sensation. Blackness covered my whole body while I drift into oblivion. How long will it be till I pass the Forgotten Bliss I wonder. Something shook me suddenly, and I began to remember another feeling…

“OWWW!!!”

I jolted aggressively and unintentionally jumped from where I last lay. Burning pain streak through my whole body and I fell back to the rough, woody floor, coughing.  

“Oooh…bad idea to move so abruptly.”

I turn my head towards the stranger beside me. A young boy between the ages of 15 to 16 was looking at me, his childish smile dancing across his face. His dark brown eyes playfully boring itself into mine and his messy brown hair covering his ears. A human! I suddenly realized and desperately began to look for my sword.

“Are you looking for that?”

The boy pointed at broad, silver and gold sword with a lustrous green emblem crafted on its hilt. My sword…I gave the boy an icy glare but it was only returned by an amused laugh.

“Sorry, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to move for a while. Those arrows you handled back there were shot really deep into your body…and one of them was greased with poison.”

These were the times when I feel really grateful for learning human languages. “Huh…what? Poison…?” That word echoed noisily in my mind. Poison?! I started to panic and I looked at the boy as if he’s a maddened child.

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid this is going to hurt.”

The most painful sensation caught hold of me as I saw the boy gently pouring a slimy green substance over my injured abdomen. I wanted to scream and push the boy away but my weak body left me immobile. Every single moment of this pain was so unbearable that before the boy even finished rubbing the liquid on my body I fell into a deep state of unconsciousness.

****

The smell of smoke greeted me when I woke up. I groaned as I sat up weakly but was shock to realize that the pain on my body was no more. I pulled my shirt up to my now fully healed body and found a pale green mark right where those arrows were buried in. After recovering from my amazement, I struggled for a more comfortable sitting position and strain my eyes to adjust to the dim light around me. The scent of domestic animals clouded my nose and as far as the dull light in this room could show, I was only able to see a few hays stocked by the side of the room. “This place looks like a barn…” I thought. I continue to let my eyes wander about until I regain enough energy to stand properly. A small glimmer of light from the corner of the wall attracted me to my sword. It was placed diagonally by a huge stock of hays and doesn’t seem to be fractured in any way. My eyes then fell on a figure of a young man sleeping peacefully just opposite of where I lay. His face relaxed and his breathing light. I just sat there…looking at him…trying to search his past and what brought him here to save me…he jerk slightly and I turn my attention elsewhere.  I stood up and made a slow walk towards my sword. Its stainless steel shone brightly with pride as I unsheathe it to admire its flawless creation.  

“Are you going to kill me?”

The young boy asked me from behind, his bow at hand. What happens next was a total pandemonium, a dagger was hurled at me directly from a window at my left and I swiftly parry its throw. Three…no, five men in black clothings broke into the barn and made no hesitation to attack me. We drew our swords up high and clashed violently. I slashed and I dodged their attack with all my strength when and arrow was shot and a scream broke from behind. Blood stain at the back of my armor as I found one of the assassins fell to the cold floor. I looked back at where that boy sat a while ago and saw him smiling mischievously at me, his brown eyes gleaming with excitement.  He jumped down from the tall pile of hay and air kick the enemy in front of me while aiming his arrow for another who was charging at my side. He perfectly managed a sharp arrow into the enemy’s chest and landed gracefully onto the ground unharmed. I grin at him despite my jealousy. Two of the remaining opponents charge aggressively at us with their weapon at hand.  With one swing of my mighty sword, one of the enemies fell lifelessly to the ground. I look at the fallen man satisfyingly.  Four down one more to go…I told myself. The last enemy stood a few distance from me, his eyes now wide with fear and terror. I grin mockingly at him as I stride closer to end his life.

Moments later, the farm boy stood by my side and I was just an arms length distant from the enemy. As I drew my sword up to kill this mysterious foe, he abruptly dropped his weapons to the ground and fell to his knees.

“Please, please, don’t kill me! I-I know where they’ve imprison your mother!!!”

“My mother?”

“Yes!!!”

He begged and pleaded to us desperately, all sense of pride lost and only the value to survive clings to him. I glance quizzically at the farm boy but his face was expressionless as he stares blankly at the begging enemy. With a sigh of exhaustion, I decided to leave the enemy with a second chance and lowered my sword. But just as I did, the black-clothed man lunged himself at me and thrust a hidden dagger at my…

Blood…the horror sight of blood appeared before me again. Its foul smell floated all around me, its deadly looking colors haunting every corner of my memories. Blood...blood was shed again…but this time…it’s not mine. I sat at the corner of the wall. Stunned by what just happened. That boy…why? He…he pushed me, he pushed me just in time when that man wanted to stab me. I sat where I was, numb by the sight of the motionless body in front of me. His stiff figure lying on the floor, his back facing the heavens and his stomach lay cold on the ground. I force myself to look at the dagger piercing his back. Why…?

The loud sound of things crashing and heavy, running footsteps woke me from my shock. The enemy was making a run for it! The feeling of anger and rage overwhelms me as I hastily picked up my fallen sword and, with inhuman speed, chased after the fleeing enemy.

“You’re not going to get away for what you’ve done!!!!”

I screamed ferociously as I rush after him. After a few desperate steps I forcefully push myself towards him and slashed the enemy in two with my monstrous strength. He ceased running and fell to the ground wordlessly, every bones and cells in his body crushed by my indestructible weapon. A fountain of blood sprinkle out from him randomly and that was when I assure he was dead. Weariness grasp me once again and I felt like I were to collapse, but I drag myself towards that farm boy. His blood stained my once plain shirt but it didn’t matter, nothing mattered right now but that boy. Soon, I found myself kneeling on the ground beside him. His face pale and forlorn, not the way he used to look like when we first met.

“My….medicine…” I heard a soft whisper somewhere. I look at the fallen human with my eyes wide with shock. “What??? You’re alive?!?!” I asked, almost shouting. “My medicine…” He said again pointing towards a tiny green bottle at the end of the barn. “You are alive!!!” I screamed gleefully. I wanted to jump for joy, I wanted to pat his back, I wanted to praise him for his bravery, but for the first time I realized what he said, I quickly jumped back to my feet and rushed to get the bottle.

*****

“Thank you so much for your help nobleblood.”

“No, it is I that should be thanking you for your evermost kindness, human…no…not human, what is your name may I ask?”

“Me? Haha…my name is Damien Ravenlock. Son of my town’s innkeeper, Zachary Ravenlock. ”

“And I am Evestinne Fiorrlyne. Prince of the southern elven kingdom, Eventine and the next heir to the Fiorrlyne throne. My soldiers and I were given the task to aid our uncle’s soldiers at the battle north from the Azarakh Forest…that is…until we were ambushed…”

“And you were injured by that arrow where I found you in the swamp right? I see…but is it safe for you to tell me all this?”

I smile wolfishly at his remark,

“Damien, you saved my life and therefore many others in my country. I owe more than what little truth I’ve just spoken to you about. If there should be any difficulties you face in the near future, feel free to approach me at my uncle’s town. ”

At this, the boy’s face brightens up and he smiled his mischievous smile.

“Any difficulties you say…?”

“Don’t get cocky kid, when the real dangers come then you’ll be done for.”

I replied irritatingly just as a loud voice interrupted our conversation. It was one of my soldiers command to assure me that we are ready to depart. I called out my reply and turn my attention back towards Damien.

“May you and your soldiers reach your destination unharmed…Your Majesty.”

“And may the Gods watch over your kind soul.”

At this we bade our farewells and depart. We started towards the forest with our usual leisure run and I was position at the rear. Before we pass the fringes of the forest and looked back at the farm I left and saw a figure of a boy…looking at me…waving. I smiled warmly and waved back.

_{When a mortal bestow a treasure upon you…that will be the symbol that this war will soon end…}

"A treasure from a mortal being huh?" I asked myself. “Mother…I think I just received it…”