The grand hall echoed with laughter as the Elflord placed a gentle hand on Elva’s shoulder.

Elflord: Ah-ha, it is you. Come, come, my child.

Still dazed, Elva follows him and the Royal Advisor into a narrow secret passage hidden within the marble walls of the Throne Hall.

Elflord: You see, my child, your father was no ordinary elf. He was a great shadow knight of Alväin Central—nay, of all Elfland.

Elva: Ehh, no, he wasn’t. My father was a blacksmith. The finest in the capital. The Court, of course, was too blind to notice.

The Elflord exhales heavily.

Royal Advisor: Do you really think that an elf who disappeared and returned at such odd hours was simply a blacksmith? He had a second life. One you never saw.

Elva: With respect, those are just tales. You have no proof.

Elflord: Which is why we brought someone who might change your mind.

Elva turns and freezes.

Elva: Aunt Brielle?

Her long-lost guardian steps forward, tears shining in her eyes. She clasps Elva’s hands.

Aunt Brielle: Oh, my Little Bright White, you've grown... though perhaps in the wildest ways.

Elva: What… am I dreaming? (She pinches her palm.)

Aunt Brielle: Forgive me. I never wanted to leave you. I thought... I thought you’d be safer not knowing.

Elva: Safer? For what? Wait… What is going on?

Elflord: Brielle, why don't you tell her yourself?

Aunt Brielle: What the Elflord told you... it's true.

Elva: No. Don't tell me you believe it.

Aunt Brielle nods and places a bundle of ancient keys in her hands.

Aunt Brielle: These belonged to your father.

Elva: These are from Pa's workshop. Why...?

Royal Advisor: Elvÿndia Wood. The tale you were told—that your father was attacked by Cliffer Bears and poisoned—that was a fabrication. He was assassinated during an ambush on the Caven Cavians. By Inikhadan himself.

Elva: (Heartbroken) No,no... So all this while, it was lies?

Aunt Brielle’s eyes well up.

Aunt Brielle: I had to protect you, Elvy.

Elva lets out a bitter chuckle. The torch flames beside her flicker and surge.

Elva: You both lied to me. You took away my father.

Aunt Brielle: Elvÿ, please—

Elva: Don't touch me!

Elflord: My child, do not be rash—

Elva thrusts out her hand. Flames burst forth. The Royal Advisor conjures a shield to block it. When the smoke clears, Elva is gone.

 

Five minutes later, the heavy doors of her father’s old workshop creak open. Elva enters slowly, kneels by a rusted hammer.

Flashback — Age 4

4yr Elva: Halt! I am Rïne, kneel before me. (Lightly pokes him)

Skyer: Who dares strike the mighty Hamzorizus?! To the Cave Abyss with thee!

He chases her, catches her, tickles her, and lifts her to his shoulders. They laugh.

Back to present

She sits on the floor, sobbing. Her elbow accidentally knocks the stone.

Elva: A lock?

She examines the hole, selects a key, and turns it. *Click.* The hidden door opens.

Elva: Weapons...? And that inscription... Knights of the Greatest Rank. Father... what were you?

 

Bob’s Shop

Bob: We were planning your prison break tonight, you know. Then bam—you strut in wearing the Royal Lady badge.

Elva: Why is my life such a joke? First motherless, then fatherless, then a vagabond thief, and now... a sacred Dragon. What's next, a unicorn lady?!🔥

Bob: Your pa knew this would happen. He trusted me to watch over you until the day came. And it has.

Elva: He wanted to protect me. But do I accept this fate? Or walk away and pretend I never knew?

Bob tosses a metal token. She catches it without flinching.

Bob: See that? You still got the reflexes. Take the chance. Find your little brother. Avenge your father. All answers lie within those Palace Walls.

Elva: Yeah... They certainly do.

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