A Milpha's Rage (Born of Hate and Shadow Series)

Prologue

Prologue

—12 years ago—

A young boy ran.  He ran faster than he ever had, and a grin formed on his face.  His glee was only natural.  He didn’t know how, but his body had strengthened over the past two months.  He could not do any physical labor, given his weak constitution. 

Now though…it was as if some nameless god was blessing him for the torture and suffering he had endured to that point.  Even the guards couldn’t catch him now, and he had not even employed his usual tricks.  The wind whipped about him, blowing his bangs out of his face.  He ran, breaking past the limits of what was considered possible, even for an elf. 

Thinking back, Elrand almost felt tears fall from his eyes.  He was always prone to escaping, so most of the guards already knew him well.  If they endured what he went through, even for a day, they would understand.  In fact, he had once dared one of them to try enduring what he suffered every day.  The result was not pretty.

Every now and then, that guard would look the other way when Elrand fled.  He would even try to delay his inevitable capture as long as he could.  None of that matters now.  They can’t catch me.  His lips broke out into a smile.  He disliked the guards, but he could not blame them.  They were only doing their job after all.

The wind swirled around him as he pumped his feet even faster.  Elrand was clearing the forest, the impassable Sorvia, in an unbelievably short time.  He had left the city for his own reasons, but as soon as he crossed a certain point, his body reacted to something in the distance.  It was an odd sensation, uncomfortable and at the same time, not truly unpleasant.

It was like hearing a beautiful voice singing without really understanding the vocals.  Yet with every step, he could feel it getting closer.  It seemed to pull at him, almost drowning out all his other senses.  Elrand could nearly tell its exact location now that he had fully awakened his power.  Even when he came close to colliding with the trees, Elrand didn’t slow down.

He couldn’t.

The voice had a hint of fervor, nearly drowning all his other senses.

He leaped over a fallen tree, marveling at how large it was.  Before, Elrand would have been unable to climb over it, let alone jump across such a large fallen tree.  Now, it was almost child’s play.  His grin grew, and the air blew through his silver-colored hair.  I wonder how Catholy will react now that she cannot catch me.  In his almost daily to and fro with the guards, a particular girl had taken up a weird notion that it was her duty to restrain him until they arrived.  The first time it happened, Elrand was so shocked he could barely resist.

Lost in his thoughts, Elrand almost missed the sound of life. Up until that point, the forest was deathly silent.  The last two nights had been trying.  Each time he closed his eyes, he could swear a heavy presence was watching him. 

Another few steps saw him out of Sorvia Forest.

 “A town…” he whispered.  Elrand had yet to leave the city deep within fairy territory, he could count on one hand the number of humans he had interacted with.  He slowed down, and, remembering his exposed ears, pulled a cloak over his head.  Humans and elves had peaceful relations, at least, on the surface.  Common folk were none the wiser concerning this, but that didn’t change the risks involved.  This town was bound to have ways to contact his kind.  Some elves might live in the town, so he might be recognized in no time.  As such, he could not afford to be spotted. 

Given the dangers of passing through Sorvia on foot, there was no way the guards had arrived before him.  Were he to be discovered here, it would take little to no time for that creature to find him.  Elrand shuddered.  It was a risk he was not willing to take.

He approached the town somewhat cautiously, not sure what to expect. He was relieved to realize the town was not as advanced as he had feared. Surely word had not reached this town of his escape…?

“Hey!”  Elrand stiffened.  Had he already been discovered?  Other than other elves, no one was supposed to be able to place a name on his face.  Despite that, unease welled up within him.  It even drowned out the ever-present voice calling out to him.  He subconsciously tugged at his hood further to hide his covered ears fully.

Elrand spotted a man waving frantically and headed over.  “You’re not from around here, are you?  Are you perhaps a mercenary?”  Elrand blinked in surprise.  Mercenary?  Why would I be mistaken for one?

As far as he knew, there were no dangerous monsters around the area.  Could something have happened while he was in the forest?  I hope not.  It will put a serious dent in my plans.

Besides, it was awfully convenient that the guy had offered him an out.  The voice had come back, and now, he was on the verge of losing control of his own body.  It clouded his mind all over again.  He blinked, trying to formulate reasonable thoughts in his drunken-like mind.  It was only through sheer will did he manage to keep it at bay.  Think rationally.  If I pass myself as a merc, I should be free to traverse any town.  This is an ideal situation.  Maybe there’s hope for me yet.

Elrand nodded warily.  The man heaved a sigh.

“This town has been in dire circumstances. Monsters are growing in number, so the occasional mercenary is appreciated.” the jolly man nodded to himself.  “We are in dire straits indeed…” he eyed Elrand from head to toe.  “You’re new, aren’t you?  Well, that means I have to guide you to the one in charge.  The Crown representative will explain everything.”

Elrand stiffened.  A representative of the crown.  The probability this person knew him, or at least, his face, was high.  His mother had been especially strict about keeping his identity hidden for some reason, but it was not perfect.  His heartbeat thundered as he walked alongside the first human he met.  He was not ready to face that monster masquerading as a human yet.  And Elrand had a feeling he would never be.

“I meant to ask…” the man peered at Elrand’s face curiously.  “Are you a human?”  Elrand’s blood froze.

“Huh?”

“Sorry.  It’s just that, you have come from the direction of Sorvia.  As far as I know, no human can survive in that forest.  Even lesser monsters avoid it like the plague.”  Elrand swallowed thickly.  Seriously, why didn’t anyone tell me?!  I might be faster than I ever have been but I’m no match for a purebred monster!

Elrand laughed nervously.  He had spent six days and nights in that very forest, completely unaware of the looming danger.  Six days!  And while the last two nights had made him relatively uneasy, he had paid it all no mind.  Elrand was sure his parents were freaking out, hell, maybe his sister had already told them.  If that was the case, his parents probably alerted the patrol guards about his sudden disappearance.

Guards could appear at any given moment.   Thank you, Eleanor, Elrand silently thanked his younger sister.  He knew it was only because of whatever excuse she came up with that he was able to get this far.

No matter how fast he was, it would have been a pain to stay ahead of guards who knew Sorvia better than he did.  The man eyed him curiously, waiting for him to reply.  Elrand started panicking.  This is bad.  I am yet to find whatever is calling to me.  However, I must proceed carefully.  There is a crown representative after all.  I simply cannot be discovered.  Not yet.

Elrand laughed once more, trying to brush off his worries.  “Don’t be ridiculous. I am indeed a human,” he said all while thinking, ‘That’s exactly what a nonhuman would say, isn’t it?!’.  “What would anyone be doing inside the impassable forest?  Why would anyone risk entering what is considered an enchanted forest?”

The man seemed satisfied with that answer and shrugged.  “None of my business anyhow.  Once you receive your pass, you will have the freedom to roam as you wish. We’re almost there.” 

Yes.  As long as I find the source of this tantalizing song, it’s fine with me. He could feel it.  He could tell it was close despite not being able to pinpoint where. The alluring voice reached out for him, and he was all too happy to grab hold of its vestiges.  I will find it.  I swear.

Elrand nodded emphatically.  “Thanks.” 

The man shrugged without turning around.  “I’m the one who should be thanking you.  Monster attacks are more than this little town can handle.”

Elrand couldn’t think straight.  He was giddy with excitement.  He made sure to match the pace of the man beside him, even though he wanted nothing more than to rush out and find the source himself.

He could tell this man bore him no ill intent.  The town seemed lively for some reason.  Elrand dismissed it, it was none of his concern anyway.  Also, the apparent lack of vehicles put him off.  How did the townspeople travel between cities?  “And here we are.” The building they stopped at was incredibly average.  Not a thing was out of place, it looked like all the other houses around him.  However, something seemed off.

Elrand scanned the area, and immediately, his body froze.  Warning bells went off like crazy in his head, however, he did not move an inch.  More like he couldn’t.  At the most critical moment, his body failed him.  The presence, now that he was closer, felt so familiar that he couldn’t help but gape.  Memories flashed across his mind, but none of them registered, as if a mysterious force was keeping him from remembering.  His body refused to move any closer, and at the same time, could not turn away.

“What’s wrong?”  The man who guided him asked, his expression twisting in confusion.

Run!  Run, you stupid idiot!  This cycle must not continue…  A chilling voice echoed in his mind.  Even those words seemed foreign, even though it was his voice doing the warning.  No matter how much he willed his body to move, to listen to his suddenly wise voice of reason, it did not budge.  A human stepped out of the building, and his eyes fell on the Elf.  A grin formed on his young face.

“You’re here!  Wow!  Surprised you’re the first one. It’s been years! How are you holding up?”

“S-stay away!”

Despite himself, his voice rose a few octaves.  That broke whatever spell was keeping his body immobile.  Elrand took a step back, terror welling up inside him.

Run at once if you value your life.

The fear he felt was strange.  It did not come from him, rather, it was as if someone was forcing their own emotions on him.  Still, Elrand was wary of this stranger.

The stranger clicked his tongue.  “Still not fully awake, are you?  I should have known.” He took a step closer.

“Isn’t it annoying how they keep on interfering with us?  Not to worry!  I know your will is stronger than that.  You did manage to come here.  All you need is a gentle push.”  His hand flashed a golden hue, making Elrand flinch.  “This is all thanks to you after all.  I always repay my debts.” 

“Representative…”  said the man who guided him here, looking troubled for some reason.  “Not to worry, Martin.  I would not dream of hurting someone this important.”

The glow intensified.  Elrand did not know why the townsmen did not react to the scene.  He was rooted to the spot, but the fear was gone.  His heart raced from something.  Expectation…?  He was strangely intrigued.  This was the same feeling which guided him from Sorvia.  It stirred feelings he could not describe.

It was like a small tantalizing voice, sweet and melodious like a song.  And so, as the glow on the stranger intensified, Elrand could not help but smile contently. 

Strangely, this feels like my death.  How come I’m not panicking…?  I feel contented as if I have accomplished all I wanted to do.  But is that true? Whatever the consequences, I did manage to do this on my own.  And better yet, I get to escape that demon!

The Crown representative reached out and held onto him with the hand cloaked in a golden hue.  Immediately, an indiscernible sensation spread across his body.  He could not think.  He could not breathe.  He could not even blink as the scenery around him changed.

He saw the sunset on a barren land devoid of any life.  An eclipse of all the moons, bathing the ground with blood red glow. A starlit sky, obscured by nothing.  The three moons give out light so bright it could be considered daytime.

Then, all at once, Elrand was back in his body.  He gasped, gulping down air faster than he could think.  Fragments of distant memories stayed at the foremost part of his mind, but Elrand decided to ignore them for now.  He turned to the stranger, no, to Bryer, his face twisting in confusion.

“How long?”  He asked, running a hand through his hair.  The action pulled down the hood from his face. He had completely forgotten about his hood, which had concealed his identity. The onlookers, who had stayed silent up until that point, turned pale. Several gasps reminded him of his folly, however, he decided he would ignore that too.  “An elf…  We did something like that to an elf…”  The townsmen looked at him fearfully, then turned their attention to Bryer, who was grinning wickedly.

“There is no reason to fear.  This is my commander, at long last awakened.”  They looked unsure.  Though most of their fear had been eased, Elves were not to be harmed in any way.  Zyliane’s law had ensured that.  The same could be said for the elves.  The peace hung fragilely.

“Commander…”  Bryer bowed his head and gave a salute none were familiar with.  Well, none except Elrand.  “I’m afraid I’ve not been able to find you for some time now.  Last time, it did not go so well for us, and our plans resorted to blowing a hole through the second moon, Yirlt.  I’m afraid that is the last time we saw each other. You’re the first one I’ve come into contact with.”

Elrand nodded.  Somehow, his memories had been tampered with.  How were the others fairing?  Was it too soon to begin? He turned, seeing a flash of pointed ears.  Several of them, in fact.

Elrand chuckled to himself.  “It seems I have been found.  Excuse me, Bryer, I have some business to attend to.” Bryer shook his head.

“No problem.”

It didn’t take long for him to be surrounded.  Elrand offered no resistance, contrary to the expectations of the guards.  They were suspicious that Elrand followed them almost cheerily.  And then, the demon incarnate appeared, her facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.

Elrand’s teeth flashed.  “Heh-heh-heh...  Well then, shall we get this party started?”