ALISTER (Tales of evolution)

Jade

“Incredible” Elian said to himself as he watched the dragon fly by.

As the dragon flew by, Elian felt a rush of excitement and wonder. He had never seen anything like it before. The dragon’s scales glistened in the sunlight, and its wings beat powerful and slow, sending waves of air rippling through the grass.

Tharros smiled, seeming to sense Elian’s awe. “This world is full of wonders, Elian,” he said. “But we must be careful. Not all creatures here are friendly.”

Elian nodded, still gazing after the dragon. He felt a sense of longing, as if he wanted to follow the dragon and see where it would lead.

Tharros touched his arm, breaking the spell. “Come, Alister,” he said. “We have much to do today. We need to gather supplies and gear for your training.”

Elian nodded, following Tharros as they made their way through the rolling hills and grasslands. They walked for a while, the sun beating down on them, until they came to a small village nestled in the heart of a valley.

The village was surrounded by a babbling brook, which flowed into a small lake. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of laughter and music drifted through the air.

Tharros led Elian through the village, greeting the villagers as they passed. Elian felt a sense of wonder and curiosity, taking in the sights and sounds of the village.

As they walked, Tharros pointed out various landmarks and features of the village. “That’s the village elder’s hut,” he said, nodding towards a small, ornate hut. “And that’s the village square, where we hold gatherings and celebrations.”

Elian nodded, taking it all in. He felt a sense of belonging, as if he had finally found a place where he fit in.

But as they continued through the village, Elian began to notice that the villagers were staring at him. They whispered to each other, their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

Elian felt a sense of unease, wondering what was going on. Why were the villagers staring at him like that?

Tharros seemed to sense his unease, and he placed a reassuring hand on Elian’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Alister,” he said. “They’re just curious. Your face hasn’t been seen around here in a while, and they must be surprised to se you.”

Elian nodded, feeling a sense of relief. But as they continued through the village, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more going on. Something that Tharros wasn’t telling him.

As Elian walked through the village with Tharros, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the village. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle hum of bees as they flitted from flower to flower.

As they walked, the sound of laughter and music drifted through the air, mingling with the clanging of pots and pans from the village kitchens. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby bakery, making Elian’s stomach growl with hunger.

Tharros led Elian through the winding streets of the village, pointing out various creatures and sights along the way. They passed by a group of faeries, their delicate wings fluttering as they danced in a circle, their laughter like the tinkling of tiny bells.

Nearby, a group of centaurs were gathered, their equine bodies gleaming in the sunlight as they discussed something in hushed tones. Elian watched in awe as a young centaur foal pranced and played, its mane shining like gold in the sunlight.

As they continued through the village, Elian saw a group of creatures that looked like they were made of living, breathing mist. They drifted and flowed like liquid, their forms shifting and changing as they moved.

Tharros smiled as Elian watched the mist creatures in wonder. “Those are the Lyraxi,” he said. “They are ancient beings, born of the mist and the magic of Altheoria.”

Elian nodded, his eyes fixed on the Lyraxi as they danced and played in the sunlight. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle hum of bees as they flitted from flower to flower.

As they walked, the sound of running water grew louder, and Elian caught sight of a beautiful waterfall cascading down a rocky slope. The sunlight caught the spray, creating a rainbow that arced through the air, its colors shining like jewels in the sunlight.

Tharros led Elian closer to the waterfall, and they stood at the edge of the pool, feeling the cool mist on their skin. Elian closed his eyes, letting the sound of the waterfall wash over him, feeling the magic of Altheoria pulsing through the air.

As they stood there, a group of mermaids swam up to the edge of the pool, their scales shining like jewels in the sunlight. They smiled and waved at Elian, their voices like music as they sang a gentle melody.

Elian watched, entranced, as the mermaids swam and played in the pool, their beauty and magic captivating him. The sun beat down on them, casting a warm, golden light over the scene, and Elian felt as though he had stumbled into a Fantasy world, one that was full of wonder and magic.

As Elian and Tharros stood before the waterfall, Tharros suddenly turned to Elian and said, “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” With that, Tharros turned and walked away, leaving Elian alone to marvel at the waterfall.

Elian’s gaze remained fixed on the cascading water, mesmerized by its beauty. But as he stood there, his mind began to wander. He thought of his little sister, Aria, and wondered what she might be doing at that very moment. He imagined her grown up, a strong and confident woman, and a pang of sadness struck him. If she was still alive.

Just as Elian’s thoughts were becoming increasingly melancholic, the silence was shattered by the sound of raised voices. It sounded like an argument, and Elian’s curiosity was piqued. He listened closely, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise. It seemed to be coming from behind the building in front of him.

Elian’s instincts told him to investigate, and he cautiously made his way around the building. As he turned the corner, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold.

Three men, dressed in tattered and worn clothing, stood in a semicircle around a young woman. Their faces were twisted with lust and brutality, and Elian could sense the menace emanating from them. The men were dressed in a mixture of leather and chainmail, with scars and tattoos adorning their arms and faces. They looked like battle-hardened warriors, and Elian could tell that they were not to be underestimated.

The young woman, on the other hand, was a sight to behold. She was light in complexion, with long, silky raven-black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her bright emerald green eyes sparkled with fear, and her full lips were pressed together in a determined line. She was dressed in a raven-black leather jacket, black jeans, and black knee-high leather boots, giving her a sleek and deadly appearance.

Despite her tough exterior, however, Elian could sense the fear emanating from her. She was surrounded by these men, and she knew that she was in grave danger. Elian’s instincts told him to act, to do something to help this young woman. But as he stood there, frozen in indecision, he realized that he had no idea what he was up against.

The scar-faced man sneered at the young woman. “You thief,” he spat. “We’ve been looking for you. You stole from us, and now you’re going to pay.”

Her eyes widened in fear, and she took a step back. “I didn’t steal anything,” she protested. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The men closed In on her, their faces twisted with anger. Elian could see the fear in her eyes, and something inside him snapped.

Without thinking, Elian launched himself at the men, fists flying. The scar-faced man swung at him, but Elian dodged the blow and landed a solid punch to the man’s jaw.

The other men joined in, and soon Elian was fighting off all three of them. He punched and kicked, using every ounce of strength he possessed.

Just when it seemed like the men were getting the upper hand, Elian grabbed the woman’s arm and pulled her close. “Run!” he yelled, and together they took off, racing through the winding streets of the village.

The men gave chase, their shouts and curses echoing through the air. Elian could hear their footsteps pounding the ground behind them, and he knew they had to keep moving.

He pulled her through the crowded market, dodging stalls and leaping over baskets of fruit. The villagers stared in shock as they ran by, but Elian didn’t dare look back.

Finally, they reached the edge of the village and burst through the gates, emerging into the bright sunlight. Elian didn’t stop running until they were far beyond the village, the trees and hills blurring together as they fled.

When they finally stopped to catch their breath, the woman turned to Elian with a look of gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elian smiled, still trying to catch his breath. “You’re welcome,” he said. “But we’re not out of danger yet. We need to keep moving.”

She nodded, and together they set off once more.

…

…

…

After what felt like hours of running, Elian and the young woman finally reached a secluded clearing deep in the forest. The trees towered above them, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The air was cool and calm, filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers.

Elian and the you woman collapsed onto the soft grass, exhausted from their ordeal. They sat in silence for a moment, catching their breath and listening to the peaceful sounds of the forest.

“I think we lost them,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elian nodded, scanning their surroundings cautiously. “Yeah, I think you’re right. We should be safe here.”

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. “Thanks to you, we are. I owe you one.”

Elian smiled back, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. “No need to thank me. I’m just glad we made it out of there alive.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the peacefulness of their surroundings. But their tranquility was short-lived.

Suddenly, the three men from the village burst from the underbrush, their faces twisted with anger and hatred. Elian’s instincts kicked in, and he sprang to his feet, ready to defend himself and the young woman.

But the men were too quick. They surrounded Elian and the young woman, their eyes gleaming with malice.

“You think you can outrun us?” the scar-faced man sneered. “You think you can hide from us?”

Elian stood tall, his heart pounding in his chest. “We’re not going back to the village,” he said, his voice firm.

The men laughed, their eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, you’re not going back to the village,” the scar-faced man said. “You’re going to come with us. And you’re going to regret ever crossing us.”

Elian’s eyes locked onto Lyra’s, and he saw the fear and uncertainty there. He knew they had to act fast, or risk being overpowered by their attackers. But what could they do? They were outnumbered, and outmatched.

As the scar-faced man’s fist connected with Elian’s jaw, Elian’s head snapped back, and he felt a wave of pain wash over him. He stumbled backwards, his legs buckling beneath him, and he fell to the ground with a thud.

The men erupted into laughter, their cruel eyes gleaming with amusement. But the woman’s face turned serious, her eyes flashing with anger. She took a step forward, her voice low and commanding.

“That’s enough!” she growled.

The men paused, their laughter dying on their lips as they turned to face her. They looked at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement, clearly not intimidated by her.

“Who do you think you are to command us?” one of the men sneered, taking a step closer to her.

But she just smiled, her lips curling up to reveal rows of razor-sharp fangs. The men’s eyes widened in shock as they took in the sight of her teeth.

Suddenly, just as the man who had spoken was about to reach out and grab her, a sudden gush of blood erupted from his arm. His hand had been ripped clean off, leaving a stump of torn flesh and bone.

The man's eyes went wide with shock and agony as he stared at the stump of his arm. He instinctively clutched at the wound, screaming in pain as blood poured from the severed limb.

The other men were frozen in shock, their faces pale and horrified. They stared at the woman, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.

“What the…?” one of them trailed off, his voice shaking with fear.

The young woman’s smile grew wider, her eyes gleaming with a fierce, predatory light. She took a step forward, her movements fluid and menacing.

“You shouldn’t have come after us,” she growled, her voice low and deadly.

The men took a step back, their eyes fixed on her in terror. They knew they were outmatched, and they turned to run.

But the young woman was too quick. With a swift, deadly movement, she reached out and grabbed one of the men, her fingers closing around his wrist like a vice.

The man screamed as she pulled him back, his eyes wide with fear. The other men didn’t dare look back, they just kept running, desperate to escape the woman’s wrath.

Elian, still dazed from the punch, stared up at her in shock. He didn’t see her like this before, her eyes blazing with a fierce, supernatural green energy.

Who was this woman, really? And what was she capable of?

The woman’s eyes blazed with a fierce, supernatural green energy as she dispatched the men with swift, deadly efficiency. Her movements were fluid and precise, her razor-sharp claws slicing through the air with a deadly whisper.

Elian watched in horror as she killed the men, his mind reeling with shock and confusion. Who was this woman, and what was she capable of?

When the last man fell to the ground, she turned to Elian, her eyes still blazing with a fierce, supernatural energy. She took a step closer to him, her movements fluid and menacing.

Elian trembled, his heart pounding in his chest. He was terrified of her, but he was also fascinated by her. Who was she?

The woman’s gaze seemed to bore into Elian’s soul as she spoke. “My name is Jade,” she said, her voice low and husky. “And I am a Dragon.”

Elian’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at her. A dragon? He couldn’t believe it. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw something there that made him realize that she was telling the truth.

Jade’s eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce, inner green light, a light that seemed to burn with a supernatural energy. Elian felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized that he was standing in front of a being who was capable of unimaginable power and destruction.

Elian took a step back, his mind reeling with shock and confusion. “Why did you…why did you kill them?” he stuttered.

Jade shrugged, her expression neutral. “They were trying to hurt us. I protected us. Besides, I was going to kill them anyway.”

Elian nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. He looked at Jade, and saw that she was watching him with a curious expression.

“What?” Elian asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.

Jade smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You’re not as afraid of me as I thought you would be,” she said. “Most humans would be terrified of a dragon. But you…you’re not.”

Elian shrugged, feeling a sense of wonder. “I don’t know,” he said. “I just don’t feel afraid of you, I guess.”

Jade nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I think I like that about you, Elian,” she said.