Chapter 26 – Shadow Battalion II
The thin veil of mist still clung to the Dark Elf settlement. Though the council's heated meeting had passed, the echoes of its arguments lingered. The name Valdyn Thalorian was no longer a mere whisper—it had become the subject of praise, resentment, and fear alike.
---
That morning, Valdyn walked to the training grounds. He did not find a crowd waiting, only seven young Dark Elves. Their bodies were lean, their faces uncertain, yet their eyes burned with determination.
They were rare—the last of the Dark Elf youth. Most of their generation had perished in the Ragnarok War, swept away alongside their fathers and brothers. These seven were all that remained, born just before the war erupted, raised under the elders' protection, and only now old enough to stand on their own.
One of them, a boy with long black hair, stepped forward. His voice was rough, but steady.
"Valdyn Thalorian. We… want to learn from you. Your duel with Lady Nymeris showed us a path we never saw before."
Valdyn regarded them silently for a moment. Seven. Only this many are left?
He gave a faint smile. "Then be ready. I won't teach half-heartedly. You'll suffer as I have suffered."
None of them stepped back. Instead, their eyes hardened. They knew: this was the only chance to keep their race from fading.
---
The training grounds were silent, shadows heavy beneath thick clouds.
Valdyn stood before the seven, his bow slung over his shoulder.
"You were all born after the war, weren't you?"
They nodded.
"You've heard the stories. Once, the Dark Elves sent even children to battlefields, just to match numbers. And what was the result? Nearly every man died. You… are the last that remain."
Their faces darkened with sorrow, but the fire in their eyes stayed alight.
Valdyn continued.
"Dark Elves are known for shadow magic. Forest Elves for nature magic. If we combine them, what will happen?"
One of them answered, "A new strength."
Valdyn nodded, raising his bow.
"Exactly. Watch closely."
He conjured a wind arrow, then layered it with a veil of shadow. When he released, the arrow vanished—only to reappear as it struck the target, embedding deep.
The seven youths gasped.
"The arrow… disappeared…"
"No, it merged with the shadows…"
Valdyn lowered his bow.
"That's just the beginning. You will learn to blend shadow and element. You're not just archers. You must become the unseen shadow and the storm that strikes from it."
Training began. Valdyn drove them mercilessly—running in darkness, shooting while moving, even fighting bare-handed. They collapsed, gasping, but not one surrendered.
---
From a ridge above the field, Nymeris stood with arms crossed, silver hair cascading over her shoulders, violet eyes sharp.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. He truly is different. Not only strong, but able to make others believe.
An elder approached, whispering at her side.
"Nymeris… this is dangerous. Those seven are our last young men. If they die—"
Nymeris cut him off with a cold glare.
"More dangerous if they stay weak. If we keep hiding them, how are we any different from waiting for extinction?"
The elder fell silent, bowing his head.
---
Elsewhere, in a shadowed chamber, Eldros sat with a grim face. His black staff tapped the stone floor. Beside him, Draelin sneered in agreement.
"We cannot allow that boy to grow influence. Look— even our last youths are leaning toward him."
Draelin growled. "What's your plan?"
Eldros's eyes narrowed.
"The humans are already moving near the southern border. Let them clash with Valdyn. If he falls, so too does the prophecy. And we… endure."
Draelin chuckled darkly. "Clever."
---
As he drilled the youths, Valdyn heard the familiar whisper in his mind.
[Quest Progress: Secure Your Bond with Nymeris]
– The Dark Elf youths' trust shifts toward you.
– Recognition Level: 30%.
Valdyn exhaled quietly. So it's not only Nymeris. I have to win over her people as well. Only then will the prophecy unfold.
---
Dusk fell. The seven youths lay sprawled, exhausted, covered in dust and sweat. Yet their faces shone, their eyes alight with new resolve.
"Valdyn… when is the next training?" one asked.
Valdyn looked at them, lips curving faintly.
"Tomorrow. And don't expect it to be easier."
But before he left the field, a black forest bird landed on his shoulder. A small scroll was tied to its leg.
He opened it, eyes narrowing.
"Human movement detected at the southern border."
Valdyn clenched his hand around his bow.
Time is short. I must forge them into fighters before war truly arrives.
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