While Operation Dark Phase 1 is underway, Theodore and Rainy are observing every movement on the monitor. On the split monitor, they can see on each on the lower part a circle with blocks and lines on it. Theodore explains to Rainy that it’s a sort of a map, the center is May or Eric and Bruce who keeps moving while the surroundings are the structures, road, fields that continually change until they stop. The green dots are people without any intent, the red however is people who have clear hostile intentions towards the family once they are recognized, so even green dots can turn into the red in an instant.

Seeing the nervous expression on Rainy, Theodore says it will be alright. They wouldn’t dare to make a move and explains why, which calms her down a little.

 

He then shifts his focus on the crops planted near the well and saw that it started to germinate well as shoots are starting to grow out of the soil. He tells Rainy it is okay not to watch the monitor, to easy her, and said that Spacey has everything under control and will warn them when something important shows up.

To distract her they move their discussion about their talks about senses which they started yesterday. Rainy had summarized how Elves uses their enhanced senses which Theodore listen to and now and then tested it.

With his enhanced vision he could now zoom in on objects that are at a distance of about 250 meters away when he focuses on them. Through the sight, he could also direct his hearing and smell towards that object and sense everything around it. But was still learning and could only slightly feel the air surrounding the object.

Rainy warned him when he’s focusing, he will lose awareness close to him and he will need to be careful when and how he’s using it. But in Space where seldom people are, he could practice with ease, though using it outside will be troublesome. This is what she’s been taught and the main reason why Elves are proficient with Bow and Arrow. Theodore said jokingly, now she wouldn’t have any problem with Spacey looking over her. This made her startled and remembered the amber around her neck.

She also told that when she becomes older the sight will increase up to a maximum range of 1,500 to 2,000 meters, but unsure what Theodore’s maximum range will be. The record of the longest maximum range she knows in her Elven race is around 2,500 meters, which belongs to a High Elf named Kristal within the Elven Guard. She has seen that High Elf killed a wild beast from a distance further away than 2,500 meters. The High Elf told during the lesson, that although the sight of the Elves can reach that far if you feel the nature surrounding your target, the shooting range can extend further away up to 10,000 meters. Not everything relies on sight. At that time Rainy didn’t understand and still wasn’t fully clear about the High Elf statement which he told with a smirk on his face, she and the others thought it was a mere joke at the time.

Theodore however fell in thought and mumbled several words: “Perhaps he meant the wind current, plants, and the trees surrounding it?”

 

As for hearing and smell, he needs to control these with his sight, or else it would be uncontrolled. He would hear and smell everything surrounding him in a radius of 100 meters which could drive him crazy. Unlike the Elves who live in the forest secluded, the villages and towns of humans are fuller the more you walk to the center. Theodore couldn’t imagine the sensation when over 1,000 people start yelling in your ear or the sweaty smell that comes from those people's bodies, he could only shiver at the thought of it.

Lastly taste and touch, due to the Elves has a strong sense of taste they could feel a revolting taste when eating meat, therefore they prefer to eat vegetables and fruits. This gives them more of a connection with nature. Once in a while, they do eat meat but raw, though it may seem unsightly to see for humans. Unlike the humans who cook or bake their meat first, it’s more of a need than fulfilling as they, the Elves, are highly aware of the missing nutrition if they only feed on vegetables and fruits.

However, there been Elves in the past that overindulged themselves on animal meat, but lost their connection with the Tree of Life and were ousted from the Elven Villages. They named them Dark Elves as their skin color darkened. It is unsure where they currently are living if they manage to evade the humans and the beastmen sights but they were not in this forest.

 

Touch was something peculiar as Rainy explained, through a contact they could feel one innermost feeling of other Elves, plants, and animals. This way the Elves could communicate with each other without saying a word. Even feel the type of injuries inside the Elven body which helps with precise healing of wounds and curing certain illnesses. This was also the reason she remained calm when she first met with Theodore on the field because she felt no hostility coming off him when he touched her despite him being human.

As for plants the Elves can transmit their friendliness towards nature and the plants are able to share the energy with the Elves if an Elf is unable to do it on his or her own or help with a crucial breakthrough in their training.

Animals are subdued or instructed this way, though not all animals are willing to listen as they have their own internal hierarchy. But when the forest is in danger, they will follow the Elven race commands.

 

The Azure Animal Kingdom has the same ecological groups as on Earth (1), but with more variety then what is seen on Earth. They are more attuned to the magical atmosphere provided by the planet and are likely to mutate or to evolve quicker.

On the highest level, there are the magical beasts, which are strengthened and have some intellect but not intelligent enough to make their own society. The one with the strongest claw, teeth, or tail will rule them all, the basic law of the jungle. They are the evolved form of the common animals within the forest.

Mutated animals are those who didn’t manage their evolution and are weaker than magical beasts, but are stronger than the regular ones. But if in packs, they will be able to kill magical beasts.

 

Theodore was very interested in this subject, but his attention was drawn to the monitor. Eric and Bruce arrived at the first neighbor's home and were met with a couple. At first, everything was dandy and showed on the monitor green dots, but once they were noticed it suddenly turned red.

When the faces turned clearer on the monitor, Rainy who sat beside Theodore says: “That man was one of the 25 who ambushed us, I am not sure of that woman.” Theodore sees the faces and says: “Spacey make sure to store a picture of that couple in a file if we were ever to meet them somewhere else. We will be able to recognize them and trace them back to whoever they work for. I am quite positive that they aren’t paid by the Village Chief. Do it with all the red dots flaring up. Later we will sort them out.” Spacey answers: “Affirmative.”

Theodore continues: “Send a signal to make the chat short with these two people.” Theodore already informed Eric and Bruce, if the people they were talking to turn hostile, he would send a signal “no” to them.

 

Theodore looks at Rainy and asks: “How is your drawing skill? If I give you paper and chalk are you able to copy the faces of the couple on it?” Rainy looks in doubt and says: “I am still learning but I am able to do that, why?” Theodore answers: “Well if you draw their faces on paper, we can show it later to your friends to confirm who participated in your group's kidnapping. And also, we can get an idea who’s still in this Village and how many still missing.”

Rainy thought for a while and couldn’t help but ask: “Can’t Spacey draw them on paper?” Theodore laughs and says: “Spacey can indeed print, but it’s not something we want to use. See it as training for your drawing art.”

“You don’t have to do it right now but later. I have to ask my dad for drawing materials because we can’t use the paper of Space. It’s more refined and cheaper than what we can get in outside stores and might lead to suspicions, maybe later when we produce our own we sell it to some merchants to test the waters.” Rainy nodded and turns back to the monitor, she sees Eric and Bruce receiving the 2 shakes on their amber and made the conversation short and moved towards the other neighbors.

 

May was walking towards the grocery store and Theodore could see some green dots on the screen turning red while she passed some locals. Though it wasn’t a sign they were all involved with the kidnapping, it could be just resentment against new people who just moved into the village. But Rainy next to him could at least point some of them out, and those near them will be added to a list of suspicious people and would later let the other youngsters see if they recall them.

Soon May reached the Grocery Store and did her shopping. Theodore could see the Shop Keeper again adding the powder to the vegetables she bought. Once here he would decide to scan them to see if it’s the same or something else this time. If it’s the same than the Spring Water could cleanse the poison and if it’s something new they need to know the Spring Water can neutralize it. But the probability of it being something new is quite small.

 

Eric and Bruce arrived at the 3^rd house and again these people lit up with red glows on the monitor. The 2^nd stayed neutral, but not much information was gained from them. They even gave signals of 2 houses that recently moved a day before our family arrived as it was already planned. Theodore could only shake his head and wondered even if he was awake trying to refute the allegations, they still would have been expelled no matter what was said.

 

May was done with the shopping and left a piece of localization amber in one of the boxes, she’s on her way back. With Spacey’s surveillance of the surroundings near the Grocery Store, it could not find any traces of the youngsters. But Spacey did find some interesting spots for Theodore to look into once he’s there in the evening. Theodore said to remind him later when it’s time to move.

 

At the 4^th house, something astounding happened. The occupants are familiar to Eric and Bruce, and also to Theodore. He points at the monitor and says: “That’s the servant who took me to the room Phillip supposed to be in. I got knocked out by him! Why does dad know him? ” Rainy looks at him and tries calming him by saying: “Let’s listen to what they have to say.”

Eric looks at Bruce and sees a familiar figure standing at the door, who made signs with his hands not to speak. They approach the house and they hear the person saying: “Hello, you must be the new neighbors who just moved in yesterday? Come in my wife made some refreshments.”

Bruce says in a delightful voice: “It’s a pleasure to be welcome this way. You are the first who let us in.” The person asks: “Oh… you have been to others and they didn’t greet you well?” Bruce answers: “Well one did, 2 presumably were too busy with their morning choirs, can’t be helped we commoners don’t have it easy.”

The person says: “Well yes, the taxes are not something to scuff about. Well, come in.” They followed that person inside and close the door. Eric sighs and says: “Dad still looking after us I assume?”

The person answers: “Yes, this time we made a big mess out of this whole situation. We didn’t think it would go this far. But even here, they prepared very well.” Eric asks: “Leonard, why are you in this village?”

Leonard answers: “I’ve been here for almost 5 years now. I’ve been tasked to watch over the Village Chief. Strange things been happening and there been sounds that Elves are about to make their moves. Tanya is inside let’s have a cup of lemonade.” They walk inside and saw Tanya, who says: “It’s been a long time Eric.” Leonard says: “You 3 chat while I am getting something from upstairs.” They watch him move to the stairs.

 

Eric greeted Tanya with a hug and asks: “It’s been a long time since we’ve met, are both of you doing well?” Tanya looks at Eric and says: “We’ve been put in this Village where trouble can start from 3 sides, besides that what else is there?” Eric frustrated and answers: “Well, rather here in the Village than within the Clan where they scheme behind your backs. There are some strange things happening lately.”

Tanya little troubled and says: “Yes we are aware. And not only that we are also a bit responsible for your current situation.” Bruce looks in doubt and asks: “What do you mean?” Tanya says: “Wait till Leonard is back. He’ll tell you.” They have their drinks waiting for Leonard to come back. It didn’t take long as he walks from the stairs to them.

Leonard handed a letter and a bag to Eric and says: “This is written by your dad. The content within the bag is to elevate your current condition.” Eric looks at the letter that was sealed with the insignia of the Wilde family. He opens it and read the content:

“Dear son and others,

I am sorry but this time the Clan has done things without my knowledge and manage to evade my eyes.

Your plan for expansion to other Duchies wasn’t taken well with other nobles from there and they reach out to the younger generation within the families to put a stop to it. I am not sure what they promised but they were eager to accept.

I had secured some of your contacts and was able to refute the Councils claims, but the thing that happened to Theodore was something I didn’t foresee. My Eyes saw that Phillip was planning to give Theodore a doctored version of Practice QI and Leonard intercepted Theodore when he arrived in the morning at the mansion, who coincidently was visiting.
But unfortunately, they saw we were aware of and planned their next step, while Theodore was safe in another room a servant stole his knife from the desk. The matter that unfolded later was something I was unable to stop with Great Elder Armand Stillard not fully himself.

My Eyes were however able to replace the diluted Holy Water of Redemption with something similar to its effect but able to be detoxified. The antidotes are in the bag that should be given by Leonard with this letter. Unfortunately, my Eyes couldn’t get near Theodore’s potion and we could only watch as we saw him consume the potion.

The undercurrent within the Clan is brewing enormously with the wind blowing in favor of the opposite party, who seems to have gained the support of a hidden party outside our Clan. Although the Barry family didn’t take visible part in this affair, don’t be misled. Your mother Janice is trying to restrain them but is excluded in any involvement within her family now that her father is under the weather. She is even not allowed to meet him.

Eric, I am afraid there soon will be another storm coming our Clan’s direction and am unsure of the future. Even if I and Armand are able to reconcile, and he’s able to see the changes happening in his family, I am unsure which path he chooses.

Stay in the Village for a period of time, till their attention is focused on the aforementioned storm then follow the instructions of Leonard who will bring you to a secluded place only known by a few of us. Not even Aren and Francis know about it.
The storm is something they can’t ignore and will bring changes within the Council and the Clan. Hopefully, the Clan will manage to survive otherwise I dread our future will be similar to the Kampas.

Be wary of Isla, she’s truly poisonous and holds a grudge on you for rejecting her.

 

Regards,

Your dad, Karl Wilde”

Eric is done reading and gives the letter to Bruce, sighs, and says: “So it’s her. All these years have gone by and she still couldn’t accept why I rejected her and choose Jade.”

Leonard says: “Yes, she seems gentle on the outside but her mind is corrupted. Even with Francis and Phillip by her side, she isn’t satisfied and still thinks of you. Her moves within and outside the Clan are something we've noticed and some of us, Eyes, disappeared when we followed her outside. We still have no clue who her contacts are on the outside.” He stood up and bowed and says: “Eric can you apologize to Theodore for me as I am at fault of his current situation. I deeply regretted it.”

Eric thought for a while, looks at Leonard and says: “Come by around dinner time and eat with us, you can say those words to him personally. And there are things happening in the Village, you need to be aware of, it has something to do with the Elves, who you’ve mentioned earlier and we might have more information to share. If dad could be here personally, it might be of some use to him.”

Leonard exclaims and asks: “You know something about what’s happening to the Elves?” Eric recounted the meeting with Rainy yesterday and the faith of the 10 other elvish children. He assured that they will be found and saved. Leonard would compose a letter to Eric's father and would ask a meet between father and son.

They ended their meeting with Leonard, to not draw any suspicions towards him. Soon Eric and Bruce continue with their plan to visit the Village Chief after they went back home to get the pie.

 

 

Author tries to explain: 

• 1) More about our Animal Kingdom can be found on Wiki "Animal". The Azure Animal Kingdom will be reflected with these, the mutated and evolved will have magical properties which will be narrated in the novel.