We retrieved our belongings from our resting spot before we followed the boy to his village. Akano suggested we disappear without him knowing, but I ruled against it, admitting that I would feel guilty if we did so. Besides, I wanted to learn more about the Elven Kingdom and its people, and it outweighed any temptation to sneak off. It sort of reminded me of questing in the video games I used to play in my previous life and the thrill that came with it. Of course, I kept my desires to myself, knowing if I told Akano, she would scold me and tell me I was losing sight of what we came here to do.

I assumed at this rate that eventually we'd have to remove our hoods, and as it stood currently, the horns protruding out of the top of our heads would surely cause a little more than a slight panic. Using spatial magic, I distorted the areas near the top of our heads, creating an illusion that hid our horns. I did the same for our ears, molding them to resemble those of the boy, although it took a few attempts to get them just right. As long as no one swiped above our heads or touched our ears, we'd be fine. Maintaining the illusion would be slightly draining, but I doubt I'd need to do it the entirety of the time.

After we retrieved our supplies, we descended the tree and followed closely behind him.

"I've never seen people in our forest before," He began as he walked backward facing us, his eyes gleaming full of excitement. "What are you guys doing out here?"

"We..uh-"

"We're traveling," Akano interjected, saving me from whatever horrendous lie I was about to come up with. "Sightseeing and gathering herbs. Our village lies just south of Faeoria."

I had no idea what Faeoria was, but the boy sure knew, as his eyes glistened even brighter, enough to nearly blind me. "Faeoria?! That's on the other side of the Kingdom! I've never been outside of our village grounds, much less a town!" His curiosity then turned toward me. "How long have you both been traveling?"

"Er...about a Soweft," I answered, though it sounded more like a question as I couldn't remember if that was the correct phrasing for a year in Elven terms, but it seemed to be so as he understood and his amazement hadn't dulled.

"One whole Soweft....that's incredible. Don't you both get tired?"

"Sometimes."

"You don't miss your village?"

His question almost made me stop in my tracks and pause. Even though I had only been out of Eirad for a little more than a day, his question made me realize that I did in fact miss the Kingdom. Waking up every day with the King and the others had made me take it slightly for granted. The off chance of not seeing them again if something did go wrong here ached my heart deeply.

"I do," I admitted. "But I'm sure I'll see them again when we return home."

"I'd miss my village a whole bunch. I can't imagine living without them." As if he had suddenly come to a realization, he jolted out in front of us and spread his arms. "By the way, I'm Sylas! What are your names?"

"....Ylva" I cautiously answered. I was pretty sure that was a character in a game I used to play.

"And yours?" Sylas turned to Akano.

"Akantha." She bluntly responded, to which I let out a muffled chuckle at how bad that name was, though she glared at me, and that was the end of that.

The forest began to dance, filling the air with mystical energy. The trees began to bend, revealing a path beyond.

"Well, Ylva and Akantha!" Sylas proudly puffed his chest out. "Welcome to Everleaf!"

The village was breathtaking. Nestled among the trees, the village scenery washed a peaceful feeling over me. Elaborate treehouses rested above us, their connecting walkways mapped across the sky. The air carried the sweet fragrance of wildflowers along with an earthy scent, creating a calming atmosphere that enveloped us. The elves themselves moved with no rush in their steps, vastly different from what I was used to seeing in the bustling capital back home. They wore garments derived from the environment around them, donning clothes mended from the forest. They greeted Sylas cheerfully and gave us welcoming nods. The disguises were working, though it felt like they would even welcome us demons into their home.

"Where are we headed?" Akano asked, her eyes scanning the environment tirelessly. She still reserved one hand hidden in her cloak as we followed closely.

"To my home," Sylas answered. "My sister is waiting." He then stopped in his tracks, and I could see the shiver run down his spine. "I'm coming back empty-handed and without the fishing equipment... I hope she's not too mad."

We arrived at the base of a tree and climbed the spiral wooden staircase built into it, following Sylas into his home.

"I'm back!" he called out, pushing aside the draped tapestry that served as the entrance.

Hearing his call, a girl emerged from one of the rooms. She couldn't have been much older than me, perhaps around sixteen. Her eyes mirrored Sylas's, and her waist-length hair shared the same hue. As her gaze fell upon us, she seemed slightly taken aback, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than they did on Akano. She greeted us warmly, and we returned the gesture.

"Welcome back," She said. Her voice was smooth and gentle, yet laced with maturity. "Where's the fishing gear?" She asked while eyeing his empty hands that he shoved into his pockets nervously.

"Um, you see, I... I lost it," Sylas admitted, his voice tinged with a touch of anxiety. "I fell into the river, and it was swept away. These two saved me from drowning. They're travelers from—get this—Faeoria!"

"Faeoria?" She repeated, her eyebrows raised. "That's quite the journey." She set the basket of loaves she was carrying onto the wood table before properly facing us. "You saved him from the river?"

"He fell in," I answered. "Luckily, we were nearby to hear it."

"I'd like to think there's no such thing as luck. It seems you were destined to meet, as my knucklehead brother was destined to almost drown." She said as she scolded him with her eyes. "In all, thank you for saving him."

"It's not like I fell on purpose..." Sylas muttered, though just low enough that she didn't hear it.

"Anyway, I figured he wouldn't catch anything from the stream today either, and the porridge is almost complete. You'll stay, won't you? Let me thank you both."

I looked at Akano for an answer, and she replied with a half shrug. I was expecting her to refuse, but I guess we were both a little hungry.

"Sure," I replied. "Thank you."

After waiting a little at the table, she brought out the food, and we began to eat. Though it was different from the food I was used to eating at the castle, it still filled me with the same sensation—food that makes you feel welcomed. Over the meal, we introduced ourselves to each other and talked about numerous things. Her name was Seraphina. She and Slyas didn't have parents, at least not anymore. They had been on their own for some time. She didn't mention what happened to them, only that they weren't around anymore, though her tone did carry hints of sadness when she spoke about them. We spoke about ourselves as well, or at least the make-believe tales of Ylva and Akantha. Once again, as we spoke, it felt as if her eyes lingered on me heavily. I would show a glance, and she would avert her gaze, only to shortly after return it to me. I wasn't sure if she was suspicious of us or not, but she didn't raise any concerns.

"Thank you for the meal," I told her as we started to rise from our seats. "It was really good."

"We should be going," Akano added, not wanting to get diverted any longer. "Ylva and I have a lot of ground to cover."

“Wait, you guys are leaving already?" Sylas chimed in, clearly sounding disappointed. "If you guys are heading back to Faeoria, you should rest a bit. Why don't you spend the night here? We have open rooms."

"Sylas," Seraphina started in a scolding tone. "Don't pester them to stay any longer than they want."

"I know, but," He then turned to Akano, who apparently couldn't resist the pouty elven eyes. "Stay a little won't you?"

"We.....really should be off..." Akano repeated though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself to leave. She looked at me, hoping for me to give him the bad news, as she herself couldn't.

Saving Yukina was of the utmost importance, and I knew that. Yet inexplicably, it felt as if something was pulling me to stay. Whether it was my own curiosity or something else, I felt inclined to accept their offer. I looked at Seraphina for approval, and she granted it with a slight nod.

"We can stay for a night. We'll be on our way first thing in the morning."

Sylas lit up with joy, and Seraphina slightly concealed a smile. Akano didn't protest either; perhaps she welcomed the chance to rest as well. In the meantime, Slyas showed us around the village. Through the skywalks, I was able to see just how impressive the area was. It was much bigger than what we only saw following him in, it being more of a small town than anything. He introduced us to the other elves, who were just as kind as Seraphina, taking an interest in our journey and offering us wellness. Later on, nearing nightfall, the village convened and held a festival of sorts, involving food that tasted amazing and light performances. We even danced for a bit under the sweet melodies of their woodland instruments. Akano was surprisingly bad with her feet, while Sylas was as energetic as a ten-year-old can be. Seraphina watched from a distance, but I could tell she was still enjoying the sights.

As the night lurked closer, we returned to the home, where Seraphina showed us the rooms she had prepared for us. We thanked her and called it a night, only for me to become restless for the next couple of hours. Maybe it was because of the festival that I still had energy left in me.

I decided to get some night air and left the room, quietly making my way through the house to the front balcony, where I leaned against the wood railing and took in the calming atmosphere.

"What a day..."

I was glad that we had agreed to stay here for the day. It was nice to be at ease, even if it was only temporary. I was sure Akano needed it too. She had been on a hundred ever since, and I knew she was doing it for me.

"Things are only going to get harder from here on out..."

But I knew that. Saving Yukina wasn't meant to be easy. And though I was grateful for how smooth things were, it was time to prepare for what was coming next.

Lost in my thoughts, the soft sound of footsteps pulled me back to reality. I turned, and there stood Seraphina.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, I couldn't get much sleep either." She answered as she approached. "May I?"

Shifting slightly, I made room for her, and she settled beside me. We both relaxed in silence for a moment, listening to the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the festival still lingering in the air. It was a serene and peaceful moment, despite the restlessness I had been feeling earlier.

"Today was lively, wasn't it?" I asked her, breaking our silence.

"It was. It was the most I had seen Sylas have fun in a while."

Silence befell us once more. I wondered if there was something she wanted to say. Even at the festival earlier, I could still feel her watching me.

"Seraphina," I started. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

Startled, her eyes slightly widened as she averted her gaze temporarily before she exhaled softly.

"Was it obvious?" Seraphina finally admitted, while a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

I nodded my head in response. "It wasn't too hard to notice," I replied gently.

After a brief moment of contemplation, she started to speak. "You know, Ylva," she began, her voice tinged with a touch of longing, "I sort of envy you and Akantha. After hearing the stories of your travels, I was amazed. Being able to freely roam wherever you please sounds liberating. Compared to me...." Her voice began to trail off as she traced patterns with her finger onto the railing. "I haven't been outside of the village grounds before. I've been taking care of Sylas and myself under this dome for as long as I can remember. Please don't misunderstand, I love my brother and my village, but sometimes I wonder if this is all that's meant for me."

I resonated with her. I knew the feeling she felt. The feeling of being trapped I had known it far before I came to this world, and sometimes here too. She opened her heart to me, and I decided that it was only fair that I did the same.

After taking a moment, I began to speak. "I….used to have a brother. He was about the same age as Sylas, though he wasn't as kind or cheerful as he was." I admitted. "My village was the same. When I failed to achieve what they determined was my path, they resented me, outed me, and abandoned me."

The brother and "village" I was referring to were my old family in the world before I came to this one. I hadn't thought about them in a while. However, seeing Seraphina as she was reminded me of myself back then—someone who was just going through the motions.

"The reason I'm here is because…I feel as if I don't belong anywhere." I continued.

That was honesty that even I didn't expect from myself.

"Your village, the people here, and Sylas—it's something that I've missed for a while. I hope I can find peace somewhere resembling the one here. I remember what you said earlier today about fate, and I think it's true. I think we were fated to meet. And as for our paths, who knows what fate has in store for us?"

There was a moment of silence between us as I finished. I hadn't been looking directly at her as I was speaking but rather was staring off into the star-filled sky, lost in my own words. When I finally faced her, Seraphina's eyes were glistening, and a mixture of emotions played across her face. Suddenly, she closed the gap between us and wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. I was taken aback for a bit, but I returned the gesture, wrapping my own around her. Time had seemed to come to a standstill, and we didn't say anything else to each other. Though we both knew that we didn't have to.

The next morning, Akano and I had gathered our things and were preparing to head off. We told them that they didn't need to send us off, but Seraphina and Sylas heavily insisted. They followed us down onto the main road and to the entrance of the village.

"Aww," Sylas groaned. "Do you guys have to leave? You can't stay one more day?"

"Nope, we have a long way back." Akano answered, though she had her back turned so she wouldn't be tempted by Sylas's expert pouty face.

"Be safe on your journey." Seraphina wished me with a smile that this time she didn't try to hide.

"Thank you." I returned, not hiding mine either.

Suddenly, just as we were about to leave, several horse-drawn wagons stormed into the village. They would've ran Sylas and me over if Akano hadn't pulled us out of the way. Several armed elves jumped out of the wagon, all donning the same auburn-robed armor. I could see the look on the villagers' faces—ones mixed with uncertainty and despair. The peaceful atmosphere that once encased the village in an instant had been ruthlessly torn to shreds. I looked towards Seraphina for an explanation, but she was frozen, her expression full of fear and dread.

Among all the sudden chaos, I noticed something.

"Akano, those crests..." I whispered to her, coming upon a grave realization.

"Yeah," She confirmed. "They're from the palace." She pulled me behind her and tightened her grip on her hidden sword. "Princess, stay behind me."

The commander of the troops emerged from the leading wagon tailed by his men, drawing the eyes of everyone. He was a tall man with violently tinged red hair. His whole appearance was the exact opposite of the elves of the village, his presence not containing a single shred of benevolence or tranquility. He stomped to the middle of the main road and began to speak.

"Villagers of Everleaf," He started. His voice was raspy and stern, washing a wave of anguish over anyone who listened. "The King has sudden need of womanly attendees, as the previous—well, they dried out." He sinisterly joked, causing slight laughter among his men. "As per his orders, every woman of this village shall participate in the selection. And if they don't..." He tapped his scabbard on his hip while letting out a malevolent chuckle. "They'll pay the price."

The troops then swiftly fanned out across the village, forcibly entering homes and dragging out any women they could find, forcefully herding them toward the main area. It was a scene of utter horror, a sight that filled onlookers with dread and despair. After some time, the main plaza was filled with every woman from Everleaf, ranging from all ages.

Then the selection started.

The troops would walk in rounds amongst us, their eyes filled with lust and savagery, making their choices of the ones they deemed fit and dragging them up onto the wagons. Hearing the screams and cries of families being torn apart was gut-wrenching. Those parents or husbands who tried to resist the tyranny were met with nothing short of cruelty. The troops who passed by Akano and me, who had gazes filled with interest, Akano met them with deadly narrowing eyes, enough to ward them off and not think twice.

As the wagons were nearly filled, I thought that we had survived the worst of it. Until I was met with a solemn site, one that made my heart drop well into the ground.

The commander had latched onto Seraphina and was jerking her to the wagon. She was petrified as she gave little resistance. It seemed as if her emerald eyes had lost all the shine in them, and the color of her face was drained.

"Stop!" Sylas screamed as he ran through the crowd and grabbed onto the commander's grip on his sister, hopelessly trying to force his hand apart from her wrist.

The commander let a smirk full of mockery play across his face. "Go on, boy, try your best." He let Sylas struggle for a bit more before swiftly kicking him across the face, sending him back flying into the remains of the crowd.

"What should I do?!"

I was lost. Knowing that Sylas and Seraphina were going to be torn apart struck deep. Even though we had only known each other for a day, they were among the few people I could actually call friends here in this world. Leaving here knowing that I didn't do anything to save them, I wouldn't be able to stomach it.

My heart pounding and adrenaline rushing through me, I tried to step forward but Akano's grip tightened even further. The look in her pale gray eyes was devoid of any emotion. It was as if the Akano who had been with me up until now had disappeared and was replaced by an unwavering guardian.

She took one glance at me and immediately understood what I was going to do.

"No." She said bluntly.

"Akano, they're going to-"

"No."

Akano wasn't going to listen, and I didn't blame her. I was about to make a stupid decision that would probably make things worse for me, but deep down, I knew it was something that I needed to do.

I closed my eyes and hardened myself. I opened them, met mine with hers, and spoke.

"Akano, I'm ordering you to let go." I commanded.

The grip on my wrist immediately flew open, leaving Akano dumbfounded at her own actions.

"Yuki, don't."

Her tone was one of pleading, and worry began to spread across her face. I didn't want to put Akano in this position, and I would make sure to apologize to her later. But time was running out. I gave her a gentle smile before turning and marching off.

"Wait," I called out as I stormed to the commander. I threw off my cloak, letting my white hair dance behind me. He completely towered over me, and it intimidated me, but I couldn't back down. "Let her go and take me instead."

In astonishment, he studied me briefly before revealing a sly smile. "Well, aren't you bold?" He looked me up and down. "Yes…… eyes of ruby and colorless hair, the King would love you." He tossed Seraphina aside, sending her into the dirt. He then kicked me off balance and onto the ground, placing his boot on my head. Akano's eyes turned to those of fury, but I shot her a stern look, ordering her to allow it. "Or maybe I'll keep you for myself." He snickered.

The commander ordered the captives to have their heads covered, and before I knew it, the views I had of the village that felt like home were now replaced by an enveloping darkness.