It was spring in the elven kingdom, a time when the forest thrived, vibrant with the essence of the season, and the gentle wind whispered serenity through the land. The kingdom was entirely ensconced by the lush forest, an essential habitat for elves to dwell and thrive. For the elves, the forest wasn't merely a dwelling place; it was their life itself. However, it was a domain not exclusive to them alone, as humans, beastkind, and demons all harbored claims and reasons to assert their right over this pristine expanse.
Seated on his throne, Aria Ian HighForest, the first of his name and race, the elven king, received a momentous piece of news. The Queen of Elves, Lagardia Ian HighForest, had given birth to a baby boy. This was of paramount significance for the kingdom, as elves faced challenges in reproduction due to their unique nature. Within the vast elven kingdom, only a mere 5% of the population consisted of newborns.
Upon receiving this news, the King sprang to his feet, hastening to the chambers of the Queen.
"How is Lagardia? And the child?" he inquired anxiously of the head maid of the Queen.
"Your Majesty, the Queen and the child are in good health, there is no cause for concern. Congratulations to you and the kingdom; you are now the father of a baby boy."
This was the third instance in his life that he had felt such overwhelming joy. As a brave warrior and the founder of the kingdom, he had been a strict leader to his subordinates, demonstrating little tolerance for errors and cruelty toward his enemies. Such sternness was necessary to protect his family and ensure their safety in the face of potential threats.
The baby cried—a sound that marked the beginning of a new era for the kingdom, its future ruler. The King, upon hearing the infant's cry, forgot all etiquette and decorum, rushing into the room.
"Lagardia, how are you? Are you in any pain? Let me see you!"
Recognizing her husband's excitement, the Queen signaled her maids to leave and gave her husband permission to enter.
"You can come in, Your Majesty. The baby has quieted down after crying for a few minutes. Come, hold our son, please."
In elven society, there was no strict hierarchy. Rather, they lived in tribal settlements, where the oldest member served as the tribe's leader. Before the establishment of the kingdom, elves were separated based on their roles: hunters, healers, gatherers, elders, tailors, and smiths, unless they inhabited specific regions like those near the sea or bordering other races. The Queen's tribe, residing near the border between humans and beastkind, was unique, as her family operated as merchants, a rarity within elven territory. Known as the AcerGenus, they engaged in trade and cultural exchanges with humans and beastkind, sharing food and drinks. The King encountered the nomadic tribes and villages while gathering them to create the city and fell in love with the Queen's unconventional ideas and actions. Her tribe contributed invaluable information and insights that aided the King in establishing the city and the kingdom. Essentially, her tribe became one of the founding pioneers of the kingdom.
The King, as he gazed upon the delicate and seemingly frail Queen, was reminded of their past. She had been a voluptuous beauty, singing a folk song when they first met. Her family had required a warrior to escort their caravan to the human kingdom, and he had been chosen by their chief. Now, she had matured into a captivating woman whom any man would dream of having as a wife, though she was exclusively his.
"Lagardia, I love you. You are the greatest joy of my life, and I thank you for being with me," he declared, his son—the fruit of their love—crying softly in his mother's arms.
As he held the baby, the King looked into his eyes, which bore the color of fire, with long and slender irises. The child, a symbol of the legacy founded upon countless struggles and sacrifices, seemed to sense the chaos and destruction in the world, instilling a sense of apprehension in the King. The King wasn't a proponent or advocate of war; he had established order and peace to demonstrate his benevolence and vision. He hoped that his son would follow in his footsteps and uphold these principles.
"Your name shall be ErgeDryadalis Ian HighForest, known as Prince Erge, and you will continue the legacy founded upon the sacrifice of countless lives and bloodshed. Uphold order, rule with kindness and mercy in your kingdom, and exhibit bravery in the face of adversaries."
The baby cried even louder as the King announced his name, echoing through the corridors of the room.
"Ara, ara, Erge, my son, don't cry. Come to Mama!" The Queen took her son and attempted to feed him from her ample breasts.
Arius the First blushed with embarrassment after having given his son a rather unconventional introduction to the world. This was his first experience as a father, as his own father had been a brave warrior who fought alongside him to establish the kingdom before returning to lead his tribe. In elven culture, there was no expectation of claiming the throne or pursuing personal wealth; all that mattered were the forest and sustenance. Greed was not a virtue or a habit among the elves; they embraced humility and consistently delivered justice to the deserving. Their communal life, deeply intertwined with nature, was marked by simplicity, and they believed that might did not make right.
As Erge, now feeding from his mother, abandoned his cries and reached out his tiny hands toward his father, the King was struck by the baby's actions. This was an entirely new experience for the King, who had been a warrior and a leader but had never held his own child.
"My son already knows his taste,
Amidst his laughter, the Queen balled her fist and forcefully delivered a punch to the King's stomach.
"You! What are you saying to our newborn, you pervert!"
"Aaahhhh!" The King cried out in pain. The Shadow Guards of the King emerged from the curtains, witnessing the scene unfold before them. This would be the last thing they saw before fainting due to the King's reaction. The depth of the King's jealousy was beyond their comprehension.
As time passed, this particular incident would be remembered by the child Erge, who was currently being nourished by his mother. The precious moment, as valuable as gold, would remain a secret between mother, father, and son, never to be shared with anyone else.
Not every life begins with pleasant memories, but Erge was born into a favorable environment. Perhaps he had used up all his luck upon his birth, or perhaps fate had more twists in store for him, ready to deceive him.
In the vast expanse of the HighLands forest, the Elven kingdom was celebrating its fifth year when the heir to the throne was born. Over these five years, the King and Queen had tirelessly worked to educate the elves. Initially, the idea of an elven kingdom had seemed like a utopian dream to the elves. They had been content with their tribal lives, questioning why they would need a kingdom, walls, or guards. The catalyst for change had been the aggressive actions of other races driven by their insatiable greed. They sought lumber for housing, provisions for storage, and the most insidious of all—slaves for their idleness and pleasure. The elves, graced with natural beauty that transcended racial boundaries, had become highly sought-after as slaves, mates, courtesans, or servants.
The concept of establishing a kingdom had first been conceived by the Queen when the King escorted their caravan to the human kingdom. They had encountered a human noble, a mere baron at the lowest rung of human society, who had proposed buying batches of elf slaves or young girls in exchange for provisions such as food, swords, and shields. Money held no value for the elves, as their dealings with humans revolved around obtaining necessities like food and weapons. Elven smiths specialized in crafting bows and arrows for hunters, while warriors obtained their equipment through trade.
The Queen, Lagardia, had reacted with unwavering determination, vehemently rejecting the lucrative offer. Aria, her husband and the King, had drawn his sword and confronted the baron without hesitation. The situation had escalated rapidly, with Aria beheading the nearest guard, causing blood to splatter across the parties involved. Although the elves were not a warrior race, they possessed the minimum combat skills necessary for survival in the forest. A baron's retinue was hardly a match for a typical elven tribe.
"Come, Lagardia, forget the caravan. Take the reins of the horses with the others, and I will break through their encirclement."
The five men and two women among the elves were no strangers to such situations; otherwise, they would not have been entrusted with guarding the caravan. The baron's proposition had raised concerns, signaling that human greed knew no bounds. As they fled and eventually lost their pursuers, Aria and Lagardia decided to take a rest at a location resembling an inn. The establishment was illuminated by candles and bore the strong scent of humans—a mix of sweat and perfumes. At the entrance, the receptionist greeted them with a smile and inquired, "How may I assist you?"
"We require food, a room to change our clothes, and some rest," Aria replied.
"Certainly. Room 317 is at your service. How will you be making payment?"
"Take this shield and sword," Aria offered. They had no money to pay for their lodging and sustenance; their dealings with humans primarily involved bartering for food and weapons. Elven smiths specialized in crafting bows and arrows for hunters, and warriors obtained their equipment through trade.
"We are not a pawn shop, sir. We accept only cash," the receptionist responded firmly.
Upon hearing the receptionist's reply, Aria and Lagardia exchanged nods, indicating their intent to leave. As they stepped outside, they were greeted with a sight that would haunt their dreams for years to come: a naked elf woman running frantically toward them. Her body bore wounds, and the lower part of her body was stained with blood and a white substance. To Aria and Lagardia, it was a nightmare come to life.
In hot pursuit of the elf woman was a burly, muscular man. He grabbed her by the hair, yanked her head back, and slammed it against the wall with such force that her head separated from her body. Her lifeless head tumbled toward Aria and Lagardia, a gruesome sight.
Aria did not hesitate; he launched an attack on the burly man with his sword, his fury evident.