Irene knew that her village was not as well-equipped as the goblins, but she was determined to do everything in her power to protect her people.
The able-fighters were exchanging opinions, devising a plan to rid of the goblins… but their situation remained bleak despite receiving the Memory Packets that Ivan gifted to them. In fact, there was more to the Memory Packets in that it didn't only provide esoteric knowledge about guerilla warfare, but also effective humanoid martial arts that every elf within their village should be able to use.
As they continued to discuss their plans, Elder Marah, the spiritual leader of the village, approached them. She had been listening to their conversation and had some wise advice to offer.
"Chief Irene," called Elder Marah. "Are we getting any help from the dark-haired elf?"
"I've tried, Elder, but he was insistent this was the only help he'd give us."
Meanwhile, Mayne, a close friend of Irene's, was busy gathering information about the goblins. When she returned, she made her report quickly. She had blonde hair and emerald eyes and was an excellent hunter and tracker. She had a wide knowledge of beasts and could read the forest like the back of her hand.
"Irene, I have some important information about the goblins," Mayne said as she approached the chief. "We are surrounded, even the secret passages that we used to have were blocked or guarded by goblin patrols. We'd be able to launch an attack on them, but I am not confident we could sustain that considering we were cut off to any source of food we could reach. They are going to starve us, and then attack us. You are right, we have to bring the fight to them.
Irene listened intently as Mayne shared her findings. She realized that they needed to be even more cautious and vigilant in their preparations. The goblins had an advantage in numbers, and they were planning to harass the elves under the cover of darkness— it had always been the goblin's strategy.
Feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, Irene turned to Ivan for help. "Ivan," she called to him from outside the dark-haired elf's laboratory. "With your powers, you can surely help us more effectively. Please, we need your direct assistance," she pleaded.
Ivan came out of his laboratory wearing a white coat over dark clothes, he seemed to be working on something and was annoyed he was disturbed in the middle of his work. "I have given the help you required, I wouldn't do more."
"Please," Irene begged, "Why are you so cold? To us? What happened to the elven rites, the traditions? Do you not respect them anymore?"
The elves have an obsession over collective will, meaning as long as you were an elf, you were one of them… and you would be obligated to unite with them regardless of selfish motivations.
But Ivan remained firm. "I'm sorry, Irene. I cannot directly intervene. The elves need to be able to fend for themselves. And I have not lied when I said that this war on your doorstep will awaken the Gifts in some of you. When this village has their Gifted again, you will thank me."
"But you could save more lives."
"I would help in a way I see fit. Do you know, there was this human saying? Give a man a fish, and you'd feed him a day, but teach a man how to fish, you'd feed them for a lifetime." He intoned.
"But I am not even a man, I am a woman… The elves here in the village are all women."
Ivan shook his head, "I'd be straightforward with you, that's primitive thinking, your reliance on the masculine part of your society was wrong. You told me yourself, there had been female chiefs and gifted among your tribe, but when it came to a fight, you'd always rely on your men… which was wrong… Even among Gifted women as I recount your history, it felt so wrong for them to be so inconsequentially inexperienced with their powers. I read Elder Marah's memories, I dreamwalked in her mind, and I saw how pathetic this village is in its core and maybe elven civilization as a whole. I was offering a helping hand through you, so I hope you wouldn't turn it away."
Irene nodded, understanding Ivan's reasoning. She knew that he had their best interests at heart and that he was right. With a heavy heart, she turned her attention back to the preparations for the battle.
"Then promise me one thing, Ivan…"
"What is it?" Ivan looked so emotionless but there was a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"You'd at least protect those who were unable to fight, wouldn't you? I will lead the abled fighter and dismantle the unruly goblins just like you wanted… I would participate in your experiments… Yes, you heard me right. If you think I don't how you look at us, then you are wrong. I will prove to you this little elf village in the boonies can be a valuable asset to you, an ally you could trust."
Irene turned around, never looking back at him.
As the sun began to set, the elves gathered at the edge of the village, ready to defend their home. Irene could see the determination and courage in their eyes, and she felt a surge of pride for her people. They were not just a tribe; they were a family, and they would fight together to protect their home.
Irene stood at the edge of the village, her heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. She glanced over at Mayne, her trusted companion, who was armed and ready beside her.
"Mayne, you are with me," Irene said firmly, adjusting the daggers at her waist and gripping the hilt of her short sword.
Mayne nodded, her emerald eyes reflecting determination as she held her bow at the ready. "Sure, Chief," she replied, her voice steady with resolve. She would primarily act as a tracker and scout, but her skill with a bow made her a formidable fighter as well.
Steph, a fellow elf with blonde hair and brown eyes, approached nervously, clutching her bow tightly. "I am nervous," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. She was part of Mayne's group, dedicated to rear checks and skilled in setting traps.
Irene looked around at the other elves who had formed into their own groups of three. "The strategy is clear," she announced, her voice commanding. "While the goblins are attacking our base, we'll directly raid their logistic supply and set traps from there. Then, we'll run around and flank them from two sides, forcing them into the forest filled with traps. Ivan promised he'd protect those who remain at the base."
Mayne furrowed her brow, glancing at Irene with a questioning look. "He is strong enough to play a significant role in this. Why isn't he fighting?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and suspicion.
Irene chose to ignore Mayne's question, knowing that debating Ivan's motives now would only serve as a distraction. "Move out," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. "Stealth is our top priority for the first part of this mission."
With that, the elves set off into the darkness, their hearts filled with determination as they prepared to face the goblin threat head-on.
The night was thick with tension as Irene and her fellow elves moved through the shadows, their footsteps light and their breaths held in anticipation. They made their way toward the goblin supply lines, their mission clear in their minds. But as they approached, the air suddenly filled with the twang of slingshots and the hiss of arrows.
"We're under attack!" Mayne shouted, her voice barely audible over the chaos. She swiftly ducked behind a tree, her bow at the ready as she scanned the darkness for their assailants.
Irene cursed under her breath, her mind racing as she tried to formulate a plan. "Steph, set up traps along the perimeter," she ordered, her voice firm despite the panic threatening to consume her. "Mayne, cover her. I'll try to draw their fire."
Steph nodded, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the trap components. Mayne took position beside her, her eyes sharp as she kept watch for any approaching enemies.
Irene darted out from behind her cover, her short sword glinting in the moonlight as she charged towards the goblin lines. Arrows whistled past her, and she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder as one grazed her skin.
But she pushed forward, her determination driving her onwards. She reached the edge of the goblin encampment and began to lay waste to their supplies, slashing through crates and barrels with ruthless efficiency.
Suddenly, a wave of goblins surged towards her, their weapons raised and their eyes gleaming with malice. Irene fought with all her strength, her sword flashing in the darkness as she defended herself against the onslaught.
But despite her efforts, the goblins seemed endless in number, and more continued to pour in from the surrounding forest. Steph cried out in pain as an arrow pierced her side, and Irene felt a pang of guilt at her inability to protect her comrade.
As the battle raged on, Irene couldn't help but feel a sense of despair creeping over her. The goblins were relentless, their attacks coordinated and precise. And as she looked around at the chaos and destruction, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were outmatched.
But she refused to give up. With gritted teeth and a steely resolve, she fought on, determined to protect her village at any cost—
As the battle raged on and casualties piled up, Irene felt a surge of despair welling up inside her. The goblins pressed harder, their numbers seemingly endless, and the elves struggled to hold their ground. But amidst the chaos and carnage, something stirred within Irene— a power long dormant, awakening in response to the dire situation.
Lightning crackled across Irene's skin, arcing between her fingertips as she instinctively reached out for a nearby arrow stuck on an already dead goblin. With newfound clarity, she strung the arrow onto her bow, channeling the raw energy coursing through her veins. With a swift motion, she released the arrow, the crackling bolt of electricity streaking toward the goblin horde.
The arrow struck true, embedding itself in the arm of a goblin warrior. But the true power of Irene's gift became apparent as the electric charge surged through the goblin's body, stunning it and those nearby. The momentary distraction provided a crucial opening for the other elven archers, who seized the opportunity to rain down arrows upon their foes.
Irene gritted her teeth as she fought alongside her fellow elves, her newfound power surging through her with each strike. But amidst the chaos of battle, she couldn't shake the guilt that weighed heavily on her heart— the loss of her comrades, the devastation wrought upon her village.
As she passed by the fallen bodies of her fellow elves, Irene's resolve only hardened. She knew that she had to push forward, to continue fighting for those who couldn't. And with each strike of her blade, each surge of lightning that lanced through the air, she reaffirmed her commitment to protecting her home and her people— no matter the cost.