"A long time ago, a shocking event unfolded," the old man began, settling back in his chair, his eyes drifting into the distance as if he were peering through the mists of time. "It altered the very fabric of the relationship between humans and elves and reshaped the power dynamics within the elven community. The consequences were dire, leading to a drastic decline in the elven population, nearly driving them to extinction."
His grandson, perched on the edge of his seat, interrupted with an impatient frown. "Grandpa, can you please get to the point? A bedtime story shouldn't take this long!"
The old man raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting playfully. "You can listen, or I'll call your mother to come in and give you a proper lecture."
With a resigned sigh, the little boy nodded. "Alright, alright! Just try to be quicker. This happened hundreds of years ago, after all."
"Has it been that long?" The old man pondered aloud, a hint of surprise crossing his features. His long, snow-white hair framed his pointed ears, evidence of his elven heritage. "Time flies, doesn't it?"
---
Oliver felt a wave of frustration wash over him. "Two days of waiting?" he thought, irritated. "If something's brewing, I should be there to help. But if the issue is too grand, my presence might not even matter."
He had initially been on guard for an attack from the Black Crow faction, focused solely on them. He never anticipated that the elves might strike first. The realization hit him, but instead of feeling alarmed, he found a wry smile creeping onto his face. This was all part of his teacher's elaborate plan.
It was as if he were a reluctant passenger on a pirate ship: once aboard, he was bound by her decisions. The way she steered the ship was beyond his control; he merely had to keep his eyes open and stay out of her way. Any attempt to intervene would not only be futile but would also insult her intelligence.
He likened it to hauling buckets of icy river water from miles away, only to discover upon returning home that she had already set up a pipeline. It didn't change anything for her or for him, but it left him feeling inexplicably uneasy.
---
"Grandpa, what kind of person was that so-called teacher of yours?" the boy asked, curiosity piqued.
The old man scratched his head, a look of sheepishness on his face. "Even if you ask, I can't answer. I was just a young elf, barely aware of the world around me back then."
"Really? You've got to have some stories!" The boy's disappointment was evident as his shoulders slumped.
"Enough with the million questions!" the old man huffed, trying to maintain his composure. "Can't you just listen to the story without constantly interrupting?"
---
As time passed, Oliver felt the fleeting nature of the two days. For humans, it might seem brief, but even for him, time slipped away quickly. Throughout that period, the two elves opposite him remained steadfast, not leaving for meals, sleep, or even bathroom breaks. They stayed vigilant, their focus unwavering.
Dawn broke on the horizon, illuminating the sky with a warm, golden light that chased away the lingering darkness. Oliver stood, brushing off the dust that had settled on him. He refrained from directly urging them; after all, they had previously stated that Aegnor's order could only be given once and had to be followed through.
He pondered what that singular command could have been, and while he anticipated a possible attack after their two-day deadline, the elves surprised him. Instead of making a move against him, they simply turned and walked in different directions, leaving him standing alone, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind.
"Looks like everything's settled now. Time to head out." Oliver scratched his head, still feeling a bit puzzled by how smoothly things had turned out. Something didn't sit right with him, but for the moment, there didn't seem to be much else to do.
---
Two days earlier, Aegnor had been seated comfortably, his eyes sharp and focused. "This time, I'm asking you to keep a close eye on him," he had said calmly, "but don't kill him."
Plamon, standing nearby, crossed his arms with a frown. "Why bother watching him when we could just end it? Why let him live?"
Aegnor's expression remained unbothered. "Before now, I needed you to push him to his limits, to test whether his skills had weakened after being away for so long. Based on your confrontation, it's clear his abilities haven't faded much. He managed to slip past you by chance, but he's still sharp. That's all I needed to know." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "From now on, you're just to watch him, make sure he doesn't do anything reckless. You only need to hold him off for two days."
With that, Aegnor picked up a sheet of parchment and casually tore it to pieces, as if dismissing the matter.
Plamon, clearly unhappy about being used as a pawn, grumbled. "And after two days? What then?" His voice held an edge of frustration. He hated feeling like a tool, and the idea of being a mere test irritated him deeply.
Aegnor raised an eyebrow, his demeanor still cool and composed. "Then, something like the death of all the elves could happen," he stated plainly, causing both Plamon and Harvey to stiffen in shock.
Plamon's eyes narrowed, his posture shifting. "Are you threatening me?" His voice grew dangerous. Now that the final order had been given, Aegnor could no longer command them, and Plamon knew he had the power to end the human's life at any moment.
Aegnor didn't flinch. "No, it's not a threat," he said with eerie calm. "It's just one of many possibilities."
"Why do you believe all the elves will die?" Harvey, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke up, her voice steady but with a hint of tension.
Aegnor stretched his neck as if loosening up after a long day. "Because, out of all the possible outcomes, it's the largest and most likely. You'll understand the full picture in two days."
"Two more days?" Plamon muttered, his irritation evident. He hated being kept in suspense.
Aegnor sighed, his patience wearing thin. "You really are an impatient lot, aren't you? Yes, two days. Whether you believe it or not, that's how long you have to wait."
Harvey nodded slightly, stepping forward. "And after these two days, we'll be free to act as we choose?"
"Exactly," Aegnor confirmed. "After that, you can do whatever you wish."
With that, Harvey turned and walked out without another word. Plamon, still grumbling, cast a final glance at Aegnor before following her.
Once they were gone, Aegnor leaned back into his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. His teacher had always known how to manipulate people, and it seemed he had inherited that talent. Not only could he predict which elves would appear, but he had also deduced their weaknesses from subtle clues.
Plamon, with his impulsive nature, was easy to bait with just a hint of suspense. Harvey, driven by her sense of duty to protect the elves, was straightforward. Controlling them had been simple, almost too easy.
The real wildcard had been Li Lu, but even she had been taken care of, her fate sealed by another's actions, ensuring she wouldn't interfere.
Pulling out a notebook, Aegnor quickly reviewed his notes on Oliver. His former classmate's combat skills and reconnaissance abilities were still impressive. Oliver could be an asset as a soldier if needed, but Aegnor knew his role was coming to an end. The next move in the game would be the final one in the elven lands, both the first and last step in this chapter of his life.
With a deep yawn, Aegnor glanced out the window. The weight of sleepless nights, constant plotting, and the relentless anxiety of his position bore down on him. Finally, after days of watching everything unfold, the end was in sight. He longed for rest, but the truth was, he had no idea where to find it. How long had it been since he'd experienced any real peace?
He sighed, recalling the distant days of carefree enjoyment, days that had vanished ever since his rise to power. The climb had been quick and relentless, and he had paid for it with sleepless nights and a mind constantly working in overdrive.
"Disgusting," he muttered to himself, disgusted not just with the world, but perhaps more with how far he had allowed himself to fall into this web of schemes and shadows.
Before he knew it, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into sleep, his thoughts swirling with unfinished plans and lingering doubts.