Even Without Magic

Bob wobbled back, breathing heavily. His arm rose, trembling in surrender.

“I… lost…”

Bob looked at the elf girl, eyes wide in pure disbelief.

“Louise used a magic that suppresses all magic in the surroundings… No one should be able to use magic under its effect—except for the caster. And yet…” He stared at her, trembling. “You… how are you still so powerful…?”

The elf girl simply replied, her voice calm and steady,  “I never used any magic to begin with.”

Bob was stunned, unable to speak. As Strixx and I walked toward them, I stepped in front of Bob and spoke.

“Bob… we really trusted you guys. Why would you do this to us?”

Strixx clung tightly to my arm, puffing her cheeks slightly as she looked at Bob with a small pout.

“Strixx won’t forgive you… for doing those things to Luca.”

Her tone wasn’t angry--it was more like a stubborn little scolding, sweet but firm. Bob gave a crooked smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

“No hard feelings, alright? I’m just human… and a pretty greedy one, too.

Saw a chance, thought I could make something out of it. That’s all there is to it.”

The elf girl turned to him, eyes narrowing.  “I don’t want you causing any more trouble. Leave this place. And if you try anything funny again… I won’t hold back next time.”

Bob quickly nodded. “Alright, I’ve learned my lesson. Thank you, elf girl, for letting us off the hook after everything we’ve done.”

He glanced at us. “We’re sorry, Strixx… Luca.”

As the elf girl backed down, Bob stood up, glanced at the two unconscious comrades on the ground, and began to lift them up one by one. Without another word, he walked away, disappearing into the distance.

After Bob disappeared into the woods with his comrades, Strixx stepped forward, her eyes gleaming.

Miss elf you was so cool just now!!” she beamed, mimicking a little punch in the air. “You went boom! And smashed all those scary stone walls--Strixx thought you were like a real hero from a story!”

She turned to Estheria with a big, innocent grin. “Like the stories Luca tells Strixx sometimes when we walk at night… about brave people who protect others. You were just like that!” Strixx’s body swayed as she stood proudly, clearly moved by what she saw.

“Miss elf strong and cool!”

I looked at her and nodded, a warm smile forming on my face. “Yes, Miss Elf… thank you so much for saving us. I’m really, really glad you found me when you did. Strixx and I are only safe right now because of you… so, thank you--really. From the bottom of my heart.”

The elf girl glanced at us with a quiet, empty smile. “I almost forgot,” she said softly. “My name is Estheria. A… lower-class elf.”

Strixx tilted her head, then suddenly beamed. “E…sthe…ria?” she repeated, trying to pronounce it. “Strixx doesn’t know what it means, but--Estheria! sounds very beautiful! Estheria!”

Strixx then placed a hand on her chest with pride. “Strixx is Strixx!”

I stepped forward, joining in with a smile. “And I’m Luca.”

Estheria’s expression softened as she looked at us. “You two have beautiful names too.”

Strixx blinked curiously. “But, Estheria… why did you call yourself lower-class?”

I gently added, “Ah, sorry if that’s rude. We don’t really know much about elves… it’s actually our first time seeing one.”

Estheria looked down for a moment, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.“It’s just… among elves, those who can’t use magic are looked down on. I don’t have any affinity for it at all… I can’t cast even the smallest spell.”

Strixx stepped forward again, her voice firm but full of warmth. “But even without magic, Estheria… you beat them up like a real hero!”

I laughed softly and nodded. “Yeah. You saved me, saved Strixx, and fought off all those people. I mean… that was seriously cool, Estheria.”

Strixx grinned. “Estheria is a hero!”

Estheria stared at us in surprise, as if no one had ever said those words to her before. “But… I-I’m an elf,” she said, hesitating. Strixx nodded gently. 

“Strixx knows.”

I gave Estheria a soft smile and stepped forward beside Strixx. “And we’re just us. That doesn’t change how we feel. You helped us… you protected us. That’s what matters to us.”

Estheria’s hands trembled slightly as she clenched them.

 “And… I can’t use magic…”

I stepped closer, looking right at her. “And even without magic, you defeated people who did have it. You protected us.”

She looked at us, her eyes searching, unsure. “Isn’t it… weird? For elves to not have magic?”

I smiled warmly. “Well, this is the first time I’ve ever met an elf. I’ve read stories and seen drawings in books, but… you’re the first real elf I’ve seen.” “And the only thing I know,” I continued, “is that you’re strong, kind, and saved us without even needing magic.”

Strixx leaned in and gave her a wide smile. “Estheria is super strong! And very cool!”

Estheria stood there for a moment, her eyes glistening faintly, as if holding back emotions she hadn’t felt in a long time. A breeze passed through the trees, brushing her golden-blonde hair gently as the sun peeked through the canopy above.

But this time, her smile wasn’t empty. It was real a warm smile Estheria smiled gently, warmth finally returning to her eyes.

Estheria smiled and looked at us, her expression soft and warm. “Thank you, Strixx… Luca. I’m really glad I was able to help you two in time.”

Strixx tilted her head, puzzled. “But… why are you thanking Strixx and Luca? We didn’t do anything for you yet…”

Estheria let out a gentle laugh and looked at her kindly. “No no, it’s just… it’s not often I hear anyone praise me like that.”

I blinked. “Really?”

She looked between the two of us, her eyes shimmering with a quiet happiness.

“Ah--wait, that’s not true. Granny Elvia always thanks me. And young Livia too. Grandpa Lines as well… Everyone in the village treats me kindly.” She paused for a second, her smile turning a little wistful. “But… that’s just among us. Among the lower-class elves--people like me.”

Then, looking at us again, her voice softened. “But you two… Strixx, Luca… You’re the first people outside of that little world to genuinely praise me like that.”

She paused, her gaze lowering for a moment before lifting again with a soft smile. “The things you two say… they really make me happy. So… thank you, both of you. Truly.”

“You’re right,” she said softly, her gaze lifting as a smile tugged at her lips.

“I’m strong,” she added, her voice quiet for a moment as if recalling something. “I work really hard for it, after all.”

Strixx beamed, eyes shining with admiration. “Strixx wants to be strong like Estheria! So that Strixx can always protect Luca!”

Estheria blinked in surprise, then looked at her with soft eyes.

 “That reminds me… when the stone wall came crashing down toward you two earlier--Strixx, you moved so fast. You leapt forward and carried Luca out of harm’s way like it was nothing.”

She smiled, almost in awe. “You already look really strong to me.”

Strixx tilted her head, scratching it with a puzzled expression. “Strixx can run really fast… and Strixx can lift heavy things! But…” —She paused, looked at Estheria with a shy smile. “Strixx not as strong as Estheria.”

Estheria chuckled softly, her golden hair catching the filtered sunlight that slipped through the trees. She turned her gaze toward me, eyes warm and curious.

“Luca, Strixx” she said gently, “so you’re both here… was it because those people brought you here against your will, or…?”

I smiled , shaking my head slightly. “We’re travelers. We’ve been moving from place to place for months now. But we were tricked. We were heading toward the western lands, and they said they’d help us--but they ended up betraying us.”

Estheria’s smile faded. A hint of sadness crossed her face as she gave a slow nod. “I see…” she said quietly.

“In that case,” she said, placing a hand on her chest, “I’ll guide you through the Illusion Forest. I’m an elf--I know this place well. If I’m with you, we won’t get lost.”

I looked at Estheria, feeling grateful. “Thank you, Estheria,” I said sincerely. “We really owe you. You’re helping us more than we could ever ask for.”

Strixx looked up too, her eyes wide with hope.

 Estheria glanced at us both, then smiled again--gentle and full of light.

“You don’t owe me anything,” she said softly. “You’re my friends now.  Of course I’ll help you.”

But after a moment, her smile faded. Her eyes lost some of their warmth.

“You should leave this place soon. I’ll guide you… because something really bad is going to happen here..