The weight she carries

The Grand Mage straightened, his voice steady but carrying the weight of finality.

“We have a favor to ask of the three of you.”

Estheria’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression one of quiet attentiveness. “A favor?” Her voice was calm, with no hint of challenge, only polite curiosity. 

“I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to you and the council for ensuring the safety of my village, especially the lower elves. It eases my heart to know they are being cared for so diligently now.” 

She spoke with a deep, respectful tone, her demeanor warm and measured. “If there is anything I can do to assist further, Grand Mage, I will certainly do so. What is the favor you wish to ask of us?”

The Grand Mage gave a subtle nod in acknowledgment, before his gaze swept over the trio, settling once again on Estheria. His next words were firm, yet there was no malice in them--just a heavy sense of duty.

“Until this matter is fully resolved, neither the two outsiders nor you, Estheria, are permitted to leave Elfairia.”

A subtle tension settled in the room, but Estheria, ever calm, did not falter.

“This decision is not made in suspicion,” the Grand Mage continued, his tone steady. “It is in the interest of protecting all of Estheria. We must ensure that no unforeseen risks arise, and that no misunderstandings spread beyond these walls.”

He paused briefly, his expression growing more serious as he spoke again.

“Moreover, the High Elves request your assistance. All three of you. You have faced the demon threat and returned unharmed--something even our most seasoned mages were unable to accomplish. Many who were sent on similar operations have yet to return. Your experience and insight are invaluable.”

He lowered his voice slightly, his request clear. “We humbly ask for your cooperation in remaining within Elfairia and offering your aid in this matter. Will you grant us this favor?”

Estheria bowed her head, her expression sincere, eyes filled with understanding. “Of course, Grand Mage,” she replied softly, her tone earnest. “I am deeply grateful for the care you’ve taken in ensuring the safety of my people. I will respect your decision, and I will stay here for as long as needed to assist in any way I can.”

I stepped forward, My voice steady “We’re here to help Estheria, Grand Mage. Whatever she does, we’re part of it.” My words were clear, carrying the weight of a promise.

Strixx nodded firmly, her tone unwavering. “Where Estheria goes, we follow. Strixx and Luca promised her after all!

The Grand Mage nodded once more, his expression softening just slightly at their willingness. “Thank you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.”

“That’s everything I have to say,” the Grand Mage concluded, his tone final. His eyes swept over the three of us. “Come with me. I’ll be assembling the evacuation team for the outer village.”

He turned to Estheria, voice steady. “You’ll lead the team. It is your home, after all.”

The three of us nodded in unison. “Understood, Grand Mage,” I replied.

Without wasting a moment, the Grand Mage stepped forward, his pace brisk and certain. We followed close behind. By the time we crossed half the grand hall, I caught sight of a figure standing just beyond the towering doors of the Supreme Chamber.

Aeliff.

He stood still, but there was a tightness in his posture -- shoulders stiff, jaw clenched hard. As we moved past him, his eyes locked onto Estheria. His stare wasn’t just sharp -- it burned. Focused and heavy, as if all his thoughts were crashing down at once.

His lips parted, his voice low and cutting.

“He acknowledged you again… even as a lower elf with no magic affinity whatsoever.”

The words came out slow, but the bitterness inside them was sharp and hard. His eyes didn’t waver. There was something else behind them too -- something deeper. Frustration. Jealousy. A kind of quiet anger that ran colder than anything he’d shown before.

He didn’t say it, but it was clear as day: No matter what I did, I was never given that. Yet you were. Again and again.

His hand curled into a fist at his side, knuckles paling, as if that truth alone was almost too much to swallow.

“But I’ll never acknowledge you,” he muttered, as though saying it out loud was all he had left to steady himself.

Estheria slowed, glancing back at Aeliff, her expression calm -- not with pride, but with quiet resolve. Her voice, when it came, was soft and steady, carrying no defiance, only sincerity.

“Back in the academy… do you remember?” she said gently. “I once told you I wanted to be a hero.” Her lips curved faintly, not in bitterness, but in memory. “You laughed back then. You and everyone else.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. “You can laugh now too, if you want. I don’t mind.” Her voice lowered slightly, warm and sure. “The truth is… I never cared much about being acknowledged. Not by you. Not by anyone else.”

A quiet breath left her as she continued, her words carrying deeper weight. “Even if you don’t see me as one… I’ll still become a hero. Not to you --but to my people. And to my friends. I’ll protect each and every one of them.”

Her hand lowered slightly at her side, her fingers curling faintly as emotion welled deeper in her chest. “They were the ones who stood beside me when I had nothing. When I fell, it wasn’t power or magic that helped me stand again. It was them.” Her breath steadied. “I owe them everything. That’s why… no matter what happens, their safety will always come before anything else. I don’t need recognition. I only need to repay the kindness they gave me when no one else would.”

A soft smile touched her lips, clear and unshaken. “That’s enough for me.”

Aeliff’s fists tightened, his jaw clenching hard.

“ you’re just a Lowly lower elf… and yet--”

We walked past him, leaving him frozen where he stood. But only a few steps later, he rushed ahead and blocked our path, planting himself in front of us. His boots hit the ground hard, his breath sharp.

His voice came out tight and strained.

“You. Earlier—you mentioned it,” Aeliff said sharply, stepping closer. His eyes didn’t waver. “Those traces you found… the ones left behind by the higher mages who were sent into the forest for the operation. I want to see them for myself.”

Estheria met his stare, calm and steady. “I did. When I found those traces, I brought them back to my home. I kept them safe there, planning to present them properly before the High Elf Council. But we were summoned here so suddenly… I didn’t have the chance to bring them with me. We’re heading to my village now for the evacuation -- I’ll retrieve the evidence and show you then.”

“Wait--” Aeliff cut in quickly, his words faster now.

“Let me come with you.”

His pride was still there, but something else cracked through--something harder to hide.

Estheria watched him quietly, then gave a small nod. “Alright. If you want to.”

Aeliff’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tight. His voice dropped, quieter but heavier. “Don’t get the wrong idea… I’m not doing this for you. And not for anyone else either.” His gaze wavered, something flickering behind it -- something he wasn’t saying. “I need to see those traces with my own eyes. No one else. If what you found turns out to be false, I’ll be the one to prove it. I’ll be there. I’ll be the witness.”

Estheria gave a quiet smile. “Sure,” she said simply.

The four of us hurried down the steps of the grand hall, where several carriage were already lined up outside. The Grand Mage stood waiting beside them, his stance solid and unwavering.

“Estheria,” he called. “Let’s head to your village. These carriage will bring your people safely to the capital. We have no time to waste -- let’s move.”

Without hesitation, we climbed into the carriage. The wheels turned, and soon, we were racing towards Estheria’s village.

By the time all the evacuation carriage rolled into the outer village, the air was thick with urgency. We jumped down quickly. Without wasting a second, Estheria broke into a run, her voice carrying through the quiet streets as she called out to the villagers.

Before long, a crowd of lower elves gathered in the village square, faces tense and confused. Estheria turned to Strixx and me, her expression serious.

“Luca, Strixx--I have a request,” she said firmly. “Can you please bring my grandpa here? And tell him to bring what I gave him a few weeks ago.”

I tilted my head slightly. “Is it the traces?”

Estheria nodded. “It is. While you two bring him, I’ll explain everything to the villagers.”

Strixx and I shared a glance, then smiled and gave her a nod. “Understood.”

Estheria’s eyes softened, her usual calm giving way to a rare flicker of warmth. “Thank you… both of you. I’m counting on you.”

Her voice was quiet but sincere -- not just a request, but trust. That was enough to make us both nod with even more resolve before we turned and set off.

We moved fast, heading down the quiet path that led to the small house Estheria had once taken us to--back when I first arrived here, beaten and barely standing.

I called out clearly, “Elder Eldwin!”

A moment later, the old elf stepped out from the doorway. His back was straight despite the years, silver hair tied neatly at the back, and sharp eyes that softened the moment he saw us. There was always a quiet strength about him--steady and warm.

I gave a small nod of respect.

“Elder Eldwin, we need to go to Estheria. We’re heading to the capital. She also asked if you could bring what she gave you a few weeks ago.”

Strixx stood beside me, her voice bright, the words tumbling in her usual broken accent—innocent and light.

“Estheria and people… from big capital, they here! They help village. Estheria so cool… like always.”

A slow smile spread across Eldwin’s face, pride shining clear in his eyes. His chest lifted slightly, as if holding something deep inside.

“She’s always been like this… my little Estheria. Always running ahead, always trying to carry the world on those small shoulders.”

He gave us a knowing nod. “Wait here, both of you.”

He stepped back inside the house. We stood quietly, listening to the distant murmur of voices rising from the center of the village. Moments later, Elder Eldwin returned, holding a small worn pouch carefully in both hands.

“I’m sure this is what she meant,” he said, offering it gently.

I reached out and took it with care. Then I glanced at Strixx, my chest tightening just a little.

“She’s doing everything she can for this village… for everyone. Always carrying it all on herself, even when she’s alone.”

I gripped the pouch tighter and let a faint smile rise. “Let’s be there for her this time. Let’s stand beside her and help her. She doesn’t have to do it alone anymore.”

Eldwin’s smile deepened, his gaze warm and approving. “Well said. You two are good friends to her. She’s blessed to have you both by her side.”

I looked at Elder Eldwin and nodded firmly. “We’re the ones blessed… to have met her.”

Without wasting another moment, we turned and moved quickly back toward the village square. Ahead, I could already hear Estheria’s voice rising clearly, steady as she explained the situation to the gathered villagers.