Chapter 21: Wildfire Willows

RINA

I lay on the floor next to the ridiculously large bed. The mattress is much too soft for me, like sleeping in porridge. I stare up at the glistening crystal chandelier hanging in my room, feeling trapped by all the luxury around me. Silk is such an irritating texture and everything reeks of human. I can’t even smell the soil or the trees, not that there are many in this gods forsaken city. No one should live like this.

I thought we’d only be staying for a night but it’s been two days without any word from those noble bastards. I’m exhausted by being in this space, surrounded by humans. Their looks, their whispers. They're either very bad at hiding their disgust or they simply don’t care if I see them. Heavens forbid, I return their hostility though. They’d have my head before the day was out. Guillermo was wrong. It doesn't matter how much coin I carry or how I dress. Humans will continue to hate elves as they always have. predictable, base creatures.

Vergil was the only exception. He never made me feel less than or that my existence was a sin like these people do. No, he made me feel light, as if my burdens weren’t so great, as if there was a reason to smile in this rotten world. My friend’s foolish smile flashes in my mind and it brings me small comfort. He was always doing something ridiculous to try and get a reaction out of me, to make me smile. I remember how he used to dance around the campfire, telling us fantastical stories about ‘heroic deeds’ he accomplished before we met. It was always a nice way to take our minds off of things if only for the night. We were children telling stories in the trenches of a hopeless war and found happiness in that.

But then he was taken from me just like everyone else. Kamir, Jiro, Stefan, Layla. All comrades and fellow adventurers that I’ve seen fall into their graves. My flames sear my insides as the rage festers. I’m tired of losing the things that are important to me. I’m sick of having to say goodbye to people that made my life worth living. Now I’m left haunted by Vergil because someone else took his body? And that person is somehow the answer to all of our problems?

I know it's not Kenji’s fault, I do. He didn’t choose to be here, to be given the dawn relic. He wasn't even around when Vergil died technically. He’s brave. He didn’t hesitate to help the villagers in Mud and he even saved my life from that despicable demon. By all rights, he’s been a good companion to us. I should feel grateful but in my heart, I can't find any peace with how things turned out. I just find it all too cruel. The gods have the most sadistic sense of humor. They play with us mortals like dolls then leave us to die at the hands of hellish hounds.

Each day I’ve lived, each trial they’ve put me through carves away another piece of me. By the time we reach the end of this war, what will even be left? I feel so empty inside. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not my place to ask that question though. I’m just an adventurer after all. A soldier. I go where they tell me and kill whoever is waiting there to kill me. Emotions other than hate don't serve me in this war. I’ll just keep doing what needs to be done.

There’s a small knock on the door that interrupts my thoughts. I realize I've slightly scorched the rug underneath me as a small envelope slips under the door. After patting down the smoking embers, I retrieve the letter. It’s sealed with purple wax, stamped with the royal insignia. I crack it open impatiently and read through its contents. The letter is a summons to the castle! Finally! Kizzik was going to be downtown today and Kenji should be at the training grounds at this time. I grab my hat and my staff. Kenji’s closer so I head to him first.

It's a beautiful day as I step out of the hotel. The sun is warm, the breeze is cool and singing a pleasant melody. A stray black cat grazes my boots, purring softly. I bend down to give her some scratches under her chin. She accepts them with a warm pur.

“Are you hungry little one? Here, I have just the thing.”

I dig a bit of dried meat out from my ration bag and feed it to the cat. She chomps on it happily as I pet her.

It would be a perfect day if not for the humans glaring at me as I mind my own business. It seems I’m never truly alone in the Capital. Someone is always watching, always looking for a reason. I almost want to give them one. A woman and her child cross the street to avoid me, leering at me. They want me gone, or more likely dead. There are a number of glamor items I could use to hide my elven features, but I'd rather die. These people could never make me hate what I am.

They see elves as evil beings, descendants of the demon race and servants of Rojan. It was a vicious and false rumor spread by them in an effort to eradicate us. It likely would have worked too if the demons they claimed we served hadn't beat them to it. Sometimes I think it would be better to sit back and watch demons and humans have their war, tear each other to pieces, but I know better. I am better. They’d destroy everything, just like my home.

I still remember my village, the place I grew up among the Wildfire Willows and their amber leaves. It was a peaceful place where elves lived in harmony with nature. My mothers were guardians of our village, strong, patient, and kind. They taught me to harness the flames in my heart to protect others.

They were among the first to be slaughtered when the demon king came. He brought his army and wiped our village, our history, and our people from the land like it was nothing. The memories of their screams still echo in me but as much pain as it brings me, I will never let them be forgotten. I will never abandon my ghosts.

I bid farewell to my new friend as she scampers off into an alley, making my way down to the training grounds. As I arrive, I see Kenji get thrown on his backside by a towering woman. He jumps back up quickly only to be put back down in an instant, this time face first. Kenji spits a big wad of dirt out of his mouth before surging at her again. This time he’s sent cartwheeling out of the ring. The scene is so ridiculous that I catch myself smiling for a moment.

“It’s a very interesting technique! You move in a way that disrupts your opponent’s momentum!” The large woman says excitedly. She looks like she’s been carved out of solid marble. A monk class if I had to guess.

“Well, that’s what I’m trying to do but you’re just too fast for me.” Kenji says painfully as he dusts himself off.

As he stands, he notices me watching. Kenji’s face goes beet red under the visor.

“How long have you been standing there?” He asks.

“Long enough. I hope these aren't the techniques you plan to use in battle.” I say.

Kenji’s sparring partner hops out of the ring and greets me. “You must be one of Kenji’s friends. I’m Camilla. It's a pleasure to meet you.” She touches her forehead and bows.

I’m surprised that a human knows a traditional elf greeting. “Rina. It’s nice to meet you.”

I gesture to Kenji to come. “We got our summons. Let’s go find Kizzik.”

Kenji collects himself and joins me but not before saying goodbye to Camilla. “Thanks for sparring with me! I still have a lot to learn!”

She smiles wide, showing off her perfect teeth. “No, thank you my friend! I acquired some new techniques because of you.”

They grasp hands and with that we head out.

“Making new friends?” I ask.

“I think so. She would be a great person to keep training with if we stayed in the capital. This place is pretty great huh?” He sounds so excited.

I notice the city guard glaring at me from a distance.

“It’s fantastic.”