CHAPTER 1

THE ELFLAND

陰陽: Last Dragons Of The Elves

CHAPTER 1

Narrator (Wan):

In the Elfland, a thousand years after the great Elf war, the four Dragon Spirits, each sealed within their specific Gems, were locked away in the Dragons'Cave by the two Elven Dragon Protectors (Wen and I; 文和我). A prophecy was then made: that after a millennium, the Dragon Spirits would be released to the four Chosen Successors on the night of the Silv’ry Moon.

And the prophecy came to pass. On the eve of the millennial year under the Silv'ry Moon, as the four Dragon Gems were about to be released, Hans—the husband of Lady Raphaela, Madame of the Red Elven Enchantresses—tried to access the cave to harness the Dragons’ Gems all for himself using his Energy (Powers). Little did he know that without the Dragon Protectors, the mission was nearly impossible.

His Energy backfired, and Hans died a miserable death—though his soul still exists. As a consequence of his greed and foolishness, the Dragons’ Gems and their Chosen Vessels were switched.

The Ying (Black Dragon) Successor got the Yang (a year-old prince opens his eyes, glowing white). The Aglad-Lòkë (Purple Dragon) Successor was lucky enough to get his true Dragon Spirit. The Yang Successor got the Urulòkë (Red Dragon)—an elf is seen taking his newborn daughter underground in a hurry to protect her. The Red Dragon Successor is left with nothing, and the Black Dragon remains entrapped in the Dragons’ Cave.

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18 YEARS LATER

In Alväin-Central (Capital City of Elfland), an official coach guarded by Elven soldiers is transporting confidential ledgers to the Imperial Palace. As the coach passes a quiet pathway, it is eyed stealthily by a nose-masked elf.

Inside the coach:

High Elf I: These confidential scrolls need to get to the Elflord quickly, without any hindrance.

High Elf II: You're right, mate. The guards are enough to avoid what happened last time.

High Elf I: Hm...

Suddenly, noises of struggle and combat are heard—even from the roof of the coach—and it halts.

High Elf I: What’s that?

High Elf II: I don’t know.

High Elf I: (Trembling in fear) It can’t be the Masked Thief, can it?

High Elf II: (Looking up and stretching his hand to High Elf I) My spear.

High Elf I does as asked, and High Elf II exits the coach. To his astonishment, most of the guards lie unconscious—others, beaten. Then, he hears a sound in the air. He turns, sees only a hanging flag swaying on a shop’s eaves, and readies his spear. The sound comes again. He turns to it one last time—but before he can act, the famous Masked Thief (Elfland’s most wanted stealer) grabs him and makes him sniff a strong sedative powder.

Masked Thief: (Whispers gently) Sleep, my dear.

High Elf II drops unconscious. The Masked Thief gently lays him down, dusts her hands, and immediately dodges a throwing star from her left side. She looks to the right—High Elf I.

High Elf I: (Wheezing, holding another throwing star) Aren’t you just tired of stealing?

She doesn’t respond. Her eyes shift to the silver box containing the ledgers. High Elf I notices and hugs the box tightly.

High Elf I: (Pointing the throwing star) I am a High Elf of the First Rank. Have some dignity—and make way!!

The Masked Thief remains silent for a moment, then steps forward. Startled, he throws the star—but she bends backward, narrowly avoiding it. It hits a tree.

She moves closer; he tosses another. She climbs the tree bark to dodge. He throws two more—she flips over the coach and, while somersaulting midair, channels Energy through her trigger fingers. Her eyes glow red as the stars reverse and pin each side of his garment to the tree.

He drops the box while trying to free himself. The Masked Thief plucks two stars from the tree and hurls them at him. He fails to repel them, and they pin both sleeves of his robe to the trunk.

The Masked Thief breathes deeply, restoring her Energy to her Chi. She walks over and picks up the box.

High Elf I: (Struggling) You’ll be caught someday. And when you are, you’ll be executed!

She takes a pinch of sedative powder. As she moves closer to make him sniff it, he yells:

High Elf I: On attack!!

But she forces the powder into his nose. He goes still.

Masked Thief: (Shakes her head) Talkative.

Just then, Palace Elven-Soldiers arrive. They find the unconscious guards and the two High Elves.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Inspecting the scene) The Masked Thief was here.

He confirms this after touching a trace of the sedative.

Assistant Royal Commander: Take them to the palace.

Guards: Yes, sir!

Meanwhile, the Masked Thief—Elva—slips into an alley and uncovers her hair, middle, and lower face. And oh boy... she turns out to be the dream of every male’s heart.

Her hair is red as blood, her voice soothing as a fairy, lips rosy like a flower, and her eyes—brown as earth.

Elva: (Glancing at the box with a smirk) Another day, another worth. Mm, I deserve a snack.

She dons a hood to cover her outfit, buys a leaf-wrapped pack of ginger biscuits, and walks toward her acquaintance’s shop. Suddenly, an elf bumps into her, knocking down her snack. He appears drunk—but he isn’t.

His fellow: (Nudging him) Why did you do that?

Elva clenches her fist, staying calm.

Elf: (Sarcastic laugh) Why so stressed? She can’t do anything.

Elva scoffs.

His fellow: You don’t know wh—

Elva: Uh, pardon me? Are you alright? You’re not blind, are you?

His fellow: (Takes three steps back)

Elf: Excuse you, pretty maiden, but it seems you don’t know who you’re speaking to.

Elva: And I don’t think you do either. (To his friend) Hey, I know you...

His fellow: Elva, wait. Don’t react—he’s new here.

Elva: Tsk, I see. Then kindly teach him his place.

His fellow: Got that. (Grabs the elf’s hand) Let’s go.

Elf: (Pulling away) No edging way! Who is she to tell me my place, huh?! (He strikes her shoulder and the box falls) Respect, hmph!

He pounds his chest, laughing. Suddenly, he clutches his ribs, coughing. He drops to his knees, sweating as though on fire. Her fist remains clenched.

Elva: (Bending over) I advise you to know your place in this district. And don’t ever, ever cross me again. Got it?

She releases her fist, picks up the box, and walks away. Two minutes later, she enters Bob’s shop.

Bobby, nickname "Bob", is a hefty simple man. His voice as that of a dreadful killer which he was before serving 28 years in prison, stayed off the lanes of what didn't benefit him or concern him. An elf believed to only love his weapon store which was well known in all lands of the hooligans and a trader of valuable goods whether stolen or whatsoever. His skin light and hair smooth made people wonder how could a fine built man be so desolate. Certainly what a waste they usually think.

Elva: Hey, Bob.

Bob: It’s Bobby. (He replies coldly.)

Elva: Whatever.

Bob: What do you want?

Elva: (Bangs the box on the table with a sneer) A bargain. Again.

Bob: (Studying the box) This looks like an official item.

Elva: It is. It contains palace confidential.

Bob: Let me guess—you sabotaged a coach again.

She grins.

Bob: It’s worth a gain, though.

He attempts to touch the box, but Elva pulls it back.

Elva: (Gesturing) My gain, then the bargain.

Bob: (Sighs, withdrawing his hand) How much?

Elva: Hmm, let’s say... four Donelles.

Bob: You sure know how to profit.

He hands her the requested amount. She accepts.

Bob: Now, my gain.

Elva releases the box. Bob takes it.

Bob: Okay now. Off you go.

Elva places the Donelles (upper coins) in her herb pouch and heads home through a narrow, lonely path. She reaches a door and enters. Unknown to her, the same elf who knocked down her ginger biscuits has been watching her with silent contempt.

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At the Imperial Palace – Interrogation Bureau

The Assistant Royal Commander reports the matter of the theft to the Royal Commandant.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Showing him a sample of the sedative used in the crime) Here's our evidence, Commandant.

Royal Commandant: (Takes the cloth where the powder is sprinkled) Hm. (To an Elven-Soldier) Get the Noble Apothecary.

Elven-Soldier: Yes, Commander in Chief. (Exits.)

Royal Commandant: We must verify the facts.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Nods) Agreed.

Noble Apothecary: (Entering) You requested me, Commandant?

Royal Commandant: Yes. (Hands over the cloth) Please test this powder.

With a respectful nod and sleeve adjustment, the Apothecary sprinkles the powder into a green liquid. It slowly turns white.

Noble Apothecary: Indeed, it matches prior samples—but slightly stronger. This substance not only induces sleep but also renders the victim temporarily mute and forgetful of recent events. May I ask—same source?

Royal Commandant: Yes, it is. A new weapon... but surely dangerous.

Assistant Royal Commander: Only one person deals in items like this. But I doubt he’s in the city.

Royal Commandant: (A soft ring echoes in his mind.)

The Voice: Seek.

Royal Commandant: Gather some men.

Assistant Royal Commander: Yes, Commandant.

As he’s about to leave, a soldier enters.

Elven-Soldier: Commander in Chief. (Salutes) The Elflord requests your presence.

Royal Commandant: I hear you. You may go. (He exits.) (To his second) Go with the men. Report upon return.

Assistant Royal Commander: Yes, sir. (Salutes and leaves.)

---

Early at dawn, at Bob’s Shop

The soldiers arrive.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Flashes an official scroll at Bob) By order of the Interrogation Guild, we are here to question you.

Bob: Yeah, yeah, state your business and leave.

They show him a sketch of the Masked Thief.

Assistant Royal Commander: Do you know this elf?

Bob places down the metal he’s fixing and stares at the sketch—and then into the Commander's eyes.

Bob: What does the Masked Thief have to do with me?

Assistant Royal Commander: (Sitting) Oh, I believe—plenty.

He lays the cloth with the powder on the wooden slab.

Bob: What’s that?

Assistant Royal Commander: I should ask you. (Bob raises a brow.) It’s the famous sedative your masked friend uses. Rare and precise. And when it’s rare—you come to mind.

Bob: You're quite certain. Why not arrest me?

Assistant Royal Commander: We know the Thief is female. And being the most wanted criminal, she chooses her allies... carefully. (Smirks.)

Bob: (Heaves) Smart.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Rising) Let’s make it easy.

A soldier places a pouch of ruby coins on the slab.

Assistant Royal Commander: That should clear things up.

Bob: I don’t want your coins. I’ll protect what I know.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Trying to remain calm) Look—you love possessions. Here’s your chance.

Bob: Hss. Some things are more important than wealth. I know the Masked Thief. But her secrets won’t come from me. If there's nothing else, leave my shop.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Slams the slab) Listen, Ithnil—!

Just then, the elf who knocked down Elva’s snacks walks up.

Elf: Wait. May I see that sketch again? I think I recognize her. (Feigning innocence.)

They show him the sketch. Recalling Elva’s face, he nods.

Elf: I see a resemblance. I even know her location.

Assistant Royal Commander: Well, now you’re speaking my language. Lead the way.

Elf: [She’s not the criminal—but I know they’ll interrogate her painfully. That’s enough for me.]

He leads the soldiers away.

---

At the Imperial Palace – Throne Room

Elflord: (To his Senior Attendant) Where is my eldest son, Rupert?

Senior Attendant: He is meditating, Regal Elflord.

In a noble chamber, the eldest Imperial Prince sits cross-legged on a gem mat, meditating. His face is hidden—only his pink lips visible—as he struggles to connect with a being in the spirit realm.

---

Meanwhile, Elva is beneath her house in an underground residence tidying up. Suddenly, she feels weak and dizzy.

Elva: (Falls beside a table) Not again...

Above, the soldiers arrive at her residence.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Suspicious) There’s nothing here. Are you tricking us?

Elf: No—I swear! She entered and never came out. I even marked the door.

That proof calms his suspicion.

Assistant Royal Commander: We’re dealing with criminals. They’ll have a hidden area. Search harder!

Elven-Soldiers: Yes, Commander!

They scour every corner. One discovers a trapdoor.

Elven-Soldier: Second-in-Command! I found something!

They descend into the tunnel. Elva, hiding in shadows, breathes quietly, trying to stay conscious.

Elva: (Sneers) Hunting offenders, are we? [I need to get out of here.]

She creeps toward an exit—but her body fails her. She collapses. They find her, lift her by the arms, and compare her face to the sketch.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Lifts her chin) Same eyes. Same mole. Care to explain?

Elva: [Darn, I forgot to hide the mole] (Pleading) Please help me...

Assistant Royal Commander: [She looks innocent...] (To a soldier) Take her to the Royal Examine Castle. She’s an ally of the Masked Thief.

Elva: No—I’m not! Judge me properly!

Her pleading eyes trouble the soldiers.

Assistant Royal Commander: Still... (Persuaded) Treat her.

Elven-Soldier: Yes, Commander!

Assistant Royal Commander: Why run if you’re innocent?

Elva: (Losing strength) You... chased me... I’m... innocent...

Another Soldier: Lies. Sir, I found this.

He presents a brown-wrapped leaf. Elva panics. They unwrap it—revealing the Masked Thief’s outfit.

Elven-Soldier: This... (Glances at Elva) This ælfen can’t really be...

He stops.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Smiling) As naughty as ever. (Kneels before her) Still want to explain?

Elva: (Weak, angry) Get lost.

Assistant Royal Commander: (Smiles wider) It’s really you. What a glorious outcome. (To soldiers) Take her.

They return to the main cabin. The elf is rewarded by the Assistant Royal Commander.

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Narrator:

Oh dear, what will become of the female lead? Will she be executed—as custom demands? Or will some phenomenon prevent tragedy from falling upon her?

All will be discovered in the next chapter.

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NOTE: Wendi is an Elven word for girl.

Ælfen is an Elven word for female.

'[]' is used to indicate thoughts.

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