CHAPTER 1A

THE ELFLAND

陰陽: Last Dragons Of The Elves

Narrator (Wan):

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

And so, the prophecy came to pass. On the eve of the millennial year beneath 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 enter the cave to seize the Dragons’ Gems for himself using his Energy (Powers).

But without the Dragon Protectors, the task was near impossible. His Energy backfired. Hans died a miserable death—though his soul still lingers. Because of his greed and foolishness, the Dragon Gems and their Chosen Vessels were switched.

The Ying (Black Dragon) Successor received the Yang. (A year-old prince opens his eyes, glowing white.)

The Aglad-Lòkë (Purple Dragon) Successor was fortunate enough to bond with his true Dragon Spirit.

The Yang Successor received the Urulòkë (Red Dragon). (An elf is seen taking his newborn daughter underground in haste to protect her.)

The Red Dragon Successor was left with nothing, while the Black Dragon remained entrapped in the Dragons’ Cave.

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18 YEARS LATER

In Alväin-Central, the Capital City of Elfland, an official coach guarded by Elven soldiers carries confidential ledgers bound for the Imperial Palace.

As the coach passes a quiet pathway, it is watched 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, the sounds of struggle and combat echo—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: (Stretching out his hand to High Elf I) My spear.

High Elf I obeys, handing him the weapon. High Elf II exits the coach—only to see most of the guards lying unconscious, the others badly beaten. Then, a faint sound comes from the air. He turns, sees only a swaying flag hanging on a shop’s eaves, and readies his spear.

The sound comes again. He turns to face it—

But before he can act, the infamous Masked Thief—Elfland’s most wanted stealer—appears, seizes him, and forces him to inhale a strong sedative powder.

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

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

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

The Masked Thief stays silent. Her eyes flicker toward the silver box of ledgers. High Elf I notices, clutching it tighter.

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

The Masked Thief steps forward. Startled, he throws the star—but she bends backward, narrowly avoiding it. It lodges into a tree.

He throws another. She climbs the tree bark, dodging swiftly. He throws two more—but she flips over the coach, somersaulting mid-air, channeling Energy through her trigger fingers. Her eyes glow red as the stars reverse, pinning his garments to the tree.

He drops the box, struggling to free himself. The Masked Thief plucks two stars from the trunk and hurls them at him. He fails to repel them; they pin his sleeves tight to the bark.

She exhales, restoring her Energy to her Chi, and picks up the box.

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

She takes another pinch of powder and moves closer.

High Elf I: On attack!!

But she presses 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 subdued High Elves.

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

He confirms it 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 removes her mask, revealing her hair and face.

Her hair is red as blood, her lips rosy like a flower, her eyes earthy brown, her voice soothing as a fairy. She is the dream of every heart.

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

She buys a leaf-wrapped pack of ginger biscuits. As she heads toward her acquaintance’s shop, an elf bumps into her, knocking down her snack. He seems drunk—but he isn’t.

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

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

Elva scoffs, clenching her fist but holding calm.

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

His fellow: (Backing off) 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?! (Strikes her shoulder, the box falls.) Respect, hmph!

He laughs, pounding his chest—then suddenly clutches his ribs, coughing, sweating as if aflame. Her fist remains clenched.

Elva: (Bending close) 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.

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Bob’s Shop

Two minutes later, Elva enters Bob’s weapon store.

Bobby, nicknamed “Bob,” is a hefty man with a voice like a killer’s. Once a feared criminal, he spent twenty-eight years in prison. Now, he avoids all matters that do not benefit him. His shop—filled with weapons and rare goods, stolen or otherwise—is infamous across Elfland. His smooth hair and fair skin make his hardened life seem an odd mismatch.

Elva: Hey, Bob.

Bob: It’s Bobby. (Coldly.)

Elva: Whatever.

Bob: What do you want?

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

Bob studies the box.

Bob: This looks like an official item.

Elva: It is. Palace confidentials.

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

(She grins.)

Bob: It’s worth a gain, though.

He reaches for the box, but Elva pulls it back.

Elva: My gain first. Then the bargain.

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

Elva: Hmm… four Donelles.

Bob: You sure know how to profit.

He hands her the coins. She accepts.

Bob: Now, my gain.

(She releases the box. Bob takes it.)

Bob: Okay now. Off you go.

Elva slips the Donelles into her herb pouch and heads home by a lonely path. She enters her house—unaware that the same elf who knocked down her biscuits has been watching her with silent contempt.

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