Sylvan is a well known member of the community, as he escorts the other two throughout the town he is greeted happily by many of the town folk, paying so much attention to him that they don't even bat an eye at the fact humans are traveling with him. The three of them reach a local inn and Sylvan speaks up, "Im not sure how long you two want to stay within the city but, I will put in a good work for you. I'll tell this inn keeper that your my buddies and I might be able to get you in free for the time being."
Albion speaks humbly "Thank you for all your help, we honestly don't deserve this kind of treatment but we will gladly take it. If there's anything you need we would be willing to help out."
Sylvan seems to have a mental 'oh shit' moment as he remembers something and gets slightly serious, "actually, there is something I would like to ask you for. You see, the reason I was out scouting when I had met you two is because I was waiting for the dark elves too arrive with their army."
Shocked Ciaran asks, "really the dark elves? I mean it's obvious that the two of you had conflict but after all this time they finally decide to act on it? All those dark elves think about is war and violence."
Sylvan agrees, "who knows what they're up to but they did send us a threat that they were planning on marching into the forest to wage war on us."
Albion replies "this is pretty bad isn't it? I'm not too knowledgeable about this kinda thing but even I can tell that this isn't just an everyday thing. We're in. What do you need us to help with?"
Sylvan darkens a bit again, "I can tell you two are very strong warriors. This may be too much to ask, but we need you to fight them on the front lines alone. Our army is out focused on another war so all we have is the Zahiraeth Archer's but we can't fight an army alone. So we need you to help us, I know it's a lot especially since you will have to risk your lives but we will support from range as much as we can."
Albion and Ciaran look at each other both slightly uncertain but yet also both sure that they want to do this. Albion decides to speak up for them and he holds his hand out, "we're in, we want to help as much as we can."
Sylvan shakes Albion's hand and smirks, "thank you for agreeing to help us, I will make sure you won't regret this."
Ciaran adds, "This is a bit of a good experience as well, we'll be risking our lives but Albion here is kind of young so it'll be some experience for him."
Albion nods, "yeah it will, I will say I'm a bit nervous but I believe we can protect this place."
Sylvan replies "you all are strong but don't get too cocky, me and my team will back you up the best we can and hopefully you can defeat them."
Ciaran nods, "we won't."
Right after Ciaran's words sink in an explosion is heard and the trio rushes out and Sylvan acts quickly. "Now! Find it now and protect the people I'll find my team and we will back you up when we can!"
Albion and Ciaran both nod in sync, "Right!"
They both start running towards the explosion as they get closer to the smoke they see a small army of nearly 100 men. Albion takes a deep breath clearly very anxious but Ciaran supports him, "Kid, you got this. As your uncle I believe in you. Now let's get our asses out there and defend these people."
Albion nods and unsheathes his sword. Ciaran does the same but in a more swift manner. The army notices them and their general speaks, "humans in Zahiraeth? Hmm, that's a new one. How about I introduce myself, I am a general of the black elf empire, Killian Shadowheart. I am the brother of the great emperor Maliketh Shadowheart. Now, I will take all of you and the inferior elves lives in the name of my elder brother!"
Ciaran doesn't even show any emotions on his face and tries to cut him down but Killian parries it with his shield knocking Ciaran over. "What the hell. Albion, back me up"
Albion steps up to help Ciaran, "I'll give you all the help you need."
They both ready their swords as Killian signals his men to stay back, and Killian decided to have his sword and his shield up, ready for battle. Without any more words to be spoken they rush at each other Killian resorting to blocking their first few strikes where Albion's blows are easily deflected by the shield and so are Ciaran's. They decide to switch up their strategy as Ciaran punches Killian's shield cracking it slightly. Killian finally decides to go offensive and goes for Albion who blocks his attacks and lands a hit on Killian's leg staggering him back, this stagger although was a fake. Ciaran attempts to use this opportunity to stab Killian but being a fake, Killian slices the chest of Ciaran putting him in bad conditions instantly. Albion is slightly frozen, and far back he tries to run but he's too far away. Killian speaks, "time to die, human."
As Killian tries to slice Ciaran's head off two arrows are shot by one bow, both shots hitting each of Killian's eyes effectively blinding him and stopping him from decapitating Ciaran. These arrows were shot by Sylvan who made it just in time. "Phew, I made it just in time. Sorry I'm late."
Albion snaps out of it and rushes towards Killian and goes for the kill, but Killian. He grabs Albion's sword and throws him away. The man is blinded but he isn't ready to die. Killian screams "YOU DAMN ELVES AND HUMANS, YOU ALL ARE INFERIOR TO US DARK ELVES. WE ARE AT THE TOP ME AND MY BROTHER WILL CONQUER THE ENTIRE CONTINENT!"
Sylvan seems especially disgusted by this and heads down to speak to Killian face to face, "Lowly, Elves you say? You dark elves are just elves who have a birth defect. Most original dark elves were born of normal elf parents. If anything your worse, we are the rulers of this land of Zahiraeth and we always will be. This is my Kingdom, as the prince of Zahiraeth."
Albion and Ciaran still on the ground only now just getting up eyes widen a bit. "Prince? Sylvan, your the prince?"
Sylvan remains serious, "Yes, I am Sylvan Zahiraeth, the prince of the kingdom of Zahiraeth. My ancestors who's blood I share created this country and I will not stand for the offspring of my ancestors to ruin it."
Killian laughs harshly, "but your still lower than us no matter how much longer you have ruled you will never be stronger than my brother, Maliketh is the strongest warrior there is and ever will be!"
Sylvan, the usual optimistic and carefree elf still remains serious. "I'm done with the small talk Killian, I'm disgusted that me and you are cousins, we should've killed the very first dark elf when we had the chance."
Killian in a rush of anger still in his blind state tries to attack Sylvan but fails. "You will be the first of many dark elves I will kill, so die."
Sylvan unsheathes the sword on his back cutting him into multiple pieces. Sylvan now speaks to the army, "not a single one of you will leave here alive."
Everyone from the Zahiraeth side begins attacking the Dark Elves going just for the kill. Not even 30 minutes pass as blood and sweat engulf the field. Sylvan speaks again, "We're done here. You two meet me at the front gate of the castle at 9 pm and I'll explain everything to you two, I owe you two a few explanations. They both nod and Sylvan walks away.
Ciaran is still in bad condition, he starts coughing blood up and Albion carries him to a Doctor and his condition isn't getting better enough by 8:30 pm. Albion decides to go alone. He walks to the gate of the castle where Sylvan stands alone. "Good, your early. Where is Ciaran?"
Albion looks down, "I don't think he's doing very great, after you left h started coughing up blood and fainted. I had to carry him to the doctor. That slash did a lot of damage to him, maybe even severe damage."
Sylvan tries to comfort Albion, "He'll get through this, and we'll slaughter the dark elves together. I'm joining you two on your journey."
Albion is surprised, "You are? Don't you have an army to lead and aren't you the prince?"
Sylvan laughs, "oh yeah, I forgot. The Zahiraeth Archer's isn't a thing I lied, but I couldn't just tell you I was the prince even if I did trust you a bit. And about being a prince I already spoke with my father, and he's confirmed that I can join you as, I have interest in becoming the next king anyways. I may have lots of pride for my country and ancestors but being a king isn't my thing."
Albion is surprised, "really? I think you would make an amazing king I feel like that suits you a bit."
Sylvan accepts the compliment but shakes it off a bit, "you flatter me, anyways more about dark elves. I know your probably wondering what's so bad about them or why I hate them, it's pretty clear you don't know much about elves, but that's fine."
Albion replies, "yeah, I'm actually a prince as well, at least I was. I was framed for the death of my father and his right hand man, and Ciaran saved me, he's my uncle. My point kinda is, I'm from a very human focused kingdom and being from a royal descent I wasn't out much so I don't too many things. All I ever did was train."
Sylvan's eyes widen, "prince!? Wow, we're more similar than I thought, I'm starting to like you even more. And, I understand I honestly didn't expect you to know everything about elves."
"anyways, how about you tell me more, I'm interested in knowing why you or all the other elves dislike them."
Sylvan nods, "It's a long story but I'll start off like this. About 500 years ago before any dark elves ever existed, my great uncle decided to have a baby with his wife, but this baby when it was born they had found out it was born with a very rare birth defect that made his skin a greyish color and darkened his hair. But what wasn't obvious or known was that this birth defect for some reason made these elves life for way longer, so long that it's not even known how long they can live yet. This is because the first dark elf is still alive, you may have even heard of him. Maliketh Shadowheart, of course a name that gave himself. That man, Killian wasn't even truly Maliketh's brother it was actually his son. More on the main story though. as this new birth defect was brand new and nobody knew what it was they didn't exactly treat Maliketh like a normal person. To say the least he was treated like shit. At the age of 20 he was finally fed up with being treated like a demon and slaughtered over half of the elven race. After this he started to massively reproduce killing any child he had that wasn't a dark elf but eventually he just reproduced so much that it wasn't a problem, in the dark elf culture that became a trend and now there are millions and millions of them while there are barely even a million elves. He not only killed many of my ancestors but he ruined everything for elves. Now he just attacks us as he pleases and for generations we have protected this place from the dark elves, but that was the first time he ever sent a general so he is starting to get angry."
Albion remains serious, "that's really deep, he's just evil. No matter how badly treated you are that doesn't justify murdering tons of innocent elves."
Sylvan smiles at Albion's ambition and similar view as himself, "That's just how I feel, thank you, Albion."
Albion and Sylvan shake hands. And Sylvan speaks now, "let's go see Ciaran, I want to head out as soon as we can, its always been a dream of mine to travel with a group especially for such a great cause."
Albion agrees, "let's go."
They go into the hospital and check in before heading to see Ciaran who is still unconscious. He lays there a giant slash wound covered in bandages around him, the doctor tells them that he is fine and is beginning to get better. Eventually, Ciaran wakes up instantly thinking of Albion, "Albion, where is he?"
Albion chuckles, "I'm right here."
A few tears come out of Ciaran's eyes, "I really glad your safe."
Sylvan smiles at this view but interrupts, "Hey Ciaran, me and Albion have spoken and we got some news."
Ciaran is a bit confused but asks after wiping a few of his tears, "what of? I'm listening."
Sylvan smiles and goes on, "I have decided to travel with the two of you, as we will be slaughtering the entire empire of Noctyrium, which I'm sure your already aware of what that is, I presume."
"Yes, the kingdom of dark elves if I'm not mistaken?"
"You would be correct, it's ruled by the emperor, Maliketh Shadowheart."
"I've heard he's pure evil, what do you know of it?"
"I believe he is, but I haven't experienced his wrath first-hand yet."
"Alright, well we're in."
Sylvan smiles at the acceptance of his plan, "well, we'll plan to head out when you recover, alright?"
He nods, "sounds good."
Albion is currently staring off into the ceiling, Ciaran check on him, "sound good to you Albion?"
Albion snaps out of it and quickly responds, "yep sounds good."
They will head out after Ciaran recovers.
A few days later of Albion and the others getting closer and waiting on Ciaran's recovery, they finally get up and ready standing at the exit of Zahiraeth. Sylvan looks at his home, as this is his first time leaving to go on a journey, "I'm actually quite happy, I love my home a lot. The people, the sights, everything, but a new journey is beginning, and I'm thankful for everything my life has been up to now and I'm only hoping for better as I look forward. Goodbye, Zahiraeth."
He turns around his back now facing his home, ready to proceed in his journey. Just the three of them ready for anything to come.