The three now head out of the forest after a short day of walking and having small talk between the three they eventually make it out of the woods and are met with a beautiful sight, a clear view of many stars stretching across the sky. Ciaran speaks up a bit, "Noctyrium. This is the kingdom of eternal night, and the home of the dark elves."
Albions expression is cold but nervousness clearly overwhelms him, while Sylvan let's a smirk show across his face. Albion follows up from Ciaran's previous words, "This is where we were headed am I right? But I don't believe it'll be that easy, I don't think this is the last of our adventures. I don't think we are ready for this Ciaran, Sylvan. What do you think?"
Sylvan replies, "Unfortunately your right, I think we need to gather more Intel before we go rushing in and risk our own deaths."
Ciaran nods as well, "Fine, but what else do you think we should do?"
Albion smiles, "we need training and better equipment. Noctyrium is one of the most powerful and rich empire's in the continent, so we need better equipment, we all don't have the greatest equipment."
Sylvan speaks up, "Dwarven blacksmith's. If we're going to fight the dark elves then we will need the highest grade equipment, my father knew the best blacksmith of anyone on the continent. We will find him when we reach Nivaris, the underground kingdom of the Dwarves."
Ciaran has a bit of a thought, "it'll be a long journey though it's all the way across the continent it'll take us forever."
Sylvan nods, "your right, but it'll be worth the journey. That man makes nothing less than the most legendary weapons you've ever seen it's said that the weapons he makes are so powerful that with one swing a man can cut a mountain in two."
Albion is skeptical, "have you seen one do this?"
Sylvan shakes his head, "I have not, so I can't tell you it's true, but I'm just passing on what I've heard."
Albion still is a bit hesitant but he gives in, "Alright, sounds good."
On the road leading out the front gate of Noctyrium a small carriage rides, but it isn't normal there are men on it who seem to be protecting something but they are very undercover. All three of the group take note of this quickly. Albion speaks for them, "we should tail them."
The others speak in unison, "Sounds good."
They now start tailing the carriage until Albion catches a glimpse of a dark elf woman tied up in the carriage. As soon as they get far enough out Albion instantly kills the horses stopping the carriage as the others kill the bandits quickly, Sylvan shooting them precisely with his bow and Ciaran swiftly decapitating his foes with his katana like sword. Albion is now out of their attention and he makes to where he can whisper in the woman's ear, "we will save you."
He leaves his current position to help the others and ambushes the final bandit stabbing him through the stomach from behind and then decapitating him. They then shift their attention to the tied up woman who they free. As she is untied she she begins breathing slightly heavy, catching her breath. Albion speaks, "You'll be alright now ma'am."
The woman speaks, "no need to be so formal, I'm Luna, Luna Shadowheart."
All three of them instantly tense up and draw their weapons but Albion lead, "your closely related to Maliketh, what's your relation with him. Speak now or we won't hesitate to kill you."
Luna seems slightly panicked and scared but replies, "He is my father, but he doesn't even care about me, he never treated me well as a kid and even less now that I'm almost an adult. He won't even treat his own 17 year old daughter like she matters..."
Albion seems down, "I see... Alright, sorry we frightened you there but we aren't exactly friends of Maliketh or dark elves for that matter, but your different aren't you?"
Luna nods, "I hate it, Noctyrium, its so dark and gloomy all the time. And women... They're treated horribly. My mother was killed right after she gave birth."
Sylvan specifically is in visible shock and disgust, "Despicable. Those damn dark elf scum treat women as tools for giving birth when they are more than just that. Its all because of Maliketh. You said your name was Luna right. I'm sorry for everything you've been through and I would also like to introduce myself, I am Sylvan Zahiraeth but more importantly I am also your cousin, as Maliketh is technically my very great uncle."
Luna shoots up with a little too much excitement and joy, "Wow! Your my cousin? I never would've thought I would find a cousin outside of Noctyrium, I'm very happy to meet you, if you can't already notice that..."
Ciaran clears his throat, "I am Ciaran, the former king of Lionhart who is now apart of this group who is to eradicate the rule of the Noctyrium Empire."
Lune nods happy to meet him, "Ciaran huh? It's great to meet you, and wow, a former king?"
Albion speaks up as well, "I'm Albion, we're the same age, I was a prince of Elandor until a bit ago, I started this journey to avenge my father's murder but for now my goal has shifted to helping Sylvan for the sake of peace."
Luna nods a bit more nervous, "a prince? Wow, your all royalty, and I'm also very sorry for your loss... It must've been very difficult with your father being killed and all."
Albion replies, "it's alright, now I know it may be sudden to ask this but now thinking of it we need more members for this group if we want to succeed, so will you join us, Luna?"
Luna's face lights up, "yes, yes, I will, anything to get out of Noctyrium."
Albion smiles softly, "great now a bit of a follow up question, do you have any fighting experience?"
Luna nods and smiles back, "yeah, I actually do. I'm very skilled with a dagger and being quiet since I'm a dark elf, and I'm also very knowledgeable in the medical field too which may be useful..."
Albion is surprised, "wow, I wasn't expecting that, your a lot better of a fit for the team than I could've even thought."
Luna agrees, "Thank you, I'm ready for the journey whenever you all would like to leave."
They all nod, "Let's go."
They get all their stuff and head on now towards Nivaris, a long journey is ahead and there's lots of stuff that could be in store for them on the way and at Nivaris.