Dark Elf's Chosen: Season 1 Episode 4

Chapter 1 - SAVANNAH

Ithink we've finally lost them. My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath, leaning against a tree for support. The orcs have been relentless in their pursuit, but the forest is quiet now. Julius stands before me, his face etched with concern.

'Are you alright?' He asks, his eyes scanning our surroundings for any signs of danger.

'Just tired,' I whisper, trying to ignore the ache in my muscles and the pounding in my head. 'I think we're safe now.'

No sooner do the words leave my mouth than two monstrous berserker orcs drop from the trees above us, snarling and brandishing wicked, serrated blades.

“Fuck,” Julius's eyes widen in alarm, and he grabs my hand, yanking me away from the tree.

'Run!' he shouts, pulling me along as we sprint through the dense underbrush. My heart races, adrenaline pumping through my veins, fueling our desperate flight.

Julius's grip on my hand is like iron, reminding me he's determined not to let anything happen to me. His jaw is set, and there's a fierce protectiveness in his eyes that only amplifies my determination to survive.

We surge forward, branches whipping against our faces and tearing at our clothes.

'Stay close, Savannah,' Julius commands, never taking his eyes off the path ahead. 'I won't let them harm you.'

I know Julius will do whatever it takes to keep me safe, and his unyielding resolve fills me with a strength I didn't know I had. No matter how often I stumble or falter, he's there to steady me, urging me onward. Despite the overwhelming fear that threatens to consume me, I can't help but feel safer knowing Julius is by my side.

'Julius,' I gasp between ragged breaths, 'we can't outrun them forever.'

His eyes dart around, searching for an escape route or hiding place. 'I know,' he says, his voice strained but determined. 'I'll think of something. Just trust me.'

The snarling roars of the two berserker orcs echo through the trees, sending chills down my spine. I can almost feel their hot, rancid breath on the back of my neck as they relentlessly pursue us.

'They're gaining on us,' Julius pants, his eyes darting around our surroundings as we weave through the dense forest. 'We need to slow them down.'

'Can't we climb a tree or something?' I suggest, my voice shaking with fear.

'Those bastards are incredible climbers,' Julius replies grimly. 'We'd be easy prey once they realized we’re up there.'

Our desperate flight continues. It's clear that these monsters won't stop until they've torn us limb from limb, and the thought of what will happen if they catch us… I try not to think about it as we run.

'Julius,' I say, gasping for breath as my legs grow heavier with each step, 'I don't know how much longer I can do this.'

'Stay with me, Savannah,' he urges, his voice tight but steady as he grips my hand.

Through the pounding in my ears and the burning in my lungs, I cling to his words like a lifeline, using them as motivation to keep moving forward. Julius's unfaltering resolve strengthens me, and I silently vow not to let him down.

'Watch out!' Julius suddenly shouts, yanking me to one side as a massive orcish fist crashes through the foliage, narrowly missing my face. Julius smashes his fist square on the orc's face, throwing him off balance.

We have mere seconds before he recovers.

'Julius, we have to do something!' I cry, panic rising within me as the orcs continue to bear down on us. “I can’t run anymore!”

With that, Julius lifts me in his arms, throws me onto his back, and takes off at a pace faster than I have ever traveled before. With a leap, we land behind a fallen tree and Julius presses my head down.

And we wait. It’s quiet, but I can feel them still near, moving silently.

'Listen carefully,' Julius whispers, his eyes locked onto mine. 'I want you to climb that tree and hide. I'll lead them away from you, then circle back around so we can set a trap.'

'Julius, no! I won't leave you alone with those monsters!' I protest, tightening my grip on his hand.

'Trust me, Savannah,' he insists, his expression resolute. 'We don't have time to argue. If we don't act now, we're both dead.'

As much as I hate the thought of leaving Julius to face the orcs alone, and the thought of staying up in a treetop where I’d be as good as dead, I know that he's right. We need to split up if we're going to outsmart our pursuers.

'Go!' he orders, giving me a gentle shove toward the tree. I scramble up the trunk, finding purchase on its gnarled branches.

Julius wastes no time, abandoning all sense of discretion as he begins to step on tree branches and make a loud, exaggerated show of scrambling away, making as much noise as possible.

With that, both the orcs step out of the undergrowth, large evil grins on their faces. I fear for Julius, but I trust his cunningness.

He runs, and like mutts, they follow.

As soon as Julius has led the orcs out of sight, he doubles back to the tree where I am hidden. His eyes dart around the area, quickly assessing our surroundings for potential traps. Finally, he spots a cluster of thick vines hanging from a nearby branch.

'Perfect,' he mutters. Moving with practiced speed, Julius loops several vines together, fashioning them into a makeshift snare. He then ties one end to the branch and secures the other to a heavy rock, creating a counterweight.

'Jump down,' he whispers urgently, signaling me to rejoin him. With a silent nod, I drop from the tree and land beside him, eager to help in any way I can.

'Help me cover the trap with leaves and branches,' he instructs, his voice low and tense. We work quickly, disguising the snare until it's invisible against the forest floor.

'Remember,' Julius whispers, gripping my hand tightly, 'Stay hidden in the branches until I give you the signal.'

'Got it,' I reply, my voice and hands trembling slightly as I reclaim my place in the low branches.

Heavy footsteps and guttural snarls grow louder, indicating the orcs' imminent arrival. I squeeze Julius's hand one last time before we separate, each taking a position on opposite sides of the trap.

'Here!' Julius shouts, making sure to catch their attention. One of the berserker orcs charge toward him, their bloodshot eyes filled with rage and lust for violence.

'You can’t best your better,' he taunts, leaping over the hidden snare just in time. As planned, the orc follows, unable to resist the urge to attack.

As the orc steps onto the disguised snare, the trap springs into action. The vines whip around its legs, yanking it up into the air. It roars in frustration, struggling to free itself from the tight grip of the vines.

My heart hammers in my chest as I watch the trapped orc dangle helplessly above the ground, knowing I need to play my part just as well if we’re to succeed.

'Now, Savannah!' Julius calls out as he dodges the second orc's wild swings, leading it to my hiding spot.

I scream my exertion, dropping from my hiding place and swinging my bodyweight forward on the branch as hard as I can, kicking the second orc squarely in the chest. Caught off balance, it crashes into the pitfall we had prepared earlier, landing with a sickening thud. His head strikes a rock and blood begins to ooze from his split skull.

I drop to see the swinging orc land on his feet, a dagger gleaming in his hands.

Julius quickly seizes the opportunity to snatch the fallen orc's axe, twirling it in his hand as he assesses the weapon.

Then, quick as lightning, Julius turns on one foot and releases the axe through the air.

I hear the dull thud as the axe buries itself into the head of the orc. The sound of his body dropping to the forest floor is music to my ears.

“There’s a lot to be said for teamwork,” Julius grins at me, and my heart skips a beat.