Dark Elf's Chosen: Season 1 Episode 9

Chapter 1 - SAVANNAH

I struggle to breath, and I feel sweat trickling down my forehead. The coarse sack over my head scratches my skin, blocking all light and leaving me in darkness.

All I can hear are the deep, muffled voices of men talking nearby; their words are indecipherable, and their intent is yet to become apparent. Fear clings to me like a second skin, twisting my stomach into knots.

Why did I have to follow Snoot? Venturing alone into the woods while Julius was fast asleep, convinced as usual that I could handle anything that came my way.

But now here I am, captured by who knows what, and praying that Julius has noticed my absence and is searching for me.

The sudden sound of footsteps approaching causes my breathing to hitch, and I brace myself for the worst.

With a swift motion, the sack is yanked from my head, revealing a group of dark elves, rough-looking humans, and a mysterious, shifty-looking naga slithering about in the background.

My pulse races as I take in their impassive expressions, and I can't help but tremble in fear.

'Please,' I whisper, my voice shaking with terror, 'Don’t hurt me.'

They don’t answer, merely stare at him like some prize they have just won.

Then, a voice drifts out from the shadows. 'Do not fear, my dear,' it says softly. 'It is I.'

I know that voice. It is Gilna. She’s alive, but why has she kidnapped me?

My eyes dart around, searching for the source of her voice, “Gilna? Is that you?” I ask.

Then Gilna emerges from the darkness. Her familiar face is such a welcome sight. It seems like a lifetime since I last saw it. Relief washes over me like a cleansing rain, and I can't help but smile at the sight of her.

'Gilna,' I breathe, my voice thick with emotion. 'I'm so glad you're alive.'

'And you, my dear girl,' she replies, her tone gentle.

As I look at her, I can't help but remember the chaos of the orc attack at the dark elf camp. How did she manage to escape unscathed?

So, many questions, there are always so many questions.

'Please forgive us for kidnapping you,' Gilna says, her eyes apologetic. 'It was the only way.'

'I've been kidnapped a lot lately. I’m starting to get used to it,” I say, joking, but every joke has a truth to it.

“I’m so sorry about that. I hope life has not dealt you bad cards since we parted,” Gilna says.

“It has only dealt a deeper understanding of what love is,” I tell her.

“I am pleased for you, my dear,” Gilna replies.

“But, may I ask why you kidnapped me? It seems unnecessary, given our friendship,” I say.

'I needed to talk to you away from Julius,' she explains, her voice taking a serious note.

'Julius?' My heart aches at the mention of him, and I can't help but worry about his reaction to my disappearance. 'I don’t understand.'

“You need to know the truth about Julius,” Gilna tells me.

“What truth?” I ask her.

'Julius is leading you astray. He’s using you for his own gain,' Gilna says, looking into my eyes with genuine concern.

“How? All he wants is to go home. It’s me that is preventing that. If Julius didn’t care about me, he would have left me to die in some ditch a long time ago. And, believe me, he has had the opportunity,” I tell her firmly.

“It’s all an act, Savannah. You have to believe me, child,” Gilna says.

“I am not a child, and I don’t believe you. Julius is kind and protective. He loves me,” I state.

'He's not who you think he is, Savannah,' Gilna replies.

'Really?' I reply, unconvinced. Julius has always proved trustworthy. Yes, he likes to tell tall tales and cover up his mistakes, but that is part of his charm, and our bond is strong.

Yet, could he indeed be manipulating me? Why would Gilna lie?

'Let me take you home,' Gilna implores, her voice softening. 'Your father and brother miss you terribly.'

 had the opportunity,” I tell her firmly.

“It’s all an act, Savannah. You have to believe me, child,” Gilna says.

“I am not a child, and I don’t believe you. Julius is kind and protective. He loves me,” I state.

'He's not who you think he is, Savannah,' Gilna replies.

'Really?' I reply, unconvinced. Julius has always proved trustworthy. Yes, he likes to tell tall tales and cover up his mistakes, but that is part of his charm, and our bond is strong.

Yet, could he indeed be manipulating me? Why would Gilna lie?

'Let me take you home,' Gilna implores, her voice softening. 'Your father and brother miss you terribly.'

'He’s my stepbrother and home, you say?' The word leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I can't go back there. That house...it was a prison.'

'I promise it won't be like that again,' Gilna swears, desperation shining in her eyes.

Then it came, clear as day. She had been sent by my father to bring me home. He’d probably tricked Gilna into coming here. There was no way my father would let me roam the streets of Orthani as a free woman.

'Julius is part of my journey,' I say firmly, believing our paths are intertwined. 'I can't just abandon him.'

'Please, Savannah,' Gilna pleads, her voice breaking. 'You don't understand what's at stake here.'

My heart races as I stare at Gilna, her eyes filled with a desperate intensity I've never seen before.

'Savannah, I know things about you,' she says. 'Things that go deeper than you can ever imagine.'

'Really?' I ask. She couldn’t possibly know about the change in me.

'Your destiny lies elsewhere,' she continues in a hushed tone. Away from Julius and away from this planet. Staying with him will only ruin everything that awaits you.'

'Enough!' I snap, unwilling to entertain the possibility that Julius could be a threat to me. 'My heart tells me that my destiny is with Julius. I trust him and won't let you poison my thoughts against him.'

'Please, Savannah, I'm trying to help you,' she pleads, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Her desperation feels genuine, but if my father has told her lies that she believes, she will sound sincere.

The thought of leaving Julius behind is unbearable. No, I won’t do it.

However, I get the sinking feeling that they'll take me away regardless of whether I agree or not.

If I want any chance of continuing my journey with Julius, I must play along with Gilna's plans.

I pretend to think, put my head in my hands, huff, and look up at the sky until I feel they feel I have thought it through enough.

“Gilna, do you swear what you have told me is true?” I ask her.

Yes,” Gilna replies without hesitation.

'Okay then,' I say begrudgingly, forcing myself to sound convincing. 'I'll go with you... but only if I can say goodbye to Julius first.'

Gilna thinks about that for a second or two, “Okay,” she finally says to my relief, 'But you must return to us by morning.'

'I promise,' I lie, my heart pounding as I stand up, “I shall return to you by morning.”

I turn and walk away, a free woman. I am free to return to Julius, but we must move fast.

The moon casts eerie shadows through the trees as I hurry back to our camp, my heart pounding with dread and determination. I must reach Julius as quickly as possible.

I finally reach our little camp in the valley and rush toward the still-sleeping body of my love, Julius. I am so happy to see him again.

'Julius,' I whisper urgently, kneeling beside his sleeping form. 'Wake up. We need to leave.'

He doesn't stir, his normally expressive face unnervingly still in slumber.

I shake a little harder, but still no response. I know he is alive because he is breathing normally, but yet this sleep seems to have imprisoned him.

I shake him harder, my voice getting desperate. 'Julius! You have to wake up!'

'Dammit, why won't you wake up?' I curse under my breath, choking back tears. I sit on the ground beside him, knowing that each second that passes, we lose in our escape.

'Please, Julius, don't do this to me,' I beg helplessly. I know that if we don't leave now, we'll never escape the grasp of my father.

But what can I do if he won't wake?

In desperation, I start to consider my options – should I leave Julius behind and hope we find each other again? No, I can’t leave him.

'Blast!' I shout, slamming my fist into the ground. 'This isn't how it's supposed to be.'

As I sit helpless, wishing that the dawn never comes. I realize that all is now lost.