Chapter 33:Well wishers(Bonus)

Atheline had just finished collecting a part of his prize when he noticed something was wrong.

While the forest had been quiet to begin with this time, it just felt off. Goosebumps developed on the back of his neck.

Someone was watching him, the eyes felt as though they were coming from everywhere scrutinising him.

He closed his eyes for a second and felt the wind.

He drew his bow his wind surrounding him. He aimed it to his right and then released it.

The arrow shot towards the intended direction but suddenly curved to the left.

There was a small shriek before a blood bat fell from the tree. It sank into the murk near it.

Atheline didn’t move from his position among the trees.

"There is no need to hurt an innocent bird," a female voice came from behind the trees the bat was in," how heartless can you be?"

Atheline’s body tensed even more. He had felt her presence but couldn’t pin her location. It was as if something was messing with his senses.

"Who are you?" He asked cautiously.

His arrow was still pointed towards her location. She emerged from behind the tree.

Dressed in dark robes that seemed to swallow the darkness itself and half her face covered. Atheline only got a glimpse of her red eyes.

He knew immediately it wasn’t a high elf since they would never wear something so dark. They preferred brighter colors.

Unless it was a rogue elf he’s never heard of.

Two more people emerged, also dressed the same. It was clear they were trying to keep their identity a secret.

"Who are you?" He asked again his voice growing colder.

The woman chuckled.

"How feisty, I get why she wanted you," she said her tone almost playful but also mocking.

Atheline looked at her in confusion.

’

Who wanted me?’

Atheline wasn’t about to get distracted.

"Just tell me who you are?" He repeated.

The woman sighed.

"As you wish.." she said in resignation, " I’m just someone who cannot stand seeing you suffer."

Her voice almost felt convincing but Atheline was left even more confused.

’

What the fuck?’

"I don’t remember suffering at all," he said calmly but his voice was edged with caution, "I think you’ve gotten the wrong elf."

The woman burst into full-on laughter.

"How pitiful you are, you do not see it, do you?" She said mockingly, "How sad."

Atheline bristled.

"Just tell me who you are!" He snapped his calm vanishing.

The woman had clearly come for him.

He didn’t want to continue this meaningless back and forth. The group seemed to have come to stir up trouble with him.

The woman sighed loudly and nodded.

"We are just well-wishers you see." She tilted her head a little, " There is....something you need to hear since you seem to be thoroughly oblivious. "

Atheline’s gaze zeroed in on the woman.

"What is it?"

"You’ve been meeting someone in the outer forest," she said.

It wasn’t a question. The way she said it in a tone that showed it was true.

Atheline’s body stilled, and he paused but he shook it off moments later.

He didn’t lower his weapon.

Then...

"That’s not exactly forbidden," he said evenly his expression remaining the same, " last I checked, I don’t require permission to train."

"Not for training, " she said her eyes locked onto him," you know who you’ve been meeting...HER."

Atheline’s expressions didn’t change but for a second it felt as though he had been stripped naked.

He never tried to hide, he didn’t see a reason to when what he was doing was perfectly normal but she made it sound like it was something bad.

Something to be hidden and forbidden.

"I don’t know what you are implying," he said.

The woman shook her head a little a small chuckle escaped her.

"Then let me be clear."

She stepped forward and came to a stop a few steps from him. The tension seemed to grow with each step. Atheline’s stomach knotted around itself.

"The woman you’ve been seeing..... the one with the dark hair, golden eyes and insignias on her body..."

Atheline’s fingers twitched. This caused the bow to slip just a little in his hands. A fatal mistake during battle.

"...Is not who you think she is."

Atheline lowered his bow but his Aether didn’t stop circulating.

A cold sensation crept down his spine, an unwelcome feeling.

"And who exactly do you think she is?" He asked, his voice quieter now.

Atheline exhaled, as if bracing himself for the worst. Her serious tone was starting to get to him.

"Atheline... the information I’m going to give you is thoroughly verified."

Atheline frowned. Verified. Why would she emphasize that?

’

Do they think I’ll assume it’s a rumour’

"The individual you’ve been in contact with," she said," is the Dark elf queen."

The words hang in the air between them, like a knife aimed at him. Clear and precise.

Atheline blinked once.

"No," he said immediately with finality.

Certainty.

He didn’t even need to think twice or ponder the ridiculousness he was hearing. They were clearly there to cause trouble with him.

The woman watched him carefully.

"You’re quick to reject it."

"Because it’s wrong," Atheline replied sharper now," you’re talking about someone who....."

He stopped. The images together resurfaced. The careless authority she carried, her abnormal strength, her calm demeanour, and the ceaseless cruelty she had shown during practice at the camp.

His jaws tightened.

"....you’re mistaken, " he finished, though his certainty had thinned.

Her position was high in the dark elf military her actions and the display of power were to be expected.

’

There is just no way its my Lily, they’re definitely wrong’