A Sacrifice

Running away to hide was the only possibility left for Daniella to escape the situation. The girl had lost all hope in her own strength and intelligence in this quest for the kingdom’s safety. The enemy was already there. Her village was in havoc. Her friend was in danger and her kingdom was this close to being destroyed, and there she stood, horrified, in tears, hidden behind a hut when the entire city was in flames. She was one of the most powerful elves of her race, but she had not unlocked her power yet, making her weak and vulnerable.  

 

Five races, namely the Human, the Dwarves, the Faeries, the Elves and the Witches and Wizards, existed on Earth. Peacefully, all five races co-existed, and helped each other. As time passed, humans’ greed for power increased. Humans were cruel to the other races. When the humans went so far as to murder the other races, the leaders of each race got together and decided that it was time to abandon the humans. 

A year before the great War of Peace, when the situation in the Elven kingdom, Enthromia was in danger, Maeglin, an Elven member the secret organization that aimed for world peace, was sent down to Earth to find the lost elf and bring her back. Maeglin, unlike the other elves, had long, jet black hair and red irises. During her stay on Earth, Daniella was found to be the lost elf, and was brought back to Enthromia. She was introduced to the organization, and they trained her in numerous ways. Despite the amount of training given to her, she was unable to unlock her power. She could awaken it inside herself, but she could never release it. Slowly, but steadily, she unlocked small parts of her power 

“Maeglin! Look! I made the scissors levitate!” The brown-haired, green-eyed Daniella called out. Maeglin, who was nearby, training herself, stopped the mannequin she was training with and looked at the wide-eyed girl who laughed at her own ability. Maeglin stepped closer to her. 

“That is a particularly important portion of your journey to unlock your power, Daniella. You have been progressing steadily these days, both physically and regarding your power,” She commented, keeping her hand on Daniella’s shoulder. Daniella beamed as she watched Maeglin watch the process.  

“Careful. It looks like you are going to lose control of the scissors anytime soon. Let it down,” she told Daniella and smiled one of her rare smiles. “At this rate, you might surpass even Aunina,”  

“Of course not! Aunina is one of the most powerful witches in the world!” Daniella said as she struggled to release the scissors. Maeglin helped her release it. At that moment, another woman entered the room.  

“Hello, you two, how is it going?” She asked the two. She wore a long-sleeved dress that extended to a bit more than her knee. She had curly blonde hair and brown irises that matched her dark skin tone, with cat-like pupils. She had a bandage on her right hand.  

“Aunina! How is your hand?” Maeglin asked as she noticed the woman coming in. Aunina stopped next to Maeglin.  

“It is getting better. Chief really works out magic when he wants to,” Aunina replied. 

“Daniella just figured out how to make objects levitate. She is progressing so fast,” Maeglin said. Aunina nodded in affirmation and patted Daniella’s head. 

“You are a smart girl! Before you know it, you will be able to summon something like I do!” Aunina commented as she summoned a towel for Maeglin, who took it to wipe sweat off her face.  

“Thank you Aunina!” Daniella said. Aunina was one of the most powerful members of the organization. Just as they stopped talking, the Chief’s, Zorra, entered the room. His blonde hair was long, and his irises were blue. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked at the three of them. 

“Maeglin, Aunina, the two of you are needed at the Meeting Room. Please report immediately. Daniella. I need to talk to you. Alone,” he said. Aunina and Maeglin looked at each other. 

“You will be fine,” Maeglin said. Daniella nodded nervously before she looked back at Zorra. 

“Come on Mae, I will teleport us there,” Aunina said as she held Maeglin’s hands and teleported to the meeting room. The three other chief members of the organization. Binn, the leader of the faeries in the organization, Jinero, the leader of the dwarves, and Soro, the leader of the elves and the founder of the organization, were present. Aunina was the leader of the witches and wizards. She went up to her high seat and all four of them had their signature weapons with them. Soro held his bow and got up. His quiver was on his back, and he was fully armed. Maeglin looked at the other three. They were all as curious as she was.  

“Welcome to the council of leaders, Maeglin, I supposed all of you are wondering why I called you all here,” Soro asked.  

“Wait! But why am I here? This is the council of leaders!” She asked. 

“Because you are the most trusted one in the entire organization, Maeglin. Now listen. The Fae kingdom has been attacked. All the Faeries have been safely brought to Enthromia. The enemy’s army is coming to Enthromia next. I want the organization to be split up into three teams and watch over the remaining three kingdoms,” Soro said. Maeglin stared at the elf in shock. 

“What do you mean? I thought the enemy was still regaining his strength from the last battle which was two years ago!” Maeglin called out. 

“Listen to the leader, Young elf!” Jinero told her. “Kids these days.” Maeglin apologized to the ill-tempered dwarf and bowed to the council. 

“Jinero, she has a point. Are we at an agreement that we need to combine our forces?” Soro asked. 

“The Witch and Wizard Kingdom is with the elves, Soro,” Aunina said, standing. She summoned and raised her magical staff. The head of the staff was shaped like a crescent moon, which had a small sphere stuck inside it.  

“The faeries will cooperate. I will make sure of it,” Binn got up with a grave face and called out after Aunina sat back down. Binn crossed her hands and sat back down. “The faerie queen is not happy. She thinks I called the enemy’s forces, just because I look a little different from the others. Aunina quietly pacified Binn. Jinero sighed and got up. 

“The dwarves are with you, Lord Soro,” he said and took his whip and raised it. After a talk, Maeglin and Aunina headed back to where Zorra and Daniella were having their talk. Daniella violently hugged Maeglin right after Aunina and Maeglin entered the room. 

“I’m helping you guys in your mission!” She exclaimed. Maeglin pulled away in shock. 

“How? She doesn’t even know what her power really is!” She exclaimed.  

“I get it, Maeglin, but we need all the help we can get,” Aunina said. 

“What if she gets kidnapped?” Maeglin asked. 

“If it is for the sake of the world, we have to let it happen,” Aunina muttered. 

“No! I cannot let that happen!” Maeglin argued. 

“You are a spy, Maeglin, you cannot have emotional ties,” Aunina said. 

“My mother’s soul is present in her! I cannot let her go again!” Maeglin said. 

“No wonder you are close to Daniella,” Aunina mused.  

“What? Are you talking about the spirit that looks like you?” Daniella asked. 

“Yes,” Maeglin admitted. 

“Are you saying you are only friends with me because your mother fused her soul with mine?!” Daniella asked. Maeglin nodded. Daniella teared up. 

“That is harsh, Maeglin,” Aunina told Maeglin. Maeglin walked towards the window and looked out. 

“I am genuinely sorry for deceiving you like that,” she said.  

“How could you?! Just because you have a wonderful life, does not mean you can break the heart of others,” Daniella cried, her voice quivering. Maeglin was shocked. Aunina backed off. 

“You should not have said that Daniella,” she said. Maeglin glared at the girl. 

“I have a good life in the organization, but that does not mean I have not suffered! Choose what you say wisely, and do not assume anything about me! You do not know how it feels to be—” She stopped. 

“To be what?” Daniella asked. Maeglin pushed her off her way and walked off. 

“Forget it. I don’t expect you to forgive me, and I don’t need you to,” Maeglin said, walking off. 

“Wait!” Daniella yelled after her, but she was already gone. Aunina gave Daniella a sympathetic look. 

“Come on. Let us work on controlling your levitation, shall we?” she asked. Daniella nodded. 

 

Maeglin and Daniella were assigned to watch over the same area, to Maeglin’s dismay. She knew she had messed up her friendship with Daniella. Each of them took turns patrolling half of the village. There was an awkward silence between them as when they met each other. Maeglin had finished another round of the village and was perched on a rooftop, peering into something in the distance. Daniella, who came back, saw her there and climbed up the wall. She sat next to her and attempted to apologize for assuming about her life.  

“Hey, Maeglin? I am so–” She started. But she was abruptly cut off by Maeglin’s pointer finger on her mouth, motioning for her to stay quiet. Maeglin realized was she saw, and her eyes widened.  

“Oh mother, save us,” She muttered, scrambling to find her contact device in her pocket. She grabbed Daniella’s hand and jumped down. The two of them ran forwards as Maeglin whispered into her device. 

 

“They are approaching. I found them in large numbers, and I need backup. Please hurry,” She whispered. She looked at Daniella next and made her hide behind a hut. 

“Whatever happens, do not make any sound and do not come out,” Maeglin whispered in a hurry. “The enemy’s soldiers can outrun cheetahs, and they hear better that they can see.” Daniella nodded. Maeglin turned to walk away, when Daniella grabbed her hand. 

“Please, be safe,” She whispered. Maeglin looked at her blankly and walked away. In less than 5 minutes, Maeglin blew her horn and yelled for everyone to evacuate the place as quickly as possible. Daniella was frozen in her place. She saw black creatures rush towards Maeglin, who had difficulty blocking their attacks. She was a lion in terms of agility and strength. Daniella looked away from the fight and closed her mouth with both her hands to stop herself from screaming.  

“Where is it? Where is she? Where did you hide them?” A raspy voice said.  

“It has been destroyed and the lost elf is out of reach!” Maeglin shouted back. “In the name of Lady Naidan, my mother, you shall not get succeed in helping your master get to the throne of Enthromia!” 

“Naidan is dead! She is long gone! Her name troubles us no more!” the voice replied. Daniella heard a sudden shriek. She peeked back at the battle to see Maeglin, getting up slowly. She raised her hands. A purple fog appeared at her hands and a strong wind blew. The raspy screams of the creatures filled the air. Maeglin had manipulated air. Slowly, she lost her control and the wind died down. Half of the creatures had fled the area, but there were still many of them. Fire blazed upon the roofs of the huts. The remaining creatures kept their distance, afraid. There were hoarse whispers among them. One of them stepped forward. Maeglin was running out of energy, but she still stood. The help that she asked for did not arrive. Daniella heard pained shrieks from behind the hut. Running away to hide was the only possibility left for Daniella to escape the situation. Her heart did not want to run away. Maeglin had fought so much just to protect her, and she could not repay her by leaving her in trouble. She stood up and ran out of her hiding place. Maeglin had fallen on the ground, almost unconscious. There were cuts on her skin and a few burn marks on her face. Daniella screamed as loud as she could to catch the attention of the creatures. 

“Let her go! Have me instead!” She shouted. Maeglin looked at her. 

“Daniella, no,” she said, struggling to get up. “Run.” Daniella rushed to her side and sat beside her. Maeglin glared at her. 

“Please, Run. They are almost there. These soldiers are terrible at taking things in. Run before they notice you run!” Maeglin whispered between gasps. Daniella merely got up and went in front of her.  

“Very well, Lost Elf!” The raspy voice of the soldier in front of them said. He advanced forward. Maeglin felt a strange smell fill the air. Daniella swayed and fell. She was helpless as she saw the creature pick Daniella up. It tried to pick her up as well. 

“No! That witch is here! Let’s get out of here!” A harsh voice said. The troupe trampled off, as all consciousness left Maeglin. 

 

The next day, she woke up in a white bed, with Aunina and the Elven leader, Soro, beside her. The events of the previous day flooded her brain. Maeglin sat up. 

“Where is Daniella?” she asked, nearly in tears. 

“You did well, Maeglin,” Soro replied. Maeglin looked down and cursed herself for letting her guard down.  

“You must know this. Daniella was taken. The Enemy has sent one of his soldiers an imposter. Do not tell the imposter anything. Do you understand?” Aunina asked. Maeglin realized that this was a turning point in the battle again the enemy. Daniella was in the Enemy’s hands now, and nothing could stop Him from manipulating her.