Hykings - {Progression Fantasy}

Since the very moment she had met her, Lucine had carefully observed the princess.

Every day, they stood on that balcony, bidding the morning moon farewell as their day started. The dark elf would look towards that fading moon, taking in every second of it she could.

However, whenever that fleeting moment ended, one thing had always kept it going. And all she had to do was look beside her.

The smile of a radiant starflower, shining brighter than anything ever could.

The deep down, contained bud hadn't realized it until the barriers around it finally shattered.

The princess had always been full of emotions, whether it was joy or sadness, she shined with every feeling she had.

Although no one had ever cried for the dark elf, that starflower had.

Although no one had ever apologized to the dark elf, that princess had.

And although no one could ever break through the barriers around that dark elf's heart, Tilla had.

For there was nothing more contagious than the blossoming emotions of the morning moon.

The very same one Lucine could not help but stare at in the distant sky as the princess embraced her tightly.

"Very well, princess." She said, gently tapping on Tilla's back. "You win."

With eyes full of hope for her friend, the light elf royalty began to sit up.

"I will go with you." Lucine proclaimed, her back still to the floor.

"!"

The dark elf lowered her mask down to her neck, revealing her thin lips. After another moment of thought, she pushed herself up, coming to sit face to face with the princess.

"I shall become your guardian once more. This time, a true guardian." She announced, letting her soft gray eyes meet the gleaming blue watching her. "If you would have me."

After what she had done, knowing who she was, Lucine still had doubts she would be accepted. No, perhaps she had known her doubts were unfounded, she was yet to understand these kinds of emotions.

Now, all that she wanted…

"I don't care about that, dummy."

"?"

Tilla wiped her tears and stood up while fixing the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"I'm just glad we're going to be together!"

The smile stirred another tightness in the dark elf's heart.

The same smile she had always been drawn to. Just like the call of the moon she had always rejected.

Not far away from the two friends finally beginning to connect to each other, a half elf had overheard it all while steering his ship.

"Heh!" Jurgen snickered, adjusting the helm made of the same wooden material. He glanced back before announcing with a loud voice. "That's my girl! Let's go! Tartarus, here we come!"

The ship made entirely of Sapphire Wood sailed into the open sea, leaving the royal kingdom of the elves, and the Liamen'Iur clan behind.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

A half elf who no longer had anything on that island, a royal light elf princess who abandoned everything dear to her in that kingdom, and a dark elf who just began to realize what was dear to her…

Their long adventure had just begun.

However, their journey to Tartarus had not been easy. They encountered many hardships on their way.

When they got chased by ships in seas where sailing was rare, Jurgen's extraordinary helmsman skills ensured none could track or catch up to them.

When they stopped to restock, and Tilla made sure to buy her aloof friend some clothes to cover herself with, they noticed a dwarf getting chased by some white cloaks. They instantly aided him, and then recruited him on board the ship.

When they got swarmed by dark elves sent after them to retrieve the princess, they received help from a former hitman wearing an ink mask over his head. In return, he simply asked to board Skidbladnir with his wife and daughter.

Same as the three starting elves, everyone on board had their own reasons for fleeing to Tartarus, the continent reserved for criminals and outlaws,

However, unlike the residents of that dark continent, for the ones on board Skidbladnir, the dark island was to be their new home.

**👑**

"So, let me get this straight…" Lawkey shook his light gourd before putting it aside. "These elves escaped a royal clan, and since one of them was part of the royal family, they are constantly being chased. That's why they came here to Tartarus, where royal clans have little power."

"Good on ya, friend. Ya listened well." Alviss let out a slight chuckle while nodding his head a few times.

"Well, I guess that answered a few things, but you're holding out too much on me, dwarfy."

"Dwar… fy?"

"Yeah, you didn't like shorty or old man, don't tell me you have an issue with dwarfy now too?"

Alviss simply looked at the human in complete bewilderment.

"Anyway, I guess I'll have plenty of time to learn the rest later after I meet them."

Lawkey yawned, then looked towards the stream of water carrying them through the middle of Tartarus. He had listened to the dwarf story attentively, but kept scanning the surroundings for any hints regarding the leviathan. Having learned that it had passed through the same waters six years ago, he naturally planned on searching the entire coast for clues.

The only reason he hadn't been jumping on that task now was because of the fact he had checked a newspaper's date on Sweet Scylla. Although his vision was blurry, he had been confident in the date he had read.

It was his birthday, the one he had always been told to properly celebrate. The dwarf keeping him company and leading him to the party also seeking the leviathan, had promised Lawkey the one other thing he had been looking for these past six years.

Pancakes.

And yet, by now, this cursed human should have known what kind of misfortune followed him. A small ghost creature had especially reminded him not long ago.

CREAAKK!

"?!"

However, as usual, life made sure he never forgot it.

The new coming waves suddenly grew frantic and high, causing their boat to float upwards. As it came back down, much of the cargo on it had been lost.

"What's going on?!" Lawkey shouted while grabbing onto the side of the boat, ensuring he had both his sword and pouch, the only two items he carried.

"The waters…" Alviss rushed the sail, and held on, surveying the direction they were sailing into. "Somethin' is off, friend! I reckon a disturbance in the air is affectin' the waves!"

"I figured that much, but how far away are we from that ship you mentioned?!"

"You don' understand, friend! These waters are usually calm! This means…"

"Trouble."

The two narrowed their eyes as the realization hit them. Watching the distant waters continue to move frantically about, the unnatural element had become clear.

"They must be in trouble, friend! We have to hurry!"

"..." Lawkey thought for a moment, then sighed. "And here I was looking forward to some easy pancakes. I should have known better. Fine, lead the way!"

**👑**

"They're coming!"

Rob, the former hitman with the inked mask covering his head, alerted everyone as he barged into the bar on Skidbladnir.

From the three elves, to the customers in the bar, or the Kage clan trader standing to the side, everyone looked his way in utter shock.

However, it hadn't been simply because of his words or behavior, there had been one more element that came with his arrival.

"Hey now, you shouldn't do that!" An eerie, almost distorted voice resounded from behind the former hitman. "Don't you know, snitches get stitches!"

Looking behind him, Rob saw a child-like figure hovering in the air. It was covered in torn rags, worn clothes and a hood that covered almost its entire head and face. Its eyes and mouth barely made it through the shadows. Around its neck, an intricate scarf was flowing, mixed with a variety of different embroidery designs.

"..."

The black ink on Rob's white mask contorted and came together to form sharp eyes directed at this potential enemy.

Beside him, Jurgen fixed the black gloves on his hand while stretching his neck.

And behind them, the dark elf reached for the daggers at her sides, ensuring the bar counter she was in front of would remain safe. Or rather, the princess who she had sworn to protect.

They all looked at the new arrival, vetting them carefully.

And yet, in an instant, the child-like figure vanished completely from sight.

"Where did he go?!" Jurgen asked, looking around the bar.

"It could be invisibility, or teleportation maybe?" Rob analyzed while turning his head left and right. "Or something else entirely?"

Their alertness quickly spread, making everyone present turn their way.

"What's going on over there?" A female customer with short hair and a scar over her left cheek turned around, rattling the light armor over her upper body. "I was really enjoying this whiskey…"

"..." The Kage clan trader slowly reached for her wooden sword on her back, stopping her fingers just short of grabbing it.

Then, another call alerted everyone once more.

"Wait…!" Jurgen cried out while turning back towards the counter. "Where is she?!"

Lucine, noticing his gaze and following it, shook in place as her pupils instantly constricted.

"Where is Tilla?!"

Jurgen's last shout echoed in the bar that had grown completely still and silent.

After all, it had lost its radiant starflower.

Only the remaining pink apron fell slowly to the ground where she had just stood mere moments ago.