The Legacy of Elyn Vane

The bite of the approaching winter settled over the land, the crisp air carrying the scent of frost as Elyn pushed through his drills. The once-soft earth had begun to harden beneath his feet, and the skeletal branches above rattled in the wind, stripped of their autumn leaves. At only 7 years old his body, honed through relentless training, had grown lean and strong, his muscles defined yet not bulky. His dark hair, now longer, swayed with his movements, framing a face that had matured into something striking—an effortless, almost otherworldly beauty. His red, gem-like eyes gleamed with intensity, their sharpness accentuated by his pristine, fair complexion.

Despite the biting cold, the heat of exertion left a faint sheen of sweat on his skin, though it evaporated quickly in the frigid air. Yet, no matter how much effort he poured into his training, an undeniable truth had settled in—his physique had reached its natural limit.

The distant rustling of brittle underbrush signaled Albert's return. His long coat dusted with dirt and faint traces of frost from his latest scouting expedition. He had a small battered storage ring—barely large enough to hold a few necessities. Every other resource, other than money, had been confiscated when he was assigned to Elyn and banished from his former life.

Elyn and Albert turned toward the weathered wooden house, its crooked frame leaning against the harsh winds like a tired old man. The house had seen better days, its wood worn and cracked by years of neglect and the relentless passage of time. The front door creaked on its hinges as Albert gently pushed it open, the familiar scent of dust and old timber greeting them. Inside, the dim light of the fading day filtered through cracked windows, casting long shadows across the floorboards.

Elyn stepped inside first, his gaze briefly sweeping the space—a humble shelter, nothing more than a place to rest and shelter from the elements. A fireplace, now cold, sat to one side, and the furniture, made from rough-hewn wood, was sparse but functional. It was a far cry from the lavish estates he'd heard about, but it was all they had, and for now, it was enough.

"You seem troubled, young master," Albert remarked, his keen eyes assessing the signs of yet another gruelling morning session.

Elyn looked up at his butler, his voice steady but laced with frustration. "Albert, we both know I've reached my limit. All these forms, all this practice... I've hit a wall."

Albert carefully set down his worn leather pack and slowly pulled up one of the wooden chairs they had crafted together during Elyn's earlier training days.

"If I may speak freely, That's because you're missing something crucial - real combat experience. Training can only take you so far. So I have been planning to make you engage directly with the monsters ", Albert said.

"Is that why you've been mapping the surrounding areas?" Elyn asked, his interest piqued.

"Exactly," Albert nodded, spreading the first map across the floor between them. "Knowledge is power, especially in these lands. I've spent weeks cataloguing everything within several hundred meters of our house and then expanded that to cover the routes all the way to Velinora. Every path, every potential threat, every safe haven."

The map was a masterpiece of detail - carefully inked lines showing elevation changes, vegetation density, and various markers that Elyn didn't yet understand. Albert pulled out a second map, this one focused on a different region, with red markings scattered across certain areas.

"Before we dive into what I've found," Albert said, his tone growing more cold, "you need to understand how we classify the threats out there. It's not just about knowing where the dangers are - it's about knowing whether you should fight, hide, or run."

From weakest to strongest: Lesser,Common, Rare, Elite, Tyrant, Calamity, King, Apex, and at the very peak - Abyssal." Albert paused, making sure the information sank in. "But never make the mistake of underestimating even a Common-ranked creature. In the right circumstances, even they can be deadly."

For the next hour, they pored over the maps spread across the floor. Albert pointed out key locations, marking safe paths with a piece of charcoal and highlighting areas to avoid. The maps showed everything from small streams that could provide fresh water to hidden paths that wound through the densest parts of the forest.

"These markings here," Albert pointed to a series of crossed lines, "show animal migration paths. And these," he indicated several dark circles, "mark known bandit camps. The dotted lines are the safest routes I've found between landmarks."

Elyn absorbed every detail, his earlier disappointment about his training plateau transformed into eager anticipation. "When can we start putting this knowledge to use?"

Albert smiled, but his eyes remained serious. "Soon. But first, you need to understand what we're up against. The creatures and challenges out there aren't like the training dummies. They're intelligent, unpredictable, and most importantly - they're real. One mistake won't just mean a bruise or a sore muscle - it could mean your life."

Albert had added new maps, these marked with intricate symbols and coloured shadings that indicated different territorial boundaries.

"Let's start with what you're most likely to encounter first," Albert said, pointing to the eastern section of the map. "The Shadow Mane Wolves' territory extends about 100 kilometres into the Morhill Forest. They're Lesser-class creatures, but don't let that classification fool you into complacency."

Elyn traced the boundary with his finger. "If they travel alone, Wouldn't that make them weaker?"

Albert shook his head. "That's exactly the kind of thinking that gets people killed. Their solitary nature makes them more dangerous, not less. Each wolf has developed its own hunting patterns and its own tricks. You can't predict them based on past encounters with others."

"Tell me more about their abilities," Elyn leaned forward, genuinely intrigued.

"Their shadow affinity is their primary weapon," Albert explained, sketching a quick outline of a wolf on a spare piece of parchment. "They don't rely on brute force - instead, they use explosive speed and agility. One moment you'll see a shadow flicker at the edge of your vision, and the next..." He made a sharp slashing motion with his hand. "They strike from angles you'd never expect."

Moving his hand north on the map, Albert's expression grew more serious. "But the wolves are just the beginning. The northern territory belongs to the Juvenile Falcons Common-class beings that would make the wolves seem tame in comparison."

"Juvenile? They're young ones?" Elyn asked, surprised by the classification.

Albert's laugh held no humour. "Don't let the name deceive you. These 'juveniles' can grow to the size of small airships. They command both wind, dark and stealth affinities, and they hunt exclusively at night. Their speed..." He shook his head. "I've seen one takedown an alpha Shadow Mane Wolf before the wolf even registered its presence."

Taking out another map, this one marked with red warning symbols, Albert pointed to the northeastern section. "And here's where things get truly dangerous. This is Stalker territory. They're Elite-class entities, and they're from dimensional rifts."

"Aliens?" Elyn whispered, eyes wide.

"In a manner of speaking. They're shapeshifters with no fixed form, making them impossible to prepare for. Their basic physical abilities would be threatening enough, but it's their void attribute that makes them truly terrifying. They can corrupt anything they touch - living beings, the environment, even the air itself."

" When Stalkers use their void attribute, they burn their own life force. It's a suicide attack, essentially, but one that can devastate entire areas. Even their weaker members can cause catastrophic damage this way." Albert paused, letting the information sink in. "They hunt in groups, using illusions and mental attacks to disorient their prey before striking. Their weak points are their core ."

 Albert stood to stoke the dying fire, adding another log before continuing.

"The forest itself is alive with other dangers too - carnivorous plants that can dissolve armor, insects that carry paralytic toxins, even the occasional rogue beast from deeper in the mountains. But these three species - the Wolves, Falcons, and Stalkers - they're the ones you need to learn to identify and avoid."

Elyn studied the maps intently, trying to memorize the territorial boundaries. 

The fire crackled in the hearth, keeping the growing winter chill at bay while they examined the final set of maps.

"Beyond the major predators we discussed ," Albert began, tracing his finger along the map's surface, "the forest holds countless other secrets. You need to understand its full ecosystem to survive." He pulled out a detailed chart showing various plants and minerals.

"See these markings? They indicate concentrations of carnivorous plants - some as tall as trees, others barely visible in the underbrush. And these blue crystals?" He pointed to several clusters marked on the map. "Rare minerals that emit a faint magical resonance. Some creatures are drawn to them, making these areas both valuable and dangerous."

Elyn leaned closer, noting the intricate details. "What about these green symbols?"

"Medicinal herbs. I've mapped both common and rare varieties. This one," Albert indicated a particular marking, "is the Moonshade Lotus. It only blooms during the full moon and can neutralize low to high tier poisons depending on its lifespan. And this one is the Blood Fern it can accelerate healing, but harvest it wrongly, and it releases a toxic spore cloud."

Moving to a new section of the map, Albert's expression grew more serious. "Now, after the hundred-kilometer mark, we reach the true Morhill ranges. The elevation rises dramatically - starting over 6,000 meters. The air gets thin, and the weather becomes treacherous. Even the hardiest creatures rarely venture that high."

"What's this area?" Elyn pointed to a region marked with jagged lines.

"The northwestern gorges. It's a wasteland of deep chasms and unstable terrain. The wind there can cut like a knife, and the ground itself is unreliable. One wrong step, and you could trigger a rockslide or find yourself plunging into a hidden crevasse."

Albert then shifted their attention to the southwestern portion of the map, marked with numerous small symbols. "This is where human threats become our primary concern. Mercenary camps, bandit hideouts, criminal outposts - all scattered throughout the region. Some are obvious, others carefully hidden. Each group has its own territory and rules."

"Are they all hostile?" Elyn asked, studying the various markers.

"Not all, but assuming they are will keep you alive longer. Some mercenary groups might trade with travellers, while others would kill you for your boots. The bandits are generally more straightforward - they'll rob anyone they think they can overcome."

Finally, Albert pointed to their ultimate destination. "And here lies Velinora, ruled by the Serendell vampire family. They're vassals to a greater vampire house, but don't let their subordinate status fool you. They've held power here for generations through cunning and strength."

"What's this river valley marked near the southern gate?"

"Ah, the Valley of Moonweep. The river originates somewhere deep in the Morhill ranges. Local legends say it flows from an ancient spring blessed by the first vampires. The water has unusual properties - it glows faintly during the full moon and never completely freezes, even in the deepest winter."

Albert glanced out the window at the falling snow. "Speaking of winter, it's arriving earlier than usual this year. That will change everything we've discussed. The Shadow Mane Wolves will hunt more aggressively as prey becomes scarce. The Juvenile Falcons will extend their hunting territory. Even the Stalkers will alter their patterns."

"But isn't winter dangerous for travel?" Elyn asked

"Dangerous, yes, but also opportune. Many creatures will be focused on survival rather than hunting. Some will hibernate. The snow will make tracking easier, and the cold will test your endurance in ways no training can simulate. It's the perfect time for you to gain real experience."

Standing up, Albert rolled the maps carefully, securing them with leather straps. "After a week, we begin your practical training. We'll start small - tracking Shadow Mane Wolf movements from a safe distance, identifying safe paths through their territory, learning to read the signs of their recent passage."

As night fell, the first heavy snow of winter began to blanket the forest. From somewhere in the darkness came the haunting cry of a Juvenile Falcon, a reminder of the dangers that awaited them beyond their cabin's walls. But for Elyn, the sound no longer brought just fear - it carried the promise of growth, of challenges to be met, and of strength to be earned in the wilds of Morhill Forest.