CHAPTER 3

"The Whisper of the Flame"

The grand hall echoed with laughter as the Elflord placed a gentle hand on Elva’s shoulder.

Elflord: Ah-ha, it is you. Come, come, my child.

Still dazed, Elva followed him and the Royal Advisor into a narrow secret passage hidden within the marble walls of the Throne Hall.

Elflord: You see, my child, your father was no ordinary elf. He was a great shadow knight of Alväin Central—nay, of all Elfland.

Elva: Ehh, no, he wasn’t. My father was a blacksmith. The finest in the capital. The Court, of course, was too blind to notice.

The Elflord exhales heavily.

Royal Advisor: Do you really think that an elf who disappeared and returned at such odd hours was simply a blacksmith? He had a second life. One you never saw.

Elva: With respect, those are just tales. You have no proof.

Elflord: Which is why we brought someone who might change your mind.

Elva turns and freezes.

Elva: Aunt Brielle?

Her long-lost guardian steps forward, tears shining in her eyes. She clasps Elva’s hands.

Aunt Brielle: Oh, my Little Bright White, you've grown... though perhaps in the wildest ways.

Elva: What… am I dreaming? (She pinches her palm.)

Aunt Brielle: Forgive me. I never wanted to leave you. I thought... I thought you’d be safer not knowing.

Elva: Safer? For what? Wait… What is going on?

Elflord: Brielle, why don't you tell her yourself?

Aunt Brielle: What the Elflord told you... it's true.

Elva: No. Don't tell me you believe it.

Aunt Brielle nods and places a bundle of ancient keys in her hands.

Aunt Brielle: These belonged to your father.

Elva: These are from Pa's workshop. Why...?

Royal Advisor: Elvÿndia Wood. The tale you were told—that your father was attacked by Cliffer Bears and poisoned—that was a fabrication. He was assassinated during an ambush on the Caven Cavians. By Inikhadan himself.

Elva: (Heartbroken) No,no... So all this while, it was lies?

Aunt Brielle’s eyes well up.

Aunt Brielle: I had to protect you, Elvy.

Elva lets out a bitter chuckle. The torch flames beside her flicker and surge.

Elva: You both lied to me. You took away my father.

Aunt Brielle: Elvy, please—

Elva: Don't touch me!

Elflord: My child, do not be rash—

Elva thrusts out her hand. Flames burst forth. The Royal Advisor conjures a shield to block it. When the smoke clears, Elva is gone.

---

Five minutes later, the heavy doors of her father’s old workshop creak open. Elva enters slowly, kneels by a rusted hammer.

**Flashback — Age 4**

4yr Elva: Halt! I am Rïne, kneel before me.

Skyer: Who dares strike the mighty Hamzorizus?! To the Cave Abyss with thee!

He chases her, catches her, tickles her, and lifts her to his shoulders. They laugh.

**Back to present**

She sits on the floor, sobbing. Her elbow accidentally knocks the stone.

Elva: A lock?

She examines the hole, selects a key, and turns it. *Click.* The hidden door opens.

Elva: Weapons...? And that inscription... Knights of the Greatest Rank. Father... what were you?

---

**Bob’s Shop**

Bob: We were planning your prison break tonight, you know. Then bam—you strut in wearing the Royal Lady badge.

Elva: Why is my life such a joke? First motherless, then fatherless, then a vagabond thief, and now... a sacred Dragon. What's next, a unicorn lady?!🔥

Bob: Your pa knew this would happen. He trusted me to watch over you until the day came. And it has.

Elva: He wanted to protect me. But do I accept this fate? Or walk away and pretend I never knew?

Bob tosses a metal token. She catches it without flinching.

Bob: See that? You still got the reflexes. Take the chance. Find your little brother. Avenge your father. All answers lie within those Palace Walls.

Elva: Yeah... They certainly do.

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