Ensnared - Prologue

The ruins of Arcova were a sad sight for any passing Light Elf. The once proud capital crumbled as nature climbed the walls and eroded the foundations of what had once been a home to thousands. Now, it was nothing more than a landmark that most Light Elves avoided to spare painful memories of a happier time without the Darkness, and without the threat of a dying world.

Vanya watched the scene from under the shade of a tree, hiding from the hottest hours of the day and taking a break from her work. For her the fallen city below was something she had to experience almost daily, but that didn't stop the gravity of the past affecting her every time she saw it. Hundreds of years had passed, and yet she still remembered the tragic Fall of Arcova as if it had happened merely days before.

"Do not depress yourself with such memories, Vanya," the farm girl scolded herself before lying back to break her view of the city, instead focusing on the leaves of the willow tree. The sound of a stream nearby was relaxing, and she listened to the nature around her. It was quieter than it used to be, less confident and almost cautious...but it was a relief to the Light Elf to know that it was still there, and that the Darkness had still yet to completely win even in a place with such a dark history.

Most Light Elves distanced themselves from Arcova after the Darkness had invaded this land. The Eastern Colony was where the royal family had fled to, but some Light Elves had remained due to stubbornness, or a lack of choice. Vanya's family had remained with a small group of others due to the danger of moving across the land in such dangerous times. But with their farm, and scavenging they managed to survive in this uncertain environment.

Vanya's chores for the day included finding fruit and flowers that had blossomed. She collected them in the basket that presently sat next to her, and she would walk for miles to find certain blooms for such things as medication and remedies. However, she also enjoyed time to herself in the wild, tending to nature as she explored new areas. As a Light Elf, the well being of the planet called to her to protect and nurture, even with such a foreboding force threatening to uproot their efforts. Vanya would often plant seeds as she moved, and watch them grow into tall trees over the years, such as this willow tree.

It had been months after the attack, and she had found this place to see the old kingdom below in the valley. She had cried until she had no tears left, until the sobs had stopped coming. It was then decided that she would plant the seeds for the willow in memory of the people that had died, and so that she would have a place to come and remember their spirits. And not a day went past that the small group of Light Elves forgot them.

Vanya closed her beryl eyes, the wind picking up to brush her curled, black locks against her cheeks. Although a Light Elf, Vanya was only light in name. Her hair was coal black, and it curled around her shoulders and shimmered in the sunlight. Her chocolate coloured skin was warm in the summer sun, and only emphasised the brilliance of her aqua gaze. The Light Elf was tall, with an athletic, muscular build from her days working on a farm. Unlike the Royals, who were fair and soft in appearance, the hard days labour showed in the farm girl. Common, she was called, but she was happy enough in her life of labour and nature, as long as she was left alone. Vanya knew she was known as beautiful among the Light Elves, and had gained far too much attention when Arcova had been at the height of power but now there was no one to impress, or concern herself with. She was satisfied that way; romance was always just a complication to life.

A frown creased across Vanya's forehead as the sound of nature around her was interrupted. Her pointed ears flickered to pick out what had disturbed her; the sound of the stream was still prominent, but after concentrating for a moment she discovered what had alerted her. Sitting up in the shade, her eyes flashed open as panic tightened in her chest. The sound echoed through the valley again, a high pitched screech that made even her bones shudder. There was only one creature on Eoan that made that sound; Wyvern, the scout of the Dark Elves with ferocious fangs, pointed talons and a keen eyesight was flying over the ruins in search...she had to run now if she had a chance of getting away, if it wasn't already too late.

Up in the sky, the beast flew high, its piercing green eyes spotting any movement on the ground below. The senses it used were impossible to describe to any other being, all working together in a complex fashion to focus on targets on the ground. Its nostrils flared, sucking in a big gust of air before its vocal chords shook with another screech. It was the sound of the hunt, and one that terrified Light Elves throughout Eoan. It was known as the Last Call, as it was the final sound you heard...until the sound of it crushing bone.

Vanya held nothing back, letting out a gasp at the sound. Haunted by memories of Arcova, she stumbled, falling over her own feet. People were crying in pain, children tried to run but there was nowhere to go. Blood, there was so much blood...Vanya looked down at her hands, seeing the crimson coating her skin, the life of hundreds clinging at her and threatening to pull her under into her ominous past. Vanya screamed, scrambling to her feet as she fled; fled from the monster above her, and fled from the fallen Light Elves that called to her from beyond the grave.

But if there was one thing she had learnt about that dark day, it was that no one escaped the Wyvern, no matter who they were or how desperate their try. The final attempt to escape she gave was for her sanity, as every step she took she knew she came closer to the end. Its claws bared behind her, she heard the screech one final time as her eyes closed, fear gripping her so hard that she almost collapsed.

The Wyvern always won.