Traebus cautiously stepped into the lab, pulse still racing from the piercing alarm. Vaelya and Kaelen'varis were close behind him, weapons held at the ready, eyes sharp and wary. The lab was dimly lit by the faint, bluish glow of crystals, casting long, ominous shadows across the stone walls.

  Standing at the far end of the room was one of the elven warriors—a large, heavily muscled elf Traebus had seen earlier, now rapidly gathering the precious obsidian from the floor into a sturdy sack.

  Kaelen'varis’s eyes widened in shock and anger. "Eldrin!" he barked sharply, stepping forward. "What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself!"

  The warrior, Eldrin, stood slowly, turning toward them with a calm, defiant expression. He hefted the heavy bag of obsidian effortlessly, clearly unfazed by Kaelen'varis’s outraged tone.

  "Ah, Kaelen'varis," Eldrin replied coolly, his voice dripping with disdainful amusement. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you're here, playing protector. I was sent by the Elders. Your task was clear—ascertain the village's fate, and ensure no survivors made it back to speak of it."

  Kaelen'varis’s face hardened, confusion and fury flickering in his eyes. "What madness is this? The Elders sent no such orders—"

  Eldrin chuckled bitterly, cutting him off. "You’ve always been blind to their ways. That village had defied the Elders for too long, withholding tribute, refusing obedience. Their destruction was overdue—a necessary lesson. The predators were merely a convenient tool. Your job, Kaelen'varis, was to confirm the outcome—and silence any inconvenient witnesses."

  Kaelen'varis stepped forward, his voice dangerously low. "You speak treason."

  "No," Eldrin spat contemptuously. "I speak truth—and power." Without warning, Eldrin surged forward, striking Kaelen'varis with shocking speed and strength. The blow sent the elven leader staggering backward, disarmed and stunned.

  Vaelya stepped forward, eyes blazing with shock and anger. "What are you saying? Our village—destroyed by our own people? For tribute?"

  Eldrin smiled cruelly, grabbing Vaelya roughly by the arm. "Don’t pretend ignorance, Vaelya. Our people survive by strength and obedience. Your village's rebellion made this fate inevitable."

  Vaelya paled, horror washing across her face. "You slaughtered us—for tribute?"

  Traebus had stood silently until now, absorbing the shocking revelation, anger boiling deep within him. But when Eldrin grabbed Vaelya, Traebus’s patience shattered.

  With a sharp, furious gesture, Traebus raised his hand, channeling power through the force ring. A powerful wave of invisible energy slammed into Eldrin, wrenching him violently away from Vaelya and hurling him brutally into the stone wall at the far side of the lab.

  The elf warrior slammed into the wall with bone-cracking force, dropping heavily to the ground, the obsidian scattering from his hands. He coughed weakly, gasping in stunned disbelief at Traebus’s strength.

  Traebus stepped forward, his voice icy and dangerous. "You picked the wrong place to betray your own people—and the wrong person to threaten."

  The room fell into tense silence as Eldrin struggled to recover, eyes wide with sudden fear, finally realizing that he had severely underestimated the power of the mage before him.

  Traebus took a slow, deliberate step forward, his eyes cold as stone. "Alright, Eldrin. You're going to tell me exactly what's going on here. Right now."

  Eldrin staggered to his feet, eyes blazing defiantly. With a sudden, wild grin, he lifted his wrist, revealing an intricate bronze gauntlet etched with glowing runes. "You know nothing, mage!" he snarled. "You dare threaten me? You will taste true power!"

  Traebus gave a heavy sigh, utterly unimpressed. "Really? We’re doing this now? Fine. I guess it's elf-ping-pong time."

  Eldrin activated the gauntlet, bronze runes flaring brilliantly. He surged visibly with strength, roaring as he lunged toward Traebus. Without even flinching, Traebus flicked his wrist upward. The warrior shot abruptly into the ceiling with a loud thump, then crashed back down hard onto the stone floor.

  As Eldrin staggered to his feet, dazed but furious, Traebus wagged a finger mockingly. "Lesson one: magical trinkets don’t replace brains."

  Eldrin growled in fury and charged again, only to find himself bouncing from wall to ceiling to floor in rapid succession, each impact punctuated by Traebus’s dry, sarcastic commentary.

  "Left wall!" THUMP!

  "Ceiling!" THUMP!

  "Right wall—oh, that's gonna leave a mark." THUMP!

  Vaelya and Kaelen'varis stood watching, eyes wide, mouths agape as Eldrin was tossed around the room like a frantic, furious rag doll. The warriors shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure whether they should intervene or cheer.

  Finally, after what felt like a full, humiliating eternity, Eldrin hung suspended in midair, limp and gasping, eyes wide with fear. "Enough! Please, mage—mercy!"

  Traebus tilted his head mockingly, holding the elf aloft effortlessly. "Oh, suddenly we’re reasonable again? Amazing what bouncing off a few stone surfaces can do to one's attitude."

  He dropped Eldrin unceremoniously onto the floor. The elf collapsed, coughing weakly, bruised and humbled. "Now," Traebus said, his voice deceptively mild as he knelt down next to him. "Answers. And this time, skip the theatrics."

  Eldrin looked up shakily, eyes full of humiliation and defeat. "It—it was the Elders," he admitted bitterly, voice trembling. "They crafted a powerful totem of attraction—dark magic, designed to draw predators into the village. They placed it in the village well during the last trader's visit, intending to punish the villagers for their lack of tribute and obedience."

  Vaelya stared in horror, voice trembling with disgust. "Our own people… our elders did this?"

  Kaelen'varis looked equally appalled, his fists clenched tightly, teeth gritted in fury. "You used dark magic against your own kin? You betrayed your blood for tribute?"

  Eldrin lowered his head in shame, voice thick with bitterness. "I acted under their orders. It was my duty—"

  "Your duty was to protect your people," Kaelen'varis snapped harshly. "You abandoned honor."

  The rest of the warriors looked deeply unsettled, shifting uncomfortably, clearly out of their depth. Traebus stood slowly, expression grave as he surveyed the room. "Well, this is delightful. And here I thought magical vegetables and oversized lizards were my biggest problems."

  He shook his head wearily, glancing at Vaelya and Kaelen'varis. "It seems we've uncovered more trouble than we bargained for. Anyone else want to try a magical artifact before bedtime, or have we learned our lesson?"

  The elves exchanged tense, wary glances, but no one dared challenge Traebus further.

  He sighed, looking down at Eldrin coldly. "Congratulations, you’re still conscious. Let’s start again—and this time, leave nothing out."

  Eldrin pulled himself slowly to a sitting position, wincing as he drew ragged breaths. "You think me a traitor—but you do not see the whole truth," he rasped, looking up at Kaelen'varis and Vaelya. "Our villages have stood divided for generations, easy prey for the northern raiders. Our Elders sought to forge a unity that would protect us all."

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  Traebus crossed his arms tightly, eyes narrowed with cold skepticism. "And your brilliant plan to achieve unity involved massacring your own kin?"

  Eldrin shook his head stubbornly, eyes bitter yet resolute. "The Elders believed the villages needed a harsh lesson. To show what happens when they resist the Elders’ call. A painful, necessary step towards unity."

  Vaelya stared at him in disbelief, voice trembling. "So you would burn us down, kill our families, to force the others to surrender?"

  Eldrin looked away, shame and frustration warring in his expression. "The northerners grow stronger each year. Their raids grow fiercer. Without unity, our villages will fall, one by one."

  Kaelen'varis spoke sharply, voice heavy with disdain. "Unity through fear and slaughter is no unity at all. It is tyranny."

  Eldrin’s gaze hardened, defiant. "It is survival. A single council, a single voice—only then can we stand strong enough to resist the raids. You must see—there was no other way."

  At the mention of "council," Traebus’s expression shifted abruptly, something dark and cold flickering deep in his eyes. His fists clenched tightly, and a quiet, dangerous anger seemed to radiate from him. "A council?" he echoed quietly, voice suddenly icy. "You dare speak to me of councils? Councils who decide which villages survive, who lives and who dies, all in the name of unity?"

  Eldrin shrank back slightly, confused and alarmed by the sudden shift in Traebus’s tone. "It—it's necessary. One voice, one decision. To protect our people—"

  Traebus stepped forward, his voice deceptively calm, yet frighteningly cold. "I’ve seen what councils do. I've seen their unity—and their 'necessary sacrifices.'"

  He lifted his hand sharply, channeling his mana through his force ring. Eldrin gasped in sudden pain as powerful, invisible pressure began pressing down on him, forcing him slowly toward the stone floor.

  Eldrin struggled helplessly, panic rising as he felt his limbs beginning to give way beneath the overwhelming force. "Wait—please—"

  Traebus continued, voice shaking with suppressed fury. "I have seen innocents crushed beneath the decisions of councils who claim to speak for the greater good. I will not see it again."

  Vaelya stepped forward urgently, reaching out toward him. "Traebus, stop! You don't have to do this—"

  Traebus seemed not to hear, his anger blazing brighter. Eldrin groaned, desperate, as the invisible force pressed him further into the cold stone, bones straining audibly.

  "Traebus!" Vaelya cried, grasping his arm firmly. "Enough! Don’t become what you despise!"

  Her voice finally broke through his fury. Traebus paused, breathing heavily, fists trembling. He stared down at Eldrin, pressed harshly into the floor, then slowly—reluctantly—released the pressure. Eldrin slumped weakly, coughing and gasping, trembling in pain and fear.

  Vaelya stepped between Traebus and Eldrin, eyes wide with concern and compassion. "He has told us enough. Don’t let their cruelty become your own."

  Traebus took a long, deep breath, visibly regaining control. He looked away bitterly, the pain of old memories burning behind his eyes. "Fine," he muttered quietly. "For now."

  He turned sharply, stepping away from Eldrin. "But remember—unity built on pain and fear isn't strength. It's corruption."

  The room fell into tense silence, everyone present shaken by the sudden intensity, and painfully aware that some wounds ran far deeper than the eye could see.

  Traebus stared down at Eldrin with barely-contained disgust, eyes smoldering with anger. Abruptly, he turned to Kaelen'varis, his voice flat and cold.

  "Do whatever you want with him," he growled. "I'm done."

  Without waiting for a reply, Traebus stormed out of the lab, brushing past a startled Vaelya and nearly knocking Dusk aside. Dusk chuffed, surprised by the sudden wave of unfiltered rage radiating through their bond, and watched Traebus march furiously out into the open space between the house and the lab.

  Traebus paced furiously, muttering to himself. The memories of councils, of arrogant decisions made for "the greater good," haunted him bitterly. Suddenly, before he could react, a dark shadow loomed, and with shocking agility, Dusk collided gently yet firmly with his side, knocking Traebus unceremoniously onto the soft earth.

  "Hey!" Traebus sputtered indignantly, flailing against the sudden weight as Dusk calmly sat down directly atop him. "Dusk—now is NOT the time! I’m not playing!"

  Dusk merely tilted his head slightly, unimpressed, staring down at his companion with steady, calm eyes. Through their bond, Traebus felt a gentle wave of empathy, accompanied by clear, patient imagery and sensations.

  He saw memories of their first meeting—of Dusk's own loss, and how anger had threatened to consume the small drake. Yet he had chosen companionship, loyalty, and friendship instead. He felt the reassurance from the lizard clearly: anger was justified, but lashing out at those who were not truly responsible was a mistake. Even a "dumb lizard" like Dusk understood that much.

  Traebus struggled weakly for a moment, then gradually went limp beneath Dusk’s calm yet immovable bulk, staring upward at his friend’s patiently waiting gaze. He let out a deep, shuddering breath, feeling his anger slowly fade into exhaustion and shame.

  "You know," Traebus sighed heavily, voice tinged with reluctant affection, "I really hate it when you’re right. Especially since you're supposed to be the dumb one here."

  Dusk snorted softly, clearly amused, nudging Traebus’s chest gently with his muzzle. Another wave of affection and understanding flowed warmly between them, soothing and comforting.

  Traebus lay still for a long moment, reflecting quietly, finally reaching up to gently scratch beneath Dusk’s jaw. "Alright. You win. I overreacted—I was wrong. But did you really have to tackle me and literally sit on me to make your point?"

  Dusk tilted his head smugly, his frills twitching in amusement.

  Traebus chuckled, giving a rueful smile. "Fine, fine. Thank you, you big-hearted, stubborn, irritatingly wise dumb lizard."

  Dusk leaned down, pressing his snout affectionately against Traebus’s chest, rumbling softly. Through their bond, Traebus felt the connection deepen—understanding, loyalty, forgiveness. The anger that had felt so consuming moments ago now faded away beneath the comforting presence of a friend who knew precisely how to reach him, even at his lowest.

  Finally, Dusk shifted slightly, allowing Traebus to sit up slowly, dusting himself off. Traebus looked into the drake's calm, watchful eyes and smiled warmly. "Just don't tell anyone about this. I have a reputation as a fearsome mage to uphold."

  Dusk snorted again, clearly amused, nudging him gently toward the house.

  Traebus laughed softly, shaking his head as they walked together back toward their home. "Fine, tell them. But if anyone asks, I was valiantly wrestling a terrifying magical drake, not being sat on by an oversized scaly therapist."

  Dusk let out a pleased rumble, his wings rustling lightly with satisfaction as the two returned home, the bond between them stronger—and perhaps stranger—than ever before.

  Traebus sat quietly at the large stone table, still idly brushing dirt from his sleeves and reflecting deeply on everything that had just happened. He glanced up sharply as footsteps approached. Vaelya and the rest of the elves slowly entered, their faces somber, eyes weary. Kaelen'varis stepped forward, his expression grave.

  "Mage—Traebus," he said quietly, bowing his head in sincere respect. "I owe you a great apology for what has happened here tonight. I swear, Eldrin’s actions do not reflect my people's honor."

  Traebus gave a slight nod, his voice soft yet distant. "I understand. People can surprise us all, sometimes."

  Kaelen'varis straightened, his gaze firm. "We must leave immediately, though it remains dark. Our Elders must answer for what they have done—I cannot allow anyone else to suffer under their schemes."

  He turned toward Vaelya, his voice gentler but no less serious. "Vaelya, I ask you to come with us. Your voice will help convince our people of the truth. You have endured enough; now we must stand together."

  Vaelya hesitated, clearly torn as she met Traebus’s gaze. Her voice was quiet, unsure. "I...I had wanted to stay here. Truly. But Kaelen'varis is right—my people are in danger, and I cannot let them be devoured by the Elders' manipulations."

  Traebus felt an unexpected sting of disappointment, even betrayal, but he quickly softened his expression, giving her a gentle, understanding nod. "I know," he said quietly, with genuine sincerity. "I understand better than most what it’s like to live beneath tyrants. Go—your people need you."

  Vaelya stepped toward him, emotion shimmering clearly in her eyes. "Thank you, Traebus. For everything."

  He forced a warm smile, though his chest felt heavier than he would admit. "Wait here for just a moment. I have something for you."

  Traebus stood, turning toward the solid stone table. With a quick gesture, he broke off two small, perfectly smooth fragments of stone from its surface. Holding them carefully, he closed his eyes, gently infusing the fragments with carefully controlled mana, threading delicate runes of communication through each piece. The stones glowed faintly, humming softly in harmony with one another.

  Stepping back toward Vaelya, he handed her one of the enchanted stones. "This is a point-to-point communication device. Simply speak my name aloud, and I'll hear everything said within a short distance of the stone. If you need help—or if anything goes wrong—just call. I promise I'll hear you."

  Vaelya carefully took the stone, her fingers brushing gently against his. She gave him a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you, Traebus. You have no idea how much you've done for me. For all of us."

  Traebus nodded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Go. Protect your people. And remember—you're not alone."

  Kaelen'varis gave Traebus a respectful, appreciative nod as he stepped outside, signaling to his warriors. The elves gathered quietly, prepared to depart swiftly into the night.

  Traebus followed silently to the gate, standing aside as the elves moved quickly across the stone bridge. Vaelya glanced back once, eyes meeting his for a lingering moment before she turned and disappeared into the darkness beyond.

  Traebus watched them vanish into the shadows, feeling an uneasy sense of anticipation. Dusk moved silently beside him, nudging his side gently, sensing his companion's unease.

  Traebus sighed deeply, patting the large drake affectionately. "You know what, Dusk?" he murmured, gazing into the darkened jungle. "Something tells me we should probably start preparing for trouble. Because trouble always finds us, doesn't it?"

  Dusk gave a soft, amused rumble of agreement, pressing lightly against Traebus’s side, offering quiet reassurance.

  Traebus shook his head, smiling wryly despite himself. "Well then—let's get ready. I have a feeling we're not finished fighting yet."