Chapter 3: The Royal Earrings
Ren kept staring in the direction of the sudden voice and arrow, a cold shock coursing through his veins. It wasn't just an attack—it was a strike from a weapon he'd never seen before, launched without the slightest warning in a world he was only beginning to comprehend. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and stormy emotions. The arrow that nearly killed him, the strange words he'd heard—"Dark Angel"—and his new appearance that he was still trying to get used to: gray skin, a dark halo floating above his head, large wings on his back, and even the strands of hair he noticed reflecting a pure white in the forest light—a color so unlike the black hair he'd known all his life.
"Dark Angel…" he repeated inwardly. Was this his new fate? A being with a name that suggested both power and danger? But the arrow had wounded him. Was he weak for his kind?
His racing thoughts were interrupted by a faint rustling sound, followed by distinct movement among the thick trees. He froze, realizing the danger wasn't over yet. He tried to mask his unease behind a façade of calm and confidence he didn't truly feel and called out in as steady a voice as he could manage, "You there! Come out!"
As if his words were a signal, the bushes shifted and two girls emerged. The first, who appeared to be leading, had a striking presence. Her long silver hair flowed like liquid silk, her ears were elegantly pointed, and her emerald-green eyes gleamed with intelligence and caution. She wore clothing that was both elegant and practical, crafted from what looked like natural, finely-woven materials. Without a doubt, this was the one the earlier voice had called "princess."
In front of her, in a clear defensive stance, stood the second girl. She was the one holding the bow, aimed directly at Ren, with a new arrow notched and glowing faintly with a pulsating red aura. She shouted with fierce loyalty, "Princess Elena! Stay behind me! I can't guarantee what a Dark Angel might do!"
Princess Elena replied in a tone that was both annoyed and commanding, "You fool! I told you before—do you really think a true Dark Angel would be affected by a mere arrow infused with magic?"
"Magic?" Ren caught the word and felt a chill run down his spine. So, what he saw in the first arrow wasn't an illusion. Magic was real in this world. That perhaps explained some of the strangeness he'd experienced. But it also deepened the mystery of his own nature. If he was a Dark Angel, why had magic hurt him? Was he a different kind? Or had he lost his powers along with his memories?
"Who are you?" Ren asked again, this time with more firmness in his voice, trying to regain control of the situation.
Princess Elena responded with a slightly haughty tone, as if she couldn't believe his apparent ignorance. "Who are we? Are you stupid or just pretending? You've entered our kingdom—Elore, the land of the Elves—and you dare ask our identities? I am Princess Elena!" Then she added under her breath, with clear disbelief in her voice, "…And you now stand in our lands, so-called Dark Angel."
Ren realized he desperately needed information, and a direct confrontation wasn't in his favor—especially when he knew nothing about his powers or the strength of these Elves. He decided to play the only card he had—his genuine confusion and weakness. "I'm Ren Alastair," he said calmly, trying to sound as honest as possible. "And yes, as you can see… I apparently am a Dark Angel. But I don't remember anything. I've lost almost all of my memories—I only remember my name… and this appearance." He gestured at himself.
The guard's face showed clear tension, while Princess Elena's expression shifted from arrogance to a mix of surprise and intense caution. The idea of a Dark Angel in their kingdom was already alarming enough, but one with amnesia? That was unheard of—and puzzling.
"Memory loss?" Elena repeated slowly, weighing his words and studying his face. "Very well… 'Ren Alastair'… What exactly do you want, entering our kingdom? Even without your memory, you should know that your kind is not exactly welcome. Everyone knows Dark Angels are powerful, but one angel—at full strength or not—against the might of the Elven Kingdom… you wouldn't stand a chance!" Her words were a clear warning.
"I don't want to fight," Ren replied quickly, hiding his growing anxiety. "All I want is help understanding what happened to me, and maybe recovering my memories. As long as you help me, I promise not to cause any trouble in your kingdom."
Princess Elena looked at him for a long moment, her emerald eyes searching for any hint of deception. Finally, she made her decision. "Fine. If you're telling the truth, then leaving you here alone could be an even greater risk. I'll take you to meet my parents—the King and Queen. They'll decide what to do with you." She added with a warning glare, "But any treacherous move, and you'll regret it."
Ren nodded in agreement, feeling a cautious relief. Elena began walking, followed closely by her guard—who still hadn't lowered her bow completely—while Ren trailed behind them. They made their way through the forest, which began to change gradually. The trees grew more uniform, and signs of organized paths and intricate carvings on the trunks became more common. Silence ruled the journey, a silence heavy with unspoken questions and tension.
After a while, they reached a place where the forest seemed to open into a fantasy-like city. Palaces and halls built from living wood and shimmering crystal blended harmoniously with the towering trees. Suspended bridges connected different levels of the city. The Elven guards, clad in gleaming armor and sporting pointed ears, were clearly alarmed by Ren's presence, immediately assuming defensive positions. The tension in the air was palpable. Ren hadn't imagined his mere presence would cause such a disturbance. But Princess Elena quickly intervened, issuing clear and authoritative orders that calmed the situation and allowed them to proceed.
They entered a vast throne hall. The walls were covered in intricate carvings depicting the Elves' history and their bond with nature. A soft light glowed from massive crystals hanging from the high ceiling. At the far end of the hall, seated on twin thrones made of living wood and silver metal, were a man and a woman radiating an aura of ancient strength and serene wisdom—clearly the King and Queen. Princess Elena and her guard bowed deeply, followed by all the guards and nobles in the room.
Ren stood awkwardly for a moment. He didn't know the customs or protocols here, so he remained still, cautiously observing the royal pair. He noticed the frowns and murmurs among the gathered nobles, interpreting his stillness as arrogance from a "Dark Angel."
Elena stepped forward and spoke in a formal voice. "Father, Mother… I mean, Your Majesties. I found this… individual," she hesitated slightly before using the title "Dark Angel" in front of her parents, "in our forests. He bears all the signs of a Dark Angel and claims to have lost all memory except his name—'Ren Alastair.' What should we do?"
The King and Queen, who had been watching Ren with sharp, discerning eyes since he entered, now focused fully on him. Their gazes swept over his unusual features—white hair, gray skin, dark halo, and the folded wings on his back. Then, suddenly, their eyes locked onto his ears. Their calm expressions changed dramatically. Their eyes widened slightly, and unmistakable shock and disbelief marked their noble faces.
They had seen something small—something even Ren himself had nearly forgotten amid all the chaos. In both ears, he wore tiny earrings shaped like black crescents, made of a strange material that seemed to devour light.
The King and Queen's visible shock cast a stunned silence over the entire hall, while Ren stood in the center—completely unaware of the secret hidden in the earrings he wore.