All was calm beneath the clear night sky. In the midst of a sprawling forest, a single fortified town rested atop a steep ridge, faintly illuminated by the soft glow of a full moon. The streets were silent except for the soft whistle of a cool evening breeze.

From the residential area tucked away behind a shop and forge, a solitary figure emerged from the shadows cast by the surrounding structures. He was an elf, tall in stature and lean in build. His long, dirty blonde hair flowed in the breeze, mimicking the elegant forest green clothing that he wore. Upon his shoulders comfortably rested a leather breastplate, overlapped by the straps that held a longbow and quiver in place across his back.

The elf strode down the main street and around the town square, squinting briefly as he passed through the warm light of the nearby inn. Once having reached the other side, he promptly took a left towards the edge of town where the main watch tower stood directly above the ridge, facing southeast.

He had nearly made it to the meticulously constructed stone wall that marked the town's perimeter when he quickly stopped just before stepping into the barrier's shadow. The elf twitched his pointed ears and placed a careful hand on the hilt of a shortsword that clung to his side, listening intently to his surroundings. He frowned at the faintest sound of cloth in the wind.

Without hesitation the elf turned on his heel, simultaneously drawing his sword and swinging it in a smooth arc behind him. The blade instantly collided with the sharp edge of another, held strongly by a mysterious hooded man dressed head to toe in black. The two figures held their positions for a moment, locking eyes, then slowly they both relaxed.

The attacker chuckled lightly before removing his hood, revealing long brown hair and pointed ears. "That was sloppy, Firn," he said with a sly grin. "You put hand to hilt; a sign to the enemy of a response attack."

Firn sheathed his sword in annoyance. "I'm growing tired of your so-called training, Naru."

The cloaked elf shrugged. "It's good practice to stay alert at all times. You know that as well as anyone."

Firn rolled his eyes and turned to continue on his way without another word.

"Oh, come on!" Naru called after him. "You know you missed me!"

Firn stopped and sighed as a faint smile crossed his face. He could not deny that he felt relief upon the hunter's return. Though he was often a pain, Naru was a good friend. His best friend.

Firn turned back to look at Naru reluctantly and gestured to the flight of stairs leading up the stone wall and into the guard tower. "Care to join me?"

Naru grinned at the invitation. "I thought you'd never ask."

The two climbed the stairs into the main chamber of the guard tower, which was dimly lit by torches with a large opening facing the outside world. Before the opening stood a solitary female guard with crimson red hair, also clad in forest green garbs, who perked up at the sound of footsteps behind her.

"Good evening, Mira," Firn greeted the guard.

"Firn!" she exclaimed with relief in her voice. "Is it time to change the guard already?"

Firn raised an eyebrow at her obvious sarcasm. "Yes ma'am," he answered, taking his place beside her in order to take over guard duty.

Mira gave him a short informal bow and eyed the cloaked stranger behind him. "Who is this dashing companion of yours?" she asked with a spark of interest in her eyes.

"An associate," Firn said simply, hoping the conversation would end there. If Mira and Naru got to talking, he knew all too well what would happen next. Unfortunately for him, Naru didn't take the hint.

"Oh Firn" the hunter sighed with a crack of playfulness in his voice. "That's no way to introduce your lifelong friend of 150 years!"

Firn rolled his eyes again as his friend approached the young maiden and bowed extravagantly. "The name's Naru! It's a pleasure to meet you my lady."

Mira raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips with a dirty grin. "Oh, I like you. Just Naru then?"

Naru nodded. "I'm a hunter through and through. There are no earned or family names for those that live as dangerously as I," he said confidently.

Firn just shook his head. Only Naru would be proud of his disgraced status. To him, it meant nothing but fun and freedom.

"I see," said Mira, a smug expression forming on her face. She walked right up to the hunter and placed a delicate hand on his shoulder, then whispered next to his ear. "I like dangerous men."

Her words sent a shiver of excitement down Naru's spine. He chuckled to himself. "And here I thought this town was a drag."

"Depends who you know," said Mira. She brushed off his shoulder and walked casually to the exit before turning to address the hunter one last time with a smile. "I like to hang around the tavern, so you know where to find me."

Naru watched as she glided out the door, happily humming to herself. He whistled with intrigue and turned his excitement to Firn, who had not moved position nor said a word throughout the entire conversation. "I like her."

Firn sighed. "My friend, you are hopelessly predictable."

"You're hopelessly antisocial," Naru shot back. "Mira clearly respects you. Don't you ever think about choosing a partner and settling down?"

"All the time," Firn answered without hesitation, "but Mira is far too… mischievous. I could better coexist with someone more gentle and intelligent."

Naru shrugged. "Well you aren't going to find a gal like that way out here. You'd be better off with the daughter of a noble family. Unlike me, you can always return to your birthplace, after all."

"You know why I can't," Firn said sternly, never breaking eye contact with the shadowy forest down below.

Naru studied his friend with sadness, but he understood. "You've never forsaken the duties entrusted to you. I've always admired that. Once again, your resolve is unmatched"

Firn didn't say another word. He didn't need to. His position was that of a watcher. As commanded of him by the head of his family, he was tasked with bearing witness to the rising calamity in the south. It was meant as punishment, but in his own way Firn was thankful, and Naru knew that.

The hunter took his place beside his best friend and followed the sentry's gaze out into the distant skies. His eyes widened at the far-off sight. Just above the horizon, the black of night was interrupted by a faint radiance of fiery light. What caused the phenomenon was not in view, but Naru had no need to ask for its name.

"Despite everything, the Scourge still spreads," he observed.

Firn nodded. "Our latest scouting party claims the pace of its advance has increased. Another village was consumed only a week ago."

"Have the people evacuated?"

"Most of them, yes. The refugees pass through this town from time to time."

"But not all of them?"

Firn clenched his fists in frustration. "Some of the elves would rather die than leave their homeland, and others are simply too stubborn to see their impending doom."

"Well," suggested Naru, "I suppose there are those that grew attached to their home, unlike us. Still, it's a damn tragedy no matter how you look at it."

Firn nodded. "The Spreading Scourge never relents. If no one can find a way to stop it, this outpost will be consumed in only a few decades, if not sooner."

Naru crossed his arms. "What will you do if that happens?"

Firn frowned in deep thought for a moment. That was a daunting question. He tried to find an answer, but his mental efforts yielded no results. "I don't know."

Naru eyed his friend with curiosity. "I see. You know… as frightening as the Spreading Scourge is, it might not be such a bad thing if it relieves you of your duty. You'd be free to make your own decisions."

Firn's stance finally shifted a little. "Naru, you know I don't function well without a clear path to follow. If I had to leave this place behind… I would be lost."

Naru suddenly gave Firn a hard slap on the back, causing him to flinch in surprise. "You idiot," said the hunter. "That's what you have me for! You know you can always count on me when you need to, right? It's the least I can do after everything we've been through."

Firn sighed and turned to look at his friend, finally breaking his line of sight with the distant land. "You're right. I'm sorry. A century has come and gone, yet it seems I have learned nothing."

Naru shook his head in playful disagreement. "That's not true at all. You've come a long way already. Behind that wall of indifference is a caring heart that beats for dutiful justice!"

Firn raised an eyebrow. "You sound like a bard."

Naru laughed at his response. "Understood, but you get the idea. I owe you an unrepayable debt, and that's more than fine by me. If you ever find yourself in a bind, you need only send me a raven, and I'll come as fast as I can."

Firn nodded again. "Thank you, my friend. I will remember that."

"Good," said Naru, waving his hand with satisfaction. "Now, if you're going to be on guard duty all night, I shall take this opportunity to meditate."

"Very well," Firn answered.

With that, Naru walked to the leftmost corner of the room and sat with his back against the wall. He closed his eyes, allowing his mind to freely wander.

Firn watched him for a moment before turning his attention back to the forest and fiery glow beyond. For some reason, he felt as though he were connected to the calamity. One way or another, the Spreading Scourge would determine the direction of his future. He just hoped that when the time came, he would be ready.