Kuroko stared at the dark, gloomy forest before him.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes."
The entire forest behind the point where Kuroko was, was filled with an eerie atmosphere. There was no life there; the birds were quiet, the leaves of the trees didn't rustle though there was a wind blowing.
"It looks rather intimidating."
"An average person would get lost the moment they step into the forest. Because within the forest, there is a constantly shifting hidden illusion magic."
"I see. You will guide me then?"
"…Even for me, this forest is a difficult problem. I will do my best to identify the illusions, you have to avoid them at all costs."
"If I get caught, I will die, won't I?"
"It's highly probable."
Kuroko stepped forward, his soft footfalls echoed loudly throughout the forest. He walked for a long time, taking sharp turns now and then under the white dragon's guidance. Time passed, and there was still no results.
"It would be accurate to say that I am very disoriented by this forest. I see no end to this."
"Don't let yourself be disheartened. When you show weakness, this forest will take advantage and trap you in."
He sighed, "Still, it is a dreary forest."
Kuroko continued walking, taking breaks now and then to refresh himself by eating and sleeping. It was good that he had the foresight to pack some fruits from the normal forest beforehand. There were fruits here as well, but they were of the strangest colours and completely did not look safe to eat.
"I'm running out of food. We've been in here for too long."
"I would say we have been in here for about two weeks."
"I see. I must hurry and find it."
"Midorimacchi, how much are we going to say to him?"
"Is there even a need to ask such a question? We have to tell him everything."
"But… the things that Kurokocchi told us, it seems like a very heavy topic for him. If we were to tell him everything regardless, doesn't that mean we are disrespecting Kurokocchi?"
"Kise-chin. It's not like we can hide anything from him. I don't want to either."
"But still…"
"We will tell him everything. We have to be prepared for when Kuroko returns. When he learns of his origins, he may lose himself to it and even become our enemy."
"…"
"It's just a necessary precaution, Kise. Enough about that, let's move quickly."
"…Okay."
Kuroko stopped before a large clearing.
It was unlike an ordinary clearing one would find in a forest. It was more like a specially designed meeting ground. Tree stumps were placed in a circle too perfect to be natural, large rocks arranged in an order, and a large abnormally smooth fallen tree trunk.
"Where is this?"
His eyes swept from one end of the clearing to the other, over and over.
"I cannot be sure, it looks different from what I remember. But it seems to be a place where Dark Elves gather."
Kuroko blinked.
He slowly walked into the centre of the clearing.
And then, all around him, glowing lights appeared.
The air wavered, twisting, and the glowing lights started to form shapes. In the next second, Kuroko was surrounded by very humanoid looking creatures.
With skins so dark that puts a starless night to shame, overly large protruding eyes, bows and spears in their hands.
The Dark Elves.
"We have been watching you, non-human being."
Kuroko turned his head from side to side. The voice that spoke to him sounded like a unified chorus, he was unable to single out the highest ranked Dark Elf.
"I apologise for intruding. I have come with questions."
There was a stifling silence before the Dark Elves parted, and a regal Elf walked out. The Elf was covered with gold jewellery, and a simple yet elegant elven circlet rested on its forehead. Kuroko immediately knew that this was the one that ruled the Dark Elves. Unsure of the etiquette that Elves use, Kuroko simply decided to greet the Elf with a polite bow.
"Raise your head."
Kuroko did, straightening up.
"From when you stepped into this forest, we have been guiding you here, using the illusions to lead you to this place."
The Dark Elf was watching him with cold eyes, and the staff it was holding would ring every now and then. Without warning, it raised the staff and slammed it into the ground. The slight widening of Kuroko's eyes was all that betrayed his surprise.
"You have grown up well," the Dark Elf said, "though you have brought back something awful with you."
Kuroko stared at the Dark Elf.
"Do you know me?"
"Yes."
"How…"
The Dark Elf gestured to a large rock.
"Take a seat. I understand the questions you have."
Kuroko did as told, carefully seating himself on the large rock. The other Dark Elves all shifted into comfortable positions, but they did not sit. Only Kuroko and the Dark Elf leader sat.
The Dark Elf introduced itself.
"Veldrayne Ulvusi, is what I'm known as. I am the one who leads the Dark Elves, and I am male."
Kuroko blinked, and stared. His eyes strayed to the very plump chest of the Dark Elf.
"…You are male." Kuroko repeated.
"Yes, I am male. Because of that thing within you, I cannot show you my true appearance. How I wish to destroy that being which dwells in you." The Dark Elf growled.
"A mere elf wants to destroy me? The arrogance of the elves really knows no limits."
Kuroko did not respond to the white dragon.
"I understand. I am Kuroko Tetsuya."
"Kuroko Tetsuya. I see. Such a human-like name you have been given."
Though Kuroko knew it was rude, he couldn't help but to jump into the questions.
"May I ask, why do you know of me? I, what am I? Do you know the origins of this blood within me?"
"I sense urgency and desperation in you. Do you wish to know of yourself that badly?"
"I want to know."
"Even if it means that you can never leave once you have learned of your origins?"
Kuroko froze.
"What do you mean? I can't leave?"
"It all depends on you. After gaining knowledge, with even the slightest doubt, you will not be able to leave this forest. You are free to roam right now because of your ignorance. With knowledge, comes a heavy price. Do you still wish to know?"
"…Yes." Kuroko nodded firmly. "Yes, I want to know."
"Then listen closely."
x
Many, many years ago, when there was barely a handful of humans, the Dark Creatures roamed the world freely.
They hunted, they killed. They breed, they survived.
Their lives were peaceful. Though there were conflicts between the different races of Dark Creatures every now and then, they were easily resolved without bloodshed.
And then, came the existence of special humans.
Humans who wielded strange powers.
Their never seen before strength drove fear into the hearts of the Dark Creatures.
The Dark Creatures were hunted, they were killed.
And the terrifying humans grew stronger, grew in numbers.
They were so great that even Dragons gained an interest in the humans, and decided to aid them.
Divine beings like dragons never got along with the Dark Creatures, though they left each other alone. But a single misstep, and they would kill the Dark Creatures.
Now that they had joined hands with the humans who hunted down the Dark Creatures, the Dark Creatures had no choice but to flee, to make a safe haven within the abundant forests.
But the humans still chased after them.
They killed not because they were starving, but they killed for unjust reasons. Though the Dark Creatures had hidden themselves away, and barely interacted with humans, the humans would find reasons to have them hunted and killed.
They blamed the Dark Creatures for their lack of space to accommodate the growing population of the humans, so they hunted and hunted, taking away large parts of the forests where the Dark Creatures lived, and claiming it as a justified reason that they needed it more than the Dark Creatures do.
With the ceaseless hunting, many races of Dark Creatures became extinct.
Dragons too, they destroyed and burned down forests for the humans.
Eventually, the wisest of all Dark Creatures came forth.
The unicorns.
They were majestic creatures; with the gleaming black coats and their beautiful red horns and eyes.
The unicorns were wise and strong, though their size was considerably smaller than that of dragons, their knowledge and strength was on par. Rather than fighting, they could see that it would be futile to attempt to talk to the dragons into stopping.
So they took the entire race of Dark Creatures, and sealed them all into the forest to protect them.
They created an illusion with unmatched powers, making it so that humans could no longer enter the forest and hunt with no worries. Those who challenge the forests that were under the protection of the unicorns' magic, never make it back out.
However, that also meant that the Dark Creatures were trapped.
If they were to leave the safety of the forests, the humans can hunt them then. Even so, the Dark Creatures were thankful to the unicorns, willing them to become to one to lead all the Dark Creatures. And they did.
And so, they survived the threat of humans.
Years passed in peace, when unfortunately, humans discovered the existence of unicorns.
Unicorns were wise, but it did not mean that they came into the world with great knowledge. Young unicorns were just like other Dark Creatures. They grew from child to adult. And children would always have a mischievous streak in them.
Young, foolish unicorns would leave the forests, and be caught by humans.
The humans were an ever greedy race.
A creature they had never seen before, they wanted to own it. They turned the unicorns into what they like through their strange magic. The beautiful black coats were no more, replaced by a revolting white. Their red 'evil-looking' horns were changed into an equally revolting white as their coats.
The humans spun tales of unicorns, saying that those white unicorns were the 'real' ones, and that the black unicorns were pitiful cursed unicorns.
As a generally peaceful race with the utmost control over themselves, the black unicorns were finally angered.
Their blood boiled with hate and revenge.
Unicorns were wise, but there was a reason why such beings were still known as Dark Creatures. They, just like any other Dark Creature, felt the need to kill.
But unlike others, unicorns could rein in themselves so well that they pushed the desire to kill – the very thing that rules over all others – away, and chose not to. They sustained themselves on a diet of berries and grass, refusing meat.
But the actions of humans finally drove them to an anger so great that they killed humans, ate their flesh, and turned their bones into dust.
Not just that, they killed those white unicorns (who were obedient only to the humans) as well.
They became the most feared monsters of the humans.
The humans begged the dragons for help, and help they gave.
Then the war between the two strongest creatures began, lasting for a long time. The unicorns' horn may seem like a feeble weapon as compared to a dragons' talons, but their horns were the only thing capable of killing a dragon.
It had strength so great that it completely ignored the existence of scales that were meant to protect the dragons, tearing right through them and piercing the heart of a dragon.
The dragons feared the unicorns.
They hated the unicorns.
And during their war that dragged on for many years, the humans watched them all. They chose which they deemed would benefit them most, and helped in eradicating the other opponent.
They chose the dragons.
They hunted down unicorns even while the war raged on, discovered the surprising benefits of unicorn's blood, and finally, ended the war by driving the unicorns to extinction.
And with that, came a new rule.
The humans' rule.
Amongst them, there was a human who had been secretly working on a spell. He had stored all the unicorn blood shed during the many years of war, as well as dragon blood. Hidden away from the rest of the humans, that man used the blood he had gathered to create a terrifying, disastrous spell.
As the humans flourished, kingdoms were built, and a hierarchy was formed.
And then, the humans had their own war.
The dragons did not aid the humans in their own war, which greatly displeased the humans. So that human man came forth, with the most treacherous spell ever known. The spell he created using the strongest blood of both sides; unicorns and dragons.
He controlled the white dragons using that spell, binding them to him forever.
That human had somehow surpassed the limitations of humans. No one knows how he had done it, but he had managed to separate his life and body. His life that he bound the white dragons to, with the support of the spell, became an everlasting force. It did not matter even if his physical body were to die a thousand times.
By using that spell, he commanded control over the dragons.
Because white dragons were the strongest of all dragons, those underneath them had no choice but to obey their orders. With the white dragons bound to him (and all other dragons), that human ruled the world.
It was such a vicious cycle that it even made the Dark Creatures pity the white dragons, though their hate did not disappear.
Kuroko lowered his eyes, his head spinning with all the information.
A cup of some sweet was placed next to him, though he wasn't aware of who did it. He picked it up, inhaling the relaxing sweet scent that was so painfully familiar, and slowly drank it.
Kuroko slowly lowered the cup, licking his lips.
His mind felt strangely clear after drinking.
He tilted his head at Veldrayne in silent question. A nod, and Kuroko asked, "What about the black dragons?"
A small smile curled at Veldrayne's lips.
"Black dragons, you ask? They are the most pitiable creatures."
"Why?"
"We still cannot forgive them, but much like our feelings for the white dragons, they are made to carry a sad fate."
That human man steadily rose to the top in just a few short years.
He became leader of the people.
And he was no fool. He had known that white dragons are weaker compared to black dragons, but because his ability was lacking, the most he could achieve was the control of white dragons.
The black dragons were too strong for him to bind.
So after he had the white dragons under his control, fearing that the black dragons would come to aid the white dragons in getting free, he accused them of false charges using his authority as the human leader.
Though the black dragons had been a great help in the war, that human leader spoke of false words, saying that the dragons had been cursed by the unicorns, that they had turned around and killed other dragons and humans. The leader's words were all imbued with a hypnotic magic, those who heard it are unable to become free.
So, like puppets, the humans starting hating the black dragons. They would go on hunts to kill them, it didn't matter if they could not get the dragon hearts. They simply wanted to erase the existence of black dragons.
Many black dragons were killed, turning it into a dangerous situation for them. They, who were hurt by the humans' actions, lost their trust in all humans and willingly gave in to anger.
If the humans accused them of things they did not do over and over again, unwilling to listen to their words, then the black dragons might as well fulfil those baseless claims!
They killed dragons, they ate humans.
They destroyed everything that displeased them.
Dark Creatures were not exempted, but as compared to the controlled white dragons, they killed far less Dark Creatures. Often times, if a Dark Creature were to meet with a black dragon unexpectedly, if they did not attack the dragon, the dragon would not attack either.
In fact, the amount of times that a black dragon would simply walk away was astounding.
The black dragon were the kindest to the Dark Creatures, but because they had killed many of them back during the war, it was not possible to not hate the black dragons. But should they have to make a choice, the Dark Creatures would pick killing a white dragon over a black dragon.
Because till now, white dragons still kill many, many of the Dark Creatures.
All of this was set forth by a single human. Though they have tried to stop that human, but with him protected by white dragons, it was a near constant fruitless process.
Dragons kill Dark Creatures, and Dark Creatures kill dragons.
Dragons and Dark Creatures, locked in an endless cycle of vengeance and suffering.
x
"I see." Kuroko sighed.
"Are you tired? Would you like a break?" Veldrayne asked.
Kuroko shook his head.
"No, I'm fine."
"Have some meat, you should eat well in order to go on."
Kuroko was handed a bundle of leaves, and he carefully unwrapped it. Inside, there was a well-cooked piece of red meat, together with a large fish.
With soft words of gratitude, Kuroko ate.
As he ate, he noticed that the glances of the other Dark Elves would sometimes be filled with hate, and other times, with an inexplicable awe. Kuroko did not understand. Because it was not as though the looks came from different elves, but the same elf would show such contradicting feelings!
Why were they looking at him that way?
Did it have something to do with him?
Kuroko finished off the food, gratefully accepting the cup of sweet smelling liquid.
"Now then, shall I began the explanation about you?"
Kuroko nodded his head enthusiastically.
"When the war with the dragons was about to come to an end, a few unicorns had slipped away. They knew that this was a war they couldn't win. In a last effort to prevent the extinction of their own race, they ran. And it was because they did, that the dragons and humans were fooled."
"So they are not extinct?" Kuroko asked.
"No, they are. Though they ran and survived, unicorns do not have long lives. Due to a lack of females, eventually, they died out. You were found in the forest by the last living unicorn, our lord, as a baby. You were barely a year old."
The Dark Elf glanced to the side, reminiscing.
"A goblin had messed with you. You were human, and it had tried to kill you in the worse way possible; by implanting its blood into you. You were no longer recognisable for your skin had turned red and bubbled like lava. Our lord was following the sound of your slowly weakening screams. When he found you, our lord decided to take you in, bringing you to us with the task to care for you.
"The lord would come by every few days to feed you his blood. Because a unicorn's blood contains strong healing properties, your wounds were healed over well. But still, you were turning into a monster. It was the first time we had ever seen such a young human child survive long enough to be turned into a monster. However, our lord did not like the idea of you turning."
The Dark Elf set his serious gaze on Kuroko.
"So he killed you. Cleanly, with a stab wound to your heart. And once your life began to weaken, he filled the hole in your heart with his blood. Over time, your body and heart that was immersed in unicorn's blood, adapted and changed. And then you were reborn as what you are now."
Kuroko was staring at the Dark Elf, slack-jawed.
"Wait, please wait. This… this does not make any sense. Unicorns are extinct, and the white dragon says that they were last sighted a thousand years ago, so how can a unicorn find me?" Kuroko was rambling, unsure if he was able to get his point across.
Veldrayne Ulvusi nodded his head.
"You're right, but you're also wrong. Right now, you are thinking of the present, aren't you? That is wrong. When our lord brought you back to life, it took such a toll on your body that you have been asleep for a thousand years."
"What?" Kuroko exclaimed, unconsciously standing up.
"But I… my parents…"
Veldrayne lightly pushed Kuroko back down, making him sit once more.
"You were asleep, but your body did not grow. We took care of you for a thousand years, watching over you as you slept. Protecting you from those who did not agree with the lord's decision and wanted to kill you. When our lord passed, many Dark Creatures immediately attempted to take your life for your origins as a human is unforgivable. You have caused our race quite some trouble.
"The human parents you have now had came to us back then, begging for a child. For many years, they were not able to bear a child. They came every single day for nearly a month. Seeing their earnest and desperate pleas, we granted their wish. We handed you over to them. The moment you were cuddled by those humans, your eyes opened and you began to cry. Your life that had been paused for a thousand years, had started once more."
Veldrayne let out a light breath, and continued.
"We told them nothing about you, for in your new life given to you by our lord, memories of the painful things you have experienced were all erased. But those humans must have had their own suspicions about you. Even so, they still cared for you, didn't they?"
Kuroko stared at the ground.
"…They did. At the very most, they would still give me food and a place to sleep even if they wanted to avoid being in my presence. My younger brother… No. He's not my brother, right? To that family, I've never had any relations. Then… do you know of my real family?"
Kuroko raised his head, his eyes seeking out the Dark Elf's.
But the Dark Elf shook his head.
"You were found abandoned in the forest. And the goblin that attacked you had been long been killed by humans. We do not know of your original birthplace. You must remember, that took place a thousand years ago. You won't be able to find any living humans from that time anymore."
"I see."
Kuroko managed a smile. His lips trembled and tears pooled in his eyes.
He lowered his head.
Silent tears dripped to the ground, the earth soaking it up and leaving no traces behind.
A couple of minutes passed.
Kuroko coughed, lifting his hand to wipe at his eyes.
He stood up.
"Thank you for telling me." He bowed, holding that position for the longest time he had ever given. Slowly, he straighten up. Firm, resolute eyes replaced the wavering ones he had before.
Veldrayne smiled.
"You are welcome."
He stood up, and the elves surround them shifted to attention.
"What will you be doing now?" Veldrayne asked.
Kuroko answered, "I will head to the palace."
Veldrayne Ulvusi nodded. "Then, if you still have questions, call upon my name and I will answer as long as you are still within this forest. But I won't aid you in anything else."
"Ah, please wait!"
Veldrayne paused, waiting for Kuroko to speak.
"That is… Um. I can use magic that no other human can; dragon magic. And my magic strength far surpasses ordinary humans… Do you know the reason why?" Kuroko softly asked.
"The reason is simple. It is because of our lord's precious blood. Remember, unicorns and dragons are of equal strength even if their size differ. With your changed heart, more than half the blood in your body belongs to that of unicorns. That is why you can use the strong magic of dragons, Kuroko Tetsuya."
Kuroko lowered his eyes.
"I see. I understand. Thank you."
The Dark Elf leader turned, and with a swish of his staff, all the elves turned into glowing lights and disappeared.
T.B.C