*Author's Note: I would like to thank Rendou from DeviantArt for granting my permission to use their artwork as the cover image. In addition, I know that the horn decorations are elven version of wedding bands. However, I thought that they represents the elves' birth order (the eldest have both horn decorated, the middle child decorate one horn, the horns of the youngest are bare, and only child can choose on whether or not to decorate.); and they wear matching bracelets that is inspired by the betrothal necklaces from Avatar: The Last Airbender.*

Viren's POV

Sweeping up the ashes from my… earlier frustrations, I pull up the chair I brought down after the mirror activated– along with a candle. Sitting down in front of the mirror, I melted the wax at the bottom of the candle before sticking it on one of the armrests. Certain that the candle will stick; I lit the wick as I watched the mirror carefully, waiting to see if anything else happens.

Runaan's POV

Waking up from a nightmare of Azura not interfering when Viren was trapping my soul into one of those coins, I decide to glance over to where she's sleeping; in the moonlight peeking through the trees, I could see that she had been crying in her sleep. I was surprised by the revelation Azura gave me earlier. My mind is replaying the scenes from when we first met to now in a different perspective; how she referred to the High Mage as a monster, the way she reacted when she saw the coins… Suddenly, it's all starting to make sense; one of them contains her father. Thinking back to the conversation and our argument before, I felt like a complete jerk.

Runaan's POV (flashback)

"I had no idea… I owe you an apology for not showing the coins sooner." I spoke up, now regretting what I have said earlier. Azura was quiet; "I'm sure there's a way to undo–" I began before she finally spoke up, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Without the soul, the body withers into an empty husk that disintegrates at a single touch. And even if the body is still intact, it is rarely guaranteed that returning the soul would work." Hearing her say this made me realize that even if I somehow managed to get free the souls, they would have to move on to the afterlife; Rayla and I truly have each other left.

Normal POV

Shaking his head, Runaan decided to walk back to the field. Looking up to see the half moon, an idea came to the Moonshadow elf. Not knowing if it will work, he decide to draw out a certain rune. "Historia viventem." Runaan chanted; at first, nothing happened. But then, the spell's effects spread out until it covers the field. Through it, he can see three illusions by a campfire. The Moonshadow elf approached the fire and saw a female Oceanmist elf sitting there with Azura and the human male. "Are you sure that by returning the egg, there won't be any repercussions?" The man asked the Oceanmist elf, "I'll be certain as long as you keep your end of the bargain and tell the king the truth about the egg." She replied. "Just say the word, and Dad and I will bind ourselves to his word." Azura reassured, her father was about to speak to the young woman when the Oceanmist elf laughs. "It's quite all right, Adrian. Your daughter tends to remind me of our children." She said, surprising the man.

"I thought that you both look young to have children." He said, "Compared to humans, elves have longer lifespans; though the lifespan varies, depending on the Primal Source the elf is connected to. Stargazer elves have the longest, while the lifespan of a Sunfire elf is slightly shorter." The female elf explained with a slight before continuing. "But while both of our children can be stubborn at times, our eldest takes after Noctis and can be difficult to dissuade once his mind's made up." She turns her attention to Azura, "He happens to be about your age. And maybe… if there's peace between the humans and Xadia, then the two of you would be good friends."

Runaan's POV

I was surprised to hear Mom saying that I could be friends with Azura, let alone a human. The man; which I now realize to be Azura's father; spoke up, bringing my attention back to the scene. "You should get some rest, Azura. Once Noctis returns, we will have to take turn keeping watch. Knowing Viren, he'll be coming after us the moment he realizes the egg is missing. He may be after us now as we speak." He said, "All right, Dad. But I don't think he would be after us since he already have so much for his dark magic." Azura said as she settled down, saying 'his dark magic' distastefully. Her father shook his head is slight amusement; apparently, Azura despises dark magic even back then…

I watched as she closes her eyes and drift off to sleep, only for a familiar, Moonshadow elf ran past me a few minutes later. "The dark mage you spoken of is almost here." He said; both Mom and Azura's father widened their eyes before Mom quickly put the fire out, "I'll wake Azura up." The latter insisted as he walks toward his daughter, but Dad stopped him. "There's no time! We have to leave her behind." He said, "But if Viren have kept the egg hidden, chances are that he didn't want anyone else to know that the Dragon Prince live." Azura's father argued. From the look on Dad's face, I could tell that the former has made a point. "All right, Syrena and I will take the egg with us." He said as he goes to grab the egg and leave, "Wait! I'll buy you time to get away, but can't you at least help me hide my daughter?" Azura's father pleaded.

Normal POV

The illusion of the Moonshadow elf was taken aback, "I admit I was wrong about you." And with that, he pulled out a moon opal from his pocket and crushed it in his hand. "Mystica-Arbora!" Runaan watched as the spell takes effect on the sleeping Azura, "Thank you. Once I dealt with Viren, my daughter and I will catch up." The human male said. "You better." With that said, the Moonshadow elf took off with the Oceanmist elf and the egg– their illusions fading in the distance. Minutes after the illusions have faded, Runaan saw an illusion of the High Mage appearing and approaching the human male. "Where is the egg, Adrian?" The former demanded, "If you're referring to the egg of the Dragon Prince, wasn't it already destroyed?" the latter countered.

"Don't play dumb with me." Viren snapped, "I know you had something to do with it and there has be sightings of a Moonshadow elf in Katolis. What's more is that your daughter is missing from her duties." Adrian held his ground. "Azura is dead; she was killed by the Moonshadow elf as an incentive." He lied, trying not to glance at the lone tree. "You have my condolence. If we hurry, we can catch the elf and avenge your daughter." The High Mage said as he rushed past Adrian in the direction where the elves vanished, though the latter can tell that the former was insincere. The moment Viren was ahead of him, Adrian pulled out a spherical object and drew a sky rune; something that Runaan recognize as a Primal Stone. "Aspiro Frigis!" he chanted before blowing the rune in the High Mage's direction.

Runaan's POV

I watched as a powerful blast of ice formed and encased Viren's leg before Adrian ran past the High Mage. The dark mage pulled out a chain of some sort and chanted, "Meht dnib leets gnirehtils." the moment the chain touched the ground, it turns into a snake and slithered right up to the running man; causing him to fall to the ground and lose the Primal Stone as the snake wraps itself and become a chain again. Viren freed himself from the ice and crushed something else in his hand, "Eciov eht laets." The High Mage chanted. A hand-shaped mist reached out down the chained man's throat, and pulled out a yellow light and return to Viren; after seeing a similar light making its way back to Prince Callum, I instantly knew that it was the former's voice. "I didn't want you to use light magic to free yourself." The dark mage gloats, causing the now mute man's eyes to widen.

"That's right, Adrian. I know your secret." Viren said, "And I couldn't have you telling anyone about the dragon egg, especially King Harrow." With that said, he began the same ritual that was attempted on me. Witnessing the process of the soul being extracted from the writhing body, the scene is just as unbearable to watch as a soulfang serpent draining the soul from its prey. I must have looked away because when I returned my gaze, Viren was picking up the Primal Stone; and faded away. I cautiously walked up and saw that the lifeless face was trapped in a silent scream, and that is when I heard the spell hiding Azura wears off. "Dad!" she ran up to me; or rather, to her father.

Normal POV

"Dad?" Uncertainty laced Azura's voice as she tried to remove the chains; only for the body of her father to disintegrate into a pile of dust the moment she touched the empty husk. Horrified, Azura's eyes widened as she brought her hand over her mouth. Seeing the woman fighting the urge to break into tears broke Runaan's heart; he now knew that by stumbling across the very field where Viren had murdered Azura's father and the latter was helpless to stop it… The Moonshadow elf decided to do something to make up for it. He quickly went back to grab an arrow and use it as a marker before the illusions completely faded, and began to get started on his project.

Viren's POV

I don't know how long I have been asleep for; but when I woke up, I noticed that there's a fire in the fireplace. As I thought about it, the door on the other side of the room opened and someone entered. As I watched the figure scan the bookshelf, I noticed that they're an elf; but unlike any I have ever seen or heard of. I got up from the chair when I notice that they were leaving, "No, no, no!" But the figure just left the room, leaving me frustrated. "Who are you?"

Azura's POV

I stirred awake when I felt someone shaking me, only to realize that it was Runaan. From how light the sky is, I would say that it was close to daybreak. "I take it we have to go." I said, earning a nod from him. "But first, there is something that you need to see." I stood up and began to follow him, wondering what it was that he need me to see… but I began to worry when I notice that we are heading back to the field. "Why does he want me to go back there?" I wanted to go the other way, but the Moonshadow elf continue to lead me on. "You already know. And I don't want to be back–" I cut myself short when I notice what he wanted to show me; in front of me stood a pile of stone that came up to our chest and it was well-stacked that I realized that it must have been recently made. "H-here…" I wanted to get closer and touch it, but was scared that I would topple it by accident.

"When a warrior fell in battle, and there was nothing to bury, a cairn is built to mark where the warrior had fallen." Runaan explains as he held his arm, allowing me to realize. "You went out of your way and built this? This is where my father was– but how…" I began, "I used a spell to help me see what happened. I apologize if what I saw–" The Moonshadow elf replied before I interrupted. "No, no. It's just… No one has ever done something this nice for a light mage. They'd rather avoid us 'witches' like the plague." I explained, "After light magic was discovered, those who practice dark magic feels threatened and spread propagandas against light mages; Families can disown a relative if they practice it. And if a deceased person were discovered to be a light mage, they wouldn't even get buried. Because of that, light mages have to practice in secret and live as either gypsies or hermits. I was lucky to have my father. But now that he's gone, I feel completely alone; Once you start practicing light magic, you would never belong anywhere; neither in Xadia, nor among humanity."

Normal POV

Runaan places his hand on Azura's shoulder, surprising the light mage. "I'm so sorry about your father. And about what I said before." He said, "Thank you. I owe you an apology, as well. What I said about Moonshadow elves was completely below the belt." Azura replied before the Moonshadow elf shook his head. "It's fine. When you said it, I can actually think of a fellow Moonshadow elf who fits your description the most." Runaan said reassuringly, "But if you'd like, I can let you have a moment alone. So that if you want to have any closure…" he began to turn away back to their 'camp' so that the light mage can have a quiet moment to pay her respect.

Viren's POV

Ever since I saw that elven figure, I knew I had to get a better look. So I waited, until the figure returned to the room. The elf moved it hand, and the candles lit up. Apparently, this elf is skilled with magic; and then I stood up when I remember the rarest of the elven tribes– Stargazer elves. As if the figure can sensed that they're being watched, they turned and look at me before approaching. Up close, I can see that figure is indeed a Stargazer elf– and judging from their feature and height, I'm guessing that the elf is a male. I brought my hand up, with the Stargazer elf doing the same before fixing the clasp on his cloak. "You can't see me. On your side… it's just an ordinary mirror." I realized as he left the room again.

Runaan's POV

I gathered the supplies while I waited before Azura returns about an hour later, wiping the last remnants of her tear. "Are you all right?" I asked as I handed her satchel over, earning a nod from her. "I am now." She said as we began walking, "Thank you, Runaan." At that, I slowed down in surprise. "It's the first time she ever said my name." I realized as I look at her walking ahead of me, she seems… more at ease; her braided hair sway from left to right before I realize what I was doing. Shaking my head and mentally berating myself, I didn't notice Azura stopping. "Are you coming?" she called, snapping me out of it.

I quickly caught up to her before I had a feeling that I nearly stepped on something. I look down and notice that there was not one, but two of them close to my foot. Picking them up, I noticed that there is something familiar about them. One of them was a bracelet fitted for a female wrist; the silver wires are elegantly woven in a way that imitates the ocean waves, and have beads of moonstone, aquamarine, pearls, and abalone embedded in them. The second is identical to the first, with the exception of it being tailored to fit a male's upper arm.

Azura's POV

"What is it?" I asked before noticing the familiar, matching bracelets in Runaan's hands, "They're beautiful. I remember the Oceanmist elf wearing one of them." I commented. At that moment, I could have sworn that Runaan recognize the bracelets before going quiet. "They're betrothal bracelets." The Moonshadow elf explained, "The humans' equivalent is both an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Since the one who wish to propose to someone created the bracelets, no two sets are alike. The larger one is worn by males on their upper arm, and the smaller bracelet by females on their wrist; albeit on opposite arms from their partner."

"That sounds so sweet. I take it you have a lover back home, and you're planning to pop the question?" I teasingly asked, though I could have sworn I saw a faint blush on Runaan's face. "N-no. You have the wrong idea, because these were my parents'." He said, "Oh…" my smile faded as I piece two and two together; the Moonshadow elf must have realized how awful I felt for saying that. "It's quite all right. At least, I know that they're not cowards." He said before explaining that his parents were part of the Dragon Guard and Runaan was originally trained to join their ranks one day; he would have been the youngest in history to be enlisted if the humans hadn't killed the Dragon King. "Until Viren showed me the coins when I was imprisoned, I thought that they have abandoned their posts and ran away. But before I found out about that, they came home when my sister was sleeping and told me they need to go somewhere. They didn't tell me where they were going, but they said that they'll be back. Except… that was the last time I saw them. And when word got out that they failed in their duty, I still held on to the hope of my parents returning and prove everyone wrong. But since I have to look after my younger sister, and to ensure that neither of us would suffer as outcasts, I had to give up on my parents and become an assassin."

Normal POV

Azura place her hand on Runaan's shoulder, causing him to look back at her in surprise. "I'm so sorry for what humans have done, Runaan." She said, "Now you understand why I chose to be on the mission to avenge the King of the Dragons. It was also a chance for me to restore my family's honour, so that my sister can live without a stigma over her." The Moonshadow elf added before he felt the binding on his arm tighten. The light mage was quick to notice it, "We need to get that off your arm." She unsheathed her dagger and carefully slid it under the binding. She tried multiple times to cut it off, but failed each time. "That wouldn't work, even if you have a sunforge blade." Runaan said, "It's an assassin's binding; a Moonshadow elf ritual that is similar to your truth binding. When assassins swear an oath to end their target's life, they would bind themselves as a reminder to their oath. As long as the target lives, the binding will never come off and will continues to tighten until the assassin loses their hand or the target is killed. Once the latter happens, the binding will turn blood red and fall off."

Azura sheathed her dagger, realizing that there is nothing she could do. "When you said that your team came to avenge the King of the Dragons and the Dragon Prince, I take it your mission had fail." She said, "The mission was half-successful. There were two targets that was supposed to be assassinated that night; one was King Harrow." Runaan answered before reluctantly adding "And the other was Prince Ezran." The light mage was quiet when he said that. "However, I saw that the egg was never destroyed. I didn't see the reason to end the prince's life, and I'm willing to face the consequences." The Moonshadow elf said as he looks at his arm before noticing the look on her face, "But I guess it wouldn't hurt to humour you." He added as he offered his arm. Azura thought about what Runaan had said before an idea came to her, she carefully places her hand on the binding. "Segilla evlos." She chanted; the binding glow waveringly as it becomes slowly loosen to how it was the day the assassin bound himself. The Moonshadow elf looked at the colours returning to his arm with surprise, "You were serious about the binding. When I cast my spell, I can sense the binding's magic resisting it, so the best I could do is loosen it for now." The light mage explained.

Azura's POV

"I thought…" Runaan began, still taking in the fact that a simple light magic spell can override the assassin's binding; even if it's only temporarily. "I know it's not the best solution. So, what will you do with those bracelets? We can bury them, if you'd like." I said, reminding the Moonshadow elf of his parents' bracelets. Runaan thought about it, "If it's all right, I would like to hold on to them." He replied. I nodded in understanding; they were the only things he had left of his parents. "Now if your binding is bothering you again, then please don't hesitate to tell me. And I'll loosen it again." I told him before we continue walking, "Thank you, Azura." He said; I slowed down and watched him walking ahead of me. "That's the first time he said my name…" I mused in surprise before realizing he's completely out of my sight, "Hey, wait up!" I called out to him as I ran to catch up.

Viren's POV

Ever since the elf had return, I watched his movement carefully; while I have heard of Stargazer elves, I have never seen one before. He finished reading something in a book and set it on the desk, removing the candles' flames with magic in the process. The Stargazer elf turn to leave, only to stop and looked at my direction again. I stood from my chair in surprise, as I watched the elf use magic to extinguish the fire– leaving the mirror completely dark. "Did he just see me?" I processed what I just saw when the elf's hand shot through the darkness and press itself against the mirror's glass, confirming my suspicion that this mirror is more than what it seems.