A/N: sorry for the reupload. I decided that where i left off was a bit weird, so I continued with the chapter a bit a decided to extend the length. From now on all chapters after this will be longer...hopefully...enjoy this :D

Chapter two

"So is there a reason why you want to visit Ruben?" I asked Aisha. "You're roughly my age from the looks of it but you are already traveling by yourself."

Of course I already knew the reason. But, I prefer to keep the façade of a stranger.

I watched as the purple haired magician pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully, trying to think of what to say without revealing too much. She furrowed her eyebrows, and I couldn't help but let out a small snort. As I did, she turned and glared daggers at me, and I clamped my mouth shut.

"Sorry," I muttered.

She let off a prideful smirk, turning back to the forest path that we were following.

"I've come here to improve my magic," Aisha finally stated, her head held up high, as she smiled. "…and I heard that Ruben is a nice place to relax and practice magic."

And just as usual, my wife is very bad at lying. A sweat drop strolled down her face as she tried to look away from me. I sighed internally.

"Okay," I said, playing along with her lie. "Oh, we're near Ruben now."

We reached the ending of the forest pathway, leading to my home. Aisha could go on, but right now I had to stay for a bit longer. Because Banthus' goons would be arriving soon to the Eltree, where embedded in the trunk was the Elstone.

"So from here on, take a left," I told Aisha. "Keep going and you'll come across a bridge leading to town. I'll be off then."

I turned around and tried to walk off, but Aisha grabbed my shirtsleeve.

"You're not coming with me?" she asked, she eyes slightly hurt.

"I'm just going to check on something's quickly before I go back," I said. "You can go on ahead."

At first it seemed like she wanted to ask if she could come along. But her expression softened as she smiled at me.

"Thanks for showing me the way," she said. "I appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it," I answered.

"Okay I'll be going now," Aisha continued, her hands behind her as nervously tapped her foot. "Also Elsword, if we ever meet again, let's talk some more. I don't know why but I feel...comfortable around you…"

I stared at her, as her face went red (from nervousness), then purple (as she tried to remember what she said), then back to red (as she realized what she said).

"Forget what I said!" she shouted, turning around and sprinting away.

She left behind a cloud of dust, as I stared her disappearing figure.

"If it's you...I would talk forever," I stated, though she couldn't hear me, before walking back into the forest. That's if I can save her this time...

I leaned my back against the trunk of a tree next to the pathway where Banthus' goons were gonna walk past, talking about their plan. I had my eyes closed, thinking on how I should play this out. I fight them off. That part was obvious, but when they come part during the time of the fireworks, Rena will be here as well, waiting for them. Aisha will be as well, so that's the three of us already together. I then need Banthus to take the Elstone, and run off to Elder.

A sudden onslaught of whispers broke my train of thought. I opened my eyes, and turned my head to the sound, where two goons were talking. There was a smaller one that was thin, and didn't seem much of a fighter, and a much bigger one, who was bulky and didn't seem that bright. I'm surprised Banthus even kept these guys around. Over their faces they wore a wolf mask with blood red stripes.

"So Banthus is really doing it? Why tonight of all times?" the larger one asked.

"Because the festival is on you idiot," the smaller one replied. "It's the perfect time to strike."

"…But I want to eat the festival food," the large one complained. "I heard that it's tasty."

"Shut up you big dolt! We can eat after, we take the Elstone."

"Really?"

"Yes really, just…we gotta take the stone first."

"Then we eat the food."

"Yeah whatever."

I rolled my eyes at this childish conversation. As they were walking past, I drew my sword, waiting for the perfect time to strike and kill the both of them.

"Stop where you are!"

What? This voice was familiar…I peered out from my hiding place, seeing a beautiful elf in the blocking the path of the two goons. Her blonde hair was long, and loose, the wind blowing it uncontrollably. She wore a white and green skirt and shirt, with hints of blue on the tips of the skirt. White bracelets were clamped on her wrist on either hand, and a bow was held tightly in her left hand.

"Stop where you are," she continued, pulling out an arrow from her quiver. "Or I'll place an arrow right through your head right now."

I muttered an inaudible 'Oh', as I remembered that I didn't stop the two in my past life, as I ran to get help. So that means Rena stopped them I guess. I sheathed my sword, and watched what was going to happen.

"An elf in these parts of the woods?" the smaller one asked aloud.

"I dunno, I never seen one," the bigger one replied.

"It was rhetorical statement…"

"What's retorikel mean?"

I face palmed at the sheer stupidity of Banthus' goon.

"Anyway," the smaller one said, pulling out his blade and starting to laugh. "I know how you elves are like. Peaceful and all that, you wouldn't dare hurt anyo-"

Suddenly an arrow embedded itself into the bigger goon's leg, causing him to fall over and groan in pain.

The smaller goon stopped in his tracks, before sheepishly sheathing his sword.

"You take your injured friend there back to your leader," Rena threatened, pulling back another arrow. "Tell him that I won't be so lenient to him if he goes for the Elstone. But if he still wants to take it, I'll be there to put him in his place."

"…Sorry can you repeat that?" the smaller goon asked.

"Just tell him that I'll stop him if he goes for the Elstone."

"Oh okay."

I sighed at the conversation happening. How did I lose to these kinds of people in my previous life? I couldn't have been that stupid could I? I watched as the two goons ran, or hop away from the elf. As soon as they were gone, I leant my back agains the tree again, sighing a breath of relief.

"You can come out now," Rena called out. "I sensed your bloodlust for sometime now."

D-Did she mean me? I stayed where I was, holding my breath.

Suddenly an arrow embedded itself into a tree trunk right next to me, and I let out a startled squeak.

"I won't ask again. Come out, or the next arrow will be through your heart."

I cursed internally. I can't believe I made such a stupid mistake, underestimating Rena as she is now.

Rena's footsteps slowly became louder, as she made her way to me. I could hear the bowstring being pulled back, no doubt another arrow already nocked and ready to be released. Should I run? Could I outrun Rena as I am right now?

I knew I couldn't. Only one option left.

"I'm not an enemy," I called out, raising my hands and slowly standing up. "I mean no harm whatsoever."

I stepped out from the tree I was hiding behind, revealing myself to the blonde elf. Slowly she dropped her bow to her side, a puzzled expression on her face.

"How old are you?" she said almost immediately.

"Thirteen," I answered, slowly lowering my hands.

"Awfully young to be a knight trainee," Rena continued. "I thought humans only allow you to train as a knight after the age of fifteen."

I shrugged, smirking with a hint of pride.

"I'm a very convincing person when I want to be," I answered. "Though, a better question is why is an elf, such as yourself, doing so close to the human towns? I always took your kind as very territorial…no offense."

"None taken," she answered, seeing me as harmless, she swung her bow onto her shoulder. "We mostly are for the fact. But we maintain peace before all else."

"You still haven't answered my question."

"What does it matter to you why I am here?"

"Because anything about the Elstone is to be passed on to the garrison in Ruben. We protect the Elstone and preserve peace just as much as the Elves."

Rena's eyes widened. She bit her lip in thought, as she studied my expression.

"How did you know I'm here to protect the Elstone?" she asked finally.

I smiled, knowing that I couldn't tell her the real reason.

"I didn't, you just told me."

"…"

"So how about this, we go together to the garrison, I'll ask my superior there to keep watch on the Elstone. You can help if you want, or you can enjoy the festivities. Up to you. But surely you can defend the Elshard better with help, yes?"

I watched as she pondered, tapping her chin deep in thought. Finally she sighed.

"Who are you?" she asked in amazement.

I smiled innocently.

"I told you. I'm a very convincing person."

"El!" Lowe shouted. "Where have you been? Fireworks about to start."

By the time I reached town with Rena following me, the sun had set, and night was seeping in. Rena wore a hood to hide her head, as we didn't want to cause a disturbance with an elf being in town. Wearing a black hood, most either didn't see her or just ignored her as we made our way through the town towards the bridge where I promised to meet up with Lowe.

"Lowe," I said seriously. "We need to talk."

"Sure thing El," Lowe said, confused at my serious tone. "Who's that behind you."

"Someone seeking our help," I answered. "Listen Lowe, when I said we need to talk, it means we need to go to the garrison to discuss something urgent."

"That bad huh?"

"Yep. Come on, we don't have much time…oh and also, get one of the trainee's to find a Aisha Glenstid in town. Tell them to bring her to the garrison."

"Okay, Elsword," Lowe said, showing he was being serious as he said my full name. "Are you sure this needs a private discussion? I hope it's not something trivial-"

"Some bandits are going to try take the Elstone tonight," I interrupted. "Just wait for Aisha to come first before we talk details."

The garrison wasn't a large area in Ruben. It was quite small, with only a minimal amount of rooms. Dorms for each trainee, lunch hall, training area and lastly, a meeting area to discuss issues. The meeting area was a large room with a single circular desk in the middle of the room, generally filled with documents on the table. But today it had nothing.

You would probably be wondering why I even asked Lowe for help and go through all this trouble. Despite Lowe's childish side he, strangely enough, is the head of the garrison, and that means I needed his permission to protect the Elstone. Also, if I am to hide my true abilities, I probably need someone to do the majority of the work for me…sorry Lowe.

Just as I mentally apologized, the door open, revealing a town guard followed by a purple haired girl. As soon as she stepped in, the town guard bowed, before leaving the room. I gulped nervously, trying to focus on the incident at hand. I should probably tell her that she isn't in troub-

"Um, sorry," Aisha stated nervously, interrupting my thoughts. "There must be some sort of mistake with...wait Elsword?"

"Your not in trouble Aisha, it's just I'll be needing your magical abilities," I explained. "You said you were a magician, so I need your help. Okay, everyone is here. Rena take it away."

Nodding, the elf threw her cloaked over her head, revealing herself to Lowe and Aisha.

"What is an elf doing here?" Lowe stammered.

"Why are elves always so big?" Aisha mumbled to herself grudgingly under her breath, that nearly caused me to snicker.

Rena cleared her throat, her face slightly red from Aisha's comment.

"I'm here because in my village, the High priest saw a vision of the Elstone being taken and used for evil deeds," Rena stated. "I was chosen from my brethren to protect the Elstone from harm. But I cannot do so by myself as I face a group of bandits led by a man known as Banthus, to which my people had encountered before suffering from injuries."

"Banthus!" Lowe exclaimed. "How dare he-"

"Lowe calm down," I said. "I know how much trouble he has caused us and the lives he has taken. But tonight he is going for the Elstone, however I don't want to scare the townsfolk. Which is why I want this to stay between us four only."

"Elsword," Lowe answered. "This is crazy. We need the whole garrison for this. This is Banthus we are talking about. He is strong enough to beat us all, no matter how skilled this elf is."

I smiled.

"Tactics is about outsmarting your opponent Lowe, not everyone can be prepared for everything. They wouldn't expect to fight four people."

"Of course, because we will be instantly wiped out. Banthus is a force to reckon with, and he has at least a legion of bandits with him."

"We have a magician Lowe," I stated, winking at Aisha. "One magician is enough to turn the tides to our favor."

"We can't rely just on one person Elsword, that's not how battles work."

"I know," I continued, trying to hone in my point. "But battles can be won with more than just people. We could cut off their supply of food. We could split them up. We could use the terrain to our advantage and force them into a narrow pathway so it's harder for them to fight."

Lowe tried to answer back, but remained silent as he took in what I said. I know he wasn't convinced. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to ask more, to question my plans. He held back though. I don't know why, but the look he gave me, was as if he had given up arguing back.

"I trust you," Lowe forced out, sighing in defeat. "You are definitely her brother. Both as stubborn as a brick wall."

I simply smirked at the comment.

"Good to have you onboard Lowe," I stated. "Anyone else has any objections?"

I looked at both Rena and Aisha, both shaking their heads.

"I was the one that asked for help," Rena clarified. "You're young, but I believe what you are saying is right."

"I have confidence in my abilities as a magician," Aisha said. "I don't like the fact that someone is trying to steal the Elstone. So let's stop this Banthus guy from taking it."

"But what exactly are we going to do?" Lowe asked. "Elsword, you said it yourself. There are multiple tactics we could use to do this. So which do you think we should go with?"

I smiled.

"Why not all of them?"

A/N: thank you to those that are reading this, I don't play the game anymore and I didn't get there far, so I'll try my best to follow the story as well as possible. So until next time, keep being awesome guys.