The Standoff
The tension was palpable as the Elven guards, their rune-etched weapons gleaming faintly, surrounded the Waver. Gustein, unstrapping himself from his seat, shuffled to the door with his hands raised high. His imposing yet comical figure seemed almost out of place amidst the sharp precision of the Elves.
"We are not hostile!" Gustein declared, his voice carrying an odd mix of desperation and confidence.
The guards parted to allow their commander through—a towering Elf, nearly 9 feet 8 inches tall, his golden hair cascading past his shoulders. His angular features were severe, and his sharp blue eyes radiated authority. Standing at the threshold of the Waver, he said with cold precision, "Surrender now."
Gustein stepped forward cautiously, speaking quickly but with a disarming smile. "I'm a healer, and these are my patients. We were being chased by that monstrosity when we crashed here. As you can see, we're completely unarmed."
Kaelan stirred faintly from his stretcher, his voice groggy. "What's… happening? Feels like a mountain crushed me."
"Shut up," Gustein hissed under his breath, flashing an apologetic smile at the Elves. "We're in a… delicate situation."
The Elf commander's gaze shifted to the siblings. His expression darkened with suspicion. "You pests… Do you plan to invade our land?"
"No, no, no!" Gustein waved his hands, forcing a nervous chuckle. "There will be no invading! None at all. We're just harmless travelers."
The Elf commander narrowed his eyes. "You expect me to believe that? A million Earthers appear at our doorstep, and now you bring that massive beast to ravage our kingdom. If it weren't for—"
Before he could finish, Gustein interjected, "We were trying to escape it! That's why we crashed here!"
The Elf commander's patience wore thin. He raised his hand sharply. "Knock them out."
"Wait—!" Gustein began, but the guards were faster. They fired gas canisters into the Waver, filling the air with thick, acrid fumes. Valerius, Ziraiah, Eryndor, Kaelan, and Gustein succumbed to unconsciousness in moments.
The commander motioned to his troops. "Take them away."
---
The Journey to the Capital
The guards worked with practiced efficiency. The siblings were carried over their shoulders, while Kaelan's stretcher was wheeled out, and Gustein was unceremoniously strapped onto another. They were loaded into a massive, rune-inscribed vehicle—a Kruiser. Its sleek white surface shimmered faintly, glowing with the energy of embedded runes.
Inside, the Kruiser's spacious interior allowed the guards to stand as they secured their captives. At the helm, a guard donned a helmet wired to the control panel. The Kruiser hummed to life, and its runes glowed.
As the vehicle sped toward the Elven capital, the guards exchanged hushed words.
"Do you think this will be like 300 years ago?" one asked, his voice uneasy.
"I hope not," replied another. "Those Earthers… they're dangerous. Walking bombs. I was a child back then, but I still remember the chaos they caused."
A younger guard, barely 90 years old, scoffed. "Are they really that dangerous? These ones seem weak."
The commander's voice cut through the chatter, stern and sharp. "They were experimented on, turned into weapons. If you underestimate them, you'll regret it. Stay alert."
---
The Elven Capital
As the Kruiser passed through the grand gates of the Elven capital, the scene unfolded like a living masterpiece. The city was an awe-inspiring fusion of nature and architectural brilliance. Towering trees, their trunks wider than city streets, served as the foundation for homes and structures. Some buildings were carved seamlessly into the wood, while others perched atop colossal branches, connected by golden bridges and glowing vines.
Waterfalls poured from elevated streams, cascading into crystalline pools below. Vibrant flowers bloomed in every corner, their radiant colors shimmering under the light of suspended magical orbs. The streets were paved with luminous stones that sparkled like stars, casting a soft, warm glow over the city.
In the heart of the capital stood a colossal white castle, its surface gleaming like polished marble. Its intricate carvings depicted ancient Elven lore, and runes etched along its walls pulsed faintly, radiating a serene yet commanding energy. Surrounding the castle were towering statues of legendary Elves—heroes and leaders of the past. Their expressions exuded wisdom and strength, their gazes seeming to watch over the city they had built.
The Kruiser came to a halt in front of a grand building bearing the name Hefestir Hospital inscribed in flowing Elvish script. Its design mirrored the city's natural elegance, its structure curving gracefully like the petals of a flower.
The commander stepped out, issuing orders. "Take them to Renia."
---
The Laboratory
The hospital's interior was pristine and futuristic. Its white walls seemed to glow, and the faint hum of magic-infused machinery filled the air. The guards carried their captives to an elevator, where a hidden scanner activated as one guard placed his hand on the floor. A circular compartment revealed a glowing blue button labeled 0, which he pressed.
The elevator descended rapidly, opening into a sprawling underground laboratory. The room buzzed with activity—scientists moved between holographic displays, glowing vials, and intricate machinery.
Standing at the center was an Elf woman. Renia, tall and poised at 9 feet 5 inches. Her long blonde hair was tied back neatly, and her sharp blue eyes gleamed with intellect. She wore a white lab coat over a knee-length skirt.
"Put them on the beds," she instructed crisply. The guards obeyed, securing Valerius, Ziraiah, Eryndor, Kaelan, and Gustein on separate examination tables.
Renia dismissed the guards with a wave of her hand. "You may leave now."
As the room emptied, Renia turned to her team of scientists. "Let's begin."
---
The Discovery
The scientists worked diligently, their voices filling the room as they ran scans, took samples, and examined the siblings with meticulous care. Renia's voice rose above the murmurs as she reviewed the data.
"These three… they aren't human," she said, astonishment coloring her tone.
"What do you mean?" one of her colleagues asked, leaning closer to the holographic display.
Renia gestured to the screen, highlighting a strand of genetic data. "Their DNA is Elvhein in origin, but it's far more complex. Their physiology surpasses anything we've documented. Look at their bones—currently getting denser and lighter due to a unique crystalline structure. And their muscles—they're in the process of restructuring themselves, embedding stronger protein fibers. It's as if their bodies are preparing for survival on a whole new level."
A younger scientist pointed to another set of data. "I never thought I'd see a rare-breed Elvhein. But this… this is something else entirely."
Renia's gaze darkened. "Throughout my research, I've encountered remnants of Elvhein physiology—but this level of transformation is unprecedented. These children are changing on a cellular level. The pain they experienced was part of the metamorphosis—tearing them apart and rebuilding them, piece by piece. Their bodies are adapting… preparing for something."
Another scientist frowned. "Good thing we administered pain inhibitors. Without them, they might not have survived the process."
Renia nodded. "They're fortunate. But this discovery raises more questions than answers. Why are their bodies transforming? Elvheins aren't supposed to be like this anymore."
She turned toward Kaelan's display, her voice thoughtful. "Now this one… his DNA is what we'd expect from a rare-breed Elvhein. Stable, refined, even elegant. It fits what little remains of the ancient Elvhein line. But the siblings—there's something entirely different about them."
She paused, eyes narrowing as she tapped a highlighted anatomical scan. "And there's this—another anomaly. They each possess only one heart."
The room fell silent.
"One heart?" a scientist echoed, incredulous. "That's biologically inconsistent. Every known species on Yilheim—Elvhein, Dragoon, Reliard, even the Pesterio—has at least two."
Renia nodded slowly. "Exactly. Which makes this all the more disturbing. Either they were altered… or they are something entirely new."
---
Elvhein Mystery
One of the older scientists, an Elf with streaks of silver in his long hair, spoke up, his voice resonant with curiosity. "I've studied Elvhein physiology for over a century, but I've never encountered anything like this. These siblings—how did they end up on Earth?"
Renia tilted her head, her expression contemplative. "That's another question. The Elvhein on Yilheim are nearly extinct. Centuries of crossbreeding have diluted their bloodlines. True Elvheins—pure or rare breeds—are all but lost to time. For these siblings to exist at all… it's a miracle."
Another scientist, a younger Elf with sharp features, interjected. "The girl, is fascinating. She has traces of human DNA, but it's being overwritten. Her body is rejecting the human genetic code and reinforcing her Elvhein traits. By the time she reaches full maturity, she'll likely be indistinguishable from a pure Elvhein."
The older Elf frowned. "An Elvhein mating with a human… that's unthinkable. To stoop so low—"
"Careful with your words," Renia snapped, her tone icy. "What matters is the discovery, not your prejudices. Their existence challenges what we know."
The younger scientist nodded, clearly intrigued. "Their transformation suggests their Elvhein traits are far more dominant than we assumed. Perhaps they represent a resurgence… a rare reawakening of the ancient bloodlines."
"Or perhaps it's something inherent to their lineage," Renia murmured. Her eyes lingered on the screen, her voice lowering to something reverent. "A fragment of purity… buried, but never lost."
---
The Weight of Responsibility
The energetic young Elf scientist, Grain, leaned back against a counter, grinning mischievously. "So, who's going to tell the King about this?"
Immediately, the other scientists exchanged nervous glances before collectively replying, "Not me."
Renia crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing at Grain. "Don't even think about it."
But Grain pointed at her with both hands, his grin widening. "Too late, Renia. You're the best choice. Besides, you've got the authority."
Renia sighed heavily as the other scientists quickly made their exits, leaving her to handle the daunting task. Grain gave her a playful salute as he walked out. "Good luck, Renia. You've got this!"
Muttering under her breath, Renia turned back to the siblings. Her sharp gaze softened as she studied their unconscious forms. "What are you really, and why are you here?"
---
The Awakening
As the scientists prepared to move the siblings to secure chambers, murmurs of curiosity and concern filled the lab. Renia kept a close eye on the monitors, her gaze flicking between the screens and the siblings.
Suddenly, Ziraiah's body tensed, her muscles contracting as her face contorted in pain. A low groan escaped her lips, followed by a sharp gasp as her body arched off the table. Moments later, Eryndor let out a strained breath, his back stiffening as tremors ran through him. His hands clenched the edges of the bed, knuckles white from the pressure. Their agony was unmistakable.
"What's happening to them?" a scientist asked, his voice tinged with panic.
Renia's tone remained calm but firm. "Their bodies are adapting, but the process is far from smooth. This level of transformation would be excruciating."
"They're waking up," another scientist said, alarm creeping into their voice.
"Prepare the sedatives!" Renia ordered. "We need to stabilize them before the pain overwhelms their systems."
But amidst the rising chaos, Valerius remained still.
His body showed no signs of distress. No spasms. No contorted limbs. His vitals were stable. And unlike the others, his physiology had barely changed—no significant increase in bone density, no restructuring of muscle fibers, no cellular volatility. It was as if the transformation had passed over him.
Then, his eyes fluttered open—clear, focused, sharp. He inhaled deeply and sat up with steady precision. Though the environment was unfamiliar, his gaze held no panic. Only calculation.
A nearby scientist stared at the screen, confused. "Why… why isn't he in pain like the others? His body barely changed at all."
Renia moved quickly to the console, scanning Valerius's data. Her brow furrowed. "I don't know."
Valerius's gaze shifted to her. "Where… am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse but composed.
Renia stepped forward cautiously, keeping her hands visible. "You're in a secure facility. You've been undergoing a transformation—a process triggered by your recent experiences."
Eryndor stirred beside him, his skin damp with sweat, breath labored. Despite the pain, his gaze was razor-sharp. "What did you do to us?"
Renia met his stare directly. "We've done nothing to harm you. Your bodies are changing, adapting to your latent potential. Without intervention, the process could have killed you."
Valerius's jaw tightened as he looked to his sister. Ziraiah trembled weakly, struggling to open her eyes, her body clearly altered. Bone structure. Muscle definition. Even her skin showed subtle signs of refinement—sharpened, luminous, tense with energy.
He turned back to Renia. "Why should I trust you?"
Eryndor placed a steadying hand on Valerius's shoulder, forcing himself upright through gritted teeth. "Valerius, let us first discern the truth of our circumstances before casting blame or suspicion."
Ziraiah finally managed to speak, her voice thin and pained. "This… pain. What's wrong with me?"
Renia's expression softened, her tone turning gentle. "Your bodies are changing—reshaping themselves in response to the trauma you've endured. It's a natural process, but a brutal one. The pain you're feeling means it's working… and that you're growing stronger."
She paused, then added quietly,
"But I've never seen anything like this—not in any Elvhein. This is... entirely new."
She looked again at Valerius. Still. Silent. Entirely calm. His data was inconsistent. His body changed, but not to the degree of his siblings.
And that... was deeply unsettling.
---
The King's Command
As Renia began explaining further, the door to the lab burst open, and a regal figure stepped inside. The Elven King, towering even among his kin. His golden armor glimmered under the lab's lights, and his blue eyes swept across the room.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his deep voice silencing everyone.
Renia stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, these are the subjects I mentioned in my report. Their physiology is unlike anything we've encountered. They're Elvhein… but not as we know it."
The King's gaze lingered on the siblings, his expression unreadable. "Elvhein Earthers," he mused. "Interesting. And dangerous."
Valerius stood, his legs shaky but defiant. "We're not your enemies."
The King's lips curved into a faint smile. "Perhaps. But that remains to be seen."
To Be Continued...