Chapter Text
A blue haired elf is walking through town with two young kids following behind. A girl with platinum blonde hair with the ends dyed red happily skips after the elf while a boy with purple hair walks beside the girl.
“Master! Where are we going?” The girl asks the elf.
“You will see.” The elf says as they keep walking. The elf puts the hood of their cloak up before they walk through the gate of the town and starts walking by some stalls in the market.
As the trio walks past the stalls they hear people talking.
“Have you heard of the blue haired elf? People say they’re amazing!”
“I have!”
“Master?” The boy says seeing the elf pause in their walking. “Master Shadow Milk?”
“Go buy stuff we need.” They say as they summon a coin pouch full of coins. “There are ten thousand coins in that pouch.”
“Come on Sapphy! Let’s go get stuff!” The girl says dragging the purple haired boy away. “Master is acting weird every time we walk into a town.”
“I see that too.” The boy says. “I hope they are alright.”
Shadow Milk sighs as the siblings walk off and they walk before bumping into someone. They look at the person they walked into and look at their ears. Human. The person has human ears.
“I’m so sorry!” The blonde haired person says smiling. Shadow Milk looks at the other confused. “I am Pure Vanilla and I’m a healer. What is your name?”
“Why do you need to know? We won’t talk again after this.”
“Well we might meet again. We are both adventurers, are we not?” The blonde says as the elf sighs.
“The name is Shadow Milk. A mage and leader of my party.” They say to the blonde.
“What party?” Pure Vanilla asks the elf as the healer looks around.
“Candy Apple and Black Sapphire are shopping for supplies we need for tomorrow’s travel.” Shadow Milk says to the healer.
“Well I have to meet up with my party. It was nice meeting you, Shadow Milk!” Pure Vanilla waves as he runs off. The elf sighs before heading to the inn to get a room for the night. They usually don’t get a room at inns but they need to tonight. The siblings haven’t slept in a bed in months.
They arrive at the inn and asks for a room with two beds. The siblings can share one bed while Shadow Milk can have one for themself. They head to the room and the elf closes the curtains. Elves are a rare species. The elves don’t leave their forest they live in. Shadow Milk doesn’t remember meeting another elf.
They wandered the land of Crispia for nine hundred years. The elf always thinks they never seen their own kin before. They lay down in one of the beds as they use a spell to talk to the siblings.
“Black Sapphire, Candy Apple. We are staying at Azure Inn.”
“Alright! Master!” Candy Apple says before Shadow Milk turns off the spell. They stare at the ceiling until Candy Apple and Black Sapphire come into the room. “Master, we are back!”
“Hey.” They say as Candy Apple jumps on the other bed.
“Are you alright, Master?” Black Sapphire asks, walking up to his master.
“Just uncomfortable. I don’t like staying in town much.” They roll over facing the window. “People don’t like my kind...” Shadow Milk sighs. “Not after what I did to them.”
“We didn’t have to stay in town, you know.” The purple haired boy says sitting behind the elf.
“I can’t make you two sleep outside forever.” They sit up and looks over at the boy. “I can’t do that to you.”
“THE TOWN IS UNDER ATTACK!” Shadow Milk gets up and puts on their cloak before putting up the hood. Candy Apple and Black Sapphire follow behind them.
The elf sees a huge monster in front of the gate. They teleport in front of the monster pointing their staff at the monster. As they start casting a spell they didn’t notice the hood fly off from the wind of the spell. They blast the monster with the spell, killing it instantly.
“Shadow Milk...?” The elf looks at Pure Vanilla and the healer points to his own ears before silently telling the other about their ears. They stare at all the people watching before teleporting away.
They teleported into their room at the Azure Inn and they begins packing their things. Candy Apple and Black Sapphire walks through a portal and sees their master packing up. The siblings look at each other before back at the elf.
“Master Shadow Milk?” The girl says in worry.
“We are leaving.”
“Did you see that?!” A human mage says.
“I did.” A dwarven warrior says. “I can’t believe elves would kill something that isn’t a monster.”
“Aren’t those killed part of the elf’s party?” An avian healer says.
“I-I didn’t mean to!” A five hundred year old elf with blue hair with stars in it says as they tremble. “I-I meant to kill the monster not my—my party.”
“You are an embarrassment to every mage in Crispia!”
“AFTER THE ELF!”
“LOCK THEM UP!”
“Master breathe.” The boy says as he rubs the elf’s back. Shadow Milk is currently crying while they are on their knees facing the bed. A knock on the door is heard and Candy Apple goes and answers it.
“Master, a blonde human is at the door!” She says as the healer looks in.
“Are they alright?” The healer asks.
“They are just having a meltdown. Give them a bit.” Black Sapphire says.
“May I come in to sit?” The siblings nod and the healer sits at the table in the room. The three wait until the crying stops but it doesn’t.
“I-I didn’t mean to kill them.” The elf sobs out. “It was an accident.”
“I know.” The boy says. A few minutes of silence and very quiet sobs later the elf stands up.
“Didn’t I tell you to pack up?” The elf says not realizing the healer in the room.
“Shadow Milk?”
“Pure Vanilla?” The mage’s ears droop when they see the healer.
“Are you alright? You left after defeating the monsters.”
“Don’t you realize what I am?” They say looking at Pure Vanilla. “I’m an elf! People hate my kin!”
“I don’t hate you. I’m pretty sure that my party doesn’t either. Also they are waiting outside.” The healer says. “They want to take you out for dinner as a thank you for beating the monster.”
The elf sighs before agreeing to go. The four head outside and Shadow Milk is wearing their cloak with the hood up. They see an avian, a faerie, a dragon-hybrid and a human.
“The avian is Golden Cheese, the faerie is White Lily, the Dragon-hybrid is Dark Cacao and the pink haired human is Hollyberry.” Pure Vanilla says as the elf takes a good look at them.
Golden Cheese has orange wings that are currently folded to her back and instead of feet she has talons. Shadow Milk then looks at White Lily who has faerie wings and nice long white hair. They look at Dark Cacao who has dragon wings one white and one black. Dark Cacao’s white wing is to the dragon’s right and the black is on the dragon’s left. The dragon-hybrid’s tail is black with a white under belly and he has horns that are purple in colour.
“Who is that, Pure Vanilla?” The avian says, looking at the cloaked elf.
“This is Shadow Milk. The one who defeated the monster.” The elf waves. “And the other two are Candy Apple and Black Sapphire.”
“Why are you hiding under a cloak?” Hollyberry asks.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” They say as the group starts heading to the restaurant. They all sit at a big table and order food. Everyone got their food except Shadow Milk. Pure Vanilla notices and he sticks a clean fork into one of the two steaks he ordered before putting it on the elf’s empty plate. They look at the healer.
“You didn’t order anything.” The healer says as he hands a knife to the mage. The elf stares at the steak. “Are you a vegetarian?”
“Master...” Black Sapphire says in a sad tone. “You haven’t eaten in several days... Please eat something...”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Shadow Milk, please eat.”
“I’m not hungry.” They say again. Hollyberry gets up and kneels down by Shadow Milk. They look at her as she grabs their hands.
“Hey. You may not be hungry but your body needs food.” Hollyberry says as the elf sighs. “Can you please eat? Even if it’s only half of the steak Pure Vanilla gave you.”
“Okay.” The elf starts eating and that makes Hollyberry smile. A few minutes go by and everyone finishes but Shadow Milk. They are still slowly eating the steak.
“Shadow Milk, is everything okay?” The healer asks.
“Everything is fine.” The elf continues eating.
“You don’t have to finish it, you know.” The faerie says.
“Okay.”
They leave the restaurant and before they say their goodbyes Pure Vanilla speaks up.
“Would you three like to join our party? I know eight party members is a lot but I just thought I’d ask.”
“You know we aren’t officially a party.” Black Sapphire says.
“You aren’t?” Dark Cacao says.
“Not at all.” Candy Apple says. “Shadow Milk is our teacher. Though they are a mage and Sapphy and I are rogues. They still teach us!”
“I am also raising them. Though they aren’t the same race I am but they’re still my kids.” Shadow Milk says. “Also about the party invite I have to decline. I haven’t been in a party for five hundred years. Not since what happened to my last party.”
“Alright.” The healer says. “If you change your mind we are heading to Kaenor.”
“You won’t be able to find it.” The elf says.
“Wait, why?” The avian asks.
“It’s an elven city. Only elves can find it. Plus it’s probably ruin now.” Shadow Milk says. “Your party won’t be able to even find it without an elf buuuuut elves are rare.”
“Well we have one if they would join us.” The members of Pure Vanilla’s party look at each other.
The elf sighs, “I told you I’m not joining your party.”
“You don’t have to join, just join for the adventure. I can pay you for your time if you like.”
“Fine I will come but on one condition.” The healer nods. “You will back off when my staff is out.”
“Alright.”
“Master, do you mean THAT staff?” Candy Apple says.
“Yes.” They say before looking at the healer. They summon the staff Candy Apple is talking about. The staff is made of a golden coat over silver metal that makes the staff look like its gold but only the outside is real gold. The staff is key-shaped and has a blue gem shaped like a three scoop of ice cream on a cone. (It’s the Soul Jam of Knowledge btw) “This is what the staff looks like.”
“What is that gem for?” The healer asks the elf.
“Oh it just shows that I was a hero chosen by the gods to slay the Monster King.” The elf says. “The Monster King is dead now so I don’t use it unless I’m fighting a hard enemy.”
“Master Candy is falling asleep.” Black Sapphire says as the elf picks up the young girl.
“If you really want to join us, meet us at the main gate at nine in the morning tomorrow.” Shadow Milk nods before leaving with the purple haired boy. They arrive back at their room at the inn and they all sleep.
The siblings wake up before the elf. The siblings get ready for the day as Shadow Milk wakes up. The siblings help their master get ready for the day and they head off. Shadow Milk is wearing their cloak with the hood up as the three head to the main gate.
“Good morning you three.” Pure Vanilla says when he sees them. They all head out as they get farther away from the city. The elf is behind the group when they take off the hood.
“It’s hot.” Pure Vanilla and his party look at Shadow Milk. The party sees them still in their cloak but with the hood down and their ears are drooping.
“You are in a black cloak.” The healer says as the elf wipes sweat off their forehead. “Here let’s take it off.”
The group pauses as Pure Vanilla takes Shadow Milk’s cloak off.
“I’m sorry but can we stop by a pond? I can’t handle heat very well.” The elf says White Lily casts a breeze spell to help cool Shadow Milk down.
“We can. I don’t want you to faint from the heat.” Pure Vanilla says as the elf kneels down and puts a hand in the dirt before casting a locating spell. The spell ends and the group sees a light blue elemental trail continuing down the road they are walking down. They follow it and in a few minutes they make it to the pond.
They see Shadow Milk walk up to the pond before kneeling down and dipping their head under the water. They bring their head back up and Pure Vanilla can see their bangs cover their left eye. The group chills at the pond. Shadow Milk is currently laying in the water trying to stay cool.
“Shadow Milk, how are you feeling now?” The healer asks as the elf looks at him.
“Still hot but not as much as before.” They smile. “Thanks for letting us stop here.”
“Well it wouldn’t be good if you passed out from the heat.”
“I did once. Back with my old party.”
Shadow Milk is walking in the plains with their party. The elf is falling behind.
“Hey Blueberry, can you use your location spell to find the closest city or town?” The warrior in red armour says turning around to find the elf fainting. “BLUEBERRY!”
“Let me check them.” The priest of the party says as she uses her magic to check on the elf’s condition. “They overheated and fainted.”
“Is our little blueberry going to be okay?” The beast tamer says as she flies over the priest and the mage. “Salt, carry them please.”
“You can fly.” Salt says as he keeps walking. They walk past the warrior.
They continue walking as the beast tamer carries the elf. The mage’s eyes flutter open and the avian notices.
“Look who’s awake.” The avian smiles. “Our little blueberry.”
“That was five hundred years ago.” Shadow Milk sits up. “So tell me about you.”
“Well there isn’t much to say as I’m human.” Pure Vanilla laughs. “Though I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Can I touch your ears?”
“What?”
“I never met an elf before so can I touch your ears?” The elf nods and Pure Vanilla starts to bring his hands towards the ears. He can see how tense Shadow Milk is. “You’re tense.”
“N-no one ever touched my ears before.” The elf gasps as Pure Vanilla touches the ears.
“Your ears are sensitive aren’t they?” The elf nods as the healer sees the tips of Shadow Milk’s ears turn red. “Do you want me to stop?”
“Please.” Pure Vanilla stops and the elf sighs. They stand up before summoning their second staff. (the staff SMC uses as a beast) They use magic to change outfits. “Take a dip with me?”
“Alright but I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“Don’t worry I got a spell for that!” Shadow Milk uses the same spell on Pure Vanilla and he is now in swimwear. The elf goes deeper into the pond. “Do you know how to swim?”
“I do. Why?”
“I... I don’t know how to swim.” Shadow Milk mumbles quietly as the healer walks towards the elf.
“You are... how old and you can’t swim?”
“I’m at least a thousand years old.” The elf grabs Pure Vanilla’s hands. “Will you save me if I go too deep into the pond?”
“I will. I promise.” Pure Vanilla smiles.
“Sapphy, is Master going to be safe?”
“What do you mean Candy Apple?” The faerie mage asks.
“They can’t swim.” Black Sapphire says before Candy Apple could say anything.
“Is it safe for them to be that far in the pond?” Hollyberry asks.
“As long as their feet keep feeling the bottom of the pond they will be fine.”
Shadow Milk’s foot slips on a rock under the water causing them to fall. Pure Vanilla grabs the elf before they fall into the deepest part of the pond.
“We are too close to the middle. It’s unsafe.” The healer says helping the elf out of the water.
“I think I twisted my right ankle...” The elf says as they stay off their right leg.
“Sit. I’ll heal you.” Shadow Milk sits down on a dry rock. Pure Vanilla kneels down before putting his hand on the elf’s right ankle. White light appears as a healing spell activates. The light disappears as the healing concludes. “I may have healed it but please still rest it.”
“Alright.” White Lily walks over to the elf and the healer.
“You didn’t look like you were in pain.” The faerie says. “Why?”
“I can’t feel pain...” The elf says looking up at the clouds. “I was cursed a hundred years ago. I’m still trying to find the spell to break it.”
“So the curse keeps you from feeling any pain?” The avian archer says.
“Nope. I still get pain, just some pain I can’t feel.”
“Master sometimes wakes up with extreme pain in their back. It happens every... How many days again Sapphy?”
“Every second day.”
“Is that from the curse?” Dark Cacao asks.
“No. That is something else.” The elf says. The group starts heading off towards Kaenor. Shadow Milk is holding their staff with a blue orb at the top as they float. It’s the only way they can float is to hold their staff. Night falls and Pure Vanilla’s party starts setting up the tents. The elf sits in one of the trees the group is by, holding four dolls. Pure Vanilla looks at the elf seeing the dolls.
“Shadow Milk, the tents are finished.” The elf doesn’t look at the healer. “Shadow Milk?” Pure Vanilla uses some magic to float up to the branch Shadow Milk is sitting on. “Shadow Milk?”
“Huh?” The elf looks up at Pure Vanilla when he touches their knee.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, just thinking...”
“Well the tents are put up. Get some sleep alright.” Shadow Milk nods and they get down from the tree. The elf sees seven tents. “Candy Apple and Black Sapphire are sharing a tent tonight.”
Shadow Milk nods before heading to their own tent. They fall asleep.