The moon was still up in the sky. The tiredness of all was easy to read on their faces. Aeln was bleeding, as was the ranger. Riuluk had an open cut in his chest. Philipp, Baka, and Burin were probably physically better than the others, but not as psychologically strong.

  Cloud Dwarf warriors arrived at the scene to kill the rest of the orcs still trying to fight or flee in the streets. The atmosphere was heavy after the tebbile threat they had all faced.

  Who would have thought, among all dark elves, they had to face Velkarith, the most dangerous of all in battle. Even if it seems he did not do much, he faced all together, by himself: the Knight of Pegasus house, the Wizard of Emotions, two magical creatures of the Wizard of Nature, an unknown ranger who can fire fireballs from his golden sword, and Riuluk.

  He had been unlucky this time. To have a full set of exquisite warriors ready to block him in his intent to take the fire stone.

  Velkarith is not the type of dark elf who thinks too much. He is not the one planning his deeds in secret. He is ruthless and fierce. Among the dark elves, he is known as “Dark Battlemaster”. His technique in battle relies on many tricks, but what matters for dark elves is who stands at the end of the fight. Dark elves are cousins of the High elves that live in the “Sky Steppe”. They have always existed since the beginning of history. There are not so many around the world, considering the rest of the nations. Since they do not have a nation, are not numerous enough to create one properly, and usually hate each other and tend not to accept a single leader, they use other creatures to pursue their desires. Orcs and goblins are very much inclined to follow a dark elf, as are many other creatures who admire power. Dark elves are also of a different kind. Some dark elves resemble the high elves, being at least 1.80 meters tall up to 2.20. Some have black skin, others are as white as a dead body. Strangely enough, some have their skin made of black-and-white cromatics. Other dark elves, instead, are shorter: around 1.50 meters high up to 1.65. It is said that this dark-elf ethnicity was born after their higher brothers. However, high does not matter in terms of power. Both dark elf ethnicities could be very powerful physically, mentally, or in magic. Some of them have black hair, others brown, and some others white or grey. Velkarith's hair is long and light grey. The most distinctive feature of the two dark elves' ethnicities is their eyes. They all have golden and yellow eyes. Some say it is because they come from beasts; others say it is because they are not scared to fight you at all; it is a sign of their superiority. But one thing is said about them in every single nation that does not differ: “When you see a dark elf, pray you can escape”. But the world seems to create balance every time. The cost of this power, it is said, brings a sin. But sometimes their own sin can also be their weakness as well as their reason for unleashing all their power.

  And the sin of Velkarith is...

  Two black hands opened a huge stone door inside what could have been a mine in the past. The dark elf entered the chamber with a convincing and annoyed walk.

  “Plin, plin...pling...”

  The feet of the dark elf were hitting golden coins on the ground. He then kicked a golden vase. The pile of coins kept growing. He then climbed up on another pile of golden coins and gems. Started to kick on it and dig inside it like trying to find something.

  “Where is it? Where is it!?” shouted the dark elf angrily,

  Behind him is a big shadow that was sleeping on a mountain of gold and treasures.

  “Aaaargh!” shouted the dark elf again.

  He moved to another pile of treasure. From time to time, he found some enchanted weapons and magical artifacts. He briefly looked at them, then threw them on his back, adding them to different piles of treasures.

  “It can’t be! I knew it was here...” said the dark elf,

  The huge shadow on the mountain of treasure opened an eye. The eye was orange like the gems of fire. With a huge oval black pupil inside. The dark elf continued to make noise while digging this time with a proper shovel that was kept standing on a column of the hall. A voice in the head of the dark elf...

  “Velkarith...why do you dare to wake me up like this?”

  Velkarith did not reply; he simply continued to dig in his treasures.

  “Velkarith...you seem angry. What are you looking for?” asked the voice in Velkarith’s head,

  “Aaarrgh! I do not need you now! Do not bother me, beast!” replied Velkarith, annoyed.

  “Ahahahahah, you become quite funny when you are angry...Velkarith...”, said the voice.

  The huge shadow on top of the golden mountain started to move. It seemed slimy, perhaps sliding down the gold in a serpenting way. Full pits of gold collapsed and came down the mountain of gold like an avalanche. The gold reached the point where Velkarith was digging. He threw the shovel into the golden pit, looked at the shadow...

  “How dare you destroy my work! My work on finding the Sword of Vulnebath!” said Velkarith, looking at the huge shadow with hate, biting his own teeth...

  “You amuse me. This is a scene I have seen a thousand times already...Velkarith,” said the voice in the head of the dark elf,

  “You will not interfere in my findings, Branatis! This time I will have the stone of fire! Since I am a dark elf, this is an enormous opportunity!” replied Velkarith,

  “And why is that?” asked Branatis,

  Velkarith looked at the shadow...

  “Because this is the third time the stone of fire did not bond to his future master, this time I will not fail like in the past! With its power, I can surely become the only king of the dark elves!” shouted Velkarith to the beast,

  “Indeed, indeed...Velkarith, third King of the Dark Elves...”

  “I do have to thank you for letting me stay here...your greed for gold and treasures exceeds mineee...you are really admirable...”

  “I have always taken the treasures by myself, but I do have to say that our collaboration is worth it at the end...even if I could eat you, right now...”

  The shadow moved towards Velkarith, its face turned clear under the incoming sun from a broken part of the mine. He could eat at least 5 men in one bite. Red lizard scales all over, sharp, pale white teeth, and different horns coming out around his head. Yes, you just got it...

  A red Dragon!

  The Dragon sniffed Velkarith. The third king of the dark elves was looking at him with no lack of courage at all.

  “Finished with your playing?” asked Velkarith,

  “I wonder...dark elf, will I stay here with you at peace always...or will I be satisfied one day with all the treasure you have accumulated in these thousand years and kill you...”, asked Branatis,

  The dark elf looked at the red dragon in patience, almost ready to fight him.

  “I wonder...Branatis, red Dragon of the eastern hills. How long will it take me to kill you and finally have space in here for my treasures!” shouted Velkarith,

  “Ahahahahah...your spirit does not bother me at all, dark elf. I think I will wait longer for that day to come... if you were a man, this would have led to your failure in a single fiery blow. But I am not a brainless lizard...I know our fight could go on for days...” said Branatis,

  “Then quit joking, Branatis, I need to find this sword...I have been unable this time to block all the upcoming attacks with my dark power; these people I just found...they are not like the average type I have found in the last centuries...” said Velkarith while digging again,

  The dragon sat next to him; he put his head down on his upper paws and closed his eyes, relaxing.

  “Ooooh, interesting...so you have lost?” asked Branatis,

  Velkarith shoved harder and violently.

  “I have not lost, beast! I should be dead for losing, I was just blocked in time to reach the stone...” replied Velkarith,

  “So you have found some tenacious and proper opponents finally, this time...interesting, then why did you not use me?” asked Branatis,

  “I do not need a dragon now, you think I would jump on you and make you burn Duerth Merkath?” asked Velkarith,

  “Oh, you think I would die? How kind of you...dark elf!” said Branatis,

  “You just said you are not a brainless lizard...can’t you think? You cannot just burn a whole city to find something that small like the stone of fire!” said Velkarith,

  “Why not? You are scared of the Knight of the Sun?” asked Branatis,

  Velkarith stopped shoveling, then continued.

  “Do you understand what it means to burn a whole city? How am I supposed to find the stone in a destroyed city? By the time I would find the stone, I would have to fight in another 5 battles against different armies coming to the city to aid them or to reclaim it. That is not what we want...I want the stone, to bring it here for my collection of treasures and artifacts! I want it here to be held next to my own heart, and finally be the next fire Wizard, this time from the right side!” said Velkarith,

  “I see...so how do you plan to follow the keeper of the stone, if you have just lost them in Duerth Merkath?” asked the Dragon, almost falling asleep again,

  “Some goblins were almost able to take it; they felt it next to them...a not-bond gem can be felt by them. They will feel it again and inform me. I have sent my spies among the other goblin tribes living with my brothers...Soon I will know its new position...” said Velkarith,

  “The information will spread fast, Velkarith. For now, you are the only one who knows about it, but your brothers and sisters will eventually learn about it. You have never been the cunning one organising subterfuge missions. I advise you to go talk to your sister, Imrith. The second queen of the dark elves is the most intelligent of you all...you should ally yourself with her as soon as possible, or your brothers will”, said Branatis,

  “Since when are you my counselor?” asked Velkarith,

  “Since always, Velkarith...” replied Branatis, almost falling asleep again,

  “Aha! I found it!” shouted Velkarith, in his hands a sharp saber. On the grip, four birds with white and golden feathers.

  “Are you sure you will use it?” asked Branatis,

  “Why do you ask? This will bring me victory over them straight!” said Velkarith,

  “You always said that...but then you do not use your artifacts, you are scared to ruin them in battle...” said Branatis while falling asleep...

  “Shut up, lizard! This time I will!”