The journey toward the Dark Elven territory was long, stretching through dense forests, jagged mountain passes, and desolate plains that bore the scars of long-forgotten battles. The trio traveled under the guise of wandering mercenaries, their new identities well-crafted by Orion's meticulous planning. Each of them wore the dark leathers and insignia of The Black Veil, an old and supposedly extinct mercenary group, their fabricated backstory woven with just enough truth to pass casual inspection.
For three days, they rode without incident, keeping off major roads and avoiding detection. The tension in the air thickened as they neared their destination, Veymar, a border city now under Dark Elven occupation. If the infiltration was going to begin anywhere, it was here.
Standing on the outskirts of the city, Evolis studied the entrance. The gates were tall, reinforced with Dark Etherion-infused metal, and flanked by towering watchtowers. More concerning, however, was the line of travelers, merchants, and would-be mercenaries being harassed by Dark Elf sentries. The guards were strict, their inspections brutal. A wrong answer could get someone beaten, or worse.
The city gates loomed ahead, a foreboding presence of jagged dark stone reinforced with glimmering Etherion runes. Beyond them, the streets of the Dark Elf stronghold pulsed with the movement of merchants, mercenaries, and armored patrols, their eerie violet-hued lanterns casting an ominous glow over the entrance.
The problem? The guards at the checkpoint were inspecting every single person trying to get through.
And they weren't being subtle about it.
Orion leaned casually against a wooden post just outside the main road, surveying the scene with an amused smirk, hands resting lazily behind his head.
"Looks like they're screening everyone pretty hard," Aeliana murmured beside him, her silver eyes flickering with calculation. "If they start asking the wrong questions, we might have to fight our way out."
Evolis studied the guards carefully. Their armor bore the insignia of the Dark Elven military, but mixed among them were other figures—mercenaries, bounty hunters, and what looked to be hired informants. The fact that they were using outsiders to screen new arrivals meant one thing.
"They're expecting something," Evolis muttered under his breath. "They're not just looking for spies, they're looking for someone specific."
Aeliana's expression darkened. "We should find another way in."
"Nah," Orion cut in, cracking his knuckles. "I got this."
Evolis turned to him sharply. "What?"
Before he could get an answer, Orion adjusted his collar, rolled his shoulders, and walked straight toward the guards as if he owned the place.
Aeliana's face barely concealed her horror. "What is he doing?"
"I… I have no idea," Evolis admitted, already bracing himself for whatever disaster was about to unfold.
The Dark Elf guards tensed as Orion approached, their hands instinctively resting on their weapons. A particularly large and scarred sentinel, likely the officer in charge, stepped forward with a glare.
"State your business."
Orion threw his arms wide, his grin almost blinding. "Gentlemen! What a glorious evening to be graced by your absolutely terrifying presence."
Silence.
The guards exchanged glances.
Aeliana visibly cringed.
Evolis ran a hand down his face.
The nearest Dark Elf's expression didn't change. "State your business," he repeated, slower this time.
Orion sighed dramatically, clutching his chest as if he'd been personally offended. "My business? You wound me, truly. Have you never heard of the illustrious, daring, and, if I do say so myself, dangerously handsome Orion of The Black Veil?" He waggled his eyebrows. "No? Not ringing a bell? Damn, I must not be causing enough trouble."
One of the younger guards blinked in confusion. "The Black Veil? I thought they were wiped out?"
Orion let out a deep, exaggerated sigh. "Yes, yes, tragedy that was. A terrible ambush, a night of betrayal and bloodshed! But against all odds, the greatest of us survived." He motioned dramatically toward Evolis and Aeliana, who stood frozen in stunned disbelief. "And now, we're looking for work. Got any open contracts, or do we have to keep embarrassing lesser mercenaries by stealing their jobs?"
The head guard squinted, his fingers flexing near the hilt of his blade. "And how do we know you're not spies?"
Orion grinned.
And then did something completely insane.
He lunged forward and headbutted the nearest guard so hard that the elf staggered back with a curse.
Aeliana inhaled sharply. "Did he just—"
Before anyone could react, Orion spun on his heel and pointed at the now-dazed guard. "Who the hell sends spies that greet people like that? Huh? That's right—no one! You think infiltrators waltz up to the front gates and just start chatting? No! I'm here because I belong here, and you know it."
A tense silence followed.
The surrounding Dark Elves exchanged hesitant glances, the sheer absurdity of the situation seeming to override any logical protocol. One of the mercenary informants, a grizzled orc with a massive scar down his cheek, let out a short bark of laughter.
"He's got a point," the orc grunted, rubbing his chin. "A spy wouldn't be that stupid."
The officer scowled, clearly displeased with how things were unfolding, but he finally grunted. "Fine. You've got guts. Report to the inner city registry for mercenary assignments."
Orion beamed, clapping the head guard on the shoulder. "See? Knew you were a reasonable guy."
As he strolled back toward Evolis and Aeliana—who were still frozen in sheer disbelief—he winked. "Told you I'd handle it."
Evolis watched him approach, mouth slightly agape. "I… I don't even know how to respond to what I just witnessed."
Aeliana let out a long, suffering sigh. "This is going to be a nightmare."
Orion grinned. "Buckle up, lovebirds. We're just getting started."
The city gates groaned as they were pushed open, revealing the sprawling streets of the Dark Elven stronghold beyond. Evolis, Aeliana, and Orion stepped through without hesitation, blending into the bustling crowd as if they belonged. The moment the gates shut behind them, Aeliana seized Orion's sleeve and yanked him to the side, dragging both him and Evolis into a narrow alleyway.
She turned on Orion, her emerald eyes flashing. "What. The hell. Was that?"
Orion grinned, completely unbothered. "That, Princess, was the art of improvisation."
Aeliana rubbed her temples. "Improvisation? You assaulted a guard."
"Lightly," Orion corrected, holding up a finger. "It was a friendly headbutt. Builds trust."
Evolis stared at him. "That is not how trust works."
"Worked, didn't it?" Orion gestured back toward the entrance, where the guards were already moving on to questioning the next group of arrivals. "No fuss, no complicated stories, and best of all, no suspicion. Now, we're in. You're welcome."
Aeliana inhaled sharply, visibly restraining the urge to throttle him. "You can't keep doing things like that."
Orion shrugged. "Watch me."
Evolis pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're going to die."
"Possibly," Orion admitted. "But not today! Now, come on, we've got work to do."
The trio moved deeper into the city, sticking to the quieter streets while taking in their surroundings. The Dark Elf stronghold was unlike anything Evolis had seen before. The buildings were sleek and curved, built from a dark, obsidian-like stone that seemed to drink in the dim light rather than reflect it. Ethereal lanterns floated lazily in the air, casting an eerie violet glow over the roads. The air thrummed with an underlying pulse of magic, something vast and ancient, woven into the very architecture.
The people here were just as diverse as outside the city—mercenaries, black-market traders, bounty hunters, and even what looked like high-ranking officers moving through the streets. It was clear that the city was preparing for war. Blacksmiths hammered away at enchanted weapons, supplies were being stockpiled, and groups of warriors gathered at various outposts, speaking in hushed tones.
Aeliana kept her voice low as they walked. "We need to figure out where to set up and how we're getting close to the higher ranks."
Orion waved a hand dismissively. "Already got that covered."
Evolis eyed him warily. "Do I even want to ask?"
"Probably not," Orion said cheerfully. "But I'll tell you anyway. Since we're playing the part of mercenaries, we need to act like mercenaries. And lucky for you both, I happen to know exactly where to find a contract that'll get us close to the people in charge."
Evolis frowned. "You knew about this beforehand?"
"Not exactly," Orion admitted, guiding them toward a side street. "But every war camp needs fighters, and the Dark Elves have been hiring. There's a recruitment hub near the lower district where independent mercs get sorted. We sign up, prove ourselves, and get assigned somewhere useful."
Aeliana crossed her arms. "And how do we 'prove ourselves'?"
Orion smirked. "By winning a fight, of course."
Evolis' expression darkened. "Of course."
They followed Orion through the winding streets, weaving past groups of traders and heavily armored figures. As they moved deeper into the lower district, the atmosphere grew rougher. The polished streets of the inner city gave way to hardened roads, and the people here carried themselves differently—less refined, more dangerous.
Eventually, they reached a large courtyard situated between towering structures of black stone. The sound of clashing weapons filled the air, accompanied by jeers and shouts. A crude fighting pit had been set up in the center, where a pair of warriors were already locked in combat, blades flashing under the glow of the lanterns. Around them, a crowd of Dark Elves, orcs, and other mercenaries watched with vested interest.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess. We have to win in that pit?"
Orion grinned. "Bingo. A good fight gets you noticed, and getting noticed gets us assigned somewhere useful."
Evolis sighed. "And who exactly are we fighting?"
As if on cue, a hulking Dark Elf with twin axes leaped into the pit, throwing his arms wide as the crowd roared.
"Anyone stupid enough to challenge me!?" the warrior bellowed.
Orion turned to Evolis with a gleam in his eyes. "Well, kid. Looks like you get to make a first impression."