Chapter 7
Metamorphosis
The Solem Vow"One must be able to strike if stricken first, as per the vow of our ancestors. We are a people of peace and tranquility, ones who don't share needless bloodshed. We have great power, and must use it wisely — never to bully the weak."Karrie sat in awe as her mother explained."So we are very, very kind people. Is that what you're saying, Mama?"Kyleigh placed a finger on her chin."I would say so. But I believe no one in this entire world has bigger hearts than my children."
"I did help Miss Moria teach the younger kids!" Karrie said proudly
"Exactly what I mean, that, my girl!" she ruffled her daughter's red locks
, You're so kind and helpful, I'm so happy you were born!"
"And I'm so happy you had me."
Year X922 – Spring
"Ah, sorry, but I can't just not go. Plus, I wanna see what Izzy is up to these days. The boy doesn't write. At least I can make sure he's eating well." Finlay scratched the back of his head.
"Simon isn't gonna be happy about this. He's been more eager as of late to spend time with you… after everything that happened." Kyleigh put her hands on her hips.
"Ah, you're so cute when you're pouty."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted kisses on her cheek.
"Ah—don't do that. I'm being serious," she tried to protest, but she was slowly succumbing to her husband's temptations.
"Mamaa and Papa are kissing!"
Karrie popped her head into the entrance.
"Ah—oh, you're home early."
Kyleigh quickly shoved Finlay away.
Simon followed behind.
"Miss Moria's lessons ended early," Karrie explained. "Some knights from the Capital are here to talk to the chief."
"Right—there's my ride…"
Over the past few months, Simon had been sitting in with Karrie during her magic lessons. She still couldn't do big spells without getting dizzy or nosebleeds, and Simon couldn't do magic himself. Still, he could sit in on classes and keep her company.
Busy kids stay out of trouble, as they say.
And after the situation with Izkeial… well, he hadn't been in the best of moods.
He had also spent his time training alone, wanting to get stronger and sharper. He believed that getting hit in the stomach was a cheap shot. He believed he should have won that fight. It wasn't just the fact that they left on bad terms—it was the fact that he'd lost in front of Karrie.
"Big brother! Wanna help me work on the golem for Miss Moria's homework? I want help shaping and sculpting it!"
She looked up at him hopefully.
"Sorry, but Father said he'll help me practice today."
Finlay raised his hand apologetically.
"Ah, I'm sorry as well, son. They need me in town."
Simon turned his head.
"What? Why? You promised." He knitted his brow.
"I never flat-out promised. I said I could—there's a difference. And well… as for why, I don't know. I got a summons and need to go. I'll teach you another time, okay?"
He placed a hand on Simon's shoulder, but Simon brushed him off.
"Whatever."
Finlay exhaled.
"You're the man of the house when I'm not here, remember? A man shouldn't sulk. Raise your head and steady yourself. You're almost an adult—take care of your mother and sister, alright?"
Simon cocked his head back.
"I thought you said a man should never make excuses for himself."
"Gah, using your old man's words against him… why are my children so clever...?"
Simon smirked.
"Sure. I bet I can do a better job than you."
Finlay's mouth gaped.
"Ha! That's my boy. Talking smack to your departing father is a rite of passage!"
He patted Simon on the back.
"When I get back, I'll show you that move you always wanted to see."
"I'll hold you to it."
Karrie trotted up to Finlay.
"Come home soon, Papa," she said sweetly.
He stroked her red hair.
"When I get back, I'll have a surprise for you, too."
"Ah, really?! Now I really can't wait!" she beamed.
"Can you, um… give big brother this if you see him?"
Karrie handed him a small box.
"No peeking, Papa!"
"Ah—sorry, sorry! It's just… You never give me anything!" He slumped his shoulders dramatically.
"Hey, I thought you said men shouldn't sulk..." Simon smirked again.
"Ah, shut it! When your daughter treats you like this, you'll understand!"
He kissed Kyleigh goodbye and went on his way, leaving with the knights in town.
2
Three Days Later
Simon had used the past couple of days to do a ton of calisthenics around the village. He went to the big tree where he had found that seed to do push-ups, squats, and lunges.
Even Ewan joined in.
"W-ow, keep it up, boys, and you might be even half as popular as Izekial,"
Catriona mused.
"You must be madly in love with one of us if you come out here every day to watch us work out," Ewan teased.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I don't care much for either of you that way. It's more entertaining hanging out with you two rather than watching my siblings."
She said offhandedly.
"But if you have something you wanna confess to me, I'm all ears."
She smirked with a little ear wiggle.
"Sh-shut up,"
Heat rose to the boys' ears.
After their workout, they hit the baths.
"Ahhh, that feels amazing,"
Ewan sank deeper into the tub.
"You got that right."
The two boys bathed together at Simon's house.
"Hey, when is your old man coming home? He said he'd teach us how to do that sword-in-mouth trick."
Ewan said as Simon washed his arms.
"Hmm, I don't know. It's only been three days."
"Hm... I heard the capital,, has many types of people other than humans and elves—like dwarves, halflings, and beastkin!"
Ewan stared up at the ceiling.
"Man… beast girls must be amazing."
A grin formed on his face.
"Imagine their cute faces with animal ears and a tail. Man, what I wouldn't give to stroke their hair."
Simon looked at Ewan strangely.
He thought he was going in a more degenerate direction—especially with the hand motions he was doing.
However, Ewan seemed genuine about wanting to pet the beastkin.
The world was a vast place filled with many different races and people.
Simon often wondered what the world was like, but had no true desire to explore.
He had his little sister—and that was all he was concerned about.
"Thanks for the bath, man."
Ewan gave a fist bump.
"Later, man."
He went on his way.
The sun was setting on the village, and night was approaching fast.
When Simon got inside, he saw Karrie asleep on the couch, passed out with a book in her lap.
He picked her up and carried her to her room, laying her down gently.
"Good night, Karrie."
He kissed her forehead and closed her door.
Kyleigh was in the kitchen washing plates.
"Ewan went home?"
"Yeah."
"Well, good. I'm just glad you two are still friendly. I was worried when you first moved here, but it seems you get along with everyone just fine."
She dried her hands on a towel.
"Well, I just treat everyone how they treat me—with respect and kindness.
…Well, except that one jerk…"
Kyleigh took a breath.
"Look, about Izekial… he—"
He cut in.
"I don't really wanna think about him before bed, sorry, Ma. It'll just make me angry."
"Well… you should really hear me out tomorrow, then."
"Fine. Tomorrow."
And so, he went to bed.
3
The next day, it rained.
Soldiers came clad in uniforms—sharp, militarized uniforms that radiated discipline, order… and fear.
They wore navy blue wool coats with belts and sashes marked with the insignia of the ouroboros.
They looked like they were from another world.
Their outfits were far more modern than what everyone else in the village wore.
They came on horses, and some of those horses pulled along carriages—and cages.
They were said to be knights of Prospérer.
It was odd.
The knights had been coming to the village for years, but that wasn't the strange part.
What really stood out was the number of them… and the cages they brought.
They looked far more serious this time around.
"Big brother, can I go see the horses?" Karrie asked excitedly.
"Simon, look out the window!"
Simon looked out the window.
He wondered if Izekial had come with them this time.
He both didn't want and wanted to see him—maybe even show him what he'd learned over the past couple of months.
"Nah… better not risk it. Remember last time in town?"
"I'll hide my ears reeal well with the hat you bought me!" she balled up her fist.
"Plus, that was a long time ago—and they're knights, right? I'm sure they wouldn't say that awful stuff to me. Everyone else did back then…"
Simon sighed.
"Let's just wait for Mom to come back. I don't need her gunning for my neck if something goes wrong."
Eventually, their mom did come back; however, she didn't seem herself.
She came in the door fast and locked it behind her.
"Hey, Mama, did you see the horses?"
"…"
"H… Mamaama, what's wrong?"
"Ah… Karrie. I… look, I need you to do what I say, okay?
It's very important you listen to my words."
Kyleigh crouched down and placed both hands on Karrie's arms.
"Everything alright, Ma?" Simon asked.
"Those soldiers…" she gulped.
"I don't want them seeing—finding Karrie. I don't know why they're here, but I can't help shake the feeling it's for a bad reason."
"Simon, I need you to help her hide. Okay?"
A heavy knock rattled the front door.
BAM BAM
"Come on out. We're gathering everyone for an announcement."
The voice was deep and raspy.
"I'm counting on you, Si. Keep her out of sight, okay? I love you both."
She kissed Karrie on the forehead.
"Mama…"
They hugged her.
"Ma…"
"Go. Now."
She shooed them away.
BAM BAM BAM
"Open up. We don't have all day here!"
"Come on, Karrie, let's go out the back." Simon took her hand.
"We can't just leave Mama. What if they take her away?" She looked up to Simon.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine—it's probably just for show or something."
He flashed her a smile.
He wasn't sure if he even believed that himself.
They went out the back—
But it seemed men were in the back too…
They were trapped.
"Hey, where's your family?"
The man at the front door asked.
He was built like an ox and had a rifle on his back and a sword at his hip.
"My son is in Prospérer, and my husband is at the capital," Kyleigh stated, looking him in the eye.
The man pushed past her.
"Then you don't mind if I take a look, do you?"
His footsteps were like a bear's as he walked.
He looked around the halls, each bedroom, each closet.
"Strange. Isn't this type of house used for five or more family members?
You said two, but I see four beds."
Kyleigh played with her hands.
"Oh, yeah, those two aren't here either. They accompany my husband."
The man's eyes narrowed.
"Is that so? You didn't mention that before."
"Guess I'm a bad mother for forgetting where my children are, aren't I?"
The man just grunted.
He grabbed her arm.
"Come along now."
He dragged her out.
"Phew…"
Simon let out a breath.
They had hidden in a crawlspace Karrie had used for toys—so they were surrounded by stuffed animals.
They blocked the door with a painting.
Simon held on dearly to his little sister.
He made a promise long ago to be her hero… and he wasn't gonna break it now.
He made sure the coast was clear before exiting.
What were knights all the way from the capital doing here?
What did they want?
And why gather the villagers in the center of the village… with carriages and cages?
Just what fate awaited the Elven clan…?
"Stay here, Karrie."
The space was way too tight for him and her to share for an extended period—
Mainly because he wanted to protect her.
He went to grab his father's sword.
"I'll be right back. Don't move, okay?"
She was trembling.
"I'm your hero, remember? Don't worry—I'll protect you always."
He shut the crawlspace door and put the painting over it.
They were knights of Prospérer… right?
That made them trustworthy… right?
His mother had called them by many names.
She had a mother's intuition about them—and she wasn't one to get shaken over nothing.
Not unless it came to Karrie.
He had to make sure nothing happened to her.
He was the man of the house now—his brother and father weren't here.
The villagers weren't really fighters; they were peaceful and kind.
Always had been.
Even with Karrie being born with her "Devil Ears," they treated them like family.
Despite his being human and not an elf, they embraced him, too.
He owed it to them…
To help out in case things went wrong, right?
Even with all these thoughts racing through his mind…
All he could focus on in the end was Karrie.
4
He peered out the window.
Outside, the Chief stood lined up with some of the other villagers. The sun was beginning to set, and a reddish-orange glow filled the house.
Simon scanned the crowd, looking for Kyleigh—but many of the women looked similar, dressed in the same village garb. From a distance, it was difficult to tell.
Knights walked around, talking to the elves, but Simon couldn't make out what they were saying.
He cracked the window open slightly, trying to listen in.
"This is just a relocation drill on behalf of the Governor. No need to worry,"
A tall man with a greying beard announced.
"You're knights? I haven't seen your faces before—and I've known the guardsmen since my younger years,"
The Chief replied.
"I don't quite know who you are, young man."
The bearded man stopped pacing.
"Is that so? It's been a long time since anyone's called me a young man."
He stroked his beard with a slight grin.
"I've also never heard of this 'relocation drill.'" The Chief's tone sharpened.
"The old woman never had any drills like this. Where is Krane? I want to speak to him."
Simon tensed. The Chief, getting impatient, was a rare sight.
"Krane? Oh, right, right. That Krane."
The man chuckled dryly.
"He couldn't make it. Said he had some business to do… so he left this drill to us."
"Liar!"
A younger man stood up abruptly.
"What is up with this? You're wasting our time with this crap. We wanna get back to what we were doing—so why don't you just—"
A knight beside him began to draw his sword.
Simon's eyes locked onto the weapon immediately.
That sword pattern…
Of course, he recognized it. They weren't as common as they used to be.
But before it could escalate, the bearded man raised his arm to stop the knight.
"Hold it," he said coolly.
"We mustn't draw blood on these grounds. Remember?"
The knight returned his sword to its scabbard.
Another soldier approached and whispered something into the bearded man's ear.
The man paused… then smiled thinly.
"Is that so…? Well then…"
He brought his hands together, rubbing them slowly.
"Now then," he said.
"I know there's a half-elf here."
Simon's breath caught in his throat.
"Where is she?"
The man's voice curled into a long, thin smile.
He looked over the crowd.
The villagers went still, silent.
"No use hiding it. We know a half-elf was spotted in town a while ago."
"We just want to make sure everyone here is accounted for… for your safety, of course."
Simon's heartbeat began to race.
They knew about her?
Why were they looking for her, too?
And… did it really matter that much if she was here or not?
It was strange.
Suddenly, Kyleigh's unease made perfect sense.
The man slowly studied each face in the crowd.
One farmer looked away too quickly.
A woman shifted her weight protectively toward her child.
Another man balled his fist up slightly.
But it was Kyleigh who gave herself away—
Not by moving…
But by freezing.
"You," the man said, calm—almost gentle.
"Your expression shifted. Just for a second. There was a flicker of hostility… just a flicker of hatred."
He subtly motioned to his men with a tilt of his fingers.
They moved.
Two soldiers grabbed her and dragged her to the front.
"Now then…"
He kneeled down before her, eyes piercing.
"Where is the girl?"
Simon backed away from the window, moving quietly, carefully—step by step—toward the crawlspace.
He pushed open the panel…
But when he looked inside—
She was gone.
5
"Karrie, come on, where are you?"
He frantically looked around the small home, but the girl was nowhere to be found.
He cursed himself for taking his eyes off her, even for a moment.
He checked under the bed, in the toy box, and even in the oven. Nowhere.
His chest filled with anxiety. He didn't want to believe it — but then he saw it.
The back door was slightly open.
He rushed outside.
And there she was — crouched, scorched, hiding behind a barrel.
He tried to sneak up on her, but stepped on a branch.
"Wait!"
He reached out — tried to grab the collar of her shirt — but it slipped through his fingers.
She bolted.
"Ah, there she is. How you doin', sweetheart?"
A man in a helmet grabbed her.
Karrie struggled, trying to kick free of his grip.
"Relax. We ain't gonna hurt a hair on your pretty little head," the man said with a greasy smile.
"Can't hurt our little golden goose now, can we?"
"Load her and the rest in the wagon."
"Yes, sir."
The man nodded and began herding villagers into carts.
"Mama!!" Karrie wailed.
"Oh, baby, are you okay?"
Her mother checked her for bruises and scrapes.
"I'm fine, mama…"
Carrie's eyes watered.
"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay with Simon?"
She tried to sound firm, but her voice cracked with frustration.
"You should've listened to me!"
"I couldn't stay still, mama. I heard the shouting... I got scared. I wanted to see you."
Kyleigh pulled her into a tight embrace.
"T-That's enough," a voice called out.
Simon.
He stood trembling, his father's feathered sword in hand, wearing patched-up leather armor.
"A human boy? Ah, right. There were two in this village?"
The bearded man tilted his head, amused.
"Hm. Say, boy... what do you honestly think you're doing?"
Simon's hands were shaking. His body trembled like a leaf.
There were about twenty of them.
Maybe... just maybe, if the village men took up arms, they could stand a chance.
"Say, boy. What's the hostility?"
The bearded man raised his arms in mock surrender.
"It's just a routine check. We're not shady."
"Bullshit…"
Simon's voice tightened.
"That man... he has one of my father's blades. He was called to the capital just a few days ago."
"Papa's sword?" Karrie mumbled.
She saw it too — that special engraving on the scabbard. A harpy.
"Wh-Why do you bastards have my father's sword?!"
The man lowered his hands and tilted his head.
"Ah, this thing? Found it on the road. Just lying there."
He smirked.
"Liar!"
Simon's grip tightened. He trembled.
"Father wouldn't just leave his sword... What did you do to him?! What are you up to?!"
The bearded man stroked his beard.
"Who knows?"
"...Bastard," Simon muttered.
"Hm? What was that, son?"
"I said — you're all bastards!!"
Simon bit his lip so hard he tasted iron. Blood dripped down his chin.
He realized just how small he was.
He rushed in with no plan. No backup.
But love does that. It makes you blind. Makes you act.
He had to save Karrie.
The villagers were being herded like livestock, one by one.
No resistance.
Just... quiet compliance.
"I recommend not playing hero."
The bearded man's voice was oddly casual.
"You're human, so not on the list. We don't need you."
"…Ha. So this isn't a relocation drill after all," Simon said, bitterly.
The man rubbed the back of his neck.
"Didn't wanna do this. Hate killing kids."
A beat.
"But orders are orders."
He raised two fingers, gesturing to a man in a red bandana.
"Take care of him."
Then, over his shoulder:
"Restrain him. Knock him out. Kill him. Doesn't matter."
The man with the red bandana drew his sword and stepped forward.
Simon backed away. His heart was pounding.
He didn't want to run.
He wanted to save everyone.
But how could one boy do that?
The man came casually, like he didn't expect a fight.
Simon shook his head and focused.
Tor — the sword style his father beat into him — was for underdogs.
Every painful lesson, every bruise, every barked correction… they came back now.
Tor turned weakness into an opportunity.
Simon didn't have height. That was fine. Tor made that an advantage.
He struck.
His blade whipped like lightning toward the man's throat.
CRACK.
The sound rang through the village plaza.
"…"
The man stood motionless.
Then he chuckled.
He raised his sword to strike—
But froze.
"G-GURRGK—!"
The man dropped to his knees, blood gushing between his fingers, pouring down his chest.
He collapsed face-first. Twitching. Gurgling.
Simon just stood there, trembling — sword still raised.
He watched the first man he ever struck with a real blade die before his very eyes.
He felt bile rise in his throat. His fingers slipped from the hilt.
His knees buckled.
He had just taken a life.
And the silence that followed was deafening.
Then—
"Now that was unexpected."
The bearded man muttered, sounding amused.
He sighed.
"Now I have to kill ya."
He rolled his neck with a quiet pop.
"What a day."
Simon snapped out of his daze, looking around.
"What are you doing?! You can't just let them do this to us! We have to fight back! There are more of us than them!"
His voice cracked with desperation.
His eyes darted across the villagers.
They weren't bound.
They could fight.
But they didn't.
Not because they were afraid — but because of that damned vow.
"Do you want to be taken?! Your men aren't you!!"
His voice broke.
"You're fathers… husbands… brothers! Why aren't you doing anything?!"
Tears began to bead in his eyes.
"W-We're sorry, Simon… We can't," one man said quietly.
Simon's eyes widened.
"What do you mean you can't?! Why don't you just—"
"BIG BROTHER, WATCH OUT!!!"
Karrie's scream split the air.
But it was too late.
SHLCK.
The tip of a blade pierced straight into Simon's right eye.
"GAAAH—!! Hh-hhaahh!!"
He clutched his face as the sword was yanked out.
The man — quick for his age — stepped back, unfazed.
"C-Coward! You stabbed him when he wasn't looking!"
Catriona screamed.
"Big brother!"
Simon held his eye, warm sticky blood spilling between his fingers.
The pain was searing.
The man gave a calm smile, resting his blade on his shoulder.
"Eye for an eye."
"GAHHH AHHH—huff, huff…"
Simon could barely stand. The pain was unreal.
"Big brother!"
Karrie tried rushing to his side, but Kyleigh held onto her.
"Don't, Karrie, you can't!" she said, grabbing her wrist.
"Why is no one helping big brother?! Why?! He asked for help! He pleaded for help, but no one is listening! Why, Mama?! Why is no one helping big brother?!" Tears ran down her face.
"You always said we were a strong and kind people! So why is everyone just watching?!"
She tried to yank herself away from her mother. When that didn't work, she bit her.
"Ah—Karrie, wait!"
She got out of her mother's grasp.
She raised her hand at the bearded man.
"Pila aqua!" she shouted.
A torrent of water shot at the man.
"An elf who can attack? Oh, this day just keeps getting more and more interesting!"
The man used the sword to slice the torrent of water in two.
SPOOSh.
Karrie ran past the man to her brother.
"Big-hic big brother—hic I'm sorry, I shouldn't have stayed where I was… I didn't mean to—"
Blood ran down her face, coming out of her ears and eyes. She had used all that mana once again.
"It's fine—ah… you're safe now— that's… all that matters to me…"
One man came up behind her and yanked her by the back of her shirt.
"Don't f*cking touch her!" he tried to get up, but he stumbled and fell to the ground.
His breath was ragged and shaky. He couldn't focus.
If only I were like Big Brother…
If only I could use magic like Karrie…
If only I weren't so pathetic…
Maybe things would be different…
"Interesting… this half-devil isn't bound by the Solemn Vow? Looks like your information was correct, Guillaume."
The man looked familiar, but Simon couldn't quite focus—or care. He needed to figure out what to do.
"Let go of her! Leave her alone!" he spat.
"Remember me?" the tall man asked.
"I don't give a f*ck who you are—leave us alone!"
The man knelt in front of Simon.
"Hm… I'm sorry. I got paid good money for this job, and frankly… I can't let any miscalculations roam free."
"Don't hold this against me, 'kay? Nothing personal."
The man stood up. "All yours, Капитан."
The bearded man stood in front of Simon like a mountain.
He sheathed his blade and took a revolver from the holster on his chest.
"Let's be quick about it, yeah?"
He aimed at him.
However, Karrie broke free at the last second from the man's grasp and raced to her brother to save him—
BANG.
A shot echoed throughout the village.
"KARRIE!" Kyleigh screamed. "SIMON!"
The bullet had ripped through his throat, shattering cartilage and spraying a mist of deep red across Karrie's face.
"GRRK!"
He began to choke on his own blood.
Karrie tried to stop the bleeding. With her small hands, she felt the gooey warmth of her brother's blood against her palms.
Simon was still in shock—not really understanding what had happened yet.
"This is your fault, Missy. I tried aiming for his head, but you threw me off," the bearded man said.
"Hold on, big brother—hold on!"
She tried to put as much pressure on his neck as she could.
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…
Am I gonna die?
I'm dying, aren't I?
I can't die…
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…
I can't… breathe…
Father…
Brother…
Kyleigh?
Mama…?
I don't wanna die…
It hurts…
I can't breathe…
It hurts…
I'm sorry…
I'm sorry…
He looked over to Karrie. Her tears landed on his face.
His eyes locked onto hers.
His hand slowly rose up and wiped the blood from her face
Then… his hand fell.