The elven settlement appeared through the trees like something out of a storybook. Houses built directly into massive tree trunks spiraled upward, connected by rope bridges and wooden walkways. Soft light glowed from windows carved into the bark, and the entire place felt like the forest itself had become a village.
Shinichi stared as they walked deeper into the settlement. Elves moved along the walkways above with effortless grace, carrying baskets and tools. Children played on lower branches, their laughter echoing through the canopy. It was beautiful in a way that felt fundamentally different from human settlements.
But as they continued forward, Shinichi noticed the stares. Not curious or welcoming, but wary and hostile. Conversations stopped as they passed. Parents pulled their children closer. Several elves had their hands near weapons that hadn't been there a moment before.
The atmosphere shifted from peaceful to tense in seconds, and Shinichi became very aware he was the only human in sight. Yuffie noticed too, moving slightly closer to him in an unconscious gesture of protection.
"Don't worry about them," she said quietly, forcing cheerfulness into her voice. "They're just not used to seeing humans. It'll be fine once we get to my house."
Shinichi wasn't convinced but nodded anyway. They walked through the main area where market stalls sold various goods. The elven merchants watched him pass with expressions that made clear his money wouldn't be welcome.
...
...
Yuffie's house was one of the larger tree dwellings, with multiple levels and windows overlooking a small clearing. She led him up a spiral staircase carved into the trunk and pushed open a door made of interwoven branches.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!"
Two elves emerged from an inner room. Yuffie's father was tall and lean with the same blonde hair as his daughter, pulled back in a practical ponytail.
His forest-green eyes went from relief at seeing Yuffie to suspicion when they landed on Shinichi. He carried himself like a fighter, his hand resting near a dagger at his belt.
Yuffie's mother appeared behind him, and Shinichi found his attention immediately drawn to her in a way that made him feel embarrassed. She had the same blonde hair and green eyes as her daughter, but her figure was considerably more developed.
Her chest was frankly enormous, straining against her simple forest-green dress. Shinichi quickly forced his gaze back up to her face, hoping no one had noticed.
"Yuffie!" Her mother rushed forward and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
"We've been worried sick! When the sun started setting..." She trailed off, too relieved to be angry.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I ran into trouble in the forest, but Shinichi saved me." Yuffie gestured to where Shinichi stood awkwardly. "This is Shinichi Sunvolt. He killed a Thornbeast that was about to kill me, then walked me all the way home."
The relief on both parents' faces evaporated instantly. Her father's hand tightened on his dagger, and her mother stepped in front of Yuffie as if to shield her.
"A human," her father said, his voice flat and unwelcoming. "In our home."
"Dad, he saved my life," Yuffie protested. "He's my friend."
"Elves and humans aren't friends, Yuffie," her mother said gently but firmly. "You're old enough to understand that. Thank him for his help and send him on his way home."
Shinichi felt the tension like a physical weight. This hostility seemed excessive for someone who'd just helped their daughter. There was something deeper going on here, some history he didn't understand.
Before anyone could speak, shouts erupted from below. Running feet and raised voices carried up through the door, followed by a woman screaming. Yuffie's father moved to the window, his expression darkening.
"Not again," he muttered, gripping his dagger. "They're getting bolder."
"Who is?" Shinichi asked, moving to another window.
In the clearing below, six human knights in polished armor bearing some noble's crest had surrounded a group of elven women backed against a tree. The knights weren't attacking, but their body language was aggressive and threatening.
"Stand aside," one knight called out. "Lord Vastin has paid good gold for three elven women to serve in his household. You will provide them, or we'll take them by force."
"We're not slaves to be bought and sold!" An elven man stepped forward, bow in hand but not drawn. "Leave our settlement or face the consequences."
The lead knight laughed harshly. "Consequences? From tree-dwellers? Lord Vastin's authority comes directly from the kingdom. You'll give us what we came for, or we'll burn this settlement to the ground and take whoever we want from the ashes."
Shinichi felt something cold settle in his stomach. This wasn't the first time. The way the elves had reacted to his presence, the immediate hostility from Yuffie's parents—it all suddenly made horrible sense. Humans came here to take elven women, treating them like property.
"This is why we don't trust humans," Yuffie's father said quietly beside Shinichi. "Every few months, some noble sends knights to demand our women for their 'households.'"
"They claim it's legal, that elves are subject to human law. And if we resist, they threaten to destroy everything."
"That's not legal," Shinichi said, his voice harder than intended. "Slavery is illegal in every way possible."
"Call it what you want," Yuffie's mother said bitterly. "They call them servants or concubines or household staff, but everyone knows what they really are. Playthings for bored nobles who think elves are exotic prizes."
Below, the situation was escalating. More elven men had appeared with bows and spears but looked reluctant to attack. The knights, sensing hesitation, drew their swords and advanced on the trapped women. One woman was crying, pleading while her friends tried to shield her.
Shinichi didn't remember making a conscious decision. One moment he was at the window, the next he was moving toward the door. Yuffie caught his arm, her eyes wide.
"What are you doing?"
"Something I should have done the moment I saw what was happening," he replied, gently pulling free. "Stay here."
He was down the staircase and crossing the clearing before anyone could stop him. The knights noticed him approaching, and the lead one turned with an expression mixing annoyance and amusement at seeing a twelve-year-old.
"What's this? Did the tree-dwellers send a child to negotiate?"
Shinichi stopped ten feet from the group. The elven women behind the knights looked at him with confusion and fear. The elven men seemed uncertain whether this made things better or worse.
"I'm Shinichi Sunvolt," he said calmly, letting his family name carry weight. "And I'm telling you to leave these people alone."
The lead knight's expression changed slightly at the Sunvolt name. It was a powerful noble family with significant influence. But then he remembered he was dealing with a child, and his confidence returned.
"The Sunvolt family, eh? Well, Lord Sunvolt's son should understand how these things work. Lord Vastin has paid the proper fees and secured the necessary documentation. These elves are coming with us, and there's nothing you can do about it."
"I'm giving you one chance," Shinichi said, and despite his young age, something in his voice made several knights shift uncomfortably. "Turn around. Leave this settlement. Don't come back."
The lead knight laughed, though it sounded forced. "Or what? You'll fight all six of us? You're just a child playing hero. Go home before you get hurt."
Shinichi raised his hand, and light began gathering around his fingertips. The gathered elves gasped, and even the knights took an involuntary step back.
"I'm the child who's about to show you exactly why you should have left when I asked nicely," Shinichi said, and the light around his hand condensed into something that looked like a blade. "Last chance. Walk away."
The knight's face flushed with anger at being threatened by a boy in front of so many witnesses. His hand went to his sword, and Shinichi knew the situation was about to turn violent.
From the window above, Yuffie watched with her parents, her hands pressed against the glass. Despite everything her parents had told her about humans, despite all the reasons to distrust them, she found herself hoping that her new friend would win.