1 Chapter One - The One That Seeks Vengeance

Year 2945, Fourth Cycle of the Lunar year

The earth was cracked and the soil polluted. Birds flocked the skies, eyeing the corpses below. As if they were given a sign the birds swooped in one after another and started to devour the flesh of the deceased.

Crunch!

Neita bit into the body of an orc he had just killed. It wasn't the first time he was forced to eat raw flesh but the experience was as nauseating as the first. Neita looked around at the barren wasteland with an expressionless face. The earth was pitch black and heaps of junk metal and rotting corpses spread as far as the eyes could see. This was the humans' doing, Neita thought to himself. Only the humans were ruthless enough to do kill others at the drop of a hat.

Blaargh! Neita threw up the orc flesh that he'd just swallowed. Orc flesh was thicker and tougher than goblin flesh and it's dirty skin made cracking noises when bitten. Wiping away the vomit Neita took another bite of the repulsive meat in his hand only to throw up moments later. This had been Neita's routine for the past 2 months. Ever since a group of hunters destroyed his home this had been Neita's only method of survival with no means to prepare his own food all he could do was eat the meat raw. He had tried roasting the flesh but the result was always inedible coupled with his constant hunger pangs which eventually led to his decision to eat it raw. Unable to take another bite of the orc meat Neita discarded it hesitantly. At the same time Neita heard a strange sound in the distance.

"Coo" hearing the sound for a second time Neita was sure it came from nearby. Soon he spotted the source. Sitting on a corpse a few feet away was a silver feathered bird. Taking a closer look Neita saw it had suffered a strike to it's belly and had lost a lot of blood.

Tap!

Neita swiftly drew an arrow from the quiver on his back and knocked it onto his bow. Neita hesitated as he pulled the bow into a crescent. Under normal circumstances his mother had forbidden him from taking the lives of a flying creature but his hunger had triumphed over reason. This was a rule the entire Valkyrie race lived by and not even his mother was exempt from it.

Neita's hands shook and the arrow slipped from his fingers, darting straight at the bird's head. Immediately Neita was drowning in guilt but was shocked at what happened next. Just before the arrow could make contact the silver bird arched it's neck, completely avoiding the shot. Neita didn't have the confidence to make a second shot and lowered his bow. In the Wasteland nowhere could be considered safe and every creature was dangerous. Neita knew this and was afraid to approach the silver bird any further as in case it was capable of bringing him harm.

"I'm sorry I cannot help you and attacked you instead" Neita clasped his hands and prayed that the bird could pass on without any suffering.

"Kaw!" Neita opened his eyes to the sight of birds swooping down, intending to end the silver bird's life. "Stop-" as the words left his mouth a black object flew by, killing the closest bird in a single strike.

"Nice shot!" Anna said to her brother with a smile.

"That's not all, watch this sis!" Kris drew four arrows from his quiver and knocked them onto his bow. The next moment his arrows had already shot out killing another four of the hostile birds. In only a short moment he'd shot all the birds

"Are you the one we're looking for, the uh...the valk kid?" Kris asked as his gaze landed on Neita. Neita had neck length red hair that had been tied into a ponytail and red eyes that leered at him cautiously and his fang like teeth that made Kris anxious. "Bro we're from the chaos elf race, we are not your enemies" he said uncomfortably.

Neita heard Kris' words but his frown was still there. Kris also frowned as he steered back at Neita. Eventually Neita spoke up "The birds...." While it wasn't a custom of his race Neita's mother would always pray for birds that could no longer soar through the sky.

"Ooh" as if he had come to an understanding Kris threw back his head and chuckled. "You wanted to kill those birds yourself?"

Anna glared at her idiotic twin brother and gave Neita an apologetic look. "The Valkyries are the companions of birds and forbid the killing of them, I'm sorry you had to see that"

Neita shook his head, indicating that he didn't mind. While he hadn't killed any birds in his lifetime he had devoured a large amount over the two months he was without a home. Neita twisted in the direction of the silver bird and walked over slowly. As he took the bird into his embrace Neita realized just how small and weak the creature was. There was a mixture of stale and fresh blood on its stomach which meant the wound must have reopened recently. That must be my fault Neita said to himself. If his mother was present she would be upset with him and knowing that made him bitter inwardly.

Anna saw Neita's expression and offered to treat the silver bird as she had brought second hand medical equipment and could stop it's bleeding. In a few minutes the bird's wound had stopped bleeding and was wrapped comfortably. Having nowhere to go Neita who was invited to the Chaos Elf forest by Anna and Kris decided to follow the two back home.

It didn't take long to reach the Chaos elf forest. The elf race, born as the guardians of the forest were gifted the talent to warp between set points if certain criterias were met. Using this ability Kris and Anna were able to traverse the forest in an instant. After Anna had brought Neita to their village he was provided a bath, change of clothes and a room to rest.

Neita sat on the bed silently staring at the silver feathered bird he'd brought along with him. Taking an orc finger he'd brought along Neita attempted to feed the injured bird.

"Coo" the silver bird turned away not wanting to consume the finger. Neita thought it was being picky about what it ate and threw the finger away. Anna soon came knocking on Neita's door requesting that he greet the village chief. Neita followed Anna out of the room and into a wide hall like area the three times the size of a baseball court with statues of previous elf leaders at each corner of the room. The walls were covered in green and gold with strange symbols engraved into them.

"These walls were built by our the previous chaos elf matriarch a hundred years ago and can withstand even a nuclear warhead from the human race, I believe the Valkyrie clan has a safe place similar to this one?" a girl seemingly in her teens saw Neita's gaze and stated plainly.

Neita glanced at the lady then back at the walls and nodded "Valkyrie clan walls were broken. It didn't keep mother safe"

"The Valkyries have always united and protected the weaker races, our peace and stability up until now is thanks to your kind and to show my gratitude as the current matriarch of the chaos elves I hereby welcome you to our Asakadi Forest" the matriarch stated solemnly.

"Thanks Miss Matriarch" Neita nodded passively, his gaze still focused on the walls for a reason only he knew.

"Sylvianna Baequiatear I, please call me Sylvia" the matriarch replied pensively at Neita's indifference.

Neita nodded once more and replied "Sylvie"

Matriarch Sylvianna nodded, indicating she approved of Neita's way of addressing her. Sylvie stared at Neita impatiently then pouted "Neita don't you have-"

"Hey Sis can you spar with me again? Kris barged into the room, interrupting Sylvie. Sylvie paused momentarily then agreed. Once a week she would help Kris to sharpen his archery and today she had promised to teach him a new skill. Looking at Neita whose gaze had yet to move from the wall Sylvie turned away and left with Kris.

Anna who entered at the same time as Neita was perturbed by her older sister's strange actions but spoke nothing of it and quietly followed after the two, leaving Neita to ponder to himself.

After the siblings had left the room Neita was brought his senses by the pain of his nails cutting into his palm. He could vaguely recall the bliss of having beautiful memories and a carefree life but now his mind was clouded with anger for the humans that took from him and helplessness towards his own weak self. The Valkyrie race was a race filled with proud warriors who would never pick a fight with those they considered inferior who would have thought they would formed an alliance with the shura race - a race that ate any and all races for the sake of reproduction. The humans were physically weak.....or atleast they were supposed to be. Neita looked around realizing everyone else had left he walked towards the direction Sylvie and company had went. As Neita walked along the path he realized how different yet beautiful the elf forest was even when compared to the Einrak, home of the Valks. While appreciating the beauty of the forest Neita soon came upon Kris who seemed to be struggling to pull the bowstring into an arc which made Neita confused since Kris had previously shown a prowess exceeding his own.

"I can't do it and I bet you can't either sis why'd you trick me into getting my hopes up?!" Kris whined, tossing his bow into the air and throwing himself onto the floor. His fingers were red from trying to pull the bowstring but showed no results.

Sylvianna chuckled. Grabbing the bow Kris had thrown she plucked the strings between her thumb and index fingers pulling the bow into a perfect crescent then releasing it swiftly.

Thud! Neita's eyes traced the direction to which Sylvie was pointed and his eyes widened from surprise. Roughly about four feet from where Sylvie stood was a huge tree that was being used for target practice. On the tree were five newly made holes but there was no sign of an arrow penetrating it's bark. He then recalled the elf race were known for their unique bows that were suited for those of the wind attribute and had earned the nickname 'Silhouette Snipers over the years.

"Oh Neita!" Anna being the first to spot Neita quickly made her way over since she was not involved in archery.

"Aren't you practicing archery too?" Neita asked curiously as Anna came over.

Anna smiled and shook her head "Compared to bows I'm much better at using guns"

Neita nodded, his gaze returning to the duo that were still practicing archery in the distance. Two months ago he was just like them being able to enjoy training with a smile on his face.

"Neita are you listening?" Anna tapped Neita on the shoulder and frowned. It was clear he hadn't heard a word she said. "I asked what do you plan to do from now on now that your home is gone, why don't you live here with us?"

Neita did not think twice and immediately refused "I can't do that"

Anna felt the need to ask his reason for not wanting to stay but felt it was best not to ask.

Neita clenched his fists and furrowed his brows. He had already decided his next action two months ago. "Every night I close my eyes the screams of my race begging for mercy at the hands of the humans...the humiliation the Valkyries have faced.. I will return tenfold!! Once I have exterminated the humans and the shura then I'll revive my clan with own hands!"