Page 16 of Her Immortal Love

I stand on the battlements, surveying the aftermath of another dark elf attack. We've been striking one another, over and over, now locked in a battle for control of these lands.

The air reeks of blood and scorched flesh. Our losses are mounting, and whispers of doubt ripple through our ranks.

"Alexei!" Brinda's voice cuts through the chaos. "We need more soldiers. Now."

I nod grimly, knowing what she means. My stomach churns as I make my way to the human enclosure. Their fear hits me like a wave, but I steel myself. This is war. This is survival.

I select five humans – strong, healthy specimens. As I lead them away, Alina catches my eye. The disappointment in her gaze cuts deeper than any blade.

The Changing process is brutal. I've done it before, but something feels... off this time. The screams seem to last longer, the convulsions more violent. Even the numbing agent does nothing to lessen the process. When it's over, I step back, studying our new recruits.

At first glance, everything seems normal. But as the first rays of dawn break over the horizon, I notice something strange. Twoof the newly Changed flinch, their skin reddening slightly in the sunlight.

"What the hell?" I mutter, moving closer to examine them. They're not weakened, not burning like they would if they were extremely weakened. But their discomfort is obvious, something I've never seen before.

And then there's the fifth one. I circle him slowly, my unease growing. "Where are your wings?" I demand.

He looks at me, confused and terrified. "I... I don't know," he stammers.

This isn't right. Every vrakken I've ever seen or heard of has wings. It's part of what makes us what we are. But this one... he's wingless. Changed, but incomplete.

A chill runs down my spine. Something is changing, shifting. The magic that created us, that sustains us – it's behaving differently. But why?

As I lead the new recruits to be outfitted and trained, my mind races. Is it because they weren't Made by the First herself? Is the magic of this world affecting our very essence?

One thing is clear – we're entering uncharted territory. And I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of our problems.

10

ALINA

I'm yanked from my cot in the middle of the night, rough hands gripping my arms. My heart races as I'm dragged through the vrakken encampment.

"What's going on?" I demand, but my captors remain silent.

We emerge at the edge of the camp, where a circle of vrakken await. Just like before…

"Alina Nakamura," a tall female with intricate wing markings addresses me. "Your magical abilities have not gone unnoticed. We require your assistance in our war efforts."

I blink, stunned. "I... I don't understand. I'm just learning to control-"

"You will learn quickly," she cuts me off. "The dark elves grow stronger by the day. We need every advantage."

Before I can protest, I'm shoved towards a makeshift table. strange artifacts litter its surface cobbled together to make a type of map. The vrakken begin discussing strategy, occasionally turning to me for input.

"Human, what do you make of these troop movements?" one asks, pointing to a section of the map.

I stare blankly. "I... I'm a biotechnology student, not a military strategist."

"But you have insight into human thinking," another argues. "And your magic... It's unpredictable, yes, but powerful. We can use that."

Hours pass in a blur of tactical discussions and magical demonstrations. They force me to channel my power into various objects, watching with keen interest as the results vary wildly. Sometimes nothing happens. Other times, the object explodes in a shower of sparks.

My head pounds from the strain, but they push me relentlessly. I catch glimpses of Alexei hovering at the edges of the crowd, his expression unreadable. When our eyes meet, he quickly looks away.

As dawn approaches, the female leader turns to me. "You will remain here, under guard. Your training begins immediately."

"But-" I start to protest.