Dawn- An age of Darkness
Chapter 298 - Lianne (Part Two)

Lianne traveled all over the continent for many years. When she first started, she was lost in a sea of monsters and mysteries. 

They didn't know where they were going and neither siblings had any idea just what kind of place the world really was. But they were fast learners and they weren't going to give up on life. 

The two persevered and eventually reached a new city. They were barely alive by the time they reached the city but- their adventure had only just begun. 

Lianne was still young and the young elf with her was her insurance. Though at first, she hated him, they both grew closer as times got tough. After all, they had only each other left in this world. 

The boy- Seanne knew how to use a bow properly, he could also wield a knife in close proximity. Lianne on the other hand- though older- didn't know how to use much of anything.. But she was a fast learner and she had motivation.

Her motivation was simple. Live life, have fun, and explore. She never wanted to be chained ever again. 

They got into different adventuring groups and eventually registered at the guild: it was really tough at first but they were always training, always trying to get better. 

With each group, they learned more about the world, learned new things, and even gained experience in different types of weapons and people. Seanne almost always reverted back to his bow and knife though.

People died, they killed monsters and they even fell in love. 

Lianne in particular was really popular among the adventurers. Though she looked like a teenager,  she was rather beautiful though petite.

At first, she didn't know what mating even was. But as a curious teenager, it didn't stop her from experimenting. Obviously, she only experimented on her own and didn't go man-hunting. But she realized, 'I'm too tight!'

Elves of her linage generally couldn't conceive before turning 500, and that's why her mother had forbidden her to get involved with men before that. She respected her mother. But more importantly, she was too scared to even think about it, let alone actually do it.

The young boy- Seanne however wasn't so shy.

He'd spend his evenings in gardens trying to blow a tube: a flute. He wasn't that good but whenever he played at least three or four women flocked around him to listen. He never brought any women back to the inn though. And though he had the chance, he never got into illicit relationships. 

Those were fun days and since the world was plagued with war, demons, and monsters, work came in plenty. 

People generally didn't like elves, but they couldn't deny their strength. And this was a mixed city, so elves came in plenty. 

These two would take almost any job, with almost any party. They weren't that strong, but as a duo, they were perfect. 

A year passed by in a flash.

But then one day, Lianne fell in love. 

It was love at first sight and when she proposed the guy had actually accepted. She spent some nights with the guy and she was going to get married too: she was scared, really scared but she wanted to make the man feel that she really loved him. She for the first time in her life ignored her mother's warnings and got in bed with the man.

This was her first love, and she was drunk on that love. Her partner was a wolf demi-human and the man seemed rather charming to her. 

Enough so, that even giving him her first didn't scare her- only on the outside. Inside she was freaking out and when they actually tried it, she felt pain: she already knew she was tight but she didn't know it would be this painful. She didn't know there'd be this much blood. She cried a lot that night being one with the man. She tried to be brave about it but it was too painful for her. But- she loved the man and wanted to get married. 

The man comforted her but he was conflicted for some reason.

Lianne was serious about getting married to the man. She even had a fight with Seanne regarding that. 

But eventually, she realized her love story wasn't as picture-perfect as she assumed. One day Seanne took her to a place in the town, a slum of sorts. She saw the man she was in love with- in the distance, hugging a woman. The man was also hugging some children. The man was happy. He had a smile Lianne had never seen, a genuine smile.

"He's already married," Seanne said. 

Her world was turned upside down. She gave the man everything but- the man had betrayed her. For just a moment she wanted to kill the man. But then she saw his children and loving wife, hugging him. 

'I'm a homewrecker?'

Streams of liquid flowed from her eyes without her noticing and she turned back. 

Seanne followed her silently. 

The next they, they were gone from the city. 

***

Seanne had seen everything- he knew everything but- he couldn't do anything. What could he have done? Console her?

But how?

They moved away from the city and made way for the port city of Meim. It was a free city, and there were hardly any elves. But this city was the city of demi-humans and dark elves, so they weren't welcome but they weren't persecuted either. 

  "Should we head to a new one?" Lianne said, looking at the ships from the top of a building. The two were sitting and looking out at the sunset. 

"I only came with you to take you back. I don't care where you go, I'll go." After all, the boy didn't know what else to say. 

Lianne laughed to hide her tears, as they both watched the sunset. 

"Why did it always have to be like this?"  She held Joey's hand firmly and cried just the next second. It was almost like a damn just got broken. "I just- I just wanted to live." She wanted to live, she wanted love, and she wanted to be free. "But- everyone- just leaves me."

"I won't leave you." Seanne held her hands firmly. "I won't ever leave you."

"Promise?" Lianne's eyes leaked and they shimmered in bright red.

Seanne was her last family. And Lianne was his.

Seanne smiled. His eyes didn't waver. He was totally serious. "Promise!"

She was young and she didn't know, people weren't as pure as she thought and perhaps people weren't naïve like a certain not of yet age half-dead elf. But on this day, she trusted her little brother and got on a ship as stowaways. 

***

  The ship was headed for the unknown continent. It was an exploration ship. Most of the world wasn't mapped and that's why there were many ships that ventured out and hardly any ever got back. Certainly didn't stop people's curiosity though. 

Obviously, both got caught on the very same day. And though the captain threatened to throw them at the sea, they didn't. They weren't going to turn back either. Instead, a deal was struck that the two would work on the ship, slay monsters, and in turn, they'd be given a spare quarter.

The two were useful and they were hardworking. This ship was full of demi-humans but there were two elves. Both were dark elves. But for some reason, that couple always treated Lianne and her brother nicely. 

They later found out that the couple had just lost their children in a great fire and they didn't have anything left in Meim. Maybe they were trying to see their lost children in the elf siblings? Or perhaps they were just trying to hide their sorrow.

The duo tried to cheer them up at times by acting nice, but they didn't know how to act. After all, they had nothing either. 

Sea travel was exciting and every day there were new challenges. 

There were new monsters and potential food. There were new islands and danger everywhere. 

The weather changed abruptly and at times it felt like the ship would break down and they'd die. 

It was always exciting. Every day was fun but there were boring days too. 

Seeing her little brother throw up twice a day was kind of amusing too. It wasn't that amusing for Seanne though. 

But one thing was for certain, they were free. And they were happy. 

***

After nearly half a decade of sea travel, the two elves had reached a port in a faraway land and a faraway city. They didn't know the name or anything about this land, but- it only made exploring even more exhilarating. 

Just the other day, they'd almost been caught in a great storm. There was something in the water too, something massive. The captain said something about being a grand sea snake monster or something but Lianne didn't buy it. It was probably just a whale anyway.

But more importantly, they had a city to explore!

The two elves bid their farewell to everyone and even the dark elf couple and went their ways. It was a bit sad to bid farewells, but such was life.

Though the people onboard the ship had changed and they were rather attached to the duo, the duo hadn't changed much. But they too felt attached. But this really was time to bid farewell. 

"Take care!" Everyone from the ship waved at them.

The two looked back with smiles. "Thank you for everything!" Lianne had screamed.

In a new continent with new dreams, they marched on.