The moment Eryx urged his horse forward, the entire procession moved with him as one.
Beyond the gate, however, lay a world unlike anything they had imagined.
Demons, humans, elves, dwarves—countless races lived side by side. Children laughed as they ran between the trees, playing freely. Those who had survived welcomed the newcomers not with fear, but with open joy.
A strange sensation bloomed in Violet's chest—small, warm, and unfamiliar. After a life steeped in fear and restraint, this place felt… oddly peaceful.
When Nyssara removed her mask, Violet found herself staring.
Violet seemed to understand at once—sensing the familiar presence of a fellow Dark Elf without a single word spoken.
Nyssara smiled gently.
"Why the surprise?" she said. "Come on. Let's go."
Around them, the members of Hawk Hollows removed their masks as well. Their faces held no cruelty—only calm resolve and quiet warmth. They were nothing like the terrifying figures Violet had imagined.
Eryx cleared his throat and spoke in a firm, steady voice.
"We have returned home. And we have gained new companions. Help them. Support them."
The former slaves froze in shock. This was nothing like the ruthless faction they had expected.
At that moment, a broad-shouldered man with a massive sword strapped to his back strode forward, laughing loudly.
"Welcome to the heart of Hawk Hollows, friends! You can call me Kael. I'm the captain of the assault division."
Nyssara leaned toward Violet and whispered playfully,
"Violet, dear—be careful around this one. He might just laugh you to death."
Kael burst into laughter as the other captains joined him.
Violet stood still, overwhelmed. She had never seen a place so alive, so full of warmth.
Eryx noticed and approached her.
"If you keep standing there, you'll never blend in," he said calmly.
"Stay with Nyssara today. Get to know the others. Tomorrow morning, come to the main hall and meet me."
With that, he moved on—playing with the children, handing out fruit as he went.
Violet nodded, though the tension in her chest hadn't fully eased.
Nyssara took her hand.
"Shall we take a walk?" she asked lightly.
Though nervous, Violet followed. Her cheeks flushed, and her long ears twitched faintly in embarrassment.
The day felt endless, yet Violet managed to meet Kael, Nyssara, the other members, and even the children—doing her best despite being unaccustomed to speaking with so many people at once.
As night fell, the wounded and sick were treated, and the former slaves slowly began to open up to one another.
Nyssara led Violet to a small wooden house.
"From today on, this will be your home," she said warmly.
"Sweet dreams."
She closed the door gently behind her.
Violet waved after her, a shy but genuine smile on her lips.
The house was simple but comforting. No grand furnishings—just a bed, a mirror, a washbasin filled with water, and a small wooden table. For the first time in her life, Violet let out a truly calm breath.
As she sat on the bed and removed her clothes, the scars of her past stood out against her skin. But she was used to them now.
Thinking of Nyssara and Kael, she smiled again—something she rarely did.
Yet one thought lingered above all others.
Eryx Hollowmark.
An enigma. A man difficult to read, harder to understand.
What will tomorrow bring?
With that thought, Violet drifted into a deep sleep.
⸻
A knock came the next morning.
"Rise and shine, honey!" Nyssara's voice called from outside.
Violet opened her eyes, suddenly remembering Eryx's words. She sprang up, washed her face, dressed quickly, and opened the door.
Nyssara and Kael greeted her with smiles.
Seeing Violet's unruly hair, Nyssara gently fixed it.
"Getting used to life here will take time," she said with a laugh.
"Now let's head to the main hall. Eryx is waiting for you."
Kael laughed loudly.
"You do know Eryx hates waiting, right?"
Violet flushed in embarrassment, and the three of them headed toward the main hall together.
The main hall stood in solemn silence.
Two guards flanked the massive doors as they opened, revealing a vast chamber carved from ancient stone and dark wood. Maps of forgotten lands covered the walls, their edges worn by time. The ceiling beams were fashioned from old, pale bone—remnants of creatures long extinct—while the banners of Hawk Hollows hung motionless, their black sigils heavy with meaning.
At the center stood a long, round table.
Runes etched into its surface pulsed faintly, written in an ancient tongue older than kingdoms.
Carved into the stone behind the table were words Violet could read—words that made her breath catch.
"Do not fear death.
Fear the inability to face truth."
"Burn your broken past.
Forge it into a flame that lights the way for others."
At the far end of the table, seated in a high-backed chair, was Eryx Hollowmark.
He rested his chin against his knuckles, his sharp gaze already fixed on Violet—as if he had been waiting long before she arrived.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, Violet felt as though she were standing before judgment itself.
Eryx spoke.
"You're early," he said flatly. "Sit."
Violet moved stiffly and took the seat opposite him.
Kael leaned in, whispering with a grin,
"Told you. He hates waiting."
Nyssara shot him a warning look.
"Enough."
Eryx straightened, and the room fell silent at once.
He looked directly at Violet.
"I'll ask you once. No tricks. No persuasion."
His voice was calm—too calm.
"Do you wish to become one of Hawk Hollows?"
The question struck harder than Violet expected.
Her mind raced.
Fear. Doubt. Instinct.
She opened her mouth, hesitated.
"Sir… I—"
Eryx's gaze sharpened, cold and precise.
"If you do not wish it, say so. No one will force you."
He turned his eyes away, already losing interest.
If not now… then never.
Something inside Violet clenched.
Before she could stop herself, the words left her lips—steady, clear.
"I understand. Sir. I wish to become a member of Hawk Hollows."
The room did not react.
Eryx's expression did not change.
Instead, he reached forward—and threw a dagger across the table.
It slid to a stop directly before Violet.
Nyssara and Kael watched in silence.
Eryx spoke again.
"Take the blade. Cut your palm."
Violet froze.
"This is not symbolism," Eryx continued.
"This is a blood oath."
He tapped the dagger lightly.
"That blade bears ancient runes. It has witnessed every oath Hawk Hollows has ever sworn."
Violet swallowed.
"I swear no false righteousness," Eryx said evenly.
"No blind loyalty. No empty mercy."
He met her eyes.
"You swear to walk beside us—through good and evil alike.
To remain unbroken.
To remain honest."
Violet reached for the dagger.
The moment her fingers touched the hilt, a sharp tremor ran through her body.
The runes ignited.
Her vision blurred—flooded by fragments not her own.
Figures kneeling.
Hands bleeding.
Oaths whispered in the dark.
Lives lost. Lives chosen.
She gasped, nearly dropping the blade.
Eryx did not move.
Nyssara's voice was soft but firm.
"Breathe, Violet."
Violet drew in a shaky breath, steadied herself, and pressed the blade into her palm.
Pain flared.
Blood spilled across the table, dark and vivid.
She spoke, her voice trembling—but unbroken.
"Through good and evil,
I will walk as one of Hawk Hollows."
The runes glowed brighter.
"I will not flee from truth,
Nor abandon those who stand beside me."
Her blood was drawn toward the dagger, as if pulled by unseen hands.
"I will face my weakness,
And overcome my past."
The blade drank deeply.
The runes burned white—then vanished.
The hall exhaled.
The oath was complete.
Eryx rose from his seat.
The sound of his chair scraping against the stone echoed like a verdict.
He stepped forward, standing before Violet.
For the first time, his voice softened.
"Welcome to Hawk Hollows," he said.
"Violet Zereth."
Nyssara smiled.
Kael let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding—and then grinned.
"Well… damn. Looks like you survived."
Violet looked down at her bleeding palm.
It hurt.
But for the first time—
the pain felt like proof she belonged somewhere.