Tiafell - the Femboy Elf

Author's Note: This chapter is a good one to end the year with, as it ends the Battle of Steelweld and the "Steelweld Arc" itself. The new year will see the group traveling to a new location to meet new characters and there is even an unexpected reunion!

Thanks to everyone that has followed the story so far, your comments and feedback have truly meant a lot! I hope you all enjoy the last chapter of 2024 and look forward to what's to come in 2025!

By the way, sex scenes will return in Chapter 23. Everyone will be resting, recovering, and mourning in the next chapter and won't be in the mood for it.

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Chapter 21: Fathers and Their Children

Moments before Marlon arrived in Steelweld, Tiafell awakened to find himself on the ground with glowing blue chains wrapped around his body, arms, and legs. He cried out when he struggled to move, the chains squeezed him tightly in response.

"You're awake already?" Cardexx turned to face his son. "That is a demon restriction spell. The more you resist, the tighter the chains will become. You will be more comfortable if you relax."

Tiafell groaned and relaxed his body, easing the bindings. "It's not like I can move well, you've beaten the snot out of me." The elf had a blackeye with bruises on his face and torso. He ached all over.

"I regret having to do that son, but you left me with no choice. You had lost control, and you were going to give yourself to Dred. I don't blame you given the current situation, I share your disgust with all this needless violence and death."

"What is happening?"

"The amazons are losing. Dred brought reinforcements with him, and they are beginning to overwhelm Cleyene and her people."

Tiafell attempted to sit up, but the chains kept him on the ground. "Why aren't you helping them? If you really are on our side, why are you here with me?"

"That is not part of the plan. Once I have restrained you, I am to remain on standby and keep you safe until 'he' arrives."

"Who? Who are you waiting for?" Tiafell got his answer when a bright pillar of light descended into the village.

"There he is, the old man was making me worry." Cardexx turned to face the area where the light touched down, crossing his arms.

"Marlon? Why is he here? He is too old to be in a situation like this! He'll get himself killed!!" Tiafell wiggled around, causing the chains to tighten their hold on him.

"He has made his choice, we both have." Cardexx answered his son.

"What choice?? I want some answers!!" His father remained silent. "Father!!!!"

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Dred was laughing uncontrollably at Marlon's declaration. Though not joining in his laughter, everyone else was equally baffled. Samora's heart broke, seeing her dying father there meant only one thing: he had decided where and how his life was going to end.

The laughing demon composed himself. "I have never laughed like that before. You were always on overachiever, becoming the most famous and powerful mage in history, living centuries beyond the normal human lifespan. You have even taken senility to new heights! To think that you would come here alone to fight me in your state, you pitiful old man."

"I do intend to fight you myself, but I did not come alone." Dozens of glowing white circles appeared behind Marlon. Through them, hundreds of soldiers clad in heavy white armor emerged, carrying an array of weaponry. Their armor bore the emblem of a roaring lion. Two more formed by the wizard's sides, and from them stepped two women, a knight and a mage.

The knight on his left was a tall muscular woman with ebony skin and long black hair. She was wearing minimal armor, having only a breastplate across her chest. The rest of her attire consisted of a skirt and boots; her arms, midriff, and thighs were bare. On her right arm was a large shield with the lion emblem carved into it. She carried a long javelin in her left hand.

The mage on his right was a woman with Oriental features of average height, with shoulder-length black hair. She was wearing a dark green witch's hat with a matching dress that bore the lion emblem over her left breasts and heels; she had no armor on. In her right hand was a silver staff with gold rings looped together.

"Are you seeing this...?" Cirris was stunned.

"That's.. the Royal Army! I can't believe Grandfather brought them with him!" Mirya acknowledged.

"Not only that, but those two standing with him. That is Rhydra and Hinako, members of the Elite Royal Guard! They are made up of the four strongest soldiers in the entire Royal Army. It's said that the King and his royal guard are so powerful, they are an army to themselves when they fight together. This has earned them the title 'The Army of Five'!"

"Wow, and two of them are here??"

"Yeah, maybe we have a chance now! We need to do our part and deal with her!" Cirris and Mirya were facing Trista, who had been standing perfectly still. The sorceress waved her staff to attack the mage twins.

"Sir Marlon." Rhydra addressed him honorably. "Are you sure you don't need assistance?"

"Yes, Dred and I have a score that will be settled tonight. I leave the rest to all of you." Marlon answered her.

"Very well." Hinako replied. "These monsters won't live long enough to regret attacking this village!"

Rhydra faced the troops behind her. "This is it!! Kill every demon and vampire that wears the mark of the Red Crescent Coven! Move out!!"

The Royal Army roared in unison, then moved forward to attack. Their might was impressive, killing demons and vampires with relative ease. Rhydra and Hinako showed exceptional skill, with the knight's javelin extending to skewer many opponents at once, she then swung her weapon around with enough force to break demons apart. Hinako was casting white holy flames from her staff using minimal incantations, killing many demons and vampires at once. The two Royal Guards alone were wiping out most of the enemy forces themselves.

Dred narrowed his eyes at Marlon, no longer amused. "And what of you, Marlon? Is bringing the Royal Army the best you can do?"

"No, I have one more trick up my sleeve!" Marlon weakly raised one of his hands to the sky, chanting.

"Father.. that spell is going to.." Samora sobbed, she knew what was about to happen.

Marlon's body glowed so brightly that no one could look at him. Seconds later, the glow disappeared, revealing a much younger man standing where the wizard was moments ago. He had short brown hair and a full beard, wearing the same outfit as Marlon was, and was holding his staff.

Dred's irises turned red. "YOU.." He balled his four fists, shaking with anger.

"What did he do??" Cleyene asked.

"That spell returns the user to their prime. What you are seeing is Father as he was 800 years ago when he defeated Dred and ended the Great Demon War. I may have inherited his magic and knowledge, but my current power is nothing compared to his." Samora explained.

"Incredible! He was quite handsome in his youth."

Samora didn't react to her comment. "It may seem impressive, but the spell only lasts for a short time. Once it ends, the user is left exhausted and vulnerable." The witched sobbed again. "Father has just sealed his own fate. He was already dying, but now.." She held her face in her hands and cried.

"Well, well, well." The young Marlon boasted, becoming brash and cocky in his rejuvenated state. "I bet you thought you'd never see this face again, huh? What do you think? Excited? Probably more pissed off than anything, am I right?"

"That face..." Dred's arms and body bulked up, becoming a hulking figure. "That voice..." Red blades reappeared in his hands. "The man I hate more than anything is back!! As much as I looked forward to ripping the old man's limbs off, THIS IS BETTER!!!!"

Dred flew at Marlon furiously, closing the distance in less than a second. But during that time, the restored wizard had struck his face with his staff, turning the demon's head backwards. He then thrusted his palm against his stomach and sent the figure careening into a half-collapsed building. Everyone was speechless, seeing Dred bested so easily was unthinkable.

"Samora, get Cleyene to safety, then help Cirris and Mirya with Trista! I will handle Dred!" Marlon commanded his daughter.

"Alright.." Samora responded. "Father, I.." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I know, my dear." He gave her a look of understanding, they both knew how the night was going to end for him. "Go now! I do not have much time!!" The witch did as her father instructed, helping Brion and Kanah get the badly injured Cleyene to the infirmary, which was overloaded with wounded fighters. Medics tended to the wounds of their Chieftess immediately.

"I have to go..." Samora turned to leave.

Cleyene spoke before she could leave. "May luck be with Marlon, and you as well."

"Yes.." The witch took a deep breath, then left the infirmary, leaving Brion and Kanah with Cleyene.

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"Cardexx, can you hear me?" Marlon spoke to the incubus telepathically.

"Yes, I hear you clearly. It took you long enough to get here." Cardexx replied.

"Too long. Thank you for keeping Tiafell away from Dred, though I'm sorry you had to beat him so soundly. Stay with him and keep him safe until I give you the signal. I will weaken Dred as much as I can, but when I call for you, you must come to my side immediately. We only have one shot at this."

"Understood. Good luck, Marlon."

Dred emerged from the rubble of the now destroyed building. He was seething. "You're as irritating as I remember. Arrogant bastard, YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU EARNED MY ETERNAL HATRED!!!"

"Aw, don't get your panties in a wad!" Marlon taunted him. A sword appeared in the wizard's free hand with two more forming around him, floating in the air. "Not that you can wear panties without a waist. Whoops, I'm sorry, guess I'm responsible for that, aren't I?" He chuckled.

Dred flew forward, an intense melee began between the two bitter enemies. Each collision of their weapons made a thunderous boom that was heard and felt by everyone. The fighting pair zigzagged between buildings and dashed through streets during their impressive battle.

"What's the matter, have you gotten slow in your old age? I know you can do better than this!" Marlon mocked him as they fought.

"You're the old man here! That young face is but a mask that hides what you truly are!!" Dred angrily fired back.

"You've been alive a lot longer than I have, buddy. I'm a spring chicken compared to you!"

"You cocky son of a bitch!! When I get my hands on you, I'll show you what true pain is!!!!"

"Oooooh, kinky! Is that a promise?" Marlon winked at him.

Dred's ribbon-like appendages moved forward and wrapped around the wizard's limbs. He laughed, feeling assured he had his prey trapped. "I have you now!! I'm going to rip you into so many shreds, there won't be enough left of you to bury or cremate!!!"

"Please.." Marlon rolled his eyes. A powerful electric current flowed from him into Dred's body. The demon screamed in anguish; the electricity sparked throughout his body. "Do you like that? I have more for you!" Dred's body sizzled and ignited from the increasing voltage flowing through him, then a storm of fist-sized rocks encircled him. They passed through the burning figure's body at great speed. Eventually, the ribbons were broken, and Marlon was released, but the barrage of rocks continued. Dred could not counter any of the stones ripping through him. Though his injuries were healing immediately, the assault kept him pinned down enough to prevent him from responding in any way. Marlon raised his finger and threw it down, causing the wall of a nearby structure to fall and land on his foe, crushing him.

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Cirris and Mirya had been fighting Trista, barely able to fend her off. However, Dred's battle with Marlon weakened his hold over her. She showed signs of her personality returning.

"Trista! Fight it! If Tee-Tee believes in you, then so will I!" Mirya proclaimed.

"I do too! Come on, you can break his control over you!!" Cirris shouted.

"I... can't...." Trista held her head, gritting her teeth. She struggled but ultimately failed to regain control, attacking them with fireballs from her staff. The twins repelled them with walls of water. Chains appeared around her body again, Samora had rejoined the fight.

"Mommy!" Mirya squealed. However, Trista easily broke free.

"Mom is too distracted to restrain her effectively this time. Wait, I have an idea!" Cirris thought to himself. "Mom, Mirya, keep her busy while I'm gone, I'll be right back!!" He instructed them before running off.

"Where are you going??" Mirya called out, but her brother didn't answer.

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Nadia was still fighting her father, Esteban. Though she had to focus on the battle, she was vaguely aware of what was happening with Marlon and the Royal Army. She had grown tired while the Vampire Lord showed no signs of stopping any time soon.

"What's wrong, Niña? Your zest is dwindling!" Esteban smirked.

"I've got more than enough to take you on!" She protested. However, she knew he was right, she was barely defending herself.

"Give up, and maybe I will still spare your life." He offered.

"I want nothing from you, not even mercy!!"

As Esteban prepared to resume fighting Nadia, five royal soldiers appeared behind him.

"That is the leader of the Red Crescent Coven! He is powerful, but he cannot handle all of us, ATTACK!!!"

The soldiers rushed him, attempting to land strikes. Esteban was able to parry or avoid their attacks and killed them one by one. He stabbed the last one through his heart and lifted his rapier upward, ripping through the warrior's armor and shoulder. Taking advantage of the distraction, Nadia summoned a pack of wolf familiars. The canines leapt onto Esteban, sinking their fangs into his flesh. Though he was able to shrug a few of them off, they eventually overpowered him and brought him to the ground on his back. Nadia noticed a deceased royal soldier holding a broken wooden spear, she stood over her.

"I'm sorry you didn't survive this battle. Please, lend me your weapon.." Nadia took the weapon from the deceased fighter's hand. She broke a little more of it off to create a sharp stake and walked to her father, who was struggling to fight off the wolves holding him down.

"Bet you never imagined I would be the one to stake you. This is for my mother. DIE ESTEBAN!!!!!" She brought the wooden stake down and plunged the tip into her father's heart, running him all the way through. Esteban screamed and arched his back. The wolf familiars let him go and vanished.

"Tonight, my mother has been avenged. Goodbye, Esteban. I hope Hell hurts!" Nadia spat on his bloodied suit. She closed her eyes to relish the moment. After a few moments, she felt a tight grip around her throat and her body being lifted off the ground. She opened her eyes to see her father staring at her and standing. Esteban squeezed her throat shut and cut off her air supply. She tried to pry his fingers away from her neck to no avail.

"You thought staking me would work? That may be effective against others of our kind, but merely staking a Vampire Lord is not enough. If you don't use a holy weapon, I will rise again and crush you!" He smirked while pulling the stake out of his chest, creating loud disgusting crunching and squishing noises. The gaping hole exposed his heart, which also had a hole in it. The wound on the vital organ closed and it resumed beating. "Because you are unable to wield such weapons, you know what that means, right? You will NEVER be able to kill me, Nadia!!" Esteban laughed in her face. This revelation caused Nadia to lose all hope of winning or even surviving. Her hands dropped to her sides; she had given up. Her father pointed the bloody edge of the stake at his daughter's chest.

"A Vampire Lord survives having an ordinary stake ran through his heart, but let's see what happens to a dhampir. I strongly suspect you will not survive it. Goodbye, foolish girl."

When he drew the stake back, something caught the corner of his eye. Cirris was feet away from him, about to thrust his holy sword at him. He dropped Nadia and stepped to his left. Cirris' blade pierced the right side of his chest and exited his back, narrowly missing his heart. He punched the mage and sent him flying back. The Vampire Lord dropped to his knees, skewered by the mage's weapon. He grabbed the hilt and screamed, holding the holy blade that was burning his hand. Through excruciating pain, Esteban was able to pull the weapon out of his chest and flung it onto the ground. He looked at his palm and fingers, the flesh had been burned away, exposing bones. With two holes in his chest, he was severely injured and unable to continue fighting. Cirris was lying on his side and slowly sat up.

"Nice try, human.." Esteban huffed; blood was leaking from his mouth. "You are called Cirris, correct? I will remember your name and face, for you have made an enemy out of Esteban Lenzo on this night! When our groups meet again, I will come for you first amigo! I look forward to it.." The Vampire Lord laughed weakly as he transformed into a cloud of mist and disappeared.

Cirris rose and spat blood onto the ground. "Tch, bring it prick! I won't miss next time!" He picked his sword up and made his way to Nadia. "You okay?" His weapons disappeared, then he extended his hand.

Nadia took the offer and allowed him to help her up, then hugged him tightly. "Thank you..." She whimpered hoarsely and allowed herself to cry onto his shoulder.

Cirris patted her back. "Hey, who would I argue with if I let anything happen to you?" He let her cry for a bit before pulling away. "That asshole may have fled, but we could use your help with Trista."

Nadia wiped her eyes. "Okay, let's go!" The two of them shared a quick nod, solidifying their bond before leaving together.

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Cardexx and Tiafell had been silent for several minutes, until the elf broke the silence.

"What did I train all this time for? I became stronger but, in the end, I was still defeated. On top of that, I'm not even allowed to go near the very enemy I trained so hard to defeat. It was all for nothing, I wasted everyone's time, and my own.." Tiafell lamented.

"Training is never a waste of time." Cardexx answered his son. "You helped defend this village from demons that would have killed you without your current skillset. But remember, no matter how strong you become, there will always be someone out there that is stronger than you are. If you are lucky enough to survive a battle against them, resume your training and defeat them next time. So do not be too hard on yourself, son."

"If I'm too hard on myself, I got it from you, Father." He retorted. This caused Cardexx to let out a hearty laugh, not having laughed at all since before his wife died.

"Your mother was like that too." The middle-aged man remembered fondly. "Erafell was an amazing cook. She had recipes that she mastered, and she also liked to try new ones. Whenever a meal didn't turn out the way she wanted, it was because she was 'the worst cook in the world'. It would take me a while to convince her that even professionals don't always succeed. We all make mistakes, but we can't let them define us. They teach us how to do better next time."

"I'm.. sorry for the things I said to you earlier.." Tiafell apologized. "You have suffered greatly all these years. I can sense crippling sadness and regret within you. I don't know how you can remain so composed."