(Requested)

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Being inside the coin was haunting. It reminded Runaan of many things -- loneliness, being the strongest. It felt like when everything was swept away by the tidal wave of death. His love, his life, his family. He found a haven in the small group of elves that had gathered, but even that was gone now.

Runaan slowly lost track of time. All that surrounded him was darkness. Hours melted away into days, and those days passed painfully. He didn't know what to do, what to say, what to act like. It felt like a part of him was falling apart. Some days, his heart ached, and yet his stomach never did. His throat was never parched, and his appetite always fell flat.

He didn't age. Nor did his body grow with the outside world. In the small prison, it seemed like time never really did pass, no matter how long or boorish everything was.

But then he was outside again, seeing something other than the blackness he was trapped inside. A person, perhaps.

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I took in a breath and crushed the small glass vial in my hand, allowing for the pale blue liquid to seep into my hand. Muttering enchantments, the coin laid out in front of me started to rattle as my eyes grew larger, glowing and shining with ancient textiles swirling around my head.

When I closed my eyes, finishing the spell with a final push, a small clink rang in front of me as my eyes fluttered back open again. An elf sat in front of me, his expression one of desolation and hopelessness, almost to the brink of insanity. Though his features weren't old in the slightest, his eyes screamed at me the suffering of eons of pain. I laid down my hands and reached out to touch him.

The elf flinched, moving back as he saw me leaning forwards.

"Who are you?" he demanded, voice shaking, "What do you want from me?" I opened my mouth to speak, but withdrew, shaking my head and leaning back. I simply slid forwards a small plate of grapes, cheese, and bread, as well as a large glass of water.

I gestured to it, as if to say "Eat." He looked at the food, and then back at me as if I was a lunatic.

"I'm not eating any of your bribery," he spat, slapping the tray away. It almost fell to the floor with a loud clutter, but luckily I stopped it just in time before it made a big enough noise to alert anyone. Pressing a finger to my mouth, I made the sign for "hush," then pointed up at the ceiling, and cupped my ears.

The elf looked at me weirdly, but kept quiet.

"I'm here to help you," I murmured, lifting up one sleeve of my cloak, revealing a small brand mark. "I even managed to escape." The figure in front of me shifted, his head suddenly lifted up and eyes wide, unblinkingly staring at me. His jaw fell slack, lips slightly parted as I pulled back my hood and smiled.

"All my efforts, and not a single thank you. Chivalrous."

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"The guards are subdued, but I bet we'll be tracked if we linger here any longer. Come, quickly." I rushed out with the ex-prisoner, past the walls and outside into the pavilion. I looked up and the full moon was still in high-rise. Nodding, I took the orb from underneath my arm and whispered chants to it, my eyes faintly glowing a pale blue as we shifted. The Katolis gardens bled away into a image of the Xadian forest, in the middle of a secret Moonshadow Elf camp. I stomped my feet twice and clapped my hands, and suddenly, the ground lit up with runes, small stepping stones guiding us to where the camp resided.

The elf behind me followed in awe and curiosity. I heard him audibly gasp as we entered a barrier, our bodies phasing through to reveal a thriving setup of tents and a bonfire.

"Here we are," I softly spoke. "You've been gone for a very long time. I think everyone's missed you." I tucked the Stone away into my bag as the elf I'd just rescued walked into the middle of the grounds, others peeping their heads out to see who had just arrived.

"Runaan!" He turned his head towards to voice. A pang of familiarity struck his features as the fatigued elf broke into a run, embracing, who I presumed to be, a former friend of his. Everyone's minds slowly began to run as they recognized him and sprinted to welcome him back.

Tears were shed and smiles were to be had, yet my mouth was neither turned up or turned down. Runaan finally looked at me, his eyes sharper than before, his hunger for touch satiated.

"Who are you?" he asked, shoulders pushed back. "Why did you help me?" I breathed a small chuckle and looked at the others, allowing for them to explain for me.

"(Y/N) is a mage. They originally were assigned to look for the princes by Viren, and found them, but didn't capture them, out of duty to King Harrow of Katolis. The princes told (Y/N) to help us, and they did, but made a mistake -- they went back to the kingdom, empty handed, to be captured. That happened a few moons ago. But then one thing led to the next, and now they're here, along with you, Runaan." The elf stood in silence, thinking.

His eyes gleamed with regained strength and newfound memories, everything coming at him all at once.

"They were there when the King was killed. Assisting the humans. And yet, they refused to listen to Viren. Their sworn duty is to the crown, not to some dark mage. They were merely protecting Harrow." I nodded, digging something out of my pocket.

Another coin.

Everyone watched as I set it down on the ground and took out the Moon Stone I had in my bag. I turned to look at them with a slight smile on my face.

"Please, don't freak out." I held the orb in my hand as the same ritual began again, draconic text flying around my head, my hands and the coin glowing bright blue. The runes underneath our feet began to shine, their glow almost as splendid as the full moon itself, which un-shrouded itself from the misty clouds up above.

Once the spell was done, the gold coin shook and out popped a figure, confused and disoriented. His eyes were squinted, and his ginger hair shook in the breeze. Freckles dotted his skin in a disorganized yet planned out manner, his body still dressed in a full suit of armor.

"Amaya," he groaned, rubbing a hand on his head. "Are you there?" The elves began to murmur.

"Another human." I only aided him and helped the stranger stand up. Once his eyes began to focus, he immediately jumped back, eyebrows furrowed in an offensive position. He didn't seem to notice me, and only saw the Moonshadow elves.

"What did you do with the princes? Where are they?" he ordered, upper lip curled up with a snarl. The air was tense, and I broke it by placing a gentle hand on top of his raised one and lightly pushed his fist down.

"There's no need for violence here. We're all allies. Like we once were." The General sputtered, flustered and out of words to say. I gave everyone a warm smile and clasped my hands together lightly.

"This is a plan of justice. To end a tyrant's rule and to start a new era of peace and prosperity. Our rightful leader has been ended by a person's greed and ambition. That must come to an end if we wish to see Xadia and the Human Realms merge together and live in harmony once more. This marks the beginning of a Coalition, an alliance -- a legion sworn to defend the rightful crowns of both kingdoms.

"Our kingdoms will never see war again."