Dark Mountain Range, located in the southwest of Segis Continent, borders the Elf Forest to the north, connects to the Endless Sea in the west, adjoins the Fertile Plain to the east, and reaches the Death Desert in the south...
Due to the rich reserves of obsidian in the mountain range, even the peaks are tinged with a deep black hue, thus earning its name.
However, due to the rugged terrain and barren land, Dark Mountain Range has not become a paradise for flora and fauna, but only supports some drought-resistant trees and shrubs, alpine meadows, and a countable variety of wild animals.
But it is rumored that in ancient times, Dark Mountain Range was not barren. Back then, it was as rich and beautiful as the Elf Forest and even had another pleasant name—Jade Mountain.
But after a divine war, the sky fell and the earth split, and everything was destroyed.
Now, the harsh environment of Dark Mountain Range is almost as infamous as the Death Desert.
Apart from caravans that must cross the mountain range, as well as dwarves and humans who try to find mines within Dark Mountain Range, few people set foot here...
In the northwestern part of Dark Mountain Range, a concealed valley.
In a corner of the valley, a cluster of simple stone houses are arranged in a star-shaped pattern, forming a small village.
But even though simple in structure, these stone houses are arranged very orderly and cleaned spotlessly. Moreover, each house is surrounded by planted flowers and shrubs, showing the residents' love for nature... which is not easy in Dark Mountain Range.
In the center of the village, there is an open small square, where a simple platform is constructed with stones and vines.
At this moment, over two hundred residents are gathered under the platform. They are of all ages, each wearing a hemp hooded cloak that covers their faces, appearing emaciated, with numb and dim eyes, showing that they live a very hard life.
And the slightly visible pointed ears and outstanding appearance declare their identity—Elves.
The Elves sit together in groups of three or few, curiously looking towards the platform.
On the platform stand two elders.
One of them is an elderly Elf wearing a gray priest's robe. His hair and beard are all white, and he looks vigorous. He is the old priest—Samir Wind—sent by Eve to gather the Elf people.
The other is an elderly female Elf.
She is called Philosier Flame, the village head of this Elf Village, and also an old friend of Samir.
The female Elf glanced at Samir beside her and sighed, saying:
"Samir, as you instructed, I have called all our clan members here. What do you want to say now?"
Samir looked at the over two hundred people below the platform, his expression very complicated:
"Is this all of the Flame Tribe?"
Philosier lowered her eyelids, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow:
"That's all that's left."
"Ah... I didn't expect the once nearly ten thousand populated Flame Tribe to have declined to this extent."
Samir sighed heavily, heart aching.
However, compared to the Gale Tribe, which had completely disbanded, the Flame Tribe was still faring better.
Hearing Samir's words, Philosier's eyes became a bit blurry. She forced a smile uglier than crying, saying:
"What can we do? Without the protection of the True God, we are all just homeless children, left to be bullied... It's already good enough to have found a hiding place in Jade Mountain."
In the Segis World where Divines exist, ordinary intelligent species without the protection of a True God find it difficult to survive in the strife among various races...
Particularly as Elves themselves are fatally attractive to other races.
Having lost strength and protection, their beautiful appearance, their long lifespans, their innate magical constitution, all are coveted by other races.
Moreover, since the Elf Clan is inherently non-confrontational, loves peace, and is kind-hearted, they are not skilled in harsh conflicts; thus, in a series of conspiracy struggles, the tribe becomes weaker and weaker.
Protection of the True God?
Samir's eyes flashed.
He took a deep breath and revealed a radiant smile, his voice carrying a hint of frenzy and excitement:
"Actually... this is exactly why I came here this time."
"Huh?"
Philosier looked at him with surprise.
It was only then that this old clan leader of the Flame Tribe noticed that her old friend seemed slightly different from the image she remembered.
Even though they hadn't met for many years, Samir looked more spirited. There was a faint luminescence circulating in his eyes, seemingly full of hope for the future.
That was far from the defeated old man she saw a few years ago, where the dullness and despair in his cloudy eyes had disappeared.
Philosier's gaze sharpened.
The Gale Tribe of the elves is the most special among all elf tribes, tasked with the duty of worshipping Mother Nature, also known as the Priest Clan.
After the fall of the World Tree, the Gale Clan also suffered the greatest blow and was the most persecuted.
As an elder of the clan, Samir Wind had fully experienced the rise and fall of the Gale Clan… Every time she saw him, he appeared sorrowful and desperate.
And if she remembered correctly, Samir was supposed to be near the Elf Forest, persevering with the last Natural Saintess in the rituals for Mother Nature, hoping to awaken the Mother Goddess…
But now…
Philosier looked at Samir, who appeared spirited and radiant with an expression filled with hope and light, which suddenly sparked an almost unbelievable thought...
Could it be…
Her heart, which had not experienced fluctuations for many years, suddenly pounded intensely.
"You..."
She looked at Samir, her voice trembling slightly, as if puzzled by something, yet seemingly expectant.
Samir turned around, smiled warmly at his old friend, and then spread his arms…
A brilliant Holy Light radiated from him as the center, carrying a comforting power and a strong natural scent.
The dazzling light, in that moment, transformed Samir as if he were nature's favored child. That powerful life essence instantly swept across the entire plaza…
Feeling the immense natural power inside the old priest, Philosier's eyes widened, and she gasped in shock:
"Silver... Silver Priest!"
Silver Priest!
How many years has it been since such a high-ranking priest was seen after the fall of Mother Nature?
Silver is a watershed, only a True God could sustain the rank of a Silver Priest!
At this moment, Philosier felt her aged heart beat as vigorously as a young person's, becoming increasingly fierce. The absurd and hopeful thought had faintly pointed towards a reality!
"This… this…"
Her words murmured, almost incoherent to herself.
The power of the Holy Light also attracted all the elves, who all raised their heads, shocked and bewildered, looking towards the Elf Elder on the platform.
Looking at the gathering gazes, Samir smiled slightly.
He faced north, devoutly drew the symbol of Mother Nature on his chest, his voice gentle yet powerful:
"My kin, our True God... has returned. He has issued a divine command, calling us back to the Elf Forest, to reclaim our glory!"
Having said this, he took out a golden leaf from his bosom, the sacred artifact empowered by the divine— a leaf from the World Tree.
Samir then held high the leaf of the World Tree, reverently and respectfully activating the power within…
Instantly, the rich Natural Divine Power spread, branches sprouted, and flowers bloomed all around, and in the blink of an eye, the plaza was surrounded by clusters of vibrant flowers and lush vines…
Witnessing this scene, akin to a divine miracle, all the elves were engulfed in shock.
"It's Natural Divine Power! This is Natural Divine Power!"
An elderly elf recognized it, his voice filled with excitement.
Along with the miracle, a vague, ethereal, and sacred voice echoed in the air:
"Children, come home."
Children, come home...
The majestic voice was soft, pleasing to hear… carrying a hint of sigh, yet filled with endless vicissitudes, possessing a strangely comforting power.
This was the divine command recorded in the World Tree leaf by Eve.
Instantly, all elves felt a warm energy surge into their bodies, their weak bodies from long wandering and roaming gradually regained strength!
With a "thump", Philosier unconsciously knelt on the ground, looking at the splendidly lit World Tree leaf, feeling the vigorous vitality within her body, tears of turbidity fell down.
She lifted her head, her expression a mix of joy and sorrow:
"Mother Goddess… This is the power of the Mother Goddess!"
"She... has returned!"