"Do you need rest?" shouted Han Zhong from the sky when he saw Jing Lung standing still on a tall tree trunk hanging like a monkey.
Jing Lung didn't answer for a while.
"I felt like I saw something from far away. In the Barewoods forest to be precise," replied Jing Lung looking up to the sky, finding Han Zhong riding a Finux.
"Why didn't you just tell me we wanted to go to Celena Woodlands?"
"Actually we're not going to Celena Woodlands. Only the location is really —close to Celena Woodlands."
Celena Woodlands is a place where all Elves—creatures created by the God of Light—live. They are known as the creatures closest to nature. They live in a cottage covered in grass and woods. Located in the southern part of Mount Severe, the position of Celena Woodlands is actually the closest to the allies of the Dragons. But sometimes the elves always have their own way of living.
Moreover, history says that the elves were created from the energy of the moon. So they were very dedicated towards the Moon God. Although literally, what Han Zhong knew about gods were the God of Light and the God of Darkness. Where the Elves really believed was the power of the moon itself. In other words, they were also dedicated to the God of Light.
Finux approached Jing Lung who was still scanning into the forest as if looking for a way to get in there. As far as Han Zhong knew, if any creatures wanted to enter the Celena Woodlands, they would arrive at the outermost forest—the Bluelit forest—which was usually guarded by several Arintis. The name for the Elves who were cursed to be half-beasts. They are the guardians of Celena's forest and are known for their power to create shield bubbles.
"We can keep jumping without going down to the Lune Temple, can't we?" asked Han Zhong trying to help Jing Lung plan.
"It can. But the thing is I'm tired," Jing Lung admitted with a grin. "Anyway, how about we rest around that town inn?"
"Hm, it seems that someone is taking advantage of their position for fun," interrupted Gu Do not far perched on one of the trees.
Jing Lung snorted, "If you don't want to, then move on. I want to rest first."
"Actually, who are we going to meet, Jing Lung?" asked Han Zhong.
Jing Lung gave a small smile. "An old Elf!"
Han Zhong's brows furrowed. "What for? Why do we have to meet him so far?"
"You don't understand Young Master. Come on, how long have I been living on the border wall? There's a lot of confusing news about Folix who he kidnapped and who ran away from them. And that Elf—one of them," Jing Lung whispered as he narrowed his eyes.
For a moment, Han Zhong was silent. Jing Lung's idea turned out to be quite brilliant. "So, you mean, that Old Elf was kidnapped once and managed to… escape?"
"Yes. I heard that if I'm not mistaken, two years ago. When I was an apprentice guard at the border wall. At that time the news about Folix trying to open the Shield of Light was like a storm in the midst of the other Flinches. I wonder why they want to enter our world? That's when I found out that Folix's job was very dirty and unclean. They want all the information about the Darkness that Grandpa has destroyed so that none of their successors can find out about their history and weaknesses. Then, unable to enter the Dragon Palace, they also scared the Elves of the Celena Woodlands."
Han Zhong knew the stories for sure. He used to always be beside Grandpa Trixon, hearing various news and information about the Abyss creatures and the God of Darkness. That's why all the great grandfathers of Trixon Dragon write all about the Abyss and the God of the Dark in the books and keep it in the palace.
But regarding this old Elf, Han Zhong knew nothing.
"Where does he live? Who knows if I can go there first and ask," said Han Zhong as he tightened his grip on Finux's neck, which was still flapping its wings, hovering in the air.
"Are you serious about going there alone? But Elf is famous for being cold and fierce. He hates children like us, that's why he lives outside the Lune Temple."
"I don't care. At least we have to find a way so we can get a clue to get out of the Folix Hole if we wanna destroy this crystal."
Jing Lung grinned proudly. "I know I'm not wrong to befriend you, Dragon Child."
Han Zhong stared lazily. "Alright, just tell me where the old Elf lives."
"At the border of the forest, there is a small hut that has a white stone well in front of it."
"Okay."
"It will take a few hours from here. I'm going to rest for a while because my legs are getting tired. I'll quickly follow. Don't leave before I arrive. Ask to stay if I haven't come yet."
"Sounds like I can't just take care of myself," Han Zhong muttered nonchalantly.
"Hey, after all, I'm your guard outside the palace."
"Relax. Finux around me. Besides, it's not my first time here either. Rest, my guard." While ordering Finux to leave immediately, Han Zhong smirked half mockingly at Jing Lung who was snorting lazily.
After all, Jing Lung's idea of meeting this old Elf was brilliant. No wonder he had been appointed Chairman of Flinch at such a young age.
*
In the center of the majestic conference room, in the Tyra Monarch's Palace, a baritone voice boomed so loudly that the glass outside the castle shook.
"They're not playing games, Saphos! They will scatter all the Folix to every resident of the Eavens. Kidnapping weak creatures and holding them hostage as if they were asking for a ransom to get the baby. Now you think, would the Monarchy just stand still if another ten years of the dark war were to come? After all, if we can prevent it from now on, we can keep all beings from feeling threatened."
The Minister of the Guardian of Light rose from his seat with an exasperated expression.
Dark War.
Newborn baby.
This was the same story he had heard back then from the palace. When his dragon grandson fights the Folix on the frontier of human settlements, a now-forgotten baby from the magical world. A baby capable of making Han Zhong feel gloomy for quite some time.
As a grandfather, Trixon knew very well that his grandson felt that way. His love for humans was so real that it worried Trixon himself at times. Just like his being in the middle of a meeting with the officials in the Monarch's Palace in this Tyra Monarchy.
"Your Highness Trixon, what do you think? Should we keep the boy safe in the Academy of Light and keep him away from the Abysses? Shouldn't we secure the conditions of the world first before the Dark War begins ten years ahead?" The King of Zion, a graceful and discreet man cast his gaze from the large round table to the figure of the man who was moving away from the light.
The officials began to glance at Trixon who had been silent during the meeting.
Poppet—the woodpecker and Trixon's right hand was perched on his shoulder. With slow steps, Trixon approached the conference table.
"I don't agree."
The officials suddenly rolled their eyes, unable to believe what they had just heard.
"After all, the baby is still human. She is still a weak girl who does not know anything about the fate she has received. We have to give him freedom. At least until she was a teenager. We're just discussing this again at another time."
Everyone seemed disapproved. However, Trixon wanted everyone to know that they could never prevent war.
No matter how strong a person is, the fateful war will descend, then, it will descend.
***