"And you Kara will be our hope…" My words sweetly roll on my tongue igniting a fiery emotion inside Kara.
The unique sound of the crickets, the rough touch of wood from the tree house, and the little sigh coming from my mouth— I cannot tell whether what I am doing is really right. I have my doubts, but a part of me continues to persuade me that what I am doing is right.
I smile at Kara who is silently watching me.
"To become hope? Me?" She asks with innocent curiosity.
And even without giving me the chance to repeat it, she immediately gives me her answer.
"I will! I will do it!" She proudly declares unaware of the path I ought to partake.
The two of us share our conversation peacefully inside the tree house. We exchange our dialogues intelligently and also joke in a manner that exactly describes a harmonious family. I learn from her what did happen, of where we are now.
It impresses me that Kara has the guts to go with the decision of taking refuge in the Dark Forest. My initial suggestion is for her to lead them to a coastal area near a forest— something like the eastern coasts, but Kara outdoes me…
Her choice of the Dark Forest is a rather aggressive choice, but not entirely too daring.
"You did great, Kara…" I rub her hair, complimenting her wise decision.
The Dark Forest as our base— aside from being badass, this place is just too perfect. I cannot be too sure as to how the 'human races' will perceive the elves now. The human heart is too unpredictable. I can only say that my fellow elf kin outside the Dark Forest will suffer from more ostracization.
While the elves currently in the Dark Forest will also be suffering because of the now harsher conditions, they will not suffer for long. I believe Kara is handling it very well just by her stories alone.
"I promise! In a decade, after you wake up, I will present you our Kingdom!" The nuance of her voice is so childlike, but the determination behind it is just as real.
"I am looking forward to it…"
I learn a lot from Kara. From their arrival in the Dark Forest, the implementation of tree houses, and my supposed-to-be sickness. Since I will be sleeping for quite a long time, I will have to make wise use of my time.
"Kara, just a quick lesson…" I will have to educate Kara first and foremost before my long slumber. "Let me tell you about Natural Selection…"
My instincts are kicking in, I feel the sides of my lips uncontrollably rising. I resist the mad smile invading my face. I bite my lips in a grimace hiding the darkness that is growing more tumultuous every minute that comes pass
Ah~ that is what it is… I am broken, and I will only continue to break from now on.
I cannot have my next decade so aimless in my sleep. Thus, I educate Kara on the importance of survival. On top of this, I also should leave a few words to the others.
"Our race is on its path to self-destruction. The lazy attitude, lack of improvement, and constant subservience against the oppression of the human race— are tell-tale signs of our decline. If we don't improve, we will die."
I make my point clear to her, emphasizing that those who are weaker will die. I expound to her the idea of 'Natural Selection', regarding extinction as the ultimate destiny of those who are weak.
"So, how will we survive? The answer is quite simple— we just have to kill more of them."
I see Kara flinch at my words because of my thick killing intent.
"The humans are like invasive species which only brings destruction. They are not elves. They are different from us. It is not right that all of us elves should just die, don't we? We can live, and we will live…"
Just like how two tigers cannot exist in the same mountain, no intelligent race can exist in the same continent. This figure of speech might not only apply here as for all I know, some can also refer to this as there cannot be two gods in the same planet. Though this is not accurate, the idea is pretty much this.
"I… understand…" Kara reluctantly answers processing my words with scrutiny.
Just like that, I leave Kara a 'puzzle' she must figure out in the duration of my sleep. After that, I ask her to gather the others so that I can talk to them individually.
The King's audience. It is a grand event, yet there is no glory to this. The tree house is too shabby and none of the regal bearing there is on me. I am a pauper King.
My first audience is the old alchemist, Allenwood Yoretree.
"Greetings, your majesty. I am glad to see you well."
"Likewise," I shortly reply, and without any further ado, I give him my greatest regard. "Your alchemy skills are unparalleled. I have heard from Kara of your achievements. Excluding the Berserker Potion, and your Elixir formula, you are an invaluable member of us elves. You have my gratitude."
My words are somber but sincere. I observe Allenwood relaxing a bit to my reception. According to Kara, he must be feeling guilty. This old elf might look snobby at times, but he has a very soft side.
"I am happy, your majesty. But your compliments mean nothing to me. It is enough that you are not dead." His words are direct, and with the wrinkles on his face, his smile no matter how subtle still remains obvious.
The old elf must be just that happy I am alive. It feels weird to me for some reason. The usually grumpy elf who always has a comeback and has a tendency to be a contrarian is actually so respectful to me now.
"Receive your decree," In a serious tone, I decide what will Allenwood's next decade become. "You shall develop two potions. These are my requirement for each of them. Potion (1)— can amplify birthrate. Potion (2)— can amplify growth…"
I expound to him my intentions and also specify the finer details as much as possible trying my best to give shape to the idea. The 'Aphrodisiac' is the source of this inspiration. The population's rapid decline since years pass are one of the defining reasons why the elves are on their path to extinction. The humans cut me a lot of slack for this… Their research on drugs for the purpose of creating sex-crazed elves will be now put to use for our benefit.
It is funny how this same 'Aphrodisiac' is a reason for me to even actually entertain the thought of reviving the elf race, as a result, deciding on the matter as if it is a whim-like grudge.
At first, it really is only about revenge, but now… I am doing this… This higher calling is true, and something that I cannot defy. Maybe it is just the result of my petty guilt from Zeraya's death, but I don't want to admit it, because just the thought of 'guilt' feels like I am dirtying her memory. It is… so petty.
And that is the more reason why I should do it.
Replacing Allenwood this time is Lafira. "Bring your closest sisters with you! From henceforth, you are the captain of the Valkyries. You have one mission— to gather heroes for our Kingdom— elves, demi-humans, and even the half-bloods who are neither human nor of other races. Your sisters, the Valkyries will be the vanguard in 'entering' the human realm."
And from Lafira to Varen. "I declare you Ratatoskr and your followers shall bear and share the same sobriquet. Your missions may vary, but in essence, they include— espionage, assassination, skirmishes, etcetera. The Pilgrims will be your indirect subordinates. I trust that they will be in your good hands."
After that, from Varen to Trudviar. "You shall lead the Einherjar! You are in charge of training and forging the Kingdom's direct army as sharp weapons of war. The Einherjars will be responsible for invading the Dark Forest, and this shall be their main responsibility in the next ten years. As General, I expect great results from you."
I reveal my royal decrees to them with dignity. In ten years' time, I don't know how much I am spouting will bear to fruition. While the creation of the army is exciting and fascinating, it won't even come half as close to the importance of Allenwood's mission.
Allenwood's alchemy will play a big role in the future, and only through a solid population can we elves thoroughly find a chance for revival.
The Valkyries, a Ratatoskr, and the Einherjar… Words that straight come from Norse mythology, and staying true to their meanings, I hope for them to accomplish the things I wish to envision… 'Wish', such a light word… It is not simply wishful thinking though, for I strongly believe in my fellow elves' abilities.
No matter how much of the 'Decade Decree' falls through, it doesn't really matter— I will just have to make more of them after my slumber. And so, I decree, to myself, that in my wake… I shall follow through on all the things I will miss.
As time ticks away eating every second of my time, sleep slowly take claim of me.
Begins my long decade of sleep.