(Crystal Springs)
Thalion's body was dipped in the water, as it was said that it contains healing properties that would heal severe wounds over time. Depending on how much power one has, the time they are healed depends on that.
Alaric said, "Foolish wannabe hero."
Vettan responded, "He stayed back?"
"For no damn reason."
"Mm. We'll question him when he wakes up. This deserves the attention of The king and Queen.."
"Don't ya think it's strange?"
"What?"
"Staying back all the damn time. Coming back injured. He's done this eight times already. And everytime we question him, he says he doesn't remember anything."
"Mm. Aye. We'll take a different route this time."
At that moment, a group of elf knights approached Alaric and Vettan.
Alaric said, "Heh? What the hell do you nerds want? I did nothing wrong."
Vettan smashed his fist on top of Alaric's head, "Show respect."
"Tch!"
The Elven knights continued, "King Elrond and Queen Lúthien have summoned you, Alaric. The entire Green Squad that is."
"Ugh. Again?"
(Royal Palace)
As the first rays of dawn peeked through the palace windows, the royal kitchen staff would prepare Kaede's meal. Tuna from the distant seas, chicken roasted to perfection, and a variety of fruits and vegetables were arranged in a large silver bowl. "Kaede, your majesty," the head chef would call out, placing the bowl on the ground. "Your banquet awaits."
No sooner had the words left the chef's mouth than Kaede would bound into the room. His eyes would light up at the sight of his feast, and he would purr in delight, rubbing against the chef's legs in gratitude before diving into his meal. He was particularly fond of the tuna, a delicacy he had developed a taste for over the years.
As Kaede relished his meal, palace staff would often stop by to watch him enjoy his feast. "He eats better than we do," they would joke, but their eyes held affection for the cat. Kaede would glance their way between bites, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Once his meal was done, Kaede would dash around the palace, his energy renewed by his lavish feast. He would chase after shadows, play with the palace children, and sometimes even sneak into the royal gardens for a nap under the sun.
Kaede opened his eyes, "Ahhh. This is the life. I'm like the Royal cat. They should've given me that title. I literally talk. First day in Kalhalla, I got new powers, sadly killed two beings, and got stronger. I definitely fit in! Hana would be proud of me, right?"
Lirael, Caelan, Alaric, and Yalla were walking through the Royal garden with Queen Luthien and some knights.
Caelan said, "So. My beautiful queen, what is the cat's rank?"
"Above legendary rank."
The group gasped.
Yalla exclaimed, "I was so excited to see it too! I was like, WOAAAAH!"
Alaric replied, "He's just a normal cat. Nothing special."
At that moment, Kaede was on Alaric's shoulder, saying maliciously, "Huhhh? What did you say?"
"AGG! MOVE!"
Alaric tried grabbing Kaede, but Kaede kept dodging Alaric's grasps. Kaede was laughing the entire time, since he was a cat, he loved to play.
"HAHAHA! YOU ALMOST GOT ME!"
"NOT EVERYTHING IS A GAME!"
Caelan replied to Alaric, "According to science, cats love to play…"
Lirael just watched, not saying anything. She just looked around.
Luthien put her hand on Lirael's shoulder, and asked, "Are you okay?"
Lirael nodded her head slowly.
Alaric leaped back, and slashed his Emerald greatsword at Kaede. The sword connects, but it shattered instantly, and Kaede didn't feel a thing.
Alaric said, "The hell? What did you just do?"
"Nothing. You did that. I'm invincible. Duh."
"Whatever. It'll restore itself in a few minutes."
Queen Luthien grinned, "Haha, are we ready to discuss serious matters?"
Everyone could feel the serious hostile intent from the queen. Everyone knew that behind the Queen's pretty smile, there was a malicious intent behind it, signaling that she's serious about everything she says.
Caelan kneeled in a sophisticated way , Alaric kneeled with an attitude, Lirael kneeled softly and slowly, and Yalla kneeled with a smile.
Kaede was sitting, saying, "Uh, does this count as kneeling? Since I don't really…ya know…"
Queen Luthien chuckled, "Haha, it's fine. Anyway, we are now assigning Kaede to Green Squad. And if I hear any complaints..I'll kill you."
Alaric was about to complain, but the hostile intent coming from the Queen made his heart pound, and he kept silent, thinking, 'Why?! Why this dumb cat? He's gonna eventually get in the way, no matter how strong he is!'
Queen Luthien continued, "There is an abandoned village not too far from here, I shall provide a map of its location. You are to go there and clear out shadow rats that have been corrupted by Eolande's influence, just like the shadow horses. Easy task."
Yalla exclaimed, "Yes! My first mission with Mr. Cuddly!"
She snatched up Kaede, and started petting him roughly.
Kaede thought, 'They never asked me to join their squad or anything. They just did it because they wanted to. Should I be mad? I have to do what it takes to find out why I'm here and how I got here..'
Kaede asked, "Wait, why can't the portal girl take us there?"
Caelan said, "She can only travel to places she's been to, or dreamed about."
"Ah. Alright then. This should be easy."
….
*"The Heartwood's pulse has weakened," said the first councilor, her fingers lightly touching the glowing map of the Emerald Glades spread out on the table. "It's a subtle change, but those of us attuned to the rhythm of life can feel it. The Heartwood's life energy is diminishing, it's not as vibrant as it once was."
The second councilor, a seasoned warrior with scars that told tales of past battles, furrowed his brow. "The Heartwood has stood for millennia, weathering storms and wars alike. Are you certain this isn't a natural cycle, perhaps a period of rest?"
The first councilor shook her head. "The Heartwood doesn't rest, it is the core of life and energy. It's the very heartbeat of our world. This isn't a natural cycle. Something is sapping its strength."
A third councilor, a sage with ancient eyes, leaned back in his chair. "There are old legends, tales of a time when the Heartwood suffered a similar affliction. The stories speak of Moros, the fallen god who sought to bring decay where life flourished."
The table fell silent, the name of the banished deity a chill wind in the council chamber. "We vowed never to speak of Moros," the fourth councilor, a master of the magical arts, said tersely. "His name brings nothing but bad omens."
"Yet, we cannot ignore the patterns of old," said the third councilor calmly. "If this is indeed his doing, we need to act, and swiftly."
The fifth councilor, a diplomat adorned in fine robes, broke the silence. "If Moros is behind this, we need allies. We should reach out to the neighboring kingdoms. Our squabbles are petty in the face of such a threat."
The second councilor nodded. "I agree. We'll need all the help we can get. I'll personally lead our warriors into battle, if need be."
"But first," the first councilor interjected, "we need to confirm our suspicions. We need someone to investigate the Heartwood directly. To assess the extent of the damage and gather more information."
A sixth councilor, a renowned scout and ranger, stepped forward. "I'll volunteer for this task. The Heartwood is sacred. If it's in danger, it's our duty to protect it."
His name was Arranis. He was skinny with normal height, dark purple hair, and dark blue eyes.
The council fell into a thoughtful silence. Each had a role to play, and they knew the trials ahead would test their unity. Yet, they were resolute. For the Heartwood, for the Emerald Glades, they would stand together against the looming threat.
The fourth councilor nodded at the volunteer. "Your courage is commendable. Yet, do not venture alone. Take with you the best of our scouts. The Heartwood is vast, and the threat unknown."
The sixth councilor nodded in agreement. "Your caution is wise. I will assemble a team immediately. We will leave at dawn."
The seventh councilor, a scholar with parchment and quill perpetually at hand, spoke up. "While you are there, gather samples. Any anomaly, be it in the soil, foliage, or the creatures, could provide us with valuable clues."
The first councilor turned to the seventh, "Yes, we must understand the nature of this threat. We need to know if it's a disease, a curse, or something else entirely. Only then can we plan our defense."
The fifth councilor chimed in, "And while they venture into the Heartwood, we must keep this information contained. Panic will not aid our cause. The people must continue to believe in the strength of the Heartwood."
The second councilor nodded in agreement. "I'll have the guard increase their patrols. We'll ensure the peace is kept and our people remain safe and calm."
The eighth councilor, a stoic figure of few words, finally spoke. "We will need more than guards. We should prepare our defenses, ensure our warriors are ready."
The third councilor agreed. "Indeed, it's better to be prepared for a battle we may not have to fight, than be caught off guard. I'll consult the ancients, seek their wisdom on this matter."
The first councilor looked around the table, her gaze meeting each of her colleagues. "Then it's decided. We each have our tasks. Let us meet again in three days' time, with updates and new information."
The Starlight Council rose, each member carrying the weight of their new responsibilities. As they left the chamber, the glow of the Heartwood pulsed weaker still, a silent plea for help in the gathering darkness.
One of the Starlight council members had headed back to his study. The council sage, surrounded by parchment and scrolls, cleared a space on the table. He gestured for his young student to sit. "Come, we have much to discuss," he said, his voice echoing in the quiet study.
The student, a bright elf with a curious gaze, sat obediently. "Master, you seem troubled. What is it that we shall discuss?"
The sage sighed. "We face a situation unlike any in our recent memory, and it ties back to tales from an age long past. Do you remember the myths of Moros?"
The student's eyes widened. "The fallen deity? The tales say he turned against the other deities and sowed discord and decay."
The sage nodded. "Yes, those are the stories. Moros was once a part of the divine council, a respected deity with the power of transformation. But he began to misuse his power, causing destruction rather than change."
The student cocked his head. "But why would a deity do such a thing? Weren't they supposed to protect the Emerald Glades?"
The sage sighed deeply. "Power can be a corrupting force, even for deities. Moros began to believe that change could only come through destruction, that to create a new world, the old one must be annihilated."
The student frowned. "That sounds... dangerous. What happened then?"
"His actions caused untold harm," the sage explained. "The other deities, seeing the destruction he wreaked, had no choice but to banish him, hoping to protect the Glades from his wrath."
"But banishment could not erase his influence," the student guessed, his eyes full of worry. "Did he seek revenge?"
The sage nodded solemnly. "Indeed, he did. According to the legends, he attempted to corrupt the Heartwood, the life source of the Glades. The deities managed to halt his actions, but it was a close call."
The student sat in stunned silence. "And you believe... that he's back?"
The sage sighed. "We have observed signs that suggest the Heartwood is weakening. The tales of Moros are the only explanation that fits, however unsettling that may be."
"But we defeated him once, didn't we?" the student asked, a glimmer of hope in his voice. "We can do it again."
The sage smiled at his student's determination. "Yes, we did. And with courage and wisdom, we can do it again. But first, we must understand what we're up against, and that's why we study these ancient tales."
The student nodded, his gaze resolute. "Then let's start. We have a lot to learn, don't we?"
The sage smiled, heartened by his student's spirit. "Indeed, we do. Let us delve into these tales of old, for in them may lie the key to our survival."
…
Before dawn, Councilor Arannis, the sixth on the Starlight Council and a renowned scout, gathered his team. They were a group of seven, each handpicked for their skills and courage. As they prepared to depart, Arannis addressed his team.
"Today, we venture into the Heartwood not as mere explorers, but as guardians. Our mission is grave, and the dangers unknown. But we shoulder this burden for the sake of our land, our people," he said, his voice resonant with resolve.
The journey started uneventfully. They navigated through the dense forest, the morning light filtering through the canopy above. Despite the beauty around them, an undercurrent of tension filled the air. The Heartwood, usually teeming with life, felt eerily silent and still.
They reached a clearing where the first signs of the Heartwood's sickness were evident: trees withered, their leaves falling prematurely, and animals lay dead, their bodies strangely twisted and deformed. Arannis knelt, inspecting a fallen bird. Its eyes were clouded, its feathers coated in an unnatural black ooze.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. The trees around the clearing darkened, their trunks groaning as if in pain. The elves instinctively drew their weapons, their eyes scanning the surroundings, but they were not prepared for the enemy that emerged.
From the ground arose monstrous entities, their forms twisted and grotesque, seemingly made of the very soil and foliage. Their eyes glowed an ominous red, and a chilling, deep growl resonated from them.
"Stand fast!" Arannis cried, drawing his elven blade. His team formed a defensive circle, their backs to each other, as the creatures closed in.
The battle was swift and brutal. The forest creatures were relentless, their strength and speed far exceeding what their twisted forms suggested. One by one, the elves fell, their weapons barely leaving a mark on the creatures.
Arannis fought fiercely, his blade flashing in the dim light, but even he was overwhelmed. He fell to one knee, breathing heavily, as a creature lunged towards him. With a final cry, he thrust his blade upward, but the creature swatted him aside like a ragdoll.
The last thing Arannis saw was the glowing red eyes of the creature looming over him, and then darkness claimed him. The Heartwood, once a place of life and tranquility, had claimed its guardians, leaving behind only silence.
Walking through the bodies, was a woman, and two unidentified men behind her
She chuckled, "Well well well…food for the corrupted tree."
"That Thalion…delivered the heart of your loyal servant for it to be possible for the tree to become corrupt. Thanks to him."
"Do not thank him. He is merely a pawn also. And he knows it. He's been a pawn even in his own family."
The woman was Hana.