Kal recognizes Arath from when he went to the fox village many months before and wonders what an avatar would be doing in Arlathania with Ellanon and the Winter Queen. Sin and Inala were amazed when they saw a large owl atop the gates. However, none of them understood the language Arath spoke those words in, Lua on the other hand seemed to understand everything. Unlike the others, Katara had a culture very close to that of the elves, she loved nature and respected traditions and gods, so she prostrated herself like all the elves when Arath appeared.
Interested to know what Arath said, Katara turns to Lua and asks what he was saying. "He said the time has come for the world to transform." Katara was very curious, since he was with Kal when Arath appeared in the fox village at that time, and she was present when Arath said there was no wisdom in his mind that he could share with Kal and that he would have to choose between good and evil, so in her mind she tried to connect all the pieces of the puzzle, but no matter how hard she tried, nothing came to her mind.
At that moment the elves began singing an ancient, prophetic hymn in the ancient language, the music spoke of the dawn of the world and its fall, of battles waged, and of loves shared, it spoke of the death that ravaged eras and of the life that brought hope. Even without understanding a single word, all the young ones felt every tone, every note, every sound that was intoned by the elves. A music that reached the depths of everyone's heart in that place. Suddenly everyone broke down in tears, feeling that even without understanding, the melody and lyrics spoke directly to them, and they lived that moment for some time until the music ceased.
Still emotional, Gwen asks Lua what song that was. Lua then says: "The story tells that in the primordial times of our world, a group of elves emerged from the earth's clay and received consciousness in the far east, in the ancient lands. These were our ancestors, they lived for eras in those lands, alongside the gods' influence on the earth. However, they communicated through signs and gestures, since they never heard the need for a language. It was then that three envoys from the gods arrived to guide those elves, they taught us the secrets of nature, the art of craftsmanship and above all they taught us a language, the ancient language. One of those godly envoys was Arath, the lord of animals. After we learned to communicate with our voices, we developed greatly, we created instruments and in that era our first queen Luahara created this song after receiving the first prophecy delivered by Arath to living beings."
Lua continues saying "The ancient language is the official language of Elaria's elves, however we are taught the Common language for years so that we can communicate with other civilizations." Kal, more interested in Arath, asks Lua if it was common for the lord of animals to come to Arlathania. However, Lua says it is the first time she has seen Arath and that the last recorded time in the elven annals of a visit by Arath was 1300 years ago. Kal understood that something truly was happening in the world and that he was probably involved in all of it. Then he remembered his last conversation with Arath, where the lord of animals called him Kal Arkon, he put that aside for now since the battle against Morfrey took his attention, but he was determined to learn more about that and about his role in this coming change.
At the end of that ceremony, with Arath, Hivernia and High King Ellanon's withdrawal, all the elves stood up and left the site. The youths were also leaving when a tall, fair-skinned elf with black hair and blue eyes approached them, with a very casual demeanor strongly patting Kal on the back and smiling said: "So these are your friends Lua, good for you, I was already thinking you'd grow old alone, by the way, this boy has strange hair, but he seems like a good person.." the elf made a positive sign with his hand and continued "I approve your relationship with him." But before leaving he turns to Kal and whispers softly: "Good luck with the hothead." Then, smiling, the elf leaves humming and greeting everyone who passed him.
"Who is that weirdo?" asked Gwen.
"That's my older brother Ellurin, don't mind him, he's always been super protective! By the way, he wasn't supposed to be here today!" Lua adds, calling her friends to leave.
In the great throne room, Ellurin arrives with another demeanor before High King Ellanon: "My king, I come from my travels to the eastern realms and bring concerning news!" At that moment, besides Ellanon, Hivernia and Arath were with the High King. Ellanon apologizing to the guests for the interruption asks his son to approach and relate what he witnessed while traveling the eastern realms. Ellurin approaches the lords and begins his report:
"My lord, the Duchy of Iumerilon remains in the same situation as previously reported, since the death of the Grand Duke, his 4 sons fight for succession of the duchy and by my calculations, soon they will destroy the entire country. As for the Theocracy of Luminus, a great corruption has taken hold of the throne of Limias, the priests conduct countless depravities before the altar of the god of light while the monks who would give their lives to protect him turn a blind eye to all this evil, I'd say soon the theocracy will fall into evil's hands."
Before Ellurin could continue, Arath said: "I have heard that the Temple of Luminus was profaned, orgies, sacrifices and other indescribable things happen inside, with each passing day the gods lose more influence, making room for the fallen..."
Ellurin listens solemnly to the lord of animals' words and then continues: "The Sultanate of Bahamut and the Confederation of Vernum live in relative peace, however especially in the Sultanate, I heard reports of demons granting wishes in exchange for something. Unfortunately I was unable to find more details about these so-called demons except a demonic witch who grants wishes, likely Salacia. Zagreliv, however, is in an absolute state of misery, its king Omaza I is an arrogant, tyrannical dwarf, while his people starve to death, he and his indulge inside their mansions, I feel soon the people will rebel. Nitrea and Leoria, however, are doing well, still devoted and faithful to the ancient customs and gods."
And before finishing, Ellurin turns to Arath and says: "And my lord, from what I discovered, the heroes that you sent to our world are progressing well, but in very distinct ways, perhaps we'll finally see heroes serving darkness this time..."
Arath remained the same and said: "They will each forge their own paths, we can only see where they end up when all this is done."
After that, the meeting continued for the rest of the day. The next day, Arath was the first to leave, followed by Hivernia. Now finally, Kal would have his meeting with the High King of Elves. Before the young man was summoned before the High King, Kal left Sin and Inala in Gwen and Katara's care respectively. Once more Sin and Gwen returned to the great library while Inala and Katara went out to explore Arlathania. Kal and Lua went directly to the High King's palace.
The servants directed Kal and Lua to the throne room of the High King. "Forgive me for the unexpected delays, and belated though it may be I would like to offer you a welcome to Arlathania, capital of the Kingdom of Elaria!" said the High King upon seeing Kal. The young man immediately responds: "There is no need to apologize my lord, the fault was all mine, after all it was my sister's sudden illness that delayed our conversation!" Ellanon, noticing Kal was making an effort to be as polite as possible, calmed the young man: "There is no need for formalities my young man, you are a great friend to my daughter, so you can be more spontaneous when speaking with me!"
Kal and Lua took their seats before the High King who began the conversation:
"You know why you are here, don't you?" asked the High King.
"I imagine you want to talk about the sword you brought me in Alnuum!" responded Kal.
"Exactly, but before explaining that to you, I must tell you a story, the story of how I received that sword," continued the High King.
"Over 800 years ago, Elaria's great elven capital was not in Arlathania but farther north in Lunaria, where now stand the ruins of the moon. Lunaria was located at the peak of the tallest mountain in the mountain range surrounding that region, it was a mystical place bathed in moonlight. The great fortress city of Lunaria was a legendary utopia for all elves, erected with white stones from the Mountains of the Moon, perfection described it best. My grandfather, Alantel, governed all of Elaria, in those times there were not as many civilizations on this continent, and so we lived in peace."
"My grandfather had three children, a spirited and strong elf maiden named Sera, a powerful and wise elf named Aranel, and a young, scholarly elf named Ellatar. We lived in peace and prosperity since ancient times when my ancestors came from the far east to these lands, and the world was new and beautiful, magic flowed tirelessly through all living beings and the earth was vibrant. It was at this time that I was born, I am Ellatar's only child."
"While my aunt Sera trained and studied ancient, rare scrolls, I who had two more cousins, Aranel's sons; I was enchanted by my aunt Sera's studies and studied with her every day, until one day the world changed for the first time."
"One night, while studying tales of ancient eras, the alarms sounded, demons emerged in profusion everywhere, and the elves entered into a bloody and terrible war. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't be in that war, for elven laws only permitted adults in battle ranks. The first battle was the most brutal and many elves died protecting Lunaria, including my grandfather Alantel and my uncle Aranel fell in that battle. But we managed to resist the first wave of those creatures."
"We lived peacefully for 30 years after that battle, but when no one expected it, they attacked again. The second battle was crueler and more devastating, the High King of Elves was my oldest cousin Telaran, he defended Lunaria with all his strength; However, on that day we suffered a devastating defeat, the High King's younger brother and my father Ellatar were killed in battle and the High King himself was gravely injured and we had to flee Lunaria."
"At this time my aunt Sera was on a great journey to the far east, where they said there were lands of mysteries and answers, it was a place where we could understand why this was happening. As the High King was in a coma, I as the only one of royal blood still in condition led the rest of the people to Eran Thalania, a sacred site for us elves, where in ancient times the World Tree Eraloth had been planted. Eran Thalania means Center of the World in the ancient language."
"In Eran Thalania, we fortified defenses and erected fortresses around the great lake. A few days later the High King, Telaran, succumbed to his wounds and died and I was crowned as the High King of Elves, but it was still not time to celebrate. The demons that ravaged Lunaria departed for Eran Thalania to once and for all destroy the elven race. But while we fought, my aunt Sera returned from the far east and brought help, she brought the first heroes of the land to aid us that night."
"Alexis Galandor, the blessed one, he was blessed with eternal life, unable to die of old age or disease, only in battle, said to be the first man in the entire continent, he was the first hero of all; Fay Goldenlight, the pacifist, was a formidable warrior but always valued peace and life; Lionel Braveheart, was an arrogant man yet kind, was a lady's man but a companion; Melora Greenhope, from the west vineyard, they say she defended a city alone from demons for 100 days; Morin Quid, the last hero, Morin was a peasant who rose up against evil to the point of being blessed by the god of seas Acuos himself with power and lastly my aunt Sera, I discovered the flame burning in her heart was actually the call of the heroine, and her journey to the far east was to find Alexis."
"That night the demons were destroyed once and for all. The people were uneasy and wanted to return to their land of beauty and wonders that was Lunaria, and all asked that Sera and the other heroes go to Lunaria to retake it from the demons; Alexis accepted the request and leading the other heroes they went to Lunaria to recover our capital. After 3 days, the heroes returned to Eran Thalania victorious, however carrying terrible news, Lunaria had been desecrated and destroyed, it would no longer be possible to rebuild our beautiful capital."
"All elves mourned the loss of our beloved capital for 5 years, and in that time in all ways I tried to convince Sera to become the queen of elves. But her heart was not in those things and together with the other heroes they went for the final battle against those who brought the demons. My work now was to transform Eran Thalania into a great home for elves."
"For 20 years we erected a great city around Elaroth and fortified it, it did not have Lunaria's splendor but became the refuge of elves, with Elaroth's holiness and beauty, the elves finally accepted Eran Thalania as home, and we changed its name to Arlathania, the salvation of elves. It was during this period that I received Arath for the first time, she came with Alexis to leave us prophecies and promises, they came asking for our help and understanding. They stayed in our city for another 5 years, teaching us and showing secrets we still did not know, with this knowledge we grew even more. Arath finally departed and Alexis followed the same path, but before leaving she gave me a sword and said: 'Dawn is its name, I am its carrier, but it does not belong to me. Its true master will one day come to claim it and I want you to protect it, Dawn itself will show you when its lord is near.' Since then, I have been with her all these years until when you first awoke in your village, Dawn told me the time to be wielded had come."
Immersed in Ellanon's story, Kal was still not understanding properly why he would be Dawn's true master, but noticed Lua had tears in her eyes after hearing her father's tale. But Ellanon continued:
"I do not have all the answers Kal, and I am handing you what was handed to me almost a millennium ago, it remains for you to know what you will do with it, there are always two paths and you will have to choose your own." concluded the High King.
"Am I a hero?" asked Kal.
"Alexis was a hero, and even he could not wield all of Dawn's power. Arath foresaw and guided all the heroes who have been called until today, but in your case she had no response to give you. Do you know what I think Kal, son of Laun? As my aunt Sera read all the books and scrolls that have ever been written in this land, I know the entire history of our earth and still I have never heard anything about you and your power, the only one who can find the answers is you, young man. "affirmed the High King.
"Go to the far east, the cradle of all living beings, the home of the first heroes, the land that was never christened, there you will be able to find answers!" concluded the High King.