The air buzzed with anticipation, a collective breath held as the radiant cocoon at the center of the clearing began to fully unfold. The glowing green light intensified, casting long shadows across the faces of the gathered crowd.
Reverence painted the expressions of the young elvins, their wide eyes reflecting awe and wonder. Even the hunters and trainees, though feigning indifference, couldn't entirely mask their curiosity.
All waited for the same moment—the Queen of Nature, the legendary Mother who would grace them with her presence.
But as the cocoon opened, its luminous petals peeling back one by one, the clearing was met with… emptiness.
Nothing.
The crowd froze. Confusion rippled through the air like an unspoken question.
"Huh?" a voice whispered from the first group, breaking the silence.
"Where's the Queen?" another murmured, the words trembling with unease.
