Days later—
The elf twins wiped grime and sweat from their brows. Though unbecoming of their class, their hurried return to Minrow's capital had left them in a disheveled state. They halted approximately two kilometers from the city's entrance, gazing down from a cliff at their homeland. Unlike other capitals adorned with grand buildings, Minrow was dominated by vast, towering trees. Within its walls, an expanse of dense forest reigned supreme, circled by a river that encircled the entire city. Only three heavily guarded entrances provided access, each protected by the finest elven warriors skilled in all forms of combat. Amid the canopy, a singular structure stood out: a tall, white castle that soared above even the highest trees in Grinfall.
Everything seemed normal to the twins. After a brief rest, Alluin rose. "Time to make our way down," he declared.
Ramuin nodded in agreement. They used ice steps to descend the cliff, reaching the ground without incident, and then proceeded toward the south-west entrance. The once-bustling road, now deserted, had previously been teeming with merchants and townsfolk.
"Do you really think the Great Ruler will be pleased?" Ramuin asked, glancing down at the horns in her palms.
"I'm sure he will be marvelously pleased. In fact, I'm certain he will praise me," Alluin replied with a proud gleam in his eye.
Ramuin tucked the horns back into a pouch. "Quit being so full of yourself. He will most certainly praise us both… no, praise me! And then he'll allow me to be his 67th wife!" She blushed, clasping her hands together.
"Um… and I'm the one who's full of himself?" Alluin muttered, watching her antics with bemusement.
"AHH, what will be my duties by his side? In what way will my Great Ruler need me to attend him?" she shouted, her tone frenzied.
"I'm glad to be so close, so this torture can end soon," Alluin thought to himself.
"The elf twins! Open the gates!" the wall guard shouted. A large wooden bridge lowered over the river, granting entry to the capital. Numerous guards stood on both sides, the gate typically open but now closed due to the decline in merchants.
"We've been expecting you, elf twins. Unfortunately, our Great Ruler is not within the walls. He left this morning for the Gathering of Five."
"How unfortunate. It seems the good news will have to wait until his return," Alluin replied.
Once the gate had lowered enough to cross safely, the twins proceeded. "It's good to be home," Ramuin exclaimed.
"Indeed," Alluin agreed, nodding.
After passing through the massive walls, they were met with a horrific sight. The white castle at the city's center—the Great Ruler's castle—began to crumble, causing the ground to shake violently. An attack? Impossible. Everyone had the same thought before rushing inside to assist.
The twins exchanged glances and sprinted toward the castle. Alluin stopped in his tracks, eyes widening in horror. The white castle had been sliced perfectly diagonally. His emotions surged. The castle was not only the pride of the capital but also a masterpiece crafted by the finest dwarven artisans, who would have staked their lives on its sturdiness.
"How could this be?" Alluin murmured in disbelief. He stared at the perfect slice once more. "What could cause this... or who?"