The tall and imposing trees of the forest surrounded the spot where Midoki sat, his usually indomitable figure now seeming marked by fatigue and sorrow. He leaned against a tree, his gaze lost on the horizon as the sun slowly rose, bathing the environment in soft light. By his side, Durin, the gray-haired warrior, tried to comfort her friend, her voice soft and full of concern.
- Durin: "Midoki, we need to move forward. What happened to Elyra... we will find her. But for now, we need to report to the King."
Midoki sighed, his expression still filled with frustration. He slowly shook his head but didn't respond. Throk crossed his arms and looked around, his eyes always alert, analyzing the situation.
- Throk: "Durin is right. The King needs to know what happened here. The sooner we report, the sooner we can plan an action."
Before Midoki could respond, a gentle breeze passed through the forest, and a graceful figure appeared among the trees. Lilya, the Fairy Queen, returned to the spot with a speed that completely baffled Throk. He blinked a few times, trying to process what had just happened.
- Throk: "How... did you already report to the King?"
Lilya shrugged with an almost indifferent ease, her gaze passing over Midoki before fixing on Throk. The swiftness with which she had acted was extraordinary, even for someone with her abilities.
- Lilya: "I don't waste time on trivial matters. The King has been informed. Now, I'll deal with my own problems."
Midoki finally stood up, leaning against the tree to regain his balance. Though still shaken, there was a renewed determination in his eyes. He knew that what lay ahead would require all of his strength and that of his allies.
The next morning, the Kingdom of Lior was in a quiet frenzy. The castle of Canvos, the King of Lior, glowed under the sunlight, its towering spires dominating the landscape. In the grand royal hall, the heroes were gathered. Midoki, Durin, and Throk stood in front of the throne, waiting for the King.
King Canvos appeared visibly concerned, his face stern and his eyes fixed on the heroes before him. Beside him, advisors and guards stood in silence, waiting for the audience to begin.
- King Canvos: "Heroes, I thank you for coming so quickly. The recent events are alarming. As you know, the awakening of the Cyclops has reopened the entrance to the Underworld. For now, the opening is weak, but I fear this is just the beginning."
The room fell silent for a moment as the heroes absorbed the gravity of the situation. The King, in an act of desperation, knelt before Gronnak and Lilya, his eyes pleading.
- King Canvos: "I beg of you, Gronnak, Lilya... join the new order we are forming. We need all the possible forces to face what is to come."
Lilya took a step back, her expression neutral. There was a coldness in her eyes that made the King and the others in the room uncomfortable. She slowly shook her head, her voice clear and decisive.
- Lilya: "There's no way I can help you humans. My island is in danger due to the same events. My priority is to protect my people."
With that, she turned to leave, her slender and graceful figure disappearing through the door before anyone could argue. The heavy silence settled in the room until Gronnak, the Metal Giant, stepped forward, his deep voice echoing against the walls.
- Gronnak: "I accept, King Canvos. I will fight by your side. But know this: my loyalty lies with justice, not just with mankind."
The King stood up, grateful for Gronnak's acceptance, but the weight of Lilya's refusal still hung in the air. Midoki, Durin, and Throk exchanged glances, aware that the challenges they would face were the greatest of their lives.
The silence that settled in the room after Lilya's departure was almost palpable. Gronnak, now committed to King Canvos's cause, observed the heroes remaining before the throne. Midoki, still affected by the recent events and the rejection from the Fairy Queen, let out a heavy sigh before shaking his head in frustration.
- Midoki: "Tsk... arrogant fairy..." – As his eyes glowed with cobalt blue hues.
Durin and Throk exchanged a worried glance but kept silent, allowing Midoki to vent. His words, though true, reflected more his desperation and exhaustion than anything else. However, King Canvos, with his calm and wise expression, seemed unfazed.
He stepped forward, raising one hand as a golden aura began to emanate from his body. Canvos's eyes shone brightly as he invoked his power, the spiritual ability known as Destiny.
- King Canvos: "Lilya... She is stubborn and independent, but destiny has already been sealed. She will join us in the future, Midoki. This arrogance you see is just part of a path she doesn't yet understand."
Midoki looked at the King in surprise, but Canvos's words, spoken with unwavering confidence, seemed to dispel some of the frustration he felt. Canvos then, still surrounded by his golden aura, closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if seeing beyond the present.
- King Canvos: "And more... destiny has revealed the location of the next members of the Templar Knights. There are four of them who need to be recruited. They are scattered in dangerous places, but essential to our cause."
Canvos paused, allowing his advisors to take note of the information he was about to reveal.
- King Canvos: "One is in the Whispering Forests of Lost Dreams, a second on the shores of the Breakwaters Beaches, another in the Abyssal Depths, and the last... in the Celestial Islands."
Upon hearing the last location, Midoki felt a chill run down his spine. The Celestial Islands. The same place Elyra had been taken.
- King Canvos: "And Elyra... she is also there, in the Celestial Islands. If destiny is merciful, you may find her and bring her back. But be prepared, for the journey there will not be easy."
Silence returned to the hall, but this time, it was a silence full of purpose. The heroes exchanged looks, each understanding the magnitude of the mission ahead of them. Midoki, with his heart a little lighter, gave a slight nod to his father, accepting the challenge that lay ahead.
Canvos nodded, his expression now firm and resolute.
- King Canvos: "May destiny guide your steps, and may light prevail over the darkness that approaches and..."
- Midoki: "Then it's settled. Let's gather the Templar Knights... and rescue Elyra."
And so, the chapter ended, with the heroes' fate beginning to align for the great battle that was to come.