The next morning,We enjoyed a lovely breakfast before Illyana ,Eldara and Hestia invited me to join them in the interrogation of the the high elves which I accepted.
The air in the room was thick with tension as the High Elves discussed their predicament. Valendra Moonshade, the princess of the Moonshade Kingdom, stood by the window, her eyes fixed on the shimmering canopy of the Zestia Forest in the distance. I watched her closely, feeling the weight of the room pressing down on everyone. She had always been composed and regal, but today, her confidence wavered. There were too many questions unanswered, and it seemed to gnaw at her, the way a persistent thought clings to the back of your mind.
"Elowen," Valendra started, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity, "how is it possible that in all our long and prosperous history, we have never once heard of this Lumera race? They live in the core of Zestia Forest—Zone 1, the most dangerous zone. No one survives venturing so deep into the forest, yet they live there, hidden for who knows how long."
Elowen Silverleaf, the High Mage, stood across from her, robes whispering with magic as she moved. The air around her seemed to stir with the faint touch of the arcane. She met Valendra's gaze, calm but thoughtful, as if the weight of her position required her to measure every word. "Your Highness," she began, voice soft but laced with the authority of someone who had seen much. "I've spent my entire life studying the arcane history of our people. In all my years, there has never been any mention of a race like the Lumera. But…" she hesitated, just for a moment, as if she were about to venture into unknown territory herself. "No one who has ever ventured into the core of the Zestia Forest has returned. It's entirely possible that these Lumeras are so entwined with the magic of the forest that they've evaded detection all this time."
I couldn't help but smirk. It was amusing, really—how these elves scrambled for answers about things far beyond their grasp. They were so certain their knowledge was vast, yet it barely scratched the surface of what was out there.
Valendra's eyes narrowed. "But how? A race with such power… They should have left traces, signs, something for us to discover."
Elowen sighed. "Zestia is not like other forests, Your Highness. The deeper you go, the more it changes. The magic becomes ancient, volatile. It's possible the forest itself shields them. Perhaps it has always protected them, and we've simply never known. What's more troubling is why they've revealed themselves now."
I leaned against the doorframe, observing the room, amused by their ignorance. They were dancing around the real question. Why now? Why show themselves after so long? It didn't matter to me, though. This was all just part of the game.
The door creaked open, and the High Elves stiffened as we entered. Their reaction was almost comical—the awe, the fear, the disbelief on their faces as they took us in. I could see it in their wide eyes, the realization that they were standing before something far beyond their understanding.
I smiled slightly, letting the amusement show. "If we wanted to harm you, you'd already be dead. The second I found you, it would've been over."
Their reactions were just as I expected—fear, a brief flicker of panic, followed by forced composure. Valendra, to her credit, tried to maintain her regal stance, but I could hear her heart pounding from across the room. She exchanged a glance with Elowen, the uncertainty clear in her eyes.
I let my gaze sweep over the room, feeling a twinge of boredom already. These prophecies, godly artifacts—they meant little to me. I had plenty of relics stored away. This was all just another diversion.
Illyana, Eldara, and Hestia moved to the center of the room, their presence commanding attention. They began to question the High Elves, their words sharp and precise, with just enough menace to keep the Elves on edge. I didn't need to step in. My companions knew how to handle this—extract information without ever lifting a blade.
As Autum and Nerina Everbloom entered the room, I noticed how they moved—graceful, powerful, like beings who had lived through centuries of change and still thrived. Autum, always the warm one, smiled as she approached me.
"Rosé," she said softly, "I'd like to introduce you to my sister, Nerina."
I turned to Nerina, intrigued. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nerina," I said, keeping my tone smooth and respectful. No need to cause any unnecessary tension here.
Nerina smiled, studying me with those piercing eyes. "Likewise, Rosé. I've heard much about you."
We exchanged polite words, but the real conversation was in the subtle shifts, the way her gaze lingered just a moment longer, the hint of amusement in her voice.
Autum, always quick to ease the mood, chimed in with her usual teasing. "You know, Rosé, you've caused quite a stir around here. Everyone's been trying to figure you out."
I chuckled. "I tend to have that effect."
Nerina raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Is that so? Well, you've certainly piqued my curiosity as well."
As we talked, the tension in the room began to ease, though I could still feel the eyes of the High Elves on us. They were wary, unsure of what to make of the casual way we spoke, as if the entire fate of their kingdom was just another game to us. And in a way, it was.
I glanced over at the stunned elves, a playful smile tugging at my lips. They were so out of their depth, and they knew it.
"I suppose the real question is," I said, my voice laced with amusement, "what are you going to do now, Princess Valendra?"
The tension in the air was palpable as I studied the High Elves gathered before me. Their regal demeanor, their long, shimmering robes—all of it screamed pride and nobility. But despite their outward calm, I could sense the fear radiating from them, the uncertainty in their eyes. They had been brought here for a reason, and they knew it.
"You do understand why you're here, don't you?" I said, my voice low and measured, cutting through the silence like a blade.
Valendra Moonshade, princess of the Moonshade Kingdom, stepped forward. Her gaze was steady, though I could see the unease in her eyes. She knew the gravity of the situation but was still trying to maintain control. "We understand there has been a... misunderstanding," she began, choosing her words carefully. "We were framed for an incident that caused harm to the Zestia Forest. But I assure you, we had no part in the death of the Behemoth Flametail Kin."
I tilted my head slightly, watching her with a cold amusement. "Framed or not, Princess, your people's actions—whether intentional or not—led to the death of that creature. Its death caused a rampage that devastated the forest. But worst of all…" I paused, my eyes narrowing. "Your presence allowed that rampage to breach Zone One—the heart of Zestia, my home."
Her composure faltered for just a moment. She had known about the forest's zones, of course—everyone knew Zone One was off-limits, a place of ancient power guarded by spirits and predators far beyond anything the High Elves had ever encountered. But knowing and being faced with the reality of it were two different things entirely.
"Zone One is protected," I continued, my voice cold and unyielding. "It is watched over by beings far older and more powerful than anything your people could comprehend. The Ancient Tree Spirits, the guardians of this place, do not take kindly to trespassers. The fact that your actions led them to breach the sanctity of my home cannot be ignored."
Valendra opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off, stepping forward and letting the weight of my presence press down on the room. "You were chasing something, weren't you? A prophecy. A godly artifact that was said to be born in the Zestia Forest."
Her eyes flicked to Elowen, the High Mage, before returning to me. "Yes," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "We received a prophecy. It spoke of a powerful artifact that would be born in Zestia. We believed—"
"You believed wrong," I interrupted, my tone sharp. "The artifact you sought does indeed exist. But what you fail to understand is that I am the creator of that so-called artifact. It was born because I willed it to be." I leaned closer, my eyes locking onto hers. "And nobody needs to know that."
Silence fell over the room, the weight of my words settling over them like a heavy fog. They had come here for something far beyond their understanding, chasing visions and prophecies like moths drawn to a flame. And now they stood on the edge of a precipice, their fate uncertain.
Valendra swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "If we were framed, if we are not responsible for this… why are we here? What do you intend to do with us?"
I leaned back, a slow smile spreading across my face. "I already know you were framed, Princess but The fact remains—you were here, and your presence caused the breach."
I turned away, walking toward the window where the vast expanse of the Zestia Forest stretched out before us. The shimmering canopy was beautiful, yes, but it was also dangerous—teeming with ancient magic, with creatures that could wipe out entire kingdoms if they chose to.
"You'll will have to stay In the village till Selena finds the real perpetrators and the forest has calmed down." I said over my shoulder.