The following morning, Shivay and Senira sat at the edge of the inn's balcony, gazing out over the elven kingdom. Their minds were still racing from the events of the previous night—their infiltration into the royal palace, the overheard conversation, and now, their next goal: finding the third heart.
"We need to figure out where the next heart is hidden," Shivay said, his voice thoughtful as he absentmindedly traced the lines of a map they had been studying. The map detailed the known regions of the elven kingdom, but there were gaps—places hidden from the common eye, places known only to a select few.
Senira, sitting beside him, nodded. Her bright eyes narrowed as she too examined the map. "There's one place that fits the description—one place that's sacred to the elves, hidden and protected for centuries."
Shivay raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Where?"
"The World Tree," she replied, her voice soft but certain. "It's the most sacred place in all of elven history. The elves believe that the tree is the source of life for their people, and its location is a closely guarded secret, known only to the royal family."
Shivay's eyes widened slightly. "The World Tree... That would make sense. If the heart is hidden anywhere, it would be in a place like that, somewhere powerful enough to protect its essence."
"But the problem is," Senira continued, "we have no idea where the World Tree is located. Only the elven queen and her closest advisors know the way."
Shivay's mind raced, piecing the puzzle together. They had to reach the World Tree, but to do so, they needed the cooperation of the queen—Ellaria, the same ruler whose council they had just eavesdropped on. While the queen seemed cautious, she wasn't hostile yet, which meant they still had a chance to gain her trust.
"Looks like we need to go directly to the source," Shivay said with a small smirk. "We'll have to meet Queen Ellaria and convince her to help us."
Senira gave him a sideways glance. "You realize that won't be easy, right? The elves are protective of their secrets, especially when it comes to something as sacred as the World Tree. We'll need to tread carefully."
Shivay nodded, his expression serious. "I know. But we don't have much of a choice. The heart is drawing us closer, and if we don't act soon, others—like the humans or demons—might get there first."
They both knew time was of the essence. With every passing day, the ripple of the heart's power was spreading, and the longer it remained undiscovered, the more dangerous the situation would become. It wasn't just about obtaining the heart for themselves anymore—it was about preventing it from falling into the wrong hands.
---
By midday, Shivay and Senira had made up their minds. They would approach Queen Ellaria directly, explain their situation, and seek her aid in locating the World Tree. The royal palace, while imposing, was now familiar to them after their nighttime adventure, and they felt more confident in navigating its grand halls.
As they approached the palace gates, their disguises as elves still intact, Shivay couldn't help but feel a flicker of nervousness. This was a delicate situation—one wrong move, and they could end up on the wrong side of the queen's wrath.
The guards stationed at the palace gates eyed them with curiosity but allowed them to pass after a quick inquiry. Shivay and Senira made their way to the main chamber, where Queen Ellaria held court.
The queen was seated on her throne, her presence as regal and commanding as ever. Around her, the council of elders stood in quiet conversation, their eyes flickering toward the new arrivals with guarded interest.
"Queen Ellaria," Senira spoke first, her voice calm and respectful. "We have come to seek your counsel on a matter of great importance."
The queen raised an eyebrow, her golden gaze settling on them. "Speak, travelers. What brings you before me?"
Shivay stepped forward, his heart pounding slightly. He met the queen's eyes and spoke with honesty. "We seek the location of the World Tree."
There was a moment of silence, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The elders exchanged glances, and a few of them muttered amongst themselves. The queen, however, remained composed, her eyes sharp as she regarded them.
"The World Tree is not a place that can be sought lightly," she said, her voice measured. "It is the most sacred site of our people, hidden for generations. Why would you, strangers, seek it?"
Shivay took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment of truth. "Because the heart we carry, the one connected to the ancient power, is pulling us toward it. We believe the next heart is hidden near the World Tree."
At this, the council erupted in whispers. The mention of the heart—one of the ancient relics tied to the Nagas—was enough to send ripples of concern through the room.
Queen Ellaria's gaze didn't waver. "You carry one of the ancient hearts?"
Shivay nodded. "Yes. It's what brought us here. And we're not the only ones searching for them. The humans, the demons... they're all after the hearts as well. If we don't act, they could find it first."
The queen leaned back in her throne, her fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. She appeared deep in thought, weighing their words carefully.
After what felt like an eternity, she spoke again. "The hearts are powerful artifacts, connected to forces older than our civilization. If what you say is true, then their discovery would upset the balance of this world."
Shivay and Senira remained silent, waiting for her judgment.
Finally, Queen Ellaria rose from her throne, her decision made. "You speak the truth, I can sense it. And while I cannot fully trust you yet, I cannot ignore the urgency of your quest."
She turned to one of her advisors, giving a quiet order. The elder nodded and left the room.
"The path to the World Tree is a dangerous one, known only to the royal family. If the heart is indeed there, we must ensure it remains protected. You will not go alone. I will send one of my trusted guards to accompany you."
Shivay felt a surge of relief but kept his expression neutral. They had secured the queen's help, but the journey ahead would be perilous.
"We thank you, Your Majesty," Senira said with a respectful bow.
The queen nodded. "Prepare yourselves. The path to the World Tree will not be easy, but if you are true to your cause, the tree will reveal its secrets to you."
As Shivay and Senira left the palace, a sense of anticipation filled the air. They had taken a crucial step toward their goal, but the real challenge was yet to come. The World Tree awaited them, along with whatever secrets and dangers it held.