Gerard and his companions continued along their path, passing through several more villages and encountering even more elves—beings who seemed as though they had stepped out of ancient legends. Their large, colorful eyes, skin as pale as snow, and shimmering hair that resembled strands of silk made them almost otherworldly. Their slender bodies suggested they rarely indulged in heavy meals.
Clear ponds and cascading waterfalls, both small and large, dotted the forest. Gerard, wide-eyed with amazement, took in the scenery. It was the kind of beauty most humans would never have the chance to witness. siralda was an elven paradise—pristine and untouched, like a fragment of a promised land.
Eventually, they arrived at another area, where a new group of elves, clad in gleaming armor, came to meet them. One of the elves said, "From here on, we will escort you." Gerard nodded and followed them.
The path led between two colossal stone statues, each equipped with full battle armor, pointing their swords toward the south.
The minstrel explained, "These are monuments to the elven warriors who defended siralda's borders during past wars against the southern lands. They are also called the Guardian Gods, and each one is about two hundred meters tall."
Gerard was astonished by the information. The height of these statues wasn't apparent from outside the forest, as the trees of the Whispering Woods often grew up to three hundred meters tall. The largest tree, known as the Great Tree or the Tree of Life, even reached an astounding height of seven hundred meters.
One of the elves said, "From here, you will enter the elven city. This is where the elven lord and the elders reside."
The minstrel gave a relaxed smile as the path became cleaner and more defined.
Gerard asked, "You seem to know a lot about this land. I'm starting to suspect you might be an elf yourself."
The minstrel laughed.
"Haha! An interesting guess. Perhaps I am, or perhaps not. Either way, my race hardly matters when all I do is wander and play my music."
He picked up his instrument, tuned it, and said,
"The breathtaking beauty of siralda can spark creativity in any artist!"
He began to play and sing with a clear, resonant voice:
"Siralda! O tale eternal and bright,
A beacon of hope in the darkest night,
O ancient green, earth's pulsing heart,
A timeless soul, a world apart..."
With every note, it seemed as though the forest itself came alive. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, and animals emerged from the undergrowth to watch.
Sometime later, they reached the main elven city. Unlike the villages they had passed, this city was built both on the ground and high among the trees. Stone-paved paths coiled around large stone fountains, winding like a massive serpent toward the Tree of Life.
Atop the Tree of Life stood several grand structures. Its branches spread out like a canopy over the city, allowing sunlight to filter through in narrow beams that illuminated the domed roofs of stone houses.
The elves guided Gerard and his companions to one of the Tree of Life's great halls, where they were to meet the elders.
From the top of the tree, the path they had traveled and the city below seemed small and insignificant. They could even see the borders of Siralda and the Aeloria Kingdom in the distance.
When they ascended far enough, they stopped before a massive door, over twenty meters tall. The accompanying elves entered the hall to request permission, leaving Gerard and the others awestruck by the view.
One of Gerard's companions muttered, "This is unbelievable… Could such a place truly exist in this world?"
The minstrel chuckled.
"Haha! Of course. But you haven't even seen the true wonders of Siralda yet."
Gerard, wide-eyed like a child, glanced at the minstrel in amazement.
Could there really be something beyond this heavenly beauty?
At that moment, a bird flew overhead, letting out a piercing cry as it soared westward.
The massive doors creaked open with a deep, resonant sound, and an elven guard with a stern expression stepped forward.
"You may enter. The elders are waiting for you."