Deep within the heart of the forest, far from where Vell and his group had just battled the monstrous guardian, there lay a hidden sanctuary. This place was untouched by the chaos that had begun to spread through the forest. The air here was thick with mana, and the trees towered higher than any Vell had seen, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly glow. In the center of this sanctuary stood a massive stone table, around which sat five figures, each radiating an aura of immense power.
These were the Forest Guardians, ancient beings who had watched over the forest for thousands of years. They were humanoid in form, but their features were otherworldly—skin like bark, eyes that glowed with the light of the sun, and hair that flowed like vines. They were the true rulers of the forest, and to them, the queen had been nothing more than a caretaker, a child they had entrusted with a small portion of their domain.
