The room of the conference was a grand, imposing chamber, filled with the air of solemnity. The walls, lined with intricate carvings of ancient symbols and runes, echoed the weight of history. Every leader of the Elemental Continent had gathered here, drawn by the tragic news of their fallen children. The atmosphere was heavy, a mixture of grief, anger, and a hunger for answers.
As Xue, Alissa, and Seraphina entered, the sight before them was as overwhelming as it was intimidating. At the far end of the room sat the heads of the four great races—each one a figure of immense power, whose very presence seemed to shape the world around them.
Alissa and Seraphina both paused in surprise. They hadn't expected their parents to be here, but now, standing before them, were their figures—strong, dignified, and commanding. Their eyes softened momentarily as they recognized them, and for a brief instant, the cold weight of the tragedy was lifted, replaced by a sense of warmth and familiarity.
Alissa was the first to speak, her voice tentative but filled with emotion. "Father… Mother…" Her words trailed off, but the joy in her tone was undeniable. "How… how have you been?"
Alphin, the head of the Elves, was a tall, regal figure with silver hair that shimmered in the light. He regarded his daughter with a mixture of pride and sorrow. His sharp eyes softened when they met Alissa's, and he stepped forward to embrace her. "My daughter," he said quietly. "We have missed you, but your presence here speaks volumes. I know you carry a heavy burden."
Serisa, Alissa's mother, a graceful and elegant elf, stood beside Alphin, her expression just as unreadable. Yet, there was a softness in her eyes that only Alissa would understand. "We are proud of you, Alissa," she said, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. "But the road ahead will not be easy."
Seraphina stood a little farther away, watching her friends reunite with their parents. She too longed for a connection, but her had parents died when she was young. Her gaze suddenly turned to the other figures in the room—the ones whose children had been lost alongside hers.
The Dragonkin, Mr. and Mrs. Royoveil, were seated nearby. They were formidable beings, their scales gleaming like molten metal, and their eyes burned with the intensity of grief and fury. The loss of Iblis, their child, was a wound that would never heal, and their gazes, though filled with sorrow, held a certain fire that was unmistakable.
Mr. Royoveil, the father, was a towering figure of strength and authority, his massive frame radiating power. His wife, Mrs. Royoveil, though slightly smaller, exuded an air of silent but profound strength. The two of them exchanged looks, their pain palpable, but they said nothing. They simply waited for the truth.
To the side, the leaders of the Undines, Mr. and Mrs. Aqoun, stood together, their appearance as graceful and fluid as the waters they commanded. The sorrow in their eyes was evident as they gazed at the coffins. Marina, their precious daughter, had been everything to them—perhaps the most important person in their lives. Their expressions were guarded, but beneath the surface, a deep river of emotion swirled.
And then, there was the Dwarven patriarch, Cerflix. The greatest blacksmith of all time. His presence was almost overwhelming, his stout figure belying the immense weight of his craft and legacy. Cerflix's face was set in a hardened scowl, his graying beard twitching as his eyes darted toward the coffins. His daughter, Corrine, had been a rare jewel among the dwarves, a blacksmith with a brilliance that even Cerflix could not match. Losing him felt like losing a part of his own soul.
All of their eyes turned to Xue as he approached, the coffins of their children hovering beside him, secured by Alissa's magic. The room fell silent, and the weight of their collective grief settled into the air like a heavy fog. The leaders' gazes were fixed on him now, unwavering and full of questions. Each one of them needed answers—answers that Xue alone could give.
Xue stood silently, the only sound in the room being the quiet whisper of the coffins as they settled into place. He took a deep breath, his crimson eyes meeting the gazes of the elemental leaders, and for a moment, he felt the weight of their expectations, their anger, their sorrow. He could not undo the past, but he would do what he could for them now.
And as the silence stretched on, Xue spoke quietly, his voice steady but tinged with a deep, unspoken grief. "They were our comrades, our allies. I failed to protect them. But I promise you, their sacrifice saved many lives." His gaze swept over the room, meeting each pair of eyes. "I know you are angry. I know you are grieving. But we will face whatever comes. Their parents, their people, deserve closure. They deserve to know what happened. And we will give them that. No matter the cost."
As his words hung in the air, the room remained still, each leader processing his statement in their own way. The truth was heavy, and it would take time to process, but for now, there was nothing more to be said. The coffins were here. The truth would come out.