The forest was alive with the sounds of nature—trees towering overhead, their leaves rustling in the wind, birds chirping in the distance. The elven rangers moved swiftly and silently, leaping from branch to branch in coordinated squads. Lira was with Tifanica, two other elites, and two volunteers. Despite the tension between her and Tifanica, they moved as a unit, their training overriding personal grievances.
The ranger captain, a tall and imposing figure with sharp features and a commanding presence, suddenly stopped on a high branch. He raised a hand, signaling for the group to halt. The rangers gathered around him, their movements precise and disciplined.
"Attention," the captain said, his voice low but carrying clearly through the forest. "We have a new destination. We will move to the northwest border of the region. The elders have informed us that the Valvian Kingdom, the Holy Dominion of Solvaris, the Melloris Empire, and the Dragon Clan will be joining us. We will take our briefings from Princess Carmina of the Dragon Clan."
The rangers exchanged glances, murmurs of surprise and curiosity rippling through the group. Lira's ears twitched as she processed the information. Princess Carmina? The Dragon Clan? This was no ordinary mission. Whatever was happening in the Forbidden Region, it was serious enough to unite the most powerful factions in Ealdania.
Without another word, the captain leaped from the branch, his movements fluid and precise. The rest of the rangers followed, their forms blending seamlessly with the forest as they made their way to the northwest border.
When they arrived at the grasslands bordering the northern Forbidden Region and the west, the sight that greeted them was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Four distinct parties were lined up in the distance, each representing a powerful faction.
To the left stood the Valvian Knights and their levies, their banners fluttering in the wind. The knights were clad in polished armor, their swords and shields gleaming in the sunlight. The levies, though less equipped, stood with a sense of determination, their spears and bows at the ready.
Next to them were the Holy Knights and Paladins of Solvaris, their white and gold armor radiating an almost divine aura. The paladins carried massive war hammers and shields emblazoned with the symbol of their faith, their presence commanding respect and reverence.
Further to the right was the Melloris Empire's advanced army, a stark contrast to the more traditional forces of the other factions. Black, bulky vehicles lined the field, their cannons and turrets pointing ominously toward the horizon. Behind them stood ten massive metal golems, their towering forms walking on two legs. Though slow, their sheer size and firepower instilled fear in anyone who dared to face them. Soldiers armed with strange, stick-like weapons moved around the machines, their movements efficient and disciplined. Notable figures in black robes and wide-brimmed hats commanded the troops, their presence exuding authority and intelligence.
In the distance, wyverns rested on the ground, their scaled bodies glinting in the sunlight. Above them, a massive dragon circled the sky, its wings casting shadows over the gathered forces. Leaning casually against one of the wyverns was a red-haired female figure—Princess Carmina. Her presence was magnetic, her sharp eyes scanning the field with a mix of curiosity and authority.
Nearby stood the Archmage Sillorin, accompanied by four elven mages from the Luminal Court. The mages were dressed in pure white robes, their attire a stark contrast to the forest elves' more practical garb. Lira couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment as she looked at them. The Luminal Court embodied the ancient principles of the elven empire, a time when all elves were united under one banner. But that unity had long since shattered, dividing the elves into factions: the Luminal Court, the Forest Elves, and the elusive Dark Elves. The divisions ran deep, and the idea of a unified elven nation seemed like a distant dream.
The elven rangers approached the gathering, maintaining a respectful distance from the other factions. The ranger captain, Illshura, stepped forward as Princess Carmina approached him.
"Captain Illshura," Carmina said, her voice smooth but carrying an edge of authority. "Welcome to the fold. I believe we have a much bigger issue on our hands than a simple 'disturbance.' If my father's assumptions are correct, we are facing a Titan-level threat causing this activity."
Lira's breath caught in her throat. A Titan-level threat? That was beyond anything she had ever encountered. Her mind raced as she considered the implications. If a Titan was involved, this mission was far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated.
The captain nodded, his expression grim. "Understood, Princess. We will follow your lead."
Carmina's gaze swept over the elven rangers, her eyes lingering on Lira for a moment before moving on. "Good. We don't have much time. The shield is holding strong, but we cannot be too complacent about our safety, we need to investigate the source of the disturbance before it's too late."
As the briefing continued, Lira couldn't help but glance at the shimmering dome shield in the distance. It extended high into the sky, its surface rippling faintly like water. Beyond it lay the Dark Region, a place of darkness and danger. Whatever was causing the disturbance, it was clear that the fate of Ealdania hung in the balance.
Carmina stood at the center of the gathering, her presence commanding the attention of all the factions. The black dragon, which had been circling above, descended with a powerful gust of wind, landing beside her with a ground-shaking thud. The dragon's massive form loomed over the assembled forces, its scales glinting like polished obsidian. The commotion among the factions died down instantly, all eyes turning to Carmina.
"Okay, listen up!" Carmina's voice rang out, sharp and clear. She gestured toward the shimmering shield dome behind her, its surface rippling faintly as it separated the grasslands from the dark, foreboding lands beyond. "I'm sure none of you have ever been through this shield before, so let me break it down for you."
She paused, her piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd. "First things first—before you all panic once we're through, let me give you a quick lesson—the shield is strong. It hasn't broken in 1,500 years, except for the eastern section. That's why the wall was built there, to keep the Dark Beasts from spilling out. But here's the thing: the shield only works one way. Once you go through, you can't come back. It lets anyone in from the outside, but it doesn't let anyone out. That's why the areas around the shield dome are called the Forbidden Regions, divided into four sections: North, South, West, and East."
She pointed toward the distant eastern horizon, where the wall stood as a grim reminder of the past. "The eastern section of the shield was breached 1,500 years ago, and the wall was erected to contain the Dark Beasts. Unlike conventional shield spells, which break entirely when they fail, this shield only breaks in sections. If you're wondering who made this shield dome… well, your guess is as good as mine. We don't know. And that's part of why we're here."
Carmina crossed her arms, her tone shifting to one of grim determination. "Our mission is simple: we'll head to the northern part of the Dark Region and investigate the high fluctuation of mana. Most of you will encounter Dark Beasts of varying sizes. And if we're really lucky, we'll run into the Titan-level beast causing all this trouble."
She smirked, a hint of dark humor in her expression. "So, lessons over. Prepare your balls—or whatever you've got—and get ready for the transition."
The gathered forces exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Carmina's words sinking in. The Valvian Knights tightened their grips on their weapons, their faces set in grim determination. The Holy Knights of Solvaris murmured prayers under their breath, their faith seemingly unshaken but their eyes betraying a flicker of fear. The soldiers of the Melloris Empire checked their advanced weaponry, their movements efficient but tense. Even the elven rangers, including Lira, felt a chill run down their spines.
Tifanica, standing beside Lira, muttered under her breath, "She's as blunt as ever. No sugarcoating, just straight to the point."
Lira didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the shield dome. The thought of stepping into the Dark Region was daunting, but it also stirred something deep within her—a mix of curiosity and resolve. She had spent her life training for moments like this, even if she had chosen to walk her own path. Now, faced with the unknown, she felt a strange sense of purpose.
Carmina turned to the wyvern riders and the Luminal mages. "The wyverns will provide aerial reconnaissance. Stay in contact with the Luminal mages below and relay any information immediately. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
The wyvern riders nodded, their expressions serious as they mounted their scaled steeds. The Luminal mages, dressed in their pristine white robes, began casting spells to establish communication links with the wyverns. Their movements were precise, their magic glowing faintly as they worked.
Carmina then addressed the entire gathering once more. "We'll mostly camp inside the Dark Region and exit through the east. Stick to your units, follow orders, and keep your wits about you. This isn't a stroll through the forest—it's a fight for survival. Any questions?"
The silence that followed was answer enough.
"Good," Carmina said, her smirk returning. "Let's move out."
The factions began their final preparations, checking their gear and supplies one last time. Lira adjusted the straps of her dual curved swords, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. She glanced at Tifanica, who gave her a curt nod. Despite their differences, they were in this together.
As the forces approached the shield dome, the air grew heavier, the faint hum of the shield's magic vibrating through the ground. Carmina led the way, her dragon following closely behind. With a deep breath, she stepped through the shield, her form disappearing into the dark lands beyond.
One by one, the factions followed, their resolve steeled but their hearts pounding. Lira took a final look at the grasslands behind her, then stepped through the shield. The transition was instantaneous—a brief sensation of cold, followed by the oppressive atmosphere of the Dark Region.
The world on the other side was starkly different. The sky was a deep, unnatural gray, the air thick with an eerie stillness. The ground was barren, the trees twisted and lifeless. In the distance, shadows moved, their forms indistinct but menacing.
Carmina's voice broke the silence. "Welcome to the Dark Region. Let's get this over with."