The dense canopy of Elderwood gradually thinned as Ethan and Lysandra emerged from the Shadow Hollows, the oppressive corruption giving way to the more natural magic of the central forest. Despite their exhaustion after a forced march through the night, neither was willing to rest with the fate of the realm hanging in balance.
"The Council chambers will be ahead, just beyond that ridge," Lysandra said, pointing to a series of graceful structures nestled among the tallest trees. "But first, we should make a detour."
Ethan, who had been mentally rehearsing how to present their disturbing findings to the Council Elders, looked at her in surprise. "A detour? I thought time was critical."
"It is," she agreed, already adjusting their course. "But rushing to the Council without understanding what we face would be foolish. Sewandel will demand more than samples and conjecture—he'll want historical context and precedent."
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT COUNCIL RECEPTIVITY: LIKELY RESISTANT WITHOUT HISTORICAL EVIDENCE RECOMMENDED ACTION: ACQUIRE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION LOCATION SUGGESTION: ELDERWOOD REPOSITORY OF KNOWLEDGE TIME COST: 1-2 HOURS POTENTIAL VALUE: CRITICAL TO MISSION SUCCESS
"The Archive," Lysandra continued, leading them along a less-traveled path. "Elderwood's ancient library. If records of the previous invasion attempt exist anywhere, they'll be there."
The path wound through a grove of silver-barked trees, their leaves shimmering with an inner light that cast dappled patterns on the forest floor. After several minutes, they arrived at what appeared to be a modest clearing dominated by a single massive tree—far older than those surrounding it, with bark the color of burnished copper.
What initially seemed to be natural formations in the trunk revealed themselves, upon closer inspection, to be intricately carved entrances and windows. The entire tree had been transformed into a living structure, yet remained fully alive and vibrant.
"This is the Archive?" Ethan asked, momentarily forgetting their urgent mission as he marveled at the seamless blend of nature and architecture.
"The outer chamber, yes," Lysandra replied. "The true repository extends deep underground, through the tree's root system."
As they approached, a slender elf emerged from the main entrance. Unlike the warriors and councilors Ethan had met, this individual wore simple robes of pale blue, adorned only with intricate silver script along the hems. His eyes, a startling amber color, regarded the visitors with calm curiosity.
"Guardian Lysandra," he greeted with a slight bow. "Your presence honors the Archive. And you bring a... most unusual companion." His gaze lingered on Ethan with scholarly interest.
"Archivist Thaelon," Lysandra returned the greeting. "We come on urgent business. This is Ethan Stark, a Mender from beyond our realm. We seek historical records regarding the Void incursion of the Fourth Age."
Thaelon's expression shifted almost imperceptibly—a slight widening of the eyes, a momentary tension in his shoulders—before returning to scholarly composure.
"The Darkening," he said quietly. "Few request those records. Fewer still are granted access."
Lysandra stepped forward, lowering her voice. "Orlin has been corrupted. He's creating a Void Gate near the Shadow Hollows, with the Heart Tree as its target. We have samples and evidence, but the Council will need more to act decisively."
The archivist's calm demeanor cracked, genuine alarm crossing his features. "Orlin? This is... most grave." He glanced between them, decision crystallizing in his eyes. "Follow me. Quickly."
NEW LOCATION DISCOVERED ELDERWOOD ARCHIVE FUNCTION: REPOSITORY OF HISTORICAL AND MAGICAL KNOWLEDGE AGE: ESTIMATED 4,300+ YEARS NOTE: CONTAINS RESTRICTED KNOWLEDGE SECTIONS SECURITY LEVEL: HIGH
Thaelon led them through the main entrance into an atrium where sunlight filtered through crystal prisms embedded in the living wood, creating rainbow patterns that danced across the floor. Several elves in similar blue robes moved quietly among shelves that spiraled upward along the inner walls of the tree.
But instead of joining them, Thaelon approached what appeared to be a simple knot in the wood floor. With a few whispered words and a pass of his hand, the knot expanded, revealing a spiraling staircase descending into the earth.
"The Void Records are kept in the Root Archive," he explained, producing a crystal that glowed with gentle blue light. "For good reason."
The staircase wound downward for what felt like hundreds of feet, eventually opening into a vast chamber that took Ethan's breath away. What had appeared from above as a single tree was actually part of a complex organism—dozens of ancient trees had grown together, their massive roots intertwining to form a natural cathedral underground. Between these roots, elvish architects had created chambers and passages, all illuminated by bioluminescent fungi and crystal lamps.
"The collective memory of Elderwood," Thaelon said, noting Ethan's awestruck expression. "Some texts here predate even the Council itself."
He led them through several chambers, each filled with different types of records—scrolls, bound books, crystal memory stones, and even what appeared to be preserved leaves with text somehow grown into their structure. Few other elves were present in these deeper sections, and those they passed regarded the visitors with surprise and curiosity.
Finally, they reached a sealed door marked with warning symbols. Thaelon placed his palm against it, murmuring words in an elvish dialect even Lysandra seemed unfamiliar with. The door responded, symbols glowing briefly before it swung open with a faint hiss of equalized pressure.
"The Void Records," he announced, leading them into a small, hexagonal chamber lined with black wood shelves. Unlike the rest of the Archive, this room felt oppressive—the air noticeably heavier, the light dimmer and tinged with blue. "Everything we've preserved about the previous incursion."
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE AREA: RESTRICTED ARCHIVE SECTION AMBIENT ENERGY: TRACE VOID PARTICLES (CONTAINED) MATERIAL: BLACKWOOD (VOID-RESISTANT NATURAL MATERIAL) PURPOSE: ISOLATION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS KNOWLEDGE NOTE: SUBTLE CONTAINMENT WARDS DETECTED IN WALLS
"These volumes are not to be removed from this chamber," Thaelon explained, retrieving several ancient tomes and scrolls with practiced care. "And certain passages may be... difficult to comprehend. The Void defies conventional description."
He arranged the materials on a central table crafted from the same black wood as the shelves. "I must attend to my duties and maintain the appearance of normalcy, but I'll return shortly. Few have clearance for this section—you should remain undisturbed."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
After Thaelon departed, Ethan and Lysandra exchanged determined looks before diving into the ancient records. The texts were challenging—many written in old elvish dialects that Lysandra had to translate, others containing concepts that seemed to resist understanding, words that seemed to shift on the page when viewed directly.
KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION PROTOCOL ENGAGED TRANSLATION ASSISTANCE ACTIVE VOID-RESISTANT COGNITIVE FILTERING APPLIED WARNING: SOME CONCEPTS MAY CAUSE MINOR PSYCHIC DISTRESS
"This one," Lysandra said after nearly an hour of searching, carefully opening a journal bound in what appeared to be metallic leather. "The personal account of Elindra Moonwhisper, High Guardian during the Fourth Age."
The journal's pages were brittle with age, the ink faded to a deep sepia. Lysandra translated as they examined the entries:
"Day 127 of the Darkening: The corruption spreads faster than we can contain it. Three more groves lost this week alone. The Council debates while the forest dies. They cannot see that this is no natural blight, but something far more sinister. The dreams come to more of us each night—whispers of power, promises of knowledge. I fear some may be listening."
Ethan's System highlighted correlations with their current situation:
PATTERN RECOGNITION ACTIVE HISTORICAL PARALLELS DETECTED: - DREAM INFILTRATION TACTICS - PROGRESSIVE CORRUPTION SPREAD - COUNCIL HESITATION/DIVISION - TARGETED TEMPTATION OF AUTHORITY FIGURES
"The pattern is identical," Ethan murmured. "It's using the same playbook, just more refined this time."
They continued reading, finding more detailed entries as the crisis had escalated:
"Day 183: We've confirmed our worst fears. The corruption is not merely destroying our realm—it seeks to transform it into something else entirely. A gateway between worlds. Brother Faelern managed to capture a corruption essence sample before he was lost to us. His findings are disturbing: the Void is not empty as its name suggests, but teeming with intelligence—a parasitic dimension that consumes other realities to expand."
Lysandra's finger traced beneath the next entry, her voice dropping to a whisper:
"Day 212: Council Member Vrasel has been compromised. We discovered him attempting to contaminate the Heart Tree itself. The corruption within him was too advanced—we had no choice but to end his life. His final words haunt me: 'The Master has shown me the true path. Elderwood was always meant to feed the ascension.' Nearly identical to what Lorath said before his execution last month. They speak not as individuals, but as extensions of something else."
"Just like Orlin," Ethan said grimly. "The same phrases, the same objectives."
They skimmed forward, looking for information on how the previous incursion had been stopped. Several pages detailed failed attempts and mounting losses until they reached a critical entry:
"Day 301: A breakthrough at last. The Archmage Sylvarian has discovered that the corruption, while powerful, is bound by fundamental laws of dimensional resonance. Each intrusion point—each 'gate' they attempt to create—requires a specific harmonic frequency to stabilize. Disrupt that frequency, and the gate collapses."
CRITICAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED VOID GATE VULNERABILITY: HARMONIC DISRUPTION REQUIRED: DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC RESONANCE FREQUENCY POTENTIAL APPLICATION: SAMPLE D (DIMENSIONAL RESONATOR) CONTAINS FREQUENCY DATA RECOMMENDATION: DEEPER ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE D WITH ARCHIVE RESOURCES
"This could be key," Ethan said excitedly. "If we can analyze the resonator sample here, we might find a way to collapse Orlin's gate before it's completed."
Lysandra nodded, but her expression remained troubled as she turned the page. "There's more. Listen to this."
"Day 334: Victory, but at terrible cost. The Alliance of Guardians succeeded in closing the primary Void Gate, but only through the combined life-energy of seventeen of our strongest members. Sylvarian theorized that the dimensional barrier, once breached, requires equivalent energy to reseal—energy we barely managed to provide. More disturbing is his belief that each successive breach weakens the fundamental barrier between our dimensions. Should another attempt occur in the future, it may require even greater sacrifice to mend."
The final entry, dated months later, was brief and chilling:
"The Void entity that directed the invasion—the self-proclaimed 'Master'—spoke through Vrasel before his end. It said simply: 'I am patient. When the stars align again, I will return.' The Council has decided to seal these records, deeming the knowledge too dangerous. They prefer to treat the Darkening as a historical anomaly rather than a promise of future calamity. I fear their willful blindness dooms future generations. May whoever reads this in time of need find strength where we found despair."
HISTORICAL CONTEXT ACQUIRED PREVIOUS INVASION: SUCCESSFULLY REPELLED METHOD: COMBINED LIFE-ENERGY SACRIFICE + HARMONIC DISRUPTION COST: 17 POWERFUL GUARDIANS WARNING: DIMENSIONAL BARRIER WEAKENED SINCE PREVIOUS INCURSION THEORETICAL REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT SITUATION: GREATER ENERGY SACRIFICE
Silence fell between them as the implications sank in. The solution had been found at tremendous cost—and according to the records, an even greater sacrifice might be needed this time.
"This is... problematic," Lysandra finally said, her usual confidence wavering. "Elderwood no longer has an 'Alliance of Guardians.' The old orders were disbanded centuries ago when the threat seemed to pass. We have the Council, the regular Guardians like myself, but nothing approaching the combined power described here."
Ethan examined the sample vials, which seemed to pulse more actively in the presence of the ancient texts. "Maybe we don't need to match their method exactly. The System suggests the resonator contains the key frequency data. If we can analyze it properly..."
The door opened quietly as Thaelon returned, his expression grave. "I've sent word to select members of the Council—those I personally trust beyond question. They will meet us in the Archivist's Chamber upstairs, away from potentially compromised ears."
"How many responded?" Lysandra asked.
"Three, including Elder Sewandel himself. The others..." Thaelon's hesitation spoke volumes. "The others were unavailable or sent unclear responses."
"Potentially compromised," Ethan concluded.
"It is... a possibility we must consider," the archivist admitted. "Have you found what you sought?"
Ethan nodded. "We know how the previous invasion was stopped, but the solution required resources we don't have. However, I believe these samples might provide an alternative approach."
Thaelon's eyes widened at the sight of the vials. "You brought corrupted materials into the Archive? The containment wards here are ancient but not infallible."
"Can your equipment analyze these safely?" Ethan asked. "The dimensional resonator particularly—we need to identify its exact frequency signature."
The archivist hesitated, then nodded slowly. "The Crystal Analyticum in my private study might suffice. It was designed to examine dangerous artifacts without risk of contamination."
OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFIED LOCATION: ARCHIVIST'S CRYSTAL ANALYTICUM FUNCTION: ADVANCED MAGICAL ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT CAPABILITY: HARMONIC FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION COMPATIBILITY WITH SYSTEM: ESTIMATED 87%
As they gathered the most relevant texts and prepared to leave the Void Records chamber, Ethan noticed Lysandra lingering over Elindra's journal.
"Seventeen guardians," she murmured, almost to herself. "The most powerful of their age, and still barely enough."
"We'll find another way," Ethan said with more confidence than he felt. "The System is already calculating alternatives based on what we've learned."
Lysandra met his gaze, her expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. "And if it determines that sacrifice is still the only option?"
Ethan had no answer as they sealed the chamber behind them and ascended toward what might be their last hope for saving Elderwood—a Council too diminished to fight as their ancestors had, facing an enemy grown stronger in the intervening centuries.
As they climbed, the System displayed a troubling calculation:
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS BASED ON HISTORICAL DATA + CURRENT SAMPLES ENERGY REQUIRED TO CLOSE VOID GATE: EXTREME CONVENTIONAL METHODS ASSESSMENT: INSUFFICIENT SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVES... SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 29.7% (-4.5%)
The rare probability decrease sent a chill through Ethan. They had the knowledge now, but it had only confirmed how dire their situation truly was. As they reached the upper levels of the Archive, where worried Council members awaited, he couldn't help but wonder if discovering the truth had actually improved their chances—or merely revealed how slim those chances had been all along.
Thaelon led them into a circular chamber lined with crystal instruments and ancient texts. In the center stood three elven elders, their expressions grave as they turned to face the newcomers. At their head, Elder Sewandel's stern gaze fixed immediately on Ethan, piercing in its intensity.
"Mender," the Elder said without preamble, "Thaelon claims you bring evidence of treason and invasion. For both our sakes, I hope it is compelling."
Ethan tightened his grip on the sample case, meeting the Elder's skeptical gaze steadily. History had repeated itself once—the question now was whether they could change the ending before it was too late.