The grand doors of Eldrin's chamber creaked open, revealing the vast room adorned with relics of Aeloria's storied past. Eldrin, sitting at a grandiose desk, looked up from the scrolls he was perusing. His eyes widened momentarily in surprise before settling into a warm smile. "Unia," he greeted, both warmth and a hint of reproach in his voice, "It has been long. Too long."

Unia approached the throne with a grace only a deity could possess. "Time flows differently for us," she remarked with a slight smile. But her tone turned serious as she continued, "I'm here for answers, Eldrin."

Eldrin, no stranger to the affairs of deities and their unpredictability, nodded slowly. "Very well. What troubles the goddess this night?"

"Orion," she stated simply, her silver eyes fixated on Eldrin.

He sighed, taking a moment before replying. "Ah, the ghost from the tales. Yes, the whispers have reached my ears as well. Lyrion believes there may be some substance to the rumors."

Unia's gaze became piercing. "And the spear? King Tray's ancient weapon? Was it involved?"

Eldrin nodded solemnly. "It was. But it's no longer whole. The spear was shattered during the raid on the cultists. It's said that its fragments now scatter the land."

Unia's already pale visage seemed to lose color. "That spear," she whispered, "Orionis truly reborn, the balance could shift."

Eldrin leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "What balance do you speak of?"

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Unia looked out of the large window towards the sprawling city of Aeloria, her voice distant, "The Chosen Wars, Eldrin. They approach once again. You know as well as I do that the current Chosen has ruled for over a century. Their end is near."

Eldrin's heart sank. The Chosen Wars were a time of chaos and upheaval. A period where candidates from different cities vied for supremacy, aiming to become the new Chosen – a ruler blessed with divine power, destined to govern for a prolonged era of peace. But the process was never smooth, and wars ravaged the lands in the interim.

Unia turned back to face him. "We must ensure Aeloria remains a beacon of hope during these testing times."

Eldrin's mind raced, "We've been preparing. But the news of Orion and the spear complicates matters. We must be vigilant." He paused, then hesitatingly asked, "Unia, have you decided on a champion for the Chosen Wars? Our realm needs a strong candidate."

Unia's eyes softened as she glanced towards the gardens, thinking of her recent meeting with Ealdred. "Yes," she replied, her voice filled with a mother's pride and apprehension, "Our son, Ealdred, will represent Aeloria."

Eldrin's eyes widened in surprise. "Ealdred? He's but a boy!"

Unia's voice held a steely resolve. "He is more than just a boy, Eldrin. He's our son, the union of the divine and the mortal. Ealdred has the potential to not just participate, but to triumph. He has been training for this, you know."

Eldrin took a moment to process this revelation. "If this is your will," he said, a touch of sadness in his voice, "Then so be it. But promise me, Unia, that you'll protect him. The Chosen Wars are merciless."

Unia's gaze was unwavering. "I'll do everything within my power. But he must also find strength within himself."

The room was quiet except for the soft crackling of the fireplace. Eldrin finally broke the silence. "Will you stay tonight? It's been ages since we've spent time together."

Unia looked deep into his eyes, memories of their shared past flashing between them. "Tonight, I will. But when dawn breaks, I must leave. Duty calls, and Ealdred needs to rank up his training."

Eldrin nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "Very well, but tonight, let's cherish the moments we have."