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Chosen of Arathia
CHAPTER 33: THE MEETING OF KINGS AND THE THREAT OF WAR

CHAPTER 33: THE MEETING OF KINGS AND THE THREAT OF WAR

King Holymir and Tholmir arrive at the Elven Kingdom where Tarek guides them towards the Elven King Elwyn the Solemn. Whilst walking King Holymir and Tarek have some idle chat, at which point Tarek mentions how far their young Hero John has come from his original starting point.

Inside the throne room, the old Elven king stood tall and proud, his age apparent only in the slight stoop of his shoulders and the wrinkles etched into his weathered face yet handsome face. His hair, once a vibrant silver, had faded to a pale white that flowed down his back in long, loose waves. His eyes, still bright and clear, glinted with wisdom and experience, and his voice was deep and commanding.

He wore a flowing robe made of the finest silk, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that glinted in the light. On his head rested a crown of pure gold, studded with precious gems that sparkled in the sun. His presence commanded respect and admiration from all who saw him.

Across from him stood Tholmir. After spending years in a weakened state, Shield Bearer Tholmir, the former king of the dwarves, had been restored to his former strength through the power of an ancient dwarven relic. He stood tall and proud, his once haggard face now regal and dignified. His long, gray beard flowed down his chest, and his piercing blue eyes shone with a newfound vigor.

Despite his advanced age, Tholmir moved with a graceful and powerful gait, his muscles rippling beneath his tunic. His weathered hands held a massive warhammer that he had wielded in battle many times before, a symbol of his power and authority. His armor, etched with intricate dwarven runes, glinted in the light, a testament to his past as a warrior and protector.

Despite his formidable appearance, Tholmir carried himself with a humble grace, always ready to listen to the counsel of others and eager to put his knowledge and experience to good use. He exuded an aura of wisdom and authority that inspired respect and admiration in all who beheld him.

Standing next to his father Tholmir, King Holymir looked like a youngster who had finally shed his youth to become a man. His once-boyish face was now chiseled and defined, his jawline sharp and determined. He had inherited his father's piercing blue eyes, which now held a spark of youthful energy and ambition.

Holymir stood tall and straight, his broad shoulders and muscular build a testament to his recent training and discipline. He wore a suit of shining chainmail, adorned with intricate dwarven symbols that spoke to his family's legacy of warriors and defenders. His hands gripped the hilt of a gleaming battle axe, the weight of which he had trained with since he was a boy.

Despite his impressive stature, Holymir had a humble and approachable demeanor. He listened intently to his father's wisdom and guidance, always seeking to learn and improve. And yet, he also had a fierce determination and a burning desire to prove himself.

As they stood together, Tholmir and Holymir represented the best of the dwarven people - strength, courage, wisdom, and a fierce commitment to their heritage and their future.

King Tholmir and King Elwyn embraced each other in a warm bear hug, their arms clasped tightly around each other's backs. As they pulled away, they held onto each other's shoulders and looked deeply into each other's eyes, a rare moment of tenderness between two powerful leaders.

Elwyn, his normally serious face softened with a gentle smile, recited a familiar verse that elven travelers would often say to one another, "As the stars spread..."

Tholmir, his hearty laugh echoing throughout the hall, eagerly finished the verse, "They will one day realign!"

Elwyn's smile widened as he spoke kind words to his old friend, delighted to see him in such good health again. Tholmir, never one to miss an opportunity for humor, teasingly remarked that Elwyn was almost 1500 years old already.

This caused King Holymir, who had been standing nearby, to cock his head forward in wonder. "1500 years old?" he exclaimed, "I had no idea elves lived that long!" The two older kings shared a knowing grin as they explained to Holymir the long lifespan of their elven counterparts.

As they settled down, Tarek took his place standing next to his king, his sharp eyes surveying the room. Tholmir cleared his throat and began speaking in his deep, rumbling voice about the pressing matter at hand - the three Demon Generals who had abandoned their posts.

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King Holymir, his youthful face now serious, added his own insights, describing his efforts to gather information on the situation. "I sent Lirien, my best scout, to investigate further. She reported back to me with some troubling news," he said.

Elwyn leaned forward, his interest piqued. "What did she find?"

Holymir hesitated for a moment before answering. "She discovered that the Demon Generals were amassing an army of dark creatures in the forbidden lands beyond the Great Barrier. We believe they plan to launch an attack on our kingdoms."

King Elwyn casted his gaze thoughtfully towards King Holymir. "This is grave news indeed. What do you plan to do about it, Holymir?"

"I've been researching the matter extensively," Holymir replied, "consulting the books in our library and gathering the council to discuss our options."

"Have you come to any conclusions?" Elwyn asked.

"I have a theory," Holymir said, "but I need to confirm it first. That's why I called upon my father for advice."

King Elwyn nodded in understanding. "Ah, you're talking about the Hidden Underground Mana Tower located in the SandSea Desert."

Holymir's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know about that?"

Elwyn chuckled. "I'm an old elven man, my boy. I've lived long enough to learn a few secrets. And that tower is one of the greatest secrets of the Human Kingdom of Delfiora. I was a prince back then."

Holymir leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What is this tower, and how can it help us?"

"It's a powerful source of mana, capable of rendering the SandSea Desert Continent even more usefull than it currently is," King Elwyn explained. ”Do you wish to hear of this between tale of the knight and the wizard? My grandfather used to tell me of the situation frequently, as a prince I was often locked in the palace”

Holymir nodded enthusiastically and Tholmir grinned leaving Elwyn to start with his explanation.

Long ago, in a time long forgotten, there was a young and valiant knight named Alexander Troest. He was known throughout the Troest Kingdom for his bravery, his wisdom, and his unwavering faith in the Divine. Alexander was betrothed to a powerful enchantress named Lianna Delfiora, who was renowned for her beauty and her mastery of magic.

One day, while on a journey, Alexander and his companions stumbled upon a great evil lurking in the shadows. It was Zoltar Blackguard, an evil wizard who had been banished from the Troest Kingdom many years ago for his wicked ways. Zoltar had returned to seek his revenge, and he had unleashed his dark magic arts upon the land, causing destruction and chaos wherever he went.

Alexander knew that he had to act fast to stop Zoltar, so he gathered his most trusted allies and set out to defeat the wizard. They battled fiercely, but Zoltar's power was too great, and he managed to escape their grasp.

Determined to put an end to Zoltar's reign of terror, Alexander sought the counsel of his wife, Lianna. She was a wise and powerful enchantress, and she knew of a powerful sealing spell that could be used to trap Zoltar forever, the trap would make use of the Hidden Underground Mana Towers which Zoltar had created as a backup plan to trap him instead. Alexander and Lianna worked together to cast the sealing spell, and it worked - Zoltar was sealed trapped in his own backup plan, which was meant to invite the abyss into the then continent and turn the continent into a subsidiary part of the abyss.

But the spell had unintended consequences. The magic that had been unleashed by Zoltar was so powerful that it transformed the once lush and fertile land into a barren wasteland, forever known as the Sandsea Desert. This is also how the Hidden Underground Mana Towers came to be, they hold the mana of the former continent as well as the mana of Zoltar Blackguard.

Sadly as Alexander lay dying in the arms of his enchantress wife, Lianna Delfiora, he whispered to her of his regret. He had been so focused on defeating Zoltar that he had not foreseen the consequences of their actions. Lianna held him close and promised that she would create something beautiful in the midst of the desolate desert they had inadvertently created.

With Alexander's passing, Lianna set to work. Using her magic, she created a magnificent oasis filled with lush flowers and life-giving water. The oasis quickly became a symbol of hope and rebirth in a land of death and desolation, and stories of the powerful enchantress who had created it spread far and wide.

Over time, the name Delfiora became associated with the newly erected Human Kingdom itself, which was established by a powerful and visionary king who sought to create a thriving civilization in the midst of the harsh desert. The name Delfiora came to symbolize the kingdom's resilience, strength, and hope in the face of adversity, and the oasis that Lianna Delfiora had created remained a testament to her power and her love for her husband.

And so, the legend of Alexander and Lianna was sadly forgotten, the valiant knight and the powerful enchantress, lived on, inspiring generations to come to face adversity with courage, strength, and hope. Untill today, I might be one of the few who still know of it.

Tholmir looked at his son as they both sighed. Tholmir spoke up “Sadly I am not good at telling tales of the old, so I brought my son here to hear it from you. Each time I hear it my heart aches once again.”

With that Holymir fell into a deep thought, the sun was already lowering its gaze as the moon peaked from the other side.

Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere outside the palace was shattered by a series of explosions, accompanied by desperate cries for help and assistance from their army’s located outside.

The three exchanged glances, their eyes filled with concern, and then spoke in perfect unison, "Could it be an intruder?"