A cool breeze swept through the corridor, carrying with it a biting chill that danced along my skin. It tickled the back of my neck, sending a jolt of rush through my blood. The wind ruffled my unkempt hair, making it flow freely, as if alive.

I let my gaze then wander past the edge of the marble floor, outward, toward the distant horizon. Even though the castle floated high above the ground, suspended in the air like a dream, the sky remained just as unattainable. Its hues were painted in a streak of artistical ginger, an ethereal awe. I watched, as it then melted into vibrant purple just at the edge of endless line of shadowy trees below.

“What is it?” I asked, turning slightly to meet the weight of her gaze. I hadn’t realized how intently Aelwyn had been watching me until I felt the intensity of her eyes boring into the back of my head.

“Oh—it’s nothing,” she stammered, her voice faltering. She quickly cleared her throat, regaining her composure. “I just felt like… the way you looked when you were staring at the sky, felt sweetly melancholic—a bit sorrowful, even.”

As the words left her lips, Aelwyn’s cheeks flushed a deep red. Her eyes went wide, as if realization dawn upon her. “Ah! I am sorry.” she blurted out, bowing her head slightly, an apologetic expression was etched on her face.

I smiled, faintly. Though small, it carried a depth which felt foreign after that poignant day. “You’re fine, Aelwyn. No need to apologize.” My gaze then drifted back to the horizon, unfocused now. ““I was just... thinking about someone. Back home, we were inseparable. And now….” I trailed off, the weight of the unspoken hanging between us. “It’s bitter, you know? Knowing that no matter how strong I become, those moments—they’ll never come back”

Why was I even telling her? is it because El is inside? or is it Aelwyn’s own influence?

Aelwyn expression softened, eyes were almost teary, unbidden tears ready to spill over her pale face. “You’ve been through so much, Cal.” she said, her voice trembling. With the back of her hand, she quickly wiped her eyes and straightened her posture, a new resolve settling over her. “I’ll do everything I can to help you. I promise.”

I was taken yet again by surprise, I imagined all lesser to have a rotten core, just like those Asuran. But Aelwyn could be different than rest of them.

“You have my thanks,” I said, offering her a smile, my tone was light. “Looks like we are here!”

The corridor stretched out before us, pristine and grand. On the left, an open expanse framed by a simple railing barely high enough to keep one from tumbling over. My sight then fell towards a massive colourless door, guarded by two soldiers in uniforms identical to Lyn’s.

Aelwyn nodded. She took a deep breath before speaking, mustering a small smile on her face. “Yes. This is it.” her voice a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

“Princess!” The guards regarded us, giving a deep bow to Aelwyn, before grasping the handles of the massive doors. And with practised ease they pushed them open, the soundless motion betraying the weight of the doors.

Aelwyn smiled at them politely before stepping inside, her back straight with poise that almost felt natural, a new resolve settling over her. I followed suit.

The hall was vast, it’s design simple yet regal. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings. The ceiling showcased an awe-inspiring depiction of an ancient tree, its sprawling branches and roots filling the entire expanse. It didn’t take much to guess—it was likely the great tree Asmolisven.

On the left side of the wall, sculptures of Elves were carved out with remarkable detail, each wearing a crown, their appearance exuding nobility and authority.

At the far end of the hall, six wooden chairs, entangled with vines were lined up in a semi-circular motion, facing a raised platform, where a massive throne of marble draped in vibrant flowers, stood as the centrepiece.

Voices— some worried, other sharp with frustration echoed across the massive hall. My eyes scanned the room, landing on four figures near the throne. One stood out immediately—a pale women looked barely in her twenties. Her silvery hair was swept back, braided into a crown shape, complementing her plain, lazuline dress. Dangling from her pointy ears were crescent shaped earring that shimmered faintly in light.

By her side stood a man, well built, lean yet not overly muscular, his blonde hair flowing backward, framing his sharp feature, and on his forehead, two interwoven strings held three crimson petals in place, like a delicate yet symbolic crown. Just like the women, a crescent earing adorned his elvish ear, but on opposite side. He wore a long white robe, eluding a regal vibe, every movement deliberate and composed.

Facing them was an elderly elf, deep wrinkles ornamented his forehead speaking to countless years of wisdom he might have, yet his eyes were sharp, a piercing gaze, betraying a sharpness that refuse to dull with age. Unlike the man, he wore an open robe, its simplicity masking his nobility. Beside him was someone familiar—Lirien.

A heavy air seemed to fill the entire hall, laden with sorrow, guilt and tension. Lirien loud voice overshadowing the man’s, cutting through the room with its fervour. The women was silent, her eyes reddened, as if her entire tears have been dried out, nothing to spill now.

“None of you paid a bit of attention to her.” Lirien snapped, ire lacing every word, as her gaze skated back forth to the three. “And now, you’ve lost her!”

“Honey, you know our responsibilities—” The woman’s voice trembled as she tried to respond, but the weight of her own reasoning silenced her. Her words trailed off, leaving only anger and regret at her own reasoning.

The elf with the crimson petal reached for her hand, clasping it tightly within his own. their eye’s meet briefly, exchanging a moment of sorrow before he spoke to Lirien, his tone forcefully firm. “We will find her, Lirien. We promise.”

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“You need to stay here,” the elderly elf interjected, his voice was calm yet carried commanding authority. The man opened his mouth to protest but soon fell off with a wave of the elder’s hand. “You can’t leave this week, or else those wrenching coots will find more reason for their demands. I will look for my granddaughter with Lirien”

Throughout the exchange Aelwyn was silent, her face almost unreadable. But then a bright smile broke across her cheeks, and she step forward, pulling gently at my sleeves. “There’s no need for that, Grandpa.”

The room fell still, the four-elf stood frozen. Their eyes were clouded with uncertainty, unsure if they were dreaming. The lady was the first one to break free from the trance, her dam of composure shattering as a tear slipped down her cheek. She ran toward Aelwyn with open arms.

“I am so sorry!”, in a blink she pulled Aelwyn in a tight hug, tears flowing down her uncontrollably. And soon the three broke free of their reverie, surrounding Aelwyn in a flurry of relieved embraces.

“I am fine, really mom.” Aelwyn said softly, trying to calm down her mother’s overwhelming emotions. But soon, her father, broke down as well, as he joined the reunion. Aelwyn smiled, wrapping herself inside the blossom of her parents.

From behind, the elderly elf stepped forward, his stone like expression melting into a gentle smile as he brushed her hair softly.

“Caladrel!” Lirien’s voice broke the moment, her wide eyes darting toward me in confusion. Then others followed her gaze, their focus shifting to me for the first time.

I watched as Lirien swallowed a nervous saliva. I felt the atmosphere shifting, the old elf’s posture went tensed, he stepped in between us, his piercing gaze locked into mine. There was calm in his tone as he spoke, but it carried the weight of a predator. “Who are you?”

“Grandpa!” Aelwyn cut in before I could even reply, her tone was soft, ignoring the pressure of the old elf. “This is Caladrel. He is my saviour. If not for him, I’d be nothing more than a chimera’s meal. So please, don’t scare him like that.” she declared, offering him a soft and reassuring smile.

Aelwyn’s words softened the tension in the air, as the elder’s intense gaze melted into a deep laugh. “If Aelwyn vouches for you, that’s good enough for me. You are now our honoured guest.”

Aelwyn’s mother stepped forward, smiling brightly, an expression mirror of her daughter’s bright smile. “I can’t thank you enough for saving our daughter, Caladrel.” She said, her voice beaming with sincerity. Then to my surprise she bowed deeply, something unusual—an act unbecoming of her status as Queen.

I nodded, returning her smile. Though my eyes skated toward Lirien lingering at the back. Our eyes met briefly before she flinched, bowing slightly in silent gratitude.

Aelwyn’s father cleared his throat, his tone carrying an air of subtle authority. “Why don’t you tell us how you saved my daughter?”

I didn’t panic. There wasn’t any need to, as I figured out that Lirien kept her mouth shut. Choosing my words carefully, I replied with a measured smile. “Of course—”

“Enough of this.” The elderly elf interjected, his tone sharp but not unkind. His piercing gaze turned to his son. “We eat first. My granddaughter has returned after so many days.”

“Grandpa is right, father,” Aelwyn pouted, crossing her arms in mock indignation. “And don’t be like that to Cal, father.”

After a brief silence that followed, the old elf burst out laughing. He clapped his son on the back with a playful force that seemed at odds with his stern demeanour. Aelwyn sighed, her exasperation clear as she turned to me with a small smile, before storming off with another pouting sound, earning another round of laughter from her grandfather.

Amid the light-heartedness, I noticed Lirien trying to speak up, somewhat hesitant to call out to me. I caught the glimmer of unease in her eyes but pretended not to notice, chuckling along with the elder elf’s jokes

“Um, Caladrel”, Lirien voice cutting in, her finger fidgeting. “If you’d like, I can show you to the bath. You must be exhausted.” a lingering uncertainty fading from her tone.

“Yes, I would love to do just that.” I replied, offering a smile. “I will take my leave then.” I told to the two elves, bidding them before following Lirien out of the big hall.

I followed her in silence, as I made sure we were out of the hall’s reach, I increased my pace, and walking beside Lirien. Not much time had passed since I walked by the same corridor with Aelwyn, the same cool breeze now embracing my body yet again.

I kept thinking about how much should I let out to them. I can’t let another soul know my identity, already four people knows. Killing those three will make thing worse too. supressing a sigh, I felt side glances from Lirien.

“I… Thank you for saving my sister,” Lirien said suddenly, breaking the quiet, her eyes skated around nervously, before settling on a distant tree branch of the great tree Asmolisven. She paused fleetingly, and cleared her throat, before speaking in a low voice. “I didn’t tell anyone. Neither did my friends.”

“I appreciate that,” I replied shortly, offering a smile, to put her at ease. “And why did you choose to keep quite?” So, my understanding was correct, the elves don’t get along quite well with the humans and dwarves. Maybe they could be of further use than I earlier planned.

She looked up, abruptly. “O—oh that’s because I believe you and the Archon,” she admitted earnestly, her expression softening as she met my gaze. “I used to read books about Archon race, loved those amazing battle stories. One of them was how Divine general Seraphine Astralyon along with queen Vaeloria Starcrest overwhelmingly obliterated the four Yamrakshasa. I even have a painting of it”

Her voice grew wistful. “I’ve never trusted the words of humans.”

I absorbed her words, silently. Her eyes were gleaming with honesty, no hint of malice. Listening to her made me remember my times with my mother. She was strict, had this firm air around her, but that doesn’t even come close to love she had always given me. She wasn’t direct with her words, ever, for long as I remember.

Memories flooded in, as my mind back went back to the past. I was around six or seven, mother was teaching me about Archon literary, along with the combat arts. My mind was wandering at that time, towards the playing ground, where Lucious, and Caspian were playing the game of king. And I incurred my mother’s wrath. Frustrated, I stormed off while saying some hurtful lines to her, like a spoiled brat. But—

“…..So as I said, please trust me, Caladrel” I lost half of what Lirien she’d said, my mind still lingering in the unbidden memories. She seemed relieved when I nodded, her tone losing its earlier tension. “My sister seems so comfortable around you. How did you meet her?”

Meeting her eye, I add in the details, adopting a smile that mirrored my mother’s stern kindness. “Do you remember that blinding light, after I defeated the Sentinel!?” I waited for her nod before continuing. “It was a strange teleportation—likely an ancient rune. It took me and Aelwyn to a labyrinth-like tomb. I found her there, being chased by a chimera.”

Lirien furrowed her brows, but soon calmed down. “If you weren’t there, she would have—” she paused, her voice faltering. She shook her head as if banishing the thought. “Thank you again, Caladrel.”

I smiled, plainly. “I need to meet Caser.” I said, my voice firm as we resumed our walk.

Since Caser’s here, I can directly ask about how he got hold of Archon lineage. But somewhere along my thoughts I know the answer, and I wish I am wrong.

Lirien sigh, a mixture of pity and sadness projecting through her eye. “I thought you would ask that. After you finish talking with my father, I will take you to him.” she said, smiling bitterly.

“And please keep in mind that, I wouldn’t want people overhearing us.” I said, offering her a smile, which didn’t quite fit well with my cold tone.