Ellie rested against a stone column, her gaze sweeping across the attendees in the sovereign chambers. Occasionally, her attention would shift from the ongoing discussions to the room's details: the ornate tapestries and gilded emblems, each narrating its own captivating story. As her thoughts meandered, the chamber buzzed with voices, each clamouring for recognition.

"I tell you; it will work!" Rose stated.

Ellie looked up, recognising the familiar voice.

Master Scoff raised an eyebrow. "And where's your proof?"

Kraid stepped forward. "She's right. I've seen it. But there's a catch. The success of this process depends on having fresh water and an Elementlet powerful enough to purify the soil and nutrients. Without Akana's presence..."

"What if we bring Akana here?" Rose cut him off.

Master Scoff countered, "So you suggest we leave the villagers unprotected?"

A heavy silence blanketed the crowd, punctuated only by soft murmurs of uncertainty.

"I believe the villagers would be grateful for our hospitality," Maze added.

Karn nodded. Up until now he had mostly been lost into his own thoughts. "It's our duty to offer protection. We should welcome as many as we can within the city walls."

A blonde man adorned with a metallic green necklace, stood with an air of restrained impatience. "Shouldn't we have a say before you determine our destiny?" he demanded. "Farlen remains uninformed about this council's existence, and now there's talk of relocating the villagers?"

Karn sighed audibly and rose. Hope gently touched his arm, a silent plea to tread lightly. He smiled briefly at her before addressing the man.

"Enric was is?" Karn began, "Even with their new fortifications, do you truly believe the villagers could withstand an onslaught of Swine without your warriors? What about these creatures, the corrupted the Darkling’s? What happens if the villagers get ensnared by this evil?"

Enric's eyes flashed defiantly. "And they'd fare better here, in the midst of a war zone?"

A heavy weight seemed to press on Karn's shoulders, his jaw clenched as he grappled with thoughts he hadn't yet shared. "Unity is our salvation. But, you're right; communication between the races is crucial." He turned sharply to Marcus. "And that includes involving the Wolvegren in these talks."

Marcus furrowed his brow. "Convincing them to leave their ancestral lands won't be easy."

Karn's smile was devoid of warmth. "Soon, they might find that’s no longer an option.”

The room grew tense, all eyes fixated on Karn, sensing that he was holding back something.

"If there's one certainty I wish to implant in this chamber," Karn continued, his voice resonating with authority, "it's this: while we face this threat, unity is our only hope. Behind Brancourt's walls, we can fortify our defences. Akana will be instrumental in that effort. We need brave hearts – the Felren embody that spirit. And above all, we need sheer might – and who better than the Wolvegren?"

Hours had passed, but to Ellie, it felt like an eternity. The politics, the squabbles, and the endless debates grated on her nerves. Each time she tried to focus, she was pulled back into the reality that many of the seasoned voices – those who had once run Brancourt with wisdom and experience – were now gone. Transformed or slain, their absence was a void that the remaining council members struggled to fill.

She observed Lord and Lady Amber – longtime stewards of the city – as they navigated the conversations with a grace and resolve. Even in the face of the city's gravest crisis, their commitment to Brancourt never wavered. Their voices, tempered by experience and love for their homeland, often rose above the fray, calling for order and unity.

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Yet, even with their efforts, the council meetings often descended into bickering, each member vying for dominance or swayed by personal interests. Ellie sighed, rubbing her temples. The weight of the task ahead was monumental. Organizing the remaining population, ensuring their safety, and rebuilding the political framework would be herculean tasks.

She missed the simpler times – when the greatest of her worries was deciding what book to read that evening, studying or what to eat. But those days were behind them, and the present demanded their full attention.

Breaking free from the column, Ellie sought the refreshing embrace of the outsides cool air to clear her swirling thoughts. As she approached the exit, a swift movement caught her eye: Theodoric handing a blackened tome, swathed in cloth, to Valon's awaiting grasp.

Before she could get closer, Valon quickly mounted a massive raven. As the bird took off, the wind from its wings nearly knocked her off balance as she watched it disappear over the western walls.

Turning, she met Theodoric's amused gaze. "Caught a bit of the show, did you?" he quipped, nodding toward the bird's departure.

Regaining her composure, Ellie inquired, "Are you okay?" Her eyes drifted to a mark on his forehead.

With a wry smile, Theodoric replied, "More or less. Master Parlin did her best patching me up."

Ellie hesitated, "And where is she?"

A shadow passed over Theodoric's features. "Attending to another. I believe a friend of yours, Lina."

Her heart caught. "Lina? What happened to her?"

He exhaled deeply, "She's suffered more than most, touched by a darkness worse than the Darkling’s."

Worry gnawed at her. The girl had always been a kind-hearted pleasant classmate. She definitely didn’t deserve such a fate.

Theodoric tried to reassure her, "Master Parlin and our others young Masters will do their utmost to help her. They'll see her through."

But as he moved on, Ellie couldn't shake the unease in his voice. Silently, she sent a plea to whatever divine force might listen, hoping for Lina's recovery.

She slumped on the stone wall.

It felts like suddenly, the weight of the day crushed her, sapping her strength. Just as her knees threatened to buckle, Charles' familiar warmth enveloped her.

"You disappeared," he murmured, rushing to her. "you alright, babe?"

He cradled her as tears flowed freely, whispering comforting words and promising her that, together, they'd be okay.

⚔

Moving from the council chambers to the Amber sector felt like stepping into another world. The absence of the fallen soldiers from the brother’s standoff amplified the sense of unease. As they walked, however, they saw Lord Amber's troops diligently cleaning up the aftermath of battle, working to restore the area to its former peaceful state.

The gentle sound of water flowing through the crystal-clear streams and the soft rustling of golden leaves overhead provided a comforting contrast to the harrowing events of the past twenty-four hours. The weight of those hours was evident in the weary expressions on all her friends' faces.

As Ellie looked at her friends, she felt the noticeable absence of Ralina. She had chosen to stay and help her clan restore the deserted Golden District. After reconnecting with her long-lost mother, Ralina seemed to crave the stability of family.

Soon the Golden District would soon buzz with the life and energy of the Felren people.

Ellie glanced towards Charles, Karn, Maze, and Hope. The group, visibly weary, yearned for the solace of familiarity. They gravitated to their rooms, all eager for a break. Ellie, however, couldn't shake off her discomfort. "Charles," she began hesitantly, "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Charles, sensing her need, nodded and opened his door. Ellie entered, and Karn trailed behind her. The room never felt more secure and welcoming.

Hope paused at the entrance, eyes seeking Karn's. "Is it okay if I...?" she started.

Karn sighed, recognizing her need for comfort. "Of course," he murmured.

Maze, sensing he was out of place among the youngsters, laughed softly. "I feel a bit out of my depth here," he admitted. "I'll head to the University for some quiet. Goodnight, everyone." Before leaving, he exchanged a significant glance with Charles, hinting at a shared secret.

Ellie frowned, "What are you two planning?"

Charles laughed it off. "It's nothing," he said, but his tone was hardly convincing.

In the dim room, Ellie smirked as Hope cozied up next to Karn. The pair found mutual comfort, devoid of undertones. Ellie couldn't help but think between Hope and Ralina, that Karn was soon going to be in over his head with romantic troubles.

As Ellie watched the two, she noticed a hint of sadness clouding Hope's eyes, causing them to glisten with tears. As Hope turned away, Ellie sensed that she too had confronted a ghost from her past and that shadow now weighed heavily on her heart, filling her with a deep sense of grief and loss.

As she nestled into Karn's embrace and began to drift off, they all heard her whisper, "Bolgart…" The young girl had endured much. While the clay warriors' unexpected animation might have shielded both Hope and Ralina from harm, it came with an emotional toll. Seeing Hope cradled in Karn's arms, Ellie thought he too bore a heavy burden.

"Charles," she whispered, "you’ll have to offer some advice to the block head."

Charles chuckled. But that would have to wait.

For the moment, in this slice of comfort, Ellie nestled beside Charles, letting the soft bed envelop them both under the tick blankets. His warm embrace and steady heartbeat brought reassurance. Before she knew it, she drifted off, sleep claiming them both before she even felt her eyelids drop.