I left Sirius and the others behind as I continued my slow journey through the castle's extensive corridors. The silence was comforting, allowing me to reflect on the recent events weighing on my mind.

As I turned down a short hallway, I emerged onto an open terrace that offered a spectacular view of the multicolored bridge. The constant breeze whipped against the castle walls, bringing with it the characteristic scent of the heights.

It was then that I saw it, a majestic sky swimmer emerging from the clouds, its iridescent scales gleaming under the sunlight. Its elongated body, similar to that of a fish, held itself gracefully through triangular wings that folded and unfolded to take advantage of the updrafts.

I paused for a moment to observe how that magnificent mana beast glided over the blanket of clouds before folding its wings and submerging again into the depths of the sky.

«The news I carry with me is too grave to head directly to the throne room», I thought as the ornate corridors, filled with stories carved into their walls, gradually gave way to natural tunnels as I descended. Luminescent moss decorated the cliffs and hung in patches from the ceiling, while small natural springs created streams of crystalline water that serpentined along the sides of the tunnels.

Here there were no elaborate carvings, no tapestries, no paintings, while the stellar energy became increasingly dense in the environment, adhering to my body as if it were mud stuck to my boots.

Weaker elves would find these passages difficult to traverse, I was aware of how the stellar energy could overwhelm them.

In my descent, I crossed paths with several earth golems that served as guards, but they didn't stop me. I knew that above, in a more comfortable chamber, the High elves who controlled them had recognized me and allowed passage.

The tunnel apparently ended in a collapsed wall, where thick roots interweaved among the broken stones. However, this was only an illusion, I passed through the magical deception to emerge in a small cave.

The space was covered by a thick carpet of moss, while in the ceiling, jewels shone like stars, reflecting the light from the gleaming pool that occupied most of the cavern. There, in the center of the pool, was Lady Starlight, sitting motionless with her hands resting on her knees and her eyes closed.

Her presence was as immutable as always, I had seen her like this throughout my life, with her albino hair —a unique characteristic of the High Elves, the greatest among us all— clinging damply to her head, her unintimidating form dripping with condensation from the pool.

«I must wait for the right moment», I told myself while remaining to one side in respectful silence. After several minutes, Lady Starlight finally moved.

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Her purple eyes reflected the blue glow of the water, creating an unnatural indigo tone. She rose from the pool and with a simple movement of her hand, summoned a white robe.

—Eternal. Thank you for waiting —her voice resonated in the cavern.

She was truly beautiful.

She wore her long white hair that reached down to her hips tied back, her penetrating gaze overflowed with intelligence, her soft features were both seductive and youthful, and she exuded a dangerously charming air of nobility.

She measured about 160 centimeters tall, her royal white garments weren't particularly striking, but their simplicity accentuated her presence even more, and her magnificence was merely a complement to her sublime beauty.

I bowed in a deep reverence, maintaining this position until she spoke again.

—You have completed your mission, Eternal —she said naturally, interlacing her hands behind her back. Her smile was charming, but her eyes maintained the hardness and edge of obsidian—. You've come to give me a report.

—I have come to tell you, my queen —I confirmed, keeping my gaze fixed on her—. I bring important news.

Lady Starlight remained thoughtful for a moment before making another gesture with her hand. In an instant, the cave disappeared from around us, being replaced by an elegantly decorated solar, one of her private rooms.

—Sit —she ordered.

I sank into the thick cushion of a royal purple armchair, placing my arms somewhat uncomfortably on the armrests. To avoid a direct look, I fixed my gaze on Lady Starlight's shoulder, focusing on the wall covered with golden and silver vines behind her. I observed the purple flowers that bloomed irregularly on the vines, and the occasional sapphire blue fruits that grew among them.

With a nod of her head, she indicated for me to begin.

—Princess Adelaide, along with her family were ambushed —I paused, lowering my gaze momentarily—. The young lady, Anastasia, daughter of Princess Adelaide Starlight, sacrificed herself to save her family when the Forest of Dreams was completely destroyed. Fortunately, on the way I was able to meet with Princess Adelaide and her husband.

The silence that followed my words was deafening. I watched as Lady Starlight's brow furrowed while she lowered her gaze, maintaining surprising calm.

—And what of those responsible, Eternal? —her voice finally broke the silence—. Who ordered this attack? Who dared to destroy the forest that we protect?

—According to the information I have gathered —I responded with gravity—, the attack was ordered by the Pope himself of the Holy Church, Aurelius IX.

—Eternal —her voice acquired a more terrifying tone—, the Holy Church has committed an act of war against the kingdom of Alfheim. They have spilled royal blood. They have dishonored and destroyed our legacy, causing the death of millions of innocents such as the magical creatures along with the intelligent races that inhabited the forest like the lizardmen, the goblins, the dryads, the wolves, all of them allies of the elves. This is a crime that cannot be forgiven.

I watched as she slowly rose, her presence filling the room with undeniable authority.

—The death of my granddaughter, Anastasia, is unforgivable. I can no longer afford the luxury of standing idly by while humans do as they please. They have forgotten the fear they once felt towards us, the elves. No more. If the choice is between giving them the freedom to act against us or destroying the Holy Church, then I will make it burn —her words resonated with a searing fire—. Eternal, find Pope Aurelius IX. Make him answer for his crimes against the royal family and against the peace we have maintained with the human world for millennia.

I knelt before her, sunk in sadness. —I accept this mission, my queen —I declared firmly, aware that my next actions would be no different from a massacre.