As they descended the peak, a question nagged at Kira's mind. She couldn't shake off the confusion. "Giona," she began, her tone wary, "why did the royal guards want to kill me if the King wanted to meet me?"

Giona's face darkened slightly. "The King, while powerful and loving, has many enemies within the kingdom. Not everyone agrees with his way of ruling. Though I don't know who sent the royal guards, I can assure you it wasn't the King."

Khazel nodded in agreement. "The King is not behind this. He has always spoken of your return with hope, not fear."

Before Kira could respond, her heightened senses kicked in. She froze, focusing on the sounds ahead. Her heightened senses picked up the sound of footsteps and the faint clinking of weapons. "Wait," she whispered, "there's a group approaching. They're armed, about fifty meters in front.”

The strangers exchanged glances. "Blur!" Giona whispered, and suddenly, all three of them vanished from sight.

Kira blinked, bewildered. "What does that mean?" she muttered, looking around. Then, she spotted them high up in the trees, barely visible among the branches.

They signaled her to 'blur' as well, but Kira had no idea how. She decided to rely on her newfound abilities and leaped into the air. Amazed at her own strength, she soared higher than she ever had imagined. But as she neared the top of the tree, fear set in. Realizing she couldn’t reach it, she grabbed onto the trunk. Her powerful grip caused the tree to crumble under her hands, and she fell, the shattered bark cascading around her.

Despite the fall, Kira was unharmed. She felt a strange, exhilarating happiness at her newfound invincibility. She glanced up and signaled to the strangers that she couldn’t reach the top. "I’m not used to my powers yet," she whispered urgently.

Horm blurred to her side in an instant, placing his hands respectfully on her shoulders. "Hold on," he murmured.

In less than a second, they were at the top of the tree. Kira’s breath caught in her throat as the world blurred around her. When it settled, she was high in the branches, safely hidden from the approaching danger. "Blur," she echoed, marveling at the sensation.

"Stay still," Giona whispered from a nearby branch. "We wait for them to pass."

Kira nodded, her heart racing as she saw the armed group below. They moved with precision, their eyes scanning the forest floor. The leader raised a hand, and the group fanned out, combing the area meticulously.

"They know I'm here," Kira thought, her muscles tensing. She glanced at her companions, who remained perfectly still, blending seamlessly with the foliage.

"Ah.. the tree.," Kira thought, chiding herself silently as the tree might be the reason they searched the area. But as Lady Luck willed it, the armed men couldn’t find her and moved further away. Once Kira could no longer hear the group's footsteps, they descended from the tree to continue their journey.

"What's the deal with 'Blur'? Is it some kind of teleportation technique?" Kira asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Khazel chuckled. "Not quite. Some elves, not all, can enter a state that allows them to perform a silent, short burst of speed. It’s more like moving so fast you seem to disappear."

"Teach me sometime?" Kira asked, her interest piqued.

"Of course!" Giona replied, her eyes lighting up. "We'd be honored."

As they continued their journey through the jungle, Kira marveled at the lush greenery and the countless giant animals she encountered. Rabbits the size of wolves, deer as tall as small houses—each creature more wondrous and benign than the last. Despite everything, she found herself smiling at the sheer cuteness of these oversized creatures.

As the moon took its place in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape, they finally reached the gates of the kingdom. Horm handed Kira a cloak. "Wear this to conceal yourself. We must not alert the guards. We don't know who among them can be trusted."

Kira nodded and draped the cloak over her elegant dress, pulling the hood low over her face. They moved swiftly to a secret entrance near the main gate. The entrance, hidden behind thick ivy, led to a tunnel. As they stepped inside, Kira wrinkled her nose at the stench. The air was thick with the smell of decay, and dog-sized rats scurried away at their approach.

"Not the most pleasant welcome," Kira muttered, trying to ignore the squelching underfoot.

Giona chuckled softly. "It’s the safest route, Master. The tunnel leads directly into the heart of the kingdom.”

"This way," Horm whispered, leading the group through the narrow passage.

The tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly, but finally, they emerged into a narrow alley, the moonlight filtering down from above. Kira took a deep breath, relieved to be out of the suffocating darkness.

"We're in the middle of the kingdom now," Khazel whispered. "We need to move quickly and quietly to avoid detection.”

Kira looked around, noting the blend of medieval and modern architecture. As she caught a glimpse of the center of the kingdom, she marveled at the beauty. The city was alive with people enjoying themselves—children playing, elders chatting, couples strolling under the glow of old-style street lights. The warm, golden light illuminated the kingdom, giving it an enchanting ambiance. She wondered how they had electricity in this era.

The sight filled her with a sense of happiness and hope. Maybe she could find some peace here, and enjoy her time in this new world. Considering everything she had lost, a little bit of comfort was deeply appreciated. But first, she had to meet the King.

The strangers led her through back alleys, avoiding the main streets. "What’s up with the alleys, man? Can we just blend in with the people?" Kira asked, whispering.

"There are those who oppose the King's rule, we can’t afford to be discovered" Giona replied softly. "Not everyone is going to be happy about your return."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kira nodded, understanding the need for caution. They moved quickly, the shadows their only cover. Finally, they reached the palace. Yet again, they approached a hidden entrance.

"Again?!" Kira murmured, a mix of frustration and amusement in her tone.

"It's safer this way," Khazel said, pushing open a concealed door. "We need to ensure your safety."

They stepped into the dark passage, the air cool and damp. The tunnel twisted and turned, finally leading them to a grand library. Tall shelves filled with ancient tomes lined the walls, and the scent of old paper filled the air.

"This is where the Keepers of Truth work," Horm explained. "It’s a place of knowledge and secrets."

Kira looked around, the atmosphere of the library calming her. The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on the wooden tables and the soft rustle of pages created a comforting background noise.

"Impressive," she said, running her fingers over the spines of the books. "But where's the King?"

"Follow me," Giona said. They traversed the library, passing scholars and scribes who barely looked up from their work. The atmosphere was one of quiet reverence, a stark contrast to the bustling city outside.

As they approached a large wooden door at the far end of the library, Giona turned to Kira. "Beyond this door is the King's private reading quarters. He has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

They entered the dimly lit room. The walls were lined with more books, and a large, ornate desk stood in the center. However, behind it was no one. Giona's eyes widened in shock. "The King is supposed to be here," she whispered, her voice tinged with urgency.

Giona rushed toward the other strangers, her movements a blur of panic. "The King isn’t here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kira didn’t know how to react, but instinct told her to follow whatever the strangers decided next. The tension in the air was palpable.

"We need to find out where he is," Khazel said, his voice steady despite the worry in his eyes. They hurriedly approached the other keepers, who informed them that there was an urgent meeting in the royal hall. The elders had insisted the King attend.

Giona's expression darkened. "Something feels off," she muttered. "We need to get to the royal hall. Quickly."

Kira followed as they moved swiftly through the palace. The corridors were opulent, adorned with golden chandeliers, rich tapestries, and intricate carvings. The elegance and regality of the palace were mesmerizing, and Kira found herself stopping to take in the grandeur.

Giona noticed and turned back, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please, we need to hurry," she urged.

Reluctantly, Kira tore her eyes away from the splendor and quickened her pace. They reached the royal hall, where they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. The 12 elders sat surrounding a large golden table, each one an embodiment of wisdom and power. The King sat on his throne, exuding an air of authority. The citizens of the Kingdom filled the hall, standing against the opulent walls, their faces a mixture of reverence and curiosity.

Kira was about to step forward, but Giona gently held her back. "Watch first," she whispered urgently. "Let’s see what’s happening."

From their vantage point, they observed the scene unfold. One of the elders stood, his voice echoing through the hall. "We gather here today to discuss matters of great importance. Our kingdom stands on the brink of change, and we must ensure that our path forward is clear."

The King listened intently, his expression a mask of calm. But Kira sensed an undercurrent of tension in the room, a silent battle of wills.

The elder known as Grand Elder Avviete, the one in charge of the military, rose from his seat, his presence commanding attention. "Our kingdom," he began, his voice resonating with authority, "has grown strong and prosperous. But as a superior race, we cannot be content with merely surviving. We must expand our territory, seize new lands, and claim what is rightfully ours." He paused, his eyes sweeping the room, before adding with fervor, "For the glory of our kingdom!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. The King stood, his expression resolute. "I object," he declared firmly. "Expanding our territory will lead to unnecessary wars, and wars bring nothing but suffering. Our lives are fulfilling and happy as they are. Our standings with the other races are peaceful. Why jeopardize that?"

The elders, their faces marked with a mix of cunning and ambition, nodded in agreement with Grand Elder Avviete. "We can benefit greatly from this expansion," one of them argued. "Resources, power, influence."

Kira began to understand the problem: a benevolent King facing a bunch of greedy politicians. Her heart ached with empathy for the King, recognizing his genuine desire for peace. His speech continued, a passionate plea to his people. "Our life here is a testament to what we can achieve without war. We have peace, prosperity, and happiness. Why abandon that for the uncertainty and horror of war?"

As he spoke, Kira studied the way he spoke and how he carried himself more closely. It gave her a confirmation that the King was indeed a great leader, a beacon of hope for his people. But she also saw the struggle in his eyes as the people’s opinion began to sway toward the elders' favor.

Grand Elder Avviete seized the moment, sensing the shift. "Our King speaks of peace, but peace without strength is merely submission. We must show our strength to ensure our future."

The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, more supportive of Avviete. The King’s shoulders sagged slightly under the weight of the opposition, but his resolve did not waver.

The King raised his hand, commanding the hall to be silent. "Quiet," he said firmly. "I need a moment to think."

The citizens fell silent, their eyes glued to their King as he lowered his gaze, deep in thought. The Kings’s mind raced, recalling how greed had destroyed everything before. After all he had done to get them to this point, it seemed they were ready to bite the hand that fed them.

Finally, The King rose from his seat once more, his expression resolute. "I will awaken the Savior," he declared, his voice echoing through the hall. "She is familiar with the horrors of war and can guide us through this matter."

A collective gasp arose from the elders, their faces contorted with rage. They shouted their objections, offering various reasons, though the true reason was their fear that the people would side with the Savior, whose legend was revered among the populace.

Grand Elder Avviete, his face flushed with anger, pointed a finger at the King. "How dare you! You are so useless that you need the Savior to help you? You just need to agree with us and—"

The King interrupted, his voice sharp, "Careful of what you speak, Avviette."

But the Grand Elder continued his rant, his voice rising with anger. "She slumbered through time, doing nothing! She contributed nothing to our civilization!"

The King's irritation grew, his eyes narrowing. "Enough of this insubordination!"

Avviette sneered, "What has the Savior done for us? Nothing!"

Fury blazed in the King's eyes. "Ungrateful wretch!" he roared. "Without the Savior, there would be no elves! We were once beasts, half man, half bat—man bats, that's what we were! Her blood transformed us, evolved us into the race we are today!"

The hall fell into a stunned silence, every eye now avoiding the King's fierce gaze.

"Do you understand?" the King continued, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "Without her, we would still be roaming this godforsaken Earth as mindless creatures."

The weight of his words hung in the air, suffocating the elders' protests. The King, breathing heavily, sat back on his throne. He gave them a moment to absorb the truth before he spoke again, this time with finality.

"This meeting is dismissed."