20th day of Sunwell, 1368

[Quintessence] 8372/16000

Under the dappled sunlight piercing through the dense canopy of the Eldergrove, Ebonheim trod the path leading to the heart of the Seraphidae settlement, her footfalls muted on the lush, moss-covered ground. Before her sprawled a tableau of vividly decorated huts and sinuous paths, nestled against the thick, ancient trunks of towering trees.

Ebonheim's keen eyes caught sight of a small group of Seraphidae children playing in the shadow of a great tree. They chased each other, their playful shrieks and laughter filling the air. Ebonheim smiled. Seeing children running freely through the forest warmed her heart. It was the simple joys like this that reminded her of why she was a goddess in the first place. As she made her way through the throng of Seraphidae, their gazes followed her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She smiled and nodded at them, her face a mask of calm, even as she silently marveled at how different these people were compared to humans.

As she drew nearer to the central clearing, she saw the glimmering shapes of Seraphidae warriors standing guard. She paused. Their stances were tense, their eyes wary, their bodies ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger.

Ebonheim slowly walked towards one of the Seraphidae and lifted her hand in greeting. "Hello," she said with a warm smile.

The Seraphidae met Ebonheim's gaze with a steely glare and leveled her weapon, a spear, in Ebonheim's direction.

Ebonheim stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise. "Wait...don't point that at me," she sputtered, her hand lifted in an attempt to pacify the Seraphidae warrior. "I'm here to speak to Calyxia."

The warrior's posture did not waver, her sharp eyes studying Ebonheim's form for any hint of movement. After a moment, the Seraphidae lowered the tip of her spear, her stance relaxing slightly.

Ebonheim let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Um...so, can you take me to Calyxia? I have something important to discuss with her."

The Seraphidae tilted her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone cautious, yet curious.

"I am Ebonheim. I am a...a friend of Calyxia," Ebonheim replied, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "I...I mean, I know Calyxia...a little bit. I've spoken to her once or twice."

"You are Ebonheim?" The Seraphidae's expression shifted to one of wonderment, and she quickly bowed her head. "My apologies. I did not recognize you. Please, follow me."

The path wound through the village which was easily thrice the size of her own, the curious gazes of the Seraphidae following them. The buildings were woven from branches and vines, their roofs covered in moss and flowers. Ebonheim saw a few Seraphidae tending to the gardens, harvesting fruits and herbs. One Seraphidae was weaving a basket from the fibrous inner bark of a large tree, his hands deftly shaping and tying the material into a fine shape.

Ebonheim turned to her guide. "Your people are very skilled. Your homes are lovely."

The Seraphidae's face lit up at her words. "Our ancestors learned to weave and work with the forest and its resources. Our magic helps us work with nature, to coax the forest to do our bidding," she said, her voice filled with pride.

"That sounds amazing."

The Seraphidae warrior smiled. "Thank you," she replied, "And we're quite skilled with our hands too."

"Oh, I can see that." Ebonheim's gaze lingered on the intricate designs carved into the wood of a nearby building, the polished facades shimmering under the sunlight.

At the end of the winding path, Ebonheim came upon a small grotto. The entrance was framed with ivy and moss, and a soft, luminescent glow emanated from within. Two sentries stood watch, their armor and weapons ornate and ceremonial. As they approached, the sentries bowed their heads and stepped aside. The Seraphidae warrior who escorted Ebonheim motioned her forward.

As Ebonheim entered the grotto, her eyes widened in surprise at the scene before her. In the middle of the cavern, a massive shard of quartz twinkled with the sunlight. Calyxia was coiled around it, her body basking in its glow. She rested her head upon the shard, her eyes closed as if in meditation. Her serpentine hair hissed and wriggled with the slight movements of her head, reflecting the play of light ahd shadow against the crystals and adding their song to the gentle trickle of water that flowed from the rocks above.

Ebonheim slowly approached Calyxia, her steps careful and deliberate. "Hello," Ebonheim greeted, her voice echoing slightly in the chamber. "I apologize for the intrusion, but I—"

"Ebonheim, you've arrived," Calyxia said, her voice a sibilant whisper, and her tail lashing in a gesture of welcome. She opened her eyes and regarded Ebonheim with a placid expression. "Welcome to my lair."

Ebonheim smiled sheepishly. "Hi, I didn't mean to disturb your nap or... whatever it is you were doing. I apologize if I'm interrupting."

"No apologies needed. I sensed your presence long before you arrived."

"Ah, I see," Ebonheim replied, nodding as if she understood. "You know, I would have arrived sooner if your directions weren't so hard to follow," she joked.

"The Eldergrove is vast, and its paths can be deceptive," Calyxia explained, her emerald eyes shining with amusement. "But you found your way regardless. Come, join me." She gestured to an ornate stool fashioned from twisted branches.

Ebonheim sank onto the seat, her legs grateful for the reprieve. She looked around the grotto, her eyes taking in the array of glowing crystals and mineral deposits, the faint hum of magic vibrating in the air, and the bookshelves arranged along the walls.

"You have a beautiful home," she remarked, her eyes tracing the geometric patterns carved into the stone.

"It has been my sanctuary for a long time," Calyxia replied, her gaze distant. "It has served me well." She turned her attention back to Ebonheim, her emerald eyes glimmering in the dim light. "Have you made your decision?"

Ebonheim shifted, her gaze meeting Calyxia's. "I have," she began. "I want to help. I think it's worth the risk."

A smile creased Calyxia's features, her eyes glinting in the light. "Excellent." She uncurled from the quartz and moved towards Ebonheim, her long tail undulating over the moss-covered ground. "I'm glad to hear that. Your aid will be invaluable." She leaned closer, the scent of lilies and moss enveloping Ebonheim. "We have much to discuss."

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A quartet of Seraphidae arrived at the grotto shortly after Ebonheim's discussion with Calyxia. They were clad in ceremonial armor, and their spears and bows were adorned with feathers and beads. They bowed respectfully as they approached, and Ebonheim returned their greeting with a friendly smile and a wave.

"Ebonheim, allow me to introduce Zephyra, the Wisdom Keeper of the Seraphidae," Calyxia said, gesturing to the blue-crested Seraphidae.

The Wisdom Keeper bowed deeply. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ebonheim," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "Thank you for agreeing to help us."

Ebonheim inclined her head. "Of course. I would be more than happy to assist you and your people in any way I can."

Calyxia gestured to the three remaining Seraphidae, their scales ranging from bright orange to shimmering gold. "These are the Oracles: Ophis, the Battle Seer, and Ysiris and Asperia, the Shaper Sisters. Together, they advise the Eldress in matters of diplomacy, battle, and spirituality."

The three Seraphidae bowed in unison, their voices a melodious harmony as they spoke in tandem, "We are honored by your presence, Ebonheim. You are most welcome here."

Ebonheim nodded and smiled. "It's good to meet you all. I look forward to working with you."

Calyxia led the group to an adjacent chamber where a large table and several stools had been arranged.

"Let us begin our preparations," Calyxia said, her voice echoing through the cavern.

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"Ophis, the plans for our defenses," she directed towards the Battle Seer, her voice carrying an air of authority.

"Of course." Ophis removed a rolled-up piece of parchment and unfurled it over the table. The parchment was covered in diagrams, notations, and symbols that Ebonheim didn't understand. The Battle Seer pointed to the western border of the settlement, where a cluster of trees was marked with a series of interlocking circles. "This area is the only way to access our Coil from the Kungwan side of the valley. The plan is to make use of our terrain, and fortify this location with as many traps and magical snares as we can. We will also station a portion of our forces here."

Zephyra nodded in approval, her tail tapping on the ground thoughtfully. "What about the other borders?" she asked, pointing to the other marked locations on the map.

"The other areas are too difficult to traverse," Ophis replied. "Only the Skyclingers could move through them with relative ease, but we would be unable to adequately defend them. We'll be relying on our network of scouts to notify us should the Kungwan try to take that route. This location is the most defensible, and I believe it is our best option."

"What's a Skyclinger?" Ebonheim asked, her gaze shifting between the Seraphidae.

Zephyra answered first. "A sub-race of the Kungwan," she explained. "They're more nimble and athletic, and are adapted to the canopy and the treetops."

"They are also quite adept at stealth," Ophis added. "They can camouflage themselves, and they often utilize aerial ambushes to great effect."

A Kungwan that can blend with their environment and launch surprise aerial attacks? A shudder ran through her as she imagined such an opponent. That's... unsettling.

"Have they tried to infiltrate the settlement?" Ebonheim asked, her mind already churning with strategies to counter their movements.

Ophis shook his head. "No, not to our knowledge. The Kungwan focus most of their attacks on the exposed villages near the edge of our territory. However, it is prudent to assume they can, and have the ability to do so."

Ebonheim nodded, filing this information away for future reference. "So, how do we defend against them? Do you have a plan?"

Ophis looked to Calyxia for permission, and at her nod, continued. "Some of our warriors have the means to sense hidden enemies. We can utilize them to scout the perimeter, and we will also post archers on the surrounding trees."

Ebonheim furrowed her brows, a slight frown creasing her face. "How many warriors do you have?"

"Enough," Ophis replied. "We have nearly five hundred warriors at the ready, and a further two hundred in reserve."

Ebonheim raised her brows, but said nothing. The numbers were larger than what she expected. The number of warriors her village could muster was just over a hundred.

Ophis continued. "We will also have Zephyra's magic casters provide additional support, while Ysiris and Asperia's enchantments will strengthen our warriors and defenses."

"Enough with your defensive preparations." Calyxia's voice cut through the air like a blade, her emerald gaze glinting with a hint of impatience. "Tell us your plans for the counterattack."

Ophis cleared his throat. "Yes, my lord." He unfurled another piece of parchment and pointed to a hand-drawn map. "We've located their primary nesting grounds here," he said, indicating a small area on the map. "It's a large complex built into the base of a ravine, with several layers of defenses."

Calyxia arched her serpentine body upwards to peer at the map, her gaze intent. "How large is it?"

"Large enough to hold roughly a thousand Kungwan, maybe more," Ophis replied, his tone grim. "However, as you mentioned before, my lord, their actual numbers are fewer. Our scouts believe there may be a few hundred Kungwan currently in the nest, with others out hunting or patrolling their borders."

Zephyra frowned. "That is still a large number of them, Ophis. At best, it takes three of our warriors to slay just one of theirs. Are we certain we can defeat them?"

Ophis hesitated, his eyes flicking to Ebonheim before returning to Zephyra. "We cannot hope to defeat them with our forces alone, which is why this counterattack will require lord Calyxia and Ebonheim to act as our vanguards and destroy as many as they can before we commit to an all-out assault into their nest."

The words drew a gasp from Ebonheim. "You're expecting us to fight them alone? Just the two of us?"

Ophis gave a solemn nod. "Yes. You and lord Calyxia are the only ones capable of such a feat."

Ebonheim's brows knit in uncertainty as she turned to Calyxia for guidance. "Calyxia?"

Calyxia, however, appeared unperturbed, her countenance as stoic and unyielding as the ancient stones that surrounded them. "You propose, then," she began, her tone laced with a cold, hard logic, "that Ebonheim and I serve as the vanguard, drawing their mightiest towards us?"

"Indeed." Ophis nodded, his voice unwavering. "Your power will cripple their strongest soldiers, allowing our forces to penetrate their defenses and take them by surprise."

"And once their defenses are broken, the rest of your forces will join in the slaughter," Calyxia mused, her voice taking on an edge of excitement. "A sound plan."

Ebonheim swallowed, her stomach twisting. "You're suggesting we use ourselves as bait? To be used as...as distractions?"

"You are a god, and Calyxia is one of the most powerful spirits in this valley," Ophis stated matter-of-factly. "To them, you will be the most dangerous threats, and they will mobilize their forces to deal with you. With you two at the helm, our warriors will have an easier time fighting them, and victory will be all but assured."

Ebonheim didn't like the sound of this plan one bit, but she knew she had little say in the matter. The Seraphidae were the ones with the most stake in this battle, and the ones who stood to lose the most if they failed.

But to fight these Kungwan on her own—well, not completely on her own since Calyxia would be by her side, but still, her last encounter with the Kungwan wasn't exactly a pleasant memory. To have to fight them again, and this time with no one to save her—no, no, no, this wouldn't be easy. Not at all.

"Well...if this is what you believe we should do, I trust your judgment," Ebonheim said with a sigh.

Zephyra shifted on her seat, her posture tense, her face drawn. "So, you will help us?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

"Yes." Ebonheim nodded, her words heavy with finality. "I will do all I can to help you."

The Seraphidae glanced at each other, relief etched across their faces.

"Thank you." Zephyra inclined her head, her crest quivering in gratitude.

A silence fell over the group, broken only by the trickling sound of water, until Calyxia's voice pierced through the stillness. "What of their scouts? Surely, they will anticipate our approach."

Ophis responded quickly. "We have planned for diversions," he assured, gesturing towards several marked points on the map. "These positions will be held by our fastest warriors. They will harass the Kungwan sentries, keeping them occupied while we move into position. They will also help draw their warriors away from their main encampment so they can be isolated and defeated."

Ebonheim took in a deep breath as she studied the map, trying to memorize as much information as she could.

"Sounds precarious. What if the diversions fail to draw enough attention?" Calyxia’s voice chimed in, a trace of concern lacing her words. "Our entire plan could fall apart if we cannot draw enough of their attention away from their nest."

Ophis nodded. "Then I will lead a diversionary force personally, and we will attempt to draw as many of the Kungwan's defenders away as possible and bring them to your location."

"A bold plan indeed, Ophis," Calyxia noted, her tone almost admiring.

"It's our best chance," Ophis said. "If the Kungwan do not move in strength, we will have a better chance at destroying their forces."

"What happens after the first phase of the battle?" Ebonheim asked. "Do we fall back to a secondary position and regroup, or do we charge into the Kungwan's nest?"

Ophis answered, pointing to another spot on the map. "If our plan goes well, we'll fall back and regroup before we charge their nest."

Calyxia tilted her head in consideration. "We will wait for your forces to arrive. Then we will press the attack. I will lead our combined forces into their nest and annihilate them."

The other Seraphidae murmured their assent.

"And what if things don't go as planned?" Ebonheim inquired, her gaze flicking to the intricate map on the table. "What if there are too many of them, or me and Calyxia get overwhelmed and are forced to retreat?"

Ophis did not respond immediately. Instead, he shared a meaningful look with the other Seraphidae, a silent message passing between them. "That would be...unfortunate. If you have to retreat, we will not be able to offer support. Our main force will attack once we've received your signal that you've engaged the enemy. If the survivors of your battlefield somehow join with the ones we are engaged with, our plans will likely fail, and our forces will be decimated."

The gravity of his words hung heavily over the room like a blanket, the weight of it pressing down upon Ebonheim. This plan relied on her and Calyxia, and their ability to defeat the Kungwan by themselves. It all came down to the two of them. Ebonheim felt a shiver run down her spine. This plan had the potential to end in utter disaster.

"What if their elites choose not to come out to engage us?" Ebonheim voiced her concern. "What if they choose to defend their nest and stay put instead?"

Ophis considered her words. "It's unlikely that they'll ignore you. You represent the most immediate threat to their forces and their lives. You and lord Calyxia have the potential to obliterate them if they choose to remain passive."

Ebonheim's gaze met Calyxia's, and she nodded. "Well, I'll try my best to be as scary as you are."

Calyxia's laugh echoed in the cavern, and even Ebonheim could not help but crack a smile at her own joke. However, the others stared wide-eyed at Calyxia, clearly shocked by the sight of a being that could radiate such intimidation and power displaying a lighter side.

"Alright, so, to summarize." Ebonheim gestured to the map. "Calyxia and I will draw out the Kungwan with our presence, and the Seraphidae warriors will move into position and attack the forces guarding their nest once we've given the signal. Then after we've dealt with as many Kungwan as we can, we'll join with the main force and charge into their nest and wipe them out. Did I get everything?"

Zephyra nodded, her gaze fixated on the map. "Yes, that sums it up."

Ophis gestured to the symbols marked along the map. "Our scouts have noted these areas as likely ambush points, where the Kungwan could launch attacks upon our forces as we travel through the valley. We've identified a few routes through the valley that might be less likely to encounter these ambushes."

"Great, so...when do we start?" Ebonheim asked, eager to get started and over with the whole affair.

"In two days," Calyxia declared, her eyes shining with a steely glint. "Prepare yourselves. We have a war to win."