In the heart of the towering frozen castle, the air was filled with a faint shimmer, an icy mist emanating from every carved pillar and crystalline wall.

Queen Alcia, an imposing figure standing well over two meters tall, her skin as pale as fresh snow and pointed ears peeking through long, silvery hair, sat upon her icy throne.

Her piercing gaze rested on a white-skinned man, who bowed as he relayed the news.

“Origin Frost King... killed,” he stated, his voice steady, though tinged with the gravity of the news. Queen Alcia’s eyes flashed briefly, though her expression remained calm, almost resigned.

“As expected,” she murmured, her tone carrying a hint of frustration mingled with acceptance.

Alcia then started talking to the man.

"As you know, in the ambush I was there too."

"Yes, my queen," the man answered.

"When I was there, I looked at Sylas deep in the eye. We already know that Redoran is a trump card in the hands of the Third Circle."

"But what I saw in those young human eyes was different."

"How so, my queen?" the man asked, seemingly confused listening to Alcia.

Alcia put her hands on her chin and looked at the sky for a moment and then added.

"He is different, at least in the sense of the soul."

"His looks, his behavior, and his energy—the magical energy was the same as a human, but his soul was different."

"I believe his soul does not belong here, but I have no proof of it."

The man gulped and then nodded; he was at the loss of words.

The man hesitated, then continued.

“My Queen, the representatives from Black Scorpion and Tunnel Dream have arrived, as you requested.”

Alcia nodded slowly. Both Black Scorpion and Tunnel Dream were influential organizations within the realms, each wielding enough power to rival the Dark Father’s, though still trailing the Third Circle’s influence.

To have summoned these forces was no light decision, but she knew the Frost Elves would need more than their own strength in the days to come.

If the human mages and the Third Circle had allies like Sylas, with his explosive rise in power, then she would need her own network of alliances.

“Escort them in,” she commanded, her voice carrying through the hall.

Moments later, the grand doors creaked open, and two figures entered, their silhouettes stark against the frost-kissed chamber.

A slender man cloaked in dark, sleek armor stepped forward from his tailbone; a thin-looking scorpion-tail showed itself he was, representing Black Scorpion, his face obscured by a hood, though his aura radiated calm lethality.

Beside him, a small, little greenish-black-colored dwarf like a man from Tunnel Dream entered, his clothing woven with strange, shadow-like threads that seemed to dance in the low light, his face severe and shrewd.

They both bowed in acknowledgment, their expressions restrained.

“Welcome to the Frozen Citadel,” she greeted, her tone as crisp and unyielding as ice itself.

“As you may have heard, we face significant challenges. The Third Circle’s activities threaten to disrupt the balance, and they’re grooming new mages whose power rivals even our strongest.

"One such mage recently defeated Origin Frost King, which suggests they are growing in strength beyond our projections.”

The Black Scorpion representative’s eyes flickered in understanding and he replied.

“Your Majesty, Black Scorpion, has observed this change in the currents of magic as well. We are willing to extend our assistance, but it will require a careful and coordinated approach. Their strength, though escalating, can still be countered.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Alcia smiled and nodded.

"The scorpion only wants more power..."

"They are one of the organizations that resides in Dark Realm, standing at the same power for over three hundred years."

"Third Circle is making them harder to grow; the advantage they have is that they belong to another sub-race of Scorpionman, an unique intelligent race originating from Dark Realm."

Of course, Alcia did not say these words out loud; in the end, all agreements, despite the sense of balance, were only made so that they would benefit the individual itself.

The Tunnel Dream representative nodded and entered the conversation.

“Agreed. The Third Circle’s alliances have granted them greater reach, but our unique resources can level the playing field. Our covert channels allow for the movement of forces undetected, even past the Third Circle’s network.”

Queen Alcia leaned forward, an icy resolve glinting in her eyes.

“Good. Then you both understand the stakes."

"Nobody in this room is a fool; if we let Third Circle grow up more and improve their standing, both of your organization and your races that originate from the Dark Realm need to lower their heads against the humans."

"I believe you two and your organization would not want that."

Tunnel Dream and Black Scorpion look at each other and nod.

Alcia then continues seeing no responses.

"The Third Circle has grown complacent, but their allies could tip the scales if we are not careful. We will act strategically and strike where they least expect it. As of now, they remain ignorant of our full intentions.”

With these words, the meeting comes to an end for the time being.

-

On a rocky, windswept outcropping high above the frozen landscape, the representatives of Black Scorpion and Tunnel Dream faced each other under the cold, gray sky.

Arden, the Black Scorpion representative, stood wrapped in his dark cloak, his eyes sharp as he gazed over the icy expanse.

Ladim, representing Tunnel Dream, leaned against a boulder nearby, his own figure partly obscured by the shadows cast by the jagged peaks behind them.

"This place is too cold for my liking; I seek to enter underground all the time."

Ladim said.

As the wind howled, Arden grinned and then started speaking.

"Queen Alcia’s motives aren’t difficult to grasp. She’s always had a vested interest in keeping humanity and its influence at bay. The Frost Elves have long harbored contempt for the human realms. This alliance-building of hers feels like an age-old plan to further their dominion—and keep any new human power players in check."

Ladim, his face thoughtful, watched the mist swirling around them.

“You’re not wrong, Arden, but this time... it feels like more than the usual defense against human expansion.”

He turned, meeting Arden’s eyes.

“If I’m reading the situation right, Queen Alcia is anticipating something bigger—a change in the order of power. She wouldn’t be pulling us into this just to keep humans out of her territory.”

Arden’s expression shifted, a hint of wariness crossing his face.

“A power shift? Among the Frost Elves, or in the larger realms?”

Ladim shook his head slowly.

“Both, potentially. Look at what’s happening in the human realms—the rise of someone like Sylas, who, in a matter of months, has gone from obscure mage to a force that could match Queen Alcia’s prized Origin Frost King. The Third Circle is grooming others like him, you know. Alcia may be reacting to more than just her usual paranoia.”

Arden’s gaze grew sharper, and he leaned in, lowering his voice against the rising wind.

“Then you believe she fears a power vacuum if the humans grow unchecked. If they gain enough strength to shift the balance, her authority could falter, and with it, the stability of the frozen realm.”

Ladim nodded.

“Precisely. And if the Frost Elves lose their foothold, the human mages could gain a stronger presence within the realms. That’s not a risk she’s willing to take. At the same time, it is not something we want either.”

Arden turned away, his eyes fixed on the distant peaks, his mind turning over the implications.

“Then this alliance she’s calling for is less about expansion and more about securing her position in the face of an impending shift.”

“Exactly,” Ladim replied.

“But power dynamics are always more complicated than one figure or kingdom. If Alcia succeeds, it won’t just stabilize her reign. It will lock out the possibility of human influence within her borders for generations, solidifying Frost Elf dominance.

"It would make her the most powerful figure among the Frost Elves in the Frozen Realm seventh region. I also believe that she would like to increase her standing in her race and be the queen of the Sixth Region instead of seventh.”

Arden cast a wary glance at Ladim.

“So, what do you suggest? Standing with her could ensure a share of that stability. But... siding with Alcia means we’d be bound by her rules and her whims.”

Ladim’s eyes darkened.

“Not necessarily we need to do what she says, but for now, I believe we stay close and play along, gathering what influence we can without being drawn too deep."

"If the Frost Elves are banking on this, we must ensure that we’re prepared for whatever fallout arises if they fail. Alcia may be strategic, but overconfidence has brought down the mighty before.”

Arden nodded.

"In the end, as long as the Third Circle gets weakened and human power in the Dark Realm gets disrupted, it is enough for us to do something."

Ladim nodded and smiled