The first time Commander Dawnhammer saw the delegate, the most eye catching part of it was it had no face, nothing but a black abyss. Its body was metallic as armor and it had no ounce of flesh nor hair. It was tall, nearly 3 heads above his stature.

He got surprised that the golem made a slight bow to him, its right hand on its chest. One foot behind him before he stood back to its original position.

This made the lord stepped back a little from the gesture at the time. But remained firm and eyes narrowed. Tightening his grip on the handle of the mace.

The figure could speak their words and stood as if it was a living person. This… Golem, felt wrong in the pits of his stomach, defying what the Gods gift creation and life.

Now laughter boomed inside the tent. He gave a chuckle to such request. To stop their righteous work of the Gods just because of someone else’s words.

That was foolish but he understood that this thing may have come from a peaceful place. To request such actions from them tells him that their people are probably weak but rich in knowledge. Why else send the delegate.

Though it disturbed him because he couldn’t feel magica from the golem. It was empty, nothingness, simply a void as black as the pit of hell. He knew he needed to thread carefully. But the message is absurd to anyone’s ears to hear.

“We pity you dear delegate that you have to travel far to send a message. Many others also did the same back on our realm, only to face the cruelty and betrayal of the elves they supported. We cannot fault your leaders for not knowing the evils those freaks have done.” A commander explained.

“But truly we cannot halt our pursuit of does vile demons.” the commander next to Dawnhammer spoke.

“Noted commander but unfortunately, I’m under orders to see this complete. I will not lengthen talk, as your situation is, you are all “stranded” or “lost” in our realm. Even with our aid, we cannot get you home.” Kash spoke with a serious tone which made the knights return from the joys of laughter.

“Tell that to the long eared abominations, their the cause of this and we will see to it that their plague that they are will be eradicated!” A commander near the warlord spoke loud and proud. His fist on his chest.

“Please consider, I believe you are all brave and loyal to your “cause” but we only ask you to cease hostilities for the time being. I will send flying ships full of food to the camps your occupying. Your supply is almost depleted. Like I said, we have been watching all of you.”

No one spoke as the last of the laughter died down. Their thoughts linger on the golems words. “They’ve been watching them”.

“Can you explain as to what you mean by “have been watching us” delegate?”

The warlord asked the golem to which the golem tilted his head. They stare at its abyssal face seeking answers.

“You do not ask of the flying ships?”

“No sir Delegate, it is no surprise to us for we also have such wonders. You might be impressed if you saw them. Now please inform us of our query” The war lord said dismissively with a wave of a hand.

“Oh.. I see, well regarding that. We have scouts everywhere war leader and they reported us your situation. But due to our laws we can only watch all of you and trials were conducted for me to be here in the first place to help.

The war leader smiled at the words of the golem. Their people are helpful and generous than he expected. He opened his mouth but words did not come out. He looked at the commander next to him and beckoned him to get closer.

The commander lends his ear and the warlord whispered. The man nodded and faced the golem.

“Sir delegate, on the matters of food. Could we also ask for clothing and others?” he asked to see if he can take it further.

“Of course, we are required to assist and deliver the basic needs of the people. Your men in particular are struggling but stood strong against the challenges. But I’m afraid they may not last longer if this continues. Many are exhausted, wounded, suffering diseases, and malnutrition. That is why we ask you think reconsider. For your loyal men.” The golem spoke and pulling the knights hearts with a slight pleading tone.

“I’ll require to examine your men and check your food and supplies so I will know what to bring”

“Then what of the price?” asked commander Dawnhammer.

“Nothing at all, only the well being of your people.”

The knights were wide eyed again in disbelief. For the golem’s masters to help to this extent. To help strangers like them? He was not sure if they could trust them. He eyed him with creasing brows and his chin resting on his interlocking fingers.

“These people are either extremely kind or extremely stupid to have such wasteful practices, but this is an opportunity!” The war lord pondered and gained new resolve.

“Yes… thank you sir delegate, Commander Valiant. Kindly lead our guest and assist him on his task”

“Yes Warlord..”

Commander Valiant walk towards the golem and lead him out to assist. The golem didn’t speak more and only gave a nod before walking outside.

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The rest were left in the tent contemplating the words of the golem. This was unexpected but it could lift their burdens a little if it were true.

“Warlord, that thing shouldn’t be trusted. Their people may be practicing dark arts like the freaks. The golem is an abomination to the Gods.” The robed man behind him whispered to his ear.

“Of course Master Mage, keep an eye on it and kill it if that thing becomes dangerous. But let us not forget we are in a different realm. Those demons must have planned this but I’m not certain. Many troubles plague our army and if that abomination’s words are true, we use its gifts to help us to recover and kill all the elves.”

“Yes warlord” the mage whispered and retreated to the shadows.

“Warlord, he also mentioned that the golem is… human.” Commander Dawnhammer mentioned.

“Ha ha ha ha!! An obvious lie to trick us commander. Once we vanquish the demons and grow our strength, we will search for that abomination’s realm and conquer it! For the glory of King Marcus!”

A commander slapped the back of Bryn playfully. Treating the golem's statement as a joke.

“For King Marcus!!!” The commanders spoke in chorus. Full of pride and faith in the strength given by their ruler.

But to commander Bryn, it didn’t sit well with him. He walked out of the tent and spotted the golem checking their supplies. Picking each one of the produce.

Then saw it looking in a bucket and scooping its hands in it. Many of the subordinates they have watch in curiosity to the tall figures action. Many fascinated and necks stretching like cranes. Others show visible scowls and brandishing their blades to intimidate.

The golem went on working. Shaking its head more often then a virgin girl playing hard to get. After sometime, it then spoke to commander Valiant who pointed it to an area away.

The golem walked out of his sight and the commander ordered the near by knights. He was far but Bryn could still patch the words he ordered.

“All of you send a message and announce to your comrades that are ill. No matter what ills them, come to the training grounds to receive an examination. Go!”

The knights scatter and Valiant huffed before turning around to likely follow the golem.

“I pray to the Gods that nothing bad will happen to us” he murmured to himself. Having a feeling of bad omen.

---The Fae Nation, War Chamber---

High atop the canopy of gargantuan mystic woods, a towering evergreen blend seamlessly with the hand crafted marble, stone, and wood structures. Smooth pillars surround the top base where the architecture is well hidden by the leaves of the massive tree. Orbs of soft glowing lights float carelessly around, giving a vibrant display of color while giving sight to visitors in the approaching twilight.

Within a chamber were tables and chairs cluttered. Boards on walls and elves using stencils and charcoal. Drops of ink on the table tops with a large parchment covering it. Outlines of the land, words, and names of positions. Elves in cloaks and tunics having a back and forth arguments.

Many papers lay, reports of scouts and messages from the defensive lines. Elves of fair skin with darken eyes read them and relay to the ones near the table.

Queen Dorthana placed her hands on the table, examining the latest work of the land's features from the reports of the scouts. Two black circles surrounded a carved out tree figure while opposite to it are 7 cubes with ugly wooden pieces presenting the opponent.

“Has the north side of the outer ring strengthened?” asked the queen with a serious look and dark circles under her eyes.

“Yes my queen.. We—”

“Quit the formalities commanders, it irks me to hear it. Have additional archers in that area. Its our weakest and a short route to here. The humans will push the majority of their forces there.”

The queen picked up the notes full of scratches and Ink splatters. She narrowed her eyes at the sight of a nearly unreadable writing but she had no choice to read.

Tsk..

*Riiip*

She clicked her tongue and discarded the paper. Tired of reading and the sloppy writing was infuriating her.

“Commander…” she said in a low voice. The commanders stopped bickering and snapped their attention to their monarch. They froze out of fear when they saw the piercing eyes the queen.

“Are you all giving our soldiers proper rest? Because these reports are becoming unintelligible day after day. We can't work like this if we're slowly going blind…” She glared at them and the they could only wear their heads down.

“We understand your frustrations but the soldiers are restless... Even in slumber, fear and darkness lurk. We did our best to raise their morale yet even you would not dare to deny the truth to them.”

…

…

…

“Sigh… My mistake…” The queen admitted and closing her eyes and rubbing them with her fingers.

“You all did well today. Please rest, all of you.”

“But my queen—”

*Bam!*

“No questions… leave and rest” She demanded, slamming her palm on the table. Eyes burning and not taking no for an answer.

The commanders hesitated and before bowing. They quietly walked out and leaving the queen and the readers in white robes.

“How is my sister’s health? What’s their current location?”

One of the robed individuals stopped reading and quickly stood up and shuffled next to the queen.

“Uhmm… Queen Delphinia’s health is stable but has not woken up yet. The last message delivered to us is that they are now far south west, beyond the mountains. They have made camp and reported the area to be suitable for building settlements. Fertile soil with a large fresh water lake. But a wide river separates them. A bridge is currently under construction.”

“Thank you… hopefully my sister will continue on after I’m gone.”

“Please don’t speak of—”

“You two can also rest…” the queen cut them of and silence struck them.

“Y-yes… thank you”

The two left and the queen was on her own. She slowly relaxed, dropped her shoulders and inch by inch sat on a chair near her. Looking up at the glowing bulbs on the ceiling , she contemplates her fate. She will soon face the end to give a new beginning to her people.

…

…

“Da@# the Gods...Da@# them...”

She moved her hand over her chest and made a fist. Her heart aches at the thought of her impending demise yet accepted it the same. If she ever falls, she will bring her enemies with her.

*Tap Tap Tap*

Her ears twitched. Wiggled to the sound coming from the window.

*Tap Tap Tap*

*Tweet Tweet*

She tilted her head lazily towards the tainted glass and spotted the source. The magica was rather weak or she was just exhausted that she couldn’t tell properly. She couldn’t bother standing so she raised her hand and waved it.

A stream of magica rushed towards the tainted glass and opened it. A bird made of magica flew inside the War chamber. Fluttered upwards and circled twice. It hovered in the air for a moment then…

*Poof*

It turned into a scrolled up parchment. The queen extended her open palm and caught the scroll when it fell. She opened it and read the following:

*A silver golem with a face of the Void came to the Silvaren Stronghold. Will continue to watch. May Great Hilda protect me*

“Silver golem?” she uttered in confusion.

“There’s a golem in the human’s camp? It must probably be a creature of this realm. Heh… I wish it causes trouble to those sinful monkeys.” She said jokingly to herself.

She threw the message away, sat on her chair, and leaned back gazing to the now wide open window. She observes a bright white plate on the dark blanket of the sky.

“Only one moon, huh?”

*Clack Clack Clack*

She snapped out of her thoughts from the pounding noise she heard. She faced the entrance of the door and saw a dark skinned knight sweating and taking deep breaths as he quickly entered the chamber.

“My queen! There’s a flying creature that wants to speak to you. It calls itself a “Droon”. It waits at the bottom level.”

“A “Droon”? What are you speaking of soldier?”

“Please my queen… Huff… Huff… it seeks you and brings news that may aid us in our trials.”

The queen was surprised but did not hesitate longer. She pushed the table aside and got up. The chair fell backwards.

“Lead the way..”

“Yes my queen!”

Queen Dorthana followed. Walking through the empty halls. Pulsing vines crawl over the walls and glowing orbs stick to it. They eventually reached to a room with a circular platform and walked to its center.

*Tap Tap*

Two taps of the soldier’s boots and the symbol of a flower on the platform glowed and suddenly flashed. Then both were sent to the lower floors. Roots creating a huge dome. Vines and pillars supporting the base of the roots. Statues and weapons decorate the walls and the epicenter floats a crystal shimmering concentrated magica.

Elves clad in silver armor created a wall with their shields and casters with archers behind them to support. They aim upwards in an angle where a creature looking like a metal box made by dwarves float in the air.

“What in the Gods name??”

No once of magica. Its floating but no magica is used. She looked closer and the metallic box has more blocky features and edges.

But still no magica

“What is this creature?” She whispered. Her mind in disarray at the sight of the visitor.

“Ah… You must be the leader of the elves. Such grace yet still embodies an air of authority. I greet you. I am called POE. I am tasked by my masters to aid your kind.”

The creature’s voice echoed as it addressed the queen. The voice the creature used sounded intelligent but unnatural. It could speak but only mimicking speech.

It felt wrong.

“Our queen?! You came!”

“Who are you creature?!” The elven queen demanded with authority.

“I am POE (spoke as a name). I may be your people’s salvation”

---End---