Lucas POV

I broke the seal carefully, the wax cracking under my fingers as I unfolded the letter. The queen's handwriting was just as I remembered: pretty and elegant. I remember telling her to send it to this house after I moved out since the Avalons would then get me the letter quickly due to their connections.

The message was short and to the point. She wanted me to return to her kingdom to discuss an issue involving one of her commanders, Bell Flameswood. I remembered Bell well. He was competent, loyal, and surprisingly easy to get along with for someone in his position. We hit it off during my time there, even sharing a few drinks after long missions.

The letter stayed on my mind all day, like a quiet buzz I couldn't tune out. I was watching Mona's parents doting on Lisa, it was strange, though. Despite how intimidating the Avalons could be, they were surprisingly gentle with Lisa. She'd taken to them quickly too, already calling them grandpa and grandma. For a kid who'd never left town and never spoke to any family members outside her original parents and brother, and now us, I guess.

But such a happy sight could still be easily disturbed as I found my thoughts drifting back to it.

By the time the day wound down, the weight of the letter hadn't left me. What happened to Bell? I was still lost in thought during one of Mona's father's stories when Winston stepped into the room. He carried a letter in both hands, the paper marked with a red and gold seal.

"This arrived for you just now. It's marked as urgent." He said as he handed me the letter directly.

A red and gold seal meant immediate attention. The contents were brief and direct, much like the first one. It acknowledged the earlier message but stated that whether I had received it or not didn't matter. The queen needed to see me immediately. No delays, no exceptions.

"Go, it's okay," Mona said, placing her hand on mine, "We'll stay here for a while longer to wait for you."

"Bring Riley with you." Harper suggested, "Just in case."

"...thank you."

"And don't rekindle old relationships while you're there. I know you won't, but just in case, don't do it."

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After packing my things, I bid farewell to everyone and apologized to Lisa, since I was the one who brought us here and our vacation was sort of ruined due to my job. She didn't mind, but I promised to get her something on my way back. I then flew quickly to Evan's house and showed Riley the letter, she already had most of her stuff packed and was ready to go.

She may just be a captain, but she was treated better than one, so leaving for a mission like this should be fine.

"If you guys want, go stay at the Avalons, they got a great pool and servants to watch over your children. If it's you guys, it's free."

"I'll consider it." Evan replied, "Go do your thing. I wish that I still have magic, so that I can be of help, but here I am."

"It's alright, just inform us of anything important and check on my family while I'm gone...on yourselves too, I guess, since you're..."

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"Family?"

"Ew...but yes."

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The flight to the World Tree was quick as we rushed there. The sprawling elven nation, second only to the four major powers, loomed in the distance. Its towering spires and endless forests surrounded the massive World Tree, a sight so grand it still left me speechless every time I saw it. The guards at the entrance didn't even flinch as I landed with Riley, holding up the envelope with its unmistakable seal.

Without a word, they nodded and motioned for us to follow. We were led through the grand halls of the palace toward the throne room, where the queen excused her advisors and escorted the 2 of us to a private meeting room.

Queen Isabella Bramblewood had dark brown hair that fell smoothly past her shoulders and striking green eyes that seemed to catch every detail. Her smile, as always, was soft and pretty, making it hard not to stare. I felt a little flustered thinking about our past, and judging by the way her eyes lingered on me, she definitely noticed.

"So, your-"

"Lucas." the queen cut me off, "Call me Isabella, you know our history."

"Wait, history?" Riley questioned, "No...Lucas...you didn't."

"It would be rude to address you so casually, Your Majesty...and I'm married."

"I thought it was the princess, but it was the queen?! You little...I mean...I apologize for my surprise."

"We can talk about our past relations later, but for now, Bell." The queen said before proceeding to explain the reasons for the summon, "At first, he seemed the same as always, loyal, committed to his men. He was one of the most trusted commanders and was highly decorated, enough to one day become a grand commander.

"After the war, he received numerous rewards, and recognition for his leadership. He used his new status and higher position to further his reach, but not in the way most would expect. It wasn't for political gain or to amass power over nations, no. He sought something else...real, raw strength. The kind of power that doesn't come with titles or fame, but with force. He wanted to be stronger, more than what he had been before.

"You see, Lucas, what he truly wanted wasn't just strength, it was the same kind of power he felt when he had your support magic on him during the war. That feeling, that rush, when he was strong and fast when he felt free. That high of invincibility, the one he got when your magic amplified him, made him feel unstoppable. He craved it. He couldn't get enough of it. And that's what drove him to these...experiments

"He wanted to recreate that feeling. He knew he couldn't get you to grant him that feeling, so he sought to do it himself. The ability to feel that high, that freedom, every time he fought. And in his search for that power, he lost himself. What began with animals, small tests to push his limits, became something much darker when he crossed the line and moved on to demons. It was as if nothing was ever enough for him. He wanted to feel invincible again, and when it wasn't enough, he kept pushing. And then...

"We have launched an internal investigation at this point, a secretive one so that we can't alert him, but before we got close...He murdered his own family, and that's when we lost track of him. He's been hiding ever since."

"It's...unbelievable, I'm speechless, Bell isn't that kind of person." Riley commented in shock.

"So this is my fault, huh?"

"No, it isn't." The queen responded, "But I fear that you might have unintentionally enabled or...awakened a darker side to him. The power you gave him... it wasn't just a simple boost. It was... addicting. For someone already struggling with their own sense of strength, that kind of power is dangerous. It becomes an obsession."

I couldn't see this coming, not even in my worst nightmares. I had never imagined Bell could fall so far, let alone resort to this kind of madness. My mind kept replaying the memories and refused to believe such a story.

"Why did you summon me, then? What is it you need from me now?"

"Bell's been spotted recently...but this time, it's worse." Her expression darkened, "He's been kidnapping fellow elves. It's become public knowledge, and panic is spreading across the nation. People are terrified. They need someone to restore their confidence, to remind them that they're not alone. And if you're willing...we need your help, Lucas. If not in taking him down and the investigation, at least stay here to reassure the people and maybe talk with him once we meet him again."

"We're in."