The air grew heavier with each step they took, as if the forest itself knew they were nearing a powerful, sacred place. Mihai adjusted the strap of his armor, feeling the worn leather settle against his frame. Despite the layers of roughness from days in the wilderness, a sense of anticipation heightened his senses. Next to him, Cian moved with his usual quiet grace, his keen eyes darting to every flickering shadow. Raven prowled at the edge of their vision, his ears swiveling toward every sound as though he sensed something unseen.
As they walked, the forest changed. The trees grew denser, their trunks broader, towering above with canopies that stretched far beyond what Mihai could see. Here, the air was thick with life—a silent, ancient energy humming through each leaf and branch. Shafts of sunlight filtered through, casting a warm, green light over the forest floor, which was soft with moss and wildflowers. The ground held the faintest whisper of voices—a chorus Mihai couldn’t understand but felt in his bones.
Then, just ahead, figures emerged from the trees.
The elven sentinels were tall, cloaked in dark green and brown, their features barely visible beneath hoods that cast shadows over their faces. Their movements were silent, nearly as still as the trees they guarded, but their eyes gleamed, sharp and watchful.
One of them, a slender elf with piercing eyes, approached. He raised a hand, signaling them to halt. “Who dares tread on the sacred grounds of the Woodland Realm?”
Mihai inclined his head, noting the tension in the elf’s stance. “I’m Mihai, and this is Cian and Raven,” he said, keeping his tone respectful. “We’re travelers… on a mission to cleanse the darkness spreading across these lands.”
The sentinel’s gaze lingered on Mihai, his eyes narrowing as though sensing something unfamiliar within him. He glanced at his fellow sentinels, exchanging brief, murmured words in the elven tongue.
One of the elves stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Mihai’s shoulder, where Yahweh’s mark pulsed faintly. He tilted his head, frowning. “There is… something within you, human, but I cannot recognize it.” He turned to the others. “We must bring him to the elders. They will know.”
Before Mihai could respond, the sentinels surrounded them, guiding them deeper into the heart of the woodland realm.
Entering the Elven Citadel
As they walked, the forest grew thicker until it gave way to a vast clearing. Mihai’s breath caught as he took in the sight before him—a citadel, woven seamlessly into the forest, carved from towering trees and connected by bridges and stairways that spiraled up into the branches. Around them, thousands of elves moved with a natural grace, each seemingly attuned to the pulse of life surrounding them. The sheer number was staggering; Mihai estimated at least 200,000 elves occupied this place, blending into the forest as though they were one with it.
Elegant homes were woven into the trunks of ancient trees, their walls glistening with elven runes and symbols. Bridges, delicate but sturdy, spanned the gaps between towering oaks, allowing the elves to move fluidly from branch to branch. Fires burned in hanging lanterns, their soft glow illuminating walkways and casting a warm light that mingled with the natural green of the leaves.
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Cian’s gaze roamed over the settlement in awe. “I’ve never seen anything like this… It’s as if the forest itself is alive.”
One of the sentinels gestured toward a stone pathway leading to an elevated platform adorned with intricate carvings. “The elders await you,” he said, his voice tinged with reverence.
As they ascended the platform, Mihai felt an intense energy gathering around them, growing thicker as they approached a circle of elves seated in high-backed chairs carved from living wood. These were no ordinary elves—they exuded a wisdom that seemed to span ages, their faces lined with centuries of knowledge and experience. Each elder wore robes woven with silver threads, their presence commanding a silent respect.
The eldest among them, a tall, serene elf with silver hair flowing down his back, regarded Mihai with a thoughtful gaze. His name was Eldrin, and his voice was calm yet held the weight of authority. “You carry the mark of a god, human, though not one we have seen in this realm for ages. It bears the energy of Yahweh, the ancient one.”
Mihai inclined his head, feeling the eyes of the thirty elders upon him. “Yahweh brought me to this world to fight the darkness spreading here. He believes I can help restore balance.”
The elders exchanged glances, and Eldrin nodded slowly. “If Yahweh has called you, then there is indeed a purpose for you here. But the darkness is far deeper than you may realize.” He gestured to a carved map on the ground between them, depicting the woodland realm and, beyond it, a darkened area marked with elven runes.
Another elder, Caelith, whose dark green robes mirrored the forest, spoke with a quiet intensity. “There is an ancient temple deep within the forest, once sacred to our people,” he explained, his eyes holding a faint glimmer of sadness. “But it has been corrupted. Shadows cling to its walls, and the spirits within are restless. The temple must be cleansed, yet it is no simple task.”
Alariel, a female elder with hair the color of autumn leaves and a gaze like amber, leaned forward. “We have tried sending our own, but the darkness overpowered them. Its hold is unnatural, a force that ordinary warriors cannot withstand.” She paused, studying Mihai’s face. “You alone, with your blessing, may have a chance to enter the darkened ground and withstand its corruption.”
Another elder, Sylvaris, who wore a necklace of stones and herbs, added, “The temple was once a sanctuary, a place where even our ancestors found peace. Restoring it could mean a revival of the forest’s strength.”
Mihai took a breath, feeling the weight of their words settle over him. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
The elders nodded, and Eldrin raised his hand, signaling a younger elf standing near the edge of the platform. “Elanor, step forward.”
A slender figure approached, her movements graceful and effortless, her presence radiating an ethereal light. As she came closer, Mihai felt his heart skip a beat. Elanor was unlike anyone he had ever seen, her beauty and serenity captivating him instantly. Her dark hair flowed down her shoulders, framing a face marked by both strength and gentleness.
She nodded respectfully to the elders before turning her gaze to Mihai, her eyes gleaming with a mysterious light. “I am Elanor, a Spirit Caller. My task is to guide you to the ancient temple.” Her voice was soft yet carried a strength that reminded Mihai of the calm before a storm.
Eldrin spoke again, his gaze shifting between Mihai and Elanor. “Elanor is one of our Spirit Callers, a rare and precious gift among our kind. She can communicate with the spirits of the forest and beyond. Her presence may grant you protection, as the spirits may be more willing to aid her.”
Mihai managed a nod, though he was barely aware of anything beyond Elanor’s steady gaze. Her presence was magnetic, her every movement graceful and poised. “I… I would be honored.”
Elanor’s lips curved into a faint smile, and she inclined her head. “Then let us prepare. The journey to the temple is not without peril, but with the spirits’ guidance, we may stand a chance.”
The elders offered a blessing, their voices harmonizing in an ancient chant that resonated through the platform. Mihai felt a warmth settle over him, as though Yahweh’s blessing had been strengthened by the elven ritual.
As they descended from the platform, Elanor led the way toward a gathering of elves by a large bonfire. She spoke briefly with the sentries, who moved aside to let them through. Mihai and Cian found themselves surrounded by elves of all ages, gathered around the flames that danced in the twilight.
Elanor stood by the fire, her face illuminated by its warm glow, casting a light that highlighted her features. Mihai felt as though he was seeing a vision from another world—she was at once real and otherworldly, her presence calming and stirring.
The fire crackled, and Elanor turned, her gaze meeting Mihai’s. She gestured for him and Cian to sit by her, explaining details of the path they would take and the dangers that lay ahead. Mihai listened intently, absorbing every word, his heart racing each time her gaze drifted his way.