The journey to the heart of the wood elf territory had been arduous, but Prince Lucian Drakemont was determined. He had donned his ceremonial armor—an intricate blend of gold and steel adorned with his kingdom's sigil—to ensure his presence commanded respect. As he approached the towering gates of Sylvanna's Reach, the prince surveyed the intricate carvings depicting ancient wood elf tales, their artistry a testament to centuries of craftsmanship.

The sentries flanking the gate, their bows drawn, regarded him with wary eyes. Lucian raised his hands in a gesture of peace and called out in the melodic dialect of the wood elves. "I am Prince Lucian Drakemont. I come not as an invader but as an ally, seeking council with your king. Our fates may be intertwined more than we realize."

After a tense pause, the gates creaked open, and Lucian was escorted into the settlement. The air was heavy with tension. The aftermath of battle was evident in the blood-streaked ground and weary faces of the wood elf soldiers. Lucian's keen eyes noted the scars left on the ancient trees and the lingering unease in the air. As they walked deeper into the settlement, he saw soldiers solemnly carrying away the bodies of the fallen, their faces a mix of grief and exhaustion. The sight weighed on him, and he resolved to ask about it when the time came.

He was brought before the wood elf king, who stood atop the steps of his throne room. The king's piercing green eyes scrutinized Lucian with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. Clad in silver armor etched with vines and leaves, he radiated an aura of regal authority tempered by exhaustion.

"A prince of Drakemont," he began, his tone neutral. "Rarely do we see one of your kind this deep in our lands. What brings you here, human?"

Lucian stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, I seek knowledge of a dark elf who was said to have passed through these lands. This figure's actions may have sown chaos not just here but across my kingdom as well. We have suffered rebellions, strange possessions, and inexplicable violence. I believe our plights may share a common source."

The king's gaze hardened, but he listened intently. "You claim your kingdom faces the same horrors we endure? Possession, rebellion... such things are foreign to your people. What proof do you offer of this shared affliction?"

Lucian met the king's eyes steadily. "Our people have turned against us, their minds consumed by an unseen force. Families have been torn apart, and loyal men now fight as though possessed by madness. It began shortly after rumors of a dark elf reached our borders. This is not mere coincidence."

The king's expression softened, though his wariness remained. "A dark elf did pass through our lands. He was seen near our sacred groves. Not long after, the first signs of corruption appeared among my people. Soldiers turned their blades against one another, and our once-harmonious kin became adversaries. This cannot be dismissed as chance."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Lucian gestured toward the soldiers clearing the bodies he had seen earlier. "I noticed your people bearing away the fallen. Is this part of what you speak of?"

The king nodded grimly. "Indeed. Those who succumb to possession fight with unnatural ferocity. When the madness overtakes them fully, there is no saving them. It is a tragedy we have borne these past weeks."

Lucian nodded, his voice resolute. "Then we are bound by a common enemy. I must know where this dark elf went and what connection he has to the greater threat."

The wood elf king hesitated, then gestured for Lucian to follow him. The two walked through the halls of the elven palace, where murals of ancient victories lined the walls. The king's voice was quieter now, tinged with caution.

"The dark elf left days before the possessions began. But another figure came to our aid after the chaos erupted—a high elf skilled in spear. He helped us fend off the possessed for a time but departed soon after, heading north to confront the demon sorcerer responsible for this plague. Shortly after, an orc arrived, asking about the high elf."

Lucian's brows furrowed. "An orc? What was his intent?"

The king's lips tightened. "He claimed he sought the high elf for aid. But there was a darkness in his manner, a fury barely contained. I cannot be certain his motives were pure."

The prince's mind raced. An orc seeking the high elf, a dark elf leaving chaos in his wake, and a demon sorcerer orchestrating this madness—the threads of this mystery grew ever more tangled. "Your Majesty, I ask for your guidance. Where did the high elf go, and what of this orc? If we are to face this demon sorcerer, our paths may cross again."

The king studied Lucian's face, weighing his sincerity. Finally, he relented. "The high elf journeyed north toward the Vale of Shadows. It is said the sorcerer's lair lies in the demons wastelands beyond the frozen cliffs of the snowy mountain. Follow his path, but tread carefully. The orc—and perhaps even the high elf—may not share your noble intentions."

Lucian inclined his head in gratitude. "You have my thanks, King. I will do all I can to uncover the truth and put an end to this evil."

The king continued, his voice grave. "Know this, Prince of Drakemont. Beyond the frozen cliffs in the snowy mountain lie the Wastelands, a desolate realm of rocky mountains and barren ground. Life there is scarce, and only the demons are known to dwell within its depths. The frozen cliffs themselves are perilous, teeming with giant trolls and frozen lake lizardmen. If you do not encounter one, you are bound to encounter the other. You must prepare for these dangers if you wish to survive."

As he prepared to leave, the wood elf king placed a hand on Lucian's shoulder. "Be wary, Prince of Drakemont. This darkness consumes not only the body but the soul. Trust must be earned, even among allies."

With those words etched in his mind, Lucian departed Everglen. The path north lay ahead, fraught with peril and uncertainty. But now, with new knowledge and a growing determination, he pressed onward, knowing that every step brought him closer to uncovering the truth—and to facing the shadows that sought to engulf their world.