The Queen Mother stared at them. Two trees stood where her sons had once been, their branches arched gently toward each other, as if still reaching for comfort in their final moments.She sank to her knees with a strangled sob, clutching at their trunks. “My babies…” she cried, voice cracking with sorrow.No one said a word. Grief hung thick in the air. And the town square, once so full of life, with people dancing and laughing, now stood eerily quiet, like a graveyard. Every single Elf around had turned into trees, save for Mariel, Ludiciel, the Queen Mother and a few elite Elf soldiers. Princess Mariel fell to her knees beside their mother, trying to console her but ended up crying too. After all, this was their fate. It was just a matter of time before she also ran out of magic and turned into a tree like the rest of them. No one could escape it. Prince Ludiciel couldn’t take it anymore. He turned to Elliot, gripping his hands, his voice hoarse. “You have to go. Now.”Elliot blin
The once-beautiful town of Netheridge had become a landscape of chaos and despair. Screams echoed through the streets as Elves fell to their knees, their breaths shallow, their limbs stiffening and sticking to the ground. No matter how hard they pulled or tried to move, their feet would not budge. And then slowly, their bodies changed, transforming into hideous trees. Their skin lost its colour, taking on the texture of bark. Veins darkened into root-lines. Their arms and heads turning into branches full of leaves. Their faces remained frozen in terror. One by one, starting from the weakest ones, their bodies hardened, twisting upward, stretching into trunks and branches. Most of the Elves panicked, running aimlessly through the streets, shouting, screaming in fear. Others ran around searching for loved ones. Some tried to wake the transformed, screaming their names through sobs until they too turned into trees on the spot while others locked themselves inside their homes, as if b
Another tentacle rushed in full force, whipping at Zedekiel’s side. He dodged, only to be forced back by two more. It was like they were deliberately forcing him further and further away from the Shadow Master which made him think the Shadow Master must be avoiding a one on one fight. He just didn't know why.He gritted his teeth, slicing three more tentacles only for them to be replaced and slammed into him, hard. He groaned, his boots digging trenches into the ground as he skidded to a halt.Suddenly, a thunderous burst of wind and heat blasted through the grove. “Zedekiel!” Talon shouted, eyes wide with alarm as he, Alaric and Seraphiel arrived. He saw Zedekiel fighting against shadow tentacles and the Shadow Master standing a few feet away. Instantly, flames exploded across his skin. His body transforming in a blinding flash, taking on the majestic and fearsome form of his phoenix heritage. Wings of molten fire burst from his back, his hair igniting in strands of reddish-orange
Gasping for breath, Zedekiel pushed himself to his feet, transforming into his Elf form, ready to charge again when a slow, deliberate sound broke the silence.“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.” and then an amused chuckle. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”Zedekiel turned toward the sound, unsurprised to see a figure cloaked in robes so dark they seemed to blend into the night. The figure’s face was hidden beneath a deep hood and around him, shadows slithered like smoke, curling and twisting unnaturally in the air. Zedekiel raised his hand and his ice-like sword materialized with a sharp hum, the blade glowing faintly blue. Frost exuded from its edges, like silver smoke woven with snowflakes.“You finally show yourself,” he sneered. “Shadow Master.”The Shadow Master tilted his head, then clicked his tongue again disapprovingly, slow and scornful.“I’ve heard so much about the great Elf King. The fearless warrior who butchered his treacherous uncle and saved his people from those terrible humans at
Prince Ron was conflicted. The weight of their words sunk into his chest like stones. He knew they were right. His beloved wouldn't be able to fight at full strength while worrying over him but he just couldn't let them go alone.Something was calling out to him in that direction. He could feel it. The pull. Like invisible strings wrapping around his heart and spine, tugging him toward the direction of the castle.“I have to go with you,” Prince Ron insisted, gazing at Zedekiel with pleading eyes, directly ignoring the words of his mother and the Queen Mother. “Please. I think Maelda is calling out to me. I don’t know how to explain it, but I can feel her and I think she's in trouble. Zedekiel, please… you have to believe me.”“Even if she's in trouble, I don't see why she'd reach out to you.” Alaric said. “It doesn't make sense. Why won't she reach out to Zedekiel? He's the King. Or maybe even the Queen Mother.”“I don't know!” Prince Ron snapped. He really didn't. But he could feel
He was kneeling in front of Ron, his hands shielding Ron’s ears even as blood streamed freely from his own. His silver hair was matted with it, his face smeared and glistening crimson under the strain. His shoulders trembled with the effort to remain upright, but he refused to move. The only thing keeping him conscious was Ron before him and their babies. He had to protect them.He promised.Seeing Zedekiel in so much pain, Queen Liilan acted at once, swiftly cupping her hands over Zedekiel’s ears.“Cain!” she shouted. “Come here and help me!”King Cain saw what she was doing and moved. He joined her and placed his own hands over hers, effectively reducing the effect of the sound.Zedekiel let out a rattling breath. The pain and the sound didn’t vanish, but it dulled. He no longer felt like knives were being stabbed into his skull repeatedly. Rather, it felt like a dull incessant pounding. Still it was better for the bleeding had ceased.King Cain then looked at his soldiers. “What th