Sylvara and Kaelen left the Drakonis Empire at dawn, the morning mist clinging to the mountains as their dragons soared into the sky. Their destination was the Elven Kingdom, where Sylvara hoped to meet Queen Thalanor and learn more about the Gate of Dragon Valley.
The Elven Kingdom, however, was well-hidden—its borders shrouded by enchantments, and its paths known only to locals. After hours of searching, the sun dipped beyond the treetops, and they decided it was wiser to stop for the night.
They made camp in a quiet part of the forest. The crackling fire cast warm light over their faces as they finished their meal in companionable silence.
"We should rest," Kaelen said, glancing at the darkening woods.
Sylvara nodded, slipping into her tent, while Kaelen settled into his own nearby.
But deep in the night, Sylvara was jolted awake by a nightmare—visions of the Silver Dragon locked in a violent battle with the Black Dragon, their roars shaking the earth. Among the chaos, she heard strange, haunting voices of spirits whispering, "You should be dead… You are a monster…"
Her eyes flew open. She sat upright, breathing heavily, the echo of those words still ringing in her ears. For a long moment, she stared at the tent's shadowed ceiling, her mind racing.
Whose voice was that…? she wondered, unable to shake the chill creeping down her spine.
Morning light spilled through the trees, washing away the shadows of Sylvara's restless night. She pushed aside her unease, packed her belongings, and joined Kaelen by the dying embers of the campfire.
They mounted their dragons and continued toward the Elven Kingdom. But soon, Kaelen slowed. "We can't fly over this part," he said, pointing ahead. The dense emerald canopy stretched endlessly, the air shimmering faintly with enchantment.
"The Elven border," Sylvara murmured. "The sky route is sealed."
With no choice, they dismounted and began walking through the forest. The air grew still—too still.
Without warning, an arrow sliced through the air, embedding itself in the ground just inches from Kaelen's foot. Another followed, whistling past Sylvara's ear. Then more—swift, precise, and coming from all directions.
In a heartbeat, both of them drew their swords, standing back-to-back, scanning the shadows for movement.
"Show yourself!" Kaelen barked.
From behind them, a familiar voice rang out—calm yet edged with authority.
"Who are you," it called, "and what are you doing in this area?"
Sylvara froze, her grip on her sword tightening as she turned toward the voice.
Sylvara's eyes widened as recognition struck.
"It's been a while since we met… Prince Aeris," she said calmly.
Kaelen glanced at her sharply. "What? Aeris?"
The elven prince stepped forward from the shadows, bow in hand, his silver hair catching the dappled light. His brows furrowed.
"How do you know it's me? And who exactly are you?"
Sylvara lowered her sword slightly. "It's us—Sylvara and Kaelen."
Aeris didn't react at first. His gaze swept over them, still sharp with suspicion. Only then did Sylvara remember—they both wore the black masks given to them for traveling in dangerous territories. The masks concealed everything but their eyes.
They exchanged a quick glance and removed them.
A faint flicker of recognition crossed Aeris's face, though confusion still lingered.
"Sorry for the trouble," Sylvara said, slipping her sword back into its sheath. "But tell me—do elves always attack anyone who enters your forest?"
Aeris's tone softened, the edge in his voice giving way to mild regret. "My apologies. I didn't realise it was you. And no… we don't just attack anybody. It's because your aura was… too strong—too noticeable—even from a distance. You know we can't let someone with that much power enter our kingdom unchecked. I'm sure you understand."
Kaelen muttered something under his breath, but Sylvara caught the faintest smirk on Aeris's lips.
Aeris sheathed his bow, his expression returning to its usual confident demeanor.
"Come, I'll escort you both to the Elven Kingdom," he said with a nod. "It's the least I can do after the misunderstanding."
Kaelen crossed his arms, casting a sidelong glance at Aeris. "We don't need an escort," he replied, his tone a mixture of annoyance and defiance.
Aeris smirked, unperturbed. "Perhaps not, but I insist. Besides, I could use the company." He turned to Sylvara, who simply nodded in agreement.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the tension between Kaelen and Aeris was palpable, their banter a mixture of jest and challenge. Sylvara listened, amused by their exchange, feeling a strange sense of familiarity amidst the underlying rivalry.
After a while, Aeris spoke, his voice softer this time. "The forest may seem dense and daunting, but it's our home. You'll find the Elven Kingdom is as welcoming as it is ancient."
Kaelen's gaze softened slightly. "I trust you," he admitted reluctantly, "but let's keep this journey straightforward."
Aeris chuckled, leading the way with an easy grace. "Agreed. Just remember, the Elven Kingdom has its own rules and customs. Best to respect them."
Sylvara fell into step beside Kaelen, her heart filled with anticipation. They were closer than ever to their destination, and with the prince of the Elves guiding them, she felt a renewed sense of purpose.
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