The Corrupted Guardian roared, a sound of splintering wood and rage. It charged at Elara, its thorny vine-arms ready to crush her. Elara stood her ground. She did not raise a shield or a sword. She raised her staff.
"Be at peace," she whispered.
She tapped the butt of her staff on the ground. A wave of soft, green light pulsed out from it. The ground around the Guardian suddenly came alive. Thick, strong roots erupted from the earth. They wrapped around the creature's legs like strong ropes, holding it in place. The Guardian struggled, but the roots were too strong.
Now that the creature was trapped, Elara began her real work. She started to chant in the ancient elven language. Her words were like a soft, beautiful song. As she sang, her staff glowed brighter. She was not casting a spell to attack. She was casting a spell of healing.
The Guardian roared again, trying to fight the magic. But Elara's power was strong here, so close to her home. Small, glowing flowers began to bloom all over the Guardian's dark, wooden body. The flowers opened, and they released a cloud of sparkling, golden pollen. The pollen fell on the creature, and its angry red eyes began to soften. Its roars of rage became rumbles of confusion. The anger was leaving it.
"Her magic is amazing," Lyra whispered. She had never seen anything like it.
Ren nodded, watching with great interest. He fought by destroying his enemies. Elara fought by healing them. It was a new and wonderful thing to see.
For her final move, Elara walked towards the trapped and confused monster. She reached out and placed her hand directly on the dark, corrupted crystal in its chest. She did not flinch. A powerful, brilliant wave of pure life energy flowed from her hand into the crystal.
The crystal shrieked, and a cloud of black smoke poured out of it. The smoke disappeared into the air. The red light inside the crystal faded away. It was now a clear, beautiful green. The dark, twisted branches of the Guardian's body became smooth, light-colored wood. Green leaves sprouted from its back. It was not a monster anymore. It was a beautiful creature of the forest.
The roots retreated back into the ground. The creature, now cleansed and peaceful, looked at Elara. It slowly bowed its head, a gesture of thanks. Then, it turned and walked peacefully back into the deep woods.
Ren and Lyra walked over to Elara. She looked tired, but she was smiling.
"Okay," Ren said, truly impressed. "The super-gardener is also a monster-tamer. You are full of surprises, Elara."
Elara laughed. "Life is the strongest magic there is, Ren."
They continued their journey. After another hour of walking through the ancient, magical woods, they came to a place where the air itself seemed to shimmer. It was a wall of invisible magic. It was the border of the Silverwood.
As they approached, a group of elven warriors appeared from the trees. They moved silently. They all wore armor made of green leaves and shining wood. Their long bows were drawn, their arrows aimed at Ren and Lyra.
"Hold, strangers," their captain said. His eyes were sharp and suspicious. Then, his eyes fell on Elara. His stern face broke into a look of pure shock.
"Lady Elara!" he gasped, lowering his bow. "You... you are alive!"
Elara smiled. "Yes, I am home." She looked at Ren and Lyra. "And I have brought friends with me."
The elven captain looked at Ren, a human, and Lyra with doubt in his eyes. But he trusted Elara. He nodded slowly. "The way is open for you. Welcome home, my lady. And welcome to the Silverwood, friends of Elara."
He gestured, and the shimmering wall of magic in front of them opened like a curtain. They stepped through.
The sight before them took their breath away. They were standing on a high platform. Below them was a city unlike any they had ever seen. Beautiful, graceful buildings were built into the sides of colossal, ancient trees. Bridges made of woven vines and shining wood connected the trees. Soft, magical lanterns glowed everywhere, and the sound of music and gentle laughter drifted up to them.
Elara was home. But she had brought two strangers into a secret, magical city. Their adventure in the gorge was over. A new, more complicated adventure was about to begin.