An elven guard, his face full of panic, ran into the library. "My lord!" he said to the Head Elder. "We are under attack! A human army is at our border! They are using dark magic to break through the city's magic barrier!"
Everyone was shocked. The Silverwood had been at peace for hundreds of years.
"A human army?" Lord Aerion asked. "Who would dare?"
Ren knew the answer before anyone else did. He walked to one of the library's big, open windows. He looked down, past the city, to the edge of the forest. He could see an army of men in black iron armor. Their symbol was a black iron hand.
"The Iron Hand Guild," Ren said, his voice annoyed. "It seems they did not like my flash sale."
The guild had come for revenge. But they were not alone. They had hired many mercenaries. They also had dark mages with them. These mages were using evil artifacts to weaken the elves' beautiful, strong magic barrier. The barrier was starting to crack.
The elves of the Silverwood were great warriors. But they were not ready for a big war. They did not know how to fight an army like this. Panic started to spread through the city. The Elders shouted orders, but they were confused.
Ren just sighed. He had been so close to learning important secrets. And now, he had to deal with these annoying bullies.
"I ruin one man's business for one hour, and he sends a whole army after me," Ren said to the girls. "Some people have no sense of humor."
Elara looked very worried. "Ren, this is my home. We have to do something!"
Lyra was already putting on her helmet. "Just tell us what to do," she said. She was ready for a fight.
All the powerful elves in the room—Lord Aerion, the Head Elder, the Loremaster—were now looking at Ren. They had felt his power. He was their only real hope.
Ren, Lyra, and Elara stood on a high balcony. They looked down at the army. The Iron Hand Guild was trying to break down the main gate. The elven archers were shooting arrows, but the dark mages were creating black magic shields.
Elara was worried for her people. Lyra was ready for battle. Ren just looked bored.
"Alright," he sighed, "the research party is over. Let's go take out the trash."
He looked at the big army below. A slow, dangerous smile grew on his face.
"This should not take long."