For a moment, none of the elves moved.
They simply stared at the mountain of cases, their minds struggling to process what Luca was implying.
Then, slowly, hesitantly, they began to approach.
The first few elves reached out tentatively, their fingers brushing against the strange smooth material.
It was unlike anything they'd ever felt—not quite wood, not quite metal, but something else entirely.
Cool to the touch. Sturdy. Mysterious.
They then lifted the cases carefully, surprised by how light they were despite their size and one by one, more elves joined in, each picking up a case of their own.
Even those watching from the tree platforms leaned down, craning their necks, some climbing lower to get a better view.
Soon, most elves present was holding a case of some kind—larger ones for the adults, smaller ones scaled down for the children, all identical in design but varying in size.
The clearing fell into an expectant hush.
And then—
The first case opened.
