The Council Chamber was quiet now, but the tension lingered like a thick fog. Shadows of the silverwood trees stretched across the platform, their runes glowing softly as if whispering warnings. Yuehan sat on a low stone, his body still trembling from the Forest Trials. Lira stood nearby, alert, scanning the treetops for any signs of danger.
Elder Eilis rose, her staff tapping against the ground. "The Awakening has proven what we feared… and what we hoped. Yuehan's power is real, and it is strong. But strength alone will not be enough. The Abyssal Dominion is already moving."
Kaelen, the armored elder, slammed a hand against the railing. "We cannot wait. They will not strike subtly. Their undead scouts will reach the Glade before nightfall if we delay!"
Eilis raised a calming hand. "Patience. Strategy must guide action, not panic. We must understand the enemy before we confront them. And we must guide the boy in mastering his abilities. Every uncontrolled burst risks destroying what we protect."
Yuehan stood, crest glowing faintly on his chest. "Then teach me. I want to fight. I want to protect this forest and… everyone here."
Lira's eyes softened. "That's the first thing you've said with certainty," she said. "Hold onto it. We'll need that fire."
The Council Debates
The elders convened, their voices low but tense. Some demanded immediate offensive action: send elves to hunt the undead before they could gather strength. Others argued for fortification: strengthen the Glade's wards, protect civilians, and allow Yuehan to train.
A third faction, led by the youngest elder, insisted on diplomacy. "The Demi-Human clans may lend their forces," she said. "The dwarves of the Ironhold Mountains may be persuaded. But only if we act wisely. War is coming… and Dorotheou's heir is key to uniting them."
Kaelen scowled. "Diplomacy buys time. But the Dominion grows bolder every day."
Eilis remained silent for a long moment, eyes closing. When she spoke, her voice carried the weight of certainty. "All factions are right. But none can act alone. Yuehan is the bridge. If he cannot unite allies, the Glade will fall. If he cannot master the Guardians' light, we will all fall. We must prepare him—now."
Yuehan swallowed, feeling the enormity of her words. The Glade, the forest, the future—everything rested on him, even before he understood his own past.
The First Threat
As if to emphasize his warning, a strong wind whipped through the trees. The leaves whirled downward, forming a spinning vortex. The runes on the chamber floor glowed with warning light.
A shadow appeared at the edge of the clearing: skeletal warriors, their eyes ablaze with red fire, marching silently. They stopped beyond the protective wards.
Kaelen drew her sword, its blade gleaming a magical silver. "They come early," she whispered.
Lira moved in front of Yuehan, bow drawn, arrow ready. "Stay close," she commanded. "Focus on your heartbeat. Let the crest guide you."
Yuehan felt the pulse of light within her stir. The forest itself seemed to respond, the silverwood trees bending slightly toward her. She took a deep breath.
The undead did not advance, but their presence was enough to chill the air. A message accompanied them: a single, terrifying rune carved into the ground with black fire. It spelled out one word—direct and terrifying:
RETURN.
Plan Begins
The Council moved swiftly. The elves strengthened wards around the village, weaving barriers of living light. Elder Eilis pulled Yuehan aside, speaking quietly.
"You must learn to control faster than I thought. Tonight, practice. Tomorrow, you will be attacked. But first, we must gather allies. You cannot face this threat alone."
"Who are the allies?" Yuehan asked.
"The elves of Ironhold," Eilis said. "They value strength and honor. The elves of the northern forests, though divided, can unite for a blood heir. And the Demi-Humans—who distrust both humans and elves—will follow only if they are convinced you are worthy."
Lira nodded. "We will leave at dawn. We will need stealth, diplomacy, and a readiness for battle. And Yuehan… you must learn to trust the power within you."
She clenched her fists, the crest glowing faintly. "I will. I do not yet know what I am… but I will be ready."
Eilis placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful, Prince Yuehan. The Dominion will not wait for you to understand your own strength. Your every step will be watched. Every mistake… will be exploited."
The forest rumbled, as if repeating its warning. The shadows lengthened. Night was drawing nearer.
And for the first time, Yuehan understood that the path of a prince was not simply to reclaim a throne—it was to save a war that had already begun.