"By the way, who were those people?" Valindra asked. "The ones who were guarding you."
"My followers. People who serve Luminera. That’s about all I can tell you." He answered with a smile.
"Whatever, it’s not like I care anyway." She turned her head, pouting as she walked away.
"We should head back to the castle. Queen Melina might be wondering where you are," Syrune suggested.
Zion nodded, agreeing with her. "Lead the way."
’Tessa, update my mana method manual and send it out to everyone so they can learn it.’
"You failed?" A man asked, his voice stern and full of power. His appearance was hidden in the shadows as he sat on a throne, his red eyes looking down at five elves who were kneeling down.
"Y-Yes, sir. Cara was able to steal the sapling, but she was stopped by someone else. Someone who was able to combat infernal energy." One of the Elves said, his voice shaking as sweat dripped from his face.
"And who was this ’someone’?" The man asked with a low growl.
The elf gulped "Z-Zion Zagan."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the Elf’s head exploded.
The other elves grew quiet, fear creeping up their backs, hoping they weren’t next to die.
The man looked down at the dead elf, his finger steaming from the attack he used to kill the elf. "I told you never to speak that name in front of me." He turned to the other elves. "What happened after she confronted that human?"
An elf woman spoke up. "S-She lost in their confrontation, so instead of losing the sapling, she destroyed it, forcing its power back into the world tree. B-But she corrupted it with infernal energy so the world tree would suffer as well."
"Hmph, at least she did one thing right. And what of our informant? Is she ready for the next phase of the plan?" He asked, his words normal, yet carrying power.
"Y-Yes. She’s ready for the next phase. She is waiting for your instruction."
The man stepped into the light, revealing his demonic features. "Good." He said, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Let phase two begin."
"Where have you been for the last day?" Melina asked, her voice rising.
"Getting stronger," Zion explained everything to Melina and watched in real time as her face shifted between many different expressions, mostly shock, though.
She asked, no, she demanded to see Zion’s spirit. Being a spirit summoner herself, she wanted, needed to see Zion’s spirit as she was the first of her kind.
"Impossible!" She muttered, staring at Aryah.
"I’m floating right here, sweetie, that makes me very possible." Aryah giggled.
"But something , it’s unheard of!" Melina argued, examining Aryah from head to toe
"Well, there is always a first for everything."
Just then, someone knocked on the door to the room everyone was in.
"My Queen! Urgent news!" A voice yelled from beyond the door.
"You may enter," Melnia said, standing up with concern.
The elf barged into the room and greeted Melina with respect. Then he said what he came here for.
"L-Lord Thurinrod has been killed, and we’re under attack!"
"What?!" Everyone said in unison, standing up from their seats.
"Explain, now!" Melina ordered
"I-I don’t know the full details, but there are people attacking the Fae families! Not only that, but the Royal Advisors and the Elven Elders are also being attacked!"
"Syrune, inform the rangers! Valindra, gather our troops, we’ll put an end to this right now!" Melina ordered.
"I’m afraid I can’t let you go, my queen." A voice called out, entering the room.
"Nimreth? Why do you say that?"
"I rushed here as soon as possible once I got the news. My Queen, if every important person in the kingdom is being attacked, then that means your life is also in danger, and I must protect you." Judging by her voice, it didn’t seem like Nimreth was giving Melina a choice.
"No chance! As Queen, it is my duty to protect my people such it is your duty, Nimreth. I do not need protection."
"She’s right, Mom. If you die, the kingdom will fall into ruins. You need to be protected."
"Valindra, you must stay here as well. As princess and future queen, we cannot afford to lose you as well."
"Don’t worry, I’ll handle things," Zion reassured.
"That would be great, thank you." Nimreth smiled. "I can see why Goddess Freya asked for your help. You are reliable."
"I just do what I can." He smiled. "Come on, Syrune, we need to inform the Rangers and Royal Army."
Chaos. That was the state of the Rangers and the Royal Army. An unknown foe was attacking them, killing everyone in sight and slaughtering those who weren’t expecting an attack.
"Hold the line!" A commander shouted, slicing down a foe. "Don’t let them pass! We are the Royal Army, show them our strength!"
"Rangers! Aid the army! We need to push back these foes! They cannot enter the castle!" The Ranger Commander shouted.
Syrune panicked, tugging at Zion’s arm. "Zion! This is bad! With the Rangers and Army occupied in a battle, we can’t deliver aid to the others!"
"Don’t worry. Everyone, come out." He demanded
Over 500 elves answered his call, kneeling down in front of their master.
"Split into teams and protect everyone who is set to be assassinated. Tessa should have relayed our conversation, so I’m sure you’ll know what to do. Syrune and I will head for the...wait, what family is Aethon from?"
"The Inchel family, master."
"Yeah, we’ll head there. Everyone, move out."
"Master, I have something to tell you," Aryah said, materializing into existence.
’That Nimreth woman, her energy feels weird. As if she’s an enemy.’ She said telepathically.
Zion’s eyes widened, but then he shook his head, understanding why Aryah would feel that way.
’You’re a spirit, so you can feel energy better than others. Nimreth, like me, is a Divine Apostle and one day might be an enemy since it’s my mission to kill all the gods for Luminera. You’re probably feeling Luminera’s hostility towards another Apostle.’ He replied telepathically so Syrune wouldn’t hear their conversation.
Aryah nodded, accepting his explanation. But that didn’t stop her from feeling the way she did.