The Demon Queen's Royal Consort-Chapter 63 - The Shadow Game of the Six Crowns - IV

** Anaryil - The Heart of a Star

The wind reverberated, rustling the leaves of a colossal tree situated in the heart of the continent. From bottom to top, the view was breathtaking. The roots of Anaryil intertwined like giant serpents, forming a solid and imposing base.

The roots, as thick as towers, glowed softly with a greenish hue, as if the tree's magical energy pulsed through them.

At the base, life thrived. Young elves, dressed in simple robes, walked among the rooted markets, where glowing fruits and magical artifacts were displayed in stalls made of intertwined leaves and branches. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of wildflowers and the murmur of soft conversations.

As one ascended the tree-nation, passing the first level of branches, the view transformed.

The residences of common elves were visible, carved directly into the bark of the tree. Balconies adorned with flowering vines extended outward, and magical lights, resembling fireflies, illuminated the wooden pathways connecting the homes. Elven children ran along the branches, laughing, while artisans worked in their shops, shaping crystals and metals into gleaming works of art.

This place was no smaller than any of the greatest cities of Atlas. A tree that had grown so vast and imposing that it had become the home of the elves.

Higher up, where the middle branches lay, the architecture became more elaborate. Here, elven warriors trained on suspended platforms, their light armor gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Libraries and study halls were hidden in natural cavities of the tree, with wise elves bent over ancient books and magical scrolls. The sound of harps and flutes echoed softly, blending with the rustling of the leaves.

As one ascended further, the branches became narrower but also more majestic. The residences of the High Elves were true suspended palaces, with towers rising in elegant spirals, wrapped in luminous vines. Large windows of magical glass reflected the sky's light, and wide balconies offered stunning views of the forest below. Here, the silence was deeper, broken only by the song of birds and the whisper of the wind.

At the very top, there was a natural clearing.

At its center stood the 'Heart of the Star,' an imposing structure made of living bark and translucent leaves. The dome seemed to breathe, expanding and contracting slightly, as if it were an integral part of the tree. Inside, the throne of a queen dominated the space, carved directly into the trunk and surrounded by luminous roots that pulsed in sync with the tree's energy. The elven leader sat calmly and majestically, while High Elves surrounded her, discussing the latest events in the world.

The queen, seated on her throne of living bark, observed with serene eyes the gathered High Elves. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her dress, woven with threads of moonlight, glowed softly. She raised a graceful hand, and the soft murmur of conversations ceased.

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"My dear advisors," she began, her voice melodious like the sound of a crystal-clear stream. "Today, we bring to light a delicate matter. The humans, our long-time allies, have requested that their geniuses complete the dungeons that our novices have failed to conquer. This request, though understandable, brings with it issues that deserve our reflection."

"The humans, though well-intentioned, seem to forget that growth comes from adversity. By asking to complete our dungeons, they rob our youth of the opportunity to learn and strengthen themselves," said one of the High Elves, Eryndil. His green eyes shone with the wisdom of centuries, and his robes were adorned with patterns of golden leaves.

"I agree with Eryndil, but we must also consider the alliance we share with them. Denying their request may create a rift between our races. Perhaps there is a way to assist them without depriving our youth of the lessons life offers," suggested Lirandriel, an elf with golden hair and eyes as blue as the twilight sky.

"Lirandriel, your words carry wisdom. But we must ponder: by opening our doors, would we not be fostering a culture of inferiority?" questioned the queen.

Eryndil raised a hand, his long, delicate fingers reflecting the light of the Lumispheres. "Perhaps," he suggested, "we can accept their help in a limited way. Allow humans to guide our novices but not complete the dungeons in their place. Thus, we honor their offer without compromising the growth of our youth. With this, we could also see how the blessings they have received have influenced the overall power of the newer generation."

A murmur of agreement from some elves filled the room, as Eryndil's words seemed to resonate with them.

"My Queen, Lissamel," said an elf with an elderly appearance but still exuding the vitality of a youth. "If I may offer my opinion, I believe the humans are more interested in discovering our limits than genuinely interested in our dungeons."

The elves seated respectfully in the dome's chairs nodded in unison with the premise raised by Saerion.

"My pulse, in connection with the Heart of the Star, tells me the same," Queen Lissamel Quesset replied softly. "Seal the letters denying the possibility for now. Inform them that we are in the period of harvesting the sacred peaches and that no disturbances from other races are permitted during this time."

"Yes, my lady," replied Saerion, sealing the queen's decision and putting the idea of humans attacking their territory's dungeons to rest.

"My Queen Lissamel, there is another issue we cannot ignore," said a councilor with silver hair and eyes as deep as the night sky, Thalorien.

"The demon named Glenn is being hailed by Elian, his master, as the most talented mage of this generation."

"He has achieved a record of nineteen victories, eleven draws, and only six defeats against the geniuses of the demonic empire, despite being only an initial Awakened," added Eryndil.

"He is a force we cannot underestimate. And considering that Elian is potentially the most powerful mage in the world, his approval is a concerning sign," concluded Thalorien.

Lirandriel frowned, her grace momentarily overshadowed by concern.

"Elian does not praise lightly. If he sees potential in this Glenn, we must consider the implications. A talent as overwhelming as the news suggests, allied with a demon of such magnitude, could alter the balance of power in our world within a few decades," said Lirandriel.

"Another anomaly, alongside the current queen," commented Lissamel. "If he has as much potential as she does, it may not even take two decades before the scales tip again in favor of the demons," she concluded.

"Who shall we send to the banquet?" asked Lirandriel.

"Let us act according to the importance of the news. Send one of our most sensitive talents in internal energy perception. Let the new generation deal with their problems."

"Yes, my lady," replied Saerion, once again tasked with choosing a diplomat from the new elven generation.

The atmosphere in the dome became palpably tense when Aelindra, an elderly elf with hair as white as snow and eyes that seemed to carry the weight of millennia, rose. Her voice, though soft, carried a gravity that silenced the room.

"My Queen Lissamel Quesset, there is an issue we have long avoided discussing but can no longer ignore. Our race is weakening. The life expectancy of elves decreases with each generation. This is a sign that something is deeply wrong."

A heavy silence fell over the dome. Even the Lumispheres seemed to glow less intensely. The queen closed her eyes, as if feeling the pain of her words.

"Aelindra," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "this is a matter that touches the heart of our existence. We have neglected the signs, but we can no longer do so. Anaryil, our mother and protector, also seems to weaken, but none of us can say why."

"For years, I have scoured the ancient manuscripts of our people, but so far, there is nothing that mentions the events concerning our heart-tree," added Saerion.

"Not only that, recently one of the roots rotted and disintegrated into mana," said Eryndil. "Beneath the root was a calamitous dungeon, which is still being guarded by the royal guard."

"Pheww..." Queen Lissamel sighed. "My brothers, we must prepare. I see dark clouds approaching our family."