Page 29 of World At War

With a heavy heart, I raise my force weapon, preparing to deliver the final blow. But before I can act, a voice rings out from the shadows, freezing me in my tracks.

“Hold your fire.”

I turn to see a figure emerging from the darkness, his features obscured by the dim light of the courtyard. As he steps forward, the light catches his face, revealing the unmistakable features of an elf.

But there’s something different about him—something that sets him apart from the other fae we’ve encountered. His eyes are filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination, a silent plea for understanding.

“I am Thalion, guardian of the wilds,” he says, his voice calm and steady despite the chaos that surrounds us. “These bears are under my protection. They mean you no harm.”

I exchange a wary glance with my grandfather, unsure of whether to trust this newcomer. But there’s a sincerity in his voice that rings true, a sense of conviction that speaks to his integrity.

Reluctantly, I lower my talons, the tension in my muscles easing slightly as I take a step back. My grandfather follows suit, his expression guarded but curious.

“What do you want?” I ask, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within me. “Why are you here?”

Thalion’s gaze meets mine, his eyes searching my face for signs of deceit. “I am here to offer you a choice,” he says, his voiceechoing in the courtyard's stillness. “You can continue on your path of destruction, or you can choose another way.”

I narrow my eyes, suspicion creeping into my heart. “And what way would that be?” I ask, my voice laced with skepticism.

Thalion smiles sadly, as if he already knows the answer. “A way of peace,” he says, his words echoing in the silence that follows. “A way of reconciliation.”

I scoff at his words, my skepticism giving way to anger. “And how do you propose we achieve this ‘peace’?” I demand, my voice rising with frustration. “Do you expect us to simply lay down our weapons and surrender to Oberon’s tyranny?”

Thalion shakes his head, his expression grave. “No,” he says, his voice firm with conviction. “I expect you to do what is right. To fight for what you believe in, but to do so with honor and integrity.”

I bristle at his words, the weight of his expectations heavy on my shoulders. But deep down, I know that he’s right. We cannot defeat Oberon with violence alone—we must also win the hearts and minds of those who oppose us.

With a heavy sigh, I glance at my grandfather, silently communicating our decision. He nods in understanding, his expression reflecting the same sense of determination that burns within me.

Turning back to Thalion, I meet his gaze with renewed resolve. “Very well,” I say, my voice steady and sure. “We will hear what you have to say. But make no mistake—we will not be swayed easily.”

Thalion nods in agreement, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you,” he says, his voice filled with sincerity. “I believe that together, we can end this conflict and bring peace to our lands. I agree with you, he needs to die. He has spoken for all our people for far too long.”

With that, he turns and disappears into the shadows, leaving my grandfather and I standing alone in the courtyard. As I watch him go, a sense of hope stirs within me, a flicker of light amidst the darkness that surrounds us.

But even as I cling to that hope, I know our journey is far from over. The road ahead will be fraught with peril and uncertainty, and the path to peace will not be an easy one.

But with my grandfather by my side, and the support of our allies, I am confident that we can overcome whatever obstacles lie in our way. Together, we will face Oberon and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all.

Chapter 20

Tiamat

The grandeurof Oberon’s castle surrounds us as we stand before the ornate white double doors, the intricate carvings a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the fae. The image etched into the doors depicts five elves with their hands raised over a pool of water, their faces serene and enigmatic.

As I study the carving, my grandfather steps forward, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he examines the scene before us. “They have a viewing pool,” he says, his voice low and contemplative.

I furrow my brows in confusion, unfamiliar with the concept. “What’s a viewing pool?” I ask, curiosity piqued by his words.

My grandfather turns to me, a knowing look in his eyes. “It’s a tool used by the fae to observe both the past and the future,” he explains, his voice tinged with a hint of awe. “They can see events unfold in real time, allowing them to expect and manipulate the course of history.”

As his words sink in, I glance back at the carving, my mind racing with possibilities. If Oberon and his followers have accessto such a powerful tool, then they could use it to gain an unfair advantage over us. We must proceed with caution, lest we fall prey to their machinations.

“It looks like the Marelup Castle in the pool,” I observe, pointing to a familiar landmark within the image. The sight sends a chill down my spine, the implications of what I’m seeing sinking in with each passing moment.

My grandfather nods in agreement, his expression grim. “Indeed,” he says, his voice tight with tension. “It seems that Oberon has been keeping a close eye on our movements. We must be prepared for whatever lies ahead.”

With a silent nod, we steel ourselves for the challenges that await us within the castle walls. There’s no turning back now—we’ve come too far to falter in the face of adversity.

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