Dawn broke over the Bloomridge Highlands in a breathtaking wash of gold and rose. Golden light filtered through crimson blossoms as Ethan climbed a small slope to watch the sunrise. Below, the campsite stirred awake. He closed his eyes, savoring the rare peace: no war, no urgent diplomacy—just the gentle morning breeze and birdsong.Behind him, the camp was coming alive. Celestia emerged from Ethan’s tent (having quietly slipped out moments before to avoid scandal), stretching contentedly. Saint Seraphina, already up and packing her bedroll, noticed and blinked in surprise. “Lady Celestia... were you in His Majesty’s tent at dawn?” she asked innocently.Celestia froz

After a week of travel north, Ethan’s convoy crossed into Shuanglin—a land of endless snowfields and biting winds. The capital city came into view as a cluster of frost-covered walls and towers. War had left its mark here: the gates bore scorch scars, and the people who gathered to greet the arrivals were pallid and lean from a harsh winter and scarce supplies.Awaiting them in the main courtyard was Marquis Kreia, Shuanglin’s Prime Minister and regent in the absence of its young prince. She stood at the head of an honor guard of soldiers outfitted in well-worn armor. Despite the chill, Kreia and her people wore only thin cloaks; shortages had made warm furs a luxury few could afford. Even so, she greeted the arrivals with impeccable courtesy—a proud woman refusing to let hardship dim her hospita

That night, to cap the day’s hopeful events, Marquis Kreia insisted the imperial party visit Shuanglin’s famous royal hot springs. After so much talk of magical baths, Ethan readily agreed. The bathhouse behind the palace featured steaming pools of mineral-rich water, partitioned by carved screens into men’s and women’s sections.Ethan sunk gratefully into the hot spring, letting the enchanted waters soothe his travel-weary limbs. On the other side of the divider, Celestia and the other women relaxed in their own pool—though Celestia found it hard to sit still. Hearing Ethan’s contented sigh from afar (and catching Nina attempting to peek through a lattice for a glimpse of the Emperor’s toned shoulders), Celestia’s protective instincts flared.Without warning

Beside her, Nina practically vibrated with excitement, her freckles stark against skin flushed by the cold. “A lost elven civilization?” she exclaimed, barely containing a squeal. “This isn’t just another quest—this is the adventure of a lifetime!” Then, catching herself, the excitable dwarf bard added with a more somber tone, “—which of course could also mean a tremendous threat.” She gulped, imagining the perils that might lurk in an undiscovered land.Seraphina pressed her gloved fingertips to the silver amulet at her neck, murmuring a quick prayer that was whisked away by the wind. “If there’s any chance the elves can be saved, or that we can learn of their fate, we must help,Last Updated : 2025-10-04

Bright morning sun filtered through the canopy as the elven envoys made their way along an old forest road. Though Lucianna’s outward composure remained unshaken, her mind replayed Queen Aelinsira’s final counsel from the eve of their departure. In a moonlit glade beneath the World Tree, the Queen had revealed a disturbing truth that weighed on them all:“More and more of our Songweavers have gone missing in human cities,” Queen Aelinsira had said, her melodious voice edged with steel. The only sounds had been the rustle of ancient leaves and the sharp intake of breath from the envoys. “These bards are not mere minstrels. They are keepers of our culture, the bearers of our memories. If we cannot protect them, we risk losing a part of ourselves.”Lucianna had bowed her head that night, a knot of resolve tightening in her chest