>>Amber

"I'm not going in since I don't plan on bumping into my mother again." He said as he walked over to a tree and leaned against it

"But you said she doesn't even know we're going to be here." I didn't want to go in alone

He nodded, "She didn't know last time either."

"Right..." I realized I said something stupid.

"That's why as soon as you're done, come out. We'll leave immediately." My feelings aside, I also understood where he was coming from, so I couldn't force him to come with me.

"What about you?" I asked

"Someone will come to me to tell me what I need to know once you start the purification."

"Alright." I nodded, then turned to leave.

I'll do this as fast as I can and then return!

***

"It's nice to have you back," Ezio said

"Yes..." I gave him a meek reply. After learning about Hael's story, I have grown negative feelings for all elves, but it seems I can't even stand the voice of the elves directly involved in making his life hell.

I've only given Ezio empty replies and he should catch on by now that I don't want to talk to him.

Luckily, he didn't try again and we quietly made our way to the dungeon where the dark elves were being kept.

Descending the wide, gracefully carved stone steps, I was struck by how clean and well-maintained the dungeon was. The air was fresh and cool, carrying the faint scent of herbs and incense that masked any hint of unpleasantness. The smooth, polished walls were adorned with intricate elven carvings and glowing runes, providing a soft, ambient light that created an almost serene atmosphere.

As I stepped into the main chamber, the sight before me was a stark contrast to the suffering I knew the elves were enduring. The cells were spacious, constructed with elegant, lattice-like bars of enchanted silver that shimmered softly in the dim light.

Yet, despite the pristine surroundings, the dark elves within the cells told a different story. My heart ached as I saw them lying or sitting in despondent silence, their once-proud and graceful forms now ravaged by the miasma's corruption. Their skin was ashen hue, and their eyes, dull and lifeless,

"They've gone quiet after trying to run rampant for weeks." Ezio said, "Since they're elves, they are still alive, but a human wouldn't last this long."

"I see..." If it were humans, their organs would have melted by now and their skin would be peeling off. Or maybe I'm wrong. At this point many humans would be dead. Especially if it's people who don't possess any mana.

"For your ease, we transferred all of them into these four cells. So your area of healing remains within a boundary." He explained why the cells were full of people when many other cells were empty.

I guess I should be thankful for that. I end this in one go.

I stepped forward, "I'll purify and heal them now." I brought my hands up in a praying position

***

>>Hael

The sound of footsteps made me look at the person approaching me.

"I didn't think you'd come yourself," I passed a professional smile to the person who made her way to me, "Queen Helena." I got off the tree I was leaning against and straightened up to look at her.

"You can call me aunt." I knew she would say that.

"No need," I replied.

"..." She didn't insist further. She stopped when she was near me, "I came because I think I'm the best person who can explain things to you."

"I agree," I said, "But I don't see the book on you."

"I asked Lilia to bring it since I wasn't home for two days. I decided it was better to meet you before heading back. This way no one will know I'm meeting you."

I nodded, "So? I already told you what I saw in Hollow Woods when we talked yesterday. What do you have to say about that?" I had a call with her yesterday night.

"Do you know how Hollow Woods came into being?" She asked.

I knitted my brows softly, "There's a story behind that?"

She nodded, "There is apparently, but no one knows for sure. But Hollow Woods has a big rift hidden inside it."

"So I've heard." Eldias mentioned it too.

"A while back some of my elves went to Hollow Woods. There were twelve of them who had exceptionally strong magic."

"Why did they go into Hollow Woods?" Without a reason, no one goes in.

"They were traveling and while crossing the area near the poisoned forest, during the night a child went missing. From what I heard she left to relieve herself but never came back. It alerted the mother and then the rest of the elves. But the thing is, she disappeared without a sound."

"I heard about children disappearing from the town near Hollow Woods too." I recalled the old lady saying how the forest eats people. So the creatures have been abducting people and eating them? "Continue,"

"They went in to look for the girl but instead they encountered a creature that has never been mentioned anywhere in history." She paused, "Well, per the words of elves that came back, there were multiple of them." She looked me straight in the eyes, "Only two of my elves made it back alive. The rest were either mutilated, eaten, or were consumed by the miasma those creatures release."

I paused as I took in her words.

"Those creatures release the miasma?" It was surprising, "From their body?"

She nodded, "They're capable of doing it. The two who came back were light magic users, they wrote and drew what they remember in the book. Lilia should be bringing it to us soon enough."

"You mentioned the rift in there. Why?" Wind blew past us as the giant forest swayed.

"Because it appears the forest isn't their home, it's their territory but not the home. They emerge out of that rift and they crawl back in there too."

...

As the wind blew through the forest, it created a symphony of sounds that added to the enchantment of the place. Leaves rustled softly, the wind's caress was cool and invigorating.

"Any reason why we can't see them?" I asked, "No matter how much I tried, I could only see the eyes."

"The way they are built is probably how they can ambush so easily. Their bodies are pitch black in color except for the eyes which are hollow and white."

I thought about it. I had assumed that the body might be hidden with magic, the same way they might have masked the sound of footsteps. But it was simply the color of their skin? If they even have skin that is.

Then is it possible that they don't make a sound while going around because of the way they are built too?

I'll need to see the drawing to make the final judgment.

"Do you have any idea what's in that rift?"

Helena shook her head, "The fact that my people went that far in and came back is already a miracle. Coming back was the priority, going in that rift would have been suicide."

Hmmm

I moved my gaze as I got lost in thought

"There has been no mention of these things ever before. So it's safe to assume they came into being in Hollow Woods." I folded my arms, "Any guesses?" I looked back at my aunt.

She shook her head, "No..."

"Well, at least we know how the miasma is spreading." I said, "These things have been traveling to other dense forests." It explains how the animals in our forest were getting corrupted. They must move in the dead of the night and considering what I've been told, it would be near impossible to spot a monster that is pitch black.

"Only the Saint will be able to solve this," She said, "No one else can fight miasma."

"We'll see what she can do." I replied, "I'm not putting her in danger." I looked at the place beyond her, "If that was all, you can go now."

"You're quite cold with your words.'

"I am being very polite." I answered

A subtle dejected smile formed on her face, "I'm going." She stepped back," But Hael before I leave, I have something I want to tell you."

"I don't need any other knowledge." I said, "I'll do just fine with the book."

"I believe you need this one, it's important."

"I'm quite alright."

"You've fallen in love haven't you?'

"...."

She smiled, "I'm right, aren't I? I noticed it the last time you were here too."

"..."

"Hael, I know you can probably never forgive your mother for what she did, but I want you to understand why she got like that."

"I don't see how her and I are relative in this conversation?"

"Listen to me, I'm not asking you to forgive her." She said, "This is important."

"I'm not interested." Despite showing her I had no interest in her words, she said what she wanted anyway.

"If you lose Saint Amber, you'll lose your mind too." She said, "Just like your mother did."

I paused, then I frowned at her words, but she didn't speak any further. She had caught my attention and she knew it. She was waiting for me to ask her about it.

We stared at each other for a second, then I gave in.

"Elaborate,"

"I don't support your mother's actions, but falling in love can be a tragedy for an elf."

"Well, I am not an elf,"

"No matter how much you hate us, you can't deny the blood flowing inside of you."

"And what does my blood have anything to do with me and Amber?"

"Hael," Her gaze softened as a look of pity was visible in her eyes, "When elves fall in love, they fall in love for life."

My eyes went wide at that information.

For life?