— Just like you sent scientists to investigate the monster — Terrra muttered, arms crossed, looking away.

— Do you have something to say to me? — Hambar asked, his tone shifting drastically, making the room heavy.

— Just thinking out loud… though I’m sure everyone here is thinking the same — Terrra provoked.

— Terrra, don’t start. It’s barely been two days, and the burial hasn’t even... — Shen cut himself off upon seeing Hambar walking toward the other councilman. Everyone’s eyes followed, alert to the rising tension.

— Owlette, I think we should— — Rosemary tried to warn, but was silenced by a gesture from the counselor.

— Just because you’re the oldest here, Hambar, do you think I’m afraid of you? — Terrra challenged, rising and releasing a bloodthirsty aura.

— It’s not fear you should have, but respect. Don’t forget who leads and owns this kingdom — Hambar warned.

— Everyone avoids this topic, but you're in no position to give orders — let alone rule this so-called kingdom of yours. People died for nothing, because of you. Do you realize that!? — Terrra exploded.

— What, should I have had a crystal ball? There was no way of knowing that monster was still alive.

— Yet you allowed it to cross the seal, which led to the deaths of several scientists — who are still being pulled from what’s left of that lab. I’d love to know what went through your head when making that decision.

— I owe you no explanations, Terrra. I’m already dealing with the consequences before the public and the victims’ families. I don’t need someone who probably still hasn’t grown any hair on his balls acting like the voice of reason. You’re on the council, but you don’t own anything.

A cutting silence filled the room. Both remained locked in a glare until, finally, one member stepped in to defuse the situation.

— You assigned elves to investigate both issues, didn’t you, Hambar? — Anastasia asked, positioning herself between the two, showing not the slightest hint of fear.

— Yes... — he replied, still staring at Terrra.

— Then I think we've had enough discussion for today. We should all return to our territories, don’t you agree? — she said, her green eyes gleaming as she looked at Terrra.

— Yes... — he responded, backing away. — Let’s go home, Willow — he said, receiving only a nod as his partner stood from his chair.

— I hope this time you actually do something about it and stop making excuses, Hambar. Problems don’t solve themselves, and there are consequences for those who stay in power while feigning ignorance. Remember that — Anastasia whispered as she passed him, leaving alongside Shen.

— Consider it, Hambar. Everyone’s been under a lot of stress with everything going on — Owlette said as she passed him with Rosemary.

— Do you think so too? — he asked, back turned to her, eyes fixed on the council table.

— What? — she asked, turning toward the elder. Her glasses reflected the light.

— Do you think I should be removed from the council? — he asked, slowly turning to face her. — That it’s time to pass the torch?

— Hambar, what are you saying? — Annabeth asked, rising from her chair, surprised.

— I don’t know, Hambar. You’re the one who has to decide what to do. After all, the burden of the thirty-eight deaths that happened in that lab falls solely on you — Owlette said, turning and leaving with Rosemary.

— Don’t listen to them, Hambar. Everyone makes mistakes — Annabeth tried to console him.

— And mine cost the lives of scientists vital to the kingdom’s progress... — he replied, voice heavy with frustration.

— As you said yourself, we can’t predict the future — she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

— I think it’s time we found someone more suited for this, don’t you think? — he said, gently removing her hand from his shoulder.

— You’re really going to listen to a coward like Terrra? — Annabeth asked, outraged, frowning.

— In a way, he’s right. Saving everyone... no, saving most during the Great War isn’t a justification to fall back on forever — he replied, gripping her hand firmly. — I leave it to you to find someone as capable as you to lead the Scolli territory.

— I still can’t believe you’re serious...

— Sooner or later, it’ll sink in — he said, a faint smile escaping as he turned to leave.

Just as he was about to open the door, he was surprised by Bonsai, who burst in, clearly agitated and nervous.

— Bonsai? What happened? — he asked, alarmed.

— M-my lord, Eurus brought a human child into the village! There’s chaos in the square, people are getting riled up! You need to step in before they take drastic measures! — Miss Bonsai exclaimed, unable to hide the tension.

— A... human child?

×

The center of Scolli, the village’s main commercial area and the source of most of its income, was now overrun by a crowd of elves, all trying to understand what was happening. Eurus, the feared and imposing forest guardian, stood there holding a visibly frightened human child by the arm.

— W-what’s going on here!? — exclaimed one of the elves in shock. — What is that child doing here!? Take him outside! — he ordered, receiving immediate support from the others.

— We don’t want that race here! Take him away, that cursed pest! A plague spreading more and more across the world! — shouted another, hurling a sizable stone at the boy.

However, before it could strike the child, Eurus deflected it with a gust of wind, causing it to ricochet straight into the head of the elf who had thrown it.

— Bring me Hambar! — his deep, threatening voice echoed through the area, plunging everyone into a fearful silence.

— What do you want with me, Eurus? — asked Hambar, stepping out from the crowd, accompanied by Bonsai and Annabeth.

The guardian didn’t respond. He simply hurled the child toward him with brutal force. Before impact, Bonsai summoned roots from the concrete, wrapping around the boy and preventing injury.

— What is the meaning of this, Eurus? — questioned Hambar, looking at the frightened face of the child trapped in the roots.

— This child, from what I gathered, had his village destroyed by monsters. Everyone was killed, and he is the sole survivor.

— And what does our village have to do with that!? Send him away! — shouted another elf, echoed by approving cries.

— A village destroyed by monsters? But there haven’t been records of such creatures in this region for decades... — he murmured, perplexed.

— He might know something about the creature responsible for the massacre two days ago. Interrogate him.

— You didn’t bring him to me just for that. What’s with this boy that made you cross elven territory to bring him here? — he asked, already suspicious.

— Well... — Eurus murmured, raising his right hand. With a gesture, he made both the boy and Hambar levitate, rising to the height of the clouds, where they could speak without being overheard.

— I believe he could help us uncover the cause of the village’s water shortage.

— How can you be so sure? — Hambar asked, his eyes full of distrust.

— Let’s just say capturing him wasn’t easy — he replied, revealing a not-too-deep cut on his waist, hidden beneath his pants.

— Are you saying this child managed to injure you?

— I had let my guard down, but still... A child causing that? It’s not normal.

— It was just luck. Release him, undo the seals, and send him away.

— Therris, Ami, and even Bonsai are worried you’ll leave the council, you know? — Eurus confronted him. — There were already rumors, but the massacre at the lab two days ago confirmed our suspicions. You’ve lost control. You no longer know how to lead. This could be your chance to redeem yourself. It won’t erase what happened, but it’ll show the people you still have judgment.

— I still don’t see what this boy has to do with any of that — Hambar said, eyeing him.

— May had a vision. It was months ago. And everything happened exactly as she said it would.

— The white-core seer who lives in the village’s poorest area?

— Yes. She foresaw great trouble ahead, including irreparable losses. But also gifts. And this boy... he is one of them. He will find the source of the water shortage, but he needs to be trained by someone skilled in swordsmanship. I’m assigning you that mission — he declared, levitating the boy over to Hambar. — If you're patient and don’t act stubbornly, you’ll reap good rewards. Invest in him.

— And where should I keep him until I make that decision? — he asked, remembering something. — Now that you mention it... what about the boy we found five days ago, the one being held prisoner? Couldn’t he fulfill this mission?

— Only this child. That’s what May saw. He will restore territorial peace among the peoples.

— As much as you say that, I know something else is happening behind the scenes... something involving Terra — he said, noticing Eurus's slight reaction. — I’m not as foolish as I seem, Eurus. I know something is coming.

— Even so, you know May’s visions never fail. They’re precise and accurate.

— How did he manage to hit you? — he asked seriously, with a hint of curiosity.

— For a moment, he managed to conceal his presence. Pulled out a thorny branch and tried to wound me to escape. Nearly succeeded.

— He concealed his presence? That boy? — he asked, grabbing him by the collar.

— If he can do that at such a young age, imagine how far he could go. That’s why I brought him to you.

— Interesting. I still have my doubts, but I’ll think about it. It’s not a decision I can make alone.

— I know you plan to summon the council. But you already know what their answer will be, don’t you? In their eyes, there are already too many hybrids in our territories.

— Yes, you’re right — he replied, releasing the boy. — But you made sure everyone saw the existence of this child.

— Make up any excuse. Say you’ll execute him or take him away. Just teach him to fight. The prophecy must be fulfilled this year. Whether it happens or not is up to you — he said, launching himself back into the forest with the help of the wind, while Hambar and the child slowly descended to the ground.

‘Throwing me into deep trouble, aren’t you, May…?’

— Bonsai, take this child to my house. And don’t let anyone lay a finger on him — he ordered.

— What!? Seems you’ve completely lost your mind! How can you let a parasite like that into our territory!? — shouted an elf, outraged.

— Sir... — Bonsai murmured reluctantly, binding the boy to his back with a prison made of powerful roots.

— I’ll deal with these people later. Right now, I have another urgent matter to resolve. Go — he ordered again, turning and letting Bonsai dash away with the boy.

‘Either way, I can’t just obey like a dog. There’s more to this... and I know it.’

†

†

— Payton... — Beta murmured, clutching his chest as tears streamed down his face. — I’ll avenge you... and everyone else. — His voice carried all the hatred he could muster.

The horse moved steadily along the trail until it suddenly spooked, throwing the boy off and galloping away as fast as it could. Confused and disoriented, Beta immediately felt a powerful presence in the air, while a strong gust of wind stirred even the smallest blades of grass around him.

— W-who’s there!? — he shouted, consumed by fear, frantically searching for anything nearby to use as a weapon.

An elf emerged from the woods. His hair was orange, and he wore a black mask with six holes, shaped like a spider’s face. Draped over his shoulders was a cloak made of leaves. A green bracelet adorned his right arm, with a small emerald dangling from it. He wore mismatched sweatpants — green on the right, white on the left — and underneath, a black shirt and a necklace made from teeth of varying colors and sizes.

He walked toward Beta. As he drew closer, the boy, terrified, noticed that the elf’s voice was distorted by the mask, making it even more unsettling.

— What are you doing alone in a place like this, child?

— What are you going to do to me? — Beta asked, pale, trying to crawl away like a desperate prey.

— You still haven’t answered my question, — said the elf, raising his right hand. The emerald glinted in the sunlight, and through his palm, the boy could see the air spinning.

[Tornado]

The elf unleashed a powerful tornado-shaped spell, fired like a bullet from a colossal weapon. The windstorm grew rapidly, dragging everything around it with destructive fury.

To the elf’s surprise, the boy was quicker than he looked. He lunged forward with no plan, disappearing amidst the debris hurled by the tornado, becoming invisible for a few seconds.

— Where did he... — the elf murmured, about to cancel the spell, when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his side.

Blood trickled from the wound. Lodged in his flesh was a thorn-covered twig thrown by Beta, who was now fleeing into the forest, desperate to survive.

— Could it be... No, that’s not possible, — he whispered, raising his hand toward the boy again.

[Wind Bullets]

Sharp wind fragments shot from his palm, striking the child’s body. Seriously wounded, Beta fell to the ground, immobilized. Still, he kept trying to crawl away, using the last of his strength in his left hand.

— Maybe it was just luck, — the elf muttered, preparing to deliver the final blow.

[Wind Bullets]

The attack should have struck the boy’s skull with such force that only fragments of his brain would remain. But as the dust settled, carried away by the wind, the elf realized he had missed.

— Impossible... — he whispered, searching for the boy, who had vanished.

In truth, the impact with the ground, amplified by Eurus’s wind attribute, had launched Beta into the air. He ended up caught among the branches of a tree. The elf located him after hearing the sound of his fall.

— J-just kill me already... — Beta forced the words out, his wounds worsening rapidly.

[Mother Earth’s Mercy]

Beta was on the brink of death, like everyone from his village. But then he felt the elf’s palm pressing against his chest. Fragments of green light emanated from the touch. His wounds began to close as the elf focused, as if they had never existed.

— You’re going to tell me absolutely everything about yourself... understood? — said the elf, just seconds before knocking him unconscious.

Later that afternoon, after uncovering the boy’s origins and the goals set by the young girl who had accompanied him, Eurus was absolutely certain:

The child foretold by May was this brown-haired, brown-eyed boy.

†

†