Alf: (Places his right index finger on his lower lip) And for sure, you will gradually be considered a very, very weak... weak, worthless Dragon Successor.

Elva: 😡Pardon?

The Duke senses heat rising around the red-haired maiden.

Duke Balin: [Oh no.]

The Mischievous Crown Prince lightly pokes her nose in mockery. Elva’s face twitches, then she snaps — a blast ignites. Luckily, Balin swiftly forms a shield for both of them.

Princess Raina wastes no time, shielding herself as well. At this rate, Elva’s hair bursts into flames.

Duke Balin: (Struggling to keep his balance) You just love igniting trouble, don’t you?

Alf sneers. He bows water from the air into a swirling globe. With his right hand, he gradually lowers it, then — giving Elva a sharp glance — sends the water sphere hurtling toward her. The force breaks through Elva’s fiery cage, repelling her energy.

Before slipping, Elva stomps hard on the floor, steadying herself. The beautiful red-haired Wendi stands tall with a proud scoff, though a single drop of water 💧 lands on her forehead. She looks up and sees a mass of water swirling just a meter above her head. Her gaze snaps to the Crown Prince, who smirks with a raised eyebrow, his right hand lifted.

Elva: (Threatening) Don’t.

The Crown Prince flicks his hand. The water releases, drenching her completely.

Princess Raina: Pfft.

Elva: (Face twitching) You... Arghh! (Chases Alf) I’m gonna skin you alive!

The troublesome Eldest Prince darts around the hall, hiding behind either the Duke or the Princess, laughing mockingly, while Elva chases him furiously.

---

At midnight -

Amidst the quiet atmosphere, a dark fog rolls in, stirring an unsteady wind.

By dawn - the palace is in turmoil. The Elflord walks the halls, flanked by the Royal Commandant and the Royal Advisor.

Elflord: That uneasy aura came from within the palace. Call forth all the High Elves to prepare the Fluid Test.

Royal Commandant: Yes, Your Majesty.

---

NOTE: The Fluid Test is an ancient process used to uncover an evil committee or vessel among the majors. The item used is called the Revealing Stone.

* To bow or to bend is to control an element e.g waterbowing/bending.

---

Fifty minutes later…

Outside the Old Royal Antiques Room, a blonde elf carrying a sack approaches cautiously, hiding a fake Revealing Stone. Before he can move further, two Elven Soldiers stop him.

Elven Soldier 1: Pardon, what are you doing here?

The blonde elf freezes, then quickly recovers.

Blonde Elf: Forgive me, I’m a new servant. I was looking for the changeroom, but I seem to have lost my way…

Meanwhile, inside the room, a mysterious elf in a gray hood with an obscured face approaches the real Revealing Stone in its opened box. The elf smoothly switches it with a superior fake, then slips away.

Back outside—

Blonde Elf: … Okay, I thank you.

To avoid further suspicion, he hurries away, though unease grips him. Entering a chamber, he kneels before the Duke.

Blonde Elf: Your Grace, I failed to change the stones.

Duke Balin: What?!

---

The ritual begins. 

Everyone gathers in the Court Hall, including the Lókï Vessels.

Madame Raphaela: As you are all aware of what transpired last night, the appearance of a gloomy energy in the sky is a warning — a warning against the Disastrous Dragon!

Murmurs ripple through the hall.

Madame Raphaela: (Firmly) Silence!

The chamber falls still.

Madame Raphaela: It is certain now that the Disastrous Dragon is among us. To prevent further chaos, the Dragon Successors will undergo the Fluid Test. Lókï Vessels, proceed.

Being Crown Prince, Alf goes first. He slices his palm slightly, squeezing three drops of blood onto the stone. The blood multiplies faintly.

Official Consultant: Your Highness, touch it lightly.

Alf obeys. To the relief of many, the stone absorbs his blood — a sign of purity. The wound vanishes.

The Urulókë follows, and is found pure as well, same with Princess Raina.

Last comes Duke Gulzien. Balin approaches in measured steps, his gaze fixed on the stone, hiding his thoughts of escape.

Official Consultant: Your Grace?

Duke Balin: (Snaps to attention) …

Official Consultant: Please proceed.

Resigned, he sighs and complies. As the blood drips, everyone waits — including Balin, who secretly prepares to flee. Yet shockingly, the stone deems him pure as well.

The attendants cheer. Balin exhales in relief and takes his place beside Raina.

Madame Raphaela: The three Dragons have been found pure.

Official Consultant: This means the Ying is the Disastrous Dragon. Let us all pray to the Heavens that the Disastrous Dragon never escapes the Dragons’ Cave.

High Elves: Hope is ours too!

Princess Raina clenches her fists in fury. Elva and Alf notice, but turn away. Understanding her pain, Balin gently clasps her right hand in consolation.

Suddenly, the Royal Commandant hurries into the hall.

Royal Commandant: Your Majesty!

---

Minutes later, inside the War Tactics Chamber…

Gathered around the huge map table, they discuss.

Royal Commandant: Inikhadan has blocked all paths to the Caven Caves using dark magic. Our troops can neither enter nor leave.

Elflord: (Hand on jaw) Hm. He must have sensed we know of his plan to seize the Dark Gem. But now… how do we stop him?

Alf: (Hands spread on the table’s edge) I wouldn’t say all paths.

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