Chapter 33: Five hundred Years Pass: The Elven Realm in Transformation
In an instant, five hundred years unfolded before Ariana's eyes, and throughout that time, she attentively witnessed the transformations in her world. Now, a place with a considerable population and a diversity of cultures, Arcadia had evolved in unimaginable ways.
Her latest creative feat in these last five hundred years, the elves, had undergone exponential evolution, extending their dominion over all the surrounding forests. Ariana closely observed each stage of their evolution, watching their interactions with nature, the decisions they made, and the battles they faced. For her, it was like watching an exciting series, and Arcadia had become a bustling place where boredom found no residence for a single year.
Recalling the early years after the creation of the elves when they, curious, ventured out to explore and often found themselves in battles against surrounding monsters. The elf leader decided to restrict the elves' exit from the forest, limiting their development to a smaller territory. Over time, this became insufficient, but for the elves, it was no longer a concern as they had developed superior weaponry over the years. Moreover, some talented elves could now communicate with elemental beings, amplifying their magical power.
From that point on, the elves expanded their dominion to encompass all the surrounding forests, turning them into a single, gigantic forest. The construction of a majestic kingdom was complete, and Ariana walked peacefully through these lands. She had disguised herself with her magic, taking on the appearance of an elf to avoid attracting attention.
She marveled at revisiting the elven kingdom, something she hadn't done in twenty years. Significant changes were evident, such as the colossal palace that now dominated the horizon, housing the elders, the first elves, and the most powerful beings in the entire kingdom. Under a sky covered by colossal trees, the castle seemed small in comparison, creating a natural barrier that protected the entire elven kingdom.
Ariana enjoyed exploring the various restaurants and fairs in the elven kingdom, always discovering new flavors to try. While she reveled without apparent concerns, inside the imposing castle, a serious conversation unfolded.
"Why can't I leave?" questioned a white-haired elf, expressing her dissatisfaction.
The older elf, with a wise appearance, responded seriously, "Outside is very dangerous, and the demons are becoming more active. Stay here, train, and enhance your magic."
Tired of repetitive answers, the small elf exploded in anger, "You always tell me the same thing! I've been trapped in this place for over 300 years. How much more do I have to train?"
The older elf, maintaining his authoritative posture, scolded, "Do not question your master's orders. I know this world much better than you."
Frustrated, the small elf screamed in fury, releasing her mana uncontrollably, sending objects flying as she left the place. Despite maintaining an undisturbed expression, a bead of sweat trickled down the older elf's forehead, and he wiped away the blood escaping from his mouth, murmuring, "What monstrous strength."
Ariana enjoyed her meal on a skewer in the bustling central square of the elven kingdom. Sitting on a wooden bench carved with elven details, she observed the commotion around her. In front of her, a imposing statue of three elves stood, a tribute to the heroes of the past who had protected the kingdom against invaders four hundred years ago.
The afternoon sun cast a golden light on the square, creating shadows that danced under the canopies of tall trees surrounding the area. Elves of all ages strolled through the square, some savoring magical delicacies at colorful stalls, others appreciating local art displayed at craft booths.
While Ariana savored her skewer, her thoughts turned to the humans who, in the past, erected a statue in her honor. Despite the elves not knowing her and worshiping another deity, this difference did not bother her. Her mind wandered to the image of an immense tree, a symbol of adaptability that she always associated with humans.
Inside the majestic elven castle, a heated discussion unfolded among the elves. Seated in a room adorned with intricate tapestries, the older elf, surrounded by others with a youthful appearance, confronted a primordial fairy that emerged from the shadows.
"You're being too harsh on her, as always," the fairy's voice echoed in the room.
The face of the aging elf darkened. "Don't meddle in my affairs," he retorted, rising with an expression of displeasure.
Ignoring the threat of the elf's mana aura, the primordial fairy continued to argue. "We've been in good relations for three hundred years. Don't create enmities."
As the conversation unfolded, a gentle breeze entered through the window, making the silk curtains dance. The room was adorned with elegant elven furniture, and the polished wooden floor emanated a sense of serenity.
"You remember why you're so old, don't you?" teased the primordial fairy.
The older elf displayed discomfort on his wrinkled face. "Just say what you want."
The discussion took a tense turn, and Ariana, in the square outside, remained oblivious to the political intrigue unfolding inside the elven castle. The sun continued to cast its golden rays on the statue of the three elves, witnessing the passing of centuries.
"You must already know that the demons are becoming more active lately. Just send someone to help eliminate them," she commented, while the older elf maintained his authoritative posture.
The young-looking elf, who until then seemed oblivious to the conversation, intervened with indignation. "So it's about demons. That was a fatal mistake by your master. Why should we help them?"
Ignoring the threat, the primordial fairy responded firmly, "Don't mention her with your filthy mouth."
The dissatisfied elf was about to retort, but the other elves in the room stared at him, indicating silence. It was evident that this was a delicate matter.
The primordial fairy then resumed her argument. "I don't need to tell you that if the forces of the demons increase, it will become dangerous for you, elves. Your barrier won't hold the demons in the next few hundred years," she warned, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The room remained silent, and the atmosphere was tense with the imminent threat.
"Gorgola, Gluttony, a demon in service to the demon king, destroyed an entire human city," said the primordial fairy.
An elf, upon hearing the news, mocked the humans. "It was expected from weak beings like them," he sneered, displaying a presumptuous smile.
The primordial fairy, however, warned about the gravity of the situation. "Gorgola is one of the seven demons superior that serve the demon king. It's very powerful, not something that can be dealt with using simple magic," she explained.
The elves in the room exchanged glances before making a decision. With a sigh, the older elf relented, "Alright, we'll send someone."
The primordial fairy expressed satisfaction and, with a smile, disappeared quickly. The older elf, furious, headed to another location in the castle.
Entering a majestic room, he found an elderly elf, sitting in a lotus position, radiating serenity and beauty. "I felt the presence of one of them there. What did they want this time?" she asked, keeping her eyes closed.
The older elf recounted the conversation about the demons, and the elderly elf, upon hearing it, suggested, "We can't refuse. Whether you like it or not, this will be advantageous for us." When asked who they should send, the elderly elf surprised the older elf: "Send her!"
The older elf, astonished, nodded before leaving. Before he left the room, the elderly elf stopped him: "Just tell her to venture, don't present it as a mission. She will end up facing them sooner or later."
The older elf left to fulfill the elderly elf's order, while she headed to a dark dungeon in the castle. There, she found several humans in a pitiful state, pleading for freedom.
"I will give you liberation, do not worry," promised the elderly elf, smiling sweetly. The humans followed her without questioning, entering a vast forest. After a few minutes of walking, the elderly elf declared, "We have arrived."
The confused humans noticed only trees around until their gaze was drawn to the center, where a gigantic tree dominated the landscape. In moments, hope turned to despair as the elderly elf revealed her true intent. "For liberation!" she exclaimed with a sadistic smile.
A grotesque face emerged on the tree, and the atmosphere became dense. Roots grabbed the humans, hurling them toward the mouth of the colossal tree. Screams echoed, followed by the repulsive sounds of bones and flesh being devoured. Terror consumed that small group, while the elderly elf observed undisturbed the carnage