"I can't shake off this feeling that there's sothing they're not telling us," Leon said as he discussed the matter with Freya and Euna in the warm glow of a luxurious restaurant that evening.
"They seed too secretive and controlling, like they have so hidden agenda."
Euna listened carefully and nodded slowly. "I worry this situation may escalate. The Forest Elves may live in isolation, but that doesn't an they're weak or unwilling to act beyond their borders."
Leon sighed. "You think they might attack because they feel threatened by what I did? But they're the ones who started this."
"It's possible," Euna replied. "They are fiercely protective of their land and traditions. If they perceive your actions as a threat, they may seek retribution."
"But I didn't do anything wrong," Leon said.
Freya leaned back with a smirk. "Taking Princess Alora away from them? That could easily be seen as quite the bold move, my dear Leon."
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply.
"Now..." Freya said. "Let's guess-what could possibly be the motive of the Forest Elves?"
"I think this is Maylock's specialty," Euna chid in. "He's always been good at unraveling mysteries."
"And... it's been a long ti since we last saw him," Freya added. "Should we pay him a visit?"
"I heard his wife is getting better," Euna said. "We should go next week. I'm free then."
A heavy silence settled over the group, each of them montarily lost in their own thoughts.
As the night wore on, their conversation was filled with lively discussions and bursts of laughter.
They were set to head ho the next day when Ronald casually ntioned that the final potential mber for their team lived near Leon.
"Oh, really? Who is it?" Leon asked.
But as usual, Ronald didn't provide a straight answer, offering only a mysterious smile before changing the subject.
***
In the Moonlight Dinsion, Broken materialized once more. His eyes quickly spotted Aerin and Cecilia near the lake, their feet dipping playfully into the cool water under the warm glow of the midday sun.
As Broken approached, Aerin turned to him with a cheerful wave. Cecilia, anwhile, floated briefly in the air before vanishing.
"Good to see you again," Aerin greeted as Broken ca closer.
"How did you sleep in this place?"
Aerin chuckled softly and patted the rock beside her. "Co, sit with , and I'll show you," she said. "This place is so tranquil, so comforting. If only I could stay here forever."
"Well, I wouldn't mind you staying here," he said, taking the seat she offered. "But don't forget-you're Princess Alora. You have important duties waiting for you. Your kingdom needs you."
"Thank you for reminding , Broken. You're right."
Aerin leaned her head against his shoulder, her toes gently tracing ripples across the glassy surface of the.
"Are you thinking about the Forest Elves?"
She hesitated, her voice low when she finally spoke. "The decision has been made... and it was mine to make."
Broken's thoughts raced. While the potential threat to Slumdon Town weighed on his mind, a deeper concern began to surface-he might have underestimated the broader consequences of this decision and how it could ripple across the Dissidia Kingdom as a whole.
He reached for her hand, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze. For a mont, neither of them said anything.
It wasn't that he was escaping from the situation-what other choice did they have? Surrender to the Forest Elves and allow themselves to be confined?
Damn it!
The Forest Elves were powerful, no doubt about it. But what about Aerin-Princess Alora? Was she afraid her decision would spiral into sothing far bigger, far more dangerous?
And him? Could he stand in front of her and face the Forest Elves if it ca to that?
The worst part was... he didn't feel afraid. Instead, he felt a gnawing unease, not at the idea of fighting, but at the thought of trying to solve this ss without violence- and failing
anyway.
Broken clenched his jaw, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. Whatever path they chose, it felt like the storm was inevitable.
"My heart tells that I must fulfill my duties as heir to the throne of Dissidia Kingdom," Aerin said, "but it feels like a betrayal to the Forest Elves and their ways."
"It's not an easy decision," Broken said. "But ultimately, you must follow your own path and do what you believe is right for yourself and your people."
Aerin nodded, finding comfort in his words.
"Let take you back to the Dissidia Kingdom," he offered.
Aerin agreed, and as night fell, Broken prepared to escort her back to the capital. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, they traveled on Polly rather than using his eye-catching
golem carriage.
When they arrived at the capital, it was ti to part ways.
"Pawpaw, you stay here with Alora, okay?"
Without a word, Pawpaw materialized and darted into the shadows, following Aerin.
Broken left the inn room and made his way down to the ground floor, where Optimus and
Trison were already waiting for him.
"Hi, Broken!" Trison greeted, waving enthusiastically.
"Not drunk?" Broken teased.
"Well, he's like this for about one hour a day," Optimus replied with a smirk. "Nothing unusual. You just got lucky and caught him in one of his rare sober monts."
The three of them stepped out of the inn together.
"I'm heading back to Slumdon," Broken said. "You two have a mission here, right?"
"Yes," Optimus confird. "We'll head to Slumdon in about two weeks."
"Who else is around here?" Broken asked.
Optimus paused for a mont before replying. "Elincia should arrive in the capital in a few days. Goldrich and Jovina have a mission nearby. And then there's Charlyn and Skywarden."
"Okay... it seems most of the team is near the capital."
He gave them a nod before urging Polly onward, riding out of the capital until he was far
enough from watchful eyes.
Once he was sure the coast was clear, he brought Polly to a halt.
It was ti to test his new golem!
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