But peace, they were learning, was never permanent.
A week after the battle, a messenger arrived at the sanctuary. She was young, breathless, and her clothes were torn as if she had run a very long way.
"Please," she gasped. "You must help us."
"Who are you?" asked Elara, offering her water.
"My name is Mira. I come from the southern coast. There is a city there called Velos. It is... it is being consumed."
"Consumed by what?"
"By silence. By emptiness. By something that eats sound and light and memory. We do not know what it is. We only know that it is spreading. And that it will reach here soon."
Seong looked at the queen. Looked at the keepers. Looked at Varen.
"A new enemy," said Kalib.
"Or an old one wearing a new face," said the queen.
"We must go," said Seong. "We must see what this is. We must stop it before it spreads further."
"I will come with you," said Varen.
"And I," said Kalib.
"And I," said Kaien.
"And I," said Al.
The keepers also offered to come. But Seong shook his head. "Protect the sanctuary. Protect the tree. Protect those who have come here to rest. We will go to Velos. And we will return."