The council chamber of Elarion was very old.
It was older than kingdoms.
The room was beautiful with roots curving across the walls.
Silver spirit flames illuminated the hall in light.
The atmosphere felt suffocating.
War had entered the room.
Queen Aelira sat at the center of the chamber.
The Elven Elders gathered around the table.
Sylvain stood beside her quietly.
Commander Seris remained near the entrance in armor.
Ronan and his friends waited silently across from them.
The messengers report had spread quickly.
One Elder struck the table sharply. "Valtheris is now preparing to go to war against Kaelmyra and we are expected to ignore it?" he said.
Another Elder responded immediately "If we intervene anymore, then we invite war to Sylvaris completely!" he said.
Sylvain said calmly "The war is already approaching and we have to choose sides." he said.
That silenced the voices in the chamber.
An older Elder frowned deeply "And we will side to Kaelmyra just because the Hero survived?"
Ronan's eyes lowered slightly.
He had expected this eventually.
His existence brought danger.
Queen Aelira stepped forward. "With respect Valtheris actions, they are already planning against Kaelmyra long before Ronan revealed himself." she said.
Several Elders looked at her carefully. "They seek dominance over every neutral kingdom remaining."
Commander Seris crossed her arms. "The Queen speaks the truth." she said.
The chamber grew quieter.
Queen Aelira spoke. "Valtheris does not merely fear rebellion." she said.
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly. "They fear they might lose control to other kingdoms." she said.
Everyone understood what she meant.
For ten years Valtheris had ruled through fear, military might and the glory of a Hero.
Now the Hero lived, the foundation that Valtheris built was beginning to crack.
One Elder looked at Ronan directly. "And what do you intend to do Hero?" he said.
The chamber fell silent again.
Ronan answered honestly "I never intended any of this to happen, I only wanted to live." he said.
Queen Aelira looked at him silently.
Because for the time everyone realized something important.
Ronan was not trying to reclaim power.
The world itself was dragging him back into conflict.
Sylvain spoke next. "You are not bringing war here Ronan, but Valtheris has."
The chamber fell into silence.
Because no one could deny it anymore.
Valtheris had crossed Elven borders.
They had mobilized against Kaelmyra.
They hunted the Hero openly.
Neutrality was beginning to die.
Then another messenger entered hurriedly. "Your Majesty, additional Wyvern formations have been sighted near the skies." he said.
Commander Seris face darkened instantly. "They are applying pressure already." she said.
The Queen slowly rose from her seat.
The room quieted immediately "The Elven Kingdom will not make a decision through fear." Queen Aelira said.
Her gaze swept across the council "But neither will we ignore what approaches." she said.
Then her eyes shifted toward Elira "Princess Elira of Kaelmyra." she said.
Elira stepped forward.
The Queen continued "You sought allies." she said.
A long pause followed.
Then the Queen said, "The Elven Kingdom will hear Kaelmyra's proposal."
Relief spread across Tomas face.
Even Kael relaxed slightly.
Ronan remained silent.
Because he understood better, than anyone this was the beginning.
Away beneath the capital of Valtheris darkness stirred.
Massive chains groaned slowly in a chamber deep underground.
A colossal eye opened briefly in the abyss.
It was ancient and terrifying.
Then silence returned more.
It was waiting.