Aurdis lifted her head from Erend's shoulder, her eyes searching his face for answers. The tranquility of the garden seemed a world away from the chaos they knew was coming. The flowers and ancient trees offered a brief respite, but the weight of their impending mission hung over them like a storm cloud.
"Erend, what's your actual plan for dealing with this impending doom?" Aurdis asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern,
Erend took a deep breath, his mind racing. The truth was, he didn't have a concrete plan yet. The magnitude of the threat they faced was daunting, and he felt the pressure of needing to find a solution. He met Aurdis' gaze, trying to offer reassurance despite his uncertainty.
"I... I still don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper because of the uncertainty. "There's so much we don't understand about this threat. The only thing we can do now is to gather more information, unite our allies, and... And prepare for whatever comes."
Aurdis's eyes softened, and she reached out, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tightly. The warmth of her touch grounded him, even as his thoughts remained turbulent.
"Whatever happens, know that you're not alone in this. I will help as best as I can. We'll face this together," Aurdis said.
Erend smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Her words meant the world to him, but deep down, he was resolved to protect her from the danger that lay ahead. He couldn't bear the thought of her being harmed, and he was determined to shoulder the burden himself, no matter the cost.
"Thank you," he said, his voice steady. "Your support means everything to me."
In his heart, however, a different resolve took shape. "I won't let anything happen to you," he thought silently. "I'll solve this on my own if I have to. I'll keep you safe, no matter what."
They sat in silence for a while longer, drawing comfort from each other's presence. The garden, with its serenity and beauty, offered them a brief sanctuary. But Erend knew that soon, he would have to step back into the fray, carrying the weight of his promise to protect the world—and those he loved—against the encroaching darkness.
---
The scouts departed not long after receiving their order. Their unicorn's hooves moved in the cobblestone into the outside world of the Palace.
After sometime passed, the scouts finally arrived at their destinations.
Lyris and Theoren carefully documented what they saw, knowing that this information was crucial for understanding the threat they faced.
Their orders were clear—observe, not engage. They retreated cautiously, leaving the hostile forest behind.
---
High in the rugged terrain of the Gray Mountains Aranis and Faelar, navigated the rocky slopes with ease. The air was thin and cold, and an eerie silence hung over the landscape.
They soon came upon the strange symbols that Adrien had described. Burned into the rock were glyphs of unknown origin, glowing faintly with an unsettling energy.
Aranis knelt to examine one of the symbols more closely, while Faelar kept watch, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"These symbols... they're unlike anything I've ever seen," Aranis murmured. "They must be tied to the anomalies we've been observing. I will record it so we can try to decipher it later."
Their attention was diverted by movement in the shadows. Larger and more aggressive than any creatures native to the region, dark forms moved stealthily among the rocks. The scouts held their breath as they observed the shadowy figures—hulking beasts with glowing eyes.
The creatures moved with an unnatural grace, their forms shifting and flickering as if they were partially composed of shadow. The scouts noted their numbers and behaviors, knowing that these beings will posed a great threat.
Aranis and Faelar exchanged a look, understanding the gravity of what they had witnessed. They made their way back down the mountain, their hearts heavy with the knowledge of the dangers that lay ahead.
The scouts regrouped at the edge of the Elven territory when the twilight has come, their faces grim. Each pair had witnessed horrors that confirmed the Great Calamity's advance.
With their observations detailed and documented, they returned to King Gulben, ready to relay their findings.
King Gulben listened to their reports, his expression growing ever more serious.
---