Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Kaede winced the moment the supposed elder, Eryndor, spoke. A heavy tension seemed to press down on the elves, palpable and unrelenting.

"That's Lady Kaede to you! Watch your tongue before you lose it!" Ari growled, her voice low and menacing. The air itself seemed to vibrate with her fury as shadowy, mist-like forms materialized around the elves. Each form positioned its claws mere inches from their throats, a silent, chilling threat.

The elves froze in place, fear etched into their faces. Eryndor, for all his composure, visibly stilled, the spear in his hand trembling ever so slightly.

"Ari," Kaede said softly, her tone tinged with resignation. "Please stop."

Ari's fierce expression softened immediately, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes, Mother," she replied, her earlier monstrous aura vanishing as though it had never existed.

The sudden shift left the elves shaken, their wariness growing by the second.

Kaede let out a long, steady breath, her gaze sweeping over the frozen elves. Their wide eyes and trembling hands spoke volumes. Despite Ari withdrawing her menacing aura, the damage had been done. Fear clung to the air like a suffocating fog, thick and unyielding.

"I apologize," Kaede began, her tone measured, though the weight of her words was clear. "Ari's actions were... unnecessary. She's protective of me and sometimes takes things too far."

Eryndor's lips tightened, but he said nothing. His warriors remained rooted in place, their grips on their weapons unrelenting. The shadowy claws may have vanished, but the memory of them lingered, keeping the elves on edge.

"I assure you," Kaede continued, taking a cautious step forward, "I have no intention of harming you or your people. I came here to talk, nothing more."

Eryndor's eyes narrowed, his stance rigid. "Talk? Your actions speak louder than words, Kae..." The sudden shift in the air made him reconsider his words. "Lady Kaede."

Kaede winced again, this time more from frustration than anything else. She glanced back at Ari, who stood calmly at her side, a smile on her face, and then to Acer and the approaching Crimara, both of whom had remained silent but watchful.

"I understand your mistrust," Kaede said after a moment, her voice soft yet unwavering. "Given your history with ants, I expected as much. But please, hear me out. There's no need for hostility."

The elves exchanged uneasy glances, but no one spoke. Kaede could feel the weight of their judgment, the unspoken accusations hanging in the air.

"Ari, Acer, Crimara," Kaede said, turning slightly to address her companions. "Step back. Give them some space."

Ari hesitated, her onyx eyes narrowing, but she obeyed without a word. Acer and Crimara followed suit, retreating several paces into the shadows. The tension eased, if only slightly.

"Is this better?" Kaede asked, turning back to Eryndor.

The elder's grip on his spear didn't relax, but he gave a terse nod. "State your purpose, Lady Kaede, or leave. I have no patience for games." His bravado would have been considered if not for his trembling weapon arm.

Kaede sighed. Diplomacy was clearly going to be an uphill battle. "Very well. I'd like to speak with you, alone."

Eryndor's eyes flickered with suspicion. "And why should I agree to that?"

"Because," Kaede said, meeting his gaze directly, "what I have to say is for your ears only. It concerns the future of your settlement, and whether it survives."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. A murmur rippled through the elves behind him, their fear replaced by confusion and uncertainty.

Eryndor raised a hand, silencing his warriors. He studied Kaede for a long, tense moment before finally speaking. "Very well. We'll talk." he turned back to the two elders behind him. "If anything happens, retreat back to the village and evacuate everyone." He turned back to Kaede and nodded.

Kaede nodded, relief flickering across her face. "Thank you. Shall we step aside?"

Eryndor gestured to a clearing nearby, away from the prying eyes and ears of his warriors. Kaede followed, her steps measured and deliberate. Once they were out of earshot, she turned to face him.

"Let me get straight to the point," Kaede began. "The Antari, the people under my care, are expanding. Our city is growing, and with that growth comes the need for space and resources. Your settlement lies directly within the path of that expansion."

Eryndor's jaw tightened. "You're saying we have to move."

"No," Kaede said firmly. "I'm saying that your settlement will be annexed. If you choose to remain here, you'll fall under my protection and authority. Your people will be safe, but the land will belong to the Antari."

Eryndor's expression darkened. "You can't expect us to simply surrender our home."

"I don't expect it to be an easy decision," Kaede said, her voice steady. "But consider the alternative. If you resist, the Antari will see you as a threat. I will do everything in my power to avoid conflict, but I won't be able to stop them if they see you as enemies."

Eryndor's hands clenched into fists. "So, this is an ultimatum."

"It's a choice," Kaede corrected. "One I hope you'll consider carefully. I don't want to see anyone hurt, not your people, and not mine. But this is the reality of the situation. I'm giving you the chance to avoid bloodshed."

Unspoken was the harsh truth that if the elves chose violence, Kaede would obliterate the entire settlement. She had once spared a life, and the consequences had been her and the others almost dying. This time, the consequences might be the lives of those under her care. Her children.

Eryndor stared at her, his piercing green eyes searching for any sign of deceit. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"I'll need to speak with the other elders."

Kaede inclined her head. "Of course. Take the time you need. I'll await your decision."

As Eryndor turned and walked back toward his people, Kaede sighed. "Artificia, set up drones around the settlement. I want to know everything."

The air seemed to grow colder as Eryndor disappeared into the trees, his back stiff with unease. Kaede watched him go, her mind heavy with thoughts.

Kaede nodded to herself. "Good. I want real-time updates. Monitor their movements, their discussions, everything. If there's any sign of aggression, let me know immediately."

Kaede turned to rejoin her group, her steps purposeful but unhurried. Ari stood at the edge of the clearing, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on the retreating elves. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension in her posture spoke volumes.

"They won't accept it," Ari said flatly as Kaede approached. "Mother we don't have to compromise on anything with them. We have the power here."

Kaede exhaled softly, her eyes briefly closing. "Maybe. But I have to try."

"Why?" Ari's voice was sharper now, frustration bleeding through.

Kaede stopped in front of her, meeting her gaze with a steady look. "Because strength isn't just about power, Ari. It's about restraint. About knowing when to use force and when to hold back."

Ari frowned, her antenna whipping softly in agitation. "And if they choose violence?"

Kaede's gaze hardened. "Then we protect our people. Whatever it takes."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Ari held her mother's gaze for a moment longer before nodding. "As you command, Mother."

Crimara approached from the shadows, her plant-like form swaying gracefully. "The elves are afraid," she said, her voice soft but thoughtful. "Fear makes people unpredictable. We should prepare for the worst."

"I am." Kaede replied, her tone so final that for a moment, the air stilled as if surprised by her words.

Acer tilted her head, her leaf-like hair rustling faintly. (Then what's the next step?)

Kaede hesitated, her gaze drifting back toward the elves' settlement. "We wait," she said finally. "They need time to process what I've told them. Rushing them will only make things worse."

The group fell into a tense silence, each member lost in their own thoughts. Kaede's mind raced with contingency plans, weighing the risks and benefits of every possible outcome. 'If they agree to the annexation, we can integrate them peacefully. If they resist...'

She pushed the thought aside. One step at a time.

Minutes turned into hours as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The forest grew quieter, the usual hum of wildlife fading as dusk settled in. Kaede's patience was unwavering, but the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her shoulders.

Finally, movement in the distance caught her attention. Eryndor was returning, accompanied by two other elders and a small group of warriors. Their expressions were grim, their steps measured.

Kaede straightened, her companions moving into formation around her. Ari's claws twitched, her tension palpable, while Acer's sharp gaze remained fixed on the approaching elves. Crimara stood silently, her presence calm but watchful.

Eryndor stopped a few paces away, his piercing eyes locking onto Kaede's. For a moment, neither spoke, the silence stretching taut between them.

"We've discussed your proposal," Eryndor said finally, his voice steady but cold. "And we have questions."

Kaede inclined her head. "Of course, ask them."

Eryndor's gaze didn't waver. "What assurances can you offer? If we agree to this... annexation, how can we trust that your people won't destroy everything we've built?"

Kaede met his gaze evenly. "You'll retain autonomy within the framework of our governance. Your traditions, your way of life, they won't be erased. My goal isn't to subjugate you; it's to ensure mutual survival."

One of the other elders, an older woman with sharp features, stepped forward. "And if we refuse?"

Kaede's expression didn't falter, though a flicker of sorrow crossed her eyes. "Then I'll do what I must to protect my people. I don't want that outcome, but I won't shy away from it."

The bluntness of her words sent a ripple of unease through the elves. Eryndor's grip on his spear tightened, but he didn't break eye contact.

"You ask much of us," he said quietly. "But trust... trust is not so easily given."

"I know," Kaede replied. "And I don't expect it to come quickly. But if you give me a chance, I'll prove that my intentions are genuine."

The silence that followed was deafening. The elves exchanged glances, their faces etched with uncertainty. Finally, Eryndor let out a slow breath.

"We will consider your words," he said. "But this decision will not be made lightly."

Kaede nodded. "Take the time you need. I'll wait for your answer."

As the elves turned and disappeared back into the forest, Kaede felt a faint sense of relief, knowing she wouldn't be destroying anything, not today at least.

"I hope they choose violence," Crimara said with a grin, flickers of flame around her form.

Kaede didn't respond. Instead, she stared after the retreating figures, her expression unreadable. 'If they do,' she thought, 'it will be their last mistake.'