The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

Ella, my beloved child,

Your birth was not a mistake but a moment of pure joy and purpose. I sense the doubts that weigh upon your heart—the questions of why you exist, of what you are meant to be. But I have seen your journey, and I have felt the strength within you: the courage you carry, the kindness you give so freely, and the bonds of friendship you weave wherever you go. You are a beacon of light, Ella, and the world is brighter because of you.

I know why you feel most at peace when you are near Lilith. It is only natural. You and she were born from the same mana, your essences forever intertwined by origin. Yet, my precious one, you are not merely a reflection of her. You are your own being, a soul as unique and wondrous as the stars scattered across the heavens. Never doubt your place in this world. You are not just a piece of Lilith's story—you are the author of your own.

Ella, you are a gift, a spark of life with your own purpose and destiny. Embrace who you are, for you are far more extraordinary than you realize.

Ella's soul shimmered with emotion as she absorbed the words, her wings trembling ever so slightly in the luminous space.

"But for you to embrace your true self," El continued, "I have a gift for you—a choice."

Ella tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her bright eyes. "A choice?" she whispered.

"Yes, my child," El's voice carried warmth and weight. "Like Lilith, you are special, though it can be difficult to see your brilliance when you stand so close to her light. You have the potential to become a True Fae, a being fully realized in your essence and power."

Ella's breath hitched. "A True Fae?" she repeated, her voice filled with wonder and uncertainty.

"Indeed," El said gently. "Just as Lilith has the chance to become a True Demon Lord, you too can ascend to your truest form. All you need to do is ask for it. But know this, my precious one: if you choose this path, you will be bound to Eldoria. You will become a part of this realm, inseparable from its life and magic. And I must tell you the truth—Lilith will leave this realm one day. Her destiny lies beyond these lands, in realms yet unknown."

Ella's wings drooped slightly as the words settled over her. "So... if I choose to become a True Fae, I won't be able to leave Eldoria?"

"That is correct," El confirmed, her tone heavy with understanding. "It is a weighty decision, and one you must make with care. But you must know this before you choose: you cannot leave this realm once the decision is made. The time to choose is yours, but you cannot leave here before making your decision."

Ella's soul pulsed with conflict—joy at the possibility of becoming something more, but sorrow at the thought of being separated from Lilith.

"Take your time, my beloved child," El said softly. "Whatever you choose, know that you are deeply loved and cherished."

Aurora, the last dragon soul of Eldoria,

El began, her voice imbued with both sorrow and hope. "We have much to discuss and yet, perhaps, nothing at all. At this moment, you are bound to me, for this is the way of dragons in our world—a bond forged long before either of us existed."

She paused, allowing the ancient weight of her words to settle.

"At the birth of Eldoria, the first dragon bound himself to my mother, Eldoria—the original World Tree. Together, with his mana flowing through her roots, they nurtured and flourished in harmony. Their union brought peace and birthed the first generation of dragons. It was a time of unparalleled balance and prosperity."

A note of sadness crept into her voice. "But, as always, peace does not last forever.

"In time, a god was chosen to watch over our realm. This god, however, brought chaos instead of order. From that chaos came all the myriad creatures and peoples of Eldoria, each fragment of their existence shaped by his discord. Eventually, he grew bored and relinquished his duties, passing the mantle to a newly birthed goddess he named Oria. She became the Watcher of the Realm, and the rest..." El hesitated briefly, "...is history."

The air in their shared space seemed to shimmer with unspoken memories before El's tone softened.

"Now, let us speak of you, Aurora, and how you might be made whole again."

Aurora's translucent form seemed to flicker, her ethereal presence filled with both yearning and doubt.

"As you have heard," El continued, "you are the reason Ella came to be—a joyous miracle that has brought light into this world. Yet, your path does not end there. If Ella chooses to become a True Fae, it might grant you the means to restore yourself. But your rebirth does not rest solely on her choice.

"Lilith, too, has a role to play. For you to be made whole and for dragons to rise again, Lilith must seek out a dragon egg—one belonging to a Dragon Goddess or Empress. There is a world where such beings exist, but Lilith is not yet ready for that journey. The path ahead will test her, just as it will test you."

A faint warmth emanated from El's voice as she concluded, "For now, Aurora, hold onto hope. The threads of fate are weaving, and your story is far from over."

Lilith, my dear child, my firstborn."

Lilith turned toward the voice, her crimson eyes narrowing with curiosity and a hint of unease. The weight of those words pressed against her, carrying both affection and solemnity. What more was there to discuss? What revelation awaited her now?

"Yes," Lilith replied cautiously, her voice steady but edged with uncertainty.

The presence of El, the world tree of Eldoria, seemed to swell around her, as if the entire space vibrated with unseen energy. "I will now pass on all the knowledge of Eldoria to you. This is the beginning of your next journey—the first step toward becoming a True Demon Lord. It will be a path filled with trials, but through this, you will come to understand all that I know, see all that I have seen, and feel all that I have felt."

Lilith's gaze hardened, though a flicker of anticipation danced in her expression. The magnitude of what was being offered was not lost on her. To hold the full knowledge of Eldoria was both a gift and a burden.

"It will take time, Lilith," El continued, her tone softer but no less commanding. "A considerable amount of time. During this process, your sister Ella will be set free. She will complete her conversation and gain the clarity she seeks. When her time here is done, she will return to the others, her wings strong enough to carry her back to those waiting for her."

Lilith's eyes briefly softened at the mention of Ella, but her attention quickly returned as El spoke again.

"Aurora, however, will remain with me," El declared, her voice echoing with the resonance of finality. "This is the path you chose when you embarked on this journey. The dragon soul must stay, for her fate is deeply entwined with the knowledge and balance of Eldoria. What lies ahead for her cannot yet be revealed, but understand this: what happens here will shape her destiny as much as it shapes yours."

A heavy pause lingered in the air, filled with unspoken truths and possibilities.

"I make no promises, Lilith," El continued, her tone tinged with both gravity and hope. "But when this process is complete, you will hold the truth of everything—the history of Eldoria, the essence of its magic, and the wisdom that will guide you toward your future. This is the gift I offer, but it is also the burden you must bear."

Lilith inhaled deeply, steadying herself against the storm of emotions swirling within her. The weight of what was to come was immense, but she would not falter.

El's voice softened, though it lost none of its authority. "Save your questions until we are done, my child. For now, let the journey begin."