Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 25: The Kingdom Among the Trees

The forest had deepened, the glowing trees growing denser until their luminous branches created a canopy above, bathing the ground in hues of green, blue, and gold. The trio walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the soft moss underfoot. The air carried a faint hum, as though the forest itself was alive and watching.

Lucian led the way, his movements fluid and deliberate, as though he had walked this path countless times before. Seraphine followed closely, her steps just as careful, her eyes scanning their surroundings with the precision of someone who had long since learned to anticipate danger. Quintin, trailing behind, felt increasingly out of place, clutching his pack like it was his last tie to sanity.

"This place feels… different," Quintin said, breaking the silence.

"It is," Seraphine replied, her voice calm. "This isn't just another random part of the Nexus. There's order here, structure."

Lucian glanced back, his expression unreadable. "You're not wrong. This forest is a boundary—a natural barrier that separates realms. Beyond it lies one of the few established civilizations in this chaos."

Quintin's eyes widened. "Wait, you're saying there are actual kingdoms in the Nexus? Like with people? Normal people?"

"Define 'normal,'" Seraphine said dryly.

Lucian didn't answer, his gaze fixed on something ahead. The forest had begun to open up, the trees thinning to reveal a breathtaking sight: a city carved into the towering trunks of massive trees, their golden leaves glowing faintly in the dim light. Bridges of woven vines connected the trees at dizzying heights, and crystalline lights hung like stars, illuminating the city in a soft, ethereal glow.

Quintin let out a low whistle. "Okay, that's… something. What is this place?"

"The Kingdom of Eryndral," Lucian said, his tone flat. "An elven kingdom that's managed to survive the Nexus for centuries."

As they approached the city, they were greeted by guards dressed in intricate armor made of woven gold and emerald-green fabric. Their long, pointed ears and otherworldly grace marked them as elves, but their sharp eyes and drawn bows made it clear they weren't to be trifled with.

"State your purpose," one of the guards demanded, his voice like the rustle of leaves in the wind.

"We're travelers," Seraphine said, her tone even. "We mean no harm and seek only shelter."

The guard's gaze flicked over them, lingering on Lucian for a moment before he nodded. "Very well. But know this: Eryndral is a place of peace. Any act of violence will be met with swift retribution."

Lucian smirked faintly but said nothing.

The trio was escorted into the city, where the streets were formed from the living wood of the trees, shaped by magic to create elegant walkways and buildings. The air was filled with the faint sound of music, and the elves moved with a serene grace that made Quintin feel like a bumbling child in comparison.

"This place is incredible," Quintin said, craning his neck to take in the towering trees and glowing lights.

"It's impressive," Seraphine admitted, her composure unbroken but her eyes betraying a hint of admiration. "The elves have always been skilled at creating beauty, even in a place like the Nexus."

Lucian, however, seemed unimpressed. "Don't let the elegance fool you. They're just as ruthless as anyone else here. Survival demands it."

As they walked, they were approached by a tall elf with silver hair and piercing green eyes. He wore a robe of shimmering fabric that seemed to shift colors in the light, and his presence exuded authority.

"I am Alarion, steward of Eryndral," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "You are outsiders, yet you've been allowed into our sanctuary. For what reason do you seek refuge here?"

Seraphine stepped forward, her tone respectful but firm. "We're travelers passing through the Nexus. We mean no harm and will not stay longer than necessary."

Alarion studied her for a moment before his gaze shifted to Lucian. "You seem familiar, outsider. Have you been here before?"

Lucian's expression hardened, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—anger, perhaps, or regret. "A long time ago," he said simply.

Alarion didn't press the matter, though his gaze lingered on Lucian for a moment longer before he turned back to Seraphine. "Very well. You may stay, but remember: this is a place of peace. Do not disrupt it."

The trio was given a small room within one of the great trees, its walls formed from smooth, living wood that pulsed faintly with warmth.

Quintin flopped onto the bed with a sigh. "Finally, a place that doesn't feel like it's about to kill us."

"Don't get too comfortable," Lucian said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "The elves may seem peaceful, but they're not above using outsiders as scapegoats if it suits them."

Seraphine sat by the window, gazing out at the glowing city. "He's right. The Nexus doesn't allow for true peace, even in a place like this."

Quintin groaned. "Can't we just have one nice thing?"

"No," Lucian and Seraphine said in unison, their voices perfectly flat.

As the night wore on, the trio found themselves drawn into the rhythms of the elven city. Seraphine's composed demeanor and centuries of experience allowed her to blend in easily, though she remained watchful. Lucian, on the other hand, kept his distance, his cold gaze making it clear he wanted no part of their customs.

Quintin, ever the outlier, couldn't help but marvel at the beauty around him. "You know," he said, biting into a piece of elven fruit that glowed faintly, "if we weren't constantly on the brink of death, this wouldn't be a bad place to settle down."

Seraphine gave him a faint smile. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Places like this never stay untouched for long."

Lucian's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the city. "And sometimes, it's not the Nexus that destroys them."

Quintin frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Lucian didn't answer, his expression darkening as though he was remembering something he'd rather forget.

The trio remained in Eryndral for the night, but as always in the Nexus, the peace was fleeting. The world beyond the city awaited, and with it, new dangers and discoveries.