Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 27: Summoned by the Queen

The golden hues of the Life Tree painted the morning sky as Seraphine adjusted the straps of her bag, Quintin stuffed yet another glowing fruit into his already bulging satchel, and Lucian stood quietly by the doorway of their quarters, arms crossed and gaze sharp. It was a peaceful morning in Eryndral, but as soon as they stepped out into the fresh forest air, their peace was shattered.

A group of elven guards awaited them outside, their armor gleaming and their expressions unreadable. The tallest of them, with a bow slung across his back, took a single step forward and inclined his head in the faintest of nods.

"The Queen requests your presence," he said, his voice calm but leaving no room for negotiation.

Lucian's jaw tightened, and his dark eyes narrowed. "And what, exactly, does your Queen want with us?" he said coldly.

The guard's expression remained neutral. "She did not share her intentions. Only that you are to be brought to her."

Quintin, chewing on a piece of fruit, glanced between the guard and Lucian, his brows furrowing. "I mean, that sounds pretty serious. Do we have a choice, or…?"

"No," the guard replied, cutting off any further questions.

Seraphine exchanged a glance with Lucian, noting the flicker of irritation that crossed his face. He clearly didn't like being summoned—or perhaps it was the way the elves were so direct and commanding. Either way, she sighed and turned to the guard.

"Lead the way," she said simply.

Lucian looked like he wanted to protest but held his tongue. His displeasure radiated from him in waves, though, as they followed the guards through the intricate pathways of Eryndral.

The journey to the Queen's hall was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hum of elven activity. The guards led them to the base of the Life Tree, where an ancient staircase spiraled upward into its trunk. The steps were carved from the tree itself, glowing faintly with the same energy that pulsed through the city.

Quintin craned his neck to look up at the staircase. "How high up is this place? Are we talking 'burns your legs' high, or just a light jog?"

"Quiet," Lucian snapped, his voice low but sharp enough to make Quintin shut his mouth.

As they climbed, Seraphine couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. She had learned long ago to trust her instincts, and something about this meeting didn't sit right with her. She glanced at Lucian, whose cold expression revealed nothing, and then at Quintin, who seemed more curious than worried.

Her thoughts were interrupted as they reached the top of the staircase, emerging into a grand chamber carved from the living wood of the tree. The room was vast, its walls lined with golden vines that shimmered faintly, and at its center stood a throne that seemed to grow out of the floor itself.

Sitting upon it was the Elf Queen.

The Queen was radiant, her presence commanding yet serene. Her hair, as golden as the leaves of the Life Tree, flowed like liquid sunlight down her back. Her emerald eyes seemed to pierce through them, and her robes, woven from some ethereal material, shimmered with colors that seemed to shift in the light.

"You've arrived," she said, her voice melodic but carrying an undeniable authority. "Welcome, travelers."

Lucian stepped forward, his expression colder than ever. "You summoned us. Why?"

The Queen's gaze flicked to him, and though her expression didn't change, there was an almost imperceptible tension in the air. "Patience, Lucian of the Nexus. You will understand soon enough."

Quintin whispered to Seraphine, "How does she know his name? Creepy or just magical?"

"Both," Seraphine replied under her breath, keeping her eyes on the Queen.

The Queen stood, her movements as graceful as a river flowing. She approached them, her gaze sweeping over each of them in turn. "You are not ordinary travelers. You bring with you a presence, a disruption, that the Nexus itself seems to bend around."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "We've done nothing to disturb your city."

The Queen tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Perhaps not intentionally. But the Nexus is not a place of coincidences. You three are bound by fate—or chaos—to something greater. And that presence… it calls to the Life Tree."

Seraphine stiffened at the mention of fate, a concept she had come to both resent and fear during her time in the Nexus. "What does the Life Tree want from us?" she asked cautiously.

The Queen smiled faintly. "It does not want. It simply responds. But there is a disturbance within the Nexus, a ripple that threatens not only this city but the fragile balance we have maintained for centuries."

"Let me guess," Lucian said dryly. "You think it's our fault."

The Queen regarded him for a moment before replying. "Not fault. But you may be the key to understanding it—and stopping it."

The room fell silent as the weight of her words settled over them. Quintin shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Seraphine and Lucian. "So, uh, what exactly do you want us to do about it?" he asked hesitantly.

The Queen turned, gesturing toward a large window that overlooked the city. Beyond it, the horizon shimmered with the fractured light of the Nexus's endless chaos. "There is a place, far beyond Eryndral, where the Nexus's energy has begun to gather unnaturally. You must go there and uncover its source."

Lucian crossed his arms. "And if we refuse?"

The Queen's gaze hardened, her serene demeanor cracking just slightly. "Refusal is not an option. The balance of this world—and perhaps others—depends on it."

Seraphine sighed, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the implications of what the Queen was saying. She glanced at Lucian, who looked as though he were about to argue, and Quintin, who seemed more confused than ever.

"Fine," she said finally, breaking the tension. "We'll go. But don't expect us to solve all your problems."

The Queen inclined her head. "That is all I ask. May the Life Tree guide your path."

As they descended the staircase, Lucian's displeasure was palpable. "I don't like this," he muttered. "Being dragged into someone else's problems."

"Welcome to my life," Seraphine replied dryly.

Quintin, still munching on another piece of fruit, shrugged. "Hey, at least it's an adventure, right? Could be worse."

Lucian shot him a glare but didn't respond.

As they stepped back into the bustling city of Eryndral, the weight of their new mission hung heavy over them. The Nexus's chaos loomed ever closer, and though none of them would admit it, they all knew the Queen's words were just the beginning of something far greater—and far more dangerous.