Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 28: The Eyes of the Elves.

The morning light filtered through the emerald canopy of Eryndral, casting shifting patterns of gold and green across the cobblestone streets. As the trio stepped outside their temporary lodgings, they were once again greeted by a group of elven guards. This time, their presence was even more formal, their postures rigid and their faces emotionless.

"The Queen has requested your presence in the Royal Hall," the lead guard announced, his tone leaving no room for questions.

Lucian exhaled sharply, his irritation barely masked. "Again? Does she think we're at her beck and call?"

"Lucian," Seraphine said with a subtle warning in her voice. "Let's not make this harder than it needs to be."

Quintin, who was finishing the last bite of yet another glowing fruit, nudged Lucian lightly. "Come on, it might be fun. A royal hall! Fancy food, fancy people. Maybe they'll even give us some cool elven gear."

Lucian shot him a glare, but Quintin's grin remained unbothered. With little choice in the matter, the three followed the guards through the intricate pathways of the city, the towering Life Tree ever-present in the background.

The Royal Hall of Eryndral was nothing short of breathtaking. The chamber was enormous, its walls carved directly into the living wood of the Life Tree, shimmering with a soft, golden glow. Ornate banners of deep green and silver hung from the vaulted ceiling, and long tables lined the room, filled with elf nobles and royals, each adorned in elegant attire that shimmered like starlight.

At the far end of the hall, on a slightly elevated platform, sat the Elf Queen, her radiance even more pronounced in the grandeur of her throne. Beside her stood a younger figure—the princess, with hair as golden as her mother's and eyes that gleamed like emeralds, but with a sharper, more curious gaze. Around them were other royals, including advisors, dignitaries, and the occasional knight in ceremonial armor.

As the trio entered the hall, a hush fell over the room. All eyes turned toward them, but most notably, they turned toward Lucian.

Lucian's dark eyes swept across the room, his face as cold and unreadable as ever. He could feel the weight of their stares—some curious, some wary, and others outright hostile. It wasn't the first time he'd been the center of attention, but the intensity of the elves' gazes set his teeth on edge.

"What are they staring at?" Quintin whispered, leaning toward Seraphine.

"Lucian," she replied simply, her voice quiet but tinged with curiosity. She, too, had noticed the way the nobles' gazes lingered on him, almost as if they recognized him—or something about him.

The Queen raised a hand, and the room fell completely silent. Her voice, calm and commanding, carried effortlessly across the hall. "Welcome, travelers. Your presence here has stirred much curiosity among my court."

Lucian stepped forward, his posture rigid. "If you summoned us just to be gawked at, I'm leaving."

There was a faint ripple of murmurs among the nobles, shocked by his audacity. The princess raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

The Queen, however, remained unfazed. "You misunderstand, Lucian of the Nexus. The court's interest in you is not without reason."

Lucian's expression darkened, but before he could respond, the princess stepped forward, her movements as graceful as a breeze. She stopped a few paces away from him, her emerald eyes narrowing as she studied him closely.

"You carry an aura," she said, her voice softer than her mother's but no less commanding. "One that feels both foreign and familiar. Tell me, stranger—have you walked among elves before?"

Lucian's jaw tightened. "Not willingly."

The princess tilted her head, her gaze piercing. "And yet, there is something about you. A shadow of something ancient."

"Enough," Lucian said, his voice low but firm. "If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, stop wasting my time."

The Queen rose from her throne, her presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "There is a reason why the Life Tree called you here, Lucian," she said, her gaze unwavering. "And it is not merely for the disturbance in the Nexus. You are bound to something deeper—something tied to our history."

Seraphine, who had been silently observing, frowned. "What does that mean? What history?"

The Queen gestured to the walls of the hall, where intricate carvings told the story of Eryndral's past. Among the scenes of prosperity and peace, there were darker images—ones that showed destruction, chaos, and a figure cloaked in shadow.

"Long ago," the Queen began, "there was one who came to the Nexus, much like you. He was not of this world, yet he became a part of it. His presence brought great change—but also great suffering. His actions tore the balance of the Nexus asunder, and though he was eventually banished, his shadow remains."

She turned her gaze back to Lucian. "You carry that shadow."

The room was silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. Quintin, looking increasingly uncomfortable, glanced between Lucian and Seraphine.

"Uh, is this where we get up and leave?" he whispered.

Lucian, however, remained unfazed. "I don't know who or what you're talking about," he said coolly. "But I'm not here to play your games. Whatever shadow you think I carry, it has nothing to do with me."

The Queen studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Perhaps. But the Life Tree does not lie. It has chosen you, for better or worse. And the Nexus will not let you escape its call."

Lucian's expression hardened, but he said nothing.

As the Queen returned to her throne, the nobles and royals began to murmur among themselves. The princess, still standing near Lucian, gave him a wry smile. "You certainly know how to make an impression."

Lucian shot her a cold glare before turning and walking toward the exit. Seraphine and Quintin hurried after him, the weight of the Queen's words still heavy on their minds.

"What was that about?" Seraphine asked as they descended the spiral staircase.

"Nothing worth my time," Lucian muttered.

But as they stepped back into the bustling streets of Eryndral, Seraphine couldn't shake the feeling that the Queen's words had struck a nerve. And though Lucian would never admit it, she suspected that the shadow of his past—whatever it was—was far closer than he wanted to believe.