Prelude to the Descent

The magical Gate between Gria and Aelf'ahlnohma had been maintained on both ends by each nation's court sorcerers. Teleportation was a particularly demanding school of magic, requiring both concentration and a large amount of magical particles and so it was in the best interest of both parties to continuously sustain that crucial passage between their capitals. Of course, the Gate wasn't open to just anyone. Even the human and Elven gentries couldn't pass without an exceptional reason to do so.

An uncomfortable tingling flew through Larion's body as she exited onto Aelf'ahlnohma's side of the Gate. Those who were stationed in the throne room where the portal had been created quickly kneeled as they realised who had appeared. A few seconds later, Lotte followed suit, as starstruck as ever by the magnificent beauty of Aelf'ahlnohma's architecture.

"Your Majesty-" Placing a fist to his chest, an Elven knight approached the monarch, "A torrent of nobles have been demanding ceaselessly that you hold court immediately. Shall I inform them of your arrival?"

"I would rather my visit remain undeclared for the time being." She answered, "I intend to enter Kahrein-Du'em with my associate. Would you be so kind as to procure a cloak I may use to obscure myself in the wards?"

"Kahrein-Du'em… the forbidden mine?" The knight muttered, "But- Your Majesty…"

"I understand well the details surrounding its closure. Nonetheless, I have uncovered evidence to suggest that it is closely related to the crisis at hand. I will not be convinced otherwise."

"That's…" He went silent, "...Of course, Your Majesty. I will have a cloak prepared immediately."

As the knight wandered off, Larion quickly moved to the rear of the throne room and into the hallway connecting it to her private chambers. As Lotte followed along, he seemed troubled by something.

"I must apologise for diverting your attention away from stately matters." He began.

"The task at hand is of greater importance." She replied, "In the wake of announcing my heritage, the aristocracy has been thrown into a frenzy. Those with power and influence within the city have deeply traditional beliefs, and they will not be convinced easily that a Half-Elf deserves to be called queen."

"Is this really the time for that kind of discourse?"

"It would be said by many that there is no greater time for it." She answered, "The fate of the world, and Aelf'ahlnohma with it, resides on the outcome of this war. Any significant development, welcome or not, will be attributed to myself and King Granda. Ambitious Elven nobles have always attempted to usurp the throne, but now that they have a reason to do so, it's likely that my legitimacy will be a contentious point for generations to come."

"The fact that you're the daughter of a Hero doesn't change that?"

"If the Hero was an Elf, perhaps not." Larion remarked, "Even during Avl II's time, the one who was called 'Barion' only entered the city after weeks of debate. The fact that my mother's lover was a human even has some questioning her loyalty to the Elven people."

"Come, now. I've read the archives myself." Lotte replied, "Your mother was a saint. She was even called the incarnation of the Goddess at several points during her reign. It can't be argued that she ever sought to undermine the city from within. History cannot be rewritten so easily."

"If we fail to free this world from the threat of Demons, then it's likely there will be little history left to preserve." She warned ominously, "I am going to retrieve my staff. No doubt we will be requiring its power as we descend into the mine."

The Elven monarch's sceptre had been a symbol of authority ever since it was first created and held by Avl I. Paired with the crown, it formed the twin Holy Treasures of Elven culture. While the crown was mere ceremonial garb, the sceptre was anything but. The flawless adamantite crystal at its tip was quite possibly the single most powerful magical focus in the world, capable of commanding a near-endless amount of magical particles. Naturally, its status as a magical item of legendary renown forbade Larion from simply having it on her person at all times. It was only natural, then, that it would be safest in her private quarters, the most heavily-guarded room in the entire city.

Kahrein-Du'em was located outside of the city walls, but not so far as to be completely inaccessible. The overgrown pathway leading to its main entrance was abandoned shortly after the last of the Elven Silver was ferried from the site after its closure. Avl II's decision to not only close the mine, but forbid any Elf from entering it, lead to unemployment problems within the city, and would have likely sullied the monarch's reputation had he not been murdered just a few short weeks later. Larion and Lotte smartly took as many back alleys and side streets as possible on their way out of the city. Not only did she have to hide her face, but the sight of a human on the silver city's roads was sure to draw attention.

Naturally, the guardsmen stationed at the gates wouldn't dare to disallow their own queen from leaving as she pleased, but the occasion would likely sow rumours among the knighthood for some time to come. Lotte couldn't help but feel as though the two of them were taking an incredible risk by returning to Aelf'ahlnohma, especially with what Larion had spoken to him about earlier. Following the queen through the thick underbrush of the forests surrounding the city, even its silver spire was quickly obscured by the enshrouding canopy.

"Are we truly headed the right way, Your Majesty?"

"Of course. The old pathway to the mine is right here." She pointed towards a completely unremarkable stretch of dirt, "It was quite the busy route in its time, or so I've been told."

"I don't see anything…"

"Well, we Elves are keen-eyed, after all." She replied, "I suppose every forest must look the same when you're accustomed to living on wide-open grasslands."

"Was Elven Silver the only thing coming out of the mine?"

"Not at all. The sheer depth of it meant that plenty of exquisite gemstones and minerals could be exploited." Larion explained, "The Aelvens were known for their love of jewellery, and so Kahrein-Du'em was essential to supplying the city. Yet another reason why closing it down was such a strange decision on the king's part."

"It's obvious from the contents of the black books that what he discovered was quite troubling." Lotte noted, "Is it wise to proceed into the mine with only the two of us?"

"With sufficiently powerful barrier magic, it's possible to repel the effects of Mu'un." She explained, "Sadly, with this sceptre, I can only conjure a barrier of such intensity large enough for perhaps a trio at the very most. To prevent the possibility of anyone else falling victim, I believe this is the correct decision."

"I certainly hope so."

The entrance to Kahrein-Du'em was exceptionally large. As the former main supplier of metal to the city, the infrastructure constructed around its main shaft had endured long enough to still be somewhat recognisable, albeit covered with vines and moss. The tunnel leading into the craggy hillside had collapsed completely, and the touch of nature had transformed the landslide created to block it into an immovable part of the terrain.

"I suppose we never did discuss how exactly we would be entering." Lotte remarked.

"I was told the sorcerers of Tor favoured power above all else?" Larion asked, "A mere blockade of rock should prove no true obstacle."

The crystal atop her sceptre glowed with a cerulean light, and a fine mist--like water vapour, began to coalesce around it. High concentrations of magical particles would appear in such a way, though accruing that much was impossible even for an artisanal focus. The sceptre's was as pure as pure could come, and that undiluted potential would be reflected in any spell cast from it.

"I wouldn't recommend trying to blow anything up." Lotte recommended, "We are in the middle of a forest, after all. Aelf'ahlnohma being consumed by flames wouldn't be a particularly graceful end."

"Nothing so barbaric." Larion responded.

As she thrust the sceptre towards the blockade, a ray of light--colourless but impenetrable, travelled instantly from the tip of its crystal towards the collection of stones and dirt that had been used to plug the mine's entrance. At its touch, the rock seemed to bubble before liquefying completely, sending plumes of toxic gas into the air as the blockade was slowly reduced to a puddle of molten slurry, quickly solidifying as it dribbled across the soil.

The process took more than a few minutes. Over centuries, the mine's entrance had turned into a part of the hill itself, so discovering the actual shaft was more difficult than anticipated. Following the splinters of wooden columns, a dark passageway was eventually unearthed with a spurt of black smoke peeking out from the entrance. As the surrounding stone bubbled and dripped, Larion stopped casting the spell.

"A disintegration beam…" Lotte placed a hand to his chin, "Incredible. Sustaining a spell like that for so long at such an intensity would normally require a magic circle."

"I must admit that even I'm impressed with this sceptre's power." Larion replied.

"You mean to say this is the first time you've ever used it?"

"Outside of ceremonies, yes. Aelf'ahlnohma sees little conflict, so in most cases where magic is needed, the court sorcerers can provide." She explained, "-I see no better time than now to utilise it properly."

"With that, we'll have no trouble sustaining a barrier thick enough to protect us from Mu'un." Lotte's eyes fell upon the entrance, "...And the smoke. I wonder where that's coming from?"

"There is only one way to find out, it seems." Walking forward, Larion couldn't help but feel slightly hesitant, "...Shall we?"