Chapter 36: The Echoes of War

***A Month Ago***

**Kingdom of Aetheria**

The news of Prince Edwin's death spread like wildfire through the kingdom of Aetheria. The palace was in chaos, and the king, a stern and calculating man, was both enraged and sorrowful. He had lost his only son, but more importantly, he now had a reason to wage war against the elves.

In the grand throne room, King Aldric convened his council. The room was filled with the whispers of nobles and military advisors. The air was thick with tension.

King Aldric, his face a mask of grief and fury, stood at the head of the table. "We have suffered a great loss today," he began, his voice steady but laced with anger. "My son, the prince, has been murdered by those vile elves."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances. General Varian, a seasoned and battle-hardened warrior, spoke up. "Your Majesty, this is indeed a grave injustice. We must respond swiftly and decisively."

A murmur of agreement ran through the room. The king nodded, his eyes hardening. "We have tolerated their arrogance and defiance for too long. This act of aggression will not go unpunished. Prepare our forces. We march to war."

Chancellor Eldrin, a shrewd and cunning advisor, interjected. "Your Majesty, if I may suggest, we should also consider a diplomatic approach. There are factions within the elven kingdom that may be sympathetic to our cause. If we can sow discord among them, it will weaken their defenses."

King Aldric considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well, Eldrin. Send our spies and diplomats. But make no mistake, we will not hesitate to use force if necessary."

As the council dispersed, the rumors of war began to spread throughout the kingdom. Nobles and commoners alike whispered of the impending conflict, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

**Elf Forest**

In the elf forest, the mood was one of fear and uncertainty. The news of Prince Edwin's death had reached them, and the elves knew that retribution would be swift and brutal. In the council chamber, Sylvaine and her father, King Aelthar, convened with the elven leaders.

King Aelthar, his face pale and drawn, addressed the council. "We are in grave danger. The humans will come for us, seeking revenge for the prince's death. We must prepare for war."

The council members, a mix of seasoned warriors and wise elders, exchanged worried glances. One of the elders, Elenion, spoke up. "We have lived in peace for many years. War will bring nothing but destruction to our lands."

Sylvaine, her usual tsundere demeanor replaced by a rare moment of seriousness, stepped forward. "We have no choice. If we do not defend ourselves, we will be slaughtered. We need to rally our forces and seek alliances with other elven tribes."

The council members nodded in agreement. However, the fear was palpable. The elves were not a warlike people, and the prospect of conflict was terrifying.

As the council dispersed, Sylvaine stood alone, staring out into the forest. She felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.

The golem, sensing her distress, approached her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Aba," it said softly.

Sylvaine looked up at the towering figure, a mix of gratitude and sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Aba," she whispered, feeling a small sense of comfort from the golem's presence.

She turned back to the forest, her resolve hardening. 'I hope you are stronger than I thought...

---

**Kingdom of Aetheria**

In the Kingdom of Aetheria, the preparations for war were swift and efficient. The blacksmiths worked tirelessly, forging weapons and armor. The soldiers trained rigorously, their resolve hardened by the desire for revenge.

In the marketplace, commoners whispered of the impending conflict. "Did you hear? The king's son was murdered by the elves," one man said, his voice low and conspiratorial.

"That barbaric assholes..." another replied. "And the king is gathering his forces. We're going to war."

The atmosphere was tense, and the once bustling marketplace was now filled with an air of unease.

**Elf Forest**

In the elf forest, the preparations were more chaotic. The elves, known for their plump and chubby appearances, were not accustomed to war, and the sight of their peaceful homeland being turned into a military camp was jarring.

Sylvaine walked among the preparations, her fit and athletic figure a stark contrast to the other elves. She saw young elves being trained in the art of combat, their faces filled with fear and uncertainty.

She approached her father, who was overseeing the preparations. "Father, do you think we can really win this war?"

King Aelthar sighed, looked far away and replied with a wise voice. "Of course, my dear child," he said.

Sylvaine's eyes filled with hope, but it was short-lived as he continued, "Of course, we fucking can't!" He started running around the room in panic. Sylvaine, her patience finally at its limit, sighed deeply and stepped outside and looked at the sky for a while...