Chapter 37: Unnatural Disaster and Unexpected Transformations
**One Week Later**
In the Kingdom of Aetheria, Chancellor Eldrin's carefully chosen diplomats set out for the elf forest, their mission clear: to persuade the elves to cut their sacred trees for the benefit of Aetheria. As they approached the forest, they couldn't help but marvel at its lush, untouched beauty, not knowing the challenges that awaited them.
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**Elf Forest**
Sylvaine was pacing back and forth, her mind still troubled by the looming threat of war. She was interrupted by the arrival of the diplomats. The lead diplomat, a tall, thin man with a shrewd look in his eyes, stepped forward and bowed.
"Lady Sylvaine, I am Alistair, a diplomat from the Kingdom of Aetheria. We come in peace to discuss a proposal that could benefit both our peoples."
Sylvaine eyed him warily. "What is it that you propose, Alistair?"
Alistair straightened, a confident smile on his face. "We believe that if you were to cut down some of your trees, it would provide much-needed resources for both of our kingdoms. In return, we offer protection and an alliance."
Sylvaine's eyes narrowed, her temper flaring. "Our trees and plants are sacred to us. They are the essence of our land and our culture. You dare to come here and suggest we destroy them for your benefit?"
Alistair remained calm, but his tone was insistent. "Lady Sylvaine, please understand. This is a matter of survival for both our peoples. The trees can grow back, but if we do not act now, the consequences will be dire."
Sylvaine clenched her fists, her voice rising. "You don't understand! These trees are more than just wood. They are life itself to us. Your proposal is an insult!"
As the argument grew heated, the golem, standing nearby, watched the interaction closely. Seeing Sylvaine's distress, it misinterpreted the situation as an attack. Its eyes flared with an inner light, and it moved swiftly towards the diplomats.
In a matter of seconds, the golem struck both diplomats with a single, powerful blow, sending them flying through the air. Their bodies hit the ground with a sickening thud, lifeless.
Sylvaine's eyes widened in horror. "What the hell?! What are you doing? You killed them too?! What is your problem?!"
She was fuming, her anger directed at the golem and at Jasper. "Jasper, that asshole! I'm sure he sent this thing to destroy our lands so he can have our trees' essence!"
As she ranted, the golem began to change. Its form shifted, muscles bulging and its outfit transforming into a simple, tight-fitting yellow jumpsuit with a white cape and red gloves. Its expression turned deadpan, resembling the look of a certain bald-headed hero...
The golem raised a finger to Sylvaine's lips and softly said, "Ssshh."
Sylvaine was stunned. "What the fu—" but the golem cut her off again, placing its finger back on her lips and repeating, "Shhhhhh."
Without another word, the golem leapt into the air with such force that the ground shook beneath Sylvaine's feet. The wind from its departure whipped around her, leaving her standing alone, watching as the golem disappeared from sight with incredible speed.
Sylvaine stood there, her mind reeling from the events that had just transpired. The forest around her was silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves, as if the land itself was trying to process the chaos.
Sylvaine stood there, her mind reeling from the events that had just transpired. The forest around her was silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves, as if the land itself was trying to process the chaos.
"And now it left?!?" she exclaimed, utterly bewildered.
---
Sylvaine stood there, her mind reeling from the events that had just transpired. The forest around her was silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves, as if the land itself was trying to process the chaos.
"And now it left?!?" she exclaimed, utterly bewildered.
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**One Week Later - Elf Council Room**
The council room was in chaos. The elven leaders, usually calm and composed, were shouting over one another, their faces flushed with worry and anger. Sylvaine sat at the head of the table, trying to maintain order.
"We cannot let this go unanswered!" one elder shouted. "The humans will think us weak!"
Another council member added, "But what can we do? The diplomats are dead, and we have no explanation!"
Sylvaine raised her hand for silence. "Enough. We need to think this through. Panicking will not help us."
Just then, a messenger from the Kingdom of Aetheria entered the room, his face calm and composed. He bowed deeply. "Your Majesties, I bring a message from the Kingdom of Aetheria."
The elves fell silent, their eyes fixed on the messenger. "We apologize for the disrespect shown by the diplomats we sent. Their actions do not reflect our kingdom's intentions."
Every elf was stunned. One of them spoke up, "What do you mean?"
The messenger continued, "We do not want any conflict with the elves. We are truly sorry."
Sylvaine, still suspicious, asked, "What about the death of your prince?"
The messenger smiled slightly and said, "No big deal, Your Majesty. He was a drunkard and good for nothing. We want peace to continue."
The room erupted into whispers and murmurs of disbelief. As the messenger left, the council resumed their discussion.
"This must be a trap," one elder said. "Why would they forgive us so easily?"
"We can't trust them," another added. "We must be on guard."
Another elder suggested, "We should send our own diplomats to Aetheria to understand why they are offering peace. We must get to the bottom of this."
Sylvaine nodded in agreement. "Prepare a diplomatic mission. We need answers."
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**One Week Earlier - Kingdom of Aetheria**
The bald, hero-looking golem had leapt towards the human kingdom with incredible speed. He landed before the walls of Aetheria with a thunderous crash, startling the guards. The golem raised his fist and, with great effort, pronounced, "Ca-ass-sual aba!"
He then threw his punch to the ground. The impact was cataclysmic. The earth shook violently, as if a massive earthquake had struck. The ground splintered, creating deep cracks that spread out like the web of a giant spider. Two buildings near the impact zone collapsed instantly, their structures unable to withstand the force. People screamed and ran for cover, and the once orderly streets turned into a scene of utter chaos
***A Day Later***
King Aldric had witnessed the destruction from his palace, felt a cold sweat run down his back. The council members, equally terrified, quickly convened.
"We cannot go to war with the elves in this state" one advisor said, his voice shaking.
King Aldric nodded, his face pale. "We need to find a way to make peace. Send a messenger immediately. Apologize for the diplomats and offer our condolences. We must avoid provoking them further."
---
***6 Days Later***
**Back to the Elf Council Room**
The discussion in the council room continued, the elves grappling with the strange turn of events. Sylvaine, still processing everything, thought about the golem's transformation and the message from Aetheria. Could it really be that simple? Or was there something more sinister at play?
An elder finally spoke up, "We need to send our own diplomats to Aetheria to understand why they are offering peace. We must get to the bottom of this."
Sylvaine nodded in agreement. "Prepare a diplomatic mission. We need answers."