Chapter 3: The Road to Sylwen

The journey from the village of Eldoria was peaceful, the air crisp with the scent of pine and wildflowers. I walked with purpose, each step taking me farther from the place where I had learned more about my true origins. The village's gratitude was enough to keep me moving forward, but the mystery of my mother—the Queen of the Elven Kingdom—lingered heavily in my mind.

As I traveled along the narrow path, the landscape shifted. The plains and rolling hills gave way to a dense forest, taller and darker than the ones I had seen before. The trees here were ancient, their bark twisted and covered with thick moss. Every step I took seemed to deepen the silence around me, the only sound being the rustling of leaves as the wind whispered secrets I couldn't fully understand.

Despite the beauty of this new forest, my senses remained alert. Sylwen, the Elven Kingdom, was somewhere within this vast wilderness, and I could feel its presence, distant but unmistakable. The air was thick with magic, and I wondered if this place had been touched by the divine as much as I had.

Hours passed as I made my way through the forest, my mind drifting. Thoughts of my mother surfaced again. Why had she never sought me out? Was she even aware that I existed? As the daughter of Gaia, the Goddess of Nature, I was no ordinary elf. My power was beyond what any mortal or even most immortals could comprehend.

I paused for a moment, my fingers brushing against the bark of a nearby tree. A faint hum of energy resonated through it, and I could feel the pulse of life flowing beneath the surface. Nature was alive here, alive in a way I had not felt in the more populated regions. This forest—this land—was its own entity, breathing with ancient power. I could feel its call to me.

"Gaia," I whispered to the wind. "Why did you leave me in the dark?"

I closed my eyes, letting the wind answer with a gentle caress of cool air. There was no direct response, but the peace in my heart suggested that my journey had only just begun. The answers I sought were somewhere in Sylwen, waiting to be uncovered.

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An Unexpected Encounter

As the day drew on, the shadows grew longer, signaling the approach of dusk. My body moved almost on instinct, finding the perfect spot to rest for the night. A small clearing came into view, surrounded by towering trees that created a natural barrier. As I set up camp, the faint sound of movement broke my focus. Someone—or something—was nearby.

I reached for the hilt of the dagger I carried at my side, but as I moved, I felt a surge of magic in the air. It was familiar, ancient. Not unlike my own.

Without warning, a figure emerged from the shadows. A tall, elegant elf with silver hair and glowing blue eyes, dressed in robes of deep green and gold. His presence was commanding, and his aura exuded a power that reminded me of the ancient forests themselves.

"Well met, traveler," the elf said, his voice smooth but laced with caution. "You have entered the sacred woods of Sylwen. Few outsiders are permitted to pass without our blessing."

I stood, not bothering to conceal my own power. My golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim light of the forest. "I seek the Elven Kingdom. I need to speak with your Queen."

The elf's expression faltered for a moment, and then he straightened, his posture regal despite the quiet tension in the air. "And who are you to demand an audience with the Queen?"

"I am Aria Velanova, daughter of Gaia, Goddess of Nature."

At the mention of my mother's name, the elf's eyes widened in recognition. He bowed low, a gesture I had not expected. "My apologies, Lady Aria. I did not realize who you were. Your presence is most unexpected."

I was taken aback by his sudden reverence, but I held my composure. "I have traveled far to find her. I must speak with Queen Elara. There are things I need to understand."

The elf seemed to hesitate, but after a long pause, he nodded. "Very well. Follow me. The Queen will see you."

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A Journey to the Heart of Sylwen

The elf led me deeper into the forest, moving with the grace of someone born in tune with the land. We passed through ancient groves, where the trees were said to be as old as the stars themselves. Their branches intertwined, creating a canopy that glowed softly with magical energy. It was as though the very forest was alive, watching us as we moved.

After what felt like hours, we reached the heart of the kingdom. Sylwen was not a place of grand stone castles or sprawling cities. Instead, it was a blend of nature and magic, where the elves lived in harmony with the land. Treehouses and structures woven from the very branches of the trees rose high above the ground, connected by intricate walkways of living vines.

We passed several elven guards, each one nodding in respect as I walked by. I could feel their eyes on me, curiosity and caution in equal measure. I was not like them, and that was something they could sense.

Finally, we arrived at a grand structure nestled within the largest tree in the kingdom. Its trunk was enormous, its branches sprawling far above, and within it, a throne room of sorts had been carved out. The walls shimmered with a soft, ethereal glow, and the floor was covered in rich green moss. At the far end of the room, sitting upon a throne made of intertwining branches and leaves, was Queen Elara.

She was everything I had imagined and more. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing green eyes seemed to look straight through me. Her aura radiated with the power of a true SSS-Rank being, and as I stepped forward, I felt the weight of her gaze.

"Aria Velanova," she said, her voice melodic yet carrying a hint of authority. "I have been waiting for you."

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The Truth Revealed

My heart skipped a beat as I stood before her. Queen Elara did not look like I expected. She looked... regal, yes, but there was something in her eyes—a sadness, perhaps—that unsettled me. I had come here to find answers, but now that I was standing in front of her, I wasn't sure how to begin.

"Your Majesty," I began, bowing slightly. "I have searched for you for so long. I need to know why you never came for me."

The queen's gaze softened, and she motioned for me to approach. "Come, sit with me, daughter of Gaia. There is much to discuss."

I walked forward, taking a seat beside her, feeling the weight of her words and the significance of this moment.

"I did not come for you," she began softly, "because I did not know you existed."

My breath caught in my throat. "What do you mean?"

Queen Elara's expression darkened. "When Gaia, your mother, ascended to her divine position, she left behind many things, including you. She sealed away her connection to the Elven Kingdom, and none of us knew that she had a child."

I blinked, shocked by her words. "But I am her daughter. I have her power. How could she not know?"

Elara's eyes became distant, filled with sorrow. "Gaia's decision was not made lightly. There are things beyond even her understanding. She chose to protect you from a prophecy... one that could destroy not only our world but the balance of magic itself."

I frowned. "A prophecy?"

The queen nodded. "Yes. One that involves you, Aria. The one destined to either save or destroy all of creation. That is why your mother abandoned you, and that is why you were hidden from me."

The weight of her words pressed down on me like a heavy stone. My mind raced. I had always known that I was different, that my powers were more than just the product of my lineage. But to hear it from the Queen herself… It was as if the entire world had shifted beneath me.

"Why didn't she tell me?" I whispered. "Why didn't she warn me?"

Elara's gaze softened. "Because she feared that knowing the truth would change you, would make you a weapon before you were ready. But now, the time has come for you to understand your destiny. The prophecy cannot be avoided, and your choices will shape the future of all worlds."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Then what must I do?"

The queen stood, her eyes filled with resolve. "You must journey further, Aria. The answers lie in the heart of the Silverwood Forest, where an ancient artifact awaits—a key that will unlock the full potential of your power."

I stood as well, feeling the weight of her words. The path ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain: I had to keep moving forward. For my mother. For the future. For everything.

To be continued…