39.The Strategic Deception/The Summoning of Tanaros & The Devastation of the Elf Forest

Days later, Luminaria's forces set out to aid the elves. However, as they marched through the borderlands, they spotted a Blood Elf force in the distance.

The Luminaria army pursued, wary of being ambushed in a canyon. Just as they reached an open plain, a sudden attack erupted. Blood Elf infiltrators struck from the flanks while an orc army emerged from beyond the horizon.

A chaotic battle ensued. The arrival of the Elf archers and warriors helped even the odds, but the battle remained fierce.

Merslin, observing the situation, suddenly realized something was wrong.

Merslin: "This is a trap. It's a feint! The real attack is at the Elf Forest!"

Lisa: "But we're in the middle of a battle! We can't just abandon the Luminaria soldiers!"

Serena: "Wait… isn't the Blood Elf prince here?!"

Merslin: "No, it's a distraction! They're trying to keep us here! We need to move now!"

Though not everyone agreed, Merslin made the call.

Leaving the battlefield with an apology to the Luminaria soldiers, they rushed toward the Elf Forest, preparing for the worst.

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Episode: The Summoning of Tanaros & The Devastation of the Elf Forest

By the time they arrived, the Elf Forest was already under siege. The Blood Elves were in the final stages of summoning Tanaros, seeking to claim the sacred pool of Eryndela, the World Tree.

Merslin's group discovered the summoning ritual site and launched a desperate attack to stop it. Fire Rain, Frost Orbs, and Starlit Arrows rained down on the enemy, while Lisa and Aria held back advancing foes.

But before they could stop it, the ritual was completed—Tanaros emerged. The air itself grew heavy as he stepped forth, his glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness. His mere presence drained life from the surroundings.

Merslin: "He's too strong… we can't stop him like this."

Seeing the devastation, Irene, leader of the elves, made a grave decision.

Irene: "We can't let them take the sacred pool. If it comes to this… we must destroy Eryndela itself."

Elena: "But… that means the elves will lose their immortality!"

Irene: "Even so, if we fail, we all perish."

As Irene prepared the ritual to obliterate Eryndela, Merslin and his companions fought desperately to buy time.

The sacred tree erupted in blinding light, obliterating Tanaros and the Blood Elves along with it. The battlefield fell silent.

Though they had won, the cost was immense.

Merslin: "Did we… really win?"

Elena: "We can't let Irene's sacrifice be in vain. We must grow stronger."

With the Elf Forest in ruins, Luminaria braced for what was to come. The war was far from over.

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The Hope of the World Tree and the New Leader

After the fierce battle against the Blood Elves, Merslin and his companions returned to the Elf village, only to find it shrouded in sorrow. The disappearance of the World Tree, Erindella, had cast a deep shadow over the land. The village was filled with grief and mourning, as the loss of the tree meant the loss of life itself. An elderly elf held a fallen leaf of the World Tree in his trembling hands, silent tears streaming down his face, as he lamented the fading vitality of their land.

Merslin: "I can't believe the World Tree is gone… For the elves, this must be an unbearable loss."

Elena: "The World Tree was more than just a tree. To the elves, it was life itself. Their sorrow won't be easily healed."

Lisa: "But we can't give up. We stopped the Blood Elves' scheme, and there's still hope left."

At that moment, Aria recalled the crown she had received. The "Guardian of Nature" was a gift from the elf leader, Eirin, before her sacrifice.

Aria: "Merslin, Elena… Think about the crown. There's still the life force of the World Tree within it. If we dismantle it and plant its essence, we might be able to regenerate the World Tree."

Elena: "That's right! Since the crown is a fragment of the World Tree, it might be able to revive it!"

Merslin: "Then our next course of action is clear. First, we need to meet Ellarin, Eirin's daughter and the new leader of the elves."

Merslin and his companions sought out Ellarin, the heir to the elven leadership. Despite her mother's sacrifice, she stood firm, determined to guide her people forward. She was an elf with long silver hair and striking blue eyes, emanating an aura of grace and strength. In her gaze, sorrow and unwavering determination coexisted.

Ellarin: "Merslin, your party has our deepest gratitude. Without you, the Blood Elves' plans would have caused even greater devastation."

Merslin: "We're here to help with the restoration of the Elf Forest. Aria's crown still holds a fragment of the World Tree's life force. We wish to seek the counsel of the elders to determine if we can use it to restore the World Tree."

Ellarin: "If there's even the slightest possibility of revival… we must try. Let's speak with the elders immediately."

Together, they visited the Council of Elders and explained their plan. The elven elders listened carefully before falling into deep contemplation.

Elder Elf: "Aria, the fact that your crown still holds the World Tree's essence is remarkable. If we can plant this life force back into the land, there is a chance we can restore what was lost. It is worth attempting."

The elder turned to Aria, his ancient eyes filled with wisdom.

Elder Elf: "Aria, do you realize the magnitude of what you are doing? You are bringing hope back to the Elf Forest."

Humbled, Aria bowed her head.

Aria: "Thank you. But I cannot do this alone. I need your guidance and support."

The elder sensed something unusual about Aria's presence but chose to set his thoughts aside for now.

Elder Elf: "The power you hold may not be mere coincidence. But for now, the priority is restoring the World Tree. We must all join forces."

Merslin: "Then let's begin. We'll carefully dismantle the crown and prepare to plant the life force."

Merslin's group, along with the elven elders, carefully disassembled the crown, sensing the lingering life force pulsating within. With great care, they prepared the sacred soil where the new World Tree would take root.

Aria: "This essence is the very lifeblood of the World Tree. If we infuse it into the land, it will sprout anew."

Ellarin: "We must unite our strength. This is the beginning of our new hope."

The elves and Merslin's companions worked tirelessly, infusing the World Tree's life force into the land, hoping to bring forth new life.

Days passed, and then—tiny sprouts emerged from the sacred soil. Seeing this, the elves felt a renewed sense of hope. Though Erindella had perished, its life force remained, preparing to bloom once more.

Elena: "Look! The new World Tree is beginning to grow! Our hope is returning!"

Lisa: "We did it. Together, we created a new beginning."

Aria: "Lady Eirin's sacrifice and our efforts have borne fruit. Now we can stand again."

Merslin: "That's right. We will rise again, despite the Blood Elves' threats. We will never lose hope."

The elves rejoiced at the new World Tree's emergence, celebrating their resilience and newfound strength.

Ellarin: "Merslin, Elena, Lisa, Serena, Aria… Thanks to you, we can move forward again. Your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Merslin: "We all made this happen together. Now, we are stronger than ever. We will continue to fight, side by side."

A few days later, Merslin's group prepared to return to Luminaria. Ellarin and the elves bid them farewell, offering their gratitude and well wishes for the journey ahead.