Chapter 2: The Gathering of the Founders

A Dreamseer's Warning

The air in the Sanctum of Leaves was heavy with silence. The chamber, nestled deep within the heart of Vael'tharion, glowed softly with the ethereal light of enchanted lanterns. Scrolls and tomes lined the towering shelves, ancient texts brimming with the knowledge of the elves. Yet tonight, knowledge had failed them.

Elaris Moonsong, young but gifted beyond her years, stood before Eldrin Leafsong, the Silver Pilgrim and one of the Five Founders of the Elven Realms.

She had spoken the name Malakar—a name not uttered in centuries. A name that should have remained buried in the forgotten histories of the Aetherians.

The dream had been clear, yet terrifying. A shadowy land beyond the Veil, a sorcerer-king upon a throne of bone, and whispers of something stirring in the darkness. She had seen the Veil thinning, the boundary between the living and the dead weakening.

And worse still, she had felt it.

Eldrin frowned, his expression troubled as he traced the golden engravings on his staff. "Malakar… that name should have been lost to time. Only the Aetherians ever spoke of it, and they vanished long ago."

Elaris hesitated before speaking. "The goddess Eluna came to me in the dream, Eldrin… She warned me that something terrible is coming. Something even the gods fear."

Eldrin's gaze darkened. "Then we must call the Founders' Council at once."

The Gathering of the Five

Within the Celestial Canopy, the grand chamber where the rulers of elvenkind met in times of great importance, the Five Founders convened once more.

The astral pool at the center of the chamber rippled like liquid starlight, reflecting the heavens above. The gathered leaders stood in solemn anticipation, for they had all felt the disturbance in the world.

Eldrin Leafsong stood first, having called the council. The Silver Pilgrim, known for his wisdom and unwavering commitment to balance, held his staff tightly.

Beside him, Vaelenor the Forsaken, the Warrior-King, his golden armor gleaming beneath the chamber's glow, listened with arms crossed. He was a soldier before a statesman, and he valued action over words.

On the other side of Eldrin stood Lyra Starborn, the last captain of the Sky Voyagers. Draped in robes woven with celestial patterns, she carried the knowledge of the lost Aetherians. If anyone knew the truth of Malakar's legend, it would be her.

Next was Maedhiel Nightshade, the former assassin of the Dark Elves, her presence a silent enigma. Even as she worked to unite the elves, she had not forgotten the sins of her past—or those who had been cast into exile long ago.

And lastly, Thalrion the Stormforged, the mage of twilight, the one who had long warned of disturbances in the Weave of Magic. He did not speak, but his gaze was sharp as he waited for answers.

Elaris stood before them, her hands clasped tightly as she prepared to reveal what she had seen.

"Speak, Dreamseer," Eldrin urged. "Tell us what the goddess has shown you."

The Name of the Undying King

Elaris swallowed her fear and recounted her vision.

She spoke of the Veil, the boundary between life and death, growing weaker. She spoke of Malakar, a figure unknown to many but whispered in forgotten texts.

She described a land of eternal twilight, where the sky was ashen, and the rivers ran black. She told them of the throne of bone, where the Sorcerer-King sat, waiting, watching.

The Founders exchanged uneasy glances.

"Malakar…" Lyra murmured, eyes narrowing. "That name is Aetherian in origin."

"I have seen it before," Eldrin admitted. "It was recorded by the scholars of old, but nothing more than a footnote—a tale of a sorcerer who sought to defy death itself."

"If he was forgotten," Vaelenor growled, "why is he returning now?"

Elaris lowered her gaze. "Because the Veil is weakening. He is searching for a way back."

The chamber grew tense, a quiet dread settling over the elven rulers.

"If this is true," Thalrion mused, "then the world must be warned."

"A threat beyond the Veil is no longer our concern alone," Eldrin added. "The dwarves, the orcs, even the Giants… we must send word."

But before any of them could respond, the air shifted.

A cold wind swept through the chamber, though the doors remained closed. The astral pool shuddered, and the stars reflected within dimmed.

Then, without warning, Elaris gasped.

Her body stiffened, her eyes rolling back as a blinding silver light erupted from within her. She let out a sharp cry before collapsing to her knees.

The Founders rose at once.

"Eluna!" Lyra whispered in shock.

A power not of this world now flowed through Elaris. The young Dreamseer shuddered as an otherworldly presence overtook her, her voice no longer her own.

The goddess had possessed her.

The Goddess's Warning

Elaris's body trembled, but her voice echoed with a celestial power beyond mortal comprehension.

"The Veil grows thin."

A gust of energy swirled around the chamber, and the silver constellations above flickered and dimmed.

"Malakar has awakened. He seeks the gate, the key, the passage between worlds."

The Founders dared not move, their eyes locked upon Elaris as the divine words poured from her lips.

"But he does not act alone."

The air grew heavier, as if the weight of an unseen force bore down upon them.

"A daughter of shadow walks at his side."

A chill ran through Maedhiel's spine.

"An exile. A queen. She who once ruled beside you."

All eyes turned to Maedhiel Nightshade.

The Dark Elf's breath caught in her throat. "It… it cannot be."

The goddess continued.

"She has pledged herself to the Undying King. And together, they will seek to break the Veil."

The vision ended abruptly, and Elaris collapsed, gasping for air.

The chamber was silent, save for the ragged breath of the Dreamseer.

The weight of the goddess's words hung heavy in the air.

And for the first time in centuries, Maedhiel knew fear.

The Decision of the Founders

Eldrin was the first to speak, his voice grim.

"We must act."

Vaelenor's hands tightened into fists. "The world must be warned."

Lyra nodded. "The dwarves, the orcs, the giants… they must know what lurks beyond the Veil."

Thalrion's voice was calm, but his expression dark. "If Malakar seeks a way back, then war is coming."

Eldrin turned to Maedhiel.

"You know what must be done."

The Dark Elf's jaw was set, her golden eyes filled with turmoil.

"…I will find her."

Elaris, still weak from the vision, looked up at the Founders.

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of fate itself.

"This is only the beginning."

And as the Council of the Founders made their decision, the wheels of destiny began to turn.

For soon, the war beyond the Veil would reach Eldoria.

And no race would be spared from what was to come.