Chapter 78: A Test of Worth

Third person's POV 

Selene and Axel remained in their quiet embrace, lost in the warmth of each other's presence. The soft hum of the waterfall filled the space between them, the glow of the floating flowers casting a dreamlike shimmer around them. It was perfect.

Then, out of nowhere, a voice—old, amused, and entirely unexpected—cut through the peaceful silence.

"Ah, young love… blooming under the watchful eyes of nature. Quite the picture sight, I must say!"

Axel tensed, his instincts kicking in as he turned sharply toward the source of the voice. Selene, caught completely off guard, nearly jumped out of her skin.

Standing a few feet away, leaning casually on a twisted wooden staff, was an elderly elf with long silver hair and piercing green eyes. His robes, made of deep forest hues, blended seamlessly with the surrounding grove.

He had the air of someone who had been standing there far longer than they were comfortable admitting.

Selene clutched her chest. "By the gods, do you make it a habit to sneak up on people like that?"

The elf chuckled, stroking his long beard thoughtfully. "Sneak? My dear, I've been standing here for a while. You two were simply too… engrossed to notice."

Axel cleared his throat, clearly trying to regain his composure. "We weren't—" He stopped, realizing there was no dignified way to finish that sentence. He settled for a glare instead.

"Who are you?"

The old elf waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, just a wanderer, enjoying the beauty of this sacred grove. Quite the romantic atmosphere, don't you think?"

He sighed dramatically, glancing around. "Ah, to be young again."

Selene narrowed her eyes. "That still doesn't explain why you were watching us."

"Curiosity," the elf admitted shamelessly. "It is not often that I witness a moment so… tender. I was merely appreciating the scene."

He leaned on his staff, smirking slightly.

"Besides, it was rather poetic. Two souls lost in battle and destiny, finding solace in each other. Quite moving. Almost brought a tear to my eye."

Axel pinched the bridge of his nose. "Right. Well, we should probably—"

Before he could finish, a familiar voice echoed through the grove.

"There you are!"

Lady Sylwen emerged from the trees, her expression a mix of relief and amusement.

She glanced between Selene, Axel, and the old elf before shaking her head.

"It seems you've already had the pleasure of an unexpected meeting."

Selene crossed her arms. "You know him?"

Lady Sylwen nodded. "Indeed. Now that your private moment has been so gracefully interrupted, it is time for your audience with the Verdant Sage."

Selene and Axel exchanged looks. Then, slowly, their gazes snapped back to the old elf, who was now grinning as if thoroughly enjoying their reaction.

Axel exhaled through his nose. "Of course."

The sage chuckled. "Surprise is good for the heart, young ones. Come, let us talk."

As Selene and Axel made their way back to the Sacred Hall, guided by Lady Sylwen, the air carried a renewed sense of purpose.

The golden light filtering through the canopy of ancient trees shimmered against the stone path beneath their feet, and the gentle whisper of the wind through the leaves seemed almost like a song of welcome.

The unexpected encounter with the Verdant Sage had left them both amused and slightly bewildered, but there was no denying that the meeting ahead carried great importance.

Upon reaching the grand hall, its towering pillars adorned with intricate carvings of nature's endless cycle, they found a gathering awaiting them.

The figures of their companions and the esteemed envoys from Eldoria stood near the great table, their expressions shifting from anticipation to mild surprise as the old elf strolled in beside them, his staff tapping rhythmically against the polished stone floor.

Before anyone could speak, a blur of silver and emerald rushed forward.

"Grandfather!" Lyrielle's voice rang with delight as she all but threw herself into the arms of the Verdant Sage, her usual composed demeanor momentarily forgotten.

Eldrin let out a deep, hearty chuckle, wrapping his arms around his granddaughter.

"Ah, my little starling, you still hug as fiercely as ever." His keen eyes softened as he held her at arm's length, taking in her face with pride.

"Look at you, grown into a fine young lady. Have you been eating well? Drinking enough herbal tea? Sleeping properly? These are important things, you know."

Lyrielle rolled her eyes with a fond smile.

"Yes, Grandfather. You ask this every time."

"And I will keep asking," Eldrin huffed, tweaking her ear lightly, which made her laugh.

"You elves these days think you are invincible, but even wisdom must be nourished."

"I've missed you," she murmured, pressing her forehead lightly against his in a traditional elven gesture of deep affection.

Eldrin's expression softened even further.

"And I, you, my dear."

A polite cough interrupted the moment, drawing their attention back to the gathering. Lady Sylwen, though visibly amused, crossed her arms with a knowing smirk.

"As touching as this reunion is, might I remind you all that we are currently in the middle of a meeting with our guests from Eldoria?"

Lyrielle stepped back, regaining her usual composed stance, though a faint blush dusted her cheeks. Eldrin chuckled, stroking his long beard before turning to face Selene and Axel properly, his piercing eyes assessing them with renewed interest.

Before anyone could respond, Faerel smirked and leaned closer to Selene and Axel.

"So, how was your date?" he asked in a teasing tone, arms crossed with clear amusement.

Selene blinked before groaning, while Axel, rather than denying it, simply exhaled and shrugged.

"It went well."

Faerel raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that answer. "Oh? No protests? No flat-out denial?"

Axel glanced at Selene, his expression unreadable but the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes. "Why would I deny it?"

Selene's head snapped toward him, her mouth opening as if to argue, but she hesitated, her face warming. Faerel let out a low whistle, grinning.

"Now that's interesting. And here I thought you'd play the usual 'it wasn't like that' routine."

Axel smirked. "If it looks like a date and feels like a date…"

Selene groaned again, covering her face with one hand. "Not you too."

Faerel laughed, clearly enjoying himself, before raising his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop before Lady Sylwen decides I'm being a distraction."

Lady Sylwen, who had been observing with thinly veiled amusement, sighed.

"Yes, please do. Now that we've had our entertainment, let us focus on the reason we are here."

"Well then," Eldrin mused, tapping his staff lightly. "Shall we begin?"

As the hall settled into silence, Selene took a step forward, her expression unwavering.

"We've come for answers," she said firmly.

"The fate of Eldoria is at stake, and we can't afford any more mysteries."

Eldrin, standing with the weight of centuries in his posture, rested both hands atop his staff. His sharp gaze flickered over the group before landing back on Selene.

"Ah, but answers are not given freely, child. They must be earned."

Axel, arms crossed, exhaled quietly through his nose. "So you're testing us."

"Precisely." Eldrin's expression didn't change, but there was a glint of something unreadable in his ageless eyes.

"If you wish to uncover what has been hidden, you must first prove you are worthy."

Tyra huffed, shifting her weight onto one foot.

"Figures. Nothing's ever straightforward with you ancient types."

Khael, standing beside her, muttered

"Is it always like this with old people?" under his breath.

He wasn't quiet enough.

Eldrin's pointed ears twitched. Slowly, his gaze slid toward Khael for the first time. But unlike the casual assessment he had given the others, his stare this time was long and deliberate.

Khael, noticing the intensity of the look, straightened slightly, feeling like he had just been placed under a magnifying glass.

"...What?"

Eldrin said nothing. His sharp, knowing eyes flickered briefly to Lyrielle—who had remained silent for most of the exchange—then back to Khael.

A beat of silence.

Then Eldrin let out a deep, weary sigh, as if something unfortunate had just clicked into place.

"I see," he muttered, mostly to himself.

Khael frowned. "See what?"

Eldrin turned away, shaking his head as if he had already deemed this entire situation a tragedy.

"Let us proceed."

Khael blinked. "Wait, hold on—"

Tyra nudged him with her elbow, barely hiding her smirk. "I think he doesn't like you."

Khael scowled. "Why?! I haven't even done anything yet!"

Axel, who had been watching the interaction with faint amusement, simply smirked. "You'll figure it out."

Khael turned to Selene for backup, but she only sighed as if she, too, had already accepted this bizarre turn of events.

"Can we focus? What exactly is this trial?"

Lyrielle, still unaware of her grandfather's apparent grudge against Khael, spoke up curiously, "Grandfather, what do they need to prove?"

Eldrin inhaled deeply, as if calling upon some last reserve of patience. "Only those who seek the truth will be tested. The rest will wait."

His gaze flickered once more toward Khael before adding, "Some will have more to prove than others."

Khael, completely lost, whispered to Tyra,

"What did I do?"

Tyra's smirk grew. "Exist, apparently."

Selene pinched the bridge of her nose, already feeling a headache forming.

Meanwhile, Faerel, who had remained silent up until now, finally broke his silence with a low chuckle.

"Khael," he said, eyes twinkling with amusement

"I do believe the good Sage has noticed something he doesn't quite like."

Khael scowled deeper. "What is that something?"

Eldrin cleared his throat, ignoring the side conversation completely. "Come."

And just like that, the trial began.

To be continued.