Arpious of the Planes

Chapter 557 The Elven Gaurd

The elven woman moved among her precious farm animals, her touch gentle and soothing as she reassured each one. She spoke to them in a language of ancient melodies, and they responded with a serenity that belied their earlier ferocity.

It was clear to all present that these creatures were not mere tools of war but cherished companions under her care. The elven woman's love for them transcended the battle, and the mythical creatures had no desire to harm her or each other.

As the tension in the battlefield ebbed away, the elven woman cast a compassionate gaze toward me, acknowledging my efforts to protect her precious charges. It was a moment of understanding amidst the chaos, a testament to the unbreakable bond between her and the mythical creatures she called family.

With her presence, the battle had transformed into a scene of peace and reconciliation. Though the conflict had raged on relentlessly, her gentle intervention had reminded everyone that there was more to the world than strife and combat. The elven woman's farm animals had been spared further harm, and the battlefield now stood as a testament to the power of compassion and the bonds that unite all living beings.

"So you weren't as weak as I thought," I smiled as I witnessed her insanely powerful status.

『Status』

[Name: Elara]

[Race: Elven Warlord of the Skies]

[Status: Angry]

[Level:?1/300]

[HP: 300/300 MP: 150/150 SP: 250/250]

[Strength: 550]

[Defense: 550]

[Magic: 700]

[Speed: 550]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 300]

[Skills: [Aerial Dominance] [Stormcaller Mastery] [Skybound Battle Tactics] [Wings of Tempest] [Celestial Command] [Galeforce Strike] [Heavenly Cloudburst] [Windborne Might] [Skyward Fury] [Aeromancy] [Sovereign's Gaze] [Tempest's Wrath] [Celestial Wings] [Divine Zephyr] [Skylord's Authority] [Etherial Mastery] [Cyclone Conquest] [Windswept Sovereignty] [Aerial Monarch] [Aerokinetic Infusion] [Skyshaper's Resolve] [Celestial Conduit] [Zephyr's Embrace] [Aerial Fortitude] [Aero-Warlord's Ascendancy] [Empress of the Firmament] [Celestial Vanguard] [Tempest Tamer] [Windrider's Resilience] [Aurora's Command] [Ruler of the Heavens] [Aeromancer Supreme] [Sky Empress] [Mind Warp]

[Titles: [Sky Sovereign] [Aerial Warlord] [Mistress of the Firmament] [Tempest Queen] [Aerial Commandress] [Celestial Ruler] [Skylord] [Wind Conqueror] [Empress of the Skies] [Cloudshaper] [Sky's Majesty] [Aero-Monarch] [Tempest Tyrant] [Celestial Warden] [Aerokinesis Master] [Sky Dominator] [Stormbringer] [Empress of Winds] [Aerial Supremacy] [Zephyr Queen] [Heavenly Commander] [Stormcaller Empress] [Windswept Monarch] [Celestial Sovereign] [Aurora's Avatar] [Cloudshaper Supreme] [Skyshaper Warlord] [Skylord Ascendant] [Celestial Commander] [Tempest's Chosen] [Windswept Empress] [Aero-Warlord] [Mistress of Tempests] [Aerial Ascendant] [Empress of the Firmament] [Cloudwalker] [Windrider Overlord] [Tempest Tamer] [Skyborne Authority] [Mistress of the Aether] [Celestial Visionary] [Stormqueen Ascendant] [Heavenly Warlord] [Skyrealm Empress] [Galeforce Sovereign] [Aeromancer Warlord] [Cloudshaper Overlord] [Skyborne Monarch] [Celestial Tempest] [Zephyr Tyrant] [Empress of the Firmament] [Aerial Archon] [Tempest Temptress] [Windswept Warlord] [Celestial Windrider] [Aero-Warlord's Ascendant] [Empress of the Aether] [Skylord Ascendant] [Celestial Conduit] [Sky Empress]

…

"Why did you hide your power?" I asked before seeing a whirlwind of blue lights swing around me and lock my hands and wrists behind my back. It was as instant as the shooting stars passing above us, reacting to the woman's presence who seemingly enveloped the entire plane in a radiating beauty.

…

(Elara POV)

(100 years prior)

I stood watch, my heart heavy with the responsibility of guarding our sacred realm. The forest, with its towering ancient trees and shimmering streams, had always been our haven, a sanctuary of life and tranquility. The gentle rustling of leaves and the soft murmur of the brooks had been our lullabies, soothing us through the ages. But today, a shadow fell upon our land, and my eyes beheld a devastating sight that would haunt me forever.

Before me, the World Tree, a colossal sentinel of our elven heritage, stood engulfed in searing black flames. Its gnarled branches, once vibrant with life, now contorted in agony as the infernal blaze consumed them. The very heart of our homeland was under siege, and the world seemed to weep with despair as if mourning the desecration of this sacred sanctuary.

The flames crackled with an unholy fury, casting eerie, dancing shadows that twisted and contorted across the forest floor. Each flicker of darkness seemed like a mocking dance, a macabre celebration of our helplessness. The air grew thick with acrid smoke, choking my breath and stinging my eyes, and the scent of burning wood filled my nostrils, mingling with the bitter taste of despair.

The vibrant greens and blues of our once-pristine sanctuary now turned to ashen gray and sickly crimson. The very essence of life that had thrived here for centuries was being snuffed out by this malevolent force. The leaves that had whispered tales of ages past, carrying the wisdom of the ancients, now crumbled to ashes, their secrets lost to the winds of destruction.

Our sacred tree, a living testament to our heritage and connection to the land, trembled and groaned in agony. Its ancient roots, which had woven a tapestry of life beneath the forest floor, were now ensnared in the cruel grip of darkness. It was as if the very soul of our people wailed in pain, and I felt a profound sorrow that cut to my core.

As an elven guardian, I had sworn an oath to protect our realm, to stand against any threat that dared to desecrate our land. But at this moment, I felt powerless in the face of the malevolent force that had unleashed this destruction upon us. Who or what could unleash such darkness upon our once-pristine land? With every fiber of my being, I clenched my bow, determination swelling within me. Whatever had wrought this devastation, I vowed to stand against it, to defend our ancestral home, even if it meant risking my life to do so.

My elven brethren, fellow guardians of our homeland, stood beside me in stunned disbelief, wondering the same thoughts that I had. Their wide eyes mirrored my own horror, and their expressions were a haunting reflection of our shared grief. We were a group sworn to protect our land, to stand as stalwart defenders, but none of us had ever faced such an abomination.

In that harrowing moment, some of my comrades clutched their weapons with trembling hands, their fingers white-knuckled in their futile rage. Others, overcome by the weight of despair, sank to their knees, their faces masked with anguish as they struggled to comprehend the devastation unfolding before us.

The air itself grew thick with grief, a tangible weight that pressed upon our chests, making each breath an agonizing effort. The collective anguish of our people hung heavy in the air, palpable and suffocating. Elven children, who had once laughed and played beneath the World Tree's boughs, now clung to their parents in fear and confusion. Elders, their faces etched with the lines of wisdom earned over centuries, watched with heavy hearts as the ancient guardian of our realm was consumed by darkness.

Even the forest creatures, our allies, and kin sensed the malevolent force that threatened our home. They fled in a panicked frenzy, their eyes reflecting the terror that gripped our own hearts. Birds cawed mournfully from the treetops, their haunting cries echoing through the forest. The once-joyful song of the river had turned mournful, its gentle melody now a haunting dirge, as if the very land itself mourned the loss of our sacred guardian.

Turning my gaze to my fellow guardians, I saw a shared resolve growing within them, a glimmer of determination amid the overwhelming despair. With a collective nod, unspoken words of solidarity passed between us. We understood that it was our duty, our sacred obligation, to stand against this malevolent force. We would protect our people and our land from further devastation, for the World Tree's spirit, though extinguished, would live on in us.

In that moment, we pledged ourselves to become the unwavering guardians of our heritage, the unyielding defenders of our realm. Together, we would face the darkness that sought to consume our world, and with the strength of our shared purpose, we would kindle a new flame of hope in the midst of our despair.

In the aftermath of the devastating loss of the World Tree, the remaining elven citizens looked to me, the elven woman guard who had witnessed the tragedy firsthand, for guidance and leadership. Though the darkness had taken our sacred sanctuary, it had not extinguished the spirit of our people. Together, we would rebuild, even if it meant forging new alliances and navigating uncharted territories.

With resolve burning in my heart, I took on the mantle of leadership. The path ahead was daunting, but we were determined to restore our homeland and the spiritual heart of our realm. I knew that we could not achieve this monumental task alone.

Our journey led us to the lower worlds, where we sought out the spirits and forest beings who held the secrets of life and rebirth. Through diplomacy and negotiation, we forged contracts and alliances with these ancient entities. They, too, mourned the loss of the World Tree, and our shared sorrow became the foundation of our alliances.

We made pacts with the spirits of the earth, promising to tend to their domains and protect their sacred groves in exchange for their assistance in revitalizing the land. The forest beings, elusive and enigmatic, offered their guidance in nurturing the new World Tree and shared their knowledge of the natural world.