An army lined up before a grand archway in a grove of sparse trees, their armor gleaming under the dappled sunlight. The elves at the front stood tall, their confidence exuding from their rigid postures. As colorful leaves lazily drifted down from the trees above, one elf at the front clapped his hands together, invoking a long string of ancient words in a language lost to time. Each syllable felt like it carried weight, a forgotten power that made even the wind grow still in reverence.

  Behind him,a group of mages formed a wedge, hands resting on one another’s backs as they channeled their mana in unison. The air thickened with raw magic, humming with invisible energies that swirled around them. As the archway began to hum in response, a portal started to take shape, the very fabric of reality warping and twisting as if resisting the ancient call. The sound of warped energy filled the grove, like a piece of thin metal being rapidly bent to its limits.

  Slowly, a vortex of swirling light and shadow burst into existence within the archway, a chaotic blend of colors and distorted shapes beyond. The mages faltered behind their leader, collapsing onto the ground, drained from their efforts. But at the front, Elron stood tall, barely showing any sign of fatigue. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, the blade catching the unnatural light of the portal as he raised it high above his head.

  The final syllable rolled off his tongue as he turned to face his soldiers, their eyes now locked onto him, with unwavering focus. “Today, we make history! Follow me!” His voice echoed through the clearing, filled with the promise of glory and conquest.

  Without hesitation, Elron stepped through the archway, the swirling portal engulfing him. On the other side, he found himself in the familiar subterranean chamber beneath the elven capital. The vast, empty space stretched out before him, unchanged since the last time he had stood here. No one guarded the gate, no alarms sounded, no resistance awaited. It was eerily silent, as though the capital had forgotten this place existed.

  As his army poured through the portal behind him, Elron’s gaze swept across the vast chamber, taking in every detail. His soldiers quickly fell back into formation, their discipline unshaken by the odd stillness of the space.

  Without a word, Elron moved toward the spiral staircase leading to the upper levels of the grand tree. More and more troops emerged from the portal, the sound of their boots and armor echoing in the otherwise silent chamber. Elron tore himself from them and ascended the steps slowly, savoring each moment as he drew closer to what he knew would be a pivotal confrontation. This was the moment he had been preparing for. Much of what he had fought for led to this.

  He reached one of the highest floors in the tree, stepping onto a small platform that had always held a strange allure for him. It was here, as a child, he had stood many times, staring at a door he had never dared enter. Now, as he approached, he saw the door that had once been filled with ominous cracks and dark energy was gone. The entrance stood open, revealing his mother, lying in bed.

  Elron’s heart tightened as he crossed the threshold. The oppressive miasma that had once surrounded the room still lingered in the air, its dark tendrils coiling around him as if testing his resolve. His hand instinctively reached for the amulet under his armor, its dark radiance shining up at him as if reacting to the power of the room.

  “So, this is why they wanted it so badly,” Elron muttered, pulling the amulet free by its chain. Slowly, with measured steps, he entered the room.

  Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the very air inside the chamber pressed down on him, sapping his strength. His skin flushed a deep red, as though burned by the oppressive energy that surrounded him. Yet none of it mattered. His mother laid before him, her frail body nearly swallowed by the thick layers of dust and cobwebs that covered the room.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Elron sheathed his sword, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he approached her bedside. “You look... so at peace.”

  Her eyes creaked open, her dry, cracked lips barely moving as she whispered, “I am not gone yet, my child.”

  Tears welled in Elron’s eyes as he knelt beside her, reaching for her fragile hand. “I’m so glad... so glad to finally meet you.”

  A weak smile formed on her lips as she coughed softly. “I remember it like it was yesterday... the day you were born.”

  Elron’s voice trembled as he asked, “Who did this to you? Who cursed you? I’ll find them. I’ll kill them and free you.”

  Her bony hand reached out, brushing lightly against his. “Do not worry... about that now.”

  “How can I not?” Elron whispered, gripping her hand gently. “I’ve come all this way to save you, to save this kingdom.”

  “There is no time,” she rasped, her voice barely audible. “Promise me something, my son...”

  “Anything,” Elron said, his voice thick with emotion as he picked a stray cobweb from her gray, brittle hair.

  “Spare your sister... even if you think she’s undeserving,” she wheezed, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts.

  Elron’s grip tightened on her hand. “She’s no better than Adan... How can I?”

  “You will need her... in the time to come,” his mother whispered. “If she meets the same fate as your brother... you will be doomed.”

  Elron’s jaw clenched as he looked away, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. “How did you know... about Adan?”

  “I am an angel,” she whispered, coughing violently. “I... I know.”

  Elron gently stroked her hand, his heart aching with every word. “Easy now. Don’t overdo it. I need you. You can still be saved.”

  “No,” she murmured, her voice growing weaker. “There is no saving me.”

  “I’ll find a cure,” Elron insisted, his voice filled with determination. “I’ll have you out of here soon. Then you can help me rule. We’ll make the kingdom a better place together.”

  Her trembling hand slowly rose, her fingers brushing against his cheek. “Finish me.”

  Elron’s heart shattered. “No... I can’t.”

  “I won’t live long enough to see the future,” she said softly. “Use my strength... meet your destiny.”

  Tears streamed down Elron’s face as he slammed his fist into the bed’s frame. “It’s not fair!” His foot lashed out, kicking the base of the bed with enough force to re-angle the bed.

  “It’s you... or the God Null,” his mother whispered, her lips curling into a faint smile. “I choose you... every time.”

  The distant sound of clashing steel and shouting echoed down the hallway and into their room.

  Elron stood, his body shaking with emotion. His hand reached for his sword, the weight of the blade feeling heavier than ever. “Is there no other way?” he asked, his voice trembling as tears fell onto the dusty floor.

  His mother smiled once more, her eyes closing as her hands rested gently over her heart.

  “I love you,” Elron whispered, lifting his sword above her.

  With a heart full of sorrow and pain, Elron plunged the blade into her chest. She made no sound, her expression more peaceful than ever, as Elron collapsed over the hilt, his body wracked with uncontrollable sobs.

  Elron continued to lean over his mother’s still form. He sobbed and sobbed, until a mass of energy struck him, and he collapsed ontop of her.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  You have leveled up.

  …