While Elena and Serena were carrying out a critical mission in the Kingdom of Luminaria, Musling and his companions continued their journey to uncover the secrets of the High Elf Forest. This time, Aria and Lydia were tasked with researching ancient records in a local library, while Musling and Lisa traveled through nearby villages to investigate oral legends passed down over generations.
In a small village near the High Elf Forest, there was a modest library preserving old documents and scrolls. Aria and Lydia spent the entire day sifting through the dusty tomes in search of records left behind by the High Elves.
"I found something," Aria said, pointing to a page in an ancient book. "This explains why the High Elves chose the Great Slumber. While it was partly to avoid war, the text also mentions that they followed a prophecy."
Lydia read the passage and nodded. "It's possible that the Blood Elves also inherited that prophecy. We need to investigate further. This might be the key to everything."
Aria jotted down the crucial details and added, "If this record is accurate, then their slumber wasn't just a means of avoidance. It was a deliberate act to prevent a greater catastrophe, one foreseen in that prophecy."
Together, she and Lydia organized the findings and continued to comb through the shelves for any additional insights into the High Elves' fateful decision.
Meanwhile, Musling and Lisa spoke with village elders to gather old tales about the forest. From these local stories, they hoped to uncover why the High Elves made the decision to sleep for centuries.
One elderly woman told Musling, "Our ancestors always said the High Elves didn't fall asleep just to escape war. They followed an ancient prophecy. No one knows exactly what it warned of, but it was said the Elves had to sleep to avoid something terrible."
Lisa leaned in, intrigued. "Have you heard anything more about that prophecy? What kind of danger was it predicting?"
The old woman paused to think, then replied, "Not in detail. But the prophecy warned of a great calamity approaching. That's why they chose to vanish from the world—at least, that's what the stories say."
Musling gave her a respectful nod. "Thank you. Your story might bring us closer to the truth."
Back at the library, Musling and Lisa returned to share their findings with Aria and Lydia. They compared notes and reached a vital conclusion.
Aria spoke first. "The High Elves didn't just retreat—they foresaw something terrible. Their slumber was a protective measure, guided by prophecy."
Lydia added, "And if that prophecy reached the Blood Elves, then it could still be out there, influencing events. If we uncover the truth behind it, we can finally unlock the mystery of the High Elf Forest."
Musling stood firm. "Then let's do it. That prophecy is the final puzzle—and we're going to solve it."
Lisa nodded with determination. "And when Elena and Serena return, we'll be ready to reveal everything."
Thus, the group embarked on a deeper quest, gathering clues and unraveling truths that would lead them closer to the heart of the High Elves' ancient mystery. The path was growing more complex—but so too was their resolve.
****
Awakening Memories of the "Book of Wonderland"
Despite their continued search through libraries and villages, progress in deciphering the secrets of the High Elf Forest was slow. With little recorded history and centuries of isolation, the truth behind the High Elves' Great Slumber remained elusive.
Musling sat in a dim corner of the library, surrounded by towering stacks of books. Lisa had dozed off from exhaustion, and Aria remained quietly focused on her research. Every now and then, the two glanced at Musling, who was muttering to himself as if in conversation with someone unseen.
Then, a familiar sensation stirred within Musling's chest—the quiet presence of the "Book of Wonderland." It was the mysterious artifact that had first transported him to this world, and the same book that had once returned him to Earth.
The book didn't speak aloud, but its presence echoed in his mind like a gentle, undeniable whisper.
"Musling, the closer you come to the truth, the more I can reveal to you. It's time I showed you something important."
Musling closed his eyes and focused, slipping into communication with the book. "There's more? What is it this time?"
"This is a story from a different timeline," the book said. "In that world, the war with the Shadowkin was inevitable. The High Elves chose the Great Slumber not merely to escape the fighting, but to hide themselves within time itself."
Musling listened closely, intrigued by the layers of truth behind the elves' decision.
"They didn't sleep only to avoid war. They sensed an approaching calamity and sought refuge from it by vanishing into slumber. Whatever that disaster was, it was powerful enough that their only choice was to disappear."
Musling murmured to himself, "Why didn't they work with me back then?"
The book paused before responding. "Perhaps, at the time, it was their only option. They acted out of survival. No one else could make the decision for them."
Musling nodded slowly. He knew he would need to face the High Elves again, armed with this new understanding—but it would not be an easy task.
Sensing his inner struggle, Lydia approached him quietly. Her eyes reflected thoughtful concern. "You were lost in magical contemplation, weren't you?"
Musling exhaled. "Yes. I'm trying to figure out how to use this information. It's not easy, especially without open communication with the High Elves."
Lydia gently took his hand and smiled. "The Blood Elves have some blame in that. We've closed ourselves off too much. But we're here now, working together. When I return home, I'll do everything I can to reopen those lines of communication. For now, we have each other."
Musling could feel her sincerity and nodded. "You're right. If we're together, we can overcome anything. Let's solve this mystery—together."
Lisa stirred from her nap, rubbing her eyes. "Did you find something new?"
Musling smiled at her and Aria. "We're making progress. Let's keep digging through the records and legends. The truth is in here somewhere."
Aria nodded quietly, and Lisa turned back to her notes, pushing through her fatigue. With quiet resolve, the group pressed on, ready to continue their journey into the depths of an ancient truth—the reason behind the Great Slumber, and the fate it was meant to avert.