The Past...
A sacred council of the High Elves was convened at the heart of the forest. This gathering was reserved only for the most solemn matters—an event all High Elves approached with reverence. Eleonus, the revered seer, descended from the Tower of Ages to deliver a divine revelation. Though weariness clung to his face, his voice rang with clarity and resolve.
"We must enter the Ancient Slumber," Eleonus declared. His words echoed through the hall with the weight of divine authority. "According to the prophecy bestowed by the gods, the only way to avert the coming ruin is for our people to fall into the Great Sleep—to preserve balance in the world. Within that sleep, we shall protect the world… and ourselves."
A hush fell over the chamber. The High Elves felt the gravity of his message. Though they clung to the hope that this prophecy would lead them to salvation, a heavy burden pressed down on their hearts.
Once the meeting concluded, Queen Elisar rose with resolve. "We shall follow the will of the gods. Prepare for the Ancient Slumber at once. The fate of the High Elves rests in our hands."
And so, the High Elven society mobilized. Enchanters and magi assembled at the forest's center, constructing intricate magical devices and weaving protective wards. Rituals of immense complexity were performed to ensure that when their people slept, they would do so in absolute safety.
But not all High Elves accepted the prophecy without doubt.
Some began to question its truth—whether the path they were about to walk was truly the one they were meant to take.
"Will this really save us from annihilation?" one elder whispered to another, worry flickering in his voice. "If this prophecy is truly divine… why does it fill me with such dread?"
Others harbored the same unease. Though they kept silent, afraid to be seen as faithless, the dissonance between what they felt and what they were told grew stronger with each passing day.
Even Eleonus himself, though speaking as a vessel of the gods, felt a creeping dissonance deep within. Something foreign tugged at his words—as if another will was steering him. Still, he suppressed those doubts, believing his duty was to lead, not question.
Unbeknownst to the people, the Old God had already begun to tamper with the prophecy. Its corruption was subtle, nearly undetectable. But it had seeped into every spell, every ritual, and every layer of their preparation for the Slumber.
And then, the dreams began to change.
What began as serene and blissful visions slowly twisted. Unease crept in. Confusion. Darkness. Within their dreams, the High Elves began to encounter unknowable entities. And those entities whispered:
"Is this truly the path to salvation… or a trap leading to your doom?"
These dreams, like seeds of doubt, planted shadows in their hearts. Though they knew these visions weren't part of the waking world, they couldn't shake the fear they brought.
As they prepared for the Ancient Slumber, the High Elves believed they were about to enter eternal peace. But without their knowing, the Old God had already begun to take root in their very souls.
They believed they were following the will of the divine.
But what awaited them…
…was not peace.
It was corruption.
And ruin.
**
Episode: The Truth of Eleonus and the Threat of the Fallen Elves
Merslin and his companions journeyed to the resting place of Eleonus, carrying with them a classified document they had unearthed from the High Elf archive. The scroll detailed the background behind the High Elves' descent into the Ancient Slumber, as well as the mysterious experiences Eleonus had undergone before delivering his fateful prophecy. Yet, even with the document in hand, Merslin sensed that the full truth remained veiled.
Eleonus was regarded among the High Elves as a divine intermediary, a voice through which the gods spoke. But to uncover the truth behind his prophecy, they would have to delve into the final moments of his life. Upon reaching his resting place, the party was struck with awe and unease at the sight of his body—preserved in sacred stillness, untouched by time despite his long-departed life.
"We must find the truth here," Merslin said resolutely. "But to understand how corrupted his prophecy may have become, we might need to access his memories."
Aria looked upon Eleonus and whispered, "Could we use necromancy? We might be able to summon his spirit and ask for the truth… but that would go against High Elf law. And I'm not sure it's the right path."
Lydia folded her arms, deep in thought. "Necromancy might offer answers, but can we bear the consequences? If Eleonus' soul has already touched the divine, waking him could unleash a greater disaster."
Merslin shook his head in agreement. "It isn't the right way. There must be another. We need a method to access his memories without disturbing his soul."
While they debated, an unsettling presence stirred in the forest's shadows. The air turned heavy, and even within the protective barriers of the High Elves, a wave of anxiety swept through them. Instinctively, the party assumed defensive positions.
Out from the darkness emerged lithe, shadowed figures. They radiated a dark aura, unlike any High Elf. These were not ancient enemies returned from hiding. No—these were once-noble High Elves who had succumbed to corruption during their Ancient Slumber, their spirits twisted by the influence of the Elder God. Once paragons of their race, they had become fallen elves, their essence devoured by darkness.
Lydia narrowed her eyes. "Were they… once High Elves? They feel wrong. That aura is steeped in shadow."
Aria's expression tightened. "They were corrupted before they ever awoke. The Elder God reached them in their sleep."
As the fallen elves advanced, Merslin shouted, "They're no longer High Elves. These are corrupted by the Elder God. Brace yourselves!"
The party clashed with the attackers, whose blackened blades radiated a malevolent energy. These weapons were not forged but conjured, infused with darkness that polluted everything they touched. Their strikes were relentless, suffocating.
Lydia reacted quickly, summoning her magic to counter the shadowy haze that spilled from the corrupted weapons. She hesitated, questioning whether her flames could purge such deep corruption, but knew hesitation would cost lives.
"This won't do. I need more power!" Lydia focused, shaping her flame into something greater—a living manifestation. From her fingertips emerged fire, taking form and growing into the shape of a wolf.
"Wolf of flame, burn the darkness away!" she cried. The fiery creature howled as it leapt at the fallen elves, its glowing eyes locked on them as it scorched the air.
Merslin watched Lydia's conjuration with admiration. "Formed magic? That's incredible, Lydia!"
He studied the technique and quickly grasped its structure. Channeling his own magic, he summoned ice, molding it with focused energy. Soon, a wolf made of glistening frost stood by his side.
"If it works for you, maybe I can do it too!" he shouted. His frost wolf exhaled freezing air, spreading chill across the battlefield as it pounced upon the shadow-infested foes.
Lydia watched in awe. "Merslin, how did you learn that so quickly? That's remarkable!"
He grinned. "Your magic showed me the way. It's powerful—and together, we can overcome anything."
With Lydia's flame wolf and Merslin's frost wolf, the tide turned. Their elemental harmony cut through the shadows, overwhelming the corrupted elves. Fire and ice shattered the magical barriers protecting their enemies, bringing chaos to their ranks.
Lisa raised her sword, imbued with the light of the sun. "Now it's our turn to strike back!" Her blade shimmered with radiant light, cutting through the last vestiges of shadow. Supported by Merslin and Lydia's magic, she shattered their blades and cleansed the battlefield of darkness.
When the battle ended, Merslin exhaled. "Whatever truth we seek… it's tied to this darkness. There's no turning back now. We have to uncover it."
Lydia looked at him with renewed awe. "Your magic is extraordinary. To replicate formed magic so quickly… it's a rare talent. Together, we can defeat this shadow."
Merslin nodded, smiling. "If we stand united, no darkness can stop us. Let's uncover Eleonus' truth and protect Luminaria together."