"The High Elf Queen is in Ygdra? What is she doing here?" Mikaâs eyes narrowed to tiny slits when Elenia appeared before him. Mika had no idea what Elenia wanted from him since it was not like he could defeat a Demi-God with his power. He was a powerful Divine Lifeform, but that was about it. No matter how much he wanted to defeat the High Elven Queen, Mika was too weak.
"SheâŠSheâs with Lilica!" Elenia exclaimed, and her facial features didnât leave any doubt that something bad was about to happen or that it had already happened.
"Letâs go!" Mika shouted, reaching for Eleniaâs hand before dragging her through her portal.
Elenia was about to say something else, but they had already emerged on the other side. They arrived on a higher plateau of Yggdrasil, which Mika ignored as he spread his senses into the surroundings. His energy flooded in all directions, engulfing a portion of the world tree â that was a taboo, but Mika couldnât care less at this moment â and found Lilica, the Elven Elders, and the High Elves in no time.
He rushed down a small staircase that spiraled around the world tree, rushed over a massive branch, and entered the world tree without hesitation. Mika reached the royal guest chamber of Yggdrasil in no time and smashed the door open.
Lilica and the Forest Elven Elders looked around to surprise, and a dark cloud shrouded Lilicaâs eyes when she saw Mika, whoâd already summoned his bow and several arrows. Mika was ready to fight with his life on the line if that was necessary to rescue Lilica.
âWas that a mistake?â He wondered momentarily and stored the bow and arrow in a hurry when Lilicaâs gaze fell upon him.
"You have loyal friends. Iâm not sure if I would have been brave enough to charge into the royal chambers of a Demi-God when I was his age or Tier. He sure holds you dearly," The High Elven Queen said to Lilica after taking a sip of Arcane Nectar Tea.
Mikaâs lips parted but closed quickly when he sensed looming around him. Lilica didnât like what he had done. That much was certain.
"EhâŠIâŠI apologize for interrupting yourâŠtea time(?)" Mika stuttered, his attention diverting to the Elven Elders as if trying to say What the hell is going on here?
However, the Elven Elders werenât very helpful either. If anything, they were even worse off than Mika.
"There is no need to apologize. I was praising you for trying to protect your friend. I would have loved to have friends like you when I was younger. No, it would have been great if I still had friends like you," She glared at the crown prince and added with some venom, "Or a son like you. Someone ready to jump into danger for the sake of his beloved. That is much better than having an idiot as a son."
She shook her head and sighed again. A sip of the Arcane Nectar Tea helped her calm but didnât disperse the turmoil of emotions sweeping through her body. She was too agitated about her sonâs actions and attitude to leave like this, not without punishing him first.
"My son stole the Empyreal Seal and used it to authorize an official challenge, which I never agreed to," She cleared her throat and smiled at Lilica, "How about we end this challenge in a draw?"
The Elven Elders were about to say something, but Lilica raised her hand and cut them off before they could utter a single noise.
"I would like to end the challenge, yes. There is no need for any more bloodshed among the elven races. We should work together against our enemiesâŠtogether to improve our lives and regain the former glory of the Ancient Elves."
The High Elven Queen smiled at that, "You are every mother-in-lawâs dream. I agree with you. Combining our forces again has been overdue for a long time. The last Queens and Kings were a little bitâŠold-fashioned, but I hope you donât think badly of me because of their actions."
Neither Lilica nor Mika and most other Divine Lifeforms of the Forest Elves had been around the old High Elven Kings and Queens, but that mattered little. Important was only that the current Queen was more than willing to reunite the Elves.
"How about thisâŠ" The High Elven Queen thought about it briefly and added, "I will give you these idiots to do whatever you need them to do for the nextâŠ.two decades? No, for the next 50 years. That should be enough time for them to realize how stupid their actions were."
The crown prince and his entourage wanted to say something, but they didnât dare. The Queen had full control of them, just like Lilica controlled the Forest Elven Elders.
"In exchange, I would like to start with the reunification," She cleared her throat and stretched out one hand to Lilica, "Do you want to become my right hand? Are you willing to work with me for a better livelihood for all Elves across the universe?"
The crown prince and his entourage jumped up from their seats, and even the Forest Elven Elders stared in shock at the High Elven Queen.
Even Mika was surprised, but he looked at Lilica instead.
Lilica should have been surprisedâeven more shocked than everyone elseâbut the contrary was the case. Lilica was eerily calm and nodded slowly.
"I agree," She answered simply, reaching out to the High Elven Queenâs hand to shake it.
The deal was sealed, and both women were more than satisfied with the outcome.
They understood the meaning of todayâs deal.
It was the beginning of something great.
The beginning of a chance.
A change that would alter the future of all elves forever.
Lilica would be known as the first Queen of the United Elves not even a century later. The first Elven Queen who wasnât born a High Elf.