Aleesha stared at the screen as she began reading the message, feeling confused.

Upon realization at what the screen likely was, she felt a sense of loss and disbelief.

Is this a message from the gods? Were the saplings and centauri right after all, they truly exist?

Is Amara the Ascended one of them? 

Were the demons already aware of the armistice? Is that the reason they left?

Aleesha was overwhelmed with despair. The demon lord mentioned that our souls were already theirs, does that mean that the goddess Amara is expected to lose? Why are they so sure of their victory?

The battle will be decided on another world? What about us? Why are we not getting a say in all of this? Why are we not allowed to take part? Are we just supposed to sit and wait, unable to do anything? Can't we join the battle and help?

If not then, can we flee? Our people have already migrated once, maybe we can do that again?

“Shau, what is this? What does it mean?” Zanadell muttered. 

Aleesha woke from her daze and raised her head to turn her eyes from the screen to Zanadell. She had a deeply furrowed brow, her expression strict. 

But Aleesha noticed that her eyes were filled with confusion and worry. Aleesha realized that her own confusion likely was much more apparent.

Aleesha frowned and drew a deep breath to calm herself. “I’m sorry...I don’t know.”

Seeing the despair that filled Zanadell's eyes when her eyes turned up to meet hers, Aleesha regretted her words. She realized that she had been misjudging Zanadell. The warden’s facial expressions were always stiff, but her eyes told a different story. One that said that contrary to her appearances, her warrior’s courage wasn’t unbreakable.

“I...I just need to think about it! Give me a moment!” Aleesha exclaimed.

Zanadell drew a faintly shuddered breath before nodding. Aleesha looked back down at the screen in front of her as she sank into contemplation.

Shau. Right. People will be looking to the Hau for answers. And I’m one of them.

Aleesha read through the message again repeatedly, trying to analyze the contents.

I’ve never heard of the system giving this kind of message before. It’s like an official decree.

I don’t know anything about the gods. If they are behind this, then we need to ask the saplings and centauri. Especially the saplings. The centauri tend to act more like zealous believers, while the saplings are merely adamant about the gods’ existence. Like they’re stating facts.

The battle will be fought on another world, Teyrin. I’ve never heard of it, but I wasn’t sure of the existence of other worlds either. I’ll need to study the records to see if we have any detailed information on any of them.

Souls. Another thing I didn’t know about. The demon lord, the saplings and this message all say we do, the centauri have always also proclaimed it. That we have souls. We always ignored the centauris’ ramblings on the matter, but it seems like it’s true. 

And now the fate of our souls is going to be decided by someone else, in the outcome of a battle happening elsewhere, in which we may not take part …

Aleesha paused as she drew a conclusion.

Now I'm sure that the demons knew. They had to.

They knew the armistice was coming. That’s why they left! And - 

Aleesha felt a tinge of fear as her line of thought continued.

And for some reason, the demons are certain of their victory. They think Amara will lose.

Even the gods can’t stand against the demon lords? Or are the demon lords gods as well? They are certainly terrifying enough to be considered as such.

But if that’s the case, why haven’t any of the gods helped us fight the demon lords when they appeared? 

Aleesha clenched her fist as her determination rose when she realized there was still hope. 

I don’t know this Amara, and this fight isn’t necessarily ours. If we can flee, we should. If not…

Then we should help her. We should fight. I don’t care if we’re allowed to or not, we have a right to determine our own fate!

Aleesha read the first line again.

The armistice lasts for a hundred and thirty three seasons. That’s more than half of the average life expectancy of an elf. I’ll still be alive for the time when the armistice breaks down. Father will likely be at the autumn of his life though. 

...This armistice likely doesn’t affect only the elves, but all races on Whildernae. We have to band together for this crisis. Can my father lead not just the elves, but the other races as well? Or do the saplings have a leader?

No matter what, we need more information before we can make any kind of plan of action.

The councillors are most likely discussing it as we speak.

Aleesha looked up at Zanadell, who appeared to have been waiting for her to come up with a decision. The eyes that were looking at her were still filled with anxiety, but they also contained hope.

Does she trust me this much to show the way forward? Is this what it means to be a Shau? Have people always looked at me like that?

Aleesha saw the hope in Zanadell’s eyes grow stronger as she watched Aleesha’s expression grow with determination.

“I need to speak with my father and the council. Before we can choose a plan of action, we need more information.” (Aleesha)

“But do you have an idea? About what we should do?” Zanadell asked.

“The details will need to be determined by what I find. But no matter what the circumstances are, I won’t let our fate be decided by someone else.” (Aleesha)

Zanadell seemed to let out a sigh and nodded. “Very well. Let me know if I can be of assistance, Shau.”

__________________

 

What awaited her when she entered the large hall, was utter chaos. A few of the councillors were shouting at each other, some were rubbing their temples with their fingers.

“-we have no idea if it’s true!” (?)

“How can you even come to that conclusion! They can't manipulate the system at their leisure!” (Heyleene)

“We don’t know that! Perhaps they’ve only found a way to send messages! For all we know, it’s all part of the demons’ ploy to scare us!” (?)

This is what they are arguing about? How can they already begin drawing conclusions? We can’t make conclusions without more information; as long as we're lacking it, we need to assume the worst.

Aleesha’s eyes turned towards her father. He seemed to have let out a sigh, as his lips were slightly puckered as if he was blowing out air, while he was pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed.

Why isn’t father leading the conversation?

“-and we have no reason to-” (?)

“Enough!” Aleesha shouted. 

All the councillors went silent and turned their eyes to Aleesha. Even her father raised his head and opened his eyes to look at her. None of them seemed to have realized that she had entered.

Oh. That was easy. I thought it would take more to get their attention.

“Ah, Shau. It’s good that you’re here, we could use some answers.” (?)

Aleesha frowned. “Answers?”

“Yes. After all, you predicted this.” (?)

Aleesha’s frustration flared as she looked back at the councillor, Vhau Vamellen. 

Weren’t you the most outspoken in my hearing moments ago, hoping to disavow me? Why are you now looking to me for answers?

“I don’t have any answers, as we have too little information. But with the council’s permission, I’d like to launch an investigation, and begin by reviewing the records.” (Aleesha)

“For what purpose?” (Vamellen) 

“I’m hoping to find anything that could provide information related to the message. To see if there is any mention of this Amara the Ascended, and the world known as Teyrin. Records about our past, as the saplings say we migrated here.” Aleesha proclaimed.

The councillors whispered between themselves as Aleesha waited. 

Aleesha frowned. What’s taking them so long? Shouldn’t this be an obvious decision?

Eventually, councillor Vamellen spoke up. “We can’t let someone who hasn’t received the full mentorship review the ancient records.”

What?

“As such, we can’t-” (Vamellen)

“Oh, please! We need someone with an open mind to lead this investigation, not someone who has had their mind narrowed!” (Heyleene)

“The tradition of mentorship is ancient, passed down to each new generation of councillors! We-” (Vamellen)

“In this case, it will only be a problem! The mentorship is what taught us that there are no gods, and now we find out we might be wrong!” (Heyleene)

Murmurs of both agreement and disagreement was heard from the councillors. 

“...Very well.” Councillor Vamellen eventually relented. 

Feynhil looked over the councillors who seemed to have reached an accord before he proclaimed. “Your request has been granted. Do you need anything else for your investigation?”

Aleesha thought for a moment. “I will need the cooperation of the saplings and centauri, to complement the information I can find in the records.”

The councillors turned their eyes to the sapling that stood to the side. With the lights dimmed in the dark cavities in its face, it appeared to be sleeping.

“Wise elder, can the saplings provide assistance to this investigation?” (Feynhil)
After a long pause, yellow lights slowly flared to life in the dark cavities on the saplings face as it spoke. 

[This one has requested a peer to provide. (S)]

__________________

 

“-and I heard that you elves don’t like the gods. And I also heard the gods don’t like you. Maybe you guys should share a hut? You know, love it all out. Loving it out solves everything! There was this one time, when I - “ (?)

Aleesha sat with a strained smile on her face as she listened to the centauri inside the office that had been given to her for the duration of the investigation. 

All races on Whildernae were originally wanderers that walked on their own, where their feet and mood led them. The elves were no exception, even if they were the only ones to build permanent housings. Each of the races only gathered in times of crisis, like when the demons arrived. Once the threat was gone, most of the population in the city had left and begun travelling again. In the moons that had passed since the demons began their retreat, more and more of the elves had left. Now however, they were returning and they all wanted answers. 

The apprentice healer that had healed Aleesha at the infirmary was one of the few centauri who yet remained in the elven city. And now Aleesha was interviewing the loose lipped quadruped, named Fawn Dileen. 

“- and do you know what he did then? He bent down, and-” (Fawn)

“-Have you heard of Amara the Ascended before?” Aleesha interrupted. I really don’t want to know what you centauri do in the woods.

“Oh. Nope, never heard.” The centauri responded cheerfully.

Aleesha was surprised that she didn’t continue. It was the first time that Fawn had stopped talking on her own.

“Then, how do you know the gods exist? Have the gods spoken to anyone?” Aleesha asked.

“Aside from the message the gods gave us recently? No. But everyone says they exist, so they do. I mean, they can’t all be wrong.” (Fawn)

Aleesha sighed. “Then do you have any other reason to believe they exist?” 

“Well, I mean, I find it comforting to think that they exist. It’s soothing to know they are out there, protecting us and watching over us from afar. Besides, it’s exciting to think that someone is watching when you’re in the middle of-” (Fawn)

“-That’s enough! Do you know anything about souls?” (Aleesha)

“Oh. Nope, nothing. Only that we all have them. They make me, me, and you, you. That sort of thing. Just like my spots. You see? Nobody has spots like the ones I have on my backside. I always get complimented for them, especially when I’m doing it with-”(Fawn)

“-Thank you! Please move your backside off the table.” Aleesha requested.

“Why? Don’t you think the spots are pretty?” Fawn asked dejectedly.

“Yes, they’re very pretty. However, you’re sitting on the records.” (Aleesha)

“Ah. Right. Oops, looks like I stained them a little. Wait, is it supposed to look like that? Oh, it’s paint! Do I have paint on my behind now? Can you look for me?”

Aleesha sighed. “There’s no paint there. Nothing to worry about.” 

“Ah, I’m saved! I’d be so embarrassed if I had stains on me for tonight, when he comes over and-” (Fawn)

“-Thank you, but I need to continue with the investigation.” Aleesha interrupted.

“Right! Of course! I’ll get out of your hair. Actually, I really like your hair. Can I have some of it? I’d really like to make a-”

“Please leave.” Aleesha said, trying hard to stay composed.

“Okidoki! See you around!” Fawn said cheerfully before she began hopping towards the door. 

As she left, Zanadell peeked in and looked at Aleesha, giving a silent nod before she closed the door.

Aleesha let out a sigh as she put her forehead against the table. 

That was exhausting. And the centauri really don’t know anything either. They believe in the gods, but know nothing about them.

Aleesha lifted her head and continued reading the disappointing records. Or more like, looking at them.

None of the ancient records had any writing. They were only paintings and colourful drawings. She had seen drawings that depicted the base of the world tree before there was a city there. Drawings of ancient elves that she would never be able to find out who they were. And most of the drawings and paintings were of herbs and other wildlife, that were so detailed they seemed to be alive.

Aleesha continued skimming through the paintings until she found one that was so large it had been folded several times. After unraveling it and spreading it onto the table, she saw that the drawing depicted a large-scale battle on vast grasslands. She could see elves on one side, and demons on the other. 

And in the sky above the elves were white doves.

No, not doves. They look like elves. With wings. 

Is that what the gods look like? Or is it another race?

Aleesha felt that the first option was more likely, as the surroundings of the winged beings were filled with light, making them appear more divine.

As Aleesha studied the winged elves, she noticed two of them stood out. They were at the front and center of the formation of winged beings, leading the charge. The pair were the only ones in the painting with detailed faces. They both were similar in appearance, despite being of different genders. And they appeared to be smiling.

Aleesha stepped back to take in the whole picture. She realized the two winged elves weren’t the only ones.

They all were smiling, even the elves. And the demons appeared to be cowering.

Aleesha was trying to think of what the painting meant, when someone knocked on the door. 

After giving permission, Zanadell opened the door from the outside.

“The sapling is here, Shau.” (Zandell)

“Let it in. Thank you.” Aleesha nodded and began folding up the painting.

After leaving the council room, Zanadell had volunteered to help Aleesha once she had explained what she was going to do. However, Zanadell had mostly been stuck on guard duty, as the influx of elves wanting answers came looking for her as soon as they heard she was investigating. Zanadell made sure that Aleesha could focus on getting the answers that the people wanted, and reassure them in her place. 

I’m really grateful she believes in me to such an extent. I only hope I won’t let her down.

The pale sapling that entered looked familiar.

[This one greets you on our reunion. (?)]

Aleesha smiled. “Then you’re the one we met out in the desolation. Thank you for coming, wise elder. May I know your name?”

[This one confirms. This one is known as Zenon. This one shall remain for the duration of the investigation.] (Zenon)

The sapling walked to a corner of the room and Aleesha could hear the creaking of wood from underneath the floor as the sapling pushed its roots into the trunk of the world tree.

I wonder if the world tree fixes the holes itself.

“I have several questions I’d like to ask, Zenon.” (Aleesha)

[This one will provide. (Zenon)]

Aleesha thought of the questions she thought were most important.

“I think you said you’ve met a god before. Who was it? What do you know of them? Do you know anything about who Amara the Ascended is?” (Aleesha)

Aleesha waited patiently while the lights in the sockets of the sapling’s face flickered.

[This one remembers meeting the goddess who carried the name Alarice, the Voice of Inspiration. This one remembers how Alarice aided us in creating the world tree to protect the temple. This one knows the gods are created to protect and care for the souls of mortals. This one had not heard the name Amara until recently, however. (Zenon)]

Aleesha pondered. “What’s a temple?”

[This one recalls the temple is something created to protect souls from being stolen by demons, by storing a portion of the soul within. Upon death, the souls travel to the temple to become whole again, and there they are kept safe and guided into the next life. (Zenon)]

A piece of our souls are inside the temple? And our souls go to the temple when we die?

Then fleeing would make no difference, if our souls are returned here after death anyway.

Aleesha came to a realization. “Can we enter the temple? Remove the part of our souls that are within?”

[This one denies. This one remembers that entry is fatal to anyone but to an owner. (Zenon)]

Aleesha frowned. “Owner? The gods?”

[This one denies. This one was told by Alarice that she was created by a higher tiered god, that we saplings refer to as an owner, as it owns our souls.  (Zenon)]

...What?! Aleesha pushed herself up from her seat and stared wide eyed at the sapling.

“Our souls are OWNED!?” Aleesha exclaimed.

[This one confirms. This one was told a soul requires an owner, lest it stray and be picked up by the god that created the demons. The one who owns the temple in a world, owns its souls. (Zenon)]

Aleesha felt despair as she came to a realization. “Then, if Amara loses against the demon lord, then ownership of the temple falls to the god that made the demons?“

[This one confirms. (Zenon)]

Aleesha fell back into the chair as she contemplated. So that’s why the demon lord said our souls are as good as theirs.

“Do you know what happens to our souls if Amara loses?” Aleesha asked.

[This one was told by Alarice that the god who made the demons eat souls. (Zenon)]

Aleesha stared wide-eyed at the sapling. I really don’t like the sound of that.

Aleesha decided to ask the question she felt she knew the answer to, but wanted to have clarified. “Is there no hope of us escaping?” 

[This one denies. (Zenon)]

Aleesha stared down at her hands.

No fleeing then. The only option is to fight.

Aleesha clenched her fists. “Do you think we’re allowed to help Amara? To fight?”

[This one recalls we were not forbidden by the message we received. (Zenon)]

In that case, we simply have to find Teyrin, and get there in time for the battle.

Aleesha turned her eyes towards the sapling. “Do you know of the world called Teyrin?”

[This one denies. (Zenon)]

Aleesha felt hopelessness wash over her. If nobody knows...then what? How do we even get to another world?

The sapling seemed to have read Aleesha’s line of thought as it spoke.

[This one remembers your race arrived with the help of their archmages. This one recalls the archmages achieved this with their Teleportation Ritual. This one recalls they used it to travel to worlds they had no prior knowledge of. (Zenon)]

Aleesha flew out of her chair and leaned on the table with her hands as she tried to hold back her excitement upon the realization. “We have three archmages! If one of them learns the Teleportation Ritual, we can travel to another world! To Teyrin!”

[This one confirms. (Zenon)]

Aleesha fell back in her chair as she let out a sigh when relief washed over her. 

We can fight. 

As she realized that she was smiling, Aleesha felt something wet roll down her cheek.