"Master…" A female elf said, her expression level but hiding something beneath.
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"Melian, you have a new mission." Ithil said, walking out of his own private bath built into the ground like a pool, within his own quarters within a large tree.
"Yes, master." Melian, the elven scout leader who had been maintaining contact with Lance said, handing him a towel which he tied around his waist.
"The war against the demons will soon reach its high point and the different races will have to come together for that time, even the weaker races. Before then, you will eliminate all of the pig’s forces, we shouldn’t be the ones to oppose the human." Ithil said as he walked into his private quarters to get dressed.
"As you command, master."
"The rest, I believe you know what to do."
"Yes master." Melian left soon after to carry out her duties.
She was to pay a visit to Lance to explain that what had happened was only a misunderstanding, and following that, the very force that approached Lance before was going to be eliminated. Ithil didn’t deem it time for him to act openly yet, so the elven force serving under an elven elder would only be dealt with during their expedition.
Ithil who stood alone in his own private quarters arranged his collar, then separating from him, what appeared to be flowing wood started taking form beside him until an identical clone of him appeared.
"You know what to do." The real Ithil said, looking at his clone. The clone nodded, returning the same sentence to him. Ithil then sunk into the solid floor as though it was viscous liquid, slowly until he completely disappeared under, leaving no sign of entry at all.
"Time to get to business." The Ithil clone said, leaving the room.
…
The alliance of monsters had waited for several days following the threat left by the elves, for their return and potential conflict, but there had been no signs of them yet. It was rather strange and frustrating, fighting an enemy that you had no idea when they would be attacking. While Lance recalled the meeting, he could remember the elf looking quite eager to attack them but constraining himself well not to. He couldn’t imagine such a person would want to wait any longer.
In anticipation of the conflict, the beastkin and orc leaders had even remained in the goblin camp, waiting. They were just as frustrated at the wastage of time by their opposition the elves, but then again, it would be a good tactic to wear down their minds.
With that, it came as a sudden jolt when a scout announced the approach of elves, coming towards them.
Just as planned, everyone got ready for battle, all the units gathering under mere minutes, fully equipped with their gear and weapons.
Lance and the other leaders and elders took the lead, standing at the frontline, waiting for their enemy to arrive. Not long after, a group of elves appeared from the trees, landing close to the gathered army of the coalition.
Seeing who it was at the front and the others with her, Lance was a little surprised, but still maintained caution as he was very much suspicious.
"Liriel." Lance said, looking at the head of the elven scouts they had met more times than he could count, and had built a rather friendly relationship with. Of course, this Liriel was Melian, this name was just an alias. "Why are you here?"
"Please, before you do anything, here me out." She stepped forward with her hands raised slightly into the air, her posture straight and composed. She was clad in the signature light armor of the elven rangers, her long silver hair draped over her shoulders. Even with the slightest of movements registered, all eyes focused on her.
"I come bearing news," she stated, her tone firm yet composed. "I must clarify, the warning sent to you by the elves that had come through your region was a misunderstanding. Those are not the true intentions of the elven council."
Lance had thought of something like this happening, so instead of pressing the issue more, he proposed for her to join them for a meeting following a series of exchanges between both groups. The rest of her squad would remain under custody the entire time, with their weapons confiscated, together with hers’, before they proceed. She agreed to every condition without protest.
Their meeting hall was dimly lit, with the scent of burning wood and aged parchment filling the air. A long wooden table stood at the center, surrounded by the key figures of the growing alliance. Lance sat at the head, his expression neutral as he observed the gathering.
To his right sat Ruzak, and opposite him sat Gorvak, the orc chieftain, his emerald-green skin marked with battle scars, his muscular frame barely contained by the chair. Both leaders had brought trusted warriors to stand guard, though the tension in the room was low compared to first meeting outside.
The doors creaked open, and Melian joined them.
"Please have your seat." Lance said, gesturing to an empty seat. "If you don’t mind elaborating what you said about the misunderstanding." He said.
Gorvak snorted, leaning back with arms crossed. "A misunderstanding, eh?" His deep voice rumbled through the room. "And what exactly was misunderstood?"
Melian met his gaze without flinching. "The council perceived your growing forces as a potential disruption rather than an ally. The elves, humans, and dwarves have been fighting the demons for some time now, tensions are high, a sudden rise of an independent coalition of goblins, beastkin, and orcs made some wary… just a half of the council." She explained.
Ruzak’s ears twitched slightly, his eyes narrowing. "So, they assumed we were a threat rather than potential reinforcements?"
Melian nodded. "There was fear that a new faction with no clear allegiance could either aid us, or turn against us at a critical moment." She said, the reasoning very sensible. For those at the receiving end of that thought however, it wasn’t so fun to hear.
Lance remained silent, observing the reactions of the other leaders. Gorvak scoffed, shaking his head. "Typical of your kind. Always thinking you know what’s best."
"I am not here to argue," Melian stated, placing a folded parchment on the table. "I am here to give you information that concerns us all."
A brief pause settled in the room before Lance gestured for her to continue. Melian took a breath before she continued. "There has been a surge in demon activity. The tide of battle has shifted."
Silence fell over the room for a moment, a different kind. The mere mention of demons sent a ripple of tension through the gathered leaders. Lance for one was less affected, but the others appeared visibly worried.
"The coalition forces have been fighting relentlessly. We struck at the demon lord’s army in a series of coordinated attacks, dealing great damage. However, despite our victories, the demon lord himself remains untouched."
"That’s to be expected. The fight only recently started officially, there’s no way you’d reach the demon lord himself that easily." Lance said, stating the obvious, to him at least. That much he was sure of from the countless fantasy stories that existed.
Ruzak frowned. "Well, is it a matter of numbers or something else?"
Melian’s gaze darkened. "Something else. Our reports indicate a change in the demons’ behavior. They do not fight recklessly as expected of demons and demonic beasts. Their movements are more calculated, almost as if—" she hesitated, searching for the right words, "—as if they are waiting for something."
The room remained heavy with thought.
Gorvak leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. "And what does your council believe they are waiting for?"
Melian shook her head. "We don’t know. But whatever it is, it has the high commanders uneasy."
Lance turned his attention fully to Melian for the first time. "Why tell us this now?" He said, still unable to fully understand the point of it all. There was no way a boos would fall after the battle had just begun, and not the demon lord at that.
"Because," she said, locking eyes with him, "you are already involved—whether you choose to be or not."
Ruzak’s claws flexed slightly. "You mean to say that the demons will come for us regardless?"
"Yes." Melian’s voice was firm. "The we once believed they would only target major kingdoms, but that assumption has proven false. Demon forces have been spotted probing outer territories farmlands, villages, and smaller settlements. It’s total destruction they seek this time, not just control."
Gorvak let out a low growl. "So they’re preparing to swallow the world whole."
Melian’s expression remained grim. "It’s a possibility. The plan is to send the strongest forces to charge the main attack while the rest hold off the smaller more scattered demon forces."
Another silence fell over the room, the weight of the conversation pressing down on them all.
Ruzak was the first to speak, his voice measured. "If this war is coming to us, then we must be prepared."
"We already are," Lance said, his fingers meeting as his hands stretched lightly. "We didn’t band together just to wait for the world to decide our fate."
Melian nodded. "Then I trust you will stand ready." A brief pause followed, then she continued, her tone shifting slightly. "There is one more thing. A dragon was spotted a year ago. A powerful one we believe. Then, it vanished."
Lance’s expression remained unreadable, but Ruzak and Gorvak both raised their brows.
"The dragon, Aelyndra," Ruzak murmured.
Melian nodded. "We don’t know where the dragon is, but we all believe it can be a key factor in this war."
Gorvak scoffed. "And what, you expect us to find it?"
"No," Melian admitted. "But if the dragon reappears, you must be ready to act. We need to solicit its help and prepare for darker days ahead."
"Hmm."
"Mnn…"
A final silence settled over the room as the weight of her words sank in. Eventually, Lance rose from his seat, signaling the end of the discussion.
The leaders exchanged glances, each one understanding what needed to be done. The alliance of goblins, beastkin, and orcs had risen to protect themselves, but now, they stood at the edge of something much greater. At that moment, Lance thought back to the symbols he had seen in the ruins. Surely, when the time came for something to happen, it would follow up rapidly without a moment for those involved to take a break.