The sound of footsteps echoes through the hall, elegant and rhythmic. Sapphire fire complement the emerald green and illuminate the art of the murals. They tell the story of The Corruption, the first war between elves that took place in this world after the Fall.

  Something about royalty turning against each other, the seasons of nature rebelling, and masked demons smiling as elves attack each other. The main mural culminates, however, in the defeat of a dark demon by a golden hero.

  Below this same mural, Serdin stares at me, his helmet lying on the Ivory table. He prostrates in reverence to Hoffstein, and the Hero returns the gesture.

  “May the Silver Flame illuminate you tonight.” He says, adapting the mantra of the Trine Flame.

  Painted on the ground is the symbol of a sword, its hilt is wooden, and its blade is sharp grass, set on fire by the heavens.

  I thought elves would have another religion, perhaps the religion of the Earth Aldwyn mentioned. Apparently, they have only one other form of worship of the same supreme deity—or, at least, Vanusia does.

  Hoffstein repeats a low prayer instead of saying the words. He made me learn some principles of religion, its doctrines of purification from worldliness, its search for transcendence and divinization of man through virtue.

  But associated with the divine, there is also the profane, and after our discussion about the Blood Moon, I would never be satisfied with just one conversation. He didn't tell me much. He said that the truth was the first to die in the war, and when the peace was finally broken, it caused an anxious surprise and deep disturbance of the elven core.

  Seeing how Wander and Nia are, and how they stand united against outside forces, I imagine that raising the sword against each other was not as casual an act as the news of the human world portrayed. This also explains the murals. They already lived the darkness, they don't have to remember how powerful it is.

  Perhaps Hoffstein does not know for sure about certain events, or does not remember his studies, or still, perhaps, does not want me to know about many details.

  The elf looks away from me, stares at me for half a second and greets me. Finally, he narrows his gaze to stare at something behind me.

  “Sorry, we haven't met yet. What's your name, lady?”

  I look away instinctively and almost draw my sword. Morgana's gaze hovers over me, sapphire eyes as beautiful as they are somber.

  I don't remember if I noticed her manifesting or if I preferred to ignore it. Perhaps I got too used to her presence and didn't care. Either way, it's a reminder to never let my guard down again.

  “I have many names, general. Among them, Morgause would be the most appropriate for this meeting. I am Sieghart's master, a sorceress, and I will accompany you to the meeting.”

  “… I understand. It's my pleasure, my name is Serdin.” Serdin says. “What about the others?”

  “They're just adventurers that I've come to help.” Hoffstein says. “They will stay at the house until everything is resolved, but they are no longer involved in our mission. Do not worry, I spent the day sorting out those issues with the army.”

  The Hero, like the army, has no idea of Wander's actions or why he fled. But if no one knows, and he manages to keep himself under control, there's nothing to worry about, is there?

  I'd rather believe so.

  “Very well. With everyone present, I will begin the meeting.” He says.

  I sit on the right, Hoffstein and Serdin face each other, and Morgana—or rather Morgause—on the left, watching me.

  “In the next few days, Hilda will storm the city.” Serdin says. “A toxic cloud brings putrid mist towards Vanusia. The barrier will protect us, but with it will also come Hilda's tainted monsters. Potentially, we could withstand their onslaught, especially with your help, Hero. However, evil lurks on the mountains.”

  “He will have to wait. We can do one thing after another.”

  “Unfortunately, this will not be possible. The monster hiding in the depths of the mountain is more than an ordinary creature. Our weapons do not pierce your skin, and even iron has no effect. Not a fairy, but a demon. His name is Grendel the terrible.”

  A demon. Hoffstein also taught me about them. He said that they are not like ordinary monsters, which can be destroyed by worldly force. They are beings of intellect and soul, and the latter is indestructible. Their bodies are mere avatars of their will. Destroy a mountain range or separate a mountain, it doesn't matter.

  A demon is not destroyed through the sword, but through the spirit of the one who wields it.

  If that's the case, then Hoffstein wins.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Grendel, is it?” The Hero says. “I understand. What did he do?”

  “Vanusia must be silent. He hates noise. Our songs have never been loud enough to bother other people. Still, it was the cheerful songs of the city that attracted him. It is said that it devours the body of soldiers in order to fill the emptiness of his soul.”

  Hoffstein straightens his beard. “They are worried that he will leave the mountain when the next invasion occurs.”

  “Can't you leave before the invasion?” I say. “If we kill Grendel before Hilda arrives, then it's no problem, right?”

  “No.” Hoffstein says. “The mist seems to have intelligence. If I leave, it is possible that I will speed up Grendel's pace and reach the city earlier.”

  Serdin nodded. “Although the noise of death is not joyful, it will call him anyway. Whether he is close to Hilda or not, they will join forces. The toxic fog is approaching. If the monsters approach, we'll be damned.”

  “Aye. But I can stop that. While Sieghart's group remains in Vanusia, I will kill Grendel when he leaves the mountain.”

  “Yes… this would be the best possible decision.”

  “But that's not what's going to happen.” Morgana says. “Because the invasion will not be won. It will be a perpetual siege.”

  “… Yes. The maidens are at war. Mab is isolated. Hilda has gone mad, and Titania must manage the court so that she does not fall into the same madness. Only the Lady of Autumn can save us, but helping Vanusia, in the territory of Hilda's eternal spring, would provoke her fury. Taking advantage of this, Mab could attack her. We have no outside help from the courts, only from fairies outside the courts and our own.”

  “And Hilda will not stop.” Morgana confirms. “It will surround the city and rot it. They will have to force a fight so that they do not die within its walls; unless they surrender to its dominion and corrupt themselves as well.”

  “… That's why their troops called him traitors.” I say. “You disobeyed her command to surrender, and she is the Queen.”

  “Our original Queen, Ygraine, was killed during the corruption, and imprisoned within the Tree of death. We tried in every way to save her, but Hilda's diminy never gave in. We cannot obey a usurper.”

  “You can't lose the war, either.” Morgana says. “And then you suggest that Hoffstein not only destroy Grendel, but also Hilda, and make an enormous impact on the world of the fairies to save Vanusia. Is that it?”

  “… That's why we're alone, isn't it?” Hoffstein says. “Is that why there wasn't an official dinner? He does not want the other generals to know that his alternative to war is to kill Hilda.”

  The elf rises. “Hilda's soldiers told us to lower the barrier and let them in. We have contact with some of their troops, they let us negotiate. But that would betray the principles of the city. We are forbidden to give them anything else to delay the attacks. We're out of options, Hoffstein. We'll lose. I beg you. Hundreds will die. Just consider. We will give you countless riches. You will save hundreds of thousands of lives. I beg.”

  “Killing Hilda would save the city and so many others.” Hoffstein says. “But if she is Queen of Spring, her death would also cause immense disruption in the fairy world. We don't know what Mab will do with the vacuum, or Ygraine, or Titania. The imbalance could cause another war, and even if Hilda has a legitimate offspring, we don't know if it's strong enough to keep the seasons balanced or if it's as insane as she is. In the latter case, nothing would change.”

  “An even bigger war than this? What makes you think that one Fairy will decide to kill the other in this way?” I say. “Are they all like Aldwyn?”

  The elf stares at me. The name caught his attention, and the room fell silent for a moment. His mouth opens to ask me, but closes soon after.

  “The fairy world is an exaggeration, Sieghart.” Morgana says. “An expression of nature, primal and supreme, which began in the primordial chaos of the elements. Oberon was the envoy of the Divine who shaped the courts to command the kingdom of Alfheim, the first Summer King, establishing his daughters as his Queens.”

  “But since corruption, Oberon sleeps inside Yggrasil, unable to govern.” Hoffstein says. “Without an all-powerful jury and the corrupted Queens, the fairy world is sustained by a fragile balance between the sisters. Summer controls Winter; Winter controls autumn; autumn controls Spring, and Spring controls summer. Without Hilda, the balance is destroyed, and Alfheim will go to war.”

  “It is possible that it will not happen.” Serdin replies. “It is possible that there is a legitimate heir who is not insane. It is better for us to try to save him from Hilda's clutches than to perish within the city or surrender to the usurper. No, not only that! We can communicate with another spring Fairy so that this one takes Hilda's place, even if her lineage is not the same.”

  Hoffstein is silent. I do not understand. He always considered helping others.

  “It is possible.” Morgana breaks the silence. “I explained what Hilda will do and how the fairy world works, but that doesn't mean I'm against the idea. If he wants something done, he must act quickly, before Hilda's forces grow stronger. We can put another Queen in her place, and protect her with some agreement until peace stabilizes. I can negotiate.”

  Hoffstein narrows his eyes to Morgana. He seems to know of some intention which, though not apparent, is also perceptible to me.

  “My main mission is to HELP Sieghart. I can't help you, especially considering the fragile position we're in.”

  Serdin grinds his teeth. “… But…”

  “I will kill Grendel. I'll help you with the siege and win the first couple of battles. But once we have the chance, we will leave the city towards Solace.” Hoffstein says, then nods to himself. “And then, I'll come back, and we'll take care of Hilda the best way we can.”

  “… Hundreds upon hundreds will die.”

  “I cannot save them if it condemns thousands upon thousands. You're desperate, Serdin. I understand. But important matters requires patience. Zeal. I can't risk Hilda finding Sieghart and stopping him from getting to Solace, or worse. I can't waste any more time. We still have weeks of travel, and every day…”

  “What…? What's up? What's so important?!”

  “I will do whatever it takes, but only when the time is right. But I will. This, I can assure you. That's the best I can do.”

  “…”

  Serdin lowers his head, his hands spread across the table. He squeezes the ivory, and his strength almost tears the ivory from his fingers. Finally, the general inhales and nods.

  The conversation ends. Hoffstein says nothing of importance but words of consolation. The plan was laid out, and it would follow that way.

  Tired, we returned home. Better saying, I return. Hoffstein stays to reveal himself to the other generals and spend the night arguing with the military, as Serdin had not revealed his true identity to them. Not that it was such a revelation; the soldiers who attended him initially must have commented on it, and the word must have already spread.

  Morgana did not appear. I watched my back this time.

  Finally, sleep consumes me, even though I have already slept. Beneath the silver moon, I walk among the empty and frightened streets and return to the tree house, so that I daydream of the consequences of death and destruction.