Elders of Light and a New Threat?

In the Middle Kingdom of humans called Throrin, a holy knight walked with harsh and hasty steps toward the innermost sanctum of the Holy Light Cathedral. She knocked hard on the door and was granted entry.

"Holy Elders of the Light, I, Holy Knight Sara of House Stern, bring news from Thalrax's old fortress."

The elders, cloaked in robes of pure white, turned their attention to Sara, their expressions grave.

"It is as you feared. We found traces of demon lord essence after 666 years. The essence is somewhat fresh, allowing us to track it. The trail led from the ruins of Thalrax's fortress into the dense forest towards Oakvillage. From there, it continued further to the capital, Everwood."

Sara paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "We are uncertain if the demon lord is connected to the manapoison that plagued the region, but that, too, has vanished. Fortunately, some adventurers, along with Guild Master Everleaf, managed to dispel it. Their efforts have cleansed the area, but the connection to the demon lord remains unclear."

One of the elders leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "And the demon lord? What do we know of their identity?"

"Our reports mention three individuals," Sara replied, her voice steady. "Two humanoids and a faerie. They are named Elara, Lilith, and Ella. These names appeared frequently in the testimonies of witnesses who saw them in the vicinity of the ruins and beyond. They were last spotted heading towards Bez'Eru, a demon city known for its dark alliances and secrecy."

The elders exchanged worried glances. "Bez'Eru... This complicates matters. What more can you tell us about these individuals?"

"Elara is believed to be a knight of considerable power, specializing in swordplay, and is most likely the leader and the prime suspect of being the demon lord. Lilith, on the other hand, is a battle-mage with unmatched skill in combat, wielding a spear and has been seen with a blade. Ella, the faerie, is a master of illusion and enchantment, making it difficult to track or confront them directly. Their combined abilities make them a formidable group, and their intentions remain shrouded in mystery. It is not clear on who is the demon lord, we can only guess."

The head elder spoke, his voice resolute. "Sara, you have done well to bring us this information. We must act swiftly. Gather our best knights and prepare to move towards Bez'Eru. The threat of the demon lord cannot be ignored, and we must uncover their plans before it is too late."

Sara bowed deeply. "As you command, Holy Elders. I will assemble our forces immediately and set out at first light."

The head elder continued, "Sara, make sure your knights are equipped with the best armor and weapons. The city of Bez'Eru is known for its treacherous terrain and hostile inhabitants. You'll need all the strength and strategy you can muster. We will provide you with sacred relics and enchantments to aid in your mission."

"Thank you, head elder," Sara replied. "I will ensure that we are well-prepared."

Another elder, an expert in ancient lore, added, "Beware of the city's enchantments and hidden traps. Bez'Eru was built by the ancient demon lords and is filled with dark magic. You must be cautious at every step. Though we are at peace with the demons, we can't trust them if they are in league with the demon lord."

"I understand," Sara said, her determination unwavering. "We will proceed with caution and resolve."

The head elder then turned to a scribe. "Record every detail of this mission and keep the council informed of their progress. The fate of Throrin may depend on it."

The scribe nodded and began writing fervently as Sara took her leave. As she exited the sanctum, she could feel the weight of her mission settling on her shoulders. The fate of the Middle Kingdom hung in the balance, and the Holy Light Cathedral would not rest until the threat of the demon lord was vanquished.

Sara immediately gathered her trusted lieutenants and briefed them on the situation. They began organizing their forces, selecting the most skilled knights, mages, and healers. Preparations were made for the arduous journey ahead, with maps of Bez'Eru studied and strategies discussed late into the night.

As dawn broke, the chosen knights assembled in the grand hall of the cathedral. They stood in formation, their armor gleaming and weapons at the ready. Sara addressed them, her voice filled with conviction.

"Brave knights of Throrin, we embark on a mission of utmost importance. The demon lord's essence has resurfaced after 666 years, and it is our duty to stop this evil before it can bring ruin to our lands. We head to Bez'Eru, a city of darkness and danger. Stay vigilant, trust in your training, and support one another. We will march toward Everwood first and gather the last of our provisions. We will leave at first light of dawn tomorrow. For the Light, for Throrin and for Eldoria!"

A resounding cheer echoed through the hall as the knights raised their weapons in salute. With determination in their hearts, they set out on their journey, the Holy Light Cathedral watching over them, their resolve unyielding. The fate of their world rested on their shoulders, and they were ready to face the challenge head-on.

Now alone, the seven elders looked at one another.

"I hope we are not too late," one said. The others agreed with the statement.

"I am confused, though. Why has the goddess not told us of this? Last time we had a demon lord, she helped us summon a Hero. She remains silent and hasn't talked with us at all ever since the last Hero disappeared after defeating Thalrax."

"I hope Goddess Oria is well. I fear it might have taken a toll on her to summon the Hero the last time, and that could be the reason she has not contacted us," another elder remarked.

The room fell into a somber silence, each elder lost in their own thoughts, contemplating the ominous future and the absence of their divine guidance.

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Now alone, the seven elders looked at one another, their faces etched with concern and uncertainty. The head elder, a figure of immense wisdom and age, spoke first.

"I hope we are not too late," he said, his voice heavy with worry. The others nodded, their expressions mirroring his apprehension.

"I am confused, though," another elder, a woman known for her keen insights, added. "Why has the goddess not told us of this? Last time we faced a demon lord, she helped us summon a Hero. She remains silent and hasn't communicated with us at all since the last Hero disappeared after defeating Thalrax."

"I share your concerns," said the third elder, his voice tinged with anxiety. "Goddess Oria's guidance has always been our beacon in times of darkness. Her silence now is deeply troubling."

The head elder sighed, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "I hope Goddess Oria is well. I fear it might have taken a toll on her to summon the Hero the last time, and that could be the reason she has not contacted us. The summoning was a monumental task, even for her."

An elder with a scholarly air, known for his deep knowledge of the ancient texts, added thoughtfully, "The ancient scriptures do mention that the act of summoning a Hero is an immense strain on the divine. It is possible that Goddess Oria is recovering her strength. However, this leaves us vulnerable."

The seventh elder, a younger member but wise beyond his years, spoke up. "If Goddess Oria is indeed recuperating, then it falls upon us to act with the utmost urgency and caution. We cannot afford to wait for her intervention. The threat is too great."

The head elder nodded in agreement. "We must proceed as planned and support Sara and her knights with every resource at our disposal. We should also seek out any remaining relics and ancient spells that might aid them in their mission."

Another elder, the one responsible for maintaining the sacred relics, chimed in. "I will ensure that Sara's group is equipped with our most powerful artifacts. We must leave no stone unturned."

The room fell into a somber silence, each elder lost in their own thoughts, contemplating the ominous future and the absence of their divine guidance. The stakes were higher than ever, and the responsibility weighed heavily on their shoulders.

The head elder finally spoke, his voice filled with resolve. "We must trust in our knights and our preparations. The fate of Throrin rests in their hands now. Let us pray for their success and for the strength of Goddess Oria to return to us soon."

With that, the elders dispersed, each returning to their duties with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew the path ahead was fraught with danger, but they also knew they had to face it with unwavering resolve. The Holy Light Cathedral had faced darkness before, and they would do so again, united in their quest to protect their world from the rising threat.

Little did the Elders know that Goddess Oria was just lazy and had forgotten to inform them. If she had, it would have cleared up this misunderstanding. In fact, had she even bothered, she could have told them that the demon lord was not a threat to the world, but was instead the balance the world was in need of.

As the elders busied themselves with preparations, believing they were on the brink of a great catastrophe, Goddess Oria lounged in her celestial abode, blissfully unaware of the chaos her neglect had caused. She absentmindedly toyed with the threads of fate, her thoughts drifting far from the mortal realm.

Oria's lack of communication stemmed not from any sinister reason but from her own whimsical nature. She had grown accustomed to watching the mortals handle their own affairs and had forgotten the pivotal role her guidance often played. The demon lord's resurgence, while alarming to the mortals, was a necessary counterbalance in the grand tapestry of existence, a fact she had overlooked sharing with her devoted followers.

As the knights of Throrin set out on their perilous journey, determined to confront a perceived evil, the goddess remained oblivious to the turmoil she had unwittingly sown. Had she deigned to speak, she could have easily explained that Elara, Lilith, and Ella were part of a larger design meant to restore equilibrium to a world teetering on the edge of imbalance.

The misunderstanding deepened with each passing day, driving the mortals further into their desperate quest. The elders, convinced of their righteous mission, fortified their resolve, never suspecting that their divine patron was simply negligent.

In the celestial realm, Oria finally stirred from her reverie, a fleeting thought of Throrin crossing her mind. She considered reaching out, but the thought quickly dissipated as she became engrossed in other divine amusements, leaving the mortals to their misguided crusade.

The stage was set for an epic confrontation, born from the goddess's lapse and the mortals' fervent belief in their sacred duty. The truth remained hidden, a simple oversight in the grand scheme, and the fate of Throrin hung precariously in the balance, driven by an unintentional divine oversight.