Chapter Text
The door fell closed behind Viren. Silence. Finally. After his coronation, a quiet place was his greatest wish. He looked through the room and saw a desk buried under documents. No time to celebrate. Important tasks were waiting for him. He sat down and looked back. The startouch elf leaned against the door. He’d been very capable and credible. Viren was thinking about the role that this elf should play. He was interrupted by the question: “Where else can I help you?” Viren hesitated a moment: “I must admit that the coronation surprised me in a positive way. Anyway, it is just an interim stage. There are more important things to be done.” Aaravos smiled: “Very well.” The startouch elf had proven himself worthy of being inaugurated to the plans.“The armies of four kingdoms follow my command.” Viren began with the meeting. “Now, humanity can finally fight back. Once we’ll have passed the border, our time will come to stop Xadia.” Aaravos smiled satisfied and agreed seriously: “Excellent.” Viren felt validated, ordered a guard and commanded that all soldiers should prepare themselves for the great march to Xadia. Afterwards, he followed his royal duties.
Viren was engaged into his work as someone made distracting noises: „Knock! Knock!“ It was Claudia. She went into the room and stood next to his desk. „Oh, you’re working.“ Viren replied annoyed: „Yes, there is plenty of work and no time. So, if you have something important just tell me!“ Claudia looked embarrassed aside. Viren became aware of the situation and looked to her: “I didn’t meant it that way. I’m just trying to get ready for our march to Xadia.” Claudia looked at him and said insecure: “I just want to see, if you’re okay. Maybe I can help?” “I’m fine, thank you. There is nothing you can help me with.” Claudia tried to continue the conversation: “And when are you going to start the march?” Viren answered in a more sensitive tone: “In two days. The preparation takes time. Claudia, if you want to tell me something, you can do it – I’ll listen to you.”
Claudia hesitated a second before she started: “Unfortunately, Soren and I couldn’t bring you the egg. But we’ve found something else. A place called Moon Nexus.” Viren replied regardless: “I never heard about that place.” Claudia continued: “It is a lake on top of a mountain. The moon energy is at its strongest there. Some ruins of a shrine are located around.” Viren became impatient: “Claudia, how should these crumbled buildings help me?” “Those were full of symbols and spells. Since I couldn’t translate everything on site, I searched for something helpful in the library and discovered this.” She held up a traveler notebook. “It mentions the nexus and an ancient ritual. The ritual allows every being to share the energy from the moon. Actually you just have to drink some water out of that lake.” Viren felt taken by surprise and reacted angrily: “Claudia, we cannot win a battle by drinking some stagnant water.” Claudia calmed herself, moved to the opposite side of the table and dared to continue: “Dad, what are the most dangerous warriors we know from Xadia?” Viren immediately replied: “Moonshadow elves!” A smile rushed over her face: “And we can have Moonshadow humans. Your soldiers would be deadly assassins - at least for one moon phase.” Claudia got lost herself into ideas: “We just go to that lake, follow the ritual and drink some water. No big deal. That’s one small gulp for man .. one .. giant surge for mankind.”
Viren was realizing the opportunity, stood up, looked to his daughter and answered proudly: “Claudia, your idea is brilliant. This will be the first fight on equal terms!” “Yes dad. You can save humans from a lot of pain. Is the idea supporting your plans?” “Yes it is. We’re going to have humans with the abilities of moonshadow creatures. That’s a significant advantage.” Viren continued. “Can you inform the guards, please. They shall gather in the courtyard. I’ll bring more details there. The march is going to start tomorrow.” Claudia felt so happy that she hugged her father. A moment later she left the room.
The door fell closed. Viren collected himself. His daughter had a great suggestion and his soldiers would be supported by magic. She had followed his way and now she found something better. It seemed like she – his successor - could be the first human, who uses magic without all the negative side-effects.
Viren looked to the startouch elf, who visibly frowned the idea. Since his arrest, Viren felt somehow inferior to him. Making an independent decision was a relief for Viren and he rhetorically asked: „Do you have any concerns?“ Aaravos recovered and teased: “Oh, how I missed these challenges. She will be your worthy successor.” Viren asked upset: “What do you mean?” “As you have already mentioned: the idea is brilliant.” said Aaravos amused “It’ll solve one minor problem with little effort. For a better result, your assassins could wear something light and quiet.” “You mean a leather armor?” Aarvos answered mischievous: “I considered something more flexible.” Viren exhaled and replied annoyed: “If that ensured efficiency and success, I’ll command it.”
Aaravos slowly sneaked around Viren and began a new discussion: “Very well. May I ask you one question?” “Yes, ask.” “What are your goals in Xadia?” Viren replied honestly: “Humanity wants to flourish. We want to live in peace, but we can’t. Xadia always has been threatening us.” “So you want to get rid of that threat.” Aarvos concluded. “Yes.” said Viren “We’ll fight against elves and other magical creatures. They’ll never dare to threat us again.” “You’re taking a lot of risk for your noble aim. I’m already curious watching the dragons be hunted down.” answered Aarvos happy. “How should we do this?” replied Viren disappointed “Even with the armies of all human kingdoms we barley have a chance against a few dragons. A direct fight against them would be a disaster.” “But you want to get rid of them?” asked Aaravos with a smile. “Yes.” replied Viren “If there is a chance, I would fight against the dragons.” “I can help you with this matter.” said Aaravos delightful “I know how to take the power from any dragon."
Viren was thinking about the new option and its consequences. He couldn’t believe, that he got a second chance to defeat a dragon: “I want to have the best possible result. So if you can take the power from any dragon, how about the dragon prince and his mother?” Aarvos smiled satisfied and answered: “That is a worthy target and will guaranty your success. However, our target will be heavily guarded. We’ll need all soldiers and fight at daylight. Maybe assassins are not the right instrument for our plan. If your soldiers bring us to the Storm Spire, I will show you how to harvest the power of the dragons.” Viren’s finger began to tremble. This elf wasn’t to be trusted. But he shared the risk. “The price is high and so are the stakes.” said Viren “I agree to your plan. We’ll march to Xadia, directly to the Storm Spire” Aarvos smiled satisfied.
Some minutes later the door fell closed. Viren saw Claudia and a soldier standing in the room. “I’d done everything as you told me, dad. All soldiers are waiting for your speech.” said Claudia happy. Her mood changed as she saw her father with a sad expression and looking to the ground. “The plan has changed.” he said “We’ll march to Xadia with soldiers, only.” Claudia looked surprised at him: “I don’t understand. What is wrong with the idea?” “Nothing is wrong, but it doesn’t fit to our needs.” Viren cleared his throat “Assassinating creatures won’t be enough to win this war. We have to cause serious damage. We’ll fight against the most dangerous creature, the dragon queen. We’ll need all of our power.” Claudia didn’t give up: “Dad, it only takes 4 or 5 soldiers. We could build a seperate group and move independently.” Viren stopped his daughter: “No Claudia, this would just be a distraction to us. We need all soldiers as one force.” The soldier joined the discussion: “Your highness, allow me to share my opinion. The decrease of your forces would be negligible. But you could use this special group for delicate tasks, like sabotage the enemy or spying his intentions. It would be a huge advantage.” Viren didn’t like the meddle but got the message. He hesitated:”Hm, maybe you’re right…”
Viren slowly walked to window and looked to the elf, who stand there relaxed: “Bring us to the Storm Spire and I’ll show you, how to stop that dragon, how to imbue yourself with all his magic and potential. You’ll raise your soul to a new level.” Viren wrenched his eyes open. Had he understood it right? His heart was beating in his throat. For a short moment he forgot everything. This offer changed everything. To help humanity, he would do everything.
Nothing must jeopardize this plan. Viren turned back to Claudia and the soldier: “NO, WE DO AS PLANNED. WE WILL MARCH ON XADIA.” The soldier tried to speak: “My king, maybe your plan can consider …” Viren didn’t wait and yelled to the soldier: “MY PLAN IS VICTORY – once and for all. You disobey my command. We will march on Xadia. No sightseeing. No soldiers in tights. No discussion. I will give the speech and after this historical moment the march will start immediately. Once we pass the breach, Xadia will regret its deeds. So leave this room and prepare the armies.” Viren looked to the soldier, who didn’t left the room: “If it is too complicate for you to follow my commands, write yourself a wish list.” The soldier looked puzzled to Claudia and then to Viren again: “A wish list?” “Yes, a list of my wishes and commands.” The soldier recovered himself: “Ah .. Yes, first speech, than breach. I got it.” He left the room as fast as possible.
The door fell closed. Silence. Viren needed a moment, before he calmed down. He looked to his daughter. She watched embarrassed away. Viren knew something had hurt his daughter. “I’m sorry Claudia, that you had to listen to. We have the chance of our lifetime and this soldier did not follow a simple order.” Claudia turned to her father: “I don’t understand it. My idea is free of risk. The Moon Nexus is barley guarded. The moon phase fits perfect. What is wrong with it?” It almost broke his heart to see his daughter like this. “Claudia, nothing is wrong with your idea.” said Viren after a moment “We can only follow one plan. Defeating the dragon is a difficult task that I can only accomplish with your help. I need you at the Storm Spire.” These words changed Claudia’s mood. She dropped her worries about the Moon Nexus, but she didn’t knew if she was happy or sad. Claudia looked to her father: “I wait on the balcony.” She walked out of the room.
Before Viren could think about it, Aarvos said: “Well played.” Viren replied disillusioined: “So, you never lie – keep it that way.” Afterwards, he went to the balcony.