Back on Elfira.
Immediately after eliminating the four elders, Typhania only left the second Elder, Gracier's father, alive; the latter was trembling, he still did not dare to look up.
''You firstly abandoned them, she went through hell, yet you never appeared; however, now that she got a pure bloodline that could serve your greed, you want to take her back, but how? By kidnapping her. You have fallen too low, Faranal. Time to suffer from your greed.''
Typhania decided to punish the man before the rest of the elders could come as it would be troublesome if they decided to interfere. Flicking her fingers, vines appeared and wrapped around Elder Faranal like a cocoon before he was dragged to God knows where.
Immediately following Elder Faranal's disappearance, Typhania disappeared as well.
In the same room used by Stefania and Rhea in their last meeting, Typhania appeared; immediately, the siblings kneeled.
''We welcome the Eternal Empress!!"
''Rise,'' Typhania ordered as she sat in the highest seat; the Elfied siblings stood and sat as well.
''Not bad, you two have grown up well,'' Typhania said as she seized up the two, the last time she saw them, they were little kids. 'Time sure past fast.' The empress thought.
Stefania and Rhea lowered their heads, feeling embarrassed; the playful Rhea became docile all of a sudden; only one person could make her behave like this, and it was none other than Typhania who adopted them, letting them use her family name.
''So mind you telling what you two are doing for the situation to escalate as it did?" Typhania's gentle tone changed to a harsher one.
''Mentor, more than half of the council, followed them; there's nothing we could do. By the time we noticed what was going on, it was already too late.''
Stefania was the one to talk, Rhea wished to say something as well, but unlike her sister, she was not well gifted when it comes to stuff like that.
''I see. If you were vigilant enough, you would have noticed. I shall deal with you two later. For now, let's take care of the annoying part first.'' Typhania said and looked past the door at the approaching elders, and soon five men and women entered; they bowed their heads.
''Welcome back, Empress-"
''Cut to the chase. Before you even started complaining that I was harsh in my punishment, I can only say, something you ought to be ruthless in letting the others know better not messed up with you. How dare you. When I sacrificed everything to your god damn prophecy and while I was suffering thinking of my people, you lots are calmly plotting behind my back.''
Facing Typhania's outburst, none of the five men and women could say anything. Typhania indeed sacrificed everything; people didn't know anything though she disappeared after that battle where humanity lost; however, the truth was that the first elder at that time, alongside some other people, prophesied the one capable of ending the war once for all. Only Typhania was the only one capable of doing the mission; she established a guild, created a lot of things just for the sake of her mission; it was no wonder she got furious that some asshole tried to plot behind her back.
''Although the empress's fury is legit, it's not a reason to slaughter five elders; high Elves are rare. We-" The third elder, an elderly man, tried to talk but immediately shut up after Typhania glared at him.
''I don't care about what you have to say as I had already taken my decision. I killed four elders while the main perpetrator was sent to Abyss Forest.''
The moment Typhania announced this, everyone inside the meeting room trembled as they couldn't be more familiar with this Abyssal Forest; it was the hell prison on the Elven continent, criminals who were sent there never came back. Rumor has it that prisoners of Abyssal Forest serve as nourishment to the Tree of Life. The tree of Life keeps them alive to constantly suck their blood; it was a nightmare-like situation. Nobody managed to escape from this prison.
Gulp!
It would have been better if Elder Faranal was killed than to be sent to this hellish prison. The Five elders couldn't help but pity him. Those among the five elders who had once thought of switching sides immediately changed their minds as none of them wanted to be sent down there.
''Relax, although the council has five free places, I have already selected qualified men to take over these positions. As you have noticed, time is changing; a war is slowly approaching. We must be united to face and overcome adversaries. I want what happened to be an example to learn from. The five I have selected will come from other Elves as well. It's time to change. Changes have never been wrong. Elves will be united as a whole and fight in the incoming fight. I hope you will support me or are there any objections?"
Silence.
The First Elder, the eldest of the five elders, stepped forward, he curtsied.
''The empress is wise. We will follow your suggestion. I want to know if the Eighth is the man said in the prophecy?"
''He is. Don't worry. I have talked with him, and he promised to help us. You must know that Gracier, Elder Faranal daughter, is his sister. It's thanks to him taking her as a sister that her bloodline became purer. So imagine what would happen if you make that man your enemy? He is ruthless, especially when it comes to his sister. Be his friend, and you shall enjoy a peaceful life; however, turn into his enemy, and you shall suffer endless torment. Do not forget that he has a strong master whom even I can't see through; she's probably peak Demigod expert.''
Everyone gulped; demi-god existences are extremely rare, so hearing that the boy from the prophecy has one made them gulp firstly due to fear, secondary because this person they will have one helper in the incoming war.
''Alexander loves Elven culture. He decided to visit Elfira after graduation, so we must show him how united and great we are. Understood?"
''Certainly Eternal Empress.'' Everyone nodded, and Typhania smiled.
Stefania glanced at her mentor and, at the same time, mother and shook her head; she got them all. She planned everything from the start, indeed the wise and terrifying Eternal Empress, the greatest empress ever.