Morel, the Faery Knight Commander, stood before the cage where Elaine, their Tribe Leader, was imprisoned, her hands bound tightly together. She lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes burning with defiance.
“Morel!” she shouted. “I order you to release me right now! You’ve overstepped your authority-let me handle this!”
Her voice was firm, her eyes sharp, a far cry from the usual gentle expression she wore. “Release me now, or I will not hold back my fury!”
Morel calmly opened the barred door and stepped inside, causing Elaine to take a step back.
“My Lady… we are still in a dire situation,” he began. “I assure you, this is a matter of utmost urgency. The humans have escaped, and I’m certain they will return to massacre us. That is how grave the situation is. The tribe is in serious danger.”
Elaine’s eyes narrowed. “I will make the decision. Let me bear the responsibility for this tribe!”
“No,” Morel said, his voice resolute. “I cannot let you take the lead. In this state, you might transform into your Eternal Flame form, and that could put us all in jeopardy. It’s not an easy choice for me, but I am doing what I believe is necessary.”
He knelt before her. “My Lady, I know there will come a time when I must act, and I believe that time has arrived. May I summon those who will fight to defend us?”
Elaine’s eyes flashed with anger. “What are you saying? We will not resort to such measures! Especially if you intend to attack the humans. The ruler of Dissidia Kingdom has done so much for us-do not forget that!”
Morel took out a small, golden cup and held it up, letting Elaine see it clearly.
“What are you planning to do? Don’t take this too far,” she warned, her voice tense. “You’ve already gone beyond what is acceptable.”
Ignoring her, Morel produced a knife and, with a swift motion, slashed Elaine’s wrist, catching the blood that dripped into the golden cup.
“Morel!” Elaine shouted, her voice sharp with alarm. “I’m warning you. You must not do this. You must not bring great harm to humans!” She struggled against her bonds, trying to pull away and stop the bleeding, but it was too late-Morel had already gathered what he needed.
“My Lady…” Morel said softly, watching her with a calm yet determined expression. “I don’t want everything you’ve worked so hard for to be in vain. I also can’t bear to see our tribe fall victim to this situation.”
“You’ve crossed a line. You have committed a great deal of sin, and I will see to it that you are punished for it with my own hands.”
“You can decide my punishment after this is all over, my Lady. I will accept whatever consequences you see fit. Even if it costs me my life, my only goal is to save this tribe. That is what I intend to do, even if it’s the last thing I do.”
With that, Morel stepped out of the cage and closed the door behind him, locking her inside once more.
“Morel!!!” Elaine screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. “I’m warning you, stop all of this right now! Don’t do it! Morel!”
But Morel did not turn back. He simply walked away, leaving Elaine behind, her pleas unanswered.
Some time later, Morel and the rest of the Knights stood in a vast, abandoned landscape that resembled ancient ruins. The area was heavily wooded, with towering trees casting shadows across the ground. In front of them stood three statues, each depicting a creature with a plant-like, bestial form: a massive standing gorilla, a human-like figure with the head of a crow, and a tall, slender monkey draped in a mage’s robe.
Nearby, Cedric and Cecilia were being held by another Knight, their hands tightly bound and their mouths gagged. The two struggled against their restraints, but it was clear they were overpowered and unable to break free.
Morel stepped forward, holding the golden cup filled with Elaine’s blood. Without hesitation, he flung its contents toward the statues. As the blood splashed across their stone surfaces, a magic formation instantly manifested around them. The lines of the formation stretched out across the ground, connecting to the bases of the statues, and a low hum echoed through the forest.
“I, Morel, Knight Commander of the Moonlight Fae,” he proclaimed, “do hereby declare that I am assuming leadership of this Tribe. In accordance with my new duties, I summon the Moonlight Guardians to rise and fulfill their duties! I demand that you avenge this Tribe and punish those who have dared to threaten its very existence!”
Cedric and Cecilia’s eyes widened with horror. They struggled desperately, Cedric trying to wrestle his way free from the Knight’s grip. In a moment of sheer determination, he managed to break loose, but before he could do anything, one of the Knights drove a boot into his stomach, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
“Cedric!” Cecilia screamed, having managed to free the gag from her mouth. Her voice was filled with desperation, but despite her cries, she was still tightly restrained, her body unable to move as she watched helplessly. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
The earth beneath them began to tremble, sending ripples through the ground. The statues crackled with light, the once-still figures now flickering as if infused with energy. The magic formation pulsed, brightening with each passing moment.
Cracks spread across the statues, starting at their bases and crawling upward like creeping vines. Small fragments began to fall away, revealing hints of glowing eyes and shimmering patterns underneath. The vines and grass around the statues started to move, coiling and twisting as if they were waking from a long slumber.
The massive gorilla statue was the first to stir. Its eyes glowed, and with a groan, it took a step forward, shedding chunks of stone that fell to the ground with heavy thuds.
[Epic – Faery Defender Forest Guardian Lv. 260]
Next, the human-like creature with the crow’s head came to life, its beak opening slightly, emitting a strange, resonant croak that seemed to echo unnaturally. Feathers of blackened, leafy texture fluttered as it shook off the stone remnants, and the air around it grew cold, mist gathering at its feet.
[Epic – Faery Spellweaver Forest Guardian Lv. 253]
Lastly, the slender monkey figure shuddered, its robed form glowing with faint light. Its hands, once locked in a motionless pose, now began to move, conjuring patterns in the air. The grass beneath it twisted, forming intricate symbols as a faint breeze swept through the area, carrying the scent of magic.
[Epic – Faery Shaman Forest Guardian Lv. 275]
Morel’s lips curled into a satisfied smile as he watched the three Faery Forest Guardians fully awaken, now standing before him. He and all the other knights around him bowed deeply, a
gesture of respect.
“We all welcome the awakening of the Faery Forest Guardians,” Morel declared. “We have a great request for the three of you.”
While the Faery Knights wore expressions of eager anticipation, the same couldn’t be said for Cedric and Cecilia. Their faces showed growing horror and panic, a clear sign that something disastrous was about to unfold.