Ara stormed back into the apartment, the heavy wooden door shuddering in its frame as she slammed it behind her. The sound echoed through the cozy space, causing Kolvar to startle from his leisurely position on the plush loveseat. With a quick motion, he tossed aside the leather-bound novel he had been engrossed in, rising to his feet in one fluid movement, his eyes wide with concern.

The room was suddenly charged with tension as Ara stood in the doorway, her usually neat braids now a chaotic tangle, the twine that once held them together strewn across her shoulders. Her eyes, usually bright and full of mischief, were now red-rimmed and puffy, betraying the tears she had shed. In a fit of frustration, she tore off the intricately crafted breastplate of her armor, the metallic piece clattering loudly against the stone wall before clattering to the floor in a discordant symphony.

Kolvar closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself for the storm that was about to hit. If Ara was in such a state, it could only mean that her mission had not gone as planned. A pang of disappointment pricked his heart, knowing that he would not hear the tales of her adventures, nor the stories of the people she had encountered on her journey. Perhaps Saida, the ever-watchful mage, had managed to glean some information from their conversation, but Ara was not one to let her guard down easily.

"Stupid, ignorant-" Ara's voice was a low growl, filled with frustration and anger as she cursed loudly, the words laced with bitterness.

"I take it your errand did not go well." Kolvar spoke softly, his voice a contrast to Ara's raw emotion. He met her cold gaze with a steady one of his own, his brow furrowed in concern. Her appearance was that of a warrior defeated, a sight that tore at his heart.

As Ara's gaze bore into his, he felt a wave of emotions crashing over him, mirroring the turmoil within her. The pain, the ache, the weight of her sorrow enveloped him like a suffocating cloak, threatening to overwhelm his senses. Leaning on the arm of the loveseat for support, he struggled to contain the flood of emotions threatening to spill over, fearing that his own tears would betray him next.

Ara's fury reached a boiling point as she seized her bow, the polished wood gleaming in the dim light of the apartment. With a swift and forceful motion, she hurled the weapon across the room, the air whistling as it sailed towards Kolvar, who was taken unawares and thrown to the floor with a startled grunt. He shot her a disapproving scowl.

"Control your temper. You are acting like a child," Kolvar reprimanded, his voice firm with admonition.

Ara whirled around to face him, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light as she hissed through gritted teeth, "Do not call me a child. I am well past being called that. As for my errand, no, it did not go as I thought."

"Then tell me about it. I am sure I can be useful," Kolvar offered, reaching out to retrieve her bow from the ground, a gesture of peace in the midst of her storm.

"No, this is a burden I must bear alone," Ara declared, snatching the bow from his grasp and securing it back on her back. Straightening her posture, she cast a meaningful glance towards the window. "We need Saida. She can help us get to the Table of Devout."

As if summoned by Ara's words, Saida materialized in the doorway with an impish grin playing on her lips. "Someone called?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief, her presence as enigmatic as ever. Kolvar took a step back, his senses reeling at Saida's sudden appearance, while Ara rolled her eyes at her sister's theatrics.

"You have been keeping much from me, Saida. It is time that you told me what you have been up to, including what other abilities you have," Ara demanded, her tone a mix of frustration and curiosity. Without warning, Ara notched an arrow and let it fly towards Saida, but the elusive mage simply vanished into thin air, leaving Ara smirking in satisfaction. However, before she could react, Saida reappeared behind her in a blur of motion, knocking Ara to the ground with a swift and unexpected strike. The room crackled with tension as the three figures stood locked in a silent standoff, each harboring their own secrets and powers.

"What the hell was that for?!" Saida hissed, her voice tinged with a mixture of shock and annoyance. "I was going to tell you, no need to go around trying to KILL me!"

"I knew you could dodge it. How do you do it?" Ara retorted, a hint of admiration in her voice as she locked eyes with her sister, who offered her a hand up from the floor.

"It's complicated. It's not as though I disappear; I just turn invisible, completely unseen by any prying eyes. I can walk through crowded rooms without being seen, heard, or felt. It is the best spy tool ever. That's why I'm worried about the Rite. Who's to say the Table won't covet my powers?" Saida mused, rubbing her arm thoughtfully.

Ara's mind was already racing with a plan. "Then I have a proposition. You could masquerade as my twin, through and through. Let's get my Rite moved, and then you go as me. When they offer you a position at the Table, seize it."

Saida shook her head, her expression troubled. "I can't simply take your place. They would see through the ruse, especially since your skills lie in archery and hunting, not espionage."

"Then we sneak into the Table, using your gifts," Ara shot back, her determination shining through as she pressed forward with her scheme to uncover the truth.

"What makes you think I will do your bidding? I may be younger, but that doesn't give you the right to command me as if I'm at your beck and call. I am my own person, with my own desires and feelings, none of which align with aiding you. Besides, if we are caught, the consequences could be dire. We could face death or worse—torture," Saida argued, her tone laced with concern and defiance.

"That is a risk I am willing to take," Ara declared, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and resolve. Gripping her bow tightly until her fingers shook, she continued, "I will sacrifice myself for this cause. I need to. What Turvuic took from us, from all of us, it's abhorrent. He must be stopped, and if we do not act swiftly, we will all meet our demise."

Saida and Kolvar stood frozen in the midst of the tense atmosphere, the weight of mortality hanging heavily in the air. Death was a concept foreign to elves, who often lived for centuries, their age measured in centuries rather than years. To meet death before reaching adulthood was a rarity among their kind, reserved for those born sickly or deformed. The realization of their own mortality sent a chill down their spines, unsettling even the most stoic of beings.

Saida's already pale complexion turned ghostly as she grappled with the nauseating fear that threatened to overwhelm her. Beside her, Kolvar trembled uncontrollably, reminiscent of the time he had faced the growling creatures in the dark woods of Efna Asari.

Meanwhile, Ara had long contemplated the specter of death, her mind haunted by the words of Ryo foretelling a grim fate should she challenge Tuvruic. The stakes were high, not just for herself but for Saida, Kolvar, and even the Queen. Observing Kolvar's fragile state, Ara felt a surge of compassion and concern. Without hesitation, she moved to his side, laying her hands gently on his quivering shoulders, willing a sense of calm to envelop him. As her touch brought a stillness to his trembling form, Kolvar met her gaze, his eyes reflecting a blend of gratitude and a hint of vulnerability that Ara found both endearing and unsettling.

Saida watched the scene unfold with keen interest, the remnants of her nausea fading as she observed the unexpected display of kindness and connection between Ara and Kolvar. Ara's actions were a stark contrast to their upbringing, where their parents had instilled in them a sense of duty and resilience, rather than tenderness and affection. Raised to be formidable defenders of their city, their mother's teachings had shaped them into warriors of ice and steel, unyielding in the face of peril.

For Saida, witnessing her sister's uncharacteristic display of care towards Kolvar stirred a mixture of emotions within her. It was a side of Ara she had rarely seen, a facet of her sister that defied her understanding, yet resonated with a warmth that was as unfamiliar as it was captivating.

In the midst of the apartment, Ara found herself locked in a silent exchange with Kolvar, whose eyes held a mysterious depth. She strained to communicate through the bond that tethered their souls, but Kolvar remained oblivious to her efforts, much like she was to his attempts to breach her mental barriers. It was a futile dance of unspoken words, as they both sought to unravel the enigma of each other's essence.

Saida, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, observed the interplay between Ara and Kolvar with amusement. "This is quite the spectacle," she remarked, her gaze darting between the two. "Are you certain you're not a couple?" The words lingered in the air, prompting Ara to reluctantly withdraw from the connection with Kolvar, her hands absently brushing against the worn leather of her armor.

A flicker of disapproval crossed Kolvar's rugged features, but Saida's perceptive gaze caught the subtle shift in his expression. A sly smile played on her lips as she met Kolvar's eyes, the hint of a blush coloring his cheeks. Ara feigned indifference, though the lingering warmth of Kolvar's gaze lingered beneath her stoic facade.

In the recesses of her mind, Ara could sense the echo of Kolvar's presence, a silent reassurance that mirrored her own unspoken emotions. In that fleeting moment of shared understanding, she chose to hold her peace, allowing the comforting embrace of love and companionship to seep into her very being, a balm to the wounds of their journey.

**********

The imposing structure that housed the revered Table of Devout loomed large before them, its towering form reaching towards the heavens. Crafted from sturdy tan stone that seemed to defy the passage of time, the building exuded an aura of ancient power. Rows of barred windows lined its facade, casting shadows that whispered of hidden truths within. Saida, ever the inquisitive soul, pondered whether these barriers were designed to repel intruders or ensnare those within its walls—a riddle that stirred unease in her heart.

Despite the tantalizing glimpses offered through the windows, the inner sanctum of the Table of Devout remained a mystery to outsiders. Beyond the facade of propaganda that adorned the first floor, a labyrinth of secrets lay concealed, jealously guarded by the enigmatic members who had long since withdrawn from the world. The last addition to their ranks had been made over two centuries ago, a venerable elf chosen at the venerable age of one hundred and thirty. Since then, the Table had remained closed to all, its clandestine gatherings shrouded in whispers of forbidden knowledge.

With time running short and their quest for answers growing more urgent, Ara knew that they had to act swiftly to gain entry into the elusive enclave. The fate of their journey hinged on securing the aid of the Table, with or without Saida's involvement. The plan was set in motion: Ara and Kolvar would venture inside under the guise of casual observers, engaging in idle chatter with the staff as they awaited an opportunity for Saida to slip through unseen.

Hidden from prying eyes by her magic, Saida's mission was clear: infiltrate the library, scour its shelves for ancient tomes that held the key to unraveling the mysteries that plagued their path. What dark secrets tormented Tuvruic, driving him to madness? Why did the once-glorious Queen Tsarra remain imprisoned within her palace, unseen and unheard? Answers lay within the hallowed halls of the Table, waiting to be uncovered.

Should Saida's stealth falter and danger loom, Ara stood ready to divert attention away from her companions, willing to bear the brunt of any consequences that may arise. Sacrifices would be made, risks taken, all in the name of unearthing the truths that lay buried within the heart of the ancient institution.

Within the hallowed halls of the Table of Devout, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air as Ara and Kolvar immersed themselves in the solemn grandeur of their surroundings. Saida, cloaked in invisibility, stood vigil near a door that beckoned towards the heart of the enigmatic building, her senses attuned to the ebb and flow of the unfolding drama.

A striking elven figure with ethereal gray skin observed the duo with keen interest, her gaze a silent testament to the weight of history that lingered within these ancient walls. Ara and Kolvar, engrossed in the portraits of the revered members of the Table, exchanged wistful musings about the bygone era of the old elves, their voices a soft murmur amidst the echoes of the past.

Adorning the walls were images of the legendary twelve founding members of Amho Alora, their visages frozen in time alongside the inaugural members of the Table. Two portraits, positioned at the center with an uncanny alignment, seemed to share a clandestine connection, as if their placement held a deeper significance known only to the silent figures captured within the frames.

The mysteries of the original twelve, shrouded in the mists of time, stirred Kolvar's contemplation. What fates befell these enigmatic figures after shaping the laws that governed their realm? Did they succumb to the ravages of war, or did they find solace in love and peace amidst the turmoil? As thoughts of Ara's resilience and their shared destiny tugged at his heart, Kolvar couldn't help but wonder if their bond would transcend the chaos that surrounded them, forging a path towards a future entwined in unity.

A fleeting moment of tension gripped the trio as a door creaked open, revealing an elder elf engrossed in a tome, oblivious to the presence of Ara and Kolvar in the corridor. With bated breath, Ara prayed for Saida's stealth to prevail as she slipped through the threshold, the door closing behind her with a finality that echoed through the silent passageways. Relief flooded Ara as she exhaled, the weight of uncertainty lifting, leaving them with naught but the tense anticipation of what revelations awaited them beyond the closed door. In this moment of stillness, the trio stood united, bound by a shared purpose that whispered of greater trials yet to come.