Anderwyn, Caelluma, inside Misty Woods, north of the border of Kaiswen, spring (1618 a.L) 

Raelyn, Corix, and Rakz trudged forward, Hovan leaning heavily on their shoulders. His breaths were shallow, each step a visible effort, and his face had taken on an ashen pallor. The wood elf escorting them led the way in silence, his posture rigid and his bow slung across his back with practiced ease. The elf's sharp gaze swept their surroundings, ever vigilant despite the apparent safety of the towering trees around them.

The mist that clung to the edges of the Misty Woods thinned as they entered Caelluma. A breathtaking sight unfolded before them. Towering trees rose into the heavens, their trunks thick and ancient, their bark glowing faintly with veins of light. Bridges of wood and rope stretched between the trees, connecting small platforms adorned with lanterns that swayed gently in the breeze, casting flickering patterns across the ground below. The city emerged from the forest like a natural wonder, both overwhelming and humbling in its harmony with nature.

Raelyn couldn't help but gape at the sight. Even in her fatigue and worry, she felt a pang of awe at the beauty of the place. Corix, too, paused for a moment, his usual reserved demeanor giving way to a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. 

The group moved cautiously along a leaf-strewn path that wound beneath the towering trees. The earthy scent of moss and fresh foliage filled the air. Their boots crunched softly against the ground as they approached a healer's hut nestled at the base of one of the largest trees. Its exterior was woven seamlessly with the trunk, its walls appearing to be part of the living tree itself.

The door creaked open, revealing a warm, earthy interior suffused with the scent of herbs and damp soil. Soft light from lanterns illuminated the space, casting a gentle glow over shelves lined with jars, dried plants, and tools. Elves in robes of green and gold moved gracefully within, their expressions calm but purposeful.

As the group entered, the nearest healer, a tall elf with sharp features and silver-streaked hair, turned toward them, his brows knitting in surprise. His green eyes flicked from Hovan, pale and leaning heavily on Raelyn and Corix, to the wood elf escort.

"Humans?" the healer asked, his melodic voice tinged with disbelief. "What are they doing here?"

The wood elf escort stepped forward, his tone curt. "There is no time for questions. This man is gravely injured. Treat him."

The healer hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Our methods are not suited to—"

"Treat him," the wood elf snapped, his voice carrying the authority of someone who wasn't to be argued with.

The healer's lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded, his composure unshaken. "Very well," he said, his tone softening as he turned his attention to Hovan. He gestured to a low cot made of woven vines and moss. "Bring him here."

One of the healers, a woman with auburn hair braided intricately down her back, knelt beside Hovan. Her hands moved with practiced precision as she examined his wound, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. She reached for a clay jar filled with a pungent salve and began applying it to his side. Hovan winced when the salve touched the wound. The ointment glistened under the lantern light as she worked quickly, wrapping the wound with bandages crafted from soft, leaf-like material that seemed to meld with his skin.

Raelyn lingered nearby, her fingers twisting nervously at the edge of her cloak. "Will he be alright?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

The auburn-haired elf glanced up briefly, her calm demeanor not betraying any emotion. "It's too soon to tell. We will do what we can," she replied.

The armed wood elf  turned toward Corix and Raelyn, his gaze stern. "The elders await you in the Starlight Conclave," he said, his tone clipped, leaving no room for debate. "It is not wise to keep them waiting."

Hovan's fingers twitched weakly, his eyes fluttering open as he struggled to focus on their conversation. "Go," he rasped, his voice strained and hoarse. "I'll be fine."

Raelyn hesitated, her gaze darting between Hovan and the wood elf. "I can't just leave him—"

"Raelyn," Hovan interrupted, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth despite the pain etched across his face. "You'll do more good convincing those pointy-eared elders than fussing over me. Go."

The air in the room shifted subtly, the wood elf stiffening almost imperceptibly at Hovan's words. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of disdain crossing his otherwise composed face. The healer tending to Hovan paused momentarily, her hands hovering above the bandages as her lips pressed into a thin line. The tension lingered for a brief moment before they resumed their work without a word.

"Hovan," Corix muttered under his breath, shooting him a disapproving glance. "Try not to offend our hosts before we've even spoken to their leaders."

Hovan let out a weak chuckle, his breath hitching as pain lanced through him. "So sensitive..." he murmured, though his expression betrayed his discomfort.

Raelyn sighed, her heart heavy as she stepped closer to Hovan. "You have to promise me you'll let them help you," she said quietly, her voice thick with worry.

"Promise," Hovan replied, though his tone carried more resolve than sincerity.

With great reluctance, Raelyn nodded and turned to follow Corix and the wood elf. Rakz hesitated by Hovan's side, his golden eyes watchful, before scampering after his mistress. As they exited the hut, the door creaked shut behind them, leaving Raelyn with the image of Hovan's pale face and the faint smell of herbs lingering in her mind.

The ascent to the Starlight Conclave was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The stairs spiraled upward, carved meticulously into the ancient tree's trunk, each step worn smooth by centuries of use. Bridges stretched between the massive trees like delicate webs, swaying gently in the cool night breeze. Below, Caelluma glimmered like a sea of stars brought to earth, lanterns casting warm golden hues across the bridges and platforms.

Raelyn gripped the rope railing tightly as they crossed a particularly high bridge. Her breath caught when she dared to glance down, the dizzying drop beneath them causing her stomach to churn. Rakz, ever calm, padded ahead with his tail swishing lazily, seemingly unbothered by the height. Corix, walking beside her, gave her a reassuring nod, though even his steps seemed a touch more careful here.

Elves watched them from the platforms and walkways, their gazes ranging from curious to outright wary. They spoke in hushed tones, their melodic language carrying on the wind. Raelyn caught snippets of their conversation, though the words were foreign. It was clear they were not used to outsiders in their sacred home.

At last, they reached the summit. The Starlight Conclave spread out before them—a circular platform open to the vast night sky. The polished floor gleamed faintly, catching the starlight as if the heavens themselves had blessed it. The stars above seemed impossibly close, their silver light bathing the platform in an ethereal glow. Raelyn's breath hitched as she took in the sight. It felt as though they'd stepped into another world, suspended between earth and sky.

At the center of the platform stood three figures. Their presence was magnetic, exuding a serene authority that made even the grandeur of the setting pale in comparison.

The eldest, a woman with hair like threads of silver cascading down her back, stepped forward. Her eyes, piercing and bright as shards of moonlight, fixed on the newcomers with quiet intensity. To her left stood another woman, her dark hair adorned with intricate braids and faint silver ornaments that caught the light. Her sharp gaze betrayed a cautious skepticism. On the eldest's right was a male elder, his golden hair flowing past his shoulders, his bearing regal and reserved. His emerald-green eyes glinted with a calculating intelligence as he studied the group.

"You come to Caelluma in troubled times," the eldest said, her voice a perfect blend of melody and caution. "Speak your purpose, outsiders."

Corix stepped forward, his movements deliberate and respectful. He bowed slightly, his hand over his chest. "Elders of Caelluma, I am Corix, a magus from Kaiswen." He gestured toward Raelyn, who stiffened slightly under their collective gaze. "And this is Raelyn. She carries a locket tied to the ancient magic of Unevia—a relic that we believe may lead us to the weapon of the gods."

The silver-haired elder tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "The weapon of the gods," she repeated, her tone carrying the weight of disbelief tempered with intrigue. 

Raelyn felt her cheeks flush under the scrutiny of their piercing gazes. She reached instinctively for the locket beneath her robes, clutching it tightly as though it could anchor her.

The male elder finally spoke, his voice deep and measured. "What is it you seek from us?"

Corix straightened, meeting their eyes without wavering. "We seek your guidance," he said clearly. "Raelyn has the ability to channel ancient magic—the foundation from which all magic stems. But we cannot succeed in our mission without the power of elven magic. I ask that you teach her."

He hesitated, then added, "I also request access to your library. Any knowledge you have of the locket, the weapon, or the ancient magic could prove vital to our quest."

The dark-haired elder's expression tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Elven magic is sacred," she said, her voice cold and sharp. "It is not a gift we bestow lightly—least of all to a human." Her gaze flicked to Raelyn, her skepticism plain.

Raelyn took a step forward, her voice trembling but firm. "I understand," she said quickly, her fingers still gripping the locket. "But I can't do this alone. If we don't act, Unevia will fall. I have to try."

The male elder studied her intently, his expression unreadable. "This task you speak of," he said slowly, "is not a burden for our people to bear. The demons keep to the borders of Bromaric. Why should we intervene?"

Corix's voice hardened, his urgency clear. "The demons have already breached Kaiswen's barriers. Their numbers grow, their corruption spreads. They won't stop at the borders of Anderwyn. It is only a matter of time before they come for you, and when they do, no forest will protect you."

The dark-haired elder exchanged a glance with the eldest, her skepticism tempered but not erased. "We have no proof of this," she said finally, her tone quieter but no less guarded.

Corix stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of desperation. "Kaiswen thought the same. They believed their barriers and their isolation would keep them safe, and now Ardesco lies in ruins. How long will you wait before realizing that inaction is a greater risk than intervention?"

The elders conferred in low, melodic tones, their voices blending with the faint whisper of the wind. Raelyn could feel her heart pounding as the seconds stretched into an eternity. Finally, the silver-haired elder turned back to them.

"Your plea is not without merit," she said, her gaze softening slightly. "But this matter concerns not only Caelluma, but all of Anderwyn. We cannot make this decision alone."

Her words were measured as she continued, "You must travel to Eryndoriel and seek king Lytherion's approval. Only he may grant access to the Great Library and sanction the teaching of our magic to a human. Without his blessing, we cannot aid you further."

Raelyn's chest tightened at the prospect of another journey, another hurdle, but she nodded. "We'll do whatever it takes."

The male elder inclined his head slightly. "For now, you will find safety within Caelluma. Rest, recover, and prepare. The journey to Eryndoriel is not one to be taken lightly."

The dark-haired elder added, her tone still cautious, "Do not take this allowance as a sign of trust. Your path will be watched closely."

The meeting ended with the elders retreating into the shadows of the platform, their forms blending seamlessly into the starlit surroundings. Raelyn glanced at Corix, who gave her a reassuring nod.

"Eryndoriel," Corix murmured as they began their descent. "The heart of Anderwyn. If we're to find answers, it will be there."