Hans (spirit): (Hovering beside Balin) What's bothering you?
Duke Balin: You're here. There might be difficulty retrieving the map to the Dragons' Cave.
Hans: (Hand placed on Balin's shoulder) How? I sense there's an alliance between you and someone in this.
Duke Balin: (Instantly grabs Hans' hand) Well, that feeling should be of your wife and daughter.
He flings Hans' hand aside with indifference. Hans stares at him for three seconds, his flung hand now covered with the other.
Hans: Gmph! (Turns away, floating about) They agreed to give you the Sacred Map of Lead, didn't they?
Balin wants to answer, but holds back.
Duke Balin: We could have gotten the Bias Gem by now if it weren't for your foolishness.
The devious giggling of the soul sweeps along with the air, drifting closer to the Duke.
Hans: Oh no, it wasn't all my fault. How was I to know the Dragons' Cave could only be opened with a certain amount of Dragon Essence? If it weren't for Chang-yu, I wouldn't be like this. (Points at Balin) YOU wouldn't have to face this terrible fate of being the Diēr Lókë. You know that yourself!
Duke Balin lowers his head and remains quiet.
---
NOTE:
Chang-yu, Mage of the First Therd, was the last of his kind. There were four divisions of Therds, of which the First Therds were the most powerful. Following the wish of his late Grandmaster, Chang-yu became the greatest Elven Therd of all.
The combined power of five hundred First Therds could harness about the Essence of a Semi-Lókë—or a quarter of a Lókë's Essence.
During the Great Elf War, more than forty Mages from the Four Therds gave their Qi to two teenagers, their last hope. Their names were recorded as Wan and Wen, and they were declared the Lókï Protectors by Chang-yu. But before departing from the land of the living, Chang-yu "cursed" the Aglad-Lókë and its Dragon Vessel.
The Lókï watched as their Master and Friend sacrificed himself, fading away.
A Therd is a term used for Mages or those with natural essence in this era.
---
Duke Balin: (Rethinks and raises head).
Hans: (Sneers) And I can still sense disturbance within you.
Duke Balin: Emperor Thai forbids me from embarking on this.
Hans: (Heaves a sigh, turning away) Well then, if that's the matter, we have no choice but to abide...
Duke Balin: (Firm) I will do no such thing.
A secret smirk creeps onto Hans' face.
Hans: (Nearing Balin) Then what do you intend to do?
Duke Balin: (Whirling a violet glow of fire over his open palm) All those who have tried to stop me never make it to the next dawn. No one will pull me from my desire and I'll—
The Elflord approaches from behind.
Elflord: Who are you talking to, my dear nephew?
Hans slips into the darkness, while Balin quickly seizes the glow fire and turns to the Elflord with innocence.
Duke Balin: Fædera. What are you doing here?
Elflord: ☺️ Do I need a reason to visit my nephew?
Duke Balin: (Approaches the Elflord) 😌 Fædera, the night is cold, it's not good for your health.
Elflord: (Beams) I appreciate it, Balin, but I am fine. Haa, the night's pleasant.
Duke Balin: 😌 You seem to dote on High Knight Skyer's daughter a lot.
Elflord: Oh, Elvÿndia? She's a peaceful child.
Duke Balin: [Sorry, did you just say "peaceful"?]
Elflord: 😆. Your expression is pleasant. She's as agile as a monkey like the last time I met her. If only she can call me Pa or... Kapa 😍. (Sulk) I've always wanted a beautiful daughter. Kapa, imagine the sound of it from a daughter 😍.
Duke Balin: 😳 - 😌 [That's why the land is prosperous under this Emperor.] The people liveth by thou wisdom.
Elflord: (Chuckles). No, Bal. The people liveth because they trust in my judgement led by the Maker. I'm a living, just like them. And I know Alf will lead with wisdom and good judgement (glances at Balin) because you are with him.
Duke Balin: 😳.
Elflord: 😊.
Duke Balin: ... Your Majesty...
Elflord: Ah, I know what you want to ask, but my decision will remain the same.
Duke Balin: B—
Elflord: I demand to hear no more of this.
Duke Balin: [Is he trying to show indirect concern for me?]
Elflord: Furthermore, you are the Duke of Veil Village. I will not risk the stability and safety of the people in your continent.
Duke Balin: [Oh, so he's more concerned about his status and reign.]
Yeah 🤧 how touching... Wait, no bro! You misunderstood.
Duke Balin: (Sighs) If this is the outcome of my persuasion, then you leave me no other choice...
A thicker violet glow of fire forms in his palm.
Duke Balin: ... than to eliminate you.
The instant dagger transformed from the glow fire is aimed at the left chest of the pure Elflord. With a face of unmeasured shock and heartbreak, the Elflord glances at the dagger, then at his beloved nephew. Staggering backward, his hips strike the edge of a leisure table. His right hand brushes the items on it, sending them crashing to the floor.
Elflord: Why... why... (he pauses to breathe)...
---
On the Red Valley -
A Mystical Bird with a long golden beak, legs glimmering like crystal, and three radiant tails rests on the head of Madame Raphaela's staff.
Queen Raphaela: You rarely visit me. What do I owe this pleasure?
The Mystical Bird whistles a short rhythm. Sensing sadness from the bird, she leans closer.
Queen Raphaela: What is it? What's the ma—?
RUSTLE. A sound echoes.
Queen Raphaela: Who is there?
No answer. She approaches the door cautiously. The Mystical Bird cries out in alarm, making her glance back at it. When she hurriedly looks forward, a silhouette leaps to attack her... Sadly, she—
---
At the Palace, Hans grins diabolically, visualizing himself with Balin and the Elflord. His steadfast hand rests on Balin's shoulder.
Hans: Wow. You actually did it, boy. I thought you wouldn't.
Elflord: Hans? Hah, so all this while you've been alive.
Hans: No, not exactly, my dear old friend. My body perished, but my soul couldn't cross over.
Elflord: [How could you? With your selfish desires?] Hans, release my nephew from your manipulation!
The Elflord's eyes shine with boldness, though to Duke Balin it seems to conceal the affection he has deep down for his nephew.
Meanwhile, the same Mysterious Elf in a gray hood and unclear face, who has been observing from afar, sits coolly on a mechanical pole. He shows a little mischievous smirk.
Hans: Me? Look at him properly. Who is manipulating who?
Elflord: You...
His words falter when he notices the shimmering dark violet eyes of Balin.
Elflord: Balin? That... that is the sign of... the Diēr Lókë. (In disbelief) No... it... this cannot be...
---
NOTE:
Diēr means Disastrous/Bias in FõLa language.
---
Duke Balin: You're right. I am the destruction—though I do not yet possess the Bias Gem.
Elflord: [My Balin?] (Monologue) No, no, you must be lying...
Duke Balin: (Breathes out, unimpressed) 😒 Believe it or not. Now tell me—knowing who I am, will you allow me to retrieve what's mi—?
Elflord: NO. You are not permitted to do so.
Duke Balin: [You..!]
Balin exhales, unclenching his furrowed brows. He opens his eyes, having closed them to practice patience toward the headstrong Elflord.
Duke Balin: Very well. Leave it be. (The glow fire swirls in his palm.) Besides... you have no choice.
Without hesitation, Balin stretches his hand. The dagger of glow fire grows into a sword, and he sends it—
---
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ELFLORD?
A. Be saved by his Red Elven Shaman.
B. Be saved by someone else.
C. Duke Balin will change his mind.
D. Be killed by Duke Balin.
---