---
The Imperial Trumpet is blown, its sound echoing throughout the entire globe. The Special High Elves gather around the Crown Prince in a reflex-angle formation. The atmosphere becomes devoid of sound—even the crickets fall silent. Then, the harmonic humming of the common subjects in Alväin–Central begins.
Official Consultant: Let the ceremony begin!
The Consultant takes in a deep breath, bringing his palms together in a joint gesture. He begins to mutter an ancient chant. A smooth breeze brushes by, and then his voice rises as he lifts his head and arms to the sky.
Official Consultant:Gereccēo mid bebod! (He concludes.)
At that instant, all the Special High Elves gather a portion of their Energies and fire it into the sky. Their combined power transforms into an enormous Valley Lotus. The sight of the Lotus inspires all local subjects to vocalize a FõLa song of their ancestors.
NOTE: FõLa in this story is the official language/tongue of the people of Elfland.
The song causes the Lotus Flower to glow more brightly, diffusing a sweet scent throughout the air. The Lotus shifts to a vertical position, and one petal points downward at the Eldest Imperial Prince.
Alf takes a deep breath and spreads his arms wide. As the last verse of the chant ends, the Official Consultant proclaims:
Official Consultant: Müs Ré-Nel.
With a sharp glance at the Crown Prince, the Lotus Flower quivers, then wholly enters Alf's body. The force of the flower drives him to one knee, but he gains support from the Ritual Sword standing sentinel at his side. A golden aura begins to emanate from the Crown Prince. The Special High Elves focus their combined forces into Alf, magically lifting him from the ground and placing him on the Ancestral Throne.
".... Sul dö!" echo the voices of the loyal subjects of Elfland, concluding the Ancient Alväin Song and confirming that the right moment has come.
Immediately, the eyes of Alf—no, the new Emperor, King Alf—open as he balances the freshly received Chi. With a firm grip on the hilt of the Ritual Sword, King Alf strikes it before the throne, causing the magnificent carvings on the Ancestral Ground to glow brightly. A vast, smooth blast of wind surges across all of Elfland.
However, a trace of this energy crosses the border into Elfland's greatest enemy world—Gõbv.
NOTE: In this story, aside from the Human World, there are three additional realms:
> The Edhel-Ambar: (Elves and rare mixed breeds)
> Gõbv: (Goblins, Trolls & Dwarfs – ruled by Goblins)
> The Mysthren: (A globe of mystical beings and creatures)
> These realms together are called *The Universe* or *The Dimensions*.
King Cunthei of Gõbv, who witnesses the burst of light while attending to official duties, sneers.
King Cunthei: Those long-ears have chosen another Emperor.
Cunthei's right-hand being, Iyet—a creature with a garbled voice, disfigured fingers, and an ugly form—sniggers.
Iyet: Which means King Thai is dead. Dead, my Lord. Dead! (Cackles viciously.)
Cunthei: Arsh-tracái te bein, Iyet. Cũne dus kykęi slm.
(Translation: Do not get too excited, Iyet. This one seems strong.)
Back at the Ancestral Ground, the Official Consultant fits a ruby-framed monocle on the new Elflord's right eye. He then turns to address the people.
Official Consultant: (Arms lifted, opened wide) Descendants of the Edhel-Ambar, our Elflord!!
Elves: (Cheer)
Elva: 🙂
Twenty-five minutes pass. Princess Raina approaches the Emperor on the Ancestral Ground. She removes her hood, revealing her fine, faded-colored hair—a mark of her identity as a Dragon Spiritless Successor.
Hina: Huh? The ceremony hasn't ended yet? Why is that dreamy maiden?
Aunt Brielle: 😄 After the crowning of the heir comes the seal with the heiress of the Red Enchantresses.
Hina: Oh! ... I still don't understand 🙃.
The Chief of the Elädorn Tribe stretches out his forewrist between His Majesty and Enchantress Raina. Raina mirrors the gesture. At a glance from Madame Raphaela to King Alf, he also stretches his wrist forward and gently takes Raina's hand. Startled at first by the unexpected gesture, Raina and Madame Raphaela almost protest, but King Alf simply nods with a calm smile, wishing to continue without delay.
Queen Raphaela: By the power I wield, I officially declare the heiress of the Red Enchantresses and Shamans, Imperial Enchantress of the Elflord!
Immediately, the Chief of Elädorn creates a glowing globe around their joined hands, which soon disappears into thin air. A light flickers from the Elflord's monocle frame, and a red mark appears at the corner of Raina's right eyelid.
Lo, the ritual is complete.
An Elf: (To friends) Why did the Elflord do that? Is physical contact during sealing a new tradition I don't know of?
An Ælfen: I wonder the same.
The group walks away with questions. Prince Ernest, who has overheard them, looks up at Elva.
Ernest: Sister Elvÿ, why did Elder Brother hold...?
Elva gently places a finger to his lips and glances at Alf, who, on his own, looks skyward—his demeanor calm and beautifully serene.
That night, in the Veil Village Royal Territory, inside Balin's bedchamber, the handsome, "righteous" duke sits in a revealing night robe, swirling a dagger between his left fingers. A soft exhale stirs the chamber air.
Duke Balin: (Nonchalant) Come out.
Hans floats out from a dark corner...
---
