The academy was quieter now, but not in a reassuring way. The tension from Jon's attempted coup lingered like a storm cloud ready to burst. Lumumba knew the temporary calm wouldn't last. The Sovereign's forces weren't slowing down, and the fissures were growing more dangerous with each passing day.
Standing in the academy courtyard, Lumumba stared at the sky. The weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever. Jon's ambition had shaken the foundation of what they were building, and Lumumba feared that if things didn't stabilize soon, everything would collapse.
Amara approached quietly, her footfalls soft on the cobblestones. She stopped next to Lumumba, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"You've been quiet since the confrontation with Jon," she said, breaking the silence.
Lumumba sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't see it coming. I knew Jon was ambitious, but I didn't think he'd go this far. And I don't think it's over. He's still frustrated—angry. If we don't address this, it's going to boil over again."
Amara nodded. "He feels like he's being sidelined. It's a dangerous mindset, especially when the stakes are this high." She paused, her brow furrowing. "But we can't focus on that right now. We've got bigger problems."
Lumumba raised an eyebrow. "The fissures?"
Amara handed him a parchment, its edges frayed from being handled too many times. "Koffi's been working with the archives. He's found something—something about the Sovereign and the fissures' connection."
Lumumba took the parchment, his eyes scanning the text. The more he read, the tighter the knot in his stomach grew. The fissures weren't random—they were deliberately opened by the Sovereign as part of a larger plan. Each one they closed wasn't stopping his progress; it was accelerating it.
"The fissures are feeding him," Lumumba muttered. "Every time we close one, it sends more energy to the Sovereign."
Amara nodded grimly. "Exactly. The energy is building, and we've been helping him without realizing it. We're making him stronger."
Lumumba cursed under his breath. "We need to stop the next fissure, but not like before. We have to reverse the flow of energy—find a way to weaken the Sovereign, not fuel him."
Amara crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "Koffi's been working on a theory. He thinks he can help us figure out how to turn the energy back on itself. But we'll need to move fast. The Sovereign's forces are already on the move."
Lumumba nodded. "Let's gather everyone. We don't have time to waste."
The Council Chambers: Planning the Mission
Lumumba, Amara, Koffi, and Mamadou gathered in the council chambers later that afternoon. The map of the kingdom lay sprawled across the table, marking every fissure they had closed so far. There were only a few left, but the stakes had never been higher.
Koffi unrolled several scrolls on the table. "I've been studying the magical signatures of the fissures. The energy they release isn't just destructive—it's being absorbed by something else. If we keep closing them without disrupting the flow, we'll give the Sovereign enough power to break whatever is holding him back."
"So, how do we stop it?" Lumumba asked, leaning forward.
Koffi pointed to one of the scrolls, revealing a diagram of arcane symbols and ley lines. "We reverse the flow. Instead of just sealing the next fissure, we redirect the energy away from the Sovereign's conduit. It's risky, but it's the only way to stop him from getting stronger."
Mamadou grinned, his eyes lighting up. "Sounds risky enough for me. What's the worst that could happen—another explosion? Been there, done that."
Koffi smiled faintly, though his eyes were serious. "It's dangerous. We'll have to be precise, or we risk tearing the fabric of the fissure open even further. But if we don't try, the Sovereign will have more than enough power to tear through the kingdom's defenses."
Amara crossed her arms. "So, where's the next fissure? And how much time do we have before the Sovereign's agents reach it?"
Koffi pointed to the far western edge of the map, near a range of mountains bordering the Western Kingdom. "It's here, deep in sylvan elf territory. They're already feeling the effects of the magic. If we don't act soon, the Sovereign's influence will spread beyond our borders."
Lumumba's eyes darkened. "Then we head out immediately."
The Road to the Western Kingdom
As they journeyed toward the fissure, the terrain changed drastically. Towering trees, ancient and gnarled, lined the path as they ventured deeper into sylvan elf territory. The air grew heavy with magic, and the wind whispered secrets through the leaves.
Mamadou whistled as he surveyed the forest. "Feels like we're walking into a fairytale... a creepy one."
"The sylvan elves are deeply connected to the land," Amara said, her voice low. "Their magic is tied to nature itself. They don't trust outsiders easily, but they might be our best chance at understanding the fissures."
Lumumba frowned, his thoughts turning to the elves. "Think they'll help us? If they've already felt the fissure's effects, they should want to stop it, right?"
Amara was quiet for a moment before responding. "They're reclusive. They've been betrayed before. They might see us as another threat, especially if they know about Solann."
At the mention of Solann's name, Mamadou fell silent, the memory of their fallen comrade lingering over them like a ghost.
Lumumba shook his head. "We'll try diplomacy first. But we have to be ready for anything."
The Western Kingdom: Meeting Eryndor, the Elven Leader
When they finally crossed into the Western Kingdom, the dense forest seemed to close in around them. The trees, taller than anything Lumumba had ever seen, loomed over them, their ancient branches forming a natural canopy that blocked out the sun. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and magic, and every step felt like it was being watched.
"Feels like we're being watched," Mamadou muttered, scanning the treetops.
"We are," Amara confirmed softly. **"The sylvan elves don't reveal themselves easily, but they've known we were coming since we crossed their border."
Lumumba remained on high alert, his senses sharp. The magical energy in the air was overwhelming, a reminder that they were far from their home turf. He knew that diplomacy was going to be key, but if things went sideways, they were walking into a fight they weren't prepared for.
As they reached a large clearing, Lumumba spotted movement among the trees. A figure, draped in robes the color of deep forest green, stepped forward. His hair, silver like moonlight, fell down his back in waves, and his eyes glowed with an ethereal light. His presence commanded respect without a word.
"Welcome to the Western Kingdom," the elf said, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Eryndor, guardian of this land. I know why you have come."
Lumumba stepped forward cautiously. "We're here to stop the fissure. It's spreading dark magic, and it'll destroy this forest if we don't act."
Eryndor studied Lumumba with a sharp gaze. "You speak of the fissures, yes. They are a plague, one we have long sensed. But you, Lumumba—you carry chaos with you. You travel through worlds and disrupt the order of things. Tell me, what makes you think the elves will trust you?"
Lumumba frowned, sensing the deep distrust in Eryndor's voice. "I don't expect you to trust me blindly. But we've been fighting the Sovereign for a long time, and we've closed fissures before. If we don't stop this one, it won't just be this forest that suffers—it'll be all of us."
Eryndor's eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of curiosity behind his skepticism. "Perhaps. But you speak as though you understand the balance of this world, when all you have done is disrupt it. Even now, the land mourns the loss of one of our own—Solann, a once-gentle soul twisted by the darkness of men."
Amara's eyes widened at the mention of Solann, and she shot a glance at Lumumba.
"You knew her?" Amara asked, her voice soft.
Eryndor's expression hardened. "She was one of us, long ago. But she was betrayed, and the pain of that betrayal consumed her. You have seen the consequences of what happens when one becomes too consumed by vengeance."
Lumumba felt the weight of Solann's story settle heavily on his shoulders. The elves had a deep connection to her, one that complicated their mission here.
"We're not here to repeat the mistakes of the past," Lumumba said firmly. "We're here to stop the Sovereign. Help us, and together we can end this threat."
Eryndor remained silent for a moment, his gaze piercing as he assessed Lumumba's sincerity. Finally, he nodded slowly.
"Very well. We will help you, Lumumba. But know this: if you fail, the consequences will be far greater than you can imagine."