The night air was cool, pine scent thick in their lungs as Kael and Merlin raced toward the Silverwood Forest. Hoofbeats echoed behind them—faint, but growing louder.
"Faster," Merlin panted, gripping his staff. "They're gaining."
Kael nodded, pushing himself harder. The fire in his veins kept him warm, but fatigue tugged at his muscles. They'd been running for hours, no rest, no water.
Finally, the trees loomed ahead—tall, ancient, their branches weaving a canopy over the forest floor. Silver leaves glinted in the moonlight, casting an otherworldly glow.
"The Silverwood," Merlin said, relief in his voice. "Elven magic protects it. Julian's men won't dare follow us inside."
They burst into the forest, the trees closing behind them like a gate. The hoofbeats faded, replaced by the sound of crickets and rustling leaves.
Kael slowed, catching his breath. "Safe?"
"For now," Merlin said. "But the elves won't welcome strangers. Especially humans with dragon fire."
A rustle of leaves.
Kael tensed, summoning a flame in his palm. "Who's there?"
Three figures stepped into the moonlight—tall, slender, with pointed ears and silver hair. Elves. Their bows were drawn, arrows aimed at Kael and Merlin.
"Humans," one of the elves said, her voice cold. "What are you doing in the Silverwood?"
Merlin raised his hands, stepping forward. "We mean no harm, elf maiden. We're here to see Elder Elron. It's about the Soul-Eating Lord."
The elves exchanged glances. The leader—an elf with silver eyes—lowered her bow slightly. "You know of the Dark One?"
"Yes," Kael said. "Julian plans to free him. He's hunting the four bloodlines. We need your help."
The elf narrowed her eyes. "Dragon blood. I can feel it in you. You're Kael Voss—the human with the broken seal."
Kael nodded. "How do you know?"
"Elder Elron has foreseen it," she said. "The rise of the Emberborn. The one who will either save the realm… or destroy it."
She lowered her bow completely. "Follow me. Elder Elron will decide your fate."
The elves turned, leading them deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller, their leaves glowing brighter. Flowers bloomed in colors Kael had never seen—blue, purple, pink—filling the air with a sweet scent.
After walking for an hour, they reached a clearing. In the center stood a massive tree—its trunk wide enough to fit ten men, its branches reaching toward the sky. A village of treehouses clung to its branches, connected by rope bridges.
"This is the Tree of Life," the elf said. "The heart of the Silverwood."
They climbed a spiral staircase carved into the tree's trunk, reaching a large treehouse at the top. Inside, an old elf sat on a throne of wood and vines. His hair was white, his face lined with wrinkles, but his eyes were bright—like Merlin's.
"Elder Elron," the elf said, bowing. "They've come. The Emberborn and the fugitive mage."
Elder Elron nodded, gesturing for them to sit. "Welcome, Kael Voss. Welcome, Merlin. I've been expecting you."
Kael sat, still on edge. "You knew we were coming?"
"I foresaw it," Elder Elron said. "The stars told me of a human with dragon blood, coming to the Silverwood to seek allies. To stop the Dark One."
He paused. "But they also told me of danger. Of a choice you will have to make—one that could cost you everything."
Kael frowned. "What choice?"
"First, tell me what you know," Elder Elron said. "About Julian. About his plan."
Merlin spoke up. "Julian is working for the Soul-Eating Lord. He plans to break the seal using the blood of the four races—dragon, elf, phoenix, griffin. He's already captured several elves, trying to get their blood."
Elder Elron's face darkened. "I know. Our scouts have reported it. He's growing bolder. The seal weakens with each passing day."
He turned to Kael. "Your blood is the first of the four. Julian needs it to break the seal. That's why he's hunting you."
Kael nodded. "We need your help. To stop Julian. To protect the other bloodlines."
Elder Elron sighed. "The elves have stayed out of human wars for centuries. We've protected the Silverwood, and nothing more."
"But this isn't a human war," Kael said. "It's a war for the entire realm. If the Soul-Eating Lord is freed, everyone will die. Elves included."
Elder Elron was silent for a moment, staring into the fire. "You're right. But we can't help you alone. We need the other bloodlines. The phoenixes and griffins."
"We plan to find them," Merlin said. "But first, we need to get stronger. Kael needs to master his dragon fire."
Elder Elron nodded. "You may stay in the Silverwood. We will teach Kael to control his power. And we will send scouts to find the other bloodline heirs."
Kael smiled. "Thank you. We won't let you down."
Elder Elron stood. "Rest now. Tomorrow, your training begins. But be warned—elven magic is not like human magic. It will test you."
Kael nodded. "I'm ready."
The elf who'd led them here stepped forward. "Follow me. I'll show you to your quarters."
Kael and Merlin stood, following her out of the treehouse. The night air was cool, the forest quiet.
"We did it," Kael said, relief in his voice. "We have allies."
"For now," Merlin said. "But Julian won't stop. He'll find us here. We need to train hard. Fast."
Kael nodded. He looked up at the Tree of Life, its branches glowing in the moonlight.
This was a new beginning.
A chance to get stronger. To find the other bloodlines. To stop Julian.
And to finally prove to the world that he was not a loser.
He was Kael Voss.
The Emberborn.
And he was ready to fight.