The forest changed the moment Sohag entered it.
Birdsong softened into curious silence.
Ancient trees bowed ever so slightly.
Even the wind slowed, circling around him like a respectful whisper.
Helena noticed immediately.
"…The forest is reacting to you."
Sohag blinked slowly in response, as though the strangeness of the world was simply another ordinary detail. Lyra, riding beside him, puffed her cheeks.
"Of course nature likes him," she muttered. "Everything likes him."
Mira, hidden in the branches, whispered through a communication rune:
> "If the trees start glowing, I'm leaving."
The Whispering Woods was not an ordinary forest.
It was an ancient domain filled with spirits, elemental beings, and most importantly—
Elves.
Sohag's diplomatic destination was the Duchy of Luminara, but to reach it, one must pass through this sacred realm.
And elves never allowed humans to cross without supervision.
Thus Helena rode cautiously.
Lyra held her sword ready.
Mira scanned every shadow.
Sohag… yawned.
A rustle echoed through the leaves.
In one smooth motion, a dozen arrows flew from different angles—thin, green-feathered shafts that hummed with natural magic.
Helena's hand tightened on her sword.
"Ambush—!"
But before her blade left its sheath—
Every arrow stopped mid-air.
Frozen.
Suspended by a gentle force.
Sohag had merely raised his hand.
Not even fully.
Just slightly.
The arrows hung in place like decorations.
The forest went dead silent.
Lyra's eyes sparkled—half in admiration, half in "YES, my Sohag is the strongest!"
Mira, hidden above, whispered in awe:
> "…He stopped elven spirit-arrows without magic chants. That's impossible."
Sohag blinked once.
The arrows turned into leaves and drifted harmlessly to the ground.
A soft voice echoed next—
Calm. Clear. Ancient.
"I meant only to test your reflexes… but I see now that such tests are meaningless."
From the depths of the trees, she emerged.
An elf maiden with hair like flowing silver moonlight.
Skin pale as starlit snow.
Eyes glowing emerald like enchanted gems.
She wore living armor—woven from vines, leaves, and soft spirit-thread. Around her shoulders draped a cloak woven from transparent petals.
She was breathtaking.
Even Helena, usually stoic, paused in admiration.
The elf stepped lightly across the moss-covered ground, each motion fluid and graceful. She stopped before Sohag's horse and placed a hand over her heart.
"I am Elowen Sylsera, princess of the Whispering Woods," she introduced, bowing. "Guardian of this sacred forest… and daughter of the Elven High Matriarch."
Her luminous eyes lifted toward Sohag.
And instantly—
Her breath caught.
No one saw it except Mira, who noticed everything.
Elowen's expression trembled subtly, like a leaf touched by a tender breeze.
She stared at Sohag as if she had just found something she had been searching for over centuries.
"…A celestial soul," she whispered. "No… something deeper. Higher. Beyond mortal or immortal."
Lyra stepped forward, possessive and fierce.
"Introduce yourself properly. You're staring too much."
Elowen blinked, momentarily startled.
"Forgive me. I simply… sensed an overwhelming purity in his spirit."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Yes, he's perfect. No, you can't have him."
Helena groaned. "Lyra…"
Mira sighed audibly through the link.
Sohag simply stared at Elowen with his usual calm.
"…Hello."
The elf princess nearly melted.
His voice was soft.
His expression serene.
His presence… divine.
Elowen took another step closer, studying him with reverence, curiosity, and something much deeper.
"You possess no corruption," she murmured. "No chaos. No darkness. Even newborn spirits are not this pure…"
She touched her own chest in awe.
"…It feels as if the forest wishes to kneel before you."
At that moment, the wind around them shifted.
Tree branches bent lower.
Leaves circled gently.
Soft green light flickered in the air.
The entire forest reacted to Sohag.
Elowen's eyes widened.
"Th… this is not possible… Only the highest beings of creation could evoke such a response…"
Lyra puffed her cheeks again.
"Yeah, yeah. He's special. We know."
Helena cleared her throat. "Princess Elowen, please forgive any offense. Prince Sohag means no harm to the forest."
Elowen smiled, soft and genuine.
"There is no offense to forgive. In fact… we welcome him."
She raised a hand.
Dozens of elves dropped from the trees, kneeling respectfully.
Mira nearly choked.
"What?! Why are they kneeling?!"
Elowen answered:
"The forest spirits whisper his name. Not his mortal name… but another."
Sohag blinked, confused.
Lyra leaned closer protectively.
Elowen placed a hand over her heart.
"They chant the name of the Primordial One's successor."
Helena froze.
Lyra froze.
Mira's breath hitched.
Elowen knelt before Sohag.
"Prince Sohag… the elves of the Whispering Woods pledge themselves to your guidance."
The moment she touched the ground—
A soft white vine of spirit-light wrapped around Sohag's wrist, binding gently and glowing like moonlight.
A spirit pact.
A voluntary one.
A sacred one.
Elowen's cheeks reddened softly.
"…It seems my heart was stolen before I could resist it."
Lyra twitched dangerously.
Mira muttered, "Another one…"
Helena sighed, accepting the inevitable.
Sohag stared at the glowing vine.
"Hm."
Elowen smiled up at him—gently, reverently, beautifully.
"From this day… I am yours to command."
---