Chapter 12: The Royal Seal and the Gate of the Sacred Forest
After a tiring journey, the group reached the green shores of the Elf Continent. The trees were so tall here they seemed to hold back the clouds. The air smelled of flowers and magic, but an eerie silence prevailed.
Unknown ambush
As soon as Volt, Sai, and Aki took their first step deep into the forest, they felt the magical realm around them change. Suddenly, dozens of elf arrows appeared behind the bright leaves. Their arrows were made of a special kind of wood that radiated white energy.
"People!" said an elf warrior in a cold, harsh voice. "This land is forbidden to you. Especially those two boys who smell of blood and ancient darkness. How dare you come here?"
Sai reached for the hilt of his sword, and the seal around his neck began to vibrate hotly. Sakuna whispered slyly inside her mind, "Sai... These want to kill us. Allow me to give you the power to make this forest red with the blood of these. I will prolong your life if you will let me take control just once..."
Aki's secret seal
Before Sai could fall into Sakuna's trap or Volt do something stupid, Aki came forward. His face was very serious, no longer the shy and simple way he used to be. He took from his pocket a piece of silk cloth with a gold seal; It bore the image of a sacred tree surrounded by snowy wings.
When Aki lifted the seal, a pure green light burst from the seal and spread like a wave through the forest. The elven warriors turned pale when they saw the beam and held their arrows. They all bowed to Aki as one.
Aki: "I am Aki, a descendant of the 'Silverleaf Dynasty'. This seal is proof of the old covenant between my family and the Elf King. We have not come to fight, but to ask for help in a dark time.
Towards the Glass City
"Silverleaf's royal blood has not yet been cut... Come on, my lady, you and your friends are safe. Queen Alessia is waiting for you," said one of the warriors, who seemed to be their commander.
As they left, Volt looked at Aki with big eyes and said, "Aki! You always said you were an ordinary village girl! What was that? Are you a princess?"
"This isn't just a piece of iron, Volt. This is a heavy responsibility that my family has kept for thousands of years just for 'today,'" Aki smiled sadly.
Sai's suspicion and Sakuna's cunning
Sai walked behind and looked suspiciously at Aki's back. Sakuna whispered inwardly, "Sai, be careful of that girl. The seal she carries has the power to silence even me. She is not just a friend… she is a 'watcher' sent to know when it is time to destroy you and me."
Sai felt afraid for the first time; Not from the elves, but from the secrets his closest friends have kept from him.
Director by (ahmed barozh)