Serena and Lisa hurried back to the ship to relay the information they had learned from Balrog to the rest of their companions. Merslin, Elena, and Aria were already waiting, and the two arrived with excitement evident in their expressions.
Serena (grinning brightly): "We heard something fascinating from Balrog. There's a legend about a High Elf sleeping in the north of Celesta. If they awaken, something incredible—or disastrous—might happen!"
Lisa (laughing heartily): "And just a little north of here, there's a small race that looks human. They live quietly, keeping to themselves. I can't help but wonder what they're like."
Merslin (nodding thoughtfully): "A High Elf and a small hidden race… I had no idea Celesta contained so many secrets. We've only just scratched the surface of this continent."
Elena (eyes sparkling): "And that's not all. The battle between the Primordial Gods and the Titans that Balrog mentioned—that legend has been passed down for generations. Their clash reshaped the very landscape of Celesta, and the remnants of that battle still exist today. Balrog also said that the reason the Primordial Gods were sealed away was because of that war."
Aria (her expression filled with doubt): "Wait a second, Elena. Are you saying the Primordial Gods are awakening? If their seals are truly breaking, what kind of danger does that pose for us?"
Elena (nodding solemnly): "That's exactly the issue. The Primordial Gods possessed unimaginable power, power so devastating that even the Titans feared them. The only reason they could be sealed away was due to the Titans' sacrifice. But the recent earthquakes and anomalies across the continent… they might be signs that the seals are weakening."
Merslin (deep in thought): "That means the troubles we've been facing aren't just coincidences. If the Primordial Gods are truly awakening, the remnants of their power could be destabilizing Celesta itself."
Serena (concerned): "No wonder Balrog's words didn't just sound like old myths. If the seals are truly breaking, we must find a way to control or reinforce them. Otherwise, this entire continent could be doomed."
Lisa (with firm determination): "Exactly. We need to find the traces they left behind and figure out if there's a way to either strengthen the seals or control their power. This legend is the key."
Elena (after a moment of thought): "And then there's the High Elf Balrog spoke of… If they awaken, they won't just be warriors—they may have fought against the Primordial Gods in the past. High Elves are far stronger than normal Elves, possessing extraordinary magical and combat abilities. They once fought alongside the Titans against the Primordial Gods. If they awaken, they could become a great force—but their power might also pose a threat to us."
Aria (curious): "Then are Elves and High Elves the same race? Why is there such a difference between them?"
Elena (carefully explaining): "Elves and High Elves were originally the same race. However, the High Elves pursued powerful magic and combat prowess, drifting away from the rest of the Elves. Through magic, they gained even greater strength, evolving into what we now call High Elves. Among them, some delved deeply into dark and blood magic, giving rise to the Blood Elves."
Lisa (surprised): "Blood Elves? That doesn't sound like they have much in common with regular Elves at all."
Elena (nodding seriously): "You're right. Blood Elves are the most dangerous of all. They embraced dark magic and blood rituals in pursuit of power, which transformed them drastically. They have formed their own society, separate from the Elves and High Elves. But if the Primordial Gods awaken, the Blood Elves may also rise—perhaps to claim that power for themselves."
Merslin (seriously contemplating): "That means the return of the Primordial Gods might be linked to the High Elves and the Blood Elves. They may become allies—or enemies—depending on their ambitions."
Serena (with determination): "We now know what we must do. Whether it's the High Elves or the Blood Elves, we must prevent them from reaching the power of the Primordial Gods. Their strength may be overwhelming, but we have to be ready to fight if it comes to that."
Aria (her voice resolute): "If we stand together, we can claim the legend for ourselves. We must uncover the secrets of Celesta and protect this continent."
Merslin, Lisa, Serena, Elena, and Aria shared their knowledge and formulated a plan for the journey ahead. With firm resolve, they set out to uncover the ancient secrets hidden within Celesta.
********
In Search of the Traces of the Small Race
Merslin and his companions set out on their journey using horses and a carriage, following Balrog's directions to find the small race he had spoken of. They headed north, navigating rugged terrain, but the vast and breathtaking landscapes of the Celesta continent welcomed them. Though their journey was exhausting, anticipation for new discoveries filled their hearts.
Merslin: "If the small race Balrog mentioned truly exists, I wonder what wisdom they possess. They might hold knowledge that could aid us on our journey."
Serena (smiling): "Exactly. And if they have fascinating artifacts, we might even learn from their technology. Such knowledge could be a great asset in our fight against the Primordial Gods."
After traveling for a couple of days, a small village appeared before them. It was a peaceful and quiet place, and the group hoped to gather valuable information there.
The villagers welcomed the travelers with warmth despite their unfamiliarity, and Merslin's group decided to rest while collecting information about the small race.
Lisa (asking the villagers): "Have you ever seen a small race or unique individuals around here? People who seem different from other villagers, maybe possessing strange artifacts?"
At first, the villagers seemed surprised by the question, but soon, some children excitedly began to talk about their encounters with such beings.
Child 1 (eyes shining): "I played with them in the forest! They're about our size but talk like grown-ups. They had all sorts of cool toys, but they never let us keep them."
Child 2 (nodding eagerly): "Yeah! They're really fast and laugh a lot. But they always disappear suddenly. That's why we go to the forest to try and find them!"
Hearing this, some of the older villagers nodded, recalling similar experiences from their youth.
Elder 1 (reminiscing): "When I was young, I saw those little people in the forest, too. The things they carried were truly mysterious. But as we grew up, those memories faded, and we dismissed them as just small wanderers or lost children."
Elder 2 (deep in thought): "I've never seen where they live, but there have always been stories of them appearing and disappearing within the forest. It's a mystery… If they really are a distinct race, there are surely many secrets we don't know."
With this, Merslin's group became convinced that the small race was not just a legend but a real, hidden people.
Merslin (determined): "Now we must find them in the forest. They could be invaluable to our journey. If the villagers' stories are true, then perhaps they're waiting for us to find them."
Elena (cautiously): "The forest is an unknown realm. We need to be careful about how we approach them. They might not welcome strangers, and they could even be hostile."
Serena (confidently): "True, but if we can communicate and befriend them, we might gain access to their wisdom and technology. They could even have knowledge of the legends of the Primordial Gods and Titans."
Aria (quietly resolving herself): "If we find them and earn their trust, they could hold the key to unlocking Celesta's greatest secrets."
With the knowledge gained from the village, Merslin and his companions set their sights on the forest, determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious small race.