Before entering the forest of the High Elves, Merslin and his companions were making their final preparations. The night sky was filled with starlight, and a calm stillness surrounded them. Idanna sat by a small campfire with Merslin, Lydia, Lisa, and Aria. Before them lay a great trial they would soon face together.
As the flames flickered gently, Idanna spoke with a heavy heart.
"Before we enter the High Elf Forest, there's something I must share. Long ago, as a High Elf, I made a choice—one I believed was the only way to save our people. I acted with good intentions. But over time, I've come to realize that good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes."
There was a deep sorrow in her voice, and the group listened in silence.
"The line between good and evil… it's more fragile than we think. What I believed was the right path didn't lead everyone to safety. I didn't know it then, but I feel the weight of that price every day now."
Lydia's eyes flickered with memories long buried. After a moment of silence, she quietly asked:
"Do you understand how much pain your choice brought upon the Blood Elves? It was your decision that led us to forge a pact with demons. You may have believed it was good, but for us, it ushered in darkness."
Idanna met Lydia's gaze and nodded slowly.
"Yes, Lydia. I thought I was doing the right thing. But that choice… it chained your people to a fate they never asked for. If not for that pact, perhaps the Blood Elves wouldn't have suffered as they did. But... was there truly another way? I believed, back then, there wasn't."
Merslin spoke gently, trying to understand her burden.
"You did your best, Idanna. None of us always make the right decisions. What matters is what we choose now—and whether we accept the consequences."
Idanna gave a bittersweet smile.
"That's why this time, I must tread more carefully. I won't repeat my mistakes. The road ahead isn't black or white—and I know we'll face more than one impossible choice."
She paused, then continued with a story.
"Even the leader of the Shadowkin once began with noble intent. He sought strength to protect his people. They called him a hero. But the power he gained slowly devoured him from within. Eventually, he turned on those he swore to protect. That strength he once believed in… destroyed him."
Lisa nodded solemnly.
"Power often starts with good reasons, but resisting corruption is the real battle. The Shadowkin leader lost himself chasing that strength."
Aria added softly:
"Then we'll have to watch each other carefully. When the time comes to wield power, we must make sure it doesn't twist us."
Idanna straightened up, her resolve returning.
"You're right. We walk this road together. And on this path, we must guard each other from falling into darkness."
Merslin nodded in agreement.
"We're with you, Idanna. We'll make sure this time, the power we wield serves good. Whatever truths await us in that forest… we'll face them together."
As the group stood, Idanna rose with them. Though the weight of her past still lingered, she was ready to bear it.
"Now, let's go find the truth. The forest holds it—and whatever it may be, we won't turn away."
They approached the forest's sealed gate. As Idanna raised her hand, ancient magic shimmered at her fingertips. The barrier that had long sealed the forest began to unravel.
The forest greeted them with eerie majesty. Ancient trees stretched to the sky, filtering in faint beams of light. The air pulsed with an unsettling, mystical energy.
"This forest remembers me," Idanna whispered. "I don't know what it will feel from me… but we must press on."
Deep within the forest, wind rustled the trees and stirred Idanna's old thoughts. She murmured to herself:
"Was I right to choose that power? I wanted to save everyone… but at what cost? Did my choice protect lives—or doom them?"
She touched the bark of a tree with reverent fingertips.
"That power… it led to the Blood Elves making a pact with demons. Without it, perhaps they would've known peace. But could I have chosen differently?"
When the High Elves resolved to enter the Deep Sleep, Idanna tried to open another path. But was that choice what pushed them deeper into shadow?
She stood, questioning herself—whether to use that power again. She knew it might be the only way to lift the forest's curse. But fear lingered.
"If I don't use it… Merslin, Lydia, this world… they may be lost. But if I do, will I repeat my mistakes?"
Haunted by the past, she faced the truth: she must act.
At the heart of the forest, before her companions, she made her vow.
"Merslin… I made a terrible mistake. I tried to save everyone, and people suffered for it. If I choose to use this power again, it will come at a price. But I must succeed this time. For you—for all of us—I swear I'll see it through."
Merslin nodded, firm and calm.
"We'll be at your side, Idanna. And this time, we'll face the darkness together."
With that, Idanna began to awaken the ancient power within her. This time, she was ready—not only to use it, but to bear whatever price it demanded.
***
Episode: Into the Ancient Sleep
Having reached the heart of the High Elf forest, Merslin and his companions stood before the sacred site where the Ancient Sleep had been sealed. Idanna prepared her ancient spell to break the seal and turned to Merslin and Lydia.
"Merslin, Lydia… While I enter the Ancient Sleep to unseal the force within, I'll need your magical support. That place will test my mind and soul. Lisa, as our warrior, you must be the last line of defense. The rest of you—stay vigilant and guard this place."
Lisa gripped her sword firmly and replied with resolve, "Don't worry, Idanna. I'll protect this place. Whatever threat approaches, I'll stop it. Focus on your mission."
Merslin and Lydia joined hands with Idanna, forming a protective magical barrier to ensure her safe return. Lisa stood guard, blade drawn, while Aria quietly sensed the surrounding energies, preparing for Idanna's return.
Idanna finally closed her eyes and entered the realm of the Ancient Sleep, her spirit crossing into a space where time stood still and the air shimmered with forgotten power.
In that realm, where reality faded and only spirit remained, she found herself surrounded by silence and soft light. It was a dimension beyond time—a place suspended between memory and destiny.
The first figure she encountered was Queen Elissar of the High Elves. Her presence radiated wisdom and sorrow. Elissar's eyes widened in mixed recognition and confusion.
"Idanna… It's really you," she whispered. "I never imagined we would meet again. But why are you here?"
"I've come to break the seal and save our people," Idanna replied. "This time, I intend to walk the right path and atone for the mistakes of the past."
Elissar studied her quietly, then sighed. "Be careful, Idanna. This place is not what it once was. I'll be watching."
Idanna pressed onward. Soon, she faced another figure—Marlion, once a calm and wise High Elf mage, now shaken and intense.
"You came back… You fool! You're going to use that power again? That power doomed us!" he cried.
Idanna stepped back in shock. "Marlion, what happened to you? Why are you saying this?"
"You don't understand! Your choices threw us into darkness. That power will destroy us again!"
Despite his fury, Idanna sensed something was wrong—his words were laced with confusion, like a soul twisted by years of unrest. "You're not yourself, are you? Has this place… changed you?"
Marlion hesitated, briefly showing vulnerability before vanishing with a final warning: "You will pay the price, Idanna. Beware."
Meanwhile, in the waking world, tension mounted. Lisa stood on alert, Merslin and Lydia fortified the barrier, and Aria's senses tingled with impending danger.
Lisa suddenly spoke. "Something's coming. We must protect Idanna."
Dark energy stirred the forest. Merslin amplified the shield. "Everyone, be ready!"
As Lisa stepped forward, ready to defend, Idanna in the dream realm met her final reflection—her younger self.
"I wanted to save everyone," said the younger Idanna, voice trembling.
"We did our best," the present Idanna replied softly. "But now we must own the consequences. I won't reject who I was—but I'll ensure that this time, our choice brings healing."
Her younger self nodded. "Then don't forget me. Let me be your reminder."
With that, the vision faded.
Awakened and transformed, Idanna summoned the ancient power. With Merslin and Lydia channeling energy beside her, the seal was undone. The forest stirred as if waking from a centuries-long slumber.
Lisa held the line, blade gleaming under the starlit canopy. As the forest breathed once more, Idanna exhaled deeply—her mission complete, her resolve unshaken