Following the coronation ceremony, Merslin and his companions received special permission from King Alexander to visit a long-forbidden site—one that held the ancient secrets of the Kingdom of Altekhna. Hidden deep within sacred grounds, this place safeguarded relics from the age of the Ancients. Among them was a massive disc-like artifact, inscribed with cryptic symbols and forgotten language.
Merslin quickly surmised that this wasn't merely ceremonial—it resembled a storage device containing vast knowledge. Yet no tool existed to decipher its contents. Though frustrated, he studied the artifact closely and explained its potential importance to King Alexander.
Impressed and concerned, Alexander agreed to allocate the kingdom's best scholars and mages to assist in the research. With the king's full support, Merslin and his allies prepared once more to confront the kingdom's buried past.
Their investigation of the relic led the group to a bold new decision: they would venture to the mythical Forest of the High Elves—a place whispered of in legends, said to house the wisdom and power of the Ancients. Guided by a faint yet undeniable connection sensed through the artifact, Merslin believed this journey would not be just an exploration, but a turning point in the kingdom's fate.
With heartfelt farewells, the party set off from Altekhna under Alexander's blessing, embarking on a new chapter of their quest. The Forest of the High Elves, shrouded in mystery for centuries and hidden from outsiders, was said to hold the answers they needed.
Now, Merslin and his companions moved forward once again—determined to unravel the past, protect the future, and chart a new course for the kingdom.
***
The Legend of the High Elf Forest and Meeting Lydia
Departing from Altekhna, Merslin and his companions pressed onward in search of the legendary High Elf Forest. Deep within the mountains, they finally reached its outskirts—only to be stopped by a powerful magical barrier. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't pass through.
Elena studied the shimmering boundary, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "This must be it… the Forest of the High Elves. But this barrier—it's not something we can break through easily."
Merslin nodded grimly, glancing at his team. "We'll need another way. Let's retreat to the nearby village and rethink our approach."
Disheartened, the group made their way back to a small village nestled at the foot of the mountain. Taking refuge in the village's only tavern, they gathered around a table, nursing their exhaustion and frustration.
Then, the tavern door creaked open.
A woman stepped inside. With crimson hair and pointed ears, she exuded grace and power. The moment she entered, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned to her as she scanned the room—and then walked directly toward Merslin's group.
"So, you're Merslin's party," she said. Her voice carried both confidence and curiosity. "I've heard stories about you. My brother spoke of your deeds quite often."
Before Merslin could respond, Serena—ever the spirited one—leaned forward. "Your brother talked about us? Then I bet you know a lot. But how'd you recognize us?"
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "You spotted us at a glance? That's impressive."
The woman smiled. "I'm Lydia, Princess of the Blood Elves. My brother told me how you broke a demon's pact. After hearing about your adventures, I came here in search of the same legend—the one hidden in the Forest of the High Elves."
Merslin gave a warm nod. "It's a pleasure. If your brother vouched for us, then we're glad to meet you."
Elena stepped forward with grace and bowed slightly. "An honor to meet the Princess of the Blood Elves. Forgive us if we've failed to show proper respect."
Lydia raised a hand with a playful smirk. "No need for formalities, Elena. I'm just happy to meet potential allies. Let's keep things simple between us."
Momentarily caught off-guard, Elena soon smiled and nodded. "Understood, Lydia. As you wish."
Lydia continued, "I came here to seek the truth behind the High Elf legends. The forest may hold ancient secrets—ones worth uncovering. From what I gather, you're after the same thing?"
Merslin leaned in with interest. "Exactly. We've come all this way to find it. But unfortunately, we can't get in."
Lisa added, "It's strange, running into someone with the same goal. Feels like fate."
Lydia's smile widened. "Then how about we work together? We might achieve more as a team."
Serena clapped her hands eagerly. "Yes! It'll be way more fun with you on board."
Merslin nodded in agreement. "With you, we'll be even stronger."
And so, Lydia joined Merslin's party. With a new ally by their side, their quest to uncover the secrets of the High Elf Forest began anew—now brighter, deeper, and more dangerous than ever before.
***
The Ancient Waypoint and the Unexpected Transport
After reaching the outskirts of the High Elf Forest, Merslin's party began searching for an ancient waypoint believed to be hidden nearby. According to legend, the forest—sacred and sealed off for centuries—was likely to hold one of the ancient waypoints, and restoring it might unveil the secrets buried deep within.
"There could definitely be a waypoint here," Elena said, scanning the forest with her keen magical senses. "But if it's been abandoned this long, it's probably in a badly damaged state."
Merslin nodded. "Just like the others we've found. Let's locate it and try to restore it."
Their search took them deep into the forest, where they finally discovered a half-buried, fractured stone structure covered in vines and moss. It was unmistakably a waypoint—ancient, eroded, and dormant.
"This one looks incredibly old. I'll see if I can restore its magical circuits," Elena said, kneeling beside the relic.
"I'll help," Serena offered, her gaze scanning the treeline. "And I'll keep watch in case anything—or anyone—comes too close."
Together, Elena and Serena began the restoration. Elena focused intently on the rune circuits, while Serena stayed alert, sensing for disturbances in the ambient magic.
"This section's unstable... We'll need to be extra careful here," Elena muttered as her fingers glowed with faint arcane light.
But just as the restoration neared completion, the waypoint surged to life. A sudden, brilliant burst of light erupted, and the magic flared out of control. Elena cried out, "Serena, get back—!"
Too late.
The two were instantly swallowed by the blinding light—and vanished without a trace.
Merslin and the others rushed to the site in alarm. "Elena! Serena!" he shouted, but only his echo answered him. The forest had fallen into an unnatural stillness.
Lisa, visibly shaken, turned to Merslin. "What do we do? Will they be okay? Can they come back?"
Aria stepped forward, casting a powerful tracking spell. Sweat beaded on her brow as she focused, but her magic yielded nothing.
"I can't sense them… They're too far. Wherever they are, it's beyond this continent—maybe even another realm."
Merslin exhaled slowly, suppressing the panic rising within him. "The waypoint clearly malfunctioned. I suspect they were transported—possibly to the continent of Luminaria. We can't know for sure. Right now, we have two choices. We wait and hope for their safe return... or we keep moving forward with what needs to be done."
Lydia, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. Her expression was calm, but her eyes showed genuine concern.
"Merslin, I'll help you. We need to stay focused and do everything we can—so when they return, they'll have something worth coming back to."
Merslin met her gaze and saw her sincerity. "Thank you, Lydia. Your knowledge and experience will be invaluable. We're shaken, but not broken. And with your help, we'll keep going."
Lisa nodded in agreement. "With you by our side, we're stronger. We need to hold together until Elena and Serena return."
Aria added softly, "We can't afford to stop. We must keep unraveling the secrets of this forest—and prepare for the moment they return."
Lydia smiled. "Together, we can overcome anything. Let's solve the mysteries of the High Elf Forest—and be ready for them."
Merslin took a deep breath and gave his final word. "Then let's move. Lydia, you'll join us as we investigate the forest's boundaries once more."
Lydia nodded. "Yes. Let's uncover this forest's secrets—together."