Sora and Mina woke up and headed downstairs for breakfast. They were surprised to see Jax and Eva, as they never visited the general dining hall.
"If we're Royalty now, why do we have to come downstairs for breakfast?" Sora asked.
"Who cares? The food is always delicious and these things they call pancakes are so good," Mina said while grabbing a few more with tongs.
"You should eat up brother, today is a big day."
Jax and Eva made their way to sit with the twins and Mina felt slightly embarrassed at the amount of food she currently consumed.
"How are you two feeling? It's your first stealth preemptive strike as elves!" Jax said with a large smile.
"Don't get them too hyped up Jax, I'm sure they're doing just fine. Stefania and Xavier mentioned you saved the world during your era and defeated a great Demon King, sent by the god of Darkness," Eva said, curious to know more.
"We successfully avenged our parents, who died five years prior. We were in our last year of school when they died and only focused on training until that fateful day. We won the war, fell asleep, somehow passed away and woke up in 'World's Edge,' only to discover Vigor dumped his infinite reincarnations on us," Mina explained.
"Yup. Basically we succeed or reincarnate to a different quest. If we commit suicide, all progress and abilities are lost," Sora said, feeling slightly bad he lied about the reincarnation process.
"So how was the quest presented?" Jax asked.
"We had three options. We chose this one. It's our first quest," Mina said.
"Well, I hope when elves reach prosperity Chronos lets you stay around to ensure we stay equals. It would be a shame if you left and humans reconquered our lands," Eva said.
"Yes, we hope that too. We would like to live long, healthy lives here before passing on," the twins stated.
<><><><>
After breakfast, the twins returned to their rooms, where Stefania and Xavier stood.
"I hope you slept and ate well. The entirety of the troops will start our underground trek, staggering the departures, starting at noon. Our group will leave last, around 4 PM. Once there, get settled into your living quarters. You will be staying with myself and Stefania, as our architects designed a special room for the four of us, as well as a special room for Jax and Eva," Xavier explained.
"Should we wear our battle gear or bring it with us?" Mina asked.
"We left Royal luggage in your room. I'm sorry we're always entering without permission. There are cases for your swords, shield, armor set, cloak, longswords, bow and spear. They're special pieces of luggage, infused with elven magic to allow all your items to fit neatly, despite the smaller size of the luggage," Stefania said, smiling at Sora.
"Sora, will you please come with me? My Father wishes to speak to you," Xavier said.
"Sure, but why me?"
"You'll know soon enough, let's be off."
Sora followed Xavier and the two talked strategy until they arrived at the King and Queens quarters.
Meanwhile, back in the twins room, Mina received the hint and asked Stefania if she would help her pack.
Stefania happily agreed and Mina's thoughts ran wild as she wasn't sure how to phrase what she wanted to say.
"Everything ok Mina? You don't typically look nervous."
"Well, it's about what your Father told me last night. I know we're on the eve of battle, but he asked me to inform you that your Mother and Father acknowledge and accept Sora as a suitor and encourage him to court you."
"Really?! This is embarrassing, I'm sorry my Father made you their messenger. I wish they'd talk to me more as their daughter and not a Princess."
"Don't be embarrassed. When we were humans, neither of us had time for love. As soon as we avenged our parents and defeated the Demon King, we passed away at midnight and met Chronos. We were given three options and chose this one!"
"So he's never been with a woman before?"
"I don't even think he's kissed someone, not that I can say I have either," Mina said with a laugh.
"So you haven't kissed a woman either? What about a man?" Stefania teased.
"I meant a man, but neither!" Mina said with a flushed face.
"So that's why Xavier took Sora out of here. Thanks for telling me and you can tell your brother I'm interested but to wait until after we take MeadowSong back."
<><><><>
Meanwhile, Xavier and Sora arrived in the throne room and Luther stood up, giving Sora a firm handshake. Sora thought his hand was going to break, but ensured his grip remained strong.
"Sora, my wife and I have a gift for you."
The Queen pulled out an amulet and a cloak, and encouraged Sora to come over to her so she could tie on the amulet.
"This is the Royal Amulet of the Fang family, which acknowledges a suitor for the Princess, who received our blessing."
Sora, beat red in the face and sweating, turned toward Xavier, who gave him a nod and thumbs up.
"Thank you so much, it's absolutely beautiful. Did we make it that obvious?"
The three started laughing, and Sora smiled and held onto the amulet with pride.
"The cloak goes over your royal tunic for formal events, and when you are out and about in the villages. Our daughter loves going out and interacting with people, and you should too, especially if we reacquire MeadowSong."
"I can't thank you enough. In my human life, I lived 23 years and never kissed a woman. Please know that I will honor and cherish her."
"We know and thank you. Now, I believe you have preparations to make."
With a polite bow and a goodbye, Sora returned to his room.
"Ding! You've received a treasured amulet and cloak of the Fang Family. New quest received: Court the Princess. Reward: Unknown."
"Mina's never gonna let me live this down. She can see it in our ChronoQuest system!"
<><><><>
"Nice amulet and cloak, I take it the meeting went well?" Mina said with a laugh.
"Yes, it did. Where's Stefania?"
"Making preparations for battle. She said lunch delivery comes at 1 PM, which is right about now."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Sora opened the door and thanked the elves who brought the food.
They ate quickly, drank plenty of water and around 3:30, they headed to the stables to pick up Blaze and Aeris.
Carrots in hand, they each fed their horses treats while petting them and telling them how good they were.
"Ah, excellent, you're here. Let us begin our travels."
Mina and Xavier trotted 50 feet ahead, leaving space for Sora and Stefania to talk.
"So, after this battle is over, maybe you and I could have dinner?" Sora plucked up the courage to ask.
"That would be lovely. I like your amulet. It makes me happy my parents approve," Stefania said, holding out her hand for Sora to hold.
The two held hands while riding their horses, talking about life, hobbies, and love until they finally arrived at their living quarters.
Jax and Eva met up with the group, ensuring the initial stealth force was ready.
Xavier went from living quarter to living quarter, as nearly 15,000 elves were hidden, right below the belly of the beast.
He gave a grand speech about bravery, showing no mercy and working together and sticking toward the common goal. He also mentioned that although some may perish, they will live on in memory and rest peacefully in the afterlife. He encouraged everyone to get some sleep, because at 4 am, they make their first strike.
<><><><>
3:30 AM quickly arrived. Jax, dressed in all black, much like the stealth fighting squad, huddled with his group, stating the catapults must be destroyed first.
Eva, in an area about two miles north of Jax, instructed the magical stealth force to build ladders for the fighting force, cast sprout, the spell the created venomous plants that shot enemies with deadly poison, entanglement and 'fog.' another plant based spell that produced spores, making it difficult for humans to see.
"When a fiery arrow is shot into the sky, each team of 2,000 will send 1,500 troops through the opening in the walls we create, as well as the Kingdom's grand gate. 5,000 elves standby below the interior of the castle. The Royal Guard, accompanied by 1,000 elves at the Grand Gate ensure no one leaves or signals for backup," Xavier told the group.
Because the Kingdom of MeadowSong spanned around 100 miles, each group began marching to their respective sides of the underground. One member on each side opened a small hole in the Earth to walk through, waiting for the fiery arrow. Once the arrow grazed the sky, the troops would storm up the incline and storm the castle.
<><><><>
Jax and Eva each made an opening in the Kingdoms interior, slowly climbing out, trying to remain unseen.
They started filing members out one by one, and the Magic team got to work.
Unfortunately, the Kingdom was very well lit, even at 4 am, and as the last members of each special stealth force stood inside the Kingdom, they could hear the sound of a giant boulder heading their way. Fortunately the boulder missed, and Eva quickly used entanglement on the catapult, crushing it to pieces.
'A-WOOOOOOOOOOOO'
One of the humans blew a Viking bullhorn and screamed "ENEMIES HAVE BREACHED OUR INTERIOR. PREPARE FOR BATTLE."
"Shit, our cover is blown, we must improvise. Scouts, hurry to the groups and get them outside and charge the walls. Sora, Mina, please go blast holes in the walls on each side of the outskirts. Stefania and I will take our group to the center gate. Meet us there," Xavier said.
Everyone was off. The element of surprise was gone, but the spirit of the elves remained steadfast.