Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The Elvin Town.

Council Of Elders.

Inside the grove, the council sat in a circle around the shimmering Pond of Visions, its surface as still as glass. The water within the pond reflected more than just the forest—it showed the ongoing trials taking place within its heart. The images rippled faintly, revealing figures moving through the dense woods.

The elders observed in silence, their expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism. Among them was Ethranel, the elder with his iconic long, flowing beard and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. His gaze lingered on the intruders—humans, some cloaked in black, and others disguised poorly enough to offend even the least discerning eye.

Finally, Ethranel scoffed and broke the silence, his voice deep and laced with disdain. "I told you, there was no need to worry. Even if that human boy's words were true, there is nothing to fear."

The others exchanged glances but said nothing, their gazes briefly returning to the pond.

"Look at them," Ethranel continued, gesturing to the images in the water. "Children. They're just children with no real power."

A few elders nodded in agreement, while others remained quiet, their expressions contemplative. The pond's visions didn't lie—indeed, the intruders appeared to be no older than the young Elvins themselves.

But, Ethranel was ignoring the fact they infiltrating the forest and their kin without them knowing. If that human boy didn't tell them anything, they would have likely missed it.

Although there was one individual who would warn them regardless.

"Hmmm..."

Ethranel's sharp eyes gleamed with sudden inspiration. "Why don't we let our youngsters handle them?" he suggested with a sly grin. "It's simple enough. We use the wind to notify them, and we inform the Queen of Nature about the situation. Let the nature decide their fate."

His words hung in the air like a challenge, and hesitation spread across the circle. The other elders glanced at one another, then toward their leader—a regal Elvin woman with eyes as ancient as the forest itself. Her expression was unreadable as she stared into the pond, her thoughts clearly weighing heavy.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a voice echoed through the sacred grove, serene yet commanding.

"You don't have to tell me anything."

The elders froze, their eyes widening in recognition of the voice. As one, they turned toward the grove's entrance.

Hovering above the soft grass, her figure bathed in an ethereal green glow, was the Queen of Nature. She walked through the air as if it were solid ground, each step radiating power and grace.

The elders immediately stood and bowed their heads in reverence, their voices unified as they greeted her.

"Mother of Nature!"

"Rise," she commanded softly, her voice like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze.

The elders obeyed, lifting their heads as she descended gracefully onto the flower-covered floor. She looked at each of them in turn, her gaze calm and gentle, before settling herself on an open space in their circle.

The elders sat down again on their flower mattresses, the atmosphere in the grove heavy with anticipation.

"Let's go along with this child's words," She said. "We will let the children deal with them, they need to experience real threats and battles after all. So, this will serve as a good opportunity."

Ethranel's eyes lit up at her supporting words. His lips curled up in satisfaction.

Their leader noticed her husband's expression and shook his head, thinking his mind would get clouded when it involved invaders.

Because, if the Queen of Nature has come to visit on her own, there must be a valid reason to do so.

She didn't come for such simple reasons.

Then, she turned her head toward their Mother, only to see her looking at her with a gentle knowing smile. She was startled for a moment but quickly hid it.

Their Mother really knew everything.

'She wants me to ask it...'

"Mother, we will do as you said." She said, her expression becoming solemn. "But, is there anything else we need to be aware of? You don't use your 'spirit' unless it's something important."

"Hehe, that's why I chose you as the leader." The Queen of Nature's smile shifted, soft yet laced with a mischievous glint—like that of a mother who knew more than she let on. It was a rare expression, one that the elders had learned to recognize as both comforting and unsettling.

But in an instant, her demeanor changed. The mischievous light faded, replaced by a solemn air that made the grove feel colder, the magic in the air tightening around them. Her gaze swept across the circle of elders, her tone heavy with warning.

"Our forest," she said, her voice quiet yet resonating with unyielding authority, "is in danger."

The elders froze. Confusion and shock rippled through their expressions, and the air seemed to hold its breath.

"What do you mean, Mother?" Ethranel was the first to break the silence, his sharp tone laced with worry. He leaned forward, his long beard grazing the flower-covered floor.

The Queen looked at him, her ethereal glow dimming ever so slightly. "As you can see, I am here with my 'spirit,' not my true body," she explained. Her words hung heavily in the air, and the elders exchanged uneasy glances.

"And why is that, Mother?" their leader asked cautiously, her calm voice masking the rising tension she felt.

"It is because I am being watched," the Queen replied, her tone as still as the pond yet filled with a gravity that sent shivers through the elders.

"Who would dare to watch you, Mother?" one of the elders asked, their voice tinged with anger. Another elder slammed a hand on their thigh. "We should find them and fight them! How dare anyone—"

"Enough," the leader interrupted, raising a hand. Her eyes, filled with both concern and respect, met the Queen's gaze. "Let our Mother finish."

The Queen inclined her head slightly in gratitude before continuing. "The one who watches me is powerful—strong enough to evade my notice at first, yet not strong enough to defeat me. But…" Her gaze darkened, her voice lowering. "What makes this dangerous is their position. They are not in this world."

The council's collective confusion deepened. Ethranel frowned, stroking his beard in thought. "You mean they're… from another world? Are they the ones who kidnapped our grandson?"

"Hmm... Most likely... But..."

The leader of the council, whose calm had thus far steadied the others, now wore a pensive expression. "You're saying you don't know who they actually are or their intentions?"

The Queen remained silent for a long moment, her gaze distant, as if weighing her next words.

Finally, she broke the silence. "No..."