Curiosity of God

Darak fixes his sad gaze on Ilina. 

"Ilina...dear...I'm sorry. I sincerely thought that once the nobles knew about Mizuki's ability to give you a high elf heir, and that he can't die of old age, they'd change their minds. It's why your mother and I haven't spoken up, but...if Tessa and presumably Jorah still oppose your marriage, I don't know what hope you have of rallying the people to your side.

"You know we want to support you, but we also have an obligation to not throw our kingdom into chaos. Now that you've seen what you're dealing with, is there any compromise we can reach? Perhaps a secret but still royally sanctioned marriage? I just...I can't stand the thought of you actually leaving us..." (Dargo)

To his great confusion, Ilina's grin only grows wider. However, the exchange is quickly interrupted by three people squealing in unison. 

"Wait!? You mean all that stuff about Mizuki was true!?" (Darak/Helena/Tessa)

The shock of the interjection stuns Dargo out of his misery, and he stares at the three nobles in bewilderment. At the same time, Tessa glances at Helena and Darak, clearly surprised by their synchronized response. Then, she immediately turns towards me, her voice and expression incredulous. 

"How is it possible for you to not age, and to have a high elf child with Ilina?" (Tessa)

Instead of responding, I look to Ilina for direction. As if expecting it, she's already looking at me with an encouraging smile. She nods at me approvingly.

"I've heard enough now to be sure, Mizuki. Please tell them all the truth. It will address Tessa's concerns about our marriage and put my dad's mind at ease." (Ilina)

Her comment is enough to draw everyone's attention, even Elira's and Dargo's. Elira narrows her eyes in annoyance. 

"Mizuki, when she says the truth, does she mean something that even her father and I don't know? Because I can't think of anything else about you that hasn't been shared yet. Quite frankly, I'm not sure I can handle any more of your surprises today, Ilina." (Elira)

I scratch my cheek nervously while avoiding her gaze. 

"Uhm...yes, actually. Sorry, Queen Elira. If you recall, back when you first learned about how strong I am, you asked me the secret behind my strength and I refused to answer you. That secret is the one that Ilina is referring to." (Mizuki)

"It's like he says, Mo-...my Queen. I'm sorry for keeping it from you, but I promise it's the last thing you don't know about him. If it's any consolation, barely anyone knows. First he told Nina, then Alto, then me, back before I invited him to our country. Zara and Alara learned about it only recently. Nobody else knows, not even Cara. Also, you'll appreciate this revelation...so no need to worry." (Ilina)

Elira's and Dargo's eyes snap wide open, and Elira's voice becomes a bit friendlier. 

"Okay, color me intrigued. What don't we know?" (Elira)

Tessa narrows her eyes at Ilina, her tone clearly skeptical. 

"Yes, please enlighten us. I can't imagine anything that would change my mind." (Tessa)

Cara grumbles her assent indignantly, her voice soft and cheeks puffed out in annoyance. 

"I second that. I'd like to know what was so important you couldn't trust me with it, Mizuki!" (Cara)

Helena rolls her eyes, her voice impatient. 

"Alright, we get it, everyone is curious! Out with the damn news, Mizuki!" (Helena)

I chuckle and rub my forehead in amusement as I throw a glance at Helena, but Ilina chimes in before I can answer. 

"Mizuki isn't human. That's why he won't age, why he's so powerful, and why his magic is so...strange. That's also why Tessa's concerns won't be an issue...we have no bad blood with his race." (Ilina)

Everyone's eyes go wide in surprise, and I'm expecting another long silence, but Dargo is surprisingly quick to speak up. His expression is twisted in genuine confusion as he addresses me. 

"Mizuki, we explicitly asked you if you were inhuman. I was quite adamant about it, in fact. You insisted that you were, and I honestly believed you. Why would you lie about that?" (Dargo)

His tone hints at him being a touch hurt by the perceived deception, and Elira seems to feel similarly, her tone rich with annoyance. 

"Those are my thoughts exactly, dear. Why did you hide this from us, Mizuki? Honestly, you masquerading as a human has only been a hassle within our borders." (Elira)

I can't help but be a bit annoyed and disappointed in their responses. They didn't even hesitate to discard the idea that I was human. No doubt at all. Honestly, I was hoping for more skepticism from them after my friends insisted last night that nobody who knows about my power considers me to be human.

I guess this is just two or more additional examples of that...

Putting aside my ancillary concern to focus on Dargo's and Elira's feelings of betrayal, I raise my hands in a conciliatory gesture. My voice becomes a bit higher pitched. 

"Woah, woah, it's not like that, I swear! I didn't think I was lying to you at the time. Or at least, not entirely. The humans I've met on Azura all seemed similar to me physically, except for their eyes, lifespan, and lesser magical abilities, so I still thought that I was human...more or less.

"In retrospect, that was probably an oversimplification on my part. After all, if I make your ears less pointy and shorten your lifespan, elves would be indistinguishable from your human ancestors. Eye color and magical power level aren't less significant differences, so it's fair to say that your people may be more human than I am." (Mizuki)

My comment is quickly met by several surprised or angry questions around the room, not limited to the nobles. All of them sharing some variation of Tessa's thoughts.

"Perhaps I misunderstood you, Mizuki. But did you just imply that we are somehow related to those despicable humans!?" (Tessa)

Ah fuck...me and my mouth.

I let out a deep sigh and scratch the back of my head thoughtfully, noting that Ilina and Alto are shaking their heads in exasperation at my slip up. I shrug and decide to direct a deadpan expression at Tessa and just respond matter-of-factly. 

"I'm sorry if that offends you, but...yes. I'd say that's all but guaranteed. I forgot that your people probably aren't aware of that...Alara, Alto, and Ilina where surprised when I told them as well. Here's the deal..." (Mizuki)

I quickly give them the same justification that I went through with my friends last night at our house. I remind them of the origin of the Elder Dragons, and how the gods have a penchant for tinkering with existing lifeforms. Then, Nina and Zara help me explain to everyone how Elder Dragons and elves can have children with humans, but dwarves and demi-humans cannot.

Finally, Nina and I explain how strangely binary the offspring of elves and humans are, and the implications of that with respect to elves being derived from humans. It's a bit difficult without Earth's knowledge of genetics, but they seem to have a general recognition of inheritance patterns, so we manage to convey our reasoning. 

When I'm done explaining my theory about how Nedilir probably created elves from humans on their home world, some are lost in contemplation, like Helena and Dargo, while others are borderline despondent, like Tessa. I'm sure that if Jorah had regained consciousness already, he'd just faint again. Judging by Zakariah's worried glancing at his father after the revelation, I'm guessing he agrees. 

"This is...too much. I'm not sure what we should do with this information..." (Dargo)

"I understand what you mean...this would change our entire world view. Is there any way to confirm this?" (Helena)

Helena's question seems to be to everyone, but she's glancing between me, Dargo, and Helena. I've, of course, considered her question before. If I could do whole genome sequencing and alignment for a dozen elves, humans, and wolf-kin, then Nina and myself, we'd have the answer to our question. 

However, I don't have the means for that. I can use magic to isolate the DNA samples, and I even have a method in mind to generate sequence information output. However, I have no way to record that absurd amount of information, nor to process it and perform a sequence alignment. For those steps, I'd need photodetectors and high-performance computers from Earth. 

Alas, before anyone can answer Helena or I can have an epiphany on the subject, Ilina interjects. 

"I can understand that you all need time to digest this information, but let's put it aside for now. You may recall that we were having an important discussion about Mizuki, and we've gotten off-topic." (Ilina)

Ilina fixes me with an admonishing glare as she says the last part, and I give her a sheepish smile. Thankfully, Darak pipes up and saves me. 

"Princess Ilina is right, this discussion can wait. For now, I'm also curious about Mizuki's other comments. Mizuki, I'm actually inclined to agree with your previous assumption. Out of all the races on Azura, humans are most similar to you. So why are you sure that you're not human?

"More importantly, I'm confused how you could be so unsure about your race in the first place. Your race is determined by your parents, regardless of how much of an anomaly you may be compared to them. At the risk of prying into your personal life – do you not know your parents, or at least their races?" (Darak)

I see Elira nod approvingly as Darak continues to study my reaction. 

"Agreed. Your alleged confusion over your race makes no sense, Mizuki." (Elira)

I scratch the back of my head as I try to collect my thoughts. After a few seconds, I let out a deep sigh and nod. 

"Yeah, that's the part that I was hiding from you when we first spoke. I don't know how else to say this, so I'll just be blunt. I wasn't born on Azura. To be more specific, as of a year ago, I was living my life on a completely different planet from you. That is, until I was brought here by Azazel, just like your ancestors were dozens of millennia ago.

"That's the reason for my initial confusion. I know who my parents are, and I was never some kind of anomaly. It's just that, while the humans of this planet look similar enough to me for us to pass for the same race, we are quite literally worlds apart." (Mizuki)

Shocked silence descends over the group as I take in their incredulous expressions for several moments. Eventually, I hear Cara's voice, overcome with disbelief. 

"So you're...an alien? Seriously?" (Cara)

Her amber eyes are studying me with newfound curiosity, and perhaps a trace of concern. I raise my eyebrows, and I can't help but chuckle out loud at the experience of hearing that term applied to me.

I give her a small smile and nod. It's time to really blow their minds...gotta sell this inhuman narrative, after all. 

"Yes, I suppose that's accurate. And, all the novel things I've introduced to your country are inspired by things from my home planet. All the games flooding Eden, the MMCs, and even the trains. Although, they are admittedly poor imitations. For example, only a fraction of people have enough magic power to operate my trains, but those on my home planet could be operated by any elf in your entire country. 

"You see, my planet is drastically more advanced than yours, and as I said, I'm nothing special by their standards. In addition, despite what you may assume since I won't age, I'm quite young still. Me fully replicating the things from my planet would be like a twenty years old elf at the Elven Magic Academy being able to recite all the information in the royal library. It's simply laughable. 

"What you've seen me create is just a fraction of what my people have achieved. They have items that can fly hundreds of people through the air faster than my trains, others that can destroy entire countries in a flash of light, those that can solve more math problems in a moment than your entire academy can in a year, and even some that can carry my people to other planets." (Mizuki)

At this point, I'm unsurprised but definitely amused by the sight of every royal and noble except Alara and Ilina staring at me with their mouths wide open. Deserved or not, I'm experiencing a rare moment of pride about Earthlings. 

Eventually, Tessa breaks the silence. 

"You're telling me that, not only are your people that much more advanced than us, but you also don't stick out at all among them? Someone like you is...ordinary?" (Tessa)

I turn towards her and see her grey eyes studying me incredulously. Truthfully, it's a little misleading to say I was ordinary. While I certainly wasn't a genius, just a guy with a great memory and above-average intelligence, getting a college degree in physics still isn't easy. But this is the perfect time to really set my people apart from Azura's humans. 

So, I just smile and nod at Tessa.

"That's exactly right. Both physically and intellectually...ordinary. Speaking of which, when I told some of you that my eyes are green because of my connection with Nina, that was a lie to cover my ass. I was born with them. Blue and green eyes are quite common for my people, unlike with the humans here." (Mizuki)

Helena snorts. 

"Well then I think it's pretty fucking safe to assume that your people are not human. Which begs the question, what the hell are you, exactly?" (Helena)

Jackpot. I've already thought about the answer to this a lot – it's a pretty interesting topic. Honestly, I don't even have to lie to explain this to my advantage. 

I shrug at Helena nonchalantly.

"Keep in mind, I didn't learn the common tongue of this planet like the rest of you. It was basically inserted into my mind by Azazel, just like for Nina and the other Elder Dragons. That means that words I know are interpreted through my birth language.

"If I encounter something deemed familiar to me, then my known word for it will be linked in my mind with your word for it. Conversely, if I encounter something foreign to me, then I won't know the word for it, and I'll hear a strange-sounding new word when someone identifies it to me. Similarly, if I try and talk about a thing or idea foreign to Azura, I have no translation for it and will speak in my native language. 

"Consequently, my brain would tell you that I am a human, because I, Azazel, or both of us – depending on how the translation magic works – saw the physical similarities and assumed we were the same race. If it was instead determined that there was no version of my species on Azura, then I assume that the magic would have left the word untranslated. Hence, I'd be a human {in English}. But, those words mean the same thing to me.

"So, to answer your question, I have no idea what race you should call me, if not human. Or rather, I didn't until very recently. After I told my secret to Alara, and she recalled some of your people's fables, we were surprised to discover that elves and my race are already acquainted. Thankfully, there seems to be an Elvish term for my people." (Mizuki)

Helena gives me a dumbfounded look and turns to look at Alara. 

"What is he talking about?" (Helena)

At the same time, Elira, Dargo, and many others outside my inner circle are wearing dumbfounded expressions. Before anyone can follow up on Helena's question, however, an ear-piercing shriek erupts from behind Tessa. 

Everyone turns to Tessa's daughter, Selena, whose eyes are so wide that they're more white than grey. One of her hands is outstretched, pointing towards me as it shakes like a leaf, while the other is covering her own mouth. 

"Oh my gods! Y-you're...you're a Nephilim!" (Selena)

{AN: I won't italicize and clarify it every time, but it's implied that when Mizuki hears the word 'Nephilim', it's derived from Elvish. There's no word for it in Azura Common. The opposite is true for when Mizuki has mentioned words with no counterpart in Azura's languages. E.g., when he said 'apples' in an earlier chapter, it was in English. I'll try to be more clear when Mizuki 'senses' that a word being said isn't Azura Common henceforth.}

This time, it's my turn to widen my eyes in shock. Did Ilina tell her or drop breadcrumbs...to make the revelation more believable to someone like Tessa? That would be...impressive. 

I turn to glance at Ilina, but she looks just as surprised as me. In retrospect, of course she didn't tell Selena. How would she have even broached the topic without raising suspicion or Selena relaying it to her paranoid mother?

I look at Selena again, who is still staring at me...not in fear, but not in awe either. Perhaps both, or something in between.

Since an independent person bringing it up gives us credibility, I nod at her approvingly. 

"Well that's unexpected...Alara told me that the stories were mostly lost to time among elves." (Mizuki)

At my 'confirmation', Selena sways a bit on her feet, and I have to fight the impulse to look amused. She opens her mouth to respond, but nothing comes out.

By now, Tessa has registered the remark as well, and her face has gone completely pale as the strength seems to leave her body. She grips the table in front of her, her eyes fixed on me with rabid intensity. Her voice is barely a whisper. 

"That's...no...a Nephilim...that's impossible..." (Tessa)

Apparently she didn't whisper it too quietly, because there's immediately another shrill voice from near Darak. 

"No, it makes perfect sense! His gem-like eyes, godly magic, otherworldly origin, and eternal youth. The wisdom of his race, how he's trying to help us with trains and MMCs, and how kind he's been to the elves without good reason. Even his marriage to the Princess...it's just like the legends! Selena is right, Mizuki must be a Nephilim!" (Linnea)

Darak's likable daughter, Linnea, has moved to lean over the table near him, her eyes gleaming in excitement as she stares at me. She's seemingly oblivious to all the stares she has drawn. Next to her, Darak, who I assume knows at least as much about Nephilim as his daughter, is staring at me open mouthed with a deeply thoughtful look, as though I'm a specimen he wants to study. 

My rising trepidation over his behavior is cut short by Helena's annoyed voice. 

"Anyone want to enlighten us mere elves what the hell a Nephilim is, and why you're all so excited about it?" (Helena)

Helena sweeps the room with a scowl, and Zakariah's meek voice soon follows. 

"Uhm...yes, I'd like an explanation as well. My father has never mentioned them before." (Zakariah)

Their inquiries are enough to finally snap Elira and Dargo, who have been staring at me with expressions that slowly morphed from disbelief to greedy excitement, out of their reveries.

Elira clears her throat, her voice calm, but she never takes her eyes off me. 

"Ehem...yes, I believe explanations are in order. Nephilim are something that only those close to the royal family are likely aware of. As Mizuki mentioned, their story has mostly been lost to history. Dargo, dear, you're the bookworm...do you mind?" (Elira)

Elira glances over her shoulder at Dargo as she poses the question, and he nods and steps forward quickly. 

"Of course, my Queen. Allow me to expl-" (Dargo)

His words are cut off by the sounds of something violently colliding with the table and a chair being scraped across the floor. My head snaps towards the source of the commotion, and I see Tessa sprawled out on the floor unceremoniously. Her escort, a woman that's not her daughter, is cradling Tessa's head as though she caught Tessa when she fell. The woman glances up, noticing all the stares, and speaks in an embarrassed tone. 

"I...believe she fainted..." (Tessa's escort)

My eyebrows raise curiously, and I lean over to observe the incapacitated Tessa. 

"Huh...well that's inconvenient..." (Mizuki)

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.

The sound of footsteps echo through the halls around him as a man walks towards a set of carved, wooden double doors at the end of a stone corridor. The man appears mid-30s, dressed in fine silks that scream of his privileged status and don't lose out in quality to the decorative trinkets and banners that line the edges of the corridor. 

The man has shoulder-length, silver hair that hangs unnaturally straight around his face, but the way it parts around his long, pointy ears betrays its soft, lush nature. His lips are curled into a small, curious smile, though his eyes still carry a hint of coldness. However, as the man arrives at the large doors, his eyes finally shine with affectionate warmth, and a blistering smile is plastered on his handsome face. 

He pushes the doors wide open and confidently strides into the massive room beyond. Inside, shelves of books line all the walls, and more free-standing bookshelves are arranged in rows to cover most of the available floor space. Here and there, small tables with fine, comfortable chairs can be seen. 

Above him, a similarly dense collection of books can be seen to exist on each of at least five additional floors of the library, every floor connected by a single spiral staircase that extends through the partial ceiling. Taking in the sight, the man lets out a deep satisfied sigh. 

After all, he's personally collected every book here in his home library.

The man calls out in a cheery voice.

"Little Scholar! Where are you?" (...)

After a moment, only silence greets the man, and he frowns in confusion. He makes his way up the stairs in the center of the library, occasionally repeating his greeting, but his call continues to go unanswered. As he nears the fourth floor, he becomes aware of faint sobbing sounds nearby. 

Registering the noise, the man's blood runs cold as his heart rate seems to triple, and he immediately springs into a full sprint, desperately making his way towards the noise. As he takes the stairs three at a time, exiting on the fourth floor, the man calls out frantically, his voice breaking in fear. 

"Little Scholar!?" (...)

Receiving no reply, he continues to race through the rows of bookshelves without regard, knocking several books off the shelves in the process. As he navigates the maze, the sounds of a little girl wailing slowly become louder, until he arrives in a small clearing amidst the shelves. 

The space is completely covered by a plush rug, and the only furniture is a large, comfy couch. A little girl about 8 years old, with waist-long silvery hair and wearing a pale blue dress, is sprawled on the floor at the base of the couch, sobbing uncontrollably into the rug. Around her, dozens of books are stacked irregularly on the floor, forming a makeshift barrier. 

Catching sight of the little girl's state, the man immediately barrels through the stacks of books to reach her, falling to his knees and pulling the little girl into his arms. As he desperately searches her for injuries, his voice rings out again, more fearful than ever. 

"Little Scholar, what's wrong!? Tell me what happened! Are you hurt!?" (man)

Feeling the mans arms around her, the girls sobs only intensify. She rolls over in his lap, pressing her face into his shirt as she clenches at the surrounding fabric. Tears and snot stream down her face as she tries to answer between gasps and wails. 

"She's...sniffle...dead! Daddy, they killed her! They killed...sniffle...our Princess!" (girl)

The man's entire body goes rigid at the statement. He'd locked himself inside his office most of the morning to catch up on a dreadful amount of paperwork, and he told all of his aides not to bother him. His daughter is the first person he's seen all day.

Is it possible that there was an attack on the royal palace he doesn't know about?

He directs a fearful gaze at the little girl, his throat feeling dry and constricted as he tries to find the words to ask the questions that he needs to. 

"Something happened to your cousin? What do you mean? Who attacked her?" (man)

The little girl continues to cry into his shirt, but she shakes her head. 

"No...sniffle...not El! Princess Rennalia, Daddy! The humans...sniffle...they killed her!" (girl)

The man's face twists in confusion at the familiar name, and it's then that he notices the open book lying on the floor near the little girl, its pages wet from many tears. Understanding dawns on the man's face, and he grabs the book with his free hand to inspect it. Like every book in the library, it's one he's read more than once. 

The book is an account of how elves settled on Azura after leaving their home world, including their early development. Princess Rennalia, the first high elf to be born on Azura, is one of the central 'characters' of the book. She was a leading figure in the Azuran elves' founding civilization, and a large proponent of trying to form harmonious relationships with the varied races already present on their new planet. 

As the man notices the page that the book is already opened to, he curses at himself inwardly. It's the part of the book that describes how Princess Rennalia and her escorts were brutally murdered by Azura's humans during a peace envoy.

Unfortunately, the book is far from a romanticized story appropriate for kids. It spares no detail about all the horrors inflicted upon Rennalia's group, and even includes the surviving witness's speculations. In other words, it's enough to make the stomach of even an old man like him turn.

Obviously, his daughter, who wasn't aware of Rennalia's full backstory, found this book and got attached to the woman through the book's pages. No doubt, reading about her graphic death in such detail was as scarring to his daughter as watching a friend die.

The man snaps the book shut with one hand and tosses it away carelessly. He quickly refocuses on his daughter, using one hand to cradle her against his chest while he rocks her. He runs the fingers of his other hand through her long silver hair, reassuringly caressing her face while he pulls her hair off her wet cheeks and tucks it behind her long, pointy ears. 

He continues this for several minutes, whispering soft reassurances to her until the severity of her sobs slowly decline. All the while, he continues to curse in anger at his own shortcomings as a father...he blames himself for this incident. 

He's always been a scholar and a book-lover at heart, and his daughter takes after him wholeheartedly. Unlike other elven children who would have spent most of their lives outside, playing with friends or following their parents around the Elven Kingdom, his daughter has spent most of her time since she could walk holed up in this library, reading or practicing magic. 

After all, he's just the husband of their family's matriarch, and his job keeps him around their home for the most part. So, he spends much of his time holed up in an office or a library too, instead of traveling around the country for meetings and site visits like his wife.

Seeing nothing wrong with his own way of life, and being immensely proud of how voracious of a reader his daughter is, he's did nothing but encourage it until now. He even gave her free reign of the library, not thinking to censor some of its contents. If he'd been less absorbed in his own work and research, perhaps he would have noticed the issue sooner. Or at least, that's what he can't help thinking. 

To his severely introverted daughter, the characters on the pages of her books are like her closest friends, doubly so when they are about the lives of real people. When they suffer, she feels pain, and when they triumph, she experiences joy as though she lived it with them. In retrospect, he can see how unhealthy that level of immersion in her reading is, especially at her age, and he resolves himself to fix his mistake. 

The girl's cries have now completely died down, and she's in the process of wiping her face thoroughly on her father's shirt while he's lost in his own self-loathing. Her small, scared voice suddenly shakes him from his thoughts. 

"Daddy...are the humans going to kill us, too?" (girl)

As his daughter stares up at him nervously, her grey eyes clearly full of fear, he bites his cheek in frustration. Then, he puts on a reassuring smile and shakes his head, his voice soft and friendly. 

"Of course not, sweetie, you're safe. Why do you think that?" (man)

The fear in the girl's eyes mostly dissipates, but he can still feel its lingering effects on her as her body trembles periodically. 

"The book said that they were more powerful than us. That instead of getting revenge for Rennalia, we had to hide. Because if the humans ever found us, they would wipe us out or make us their slaves. But we're not hidden anymore, right? The humans know where we live now..." (girl)

The man wears a conflicted expression on his face. What his daughter said isn't entirely untrue. The humans have long since learned about the borders of the elves' kingdom, though they have yet to successfully penetrate their defenses.

However, in an all-out war between any of the human countries and the elves, their people would likely fall to the humans' sheer numbers. In addition, people who can produce enchanted armor and weapons are much more common among the humans, giving them another advantage. The main thing keeping them from invading is uncertainty about the Elven Kingdom's military strength and geography, and internal conflict among the humans. 

Every elven adult lives with that knowledge. 

But the man's daughter is just a child. While he doesn't want to lie to her about the real danger that the humans pose, he also doesn't want her to live in fear. Eventually, he purses his lips thoughtfully as he watches his daughter. 

"Hmm...do you remember what I'm always telling you, Little Scholar?" (man)

Confusion sparks in the girls eyes, then her face scrunches up. She appears to ponder the question gravely for a few seconds, until realization dawns on her face and she looks at her father confidently. 

"Don't tell Mom where you hide the kur'kes, or we'll have to share!" (girl)

The man's eyes widen in horror. 

"Wha-...no! I mean, yes, never tell her that, and keep your voice down! But I'm talking about the other thing I say, Tessa. The Uril family motto!" (Tessa's father)

Tessa giggles sweetly seeing her father's terrified expression, her own fear already evaporating from her childish, short-term memory. 

"Knowledge is power?" (Tessa)

Her father sighs in relief, then gives her an appreciative smile. 

"Yes, Little Scholar, that's right. Knowledge is power. That's why your grandfather founded the Elven Magic Academy, and it's why I've spent most of my life supporting it as its headmaster, ever since I left the royal family. Now, do you want to guess what makes elves special? What our secret power that protects us from humans is?" (Tessa's father)

Tessa beams with pride at having answered correctly, then presses her little fingers to her chin as she ponders her father's second question. She cuts her eyes up at him uncertainly. 

"Is it...knowledge?" (Tessa)

Her father smiles at her encouragingly. 

"You're close, sweetie. It's wisdom. When you have knowledge and you know when and how to use it, that's wisdom. That's a very important difference, and it's what sets us apart from the humans. 

"We live long lives, Little Scholar, especially us high elves. Much longer than humans. In fact, about four hundred generations of humans will live and die during your lifetime. Their short lives make it easy for them to grow to such large numbers so quickly, but it also prevents them from accumulating as much knowledge, and turning it into wisdom.

"Meanwhile, our numbers are much fewer, but the effects of our long lives on those around us much deeper. So, we cherish each other more. That's why, while humans fight amongst themselves, elves work as one.

"Our longer lives are why all human civilizations have already forgotten and repeated their ancestors' mistakes several times since I was born, but we elves remember and improve. Why humans have lost access to most of their magical knowledge over time, but we elves protect it and learn how to use it better. 

"This is our secret power as elves, Little Scholar, and that's why its the job of every elven scholar to master a thousand times as much knowledge as a human. Our wisdom, and their lack of knowledge, is what keeps us safe. They worry about the strength of our country, knowing their magic is weaker than ours, and they don't know that they outnumber us, have better weapons and armor. In short, they're held back by a lack of knowledge.

"So, make sure to grow wise, Little Scholar...stay one step ahead of the humans. Do that, and you have nothing to fear from them." (Tessa's father)

Tessa looks up at her father, nodding along with a serious expression as he speaks. When he finishes, she smiles earnestly. 

"I will, Daddy, I promise! I'll learn more than anyone else!" (Tessa)

The young girl squirms her way out of her dad's arms and grabs another book off the ground around her. She immediately opens it to the first page to read, leaning her back against her dad's legs, and quickly becomes absorbed in its pages. 

Her father can't help but chuckle at the sight, pride swelling in his chest from seeing how happy and studious she is. A smile forms on his face, and there's only a faint nagging at his mind that, just maybe, he's already forgotten an important lesson.

Then, he suddenly remembers the sight of her crying in anguish on the floor, and how much he lamented his shortcomings as a father for the stories of her books being her whole world. His face goes pale, and he immediately grabs the book from her hands. 

Tessa squeals in surprise and indignation, turning an accusatory glare at her father. Without missing a beat, he picks her up into a princess carry and begins walking towards the stairs. 

"I...uhm...just remembered another important lesson for you. Not all knowledge is in books, Little Scholar. Some of it's hidden outside, with other people. And in pastries...yes, definitely in sweet pastries. It's important that you make time for these things, or you'll only grow knowledgeable, never wise. I think we should have some kur'kes and tea right now...to err, further your education. How does that sound?" (Tessa's father)

Young Tessa directs a skeptical expression at her father. 

"Mmm...if kur'kes hold knowledge, then why are you hiding them from Mommy? Isn't hoarding knowledge bad, Daddy?" (Tessa)

Her father's steps falter slightly, a cold sweat forming on his neck as he considers his tactical failure. Seeing there is no path to victory, he takes solace in a strategic retreat...there's nothing wrong with living to fight another day. 

"Err, sweetie, would you like me to tell you a story on our way to the kitchen? I have read every book in this library, you know? All you have to do is ask me about something." (Tessa's father)

Excitement gleams in the young girl's eyes, her voice soft and probing.

"You'll tell me a story about anything I want?" (Tessa)

Her father breathes a sigh of relief that his escape has been assured, so he doesn't notice the mischievous grin that forms on Tessa's face as he nods his approval. 

"Of course, yes, anything you want, Little Scholar." (Tessa's father)

Tessa giggles excitedly. 

"The First Queen! The one with the Neb-...uhm...Nebyu-...the Nebyu-lum!" (Tessa)

Her father lets out a deep sigh. He should have seen that coming...he must have told her that story a hundred times, and the last ninety-nine were at her...insistent...request. 

"It's pronounced Nephilim, sweetie. Are you sure that's the story you want...again? That's a fable, Little Scholar. It's not a true record of events." (Tessa's father)

Tessa nods emphatically, then sticks her finger in the air as her voice takes on a formal tone, clearly imitating someone. 

"All worthy fables have a grain of truth and something to teach you. Even children's stories make you wiser, Big Scholar, so never miss a chance to read them." (Tessa)

Her father frowns at the familiar words. He told her that so she'd let his wife read her something less dry! So mother and daughter could bond over her love of books without her mother falling asleep in seconds! 

Still...his wife has cherished scouring for obscure fairytales together with her daughter, so he's happy to pay the price. 

Resigning himself to his fate, he deepens his voice and begins to speak.

"A long time ago, on a planet far, far away, the first elves were created by the god, Nedilir. They didn't share the planet with any humans, dwarves, or demons who could threaten them, but they also new nothing of cities, books, farming, or advanced magic. They lived in small, traveling tribes, took only what nature provided, and left nothing behind but their children when they died. 

"The first elves lived this way for many generations. They were happy and safe, and their numbers slowly increased, but they never grew in other ways. Whatever an elf learned in life, their descendants eventually forgot after their death. They never built anything greater than themselves, nor did they find ways to be happier or safer than they already were. They were doomed to spend eternity exactly as they were. 

"However, one day a young elven man was foraging deep in the forest for his tribe, and he came across a beautiful woman he didn't recognize. She looked similar to him, but also different. She had unnatural ears, eyes like gemstones, and wore strange clothes he'd never seen. Her magic was beyond his imagination, casting spells he'd never encountered without the incantations he normally needed. 

"When asked, the mysterious woman shared with him that she was a child of their god, Nedilir, and that her people, the Nephilim, shared the planet with the first elves. The Nephilim woman was kind to the young elven man, and even brought him to meet her people. What he saw left him convinced that he'd arrived in a dwelling of gods. 

"The Nephilim lived in a large city full of endless food, surrounded by walls that even the most savage beasts couldn't breach, protecting palaces the size of mountains. The young elf witnessed many enchanted tools that he could never have imagined – those that turned night into day, that cooled their homes in the summer and heated them in the winter, and even those that could fly people across the city. He also learned that some of the young-looking people in their city were dozens of times older than any elf – the Nephilim never died of old age.

"Soon after that fateful encounter, the Nephilim and the first elves established a harmonious relationship. The elves would scour the forests around the Nephilim's city, providing their new friends with information about the local beasts and with the forests' bounties they'd collect. In return, the Nephilim tried to impart their knowledge on the elves. But, the elves sadly lacked the ability to utilize it fully. 

"Still, the Nephilim made sure that the elves always had enough food, good clothing, and taught them how to use weaker elemental spells to mine ore, blacksmith tools, and build safer shelters. Over time, the two races grew closer. 

"Eventually, after several generations of elves and millennia of good relations between their peoples, a Nephilim and an elf became close enough for the elf to mother a child, to the great shock of both races. The child was a little girl, who looked just like a normal elf, and so it was decided that she would live in the elven village with her mother. However, her Nephilim father, adoring the girl and her mother, continued to visit the two and care for them. 

"As the girl grew up, it became apparent that, while she may have looked like an elf, she was also special. She was brilliant beyond what any elven child should have been, and exhibited god-like magical talent. Though she was not quite as powerful as her father, the girl was able to learn the Nephilim's strange, incantation-less magic. 

"As the years and centuries passed, that girl continued to live with the elves while learning the secrets of the Nephilim from her father. With time, she helped her people to build there own magnificent cities, grow their own food, record their own histories, make their own enchanted tools, and much more. Her influence was so great, ushering in such growth and prosperity for the elves, that their many tribes eventually combined and declared her their First Queen. 

"Though her name is lost to time, legends say that the First Queen was more powerful than any elf that has ever lived since, or will ever live again. That she had power surpassing the Elder Dragons of Azura, and that she lived hundreds of elven lifespans. It's believed that all high elves alive today are her descendants, her blood granting them longer lives and greater magic power." (Tessa's father)

For a several moments, father and daughter walk in silence following the story, the sound of young Tessa's steady breathing matching her expression of quiet contemplation. Her father looks down at her, a small smile on his face. 

After a while, Tessa looks up at him in confusion. 

"Daddy...did any other Nephilim have babies with elves? Couldn't some of the high elves be from one of those people? We can't all come from the First Queen, right?" (Tessa)

Her father widens his eyes in surprise at the insightful question...it's the first time she's ever asked it. 

"Well, remember that this is just a fable, Little Scholar. We can't be sure how much is real. But there are no other stories about children born from a Nephilim and elf parent, just the First Queen. If she really was the only one, and if it's really Nephilim blood that makes a high elf, then perhaps we all really are her descendants." (Tessa's father)

She purses her lips, clearly displeased with the answer. 

"But that makes no sense, Daddy. If it happened once, it should happen again eventually. How could there be no other Nephilim-elf babies?" (Tessa)

Her father chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. 

"I don't know sweetheart...that's just the limits of what we know. However, if you really want me to guess, maybe it's because there wasn't enough time for it to happen again. Stories about the Nephilim say that, at some point, they all disappeared from our home world, long before our people moved to Azura. We don't know why or exactly when. But since it took several elven generations together for the First Queen to be born, maybe the Nephilim's disappearance happened only a few more generations after that, before another child like her could exist." (Tessa's father)

Tessa's eyes go wide in disbelief.

"The Nephilim disappeared!? What happened to them, Daddy!?" (Tessa)

He shakes his head. 

"I don't know. That's all the stories tell us, and truthfully, very few elven scholars alive today even know those stories. Some scholars think that the Nephilim are just a myth created to explain where high elves come from, and to stress the power of learning and sharing knowledge. Others think that the Nephilim died out somehow. I've even heard theories that the Nephilim just...left. To another land, to another world...who knows." (Tessa's father)

She pulls on his sleeve, looking at him expectantly. 

"What about you, Daddy? What do you think really happened to them?" (Tessa)

He raises his eyebrows at her, then thinks it over for a moment. Truthfully, the stories about them are too few, too old, and too...romanticized...for him to consider them evidence for speculation. But, they might be useful for something else...

He smiles at his daughter and responds in a curious tone. 

"I'll tell you what, why don't you tell me what you think the most logical explanation is, and I'll tell you what I think of your answer?" (Tessa's father)

Without saying a word, the girl's face scrunches up in concentration, and her finger subconsciously presses into her chin while she contemplates her father's question. Eventually, she nods to herself. 

"Making them up to explain high elves like you said is dumb, Daddy. Couldn't a god just create elves and high elves together? That's a simpler story. And you always say fables have a grain of truth, but making up an entire race is nothing but lies! 

"I don't think people that strong can all die, either. If they did, why weren't their elf neighbors dying, too? So, I think they moved far away. Probably to another planet, or else the elves would have seen them again. If they could already fly across their cities, I bet they could fly to other planets just fine!" (Tessa)

An amused smile comes to her father's face. She's a little naive, assuming that all the information is either true or not, instead of exaggerated or partly true. However, she's at least doubting the things she reads, and she's doing an okay job of justifying her answers. He couldn't be more proud. 

He squeezes her with a quick hug and peppers her cheeks with a number of affectionate kisses, causing the girl to giggle hysterically. 

"Excellent job, Little Scholar, you make some very good points! Okay then, we'll say you're right, and the Nephilim set out amongst the stars. Why do you think they moved away?" (Tess's father)

Tessa slowly manages to stop giggling and gives her dad a confident smile. 

"That's easy, Daddy! It's because their children were all grown up." (Tessa)

His expression becomes confused. 

"What do you mean by that, sweetie?" (Tessa's father)

Her smile doesn't fade, and she just nods matter-of-factly. 

"Well, the elves were kind of like me, and the Nephilim were like you, right? You take care of me, and you help me learn and answer my questions. But remember what you said? That it's your job to make me wise enough so I can be on my own. I bet the Nephilim left because they did their jobs." (Tessa)

He walks in stunned silence for several seconds, his daughter completely oblivious to how much those words have affected him. After a few moments, he gives her a loving smile, while she's still staring at him patiently. 

"Well then, you've convinced me...the Nephilim are out there on another planet. But if they're good parents, they'll still check in on their children and visit the elves of Azura one day. That's very important for me to do, too, Tessa. So, even when you're all grown up and wise, you need to come back and visit me so that I can check on you. Okay, Little Scholar?" (Tessa's dad)

The girl smiles up at her father and pulls his shirt towards her in a feeble embrace. 

"I promise, Daddy!" (Tessa)

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

When Tessa's consciousness begins to stir, she's first aware of familiar voices around her. 

"...shame you're not a woman. Hmm...do you have a sister, perhaps?" (voice 1)

A long silence ensues. 

"No...I don't. Also, as I mentioned, I came to your planet alone, and I have good reason to believe that no more of my kind will ever come here again." (voice 2)

The first voice sighs deeply. 

"Ah, yes, so you did. Well, no matter. Your life is long and I'm sure you'll have many children. Err, may I ask, Princess...how long will we have to wait for you to have the first one? I think we can all agree – the sooner the better." (voice 1)

A third, familiar voice enters the conversation, sounding...irritated. 

"No, no you may not ask. And there's nothing to agree on, because it's not something that anyone other than me and him will be discussing or planning." (voice 3)

A fourth voice sounds amused and reproachful. 

"Forgetting someone? I expect to be there when it's discussed, when it's planned...fufufu...perhaps when it's conceived, too!" (voice 4)

The second and third voices are raised in unison, laced with bewilderment.

"What!? That's n-" (voices 2 & 3)

A fifth voice enters the conversation, sounding extremely flustered. 

"Uhm...Princess...err, my Lord...sorry to interrupt, but I believe Mother is regaining consciousness." (voice 5)

Tessa's eyes slowly start to flutter open, white light blinding her vision as she becomes aware of a soft, comfortable pressure along the back of her body. As her eyes focus, she notices that she's staring up at the ceiling in a room. Glancing around, she sees that she's lying down on a plush, leather couch. 

She recognizes one of the royal palace's informal meeting rooms, which includes multiple couches and a coffee table. It's a room that Mizuki has often met with the royals inside, though Tessa is unaware of that. 

As the fog clears from her thoughts, Tessa takes stock of everyone present in the room with her. On the same couch, beside her feet, there's her daughter, Selena. Elsewhere in the room, spread across other couches, there's Elira, Ilina, Jorah, Mizuki, Nina, Alto, and a couple of royal palace staff. 

She immediately makes a strange observation. Jorah is sitting directly next to Mizuki on one couch, and he looks practically...excited. His posture is open and inviting, and he's leaning towards Mizuki as though he's engrossed in a conversation with his best friend. 

While trying to make sense of the strange behavior, and also piece together the reason for her current situation, she realizes that everyone in the room is quietly staring at her with expectant expressions. 

She quickly sits up properly on the couch and clears her throat nervously. 

"Ehem...hello, everyone. It seems as though I've missed some important developments...can someone explain?" (Tessa)

To her surprise, Mizuki hands her a plate with kur'kes and a tea cup on it, meeting her gaze politely. She accepts it with a stunned expression, and he nods at her before moving to answer her question. 

"Well, you actually missed several things while you were...out. 

"Essentially, with you and Lord Jorah...indisposed, the rest of us quickly realized that discussions about my and Ilina's marriage were pointless until you rejoined us. So, I teleported everyone back to the royal palace, you two were moved into this room for your comfort, and a guard was left to monitor you. 

"In the meantime, the rest of us met to iron out the details of a few minor topics that we mentioned earlier but never reached a final decision on. Your respective heirs participated as proxies. 

"However, first, I had to clarify my status as an alien and a Nephilim. Helena and other regular elves weren't keen to move on until they were also brought up to speed about what your people knew about Nephilim from your fables. I insisted on waiting to discuss further details about my race and origins. 

"With that out of the way, there were questions about the trains and MMCs that I agreed to build for the other nobles in the event that you all decide to support our marriage. Regarding the details that were decided upon, well..." (Mizuki)

Mizuki turns to Ilina expectantly as he trails off. She nods and fixes Tessa with a very stern gaze, her voice broking no argument. 

"Allow me to explain. I've asked him to build a single train system for each noble that connects Avalon to their capital city, where your family homes are located. I've decided that those trains will be managed by the royal family, specifically me. All train operators will be hired and paid by us, and approved by Mizuki and Nina.

"At no time, ever, will the nobles or those in your employ have direct control over the trains' enchanted items, and Alara's current train operators will be moved under the royal family's employ. To make clear the severity of this expectation, tampering with the trains, trying to study them, or threatening a royal train operator will be officially ruled as high treason, punishable by death. I have the Queen's full support in this matter." 

Tessa, who's largely still stunned by the influx of information, glances at Elira inquisitively out of habit, causing Ilina to pause her explanation. Elira merely nods seriously to confirm Ilina's words, then Ilina continues speaking. 

"With my threats out of the way, let me also confirm that all profit generated by the trains will still go to the noble whose territory it connects to. We will also leave you – within reason – in charge of deciding on the fares for your train system, setting operating schedules, and negotiating any kind of cargo shipment deals with merchants. We will only be responsible for the trains' direct operations.

"As for the MMCs, Mizuki will build exactly one per noble, in your family homes, in a private room that you can assure the security of. To start, the items will only be capable of receiving messages from the royal palace, not sending them. That will allow our Queen to instantly summon you or convey important announcements, and you can send response letters by train if needed.

"After some time passes, and I'm assured that you'll use them responsibly, Mizuki will fully update the MMCs so that all royals and nobles can exchange messages freely. If you never convince me that you can be trusted with the full MMCs, then you'll never get them. Simple as that. 

"Finally, understand that these conditions are not up for even the slightest debate. I wholly understand and share Mizuki's concerns about the rest of you having access to these revolutionary enchanted items, and it's my trust with my fiancé that is on the line here. So, I'll be doing everything I can to make sure I live up to the considerable trust he's placed in me by granting this request. That's all." (Ilina)

Ilina turns to Mizuki and nods politely, signaling both the end of her declaration and the resolve behind her words. Mizuki gives her a wide, appreciative smile and nods in return. He then glances at Tessa, presumably waiting to see if she has any questions or comments about what she's heard so far. 

Truthfully, she's registering the information, and she understands it in a detached way, but she's not really capable of caring about it properly right now. To her, things like what kinds of gifts Mizuki grants them seem so inconsequential in the face of the revelations that caused her to faint. When it comes to how she'll respond to their requests – when she recovers enough to do so – trains and MMCs are now a non-factor. 

Unaware of Tessa's inner thoughts, Mizuki assumes that her silence means she has nothing to say, and he continues updating her. 

"Thank you, Princess Ilina. Now then, back to what else you missed, Lady Tessa. Another thing that we all discussed was my impending negotiation meeting with the Empire. Specifically, I wanted advice on whether any demi-humans should be given a seat at the negotiations, and whether I should visit all the demi-human tribes first to apprise them of the situation and potential consequences. Ultimately, we agreed that I should at least inform their elders of my plans, but that I should avoid including them in the actual negotiations if possible.

"After that, we got word that Lord Jorah had woken up, and everyone joined together to update him on what he'd missed. To recap, that was my and Ilina's engagement, our desire for his help in facilitating a public, official marriage, our offer of trains and MMCs, and of course, my inhuman nature and origins. 

"As for Lord Jorah's reaction to all this information..." (Mizuki)

Mizuki trails off with a thoughtful, conflicted expression on his face as he glances at Jorah, as though he's trying to decide on a delicate way to describe something. Before that can happen, however, a giggling dragon interjects. 

"Hehehe...the poor elf lost his mind. That was his reaction." (Nina)

Jorah scoffs indignantly. 

"Given the absurdity of the information I was being given, my response was that of any sane person." (Jorah)

Tessa jumps at the sound of a short bark of laughter from Elira, the Queen's face twisted into an exasperated expression as she shakes her head. 

"Sane? Is that what you call your reaction? When this moron regained consciousness and Mizuki and Ilina reiterated their expectations surrounding their engagement, he started screaming for the guards! He claimed that Mizuki had sexually assaulted our Princess, and if I hadn't preemptively told the guards to ignore any calls from Jorah, no matter how desperate, someone could have died!

"Once he finally subdued him enough for us to continue the discussion, and he found out that all the conscious nobles had already given their approval and why, and he started trying to strangle himself with his bare hands. He was convinced that he was having a nightmare – the idiot was trying to wake himself up. It took Zakariah's help to convince him everything was real and talk him off the metaphorical cliff!" (Elira)

Tessa glances at Jorah with a bewildered expression, her eyebrows raised as she waits for confirmation. Jorah just sighs, shrugs, and nods. After a few moments of stunned silence, she can't help but notice once again that, as of now, Jorah is sitting within hugging distance of Mizuki...completely calm. 

'So far he's been acting like Mizuki is his old drinking buddy...what the hell happened?'

Tessa raises her eyebrows at Jorah. 

"Jorah, if I may say so, you aren't exactly acting...eccentric, anymore. In fact, you don't seem like you were bothered by the discussion of Mizuki's and Ilina's relationship at all just now. What happened? I thought you hated Mizuki so much that the mere mention of him being so familiar with our Princess would make you turn hostile without exception." (Tessa)

Jorah gives her a puzzled look. 

"That's not true. I never hated Mizuki...per se. I just have zero room in my heart to believe that anything a human does is remotely trustworthy. Still, even I can't deny that, on record, he hasn't done anything but benefit us. I was just convinced that, as a human, we must be missing the true, nefarious goals of his actions. So, the lesser his interactions and influence with our people, the better. 

"However, once I learned that he's not human, and from another world no less, I changed my mind. Humans can't be trusted, but I see no reason to distrust a...err, Nephilim?" (Jorah)

Jorah glances at Mizuki inquisitively, as though confirming that he got the name right. Mizuki just nods politely. 

Tessa's face reeks of incredulity, and she can't keep it out of her voice either as she interrogates Jorah further. 

"And you believe him!? About being a Nephilim!?" (Tessa)

Again, Jorah just shrugs. 

"Well I sure as hell don't think he's human after everything I've learned today, and that's good enough for me. As for him being a Nephilim...why not? I confess that I didn't know what they are before waking up earlier, but everyone else conveyed their known qualities from our fables.

"Based on that and what I was told about Mizuki and his people, which was confirmed by Lady Alto, Lady Nedonera, and the Princess...they are strikingly similar. He even told me that there are stories among his people about them coming to that planet from among the stars. Even more striking, I learned that even though his race is the only sentient one on their planet, and supposedly always have been, he already knew about elves from their own fables. How could that be a coincidence?" (Jorah)

Tessa's mouth nearly drops open at the revelation, which she admits is pretty damning evidence of Mizuki's people being Nephilim. She turns towards him in open disbelief, desperately seeking confirmation. 

Mizuki is secretly more than a little embarrassed about the mention of his people having stories about coming from the stars to Earth. Naturally, and unbeknownst to anyone else, he was actually referring to just one of dozens of fringe conspiracy theories about how life came to be on Earth. 

So, he simply nods at Tessa sheepishly, who is too stunned to notice his odd behavior. After she's silent for a few moments, he's quick to change the subject and move on. 

"Ehem...and so after Lord Jorah was updated, everyone that's not here now went to discuss the defensive preparations for the country in case of an invasion by the Empire. At Selena's behest, your other escort joined them to act as your proxy, as Dargo and Zakariah did for the royals and the Abel house. Jorah stayed here since we figured you'd want to talk to him.

"And...that about covers everything you missed. Any questions?" (Mizuki)

With her eyes wide and her face pale at the recent information, Tessa reaches for the kur'kes on her plate, only to realize that there are none. Her face twists in confusion as she notices the crumbs everywhere. She could swear that the plate was full of them when Mizuki handed it to her. 

In actuality, she's been absentmindedly stress-eating all of the kur'kes while Mizuki spoke. 

Realizing her blunder, she quickly pulls the cup of tea to her mouth and drains it in one, long, embarrassed gulp. Then, she returns her attention to Mizuki, who is just staring at her silently, though he's clearly somewhat bewildered by the sight of her behavior. 

She clears her throat nervously. 

"Ehem, uhm...I see..." (Tessa)

Following her uninformative response, several of those around her exchange puzzled glances, while Mizuki continues to stare at her expectantly. 

She can imagine what he's waiting for – clarifying questions from her, some kind of approval of the events that transpired in her absence, and above all else, a new decision about whether she'll support his marriage to Ilina. 

Unfortunately, her thoughts are racing too much for any of that. 

{AN: From this point forward, when I'm doing another character's POV, I'll include their explicit inner thoughts inside single quotes ''.}

'A Nephilim, like in the stories from when I was a girl!? The ancient, god-like mentors and benefactors of the first elves? The beings of legend whose blood is rumored to run in the veins of high elves to this day? It's absurd...completely absurd! There's no way that Mizuki is one of those Nephilim...'

She matches his gaze with her own, searching his calm, green eyes as though they can confirm her thoughts. However, as she does, she doesn't feel skeptical or angry. All she feels is a sense of...foreboding...fear. Not fear of Mizuki himself, or his power, but of what he represents...a fear that her understanding of the world is in the process of shattering.

In other words, it's a fear that she can only feel because, on some level, deep down, she thinks he may be right. 

As she grew up, she eventually reached the conclusion that the Nephilim were either entirely made up, or their power was greatly exaggerated and they just died out. And yet, even if she assumes that Mizuki is lying about coming from another world, and about not being human, his power remains. He's living proof that the legendary power of the Nephilim isn't impossible.

More importantly, she sincerely doubts that he's lying about recently arriving here from another world. 

For one, she finds the idea laughable that he could have been born on Azura and not drawn attention to himself before now. Furthermore, she's always found it hard to reconcile Mizuki's behavior, intellect, and personal connections with someone who grew up in one of the human countries. Finally, there's no denying that the items he's made for Eden, both magical and mundane, can only be described as otherworldly. 

And as far as she's concerned, as a resident of Azura, his power and otherworldly origins make him inhuman. Plus, there's his strange eyes, the fact that Nedonera has confirmed he doesn't age, and the way he has behaved since they met. So, at the very least, she believes that he's god-like non-human from another world. 

So, her biggest reason to oppose his marriage to Ilina has now evaporated.

He's proven himself reasonable, calm, and intelligent, he'll live long enough, he's an asset to the elves a hundred times over, and his race, whatever it is, has never harmed her people. If he can give Ilina an appropriate heir, Tessa is forced to admit that he might be the greatest candidate for King they've ever had. 

'In Mizuki's case, the two races he's most similar to are humans and Nephilim. According to Nedonera and elven lore, if either of those have a child with an elf, the result is most likely an elf. In the case of a Nephilim parent, the elf offspring are just more powerful and long-lived than normal. In other words, we have every reason to believe that, whatever his race, he'd give Ilina an heir that meets or far exceeds our expectations.'

And if he really is a Nephilim, which is seeming more plausible to her by the minute, every one of her instincts is screaming that she needs to support him. Because in that case, most of the legends about Nephilim are probably true as well. That would mean that she owes everything the elven race has come to take pride in – architecture, culture, history, magical knowledge, and more – to Mizuki's ancestors. In fact, as a high elf, it would mean that his ancestors' blood runs through her very own veins. 

All of these facts are the reasons for her sense of foreboding. The logical side of her mind is finally telling her that she should throw herself behind Mizuki's marriage to Ilina to help their kingdom prosper like never before.

But in so doing, she'd be changing every convention that she's comfortable with. Her whole world, the norms of the elven kingdom that she feels she's mastered navigating to her advantage, would be upended hilariously. How would she navigate a new reality where a virtual god walks among their people, a human-looking outsider marries their Queen, and his descendants rule in perpetuity?

As someone who has prided herself on always having the answers, that uncertainty terrifies her. What's more, supporting this new world order would also mean accepting that she's let her ignorance and bias thus far has work against her people's best interests.

That's something that her pride is struggling with. 

She was always aware that she was biased against humans – feared and distrusted them as a rule more than was rational. However, she also thought that, while her opinions and words were another matter, all of her actions and decisions regarding Mizuki were just logical. That she was merely making the best decisions with the information she had. 

However, knowing what she knows now and looking back, she doesn't feel that way anymore. 

Sure, she could never have guessed that Mizuki is actually a Nephilim, or the next best thing. Still, at the very least, she shouldn't have acted on the assumption that he has to be a threat just because he's human. Her being unflinchingly skeptical of him because of the elves' history with humans, despite Mizuki's good personal deeds, is completely forgivable. But acting as though he was a certain threat, without evidence...

'My gods...I was going to have him killed! After the royal announcement, when I realized how much sway he had over Lady Nedonera, I was seriously entertaining the thought!

'Despite the fact that he'd never made any proactive moves other than to help the elves, that he'd already survived one assassination attempt from Alara, that he'd proven himself cunning and resourceful enough to implicate his enemies, and that Nedonera was obviously fond enough of him that she might've destroyed our cities out of spite if he died on our soil, at the hands of elves. 

'Despite all that, I was willing to risk it just to get rid of him.'

The recent revelations about him only convince her more, just how careless she's been until now. If Mizuki hadn't been so cunning as to outmaneuver her and prevent her assassination attempt...

She feels her blood run cold just thinking about it. 

Tessa is finally snapped out of her inner turmoil by the sound of Mizuki's voice. 

"So, Lady Tessa, I gave you quite a lot of information. Do you have any questions?" (Mizuki)

Hearing his question, and seeing him sitting forward on the couch staring at her seriously, Tessa has to force herself to remember the context of where she is and what's at stake. Then, she takes a few deep, calming breaths and nods. 

"Sorry, I had a lot to think about. Uhm...yes, I have questions, but not for you." (Tessa)

As Mizuki's face twists with bewilderment, she turns to face Jorah. He's currently sitting inches from Mizuki, as though they're long-lost friends, and he's staring at Princess Ilina with a dissatisfied expression. 

'I assume that Jorah is now supporting the marriage proposal, but...why exactly? And just how much? Even if he's completely evaluating Mizuki on merit as Ilina's potential husband, and taking everything he's learned at face value, marrying off our Princess to a non-elf is still something I never thought he'd support.'

She raises her eyebrows at Jorah. 

"Jorah, is it true that you're going to support Mizuki marrying our Princess?" (Tessa)

Startled by being suddenly addressed, Jorah tears his gaze away from Ilina with a surprised expression. As he seems to register the question, he waves dismissively. 

"Hmm...what? Oh that, yes. They have my blessing, and I promised to do everything possible to get the commoners to see reason." (Jorah)

Her mouth instinctively parts in shock, and she stares at him in stunned silence for several moments. When she responds, her voice is thick with disbelief. 

"And...you realize that, according to everyone who knows him, he doesn't age, right? If he marries Princess Ilina, based on her preferences, he'll be the only husband she ever has. He'll give her immensely powerful elven children, outlive her, and probably act as a highly influential advisor and leader among the noble family...forever.

"Furthermore, he'll be our King. Even if he's stripped of the official duties and position, he'd still be our King in the people's eyes. You and everyone else would have to call him my King, or King Mizuki." (Tessa)

Jorah's face twists into an expression of horror, and she breathes a sigh of relief. 

'I see...the world still makes sense. Jorah's just an idiot who didn't think anything through.'

Jorah's voice is incredulous. 

"Why would we do something so incredibly idiotic!? I refuse! Stripping him of his official duties and position – it would be ridiculous! That's why one of the conditions for my support was that he has to become King, and accept all of Dargo's responsibilities." (Jorah)

Tessa yelps in surprise. 

"Conditions!? You're telling me that you insisted that he be King!? Why!?" (Tessa)

Jorah raises his eyebrows at her, his face as though he's just been asked why drinking water is important. 

"Of course I did! Why would we waste the most powerful resource in our kingdom by freeing him from all of his obligations to us? You've seen how much he tries to avoid responsibilities, doing us favors, or just generally staying in one place! But as King, he'll help us as Princess Ilina directs, protect our interests, and he won't have enough unsupervised free time to go running off to other countries! Honestly...I can't believe that I'm the only noble who had the foresight to make his kingship a condition!" (Jorah)

Tessa blinks repeatedly, watching an annoyed expression cross Mizuki's face, which she can't help but feel like stems from him believing that everything Jorah just said is true. 

'That is...terrifying. The fact that Mizuki is actually that averse to being under obligation to us, and the fact that Jorah of all people was the one to recognize and address it.'

Ilina's voice pierces the silence, her tone approving and heavily amused. 

"I agree that you showed great foresight, Lord Jorah, and that's why I've made sure that Mizuki agrees to your condition. I plan to make him as burdened by paperwork and the bureaucratic nonsense of nobles as I am." (Ilina)

Mizuki appears to sigh in resignation, a glassy, despondent look in his eyes. Meanwhile, Tessa watches as Jorah beams with pride at the praise, seemingly unaware that he's also been insulted and called a burden. 

"Why thank you, Princess. Now then, if you would just be so kind as to reconsider my other conditions I wo-" (Jorah)

Ilina's eyes and voice are cold enough to freeze air. 

"Denied. All of them. Denied." (Ilina)

Jorah frowns and grumbles something about people being unreasonable, while everyone else in the room seems either amused or bewildered. Tessa glances around in confusion. 

"What other conditions is he talking about?" (Tessa)

As she scans the faces around her, waiting for an answer, she notices that her daughter, Selena, has gone beet red and is staring at the floor like it holds the secret to eternal life. Nearby, Elira is stifling laughter while Ilina looks like she's about to murder Jorah. Mizuki, meanwhile, appears deeply interested in the contents of his tea cup. 

As for Jorah himself, he's staring at her as though they're comrades in arms, and his indignant voice quickly reveals the reason. 

"Yes, they're being quite stubborn, Tessa! Perhaps together we can make them see reason! All I requested is that Mizuki's seed be systematically spread to other elven women, so they can bear his children quickly. When that was refused, I merely asked that he expand his harem. 

"But for some reason, they even denied me that request! And mind you, it's not like I suggested that he take strangers into his bed, or even take more wives. I simply pointed out that Ladies Alto and Cara, you daughter Selena, and maybe Darak's daughter Linnea should be suitable concubines." (Jorah)

Tessa drops her tea cup and plate, shattering them on the floor. Her voice is practically a shriek. 

"You did what!? What the hell were you thinking, you moron!?" (Tessa)

Jorah jerks back as though he's been slapped, genuinely shocked by her response. 

"Isn't it obvious? From what I've been told, Mizuki impregnating those women would produce elven children that are more powerful than Elder Dragons, and even their furthest descendants would be high elves of a new bloodline! Can't you see that such an arrangement needs to happen as soon as possible!? If we hurry, every territory could soon have an elf strong enough to single-handedly defend against armies! Our people would become the strongest race on Azura!" (Jorah)

All the violence that was bubbling inside Tessa a few moments ago is washed away, her mind unable to experience anything else but the sheer, unrestrained bafflement induced by Jorah's shameless and absurd reasoning. While she falls into slack-jawed silence, Ilina's significantly more irritated voice rings out. 

"Jorah, so help me gods, the next time you bring this up I am going to choke you to death myself! I am not sharing Mizuki with anyone other than Nina, got it!? No more wives, no concubines, and sure as hell no...seed spreading!" (Ilina)

Nina begins chuckling nearby, and smirks at Jorah.

"You'd do well to recognize that Ilina is more possessive of Mizuki than me. I don't sense that she's lying about her threat to kill you. Personally, I'm okay with Mizuki taking Cara as a mistress, but if Ilina isn't, she has my support on the matter. Fufufu...but don't worry, elf, Mizuki and I are already working diligently on our first child." (Nina)

Finally embarrassed enough by the discussions to intervene, Mizuki clears his throat and desperately tries to change the subject. 

"Ehem...so, Lady Tessa, now that you know everything, I'd like to ask you again. Will you reconsider supporting my marriage to Ilina?" (Mizuki)

Hearing his question, everyone in the room falls silent, and a more serious atmosphere overtakes the gathering. Shocked from her stupor, Tessa's body jolts as she glances up at Mizuki, his words slowly sinking in. Her eyebrows knit together as conflicting thoughts fill her head, and her voice is strained. 

"I...it's...I don't..." (Tessa)

She trails off, unable to come to a decision on the spot. 

The fear of the unknown once again grips her heart as she contemplates her answer. She's the last line of defense, as it were – if she says yes, everything changes. There is, of course, the fact that too much backlash from the public could undermine the marriage.

However, she's confident that if the commoners are first told the truth about Mizuki, with the unanimous backing of their nobility and royalty, they'll accept it readily. That's especially true if they have a little bit of time between learning the truth about Mizuki and learning about his engagement to Ilina.

Having his protection in the midst of this threat from the Empire, having him publicly build the trains for them to use – if it's paired with a public friendship between Ilina and Mizuki, Tess is confident that the commoners will be begging for their engagement before its even announced. 

With everything going on right now, Mizuki is a beacon of hope to their people. Anyone, including the nobles, would be insane to not support his wishes after learning the truth.

As that thought occurs to Tessa, her eyes widen involuntarily. 

'Did the Princess...manipulate us?' 

The more she considers it, the more certain she is that it's true. The whole sequence of events for the meeting today and their emotional toll on her was too...perfect. 

How the nobles had the opportunity to beg, plead, and threaten to get their own enchanted items. How Nedonera conveniently snapped at them aggressively, then directed all their questions to Mizuki before they even knew the truth about him, just so he could turn them down emphatically.

At the same time, Ilina clearly demonstrated herself to be the only one who had Nedonera's ear, and eventually, the only one who could overturn Mizuki's flat refusal of building them trains. Those gambits ensured that one of her messages would be clearly delivered – the King, Queen, and nobles don't have Mizuki's and Nedonera's trust, but Ilina does.

Then, came the revelation of the Empire's imminent invasion, and with it, the overwhelming fear of annihilation. Conveniently, of course, this organically led to the 'revelation' of Mizuki's god-like power, his admission that he'd already killed Belmod after trying to aid the elves, and his stalwart, detailed efforts to protect them from any subsequent invasion. 

In one fell swoop, Ilina got a second message across – the elves are in desperate, hopeless need of a savior, and Mizuki has proven himself the clear choice. 

Finally, just when they'd started to take that protection for granted, Ilina revealed her engagement with Mizuki, knowing full well that all hell would break loose and they'd get outright hostile with her over it. Naturally, she was all too quick to point out the dire repercussions of every single alternate course of action to supporting Ilina's plans. That, plus her earlier reveals about Mizuki, made them feel the weight of the metaphorical axe on their necks as they searched desperately for a way out. 

Like any shrewd manipulator, after the stick was sufficiently brandished to make them think twice about one action, the carrot was dangled to draw their attention to the one she preferred. Yes...she offered them the trains and MMCs, simultaneously flaunting how she'd succeeded with Mizuki where they'd failed. 

Of course, Ilina probably knew that wouldn't be enough for Jorah and Tessa. That's why Ilina made sure the prolonged emotional turmoil would make Tessa doubt herself, regressing into cold, explicit logic. Then, it was merely a matter of getting Tessa to slowly every one of her lingering reservations about Mizuki, so that Ilina could counter them one at a time with new revelations – Mizuki's longevity, his ability to sire elven children, and so on. 

She kept pushing Tessa, until she only had Mizuki's humanity as her last line of defense. Then, Ilina crushed that in the most clear, incontestable fashion possible. Even Tessa's own daughter could see Mizuki was a Nephilim...Tessa was overwhelmed.

From start to finish, the Queen, the King, the nobles, and especially Tessa – they all danced in the palm of Ilina's hand.

'And now, I'm the last one waiting to bend the knee...'

Tessa glances up at Ilina, her incredulity and indignation at the storm of insight she's just had written plainly on her face. As though privy to Tessa's inner thoughts, Ilina slowly twists her lips into a small smirk, her eyes cold and victorious, like a wolf looking at cornered prey. 

To Tessa, it feels like the Princess isn't even bothering to hide what she's done. She may even want Tessa to know, like it makes no difference at all to her. And Tessa knows why...

Because Ilina is right. 

Even if every single word out of Ilina's, Mizuki's, Nina's, and the royal's mouths today was orchestrated to perfection by Ilina with the sole purpose of breaking Tessa in every possible way. To lead her to this decision. Now that it's happened, and she looks at only the facts and the paths before her, knowing she was manipulated doesn't change a damn thing. 

Tessa lets out a long, defeated sigh, reflecting on the idea of Mizuki as the Prince and later King, and on her fear of the uncertain future that will bring her to. The more she does, the more she's reminded of her father's words. 

Knowledge is power. 

And in this case, she's realizing that she's scared of the future he represents because she lacks knowledge. Knowledge about him, as a man and a potential leader. Knowledge about him on a personal level, of the variety that allows someone to know the heart and the actions of someone else and trust their gut about that person's actions. 

So, Tessa turns her attention to Mizuki, finding his calm, green eyes watching her patiently with a hint of concern and curiosity behind them. Then, she makes up her mind, organizes her thoughts, and steels herself to say what she needs to. 

"Mizuki...one way or another, it's clear to me that the answer to your question is yes. I want you to know up front that you have my support for your marriage to Princess Ilina, for your ascension to King and all that entails, and if you'll accept it, for the counsel you've requested as you continue to make decisions that impact us all. 

"However, I confess that I find myself...uncertain, about you. Especially in your role as our future King. In particular, some of what Jorah has said really rings true.

"You seem categorically opposed to leadership and favoritism of any kind, yet you gift us these trains, insert yourself into international incidents, and insist on taking responsibility for the consequences. You hold almost absolute power and clearly very strong personal convictions, yet you're so hesitant to use that power to see anything meaningful through. 

"I guess what I'm saying is...I have no idea what you want. What goals are you chasing? And more importantly, if we make you our King and ask you to lead with Ilina instead of being a bystander, what kind of Elven Kingdom do you want to create? I can't even begin to guess your answer to those questions, and it honestly terrifies me." (Tessa)

Mizuki's eyes widen, seemingly taken aback by her unexpected question. Around the room, everyone grows still and silent, fixing their gazes on Mizuki with expressions that all contain some mixture of curiosity and apprehension. 

He furrows his brows, glancing off into space with a contemplative look on his face. Tessa feels time passing as though seconds are hours, her only measure of the true passing of time coming when she realizes that she's lightheaded from holding her breath. The seconds continue to pass in silence, but nobody dares to say a word. 

Eventually, Mizuki lets out a deep sigh, nods as though to himself, then returns his gaze to Tessa. His eyes seem cold and full of a resolve, devoid of any of the mischief or curiosity she's come to expect, and his voice is firm and clear. 

"To tell you the truth, you probably feel that way because it's true. In all honesty, you've been watching the actions of a man that things happen to, not that makes things happen. Like I said, I wasn't some world leader or other ambitious individual on my home world, and that didn't change when I came here. Circumstance brought me here, put me in a position of relative power, and everything I've done since is just reactionary. 

"I'm not dying to return to my birth world, I'm not on a quest for power, I don't seek enlightenment or immortality, I couldn't think of something more hollow than ruling for the sake of calling myself King, and I'm honestly not on some noble crusade to banish evil from this world. In fact, regardless of what others may insist based on my actions, I don't consider myself a good person.

"I'll kill when it aligns with my principles and convenience, and I don't lose a wink of sleep over it. Even though it'd be easy for me, I haven't spent my time running around adopting orphans, donating money to the poor, giving food to the hungry, standing up for the weak, or healing the sick and injured, except when I was involved in such a situation by chance.

"Truthfully, I'm convinced that true, pure evil is exceedingly rare at best, and a myth at worst. I think that most of the things in the world that make your stomach turn, they come from people using whatever means are most convenient to help themselves and those they care about, others be damned. For the record, the elves are no less callous when it comes to other races, and I'm not saying that's evil, just...normal. 

"But I digress.

"All of these potential shortcomings of mine aside, I also can't pretend that I'm apathetic about everything. I absolutely detest slavery, or anything that robs people of the autonomy I think they're entitled to. Similarly, while I'm not rabidly pursuing the secrets of the universe, I am very...curious. I always have been. 

"It's why I love practicing magic, why I was so eager to meet new races when the opportunity arose, why I enjoy Alto's company so much, and even why I first built all the trains and MMCs. I didn't do it out of necessity, but for the unbridled satisfaction of overcoming an intellectual challenge, and seeing the sense of wonder and curiosity it in turn instilled in my friends, like Alto. 

"So, my point is that I'm not a man without wants, or personality, or emotions. I'm just a relatively unimportant guy from another planet who found himself suddenly consequential. That kind of long-standing irrelevance left me unambitious, and after I came here, I've been overwhelmed with all the vast unknowns and endless possibilities my life now represents. 

"In a word, since coming to your world I've been...aimless. I haven't had the foresight or inclination to think about a greater purpose, because I never thought I'd have one. 

"But my time on this world has changed me...I think for the better. Meeting Nina, Alto, Ilina, and many others, getting to explore how I feel about the weight of my actions here, and being honestly deeply moved by – rampant racism aside – how wonderful the Elven Kingdom is. It's people, its leaders, and more than anything, the elves genuine tenderness towards one another. 

"So, I'm not aimless anymore, I'm inspired. If you want to know what my goals are...my purpose, I want to protect what this kingdom of yours represents. And though I won't force it on you as King, if you want to know what my ideal for your people is, then it's to turn this kingdom into the shining example that I see it as. 

"If I had my way, and life always went as I planned, I'd make this place so full of wonders that if a human were to catch a glimpse they'd be discredited as having witnessed it in a fever dream.

"Then, after I did that, I'd help you be a catalyst for change for the rest of the world – to give them the chance for the same freedom and prosperity that your people have. Not by toppling corrupt regimes with force and projecting your policies and beliefs on others, but by acting as a beacon of hope. By inspiring people to change their own societies for themselves and follow in your footsteps. 

"But, none of that would ever happen unless you start interacting with other races, at least to some degree. So, ideally I'd want to mend the bridges between all of the races on this planet. After all, you're all surely aware of how much you'd personally gain from alliances with the demi-humans and especially the dwarves. Yet, despite no hostilities with those races, you don't exactly welcome them as equals in your country.

"Now, I'm no idiot. I know it's not that easy. I know you have good reasons for shutting yourselves off from the other races, humans especially. Similarly, I have my own reservations with turning you all loose with every wonder-inducing enchanted item that I can imagine and craft. 

"But you asked me my ideals, and those are both things that I deeply wish could becoe possible one day. And remember that, as King, my power would change the way you need to evaluate things. For example, with my protection, you'd finally have the luxury of trusting other races more. No more need to cower behind your borders to feel safe.

"Still, my thoughts haven't changed on leading versus dictating...I wouldn't ever make drastic changes without unanimous support and a very well thought out plan. So, don't take these things as solid plans. I'm just answering your hypothetical.

"If you want an estimation of me as a person, Tessa, then I'd say that's it." (Mizuki)

Tessa, like all those present in the room, stares at Mizuki in open shock following his uncharacteristically long, candid personal confession. She imagines that they're silent for the same reason that she is – seriously considering his words. If it were anyone else, she'd scoff and call them an idealistic idiot for even mentioning goals like that, regardless of his preface about being a realist. 

However, Mizuki did make a point as jarring as it is obvious – his power matches his ideals. Aiming for his goals would be the definition of a god complex, if said person didn't actually have the power of a god. So, she and everyone else really do need to fundamentally change the way they evaluate the risks and benefits of their decisions if he's involved. 

Uncertain that she's capable of doing so at the moment, Tessa just shrugs internally and turns her attention to Mizuki. 

"Well, I'm not really sure how to feel about everything you said in that excessively long monologue of yours, but I certainly feel like I know you a bit better. And that's all I wanted. 

"Hearing all that, I still support your marriage, and your role as Future King. Based on what I've seen and heard from you, I believe that you'll listen to what I and others have to say in good faith and not act against our wishes. Besides, we're still a matriarchy, and I'm certainly convinced that you don't have the gall to oppose your fiancé." (Tessa)

Tessa can't help but smirk at her last statement, eliciting a smile and a chuckle from Mizuki. 

"Fufufu...no. I wouldn't dream of anything so reckless. Believe it or not, she's incredibly scary when she wants to be." (Mizuki)

Alto snorts. 

"Mizuki, I assure you that after today, every single person involved in our discussions is fully aware of just how terrifying Princess Ilina can be." (Alto)

There's a round of enthusiastic assent from everyone in the room, even those that have remained mostly silent, causing Mizuki to raise his eyebrows in amusement. Meanwhile, Ilina seems to finally be back to her more timid self, and her cheeks flush in embarrassment. She quickly interjects with an annoyed voice. 

"Well since you're all obviously on the same page now, I suppose there's no reason to continue with this side meeting. We should all meet up with the others, sort out the pressing details of our engagement, then officially put this long meeting behind us." (Ilina)

Feeling more than a little emotionally exhausted, and unwilling to risk further world-altering decisions right now, Tessa nods her agreement with everyone else. Then, she rises from the couch and moves to exit the room. As the last of those present are exiting, she overhears Queen Elira's. 

Her voice carries a sharp edge, telling of long suppressed frustration that's finally starting to leak out. 

"Oh Ilina dear...you stay here. Or did you think that we'd have nothing to talk about after all this? Mizuki, Lady Nedonera...I'd appreciate your presence as well." (Elira)

Tessa can almost hear the three unfortunate souls' bodies go rigid with fear as they mumble their acknowledgement, and she feels a shiver run down her own spine at Elira's tone. 

'Ilina may have proven herself a force of nature today, but...she's got a ways to go still before she inspires the level of fear cousin El can.'

With that thought, Tessa washes her hands of those concerns, and closes the door behind her, sealing their fate.