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Bob dashes towards the Elflord.
The Aixle whistles through the air, stopping barely an inch from the Emperor's throat—only to be halted by a shimmering wall of the Elflord's Energy.
At that exact moment the Stable Soldier from earlier strides into the chamber.
Stable Soldier: Regal Elflord, you summoned our serva—nt?
His eyes widen at the sight of Bob threatening the seemingly fragile Emperor with the deadly Special Aixle.
Stable Soldier: Your Majesty!
Hearing the voice of his "suspect," the Elflord instantly feigns injury.
He collapses gracefully onto the floor like a threatened enchantress.
The Stable Soldier rushes to his side.
Stable Soldier: Are you harmed, Regal Elflord? (Turning on Bob) Bobby Ithnil! Have you lost your sanity?! To raise a weapon against the Emperor!
Bob: (Casually leaning the Aixle on his right shoulder, head tilted) Hm? (Simpering) Tut, tut, tut… look here—the düpwe walked straight into our snare.
Stable Soldier: Düpwe?
The Elflord's arm hangs limply over the Stable Soldier's shoulder from behind.
Bob's sneer glints under the dim lantern light.
Elva's Side
Leav: Wow, I still can't believe General Tyrên had a son with Berry before she married Commandant Philip. But why keep his name secret?
Elva: Because he wants no one to know.
FLASHBACK
Elva: At least tell him your identity. He is your father, after all.
Saeed: No. He doesn't need to know I exist.
Elva: But at least knowing he has a son—
Saeed: (Exhaling, leaning closer) It has been years. There is no need for unnecessary matters like that.
Elva: Unneces—?! (Sighs) I do not understand you males.
Saeed: Your Dragon Spirit was originally male…
Elva: Aside from that!
BACK TO PRESENT
Leav: You mentioned earlier that your Dragon Spirit was originally male?
Elva: It seems so. The Dragon Spirit takes the same gender as its successor.
Leav: The Traitorous King is still out there. Any news about him so—
Commandant Philip: (Approaching with measured steps) I see no reason why a servant should inquire into matters beyond his station.
Leav: (Immediately kowtowing) Royal Commandant, Imperial Advisor—greetings.
Leav & Elva: [(Quick eye contact) Doesn't look like he heard what we discussed.]
Royal Advisor: (Measured) Certain truths are withheld from the populace for reasons of the highest necessity. You may take your leave now, lad.
Leav: Ah, yea. (He slips away)
Commandant Philip: Throwing banquets and now leaking secrets of secrecy… I now understand why His Majesty suffers headaches over you.
Elva: (Snickering) That is nothing but his own issue. Ah—greetings, Royal Advisor.
Royal Advisor: (Saluting crisply) Peace be upon you, Princess Elvÿndia. Might I inquire as to the purpose of your summons?
Elva: [Geez, it's hard to keep up with this elf's words.] (Walking to a low table) Please, sit and have some tea. I am told this is how one properly welcomes a guest in noble circles.
They sit. Neither touches the tea.
Elva: (Moving to the balcony) Balin is still out there, watching our every move, striving each day to seize the Bias Gem—his ultimate destruction. It is indeed sad.
The two elves exchange a long, weighted look.
Silence settles between them.
Commandant Philip: It seems Princess Elva is concerned for the King of Veil Village.
Elva: What do you mean?
Commandant Philip: Yet I shall regard it merely as a trait of the Dragon Spirit… is it not?
Elva: (Sneering, glancing away) Some matters are meant to remain secret. (She turns to the Royal Advisor) Don't you agree, Mister Advisor?
Royal Advisor: (With a faint smile) Oh-ho. I am an elf of considerable years, yet your wisdom still surpasses mine by far.
Elva: (Pleased smile).
The Royal Advisor slowly swirls the surface of his tea with two fingertips.
Royal Advisor: Although…
Suddenly he flicks two pin-like projectiles straight at Elva's eyes.
She hisses, staggering back, hand flying to her eyes.
Royal Advisor: (Rising) Some truths require a measure of light.
Elva: (Eyes covered, voice tight with pain).
Commandant Philip: Why did you aim for her instead?
Royal Advisor: Fear not—it is not life-threatening. Princess Wood, I surmised that you summoned me precisely to confirm my true identity.
Elva: (Sneering through the pain) But this is hardly a pleasant way to reveal it.
Royal Advisor: My deepest apologies. It is said that the eyes of the Yang shine as bright as the clearest day sky… therefore the eyes of its vessel should do likewise.
Elva: (Slowly uncovering her eyes and opening them).
With the fake irises removed, her real irises blaze with the pure, radiant light of the Yang.
Commandant Philip: (Astonished) Your eyes… they are… (speechless)
Royal Advisor: Why conceal such splendour?
Elva: You know why—just as I know why you concealed the fact that you are the last Bower of the Mystical Fluid Pins. What is even your real name?
Royal Advisor: (Exhaling as he regards the Rkiquë) Nomad Usgard Sablethorne of the Nile. Your request today signifies that my days of combat shall stir once more. (A faint smile) [My old friends would feel far greater excitement than I at this moment were they present.] Very well. (Turning to Elva) I shall lend my aid as well.
Commandant Philip: (Stunned) You will? Really? 😑
Royal Advisor: Indeed. She possesses a most persuasive tongue–than you. Besides… (Massaging his fingers) it has been some time since I last paralysed an opponent.
Elva: (Chuckling) Then—
Assistant Royal Commander: (Bursting in) Commander-in-Chief!
Commandant Philip: What seems to be the matter?
Assistant Royal Commander: It's… it's… it's the quarters.
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