The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. The elder chief sat in silence, trying to mediate, but the volume of the protest was rising with every passing second.
Elves were no longer just arguing—they were shouting, slamming fists, and demanding that Kyle be removed immediately.
"You think we should let him near the sacred tree? After what happened last time?"
"This is insanity! We are risking everything just by letting him breathe our air!"
The elder chief raised his voice, but it wasn't enough. Order had fractured, and unity was collapsing beneath fear and old scars.
Kyle sighed. He had given them space to argue, to vent their emotions, but now it was spiraling too far. He stepped forward, just opening his mouth to speak—
A loud boom echoed from outside. It was sudden, sharp, and powerful enough to shake the ground beneath their feet. Every elf froze.
Then the door burst open, and a terrified soldier rushed in, his face pale and eyes wide.
