Mythraea Chronicles

Misunderstanding Hearts

The scouts' reports spread like wildfire across Mythraea, inciting fear and speculation in every corner of the realm. The news of a mysterious dark figure, surrounded by a wasteland of dead mythical creatures, sparked rumors and panic among the populace. Once an angelic guardian, Hearts was now perceived as a harbinger of doom, evil incarnate.

The queens convened in emergency meetings and visited the druids to devise a plan. Their discussions were filled with trepidation and mistrust as they pondered the identity and intentions of this dark figure. Ozza, having witnessed the destruction from the start, voiced the collective fear. "I saw what he was able to do," she said, showing everyone the burns and scars on her body from the destructive wave when she had to block with her body.

The druids, however, were left in a state of confusion and concern. Their deep connection to the land and its inhabitants told a different story. Druids could always sense when a mythical creature's soul departed the mortal realm, yet this time, they felt nothing. Despite the scouts' certainty that Hearts' had slaughtered many creatures, the druids did not sense the usual severing of life forces.

Elder Liora, a wise and ancient druid, discussed these puzzling events. "Something is amiss," she said, her voice steady but filled with concern. "We do not feel the souls departing. Instead, it is as if they are trapped, lingering in a state between life and death."

Queen Daxina of the Goblins, known for her Strategic decision-making, spoke with conviction. "This creature, this dark figure, has brought nothing but death and destruction. We must assume the worst. Until we understand more, all paths to the forest must be sealed." Queens Christina, Selina, Despina, and Elder Liora nodded. The decision was unanimous: all routes leading to the forest were to be closed off, guards were stationed to ensure no one ventured into the cursed land, and a plan needed to be devised to deal with this perceived threat.

Using their unique bond with nature, the druids reached out to the forest, feeling the pulse of the land. Through this connection, they discovered the truth: the souls of the slain creatures were still present, encased in a protective barrier created by Hearts. They could sense the boundaries of this magical net and the restless souls within. It was Elder Liora who first named it the Soul Forest, recognizing the significance of the barrier that held the souls in place.

While the druids and the queens worked to understand the situation, the common folk's fear of Hearts grew. Stories circulated, each more terrifying than the last, painting him as a malevolent force. In taverns and marketplaces, people whispered of a devil in the forest, a creature of darkness that killed without mercy. Parents warned their children to stay away from the woods, and even the bravest hunters and adventurers dared not approach.

Back in the royal courts, the queens grappled with their next steps. "We cannot let this devil roam free," Queen Selina declared. "Our kingdoms must be protected. We need to find a way to destroy this creature before it brings more devastation."

Yet, not all voices were united in their condemnation. Queen Despina, ever the seeker of truth, harbored doubts. "We must be cautious," she urged. "We know nothing of this being's true nature or its intentions. Rushing into battle might lead to greater harm."

The queens had different approaches to the threat.

Selina of the Demon Kingdom wanted to eliminate the threat head-on. She started preparing for war, acquiring more weapons, training soldiers, and sending scouts to gather as much information as possible before making a plan to attack.

Despina, driven by a desire to uncover the truth, joined the druids. Together, they studied the barrier and the lingering souls, seeking to understand the nature of Hearts' actions. Elder Liora and her kin believed that resolving this crisis required comprehension rather than fear.

Christina aimed to create and reinforce a barrier to prevent anything from coming out, favoring a more protective approach. She began constructing a great wall surrounding the Soul Forest, designed to block even the strongest forces from escaping the forest.

Daxina believed that if the creature did not make a move against them, it was best not to provoke it. She decided to provide support to the other kingdoms without taking any direct action, offering money, resources, troops, and weapons.

As the realm braced for conflict, the misunderstood figure of Hearts lay at the center of a storm of misinformation and fear. Some saw him as a devil, a bringer of destruction, while others sought to unravel the mystery of his true nature. The stage was set for a confrontation that would test the wisdom and courage of all involved, as the fate of the Soul Forest and its guardian hung in the balance.