Death's Rebirth

CHAPTER 10: HIGHLAND COUNCIL

The girl stepped into the restricted side of the woodland, the crimson portal behind her closing with a whisper. Surrounded by the mysterious beauty of the magical realm—it was like stepping into another world.

"Wow..." Iris gasped, unable to contain her amazement at the sight of the council's stunning courtyard. A sense of wonder and mystery settled over her as she glanced around, the beauty of it all drawing her in.

The air was tinged with the sweet aroma of fresh grass, and the sun danced off the treetops in glinting beams of light.

The floor was crafted out of a large circular perimeter of smooth mineral, covered in a vibrant assortment of exotic and glowing flora. A majestic gathering of willow trees clothed in a profusion of vibrant flowers surrounded the podium—where she now stood.

Everything is glowing.

The atmosphere surrounding Iris felt even more refreshing and carefree compared to her earlier environment, providing a pleasant and chilled sensation as the breezes swirled about her. The foliage was adorned with a variety of beautiful and wild flowers.

It's so beautiful. In the distant vicinity, a stream of crystalline water could be faintly seen, trickling and pouring from a small cliff and winding its way through the woods.

The scenery was truly magnific, with its abundance of flora and fauna offering a stark contrast to the exterior of the forest and providing a fascinating glimpse into the otherworldliness of the inner part of the magical kingdom.

What made the experience feel even more surreal and pleasant was when Iris looked down and observed that her feet touching the crystallize path didn't cause any damage or darkness to spread. It was a new and strange sight for her, one that felt utterly refreshing and wonderful.

Is this what it feels like? The girl asked herself, experiencing an unfamiliar yet pleasant sensation that she could not recall feeling previously.

The deafening silence of the serene forest, only interrupted by the stream of rushing water and a few animals, was truly mesmerising for Iris.

She almost believed she had ventured into a peaceful paradise. However, the tranquility was short-lived as she finally became aware of the three magical beings gazing down upon her from their seats within the circle.

Are we—Did we just teleported right to the centre of the meeting?

"Ah..." Iris gasped upon finally noticing the presence of the three unfamiliar beings. She hastily looked down, feeling embarrassed at having not acknowledged their existence for quite some time during her admiration of their serene surroundings.

Why couldn't he just teleport us here in the beginning? A slight sensation of annoyance and irritation could also be seen in her expression and demeanour as she realised that the fairy king had taken his seat next to a female spirit.

"To have arrived late to such an important meeting seem out of character for you," one of the creature remarked, displaying a hint of disapproval and dissatisfaction towards the fairy's tardiness. The creature went on to add, "You are normally quite punctual and observant of time."

A soft snicker escaped the other creature's lips when hearing the latter's comment, and its body language carried a subtle hint of amusement—to which Argastal paid little to no mind, seemingly unphased by the humour.

Iris's violet eyes flickered toward the snickering creature, whose head was distinctly reptilian—its broad, slitted pupils locking onto her with a predatory gleam. Though its silhouette was humanoid, the scales covering its form seemed carved from obsidian, catching the sunlight and splitting it into shards of color, like rays dancing through a prism. The serpent's exterior shimmered, an unsettling beauty masking its true nature.