ECLIPSED

CHAPTER 4

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the smoldering remnants of what had once been a vibrant corner of Eldarheime. As Azrath stood atop the stone ramparts of his citadel, he gazed into the distance, where the borders met the encroaching lands of the humans. He could see the signs of their ambition where the lumberjacks cutting down trees that had stood for centuries, and mining operations set deep in the heart of the enchanted forest, disturbing the delicate balance of life that thrived there.

"Fools," he muttered under his breath, feeling the rage bubbling within him. "They cannot see the destruction they bring."

It was not just timber they sought, it was the precious elven diamonds that lay buried beneath the earth-gems infused with the magic of the forest, capable of amplifying both beauty and power. The humans believed these stones would grant them strength in their relentless quest for domination. But in their greed, they failed to understand that their actions had consequences. The lifeblood of the forest was being stolen by these retched humans, leading to the death of the very lands that nurtured them.

"Their thirst for power is insatiable," he growled, clenching his fists. "They think they can take without consequences. They will learn, as all must, that nature is not to be trifled with."

The whispers of dying trees and fading magic haunted him, fueling his resolve. The council had been slow to respond, debating diplomatic solutions while Azrath watched his homeland wither. Their indecisiveness enraged him. He was ready to take matters into his own hands, to lead his Ember Guard into the heart of the human territories and reclaim what was rightfully theirs.

Suddenly, the heavy door behind him creaked open, interrupting his thoughts. One of his soldiers, a young elf named Theron, stepped forward, his expression serious.

"General," Theron said a note of urgency in his voice. "We captured a human trespasser near the border. She was attempting to steal from our lands."

Azrath's interest piqued, though annoyance also welled up inside him. "A human? Here?" He turned to face Theron fully, his eyes narrowing. "What was she doing so far into our territory?"

"We believe she may have crossed the shield, sir. It should have been impossible, yet here we are. She claims she got lost."

"Lost?" Azrath echoed, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Humans have a remarkable talent for deceit. Bring her to me. I will interrogate her myself."

As Theron nodded and turned to lead him toward the holding cells, Azrath felt a flicker of curiosity mixed with irritation. He would make this human understand the severity of her trespass. After all, if they were so bold as to enter his lands, they would learn the price of their actions.

Lea shivered in the cold, damp cell, her mind racing. She had stumbled into a nightmare after following that flickering light, and now she was trapped in an elven stronghold She could hear the heavy footsteps approaching and the echo of voices growing louder.

"I need to think of a way out of this," she whispered to herself, glancing around the small space for anything that could aid her. But there was nothing-a cold stone floor, iron bars, and the faint smell of damp earth.

When the door creaked open, she straightened, trying to put on a brave face. A tall figure entered, cloaked in shadows. Lea instinctively recognized the powerful aura radiating from him. Azrath stood before her, his piercing eyes fixed on her with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

"You dare trespass on my land?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "How did you breach the shield that guards our borders?"

Lea felt her heart race, but she quickly gathered her thoughts. "I-I was just exploring! I didn't mean to intrude!"

"Exploring?" he scoffed, crossing his arms, which only made her feel smaller. "Humans always have an excuse."

She took a breath, trying to buy time while subtly working to loosen the bindings around her wrists. "Please, I know how it looks, but I got lost in the woods. I had no idea I was-"

Before she could finish, one of the guards outside the cell interrupted, leaning in to speak with Azrath. "General, the king requests your presence immediately. It's urgent."

Azrath's expression hardened, frustration flashing across his features. He turned to look at Lea one last time, his gaze piercing, attempting to intimidate her further. "Consider yourself fortunate, human. You're spared-for now. I will return.

With that, he turned sharply, his cloak billowing behind him as he strode out of the cell, leaving Lea alone in the dim light. The door slammed shut, echoing through the chamber.

As the tension eased, she took a moment to gather herself. "Okay, think, Lea," she whispered to herself, fingers still fumbling with the bindings. "I need to figure out how to escape this mess before he comes back."

With every second ticking by, she could feel theweight of Azrath's scrutiny bearing down on her. She had to distract him longenough to free herself