A short time later he found himself walking through the royal palace. The familiar halls brought back years of memories. He half expected Solaris to jump out of nowhere.
Eventually, he arrived before the throne room. The guards recognized him immediately and the doors were opened before he could say anything.
Atheline entered. The High King sat upon the throne talking to one of his advisors. His gaze immediately landed upon the visitor the moment the doors were pushed open.
The room grew quiet as Atheline approached. He bowed respectfully but still maintained his dignity as a king. The fox remained on his shoulder ignoring protocol entirely.
"I owe Your Majesty an apology."
The High King raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Atheline smiled.
"I should have visited you first."
The high king stared at him for several moments then laughed, a deep, genuine laugh; one that echoed through the throne room.
Finally, he shook his head.
"No," the High King smiled warmly, "You went exactly where you were supposed to go."
And just like that, the tension vanished. Atheline smiled.
The atmosphere became calmer afterward, more familiar and less formal than most royal audiences.
The High King motioned toward a nearby chair.
"Sit."
Atheline nodded gratefully. Despite being a ruler himself now, there were still moments when he felt like the young high elf who used to walk these halls while running after the crown prince.
The fox remained perched on his shoulder, its blue eyes carefully studying everything around it.
The High King immediately noticed.
"What kind of beast is that?"
Atheline glanced at the fox and subconsciously rubbed its head.
"I’m still not entirely sure myself."
The fox chose that moment to yawn. The High King chuckled.
"It’s remarkable, I can feel the amount of Aether revolving around it. Whatever it is, it’s going to be strong. "
The fox seemed pleased with the compliment. Atheline had learned long ago not to try to understand magical beasts.
Servants quietly entered the throne room. Tea was prepared and documents were brought.
The atmosphere shifted naturally into a diplomatic meeting. There were also no unnecessary observers, only the two rulers.
The High King preferred important discussions this way which Atheline appreciated. Especially considering why he had come.
The High King settled back into his chair, then finally spoke.
"You did not travel all this way merely to visit family."
Atheline nodded.
"No."
The older ruler’s expression became more serious.
"I assumed as much."
Atheline folded his hands together. For several moments he considered how best to begin; eventually, he settled on the truth.
"The corrupted incidents are what brought me here."
The High King nodded immediately as though he had expected it.
"Continue."
Atheline leaned slightly forward.
"Reports are increasing..."
The High King’s expression didn’t change which itself was revealing. Atheline continued.
"... The Blood Sea sightings, corrupted beasts, corrupted creatures, unusual migrations, the coordinated attacks, the increased aggression, and the larger numbers," he stated everything without going into much detail.
Each point landed heavily because neither ruler viewed them as isolated incidents anymore. The High King remained silent until Atheline finished then he sighed, a long sigh. It was one of resignation and concern.
"We have received similar reports."
Atheline wasn’t surprised, still, hearing confirmation directly from the High King mattered. The high king slowly rose from his throne and then walked toward one of the enormous windows overlooking the kingdom.
Snow fell beyond the glass and the World Tree towered in the distance; majestic, ancient, and a living monument of the high elven pride.
The High King folded his hands behind his back.
"Our scouts have reported unusual activity along several coastal regions."
Atheline listened carefully.
"It’s nothing catastrophic or approaching an invasion... Yet."
The final word lingered. Atheline understood what it meant. The High King continued.
"The problem is not their strength."
Atheline immediately agreed. That had never been the real issue, ordinary corrupted creatures could be defeated. Even large numbers could eventually be managed but the problem was something else.
"Their behavior," Atheline finished.
The High King nodded.
"Exactly."
Silence followed. He looked toward the World Tree his gaze thoughtful.
"The reports describe creatures acting with purpose."
Atheline frowned, that matched their own findings. The High King continued.
"They retreat, regroup, avoid unnecessary engagements, and only target vulnerable settlements."
Atheline’s expression gradually darkened. Although the high elven kingdom had the least amount of corrupted, which was surprising, the fact that it was now starting to also suffer through the same thing was telling.
The High King eventually returned to his seat, and his expression remained calm. But only because rulers learned how to hide worry.
Atheline understood that too well. Eventually, he asked the question that had been bothering him.
"The World Tree."
The High King’s eyes shifted toward him.
"The roots extend beneath the ocean."
Atheline nodded.
"The Blood Sea."
The High King understood immediately. And a thoughtful silence followed, then the older ruler shook his head.
"No abnormalities."
Atheline blinked. The High King continued.
"I have already asked."
That wasn’t surprising. If anyone would investigate first, it would be him.
"The priests monitor the World Tree constantly."
Atheline’s attention sharpened. The High King nodded.
"Daily."
That made sense. The World Tree wasn’t merely symbolic it was sacred, a cornerstone of their civilization. Any corruption affecting it would immediately become a worldwide emergency.
The High King leaned back slightly.
"The priests have reported no contamination. There have been no reports of sickness, unusual mana fluctuations, and corruption."
Atheline felt slightly relieved, only slightly because that didn’t eliminate the problem. It merely removed one possibility.
The High King seemed to arrive at the same conclusion.
"The World Tree is healthy... As far as we can tell."
The final words hung in the air. Atheline understood.
’As far as we can tell’ even the high king wasn’t certain. It was only the limits of current knowledge.
The fox stretched atop his shoulder then promptly fell asleep again.
Atheline envied it. Life seemed considerably simpler when sleeping was a viable solution.
The High King suddenly smiled.
"You are thinking too much."
He looked up, confusion in his expression. The high king chuckled.
"It shows."
Atheline laughed quietly.
"Occupational hazard."
The High King nodded.
"A terrible one."
Several moments passed. The atmosphere lightened slightly then the High King leaned forward.
"Tell me honestly."
Atheline met his gaze. The ruler’s expression became serious.
"What do you believe is happening?"