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At the banks of a large lake, they ponder how to cross it. Alf touches the water's surface with his fingertip, and astonishingly, most parts of the lake begin to freeze, spreading outward in elegant crystal-like patterns. Elva roars in amazement at the beauty of the lake turned to ice. They walk across the frozen portion of the lake, the sound of their steps echoing gently—crunch, crunch—as if the ice were made of sugar glass, they reach the unfrozen section. Just as Alf freezes this part too, Elva notices a fish trying to escape the "ice age," but it gets frozen along with the water.
Elva: [Poor thing.]
They advance to dry land. There, Elva stops in her tracks to thaw the frozen lake with Heat Energy - her palms glow amber, and a wave of warmth spreads across the lake. Slowly, the icy surface begins to melt, sending light steam into the air. From a distance, the fish from earlier skips out of the lake, wags its tail at Elva in gratitude, and dives back into the water.
Elva: (Pleased)
Elva looks at Balin, who is beaming at her. Her gaze shifts to Alf as she walks past him with raised shoulders of confidence. Alf's composed demeanor leads him to tilt his head slightly to the right at her attitude. He glances at the grass, then back at the walking Elva.
As dusk gradually swallows the noon, the four of them decide to rest. Alf is seen by a floral field practicing his archery using the buds of nearby flowers. The peaceful sounds of evening insects hum softly in the background. Once again, he readies his arrow to shoot. Someone approaches from behind.
Elva: Not only is our Elflord good in theft, but also in archery. What a blessed soul we have. (Moves to his left side)
Alf: (Glances over his left shoulder)
Elva: 😇 Please continue.
Alf focuses on his aim. Channeling a string of his Energy around the shaft of the arrow, he prepares to shoot. PAH! The sound of the bowstring echoes. The arrow pins a dandelion's bud to a distant tree.
Elva: 👏 Wonderful, wonderful 👏👏
Alf: (Composed) What do you request?
Elva: Oh, nothing in particular. I just noticed the nice technique you used and was wondering if you'd like to be my archery master.
The fired arrow swiftly returns toward him, and he catches it.
Alf: You are a thief—the Masked Thief, in fact. Yet you do not know how to shoot. (Looking down at the arrow) Quite pleasing.
Elva: 😩 It seems you do not want to teach me. (Swiftly snatching his bow and an arrow from his quiver) … Then I'll just learn it myself!
Before Alf can stop her, she somersaults. While mid-air, she channels a bit of her Energy into the arrow. Aiming at a flower's petal, she fires. The petal is pinned deep into the trunk of a tree while Elva hangs down from a nearby branch. She jumps down and approaches a nonchalant Alf, controlling the arrow back into her hand.
Elva: How was that, Your Majesty? Here. (Places the arrow into his quiver)
The same arrow radiates a ruby glow. Alf stares at the hand she used for the shot.
Elva: That's a gift to you. (Turns away) Why are you so quiet…?
Princess Raina: 👋 It's ready!
Alf: (Fingertips on his temples)
Princess Raina: Come over!
Elva: 🤨 I think she's calling yo—
Alf: (Running past Elva) Coming! 🤩
Elva: (Blinks twice) Was he not quiet just now?
A Desolated State, at a ruined temple,
The structure looms like a broken crown, ancient runes hidden beneath layers of moss.
Duke Balin: (Senses) The negative miasma of this place is extreme.
Alf: (Blocking his nostrils with his fingers) I can perceive it. [Just like rotten hope.]
Suddenly, something—some kind of being—rushes at Elva from behind. She dodges swiftly, and the spirit flies past her like a moaning gust.
Elva: (Standing properly) That's a Xiaonu-le.
NOTE: Xiaonu-le translates to a spirit or soul that has experienced pain or stress before or after death.
Duke Balin: You know of them?
Elva: I've read a whole book on them. There was also a doodle of one screaming next to a candle. (A smirk along with the nudge of the head) Charming bedtime story
Alf: What is this place?
Princess Raina: According to the map, this is the Temple of Mimina. The elves who died in the tragic conflict at Temple Village, and those who have suffered unjust deaths, reside here.
Just then, two Xiaonu-les rush at Raina. Seeing their aim, Elva quickly uses a worn-out silk cloth on the floor to cover the glowing Map of Sacred Leads, making the spirits pass over Raina instead.
Princess Raina: 💢 What are you doing?
Elva: Xiaonu-les are aggressively attracted to light. Like clingy moths... except that moths don't scream.
Princess Raina: Then you should have said so earlier. (Disappears the map) Which means we have to find our way out from here.
They move on, but find no clear path. At one point, Elva sees a blue, mesmerizing gem on the ground while playing around the statues.
Elva: (Mock whispering) Shiny. (Picks the gem) Must be good luck!...
Almost instantly, three Xiaonu-les dart toward her.
Elva: I take it back! It's cursed candy! (Dodges)
They divert to Balin in anger. Fortunately, he uses a wooden stick he picked earlier to fend them off. Before they can circle back, Raina brushes the gem from Elva's hand.
Princess Raina: What is wrong with you?! Do you want to bring death upon us?
Elva: I'm sorry 😁 chaos does have a strong gravitational pull on me. It's not like I meant to cause harm to any of you.
Princess Raina: Yea, because you shouldn't. That is the work of the Urulókë—to guide and protect the yin and yang.
Elva: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're speaking like it's some divine force. I know my duty as the Red Draga, and I'm still learning how to—
Princess Raina: Then why are you here?
Elva: (Pauses for two seconds) That question is not to be answered. (Turns and takes a few steps away) Let's keep going...
Princess Raina: Stop there, you churlish thief. (Elva stops in her tracks) (Snorts) A thief knows their name best.
Alf glances at Raina, then at Elva.
Princess Raina: If you're not here to protect the three of us, then what are you here for? Confess thy heart's desire.
Elva: (Turns back at Raina) What do you mean by that?