Having spent the entire day shopping and parading around the whole city, we headed back towards the House while the sun was already setting, and as the merchant vendors all began closing up their stands and storing away their leftover goods. Stopping by the House for only a short moment, the others dropped off all their sacks of stuff in their rooms, and I finally got a good look at tattoos painted on my face and back.

Matching the nature-based designs of the tattoos on my body, intertwining flowering vines were beautifully woven around my eyes and face, creating a masquerade-like mask covering my face, and honestly almost making me unrecognizable. However the tattoos on my back were quite different. Depicting a very detailed twisted tree on a floating island, it had three winged figures surrounding the image, and one winged figure directly in the centre of the tree—a blue-winged fairy on the top, a green-winged fairy on the bottom left, a violet-winged fairy on the bottom right, and a white-winged angel right in the centre.

“What’s this supposed to be?” I questioned, “Three fairies and an angel?” unsure what exactly to make of the depiction.

The others soon came back, with them sporting their completely over the top and extravagant festival outfits: Verana adorned in alluring and exquisite refined crystal gems, Aelthar flaunting countless silver and gold jewelry decorating his person, Shurtyrr concealing several deadly daggers within fancy silk fabrics and the loose robe he wore, and Amariina wearing a large colourful veiled hat that draped down and covered her entire top half.

“Jeez... Can these guys try to be any more conspicuous?” Laughingly shaking my head at their pure brazenness.

“Well then, shall we get going, Lord Eyes?” Verana asked, moving her way to the door.

“To Castle Ven’Thyl, right?” I said hesitantly.

“That is correct.” She answered, informing me “It is where the statues of the First King and the Great King stands for us to behold and honour them, as well as where everyone in the city should be gathering to witness the Twin Goddesses’ Aurora on the eve of the festival.”

“Hmm... Statues of the previous Kings...” I mumbled to myself.

“Are you interested in knowing about them, my Lord?” Verana inquired.

“No, not really—well at least not right now.” Reasoning, “I was just...interested in seeing what these statues looked like.”

“Then let us go forth and behold their glory!” Verana said wholeheartedly, opening the door for me.

“What is left of their glory…” Shurtyrr quietly remarked.

“Wait, huh? What do you mean, Shur?” Curiously questioning him.

“N-Nothing, my Lord. I was simply speaking nonsense.” He answered nervously, avoiding my question and my gaze.

But Aelthar answered for him, telling me “He means their full glory is no longer intact, Lord Eyes. For a few centuries ago, a criminal so heinous arose, and blasphemously attempted to destroy the two statues of the Kings. Though luckily with the final intervention of Verana and Lord Illiveyl, the devastating crisis was mostly averted before more casualties could fall upon the statues and the Kingdom.”

“Mostly averted?” I repeated in intrigue.

“The Great King’s head was still utterly destroyed, while the First King’s head was only partially sliced off.” Aelthar elaborated, adding “Not to mention the 10 Guard Captains at the time, including the Head Guard Captain himself, were all defeated and severely injured in that bloody battle to protect the statues.”

“Hold on, are you saying a single person was strong enough to take out all of the Guard Captains?” I questioned in disbelief.

“The single worst criminal in all of Elven History...” Aelthar corrected, “But yes...a single person did accomplish such a feat.”

“Woah… Just how strong was this person?” Then Bhin suddenly came to mind, making me think “Is that Bhin why was littered in scars, and missing his arm and leg? He did say he wouldn’t die until he got his revenge, so does that mean…” I then asked, “What happened to this so-called worst criminal?”

The others didn’t answer and instead turned to look at Verana to speak, so I did the same. She smiled and told me, “Although his blasphemous crimes were seen as atrocious in many elven eyes, as well as the many other crimes and troubles he brought to the Kingdom, his undeniable strength was too valuable to simply go to waste in death, therefore I adamantly suggested and argued otherwise.” stating, “Except being considered to be too unpredictably dangerous to simply exile him, as per the Kingdom’s traditions, he was ultimately sentenced to a sealed deathless imprisonment.” Pointing to the limbless and chained figure painted on her chest.

I could see from the expressions on all of their faces there was obviously much more to the story, but not meaning to pry and ruin the mood, I quickly changed the topic, saying “What’s wrong with all of you? Isn’t this supposed to be a festival? So hurry up and let’s get going already! Oh, and last one out of the House has to buy for everyone at next year’s festival!” Leaving the House first, with the Verana joyfully following my lead next, while the others panicked and fought their way towards the door.

Following the crowded paved roads of the Soil, all the elves headed the same direction, and were all dressed in beautiful and ornate garments and accessories—with any of their exposed skin also painted in intricate and colourful elven tattoos. Though as our House walked by, maybe out of respect for Verana and Aelthar who carried such presence, or simply just in awe of our striking festival outfits and tattoos; the crowds made way for us. We traveled along the roads quite a bit further, but eventually, the growing crowds were naturally pushed and spilled out onto the city grass. Moving forward nevertheless, I could see the distinct Noble Houses in the distance to our right, and the marbled Ven’Thyl Academy in the distance to our left; but in the distance right ahead of us, I could see our very jam-packed destination.

Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of elves, a three storey triangular marble building stood at the very bottom of a large hill, with three individuals greeting the waiting crowds of people on the 2nd floor terrace—almost dressed as grandiose as our own House. “That is the Councilor Building.” Verana informed me, as she then pointed up to the three individuals on the terrace, “And those three up there are the three Noble Councilors, and Heads of the Noble Houses.”

“The man in the green leaf cloak is obviously Zebeyeyl Fre’Nddare, but who’re the other two?” I inquired, noticing both of them already staring intently at our House.

Pointing to the shorter burly Dark Elf man wearing spiked purple armour first, Verana informed me “The scar-faced old grouch is Korspar Baen’Mtor. He is currently the Head of his House, and was previously the Head Captain of the Guards. However, seeing as how he passed on the position of Head Captain to his son, Firspar, a half a century ago, he may also soon be passing on his title of Head of the House.” She then pointed to the taller skinny High Elf woman wearing a luxurious blue robe next, saying “And that starved old witch up there is Daelaf Helvi’Ett. She is also currently the Head of her House, as well as the Leading Supreme Judge in all of the Courts. And it is honestly yours, and our House's best interest to avoid contact with her as much as possible.”

“Yeah, she absolutely hates our House.” Amariina whispered to me.

“Although she does hate Verana more if that means anything.” Shurtyrr quietly mentioned.

“Interesting…” Then I just felt like I had to ask, “Hey, Ael. If you were to fight against the Head Guard Captain, current or previous, do you think you can take them?”

“That is hard to say.” Aelthar shrugged in honesty, “I have sparred against both of them, and I am technically undefeated against them, but they have always willingly forfeited before things could get truly interesting.” Adding, “Though I will say, besides Old Bhin, Head Captain Korspar is the only captain strong enough to break through my defenses, while Head Captain Firspar is the only captain agile enough to get past my spear and shield.”

“Does that mean you’re currently the second strongest Guard Captain?” I asked curiously.

Aelthar smirked, “You are welcome to decide that on your own if you attend one of the Guard’s Open-Challenge Duels at the end of the month.”

“Oh right, Odelia told me about those.” Recalling that fact and responding, “Sounds like a fun watch. Maybe I will.”

Directing my attention back ahead of us, a round paved road ran up and around the large hill behind the Councilor Building, and tens of thousands of more elves could be seen slowly climbing up and down it. Though standing there at the very top of the hill, well above 100 feet in height, were two magnificent giant stone statues of the previous Elven Kings—the left being the First King with his face diagonally sliced off, and the right being the Great King having only a neck to show for. And as we slowly followed the revolving crowds of elves up the hill, the incredible craftsmanship and details of the two statues were made quite obvious to me.

The First King was sculpted in the image of a pure elven knight: wearing a full set of flawless elven plate armour, an embroidered waist cloth wrapping behind him, the sliced helmet adorned with a prominent antler, and a unique two-pronged spear engraved with intricate runic patterns—pointed downwards to the ground in front. Conversely, the Great King was sculpted to be much more mysterious: wearing a large feathered cloak hiding most of his stone body, a sheathed curved sword strapped to his waist, a full quiver of arrows strapped to his back, and a unique recurve bow with an almost wicked and corrupted design—standing tall in front.

“So that’s the greatest archer in the history of Novus?” Admiring the statue’s grandeur as we slowly climbed the hill.

“Urgh…” Annihilation groaned in disgust, “What an unpleasant memory his statue brings me.”

“Wait, do you know the Great King Ven’Thyl?!” I exclaimed, “Don’t tell he was one of your previous vessels, was he?!”

“Oh yes I do know him, and his father. But never have they had the pleasure of being my vessels.” Annihilation revealed to me.

“Hold on, if I understand what you’re saying, and they could’ve been your vessels, does that mean they were Players too?” I keenly questioned.

“Would you believe me if I said there were no such distinctions in the past?” She knowingly mentioned.

“Huh? What does that supposed to mean?” But she only giggled at my cluelessness. And already knowing she wouldn’t reveal much more to me, I instead asked “Hey, Anni. If you were to compare me to the Great King Ven’Thyl, who do you think is the better archer? Me or him?”

“Do you really wish to know?”

“I do.”

“Well then I’m sorry to hurt your ego, little Voa, but it was undoubtedly him.” She voiced so matter-of-factly.

I chuckled, “Haha, you think that could hurt my ego?”

“Ohhh? Do you still think yourself greater, Voa? ” Annihilation questioned, “Or do you simply not believe my words?”

“No, nothing like that.” Explaining to her, “In the previous world, there was only one person who could truly challenge me in archery, and who was the only person I’ve ever considered to be better than me. But after coming here to Novus and learning about the Trinity Archers and their amazing archery skills, the thought of overcoming all of them and proving I’m better absolutely...thrills me!”

“Mmmh... Good… Overcome them all… And reach even greater heights than that unpleasant King could obtain!” Annihilation expressed excitedly.

Finally arriving at the foot of the statues, I could see they were both surrounded by all sorts of flower and fruit offerings—unintentionally covering the statues’ plaques—as well as crowds of elves bowing down, showing their respects, and praying to the Kings and the Twin Goddesses. But my eyes were immediately directed elsewhere—staring right past the two statues, and seeing almost the exact same tree depicted on my back.

Gazing out onto a floating, segmented, and ascending rock path on the edge of the hilltop; a giant twisted tree could be seen on an island at the other end of the path—floating well above the city treetops. Sharing very similar details to the depiction on my back, it was undoubtedly the same tree. However noticeably different, a particularly ordinary house was built right into the tree, alongside a huge unnaturally hole splitting the top of the trunk and the treetop. And perfectly enclosing the entirety of the floating island was an incredibly powerful spherical magic barrier.

“Is that really supposed to be Castle Ven’Thyl?” I questioned. “I mean besides it being on floating island, it just seems so...ordinary.” Then overwhelmed with immense curiosity, I used my Eyes Of A Seer to reveal its true glow of its Significance.

Floating in the sky, the island instantly became a giant ball of pure golden light, clearly standing out to be the most significant thing I’ve ever seen. And although Verana shined with her own golden light of Significance, surprisingly two more objects could be seen shining brighter than her nearby. The first being the two-pronged spearhead of the First King’s spear, and second being the very heart of the Great King’s chest.

The sight of both Significances left me utterly stunned, thinking “If the statues were important, then the whole thing would be glowing, but since they’re not… Could there be something hidden inside of them?!” I quickly suppressed my eyes before they could be seen, but my curiosity only increased as I followed the others showing their respects and offerings—placing fresh fruits and gorgeous flowers from Verana’s garden.

We moved on shortly after, allowing the elves behind us to show their respects too, but the others couldn’t help notice the dumbfounded expression written all over my face. “Is something on your mind, Eyes?” Shurtyrr inquired attentively.

“Uhh...you could say that.” I replied.

“Did seeing the Castle and the Kings make you desire them to be yours?” Amariina chimed in, hopeful.

“No, that’s not it.” I opposed, disappointing the others, “I was just curious if you guys knew anything about the castle or the statues? Like if there’s something hidden inside them maybe?”

“Castle Ven’Thyl is a mystery, as it is known only Royal Blood can pass through its unbreakable barrier, meaning it still remains untouched to this very day.” Shurtyrr relayed. He then whispered, “Unless a certain someone enters of course.”

“Hmm… Then what about the statues?” I asked, “Could there be something in them?”

“There are baseless rumours of one of the Kings supposedly holding the key to the Castle inside of them, but they are baseless and entirely speculative.” Amariina mentioned.

“One of them holds the key to the Castle?” I reiterated, asking myself “Then why did they both shine with Significance?”

Aelthar then explained, “After the incident of the statues being attacked, the public questioned the reasoning of the attacks, but after no reasoning was given to the public, they began creating conspiracies—the most prominent of which was they were attacked to find a key, and finally open-up the castle barrier.” continuing, “However, there is no one actually stupid enough to openly attack our Kings—or even strong enough to damage the statues’ stone.”

“You said no reason was given to the public, so does that mean there was a reason given in private?” Bringing up the point.

“There was.” Verana answered, “Although you may find it more enlightening if you read about it yourself in the library.”

“The library?” I repeated in confusion.

“Yes, the one in our House.” Verana clarified, reminding “For as I said earlier, I would bring you the records of his meetings with the Ancient Mage later.”

“Woah, hold on!” Quietly exclaiming, “The worst criminal in Elven History is a member of our House?!” I chuckled at the revelation, “Actually, that sounds just about right for us.”

“A fact I promise we did not mean to hide from you, Eyes.” Verana assured me, with the others nodding their heads in agreement.

“No, I get it. Our House clearly has a very long and complicated history that I don’t know about yet.” Speaking to all of them, “But be it the past, present, or future; now that you’ve accepted me as a part of this family, you should all know that I won’t ever make you feel ashamed by any of it.”

“Eyes…” They all uttered, touched by my words.

Then sensing they might make some over the top proclamation of devotion again, I interrupted them, asking “So what happens next?”

And as we joined the waiting crowds in front of the Councilor Building, Verana replied “Now we simply await the coming blessings of the moon.” Pointing up at the giant crimson moon still eerily floating in the sky.