"You have done well," Astra said after Luna and Darkpaw finished recounting their encounter with the goblins and the destruction of the Rot Totem. The dryad's ancient eyes lingered on the cracked Essence Shard Luna had produced from her Space Pouch. "The corruption from that source will fade now. The forest will breathe easier in that quarter."

  She gestured for Luna to keep the depleted crystal. "Hold onto it. Essence Shards can sometimes be restored if brought to places of sufficient power, though what fills them determines their nature. This one drank deeply of Rot. Even cleansed, it might carry echoes. But better in your pouch than left for scavengers."

  Luna tucked the shard away. Beast guardians other than Darkpaw had already retreated, giving the three of them some space to discuss more sensitive matters. Astra's gaze shifted to her fully now, studying her with an intensity that felt like being read.

  "Darkpaw tells me you saved his life," the dryad continued, her voice softening. "That you intervened against a dozen goblins, risking your life for what may have looked like a mere beast to you. That is not the choice most would make."

  "She didn't hesitate," Darkpaw added quietly. "I was trapped, wounded, outnumbered. She could have let me die and taken easy prey afterward. Instead she drew their attention to herself, faced their Shamans directly." His yellow eyes met Luna's briefly. "I would not be here without her."

  Astra nodded slowly, something shifting in her expression—a deepening of respect, perhaps, or recognition. "Then you have my gratitude twice over, Luna of the planet called Earth. Once for the totem's destruction, and once for preserving one of my children."

  "But first," Astra continued, "I sense you have questions that have nothing to do with totems or goblins. Questions about yourself. Ask them, child. I will answer what I can."

  Luna felt the weight of everything she'd been carrying since the Integration began. The pointed ears she still wasn't used to touching. The silver eyes that stared back at her from any reflective surface. The word "elf" that the System had stamped onto her identity without explanation.

  "How is it possible?" she asked after telling Astra of her circumstances, as well as some basic details about her home planet. "That I ended up on Earth, a place seemingly without any magic? The System itself claimed my Race to be magical in nature."

  Astra settled more comfortably against the Oak's roots, and Luna had the sense of someone preparing for a longer conversation.

  "To answer that, I must first explain what elves are." Her fingers traced patterns in the air as she spoke, tiny motes of green light following the movements. "The Sanctum System has touched many worlds across countless ages. When it Integrates a Realm, it does not simply bestow power—it awakens possibilities that were always latent. In some places, the Aether is hidden deep within the planet, leaving the creatures untouched by it—like your Earth. And on worlds where Aether flows on the surface for millennia—either before the Integration or after—living beings adapt. And humans change."

  "Change how?"

  "Gradually. Over generations. Their ears lengthen to better catch the whispers of wind and magic. Their eyes sharpen to perceive the dance of Aether. Their lifespans stretch as their bodies learn to sustain themselves on the world's energy." Astra paused. "This is how elves are born—not as a separate creation, but as an evolution. Humans touched by magic until they become something more."

  Luna absorbed this. That made her feel relieved, in a way. She wasn't something completely alien, but just... different. Mostly in a good way, from what she'd learned so far based on her Race's description by the System.

  "So elves are just evolved humans," she concluded.

  "In essence, yes. As are dwarves and gnomes, who emerge in places of deep stone and forge-fire. As are giants and halflings, who arise where the land itself is vast and ancient. The System recognizes many such paths, collectively called humanfolk. Many branch from the human root, shaped by the Aether of their homes and their environment."

  "What about goblins?" Luna couldn't help but ask. The thought that they could be some sort of humans... didn't disturb her, exactly, but wasn't pleasant nonetheless.

  "They are Goblinoids, or greenskins as some call them, another branch of life altogether. Goblins, orcs, ogres... they're all related to each other just like humanfolk are. The Gifted among them may be extremely intelligent, benevolent, even, but without the System's help, most of them remain closer to beasts than sapient races."

  "I see... and dryads?"

  Astra smiled. "We grow from cabbage, obviously. Everyone knows that."

  Luna paused for a moment. She felt like the Grove turned completely silent, even if she still could hear the distant noise of the animals. The sapient animals that had been standing like silent guards looked at each other awkwardly. From their reactions, she was almost sure the dryad was joking, but... dryads were plant-born, weren’t they? And what did Luna know about alien biology?

  "I see," Luna said calmly, looking Astra right in the eyes. The dryad blushed.

  "Aha-ha, this sure sounded funnier in my head... sorry, I was joking," Astra confessed. "We dryads are an evolution of elves, though a less common one. In a way, you and I are like very distant sisters."

  "Sisters?" Luna asked, deciding not to comment on Astra's sense of humor; she herself wasn't the master of humour in any capacity. "Is it because I'm a High Elf?"

  Astra's expression grew more serious. "That is where your existence becomes remarkable. Regular elves emerge over generations on worlds with ambient Aether—worlds that have not yet fully Integrated but possess enough magic for slow transformation. High Elves are different. They can only appear on worlds that are already fully Integrated. Worlds where Aether flows thick and the System's presence is absolute. A High Elf is gifted with an innate connection to magic that other elves lack."

  The implication settled into Luna's chest like a stone. "Earth wasn't Integrated. There was no Aether at all."

  "Precisely." Astra held her gaze. "But if you hadn't been born on Earth, you'd have at least kept your normal elven features like pointy ears. The fact that you grew up looking no different from humans means that you were carried there from an Integrated realm while still in your mother's womb, your body completing its formation in an Aether-depleted environment."

  Luna's throat tightened. She imagined it: a pregnant woman stepping through some impossible doorway, fleeing from one world to another, choosing to raise her child in a place without magic. But why? What could drive someone to such a desperate choice? And more importantly... where was she now?

  "My father raised me," Luna said quietly, her chest tight. "He never mentioned any of this."

  "What manner of man is he? Did he seem ordinary to you?"

  Luna considered the question seriously for the first time. Her father had always been... capable. Calm in emergencies in ways that seemed unnatural. Skilled with weapons despite being just a programmer. She'd seen him handle two aggressive drunks once with the ease of someone who'd faced far worse, and his eyes... she'd always felt that they hid more wisdom than anyone else. The same wisdom of great age she saw in Astra's beautiful eyes.

  "I don't know anymore," she admitted. "I thought I knew him."

  Astra nodded slowly. "The truth of your origins may lie with him. I cannot tell you where your mother went or why she chose Earth as your sanctuary. But I can tell you this—the Tutorial brought Earth's humans here because your world resonates strongly with Orphinarria. Proximity in the dimensional sense—how easily doors open between realms." Astra paused. "If your mother sought to flee to an Aether-depleted world, a realm that resonates with Earth would be the most likely origin. And there are elves here, in Orphinarria Realm. Some lived very close to our forest."

  "Lived?"

  Something complicated passed across Astra's features. "They departed from these lands. Two centuries ago, perhaps longer—time flows strangely when one is bound to a tree." A faint smile. "There was a war, long and bitter, against forces I will not name tonight. When it ended with their victory, the elves chose to withdraw. They walked into the Boundless Woods—a vast forest deep within this continent—and sealed the paths behind them. None have returned to Starstalk Forest since. Elves exist in other Integrated realms as well, of course, but if your mother came from Orphinarria... the Boundless Woods would be the most likely place to seek answers."

  Luna absorbed this. Somewhere in this realm, there might be others like her. A whole civilization of elves, hidden away in forests deep enough to lose yourself in forever. The thought was both tantalizing and melancholy—so close, yet utterly unreachable.

  "If I wanted to find them," she said carefully, "would it be possible?"

  "Possible? Perhaps. The Boundless Woods can be reached, though the journey is dangerous and the paths are hidden for most. As a High Elf you should have an easier time, though. But whether the elves would welcome a stranger—even one of their own blood—I cannot say." Astra's eyes held sympathy.

  "Wait, wouldn't I be sent back to Earth after the Trial ends, though? It doesn't sound like I can reach that place in a week."

  "Yes, you'll return to your planet. But that does not mean Orphinarria will be lost to you forever." Astra leaned forward slightly. "When Earth completes its Integration, permanent connections will form between realms that resonate with it. Warp Gates will link your world to this one."

  Luna's heart quickened. "So I could come back here?"

  "If you wish. The System creates Warp Gates at significant locations in the Integrated realms. Complete certain objectives or pay a sufficient price, and those gateways between distant planets become available to you. There are also Warp Anchors—one-way paths—that some receive as rewards for Quests or create by using certain items or skills."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  It wasn't a promise of reunion. But it was a direction. A possibility. More than Luna had possessed an hour ago.

  "Thank you," she said quietly. "For explaining all of this."

  "Knowledge is the least I can offer to one who destroyed one of the Rot Totems on my behalf." Astra's tone shifted, becoming more focused. "Which brings us to the Grove's situation."

  "The totems," Luna said. "There are more of them?"

  "I believe so. The sickness in the Oak's roots comes from multiple directions—the one you destroyed was merely the nearest." Astra pressed her palm against the bark, and Luna sensed that hum of strained power again. "Someone is coordinating this attack. The goblins alone lack the knowledge to create Rot Totems or wield Essence Shards properly—"

  Suddenly, a flash of crimson burst through the canopy.

  Luna's bow was up and drawn before she registered what she was seeing—a bird, bright like living flame, swooping down toward them in a spiral that seemed designed for maximum dramatic effect. It landed on a low branch near Astra's shoulder, fluffed its feathers importantly, and let out a sound somewhere between a squawk and a fanfare.

  "Oh Mistress! Mistress Astra! Great news!" The parrot's voice was high and excited, words tumbling over each other. "It's goblins, all right-right! I spied on a group of those for hours, very blabbermouth-fellows they are!"

  Luna lowered her bow slowly, staring at the newcomer. The bird was beautiful—feathers shifting through shades of red and orange and gold like sunset given form—but more importantly, it was talking. Not the mental communication she'd experienced with Darkpaw and the other guardians, but actual speech.

  [Flame Parrot (Bronze) - Level 3]

  "Sparky," Darkpaw said, his mental voice carrying the particular weariness of someone who had endured this many times before. "We're in the middle of something."

  "Sparky?" The parrot's feathers ruffled with indignation. "Sparky, he says! I am Lord Grandwing, Master of the Upper Currents, Scout Extraordinaire of the Lavender Grove! And I have intelligence of the utmost importance regarding—" He stopped abruptly, his head swiveling toward Luna. "Oh. Oh my. What do we have here?"

  The parrot hopped along the branch, tilting his head to examine Luna from multiple angles. "Most unusual! Most beautiful! Such lovely plumage—though I note a distinct lack of feathers, very unfortunate—and those ears! Exquisite points, truly exquisite. Are you some manner of decorative two-legs?"

  "I'm an elf," Luna said, not quite sure how to respond to being evaluated like a show bird.

  "An elf! Even better! I've heard stories, yes-yes, very old stories." Lord Grandwing puffed up with evident delight. "Lord Grandwing welcomes you to the Grove, lovely elf-creature. Now, if you'll permit me to deliver my report—intelligence gathered at great personal risk, I might add, hours of lurking in trees while goblins blathered beneath me—"

  "Get to the point, Lord Grandwing," Astra said, her tone patient but firm. "What have you learned?"

  The parrot drew himself up to his full height, which was not particularly impressive but clearly felt significant to him.

  "The goblins are called Ug'rath! A tribe of perhaps a thousand—many warriors, many more who don't fight but carry things and make food and other boring activities. A third are Gifted." He paused for dramatic effect. "They are led by a Hobgoblin chieftain named Razz'ak! Very big, very scary, the other goblins are quite terrified of him. They lost their territory to ogres some time ago—very embarrassing, much grumbling about it—and have been seeking new lands ever since."

  Astra's expression darkened at this news. "And they've chosen the Grove."

  "Yes-yes! I heard them talking, the blabbermouth-fellows. They say the Grove would be perfect—defensible, resource-rich, magic that could protect them if they controlled its heart." Lord Grandwing's voice dropped to something approaching solemnity. "They mean to take it, Mistress. All of it. They speak of the Oak as though it were already theirs."

  Luna absorbed this information. Three hundred goblins with Classes. A Hobgoblin leader. An organized force with clear objectives and the patience to coordinate totem placement across multiple locations. This wasn't a random incursion—it was an invasion.

  "You said Razz'ak is a Hobgoblin," she said. "What does that mean exactly?"

  Lord Grandwing opened his beak to answer, but Astra spoke first—perhaps sensing that the parrot's explanation would take considerably longer than necessary.

  "A superior variant of goblin-kind. Born perhaps once in a thousand births, Hobgoblins possess intelligence and physical capability far beyond their lesser cousins. More importantly, they can receive Steel-ranked Classes from the start—the same tier as your own abilities." The dryad's voice carried warning. "And considering the strength of the goblins you encountered so far, he should be at least level fifteen, maybe twenty."

  Steel rank. Level fifteen—or above. Luna's tactical mind worked through the implications. She couldn't simply charge into the goblin camp and assassinate the leader.

  "What about the other Trial participants?" she asked. "Some of them might help if they knew what was at stake."

  "Perhaps. But humans are unpredictable." Astra's expression grew troubled. "Not all who enter Trials emerge with noble hearts. The System tests many things, and some respond to pressure by breaking in dangerous directions.”

  Besides, Luna realized, others couldn't talk to the animals like she did, but they could talk to goblins. From a certain point of view, it could be viewed as helping a wild tribe of primal humans hunt a bunch of animals. And it was also fairly obvious which side had a higher chance at victory. Who'd want to risk their life to save mindless beasts? The setup for this Trial clearly wasn't on the Grove's side.

  Lord Grandwing chimed in. "I've seen some of the two-legs in the forest. Some run from everything! Some attack everything! Some sit in the safe places and do nothing at all! Very confusing creatures, no offense to the present company.”

  "None taken," Luna said, then turned to Astra. "You said there are more totems. Where?”

  "I sense wrongness to the west—stronger than what you faced—and something fainter to the south that grows each day." Astra pressed her palm against the bark again. "There should be four more, but their energy is more distant. Each totem is likely guarded as the first was. Perhaps more heavily, if whoever commands this effort realizes one has fallen.”

  "The goblins will notice," Lord Grandwing offered. "Very observant, those Shamans. Very grumpy when their magic-things stop working. I should know—I've watched them grumble many times, yes-yes.”

  "Then I should move quickly," Luna said. "Find and destroy them before they can respond.”

  Astra studied her for a long moment. "You would involve yourself in this? You have your own Trial to complete, your own survival to ensure. The System does not require you to fight our battles.”

  "The System doesn't require a lot of things." Luna met the dryad's ancient gaze steadily. "But I destroyed that totem because something in me couldn't ignore what it was doing to the forest. I want to protect your little paradise.”

  The words felt right as she spoke them. Not just tactically sound—though they were, as this would give her enough enemies to level up fast—but genuinely right. The Grove had welcomed her. Walking away wasn't something she could do now.

  A notification appeared in her vision:

  [Hidden Quest Unlocked: Protect the Lavender Grove]

  [The ancient sanctuary faces destruction. Forces of corruption work to drain the Grand Oak's strength and claim the Grove for darker purposes. You have chosen to stand against this tide.]

  [Objective: Prevent the fall of the Lavender Grove before the Third Trial ends. The means are yours to choose—destroy those who threaten it, strengthen its defenses, or turn its enemies from their purpose.]

  [Reward: The Lavender Grove of Orphinarria will be added to your Warp Anchors, allowing travel through Warp Gates. Additional Sanctum Points and rewards based on performance.]

  [This quest may be shared with other Gifted.]

  Luna dismissed the notification and described it to Astra. The dryad's smile held genuine warmth.

  "Then the System recognizes your choice, even though it did not demand it. That is heartening." She paused. "The Warp Anchor reward is significant. With one here, you could return to the Grove whenever gates are available. If you want to reach the Boundless Forest, this is a better choice than going to one of the Realm's Warp Gates, as the closest ones are in the opposite direction of your destination.”

  "And everyone I share the Quest with will get this reward?”

  "Yes, indeed," Astra confirmed.

  Luna imagined the future where she, Mia, maybe their other allies, return to the Grove—not on a dangerous mission, but just to rest, to enjoy themselves surrounded by friendly animals and beautiful nature.

  "So what's next? I destroy the remaining totems and hope this would be enough to complete the Quest?”

  "I'm not sure this alone would ensure the Quest's completion." Astra's tone carried a hint of worry. "We still need to prepare for the worst—a direct attack on the Grove. My guardians will destroy the closest totems, while you do something only you can do—gather allies.”

  Luna thought about this. She couldn't fight an army by herself—not yet, not at her current power.

  "You're right, and I also need to find my friends. There are people from my group scattered in this forest. I don't know where they are or if they're safe. Reuniting with them would be a good start.”

  And she also couldn't help but worry about Victor—armed with a Rogue Class, and no qualms about killing even his allies. She doubted that he could be a threat to her, as it wasn't likely that he'd keep up with her speed of growth, but the others were a different deal. And besides, the forest had enough dangers even without him... or other criminals who managed to survive Trial 2 of other groups.

  "The Safe Zones would be your best chance at finding friends, old and new," Astra said. "Humans naturally seek shelter. If your friends survived transport, they likely found their way to a Zone at some point." She described the nearest one—a few hours' travel to the southeast, in a small valley. Luna memorized the landmarks.

  "I can guide her to the Safe Zone!" Lord Grandwing volunteered eagerly, hopping along his branch. "From the air, yes-yes! Lord Grandwing knows all the paths, sees all the dangers—”

  "You'll continue scouting the goblin movements," Astra said firmly. "We need to know where their main force is gathered, and you're the only one who can observe their camps without being detected. Also, you should focus on finding out who helped them create the Rot Totems to begin with; it's unlikely for them to work alone.”

  The parrot's feathers drooped with visible disappointment. "As you command, Mistress. But!" He turned to Luna, brightening. "When you return with your allies, lovely elf-creature, Lord Grandwing will give you the grand tour! Every beautiful vista, every hidden wonder—”

  "She'll look forward to it," Darkpaw said, in a tone that suggested Luna would do no such thing.

  "Before you go," Astra said, her voice carrying sudden weariness. "Come closer, Darkpaw, let me treat you while I still have strength.”

  She reached toward Darkpaw as he stepped closer, and green light flowed from her palm as she touched his head. Concentrated healing energy made the panther's remaining wounds visibly close. Fur knitted over damaged flesh. The faint limp Luna had noticed disappeared entirely.

  "You're healed," Luna said, surprised by the speed of it.

  "Astra's gift," Darkpaw said, flexing his restored leg experimentally. "The Grove's power flows through her. She gives what she can spare.”

  "Which is less than I would like," Astra admitted. "I must rest soon. The Oak demands my attention, and I can only remain awake for short periods without draining what strength remains.”

  "I see." Luna nodded. "Rest well, Astra.”

  Her form was already beginning to shimmer, leaves curling toward the Oak's bark. "Gather the allies, Luna. Protect my children. And trust your instincts—the forest speaks to those who listen.”

  Luna checked the dryad's status:

  [Dryad Druid (Steel) - Level 25]

  The strongest being she'd encountered so far, bound to a weakening tree, spending most of her existence in magical sleep just to slow the corruption eating at the Grove's heart.

  The dryad's body dissolved into the Oak, vines and foliage wrapping around her until she was indistinguishable from the tree itself. Only a faint impression remained—a face in the bark, eyes closed, expression peaceful.

  Lord Grandwing had fallen uncharacteristically silent, his bright eyes fixed on the place where his mistress had vanished. For all his bluster, the parrot clearly loved the dryad—and feared what might happen if they failed to protect their home.

  So Luna swore to herself that they wouldn't fail.