Note : This is a sequel to the 'The story of a devil ' so go and check that out first and if you already read that 'Welcome!!!'

The Demon Progenies' Retreat into the Forest of Eldoria :

The battlefield was lost. Kaiden had fallen.

In a desperate maneuver, he had teleported his five Devil Progenies—Kael, Verena, Draven, Lyra, and Malrik—along with the remnants of their shattered army to the nearest location where they would be beyond the reach of Velmoria’s mages. When the blinding light of teleportation faded, they found themselves deep within the Forest of Eldoria, the vast and enigmatic domain of the elves.

Wounded and exhausted, they were not in immediate danger from human forces but faced an equally deadly threat—the mana creatures that roamed the ancient forest. Beasts infused with raw magical energy lurked in the shadows, and in their current state, even the powerful progenies would struggle to fend them off.

A Fractured Council

Kael, ever the strategist, was the first to break the tense silence. "Our first priority should be to find shelter and recover," he suggested, his voice calm yet firm.

Verena, restless and seething, snapped back. "We don’t have that luxury! While we sit here licking our wounds, our home is under siege!"

Draven exhaled sharply, arms crossed. "And what do you propose? We’re in no condition to face the heroes, the holy knights, or the legions of Velmoria. Even if we tried to return, we wouldn’t make it in time."

Verena’s hands balled into fists. She could still feel the fire in her veins, the power thrumming beneath her skin. I can still fight. I can still do something.

"So we just wait here like cowards?" 

Lyra, the voice of reason, placed a hand on Verena’s shoulder. "Calm down. We understand how you feel, but we need to be realistic. Kael is right—without our strength, we are as good as dead."

Verena scoffed. "I’ve already recovered."

Kael sighed, rubbing his temple. "Not everyone has abilities like yours, Verena. Think about the soldiers who came with us. They’re in worse shape than we are."

Beneath her anger, there was something else. A weight. A promise.

She could still remember Kaiden’s voice, steady and unshakable. "You’re the strongest of them all, Verena. That means you have to protect them."

The memory cut deep. How could she protect them by doing nothing? How could she just sit here while Kaiden—her mentor, her leader—was gone?

Her nails dug into her palms. She wanted to argue, to scream, to do something. But then her eyes flickered to Lyra, to Kael, to the others—wounded, exhausted, barely holding themselves together.

Damn it.

She exhaled sharply, forcing her rage down. Kaiden wouldn’t want me to throw my life away. He’d want me to be smart. To keep them alive.

"Fine," she muttered, crossing her arms. "I guess we don’t have much choice."

Seeking Refuge

They scouted the area and soon found a cave nestled among the thick, ancient trees. It would provide some cover for the night.

Verena took it upon herself to hunt, vanishing into the dense foliage. Kael and Lyra focused on tending to the wounded, using what little magic they had left to stabilize their forces. Meanwhile, Malrik and Draven ventured into the shadows to scout their surroundings.

By evening, they regrouped.

Malrik, his face grim, delivered his report. "The entire area is covered in forest. And worse… we’re deep inside the Forest of Eldoria. I tried to locate the capital, but it’s well hidden. The elves have concealed it with ancient magic."

Kael's expression darkened. "The elves have been our enemies for centuries. We don’t have time to waste. Once the sun rises, we move."

The plan was set. They would rest, recover, and leave at dawn.

Ambush in the Dead of Night

The night was still, save for the whispers of wind through the leaves. But then—an attack.

The assault came without warning. Arrows rained from the trees, precise and deadly. The soldiers, still weak from battle, fell into hidden traps before they could react.

The five Devil Progenies, though wounded, managed to evade capture—at first. But their enemies were relentless, moving like shadows through the trees. The elves were one with the forest, their attacks swift, their coordination seamless.

The battle raged for hours, but fatigue crept in. Blow after blow, they lost ground. Defeat was inevitable.

One by one, they were subdued.

The General of the Elven Army

As the dust settled, a figure emerged from the shadows—tall, regal, and exuding an air of quiet authority. His golden armor shimmered faintly under the moonlight, his sharp eyes reflecting wisdom and experience.

He studied them, his expression unreadable. Then, with a smirk, he spoke.

"Well, well… you fought bravely, but you lack experience."

The Progenies recognized him instantly.

Aerion.

The Chief General of Eldoria’s army.

To be continued....

Kael, breathing heavily, met his gaze with defiance. "What are you waiting for? Kill us and bring glory to your nation."

Aerion chuckled. "Now, now. I'm not here to kill you. I have orders to bring you before the Queen herself. You should feel honored."

Verena’s eyes blazed with fury. "Take me and let the others go! They don’t mean any harm!"

Aerion regarded her with amusement. "Ah, I like your spirit, but unfortunately, it's not my decision to make. The Queen will decide your fate." He gestured toward them. "You look exhausted. Rest. We have a long journey ahead of us."

With a flick of his fingers, a surge of elven magic coursed through the air. The Progenies barely had time to react before darkness overtook them.

Journey to Elandor

When they awoke, they found themselves inside a moving carriage, its interior finely crafted with elegant elven designs. The rhythmic sway of the vehicle indicated they were already on the road.

Lyra was the last to wake. She rubbed her eyes before glancing at Aerion, who rode alongside them. "Where are you taking us?"

Aerion responded without looking at her. "To Elandor, the capital of Eldoria. We’ll arrive within a few hours."

Malrik frowned. "I searched for the capital before. Why couldn’t I find it?"

Aerion smirked. "Because it has been hidden since ancient times, safeguarded by our elders to prevent intrusions. Only elves know how to enter."

Malrik exhaled, shaking his head. "That explains a lot."

Kael, ever suspicious, narrowed his eyes. "And what about the soldiers who were captured before us?"

Aerion’s face remained neutral. "We killed them."

A sharp silence filled the carriage.

Verena’s body tensed, rage bubbling to the surface. "You did what?"

Aerion chuckled. "Relax, kid. That was a joke. They’re in the carriage behind us."

Verena scowled. "You’d better not be lying."

Aerion smirked, shaking his head. "Kids these days… so intense."

The journey continued in tense silence as the towering trees of the forest gradually gave way to a breathtaking sight.

Entrance to the Hidden City of Elandor

As the convoy slowed to a stop, Aerion dismounted his steed and gestured ahead. His voice carried a hint of amusement. "We have reached the city of elves—Elandor."

Draven frowned, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "You must be joking. It’s just a giant tree. How can this be a city?"

Aerion smirked. "Just watch."

Stepping forward, he raised his hands and began to chant in the ancient tongue of the elves. The air trembled with unseen energy, and a faint golden glow traced through the bark of the colossal tree before them. The ground rumbled, and with a deep, resonant hum, an enormous doorway emerged from the very heart of the tree, its intricate carvings pulsing with life. Mist coiled around the entrance like enchanted wisps, revealing an ethereal pathway beyond.

Draven’s eyes widened. "That’s… unexpected."

Aerion chuckled. "This is the Divine Tree, the heart of Eldoria. It sustains the life of this forest, shelters the Dryads, and guards the hidden passage to our capital. Only those who carry elven blood or are granted passage may enter."

A gust of wind rustled through the ancient branches as the doorway fully formed, its runes shimmering like captured starlight. The entrance to Elandor awaited.

With a happy gace Aerion said

"Welcome to Elandor—the city of the elves."

 ---

To be continued.....

Beneath the dense canopy of the Eldorian forests, where sunlight barely kissed the earth, lay a city unlike any other—a hidden gem of elven grandeur. As they stepped through the towering gates of Elandor, the heart of Eldoria, the five Devil Progenies found themselves momentarily stunned. They had expected something primitive, perhaps villages woven into the trees, but this… this was beyond imagination.

The city stretched before them with an elegance that defied words. Crystal-clear rivers ran alongside paved streets, ancient trees stood adorned with glowing runes, and bridges of woven silver connected towering spires of white stone. At its heart, a majestic castle stood, surrounded by an ethereal fountain that shimmered with arcane energy, casting a soft glow in the twilight.

Yet, despite the beauty, there was unease. As they walked through the city, whispers followed them—murmurs of disbelief and apprehension.

"Demons… in Elandor? What are they doing here?"

Eyes filled with both fear and curiosity bore into them, but they walked on, their expressions unreadable.

A Discussion Among Devils

Draven scoffed under his breath, crossing his arms.

"What does the queen want from us? Any guesses?"

Kael, ever the pragmatic one, kept his gaze ahead.

"I’m not certain. But if she wanted us dead, we wouldn’t be standing here."

Lyra sighed, a flicker of unease in her violet eyes.

"Whatever it is, this can’t be good."

Verena, standing tall, placed a reassuring hand on Lyra’s shoulder, her crimson eyes burning with confidence.

"Don’t worry. If things go south, I’ll buy you guys some time. Malrik can summon a dragon to get you out of here."

A deep, amused voice cut through their hushed conversation.

Aerion, the elven general walking ahead of them, smirked without turning.

"I can hear you, you know. Stop scheming—we’re already at the palace."

Lyra rolled her eyes.

"So what if it’s big? It’s nothing compared to the Demon Palace… but I won’t lie, it’s beautiful."

Aerion chuckled.

"For once, we agree. Now, before you meet the Queen, do us all a favor—take a bath. You reek of battle and blood."

Draven stretched his arms and grinned.

"A bath does sound nice."

And so, the Five Devil Progenies found themselves in the halls of an elven palace, dressed in elegant robes of silver and emerald, their usual dark armor temporarily set aside. It felt strange—almost unnatural—but they had little time to dwell on it.

An Audience with the Elven Queen

Escorted through vast corridors illuminated by floating blue flames, they entered the grand Throne Room. The air was heavy with authority. Elite elven guards lined the marble walls, their hands resting on the hilts of their glaives, their expressions unreadable.

In the center of the room, the Progenies stood together, their postures rigid, their senses alert. Ahead of them, upon a throne raised slightly above the ground, a white veil concealed the figure seated upon it.

One of the guards stepped forward, his voice firm.

"Kneel. You stand in the presence of Her Majesty."

Kael’s eyes darkened. His voice, laced with defiance, was steady.

"The Five Devil Progenies kneel only before the Demon King, Kaiden."

A tense silence followed. The guards bristled, hands tightening on their weapons.

"You insolent—!" One of them began, stepping forward, but was immediately silenced by a voice from the throne.

"There is no need."

The voice was smooth, commanding, yet laced with an unexpected gentleness. As they watched, the veil was drawn aside, and from the shadows of the throne, she stepped forward.

To be continued....