The village of Engrasia was quiet, the air still thick with the aftermath of the fierce battle. The elves were tending to their wounded, while others tried to repair the damage caused by the attack. Though they had managed to drive away the Dark Elves, a sense of unease lingered in the air.
Levy stood near the edge of the village, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The victory felt hollow, as if the true danger had yet to reveal itself.
Just as he was about to return to the village, a lone elf warrior approached. His face was pale, his body battered, and his eyes wide with fear. This was Gust, one of the guardians of Engrasia’s most sacred treasure—the Core Stone. The stone was the heart of the village, the source of life for the plants and animals that the elves depended on.
Gust, barely able to stand, made his way to Alkuhbar, the village chieftain. His voice trembled as he delivered his report. “Chieftain, we have been deceived. The retreat of the Dark Elves was a ruse. While we fought, Yuan and his forces attacked the Core Stone’s sanctuary. They... they killed everyone... except me. The Core Stone is gone.”
A stunned silence fell over the village. The gravity of the situation hit them all at once. Without the Core Stone, the village’s source of food and life was at risk. The plants would wither, the animals would flee, and the elves would struggle to survive.
Levy’s heart sank as he realized what had happened. “It’s my fault,” he muttered to himself, remembering how he had left Yuan during their fight to focus on the dragon. “I didn’t finish him off. I let him escape... and now this.”
Alkuhbar, usually composed, looked visibly shaken. He turned to Levy, his voice heavy with concern. “Levy, the Core Stone isn’t just important to our village. It’s also the only thing that can control the beast of the lake. If Yuan figures out how to use it... he’ll have a weapon more powerful than anything we’ve faced.”
Levy’s mind flashed back to the terrifying encounter with the nine-tailed beast at the lake. The thought of that creature being controlled by Yuan was almost too much to bear. “I have to fix this,” Levy said with determination. “I’ll go to the Dark Elves’ camp. I’ll get the Core Stone back.”
Alkuhbar looked at Levy, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and doubt. “Levy, this is no small task. The Dark Elves are strong, and their camp is heavily fortified. But... if anyone can do it, it’s you. You’ve already shown us your strength and bravery. Still, I must offer you this.”
Alkuhbar held out a beautifully crafted sword, its blade shimmering in the dim light. “This sword has been passed down through our people for generations. It’s powerful, imbued with ancient magic. It could be the edge you need to succeed.”
Levy stared at the sword, feeling the weight of its significance. But something inside him resisted. “Thank you, Alkuhbar, but I can’t take it. My strength... it comes from this.” He held up his wooden sword, the very same one he had been using since his reincarnation into this world. “This sword may not look like much, but it’s part of who I am. It’s helped me through every battle, and I believe it’ll continue to do so.”
Alkuhbar nodded, respecting Levy’s choice, but he wasn’t done yet. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small, ancient-looking stone. The stone was engraved with intricate symbols and seemed to hum with a quiet power. “If you won’t take the sword, then at least take this. This is the Ancient Wooden Stone. It will enhance the power of any wooden weapon you wield. With this, your wooden sword will be even stronger.”
Levy took the stone, feeling its warmth in his hand. He knew this was no ordinary gift. “Thank you, Alkuhbar. I’ll use it well.”
He placed the stone against his wooden sword, and as soon as he did, the sword seemed to pulse with energy. It felt lighter in his hand, yet somehow more solid, more powerful. Levy could feel the difference immediately. The sword was still his, but now it carried a new strength, a new potential.
With two wooden swords now in hand—one enhanced by the Ancient Wooden Stone—Levy prepared for the journey ahead. The Dark Elves’ camp was far, and the path would be dangerous. But he couldn’t afford to wait. The longer the Core Stone was in Yuan’s possession, the greater the risk to both the elves and the world beyond.
Before setting out, Levy asked Alkuhbar one last question. “Why would Yuan want the Core Stone? What’s his endgame?”
Alkuhbar’s face darkened as he explained. “The Dark Elves have long wanted to conquer the human lands, but they’ve always been held back by the heroes who protect them. Those heroes are strong, too strong for the Dark Elves to defeat outright. But if Yuan can tame the beast of the lake with the Core Stone, he’ll have a weapon capable of destroying even the mightiest hero. He could turn the tide of war and bring the entire world under his control.”
Levy clenched his fists. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll stop him, no matter what it takes.”
With his resolve steeled, Levy set out on his journey. The night was cold, the stars hidden behind thick clouds. As he walked, he couldn’t help but think of the village he was leaving behind, the faces of the elves who had shown him kindness. He thought of Ela, of Alkuhbar, and of the countless others who depended on him now.
But more than anything, he thought of the beast at the lake. The memory of its terrifying presence was still fresh in his mind. He knew that if Yuan managed to control it, the consequences would be dire.
"This is my fault," Levy thought as he moved swiftly through the forest. "I have to make things right. I won’t let anyone else suffer because of me."
As he journeyed deeper into enemy territory, Levy’s mind was filled with strategies and plans. He knew the Dark Elves would be expecting him, that Yuan would have laid traps and defenses to protect the Core Stone. But Levy was determined to outsmart them, to fight with every ounce of strength and cunning he had.
The path ahead was dark and treacherous, but Levy’s resolve burned bright. He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. With his two wooden swords by his side, he would fight for the Core Stone, for Engrasia, and for the world that depended on him.
And he would not rest until the Core Stone was back where it belonged.