By morning, the forest grew dense and suffocating. The trees were so close they choked out the sun. A soft humming buzzed through the canopy—spirit energy.
They'd reached the edge of Seirei no Tami.
Jon halted the wagon and stepped down, scanning the clearing. Asha stirred in the back, but before he could speak—
"INTRUDERS!"
Dozens of spiritfolk warriors burst from the trees—elves, beastkin, and even a few dwarves. Their armor was alive with natural magic, and their weapons shimmered with runic light.
Lead Warrior:
"You dare bring a human into our sacred land?! Hands up!"
Jon (calmly):
"I came to return one of your own. I'm not here to fight."
The warriors lunged.
Jon moved like lightning. One flick of his wrist and shuriken embedded themselves in the nearest tree, forcing back the first wave. His movements flowed like water—spinning into Taijutsu counters, striking nerves and disabling opponents with precise, surgical blows.
When another warrior cast a binding spell, Jon weaved Genjutsu through a finger seal. The warrior collapsed, trapped in an illusion of drowning vines.
A heavy spear shot toward his heart—he twisted and parried with a draw of his blade, sending shockwaves through the air.
In less than a minute, over a dozen elite warriors were incapacitated.
Jon (panting):
"I told you… I'm not here to fight!"
A sudden blast of wind struck from behind.
CRACK!
Jon flew forward and slammed into a tree, his body going limp. A tall, silver-haired elf woman in flowing spirit armor stood behind him, holding a glowing halberd.
Female Elf Warrior (coldly):
"You are now."
---
When Jon woke up, his head throbbed like a war drum. His vision swam until he made out a stone chamber lit by spirit crystals.
His arms were chained behind him. Heavy spiritual restraints pulsed around his wrists and ankles.
Footsteps echoed.
He looked up—Asha wasn't there.
But the silver-haired elf was.
She stepped into view, eyes like steel.
Female Elf Warrior:
"So tell me, 'Jon'... what is your real purpose here?"
Jon gave a crooked grin despite the blood at the corner of his lip.
Jon:
"I came to return someone who belongs here… and maybe find a home for myself in the process."
The elf's eyes narrowed.
Female Elf Warrior:
"We'll see if your heart is strong enough to pass our judgment. Or if it needs to be cut out."