Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

"Ms. Ryanna, that's Sathern Bay!" The captain stood at the bow and shouted loudly, with an unconcealable excitement and awe in his voice.

Hearing this, Rianna and Evelyn walked quickly to the side of the ship, their eyes looking over the splashing waves and onto the dreamlike island in the distance. At that moment, they almost subconsciously held each other's hands, only in this way could they suppress the surging emotions in their hearts.

The scene before your eyes is breathtakingly beautiful. The golden beach stretches out like a brocade. The emerald green forests are layered like gorgeous clothes woven by ancestral spirits. Huge jade-like boulders are scattered around in an orderly manner. A waterfall rushes down from the rocks, pouring into the foaming pool like a silver thread, and the pool slowly merges into the blue sea.

Seabirds circled in the sky in groups, their white wings sparkling in the sun, as if welcoming their arrival. The sea water was clear and almost transparent, and the sandy seabed was like the purest stream in Arion, rippling and flowing under the ship, reflecting a clear and tranquil wonderland.

The captain looked at all this and felt that it was so beautiful that he even breathed slowly, fearing that he would disturb the tranquility. However, when he turned to look at the two passengers beside him, he was surprised to find that Rianna and Evelyn were both in tears. There was no sadness in those tears, but a complex and almost indescribable emotion intertwined - relief, comfort, shock, longing... and an endless sense of belonging?
"What's wrong?" he couldn't help but ask, with a hint of confusion and concern in his tone.

"You wouldn't understand." Ruianna shook her head gently, her voice so low that it sounded like a whisper.

The captain shrugged, turned the steering wheel, and slowly headed for the shore. However, as soon as the bow turned, a sound of breaking through the air suddenly pierced the silence. A silver arrow whistled from the lush green forest at the end of the peninsula like a thunderous wind, and with an unquestionable warning, it fiercely shot into the mast, and the arrow body trembled continuously.

He screamed and instinctively dodged. When he came to his senses, his face was blue. He cursed and quickly turned the boat around, away from that sacred and vigilant land.

"why?"

"Because we have men on board!"

"So how do we land?"

"The rest of the journey is on your own, ladies."

"Swim over?" Evelyne frowned slightly and swallowed, obviously not satisfied with this method.

"Yes, the island will guide you." The captain replied, but his eyes lingered on that holy land for a long time.

"It's okay, nothing bad will happen here." Ruianna gave a gentle smile, and there was an indescribable trust in that smile, as if there was some kind of predestined connection between her and the island.

As the ship slowly dropped anchor, Rianna and Evelaine took off their outer clothes, leaving only their underwear and preparing to enter the water. Evelaine hesitated for a moment, but finally handed the long sword to the captain, with great reluctance. It was obvious that wading into a mysterious and unknown place with bare hands was an uneasy test for the swordmaster of Hoeth.

Rianna jumped into the sea gracefully like a water fairy, her figure light and the whole ocean was welcoming her arrival. Eveleen was silent for a moment, then jumped in, and they swam together into the clear waters of the Twilight Sea - the clear waterway that is said to lead to the sacred land.

Ruianna paddled hard, the sea water was cold but refreshing, and every step forward was like cleansing the soul. The waves pushed them gently, and the whole sea was silently helping them move forward.

And in front, Evelyne's strong body cut through the waves, showing her pride and strength as a warrior.

Rianna looked at Eveleen's back, and a subtle but real jealousy suddenly rose in her heart - she was jealous that Eveleen was the first to set foot on this dream island. But before this thought was fully formed, she suddenly threw it out of her mind. She knew that this was too ridiculous. This was not a competition. They were not opponents, but people who were summoned together. Eveleen also came to this holy land as a woman and a believer of the goddess.

There shouldn't be such meaningless fighting between them. Such meaningless fighting only belongs to men.

Finally, Ruianna also stepped into the shallows, the water gently wrapped around her ankles, and the sea breeze whispered in her ears, as if welcoming her daughter back after a long absence. She walked towards the shore step by step, feeling the island's acceptance from the depths of her soul. The feeling was indescribable - as if this land had been waiting for her since she was born.

She was filled with regret that she had not set foot here until today.

Eveline stood in front, soaking wet, her underwear clinging to her skin, but she didn't care. They looked into each other's eyes, and the next moment, they hugged each other tightly, wanting to integrate this moment of joy into each other's hearts.

The ground beneath their feet was filled with the magic of creation. Holding hands, they slowly walked onto the dreamlike beach. The white-gold sand flowed between their toes, sending waves of warm touch, like a mother's gentle comfort.

The gentle sea breeze brought the scent from deep in the forest, a familiar and long-lost smell mixed with the fragrance of moss, bark, flowers and ancient soil. The entire forest was opening its arms, welcoming them into its arms like an elder who had been reunited after a long separation.

"Where are we going?" Evelyn looked forward, her eyes filled with alertness and expectation.

“Just keep going,” Rianna replied, with an inexplicable certainty in her voice. “The island will guide us.”

Eveline nodded, her expression calm and composed, and walked towards the edge of the forest with Rianna. Their footsteps left a series of small but firm footprints on the beach.

As they approached the first row of trees, Rianna was acutely aware of a path winding out from the beach. White, jade-like stones lined the sides of the path, as if carefully laid by an invisible gardener. She immediately understood that this was no ordinary path, but a blessed, guided path, a holy path that would lead them to their destiny.

The sun pierced through the dense treetops, like golden spears of light piercing through the shadows in the forest and falling on the path. In the interweaving of light and shadow, they began to walk slowly along the path. Although the path was winding, long, and a little steep, Ruianna walked very easily, and the ground under her feet smiled and catered to her every step. The ground was no longer just land, but a living will. They responded to her arrival and supported her forward with subtle power.

She could hardly control her inner impulse, and just wanted to run in this sacred forest with open arms. She saw the same expression on Eveleen's face - it was the excitement and awe that could not be concealed, the innocent joy of a child when he first stepped into the temple.

The air in the forest is the nectar of the soul, and every breath cleanses the heart. The worries of the world are completely gone at this moment, and they never existed. The ancient power of this land shrouds everything, making all the disputes, wars, sorrows and desires of the past become insignificant in an instant. Even the wizards of Hoeth, with their power of the Legion of Destruction, how can they compare to the breath of life contained in this holy land? Who can compare with the bravest warriors in the world to this mother goddess who controls everything invisibly?
"Ryanna..."

Evelyne's voice sounded low, interrupting Rianna's thoughts.

Rianna stopped, and although her body still wanted to move on, she turned her head and looked at Evelyn, only to see her kneeling on one knee beside the path, seemingly observing something carefully.

"What's wrong?" she asked, sounding slightly worried.

"Take a look at this." The sword master raised his head and motioned for her to come closer. His expression was calm, but with a hint of seriousness.

Rianna forced her eyes to turn back from the distant and sacred destination, and squatted down to Eveleen's side. Eveleen gently pushed aside the fallen leaves and soil around a smooth white stone, and dug out a handful of black fertile soil with her fingers. The soil was moist and rich, as rich as the womb that nurtures all things, and at the moment the soil slipped, a smooth skull without a trace of flesh was exposed - a skull belonging to an elf, quietly buried under the path leading to the holy land.

Rianna exclaimed, suddenly shrinking back, her eyes full of shock.

"Elsa, bless us..." She murmured in a low voice, her voice trembling. At this moment, she truly realized that those small white stones that served as markers along the way... They were not stones, but skulls, the remains of once vibrant lives.

"Skull? Why?" she asked in a trembling voice, still not daring to take her eyes away from the bones.

"I guess... it's the men who can't curb their curiosity?" Eveline said calmly, gently putting the skull back to its original place and covering it with soil again. Although her movements were firm, she was faintly awed.

A chill ran down Rianna's spine, as if an invisible hand was quietly touching her consciousness somewhere in the forest. The originally bright and peaceful forest seemed to have changed its face at this moment, revealing its deep, primitive and inviolable true appearance. It was a primitive and pure power, a creative will that could not be desecrated, a primitive magic that had not been disciplined by reason, like a strong wind, like a flame, like the heart of a storm.

For the first time, she felt clearly that this holy land did not belong to the rules of the rational world. It was neither gentle nor cruel. It was just nature itself, a calm and powerful existence.

Maybe…Eldan was right when he advised her to be cautious?

"Let's keep going." Evelyn stood up, speaking in a steady tone.

"Yeah." Rianna nodded, trying to calm herself. She avoided the burial site and stepped back into the center of the trail, continuing to walk up step by step. They passed through the cool pavilions in the forest, which were made of natural stone and wood, with moss and vines entwined on them, breathing with the forest. Along the way, golden glades were dotted among the green like islands, and the sunlight fell from the treetops, floating in the air like silver dust. Walking in such light and shadow, strolling in dreams.

Finally, they reached the end of the forest, and a curtain of sunlight like rippling water fell silently and hung in front of them, like a door to another world.

Ruianna took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and stepped into the light. The warmth was like a lover's hand, gently caressing her skin, from forehead to toes, like a feather stroking her heartstrings. At that moment, she returned to her mother's arms and was reborn.

She opened her eyes and was shocked beyond words by the scene before her. Tears flowed down her cheeks involuntarily.

Rhianna had lived in the magical wonderland of Safri. She had ridden across the endless magical plains of Arrion, with the wind in her hair and the sun on her shoulders. She had awed the glorious halls of Lothern and marveled at the lonely beauty of the rugged mountains of Yvresse. But she had never imagined that she would see the wonder of Edenvale, the place of the gods.

The scenery before her was like a painting that had been drawn since the beginning of the world, unfolding slowly under her feet. In the forests, thousands of trees competed for beauty, with branches and leaves like clouds; the rushing river rushed down from the peaks of the distant mountains, echoing in the canyon; in the vast woodlands, flawless white statues stood quietly, and the temples were looming in the green sea, like a dream.

The air was full of music, not of strings or flutes, but of the earth itself. Birds sang in the high branches, the breeze rustled and whispered as it moved through the trees, and from deep within the rocky peak that rose to the sky in the center of the island, the living waters echoed in the hollow valley like the heartbeat of the world.

All of this interweaves into a natural symphony, and every breath is a melody of participating in the creation. Eveleen held her hand at this sacred moment, and at that moment, they were no longer two individuals, but part of this land. Rianna held Eveleen's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of Eveleen's palm, and the two of them stepped into the depths of the island without saying a word, like pilgrims entering the altar.

“I thought it would be beautiful,” Rianna whispered, her voice trembling slightly, as if she was afraid to disturb the miraculous tranquility. “But this place… is simply incredible.”

"I know." Evelyne nodded, tears also welling up in her eyes. "I wish I had come earlier."

Ruianna was silent, her eyes fell on a field of blooming silver lotus not far away, and she felt an indescribable regret in her heart. She had originally planned to come to Eden Valley after her wedding with Kelly to witness the wedding. However, everything had already gone off track, and she couldn't help but think of the last time Kelly appeared in front of her - the face of extreme fear and panic as he fled for his life.

A wave of emotions that had been suppressed for a long time finally burst out uncontrollably under the call of the holy land of Eden Valley. Ruianna's lips trembled, and then she whimpered, and the sadness and guilt that she had suppressed and sealed deep in her heart for a long time burst out like a flood.

"Rianna? What's wrong with you?" Evelyne paused, keenly aware of her mood changes.

“Kalil…” she sobbed, collapsing to her knees beside a mirror-like pool of still water that reflected her tearful face. “I can’t even imagine the torture he went through at the hands of Druki. I thought he was dead… I married someone else. I should have waited… I should have waited for him!”

Her voice was tearing with pain, echoing in the quiet valley like a broken melody, briefly interweaving with the harmony of nature, and then disappearing in a flash.

Evelyne immediately squatted down and hugged her tightly, as if she wanted to use her body to protect her from this sudden emotional storm.

"This isn't your fault, Rhianna. His own brother told you he was dead. What else can you do?"

"I should have known." Rianna choked and said, her voice trembling like a dead leaf, "I should have sensed that he was still alive... I am his wife, I should have known."

Her body trembled slightly as she sobbed, and her tears wet Eveleen's shoulders, but Eveleen did not let go. Instead, she hugged her tighter.

"I have a responsibility to him...but I failed him..." she whispered, and the regret was like a thorn, piercing deep into the softest part of her heart.

"You didn't," Eveline said firmly. There was no mercy in her words, but there was no cruelty either. Her tone was like a knife that stabbed directly into the heart, but it didn't hurt. It just cut through the fog and revealed the truth. "He is dead, and you chose to move on. Now you have a responsibility to Eldan, and your responsibility is to love him as you once loved Kyleel."

Rianna stared at her blankly, her tears still wet, but her chest was gradually calming down. She looked up at Eveleen's face, gazing into her calm and determined eyes. As she listened to the swordsman's words, her emotions slowly receded like the tide, leaving only the smoothed beach. She smiled with tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you, Eveleen. I...I underestimated you."

"Why do you say that?" Evelyn raised her eyebrows, a little surprised.

"I thought you were just a warrior, but now I know you are much more than that," Rianna said softly, with a hint of shame and admiration in her tone.

Eveleen smiled slightly, a smile that was a bit self-deprecating and calm: "What I learned from Master Diones is not only combat, but also ethics, philosophy, history, and many other skills. He often said that if sword masters want to become the eyes and ears of the White Tower, they must be able to see through deception, discover the truth, and listen to motives in silence."

"Then you have nothing to fear?" Rui Anna couldn't help asking.

Evelyne pondered for a moment, her eyes cast toward the treetops in the distance shrouded in sunlight, and finally spoke slowly.

“I’m afraid of failure.”

"Failure? You?" Rianna repeated in disbelief.

"Yes." Eveline nodded, her eyes as calm as amber under the light and shadow of the forest. "My fear of failure is even greater than my fear of death."

"I never knew..." Rianna murmured. She had never imagined that this sword master who was always calm and courageous would harbor such deep fear.

"Like you, I also have responsibilities." Eveline said calmly, "But if I fail, people will die. My choice means the life or death of my companions. This burden... is not easy for anyone to bear."

Rianna was silent for a long time before finally asking.

"So how do you bear this burden?"

A gentle light appeared in Eveleen's eyes, and the corners of her mouth raised in a smile.

"I fulfilled my duty to the best of my ability. I studied, trained, judged, and acted, seeking justice and truth in every choice. Through this responsibility, I also gradually came to know my true self. All each of us can do is to do the best we can, and then leave the rest to the gods."

Rianna was deeply moved by her words, and a corner of her heart that had been frozen with grief and guilt was now thawing. She admired the young but wise swordmaster even more, and was secretly glad that she had defended her to Eldan - when Eldan had doubted that a swordmaster should not seek wisdom among the learned, but now there was no doubt that he was wrong.

She shook her head gently, dispelling the remaining sadness in her heart, and felt the healing magic of Eden Valley again. The magic was as gentle as spring rain, washing away her self-blame and regret for misunderstanding that Kelly was dead. The warm golden light slowly rose in her eyes, and she whispered.

"Thank you."

Before he finished speaking, a shadow quietly passed through the interweaving of light and shadow in the forest, as silent as the night wind blowing through leaves. An elf girl dressed in moonlight and holding a longbow slowly walked out of the forest, as if she was born from the gap between light and shadow.

Evelyne subconsciously moved her arms, trying to draw her sword, but she realized that she was in Eden Valley and her weapons had already been stored on the ship. Rianna also stood up slowly in astonishment, frowning slightly, staring at the stranger.

The girl's skin was pure white, like fresh snow without any dust. Her golden hair was scattered on her shoulders, almost reaching her knees, swaying in the wind like flowing water. Her facial features were slender, with soft contours, oval like a full moon, revealing holiness and transcendence. Her eyes were like the stars before dawn, cold and inviolable.

Ruianna almost held her breath. She had seen countless beautiful beings, but she had never seen such pure, otherworldly beauty. The one before her was perhaps the most beautiful person she had ever seen in her life.

"The oracle wishes to see you." The girl's voice was like a clear spring in the forest, with unquestionable authority, yet gentle and polite, "Please follow me." (End of this chapter)