Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Their guide led them through the wonderland of Eden Valley, and with every step Rianna was enchanted by the natural beauty of the land. All of Ulthuan was a wonder of nature, but here, nature was no longer a material to be guided or modified, but a soul to be respected, listened to, and allowed to flow and grow freely.

The wild apple groves are fragrant, with drooping branches and laden with fruits, exuding a sweet aroma. The waterfalls rush down from the cliffs, the water droplets refract into thousands of colorful lights in the sunlight, and the mist is filled with the fresh scent of soil and springs, taking people back to the place of their birth before civilization disturbs them.

Magical creatures - unicorns, Pegasus and griffins roam freely in the woods, their hair gleaming with light and their wings spread like clouds. They show no fear towards visitors, as if they are part of this land.

The deeper they went into the valley, the more mysterious residents they saw: dancers in the brilliant woodlands had graceful figures, their clothes fluttering as they spun, like leaves in the wind; archers practicing archery stood among the ancient trees, their movements as smooth as flowing clouds and water, and every arrow hit the invisible target in the void without deviation.

The scenes were like a dream, so beautiful that it made Ruianna's heart tremble. Every inch of land under her feet was singing softly, telling the eternal legend of this paradise.

White marble temples stood among the overgrown forests, and the echoes of ancient times still whispered between their stone pillars. Priestesses of the Mother Goddess offered wine and honey on the altar, and the fire burned in the sacrificial hearth, and the fragrance drifted away on the breeze and blended into the smell of the forest.

The girls knelt on the ground with pious faces, listening to the teachings and stories of the islanders as if they were listening to the whispers of gods. And wherever Rianna saw, there were gentle and warm smiles welcoming them. This feeling of being accepted surged into her heart like a warm current, making her almost forget the troubles and burdens in her heart when she came.

At some point, she put on a wreath of flowers and vines on her head, and the petals trembled slightly in her ears, cheering softly for her every thought. In the distance, the ethereal and melodious song of nature sounded, and the notes were like the whispers of wind, water, and leaves. The whole island was calling them forward in the most gentle way. In fact, the island did not need these tempting sounds at all, they were willing to come here - from the moment they set foot on this land, they were destined to reach the cave under the mountain.

Since they met in the forest, the elven girl who led them had hardly said much. Her silence was neither indifference nor alienation, but a kind of deep self-restraint and dignity. In fact, Evelyn and Rianna had no intention of talking either - they were both deeply attracted by this fairyland, and could only walk silently on this seemingly destined road, allowing their souls to be purified and baptized in this natural holy place.

The girl's figure is solid and powerful, with muscular lines visible in every movement. It is not the tough body from the training ground, but the harmonious beauty forged from long-term fulfillment of duties and integration into nature.

Ruianna had to try hard not to let her eyes stay on the girl's strong and upright back for too long. She had a subtle feeling in her heart, a mixture of admiration and attraction, but she didn't dare to think too much about it.

Their path led to a natural archway made of ancient trees, covered with vines and mosses, and with wild flowers blooming quietly on the branches. Through the gaps between the swaying leaves, Rianna could see the towering mountain in the center of the island, towering like a pillar in the sky, and the mountain spring flowing slowly from the mountainside like a tear, leaving traces of time on the rocks.

A wide stream flows down from the foot of the mountain happily, washing over the pebbles that have been smoothed for thousands of years. The sound of the water is clear, as if it is playing a rhythm for the footsteps ahead. The sun shines on the wet stone surface, the glittering mist rises, and the colorful rainbow light sways in the air, like a dream.

When they walked out of the forest, there was a dark cave in front of them. The entrance of the cave was like the mouth of an abyss, deep and quiet, as if hiding eternal prophecies and secrets. Ruianna's heartbeat accelerated involuntarily, and she knew that the real test had just begun.

The path winds toward the side of the mountain. Along the way, you can see ancient statues and stacked tributes. Gold, silver, vanilla, colorful cloth and stones painted with stars lie quietly between the rocks. Those offerings to the Mother Goddess seem to tell the wishes and admiration of countless visitors over tens of millions of years.

The guide stopped a hundred steps away from the cave. Her steps were as steady as still water, and she turned to face the two of them.

"I can't go on." She said calmly. There was no fear in her voice, only the boundaries of rules and ancient agreements. "You must walk the rest of the way on your own."

Rianna looked towards the mouth of the cave, and the darkness seemed to be tangible, slowly staring at her. She knew that she had to face the unknown fate ahead alone - without the protection of the residents of this wonderland, the inky black cave entrance seemed even more terrifying.

"The Oracle is in there?" There was uneasiness in her voice.

"Yes!" the elf girl replied, her eyes as calm as a lake. "Now go ahead. It's dangerous to waste her time."

Her words were as light as leaves falling in the wind, but they carried an irresistible force. After that, she disappeared into the forest as lightly as she had come, as if she had never appeared, leaving only Rianna and Evelyne standing in front of the cave, staring into the unknown darkness, with fear in their hearts, but also hope.

The mountain is now within reach, no longer as majestic as it was when viewed from afar. Instead, it reveals its true hard and cold appearance, with cracks and jagged rocks. It is like a silent judge, quietly overlooking all living beings, which is awe-inspiring.

"We should go." Evelyne whispered calmly, but she moved forward slightly, obviously feeling the pressure. She turned to see Ruianna still not moving, with a hint of concern between her eyebrows.

"Yeah..." Ruianna answered hesitantly, her eyes wandering in the darkness of the cave.

"What's wrong with you?" Evelyn asked softly, her voice like the echo of a stream hitting a rocky shore, gentle yet penetrating.

"I don't know... I just feel a little scared suddenly, but I can't tell you why." Ruianna rubbed her palms gently, her fingers trembling slightly, and her voice was low. She felt unfamiliar with this emotion.

Evelyne looked at her, then turned to look at the open dark hole and said.

"I understand how you feel. I also thought that everything on the island would be as beautiful and pure as we have seen before, like a protected paradise in a fairy tale, but..."

"But that's not the case, is it?" Ryanna continued, with a hint of bitterness in her voice, which was the regret for shattered ideals and the uneasiness of facing the truth in her premonition.

"That's right!" Eveline nodded, with deep thought in her eyes. "It's different here. It's not as warm and welcoming as the Eden Valley outside. It's... dangerous, but we should have expected this moment."

"Why do you say that?" Rianna asked, although she had a hunch, she still longed for a rational explanation.

"So far, we have only seen the bright and prosperous side of this island, but any true beauty is not without price. Every inch of light is accompanied by its shadow. Day and night, life and death, good and evil. Every miracle in nature has its corresponding cruelty and law. Nature has never been a gentle darling, but a cycle of blood and fire - death and rebirth. This island is just a part of nature."

"Then I really don't want to go in now." Ruianna whispered, trying to break free from some irresistible fate.

"It's dangerous to waste her time." Evelyn repeated the elven girl's previous warning. Although her voice was soft, it was firm and unquestionable. "I don't think we have any choice."

"Yeah, I think so." Rui Anna slowly exhaled, letting out the remaining fear in her heart. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her eyes were already burning with renewed courage. She took the first step and walked towards the cave entrance where even time seemed to have stopped.

They walked up the ancient and rugged mountain road, surrounded by thick rock gas and coldness. The moment they entered the cave, Rui Anna smelled a dark smokey aroma, a smell between burning incense and wildfire, with a strange temperature, as if there was a fire burning slowly deep in the mountain.

The fragrance was not pungent, but rather intoxicating. She could also discern the scent of camphor and mandrake mixed in it—plants commonly used for meditation and divine enlightenment, but now they made her feel a little dizzy and uneasy. When she took a deep breath of the strange and fragrant smoke, her vision suddenly blurred, and the world slowly distorted before her eyes.

There was a faint light flickering in the darkness ahead, and she stumbled into the cave, only to see oil bowls neatly placed on the ground, with blue flames jumping in the iridescent oil. That kind of flame was silent, bright but not hot, like an illusion of fire.

The cave walls are covered with ancient and mysterious totems, with waxing and waning moons shining alternately, newly blossoming roses revealing buds among the vines, and twisting and wriggling snakes winding around, ready to crawl out of the stone walls and whisper. Those paintings are not just decorations, but living things, the breath and memory of the cave itself.

Rianna continued to go deeper into the cave. The passage formed by the oil bowls on both sides was like a soul road leading to the unknown. Her eyes gradually adapted to the darkness, but even the eyesight of an elf could not penetrate the inky depth. The air was filled with a heavy aroma of oil. Although there was no smoke from cooking, it made her breathing sluggish and time slowed down. The deeper she went, the more she felt that there was an invisible spider web entangled her feet, and every step she took was into some kind of invisible barrier.

A brief but intense panic struck her, and she turned back sharply, just to confirm whether Eveline was still behind her.

But she was alone...

The Swordmaster of Hoeth who had escorted her back to Safri was nowhere to be seen, and even the light that came through the cave entrance completely disappeared, as if a huge door had quietly descended, completely isolating her from the outside world. The entire cave was terribly quiet, with only her heartbeat and footsteps echoing between the stone walls. She held back the exclamation that almost burst out of her mouth, tried to suppress the uneasiness in her heart, and forced herself to move forward.

She knew that retreating at this moment would only trap her here forever.

Following the path of blue flames, she walked step by step into the temple painted with ancient totems, and whispers from thousands of years ago echoed in the air.

The deeper she went, the more clearly she could feel a strange vibration in the ground. It was an extremely slow but unignorable rhythm, like an extremely distant heartbeat, powerful but restrained, ancient but alive. The heartbeat seemed to come from deep underground, and it always existed in the air, even echoing in her bones and blood.

She was surrounded by this rhythm, guided by an indescribable will. This pulsation was both thrilling and strangely soothing to her mind.

She had entered the deepest part of the god's dream, and at this moment, the dream finally began to coalesce into reality.

The passage suddenly opened up, and Rianna walked into a smoky cave, as if she had strayed into the breath of a god. Silver-grey mist floated in the air, and countless souls whispered in her ears, sometimes far away, sometimes near. In the center of the cave stood a heavy stone platform, its surface covered with complex and ancient carvings, interweaving into a mysterious web pattern, like a symbol of fate itself. Thick smoke continued to rise above the stone platform, carrying the smell of grass, wood and ash, spreading into a hazy curtain. And behind the mist, a figure could be vaguely seen standing quietly. It was a woman in a white robe and a hood, tall and solemn, holding a scepter made of old willow wood, with silver wire and obsidian pieces wrapped around the top, gleaming in the blue firelight.

"Welcome, Rianna from Safri," the woman said. Her voice was low and full of feminine power, like a spring gushing from deep underground, or like the whisper of the mother goddess, penetrating the mist and striking the soul.

Rianna tried to respond, but her throat was entangled in the thick smoke that was wriggling like a living thing. She could not make a sound and could only stare with wide eyes and breathe with difficulty. The smoke penetrated into her lungs like a snake, trying to read all her memories and desires.

The woman raised one hand and gestured forward, beckoning her closer.

"At the beginning of the world, Asuryan sent a phoenix and a raven to fly across the earth and meet at the center of the world. They met on this 'navel stone', and through this stone, the oracle was conveyed to the heavens."

The woman pointed at the stone that was emitting a fiery breath, and her voice echoed between the cave walls like a sacrificial oration, and every word sounded like a spell from ancient times.

"However, whether the human world truly understands God's response." She paused, and her tone changed slightly, with a hint of sarcasm and contemplation, "That is another matter."

Ruianna almost forced herself to make a sound, as if she was struggling to break free from the smoke.

"Where are my friends?"

Her voice was weak and broken, as if it could be swallowed up by the darkness of the cave at any time.

"Where is Evelain?"

"She's safe," the woman replied, her tone calm and certain. "This is not her time to die, but yours!"

"Destiny...?" Ruianna's heart trembled. She could feel that a huge and irresistible vortex was slowly pulling her in.

"Yes, child, haven't you traveled all the way here just to learn about those hidden things and things that have not yet happened?" The priestess' voice was gentle, but it carried an irresistible power, as if what she was stating was not a choice, but an inevitable outcome.

Ruianna felt a wave of fear surge into her heart like a tide, and the tide surrounded her with chill and oppression. Her feet no longer belonged to her, as if controlled by invisible threads, she slowly stepped onto the path leading to the stone platform, step by step, unable to resist. This was not the purpose of her coming here - she did not want to peek into the future, and she never desired to be the knower of fate.

She just wanted to find Kelly...

"The two are one, child." The woman's voice became louder and louder. It was no longer just the words of a mortal. Instead, it seemed like some ancient divine language was being conveyed through her mouth. The entire cave shook with her voice.

“The crescent moon is the white goddess, symbolizing luck and dreams;
The full moon is the green goddess, symbolizing birth and growth;
The waning moon is a black goddess, symbolizing fate and death."

The three sentences sounded like three bells, rang loudly in Ruianna's heart.

She no longer had the strength to resist, and could only obey the pull of the invisible force, pressing her hands tremblingly on the stone. The carvings on the surface of the stone platform glowed slightly, like blood vessels beating. She looked into the hollow core of the stone, and it seemed that there was no rock there, but an unfathomable void.

The next moment, the darkness of the cave was summoned, rising up and enveloping her like a wave. Her soul left her body and was slowly drawn into the abyss by the sea of ​​smoke. The hot breath of the god swept over her like a flame, drowning, burning, and purifying her.

She wailed wordlessly, and the scream from her throat was no longer a human sound, but a resonance of a soul being torn apart. Countless broken images flashed before her eyes—swinging swords cutting through the night, bloodthirsty warriors roaring and killing in the river of blood, Kelliel's figure flashed by, and Eldan's eyes full of compassion.

Next, there was a forest kingdom that she had never seen before but was extremely familiar with, full of magic and beauty. It was not the primitive magic from nature like the Eden Valley, but a miracle created by the elves' spells, carvings, and light and shadow...

However, beauty could not last long. The flames suddenly swept over, and the entire cave was burning. The murals turned to ashes, the sacred totems collapsed in the flames, her flesh and bones were peeled off by the flames, and her soul was spun and torn apart in the burning pain. A huge and terrifying energy vortex swept across everything, as heavy and desperate as a falling star. She finally felt that she was no longer alone, and some kind of existence had quietly arrived.

“Stop this…” she cried, tears and fire in her eyes, “Please, stop!”

But what she got in response was only a hotter fire and a deeper darkness. The fire was no longer just a fiery element, but the embodiment of some ancient will, carrying an irresistible breath of judgment. The darkness was like a tangible abyss, pouring into her senses, eroding her reason, and wanting to devour her completely.

"No, child." A voice that seemed to come from a distant time and space sounded slowly, carrying ancient wisdom and ruthless mercy, like a whisper from the sky and an echo from the underworld, "Like all lives, women must endure pain. This is not something you can stop, you can only endure it."

Rianna gasped with tears in her eyes, her heart pounding like thunder, her legs shaky. At this moment, a familiar yet strange scene slowly emerged before her eyes - the magical forest reappeared, as if waking up from a dream. The mist was light and the light was soft. A woman shrouded in holy light was walking into her sight. Her smooth and unparalleled face and solemn and gentle expression were the Eternal Queen of Avalon.

Her holy presence was like a soothing touch to the soul, as if it could wash away all the pain and fear. Ruianna couldn't stop trembling, and let out a trembling and relieved sigh. The anxious fire in her heart finally went out, and her breathing gradually became steady, as if she was approaching a peaceful shore.

However, this moment of peace was short-lived.

The black rain fell from the sky without warning, dripping onto the ground like the blood of the night. It was silent, but it carried a destructive curse and corrosive power. Rianna screamed as she watched the rain of shadows fall on the robes of the Everqueen. The originally pure and flawless white robes were stained, dissolving and withering inch by inch, and even the queen's own glory faded.

The rain seemed to be born for destruction, corroding her skin and divinity, stripping away everything beautiful and pure about the queen. Her face quickly aged and withered, like a flower withering rapidly in the cold wind.

"No, please...no!" Ruianna whispered with sobs, her voice trembling and sad, trying to use this last plea to save everything that was about to be lost.

However, fate does not stop at the wailing. As the figure of the Everqueen gradually dimmed, the forest withered and died. The grass turned into black ash, and the trees cracked and collapsed one by one, as if the bones of life were broken one by one. The land that was once full of vitality was instantly dyed into a picture of desolation by death and despair.

In this doomsday scene, the queen used up her last bit of strength to raise her head and her eyes met Rianna's. There was no longer holiness and tenderness in her eyes, but a deep and painful call.

"Come to me, child," she said in a very weak but firm voice. "He needs your help."

Rianna suddenly closed her eyes and screamed heartbreakingly. At this moment, a scarlet blood suddenly appeared on her chest, exactly the same shape as the wound on the queen's chest. It was a long-lost pain, a memory that was deeply engraved in her soul - it was exactly the sharp pain she felt when Duruchi's crossbow arrow pierced her shoulder a long time ago.

She pressed her hands to her chest in horror, trying to stop the wound from spreading, trying to stop the shadow of the past from repeating itself.

Then, everything receded like the tide.

The moment her hands left the "navel stone", the pain was cut off, and the violent perception brought by the oracle also faded away. Her vision slowly regained clarity, and the world was reconstructed from the collapsed illusion. She collapsed to the ground, powerless, gasping for breath, as if she had just escaped from a deep-sea dream. The afterimages of the past were still echoing in her mind, and those images were like sharp blades, repeatedly cutting through her consciousness.

The dark cave came into view again, quiet and deep, nothing had happened, but she knew that she was no longer the person who walked in here.

The woman's figure slowly walked around the stone platform and came in front of her. Ruianna struggled to raise her head, and saw that the woman's eyes under the hood were glowing faintly, like a reflection from another world.

She screamed.

She saw with her own eyes the face undergoing a horrific change in an instant - from a young elf girl to a mature woman, and then to an old woman with a haggard face ravaged by time.

It was not an illusion, but a real cycle: the three stages of life were repeated before her, constantly changing. Time itself lost its linearity in this space and became an endless cycle.

Her hands trembled, and she crawled back in fear, trying to escape the gravity of this reincarnation. She struggled to stand up, staggered around, and desperately fled from the cave temple, as if only running could escape the eternal gaze and the oppression of the oracle staring at her. (End of this chapter)