Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

At this moment, Dakotas is holding an ancient artifact in his hand.

To be precise, this item is a superb piece in terms of style and weight, comparable to his Matheran two-piece set, and perhaps even slightly superior.
The staff is forged entirely from a strange material, its deep textures containing the trajectory of flowing starlight. Its surface is engraved with intricate, ancient runes that shimmer in the dim light, as if about to whisper lost incantations. At the top of the staff is sculpted the image of Lilith, her graceful lines intertwined with the crescent moon, like a frozen dream. The staff is perfectly balanced; it feels weightless in the hand, yet one can instinctively sense the profound divine power within it.

This is an extraordinary item that carries Lilith's blessing—which is not surprising, since Elsa's eternally young daughter has been the guardian deity of elven mages since ancient times.

This tall, winged staff was undoubtedly a powerful magical amplifier. Immersed in the eternity of moonlight, it was filled with Lilith's immortal power. Even without a second eye, he could intuitively perceive the aura emanating from it—a pure and chilling fluctuation of power, both gentle and soothing, yet also a cold, sharp blade.

Yes, what Darkus held in his hand was Lilith's Moon Staff.

One of the Lilith three-piece set! (Introduced in Chapter 168)

In the golden age before the Great Invasion, the pure maiden and moon goddess Lilith bestowed three extraordinary items upon the elves, which are known as "Lilith's Blessings".

These include:

The "Star Crown" is said to allow the wearer to see all the illusions known to the elves and gods, transcending time and place to glimpse the past and the future.

The 'Sunfire Amulet' burns so brightly and purely that no evil being can bear its gaze, while those with truly noble souls find in its radiance a source of hope and vitality.

And the 'Lilith's Staff of the Moon', a supreme staff that can grant its wielder boundless energy, a multiplier of the spellcaster's power, and a bridge to communicate with the divine will.

In addition, there was the deadly "Moon Bow," gleaming in the moonlight, forged from pale metal, exquisite and elegant in appearance, a gift personally bestowed upon Aris Anar by Lilith.

Strictly speaking, however, it is not part of the three-piece set.

However, in the end, it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with having four pieces instead of three.
Darkus gazed at the Staff of the Moon, his eyes shifting for a moment between complexity and coldness, weighing its intertwining with his own destiny. Then, he slowly turned his head to look at Lief, who sat beside him.

Liv's eyes were calm, with a hint of profound tenderness, and she nodded gently to him. He was silent for a moment, then smiled in return, nodded back, and returned the Moon Staff to Liv.

Although he knew it, in that instant, he realized once again clearly that because of his appearance and interference, the tide of history had been completely altered.

The trajectory of many things is not quite the same as it originally was.

The Staff of the Moon was originally scheduled to appear in the year 2300 of the Imperial Calendar, and in that predetermined timeline, its wielder was not the current Lief, but rather Elarelli and Tyrion.

Yes, it's the two of them, not Tigris.

However, the way they used it was a bit comical...

In that timeline, Dorian personally led his forces in a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Avalon, targeting Elaririel herself. He initially succeeded in capturing her, but ultimately, in a dramatic turn of events, Tyrion escaped with her.

The two fled until they reached the Winterwood Palace.

Elariri changed her clothes there, shedding her blood-stained gown and donning fresh battle attire. She now gripped the Staff of the Moon tightly in her hand, and carried a bow and quiver on her back—her only means of survival in this desperate situation. As for Tyrion, he had already been wounded in battle, the bloodstains on his body a testament to the price he had paid. While protecting Elariri, he had been slashed by a sorcerer's dagger and had fallen unconscious upon arriving at Winterwood Palace.

As everyone knows, the Witch Spirit is a master of poisons.

So, in addition to clothing, supernatural items, and bows and arrows, Alariri also found some long-forgotten magical potions in the Winterwood Palace.

When Tyrion awoke, just as the two were preparing to leave Winterwood Palace, they were overtaken by Duruch's pursuers.

In the brief confrontation, Ella Riley was struck in the forehead by the heavy hilt of a spherical dagger, losing her balance and falling heavily to the ground, immediately losing consciousness. At that moment, Tyrion's rage ignited. He gripped the Sunfire Blade tightly and, with a roar, slew one of Duruci's pursuers. But what followed was an even greater crisis.

Because, Barriel appeared.

Balil is one of the most dangerous warriors in the Duruci, possessing a tall and imposing physique uncommon among elves, along with an illogical agility.

He charged at Tyrion with an incredibly ferocious gait, wielding a double-edged axe.

Tyrion knew that a direct confrontation would be certain death, so he could only retreat as far as he could, trying to create distance and find an opportunity. At this moment, he didn't even bother to pick up the Sunfire Sword.

The battle was extremely complex, not only due to the threat from Barriel, but also the arrival of another female assassin. The female assassin was temporarily trapped by a burst of magic, but she refused to give up, throwing another dagger at Tyrion.

In that instant, the dagger spun in the air, its blade flashing with a cold light. But its entire form became blurred, as if slowed down by distorted time.

In Tyrion's eyes, the blade's trajectory was incredibly long, as if it stretched for countless breaths. He reached out and caught the dagger precisely in mid-air. With a slight flick of his wrist, he tossed it back.

The dagger flashed coldly and pierced straight into Amara's eye.

With a sharp cracking sound, a strange sucking sound followed. Amara let out a terrible scream, her body convulsing as she collapsed to the ground, the poisoned blade already piercing her eye socket and reaching her brain.

In an instant, the shadow of death completely engulfed her.

As for who Barriel and Amara really are.
In Darkus's timeline, Barriel became the vice-captain of the White Lion Guard. (Chapters 25 and 788)
Amara possessed deep blue eyes and dazzling blonde hair, a delicate nose, and slightly pouting lips. Her overall demeanor was so innocent and romantic that it almost instinctively inspired trust. One could even say that her presence carried a touch of reckless naiveté. Currently, she was operating within the court of Tal Sammersan, concealing herself as a maid. (Chapter 25)
In other words, the actions of the Kingdom of Caledon were almost transparent to Duruchi. Tariendan knew that the Kingdom of Caledon had sent reinforcements to the Val's Anvil, but unfortunately, there was an unavoidable time lag; the transmission of information was always slightly delayed, always a step behind.

When Tariendan finally received the accurate intelligence, it was noon on the fourth day after Imrek sang the Dragon Song. On that day, the gears of fate had already turned irreversibly—the Battle of the Vaal Anvil had begun. And when the midday sun shone on the battlefield, the battle was effectively over, leaving only scattered fighting and cleanup, entering its final stages…

Thus, Tyrion was forced to take up the Staff of the Moon and confront Balir head-on.

The moment Tyrion bent down to pick up the Staff of the Moon from the dirt, the battle had already begun. With almost no time to catch his breath, he turned to face the heavy, sharp sweep of the great axe.

In a flash, the wooden handle of the staff miraculously hooked onto the blade of the giant axe, and the sound of wood rubbing against iron burst in the air, as piercing as sparks.

Barriel roared and slammed his giant axe into the ground. Tyrion, caught off guard, was knocked to the ground by the impact.

The heavy axe blade, gleaming with deathly coldness, cleaved down, slamming heavily onto the ground beside Tyrion. Amidst the flying dust, he rolled desperately, narrowly escaping death. He gritted his teeth, gripped his staff tightly, and forced himself to pull himself together.

The next instant, he swung his staff violently, striking Barriel's leg. At that moment, a dull thud echoed through the air as wood struck rock, the vibration traveling up the staff to his arm, making Tyrion almost believe he had just struck an incredibly heavy suit of steel armor.

Barry was not swayed by this; he simply grinned, revealing a cruel mockery.

Not to be outdone, Tyrion thrust his staff at Barriel once more. But Barriel easily dodged the attack, and in his counterattack, his giant axe struck the Moon Staff with tremendous force.

The deafening roar would have shattered any ordinary weapon into pieces, but the Moon Staff withstood it stubbornly, without even leaving a single crack.

The battle became intense.

In a brief struggle, Tyrion locked Balir's throat with the Staff of the Moon. But Balir responded with near-madness, raising his axe and slicing open his own throat, letting air and blood rush into his chest. He broke free of his grip with this cruel act and continued his attack.

The battle continued until Tyrion's hand touched the Sunfire Blade.

At that moment, the situation completely reversed.

With this divine weapon in hand, I'll rule the world!
Flames burst forth from the sword, as intense as the blazing sun.

Tyrion lunged forward, his longsword tracing a sharp arc as it plunged straight into Barriel's already wounded throat. The blade pierced flesh, severing his spine and nerves. Barriel let out a final spasm, his heavy body crashing to the ground, dead amidst dust and blood.

However, the matter did not end there.

The shadows fell once more, and the Keeper of the Secrets, Nakari, found them, drawn by the scent of blood. The demonic figure loomed over the battlefield, nearly dragging Tyrion back into the abyss.

Fortunately, Tegris had been tracking them ever since he learned of their disappearance. At the most critical moment, he arrived just in time, unleashing his unfathomable power without hesitation to completely shatter Nakari's demonic nature and banish him back to the Chaos Realm.

After the battle, Tyrion was completely exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. Tigris stood beside his brother, remaining silent for a long time, until Elariri approached, at which point they began to speak.

"Is that... the crown of Safruit's conquest?" Alarelli stared at the ancient and solemn crown on his forehead, her eyes flashing with undisguised surprise and solemnity.

“I’m surprised you could recognize it.” Tigris raised his hand to touch the crown and replied with a wry smile, “It hasn’t left the White Tower for centuries, and most elves would only consider it something that exists in legends.”

“The legacy of the Eternal Queen made me recognize it,” Alariri said softly, her voice echoing with an ancient memory. “It has never been forgotten; it has always been worn by heroes, serving as a beacon of light in the darkest of times.”

“Looks like this time it wasn’t…” Tigris sighed, shrugged, and said with a hint of self-mockery, “They gave it to me by mistake.”

“I don’t think they made any mistakes,” Ella Reilly replied firmly, her tone unwavering.

"We'll have to wait and see," Tigris said, his cheeks slightly flushed, looking a little shy. He unusually looked away to ease his embarrassment. "By the way, what are you wearing on your hand?"

“This is Lilith’s Staff of the Moon.” Elarelli raised the staff, her fingertips slowly tracing the runes that shimmered with a cold light. “I brought it out from its hiding place in Winterwood Palace.” “I wish I had it when I fought the Nakari just now.” A genuine longing flickered in Tegris’s eyes. “It’s an extremely powerful amplifier. Would you mind letting me see it?”

After a moment's thought, Ella Reilly nodded and handed him the staff.

When the staff rested in Tigris's hand, there was almost no awkwardness; rather, it felt as if it had been tailor-made for him, fitting perfectly. A vast amount of energy flowed slowly around the staff, and his fingers traced the intricate craftsmanship and ancient runes, those powers evoking an instinctive resonance within him.

Strangely, he didn't need to learn; he already knew how to master its mysteries. But he didn't linger for long; after a moment of silence, he reluctantly returned the Staff of the Moon to the Eternal Queen.

"It's truly a marvelous artifact."

“Yes!” Ella Reilly responded softly, her gaze complex. “Although I was unable to activate its true power.”

"It must be for use with a specific kind of magic," Tegris said thoughtfully, a hint of speculation flashing in his eyes.

“It carries Lilith’s blessing, so it’s not surprising.” Elarelli nodded. “Lilith is the protector of all mages.”

“I can tell that.”

As time passed, before the Battle of Fennuwa Plains began, Elariri stood before the army of Asur as the Eternal Queen. The wind howled, yet her voice pierced through the camp, carrying determination and a call to arms.

“If it weren’t for the brothers Tyrion and Tigris,” Elariri began, her gaze sweeping over the warriors in the ranks, “I wouldn’t be standing here today, much less speaking before you. They rescued me from the Witch King’s servants, and they are here today, ready to fight alongside you in tomorrow’s final battle. I owe them my life, and I hope to repay that debt.”

"Tigris, please step forward!"

When Tigris heard his name called, his heart skipped a beat. He was both surprised and somewhat embarrassed. He disliked being in the limelight, and even less wanted to display his limping figure in front of the entire army. If his brother hadn't given him a gentle push from behind, he might have stubbornly remained where he was.

To his surprise, when he finally stepped forward, the soldiers did not treat him coldly, but instead called out his name in unison. The shouts came like a surging tide.

“Tigris, you are perhaps the most powerful mage since the Dragon Tamer Caledo. I truly hope so, because right now, we desperately need powerful mages.”

Alariri gazed at Tigris, her eyes filled with a solemn approval. Then, she raised the Moon Staff, her voice growing ever more resolute in the wind.

"To show my respect, I present this staff to you here!"
The seventh Phoenix King, Bel-Khrushchev: ?
Alariri held the Moon Staff aloft, this legendary artifact radiating a cold yet holy light under the moonlight, as if the entire night sky had become clearer because of it. Silvery light meandered down the staff, making her look like a goddess stepping out of a painting.

Tigris almost held his breath; he was stunned, utterly shocked, and for a moment couldn't find the right words to express his emotions. Even so, he instinctively reached out and solemnly accepted the Staff of the Moon.

At that moment, it felt as if the weight of destiny had settled in his palm. The touch of the staff was cold and steady, yet it brought him a sense of peace, like a preordained continuation.

Aila Riley then leaned forward gently, her movements graceful and natural, without the slightest hesitation, and then her lips landed on Tigris's cheek.

It was an extremely intimate gesture, not just a symbol of etiquette, but more like a mark of trust.

Tigris was slightly taken aback; he could almost hear his heart pounding faster. He was moved by this closeness, his heart ignited by a gentle yet intense flame. He spoke not, but bowed deeply to the Eternal Queen in response to her gift and affection.

Thus, the Lilith's Staff of the Moon was officially released.

Its glory was restored to the world and held by Tigris. Although it inevitably suffered severe damage at the end, it was eventually repaired. Although it lost its unparalleled power and was no longer the amplifying artifact it once was, as a sacred relic carrying heritage and symbolism, it still transcended eras and was passed on to the next.

Now, the Staff of the Moon is wielded by Lief; and another ancient treasure symbolizing authority—the Crown of Saffre—is placed on Fenrir's head.

Tigris: What about me? What about me?!
“Tell me, what happened?” Darkus broke the silence. He casually pulled out a chair, as if he were in his own backyard, and sat down without any restraint.

During this period, he remained in Port Elisabeth. The former palace had become a joint office for the Truc army and the city's civil administration, and as the core of all operations, he naturally regarded it as his rightful place to live.

The conference room was brightly lit.

Aside from Darkus himself, almost all the key members of the delegation to the Kingdom of Avalon were present: Lief, Fenrir, Schrinassto, the Twilight Sisters, Cecin-Hal, and Springtwin. Also present were Arelani and Asantir.

Schrinassto is the representative of the Hoss Swordsmen, and he and Fenrir traveled to the Kingdom of Avalon as the main envoys of the Hoss faction. Before their departure, the White Tower faction went through a long debate and negotiation, and finally made a rather meaningful decision—to entrust the Saffre Crown of Conquest to Fenrir as a symbol and representation of the Hoss faction's stance.

As it turned out, Genevieve's judgment was accurate.

The expressions of Arelani and Asantir, who shouldn't be here but are, say it all. Their faces reveal an undisguised confusion and pain, clearly indicating that some unavoidable changes have indeed occurred.

As for Cecil Hal and Springtwin, they sat at the very edge of the conference table, deliberately keeping their distance from the center. Their indifferent demeanor displayed a typical "it's none of my business" attitude, and they didn't even bother to say a word.

The Twilight sisters are in different states.

Although Alohan's body was present, sitting upright in a chair, her eyes were vacant, and her soul seemed to have drifted to a distant, unreachable place, chasing after some unknown illusion.

Nestorian, however, was entirely different. Her gaze was focused and direct, staring at Dakota without any hesitation, her eyes filled with fervent, even excessive, admiration. She looked at him as if gazing upon a fine and flawless work of art.

Dakous seemed quite used to this.

Fenrir and Schrinusto exchanged a glance, then almost simultaneously turned their gaze to Liv.

“It’s complicated…” Levi’s expression was a little conflicted and helpless. She frowned slightly and looked at Darkus, as if she was thinking about how to start the conversation.

Dakos simply spread his hands casually, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if to say: Take your time, I have plenty of time.

The elves living in Ulthuan divide the year into four seasons.

Although they are used to dividing it this way, in reality, winter in Ausuan is just so-so.

The south enjoys a mild, spring-like climate year-round, with the air always carrying the moist scent of fresh grass, as if it were forever stuck in early summer. While the north is a bit colder, it's only slightly chilly, not cold enough to require heavy winter clothing. At most, it's a bit windy, with significant temperature differences between day and night, and a sudden drop in temperature at night.

As for snow?
That's a rare sight, almost nonexistent. To see it, you have to trek through the crater and look up at the highest peak to witness the snow-covered rocks.

But the Kingdom of Avalon is different. It has a completely independent seasonal cycle from the mainland of Ulthuan, with four distinct seasons. The seas of flowers in spring and summer and the fruits in autumn go without saying, but the most special thing is winter. In winter, the forests of Avalon are truly covered in white snow, and even the air is filled with a quiet chill.

Thus, the Winterwood Palace came into being.

Although it is called a palace, at first glance it looks more like a refuge, because it does not have the solemnity and stone-carved columns that a palace should have.

At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than a vast, seemingly endless grove of ancient trees. The trunks tower high, reaching into the clouds, surrounded by roots that coil like giant snakes, thick enough to form city walls. From a distance, one might mistake it for just another ordinary sight deep within a magical forest.

However, if one were to pause and look closely, one would discover several winding, narrow passages hidden among the fallen leaves and bushes. These passages, seemingly growing randomly on the surface, are actually cleverly disguised and laid out specifically for people to traverse. Passing through these hidden entrances leads to the true refuge.

It was a cave so large it was breathtaking.

The roots of the surrounding trees emerge from the depths of the soil, intertwining high above like the pillars of a grand hall's dome, forming a natural yet solemn vault. In the center of the cave lies a black hot spring pool, its surface constantly churning, steam rising into the air and bringing a moist and warm atmosphere. The air is filled with the scent of earth and moss, creating a stark contrast to the cold winter forest outside.

Asley: We know this well.

At first glance, Winterwood Palace appears to be a masterpiece of nature's artistry, but upon closer inspection, one can discern the marks of the spirits within. The roots of the trees and the curves of the cave ceiling are not accidental, but intentionally shaped, possessing a symmetrical and harmonious beauty that subtly reveals their artistic style.

The soil, after being sculpted, was made as solid as a stone sculpture. At the same time, energy subtly flowed through the space, making the entire cave appear both natural and orderly. It was not a natural cave, but a palace nurtured by the wisdom and aesthetics of the elves.

Therefore, the Winterwood Palace truly lives up to its name. It is both a sanctuary and a work of art.

In the winter of Avalon, when the snow falls heavily and the whole forest falls asleep, the elves gather here, light bonfires, sing ancient hymns, or dance their unique dances to ward off the cold and long nights.

The palace's interior was spacious, containing numerous rooms, some serving as bedrooms, others as living rooms, as well as storage rooms and a dedicated reception hall. More practically, it also functioned as a warehouse, storing hunting bows and arrows, readily available magical potions, and various daily necessities. It not only provided comfortable shelter for the elves during the winter but also ensured their survival in unforeseen circumstances.

The most important treasure among them is Lilith's Staff of the Moon, which is kept deep within the Winterwood Palace and guarded with great care.

However, Winterwood Palace was never designed as a fortress. It had no thick stone walls, no formidable defensive works, and no intention of confronting the enemy head-on.

Its purpose is simply to allow the elves to rest during the winter.

If an enemy were to come, its structure ensures another point: it has numerous exits and branching paths, allowing residents to quickly evacuate from any of these paths and disappear into the boundless forest.

The story that Liv tells takes place right here in this Winterwood Palace… (End of Chapter)