Chapitre 16: Elves?

**Garmond's Awakening**

Garmond's eyes fluttered open, and he gasped as the oppressive canopy of the forest vanished. He found himself standing in a vast, ethereal landscape. The sky shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, casting vibrant hues that danced across the horizon. The ground beneath his feet felt soft and buoyant, as if he were walking on clouds, each step echoing with a sense of wonder.

As he absorbed his surroundings, a figure materialized in the distance, gliding toward him with an almost supernatural grace. Garmond's breath caught in his throat as he beheld her—a being of breathtaking beauty, ageless and radiant, with eyes that shimmered with profound wisdom.

"Welcome, young one," she said, her voice a soothing melody, reminiscent of a gentle summer breeze. "I am Ariana, once the queen of the elves and a master of the pocket knife."

Stunned, Garmond stood in silence, awe washing over him. The voice felt eerily familiar, but he couldn't place it. "The queen of the elves?" he stammered. He had never heard of any 'Queen of Elves,' yet the mention of a pocket knife tugged at his memory.

His sword had transformed into a pocket knife, and that same feminine voice echoed in his mind. "So you're the lady in the sword?" Garmond ventured, curiosity threading through his voice.

Ariana nodded, her movements fluid and mesmerizing. "I have been watching you, Garmond. I sense a kindred spirit within you. But tell me—how did the elven sword come to rest in the hands of a mere human?" She extended her hand, revealing a gleaming pocket knife, its blade shimmering with an unearthly glow.

"This is a powerful weapon, and it should not lie abandoned," she chided, her gaze heavy with expectation. Garmond felt the weight of her scrutiny as he watched her manipulate the small blade with a dexterity that spoke of centuries of practice.

Confusion clouded his thoughts. "I don't understand. Elves? What are those?" he asked, bewilderment etched across his features.

Ariana regarded him with a mix of patience and disappointment. "The elven race has remained hidden for centuries. We do not associate with other races; our existence is shrouded in secrecy." Her words dripped with subtle sadness, as if recalling ancient memories.

"Then why have I never known of your existence, despite holding this sword all this time?" Garmond pressed, incredulous at the notion that a soul resided within the very weapon he had wielded.

"We were dormant. A human cannot wield the true power of the sword and unlock its hidden potential. It is difficult even for us elves," Ariana explained, her brow furrowed in contemplation. *How did he manage to awaken us?* she mused.

Garmond listened intently, feeling a subtle condescension in her tone. "Why do you refer to yourself as 'we'? As far as I know, it's just the two of us here," he challenged, brow raised.

"You see, the sword you possess is no ordinary weapon. It is a token passed down to the kings of the golden elven race. The souls and memories of those kings reside within this blade," she elaborated, her voice tinged with mystery. "Soon, you will encounter them all, and they will guide you on the path to mastering every sword form. But you will begin with me."

A flicker of defiance ignited within Garmond. "I don't know how you got a hold of this sacred weapon, but it has been in my family for hundreds of years," he shot back, frustration tightening his features.

"What do you mean? The sword has been in your family for hundreds of years? How is that possible?" Ariana's tone shifted dramatically, worry and fear lacing her voice. The implications of such a revelation struck her like a physical blow.

The sword had been a protective relic for the elven race. If it had vanished into the hands of a mere human, what did that spell for her people?

"Did the dark elves finally get their way?" she murmured, anxiety etching lines across her face.

"Do you have any armor with you?" she asked, her gaze searching Garmond's for reassurance.

"No, I don't have it with me now, but I did before," he replied. The first part of his statement eased her worry, but the second felt like a dagger aimed at her heart.

"You should have just answered me directly! What's wrong with you?" Her sudden anger flared, and Garmond felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

He scratched his unkempt hair with a wry smile. "Well, I still provided an answer, didn't I?"

Ariana's expression darkened, her patience wearing thin. "You do realize you're an idiot? I can't fathom how you ruled your nation without leading it into chaos. Or wait… did you?" She laughed, the sound hollow as it faded.

But her laughter died abruptly as a thought struck her. *Wait! What is Azazel doing here in this world?* She sifted through Garmond's memories, piecing together the fragments of his recent battle.

"Are you seeing my memories? How are you doing that?" Garmond's tone edged toward frustration, the idea of a voice in his head invading his privacy gnawing at him.

"If Azazel is in your world, then both your world and mine are in grave danger," Ariana declared, a heavy sense of foreboding filling the air. Yet as she looked at Garmond, it became clear he was oblivious to the true weight of the situation, which only served to irritate her further.

"I never thought this day would come, but…" Her words hung in the air, caught between hope and despair. She was reluctant to place the fate of her world in the hands of a mere human.

Deep down, she felt a sense of superiority over humans—a sentiment shared by all her kin. Yet, facing the imminent threat, she recognized the need to cast aside her pride.

"Besides, if he's with the sword, he can't be just an average human," she reasoned, though doubts still lingered. "I don't have much time left. Please, use this sword and the skills we will impart to you to save both our worlds from that cruel monster."

The mere thought of leaving Azazel unchecked felt akin to unleashing a feral beast into the wild.

Ariana pondered what kind of heinous plans he might concoct. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread tightening in her chest, and now all her hopes rested on Garmond's shoulders.

*Could she trust him?* The question loomed large in her mind, a burden weighing heavily on her spirit.

"Oh, so now you want me to save your world, despite my apparent weakness?" Garmond quipped, tilting his head with a mocking smile.

"You have to under—"

But before Ariana could finish, her form began to fade, swirling into the ether. Suddenly, Garmond found himself back in the creaking wagon, staring up at the vast blue sky. The weight of the pocket knife still rested in his hand, its presence a comforting reminder of the surreal encounter.

A smile crept onto his face as he stared at the gleaming blade, a mixture of excitement and apprehension surging within him. Despite the gravity of their conversation, he felt a flicker of determination ignite. He would confront this Azazel, whoever he was, even if the thought sent chills down his spine.

"What other secrets lie beyond our world?" he wondered aloud, a grin breaking through the tension.

"Seems like I'm in for a whole lot of adventures," he mused, the thrill of the unknown filling him with anticipation.

Devine, seated beside him, noticed his newfound energy. "Finally, you're up! We were just about to enter the Heather Kingdom," she said, helping him sit up to take in the breathtaking view before them.

A smile spread across Garmond's face as he absorbed the vibrant landscape ahead. His perilous journey was just beginning, and with it, the promise of the extraordinary awaited him.