Chapter 41: Eileen

The forest around the clearing remained unnaturally silent after the alchemical energy was stripped away,

The Dark Elf woman lay collapsed on the ground, knees pressed into the soil as her body trembled from the violent removal of power. Where volatile mana had once surged beneath her skin, there was now only emptiness, a hollow ache that left her gasping for breath.

Tears streaked down her cheeks, cutting clean lines through the dirt and soot smeared across her face, fury still burning in her violet eyes even as her strength failed her.

Jax straightened slowly, gaze never leaving her. The thread of control he held over her remained absolute, invisible restraints locking her muscles in place just enough to prevent escape without crushing her outright.

He didn’t need to rush as any potential danger had already passed.

“You gambled everything on a suicidal explosion,” he said calmly, “That tells me you were desperate, not prepared.”

She snarled weakly, lifting her head just enough to glare at him. “You don’t understand anything,” she spat, “You think strength is enough to rule? You think sitting on a throne makes you omniscient?”

Jax crouched down to her level, golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim forest light. “So you do recognize me…and no,” he replied evenly. “I think poisoning your own clan’s land to prove a point makes you shortsighted.”

Her lips trembled, but she said nothing and after Jax said that, the forest stirred, with branches cracking.

Leaves and debris were thrown aside as Hydra burst into the clearing, emerald scales glistening faintly despite the dim canopy overhead. Her massive form lowered immediately when she spotted Jax, wings folding in smoothly as poison dimmed along her body.

“Well,” Hydra said, voice carrying both satisfaction and amusement, “that didn’t take you long.”

Jax glanced back at her, expression softening slightly. “They weren’t very creative.”

Hydra’s eyes shifted to the Dark Elf woman still restrained on the ground. Her pupils narrowed instantly, posture shifting from relaxed to predatory. “So this is the one?” she asked, tail flicking as faint venom hissed along her scales, “She sent all that garbage at us?”

“Yes,” Jax replied simply.

Hydra snorted. “Disappointing. I was hoping for something taller.”

The woman let out a shaky laugh, hysteria creeping back into her expression. “A Dragon,” she muttered. “Of course you’d have a Dragon. It seems you’ve been busy wasting time instead of protecting the Kingdom,”

Hydra leaned closer, lowering her massive head until one glowing eye filled the woman’s vision. “Careful,” she said pleasantly, “I’m already in a good mood.”

Jax stood, turning his attention fully back to the restrained perpetrator. “You’re coming with us,” he said, “Alive.”

Her expression twisted instantly, “I won’t be paraded like a trophy.”

“You won’t,” Jax replied calmly. “You’ll be returned to your Clan Head. What happens after that is your responsibility.”

Something flickered through her eyes then, fear cutting through the rage. “Lyla…” she whispered, voice cracking for the first time.

Jax noticed but he filed it away without comment.

Hydra lowered herself further, allowing Jax to step onto her shoulder before he reached down, gripping the air with a single hand.

Space warped subtly as the woman was lifted off the ground, bound by invisible restraints and drawn close enough to ensure she couldn’t fall during flight.

“Hold still,” Hydra said cheerfully as she adjusted her stance. “I’d hate for you to slip, I don’t think you’ll survive the fall after all,”

With a single powerful beat of her wings, Hydra launched skyward, tearing through the canopy as broken leaves spiraled downward in their wake. The corrupted clearing vanished beneath them as they climbed rapidly, the forest stretching endlessly once more beneath the open sky.

The flight back was tense.

The woman remained silent, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the distant horizon as if refusing to acknowledge where she was being taken.

Jax sat calmly at Hydra’s neck, one hand resting against her scales, the other loosely controlling the restraints binding their captive. His senses remained extended, watching for any last desperate attempt at escape, but none came.

Hydra broke the silence first. “You know,” she said conversationally, “From what I’ve heard, most people beg by now.”

“I don’t beg,” the woman replied bitterly.

Hydra hummed, “Suit yourself.”

As the Dark Elven territory came back into view, the forest below brightened subtly, bioluminescent flora responding instinctively to the protective enchantments woven through the land.

Tree-homes emerged once more, bridges of living wood spanning impossible distances, Treants shifting slowly as they sensed the returning presence.

~RING~RING!~

Alarms rippled through the Dark Elven settlement as Hydra descended, Dark Elves emerging onto platforms and walkways, excited as they spotted Jax returning.

What they did not expect was the third presence.

Hydra touched down on the central platform with controlled force, claws settling into reinforced living wood without damage. The moment Jax dismounted, murmurs erupted around them as eyes locked onto the restrained Dark Elf woman floating just behind him.

Lyla was already moving.

She emerged from the upper platform, calm composure cracking the instant her gaze fell upon the captive. Her steps slowed, breath catching almost imperceptibly as her sharp eyes widened.

“…Eileen?” Lyla said quietly.

The name cut through the air like a blade.

The woman stiffened instantly, eyes snapping toward Lyla. For a heartbeat, her fury faltered, something raw and exposed flashing across her face before she masked it again with defiance.

“So,” Eileen said hoarsely, “you finally look at me.”

The surrounding Dark Elves froze and everyone began to whisper constantly.

“That’s…”

“Isn’t she…?”

“She disappeared years ago,”

Amaya stepped forward instinctively, shock written plainly across her face. “Mother Lyla… she’s,”

“I know who she is,” Lyla said, voice steady but tight. She took a single step closer, eyes never leaving Eileen. “Or rather… who she was.”

Jax watched the exchange carefully, silent for once, allowing the weight of recognition to settle. The tension between the two Dark Elves was palpable, thick with history that had nothing to do with him yet everything to do with the present.

“You poisoned your own forest,” Lyla continued, disbelief creeping into her tone. “You unleashed abominations on our borders. Why?”

Eileen laughed, bitter and hollow, “Because you chose stagnation you retched bitch,” she snapped, “Because you chose to wait while the Church butchered us. Because you chose diplomacy over teeth.”

“That is not your decision to make,” Lyla said sharply.

“No,” Eileen shot back, eyes blazing. “You made it for me.”

The platform fell silent as Lyla closed her eyes briefly, then reopened them, resolve hardening. “You’ve done enough damage, Eileen.”

Eileen’s gaze flicked to Jax, then back to Lyla. “He stopped me,” she said quietly. “Your Demon King.”

Several Dark Elves stiffened at that.

Jax met Lyla’s eyes. “I said I’d make an example,” he said evenly. “But this is your Clan. She’s yours to judge.”

Lyla inhaled slowly, shoulders straightening. “Then she will be.”

She raised one hand, signaling the guards. “Take her into custody. Full containment. I want the Council summoned.”

As the Dark Elves moved forward, Eileen didn’t resist. She simply stared at Lyla as she was taken away, eyes burning with unresolved fury and something dangerously close to grief.

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