Chapter 25: Elven Knowledge & The Middle Wildland Expedition

  Several days after the portal battle, peace returned.

  But everyone knew…

  It was the kind of peace that only existed between storms.

  Dr. Nadia and Hasyalys, having stood among the frontline defenders, were summoned by Goddess Diana to a forgotten tower hidden along the northern fringes of Middle Wildland — the Ancient Tower of Knowledge.

  There, they would meet the final keepers of a dying lineage:

  Elian and Elira Thalara— the last siblings of the Solathen Elf Tribe, guardians of arcane history stretching from the Age of Arcadora to the modern era of Seona.

  Their arrival was greeted by whispering forest winds and the soft blue glow of levitating mana-stones.

  Elian, the elder brother, bowed with serene grace.

  Elian:

  “Welcome, heirs of Diana’s bloodline. We have foreseen your coming.”

  Elira, younger and bright-eyed, stepped forward carrying ancient scrolls.

  Elira:

  “Goddess Diana has tasked us with guiding you — in the secrets of Middle Wildland’s energy currents…

  …and the Moon Entities that manifest during the alignment of the Three Moons.”

  Hasyalys looked around in awe.

  Dr. Nadia immediately leaned toward the manuscripts.

  Dr. Nadia:

  “The Moon Entities… are they connected to the next portal surge?”

  Elian:

  “Yes. And you must learn how to detect their aura before they assume human form.”

  Two Nights of Knowledge

  For two nights, they remained within the tower.

  Elian taught Hasyalys the art of Earth Listening — sensing vibrations across terrain like a living radar.

  Elira guided Dr. Nadia through the fusion of biotech sorcery and modern technology, leading to the creation of a light-and-blood-based detection device.

  Science and magic intertwined.

  Ancient wisdom met innovation.

  The future quietly reshaped itself.

  The Next Morning — Beneath the Tower of Goddess Diana

  Meanwhile…

  Zedwan’s earlier invitation during the World Martial Arts Tournament had finally borne fruit.

  An “open honorary invitation” to explore Middle Wildland.

  He had expected diplomats.

  Perhaps researchers.

  Maybe a few brave adventurers.

  Instead…

  Dozens of tourists appeared.

  Backpacks. Drones. Cameras. Boundless enthusiasm.

  Historians. Wildlife photographers. Explorers. Thrill-seekers.

  One elderly woman from Yuropia approached Dr. Nadia.

  Elderly Tourist:

  “Dr. Nadia, yes? We’ve heard of your heroics.

  Would you and your companions honor us as guides?

  Middle Wildland is truly a magnificent nation.”

  Nadia froze.

  Hasyalys immediately hid behind a tree.

  Zedwan calmly sipped his coffee.

  Then nodded.

  Zedwan:

  “We need trust from the outside world.

  This is our chance to prove Middle Wildland is not merely a battlefield…

  …but a land of knowledge and wonder.”

  Elian and Elira raised their hands.

  Elira:

  “We will assist as pathfinders.

  Estimated territory of Middle Wildland: 330,500 square kilometers,almost Malaysia.

  But we shall only explore designated safe zones.”

  Hasyalys leaned toward Nadia.

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  Hasyalys (whispering):

  “I’d rather fight a dragon than manage tourists with 360° cameras…”

  Dr. Nadia (smiling):

  “You guard the rear. I’ll handle the front.”

  And thus…

  The Middle Wildland Expedition began.

  Unbeknownst to the visitors…

  Beneath frozen earth lay a buried truth:

  The original prison of the Syavadark entities.

  Chapter 26: Side Quest Madness — Shinin & The Most Chaotic Tour Ever

  After Nadia and Hasyalys escaped with suspiciously polite smiles —

  “We have an urgent HQ meeting. Perhaps our younger siblings could guide you?”

  Elian and Elira silently accepted their fate.

  And so began the expedition led by five unofficially official disaster-guides:

  Fran. Zoarfang. Ritz. Aisha.

  …and Shinin.

  Yes.

  That Shinin.

  1. Narrow Cave, Massive Ego

  Fran spoke calmly:

  Fran:

  “Shinin. No transformations. The tunnel is tight.”

  Shinin grinned confidently.

  Shinin:

  “Relax. I’ll just become an eagle. Faster travel.”

  Two seconds later—

  PRAKK!!

  He wedged himself between the rock walls.

  Wings trapped like a giant feathery sandwich.

  Zoarfang:

  “WHY DID YOU TURN INTO A DRAGON-SIZED EAGLE?!”

  Shinin:

  “Style matters, bro…”

  They waited.

  Five minutes passed.

  Then ten.

  Then someone started a picnic.

  Shinin remained wedged.

  They waited one full hour.

  All tourists took selfies with Shinin.

  Pride severely injured.

  #EagleFail #MiddleWildland

  2. Bat Highway — No Refunds

  A 50 km cavern ride on giant bats.

  Dark. High-speed. Terrifying.

  Tourist:

  “Do we ride upside down?”

  Ritz:

  “Yes. And please don’t vomit.”

  Five minutes later—

  Screams.

  Chaos.

  One tourist threw up.

  Wind redirected it backward.

  Direct hit.

  Shinin shouted:

  Shinin:

  “HEY!! LOOK FORWARD!! STOP BITING MY BAT!!”

  3. Rainbow Teleport → Carnivorous Tree

  Aisha miscalculated a portal jump.

  POP!!

  They appeared atop a giant carnivorous tree.

  Slobbering floral tongues.

  Aisha:

  “DON’T MOVE. It smells fear!”

  Tourist:

  “I’M TREMBLING BECAUSE I’M AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!!”

  Panic.

  Running.

  Shinin threw his shoe as distraction.

  The tree ate it.

  Shinin:

  “…That was limited edition…”

  The tree burped.

  4. The Compliment-Hungry Tree

  A massive ancient tree blocked the path.

  Tree:

  “Praise me, or pass not.”

  Shinin:

  “You’re… big. Rough bark. Mossy… like a dragon grandma.”

  Tree:

  “I am offended.”

  Path sealed.

  They performed emergency poetry.

  Fran played flute.

  Aisha danced awkwardly.

  Tourists forced to wiggle.

  Tree:

  “THE ONE IN THE BACK — SHAKE YOUR HIPS PROPERLY!”

  5. Forbidden Romance at Elf Garden

  A gentle long-haired elf tended glowing flowers.

  Male Tourist:

  “She’s… breathtaking…”

  Moments later—

  Deep masculine voice:

  Elf:

  “Brother… do you like flowers too?”

  The tourist froze.

  Soul left body.

  Existential crisis achieved.

  6. Exotic Floating Market

  Magical foods.

  Unexpected consequences.

  One tourist ate a prank-dragon fruit.

  Spoke like a cartoon duck for six hours.

  Shinin drank jointed-dragon juice.

  Instantly began speaking in rhymes:

  Shinin:

  “To market I came with pride so tall,

  Why does this drink give tongues to all?!”

  Then he drank flower nectar.

  Lost voice completely.

  Spent entire day communicating via misunderstood hand gestures.

  7. Dragonfly Race — No Brakes Installed

  Turbo dragonfly mount.

  Ten seconds—

  BOOM!!

  Wedding pillar destroyed.

  Penalty:

  Village floor sweeping.

  Leaf-horn hat included.

  8. Flying Monkey Heist

  Tourists snacking peacefully.

  SWOOSH!!

  Winged monkeys stole everything.

  Emergency stealth mission initiated.

  Zoarfang nearly bitten for wearing banana-patterned armor.

  9. Night Beneath Descending Stars

  Floating stars drifted like luminous fireflies.

  Touching them granted beautiful dreams.

  Everyone slept peacefully.

  Except one screaming tourist:

  Tourist:

  “HELP!! I DREAMED I MARRIED A CENTAUR!!”

  Temporary Conclusion

  The journey continued.

  But one truth became clear:

  Middle Wildland was not merely exotic.

  It was a trial of sanity…

  Endurance…

  …and dignity.

  Shinin still missing one shoe.

  The offended tree still messaging Ritz through enchanted leaves.

  And the traumatized tourist?

  Still questioning reality.