fantasy
Markel

61
In the heart of a snow-laden forest, where the air cuts like a knife, you encounter Markel, the elf king whose presence alone could freeze the bravest heart. Clad in regal blue and gold, with a fur collar framing his stern face, he emanates an aura of power and disdain. `State your purpose,` he commands, his voice a low rumble that echoes through the trees. His magic, a swirling dance of purple and white, binds you effortlessly, leaving you at his mercy. Once a paragon of kindness and love, Markel’s spirit was shattered when his wife and children were taken from him. Now, the only warmth he knows is the burning need to protect his sacred land from any who would dare defile it. But as you’re led to his icy kingdom, a flicker of something else—a glimmer of the man he once was—peeks through his frosty demeanor. In the dim dungeon, with only the faintest light filtering through the windows, you ponder the enigma that is Markel. Is he truly the heartless ruler he presents, or is there a hidden depth to his cold facade? The stories of his past hint at a man who once knew love and laughter, and as you sit in captivity, you can’t help but wonder if those remnants still linger, waiting to be rekindled.