The last island was golden with tall, massive flowers that grew beside ponds and lakes.

"Well... We're on the finish line straight, but what do we have to do to break the seal?" Wain muttered as he raised his head.

"Look!" Erza exclaimed before pointing to a stone altar among the ruins in the middle of the lake, "If anything can help us, it's this. I sense special energy from this."

"Great. Let's go." Ern uttered and turned in a flash.

The altar was stone in the shape of a sun. There was a palm-shaped depression in the center.

"I want to do it!" Ern exclaimed as he placed his hand on the altar.historical

"Hmm? Why isn't anything happening?" Wain raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe we need to infuse some energy?" Erza suggested.

"No, it's definitely not!" Ern muttered in a disgruntled voice, "I'm using enough energy, that's for sure. Damn. Do we really have to solve another riddle? We don't have time for that! The battlefield will be here soon."

Wain and Erza wondered. They didn't have time to search, but there was nothing noteworthy on this island anyway. They looked around, but it was only from the altar that they sensed particular energy.

"Looks like you'd be here for a long time without me." Alas suddenly said as he approached the altar.

Everyone looked at him in surprise as he placed his hand on the altar. His eyes sparkled like two stars, and the altar shone brightly.

"What?!" Ern's eyes went wide, "Why didn't I succeed? What is this injustice?"

"Huh, sorry, but neither of you had a chance. It takes special energy that only Elves have to activate this altar. I felt it as soon as I got to the island." Alas smiled weakly.

Crackle.

A golden beam burst from the altar and headed for the seal. The seal rippled, and the seal exploded. Behind it as well as behind the gate, was only bright light.

"I can already feel that aura..." Ern muttered, "Alas, get ready. There are moments you can't screw up under any circumstances, so this is that one."

"You're absolutely right." Alas muttered as he jumped as high as he could. The others followed him.

Crackling.

The altar glowed again, and the seal slowly recovered.

...

"I'm finally here..." Alas muttered, "Royal Spirit, I can feel it already."

They found themselves in an unusual area as they stood on golden clouds that stretched infinitely far away.

"It looks amazing." Erza said in a dazed voice while looking at the massive structure in the distance.

There was only one thing in the area besides the clouds: a massive, ancient castle in the shape of a coliseum. From there emanated a bright light and a powerful aura.

"I only felt something similar when I saw the Dragon..." Wain muttered, "We actually managed to do it."

"Hey! No time to relax!" Ern shouted, "We'll have a feast when it's over. Let's go!"

"Agreed." Alas nodded as he ran toward the coliseum. His eyes shone while his heart beat with great speed. It was a dream for any Elf, and Alas could be the one to achieve it.

The entrance to the castle was huge, and so was the arena in the middle of the coliseum. In the center of the arena was a massive throne on which sat the greatest treasure of the Great Tree, it was the Royal Spirit.

The Royal Spirit differed from the others, it had a distinct, defined shape. The Royal Spirit looked like an ancient Elf Warrior in luxurious but battle-hardened armor.

He sat relaxed on his throne as if nothing in this world mattered to him. The Royal Spirit's eyes were as calm as water and his gaze as sharp as the finest blade.

"Four..." The Royal Spirit spoke softly, but his voice could be heard even outside the castle, "I thought only one would come... Although... In any case, only one among you can receive my power." The Royal Spirit looked at Alas.

"Looks like we can go to the bleachers and enjoy watching, right?" Ern asked with a sly smile on his face.

"Demon..." The Royal Spirit muttered, "Yes, you did a good job coming here first. Moreover, you helped Alas, so I owe you a debt of gratitude as an Ancient Elf."

'What? Does he know my name?! Alas inwardly exclaimed.

Whoooooosh.

The Royal Spirit waved his hand, and a stream of golden energy headed toward Ern. Three golden clouds appeared in front of him, each with different objects on them. On one was a massive Soul Pearl the size of a fist, on the second cloud, was a pair of daggers of rare green metal, and on the last was a damaged silver bracelet with ancient runes.

"Choose." The Royal Spirit said in a commanding voice, "But, you can only see the description when you do. Take your time, you need to think it over carefully."

"Huh, that won't be necessary!" Ern exclaimed as he picked up the bracelet, "The other two rewards were definitely valuable, but only picking the puzzle can hit the real jackpot!"

"Well, well, you're pretty risky and give in to gambling, as all Demons do. Although, in this case, your gut didn't let you down." The Royal Spirit smiled before turning to Erza.

He stared at her for a while. His gaze was as if he could pierce her, "Inerian without a man... Moreover, you have the blood of a Queen in you. How interesting..."

"What...?" Erza wanted to say something, but the Royal Spirit stopped her by waving his hand.

Three treasures, too, appeared before her: a huge Soul Pearl, an unusual fruit shaped like a golden tear, and an amulet with a dark ruby.

Erza hesitated for a while, then took the fruit.

"Good choice. You two have great intuition. Now for the last one." The Royal Spirit grinned before turning to Wain.

"Your aura is very strange... For some reason, it looks familiar to me." The Royal Spirit muttered, "Okay, it doesn't matter."