One More Time: Rebirth

Chapter 99: Challenge

"Elise?" Edge unconsciously spoke a name only known by a few. Even most of the elves don't know the name of the former Queen, nor do they know the name of the current Queen. Once one takes the throne a name was meaningless, she will from that point onward only be the Elven Queen. 

When Elenor heard that name, a lot of memories came running back to her. She then looked at Edge surprised and somewhat scared. This was the first time she met a reincarnation of the strongest mortal soul that has memories of his past life. 

The Elven Queen, known for her grace and power suddenly knelt down on one knee. If she were human she would've been sweating profusely at this point. The elven physique did not allow for sweat. When Serillia and the others saw this scene they were surprised. 

Serillia was surprised due to her knowing the Elven Queen and she knew that she wasn't the type to kneel to anyone, even a king. The others were surprised for this was the first elf they have seen, and she was more beautiful than the fairy tales told. Tsukiyomi was looking at the Elven Queen with a frown, it would seem that she knows a lot about Edge. Tanith on the other hand was looking around the area. 

Even though there was no other elf present except for Elenor, Tanith could sense the movement of numerous people on top of the trees. 'Just scurrying about like mice,' Tanith snorted.

"Forgive me, Sir, I am not Elise the former elven queen, I am her daughter." Edge nodded his head a bit acknowledging what was said, and then he asked. 

"I see... So why are you kneeling?"

"I didn't want to disappoint you, since I am not my mother." 

The elven queen didn't even lift her head as she continued to answer in a submissive manner. She was really frightened at the moment. Even though the person in front of her isn't the black demon that they fought all those years ago, hearing him call her mother's name made her see the current incarnation as Jiro. 

She could feel that the incarnation of the strongest mortal soul was still in the phase of improving. He wasn't as strong as the two other incarnations she has met. Actually based solely on the mana output he was emitting, Elise thought for a second that maybe she could take him on. But that thought quickly disappeared as fast as it came. 

There was no possible way of knowing what an incarnation of the strongest soul might do. Even though at first glance they might seem weaker, but then they usually explode with extraordinary power. All she could do now is hope for the best. 

"I do not find fault in you for not being your mother. I do find it hard to talk to you if you keep on kneeling like that. So how about you stand up and let's have a proper talk." Edge found the whole situation weird. The elf before him was someone he just met but she was treating him as if they met long ago. 

'She might know something about my dreams and the voices in my head.' While Edge was thinking, the Elven Queen stood up and was about to say something when someone suddenly shouted. 

"HOW DARE YOU HUMAN!" Edge who was lost in thought heard the sound of an arrow being released. He was going to dodge but he sensed that Tsukiyomi already moved. Tsukiyomi caught the arrow mid-flight and smiled at th elf who shot it. 

"Kukuku, as expected of a race full of arrogant weaklings, no manners at all." The elf who shot the arrow was none other than Irina. She jumped down from a tree and glared at Tsukiyomi while pointing her sword at her. 

"How dare you! A human calling me a weakling?! Kneel and ask for forgiveness, if you do that I might think of sparing you." The moment the others saw Irina pointing her sword at Tsukiyomi, Sarah, Terumi, Willa, Eva, Eri, Clarise, and Leto drew their weapons. Serillia sighed seeing the sight, while Tanith simply yawned, and Edge found the whole sequence a bit amusing. 

It was then Edge heard numerous sounds of bowstrings. He looked above and saw some of the elves were pointing their arrows at him and his companions. He then showed a vicious smile as he got excited by the thought of a battle happening. 

"Kukuku, Blind and stupid, who are you calling a human? I am an Ethereal." Hearing Tsukiyomi's response Irina sneered. 

"You make it sound like that's better. You and your race are nothing more than leeches." The moment Irian said leeches, Tsukiyomi was still smiling but she was now emitting killing intent. 

"Kukuku, blind, stupid, arrogant, and now lacking vocabulary skills. Well, as expected talking to you is making me feel like I might catch your stupidity." 

"Say that again you-" Before Irina could finish what she was about to say, Elenor shouted at her. 

"ENOUGH!" Elenor glared at Irina as she approached her. She was truly enraged right now and at the same time afraid. She noticed that the smile on Edge's face was growing wider by the second. She could never forget that vicious smile as she has seen it four times, and every time she saw it nothing good ever happens. When an incarnation of the strongest mortal soul shows that vicious smile, what follows was usually death. 

"I already told you to be respectful and not antagonize our guest. All of you fools lower your weapons!" Even after hearing her command the younger elves including Irina didn't follow. "Did you not hear me, I told you to lower your weapons!" 

"We will no longer listen to the orders of a queen that discards her pride as an elf and bows her head to a human," Irina responded without even looking at Elenor. 

"You foolish girl, do you want to doom us all?" Elenor whispered. When Elenor was about to use force on Irina, Edge spoke. 

"It's alright if she and the others want to act this way... So what do you want?" Edge asked Irina who was now glaring at him. 

"Like I said to the leech, kneel down and beg for forgiveness." 

"What if I don't want to do that?" 

"Then I'll make you!"