PART II: AFTER THE SEALING OF THE BLACK MAGE

Chapter 11: Ruler of the Elves

• Mercedes awoke from the ice and was shocked to find that her people were still frozen, as well as that her strength had almost completely been drained. After struggling to become stronger, Mercedes set out into the world and learned that centuries had passed since her time.

• Though she struggled against her feelings of hopelessness at being weak and alone in a changed world, Mercedes vowed to never give up and continued growing stronger.

• Soon enough, the three elders - Philius, Astilda, and Danika - awoke and called Mercedes back to Elluel. They realized that the curse on the elves weakened as Mercedes grew stronger, which was why the elders - the strongest of the elves - had awakened first. Mercedes then realized that in order to free the rest of her people, she would need to return back to her full strength.

• In order to find allies, Mercedes sought out Athena Pierce, who had been unaffected by the curse because of the elven treasure Mistelteinn. Soon after, however, Mercedes found herself the target of the Black Wings, who attacked the elven city. Realizing that Elluel had no defenses, Mercedes sought out Empress Cygnus, who dispatched the Cygnus Knights to protect Elluel.

• Despite this, the Black Wings continued attacking Elluel while Mercedes was away by poisoning the water supply, forcing her to return back home and drive them out.

• As she continued growing stronger, the Black Wings set up several ambushes to kill Mercedes. On one occasion, the Shadow Knight was dispatched to eliminate Mercedes, who defeated him and learned that the one who had given him his orders knew her personally. On another occasion, Hiver and Dargoth lured her into a trap by spreading rumors of a way to lift the curse on the elves, though Mercedes managed to best them and escape.

• Soon after, Mercedes learned that an elf child had been taken by Baroq, who had shapeshifted himself as Mercedes in order to unfreeze the child and take them from Elluel. Mercedes traveled to the Verne Mine in order to get the child back and learned that Orchid was the one who had ordered the Black Wings to attack the elves. Mercedes managed to defeat Orchid, who was weaker without Lotus at her side, and took the elf child back to Elluel safely.