As the golden morning light seeped through the wooden windows of their modest home, Zehron found himself lost in thought. The memories of the festival night lingered—Elvienne's laughter, the soft glow of the Everveil Tree, and the warmth of their kiss beneath the moonlit sky. But as the euphoria faded, reality settled in. He was jobless.
Sitting at the breakfast table with his family, Zehron absentmindedly poked at his food. His father, Vaedros, noticed his silence and let out a deep sigh before speaking.
Vaedros: "Zehron, I've been meaning to talk to you about something."
Zehron looked up, meeting his father's gaze. His mother and younger sibling paused their eating, sensing the conversation was about something important.
Vaedros: "I know you've been searching for a job. I spoke to an old friend of mine—he works with a merchant family. They're looking for extra hands to help with transporting and managing goods. It's not the most glamorous job, but it pays better than what I make."
Zehron straightened slightly, interest flickering in his eyes.
Zehron: "What kind of work is it?"
Vaedros: "Mostly dealing with loads—helping move and protect shipments, ensuring nothing is lost or stolen. Sometimes traveling to other villages. It's not easy work, but it's steady."
His mother, who had been quiet, finally spoke.
Mother: "It's an honest job, Zehron. Something to get you started. You can't just sit around with no direction."
Zehron exhaled, running a hand through his hair. It wasn't the kind of job he dreamed of, but at least it was something. He nodded.
Zehron: "Alright. I'll take it."
A small, satisfied smile crossed Vaedros' face as he clapped his son on the shoulder.
Vaedros: "Good. You start tomorrow."
As breakfast continued, Zehron's mind wandered again—not just to the job but to his future. Would this job really change anything? Could he climb higher? He wasn't sure, but at least it was a start.
The midday sun hung high in the sky, casting soft shadows along the bustling streets of the village. Zehron walked with his hands in his pockets, still thinking about his conversation with his father that morning. The idea of working for a merchant wasn't exciting, but it was a start.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
Elvienne: "Ron!"
Before he could react, Elvienne came running toward him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Without hesitation, she leaped into his arms, wrapping him in a tight embrace. Zehron stiffened, his face heating up as people around them turned to watch.
Zehron (flustered, whispering): "Vienne, not here! There are eyes watching us!"
Elvienne pouted dramatically, pulling back just enough to look up at him.
Elvienne: "Aww, that's too bad!"
Her shoulders slumped in disappointment, her bright smile fading as she lowered her gaze to the ground. Seeing her mood shift so quickly, Zehron sighed. He wasn't one for public displays of affection, but he couldn't bear to see her upset.
Without thinking too much, he gently cupped her face in his hands, lifting it up to meet his gaze. Then, with a soft smile, he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss against her forehead.
Elvienne's eyes widened slightly before they fluttered shut, her lips curving into a small, contented smile.
Elvienne (softly): "That's not fair…"
Zehron chuckled, his embarrassment fading as he watched the rosy hue on her cheeks deepen.
Zehron: "Let's just say it's a compromise."
Elvienne huffed playfully but couldn't hide the happiness in her eyes. With a newfound glow in her expression
Vienne's eyes gleamed with excitement as she reached into her small pouch. "I have something I wanted to give you!" she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Zehron raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"
With a soft smile, she pulled out a delicate bracelet—a simple yet exquisite piece, adorned with light green gemstones known as Elythian Crystals. As she gently tied it around his right wrist, the gemstones shimmered faintly in the daylight, reflecting the same serene green as Zehron's eyes.
"This reminded me of you," Vienne murmured, her fingers brushing against his skin. "The color… it's just like your eyes. And Elythian Crystals are said to bring blessings and luck to those who wear them."
Zehron stared at the bracelet, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. He wasn't one for sentimental gifts, but something about this—the way she looked at him, the warmth in her voice—made his heart stir.
"Thank you," he said softly, looking at her with rare tenderness.
Vienne beamed. "See? Now you'll always have a little bit of me with you!" she teased, giving his wrist a light squeeze before stepping back.
Zehron chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible," he muttered, but he didn't take the bracelet off. Instead, he ran his fingers over the smooth crystals, feeling their cool touch.
Little did they know, this simple token of affection would one day become a symbol of something far greater—a reminder of love, loss, and destiny yet to unfold.
As Zehron admired the bracelet, he smiled and looked at Vienne. "There's somewhere I want to take you," he said. "A great place… I often go there. It feels like home to me."
Vienne's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Really? Where is it?"
Zehron reached for her hand. "Come, I'll show you." He wanted this day to be special—just the two of them.
But just as they turned to leave—
Sylus.
Standing a few feet away, his eyes were wide. His brows were furrowed, his mouth slightly parted. He had seen everything.
The hug. The forehead kiss. The soft moment between them.
For a long second, no one moved.
Then Sylus suddenly lifted a hand and pointed at them, dramatically gasping.
"OH MY GOD."
Zehron and Vienne blinked.
Sylus took a step closer, staring at them in mock horror. "Since when?! HOW?! AND WHY DIDN'T I KNOW?!"
Vienne giggled, covering her mouth, while Zehron sighed
But Sylus wasn't done.
"Wait, wait—don't tell me—this has been happening under my nose this WHOLE TIME?!" He placed a hand on his chest like he'd been personally betrayed. "Zehron, my dear friend, how could you keep this from me?! And Vienne, you! You're part of this conspiracy too?!"
Vienne was now laughing.
Zehron, a bit troubled just looks at the sky avoiding sylus's gaze
Sylus dramatically threw his arms in the air. "I thought we were best friends, Zehron! Brothers! And yet, I find out like this?!"
" Bestfriends? Brothers?" Says Zehron,confused
Sylus gasped again. "Oh gods. I'm going to need time to process this." He turned away dramatically, then turned back, pointing at Zehron's wrist. "AND WHAT'S THAT? A COUPLE BRACELET?!"
Zehron: "No it's not" in his indifferent tone
Vienne, still laughing, held onto Zehron's arm. "Oh, Sylus, you're too funny."
Sylus sighed loudly. "Fine. Fine. But just know that I'm deeply wounded."
Ignoring all the ruckus Zehron grabbed Elvienne's hand,"let's just go",he looks a bit annoyed
"Go, Where?" Sylus groaned, " let me come with you guys too, my father kicked me out of my house", " again?" Asks Elvienne, she chuckles, " what did you do you this time?"
Sylus: oh well ummm... I ate his pet!
....silence.....
Zehron and Elvienne stared at Sylus, their faces frozen in shock.
"You… ate his pet?" Elvienne blinked, unsure if she heard correctly.
As they stood there in stunned silence, Zehron sighed, rubbing his temple. Elvienne covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter, but her shoulders shook violently.
Sylus, still oblivious, crossed his arms. "What? I didn't know he had a pet! He never told me!"
Elvienne, gasping for breath, managed to ask, "So... how did he find out?"
Sylus groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Ugh, it was terrible! He was running around the house, screaming about his 'beloved precious boy,' searching everywhere. And there I was, so proud, thinking I'd cooked up something amazing, so I cut up a nice juicy piece and gave it to him!"
Elvienne was now clutching Zehron's arm, shaking with laughter. "And then?"
Sylus threw his hands up. "AND THEN—he took one bite, said it was the best meal he ever had, and asked what kind of meat it was."
Zehron narrowed his eyes. "You told him, didn't you?"
Sylus hesitated before grinning sheepishly. "Well… I may have said something like, 'Oh, just a wild furry thing I caught behind the house! A rabbit to be exact! Very tender, right?'"
Elvienne gasped. "SYLUS!"
Sylus threw his hands up again. "HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?! The next thing I knew, he was clutching his throat, crying out 'MY PRECIOUS BABY!' before collapsing to the ground in despair."
Zehron frowns , "You cooked and served him his own pet, Sylus."
Sylus groaned again. "I KNOW! And now I'm homeless! He told me to 'leave and reflect on my sins.' SINCE WHEN WAS IT A SIN TO COOK A MEAL?"
Zehron let out a deep sigh. "Sylus."
Sylus groaned dramatically. "I DIDN'T KNOW!"
Elvienne was laughing so hard she had to hold onto Zehron for support. Meanwhile, Zehron simply shook his head.
Zehron sighed deeply: "Sylus… sometimes I wonder how you're still alive."
Sylus grinned, unfazed. "Anyway, since I'm homeless for the night, I'm tagging along. Where are we going?"
Zehron hesitated. He had planned a private moment with Elvienne, but now Sylus had inserted himself into their plans. Just follow me!
As they finally reached the forest, Sylus, half out of breath, dragged his feet behind them. His eyes lit up with relief as he saw a soft patch of grass, and with a dramatic sigh, he flopped down, spreading his arms like a starfish.
"FINALLY!" he groaned. "I thought I was going to die!"
Meanwhile, Zehron gently lowered Elvienne from his back. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Sylus turned his head and gave them a slow, side-eyed glance.
"I wish I had someone to carry me too," he muttered under his breath.
Elvienne, still holding onto Zehron for balance, burst into laughter. "Oh, Sylus, stop being dramatic!"
Zehron, however, just glanced at him indifferently. "You're heavier than you look. Carry yourself."
Sylus clutched his chest. "Ouch. That was personal."
Ignoring his theatrics, Elvienne took a step forward and looked around. Her face turned slightly anxious as she gazed at the towering trees, their thick canopies casting eerie shadows even in the daytime. She hesitated before asking, "Zehron… is this the place?"
"Yes," Zehron replied calmly, his sharp gaze scanning her face. "You look… uncomfortable."
Elvienne opened her mouth but hesitated. "No, it's nothing."
Zehron, unwavering, watched her. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, really—"
"You don't look sure," he said flatly.
"I—"
"Is it the trees?"
"No!"
"The silence?"
"No!"
"The air?"
"It's just—"
Before she could answer, Sylus sat up, stretched his arms dramatically, and smirked. "I think I know why she's like that
Sylus leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Because this place is haunted."
Zehron sighed. "Sylus—"
But Sylus ignored him, standing up and dusting himself off. He raised his hands, wiggling his fingers as if casting a spell. "This is no ordinary forest. This is Vortheis, once the pride of the land of Velmora. It was the heart of our prosperity, home to divine creatures, a sacred place where no one could enter just for fun. Only those with true purpose were allowed."
Sylus smirked, leaning in slightly. "They say… a foolish merchant ruined everything."
Sylus continued. "This merchant, drowning in debt because of his own greed, came to Vortheis begging for help from the divine being that once lived here. The divine one actually appeared, listening to his sob story. But of course, the problems were his own fault—selfishness, deception, ignoring the well-being of others. So the divine being refused to help."
Sylus grinned. "And then the merchant panicked. He had heard somewhere that divine beings could be pleased with sacrifices. So, in his desperation, he started slaughtering innocent animals right here in the sacred land, thinking it would earn him favor."
Elvienne gasped. "He didn't!"
"He did. And when the divine being returned… let's just say he wasn't pleased. They say he turned the merchant to ashes with just a glance."
Sylus waved his arms dramatically. "But before leaving forever, the divine being looked back at the forest… and lamented. The land that once thrived with divine energy became impure. Since then, the forest has never been the same. Many warriors who entered never returned. Travelers vanished without a trace. They say the forest remembers the sacrifice of those innocent creatures and refuses to forgive."
Elvienne's eyes darted around, suddenly hyper-aware of the eerie silence surrounding them.
Zehron turned to Elvienne. "Do you want to leave?"
Elvienne hesitated. "I mean… now that someone has put all these thoughts in my head—"
Sylus smirked. "I'm just saying, if you hear whispers or see glowing eyes in the dark, don't say I didn't warn you."
Zehron stared at him. "If anyone disappears tonight, it will be you."
Sylus dramatically gasped. "Threats already? I knew bringing me along was just a scheme to get rid of me!"
As their conversation continued, a sudden flurry of movement broke the eerie silence. A small, vibrant creature darted through the air, chirping joyously as it circled Zehron with unmistakable excitement. Its bright feathers shimmered under the dim light filtering through the trees, and it seemed to be almost… greeting him.
Sylus flinched. "What in the—"
The creature paused mid-flight, its head tilting curiously at the unfamiliar face before darting back toward Zehron, chirping with caution this time.
Elvienne's eyes widened in delight. "Wait—Zehron! Is that Liri?" she asked excitedly.
Zehron, watching the small creature with a rare softness in his eyes, gave a slight nod. "Yes. It's Liri."
Liri let out a few more chirps, as if voicing its approval, before swooping down and perching lightly on Zehron's shoulder, nuzzling against his neck.
Sylus, still staring, leaned toward Elvienne. "And what exactly is Liri?"
Elvienne grinned. "A very special creature. And clearly, Zehron's favorite."
Zehron, absentmindedly raising a hand to gently stroke Liri's head, glanced around the forest. His voice, usually calm and even, held an unusual warmth. "This is the place where I met Liri for the first time."
Elvienne blinked, surprised by the tenderness in his tone. "Really?"
Zehron nodded. "Unlike what people say about this forest… I've never felt fear here. I feel a sense of peace. Like home." He paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "There's a deep bond between this place and its creatures. And the trees… they feel alive in a way no one else seems to understand."
Sylus squinted at him. "That's the most I've heard you say in one breath. Should I be concerned?"
Zehron ignored him. He turned back toward Elvienne and added, "But we shouldn't go further. There are dangerous beasts deeper in the forest."
Sylus crossed his arms. "So it's peaceful, but it's also deadly. Great."
Zehron didn't elaborate further, nor did he mention the truth—that he could understand the trees, the plants, and the animals. That when he stepped into this forest, he wasn't just a visitor; he was a part of it.
Liri let out another excited chirp, breaking the momentary silence, and then flitted toward Sylus, eyeing him with suspicion.
Sylus leaned away. "Uh. Is it sizing me up for an attack?"
Elvienne laughed. "Liri's just surprised to see a new face."
Zehron, for once, smirked slightly. "Or deciding whether you're a threat."
Sylus put a hand to his chest. "I feel so welcome."
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the scenery transformed before their eyes. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees, casting a shimmering glow on the crystal-clear streams. The air felt lighter, almost magical, as tiny golden motes floated in the breeze. The trees here weren't ordinary—they had luminous leaves that glowed faintly, pulsing with life. Some trunks bore silver engravings that seemed to shift and change when looked at from different angles.
Elvienne gasped, stepping forward in awe. "This place… it's beautiful."
Zehron, standing in the middle of it all, closed his eyes for a moment. A silent call echoed from his mind, reverberating through the forest.
And then—
A burst of life erupted around them.
From the trees, shimmering creatures flitted down, their delicate wings glistening in iridescent hues. Tiny, glowing beings called Fivris—small, creatures with shimmery wings and glowing abdomens—fluttered toward Elvienne, chirping in soft, melodic tones. Their fur shimmered like moonlight, and their tiny eyes twinkled with intelligence.
Colorful Aelori birds, with sapphire-blue feathers and fiery red tails, soared down from the branches, landing gently on Elvienne's shoulders and arms.
The underbrush rustled, revealing more friendly creatures. A Velkin, a deer-like animal with golden antlers and soft, mossy fur, trotted over, nuzzling Elvienne's palm. Nearby, a Rilphin, a rabbit-sized creature with scales like opal and translucent fins on its back, playfully hopped onto her lap, chirping excitedly.
Elvienne's eyes widened, her hands flying to her mouth. "Zehron… this… this is amazing!" She squealed in delight, hugging a Fivris to her chest while stroking the Velkin's head. "They're so cute! Look at their little faces!"
She placed soft kisses on the tiny creatures, petting and cuddling them as they surrounded her, their chirps and coos filling the air.
Sylus, on the other hand, had a very different reaction. His eyes gleamed, his stomach growled, and his lips curled into a sinister grin.
"Hmm…" He rubbed his hands together. "Oh man, this is perfect! A feast just walked right up to me!" His eyes darted between the fivris and the plumpest velkin, practically salivating. "Roasted Fivris with honey glaze… Velkin stew with garlic… Aelori bird skewers—oh, this is gonna be a meal to remember!"
He lunged forward—
Only for Zehron to sigh and, with effortless grace, flick a single finger.
A sharp, psychic force bonked Sylus right on the forehead.
BOP!
"Ow!" Sylus staggered back, clutching his head as the creatures scattered, freed from his sinister grasp. His jaw dropped in horror as his "dinner" fluttered, bounded, and scurried away. "N-NO! MY FEAST!"
The Fivris chattered mockingly as they flew off, while the Velkin flicked its tail at him in disdain before trotting back into the woods.
Sylus fell to his knees, dramatically reaching out toward the sky. "My beautiful, delicious meal! Why?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" He threw his head back, wailing like a child who had just dropped his ice cream.
Zehron simply looked down at him with mild disinterest. "I prefer them alive."
Sylus turned his betrayed gaze to Elvienne, who was still happily hugging the remaining creatures. "You! Say something!"
Elvienne, cradling a purring Rilphin, smirked. "Mmm… Velkin stew does not sound as good as cuddling one."
Sylus groaned, flopping onto his back. "I hate it here."