Aurelia awoke with a sense of lightness, as if she was showered in the gentle glow of the morning sun through dewy leaves. A small grin graced her lips, since today was the day she had been waiting for. Her birthday. Usually, she greeted this annual inconvenience with the indifference of a still pond, but this time, her 350th year felt different. In the beautiful town of Sai Machi, where ancient magic shimmered like crystals in the snow and the soft morning light danced on the cobblestone streets in hues of iridescence, elves are granted the opportunity to take on studies at the Academy of Sorcery once they're officially ancient (aka, of age).
With a tiny yawn that even a ladybug might miss, Aurelia began her day. A day that promised to be anything but ordinary. First, she groggily lifted herself out of her bed, rolled her thumb and index finger on the tip of her pale pointed ear, and drifted towards the bathroom, still half-lost in her dream, to brush her teeth. While in a sleepy trance, she grazes her thumb on her rather small fang, resulting in a tiny nick that slowly arose on her pale skin like a delicate, crimson rose on a plane of smooth sand. She heard the cheerful, lilting chirping of birds outside the window, their melodies composing a symphony of sound as heavenly as gentle waters and calming harps. With this, her mind took a detour, imagining the new opportunities that bloomed before her. She thought about the possibility of soaring through the iridescent, temperate clouds with the aviary, feeling the wind as soft as her mother's touch. She was always fond of the subtle, shimmering glows of mana that lingered from some of them, like stardust gently floating on wings of glass. Each tiny spark was a reminder of the boundless magic that would soon flow through her veins.
Finally, after a leisurely ten minutes spent admiring her own reflection, she fixes her long, slightly desaturated lime hair and her forest green eyes sparkling not just with a playful mischief, but with a deep, inner warmth. She scrunched her nose in what she hoped was a vision of elven sophistication and gave a slightly cross-eyed smile, a playful smile that only added to her charm. She then strode out the bathroom to find her mother, humming a tune. Her face wore a tender smile as she tended to a stack of riskily balanced, hand-painted dishes, that each bore a runic symbol…
Her mother shoots a quizzical glance in her direction, then realizes what day it is. "Happy birthday, Darling!" she exclaimed as she swept towards Aurelia, arms outstretched for a hug. Aurelia groaned an exasperated groan that attempted to hide her affection, and tried a half-hearted push against her mother's advance. But it was no use.
"I know how important today is for you, honey, so I stayed up all night last night baking a cake! I was fueled by a strong spell and pure love!" Her mother beamed. Her eyes sparkling with an eagerness like a child waiting for praise after showing their parents a crayon drawing. Then suddenly, a spill of melancholy came across her face, dimming her radiance. "I know things have been... difficult, without your father. But I just want to make things easier for you, for us." Aurelia's mother's gaze softened as she knelt down, her hand reaching out to gently cradle Aurelia's cheek. Aurelia, usually so vibrant, seemed to shrink slightly. The joy of the morning was overshadowed by a familiar feeling. She came from a long lineage of elves who traversed the expanding landscapes of Sunjhia and further. Their hearts were filled with an urge to explore and a thirst for discovery. Her father, a renowned explorer and a former member of the elusive group known as the Ancients, had been killed long ago. His lifeblood spilled in the harrowing war between the Ancients and the Gods, a conflict that still echoed in the furthest corners of Sunjhia and also the world. Aurelia snapped back to reality as her mother gave her one last hug. A silent promise of unwavering love. Before turning back to continue the mundane task of dishes, her movements held her with a quiet grace. "Go wake up your brother and tell him to go with you," her mother said, her voice was softspoken..
"Go with me? To where?" Aurelia asked, her steps already carrying her back down the hall, her mind still lingering on her father….
"To the market, silly! I need you to get 3 Yona Shrooms for me. I'm using them for dinner tonight, a special one~" She whispered something under her breath, a fleeting phrase that not even Aurelia's elven ears could pick up. "...sorry." Her mother whispers to herself in a hushed tone.
"Oh. Sure." Aurelia replied, her tone was flat. She didn't want to go on a mundane quest; she had been secretly hoping to hear something, about the Academy of Sorcery, and the grand adventure that would await her there. But even though she seemed unenthusiastic, she knew what the Yona Shrooms meant. It was going to be her favorite dish for dinner tonight!
"And make sure you get three…!" Shouts her mother as Aurelia makes her way down the hall.
And so, Aurelia went into her little brother's room to get him to go with her to the market. She crept towards her brother's bedside, silent as moonlight descending through a still forest, careful not to disturb the tranquil slumber that enveloped him. Slowly, she extended her hand, and from her palm bloomed an orb of pure, tangerine light. It was her mana. Even though the bustling halls of the Academy of Sorcery remained a distant thought for now, she had learned a bit of magic from a friend. The small orb pulsed warmly from her hand, casting a small black circle on the wall, then vanished. She clapped her hands together, the sound amplifying into a sharp, high-pitched boom that shattered the stillness of the room like a sudden lightning. Her little brother jolted upright in his bed with a startled shout. His eyes widen with a mixture of fear and immediate anger directed squarely at Aurelia.
"What the heck was that for!?" He exclaimed, trying to regain his breath.
"Mom said to come with me to the market. Get dressed." says Aurelia snarkily..
He reluctantly agrees after what just happened, though not without a muttered grumble under his breath about "needing more 'cool guy' sleep." He starts getting ready, his movements still sluggish with the remnants of sleep. As Aurelia pulls on her meticulously tailored white boots, the soft leather conforming to the elegant curve of her feet, and secures her intricately woven leather cuffs, she feels the subtle whisper of ancient craftsmanship against her skin. Shortly after, her brother, looking slightly less like a ruffed up owlet and more like a reluctantly cooperative sibling, follows her to their mother. She hands Aurelia a worn coin sack, its weight surprisingly substantial in her hand, containing 35 Vissils. She presses a kiss to each of their foreheads, a silent blessing for a safe journey, before they step into the outside.
"C'mon Nao, lets go."
The sun, a beaming orb of light, wastes no time in descending unto Aurelia and her brother, casting a radiant glow that bathes the world in its warmth. The unenthusiastic duo is forced to squint. Their eyes momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden brightness. Her little brother raises a hand above his eyebrows in a gesture that begins as a salute but ends in a half way. As they finally emerge into the town, they pause for a moment, their breath catching in their throats as they take in the breathtaking sights before them. The baroque-esque architecture of Sai Machi unfolds in a painting of soaring spirals, graceful arches, and intricately carved facades. A testament to the unparalleled artistry of elven craftsmanship.
The sun's rays bounce across every surface, causing the polished crystals embedded in the buildings to shimmer and sparkle like light would on a vast ocean, scattering a kaleidoscope of colors across the gleaming streets. As they move along through the town, now bustling with the vibrant energy of early morning, they pass by familiar faces, exchanging cutesy waves and greetings with neighbors and friends. Aurelia spots her friend, Ryza. Her tanned skin glowing with a healthy, sun-kissed radiance, proof of her constantly being outside. She's, as usual, adorned with a multitude of dirty smudges, a badge of honor to her.
"Lia!!" Ryza's voice, bright and clear as a mountain stream, rings out across the bustling square as she spots Aurelia from a distance, her hand raised in an enthusiastic wave. Ryza and Aurelia have been best friends since forever and have been practically inseparable since their earliest memories. Having grown up together in the tight community of Sai Machi, their lives intertwined like the roots of ancient trees that surround the town. "What in all of Sunjhia are you doing out and about so early!?" Ryza asks, her tone a mixture of playful curiosity and genuine delight, her head tilting slightly in that endearing, quizzical way she has. As the two girls giggle and chatter, their voices mingling like the sweet melody of wind chimes. As they make their way towards the market, Nao feels a subtle ache of exclusion but he chooses to keep his silence, trailing a few steps behind. Upon their arrival at the market, a boom of colors, sounds, and smells overwhelmed the senses. Ryza, ever the free spirit, suddenly darts off towards a stall overflowing with exotic flowers, her attention captured by their vibrant hues and intoxicating fragrances.
"Aurelia...?" Nao's voice seeks his sister's attention.
"Yeah, what is it?" Aurelia replies, her gaze momentarily taken from the vibrant spectacle around them.
"Which one is the stall we need to go to again?"
They stand at the market's entrance, and for a moment, the two of them seemed as lost and overwhelmed as children in a vast, unfamiliar supermarket… because they were. Their eyes widened as they took in the sights before them: a color splash of vendor stalls, each a tiny world in itself, bursting with colorful wares and enticing aromas. The bustling streets teemed with life, a vibrant river of people flowing in every direction, their faces alive with the focused energy of commerce and the joyful spirit of a day well-begun. Everything felt so grand and the sheer scale of the market was an evident display of the town's prosperity and the lively spirit of its inhabitants. Yet, beneath the surface of this vibrant scene, a subtle unease poked at Aurelia's senses, a sour note in the otherwise harmonious symphony. A feeling she couldn't quite place but couldn't entirely ignore…
"Let's just ask the first vendor we see for directions," Aurelia suggested, her voice kept her usual tone despite the nagging discomfort within her.
"Hehe, okay!" Nao chirped, his face splitting into a radiant smile. Now that he was fully awake and the initial grumpiness had worn off, his usual playful nature had returned. His earlier flatness was replaced with a new curiosity to explore this exciting world. Aurelia's attention was drawn to a nearby stall, where a vendor displayed a variety of corniafruit and various natural foods. The corniafruit, with their colorful, spiraling spikes, pulsed with an otherworldly allure. Their vibrant hues catch light like glowing jewels. Despite being a common fruit in Sunjhia, Aurelia had never tasted one, and found herself inexplicably drawn to their exotic appearance. She had heard of their unique properties - bitter during the day, and sweet at night. These fruits were often given as gifts to express deep affection or to symbolize a secret between people, adding to their mystique.
"Hello…" Aurelia said, her voice carrying a note of polite inquiry as she approached the vendor, her eyes drawn to his intricately designed cream-colored robe, recently adorned with shining silver ornaments that caught the sunlight with every subtle movement. The vendor, a man with a warm face and eyes that crinkled at the corners, looked up from his Teledisk, a faint smile gracing his lips as he took in the sight of the young elf before him.
"Well, now, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" the vendor said, his voice a rich baritone with a playful cadence, as he removed a sweetgrass stem from between his lips. "And what brings such loveliness to my stall this fine morning? Are you in the looks for anything specific? We have Paurms today, fresh from the grove!." He gestured expansively to the vibrant display of fruits before him, his smile widening as if he himself was still constantly surprised and delighted by the beauty and bounty of his wares.
"Well, I was wondering where the Yona Shrooms are..." Aurelia inquired, her voice a soft murmur. A delicate blush coloring her pale cheeks as she averted her gaze from the vendor's eyes and glanced at the tantalizing array of fruits before her instead. Nao, never one to be shy, peered around the stall, his small hand still firmly clasped in Aurelia's. The vendor chuckled, a hearty, joyous sound that filled the air, and pointed across the bustling street.
"Ah, you're looking for my brother! He's the master of greens. I just do the fruits, ahaha! Though, the line between fruit and vegetable can be blurry, sometimes huh? Like did you know Taomoas are actually fruits? You'da thought they were veggies!" He suddenly widens his eyes.
"Ah, well that's a debate for another time, perhaps! In any case, he's got your Yona Shrooms you guys are looking for." The vendor punctuated his words with another chuckle, then bit on the sweetgrass stem in his mouth and leaned back against the wall behind him as the silver ornaments chime softly, their delicate music like a miniature set of wind chimes. Aurelia, her cheeks still flushed, pressed her palms together in a gesture of polite gratitude, offering a quick, graceful bow before turning to face the vendor across the way. Nao tugged on her hand, his earlier timidity forgotten in his excitement. Before Aurelia could gather her thoughts into a coherent sentence, Nao piped up.
"Hey misterrrrr! Can we buy those mushrooms right there?" He asked with a few energetic hops and pointed towards the display of dark green, rich-smelling Yona Shrooms. their earthy fragrance mingling with the other aromas of the market. The vendor, a man with a kind face framed by thin, small black circle glasses, adjusted his frames and offered Nao a gentle smile. His gaze then shifted to Aurelia, and noticed the delicate wildflowers woven into her hair, a subtle touch that spoke of her quiet grace.
"Sure, young man. How many of these fine Yona Shrooms do you need?" the vendor asked, his voice calm and steady.
"We want three!" Nao declared with his usual enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. The vendor calmly selected two of the largest Yona Shrooms, their balms were oily and plump, while Aurelia carefully opened her mother's coin sack, her slender fingers counting out 30 Vissils.
"Oh... it appears I only have two at the moment," the vendor said, a hint of disappointment clouding his face as a small shadow of guilt appears on his face.
"Well, if you truly need three, there is another way to acquire the third," he offered. His tone was thoughtful.
"Really? How?" Nao's eyes widened with childlike wonder, his earlier disappointment was forgotten in an instant.
"Well," the vendor paused, his voice taking on a slightly colder tone, though seemingly unintentional, sending a shiver down the spines of both children. "You could always retrieve the third one yourselves..."
Nao's face fell slightly, his usual exuberance momentarily dampened by the vendor's sudden shift in demeanor. He looked to Aurelia, seeking an answer. Aurelia, however, after a moment of contemplation, met the vendor's gaze with a newfound determination.
"Alright... Where would we find them?" she asked, her voice steady despite the lingering unease, as she subconsciously rubbed the tip of her ear, a nervous habit from her childhood.
"You can find them in the Forest of Perception," the vendor explained, his voice returning to its usual calm tone. "Beyond the Sai Machi square, a left turn will lead you to the town's exit. The Forest of Perception lies beyond that, and there you will find your Yona Shrooms. I can't say how many you will find, but they tend to grow in clusters." As he adjusted his glasses, the morning light refracted through the thin lenses, hiding his eyes.
"Sure... Well, thank you, sir," Aurelia said, offering a somewhat subdued version of her earlier polite bow, then gently tugged on Nao's hand.
"Let's go!" Nao exclaimed, his earlier disappointment replaced by a renewed sense of adventure, his smile as bright as the sun. The duo then turned and made their way towards the edge of Sai Machi, their hearts set on the mysterious Forest of Perception.
The path leading into the Forest of Perception was a winding tapestry of sunlight and shadows. The air is thick with the earthy scent of ancient trees and blooming wildflowers. As Aurelia and Nao ventured deeper, the sounds of the bustling market faded, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant melody of songbirds. They soon stumbled upon a clearing where a massive, moss-covered turtle, its shell doused with intricate patterns that seemed as old as time itself, munched contentedly on a patch of vibrant wildflowers. Nao, his eyes wide with wonder, offered the creature a handful of sweet berries, his laughter echoing through the serene space as the turtle delicately accepted the treat.
Their peaceful encounter was short-lived, however. As they continued their journey into the late evening, the path narrowed, hugging the bank of a swiftly flowing river. Nao, his attention caught by a particularly dazzling butterfly, lost his footing on the slippery rocks and tumbled into the rushing water. Aurelia, her heart leaping into her throat, reacted in an instant. With a surge of adrenaline, she fell into the river, the cold water shocking her system as she fought against the current. She reached Nao just as he was about to be swept away, pulling him back to the safety of the shore. Shivering and soaked, but unharmed, Nao clung to Aurelia, his earlier fright replaced with a profound gratitude. Aurelia chants an indecipherable phrase and the two of them are instantly dried. She scolds Nao, but hugs him afterwards as if to balance the punishment.
As they pressed on, deeper into the enchanted woods, they were met with a spectacle of beauty. a cluster of luminous, iridescent insects, their bodies seemingly crafted from shimmering pearls and finished with polished. They had white segments with delicate azure markings. The magical bugs pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, casting faint shadows on the surrounding foliage and filling the air with a mysterious glow. Finally, as dusk began to paint the sky in hues of violet and gold, they found them - a small cluster of Yona Shrooms! Their dark green caps nestled amongst a bed of soft moss, their rich, earthy aroma swept their noses. The two of them celebrate for a moment before harvesting them from the base of a tree.
As they were collecting the Yona shrooms they worked so hard to find, Nao nudged Aurelia, whose face was alight with joy as she carefully gathered the stalks of the mushrooms. A sense of triumph and relief washed over her after their long search.
"Aurelia? What's that?" Nao's voice, usually filled with youthful exuberance, now held a hint of unease, his small finger pointing towards the horizon where an unsettling smudge of smog and an ominous, but beautiful glow of bright, unnatural lights tainted the natural beauty of the twilight sky and its two moons.
"Oh. I dunno. It's probably just the celebration, since today is also the Day of Remembrance," Aurelia replied, her attempt at reassurance sounding somewhat hollow even to her own ears for some reason..
"What? Day of Remembrance?" Nao asked, his head tilting in that familiar gesture of playful curiosity, though his eyes reflected a dawning comprehension.
"Don't you remember anything, Nao? Our father!" Aurelia stomps as she tilts her upper body forward and puts her fists on her hips.
"He fought for the people during the war between man and the gods!" Aurelia said, her voice taking on a stern edge, a flicker of disappointment clouding her features as she regarded Nao, the weight of their shared history pressing down on her.
"Hey, don't look at me that way! I knew that!" Nao protested, his initial playful demeanor replaced with a hint of defensiveness. He paused for a moment, his brow lowering in concentration. "I just didn't know that that's what today was for."
"Hm," Aurelia responded, the single syllable that held a mix of emotions: disappointment, sadness, and a burning determination to honor their father's memory.
Aurelia tied together the four large mushrooms she had gathered into a neat bundle, the earthy scent of the Yona Shrooms filling her senses, the thought of the tasty soup her mother would make with these were a fine reward for their efforts. She carefully slung the bundle over her shoulder, ensuring it wouldn't disturb the delicate arrangement of flowers in her hair, a small act of self-care amidst the growing disquiet.
"I guess that would explain the flashing colors… celebrations…" Nao murmured, his voice barely a whisper, as he tried to make sense of the unsettling spectacle in the distance, the vibrant yet jarring lights casting long, distorted shadows that danced like blowing trees in a hurricane.
As they made their way back to Sai Machi, a cloying smog began to flow through the once-clear forest. Its eerie tendrils snaking between the ancient trees, turning the air thick and ghostly. The fleeting glimpses of songbirds, once a common and joyful sight, became increasingly rare, their songs replaced by an unsettling silence and the sound of crunching leaves. As Aurelia and Nao walked, small, white glowing orbs flickered into existence, seeming to trail them with a spectral persistence. The longer they walked, the more of these incorporeal lights appeared, their silent dance casting an unsettling spell upon the already tense atmosphere. While traversing the smoggy, once vibrant but now eerie forest, Aurelia felt a shiver crawl down her spine, an unease that transcended the chill in the air. Her ears, so attuned to the subtle whispers in the woods, perked up as she suddenly stopped walking.
"Relia? What's wrong?" Nao tugged on the delicate fluff on Aurelia's white shorts, his small face etched with worry, his elven ears lowered and trembling slightly as the flashing, distorted light from the distance flickered across his smooth features, highlighting the fear in his widened eyes.
Aurelia said nothing. She stood frozen, her green gaze fixed on some unseen horror and yet looking at nothing at all. lost in a silent trance that sent a shiver of fear through Nao. He continued to urge her, his small hands shaking her gently, desperate to snap her out of whatever trance held her captive. Then, in an instant, Aurelia seemed to regain consciousness, her breath catching in a sharp gasp as the magic, mysterious orbs scattered like frightened fireflies into the suffocating fog. The distant sound of crows began to fill the smoke filled air for a brief moment.
"The spirits... the spirits in the forest told me something," Aurelia said, her voice a shaky whisper and her eyes hollowed and haunted. Before Nao could even process her words, she grabbed his hand with a desperate strength that overcame her slender frame, and they darted towards their town with a frantic energy that urged them forward. The bright, flashing colors of the distant lights seemed to fade as they went out from the forest. Yet the oppressive feeling only intensified with each step. She continued to run, her stamina and energy depleting rapidly, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat dropping from her hair to her distressed face, her expression was a mask of raw terror. Nao and his small legs were struggling to keep pace as he sobbed. His cries of fear and confusion echoed through the increasingly thick smog, but Aurelia, driven by an unknown dread, was beyond reason. She continued to run, her desperation growing with every desperate stride, and upon reaching the outskirts of Sai Machi, her legs finally gave out, and she collapsed to her knees as the breath ripped from her lungs.
"What… the hell happened..." Aurelia's throat tightened, constricting around a sob as fragmented memories of her mother's warm smile, her father's booming laughter, and Ryza's infectious joy flashed through her mind, each a painful reminder of what might have been lost.
"The town!" Nao exclaimed, his voice a high-pitched wail as the acrid heat from the inferno washed over them, carrying the stench of burning wood and something far more sinister. "It's burning!!"
In a split-second decision, fueled by a surge of adrenaline and a desperate hope, Aurelia grabbed Nao once more, and they broke through the creeping flames. As they ran through the burning streets, their eyes darted frantically, desperately searching for any sign of their mother, any flicker of hope amidst the devastation. The faces they passed, once familiar and welcoming, were now mangled beyond recognition, twisted into grotesque imitations of their former selves. Wisps of multi-colored smoke, reminiscent of those that arise from a recently extinguished candle, rose from some of the elves, painting the scene with an eerie, surreal beauty that only amplified the horror. The heat intensified, pressing down on them like an elephant, and the stench of cooked death filled their nostrils, choking them with a sorrow so profound it threatened to rot their lungs. Aurelia, her heart shattering with every step, began to cry. Her tears streaked down her soot-stained face as she continued her frantic search. She ran towards where their house had once stood, the image of her mother's loving embrace driving her forward, but what greeted them was a scene of pure desolation. Their house was nothing more than charred pieces of wood and metal. Poking out from the smoldering ruins, amidst the twisted metal and blackened debris, lay a form that was formerly recognizable as their mother. The once-vibrant and tender image of their mother was now a charred horror, a tragic sight that defied comprehension. That thing was no longer their mother. Nao, his small heart overwhelmed by the sheer brutality of the sight, vomited, a disgusting sound of a retching sob that tore at Aurelia's already warped sanity. Aurelia stared at the unrecognizable remains, her breath getting caught in her throat and her body trembling uncontrollably. A sob tore free, and she bit down on her lip with her fang, the sharp pain a desperate attempt to ground herself. Suddenly, the disfigured creature that was once her mother stirred, the charred mouth parting to utter words so weak and distorted that Aurelia and Nao could barely make out, each syllable was a tortured whisper.
"Run… run far… away from here. Go back to… the forest… and keep north. Find a man… named Ferris…"
With these final, broken words hanging in the smoke-filled air, the immobile pile of ashes that was their mother slowly turned its head. its gaze, or what was left of it, fixed upon a path logger lying amidst the destruction. Aurelia and her shattered heart, sobbed as she slowly knelt. Her movements are slow to pick up the logger. The glass was shattered on the delicate instrument, yet it seemed to have a determination to keep going. Surrounded by the vicious flames, Nao knelt beside Aurelia. His body was shaking. Aurelia, in a gesture of final farewell, leaned down and gently kissed the black dust that was her mother. Small remnants of a life, clung to her soft lips like bread crumbs. Another tear escaped her eye, tracing a shimmering path through the soot on her cheek, like a shooting star falling on a ravaged landscape and in that moment, something within her changed. She was determined to find the culprit of this utter destruction and put them to rest forever. But even so, despair, cold and absolute, filled her heart, threatening to extinguish the last spark of hope within her. As she rose, her movements heavy with the weight of her loss, she gave one last, lingering look at Alaiza, her mother, her protector, her guide. It was as if the world, once vast and full of promise, had shrunk to the size of a cinder, a suffocating cage of grief. Aurelia's world had just been burnt to a crisp, reduced to ash and embers, and it was here, amidst the ruins of her mother's former life, that her story would truly begin. A journey forged in fire and loss.