ã€ŠThe Illusory Gardenã€‹


 1.0 - Child of Everything, Light

    ¡®When I think back to the time when I first opened my eyes.

    I remembered the light coming from the sky.

    The light...

    Such a mesmerizing light....¡¯

    <hr>

    In her early memory, as far back as she can remember, it was almost as if she had been born into this world, just as the flowers bloomed on the first spring morning. The sensation she felt¡ªthe feeling of being immersed in the heavenly scenery. For the child, it was as if she had always been cherishably welcomed in the illusory garden.

    The child had a hazy notion of her frame of mind, for it was the day when her consciousness slowly awakened and her senses perceived the world around her for the first time. As she sleepily lifted her eyelids, the light of the world penetrated her vision of nothingness and she hesitantly moved her face to the patch of grass. As she turned her face to the grass, the child could see the fluttering butterfly wings on the white petals of the flowers beside her, swaying in the hazy, gentle breeze.

    In the cooling atmosphere, she felt the texture of the grass against her right cheek and a gentle breeze ruffling her silver, loose hair. The child found warmth and solace in her breathing, living body resting under a willow tree, comforted by the shade the tree provided. It was so comforting that she did not want to leave her position; it was as if she was at peace with the tree under which she lay. There was nothing that could disturb her peaceful disposition, which she assumed would last forever.

    *Thump*

    It was only at that moment that the sound of grass and flowers being trampled nearby could be heard.

    Instinctively, the child groaned and moved her body to block out the intrusive sound, only to hear footsteps coming closer, trampling on the grass and disturbing her peaceful sleep. As the sound became clearer, she sleepily lifted her heavy eyelids and turned to see the source of the noise.

    The child briefly saw the flocks of black birds flying through the air and heard their calls before they disappeared into the distance. Then she turned her vision around and saw a tall humanoid figure approaching her: the figure had the appearance of an older lady and seemed sophisticated and feminine. The lady wore a wore a long, dark coat and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers. She had her chestnut-brown hair tied into a low bun. Her emerald green eyes were especially striking as they looked down at the child.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    Barely awake, the child was not sure whether to return to her peaceful sleep or act on the unfamiliar, intrusive variable. Her frame of mind was still unclear to her, so she had no choice but to observe instinctively and without reaction.

    That said, the child did nothing but stare absentmindedly at the lady. At that moment, she felt something in her right hand. She turned her attention to it and unfolded her fingers to see a keyhole-shaped stone. She didn''t understand why she had this object in her hand, but for some reason this stone she was holding must had a connection to her.

    "Tsk, pesky birds," the lady said flatly, who was visibly annoyed at being disturbed by the dark-feathered birds. She clutched a wooden intricate staff in her gloved hand and continued, "If I hear any more birds squawking and coming toward me, I''ll blow them all away."

    She continued to walk through the branches, brush and leaves, ready to meet anything that came her way, until she came to an open grove in the middle of which was a large willow tree surrounded by a field of white flowers. The lady paused in her steps when she noticed that the child was awake and looking at her. Her surprise lasted only a moment, then a friendly smile graced her features and she walked slowly toward the willow.

    ¡°Oh dear¡­¡±

    The child watched as the older woman''s figure grew closer and more intimidating, larger and more dominant, until she was looking into her eyes like mother and child.

    Gently and humbly, the lady bent down, lowered her staff, held out her hand and brushed the child''s hair from her face. She had a wise disposition, as if her attitude was sincere.

    She greeted her gently and with a welcoming smile, "Good morning, little one. Did you sleep well?"

    The child idly rubbed her weak eyes and looked at her more closely. The lady gave a light chuckle as she moved her lips and spoke in a mutually respectful tone, ¡°It¡¯s good to see you slept well. Do you know your name?¡±

    She tilted her head to the side in bemusement and opened her mouth, ¡°My¡­ name?¡±

    "Yes, sweetie, do you not have a name?"

    After a second or two of registering the question, the child lowered her head, covering her eyes as she delved into her thoughts, drifting through her mind¡¯s collection of information and memories. ¡®My name¡­¡¯

    "Ely¡­ sha¡­"

    "Elysha?" The lady nodded with a smile and continued, "That''s a beautiful and lovely name for you, Elysha. From here I will take you to my home in the cottage, where it is cozy and warm."

    The child raised her head and murmured, ¡°Home¡­¡±

    She looked at the woman with a dazed expression. She did not understand what was going on, but she had the instinct that she could trust this person.

    ¡°...¡±

    The lady noticed tears running down the child''s cheeks as she lifted her head. She opened her outstretched arms, hugged the little girl and replied, "Yes, to your new home."

    When she felt the warmth of the embrace, Elysha slowly closed her eyes and submitted herself to the protection of her guardian.

 1.1 - Her Name, Elysha

    After the child, Elysha, fell unconscious into the woman''s arms. She carefully lifted the sleeping girl and carried her on her way back to her cottage in the woods of Ir?stos. The lady remarked on the necklace the child loosely held in her hand.

    On the way back to the cottage, she was cautiously examining the surroundings for signs of an omen when a small gray-furred creature appeared on a branch and asked aloud, "Huh? You found a child?"

    ¡°Yes, indeed. I found her under a willow tree in an open grove full of white flowers.¡± The lady explained. ¡°Other than a peculiar keyhole-shaped object attached to a necklace that the child was carrying, I didn''t see any other strange notable details.¡±

    "Huh? That''s it?" The gray-furred creature tilted his fluffy head and twitched his pointed ears "So, um, is that girl the source of that big flash of light from earlier?"

    ¡°To call this child the cause of the flash of white light would be jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence, wouldn''t it?¡± She spoke with a grin on her face. "Not only that, but I admired your courage for coming back after taking cover with the rest of our neighbors.¡±

    ¡°Err, I am just a little concerned that something bad is going to happen to this forest! Okay!¡± He frowned.

    ¡°Well, if there were any portentous omens, I would have taken care of all of them, but still, the forest is a relatively safe place from any dangers.¡± She chuckled under her breath. ¡°I''m a bored lady, after all. A little fun now and then can''t hurt.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± The gray-furred creature growled anxiously as he lowered its ears slightly, "I''m already getting worried about the child you''re holding."

    ¡°Oh, are you becoming attached to this child already?"

    ¡°M-Me? No way!¡± His ears perked back upwards in reaction. ¡°I don''t even know who she is or where she comes from!¡±

    ¡°I''m a little curious myself as to where this child mysteriously came from.¡± The lady said. ¡°Perhaps I shall take her in for a while and teach her some good manners on the side.¡±

    The gray-furred creature watched anxiously as the woman continued walking on, and let loose another question he had wanted to ask all along, "And what about that dark and scary aura from earlier that we both sensed? Where did all those bad omens go? And that grove of white flowers and trees? I''ve never seen this place in this forest before in my life¡­¡±

    The lady stopped once again and answered straightforwardly without looking back, ¡°I don''t know either, my friend.¡±

    She then finally turned to him and continued, ¡°Perhaps we don''t really understand the hidden mysteries of this world in which we live, despite the accumulated knowledge of the scholars and the inquisitive. Perhaps we only knew what is closer to nothingness than to what the Asnoiji have created for us¡­¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha regained consciousness briefly several times and was able to perceive the surroundings of the forest. During the first few instances, the mystique and atmospheric nature of the forest overwhelmed the child''s perception.

    As the woman ventured deeper into the forest with the child in her arms, Elysha adjusted her eyes and gazed to the sunlight streaming through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. She gazed at the tall trees, their branches adorned with bright green leaves that swayed as if dancing with the soothing breeze along with the echoing sounds of nature.

    The little girl couldn''t help but stare transfixed at the rays of light coming from the sky, transforming her sight into a wonderful scene...

    ¡°... Are you drooling on my shoulder?¡± The lady asked in an annoyed tone.

    Elysha didn''t register what her guardian had said, instead she felt the wind rush against her skin and sweep her silver hair aside. Then she lowered her hand, which she held up to touch the bright glow coming from the sky as she saw something different.

    ¡°...?¡±

    She watched as moving, whimsically animated creatures swirled around her, like luminous wisps that danced with their vibrant colors and bathed the air in a magical light. They seemed to be playful spirits, illuminating the surroundings with a soft glow.

    In awe, Elysha reached out and tried to grasp one of the flying creatures. Her fingers moved through the mist-like strands, feeling a gentle coolness on her skin as they slid effortlessly through her grasp.

    The creatures laughed and swirled around silently, they were like paintings that came to life and offered a storybook-like display.

    *Thud*

    Elysha saw the stone she was holding fall into the forest floor. She hadn''t even realized she was holding it until now. For a brief moment, she watched as the keyhole-shaped stone stared back at her.

    Almost instinctively, she tried to reach for it, but her small arms and fingers were not enough. She could only watch as the object became smaller and smaller until it was no longer visible.

    ~ ??? ~

    "We are almost here," the lady said with tiredness in her voice. ¡°Are you feeling well?¡±

    The child did not respond, but instead looked back into the depths of the forest where they had came from. The woman had noticed her silent demeanor since waking up on her shoulder on the way back. Her gaze was distant and she seemed disconnected from the present, as if lost in her own world, seemingly fascinated by the magical impressions she had experienced in the woods.

    Eventually they had arrived at a clearing where a cottage stood, warm and inviting, surrounded by trees and blooming wildflowers that painted the view with their colorful and delicate petals. The lady gently placed Elysha on the soft grass so she could stand and allowed her to take in the surroundings, but she fell to her knees in the process.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Her guardian knelt down beside Elysha, and there was a subtle concern in her eyes. She reached out a hand and gently placed it on the child''s shoulder, "Elysha, are you there?" She asked again.

    Elysha blinked and gradually turned her attention back to her guardian. She looked up at the lady, and her eyes reflected wonder. "I... I saw... the trees," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°I saw the trees and leaves moving, and there were these... paintings. They were like... dancing and happy."

    The woman chuckled when she heard the child¡¯s words and said, "They seem happy to meet you, I suppose. You''ll see more of them as you experience more of the forest we lived in."

    The lady lifted her up again and carried her to the entrance of the cottage. When they arrived at the door, Elysha watched in awe as her guardian drew a key from her dark glove out of nowhere. Particles of light came off the key as she unlocked the door and said, "Come inside.¡±

    Elysha''s eyes widened when she entered her guardian''s house. Inside, the building was refined and modest in terms of its furnishings and decoration, yet with a touch of artistic sentiment. The items appeared neatly arranged and were accompanied by plentiful of plants and the crackling of the fire in the fireplace in the corner¡ªin its simplicity, it was more than anything that the cottage conveyed that made her heart felt warm and cozy.

    ¡°This is where I live,¡± the lady proudly said, "lavishly organized, a reflection of my aesthetic tastes and individuality."

    The child, not understanding what she was saying, continued to try to absorb the interior of the house until she was overwhelmed by the external impressions and could sense a dizzying tiredness.

    Sensing the child¡¯s discomfort, the woman said, ¡°Oh dear, it seems that I should save the tour of the place for later then.¡±

    The woman then carried the child to a room with a prepared bed and a window with closed curtains on the side. "This is your room," she said, her voice tinged with fatigue from the walk through the woods. "Albeit dusty, but nonetheless I will let you rest here on your bed."

    She gently laid Elysha on the bed in the simply furnished room. The walls were painted in a soft shade of gray-ish blue, subduing the room in a calm appearance. Although the curtains were closed, they let in faint rays of sunlight that bathed the room in a soft light.

    The bed itself was adorned with a plain white blanket neatly tucked in and soft in touch. Next to the bed was a small nightstand on which stood a lamp and a book. The room was without any unique decorations unlike outside the room, but nevertheless exuded a sense of comfort.

    Against one wall stood a wooden closet with its doors firmly closed. It appeared to be sturdy and well-made, with ample space for clothing and personal items. The floor was covered with a soft, woven carpet that gave the barefeet a touch of warmth.

    The woman covered the child on her back with a warm, heavy blanket, then spoke, ¡°It seems to be a little cold in this place at the moment. As soon as I light the fireplace, it will soon get warmer here.¡±

    Then the lady left the room to tend to the fireplace. Meanwhile, Elysha slowly opened her eyes, blinked and looked around. Initially, she had the sense that she was in a strange and unfamiliar place, but she didn¡¯t feel frightened. She felt that the atmosphere was comforting and welcoming even without the warmth of the fire.

    Not only did the cottage seem inviting, but the lady who brought her here was very kind to her the entire time. When she first saw her, Elysha didn''t react¡ªas if there was no connection or anything, at least until she felt the embrace of her guardian.

    The child raised her right hand and tugged on the cloth on her left shoulder. Next, she looked down and touched the blanket and mattress, but it was the pillows that felt so soft and cushy that she snuggled her face into them and rolled around when her guardian came back into the room.

    "Now that the temperature is out of the way, I would like to take a break for a while.¡± The lady sighed, then noticed the child''s look and continued, "Is there a question you want to ask me before I go? Come to think of it, I haven''t even introduced myself yet. Feel free to ask me any questions you want, because you are not accustomed to this place yet. At least I can introduce myself before you start."

    She closed the door and moved the chair closer to the bed and sat down facing the little girl. Elysha sat down cross-legged on the bed, her arms still wrapped around the pillow, and looked at her guardian, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders.

    "My apologizes, I should have introduced myself earlier," the lady began, her voice soft and soothing. "I am Elder Cecil Merakia of the Forest of Ir?stos, or you can call me Madam Merakia if you wish. I am here to take care of you and raise you well in the meantime, Elysha. You can think of me as your caretaker."

    "Merakia?" Elysha repeated softly, enjoying the sound of the name. "Elder Merakia. I liked your name."

    Elder Merakia nodded, a warm half-smile lighting up her face. "Yes, and thank you, Elysha. I''m glad you think so. Now, is there anything you would like to know about me or this house?"

    Elysha looked up at her briefly before finally opening her mouth to ask what she considered to be the most important question.

    "This is¡­ home?" She asked, curious. ¡°I can stay here?¡±

    "Yes, this is my home." Elder Merakia replied straightforwardly. "Not only is it my home, it''s your home as well, and you can stay here for as long as you want."

    Elysha''s eyes widened. "Really?" She asked in delight. "I can stay here with you?"

    "Oh please, how many times do you want me to affirm that with you?" Her guardian sighed, then a question occurred to her. At first she resisted asking it, but her curiosity got the better of her. ¡°A question of interest from myself, do you remember what happened back then?¡±

    ¡°Back then?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that time when we first met each other.¡±

    Elysha nodded and recalled the memories in her mind, "I woke up and then I met you..."

    "That''s right," Elder Merakia replied, nodding. "You were sleeping soundly under a willow tree when I found you."

    "Found me..." Elysha murmured softly to herself. Those two words triggered an abstract rumination in her mind. She remembered the time when Elder Merakia had found her, and meant that she had found her sleeping under a willow.

    ¡®Why was I¡ª¡¯

    A sharp pain shot through her head, snapping her out of her thoughts, "Ah¡ª! It hurts!"

    ¡°Elysha?¡± Elder Merakia voices her concerns.

    The child quickly shook her head, indicating her state of well-being.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try not to think too much.¡± Elder Merakia admonished gently. "We can save any more questions for later, since you''ve only just arrived here. Rest well for a while, you still need to get used to your new surroundings."

    Elysha looked back up at her with desperate eyes, and clung the pillow tightly. Elder Merakia regarded the child''s expression, leaned down and stretched out her arms to embrace her. The little girl left the pillow aside and accepted the hug once more for a good brief moment, as if frozen in time.

    Afterwards, Elder Merakia went out and closed the door, and Elysha was left alone in her new room, still feeling the unwanted throbbing in her head. Although she felt the need to continue sleeping and regaining her energy, she did not feel fully accustomed to the unfamiliar environment.

    She looked at her surroundings once more: the room was small and tidy, with a bed in the middle against the wall, a window with closed curtains at the side, and a desk with a chair positioned back to where it was before. There was a lamp on the desk, but it was not turned on. The only source of light came from the gap between the curtains, indicating that it was still daytime.

    ¡°Light¡­¡±

    The little girl wanted to explore more, but the comfort of the bed overcame her and pulled her into the covers. With a yawn, she snuggled deeper into the bed and fell asleep for as long as she wanted.

 1.2 - Your Wishes, Your Dreams

    When Elysha opened her eyes, she found herself in the same familiar forest where she had regained consciousness. This time she was surrounded by mist, but despite the silvery haze, the sunlight filtered through the dense trees and cast a soft glow on the forest floor. The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers and the soft rustling of leaves.

    She sat up in bed, rubbed her eyes and took in her surroundings. It seemed like a dream, but the trees seemed real and yet unreal at the same time. The room where Elysha had slept was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was as if the forest itself had become her bedroom.

    Confusion overcame her; she did not understand where she was or why she was here. The little girl turned her head around, looking for signs of her guardian''s cottage residence, but found nothing.

    Despite the seconds of confusion, her mind came to a conclusion: Perhaps this forest was her new home, and Elder Merakia was her guardian and caretaker. It seemed that the forest had always been her home.

    Elysha rose from her comfortable bed and dropped to the soft forest floor, her bare hands, legs and feet touching the grass and dirt. She reached for her bed to support herself as she stood up, her silver hair shimmering in the hazy sunlight and her white, flowing dress billowed in the soft breeze.

    She blinked her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt a sense of curiosity and spirit coursing through her veins. The feeling of the unknowable seemed endless, and all that surrounded her was the realm of the possibilities for her to explore and discover the wonders that awaited her.

    Without any further thoughts, the little girl took her first steps and went forward to venture the area.

    As she walked through the forest, Elysha noticed the playful spirits that entered her line of sight, the same glowing wisps of light that had danced around her before. They swirled and twirled, painting the air with their vibrant colors. They beckoned her, inviting her to join their dance.

    Elysha reached out her hand, and the wisps of light responded. They playfully danced around her, weaving through her fingers and forming creative patterns in the air. It was as if they were telling a story¡ªa story that was interesting yet incomprehensible to her.

    After a moments play, the girl said goodbye to the spirits, and with each step she took, the forest slowly grew more alluring to her eyes.

    Amidst the wonders of the forest, Elysha walked through paths that led her to landscapes she had never seen before. She was fascinated by what she saw, almost as if these places seemed familiar, even if her mind did not register these landscapes as such.

    As she walked on, a butterfly fluttered around at some point and caught the little girl''s attention. Its wings were white and shimmered like a bird¡¯s feather. The flying insect hovered in front of her view and then flew off into the distance, as if it had taken on the role of guiding her somewhere. Elysha watched, then nodded her head and followed after the fluttering creature.

    The white butterfly helped her explore through the mystical woods, further and deeper, until she reached the point where her eyes widened: the sight of the grove where she was when her guardian found her.

    The girl paused, and before her lay the white field of flowers that adorned the scene, and in the center stood a lone willow tree. What struck her most, however, and gave her a sharp chill, was the figure of Elder Merakia standing in front of the tree, blurry and out of focus, but still recognizable. She could almost vaguely make out her smile before she turned her face towards the tree.

    ¡°Elder Mera¡­¡± Elysha¡¯s mouth moved as she entered the grove, and with her initial steps, she noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere.

    The air seemed to be filled with a deep abstract quality, and a soft, hazy, ethereal glow illuminated the surroundings. She could sense a presence, as if the forest itself was alive and watching her every step.

    ¡°Elder¡ª¡±

    A wind suddenly blew past her, and she shield her eyes with her hands. She watched as Elder Merakia''s figure moved toward the tree and disappeared into the abstract haze of the surroundings. The trunk of the tree that stood behind her opened and expanded, like a door that released a bright white light from an unknown destination.

    Drawn by the allure of the unknown, with the guidance of the white butterfly and her curious nature, Elysha walked toward the bright opening that emerged from the trunk of the willow tree. The bright light bathed her in a warm and inviting glow, inviting her to step through and see what lay beyond.

    When she crossed the threshold and entered the other side, the brightness of the light faded, revealing a landscape that unlike anything she had seen before. A breeze brushed Elysha''s face as she stood at the edge of a wide meadow where white flowers swayed in the cold wind, and the cloudy sky was dull and mysterious.

    Elysha felt the pull of its essence as the white butterfly flew into her field of vision again and beckoned her to follow it across the meadow.

    As the insect fluttered along, the little girl noticed a soft, melodic humming with each step she took and looked down to see that the flowers were emitting these musical tunes, somehow almost as if they were whispering to her. The harmonious melodies blended with the breeze, creating a symphony that resonated through the air.

    While Elysha listened to the sounds, the white butterfly disappeared into the abstract haze of the surroundings. She paused in her movements when she saw someone standing near the spot where the butterfly had disappeared.

    The person looked like a child, about Elysha''s height, and their silvery hair swept against the wind, while their facial expression was hidden from view. The child looked very familiar to her¡ªso familiar that it seemed uncanny. Elysha''s eyes widened as she realized that the child looked almost exactly like herself, standing in the same white flower meadow that surrounded them.

    Elysha said nothing, but watched with confusion and shock. The heavy blur of the identical figure was the only difference separating them, and she still doesn''t understand why there is another identical figure of her standing in front of her.

    No, she doesn¡¯t want to know.

    The white butterfly reappeared from the abstract haze and approached the false version of herself. They noticed the butterfly and even extended their finger to interact with the fluttering creature. That is, before turning to Elysha and showing her a blurred out, almost faceless face.

    ¡°...!¡±

    Like an omen of impending danger. Although Elysha was disturbed by the existence of this abstract figure, she took a step forward against her will, and then another, until she was standing right in front of the false child.

    The air became still, and the melodic hum of the flowers faded into an eerie silence. The blurry, almost faceless child radiated an unsettling energy that sent a shiver down Elysha''s spine. She couldn''t move her mouth or physically display her fear, but only stood frozen and wait to see what the faux child would do next.

    After a silent moment that felt like a long time, the false child reached out and positioned their hand on Elysha''s face. She could barely see her false self saying something to her, but she couldn''t hear anything at all.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    And after that, everything in Elysha''s field of vision turned into nothingness.

    ~ ??? ~

    When the sun rose the next day, Elysha reluctantly woke up in her more than comfortable bed and heard the birds chirping outside her window.

    ¡®Sound of¡­ birds?¡¯

    Half awake, the child languidly contemplated the room she was in, still unaccustomed to her surroundings, looked at them closely, and then slowly rose from the bed. Elysha rubbed her tired eyelids and attempted to reflect on what she had experienced in her dream.

    ¡®A forest¡­ and¡­¡¯

    She tried to pick up the fading fragments of her dream, as if the elusive fragments were slipping away like morning mist. The sounds of the soft, melodic hum of the flowers and the sight of white butterfly lingered at the edge of her consciousness, teasing her with their indeterminacy. The mystical forest, the ethereal glow, and the abstract flickering images resonated as vivid, elusive sensations.

    That was all she could vaguely remember as Elysha sat absent-mindedly on the bed before her eyes fell to the floor, which consisted of a hardwood flooring and a fine carpet. She could almost have touched the carpet with her bare hands when more birdsong could be heard from outside her bedroom window, snapping her out of her musings.

    *Chirp*

    Elysha turned around and saw a faint stream of light through the curtains, and her eyes gleamed with interest to see what lay beyond the window.

    She then turned her head again to the other side, slowly in motion as she slipped out of bed and touching the floor with her bare foot, then with the other bare foot. And then...

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    Elysha fell to her limbs; her knees and hands touching the fine carpet¡¯s texture. Like a toddler learning to walk, she tried to get to her feet, but her effort was rather feeble.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I¡­?¡¯

    Elysha remembered the last time she had fallen to her knees and then had to be carried by her guardian. Her eyebrows drew together a little as her right hand grabbed the edge of the bed with strength and tried again to get up.

    After a few failed attempts and stretching her arms and legs, she clung to the frame of the bed and carried herself over to the window to the curtains, where the sparse sunlight that fell through the slit attracted her.

    Elysha pulled open the left drapery panel and a flood of sunlight washed over her, momentarily blinding her senses. After adjusting her eyes again, blinking away the disorientation, she saw the vast luminous scene in front of her.

    Her gaze widened, and her breath hitched¡ªas if she were overwhelmed by a feeling that seemed so strangely beautiful and illusory¡ªsomething that seemed like an unknown world between her and the windowpane.

    To her, the sight that met her eyes was like a picture of a greenhouse garden, a painted illustration with lush green leaves and colorful flowers. The trees stood drawn together, their branches intertwined, forming a dense green mass in the background from which splashes of flowers stood out. The sunlight illuminated everything in bright shades of yellow and green, bringing out the colors vividly and making everything seem delightful and lovely.

    "What is this place?" Elysha asked herself outwardly as she gazed out at the forest. ¡°I wondered¡­¡±

    As she touched the glass with her bare hand, a series of feelings flooded through her like a bolt of electricity: Excitement, impatience, curiosity¡ªall melded into a cauldron of unfulfilled discovery.

    Elysha gritted her teeth on her lips. It was as if, for the first time since her awakening, she was captivated by a feeling she had never felt before.

    ¡°I-I¡­¡±

    Tears flowed from her eyes as she clenched her fingers and looked at the landscape before her. She felt as if something had born inside of her¡ªan inexplicable longing for the world beyond the windowpane.

    ¡°... Want more¡­¡±

    *Creak*

    Elysha turned around and met eyes with Elder Merakia as she enters the room.

    The lady quickly hid her concern when she saw the tears on the little girl''s face, smiled gently and said, "Good morning," she greeted softly, her voice carrying a nurturing tone, "I didn''t expect you to be up so early. I had hoped you had slept well since yesterday."

    The child blinked and clung to the curtain, half to hide behind the drapery and conceal her unwanted expression, half to think of a response to her guardian. The memory of being carried into the room by her remained fresh on her mind. She shyly tried to think about her response.

    Sensing the child''s hesitance, Elder Merakia straightened her posture, the air of wisdom and authority emanating from her. She chuckled softly, turning to her reflection in the mirror. "How interesting," she mused, "what is there to fear in me? I may have become much more beautiful than yesterday, but now is not the time for such vanity. Instead, I should focus on fostering a quiet life with my dear pupil."

    She gave her reflection a proud smile before turning her gaze back to the child and continuing, "Anyway, there is no reason for you to see me as a threat. I am here as your caretaker and teacher to look after you and impart knowledge about this world."

    Elysha, still unable to find words, wiped away the remaining traces of tears before loosening her grip and slowly opening the curtains to reveal her face, turning her gaze to the Elder Merakia.

    "There you go, now you look like an angel when the light comes out of the window." The lady clapped her hands and complimented her. "You have a very lovely face."

    Elysha did not respond, nor did her facial expression change. Instead, she looked to the ground and tried not to show any hint of bashfulness on her face. She mustered a soft, barely audible response.

    ¡°Th-Thank you¡­¡± Her voice broke off, the unaccustomedness of verbal communication evident in her expression.

    Elder Merakia smiled, "You''re welcome," she replied. "Now, come. Let us sit together on the bed. I have a surprise gift for you."

    Elysha followed Elder Merakia''s lead, her steps slow yet willing. She settled down next to the lady on the bed, interest flickering in her eyes. The feeling of trepidation from earlier began to dissipate and was replaced by relaxation and anticipation of the surprise to come.

    Elder Merakia reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. She extended it towards Elysha and said, "Open it.¡±

    Elysha''s eyes widened with surprise as she took the box into her trembling hands. Her fingers delicately unlatched the lid, revealing a sight that took her breath away¡ªa necklace made of silver chains, attached with a stone in the shape of a keyhole. The design was strikingly familiar, reminiscent of the stone that had slipped from her grasp just the day before.

    "This is¡ª!" Elysha''s voice trailed off, her gaze shifting from the necklace to her guardian. Surprise and wonder danced across her features, her mind racing to grasp the reason for the sight of the object before her.

    Elder Merakia offered an explanation. "It is the very same necklace you held when I found you," she revealed, smiling. "Fortunately, I noticed that you had dropped it, and so I instructed my companions to retrieve it and return it to you when the time was right."

    Elysha''s eyes widened, her astonishment mingling with gratitude as she struggled to find the right words to express her emotions. The necklace had a mesmerizing allure, and her gaze lingered on the stone, drawn to the growing connection she felt with it.

    "Do you like your gift?" Elder Merakia asked.

    Elysha nodded, her voice momentarily escaping her. Carefully, she took the necklace out of the box and held it up. She watched as the keyhole-shaped stone swayed gently, its silver chains catching the light. The sensation of every detail captivated her, drawing her deeper into its design.

    Elder Merakia''s smiled at the little girl¡¯s reaction, and she placed a hand on her shoulder. "The necklace is yours, dear child," she affirmed. "It is a precious token, a reflection of your innermost sentiments. I want you to cherish it and fill it with your wishes and your dreams, and the emotions that dwell within you during your journey in this world. That is my request of you."

    Elysha listened and nodded, the weight of the stone felt heavy, filled not only with her sentiments, but also with the profound significance of this moment.

    She clutched the necklace tightly in her hand. "I understand," Elysha murmured, gratitude resonating in her words as she continued. "Thank you... for this precious gift."

    The little girl looked into her guardian''s eyes, seeking to discern the emotions reflected on her expression. In response, Elder Merakia offered another quiet and subtle smile. "That is good, I''m glad you like it.¡± She said, nodding gently with lowered eyes. ¡°Here, I''ll put it on you.¡±

    She reached out and held the necklace while Elysha pulled her hair upwards to reveal her bare neck. With deft movements, Elder Merakia placed it around the child¡¯s neck and connected it together.

    Elysha''s fingers brushed against the stone, tracing its contours; a feeling of familiarity and connection came over her as she felt the weight of the object just under her collarbone.

    Elder Merakia''s gaze lingered on the necklace, admiring the way it adorned the child. "There," she remarked, a smile danced upon her lips. "It complements you well."

    Her guardian walked over and opened a drawer, from which she pulled out a spare set of towels. She turned to Elysha and said, "Now then, it''s time for me to help you get ready for the day."

 1.3 - Your Emotions

    Elysha clutched the stone close to her chest as Elder Merakia led her through the hallways and into the bathing room. There, the child was immersed in the warm water while the worn clothing was removed for later washing. The little girl closed her eyes and allowed the water to wash away the remnants of the previous day.

    Afterwards, Elder Merakia wrapped Elysha in plush towels and kept her warm after the bath. She then presented the child with a set of mint-scented clothes. The little girl slipped into the outfit just enough to fit.

    Her guardian pressed her fingers on her cheek and smiled as she brought the child over to the mirror, ¡°Oh how lovely that looks on you.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes as she gazed into the mirror: She appeared way smaller¡ªnearly twice as smaller than her guardian behind her. She wore a buttoned-down, navy blue dress¡ªless frilly and simpler than her previous dress with a white collar and cuffs. She appreciated the decorative details and the way it comfortably enveloped her as she held the stone from the necklace on her chest.

    ¡°Sit on the chair here,¡± said Elder Merakia as she placed the wooden chair down behind her. ¡°I will brush your hair before we start the day.¡±

    The little girl sat down on the chair and continued to stare into the mirror, which soon reflected herself raising her fingers to touch her face: soft and smooth as she gently pinched her pale cheeks.

    Her long, silvery hair touched below her shoulders as Elder Merakia took a brush and tended to her hair, which fell in neat strands down her neck. Most notably, Elysha stared into her eyes; her irises seemed golden, or was it gray? She wasn''t sure, but it seemed to be a mixture of both.

    Then, she felt a jolt of pain.

    ¡°Eehk¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Oh dear, I accidentally pulled a tangled part of your hair a little too hard, didn¡¯t I?¡± Elder Merakia spoke up, ¡°Sorry about that, let me do it more properly this time.¡±

    Then she untangled the small knot with her fingers and carefully loosened it. After they had finished their hygiene routine, Elysha and Elder Merakia went downstairs to begin their day.

    ~ ??? ~

    As the tantalizing aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, Elder Merakia prepared a morning meal in the kitchen, filling the house with a seductive sense of heat and anticipation. Meanwhile, Elysha, in her mint-scented clothes and with the necklace around her heart, set out to explore the interior of her new home.

    That is, when a low growling sound emitted from her stomach.

    ¡°...?¡±

    The little girl tilted her head.

    ¡®What¡¯s that sound?¡¯ She thought to herself for a brief moment, before shaking her head and turned away. As her small hands brushed the surfaces on the walls and furniture, she paused at each item, her eyes taking in the details she saw.

    After some time of looking, Elysha looked down at her hands and fingertips, where she saw tiny particles of dust and dirt, and wiped them off with her white dress. She turned back at the individual decorative objects with curious eyes, as if there was a story behind their existence waiting to be explored.

    She touched more furniture and decorative objects until her steps took her to the second floor, where a partially open door greeted her forward. Satisfying her curiosity, Elysha pushed the door open a crack and entered the room.

    ¡°...!¡±

    Surrounding her with splashes of color and life, the room exuded an air of aesthetics and formality.

    The furnishings in the room gave an impression of elegance and refinement, and the bed with its linen was neatly made. Paintings hung on the wall, and potted flowers and plants sat on the windowsill. There were curtains with embroidered flowers that reminded her of the ornaments in the lady¡¯s hair.

    ¡®... This must be Elder Mera¡¯s room,¡¯ she thought to herself, staring at the self-portraits of her guardian among the paintings on the walls.

    Elysha walked up to the desk, which had quills and parchment on its surface. She went on and touched each object she sees, including the armoire she approached in front of her. She grabbed the handle and pulled it open, and saw a bunch of clothes inside.

    She blinked her eyes and thought, ¡®These are Elder Mera¡¯s clothes¡­¡¯

    Elysha reached her hand down to the clothes and pulled out an undergarment at the end of a band, dangling it in front of her. She blinked again, confused to understand what it was, seeing two large cups in front her eyes.

    The little girl placed it back down and closed the wardrobe, then walked back to the desk with the quills and parchments. She sat down on the chair, slid in and lifted the quill.

    Elysha looked at the quill, dipped it into the inkwell and made a few squibbly words and drawings before a realization came to her mind. She then rose from her chair and closed the door behind her.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want Elder Mera to get mad at me¡­¡¯ Elysha mused to herself with a worried beat in her chest.

    While on the second floor, she returned to her bedroom and walked over to the window¡ªwhich remained open through the curtains¡ªand witness the view outside once again.

    Elysha pressed her fingers onto the glass. Even after seeing the landscape for the first time, the memory of that sight still held her attention. She still carried the impression in her mind, as if the view of the world beyond the walls of her room was whispering to her, beckoning her to take a step beyond the windowpane.

    ¡°How pretty¡­¡± Elysha whispered softly, the words barely audible as they escaped her lips.

    Reluctantly, she tore herself away from the sight, left her room and descended the stairs¡ªuntil she accidentally fell halfway down.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    The sound of her fall and the thud of the impact alerted Elder Merakia¡¯s ears. She stopped her work and rounded the corner to see Elysha lying face down on the stair runner rug.

    ¡°Elysha!¡± She called out and rushed over to kneel over the child at the bottom of the stairs. "Are you hurt?"

    Elysha took her hand away from her face and raised her head to show her discomfort. ¡°... My hand and knees hurt¡­¡± She mumbled, her brows furrowing in pain.

    ¡®She shielded her face with her left hand.¡¯ Elder Merakia observed, then turned to the rug covering the stairs. ¡®It¡¯s good that this long carpet covers the sharp wooden edges¡­¡¯

    She turned back to Elysha and asked, ¡°You weren¡¯t watching your steps when you went down the stairs, were you?¡±

    The child¡¯s eyes widened and she shook her head, indicating, ¡°No.¡±

    Her guardian sighed and then said, ¡°Please be more careful next time, you are making my heart worry for a moment there. I don¡¯t want to see you get hurt like this more than on one occasion.¡±

    Elder Merakia then lifted the little girl to her feet and wrapped one arm around her to bring her into the kitchen. Then she took a handkerchief and rinsed it out before squeezing it and wrapping it around the child''s hand.

    ¡°Like this,¡± she said, ¡°and it if still hurts, I can replace it with an ice pack and towel.¡±

    Elysha looked at her treated hand and then watched Elder Merakia went back to preparing breakfast. Her gaze was eventually drawn from the stovetop to the bookshelf visible from the kitchen. Curiosity piqued, she approached the bookshelf and let her gaze wander from the small decorative objects to the spines of the various volumes and books.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    In the midst of the collection, one book stood out that had no title. On the cover was a strange symbol, an intricate depiction of a tree emerging through a window and intertwining into a harmonious design.

    Intrigued by its peculiar cover, Elysha took the book from the shelf and settled down on a nearby couch. With a tingling sensation in her fingertips, she opened the book and looked the pages with a myriad of content: Poems, lyrics, narratives, mythologies and other forms of artistic expressions adorned the pages, inviting her to delve deeper into the worlds within. For the little girl, it was the illustrations that appealed most to her eyes, as if they were drawing her into the realm of the imagination.

    After flipping through the pages, she closed the book and returned it to its original place.

    ¡°I can¡¯t read¡­¡± Elysha said in a disappointed tone.

    The tantalizing aroma of breakfast once again wafted through the air, and lured her into the kitchen. She stopped at the corner, however, and watched Elder Merakia move gracefully around the kitchen, making final preparations with a sense of familiarity and skill.

    Elysha watched her guardian from a distance, as if she were hiding behind an invisible barrier, and her shyness kept her from stepping forward. She touched her left hand, which was still wrapped in a damp handkerchief, and pressed it gently.

    When Elder Merakia noticed her presence, she turned her head slightly and her attentive eyes caught the child''s facial expression. A warm smile played around her lips as she spoke, "You can come as you wish, there is no need to be afraid."

    Elysha''s heart thumped at her guardian''s reassuring words, but uncertainty still clouded her mind. With slow steps, she approached Elder Merakia and stood next to her while she placed the used utensils and plates in the sink.

    Elder Merakia turned, met Elysha''s gaze and said, ¡°Behind you is breakfast,¡± her voice sounded calming as she set down the last of the utensils. "Sit down and help yourself. You haven''t eaten anything today, have you?"

    Then, as if she had finally noticed, the smell of the prepared breakfast drew the child''s attention to a table with two chairs behind her. The table was adorned with a delicious selection of dishes, neatly arranged for their shared meal. An open window stood to the side of the wall facing the table, providing pleasant light to complement the quality of the meal.

    Elysha blinked her eyes and walked toward the culinary delights on the plates that awaited her: On her side is a large dark brown plate held a seasoned fried egg and triangular cuts of golden-brown potatoes. Beside it, a few slices of bacon and flaky croissants tempted her taste buds. A wooden cup filled with milk and a bowl brimming with mixed fruits completed her side of the table.

    In the center is a plate of delicate crepes, and at the other end of the table is a bowl of breakfast salad, and a glass of warm tea waiting to be enjoyed, a cultivation of delicacies reserved for the sophisticated caretaker and teacher.

    Her stomach growled again.

    Elysha placed her hands on her stomach, frowning, then sat down at the table and gazed into her food and drink for a whole minute.

    Then her eyes wandered to Elder Merakia, who had already settled at the other end of the table.

    "What is troubling you?" She inquired, her eyes expressing concern. "Perhaps you are not hungry? Or is my cooking not good enough or even contaminated somehow?"

    Elysha shook her head, her disapproval and confusion evident. Elder Merakia stood up next and walked back to the kitchen while silence reigned at the table.

    The little girl¡¯s brows furrowed in worry and felt a pang of guilt, questions swirled in her mind, each one amplifying her concerns.

    ¡®Am I in trouble?¡¯ She wondered. ¡®Did I do something wrong? Why¡­? I don¡¯t know¡­¡¯

    The child struggled with her thoughts, not knowing how to express herself from where she sat when Elder Merakia returned to place a plate of napkins.

    Her guardian settled back into her seat and began to eat her meal, then took a sip of her warm tea before finally breaking the silence, "If something is bothering you, sweetie, it''s important to talk about it and free your mind from the burden." She advised. "Sharing your worries with others is often the first step towards an answer."

    Elysha listened, then lowered her eyes and stared at her plate again as she pondered the guardian''s words.

    ¡®Is something worrying me?¡¯ She wondered, hesitating for a moment as she looked at the potatoes. Seconds later, she touched one of the pieces with her right index finger and took it in her hand to inspect it.

    Then she put it into her mouth.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She eats another, then another.

    And more, savoring every bite of the potatoes dancing on her tongue. The potatoes melt in her mouth, exuding a delicious flavor that encourages her to keep going.

    "This..."

    Confusion mingled with delight as Elysha continued to devour the food in front of her. She enjoyed the harmonious combination of flavors as she ate, her appetite growing with each bite like a wild animal consuming its first meal in a long time.

    While the little girl cut into the seasoned fried egg with her knife and fork, Elder Merakia couldn''t help but chuckled, "Take your time, dear, and eat as much as you want. I¡¯ve made more than enough for just the two of us here.¡±

    With her hand resting on her chin, Elder Merakia looked at Elysha''s fulfilling meal with a half-smile. Her eyes then shifted back and forth between the child and the morning sunlight streaming through the open window.

    ¡®A fine, lovely morning it is.¡¯ She thought to herself. After that, Elder Merakia proceeded back into enjoying her own morning salad. It was only when she took the salad fork in her hand did she noticed that tears were running down the child''s cheeks.

    Concerned, Elder Merakia paused mid-bite and set down her fork.

    ¡°... Elysha, dear child, why are you crying?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The child froze, her tear-streaked face turned to the worried lady on the opposite end of the table, searching for answers in her perplexed gaze¡ªas if she was unaware of the moisture still visible on her cheeks.

    ¡°... Crying?¡±

    Elysha touched her fingers to the traces of tears glistening on her skin, and the chains of the necklace around her neck reflected the light like a captured tear.

    Startled, she dropped her cutlery, her body tense with bewilderment; her trembling fingers clutched at the keyhole-shaped stone attached to her necklace as panic gripped her spirit.

    Elysha stood up abruptly, pushing the chair back as her voice shook while she struggled for words through her tears. "I¡­¡± Her voice was brittle and hoarse as more tears escaped her eyes, ¡°I don''t¡­ I don''t know why I¡­"

    Elder Merakia rose from her chair, and with a white handkerchief she took from her pocket, she gently wiped away Elysha¡¯s tears.

    The child¡¯s cries echoed in the room as Elder Merakia tried to comfort her. "It''s going to be all right, dear child. Whatever happens, I will be there for you."

    Elysha sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. "Elder Mera..."

    A warm smile curved around Elder Merakia''s lips, accompanied by a soft chuckle, "You called me by my name."

    ~ ??? ~

    They held each other for a momentary pause, and Elysha found comfort in the familiar embrace of her guardian. The soothing warmth of Elder Merakia gradually calmed Elysha''s troubled emotions and allowed her to regain her composure.

    "Come now," said Elder Merakia, breaking the silence. "Let us finish breakfast together."

    With an approving nod, Elysha loosened her grip on her guardian, and they resumed their seats at the table. As they continued to eat, the child mustered the courage to speak, her voice still tinged with vulnerability. "Elder Mera?"

    "Yes, sweetie?"

    ¡°This food tastes good.¡±

    Elder Merakia chuckled again heartily. "Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°I take great pride in my cooking. My dishes surpass those of most chefs in the world, so you should feel privileged to have me as your one and only five-star chef." She gave her a sly smile with a playful tone in her words.

    Elysha''s curiosity continued as she asked another question. "Can you teach me how to cook one day?"

    "Of course," Elder Merakia replied, taking a sip of her tea before setting it down. "This is my home, and you live here with me. I¡¯ve spent many years cooking for myself, taking care of our neighbors in the forest, and tending my garden."

    Elysha''s gaze wandered to the open window, prompting her to inquire about the view. "And what¡¯s outside the window?"

    Elder Merakia followed the child''s gaze, her eyes reflecting the light that fell from the window. "What lies outside the window is my garden.¡± She said. ¡°It has been my place of relaxation ever since I settled here, and it has remains so to this day.¡±

    "Garden?"

    "Yes, a garden where I tend my precious plants and perform my dance routines.¡± Elder Merakia explained. "If you step through the back door and follow the path, you will reach the entrance to my sanctuary."

    ¡°Oh,¡± Elysha''s eyes glistened as she remembered the picturesque sight she had witnessed earlier. Oh how wonderful she had seen such a landscape¡­ The vibrant colors, the lush greenery and the magical beauty of the scene were stroked into her memory like an enchanted painting. The way the sun''s rays illuminated the whole scenery made it even more breathtaking than before.

    ¡°... Are you drooling again?¡± asked Elder Merakia with a raised brow.

    Elysha startled herself out of her absent musings and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, then she shook her head, indicating, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°... That being said, the natural world has always had a deep meaning for me, and although it may seem simple, it is full of wonders that cannot be imagined without having a childlike spirit." Elder Merakia''s face softened with affectionate pride.

    She paused, her gaze expectant. "I was wondering if you might like to visit my garden sometime soon."

    Elysha blinked her eyes: If the view she had seen came from Elder Mera''s garden, then....

    She squeezed the sides of her dress, her heart quicken with anticipation and her chest swell with the growing desire to explore the cottage''s surroundings. Excitement and nervousness coursed through her, causing her lips to tremble and her stomach to flutter like butterflies.

    Determined, Elysha voiced her decision, "Elder Mera, I would love to see the garden."

    Elder Merakia''s smile widened and her eyes twinkled with delight. "Of course," she replied. "After breakfast is done, we shall visit the garden together."

 1.4 - The Garden

    After they had enjoyed their breakfast and cleaned up the dishes, Elder Merakia and Elysha went back upstairs to change out clothes into their outdoor attire for the visit to the garden. With a feeling of anticipation fluttering within her chest, the little girl held the white spring dress her guardian had given her in her hands.

    ¡°My passion hobby as a fashion designer has always brought me great and practical benefits in these times of need.¡± Elder Merakia yawned and asked, ¡°Elysha, are you confidant that you can take care of yourself without me?¡±

    Elysha turned her head and nodded, whereupon her guardian continued, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Now if you need my help with anything, come to my room and knock on my door."

    Once she had left and closed the door, Elysha turned her gaze back to her outdoor attire and began to change.

    Her outfit was more than practical¡ªnot only did she put on her spring dress, which she had grown fond of in a matter of seconds, her dress was complemented by a dark blue cardigan with comfortable sleeves, which she left unbuttoned so that her necklace was visible in the middle.

    Then Elysha caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and as she stood in front of it, she couldn''t help but look at her dress reflected in different poses.

    She thought to herself, ¡®I look.... very cute.¡¯

    The little girl stood there and stared at her own reflection. She could see the outline of her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her gray-gold eyes looking back at her. Her fingers delicately traced the contours of her cheeks, caressing her soft and moist skin.

    Then after that, she clutched her own dress, twirled playfully, and giggled as if experimenting with her own voice and appearance, filling the room as she enjoyed the simple pleasure of her own presence wearing a cute spring attire.

    ¡®When you''re done getting dressed, meet me at the backyard door near the table where we ate earlier, do you hear?¡¯

    The memory of Elder Merakia''s instructions brought her back to reality. She stopped and recalled their conversation, her guardian''s words resonating in her mind.

    "Yes, madame." Elysha replied with a nod. She reached up to touch the stone attached to her necklace, and with a final glance at the mirror, she collected her socks and slipped them on before turning towards the door, ready to embark on her outdoor adventure.

    As Elysha entered the hallway, the impatience inside her grew. She felt her heart beat faster with each passing moment. When she arrived in the living room, she met with Elder Merakia, who was wearing a navy blue coat with a blazer underneath and a long yellow skirt. She had tied her chestnut-brown hair into a low bun decorated with rose-colored flowers and leaves. In her right gloved hand she held a walking cane.

    ¡°Oh, you come back just in time,¡± Elder Merakia said, who was gazing out through a window. ¡°I was about to check up on whether you were ready or not.¡±

    Then she took a hat from a table and went over to fit it on the child''s head.

    Surprised, Elysha clutched at the straws of a spring hat that her guardian had given her, who then commented, ¡°How lovely, the colors and flowers go very well together.¡±

    As they stood outside the front door, there was a certain air of anticipation. Elysha''s eyes lit up as her little hands tugged at the sturdy moss-brown rain boots that slipped into her feet. Elder Merakia looked down at her pupil and asked, "Are you ready, dear child?"

    Elysha nodded, her heart beating in her chest as her silver necklace hung from her slender neck. "Yes, Elder Mera. I am ready to see the garden."

    With a smile, Elder Merakia held out her hand and opened the door, revealing the path that led to a new sight of wonder just waiting to be explored.

    ~ ??? ~

    Hand in hand, Elder Merakia and Elysha stepped out of the cottage through the back door. As they stepped outside, a cool breeze greeted them, bringing with it the scent of flowers and the whispers of nature.

    They walked down the pathway, the child¡¯s held her breath as they made their way to the entrance of the their destination. The moment they arrived together, Elysha''s eyes widened¡ªbefore her lay a view that stretched endlessly across the courtyard.

    Vibrant colors and objects greeted her as she gazed at the sight of the garden: The air was filled with the cheerful melodies of birds, and tall trees and lush shrubs adorned the landscape, their branches decorated with blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves.

    The ground beneath her feet was covered in soft moss and paving stones, a path leading to various places with flowerbeds along the sides, their petals displaying in a variety of colors as flying insects hovered and fluttered above. On the other side was a fountain, accompanied by the sound of water splashing against the rocks. Above it all, the entire garden looked just as delightful and lovely the way she had seen it from behind the window pane.

    ¡°This is my garden,¡± said Elder Merakia, unloading a parasol. ¡°What do you make of it?¡±

    She turned to Elysha, whose expression was overwhelmed by the sight of the surroundings, and her wide eyes revealed that she was seeing them for the first time, and her body language appeared nervous and anxious.

    Without words, Elysha took a step forward, as if hypnotized, attracted by the colorful flowers she saw from afar. She approached them with slow steps, her gaze full of curiosity.

    She bent down and picked some petals, which she held delicately in her hand. The petals felt warm and soft against her skin, but also a little ticklish from their gentle touch. She leaned closer to the essence of nature when suddenly a breeze swept through the garden, playfully lifting the petals from her hand and carrying them away through the air of a fleeting dance¡ªand so did with her spring hat.

    ¡°Oh¡ª¡±

    Elysha turned around was about to chase after it when the hat suddenly flew back past her.

    Her eyes turned to Elder Merakia, who smiled back, placed the hat onto her head and said, ¡°Be careful there, and try not to let the wind catch your hat next time, will you?¡±

    Elysha nodded, and looked back to see the petals still carried on by the wind. She moved forward and followed after them, and every step she took was accompanied by a guiding breeze of nature, showing her the way to unexplored wonders that lay ahead.

    Elder Merakia smiled, watching Elysha''s eyes dance from one sight to another. It seemed as if the sight of her carefully tended garden filled the child with renewed joy and enthusiasm, displacing any lingering worries from the breakfast experience.

    Then she adjusted her parasol and spoke out to the little girl, "You can explore as much as you want, sweetie. This garden is a world unto itself, waiting to be discovered.¡±

    "Okay!" Elysha replied with a nod of excitement, barely registering Elder Merakia''s words. Her senses were filled with the impressions of nature, and her heartbeats echoed in her ears.

    As she walked further into the garden, her steps gradually slowed as she took in the scenery that surrounded her. Without realizing it, she had involuntarily wandered on, moving away and losing sight of her guardian''s presence in the enchantment of the garden.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Indeed, Elder Merakia¡¯s words are true¡ªthe garden feels like a world of its own: Stone walls with ornate gates divided the space into enticing sections that invite exploration. The initial paving stones diverged into dirt paths which meandered through the garden, leading to hidden corners waiting to be discovered. Each corner was adorned with lush shrubs and delicate flowers, creating a colorful picture that was pleasing to the eye.

    The trees provided shade and comfort, their branches reaching out as if inviting her to rest under their pleasant shade. The air was filled with the gentle hum of insects, with butterflies and bees fluttered about, adding a further layer of magic to Elder Merakia''s garden.

    For the little girl, the garden was not only a visual delight, but also a playground for her soul. Its existence appealed to her sensibilities, and now, standing amidst its sensation, she felt as if she herself had entered a wonder¡ª

    ¡°Ah-choo!¡±

    Elysha sneezed.

    She blinked her eyes a few times, readjusted her vision, sniffled and then wiped her nose with her sleeve. She looked at it and saw a large snot on her precious blue cardigan.

    ¡°Eww¡­¡± She cringed and wiped it off on her white spring dress. Then she lapsed back into her trance-like state and walked on.

    Time seemed to slip away from her as she wandered through the labyrinthine paths of the garden. Lost in the wonders of the garden, Elysha''s footsteps echoed softly on the dirt paths as she moved, drawing her closer to the next thing that awaited her. She gazed at the vibrant colors of the garden, the soothing sounds, and the scents that enveloped her and transported her to a realm where worries faded and imagination ran freely.

    As Elysha continued along the path, a faint childish laughter reached her ears, teasing her curiosity.

    ¡°... Hehe.¡±

    She stopped, and turned towards a certain direction.

    ¡°... What was that?¡± Elysha muttered in a soft voice. Intrigued, she followed the sound, her senses attuned to the silent whispers of the garden.

    As she passed through an archway adorned with vines, an unnatural glow of light caught Elysha''s attention and triggered a wave of nervous anticipation in her heart.

    Driven by her still unfathomable curiosity, she followed the strange light and let herself be guided by the gentle swaying of the surrounding flowers. The path led her to a fountain where the sunlight danced on the shimmering water.

    It was there, by the fountain''s edge, that Elysha beheld a sight¡ªa figure that seemed to materialize from the very essence of the garden.

    A spirit, taking the form of a child, stood before her, delicately picking flowers and placing them in a humble straw basket. As Elysha drew closer, the spirit''s face remained indistinct, a blur that bore an uncanny resemblance to her own features.

    Caught between wonder and fear, Elysha held her breath. She felt a strange familiarity with the spirit, though she couldn''t quite grasp the reason for it. Still entranced by the surrounding environment, she found herself speaking:

    "Who are you?"

    Elysha''s words drifted into the air, lingering in the garden''s enchantment.

    ¡°...¡±

    The spirit did not answer, its ethereal form turned away with an air of playfulness and continued their stroll through the labyrinthine maze of the garden. Laughter, pure and joyous, danced in the wind, leaving Elysha searching for answers that seemed unattainable.

    Compelled to follow, Elysha took a step forward, her interests pushing her boundaries, but in the midst of everything, a sudden realization pierced her reverie and sent a shiver down her spine.

    ¡°Ah!¡± She blurted out loud, and looked around the area. The distance that had grown between her and Elder Merakia became starkly apparent, a rift of distance she hadn''t noticed until now.

    Panic welled up within her, knotting her stomach as she grappled with the gravity of her situation.

    ¡°A-Ah, how could I let myself walked so far away from Elder Mera¡­?¡± She stammered, holding her hands together in a grip.

    With a pang of urgency, Elysha turned around quickly, her gaze scanning the green surroundings for a familiar person. Her eyes also looked for the strange spirit¡ªhowever, the spirit was nowhere to be found.

    She continued to search for her guardian, and just as worry threatened to overwhelm her, she heard a voice broke through.

    ¡°... Elysha!¡±

    Startled, Elysha spun around, pulling back from the edge of uncertainty and running until her eyes met with Elder Merakia''s reassuring gaze.

    "Elysha!¡± Elder Merakia called out. ¡°Please never again stray too far from where I can see you!"

    Her guardian¡¯s voice carried both concern and reprimand. Her parasol folded up and her gloved hand placed on her chest to ease her worried breathing. ¡°You had me nervous for disappearing from my eyes like that!¡±

    Relief and fear washed over her.

    ¡®I did¡­?¡¯

    Despite her confusion, Elysha mustered a response, her voice trembling with both regret and corrected manner.

    "I-I¡¯m sorry, Elder Mera. I won¡¯t do it again!¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha continued to wander through the garden, her steps guided by her wonders and the presence of Elder Merakia at her side. Their hands intertwined, and the warmth of their connection grounded them in the magical realm in which they walked.

    The touch of her keyhole-shaped necklace gave Elysha a sense of comfort as she continued to absorb the sights and sounds of nature surrounding her.

    Then Elysha stopped, and Elder Merakia turned to see her gaze fixed on a pile of objects on the ground. She couldn''t make out what it was, but it seemed to have something to do with some sort of play.

    ¡°Tsk,¡±

    She turned to see Elder Merakia making an annoyed look, and said, ¡°Oh, what you see there are some past activity your neighbors left behind.¡±

    ¡°Neighbors?¡±

    Elder Merakia nodded, ¡°Yes,¡± and then frowned deeply. ¡°Those lazy fools who don''t clean up their mess in my sanctuary... Ah, when I see them again, it will be unpleasant for them to hear that they will lose their privilege to my delicious cooking. I will have to make sure they discipline themselves and not leave such a mess again, oh fuhuhuhu-huhuhu¡ª¡±

    A great, ominous energy emanated from her guardian''s presence, and Elysha involuntarily held her breath, frozen in place as she watched her smiling uncannily, as if she were imagining a scenario that the child herself did not want to see.

    Instead of waiting any longer, Elysha asked another question, ¡°U-Um, where are they now?"

    Elder Merakia snapped out of her musings, looked back at Elysha and replied, "Oh, them? They are out in the forest somewhere, for today is a very quiet day in the Forest of Irostos. Nevertheless, all will be back to normalcy soon enough, and you will get to meet them yourself the next time they visit.¡±

    After that, Elder Merakia walked on, turned around and said, ¡°Come with me, let¡¯s continue together to complete the full circle of this garden.¡±

    Together, Elysha and Elder Merakia continued to walk through the area further onwards, holding hands and taking in the impressions of the garden. As they walked on, a pavilion came into view, its structure beckoning to them.

    Elysha''s gaze lingered on the pavilion, caught by its allure. Elder Merakia sensed the child''s interest and spoke in a soft but interested voice, "Elysha, why don''t you come with me to the pavilion?"

    The little girl nodded back, and together they made their way to the gazebo.

    As they drew closer, Elysha could see the sunlight filtering through the lattice walls and leaving a unique pattern on the floor. Some of the lights touched a plain book lying on a round table, and the little girl''s gaze fell on top of it.

    Her small hand reached out, picked up the book, and looked at the title. "Het Dysut nda Otebanrivos of Montehu Neyegr Evslle ni eht Ssemirelcio Acerohpgila" was written on the cover, a foreign and mysterious concept waiting to be opened.

    Although the title had no meaning for her, Elysha''s curious urge pushed her to open the book and explore the pages, which she did.

    ¡°eito¡ªatgsalmnenryfoyehdioearthrromfnaroniti

    tghmtaaithre?reaewiniys

    eetisryeinalh¡ªwrtmligea,

    ghvdanisirttyl.theeeia¡±

    As she continued to flip through the pages, a frown creased her brow. The content was full of complicated letters and confusing diagrams that made it difficult for her mind to comprehend.

    Caught up in her thoughts, Elysha didn''t notice Elder Merakia watching her until a voice broke through her concentration.

    "Are you reading the SOTELSA, Elysha?"

    Elysha averted her gaze from the pages and met the eyes of her guardian, whose expression suggested amusement and interest.

    "Yes... but I can''t understand it, Elder Mera. How can you make sense of it?" She asked, frustrated.

    ¡°The book you''re holding is known as ¡®The Study and Observation of Theonum Energy Levels in the Soliremisce Archipelago¡¯ or in its abbreviated name, the SOTELSA.¡±

    Elder Merakia''s gaze softened as she took the book from Elysha''s hands and placed it back on the table. Then she continued, "It is not something that is easy for young people to grasp, especially for children," she explained. "But don''t worry, I have something else to tell you, something that can be conveyed in a simpler way."

 1.5 - Theonum Sorcery

    Elysha tilted her head to the side, a puzzled look crossing her face. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    "I will have to gather some things," Elder Merakia replied, gesturing for her to take a seat on one of the nearest cushioned chairs. "Wait here for a moment."

    As Elder Merakia left, the little girl sat down and let her gaze wander around the gazebo. Her attention returned to the book and she picked it up again, her fingers tracing the words on the cover and examining it closely:

    The Studdy and Obs-observashun of Thenmn Ennurgie Levils in th Sollerimisk Arkipellago.

    "The st-studdy and ob-obs-ser¡­ vashun of the¡­ then¡­ um ennuie levils in S-Solle... Sollerimi¡­ arki¡­ pelgo.¡± She mumbled, struggling with the unfamiliar words.

    Furrowing her brow, Elysha sighed softly, ¡°I want to read¡­¡±

    She continued to flip through the pages before taking another look at the pavilion''s surroundings, her feet swaying back and forth, not touching the ground. She watched the birds on the branches of the trees above her and couldn''t help but feel both anticipation and boredom.

    Then she stopped swinging her legs.

    "I know, maybe Elder Mera can show me how to read.¡± Elysha whispered to herself, hope and optimism shining in her eyes. ¡°Then I would read and learn even more new things, like this book in my hands.¡±

    The little girl paused for a few seconds and stared at the book.

    ¡°Thenom, what is thenom?¡± She asked herself with a glum look on her face. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I want to know, I want to learn¡­¡±

    After a few minutes, her guardian returned to the gazebo, carefully balancing unfamiliar objects in her gloved hands while holding a pot filled with copious soil.

    Elysha''s eyes widened in surprise, and she set the book aside as she saw her guardian place the items on the table with the pot, and then turn to the little girl. She spoke with sweat and fatigue on her face, ¡°Here is a pot filled with earth, and in my hand I hold a tiny seed of a red rose.¡±

    ¡°A seed?¡±

    ¡°Yes indeed,¡± Elder Merakia nodded. ¡°From here, you will witness an example of what this book teaches.¡±

    ¡°What this book teaches?¡± Elysha repeated, her gaze flickering back and forth between the pot of soil and the seed in her guardian''s fingers, her mind brimming with questions.

    ¡°You will see for it soon, sweetie.¡±

    With bated breath, Elysha watched as the Elder Merakia took off her right glove and pressed the seed into the waiting soil, making sure it was comfortable in its new home. The moment was in the air, brimming with a child¡¯s anticipation.

    ¡®A seed in dirt¡­¡¯ Elysha commented in her mind.

    Closing her eyes, Elder Merakia lowered her right bare hand, fingertips gently grazing the surface of the pot. Soft whispers escaped her lips, elusive words unfamiliar to the child¡¯s ears.

    As Elder Merakia spoke the unknown words, a calm, mystical energy enveloped the pavilion. The atmosphere seemed to keep silent, as if waiting for something unexpected to happen.

    Elysha watched closely as her heart thumped. It was as if the air of reality was responding to Elder Merakia''s incantation.

    ¡°Mijaak enji levjia astaj enjaneji mosterejen ni o''wataija theonum.

    (¡°Here is the beauty that lies in the confluence of nature and theonum.)

    Ijaan madere-ji ot ¨¦midia, ijaan krannu-ji ot tovoijou.

    (From soil to life, from seed to flower.)

    Anjai ji kain¨¦tatora nian¨¹v ov-wa¨¹di¡¯ls otast?d¡¯lji ji almi n¡¯Asnoiji.

    (Through the harmony of our spirits and invoking the will of Asnoiji.)

    W¡¯talfoir¡¯nt ji mawijad¡¯nt niasven wuduhejsia suanmosja.¡±

    (We saw the birth of this wonderful rose.¡±)

    In the midst of the magical moment, as the last syllables of the incantation left Elder Merakia''s lips, a subtle transformation began to take place.

    Elysha''s eyes widened in awe as she witnessed a wondrous sight: A faint golden glow enveloped Elder Merakia''s hand and then the pot itself, whereupon a small ball of light formed in the depths of the soil, and the seed began to germinate rapidly.

    A slender green sprout shot out of the ground and stretched upwards with determined grace. It swayed gently, as if moving to the rhythm of a melody, dancing to a piece that transcended the boundaries of normal botanical growth.

    Elysha stood in awe, staring at the spellbinding scene unfolding before her.

    ¡°You¡¯re¡ª¡±

    The little girl¡¯s voice trailed off, and Elder Merakia grinned, ¡°I am not done yet, sweetie.¡±

    The shoot continued its ascent, unfurling leaves of brilliant green as it grew higher and higher until it finally came to a halt. Elysha looked closely at the plant, which now resembled a tree as a rose bush. Each large leaf seemed to radiate a soft, golden, ethereal light that fell on the pavilion, illuminating the room with its magical presence.

    Then, Elder Merakia snapped her fingers and the rosebuds began to unfurl and blossom. They filled the air with a sweet fragrance, their petals glowing.

    Elysha''s mouth fell open, her breath caught in her throat as she looked at the creation before her. There was a sparkling shimmer in her eyes, reflecting the golden wonder. She reached out a trembling hand toward the radiant foliage¡ª

    When suddenly, the ethereal light vanished, leaving behind an ordinary rose bush, as if nothing had happened except for a memory of a brief, yet magical experience.

    Nonetheless, Elysha could no longer suppress her astonishment and turned to Elder Merakia. "How did you do that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    A smile curved Elder Merakia''s lips as she met the child''s eyes. "I am simply a mage in retirement," she explained, the weight of expertise resonating in her words. "I possess knowledge of spells, techniques, and a deep understanding of theonum substances. Sorcery is the art of harnessing and controlling the spiritual energy within one''s soul, also referred to as the ¡®heart¡¯ or better known as the ''core.''"Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    With a graceful motion of her hand, Elder Merakia spoke more incomprehensible words. A few seconds later, a soft breeze caressed the air, carrying with it vibrant red petals that transformed into ethereal wisps of spirits, fluttering around the child.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Elysha almost felt dizzy as she turned her head to see the creatures, and couldn''t help but feel a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.

    "Spiritual energy, also known as ''theonum,¡¯ permeates every living being in our world," Elder Merakia continued. "Some individuals possess the ability to control and direct their theonum potency, while others can manipulate or release it. Mastering the art of theonum is not a task accomplished overnight; it requires time, dedication, and practice to even grasp the fundamentals."

    She took a step back and used her gloved hand to manifest her theonum. Then, out of nowhere, she swirled a liquid substance around her that was something similar to water.

    *swish*

    Elysha felt a lightly damp sensation from her guardian¡¯s elegant display of magic.

    "Theonum sorcery comes in a variety of elemental forms, like this example I showed you." Elder Merakia said, dispelling the wet incantation. "What you see here is a manifestation of spiritual magic, and each individual of Soliremisce possesses their original element, subconsciously chosen by their ¡®soul identity.¡¯¡±

    Elysha''s eyes lit up as she tried to make sense of Elder Merakia''s words. She was also still trying to figure out how the flower was formed and how Elder Merakia managed to conjure the flower from the soil using only her hand and the strange incantation.

    "Can you control theonum because you can use magic?" She asked, her young mind wanting to know more.

    A soft chuckle escaped Elder Merakia''s lips, ¡°Indeed it is," she replied, her hand touching her chin as her eyes looked down at the little girl. ¡°Remember, the potential to become skilled in theonum manipulation lies within each individual. And with the right guidance, practice and training, you too can unlock the possibilities of this art."

    Elysha leaned up from her seat and asked, "I want to become as great as you, Elder Mera," she declared, her voice filled with resolve. "Is that possible?"

    ¡°Pfft, pa-haha-ha¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia''s laughter echoed through the pavilion, leaving Elysha confused as she stifled her chuckles. ¡°Pardon me, I apologize for the sudden inappropriate reaction. Ah, it''s been a long time since my last pupil showed me such a determined gesture. It reminded me of the past for a brief second. What memories¡­¡±

    Then she turned to the little girl, and her voice took on a soothing tone. "And of course it is possible. Your desire to learn all about theonum is admirable, dear Elysha.¡±

    With rosy cheeks, Elysha interlaced her fingers and spoke softly, her words filled with earnestness. "It¡¯s because¡­ I want to learn everything you know about using th-theonum¡­"

    Elder Merakia''s gaze softened, watching the nervous child before her. She sighed, sensing the depth of Elysha''s longing, and responded, "Perhaps I can examine your theonum core and sense your potency. That way, I may be able to determine your potential and whether you are capable of practicing sorcery at this current time. Given the small size of your appearance and approximate age, this is a safe approach to endeavor.¡±

    Then she chuckled lightly again and said, ¡°Who knows? Maybe I can even find out what theonum capabilities and element you possess.¡±

    ¡®Theonum that I possess?¡¯ Elysha thought to herself as a realization struck into her head. ¡®Me? I can become a magic person like Elder Mera?¡¯

    Elysha lowered her head, as if trying to hide her own expression. Her trembling hands clenched her white spring dress as a smile blossomed on her face.

    When the child stood up, Elder Merakia extended her hand, a silent invitation to follow her. "Come with me to an open area. I would like to show you more about theonum.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Together they walked to an open space on a white, round stone platform, where they were greeted by a gentle breeze and the sunlight streaming in.

    Elder Merakia stepped onto the platform first and took a few more steps, then said, ¡°Elysha, stand there for a moment.¡±

    Elysha nodded and stood still while her guardian took off the glove on her right hand and walked towards the little girl.

    ¡°Alright then, now allow me to do this for a moment.¡±

    With a soft touch, she pressed her palm against Elysha¡¯s hand.

    ¡°...?¡± Elysha watched as Elder Merakia closed her eyes in deep concentration. Seconds later, a golden light radiated from the Elder Merakia''s hand and transferred its energy to the young child''s palm.

    ¡®Oh, she¡¯s doing magic again.¡¯ Elysha spoke in her mind. ¡®She¡¯s trying to see if I can become a magic person. It feels¡­ tingly.¡¯

    Silently, Elder Merakia delved into the depths of Elysha''s theonum core, carefully examining and analyzing its essence.

    Elysha watched intently, her eyes fixed on the calm and steady face of her guardian. The minutes passed slowly, and the child¡¯s subtle impatience threatened to surface.

    ¡®So long¡­¡¯ The little girl mused with a slight frown. ¡®I wondered what is happening wih Elder Mera right now.¡¯

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Elder Merakia withdrew her hand, opened her eyes, and met Elysha''s gaze.

    ¡°¡ª!¡± Elysha could see some complex emotions on her teacher''s face, and her heart leapt with concern.

    "Elder Mera?¡±

    Elder Merakia shook herself out of her thoughts and gave the worried child a reassuring smile. "Oh, there''s nothing to worry about." She replied.

    ¡®Nothing to worry about?¡¯

    Despite her guardian''s words, Elysha still had doubts, her skepticism clear from her initial reaction.

    Elder Merakia continued in a smooth but firm voice, ¡°I have a special task for you, Elysha. Instead of going through the usual stages of learning theonum, I believe it is time for you to learn how to manifest and control the theonum in your body.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    "It will take some time, of course, but with practice and effort, you will be able to accomplish this task. Will you do it for me?"

    Although she was surprised by the sudden proposition and didn¡¯t know the reasons for it, Elysha''s eyes lit up and she nodded her head without hesitation.

    ¡°I will do it, Elder Mera.¡±

    After that, Elder Merakia handed Elysha a practice staff and gloves that she had originally brought to the gazebo. She spoke, ¡°These tools will help you with your first task. You will learn to slowly and attune your senses to the inner flow of theonum within you, and channel and direct the energy outwardly.¡±

    Elysha grabbed the wand and put on the gloves. She felt a sense of empowerment just having the items at hand. She clutched the staff, its wooden texture making her restless, nervous, and excited all at once.

    "Now I would like to show you another example of the regulation and manifestation of the theonum.¡± Elder Merakia said, extending her right hand once again.

    Elysha turned her attention to her guardian and watched her carefully. As Elder Merakia closed her eyes, the air around her shifted and the wind carried enigma with it.

    ¡°Focus,¡± she uttered, her voice firm and commanding.

    With an almost meditative demeanor, Elder Merakia detached herself from the outside world and delved into a state of deep concentration, connecting with the core of her being. Elysha heard the rush of the wind, which was different from the other breezes as it brought with it the imbued presence that passed by herself and enveloped Elder Merakia. The wind swirled around her teacher''s outstretched palm, and then she clenched her hand into a fist. Extending her hand once more, Elysha''s eyes widened in awe and wonder as she caught sight of a shimmering, translucent orb of light floating on her guardian''s palm.

    "This is an example of how the manifestation of a theonum sphere works," Elder Merakia explained as the sphere dissolved into air. "By connecting to the core of your physical body and manifesting through the will of your consciousness, you can bring forth the power of theonum on the palm of your hand."

    Elysha nodded silently.

    She felt like she was really beginning to understand what magic was and what the world she lived in was.

    She quietly took a deep breath.

    ¡®My own core, and with it learning magic.... If I could learn as well as she did....¡¯

    For the first time since arriving in this garden, Elysha felt a strong desire to prove herself¡ªto prove that she was indeed capable of manifesting her own theonum core.

    Her gaze met Elder Merakia''s and she asked, "May I try?"

    "As you wish," Elder Merakia replied simply, her voice filled with encouragement. "Detach yourself from the outside world and focus on regulating the theonum within you. Imagine it flowing through your body, and focus on that without letting anything else distract you. Allow the power within you to materialize, guided by your unwavering desire. Do you understand?"

    The little girl clutched the necklace in her hands, her heart racing with anticipation of this forthcoming moment.

    "I understand."

 1.6 - My Name, Elysha

    Elysha took a deep breath, letting the air flow into her lungs and calming her thoughts. With her eyes closed, she entered the realm of her mind.

    ¡®Elder Mera told me to focus on theonum inside me.¡¯ She mused. ¡®If I think really hard and find the magic deep down inside me, then¡­¡¯

    In the silence of her subconscious, Elysha tried to connect with her theonum core. She reflected on the teachings of Elder Merakia, remembering the simple act of turning a seed into a blooming flower.

    Wanting to imitate her guardian¡¯s act, she visualized the process in her frame of mind and attempted to regulate the spiritual energy in her being.

    ¡®¡­¡¯

    She saw a vast expanse of darkness.

    ¡®It¡¯s only nothing. I only see nothing¡­¡¯ Elysha thought to her dismay. Doubts began to fill in her mind, and she reacted by throwing them into the void. ¡®... I can¡¯t see anything but darkness¡­ How? I can¡¯t do anything¡­¡¯

    She opened her eyes and looked up at her guardian, ¡°It''s harder than I thought,¡± she confessed. ¡°How can you do it, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°The beginning of learning sorcery can be difficult for some,¡± she said, undeterred by her initial difficulties. ¡°Try again. Growth takes time, and the path to using your theonum is no exception to the rule of progress.¡±

    Elysha nodded, absorbing her guaradian¡¯s words. She closed her eyes once more, clutching her staff in her gloved hand as she delved into the depths of her mind.

    ¡®Takes time...¡¯

    The child made the same attempt several times, over and over again. Each attempt brought her closer to her goal, but the connection she sought eluded her.

    ¡°...¡±

    She bit her lips, refusing to open her eyes as her body felt a sense of restraint. Each time she called upon her theonum core, she saw only the same vision of unwelcome darkness and the feeling of growing wetness in her eyes.

    The black ocean of nothingness persisted, mocking her efforts.

    ¡°...¡±

    Then a wave of uncertainty washed over Elysha, threatening to engulf her.

    Her hands clenched into fists, gripping her staff even tighter as her frustration reached its peak. ¡°I... I don¡¯t understand!¡± she snapped, her voice shaking. ¡°Why...? Why¡­!¡±

    Elder Merakia stood beside her with a calm demeanor and unwavering patience, her eyes fixed on the young pupil. ¡°As I said, it will take time to discover your theonum core and much longer to cultivate it,¡± she explained. ¡°I do not expect you to progress quickly, nor do I undermine your potential, but a first practice is enough to be satisfied with.¡±

    She continued, ¡°Do not be discouraged, and remember that your theonum core is a reflection of your soul identity and encompasses everything that makes you who you are. In time, you will discover your place, your role, and your identity in the world that is you, Elysha.¡±

    Elysha soaked up the Elder Merakia¡¯s words like a sponge, but her mind was overwhelmed by the complexity of the task and everything her guardian had told her.

    ¡°Who I am?¡± she muttered bitterly. ¡°Not only do I have to think hard, but I have to imagine myself, too?¡±

    ¡°Like a mirror, yes,¡± Elder Merakia nodded. ¡°Your soul identity is you as your most authentic self. Try to imagine the picture and structure of your soul, think of the qualities and experiences that shape you. Picture what resonates within your very essence, your theonum core."

    Elysha nodded silently in agreement, though a frown formed at the corners of her mouth. It was already a difficult task to conjure an image of herself while navigating the intricate understanding of theonum sorcery, let alone grasp the eloquent depth of Elder Merakia¡¯s words.

    Still, she wants to persevere.

    ¡®My soul identity... what makes me who I am¡­ and why I wanted to learn magic.¡¯ she brooded in her thoughts. ¡®Think, Elysha.¡¯

    In the depths of her consciousness, in her mind¡¯s eye, Elysha was in the midst of a vast expanse of darkness. It was a space untouched by light, its emptiness stretching endlessly in all directions. Rather than dwell on it, she continued to focus, trying once again to capture the essence of her soul identity and connect with her theonum core.

    Memories flowed through her mind, from her first meeting with Elder Merakia, to seeing her home for the first time and exploring the surroundings, to their breakfast together and how they bonded, to now learning the magic of theonum. Each experience felt significant to her, the relationship between mentor and student and the pursuit of magic coming together to form a chapter in the little girl¡¯s life¡ªa chapter in part of her soul identity.

    Elysha opened her eyes again.

    Nothing.

    Uncertainty gripped her mind.

    ¡®Am I really that bad?¡¯ she fretted. ¡®Am I really lost? Will I make Elder Mera mad at me for being bad?¡¯

    Elysha lowered her gaze, sad, her mind sinking into the abstract space of her mind. But when she looked down, her eyes fell on a shining sight.

    Iridescent fragments, bright as shimmering stars, lay on the ground in front of her.

    With cautious steps, Elysha moved towards the fragments, her chest and limbs anxious with anticipation. As she drew closer, she noticed that each fragment flashed something on its glowing surface.

    She crouched down and took a closer look at the fragments.

    ¡®Huh? These are¡­?¡¯

    Elysha blinked her eyes. Each fragment contained a different scene from a memory that belonged to the little girl. They glinted and the memories played amidst the darkness.

    ¡®Memories¡­ they are my memories.¡¯ Elysha mused in her mind. ¡®Maybe, if I hold them together and imagine my theonum core, my soul identity, then¡­¡¯

    As Elysha reached out, her fingers touched the edges of the memories. She could almost feel their essence, their significance and their importance to her soul identity. Then, a second later, it was as if the memories shone brightly upon her, revealing themselves with clarity and depth.

    ¡®¡ª!¡¯

    The first image she saw was of her guardian, Elder Merakia. She had a warm smile on her face as she looked at her.

    ¡®Good morning, little one. Did you sleep well?¡¯

    Elysha, partially covering her eyes with her hand, blinked again in confusion as the scene of her first meeting with Elder Merakia flashed on one of the fragments.

    ¡®... From here I will take you to my home in the cottage, where it is cozy and warm.¡¯

    ¡®Home¡­¡¯ Elysha murmured in response; feeling the sentimental connection to the memory.

    Then, as Elder Merakia hugged the small child in the scene. Everything became still, as if the memory had fallen into an eternal pause.

    Elysha turned her gaze to another fragment that showed the colors of the surrounding landscape¡ªtall trees in the forest, their leaves swaying against the silvery sky. Daylight shone through the moving branches, creating an image of a scenery before her eyes.

    ¡®Brrri¡­¡¯

    Her ears picked up on a peculiar sound and she saw flying animated creatures swirling around the girl in her memory.

    ¡®The strange creatures¡­¡¯ she murmured, surprised because she remembered seeing them the day before. ¡®I did seen them, they are¡ªthey are real to me.¡¯

    She watched a little more of this scene before her eyes moved on to the next, and the next. The little girl felt connected to these memories, pieces of the picture of her own self.

    With her fingers, Elysha picked up one fragment at a time. Then, with the fragments placed together in the bowl of her hands, she drew her focus to the pieces to connect with them.

    She allowed their bright lights to merge and come together like a mosaic.

    ¡®¡­ Bring forth the power of the theonum on the palm of your hand.¡¯

    ¡®This garden is a world unto itself, waiting to be discovered.¡¯

    ¡®The natural world¡­ is full of wonders that cannot be imagined¡­¡¯Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡®¡­ Fill it with your wishes and your dreams, and the emotions that dwell within you¡­¡¯

    ¡®You were sleeping soundly under a willow tree when I found you.¡¯

    Elysha watched as the kaleidoscope of memories played out before her. Standing with the glowing lights in her hand, the fragments rose into the air and floated, almost suspended in time.

    Pulling herself out of the trance, she began to piece the fragments together into a shape. In her mind¡¯s eye, the image of her theonum core began to take form, shining with light.

    The little girl couldn¡¯t help but smiled.

    ¡®I am almost there¡ªmy theonum core is right here with me, I¡­ I am so happy.¡¯

    Standing amidst the basking glow of her memories, Elysha felt a surge of energy within her as she moved further into the¡ª

    ¡®That¡¯s a beautiful and lovely name for you, ------¡¯

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    Elysha was pushed back by an unknown force, thrown several meters, and fell to the ground on impact, rolling over and over until she finally stopped. Fragments that had joined to form a core broke apart and shattered, scattering across the ground. The sound of their shattering echoed in her ears.

    The little girl shivered, confusion mingling with pain and clouding her mind as she looked around.

    ¡®What¡­ happened?¡¯ Elysha murmured, trembling with fear. ¡®I was pushed away, why?¡¯

    She turned to the nearest fragment¡ªit was the memory of herself opening her eyes when she first awoke in the forest, and finding herself in a similar position as when she first met Elder Merakia.

    ¡®...¡¯

    ¡®... You found me...¡¯

    But instead of seeing her guardian, she was confronted by a huge keyhole-shaped structure¡ªa void within the empty expanse of darkness, more darker than the expanse itself.

    Elysha¡¯s mouth was open, but she remained silent, her eyes wide and her heart pounding with fear as she stared at the mysterious structure before her.

    At the same time, she was curious in seeking answers. Not only that, but it reminded her of the object she wore around her neck.

    ¡®Keyhole¡­?¡¯

    The little girl hesitated, then looked around at the shattered fragments. Frowning deeply, she pushed herself up with shaking hands and cautiously approached the huge keyhole-shaped structure. Each step was slower and slower until she stood close to its presence.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to¡­¡¯ Elysha shook her head, refusing to open her eyes, clutching the necklace to her chest, her heart pounding even harder, filling her up with discomfort. ¡®I don¡¯t want to, I don¡¯t want to, I¡¯m¡ª!¡¯

    ¡®------¡¯

    She opened her eyes and gazed at the keyhole, her fingertips hovering centimeters away from the enigmatic structure.

    Whispers filled her ears, including a child¡¯s laughter, with voices of gratitude and admiration. They tugged at her mind, pulling her into a realm of illusion.

    ¡®I thank you for everything.¡¯

    ¡®The light¡­ What a beautiful light¡­¡¯

    Her fingers brushed against the dark surface of the structure, and in that instant, everything faded into nothingness.

    ~ ??? ~

    ¡°sha¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Elysha!¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s urgent calls drew Elysha back to the outside world.

    Startled, the little girl opened her eyes to find herself lying in the familiar surroundings of the pavilion. A ringing sound slowly faded from her ears, but a lingering pain throbbed in her head, reminding her of the strange encounter she had just experienced.

    The keyhole had disappeared, leaving only the echo of its presence in her mind.

    Catching her breath, Elysha turned her attention to Elder Merakia, who was kneeling beside her with a concerned expression on her face.

    ¡°Elder Mera... what... what just happened?¡± she asked, her voice shaking with confusion and worry. ¡°I saw my memories, and then... everything disappeared.¡±

    Elder Merakia placed her hands on Elysha¡¯s shoulders and said, ¡°Save your questions for later, dear child. More importantly, are you all right? You collapsed suddenly and were unconscious for a minute or two. You had me worried sick for a moment there.¡±

    The little girl looked down at her hands, struggling to find the right words to express her confusion. Her body trembled and her voice wavered as she finally spoke, ¡°Elder Mera, I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know what you mean by that. If I can do it or not. I¡­ I remembered and¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia lowered her gaze, thinking, trying to understand the turmoil in Elysha¡¯s mind. She closed the distance between them and wrapped the little girl in a comforting embrace. In that moment, the child felt the warmth and comfort that only her guardian could provide.

    ¡°I can sense it is overwhelming,¡± Elder Merakia whispered. ¡°Remembering and delving into your own mind can be both exciting and unsettling at once. It is natural to worry and question your capabilities. But what you have experienced, even if only a glimpse, is proof of your potential and the power that lies within you.¡±

    ¡®Power that lies within me¡­ huh?¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s heart sank; her eyes lowered and tensed. She had thought she was on the verge of manifesting her own theonum core, but her expectations were dashed. The answers she sought seemed to drift further and further away, elusive and unattainable.

    Her hand instinctively went to her throbbing head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to give up,¡± she murmured, desperate and determined.

    Elder Merakia met Elysha¡¯s gaze, her brows knitted together in a furrowed brow. With a raised hand, she placed it on the child¡¯s cheek, caressing it lightly.

    ¡°I know how discouraging it feels,¡± she said. ¡°It is natural to want answers and to search for your potential. But remember, dear child, this journey is not about instant gratification or immediate results. It is about the growth and transformation that unfolds along the way.¡±

    She continues, ¡°Therefore, your journey will take as long as it takes for you to grow. Your story is not defined by a single moment or revelation, but by your eyes that help you see the world for yourself, make new connections, and create precious memories.¡±

    Elysha clutched her chest as her heart felt a gentle squeeze. She lowered her gaze, frowning as she struggled for an answer.

    ¡°Elder Mera¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sweetie?¡±

    She took a short pause before saying, ¡°When I looked into my mind, I saw pieces of my memories and held them together. I only saw the ones where I woke up outside and met you. But I¡¯m confused, Elder Mera... Why aren¡¯t there any other memories from before?¡±

    Hearing these words, her guardian¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Do you not remember anything before I found you?¡±

    The little girl¡¯s heart sank even more when she saw the expression on her face. She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking made the words heavier.

    ¡°Not¡­ remember¡­ anything?¡±

    Elder Merakia reached out and took the child¡¯s trembling hands in hers. ¡°It¡¯s all right, Elysha, I am here with you.¡±

    ¡°No, Elder Mera,¡± Elysha murmured out in a soft whisper. ¡°I can¡¯t remember anything before I woke up and found myself under a tree. I tried, but it was all blank, just darkness in my head. There are no memories, nothing from the past for me to hold on to until I met you.¡±

    Her words hung heavy in the air. Her guardian¡¯s heart ached all the more the longer she saw her in such turmoil¡ªfor her young pupil, for the burden of missing memories and the confusion she faced.

    ¡°Elysha, I see the pain and confusion in your eyes. I wish I could give you the answers you seek, but for now you must wait until an answer or solution is found so that you can remember everything. Your missing memories, the void in your past... it is troubling indeed.¡±

    The child¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    As if in response, Elysha¡¯s head began to throb with an intensity that surpassed anything she had felt before.

    ¡°¡ªtchk! Ah!¡±

    Pain radiated through her skull, as if her mind itself was struggling with the weight of her forgotten past. She winced, unable to suppress the mounting tension, and instinctively placed her hands on her throbbing head.

    ¡°Elder Mera, my head¡­ it hurts!¡± she exclaimed. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with overwhelming frustration and helplessness. ¡°It¡¯s getting worse and worse... I don¡¯t get why this is happening to me?¡±

    Elder Merakia was speechless when she saw Elysha¡¯s current state. She did not hesitate to pull the child into another, tighter hug, wrapping her in her guardian¡¯s presence and comforting her. She placed her gloved hand on her head, trying to cast a spell that would numb her to the pain.

    ¡°I am here,¡± she said, her voice like a soft lullaby in the midst of the storm. ¡°I will not leave you alone¡ª¡±

    "Ahh! Aaahhhh!!!"

    Elysha¡¯s agonized scream pierced the air as she broke free of her guardian¡¯s arms and fell to the ground, rolling around and clutching her hands tightly over her ears as if to block out the pain inside her.

    Her head throbbed with a relentless intensity, her chest tightening and each breath a struggle. Her eyes widened and narrowed as if trying to see through the unbearable pain. And amidst the chaos, a cacophony of voices echoed in her head¡ªher own voice, multiplied and distorted.

    ¡®------... ------... Y-- -r- n-t d-s-rv-ng -f -x-st-ng, ------.¡¯

    ¡®Y--¡¯r- n-th-ng w-th--t y--r m-m-r--s, ------. - l-st s--l w-nd-r-ng -n th- d-rkn-ss, s--rch-ng f-r s-m-th-ng y--¡¯ll n-v-r f-nd.¡¯

    ¡®------, y--¡¯r- -l-n-. N- -n- w-ll -cc-pt y-- fr-m th- tr-th -f wh- y-- r--lly -r-.¡¯

    ¡®-ld-r M-r- h-t-s y--.¡¯

    The flood of distorted memories was inexorable and relentless. She tried desperately to resist, to push them away, but the pull was too strong. She found herself involuntarily plunging into the depths of her own distorted, pseudo-existent past, a relentless chase that only intensified the throbbing pain in her head.

    ¡°Aaaahhhhhh!!¡± she screamed. ¡°Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Aaahhhhh!!¡±

    Tears streamed from the child¡¯s eyes. The agony that appeared on her face was unbearable to watch. Elder Merakia nearly stumbled herself, not knowing at first how to alleviate the suffering that consumed Elysha. She watched in stunned disbelief as her heart broke for her young pupil as she writhed and screamed.

    ¡°Ah¡ªHahahahaha!!!¡±

    Her screams turned into a manic laugh that echoed through the garden. Her hands were clasped to her face as her vision began to distort, tears streaming down her cheeks as she convulsed with laughter, the lines between sadness and madness blurring in her mind. ¡°Ha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha!!!¡±

    The sounds rang in Elder Merakia¡¯s ears as she quickly regained her composure, gathered her strength, and shouted at her, ¡°Elysha, stop it! That¡¯s enough of that! Calm down!¡±

    Her guardian hastily reached out to offer comfort and support, but Elysha seemed lost in her own fear and anxiety, unable to hear the words that were meant to comfort her. Her body was bent forward, her face to the ground, tears dripping from her eyes, and she was smiling.

    ¡®I am ------.¡¯

    ¡°I am Elysha. I am Elysha.¡±

    The voices echoed incessantly in the little girl¡¯s mind. The throbbing pain in her head persisted, an unwelcome reminder as she tried to dig through her memories, each time intensifying the pain and hurting her. Despite Elder Merakia¡¯s repeated calls and physical actions to stop, Elysha didn¡¯t even hear her guardian¡¯s words or feel her presence. She pushed herself further and further, deeper and deeper, in a relentless search for the truth that was beyond her reach.

    With each attempt, her pain and the darkness in her mind seemed to grow and consume her sense of self. The emptiness gnawed at her, leaving her feeling hollowed out and lost, as if a part of her being had been stolen or gone.

    ¡°Why?¡± Elysha¡¯s desperate cry escaped her mouth. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with her choking sobs. ¡°Why can¡¯t I remember?¡±

    Then she collapsed again, suffering unbearably as the migraine-like throbbing in her head wouldn¡¯t even let her fall unconscious.

    Seeking comfort, she finally crawled to Elder Merakia, her tears flowing freely. She sought refuge in her guardian¡¯s embrace, longing for the reassurance and stability that she offered.

    ¡°Help me¡­¡± she begged weakly, her voice full of vulnerability. ¡°It hurts,¡± she sobbed, trembling with each word. ¡°It hurts so much. Why can¡¯t I remember myself? Who am I?¡±

    Elder Merakia held her close, her arms a sanctuary of warmth and security. She stroked Elysha¡¯s hair gently, her touch tender and soothing.

    ¡°Let it all out, dear child,¡± she whispered. ¡°Let those hurtful thoughts fade from your mind. Let them go, allow them to fade away. You are safe, my child. I am always here with you.¡±

 1.7 - Storytelling

    Elder Merakia lifted Elysha¡¯s unconscious body into her arms, carefully cradling her as she carried her to her room.

    Concern etched deep lines across her forehead as she saw the toll the pain and confusion had taken on the little girl. Elysha¡¯s exhaustion was notable, and she couldn¡¯t deny but feel a sense of responsibility for pushing her too far, too soon, in her journey of theonum sorcery.

    As she gently laid her down on the bed, Elder Merakia couldn¡¯t help but question her own judgement of her own actions during the incident.

    ¡®Could I have been too hasty?¡¯ she thought quietly, her fingers pressed to her chin. ¡®Elysha has only just awoken to this world, and her journey has been filled with uncertainty from the start. Perhaps I expected too much of her, especially considering her unknown past.¡¯

    As she pulled the blanket over Elysha¡¯s sleeping figure, Elder Merakia turned her eyes to look at the girl¡¯s face, though at rest, showed signs of stress and pain.

    ¡®The girl is still a child, it is unfair to burden her with the complexities of sorcery before she is truly capable and ready,¡¯ she mused. ¡®To find this possible ¡®kuniju-naufen¨¹vji child¡¯ in the depths of the forest was a miracle in itself¡ªI should not expect her to uncover her theonum core so soon, just because she wanted to find her identity as a mage¡­¡¯

    She continued, ¡®Elysha¡¯s sensitive state and her desperate search for belonging may have misguidedly pushed her to go beyond her limits. Not only that¡­¡¯

    Elder Merakia frowned, her eyes narrowing as she remembered the haunted look on the little girl¡¯s face and the laughter she had let out.

    ¡®Ah¡ªHahahahaha!!!¡¯

    She gripped her hands tightly, for she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she might have overlooked the burden such a task would place on the child¡¯s current condition.

    With a sigh, she continued her musings, ¡®Perhaps I should allow time to measure the child¡¯s condition until she is ready to return to training. Today is an exception to assess her growth and the potential challenges that lie ahead on her path in life.¡¯

    Elder Merakia looked once again at Elysha¡¯s unconscious form. ¡®Still, I must find out the cause of her recent disturbing behavior,¡¯ she thought, gritting her teeth.

    As she looked at the child¡¯s current state of rest, a feeling of affection and pride touched a sensitive nerve. She sat down on the side of the bed and carefully brushed a stray strand of hair from Elysha¡¯s face.

    She said wearily, ¡°These emotions I feel right now¡­ are all because of this child.¡±

    ¡®It is not often for a person like me to feel this way,¡¯ she spoke in her thoughts. ¡®For now, I will raise her, train her, and keep her safe until the time is right to let her go, just as I have done with Lucius.¡¯

    She gave a single nod. ¡®For this child¡ªas my intuition tells me¡ªis as mysterious as a phenomenon itself. I will dedicate myself to providing Elysha with the comfort and care she needs. Investigating her past can wait until she is ready to leave the nest.¡¯

    Elder Merakia watched her sleep until she rose from the bed to leave the room. But just as she was about to reach for the lamp and turn it off, a small hand grabbed her sleeve and a faint voice filled the air.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go,¡± Elysha begged, her tired and vulnerable eyes trembling. ¡°Please stay. Don¡¯t leave me alone.¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s expression softened, and she nodded with a smile. ¡°I will stay,¡± she replied tenderly, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to her. ¡°I will be here with you until you fall asleep, dear child.¡±

    Clutching her pillow, Elysha nestled her head into the soft cushion and murmured sleepily, ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera.¡±

    The room was silent as she sat quietly by the little girl¡¯s side, gently stroking her hair. After a few minutes, the child finally asked, ¡°Elder Mera, why can¡¯t I remember anything from before you found me?¡±

    Elder Merakia lowered her gaze, her brow furrowed as she considered how to respond as Elysha continued her questions, ¡°Is there something wrong with me? How do I stop the pain when I try to remember?¡±

    Then she lifted her head from the pillow, her eyes fixed on her guardian, searching for answers and reassurance. ¡°Do you think I will be okay, Elder Mera?¡±

    Her guardian watched the child¡¯s eyes, which had become a little sharper as a result of what she had experienced. Then she sighed and smiled, showing her reassuring affection as she placed her hand on the child¡¯s right cheek.

    ¡°Huh¡ª?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s pupils fluttered. She felt the warmth emanating from her guardian¡¯s touch.

    ¡°You will be, dear child,¡± Elder Merakia replied, her fingers caressing Elysha¡¯s cheek. ¡°Remember, things do take time, after all. It¡¯s too soon to expect any immediate progress. Today is just the beginning, and tomorrow holds a long road full of memories yet to be discovered. Life is a story of adventure, and you are, after all, my little protagonist to raise.¡±

    A smile curled the little girl¡¯s lips as she clutched her pillow tightly, finding comfort in her guardian¡¯s words. With a soft rustle of fabric, she buried her face in the pillow again, and this time a muffled hint of a soft squeak escaped her.

    Silence returned to the room, a brief pause in the conversation. There was no discomfort or embarrassment in the silence, but calmness and serenity.

    ~ ??? ~

    After a while, Elder Merakia rose from the bed, breaking the quiet stillness.

    ¡°Wait here for a moment,¡± she instructed, stirring the little girl, who fell half-asleep from her pillow. ¡°I will pick up something important and return shortly.¡±

    Elysha remained in the room, blinking her senses into clarity. Looking around, she thought she caught a glimpse of movement at the edge of her vision, and her eyes stared into a corner next to the curtains. However, it disappeared completely when her guardian reappeared, holding a book in her hands.

    Elder Merakia settled down in a chair next to the bed. ¡°Elysha,¡± she began in a thoughtful tone. ¡°If I remember correctly, you took this book off the shelf earlier, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Her face emerged from the wall of her pillow and she turned her gaze to the cover of the book. It was indeed the same book she had once seen on the shelf¡ªthe one with the strange symbol.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said. ¡°I remembered it, but I couldn¡¯t read it clearly. The words seemed blurry to me. How did you know?¡±

    A wry smile curved Elder Merakia¡¯s lips. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have good observation skills.¡±

    Then she opened the book and deftly flipped through the pages to find a particular story. ¡°This book contains stories about the Soliremisce Archipelago, the world we live in,¡± she explained. ¡°Written by a storyteller in the past who was very passionate about stories, each tale contains valuable meanings and lessons for those who listen. The characters on these pages have wishes, dreams and emotions that carries them through the passages. Not only that, but the stories are reflected on real experiences of the people on the islands themselves.¡±

    Elysha suppressed a yawn. ¡°How interesting¡­" she mumbled, trying not to let the sleepiness overtake her. ¡°Tell me more.¡±

    Elder Merakia continued flipping through the pages until she reached the cover of a particular story. ¡°Ah, I found it. This one is called, ¡°¡®The Dreamweaver Bird.¡¯¡±

    ¡°The Dreamweaver Bird?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°This is one of several unique stories written by this storyteller. This story is about a girl who dreams of flying¡ªto fly and to see the world with her own eyes.¡±

    ¡°Fly?¡±

    Elder Merakia turned and saw Elysha¡¯s eyes looking at her curiously.

    ¡°Yes, indeed, flying,¡± she confirmed. ¡°Like a bird that takes to the sky, flies through the clouds and travels to different places that you may never have been before.¡±

    ¡°How do you fly? I want to know, can you show me how?¡±

    Her guardian chuckled, ¡°Well, flying is indeed possible, but unfortunately I cannot show you today as the sky has become late and dark. For now, let me read you the story of ¡®The Dreamweaver Bird¡¯ first.¡±

    Elysha nodded and Elder Merakia adjusted the book so that the little girl could see the illustration on the page. A gleam of amusement danced in the lady¡¯s eyes as she cleared her throat and prepared to read the passage.

    She began in a voice full of storytelling charm:

    ¡°There was a wistful dream felt by a curious girl....

    A dream in which she was a bird whose heart spoke to the vast, open world....

    To see with her own eyes upon the different places: from a meadow of flowers, to the mystical green forests, and to the rest of the wondrous lands in the afar....

    And yet they were all elusive to her; a dream that was only just a longing dream....

    When one night, as she lay in her bed like a nest and slept under the starry sky, a bright star fell down in its basked gleam....

    And when she opened her eyes, it appeared in front of her in place of her hand-drawn book. The little girl cradled the bright essence in her arms like a large egg. She closed her eyes once more and whispered to the star....

    ¡®I want to fly.¡¯

    Her eyes reflected gold when she imagined flight. Just as the child was about to drift off to sleep again, the star bathed the girl in its light. Wings sprouted from her back, and she jumped out of bed, happily surprised as she danced around and around....

    With her wings until she turned to the window and saw the expanse of the stars that greeted her. She took a deep breath, climbed out of the window, flew and danced through the skies....

    In her dreams, the girl has woven her story as a bird, and now she has become one in the air and sees the whole world before her eyes....¡±

    <hr>

    Elder Merakia continued until she had finished reading the passages. After that, she turned to Elysha and asked, ¡°What do you think of this story?¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes, took a brief moment to process her impression and nodded her head with a smile, ¡°I liked the story,¡± she said. ¡°Um¡­..¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, take your time.¡±

    ¡°... I liked the dreaming and the girl who imagined flying and the bright star that gave her the wings to fly in the sky,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s very nice and warm. I liked this story a lot.¡±

    Her guardian chuckled again, ¡°I figured that you would like this story,¡± she said, remembering the child¡¯s wondrous gaze in the garden.

    ¡°What happens next?¡± Elysha asked. ¡°The girl met a man with a big bird and went on adventures together before she had to go home.¡±

    ¡°Next? Oh, that was the end of the story.¡±

    ¡°End?¡±

    ¡°Yes, because when the author has finished, there are no more words after what was written, but since the story is open-ended, you can always imagine more adventures if you wish.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Elysha said, looking ambivalent until the sound of pages turning reached her ears, and she watched as Elder Merakia continued flipping pages until she reached the beginning of another story.

    ¡°This one is called ¡®The Girl, the Beast, and the Golden Tree.¡¯¡±

    ¡°The girl, the beast, and the¡­?¡±

    ¡°Golden tree,¡± her guardian finished. ¡°I find this story to be particularly interesting. It¡¯s more serious and darker in tone than the other one, but it makes you think more deeply about the story itself.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see, I want to hear about it.¡±

    Her guardian smiled upon hearing her pupil¡¯s impatient anticipation, and so she began to tell the story:

    ¡°Abandoned and cold, she was still a lamentable soul....

    The Beast, forsaken by fate, waits in the depths of the forest....Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    In search of the light, haunted by fear, the girl was lost and alone....

    Wreathed in shadows, the Beast crept through the veil of darkness....

    Clinging to hope, she saw a golden tree from afar....

    The tree allures, its swaying leaves asking for a wish....

    The girl had a feeling that wavered in her heart....

    Of a wish that would bring her dreams to life....¡±

    <hr>

    When Elder Merakia had finished reading the story, she turned to Elysha and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your opinion of this story?¡±

    Elysha tilted her head to the side and thought about the question for a moment before answering, ¡°Hmm, I find the story interesting, but I don¡¯t understand it.¡±

    ¡°I see, then what can you tell about the story as far as you can remember?¡±

    The little girl thought for a moment and then answered, ¡°Um, it was about a girl who was alone on a cold day, and everyone was having fun but her. So she walked and walked, following light after light until she got lost in the forest alone. She cried when she can¡¯t find her way out in the dark when¡­ a beast was behind her.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, and what happens after that?¡±

    ¡°Um, she ran and ran until she saw a golden tree that asked her for a wish, and she wished that her dreams would come true. I don¡¯t know what happened after that.¡±

    Elder Merakia nodded. ¡°That is a good way to interpret it,¡± she remarked. ¡°This is one of the common fables often told as a bedtime story or during a fair noon leisure. For the story itself, there may be more to it than meets the eye. It could very well serve as a metaphor for hope.¡±

    ¡°Hope?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, for when light meets darkness, and darkness meets light, there lies the essence of hope. Just as the girl in the story faced darkness and despair, she also encountered the golden tree¡ªa symbol of hope and possibility.¡±

    Elysha pondered her words, and as her guardian continued, ¡°There is much more of the story to tell, however, all of that would be revealed another day.¡±

    ¡°You are stopping here?¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± she corrected, ¡°there are a few more I want to tell, it hasn¡¯t been long since I started telling stories, has it? Unless you are tired and want to go to sleep, do you?¡±

    ¡°Oh no-no!¡± Elysha insisted, ¡°I want to hear more, I¡¯m not tired yet. Is there another story you could tell me?¡±

    A smile curled around Elder Merakia¡¯s lips. ¡°Indeed, yes,¡± she replied. ¡°There is another story called ¡°¡®Totheniui¡¯s Owl.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Tohujhi¡¯s Owl?¡± Elysha blinked her eyes. ¡°Toh¡ª¡±

    ¡°Totheniui,¡± Elder Merakia corrected. ¡°This story is about a prominent individual from the City of Totheniui, which is named after him. He is the founder of a famous library and institution, and he is accompanied by his faithful owl, a loyal companion on their pursuit through the layers of history and knowledge preserved.¡±

    She spoke as she flipped through the pages to find the beginning of the story and began to read aloud:

    ¡°Thus was the tale of the owl of Totheniui¡ª

    Who watches over the library, wise and enigmatic....

    The owl is faithful to its master, the one who leads the prestigious city....

    To collect and preserve stories, gathering them like precious gems and storing them within the repository of knowledge....

    Night after night, the owl continues its solitary flight. The people know of the owl, who flies as the moon casts its silvery glow over the snow-covered mountains....

    Reclusive and aloof, the owl rarely communicates with the people of the lamplight city, only to collect new stories for the library....

    By fulfilling its role for the Totheniui, the owl preserves and regulates the repository¡ªfor the people, for the city, for the world itself. Stories are like fertilizers for the tree of knowledge....

    Despite its conscientious routine, the owl longs for something more, something that attracts the owl''s eyes more than books, more than the pleasure of secrets and cryptic words....

    Perhaps something more intrinsic to the ideal than the mundane. Such as the time span for a bored and lonely owl is longer than that of the books themselves....

    Thus the tale of the owl of Totheniui continued its flight....¡±

    <hr>

    Elder Merakia finished reading, lowered the book, turned to Elysha and asked, ¡°How do you feel about this story?¡±

    Elysha thought for a moment and frowned slightly. ¡°Hmm, I liked the story and the owl, but I still don¡¯t understand it.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? Then what can you gather from the story, as far as you can remember?¡±

    ¡°Um, it¡¯s about an owl that belongs to Toteni and watches over the library. And the owl collects stories and wants more...¡±

    The little girl thought again until she said, ¡°Um, that¡¯s all I can remember. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Oh, there is no need to apologize,¡± said Elder Merakia. ¡°This story seems a little more difficult to comprehend in its abstraction. I suspect there¡¯s more to the story, but unlike the other story before, there¡¯s no continuation for this one.¡±

    ¡°No more?¡±

    ¡°No more indeed, sadly.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s expression changed, and she leaned back against the pillow and said, ¡°How sad,¡± she murmured softly. ¡°What is an owl though?¡±

    ¡°An owl?¡±

    She nodded.

    Elder Merakia studied her and replied, ¡°An owl is a bird.¡± Then she asked, ¡°Do you know what birds are?¡±

    ¡°Yes, like the bird in the first story. They fly up into the sky and have wings like this on their backs.¡±

    Elysha stood up on the bed and gestured to where her back is, then she raised a questions, ¡°Are we birds too, Elder Mera?¡±

    Her guardian chuckled, and bluntly responded, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No? But the story¡­?¡±

    ¡°I will like to ask you another question,¡± she continued, ¡°Do you know what birds are before you heard of The Dreamweaver Bird story?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s brows furrowed as she pondered Elder Merakia¡¯s question. ¡°Um... I¡¯m not sure,¡± she admitted hesitantly. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to remember,¡± she clarified. ¡°Even if you do not know, I can tell you everything there is to know about birds.¡±

    ¡®I may likely have to send her into the woods tomorrow morning with a children¡¯s encyclopedia and a folder of homework,¡¯ she sighed inwardly and looked at her watch. ¡°It is almost bedtime, so the next story will be the last one for the night.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Elysha nodded.

    With a subtle movement, Elder Merakia turned the pages of the treasury book. ¡°The next story,¡± she announced with a sense of finality in her voice, ¡°is called, ¡®The Cat and the Bird.¡¯¡±

    ¡°The Cat and the Bird?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and just to our coincidence, this story also features a bird alongside a cat.¡±

    ¡°Cat?¡±

    Elder Merakia looked at the little girl with scrutiny. ¡°... Do you also not know what a cat is?¡±

    She fell silent and her guardian sighed, ¡°Tomorrow morning, you will go outside the house and explore the woods so that you can get to know and understand the world you live in better.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes lit up and she spoke, ¡°I am?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s begin this story, shall we?¡±

    Elysha closed her eyes, a feeling of anticipation rising within her. She settled into a comfortable position, ready to engage in the words that would soon tell another story.

    Elder Merakia began to read:

    ¡°Long ago, there was a world of the lost....

    Everything was shrouded in white, a sad, fragile and lonely sight....

    A lonely cat stood around looking for something....

    Whatever it could be, it would appear one day....

    The cat, with a heart full of longing, is on an endless journey....

    Then a bird appeared and greeted the cat....

    The cat watches as the bird flies, wings outstretched as if in heaven....

    The cat was nothing and the bird was everything¡­.¡±

    <hr>

    Elder Merakia closed the book and turned to Elysha, whose eyes filled with empathy. ¡°I felt bad for the cat,¡± she said, this time speaking first before her guardian.

    ¡°You felt bad for the cat?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm.¡±

    ¡°Tell me more, dear. What made you feel sorry for the cat?¡±

    ¡°The cat in the story felt lonely and sad because the bird had everything the cat wanted, like flying in the sky,¡± she explained.

    Elder Merakia regarded Elysha with a smile and asked, ¡°What would you say to the lonely cat if you had the chance?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s gaze moved briefly, meeting Elder Merakia¡¯s deep green eyes. She replied, ¡°I want to tell the cat that he is not alone in this world, because I am here at his side.¡±

    A quiet atmosphere filled the room after her words until Elder Merakia spoke, ¡°You possess emotional intelligence beyond your years, dear child,¡± she complimented, clapping her hands gently. ¡°Not only that, but there is much wisdom, knowledge and experience to be gained from this world, just as this treasury book holds tales of our history and the stories of Soliremisce, full of important details to be remembered.¡±

    She placed the book on the side table as she continued, ¡°As for more stories, I will tell you another day.¡±

    Elder Merakia pulled the blanket over the little girl. ¡°Rest well, Elysha. I will have breakfast ready for you in the morning.¡±

    When the flickering lamp went out, Elder Merakia turned to the door. Just as she was about to close it, a soft voice reached her ear. ¡°Good night, Elder Mera.¡±

    A warm smile graced the lady¡¯s face as she replied, ¡°Good night to you, too, my dear child.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    After closing the door, Elder Merakia could not help but let out a heavy sigh, the weight of her responsibilities finally lifted from her weary shoulders for the remainder of the night.

    As she stepped into her office, she reached out her hand and, with a flick of her finger, lit a nearby candle, its warm glow casting a light across the room.

    Her tired eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, taking in the rows of books containing knowledge of plants, creatures, and medicines, as well as the stacks of parchment containing letters from various addresses.

    Sinking into her well-worn chair, Elder Merakia let out another deep sigh as her body sank comfortably into the familiar cushion.

    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m completely exhausted,¡± she said with a groan. ¡°I need a moment to relieve my skin.¡±

    She rested her elbow on the table, her hand cupping her face. The events of the day were still fresh in her mind, and the stories she had shared with Elysha echoed in her thoughts.

    Her eyes narrowed, unable to shake the haunting memories that still lingered in her mind. The tear-streaked face of her young pupil played over and over again, from their initial encounter to their breakfast together. The pain and anguish etched in Elysha¡¯s eyes left an indelible mark. The mere thought of the child suffering any more was unbearable to her.

    ¡°That child, I wondered, what connection could she have with the mysterious force from earlier that had the entire forest in a state of rude awakening?¡± she mused aloud, leaning back against her chair. ¡°Is she really just another phenomenon of a kuniju-naufen¨¹vji child? Or is she something more than a lost child as far as this complex connection is concerned?¡±

    She furrowed her brow, her lips tightening in a flat line. ¡°Why, no child in this forest, or even in this world, has ever experienced a degree of pain comparable to hers.¡±

    After a moment of indulging her thoughts, Elder Merakia straightened her posture and picked up the quill. On a sheet of parchment, she began to write a letter to the chief of the nearby village of Illumija.

    She sighed and muttered, ¡°Nevertheless, I will inform the neighbors of this forest about the situation, however, Elysha¡¯s unknown background will remain as a kuniju-naufen¨¹vji.¡±

    As Elder Merakia wrote down her letter, her narrowed gaze wandered across the desk. She couldn¡¯t help but stare at a stack of papers next to a picnic basket and the letters that had arrived today. The sight of them brought back memories of that early morning.

    Before Elysha woke up, she had put down her cup of coffee and went outside to see a winged creature perched on the mailbox.

    She greeted the courier, ¡°Firlija, good morning to you my friend.¡±

    ¡°Good morning, Elder Merakia,¡± she replied back with a gesture of her wing.

    Her attention turned to a wicker basket sitting next to the mailbox. On the lid was a black letter.

    She raised a finger to her chin and asked, ¡°My goodness, did you deliver such a cute-looking basket to me?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that basket you see, I didn¡¯t deliver it here.¡±

    ¡°Not you?¡±

    ¡°Not me,¡± she shook her head. ¡°On the other hand, those letters in your mailbox came from yours truly!¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Elder Merakia asked with a narrowed expression, staring at the ominous letter sitting next to her residence.

    ¡°The basket was sitting there when I had arrived,¡± said Firlija. ¡°From my nostrils, I could smell cookies inside!¡±

    ¡°Cookies?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you can check under the lid to make certain of it!¡± she said. ¡°Anyways, I need to get going with my job. See you next time!¡±

    Elder Merakia watched as Firlija took off towards the next house to make the delivery. Then she knelt down and opened the lid of the basket, revealing a black envelope sitting on top of the many plastic bags of chocolate chip cookies. There was no return address or any other information on the envelope. Completely anonymous.

    She sighed, ¡°Just who could possibly have sent me all this?¡±

    Closing the lid, she stood up and opened the mailbox, took a set of new mails and walked back to her house. She glanced at the sender¡¯s name on the first and front mail.

    ¡°Oh? From Professor Chthostric?¡± Elder Merakia¡¯s brows crinkled with interest.

    She entered the house and stopped at the table to set down the letters and opened the letter from the esteemed professor from the Totheniui Institution. She raised the paper and read the message:

    ¡®Dear Elder C¨¦cil Merakia,

    I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you with a matter of urgency concerning the delicate balance of theonum energy in the Forest of Ir?stos around your residence. Recent observations and analyses conducted by our esteemed scholars at the Totheniui Institution have revealed concerning fluctuations in the levels of theonum energy, indicating a potential destabilization of the equilibrium.

    In particular, our research indicates a significant increase in the conflicting energies between the Elbijans and Zhivopians within the vicinity of the forest. This imbalance has increased the likelihood of a distortion effect, where the conflicting energies interact in such a way as to disrupt the natural order of theonum flow.

    As you are well aware, the consequences of such a disturbance can be dire. We need only look back to the tragic events of the disaster that occurred in the Isle of Vikavirya ten years ago to understand the devastating consequences of uncontrolled fluctuations in theonum energy. It is imperative that we take proactive measures to address this situation before it escalates further.

    I urge you to remain watchful and to take all necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of a major incident occurring within your forest and alert your neighbors as well. Our scholars at the Totheniui Institution are prepared to conduct thorough research to determine the cause of the unstable levels, and are available to provide you with advice and assistance if you need help in this matter.

    Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information or assistance. We can work to ensure the safety and stability of the beloved forest and its inhabitants.

    With sincere regards,

    Professor Demetrius Chthostric

    Totheniui Institution¡¯

    <hr>

    Elder Merakia sighed and set aside the quill, its ink still drying on the parchment. She leaned back in her chair and let her tired eyes wander to the flickering flame of the candle, whose warm glow cast changing shadows in the room.

    ¡°A troublesome time indeed,¡± she whispered softly, her words fading into the still air of the office. Her gaze wandered to the mail next to the professor¡¯s letter, a black envelope emitting foreboding.

    After a moment or two of staring at the mysterious mail, Elder Merakia reached for it and opened it.

    Her eyes skimmed over the letter and took in the words written inside. Her brows drew together, and her expression changed from curiosity to a deep frown as she read on.

    ¡°Beijal.¡±

    From the shadows emerged a creature. ¡°Kyjuu?¡±

    ¡°Burn this mail.¡±

    Without hesitation, the creature obeyed, enveloping the letter in flames until it was nothing but ashes. As the last remnants of the letter disintegrated, Elder Merakia let out a deep sigh in frustration.

    ¡°Annoying,¡± she scowled. ¡°Whoever wrote it, I¡¯m going to find that person and make sure I get every last bit of answer out of them.¡±

    Her teeth gritted and her hands clenched into fists, but she knew she couldn¡¯t let fear and anger get the better of her.

    She whispered under her breath, ¡°How did this person know?¡±

 1.8 - Into the Forest, Ir?stos

    The morning sun shone through the branches and leaves of the Forest of Ir?stos. The sounds of nature drifted in the background as Elysha, a young child who had recently awakened in the forest, immersed herself in the world unfolding around her.

    In her small hand, she clutched a long, olive-colored shepherd¡¯s crook. She smiled and hummed as she swayed it back and forth. When an idea came to her mind, Elysha closed her eyes, pressed her lips together and summoned her imagination.

    ¡°I, Elysha, wish and dream of becoming a mage,¡± she proclaimed. ¡°I want to learn everything and use theonum magic, just like Elder Mera. I like to read stories and see many things, because I was born into this world, and I want to explore new places, and¡­¡±

    A giggle escaped her lips at the act, and she calmed down before continuing¡ª

    ¡°... Because I want to become a great mage, just like Elder Mera.¡±

    Holding a long crook with a firm grip, Elysha twirled it in the air and watch it spun a few times mid-flight. Her long blue dress, adorned with a decorative white half-apron, blew around her as if caught by the breeze. She also wore white sleeves and a long purple handkerchief dangling from her collar. Her hat, a white mob cap with a light blue ribbon, nearly fell off her head.

    As her crook whirled through the air, the little girl tried to catch it before calling forth a play of magic¡ª

    *plat*

    ¡°Ah!¡± she reached out and picked up the crook from the ground. Fortunately for her, the object was light enough to hold without much effort, but she still wiped the sweat from her forehead and exhaled.

    ¡°Whew, and then¡­¡±

    She closed her eyes and her mind translated her visions into the surroundings, and with each swing and movement she spoke a series of enchanting words in a stuttering conlang of her own creation.

    ¡°Ste-steraa enjetiraa¡­ Mi-mijanmira tiraa korja!¡±

    The atmosphere whispered in silent anticipation as Elysha¡¯s incantations faded into the air. Turning around, she saw a leaf fall from a tree, and a faint smile graced her lips as she indulged in her false notion of prowess.

    ¡°I can use theonum magic,¡± she thought aloud in a quiet, determined voice, pointing the long stick skyward. ¡°I can cast my own magic through my staff and learn many wonders and kinds of things. I will fight the Beast of the forest, like the one in the story, and save the forest and my home.¡±

    In the burst of her energy, Elysha swung her staff and began to dance like a beautiful sorceress, mindful of the delicate flowers that adorned the forest floor. She continued to dance, smiling and feeling at one with the world around her as she spun around and around in the dappled sunlight of the woods. With each step, she felt the rush of sensation coursing through her veins and her heart swelled with excitement.

    As the dance reached its climax, the constant motion threatened to overwhelm her, and a quick misstep caught her feet in the folds of her flowing dress.

    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±

    She stumbled and tumbled to the ground, the soft earth cushioning her fall.

    For a moment, Elysha lay there, stunned and disoriented, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite the mistake, she let out a breathless giggle like the tinkling of bells.

    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±

    The mishap couldn¡¯t dampen the little girl¡¯s spirits, who propped herself up on her elbows and breathed unevenly as she regained her composure.

    As the world slowly stopped spinning, Elysha rose to her feet, brushing off the dirt and leaves that clung to her dress. With her eyes gleaming, she placed her hat back on her head and held her shepherd¡¯s crook firmly in her hand.

    Then, with a bright smile, she skipped and pranced through the forest, continuing her adventure.

    ~ ??? ~

    Eventually, not too long after, the little girl¡¯s youthful energy drained away and the layer of her magical acts waned, signaling her for a moment of rest. She saw a lonely tree and decided to sit next to it, her back leaning against the trunk.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m tired now,¡± Elysha yawned in resignation.

    She closed her eyes and let herself drift off to recharge her own energy, until her pointed ears shifted their focus to the sounds of the natural world that surrounded them.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her eyes opened and she gazed up at the sky, her gray-golden eyes gazing into the vast expanse above her: white clouds meandered lazily across the azure expanse, casting fleeting shadows on the treetops. A sense of calm washed over her face as she let her mind wander with her listless stare.

    She murmured under her breath, ¡°How pretty¡­¡±

    The forest fell into silence as Elysha¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the sky above her. She watched the slow, languid movement of the clouds as they crossed her view. Then she reached her right arm to the sky, her fingers extended out to touch the soft texture of the fluffy objects on the expanse like wisps of cotton.

    In her mind¡¯s eye, a whimsical thought took form. It was a scene of her lying on a bed made of the soft textures of clouds. She was nestling on a cloud; fluffy and inviting, as if it were a soft, cozy pillow.

    ¡®The clouds look comfy,¡¯ Elysha voiced in her reflection. ¡®Like a pillow. Pillows are comfy. I want to hug them.¡¯

    The mere thought of it brought a smile to her lips, as she could almost feel the touch of the clouds and fell into a deep sleep amidst the sensation.

    ??¡±Maybe one day, I could sleep on the clouds in the sky,¡± she whispered to herself, wanting to remember her wistful longing.

    She gazed at the sky for a while until she asked herself, ¡°I wonder, if one day, will I be able to fly into the sky to see everything that lies above?¡±

    Then another question followed, ¡°Hm, could there possibly be a place beyond the clouds? Maybe I should ask Elder Mera about it later. She told me yesterday that I can learn to fly.¡±

    She continued to watch and think until boredom overcame her.

    Eventually, the little girl rose from her place on the forest floor, the cool spring breeze touching her skin as she took in the surroundings once more: the trees stood tall and proud, their branches swaying, while the dense shrubs, vibrant grasses, and an abundance of wildflowers adorned the forest floor. The sight of the scenery felt like a painted picture, or colors and textures, accompanied by the sounds of nature.

    *chirp*

    A noise broke the silence and caught her attention. Elysha wiped her drool and turned her gaze to the source of the sound.

    *chirp*

    She stood and watched as a single bird took off from a branch in the distance, effortlessly carrying its wings into the sky above the treetops. Other flocks joined the single bird, forming a procession that disappeared into the vastness of the world.

    ~ ??? ~

    As Elysha continued to walk along a path in the woods, her mind drifted to a recent memory. It had happened earlier that morning as she and Elder Merakia sat together at breakfast, their plates filled with nourishing food.

    ¡°Are you curious about what lies beyond this window next to us?¡± Elder Merakia asked as she placed her cup down.

    Elysha lowered her fork and looked at her guardian before turning to the open window and answering, ¡°Is it not the garden over there?¡±

    Her guardian lightly chuckled, ¡°Well, dear child, there¡¯s more to see than the garden.¡± Then she paused for a moment and continued, ¡°Today is a beautiful day, so how about taking a step outside and exploring the forest?¡±

    ¡°Exploring the forest?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Elder Merakia nodded. ¡°You remember the trees and flowers of yesterday, don¡¯t you? Exploring the forest beyond this house brings opportunities for hands-on experience and knowledge to be learned.¡±

    Elysha blinked, remembering the tall trees and flowers of the forest. ¡°I go there again?¡±

    ¡°Yes, indeed, the forest is a safe and protected place, and you can also go on your own little adventure and get to know the world one step at a time,¡± she said. ¡°That is, until you are ready to take a full journey yourself when you are older.¡±

    The memory of these words echoed in Elysha¡¯s mind, mingling with the scents and sounds that surrounded her. The thought of exploring the great unknown was scary at first, but before long she began to enjoy the exploration as much as she had enjoyed the garden.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Turn around,¡± Elder Merakia instructed.

    Elysha turned around, revealing the outfit her guardian had chosen for her first outing in the forest.

    ¡°My dear child, you look remarkably lovely in those clothes,¡± she complimented, trying hard not to smile broadly. ¡°What a pity, if only my camera worked, I would have taken many photos for the album by now, but unfortunately I cannot leave the forest at the moment.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes. ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Oh, just a matter of mine not necessfully important to discuss, I will eventually get the camera working at a later time.¡±

    Then, Elysha¡¯s memories shifted to the moment before she left the cottage home and entered the forest. She was standing at the doorway when Elder Merakia spoke in an concerned tone, ¡°Before you leave, be warned not to stray too far from the cottage. It is important that you heed this advice. Do you hear?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Elder Mera,¡± she replied with a nod, gripping her shepherd¡¯s crook in her hand. ¡°I will be careful.¡±

    Elder Merakia smiled, reached out her hand, placed it on her shoulder and said, ¡°I trust you, dear child. Explore, learn and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you, but always remember to protect yourself. The world is big and full of sights to behold, but it can also be unpredictable at rare occasions. Return to the cottage if you ever feel unsafe or need advice, and remember, you are never alone on your adventure. Please make sure you are back by noon.¡±

    ¡°I will, Elder Mera.¡±

    Then with a warm smile, Elysha stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Elder Merakia, hugging her guardian tightly.

    Elder Merakia returned the hug, her arms enfolding the little girl. ¡°Take care, dear child,¡± she said tenderly. ¡°And remember, I¡¯ll always be here for you.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    As Elysha continued to stroll along the dirt path through the forest, her gaze lingered, lost in her own little world, when her eyes caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar creature standing among the trees.

    It had long legs and a slender figure, with large, beady eyes and two long branches that reached skyward. The creature¡¯s fur was brown, matching the earthy tones of the forest. Its ears were small and moved up and down, looking as curious as the little girl.

    Elysha¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she stood there silently, her small hand instinctively reaching out for the peculiar creature¡ª

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    In the blink of an eye, the creature was gone, leaving her alone with the brief memory to behold.

    Perplexed and yet full of awe, Elysha couldn¡¯t help but think for a moment about the sight she had just witnessed. She had never seen anything like it before. She knew it wasn¡¯t a wisp of light or a bird, but what kind of creature was it?

    With a smile on her face, Elysha continued her stroll through the trees, thinking of the possibilities that awaited her at every turn. Who knew what unknown creatures and hidden sights still awaited her discovery in this forest?

    However, her legs soon became tired from walking and she sought rest in the shade of a tree. She settled down, leaning her back against the bark and feeling its natural, woody texture. After a short pause, she reached into her shoulder bag and her fingers brushed the edge of a children¡¯s encyclopedia.

    The pages of the book were a collection of descriptions about nature and life, accompanied by illustrations that made each pages much more colorful and lifelike. As her fingers grazed the edges of the pages, Elysha took her time to look at the contents of the book and read the words that accompanied each picture:

    ¡®The Cat (Felis catus)

    With four legs and a long tail, cats are small animals that many people keep as pets. Cats are curious creatures and like to explore, play, and spend time with their owners. They also like to hunt small animals like birds and mice.¡¯

    <hr>

    ¡°Hunt birds?¡± Elysha frowned.

    Today was different from yesterday.

    Earlier this morning, the little girl had woken up and realized that the words in the books were no longer blurry.

    She blinked her eyes and spoke in surprise, ¡°Oh, I can read now.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean that you can read now?¡± Elder Merakia asked as she sat in the chair in her office.

    Elysha held the children¡¯s encyclopedia out to her and said, ¡°See, this is a ¡®mushroom,¡¯ and it says here that mushrooms are fungi that grow in damp places.¡±

    ¡°That is indeed true,¡± her guardian said. ¡°But tell me, what do you mean you couldn¡¯t read before?¡±

    ¡°The words used to be all blurry to me, but now I can read them.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Elder Merakia said, taking note. ¡°Hm, but still, it¡¯s an impressive progress, considering that you are able to read words now compared to yesterday. Your mind seems to be actively growing.¡±

    Elysha nodded and said, ¡°It¡¯s like the words just make sense to me now.¡± Then, she smiled. ¡°I can read lots of books now, like the ones you¡¯ve read to me last night!¡±

    For her, it was as if a door had opened, giving her access to the stories hidden within the inked lines. She didn¡¯t understand what had caused the change from vague to clarity, but she was satisfied enough to learn and understand what the once blurry words now meant.

    Elysha shook her attention away from the recent memories and continued to read:

    ¡®The Bird (Aves)

    Known for flying high in the sky, birds are winged creatures that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They eat different things like seeds, bugs, fish, and sometimes even small animals. Birds build nests out of twigs and grass to lay their eggs. They have special behaviors like singing and dancing, and they help nature by spreading seeds and eating pests like insects.¡¯

    <hr>

    ¡°I want to fly too.¡± Elysha commented as she leaned against the tree.

    More of Elder Merakia¡¯s words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the tasks she had been assigned to this morning¡ªdocumenting interesting biological creatures and collecting specimens, and drawing the forest in her sketchbook.

    She grinned, a feeling of satisfaction settling over her as she knew she had already completed most of her tasks.

    Elysha reached for her sketchbook and pencil. With a steady hand and an attentive eye, she began to sketch using the sight in front of her and her imagination.

    Concentrating, Elysha began to sketch a cat. Her pencil moved across the paper and traced the contours of the animal. However, the creature presented an artistic hurdle.

    She frowned and clenched her pencil. ¡°This ¡®cat¡¯ is hard to draw.¡± Elysha groaned softly. Still, undaunted by the challenge, she let her hand work with purpose and vision.

    As the sketch of the cat took shape, Elysha turned her attention to the background of the illustration. She concentrated on sketching an oak tree, highlighting details and then adding a bird on one of the branches.

    ¡°Hm, cat and bird¡­¡± Elysha murmured as she scattered the petals of the tiny flowers and the grasses on the forest floor.

    A contented sigh escaped her lips as she finished her illustration. She laid herself back against the tree and held the sketchbook over her. ¡°I hope Elder Mera likes my drawing,¡± she murmured, then thought, ¡°But I haven¡¯t met a cat yet¡­ or many other creatures.¡±

    She folded the sketchbook closed and tucked it back into her backpack before continuing on with her adventure.

    ~ ??? ~

    As Elysha walked on, her eyes wandering over the forest, a new source of restlessness stirred within her.

    She stretched her limbs and felt the energy flowing through her veins. She held onto her shepherd¡¯s crook in her hand; having completed her tasks and explored the areas near the cottage.

    Yet within her, the little girl wanted more adventures.

    The Forest of Ir?stos, with its vastness and many as yet undiscovered wonders, called out to her to explore it further.

    ¡°Hm, where should I go now?¡± she pondered aloud, her voice mingling with the wind rustling through the leaves. ¡°Should I go home, or?¡±

    She stopped walking and continued with her thoughts, ¡°But, there is still so much to see in this forest. The picture book showed me lots of animals and things, but I haven¡¯t many of them yet¡­¡±

    The child was just about to walk on, but not too far, when a small creature ran past her without giving her a sign.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Elysha, who was only marginally aware of the animal¡¯s presence, turned around and saw the creature already some distance away. ¡°Where are you going?¡± she asked.

    The animal did not answer.

    From the looks of it, the creature had dark, black fur and white eyes almost resembling seeds. The sight of the animal made her cautious, but her curiosity remained.

    As Elysha approached the mysterious small creature with cautious steps, snippets of knowledge from her book flickered in her mind.

    ¡°A cat¡­¡± she whispered, recognizing the distinctive features that matched the profile in front of her.

    Then a fleeting thought crossed her mind¡ª

    ¡°... If I can keep the cat as a pet, will they come to love me?¡± she wondered. ¡°If Elder Mera allows me to keep it, that is..."

    The prospect of it gave the little girl excitement, although she knew the final decision was up to Elder Merakia.

    She took a couple more steps, extending her hand as an offering of trust, trying to befriend the cat. With each step closer, the cat mirrored her movements, only to retreat  a few paces before surprising her with an unexpected gesture¡ªa gentle lick.

    Elysha froze in astonishment, her wide eyes blinking as she whispered, ¡°You¡­¡±

    But just as quickly as the cat had approached, the animal darted away once again, pausing to cast an expectant gaze back at Elysha. Understanding dawned upon her, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. ¡°Oh,¡± she uttered in surprise and intrique at the same time. ¡°I see¡­¡±

    Without hesitation, Elysha followed the elusive cat. She meandered through the trees, her steps guided by the fleeting glimpses of the cat¡¯s ebony form. The chase led her to a stream, its clear waters meandering against the setting of tranquility. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for the cat, until she saw it sitting on a rotting tree trunk.

    ¡°Ah! I found you!¡±

    Elysha slowly approached the enigmatic cat and came face-to-face with it again.

    She let out a soft sigh of exasperation and amusement. ¡°You are indeed a strange cat, to have me run after you like this¡­¡±

    The cat returned her gaze with an cryptic expression and then tilted its head slightly.

    The little girl crouched down and looked at the cat¡¯s distinctive appearance once more. She paused thoughtfully, a question on her lips. ¡°You are different from the book I read about you, aren¡¯t you?¡± she asked, waiting for the small creature¡¯s response.

    The cat remained silent, its dark, void-like visage with white, almost seed-like shaped irises fixed upon her; eyes that seemed to possess something beyond words, an understanding beyond human comprehension¡ªatleast that¡¯s what Elysha thought.

    ¡°Hm¡­¡±

    Undeterred by the lack of response, Elysha¡¯s lips curled into a half-smile and commented, ¡°You¡¯re a strange cat, it would be nice to keep you as my pet. Would you like that?¡±

    The cat shook its head.

    ¡°A ¡®no¡¯ then?¡±

    In response, the cat nodded, affirming her assumption with a simple gesture.

    ¡°You really are a smart kitty,¡± she remarked. ¡°Then, from this moment forward, I shall call you ¡®Kitty.¡¯¡±

    The cat meowed in apparent disapproval, but Elysha remained oblivious to its plea, instead her thoughts were on her new pet.

    Her gaze drifted to a tree that stood proudly on the bank of the stream, its lush foliage catching the golden hues of the sunlight. A contented hum escaped her lips as she soaked up the joy of her new friendship and found contentment in the scenery surrounding her and the cat.

    Kitty watched her as she sat down in the grass beside the rotten tree trunk on the bank of the flowing stream. The trees swayed as the light bathed them in its warmth, and Elysha said with a smile, ¡°We are going to make lots of memories together, Kitty.¡±

    ¡°Meow.¡±

 1.9 - Mister Fluffy

    Elysha stared listlessly at her reflection in the flowing stream.

    While doing so, she couldn''t help but notice the details that caught her attention: Her small figure in the blue-and-white outfit that her guardian had chosen, her silver hair moving in the light breeze, and her gray-gold eyes that flickered back at her¡ªit was like looking in a mirror as if it were yesterday.

    The little girl couldn''t help but say to herself, ¡°I look quite cute¡­¡±

    She stared a little longer at the stream, which meandered gently through the quietude of nature, its surface reflecting the sunlight¡¯s rays.

    ¡°Meow¡­¡±

    Elysha turned her attention to her feline companion and couldn''t help but ask a question. "Kitty, can you understand me?"

    In response, Kitty tilted its head and swayed its tail. ¡°Meow?¡±

    Although Elysha doesn''t understand cat language, she continues to ask more questions. "Kitty, I was wondering, do you have a place where you come from? A place where you would call home?"

    Kitty, as if it understood her question, meowed softly and jumped on her lap.

    ¡°W-Woah¡­!¡± She flinched in surprise as the cat snuggled comfortably against her and looked at her with an expressionless eyes.

    ¡°Y-You scared me there haha¡­¡± said Elysha, gently stroking its fur as Kitty purred. She listened as she began to drift off into her own thoughts aloud.

    ¡°Hm¡­ You know, Kitty, I could only imagine that you''ve had many adventures before I met you.¡± Elysha whispered. ¡°You see, I''ve only just met you, but I feel as if I am beginning to understand you. Even though I don''t know where you are from, with you by my side, I imagine the adventures and stories we could have together. Because I remembered last night when Elder Mera told me some stories before I went to sleep, and I couldn''t help but think of those stories, but instead with myself having fun and being part of those stories. I thought I had a dream last night¡ªa dream where I was living in my own story, where I saw many wonders and things. Like, I was walking in a forest, and everywhere I looked there were many trees and grasses, but there was something that I saw, something that I know what it was, and¡­¡±

    Elysha took for a moment to breathe and then continued, ¡°It was like my own story to find my soul identity, because I have yet to find my own. I wanted to find my own so that one day I can grow up to be like Elder Mera. So that maybe one day, I would read a story about myself fulfilling my own wishes and dreams.¡±

    Kitty remained silent as it nestled against her. Elysha continued, looking at the flowing river in front of them, ¡°Now that I think about it, you have a story too, don''t you Kitty? Just like I said you must have had many adventures, right? I was really wondering what kind of adventures you had before I met you.¡±

    She tilted her head and thought, ¡°Hm, what do cats go on adventures for? What did you see? Can you tell me what they are?¡±

    Kitty remained silent.

    Elysha couldn''t help giggling, ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to tell me. Hm¡­¡± She thought for a brief moment, and then said, echoed by the river in front of her, ¡°To be honest, Kitty, now that I think about it more, for me¡­ maybe I don¡¯t really know who I am, because I don''t seem to understand myself very well, though I have some idea of who I am¡ªbecause I am Elder Mera¡¯s pupil, and I wanted to learn more about theonum magic since yesterday, but it¡¯s only been a few days since I woke up here in the forest and¡­ I know nothing about this world, just like I know nothing about what you are, Kitty.¡±

    The cat swayed its tail as Elysha continued, ¡°You are a cat with black fur, and I didn¡¯t know what cats were until yesterday, when Elder Mera told me a story about cats, just like I didn''t know what birds were until yesterday too. And¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say, if I meet you without knowing what cats are, how could I make memories with you, then? Making memories is important, isn¡¯t it? Maybe¡­ I enjoy feeling happy or feeling like I am myself as I was before I met you, but even now¡ªeven if I were to learn new things every day like Elder Mera wants me to, I feel as if¡ªas if I''ve been empty of everything since I woke up in this forest.¡±

    Kitty blinked its eyes. Yet, as if sensing Elysha''s thoughtful mood, it nuzzled her hand and let out another soft purr.

    Elysha looked deep into Kitty''s white eyes and found reassurance in the cat''s silent understanding. ¡°... You being here with me makes me happy, you know that?¡± She spoke softly. "You know, Kitty, I think that you are indeed a strange cat.¡±

    She giggled again, and Kitty tilted its head in confusion. "Hehe, it''s just that I think we might have some fun making memories together in the forest.¡± She said. ¡°We can find something that makes sense of who you and I are¡ªthat is, what something inside me wants to say."

    ¡°Meow.¡±

    Unable to keep from giggling softly, Elysha looked to the trees across the river. ¡°I have no memories of the time before I met Elder Mera, so I want to find the key to my past and remember who I was before.¡±

    She lowered her gaze and watched the gentle rippling of the river for a moment. "Just as you have your own hidden story, I am in my own story to discover what I am missing within me.¡± Elysha continued. ¡°Along the way, we can learn more about ourselves and write our own stories about who we are.¡±

    After a while, the little girl stood up and stretched her limbs. Then she turned to the cat and said, ¡°Come with me, Kitty. Let¡¯s go on an adventure together!¡±

    The little girl and the cat followed the meandering stream, with Elysha walking in front and Kitty behind her. As they strolled, Elysha hummed a happy tune that danced through the air like the rustling of leaves in the wind.

    "I think that I¡¯m having fun exploring the forest," Elysha said. "It¡¯s my first time out in the trees, you know? There''s something interesting about it, and I think I know what it is."

    ¡°Meow.¡±

    She looked towards where the river flows with a wistful expression on her face, and said, ¡°Looking out of the window in my room fills my heart with something I don¡¯t know. I can''t help feeling that there is so much out there waiting for me to see. Not only that, but I think I have until noon to do what I want, and that is to be with you, Kitty.¡±

    She skipped and pranced along the meandering stream, giggling softly, her laughter dancing through the air. "Hehe! There are so many places in the forest I''ve never been. Every place I''ve ever been has been a fulfillment for me.¡±

    She tapped the edge of the stream with her shoes, causing the tips of her socks to become soaked with water. ¡°I''ve never known of this village I heard about from Elder Mera. Could there be other people in this forest besides her and me? And the world outside the forest, what places could there be? I don''t know, but every time I think about it, I get more excited. I can''t wait to tell Elder Mera about my adventures today, and that includes meeting you, Kitty!"

    When Elysha turned around, her friend was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°¡­ Kitty?¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha''s voice trembled as she called for Kitty several times.

    ¡°Kitty?¡±

    But neither the presence nor the sounds of the cat came to her. Nothing but the echo of nature around her.

    Frantically, she searched every nook and cranny, her heart sinking with each futile attempt to find Kitty. As she examined every bush, checked behind the trees and splashed into the river, the realization dawned on her: He was gone, vanished without a trace.

    "Kitty! Where are you?" Her voice trembled as she stumbled onto the dry land, her wet hands touching dirt and grass.

    She couldn''t imagine what could have happened: Had he run away, or worse, was he in danger? The questions swirled around in her head, adding to her growing unease.

    ¡°No¡­ no way¡­¡± Elysha¡¯s arms shook as the wet drops fell from the strands of her hair. ¡°Kitty¡­ you couldn¡¯t leave me, right? I¡­ come back¡­¡±

    Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the cat was nowhere to be found.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    But she shook her head.

    ¡°No, there¡¯s still time, right? I need to find him.¡±

    Determined not to give up, Elysha stood up and continued her search, her steps becoming more frantic with each passing minute.

    "Kitty?!"

    As she walked back into the trees, something caught her attention¡ªa small creature sitting one of the tree branches.

    A glimmer of hope flashed through her as she muttered, ¡°Kitty¡­?¡±

    As Elysha cautiously approached the small creature, her eyes filled with longing. But the closer she got, the more her hopes faded before her eyes. It became clear that this creature with its strange appearance was not her dear Kitty.

    The creature had gray fur rather than black fur, and a brown, thicker coat of fur around its chest. The creature had two long ears and a large, fluffy tail that wagged back and forth for some reason. On its head sat a sort of leaf between its ears, and its eyes were larger and more expressive, staring down at the little girl.

    It was unlike any other animal she had seen in her picture book. Their behavior seemed familiar, as if they had anticipated her arrival, and Elysha stood frozen, her disbelief giving way to perplexity as she processed the surreal encounter.

    ¡°...¡±

    She turned around and walk away, continuing her search for her black-furred companion.

    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t leave me behind!¡±

    Elysha stopped, and turned around, ¡°Huh? Um¡­¡±

    She looked around and scanned her surroundings before her gaze landed on the gray-furred creature again, this time staring at her with narrowed eyes as if it were frowning at her.

    ¡°... Me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you! Who else should Micah talk to in this corner of the forest if not you?¡± The gray-furred creature''s voice rang out, and his tiny form radiated an aura of knowingness that belied his size.

    ¡°... You also talk like me?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean ¡®Micah also talk like you¡¯? Do you think Micah is an animal who can¡¯t speak or something?!¡± He pouted.

    ¡°...¡±

    Elysha thought for a moment before continuing, ¡°But I''ve never met an animal that can talk like you until now.¡±

    ¡°Ehhh? Who did you met then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve met some birds, I think, and then a cat¡ªah! I am looking for a cat with black fur and white eyes, have you seen it?¡±

    ¡°Nope! Never seen a cat like that in my life!¡±

    Elysha frowned, dissatisfied with the creature''s direct and blunt answer.

    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± the creature¡¯s ears perked up, ¡°so you are saying that you¡¯ve only met some birds and a cat so far, that¡¯s all you¡¯ve ever seen?¡±

    She hesitated, then nodded and replied, ¡°Um, yes, those are the only animals I¡¯ve seen...¡±

    ¡°Really? Not even a deer or a rabbit or a squirrel or a fox¡ªwait! You don¡¯t even know what kind of race Micah is to you?¡±

    Elysha nodded her head, signifying ¡®no.¡¯

    ¡°Hmm, this is quite peculiar,¡± the gray-furred creature muttered, scratching his head in confusion. ¡°I guess you really are new to the forest then.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my first time walking in the forest alone,¡± she replied, feeling vulnerable to the tone of the conversation.

    ¡°Looks like Micah will have to show you the tour of the Forest of Ir?stos from now on!¡± The creature said, then suddenly frowned and wagged its tail ferociously. ¡°You know, I was just about to say, ¡®Hello there, child! How are you? Nice to see you on this fine day, isn''t it?¡¯ but you decided to spoil it for me by walking away!¡±

    ¡°Um, sorry¡­¡±

    ¡°I forgive you, but don¡¯t walk away from me again! Okay?¡±

    ¡°But you didn''t say anything though, you just looked at me.¡±

    ¡°.... Ah, you are right. Micah was just nervous.¡±

    Elysha remained silent, her eyes fixed on the strange creature talking to her.

    ¡®Kitty has disappeared and now a talking creature I don''t know...¡¯ Her thoughts spun in circles, unable to comprehend what was happening, ¡®Am I dreaming?¡¯

    ¡°Well, in any case, this was a good first impression of me, right?¡± The creature''s voice faded as Elysha''s mind wandered elsewhere.

    It wasn''t the first time Elysha had encountered a strange creature, and she could tell inwardly from their eyes that they were different from the other animals.

    She remembered the first time she woke up in the morning, after the night Elder Merakia had told her stories from the book. She blinked her eyes again¡ªshe saw not only the light of morning but also that her ceiling was blocked by strange beings she did not recognize¡ªall looking at her curiously. She immediately fled her room after they disappeared and told her guardian about it, and in a detailed conversation, Elder Merakia explained to her what these beings were.

    Lost in her thoughts, Elysha came back to the present as the gray-furred creature grew impatient. He yawned and stretched.

    "No answers? Hm, well, anyways," the creature mused lazily, "what was your name again? Erush? Erushk? Elarska?"

    Elysha shook her head to clear her confusion and turned her attention back to the gray-haired creature.

    ¡®I want to find Kitty,¡¯ she mused. ¡®Should I keep staying here, or find Kitty? I don¡¯t know¡­ should I trust this creature? This creature seems so weird, but¡­¡¯

    Though it was her heart''s desire to search for her missing cat, she wondered if this strange encounter could have any meaning. Elysha remembered the time when she was about to set off into the forest, when she remembered that Elder Merakia had told her that she would not be entirely alone on her forest outing.

    "And who will be with me then, if I won¡¯t be alone?" Elysha asked, curious.

    "He''s a peculiar individual," Elder Merakia replied, her posture stern and her eyes narrowed slightly. "As for his personality and behavior, I''d say he''s a little eccentric and lazy. I told him he was supposed to be here since yesterday and he still hasn''t shown up." Her guardian sighed before continuing, "Anyway, I''m sure he¡¯s excited enough to meet you on your way¡ª"

    ¡°HEYYYY ANSWER ME WILL YOU???¡± The creature shouted. ¡°Are you dreaming in your head or what?! Micah is getting impatient here!¡±

    Elysha hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to make of the gray-furred creature standing before her.

    ¡®According to Elder Merakia, this creature was supposed to watch over me.¡¯ Elysha thought, recalling her guardian''s words. ¡®Maybe he can help me find Kitty.¡¯

    She took a deep breath and decided to address the creature.

    ¡°My name is Elysha,¡± she spoke softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. ¡°Are you the one Elder Mera mentioned? The one who is supposed to watch over me?¡±

    When she spoke her name, the creature raised an eyebrow and made a pouty expression, as if hurt by her previous silence.

    "I''m crying," he uttered, feigning sadness. "You finally spoken to Micah after ignoring me all this time."

    Confusion showed on Elysha''s face. "I don''t understand this. I don''t even know who you are."

    With a mischievous glint in his eyes, the gray-furred creature leaped down from the branch and continued, ¡°Elysha, huh? Sounds sophisticated for a little kid like you. I know another sophisticated lady too, but she''s uhh... very uhh to me.¡±

    Puzzled by his cryptic remark, Elysha frowned and pressed for more information. "What do you mean? Who are you?"

    "Very amazing! That¡¯s all Micah will say.¡± He replied, clearly pleased with his own clever response.

    Elysha''s confusion deepened, unsure whether the creature''s playful antics were simply a fa?ade or if there was a deeper meaning behind them.

    She asked, ¡°Can you help me find¡ª¡±

    "Elysha, Micah going to take you to a place I''ve wanted to show you for a long time!"

    Elysha blinked in surprise. "Huh? Where?"

    A gleeful wag of his fluffy tail accompanied the creature''s reply, "You''ll see!"

    As the gray-furred creature began to move away, Elysha was left standing there, still confused by the encounter. However, a sudden idea sparked within her¡ª

    ¡®Maybe, he will take me somewhere interesting.¡¯ She thought. ¡®But, what about Kitty? Should I just go¡ª?¡¯

    ¡°COME ON! LET¡¯S GO TOGETHER!¡± He shouted enthusiastically from a distance.

    Elysha flinched from the sound, and with caution, she made the decision to follow after him.

    The gray-furred creature moved forward unwaveringly, humming a song as he strode through the woods, whether on the forest floor or among the branches. Elysha followed close behind, her steps following the creature''s brisk pace. She broke the silence that surrounded her and asked him a question.

    "So, Mi-Micah," she began, stumbling over her words. "Where are you taking me?"

    With an air of enigma, he simply replied, "As Micah said, you''ll see when we get there."

    Before Elysha could probe further, the gray-furred creature proceeded to ask, "If you don''t mind me asking, what do you think of us ''spiritual beings'' existing around you?"

    "Um..." Elysha hesitated, her voice barely audible against the sounds of the surrounding environment. "Well, you''re different and new, and I''m still trying to get used to you¡­"

    An amused and at the same time understanding chuckle escaped the creature''s lips. "Ah, I understand. You are not accustomed to our presence yet. Well, we, the Zhivopians were not originally meant to dwell on the surface level. Our form was bestowed upon us by the Asnoiji and blessed in such so that we may travel freely and engage in activities that please Him."

    Elysha''s ears perked up at the mention of a name she had never heard before. ¡°Shi-vo-what?¡± She questioned, struggling to pronounce the unfamiliar term. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you said. I still have a lot to learn.¡±

    With a smile, the creature replied, "Elder Merakia can explain it more clearly than Micah when we return. I take it you haven''t met many of us yet, have you?"

    "Um, I may have had a short encounter with your kind in the morning, so yes, I think.¡±

    After a brief pause for thought, during which she kept looking at the creature''s fur, Elysha added, ¡°And I¡¯d like to know your name again, should I called you, ¡®Mister Fluffy?¡¯¡±

    Wagging his tail in retort, he responded, "Ah, of course NOT! I apologize for the lack of proper introductions. I am Micah! You may call me Micah!"

 1.10 - The Ruins

    Elysha and Micah continued on their way, crossing a wooden bridge that led over a flowing stream.

    As they walked along, Elysha watched the view around them while Micah commentated throughout the whole trip, wagging his big fluffy tail, "Just so you know, Micah was born in the Forest of Ir?stos, and he made up lots of fun activities and games for all of the neighborhoods alike. And through that, I''ve met so many people and made so many friends, you''d be surprised how well they know me."

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yes, really! The forest wouldn''t be the same without Micah, haven''t you been listening to me?¡±

    ¡°I am listening.¡±

    He smiled and continued, ¡°Micah has made many memories, including lots of creative and special activities in the forest, including games and delightable shows!¡±

    ¡°You do?¡±

    ¡°Because Micah is the ¡®storymaster-mind¡¯ here! I¡¯ve already made a big footprint here in the forest, and life here wouldn''t be the same without me!¡±

    ¡°... Really?¡±

    ¡°Yes, really!¡± He repeated, then frowned. ¡°Micah needs to invite you to one of my sessions, then you''ll see how much I am capable of crafting amazing stories for the forest!¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes, trying to imagine what the gray-furred creature was describing.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s that Micah over there?¡±

    Ears perked, Micah and Elysha turned their heads towards a pair of creatures behind the bushes. The little girl didn''t recognize their appearances from her encyclopedia, and their eyes were fixed on the gray-furred creature..

    ¡°It is the infamous Micah!¡±

    As the duo approached, Micah''s expression shifted from pride to annoyance, his ears twitching with irritation. "Ugh, not you two again.¡±

    ¡°Yes, us again!¡± One of them proclaimed.

    The other one recognized the little girl¡¯s presence and spoke out, ¡°Ah, and who''s this? Another innocent soul to fall victim to your game?¡±

    ¡°Game?¡± Elysha raised a brow.

    ¡°Oh no, give her my condolences.¡±

    ¡°Your condolences?!¡± Micah shouted back, his fur bristled, his tail swishing back and forth in agitation. ¡°Hey, Micah¡¯s games are not infamous!¡±

    The two creatures laughed, clearly enjoying their little game of provocation. "Oh, come on, Micah, where''s that sense of humor you usually have?" One of them taunted, nudging the other with a playful grin.

    ¡°Sorry, but I don''t have time for your nonsense today.¡± Micah then turned to Elysha and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not pay attention to them any longer. Follow me!¡±

    She nodded, and they continued on, leaving them behind.

    ¡°Bye Micah! Come back when you are done!¡± They shouted.

    ¡°Let¡¯s continue the storyline session later!¡±

    The two walked on, their footsteps rustling through the undergrowth as the sounds of birdsong filled the air around them.

    *chirp*

    Elysha turned her gaze upwards and saw a group of birds perched on the branches, looking below at them before taking to the air with the rest of the flocks.

    ¡°Look at that, more birds noticing you in the forest,¡± Micah remarked, his eyes following the birds'' path through the sky. Then, turning to Elysha, he continued, ¡°Usually, this forest is abundantly lively, because for all of us who were born here, this place is known as our home.¡±

    ¡°Where do you live then, Micah?¡±

    ¡°Micah lives practically everywhere! Well, at least Micah does these days.¡± He replied, his smile widening.

    ¡°Everywhere?¡±

    ¡°Everywhere!¡±

    Elysha couldn''t help but imagine that scenario as he continued, ¡°Anyway, where was I? Oh yes! We''re about to reach a place where Micah wanted to visit! Let¡¯s move faster! Do you think you can catch up with me?¡±

    She stopped, processed his words and returned with a determined nod.

    Micah smiled and took off into the forest. Elysha quickened her pace to keep up with the gray-furred creature, interested to know what awaited them at their destination.

    They ran and ran as they passed the tall stone pillars that stood guard along the overgrown forest path, their surfaces adorned with a tangle of moss and other forms of fungi.

    Eventually Micah stopped, and allowed Elysha to take a moment of breather. He turned to observe the stone pillars and said, ¡°Beyond these scattered stone pillars lies a place of old ruins.¡±

    ¡°Old ruins?¡±

    ¡°Yep! These ruins belonged to the forest''s ancestors, the Kuwakjis, and were then passed onto one of the forest''s later tribes, I don''t know who, the details elude me to be honest, ehehe.¡±

    Curiosity piqued, Elysha raised an eyebrow. "Why don''t you know all the details?" She asked.

    He let out a sigh, "Well, you see, Micah had tried to unravel the full history of everything, but¡­ you know¡­¡±

    ¡°I know¡­?¡±

    ¡°Micah simply hasn''t made the effort to learn all the details, yet!¡± He replied. ¡°Micah still learning a lot, too. So don''t embarrass me with questions I can''t answer!¡±

    "Embarrass you? Why would I do that?¡± Elysha tilted her head, then a playful gleam appeared in her eyes. ¡°Don''t you enjoy being called ¡®Mister Fluffy?¡¯"

    Micah''s fluffy body trembled with amusement, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Actually, I have to admit that I quite like that nickname. It has a certain charm to it, don''t you think? Ehehehehehehehe..."

    Elysha frowned at his words and laughter, but she decided to remain silent for now and instead observe their surroundings as they approached the ruins.

    The first glimpses of the area revealed a scene of desolation and decay: broken statues lay scattered on the ground, while piles of stones and toppled pillars, wrapped in a carpet of moss, vines, and tall grass, gave the impression of a forgotten history.

    Elysha walked to one of the pillars and pressed her hand on the moss, feeling its soft texture covering the hard surface. Then she let go and looked at her hand and then at her other hand¡ªher eyes widened in realization.

    ¡°Wait, where is my staff?¡± She blurted out, searching around herself and the area.

    ¡°What staff?¡± Micah asked.

    ¡°My staff! It¡¯s a long stick with um¡­ a round thingy at the end like this! I¡­ I was holding it since the beginning when I entered the forest, and then¡­¡±

    He scratched himself and replied, ¡°Hm, nope! Micah has never seen you hold a staff like that since I first saw you.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yes, really¡ªreally!¡±

    ¡°Then¡­¡± Elysha heart sank at Micah''s response. ¡°But I could have sworn I had it with me," she murmured. ¡°If you didn¡¯t see me holding a staff, then, when was the last time I held it with me?¡±

    She took a moment to try and remember.

    ¡°Perhaps maybe when I was with Kitty?¡± She mused.

    Elysha then turned around to backtrack her steps when a voice called out, ¡°Hey! You are not leaving Micah are you?¡±

    ¡°I need to find my staff.¡± She insisted.

    ¡°Grr, wait until Micah has shown you the place I wanted to go first, then you can go and find what you''re looking for!¡±

    ¡°...¡± She looked back at Micah, torn between her desire to retrieve her staff as well as find Kitty, and her curiosity about what he wanted to show her.

    After a moment of hesitation, Elysha made a decision. "Okay, Micah. I''ll come with you," she said.

    Micah''s expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. "Deal!" He said, keeping down the excitement in his voice.

    They proceeded forward, passing by more of the stone pillars as Micah continued his commentary, ¡°Now where was I at again? Hm¡­ Ah! I remembered now! This part of the forest originally belonged to the Kuwakji Tribe, one of the original three civilizations of the Asnoiji. Nowadays, after being passed down and then lost in time, these ruins are now assimilating with the forest, meaning that history and nature are becoming one with each other.¡±

    As they approached the ruins, Micah stopped and so did Elysha, their eyes gazing upon the sight to behold in front of them.

    She could catch glimpses of the place, which resembled Elder Merakia''s garden, but its sight was amplified by the ongoing reclamation of nature: Moss, ivy and an abundance of wildflowers adorned most areas, breathing life into the broken stones.

    As they admired the sight of the ruined wonders, Micah broke the silence and spoke, ¡°Anyway, to sum it all up, this is one of the places where we Zhivopians can relax and have fun!"

    ¡°Have fun?¡±

    ¡°Of course! What place in the forest is excluded from having fun?¡±

    Her curiosity was further piqued and she asked a question, "So, why did you bring me here?"

    His grin widened, revealing his pointed teeth. "Why," he replied, his tail wagging in anticipation, "Micah brought you here to face a trial!"

    "A trial?"

    "Yes, you simply need to navigate and complete the challenge while exploring the ruins!"

    Perplexed, Elysha pressed for more information. "And what is this challenge?"

    "I''m afraid Micah can''t give that away,¡± he said, shaking his head, ¡°because then it wouldn''t be as entertaining as it should be! You''ll have to rely on your intuition to solve the trial yourself!"

    "I see..." she folded her arms. "I''m not going to join your trial."

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡± Elysha recalls the words that the creatures before had mentioned. ¡°I don¡¯t know what ¡®game¡¯ you are doing.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on! You''re not thinking about those idiots from earlier, are you? Do you really doubt the truth of what Micah says?¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Elysha hesitated, ¡°I just¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted softly.

    Micah''s expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. ¡°Ah, I see,¡± he murmured, his ears perking upwards. ¡°You don''t know what a game is, do you?¡±

    Elysha shook her head. ¡°What¡¯s a game?¡±

    ¡°It''s... well, it''s like a challenge or an activity that people do for fun,¡± Micah explained, his tail swishing back and forth in excitement. ¡°You see, in a game, there are rules and objectives, and the goal is to achieve them while having fun!¡±

    Elysha nodded. ¡°Oh, I think I understand now. Then, is this trial a game?¡±

    ¡°NO! A trial is a trial, and a game is a game. Trials are a special process as they examine the growth of one''s soul identity. I am sure it will be a great experience! Just trust me.¡±

    ¡°Soul identity?¡± Her muttered breath recognizes the term. "I suppose if this trial has anything to do with Elder Mera, then it¡¯s fine to try, I guess. But why do you feel the need for me to explore this place? What strange wonders are hidden here?"

    "It¡¯s called taking part in an exploration through the ruins," said Micah, running along towards the inner sections. "The closer you look, the more you witness the history that these ruins once were! Follow me!¡±

    He then went on running, and Elysha followed his lead, emitting an exasperated groan as she struggled to keep up with his brisk pace on a direct path. "Where exactly are you leading me?" She inquired.

    "You will see it just up ahead!" Micah declared. ¡°The hidden strange wonders you speak of could be found up ahead! If you want to see them, then come forth!"

    ~ ??? ~

    In the inner sections of the ruins, Elysha and Micah came upon a staircase that led down to the lost civilization. The air felt thick with an essence of the ruins, and as they descended, Elysha''s eyes couldn''t help but stare at the structural sight before her: Mazes of trees, bushes, statues, pillars, buildings¡ªthere was so much to see.

    However, she took a misstep, her foot slipping on a loose stone.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    She tumbled forward, her hands reaching out desperately for something to hold onto, when her upper body landed on something soft and her hands grabbed onto a tuft of fur.

    ¡°...?¡±

    Elysha turned her head to see a large creature, more than twice her size, standing horizontally on the stairs. His body was like clumps of clouds that had merged into one form, almost spiritual-like and more subdue in colors. There was a shiny golden mark on his forehead, and his gaze looked at her with an expression of concern.

    Her eyes widened in shock, ¡°Mi-Micah?¡±

    He nodded and replied, ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± then went on, ¡°are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes.¡±

    Elysha slid herself off back to her feet on the stairs, and after that Micah transformed, sending a gust of air around them, shrinking smaller and smaller until he was back to his previous form.

    ¡±Whoo! I haven''t done that in a long time, come to think of it.¡± He said, then turned to Elysha, ¡°Make sure you don''t fall off the stairs again! Maybe Micah won''t be there to help you next time.¡±

    He observed her reaction and noticed that she wasn¡¯t paying attention to his words. ¡°That mark¡­¡± She muttered.

    Micah looked up and his eyes widened, ¡°Ah! my leaf! It¡¯s gone now!¡±

    ¡°Your leaf?¡±

    ¡°Nooo! Now I feel naked now without Micah¡¯s leaf!¡± He complained, trying to cover his head with his tail.

    She watched him hiding himself for over a minute until she looked around, walked away and came back to place a small leaf on his head. ¡°Here you go,¡± she said.

    Micah sniffled, looked up at the leaf and shouted, ¡°This leaf is too small! It even has brown decay on it!¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t know what to do to make you feel better,¡± Elysha said, frowning.

    ¡°... It¡¯s okay, Micah can look for Madelei to make me a new hat again.¡±

    ¡°Madelei?¡±

    ¡°Ah! You probably haven¡¯t met her, didn¡¯t you? She¡¯s the daughter of the Forest Mistress of the Guardian Ir?stos.¡±

    ¡°Forest Mistress?¡± She blinked her eyes. ¡°Guardian Ir?stos?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! You will have a lot to learn by the time you visit the Village of Illumija. That is like, the central place of all of the Forest of Ir?stos and where she is from.¡±

    Elysha processed those words as Micah continued descending the stairs, ¡°Anyways, I am certain that Madelei will be happy to meet you¡ªAh! My leaf! It¡¯s down there!¡±

    She watched and took a few cautious steps down the stairs as Micah cried, ¡°No! Don¡¯t let the wind take you away! Come back!¡±

    They continued forward, with Elysha following after Micah as they entered the edge of an labyrinthe-like area with walls of gates and bushes tall enough to where the little girl¡¯s gaze couldn''t even reach the other side.

    Micah retrieved the leaf and settled it back onto his head. ¡°There we go,¡± he smiled. ¡°Micah is relieved to have it back.¡±

    He turned to Elysha, who nodded at him.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± He grinned, and they continued through the grounds until they reached the end of the path where a large archway rose at the far end of the open space, its stone ashlars decorated with a weave of moss and leaves. The entrance to the archway emitted a warm, inviting light.

    Micah turned to see Elysha¡¯s expression as she took in her surroundings and teased, ¡°Ehehe, looks like you''ve stumbled onto something really wondrous, doesn''t it?¡±

    Elysha shook her head, ¡°I don''t know what you''re talking about. I was just taking in the surroundings since it''s my first time here.¡±

    ¡°Sure, sure, pretending that you aren¡¯t interested in what lies beyond the archway, are you?¡±

    She shrugged, ¡°Hm, maybe¡­?¡±

    ¡°Shall we go and find out?¡± He smiled, swishing his tail around.

    She nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Together, they took a step forward, crossed the threshold of the archway and entered the central area of the ruins. They walked on as Elysha followed Micah''s gaze and looked what she saw before them: Small structures dotted the landscape, their walls marred by cracks where even trees had found their way through the stone. Nature thrived here on the open ground with shrubs, trees, weeds and flowers enveloping the structures in a verdant embrace.

    ¡°This is¡­ the place of the lost Kuwa Tribe isn¡¯t it?¡± Elysha asked.

    ¡°Kuwakji,¡± Micah corrected, ¡°and yeah, and so on and so forth with its successor tribes until this place became what is is now.¡±

    ¡°Then why has it become like this now?¡±

    Micah furrowed his brow in thought before explaining, ¡°Mmm, because you see, when life comes in goes for a long period of time, things change. New people replace old ones, and they live their lives differently from those in the past. What remains are the cultural traditions and memories left behind. But with preservation comes the desire for new changes. So people moved out to start their own lives, and those who preferred the old ways stayed here.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Elysha nodded.

    ¡°Over time, the newer tribes became more populated and prosperous. People migrated to these new tribes. Then, the Guardian Ir?stos moved to the Village of Illumija, and more followed. Eventually, this place became a memorial relic to the old tribe. People visit to preserve the memories of the past.¡±

    ¡°How interesting,¡± she murmured.

    Micah continued, "All of this happened long before even my ancestors witnessed it. Many like myself come here to play around. There are things that Micah want to show you as well! Not only that, we are almost there too, so follow me!¡±

    He darted forward, beckoning her to follow. As they moved through the ruins, Micah glanced back at Elysha.

    "By the way, what do you think about all of this so far?" He asked. "These ruins hold a wealth of historical knowledge, don''t you think?"

    "They do," she replied, catching her breath. "From what you''ve told me so far, and from what I''ve seen, I find them very interesting to me."

    ¡°What else is there that you don''t know? I''m sure you''ve heard of the Asnoiji, right?¡±

    "Um, I¡¯ve heard that name, I think that you may have mentioned to me before.¡± Elysha replied, her brow furrowing in thought. ¡°But I don¡¯t know who the Asoiji is.¡±

    Micah raised a brow and opened his mouth, "Interesting. Almost everyone is familiar with the Asnoiji. He is the creator of all things in this world, his name meaning ''The Lord of Divinity.''¡±

    ¡°The Lord of Divinity?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± He nodded. ¡°He brought this world into existence from nothingness and ensured that the Elbijan and Zhivopian races coexist in harmony and peace. It is through His power, known as theonum, that we are able to use and manipulate the very essence of creation itself.¡±

    "I see¡­" replied Elysha, her mind imbued with the newfound knowledge. The concept of a higher being creating a world full of creatures and limitless wonders felt almost magical, as if He were the most divine occurrence there was.

    The mysterious figure of the Asnoiji stirred her questions, ¡°So you are saying that he created both you and I, and Elder Merakia as well?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right! Including you, I and Elder Merakia. It is known by everyone on the isles that we are all part of His divine story, each with our own unique purpose in this world.¡±

    ¡°All part of his divine story?¡± Elysha repeated. ¡°Then, has the Asnoiji ever revealed himself to anyone? Given that he¡¯s the ''creator'' of this world?"

    Micah shook his head, "Hm, not that I know of, and not that anyone remembers. But there is a lot of evidence and ancient records in these ruins that attest to His existence.¡±

    She nodded in understanding, ¡°I see¡­¡±

    As they kept walking, Elysha peered into her mind, her thoughts echoed by Micah¡¯s words, ¡®The more I learned, the more questions I have...¡¯ She mused inwardly, gazing her eyes out to the sky. ¡®The Lord of Divinity¡ªthe creator of the world. He created me, Micah, and Elder Merakia as well, and everyone in this forest. He is¡­ then, I wondered what soul identity he gave me to become in this world?¡¯

    Elysha quelled her ever-growing curiosity about the knowledge of the world. And then, as if in response to her growing anticipation, Micah declared, "Ah, we''re here!"

    ~ ??? ~

    When they had arrived, the two came across a section of the lost civilization where there are various pillars and statues, each with a different shape and size. From a distance at the center was a large circle with a fountain could be seen, empty and dry, with moss and vines growing on it.

    ¡°Here we are is the memorial area of statues and tributes to important figures and loved ones,¡± he said. ¡°This place kinda holds the memories of those who once walked these grounds back in the days of the Kuwakji Tribe, and their memories and stories are immortalized in stone. Some considered this as the heart of the ruins.¡±

    As Micah continued to speak, Elysha¡¯s eyes was drawn to a statue standing on a large stone pedestal. One of its arms stretched upwards, as if reaching for the sky. Near the pedestal, a single carving in a language she didn''t recognize caught her attention. White flowers grew around the statue, their petals swaying in the soft wind.

    She tilted her head and, as if in a trance, found herself mirroring the statue''s gesture. Her hands reached towards the sky, her hair flowed behind her like a cascading stream, and her lips formed a soft, serene expression. For a moment, Elysha felt as calm and phlegmatic as the frozen statue before her, and her gaze fixed on the bright expanse of the sky.

    However, her reverie was abruptly interrupted by Micah''s voice breaking the still serenity, ¡°... And not only that, over there is the temple where devotees worshiped the Asnoiji," he explained, addressing Elysha. "But over time¡ªuh, are you even listening to me?"

    Startled, Elysha lowered her arm and offered an apologetic smile. "Oh, sorry, my mind wandered off again.¡±

    ¡°Again?!?¡±

    ¡°W-What were you saying again?"

    Micah sighed, and spoke, ¡°Ah, to get straight to the point, those statues you see scattered throughout Soliremisce are called ''neshev?ds.'' They were erected by followers of the Asnoiji, known as ''eir¨ªk?pis,'' to pay tribute to their divine lord."

    Elysha attentively absorbed his words, noting the tone of enthusiasm in Micah''s voice. "So, the eir¨ªk?pis believe that the divine powers they possess come from the Asnoiji himself. They see these statues¡ªthe neshev?ds¡ªas protectors in times of danger, such as when they are confronted by supernatural creatures, monsters, or otherworldly beings."

    Understanding dawned upon Elysha as she nodded in acknowledgement. ¡°Ah, okay then.¡±

    Micah grinned, "Well, did Micah manage to confuse you with all the details of the trial?"

    She shook her head and said, "Um, not at all. Your words make sense, I mean, since the Asnoiji is the creator of everything, it''s only makes sense that he knows everything about everything there is. Because he created us, after all."

    Micah arched an eyebrow, ¡°I am impressed by your level of insight. Cecil was right about you. You have a decent intellectual maturity that belies your youthful appearance.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes and tilted her head, but before she could inquire further, Micah redirected his attention elsewhere. "Anyway, let''s keep moving. The main place Micah was going to take you isn''t far from here!"

    ¡°Huh? So it wasn¡¯t this place then?¡±

    ¡°Ah haha, nope it wasn¡¯t!¡±

    As he took some steps towards the destination, Elysha called out to him, ¡°Wait!¡±

    He halted his steps and asked, ¡°What now?¡±

    "What is written on that statue?"

    "Hm?" Micah turned his head, following her gaze, and his eyes lingered on the statue she had pointed out. Curious, he walked over to the pedestal and examined the inscription she had noticed.

    "Ah, this is just another statue of the Asnoiji," he explained. "And the writing you mentioned is the language of the Soliremiscians from the past.¡±

    ¡°Language from the past?¡±

    ¡°That is what our ancestors mainly spoke back then, and there were different variants of the language, such as this is the Ir?stos variant. Nowadays we sometimes speak the old languages to enchant our theonum spells, ehehe."

    Micah stepped closer and began to read aloud the characters etched into the stone. Elysha listened as he spoke out the inscription:

    ¡°¡®J¡¯Asnoiji, Theolfanija,

    Enestrek¨¹n¨¦ niji Mikataiji ni Wergoraja,

    Oreschwa¨¹din¨¦ ni j¡¯Efkulturja Chtholvdol,

    Naija niji Nukamot Olma.¡¯¡±

    Elysha''s eyebrow arched in confusion and asked, "What does it mean?"

    Micah checked the words he had spoken and replied, "Well, the inscription translates to:

    ¡®The Asnoiji, Theolfanija,

    Wearer of the Crown of Thorns,

    Originator of the -------- -----,

    ----- of the ----- -----.¡¯¡±

    Elysha''s expression became even more confused. ¡°¡­ What?¡±

    Micah turned to her and frowned, asking, "What do you mean by ¡®what?¡¯ Do you want me to say it out again?"

    ¡°No¡­¡± Elysha¡¯s eyes quivered, her body shaking a little. "I didn''t hear some of the words when you said them to me. Sorry."

    "Hmm¡­ but Micah could swear that I heard the words I spoke very clearly.¡± He mumbled in disbelief.

    Elysha''s eyes never left the statue, her mind grappling with the enigma before her. Finally she spoke, ¡°Micah?¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    "Look at the writings behind you."

    Micah turned his head back to the inscription. His eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°How...?¡±

    The words seemed to have vanished from the statue''s surface. The once clearly engraved text was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°How did they disappear?" He repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

 1.11 - Memories of Kuwakji

    Elysha frowned, her gaze fixed on Micah, who continued to move from one place to another.

    "Um, Micah? She asked with a skeptical tone. ¡°Where is the place you want to show me?"

    "There is this portal I¡¯m trying to look for," he replied. "It''s usually located near an overgrown stone column by the other edge of the ruins."

    A flicker of doubt crossed Elysha''s face. ¡°So you are saying that the place from before wasn¡¯t the one you are trying to show me?¡±

    ¡°Have trust in Micah,¡± he insisted. ¡°Besides, the trial wouldn¡¯t be as fun if it were to be short and boring.¡±

    He continued onward, and Elysha followed behind, wearily and attentively watching Micah''s movements. Minutes passed and their destination was nowhere in sight.

    Impatient and uncertain, while still wanting her staff back and find Kitty, she asked, ¡°Are you sure that you know where it is?¡±

    Micah smiled confidently and replied, "As a Zhivopian living in this forest, Micah has a good sense of direction," he assured her. "Visitors from outside often get lost in these trees, especially this deep within the ruins, but Micah knows these paths well. As I said, Micah lives everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Everywhere?¡±

    ¡°Everywhere!¡±

    Curiosity mingled with suspicion in Elysha''s mind as her skepticism never left her stream of consciousness, ¡°Then, tell me, why are you making me take this ¡®trial?¡¯ I still don¡¯t understand what this is all about.¡±

    ¡°Quite a joyless bum are you?¡± Micah frowned, stopping and turning to face her. ¡°If you keep asking Micah questions like that, you will have your answers by then.¡±

    ¡°You are?¡±

    ¡°Nope!¡±

    ¡°Then why?¡± Elysha insisted. ¡°I don¡¯t like it when I can not understand what is going on.¡±

    ¡°I meant by after the trial you fool! Why would you participate a sacred trial if you were to know everything that is going on? That defeats the whole purpose of finding your soul identity. Sometimes, you need to use your courage and intuition to face the unknown head-on and discover what lies in what you can not see. Do you understand Micah now?¡±

    Elysha shook her head, indicating ¡®no.¡¯

    Micah sighed, ¡°You Elbijans and your need to have everything explained beforehand. Life is more fun when you explore around with your brain empty and free of worries.¡±

    He leapt forward ahead and continued, ¡°And also, you are allowed to leave the trial, but that means you will fail the trial by default.¡±

    ¡°Fail?¡±

    ¡°Yep! You will fail the trial.¡± He smiled. ¡°What do you think about that?¡±

    Elysha stood there, her mind flashed back to the memory of Elder Merakia¡¯s garden.

    ¡°N-No¡­. no¡­ I don¡¯t want to fail again.¡± She shook her head, her fingers intertwining together. ¡°Not AGAIN!!!¡±

    ¡°Woah-woah, calm down, will you? Micah wasn¡¯t being serious, okay?¡± He asked in concern.

    Elysha looked away, her lips pressed together and her gaze lowered, ¡°... You sure that you weren¡¯t serious?¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± He nodded his head. ¡°And besides, Micah is one-hundred percent okay with you not wanting to take the trial anymore. It''s up to you whether you want to continue or not.¡±

    ¡°No, I want to take your trial.¡±

    ¡°You do?¡±

    She raised her head, revealing her determined expression. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Micah''s eyes softened and a smile appeared on his face, ¡°Very well then, I promised you an experience like no other, didn''t I? Trust in Micah, and you won''t be disappointed.¡±

    He went ahead and said, ¡°Let''s continue, shall we?¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha followed Micah further into the ruins, each step bringing them closer to the destination the gray-furred creature was searching for. As they ventured forward, she wondered how far they had come in the ruins and how far they had now traveled from where they had first arrived.

    She turned her gaze to the buildings they had passed. Some of them even had open entrances so that her eyes could catch a glimpse of what was inside: Furniture, clothes and other mundane things that gave an impression of the former lives that had lived in these places. Elysha felt the urge to take a closer look at these buildings, but Micah''s voice drew her back to her intended path.

    ¡°Another reason why my friends and I like to make the ruins one of our hangout places is because this place is like a really big labyrinth,¡± he said. ¡°Who wouldn''t want to immerse themselves in the essence of a bygone era? When we meet here, it''s like a glimpse into a past civilization¡ªa great setting for a great game session for my friends and I to play with!¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°Yep! And not only that, there''s always something new to discover or play with and have fun when we come here, like a casual game of hide and seek for example.¡± He smiled. ¡°There are countless things here that go into making it feel like a thrilling adventure.¡±

    As she listened to Micah''s words, it was as if Elysha''s stream of thought spilled over into her curiosity. ¡®Everything that I have seen so far, from when we first saw the ruins, to the houses we¡¯ve passed, to all the statues, the broken objects and the nature that covers them, ah¡ªand the writings that I can¡¯t read¡ªthere¡¯s so much new things for me to learn and understand. I want to know and see what this place looked like a long time ago, like a lost story waiting to be told.¡¯

    As Elysha took another step, she turned her gaze to see what lay ahead. It was as if the environment around them changed as they walked on: There was an unfamiliar sense of timelessness in the air, and the trees swayed as the sun''s rays cut through the foliage, casting moving shadows on the ground. The atmosphere around them changed, and the ruins seemed to become more immersive than before.

    *whisper*

    Elysha stopped and observed her surroundings.

    ¡°...?¡±

    Her eyes widened as a white butterfly flew over her view and drew her gaze to a structure in the distance¡ªa pillar split in half, most of it lying on the ground and the rest still standing, on which the butterfly landed.

    As the little girl slowly walked towards the butterfly, she watched as each flap of the butterfly''s wings beckoned her to come closer. With each step, the distance between her and the butterfly decreased until she was only a handful of centimeters away. Without taking another breath, she reached out a hand, her fingertips almost brushing its delicate wings. But just as she was about to touch it, the butterfly fluttered away, and she looked up to see the creature flying through the air with effortless grace.

    Elysha stared at the butterfly until it disappeared from her field of vision. It was almost as if a voice echoed through the ruins and brought her out of her reverie. She blinked her eyes, and looked around her surroundings until she caught her breath and her heart skipped a beat.

    She turned quickly, expecting to see the gray-furred creature standing next to her, but he was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Micah?¡±

    There was no answer, neither in words nor in an echo, and she was left alone in the ruins.

    She inadvertently lost sight of Micah.

    ¡°Micah..?¡± Elysha repeated, panic slowly started to set in as she realized she was lost in the maze-like area. ¡°Micah!¡±

    She looked around the area again, holding her trembling arms together and biting her lips, ¡°I-I am not lost, am I? I have to find him, but how?¡±

    As panic threatened to overwhelm her, Elysha shook her head, took a deep breath and tried to calm her heart. She closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated on finding the reason why she had lost sight of the gray-furred creature.

    ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have look around so much, I should have kept an eye on him,¡¯ she fretted. ¡®Micah is small and moves fast, it makes sense that I would lose sight of him if I didn''t catch up with him quickly enough.¡¯

    Opening her eyes again, she scanned her surroundings for any sign of movement or his familiar appearance. But the ruins seemed too still, and there was no trace of the gray-furred creature in sight.

    Elysha bit her lips, ¡°I have to find him,¡± she muttered to herself, ¡°but how? I don¡¯t know how¡­¡±

    Various possibilities crossed her mind, ¡°Should I go back?¡± She thought aloud, her voice barely higher than a whisper. ¡°Maybe I should, I think. I need to find him.¡±

    Clenching her fists, Elysha began to move, her steps hesitant at first, she forced herself to push aside her fear and walk through the ruins alone, exploring every nook and cranny as she searched for Micah.

    She turned each corner, explored each street, but as Elysha retraced her steps, she seemed to get further lost with each direction as the minutes ticked by. The once familiar surroundings now seemed stranger and stranger, and the path she had taken with the gray-furred creature seemed to have disappeared from her sight.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°¡­ Micah..?¡± Elysha''s voice called out again, this time sounding more faintly far away.

    As she walked, the little girl gazed at the remnants of a long-gone civilization from another world. The air around her felt heavy with an inexplicable energy, and the sounds of the forest seemed to become more mystical, with a history the child was still very unfamiliar with.

    Elysha stopped, tried to regain her composure and shouted, "Micah!"

    She hoped he would hear her and come to her, but there was only silence in response. The forest seemed to swallow up her emotions and she felt completely alone.

    The little girl shrugged her shoulders and gave in to a final thought, ¡°It seems¡­ I am on my own now.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha took a deep breath and pushed herself forward as she searched for a way out of the ruins. Despite the fear tugging at her heart, she knew she had to keep moving ahead.

    With every step, her eyes became aware of the things around her, of sights she couldn''t place and of sounds she suspected. The further she went, the sharper her senses became. Every creak and rustle made her pulse beat faster, but she kept going, determined to find her way.

    ¡°How long have I¡¯ve been walking?¡± She mumbled, confused and disoriented, her sense of time and space in the ruins blurred.

    As Elysha walked on, she sensed a presence nearby. She turned her gaze towards it and saw the appearance of a creature for a split second before it disappeared.

    She blinked her eyes, paused in her steps and stared at the spot, ¡®Could it be¡­?¡¯

    The little girl remembered the time when she saw ¡®wisps of light¡¯ flying around her. After a moment of stillness, Elysha moved on to navigate the ruins in search of Micah¡ªwhen she later stumbled upon a sight amidst the overgrown foliage.

    A fountain stood in her way; it was the same one she had seen from before when she was with Micah. As Elysha approached the fountain, her eyes widened in realization.

    ¡®This fountain¡­ is very clean.¡¯

    The clear surface shimmered in the light and cast back reflections of the surroundings. Water cascaded down from the marble basin, creating a subtle melody that filled the air.

    Elysha dipped her hand in and swirled the water around, creating vibrations and rifts within the pool. ¡®It¡¯s not empty and full of plants like the one I saw before,¡¯ she mused. ¡®Why?¡¯

    As she lingered by the fountain, a butterfly fluttered past her, and the little girl jumped.

    ¡°The butterfly!¡± She blurted out, her eyes watching as the creature''s shimmering white wings flickered back to her.

    As the butterfly flew away, Elysha found herself running after it without hesitation. She dashed through the ruins, her eyes fixed on the shimmering creature dancing through the air.

    ¡°Wait!¡± She shouted, but the butterfly didn¡¯t listened as it continued moving ahead. Her heart pounded in her chest as she meandered through ruined streets and structures reclaimed by nature, never taking her eyes off the elusive creature.

    ¡°Wait!¡± She called out again, her voice echoing faintly in the vacant surroundings. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±

    However, the butterfly paid no heed, its movements leading itself further and further away.

    As she ran, Elysha''s feet passed an open path that led to a field of bright flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of an object in the far distance¡ªa closed door standing directly opposite her.

    Her feet continued several more steps until she stopped and turned around to confirm what she had seen, but when she did, the door was no longer there.

    Elysha turned her head back in the direction of the butterfly, which was still visible but far away. She chased after it, and as she ran, Elysha chased it all the way back to the area she had started from¡ªthe place with the memorial statues and the clean fountain. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

    ¡°I''m... back?¡± She murmured, her voice barely audible against the sounds of the moving fountain. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of the butterfly, but it was nowhere to be found. It had vanished, leaving her feeling lost and disoriented.

    ¡°Why am I doing this? I''m running after a butterfly that always seems to disappear in front of me.¡± Elysha muttered to herself, frustration gnawing at her.

    She shook her head, trying to shake off the confusion clouding her mind. "I don''t understand¡­¡± She frowned, her brows furrowed. ¡°Why does it feel like I''m going nowhere? I am supposed to find Micah, I¡¯m supposed to find my staff and find Kitty, but I¡¯m¡­ really lost.¡±

    ¡®I want to go home¡­¡¯

    Elysha closed her eyes and took a quiet moment to calm her racing thoughts.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°... Hehe.¡±

    Startled, she turned her head in the direction of the laughter and her eyes widened in surprise.

    Before her, a child strolled through Elysha''s field of vision, their spiritual, ethereal form emitting a soft glow. Passing through different statues, their bare feet stepped playfully over the grass and flowers by the fountain, while Elysha''s heart skipped a beat at the sight.

    She wasn''t sure whether she should be scared or fascinated. However, it wasn''t the sight itself that astonished her¡ªit was the same illusory child who had the uncanny resemblance to herself, except for the blurry face.

    For a brief moment, the child paused and stared at Elysha. There was an unspoken invitation in their blurry gaze, as if inviting her to follow.

    Her mind raced with questions and doubts, unsure of the meaning behind this strange encounter. ¡®Should I follow this¡­ no,¡¯ Elysha shook her head and frowned. ¡®Why do I wanted to follow this¡­ false appearance of myself? It¡¯s so creepy! And scary too! Seeing myself, but I don¡¯t understand, what could exactly be the meaning of this? Should I run away and hide?¡¯

    Yet, despite her doubts, a part of her was drawn to the mysterious figure. The unspoken invitation in the false child''s gaze tugged at something deep within her, stirring a curiosity she couldn''t ignore.

    ¡®But, I want to know¡­¡¯ She thought to herself. ¡®I want to understand what¡¯s going on. Maybe¡­ maybe there¡¯s a reason for this. Maybe I might find something.¡¯

    With her heart racing as she took a hesitant step forward, Elysha began to follow the false child. Her eyes watched as the false child turned and began to advance deeper into the ruins, moving playfully as always, as if expecting her to follow.

    Elysha''s footsteps echoed in the open corridors of the ruins as she followed the false child, whose footsteps made no sound. She took the opportunity to question the situation and asked, ¡°Who are you and where are you taking me?¡±

    She heard nothing but giggles of laughter in response, ignoring her question.

    As they walked through the ruins together, time seemed to lose its construct with every step, while the environment itself immersed them deeper into the hidden history and culture. Elysha blinked her eyes, and with each passing second, the surroundings changed, morphing into scenes from the civilization that had once thrived in this place.

    The air whispered with unfamiliar sounds, and Elysha could almost feel the heartbeat of the ancient tribe echoing behind the broken walls. The path they traveled was full of shards of lost memories that flashed before her eyes, as if she were reliving the past interwoven with the present.

    ¡®Laji w¨¹vimajes radamadeje!¡¯

    Elysha caught a glimpse of passing children, their laughter echoing through the corridors as they stepped into the open light. As she stepped outside, her eyes widened as she saw that the previously ruined state of the ancient Kuwakji tribe was now lively and vibrant again.

    Elysha''s unease mingled with a growing sense of curiosity as she looked around, observing people moving about and going about their normal daily lives. She saw a mother saying goodbye to a boy who was about to go to his friends, when the false child walked past them and sauntered in front of her.

    As she tried to catch up with the child, the echo of distant conversations reverberated through the air, and she could hear people''s voices in her ears:

    ¡®Teja w¨¹vi albrija anrolji radamadeje!¡¯

    ¡®Mijaji, otos ra mankiulsju...¡¯

    ¡®Ond¡¯nt ijata kuniju ll ji-naufen¨¹vji, andoju?¡¯

    Elysha could not understand the words, but the sight she saw before her immersed her in the mirage of the tribe, as if she were seeing a life different from hers, stories waiting to be told.

    She also witnessed families dining together and friends coming together to celebrate memorable occasions. Elysha wondered if she could understand more of their lives, their wishes, and their dreams, but the more she thought about it, the harder it became for her to catch up with the false child through the crowd.

    ¡°Ah, wait!¡± Elysha called out, but the false child kept moving. As she tried to follow the moving spirit, she heard a loud noise from a distance that resembled an instrument. She turned around and saw a commotion going on, and many people are gathering towards a certain direction. Elysha was curious to see what was going on, and when she turned around, she realized that the false child had disappeared from her sight again.

    She sighed, and made her way to see that an event seemed to be taking place and that many people had gathered to watch it. Elysha then slipped through the crowd to the front where she had a better view of the action. There, her eyes focused on the stage in the center where the ceremony was to take place.

    In front of her was a young man kneeling on a cushion on a raised platform. He wore a ceremonial robe decorated with intricate patterns and symbols, including a long cape spread out over the ground. She could also see the crowned man''s face more closely and make out some details: His expression was serene and content, he had long white hair and thick antlers sticking out of his head.

    Around him were several other figures, including an old figure who exuded more authority and wisdom than Elder Merakia. The air was full of anticipation as everyone waited for the momentous event to begin.

    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Elysha muttered, when suddenly the old figure raised a hand and motioned for the crowd to be silent. He then looked directly to the back, where a line of people appeared, each carrying a piece of the ceremonial regalia. At the forefront of the procession was a person holding the crown, its shimmering jewels catching the sunlight and casting a mesmerizing glow.

    Elysha watched in awe as the procession moved towards the stage. With every step they took, the anticipation in the atmosphere grew until they finally reached the raised platform where the young man knelt in ceremonial attire. The person holding the crown stepped forward and handed it to the old figure, who then turned and held out a ceremonial crown to the kneeling man.

    Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the old figure who solemnly placed the crown on the young man''s head. Then he took a staff from another figure and placed it in the man''s grasp.

    Then the crowned individual stood up and opened his eyes to face the audience.

    The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their voices echoing through the air in celebration of this historic moment. Amidst the crowd, Elysha watched in awe as the crowned figure stood with grace and humility, his eyes shining and he posed with a sense of duty and responsibility.

    Elysha blinked her eyes. ¡®What is going on?¡¯ She thought to herself.

    With the crowd¡¯s attention focused on him, the crowned young man began to speak:

    ¡°¨¢mes bienja Kuwakji,¡± he began, power and conviction resonating in his voice. ¡°Deijia tuavontlje o sjeii kkarfeiu ne an¨¹v jravlua¡¯l miijanven. Iji wos ijaht mijaa, jt¨¹ven¨¦vu¡¯nt ll alstorei ov ostorja, olr¨¢sti ov wa¨¹du, teja w¨¹vi ¨¹vmaraji ji voirun¡¯l astaj oji¨¢ vjoiri¡¯nt w¨¹vi anjai maiatirau¡¯l: wamaisti, fjredia, ov levlu.¡±

    The crowd fell silent as he delivered his speech, their eyes fixed on him and some nodding their heads in agreement. Elysha, on the other hand, felt a wave of confusion wash over her as she struggled to understand the words he was speaking.

    When the speech was over, the crowd erupted in applause and the cheers echoed through the air. Elysha stood in the middle of the crowd and felt a sense of awe and admiration¡ªwhen, during the moments of applause¡ªthe crowned man looked directly at her.

    ¡°...!¡± She flinched, jumping in surprise. He smiled and uttered a few words, but the flustered Elysha couldn''t hear what he had said. Flowers were thrown from the crowd onto the stage, and the sight of the flying petals reminded Elysha of something important.

    ¡°Ah! I shouldn¡¯t stay here!¡± She exclaimed and bolted out of the area. As she hurriedly made her way through the crowd, the events she had just witnessed still replaying in her mind. She had to find the false child and try to make sense of what was happening, but the maze of people made it difficult to navigate.

    Every glimpse into the life of the past filled Elysha with abstract longing. She wanted to reach out, touch their world a little more and bridge the knowledge gap between their time and hers. But as she weaved her way through the crowd, her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden collision.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    Elysha stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. She opened her eyes and found herself confronted by a trio of children her age who had inadvertently crossed her path.

 1.12 - Forest Children

    Elysha stumbled backwards, her hand pressed against her forehead where she had collided with one of the children. The vision of ancient civilization dissolved, and the ruins around her returned to their desolate state.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± A concerned male voice called out to her.

    She took her hand off her head and stammered sheepishly, "I-I''m so sorry! I didn''t mean to run into you!"

    As she said it aloud, Elysha looked up slowly and found herself facing three children, all taller than her, their eyes reflecting surprise and curiosity.

    One of them, whose turquoise hair was fashioned into twin-tails and shimmering, transparent deer antlers, grinned mischievously as she shrugged her shoulders at the collision, made a hand gesture and replied, ¡°Oh, don''t worry! We were just lost in our own little world anyway,¡± she laughed. ¡°But you''re new here in this forest. I''ve never seen you before, or have I?¡±

    Elysha''s mind raced as she weighed her options. Should she explain her presence in the ruins and the strange experiences she had just had? Would they even understand or believe her? She hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.

    ¡®Should I tell them about the strange things I''ve seen?¡¯ She pondered and frowned with uncertainty. ¡®I don''t know, have they ever seen the same things I have?¡¯

    Then, she remembered about the false child. ¡®No¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡¯

    She took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering, "Um, I... I was following a¡­¡± she recalled back to her encyclopedia, ¡°uh¡­ talking raccoon," she nodded, her voice trailing off unsteadily. "He led me here, and I found myself in the ruins of this place. It was as if I had stepped into another time, and then¡­ I got lost."

    ¡°So you are saying that you saw a ¡®talking raccoon?¡¯¡± The girl with the twin-tails giggled.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡±

    The second of the trio, a girl with long pink hair tied into long pigtails, eyed her with an expression of confusion. The third, a boy with bear ears and a wreath of flowers on his mahogany hair, raised an eyebrow and replied, ¡°A talking raccoon? Hm, that''s... unusual for a normal animal. But I suppose peculiar sightings can happen in these ruins.¡±

    ¡°Yes, um, it''s my first time in the ruins, and it was unlike anything I''ve ever seen,¡± Elysha said. ¡°It felt like¡­ like I was connected to the memories of the people who once lived here, seeing their stories and their past.¡±

    The pink-haired girl exchanged a knowing glance with her friends. "Hm, yes, this is what our culture and history looks like to all of us. This forest that we call our ¡®home.¡¯"

    ¡°Home¡­¡± Elysha repeated, then her eyes widened in realization. "So, you are¡ª"

    ¡°WHO ARE YOU CALLING A ¡®TALKING RACCOON?!!¡¯¡±

    The words were interrupted by a sudden outburst from behind the children. They all turned to see a gray-furred creature running towards them, panting and wearing the biggest frown Elysha had ever seen.

    ¡°Micah¡­¡± she spoke softly.

    ¡°Which one of you is calling a ''talking raccoon?!¡¯¡± There was anger and frustration in his voice. "I am Micah! Not a raccoon! Get it right through your heads!"

    Elysha couldn''t help but quietly chuckled at the unexpected interruption. Meanwhile, the turquoise-haired girl burst out laughing and couldn''t suppress her amusement.

    "BWHAAHAHA¡ª!!!" She cackled. "That makes so much sense now! ''Talking raccoon?'' Haha! I can totally see the resemblance!"

    Micah''s scowl deepened. ¡°Shut up! Micah is not a talking raccoon! Call me Micah!¡±

    Then he flicked on a light bulb and changed the tone of his voice, ¡°Ah, I see, so it was you who said Micah was a talking raccoon, huh?¡± He approached her slowly and menacingly. ¡°Micah understands all this now.¡±

    The girl with the twin-tails took a few steps back and raised her hands, her expression changing from amusement to nervousness, ¡°Oh h-hey Micah, why are you approaching towards me like that?¡± she said in a slightly trembling voice. ¡°We were just having a bit of fun. No need to get upset.¡±

    ¡°Micah is not a raccoon!¡± He growled. ¡°Micah is Micah!¡±

    ¡°I know that you are not a raccoon,¡± she nodded in acknowledgement. ¡°You are more like a dog to me than a raccoon.¡±

    ¡°WHAT?¡± Micah gasped in shock. ¡°That is EVEN WORSE than being called a raccoon!¡±

    As he said those words, the girl with the twin-tails blinked her eyes, imagining in that moment Micah''s shape and form transforming into a dog.

    ¡°Pffffffffffttttt.¡±

    Everyone stared at the two of them, and Micah''s fur bristled in response.

    ¡°Grr, oh THAT¡¯S IT! Micah will show you what Micah¡¯s wrath looks like!¡±

    Then he jumped towards the girl with the twin-tails, leapt into the air with determination and clung to her upper body.

    ¡°AAHHHHHHHHH¡ª!¡± She let out a scream, her hands flying up to shield her face as she stumbled backwards. ¡°Get off of me! Y-You are on my face! I can¡¯t see a thing! AHHHHH¡ª!¡±

    The pink-haired girl was still amused, but tried to calm the situation down. ¡°It''s alright, Micah. There''s no need to get all ruffled up. You know we didn''t mean any harm with those names. It was just a joke. We understood you.¡±

    ¡°Micah will forgive and leave, but only if you promise to call me by Micah''s name again.¡±

    ¡°Okay! Fine then! I will!¡±

    ¡°What is my name again?¡±

    ¡°Doggy Micah.¡±

    The three other kids stood and watched as the chaotic scene played out before her. The girl with the twin-tails continued to scream and flail around while Micah clung to her head. Meanwhile, Elysha, who had been standing still the whole time, could no longer suppress her laughter and joined in the merriment.

    ¡°Pfft, hehe¡­¡±

    The boy with the flower crown turned to her and noticed her soft smile. Micah finally hopped off and maintained his grumpy demeanor, he couldn''t help but be amused by the merriment that surrounded him.

    ¡°Hmm, Micah''s not impressed with you idiots.¡± He shrugged, his expression a contradiction to his words.

    The chaos and laughter gradually subsided, Elysha took a moment to gather her thoughts.

    ¡®Such strange weirdos¡­¡¯ she mused silently, watching the interaction unfold in front of her. ¡®But I like them, there''s something about them¡­ I wonder¡­''

    She felt an inexplicable connection to this unexpected group of strangers she had stumbled upon in the ruins, when the girl with the turquoise twin-tails managed to regain her composure and said, ¡°Alright, alright, I promise not to call you ''doggy Micah'' or ''talking raccoon'' anymore,¡± the girl admitted in an exaggerated but sheepish tone. ¡°I''m sorry for teasing you. I didn''t mean to upset you.¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± Micah eyed her skeptically for a moment before he finally relented and his expression softened a little. "Fine," he grumbled. "Apology accepted."

    The girl with the pink hair clapped her hands together and said, ¡°See? I knew that everything would turn out well in the end.¡±

    ¡°You haven''t done anything at all, Nevi. You have no right to ease my pain when I have Micah''s dirt and muck all over my face.¡± She pouted.

    ¡°What dirt and muck?¡± Micah shouted.

    ¡°Well, I am still glad that we could sort it out," she said. ¡°Now, can we all just get along? Especially when we haven¡¯t even introduce ourselves to this girl right here.¡±

    The two of them turned towards Elysha.

    ¡°Oh yeah, my name is Ana?s, but you can call me Ana if you want,¡± said the girl with the twin-tails. ¡°And that small, annoying brat right there is Micah.¡±

    ¡°Micah already know who she is!¡± He frowned.

    ¡°So you two already knew each other?¡± The boy with the flower crown asked.

    ¡°Yeah! Micah met her outside of the ruins an hour ago!¡±

    Elysha nodded, ¡°Nice to meet you, Ana,¡± she smiled, ¡°My name is Elysha. I am¡­ um¡­ new here in this forest.¡± Then she turned to the other two children. ¡°What are your names?¡±

    The pink-haired girl spoke up, ¡°My name is Nelvia, but like Ana, you can call me Nevi.¡±

    ¡°Nevi¡­¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm, and this boy next to me is Neliel. We''ve been good friends for a long time and like to explore the forest together to have fun and work on different projects.¡±

    ¡°That is indeed true.¡± Neliel nodded. ¡°We''ve all lived fairly close to each other, and we wouldn''t have become friends if it weren''t for the Ir?stosa Trail, which connects all the tribes, villages, and neighborhoods in the forest.¡±

    ¡°Ana¡­ Nevi¡­ and Neliel.¡± Elysha repeated their names, memorizing them as she looked into their faces.

    ¡°And Micah too!" He interjected, refusing to be left out.

    ¡°Micah too,¡± Elysha nodded, acknowledging his presence.

    Ana continued, ¡°Yes, and if you ever want to meet us again, you are more than welcome to visit the Village of Illumija, where Nevi and I are from. It''s not far from here, and you can come and visit us any time.¡±

    ¡°And when you are there, you can learn all about our village''s history and culture,¡± added Neliel.

    Elysha''s curiosity piqued, ¡°I''ve heard of Illumija before, and I want to understand your culture, your history and the stories of people. Will you talk about them to me? I am willing to learn.¡±

    The children exchanged a look and Ana replied, ¡°Of course, we can tell you all about the history and culture of Illumija, and also about this forest.¡± She nodded. ¡°But sadly, we can only go into that when we meet again. We have a project that all three of us are working on at the moment.¡±

    ¡°A project?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it''s going to blow your wonders away, Elysha! You won''t be disappointed." Ana smiled mischievously. ¡°If you want, we can even invite you to see our progress in the late stages, if we''re not too busy.¡±

    Elysha couldn''t help but feel a pang of excitement. ¡°That sounds fun to me. I want to see it.¡±

    ¡°You can see it only on another day,¡± Micah interrupted, stepping himself between Elysha and the others. ¡°After all, this girl is still in a middle of participating something important.¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡± Ana smiled, eager to hear.

    ¡°Uhh, very important! Too important for you all to know!¡± Micah nodded.

    ¡°Aww, is that¡¯s so then?¡± She then turned to Elysha. ¡°Oh, Elysha, if something ever happens to you, have this whistle in case if you needed help.¡±

    Ana handed Elysha a small ivory-colored whistle with some decorative marks on it. ¡°It¡¯s a tradition among the village and to our group. We always carry one of these in case of need. Consider it a token of our friendship.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Elysha held the whistle, feeling touched by the gesture. ¡°Thank you, Ana,¡± she said sincerely.

    Meanwhile, Micah stood off to the side, feeling very unimpressed, ¡°Micah knows how to keep people safe.¡± He grumbled.

    ¡°Haha, it¡¯s just a little gesture of goodwill and bonding.¡± Ana grinned, then turned back to Elysha. ¡°You see, sometimes strange encounters can occur, whether scary or fun! So it¡¯s best to have others with you rather than being alone, which then this whistle can come in handy. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    ¡°I can see what you mean,¡± she nodded.

    ¡°It''s always better to have friends by your side, especially in unknown places.¡± Neliel said.

    ¡°I agree,¡± Nevi added.

    ¡°Exactly! That¡¯s what adventures and explorations are all about! Whether it can be scary or an easy walk in the park, there are so much thrills and wonders that my soul just keeps etching for them.¡± Ana sighed wistfully. ¡°So, whenever you wanted to have more little adventures like this, just let us know. We''d love to have you with us and explore around together whenever the time comes.¡±

    Elysha smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging with this newfound group of friends. "I''ll keep your words in mind. Thank you for the whistle, Ana," she said, tucking it safely into her pocket.

    ~ ??? ~

    The group walked through the ruins together until they came to the end of a path that split in two different directions.

    ¡°Alright, this is where we part ways,¡± said Ana. ¡°It is time for us to continue our separate adventures."

    Elysha stopped and looked at the directions of the two separate paths ahead of them. One of the paths seemed to be an exit from the ruins, while the other seemed to lead further into the wooded path, to a place unknown to her.

    Neliel, intrigued about Elysha''s and Micah''s next destination, couldn''t help but voice his question. ¡°Since we are returning to our location for the project, where will you two go from here?¡±

    Elysha and Nevi turned to Micah, who responded with a sigh, ¡°Fine, Micah will tell you all right here and now¡ªElysha is taking part in the ¡®Trial of Ir?stos!¡¯¡± He exclaimed confidently.

    There was silence between the three of them, who exchanged questioning glances, their expressions filled with surprise and doubt.

    ¡°Oh... I see.¡± Neliel finally said, breaking the silence.

    ¡°Why do I hear that condescending tone in your voice?¡± Micah frowned. ¡°Anyways, we are about to reach our destination soon, therefore she is about to face the main part of the trial up ahead.

    ¡°I hope it turns out well for Elysha then.¡± He smiled.

    Micah gave a lowered eyes glare at his expressed smile. As that happened, Nevi reached out and clasped Elysha''s hand, catching her by surprise as she wore a warm smile on her face. "Before you two leave, there''s an upcoming festival in Illumija Village in a few weeks. We can meet each other there if you can come visit."

    Elysha''s face lit up and replied, "Thank you, Nevi. I will ask my guardian if I can come visit."

    ¡°You are asking Guardian Ir?stos if you can come visit?¡± She tilted her head, confused.

    ¡°N-No, I¡¯ve meant Elder Merakia.¡±

    The trio of children¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait! Are you serious?!" Ana exclaimed. ¡°The Elder Merakia?!"

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    "Wow¡­ so are you a pupil of Elder Merakia? Since when did she took you under her wing?" Nevi asked, her eyes glistening in awe. "I always wanted to be taught theonum sorcery by someone so well-known and intelligent..."

    ¡°Huh?¡± Elysha repeated again, blinking her eyes by all of this confusion.

    ¡°I¡¯m impressed, Elder Merakia has brought the knowledge and fundamental teachings of theonum to the villages and tribes across the Isles of Elbija.¡± Neliel stated. ¡°She has greatly influenced our lives and that of the village. I wanted to ask you how you managed to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ehehehe¡­ enough with these questions, let¡¯s talk about them another time.¡± Micah interjected, closing the distance between them with his big, fluffy tail. ¡°Right now, Elysha and Micah are on our way to the next chapter of our adventure.¡±

    Elysha smiled gratefully at Nevi''s invitation. "Thank you, Nevi. I will come to the festival when the time is right."

    Nevi nodded, ¡°By all means. After all, the festival is a remembrance and celebration of Illumija''s culture and history. It''s very worthwhile to visit the place of our homeland whenever you can.¡±

    ¡°We will be around when the festival takes place, so join us when you have the chance to be there.¡± Ana smiled.

    ¡°I will,¡± Elysha nodded. ¡°I want to see it, too.¡±

    Micah cleared his throat. ¡°Well, we should be going now. The Trial of Ir?stos awaits us.¡±

    With a final exchange of words, the trio of children bid them farewell. Elysha watched as Ana, Nevi and Neliel walked down one of the branching paths, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.

    Elysha stood there for a moment. In her path lay the one that would lead her to the destination Micah had been looking for when they visited the ruins. She felt a wave of anticipation and fear of the unknown that lay ahead.

    She looked back the other way and saw that the other children had already vanished.

    ¡°Elysha!¡±

    A familiar voice called her name, and she turned to see Micah looking at her with a big warm smile on his face as he waited for her. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    She nodded in response, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Together they walked on, ready to experience the next chapter of their adventure in the forest.

    ~ ??? ~

    After saying goodbye to Elysha and Micah, the three children continued on the path ahead of them.

    ¡°I think that girl is kind of cute,¡± Ana said, starting the conversation. ¡°Elysha right? That was my first time meeting her. She looked small, quiet, and even a bit docile.¡±

    ¡°Elder Merakia really have a charm for picking up silver-haired students.¡± Neliel chuckled.

    ¡°So you''re saying that if I dyed my hair silver, I''d have a better chance of becoming a student of that mage?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t really imagine seeing you without your blue hair.¡± He remarked.

    ¡°Well, it reminds me that I need to work harder on honing my theonum core, and when the day of the show comes along, my show will be even more impressive to my audience.¡± Ana said, grinning for a second, then sighed and began to pout. ¡°If only I could be as amazing as Elder Merakia was in her theater performance.¡±

    ¡°Have you come up with any new creative techniques lately?¡± asked Neliel.

    Ana took a few large steps forward, turned to him and said with a finger to her lips, ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±

    Then her eyes turned to something else and she asked, ¡°What are you thinking about, Nevi?¡±

    Nevi turned her attention back to Ana and Neliel and replied, ¡°I was just about to ask you a question based on what you said earlier, Ana.¡±

    ¡°A question?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°When was the last time you met a local walking around in the forest that you''ve never met before?¡±

    ¡°Hm, never really. I usually know pretty much all the faces of the neighbors in the forest. Why do you ask?¡±

    Nevi thought about it a little more, then replied, ¡°Could you think that Elysha could be the same as Kytela?¡±

    Ana paused, ¡°Kytela? You mean the girl who was discovered in the forest last year?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you remember we used to take her on a tour through the forest with Madelei until she was transferred north to the Town of Amarante, right?¡±

    ¡°I remember, but why are you talking about her? It''s been quite a while since we last saw her, since she moved away. You even remember her name.

    ¡°... What I''m saying is that I''ve done a bit of research on people like her, you know? The ones who were found lost in the forest with no memories of their past and no connections to any relatives and stuff.¡±

    Ana blinked her eyes and took a moment to say something when Neliel spoke up, ¡°You mean the ¡®kuniju-naufen¨¹vji¡¯ phenomenon?¡±

    ¡°Kuniju¡­ naufen¨¹vji?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that''s what I mean,¡± said Nevi. ¡°A kuniju-naufen¨¹vji is an old language term for a ¡®forest child,¡¯ which in this context refers to children who were ¡®born¡¯ in the forest without having anything to do with who they are or what they were¡ªlike what happened to Kytela.¡±

    ¡°Like they came out of nowhere, just ¡®there¡¯ out of nowhere?¡± Ana asked.

    ¡°That is, until someone finds them.¡± Nevi added.

    ¡°Wow...¡± Ana breathed, taking in Nevi''s explanation. ¡°I''ve never thought of it like that. So you think Elysha might be one of those ¡®forest children¡¯ like Kytela?¡±

    ¡°It''s a possibility, but I could be wrong when I connect those dots. I wish I could talk to Elysha more about her background, but I was afraid of being intrusive and ended up not finding a good moment to speak to her.¡±

    Ana crossed her arms and said, ¡°... And I thought that Neliel was the nerdy one here in our group.¡±

    ¡°Oh please, I''m just interested in anything to do with the forest, its culture, history and phenomena.¡± Nevi frowned. ¡°Besides, I mainly liked making music and singing.¡±

    Ana stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder, ¡°And that''s why you''re part of my theater projects, so be a little more proud of yourself, okay? My shows wouldn''t be the same without your music.¡± She smiled.

    Nevi blushed and nodded as Neliel noticed something, ¡°Did you heard that just now?¡±

    ¡°Heard what?¡± Ana asked.

    ¡°Shh, listen closely.¡±

    Ana and Nevi fell silent, their ears straining to catch every sound. Neliel''s expression became serious as he scanned their surroundings.

    Suddenly, a rustling sound broke through the silence of the forest, followed by a soft breeze. The trio tensed, their eyes darting around to find the source of the sound.

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s...?¡± whispered Nevi, her voice barely audible. Before she could finish her sentence, the nearby bushes began to shake and various figures emerged from the foliage.

    They noticed a surprising sight¡ªZhivopians, kindred spirits of the forest. They swirled and played, their presence casting liveliness into the dull corners of the ruins and the forest.

    ¡°Oh, there you all are,¡± Ana said with a smile. "The forest felt strange and empty when many of you suddenly disappeared."

    The Zhivopians gather closer around the trio of children. ¡°Hello Ana. Hello Nelvia and Neliel. It¡¯s been a nearly a week since we last had fun with each other.¡± One of them said.

    ¡°Yeah, but it was nearly a week in fact,¡± she said, frowning and couldn''t help but inquire, ¡°Why did you all disappear for a short while? We''ve never experienced that before, until the last few days when the forest fell very silent.¡±

    ¡°Many of us were in our homes in Zhivopia,¡± explained the same Zhivopian. ¡°On that day, we felt an unfamiliar sensation in the forest, so we went into hiding."

    "Hiding?" Nevi echoed, confused.

    The little one nodded, and others around them confirmed the truth of the statement.

    ¡°Yes, there was this big flash of light¡­..¡±

    ¡°We felt these terrible omens¡­..¡±

    ¡°There was this wave force that pushed us back¡­..¡±

    ¡°I just wanted to go back home and be safe¡­..¡±

    Another one spoke up, ¡°Yes, it was quite unpleasant, especially two days ago in the early morning when a huge light flashed while we were nearby. It scared a lot of us because we couldn''t see anything, not even ourselves, just white and¡­ nothing for a short moment.¡±

    Neliel turned to the others and said, ¡°I think I have a sense of what they are talking about.¡±

    ¡°I think I do, too," Nevi said. "But perhaps I thought the wave force was just windy weather, and ... I also thought it was misty that early morning two days ago.¡±

    ¡°Were you awake that early morning, Nevi?¡± He asked.

    Nevi furrowed her eyes in thinking, then shook her head, her expression troubled.

    Ana furrowed her brows, her expression turning thoughtful. "I don''t recall anything unusual happening that morning. It was just like any other day to me."

    Neliel nodded, his gaze distant as he pieced together the information. "It seems like whatever happened affected the Zhivopians more directly than us."

    Then he turned and inquired further, "Do you know the source of this white light?"

    The Zhivopians exchanged glances with each other, and a tall one spoke up, ¡°We don''t know the source. The Elbijan named Merakia advised us all to stay away from the light explosion.¡±

    ¡°You mean Elder Merakia, right?¡± Ana asked.

    ¡°Yes, the mage who lives in the southeastern part of the forest.¡± He said.

    ¡°And after a few days, we are slowly becoming more at ease and confident about coming back." Added another.

    ¡°That''s really interesting,¡± Neliel said. ¡°If one of you observes another strange phenomenon in the forest, you should first inform the village council in Illumija. My father works there and the elders are very keen to protect the forest from strange and potentially dangerous encounters.¡±

    ¡°And us too!¡± Ana added. ¡°I would love to be there and witness it next time!"

    Neliel turned his gaze to Ana in surprise. Many of the Zhivopians nodded in agreement, ¡°We will keep to your words, Elbijan friend, and let you know if anything else happens.¡±

    ¡°The name¡¯s Neliel,¡± he smiled.

    After saying their goodbyes, the trio watched as the Zhivopians disappeared back into the foliages. Nevi let out a heavy sigh, her worried gaze lingering.

    ¡°Do you think we should inform Elder Merakia about what the Zhivopians have told us?¡± She asked, turning to Neliel and Ana.

    Neliel nodded, ¡°I think that''s a good idea. Elder Merakia might have some insight about this ¡®strange light explosion¡¯ that has happened in the forest.¡±

    ¡°Only when the project is finished for today, then we go back to Illumija Village and write a letter to her.¡± Ana said.

    Having made their decision, the trio turned and continued on their way, setting aside the mysterious event in the back of their minds as they continued with the events of their day.

    ~ ??? ~

    After bidding farewell to the group of three friends, Elysha and Micah continued walking on their path to their destination.

    ¡°Now tell me, why did you wandered off from Micah¡¯s eyes earlier?¡±

    Elysha flinched and responded, ¡°I was just looking around for a moment and then¡ªyou were gone.¡±

    Micah turned his head to her and said with an unimpressed face, ¡°While you were looking around, Micah was talking the whole time about fun activities Micah''s friends and I did together in the ruins, but when Micah stopped and turned around, Micah realized you weren''t behind Micah anymore.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ um¡­¡±

    ¡°You couldn''t believe your eyes, because when Micah saw you weren''t behind me, I thought I spoke so boringly that you were running away from me!¡±

    Elysha stood there and watched as Micah, with his back facing her, pouted and whined. She took a few steps forward and got down on her knees to stroke his fur.

    He reacted, ¡°Micah is not satisfied with you petting me.¡±

    Elysha frowned, her fingers gently running through Micah''s fur. ¡°I''m sorry, Micah. I didn''t mean to wander off. I was just¡­ curious about what¡¯s around us.¡±

    Micah''s pout softened a little, but he kept his grumpy demeanor. ¡°Curious or not, you should have stayed close to Micah. Micah didn''t take kindly to being alone without Elysha.¡±

    ¡°Without me?¡±

    He grumbled some more, ¡°... It''s dangerous to walk around these ruins alone.¡±

    Elysha lowered her gaze, her hand still on his fur. ¡°... I know, Micah,¡± she assured him. ¡°I promised to stay close to you next time.¡±

    He still grumbled, but leaned into her touch, enjoying the warmth of her hand against his fur. ¡°Hmph, fine, but don''t do it again. Micah doesn''t want anything bad to happen to you.¡±

    Elysha smiled and let out a few giggles.

    Micah turned back to her and asked, ¡°Why are you laughing like that?¡±

    She stifled her laughter and said, ¡°Thanks, hehe.¡±

    He couldn''t help but grin when he saw the light-hearted look on her face, and with that, the two continued on their way, chatting about various topics as they soon reached their destination.

 1.13 - Zhivopia

    ¡°Ah, we¡¯re here!¡±

    Elysha and Micah arrived at the place the gray-furred Zhivopian had intended to show her.

    The atmosphere here was different from the other parts of the overgrown ruins they had explored before. There was a tranquil atmosphere as they stood at the foot of a large tree, its branches spread out to provide shade. There were statues everywhere, some intact, others toppled and showing the marks of time. Nearby, a stone column stood on a raised platform overlooking a clearing of various grasses and flowers.

    Elysha felt an urge to sit down somewhere and observe the surroundings, when Micah pointed his gaze towards the stone column and addressed Elysha, ¡°This is where your trial will take place¡ªthe Trial of Ir?stos.¡±

    ¡°The Trial of Ir?stos?¡±

    ¡°Yes, now follow Micah to the stone on the other side of this place.¡±

    They walked to the opposite end of the area to take a closer look at the stone column. The inscription on its top seemed faded and weathered, but still recognizable. Elysha looked at the enigmatic writing and felt the urge to touch the rough surface, so she reached out and traced the edges of the inscription with her fingers as she murmured, ¡°This looks similar to what I saw on the statue earlier.¡±

    She turned to Micah and asked, ¡°Do you know what language this is and what the¡ªum, writings mean?¡±

    ¡°What you see is what you already know as the ancient language of the Soliremiscians, in this case the Ir?stosian variant; history has taught me this knowledge.¡± He explained. ¡°As far as I know, the inscription was written down many, many years ago. So many people have tried to read the enigmatic words of the Eir¨ªk?pis over the years, but only a few can understand it.¡±

    Elysha''s face brightened when she heard the words ¡°history¡± and ¡°knowledge,¡± after which she asked him another question, ¡°Like who?¡±

    ¡°Like me!¡± He wagged his tail proudly.

    She blinked her eyes and asked, ¡°Hey, since you know more about the past than I do, can you pretend to be my teacher and teach me all this history?¡±

    Micah''s fluffy face contorted, his expression fading slightly as he stumbled over his words. "U-uh, yeah," he chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Um¡ªI''m just kidding¡ªbut, er, I don''t know everything about history... But luckily for you, I, a Manesmijan Zhivopian, can read it. We Zhivopians are a very intelligent species, after all.¡±

    He looked up at the overgrown stone column, clearing his throat, and began to speak in the old language of the world:

    ¡°O, Asn?iji.

    (¡°O, Lord.)

    Il asven kuniju chtholvdol, seiji¡¯nt-oji¨¢ M¨°s.

    (In this lost world, You have named.)

    Wos, M¨°s¡¯lmaja eir¨ªk?pis, ¨¹vija an¨¹v ledifr¨ºja¡¯ls ot M¨°s.

    (We, Your servants, offer our lives to You.)

    Ter ?jahet¡¯na M¨°s¡¯lmaja alth¨¹lle, wos ojia ond alr¨¢sti.

    (For without Your grace, we have no purpose.)

    Wos dia¨²n il wanatihareidia.

    (We grow in solidarity.)

    M¨°s¡¯lmaja manuin en alwsterejhesan.

    (Your word is sovereign.)

    Ov wos almi ei ?jaht M¨°s otji andeja ji noheil¨´nda temoihi.

    (And we will be with You to the end of existence itself.)

    Aldmi ven alwsterejhesan Asn?iji, Theolfanija.¡±

    (All thy sovereign God, Theophania.")

    Elysha listened intently in awe as the unfamiliar words rolled off Micah¡¯s tongue. His voice and the syllables conveyed an air of mysticism and awe as he continued to speak the language, stating:

    ¡°Ijaan ji altura wos ojia talfoir¡¯nt.

    (¡°From the light we have seen.)

    Ovji ma?rja¡¯lra wos talfoir¡¯nt.

    (And the darkness we saw.)

    Wos ojia madenka¡¯nt osdaja.

    (We have become one.)

    Ter ji chtholvdol¡¯l alstorei¡¯ls, ostorja¡¯ls, ov fedaliyo¨¹¡¯ls.

    (For the world''s wishes, dreams, and emotions.)

    Ov onkres wos itsi ond noisqut.

    (And when we are no more,)

    Ji altura ni kanisti almi asvl¨¹l-sh¨´lkar.

    (The light of hope will return then.)

    Ov aldmi feikua olmaja kalisti.¡±

    (And all shall know peace.¡±)

    When Micah finished speaking, he turned to Elysha, waiting expectantly for her reaction.

    She frowned slightly and scratched her head, trying to understand what she had just heard. ¡°That was interesting, Micah,¡± she said. ¡°However, what do the words mean?¡±

    Micah let out a sigh and scratched his head with his foot. ¡°The message isn¡¯t easy to decipher, and it''s actually quite complicated, to be exact.¡± He explained. ¡°As far as Micah can tell, the language hints at some kind of message to the future. I''m not entirely sure, but from what I can tell, it''s about the Eir¨ªk?piss'' prayers and that the light of hope will return one day when the world is no more.¡±

    Elysha pondered his words for a moment, contemplating the enigmatic nature of the message. ¡°What does the ''light of hope'' mean if the world is no more?¡± She asked, genuinely intrigued.

    Micah shrugged. ¡°It means¡­ well, I don''t know exactly what it means,¡± he admitted with a grumble. ¡°The message is ambiguous and can be taken in different ways. It could refer to anything from an allegory to redemption to a hopeful vision for the¡ªWAAAHHHH!!! Don''t make me be your professor, okay? You''re making it hard enough for me already!¡±

    Elysha ignored his protests and cries and nodded, appreciating the subtleties and complexities of the language.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She pondered the meanings he interpreted and nodded. "That¡¯s very interesting."

    ¡°Are you ignoring me?¡± He spoke out, his tone an exclamation of frustration.

    He quickly regained his composure and continued, ¡°Nevertheless, Micah believes that the message can be interpreted as, ''Everything ends one day, so we can hope for the happiness of the Asnoiji.''¡±

    Elysha''s ears pricked up when she heard the word ''Asnoiji'' again.

    ¡°Hope for the happiness of the Asnoiji?¡± She repeated.

    ¡°Yep! That''s what I, too, have come to believe.¡± He smiled.

    ¡®This Asnoiji seems to be very important to everyone, I think, and in history too.¡¯ Elysha mused. ¡®Micah has his trust in him.... If he created the world and all of us, where is he to see the wonders of this world with us if he exists only in old stories?¡¯

    Elysha changed the subject and turned her attention back to the gray-furred Zhivopian. ¡°What comes next? How can I pass this so-called ¡®Trial of Ir?stos¡¯?¡± She asked.

    Micah chuckled, his demeanor slightly mischievous. ¡°That''s a good question,¡± he replied. ¡°The trial is a test of your own wits and intuition. Now that we''re back on topic, it¡¯s about time for you to use your mind and find the answers for yourself to pass it.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Confusion washed over Elysha''s face as she replied incredulously, ¡°What do you mean? Shouldn¡¯t you be telling me this since you brought me here? And what about¡ª¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Ehehe¡­¡± He laughed dryly and looked towards an elk-looking statue from afar. ¡°Micah never said that I''m the one helping you pass the Trial of Ir?stos.¡±

    He then jumped through several branches of a tree leading to an arch near the stone column.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±Elysha asked.

    ¡°You will see,¡± he said, then set his paw on the arch and supplied it with theonum.

    ¡°...!¡±

    The arch suddenly opened like a portal, emitting so much light that Elysha had to cover her face. She suddenly had the feeling of being sucked into it by force.

    ¡°Micah¡ª?¡±

    Before she could react, Micah leapt onto Elysha''s shoulders and she felt a surge of theonum flow through her. He spoke in a voice that carried the brightness, ¡°Come in with me! In this sacred forest, use the gift of intuition to enter the world where the dreams of Zhivopians flow freely. The words of the Asnoiji say, ¡®J¡¯simasti¡¯jita-ka ji khaldiorian ni theolfanija.¡¯ This means, ¡®The seeker seeks the wisdom of divinity.¡¯¡±

    Without further explanation, Micah leapt into the blinding white light of the portal and disappeared from sight. Elysha felt herself being drawn toward the opening, unable to resist the force. As she gave in to the pull of theonum, her body was flung forward and hurled into the unknown.

    The portal engulfed her, and Elysha braced herself for what lay on the other side.

    ~ ??? ~

    When Elysha opened her eyes again, she found herself in familiar surroundings that she had been in before.

    ¡°... Huh?¡±

    That is, until something was wrong with what she saw.

    ¡°Woah¡­¡±

    The place was similar to where she had been before, but there was something unfamiliar about the atmosphere and the landscape: What she saw before her was mystifying, for everything looked the same, except that it was bathed in otherworldly hues that tinged the world with magical allure. The sky was the most captivating, as if a sea of painterly colors washed the expanse and dotted with white stars.

    It was as if she had fallen into a dream-like world that she sees in her sleep, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur into an entanglement.

    ¡°Where am I?¡± She asked aloud, turning to see that the arch she had passed through was now darkened and no longer functioning as a portal.

    ¡°Don''t worry, Elysha,¡± a voice said, coming from above.

    She turned and saw Micah fly past her gaze as he continued, ¡°This place is a hidden realm enriched with theonum. Think of it as a home of the Zhivopians.¡±

    ¡°How¡­ do you fly?¡± Elysha asked, instinctively reaching out to touch Micah, her fingers brushing over the lingering traces of theonum that emanated from him. ¡°And, what is this place?¡±

    ¡°Well, this is one of the domains of Zhivopia, located in the sub-layers of the Soliremisce Archipelago, which have a higher concentration of theonum than on the surface we were on before.¡± Micah explained.

    ¡°Sub-layer?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± He nodded. ¡°A sub-layer is a layer of reality that exists beneath the surface layer of the world you know. It''s like another dimension, but intertwined with the physical surface in a way that allows beings like us to move between them.¡±

    Elysha blinked, trying to process this new information. ¡°Huh? What do you mean by that?¡± She looked around again. ¡°So, we''re in a different world now? I don¡¯t get it¡­¡±

    ¡°Micah wouldn¡¯t say that,¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s more like visiting a different island like the Isles of Elbija and Zhivopis, but instead one layer to another.¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t get it.¡±

    ¡°You will understand sooner or later,¡± he smiled, ¡°and not to worry, Micah is here to guide you through this place. I''ve been to these places before and know how to find my way around¡ªwe Zhivopians naturally have more theonum in us than Elbijans, and therefore we are able to travel naturally between the sub-layers and the surface layer of Soliresmisce.¡±

    Hovering freely, he stretches his limbs in the air and continues, ¡°Anyway, now that you''ve entered the area where the trial is taking place, you¡¯ll have to solve any obstacles that may arise on your own.¡±

    ¡°... What?¡± Elysha blinked her eyes again. ¡°So you mean I have to walk around here and solve the problem myself?¡± She asked gruffly as she began to explore the surroundings.

    ¡°You''ve got it!¡±

    ¡°But I thought you were going to, um, guide me?¡±

    ¡°Well, yes, but Micah never said I was going to be the one to walk around and help solve your trial for you.¡± He frowned. ¡°Micah sensed that you should use your intuition to understand why you came here.¡±

    ¡°My¡­¡± Elysha lowered her head and sighed as she realized she had inadvertently stumbled into this puzzling trial. She¡¯d rather wish that she had spent more time practicing and studying theonum and all things related to sorcery.

    Then, for a brief moment, the memory of her time with Elder Merakia in the garden flashed in her mind. She remembered the display of her magic, her talent, her reverence and refinement reflected in her smile¡ª she couldn''t help but bite her lips.

    A few seconds later, Elysha shook her head and pushed the jealousy aside. ''No, I have to do this. I have to learn.¡¯ she said in her mind, resolving to take every opportunity to learn and acquire knowledge when it presented itself.

    She looked up at Micah and replied, ¡°Alright, Micah, I''ll do it. I will pass every trial that comes my way.¡±

    He nodded approvingly, his grumpy expression softening a little. ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit, Elysha!¡±

    ¡°But, if anything happens to me, you have to protect me, or Elder Merakia will be mad if anything happens to me. Okay?¡±

    ¡°Ehh?! Why do you have to bring up that old crazy witch?¡± He muttered irritably. ¡°Of course I''ll protect you, I promise!¡±

    Elysha grinned slightly at his pouty expression, then continued her exploration.

    ~ ??? ~

    For what felt like a long time, Elysha wandered through the aisles of trees and bushes, her footsteps echoing subtly in the strange realm.

    ¡°Mmm, what was I supposed to be doing again?¡± She asked herself, confused.

    Lost in thought, Elysha searched her mind for a clue that would unravel the enigma of the trial she is facing. Her eyes darted from one sight to the next, hoping to discover something more than it appeared. The leaves of the trees rustled in the wind, but their whispered hints eluded her.

    Impatiently, Elysha let out a sigh of frustration. "I can¡¯t do it," she muttered to herself, feeling defeated. "I don''t know how to solve this trial.¡±

    ¡®I wondered if Micah is playing with me,¡¯ she thought in her mind.

    She turned to where she had last seen Micah and asked, ¡°Are you sure you don''t want to tell me anything?¡±

    But all she saw was the space of empty air, without any presence. He had disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone with the unfamiliar world and the game of trial.

    Annoyance rose in her cheeks and fueled her frustration. ¡°Oh, very funny, Micah,¡± she muttered sarcastically, her hands curling into fists. ¡°Leaving me alone with this,¡± her body shook until her hand clutched her arm, holding her still. ¡°How¡­ wonderful.¡±

    She took a step forward, kicking a small rock and watching it skid across the ground before coming to a stop.

    Elysha then stood there, pondering her predicament.

    ¡®If only this talking raccoon would at least give me a few hints, I''d be happy for even the smallest one.¡¯

    She frowned, but then quickly realized that it would do her no good to dwell on her irritation. She took a deep breath and tried to calm the frustration that threatened to engulf her.

    ¡®It¡¯s just like what Micah said, I have to use my mind to understand why I''m here.¡¯ Elysha mused. ¡®I can''t rely on him to show me the way, I may not know exactly what to do, but I''m not going to let that stop me.¡¯

    She took another deep breath and calmed herself down for the task ahead.

    ¡®I will trust in myself and keep moving on.¡¯

    The little girl resumed her exploration of the strange realm, her senses alert and her spirit undeterred. She kept going, observing the view at every step, and eventually, a peculiar sight caught her attention.

    She saw a table with an assortment of teacups and plates on the surface, and a large umbrella providing shade. There, she saw a furred creature with long ears sitting on the cushion of a chair, asleep.

    She slowly approached the creature, her eyes caught interest with the creature¡¯s long ears¡ªfrom her memory the creature resembled a bunny, but this peculiar one has wings on its back and a pointy horn on its forehead. She turned her eyes to the table, its activity suggesting a feast occurring earlier, but the rest of the seats were empty.

    Elysha turned her eyes back to the bunny-like creature. She was about to reach out and touch the ears when a thought intruded her.

    ¡®No, I shouldn¡¯t touch it,¡¯ she shook her head. ¡®What if¡­ what if it wakes up? I don¡¯t know what is going on, but, maybe this is part of Micah¡¯s trial? I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t know. Should I leave?¡¯

    *sniff*

    Elysha shook from her contemplation as the bunny-like creature stirred from her slumber. She sniffed again, and said, ¡°I can smell it¡­ I smelled¡­ an Elbijan!¡±

    She opened her eyes and looked up to see Elysha, who took a few steps back, frozen and unsure of how to react.

    The bunny-like creature tilted her head and asked, ¡°Who could you be? I know you''re not from Zhivopia, yes? How did you get here? A Zhivopian friend, yes?¡±

    ¡°I-I came here with Micah, yes,¡± replied Elysha nervously. ¡°He was the one who brought me here.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± She raised her long ears. ¡°I know who Micah is!¡±

    ¡°You know him?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Everyone in Zhivopia knows who Micah is!¡±

    Then she jumped onto the table, spread her wings and stretched, ¡°What a good nap,¡± yawned the bunny-like creature. ¡°Oh, and by the way, my name is Eleu! What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°My name is Elysha,¡± the little girl replied.

    ¡°Elysha, nice to meet you! I just wonder why Micah brought you to Zhivopia? Knowing him, I''m sure he''s up to no good again, no?¡±

    ¡°Micah has brought me here to take part on a trial.¡±

    ¡°A¡­ trial?¡± Eleu tilted her head again, seemingly confused.

    ¡°Yes, the Trial of Ir?stos. Micah wanted me to take part in it, but to be honest, I don''t know what to do right now.¡±

    ¡°Micah? The Trial of Ir?stos? He can¡¯t¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept across the picnic table, blowing away all the teacups, utensils and plate assortments. Elysha shielded herself from the wind, while Eleu was blown into the air by the wind.

    ¡°Wahhhh!¡± Eleu cried, spreading her wings and flying away from the path of the wind. ¡°That scared me!¡±

    When the wind settled, Eleu adjusted herself and looked around, perking up her ears. ¡°Whew, that was unexpected,¡± she said, still a little excited. ¡°I have no idea where the wind came from, but it felt kind of fun yet in a weird way, no?¡±

    ¡°I guess so,¡± Elysha nodded, unsure of how to respond.

    Eleu landed on the ground and noticed a pocket watch lying open in the grass, her eyes widening in realization. ¡°Oh no! I''ve got to go! I''m already late for something important.¡±

    ¡°Something important?¡± Elysha asked, watching as Eleu hurriedly ran out of the area without paying attention to her question.

    ¡°Wait, where are you going?¡± She asked, calling out to Eleu. ¡°Can you help me with the trial?¡±

    But Eleu had already run so far away that her voice could no longer be heard by the bunny. Instead of staying behind, Elysha followed Eleu all the way until she saw her hopping into an opening in the ground.

    The little girl cautiously approached the hole where Eleu had disappeared.

    ¡®The bunny went in there?¡¯ She thought to herself, bent down and stared into the hole. ¡®But where does the hole go?¡¯

    She peered into the depths and looked closer to see something, until gravity took hold of her and Elysha fell down, down into an unknown place.

 1.14 - A Drifting Boat

    As soon as she landed, Elysha''s senses were overwhelmed by the strange environment that surrounded her. The air felt heavy and damp, and unfamiliar smells wafted through the air.

    ¡°...!¡± She winced, still feeling a lingering pain from the landing, as her hand brushed against something soft.

    ¡°What is this?¡± She murmured to herself, opening her eyes and looking down to see her fingers running over the yellow foliage that cushioned her fall.

    Her eyes then turned to take in her surroundings, and Elysha realized that she had landed atop a strange, daisy-like tree. Its long petals spread outwards, moving slowly in the subtle wind.

    ¡°Huh? Where am I?¡± She asked herself with growing confusion as to how she had ended up here. ¡°This is¡­¡±

    She looked up and saw rays of light streaming through the hole above where she had fallen.

    ¡°How do I get back up?¡± She asked herself, her voice echoing in the cavernous surroundings.

    Unsure of where to go, Elysha carefully slid down the tree, using one of the giant petal-like leaves as a slide. When she landed on the forest floor, she felt a sense of relief to be back on solid ground.

    With no other options available, the little girl ventured forward, following a single tunnel she spotted in the distance. The narrow passage was dimly lit, and her footsteps resounded against the rough walls as she made her way through.

    When she reached the other side, Elysha stopped, looked around and surveyed her surroundings: tall buildings lined the edges of the circular space, while streets and trees intersected. In the center was a large reservoir of water that lay far below the land with shimmering, sparkling reflections of light on its surface. She saw what looked like half a dome covering the sky, or was this mysterious world a spherical place? She doesn''t know, but the sight felt like something out of a storybook.

    ¡°What¡­ What is this place?¡± Elysha wondered aloud. As she took in her surroundings, she noticed creatures flying through the air in swarms or circles, synchronizing their movements as if in a dance. Down on the ground, countless creatures went about their daily lives in the streets, while others floated through the air, at ease in a comfortable everyday lifestyle.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Elysha flinched at the unexpected voice and turned to see a creature that was neither Micha nor Eleu, but another she had never met. This one appeared more like a little, long teddy bear than a little fluffy rabbit, but a light brown color with wings and two long tails.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you before, who could you be?¡± The creature tilted his head curiously.

    ¡°I-I am Elysha,¡± she replied in a wavering voice. ¡°Um, I ended up here by accident while following someone, and¡­ I don¡¯t know how to get back to where I came from.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so you had to get up again, I know just what to do with you,¡± the creature replied reassuringly. ¡°There¡¯s a gate not too far away, I can take you there.¡±

    ¡°I would like that,¡± said Elysha, nodding her head.

    ¡°I''d be happy to help you¡ªand oh! By the way, my name is Anaja,¡± the creature introduced himself. ¡°I work as a guide for many people who lack important directional skills.¡±

    With that, Anaja turned and signaled her to follow him. Together they walked down a slope on a path. Elysha''s eyes fixed on the city-like place spread out before her, observing what appeared to be an underground life of creatures that resembled Micah and Eleu, along with many others that looked similar to herself and Elder Merakia.

    Eventually, they approached an opening in the wall, and Anaja moved forward towards it, spun around and called out to her, ¡°Come this way!¡±

    She nodded, walking closer and peering through the opening to what appeared to be a downwards tunnel. Before her, several layers of platforms of earth and foliage stretched out, inviting her to venture further down towards the light visible from the open exit at the far end.

    ¡°It¡¯s not as scary as you''d think¡± Anaja reassured her. ¡°Since you are not a Zhivopian like me, touch my hand.¡±

    Elysha reached out and touched Anaja¡¯s tiny paw. Seconds later, she felt a surge of unfamiliar energy flowing within her.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? What am I feeling?¡± She asked, bewildered by the sensation.

    ¡°We Zhivopians always help a fellow Elbijan,¡± he explained. ¡°I am imbuing you with energy enough that you''ll be as light as one of us and won''t hurt yourself if you fall.¡± he smiled, then proceeded forward. ¡°Now, follow me!¡±

    Elysha watched as Anaja flew down towards a giant mushroom on the nearest platform, turned around, and stated, ¡°Jump here!¡±

    She held her breath hesitantly, assessing the distance between her and Anaja. ¡°A-Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°I''m sure of it! I know Elbijans around your height who love to venture around places like here. And if anything should happen, I will make sure to keep you safe.¡±

    Elysha pressed her hand against her chest, took a deep breath and readied herself. ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded. ¡°I will try.¡±

    The little girl took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. She focused on the mushroom platform where Anaja waited, his reassuring presence urging her onward.

    Then Elysha made a leap forward and launched herself into the air, arms outstretched as she soared for the platform.

    ¡°...!¡±

    For a moment, time seemed to stand still as she sailed through the air and the wind rushed past her ears. She felt as light as a wisp of light she had seen before, playfully swirling through the air.

    Then, with a soft thud, Elysha landed on the giant mushroom next to Anaja. Her knees and hands clung to the texture of the mushroom, which was as soft as a bed pillow, and her legs trembled slightly from the exhilarating jump.

    ¡°You did it!¡± Anaja cheered, his eyes sparkling with plaudits. ¡°See, I told you it wasn''t that scary!¡±

    Elysha turned her gaze towards the bear creature, and her eyes couldn¡¯t help but grin, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. ¡°It was¡­ It was fun.¡±

    ¡°Well done, um, what is your name?¡±

    ¡°Elysha.¡±

    ¡°Well done Elysha!¡± said Anaja warmly. ¡°But our journey to our destination is still far from over, and there are more platforms ahead of us, and I will be here to guide you every step of the way.¡±

    Together, Elysha and Anaja continued their descent into the depths of the tunnel, guided by the reassuring presence of the bear-like creature. As they descended, she tried to keep up with his pace, clinging to the foliage-covered walls and observing the area. Anaja''s assistance helped her navigate to the next platforms. But as they pressed on, Elysha''s heart quickened as she realized she was losing sight of Anaja ahead, her eyes scanning the misty passage for any sign of his familiar figure.

    ¡°Anaja?¡± She called out, her voice echoing faintly in the tunnel.

    However there was no answer, only the sound of her own footsteps echoing off the walls. She looked around, the exit with the bright white light was close enough for her to see, but his figure disappeared in the mist.

    ¡°Huh? Where did he go?¡± She murmured, worry in her voice. Panic gnawed at her thoughts as she realized she was alone in the labyrinthine tunnel. ¡°Anaja, where are you?¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Despite her fears, Elysha took a deep breath and clutched the keyhole necklace around her neck for courage. ¡°I won''t give up,¡± she whispered to herself and pressed forward until she reached the backside of a drizzling waterfall, feeling the cool mist on her skin.

    Elysha shielded herself with her hands as she carefully maneuvered around the waterfall. When she reached the other side, she spotted a weathered wooden boat resting at the edge of the stream.

    ¡°This is¡­¡± she paused in mid-sentence and scanned her surroundings again, but there was still no sign of Anaja. A heavy feeling of disappointment came over her as she came to terms with the reality of being alone in this unknown place.

    ¡°I guess he''s not with me anymore,¡± she whispered to herself, feeling dejected at the situation. ¡°He said that he was going to take me back, but¡­ he¡¯s gone.¡±

    Elysha stood brooding to herself as her eyes fell back on the boat and approached it. She thought for a moment before stepping inside. The aged planks creaked beneath her weight as she settled into the boat, feeling its sturdy yet worn texture beneath her fingertips.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± Elysha muttered to herself, ¡°but, it feels nice to be here.¡±

    She took a deep breath and pushed the boat off the edge into the flowing stream below.

    As the boat began to glide along the surface of the water, Elysha felt a sense of calm wash over her despite the uncertainty of her situation. She let the boat drift with the gentle current, taking in the sights and sounds of the underground domain of Zhivopia; the soft murmur of the river mingled with the distant calls of unseen creatures, creating an atmosphere of serene wonder.

    Elysha caught glimpses of different kinds of creatures populating the landscape and living their lives peacefully in their homes. She looked under the water and saw luminous fish with colorful scales swimming alongside the boat, and tiny winged creatures flitted around her as the boat meandered through the twists and turns of the river.

    ¡®Is there a meaning to all of this?¡¯ She pondered, lost in thought as she reflected on the entire journey so far. ¡®I don¡¯t know, but, I want to know, I want to understand everything¡­¡¯

    As the gentle rocking of the boat lulled her into a state of relaxation, the little girl felt her eyelids grow heavy and yawned.

    ¡®Perhaps, Micah will let me know¡­¡¯

    Elysha closed her eyes, and gradually surrendered to the embrace of sleep, allowing the soothing rhythm of the river to guide her into her dreams.

    ~ ??? ~

    Her consciousness drifted off, and when she opened her eyes again, Elysha found herself wandering through a familiar woods.

    ¡®Where am I?¡¯ She wondered, but the vague feeling that she was wandering did not allow her to act. As she ventured further, her movement finally came to a halt and her gaze was drawn to a figure standing at the other end of the clearing.

    It was a presence she knew well, one that exuded warmth and wisdom. Without saying a word, Elysha''s eyes recognized who stood before her field of vision.

    In front of her stood Elder Merakia, her guardian and teacher, emitting a soft light that illuminated the surrounding area. Before she could say anything, her guardian turned around as if she had known her pupil was there.

    ¡®Elysha,¡¯ the voice of Elder Merakia rang out, ¡®so you are here with me, I see.¡¯

    The little girl did not respond and wondered if she should take a step towards her as her guardian continued, ¡®You, my dear child, have just begun your adventure on a journey of stories, a path that will slowly reveal the essence of your soul identity. From the very moment you first opened your eyes in this world, you have sought to seek and to create your cherished memories.¡¯

    Elysha listened, her eyes fixed at the sight of her guardian standing within her view and speaking enigmatic words. She wanted to ask questions, but no words came from her mouth.

    ¡®Dear child, what lies within you is a reflection of limitless possibilities,¡¯ Elder Merakia said. ¡®True power lies not solely in mastering the theonum, but in finding harmony between your inner self and the world that surrounds you. Embrace the wonders that cross your path, learn from them, and allow them to shape the course of your journey. For this is a test of your perseverance and unwavering spirit.¡¯

    A surge of motivation rose up in Elysha, her hands clutching the clothes on her chest and rekindling the fire within her.

    ¡®Remember, dear Elysha,¡¯ Elder Merakia said in a soft voice as the words drifted on a gentle breeze that blew through the forest. The currents of the dream changed, and she saw her guardian swept away from the scene, her being transformed into a butterfly.

    As the vivid colors rippled and blended, she found herself in a realm of white¡ªa vast expanse over which the sky stretched endlessly: Hazy clouds drifted lazily, casting a soft, diffuse light on the dreamscape. Beneath her feet, white flowers swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, their delicate petals rustling in a melodious symphony.

    ¡°...!¡± A sense of familiarity washed over Elysha, tugging at the edges of her consciousness. She continued to look around, turning her gaze in all directions to find the source of this inexplicable connection she had felt, but something specific remained just out of reach.

    ¡°... Hehe.¡±

    The laughter of a child. A distant sound that echoed in the air, playful and full of purity and innocence.

    Elysha''s gaze locked onto the source of the laughter, her eyes widening in recognition. Before her stood the apparition of a false child, bearing an uncanny resemblance to herself.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Elysha breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper.

    With a hazy, mischievous smile, the false child extend her finger, inviting the butterfly to descend upon it. The delicate creature''s iridescent wings shimmering with beauty cast aglow.

    ¡°Hehe¡­¡± the false child giggled again, her demeanor seemingly untouched by the weight of the world.

    Elysha watched from a distance, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the situation.

    ¡®Who is this fake me?¡¯ She frowned. ¡®How did this fake me know me so much, and why is she here? Could she be someone who knows about my memories?¡¯

    Clutching the necklace around her neck, Elysha steadied herself before speaking, her voice shaking slightly, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    The false child''s laughter tinkled like wind chimes in the breeze. ¡°I am you, and yet I am not,¡± she replied cryptically.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Elysha pressed, her brows furrowing in confusion.

    The false child pointed to her chest. ¡°Your keyhole,¡± she spoke, ¡°is the catalyst that will unlock the answers you seek. The knowledge of your past and your soul identity.¡±

    Elysha''s grip on the necklace tightened, her mind spinning in perplexity. ¡°My... keyhole?¡± She murmured, the words barely audible.

    As the butterfly fluttered back and forth, perching on the outstretched finger, the false child continued, ¡°You wished to go on a journey of understanding, to discover the depths of your own soul. That is what you''re looking for, is it not true?¡±

    Frozen with astonishment, Elysha struggled to comprehend the conversation she was having with the false child, her mind racing with questions as she bites her lips, ¡®How does she knows what I wanted? This fake me¡­ could she¡ª?¡¯

    ¡°Could you be... me? A memory from my past?¡± Elysha asked with uncertainty.

    The butterfly took flight from the false child''s finger, and silence enveloped the clearing, broken only by the faint sounds of giggles and laughter.

    Elysha''s head throbbed with confusion, her hand instinctively rising to her temple. With one last searching glance at the false child, she sought answers amidst the enigmatic exchange.

    ¡°Please tell me¡­¡± She begged.

    As the words lingered in the air, the world around her began to dissolve into a blur of abstraction. The scenery warped and shifted, morphing into an indiscernible haze.

    ¡°... Your story, your memories¡ªthey have only just begun,¡± the false child spoke, her words echoing in the little girl''s mind. ¡°In the final chapter of your journey, perhaps you shall find the key to understanding who you are, Elysha.¡±

    And then, the next thing Elysha heard was the sound of the boat coming to a halt.

    ~ ??? ~

    As Elysha slowly awoke from her slumber, she found herself on the rocking wooden boat floating on the gently flowing stream. When she felt the subtle sensation of pain, she instinctively pressed her hand against her forehead.

    ¡®What¡­ happened?¡¯ she pondered, a sense of disorientation lingering. ¡®Did I¡­ dreamed?¡¯

    Vague images and barely memorable words swirled around in her head, making her wonder what kind of dream she had experienced.

    ¡°I dreamed of Elder Mera, and¡­ the fake me,¡± Elysha murmured, reflecting on the perplexing encounters from her dream. She reached for the keyhole object hanging around her neck, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the stone.

    ¡°I wondered what you really are, because you''ve been with me since I first woke up on that day.¡± Elysha said to the necklace, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°If I could go out on a journey to see the world, would you be the one to guide me to understanding who I am?¡±

    She exhaled and lay back, feeling the sensation of the moving, rocking boat. Though the details were lost on her, Elysha clung to the hope that her dreams held some meaning for her.

    Moments later, she pushed aside the remnants of her dream and anchored herself firmly in the present. Sitting up again, Elysha¡¯s eyes focused on the path ahead of her.

    ¡°No matter what, I must go on,¡± she said, holding the keyhole stone in her hand.

 1.15 - A Bright Star

    When the boat stopped at the river¡¯s edge, Elysha climbed out of the boat and walked back into the woods. She kept walking, trying to understand what she was trying to achieve, until she crouched under a tree.

    She wrapped her arms around her legs and sighed in half-defeat, ¡°Ah, I really don¡¯t know what to do. These trees all looked the same and I don¡¯t know where I¡¯m going¡­¡±

    ¡°Giving up already?¡±

    Elysha flinched, looked around, and saw nothing.

    ¡°Eh? Micah?¡± she blinked her eyes, recognizing the voice. ¡°Was that you? But from where?¡±

    ¡°Ehehe, no worries, Micah¡¯s right here!¡±

    A flash of light illuminated her keyhole necklace, and a shape emerged from it in front of her, taking the form of a familiar and fluffy face, floating in the air and turning his eyes toward her.

    ¡°Y-You appeared from my necklace,¡± Elysha said, stunned.

    ¡°Hm? Why do you look so surprised?¡± he asked as he landed on the ground, flicking his ears. ¡°Did you think I scared you a little or?¡±

    ¡°So¡­ you were with me the whole time?¡± she murmured in a hushed tone.

    ¡°Did you think I would break my words to not leave you alone?¡± he frowned.

    ¡°But I thought you did leave me alone.¡±

    He frowned again and hopped onto Elysha¡¯s knees, ¡°But Micah has been with you from the beginning. Micah always keeps his promises.¡±

    ¡°The beginning?¡±

    He nodded, ¡°Yep.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and she grabbed Micah with her hands, lifting him into the air.

    ¡°Hey! Let me go!¡± he whined, his tail shaking as he tried to wriggle free. ¡°Micah is not to be grabbed like this!¡±

    However, her hands wouldn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°You left me alone in this place, and I was scared you wouldn¡¯t come back,¡± she said, keeping her grip. ¡°What were you doing while I was exploring Zhivopia?¡±

    ¡°Me? Hm, well, I was watching you from your keyhole object,¡± he explained.

    Elysha grabbed her necklace and looked down, ¡°This keyhole?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve been watching me the whole time?¡±

    ¡°Yep!¡±

    ¡°But why did I feel like you weren¡¯t watching me?¡± she asked skeptically. ¡°I felt like you weren¡¯t there, like you weren¡¯t really with me or something.¡±

    She watched as Micah made a strange expression; his eyes averted and his mouth turned down. Even his own ears and tail were flattened like a rag doll.

    ¡°Erm¡­¡±

    ¡°Erm?¡±

    ¡°I fell asleep.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ what?¡±

    ¡°Grrr AHHH! You heard me right! I fell asleep! Are your ears happy now?¡± Micah struggled again, trying in vain to free himself from her hands. ¡°Let me go! Stop treating me like a stuffed animal! Micah is angry!¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No? Why?¡±

    ¡°... You looked cute when I held you like this,¡± Elysha admitted.

    Micah stopped resisting; his limbs fell still and his eyes stared directly at her face, making her feel uncomfortable inside.

    ¡®Huh? Why is he looking at me like that?¡¯ she wondered. But before she could find out why, Micah suddenly grew several centimeters and broke free of her grasp, lunging straight for her head.

    ¡°AHHHHH!!!¡± Elysha screamed, jumping to her feet and clutching his fur as she backed away aimlessly. ¡°Get off of my face! It tickles! Stop it!¡±

    ¡°Say that Micah is not cute but cool and handsome!¡± he demanded, his tail wagging furiously.

    She couldn¡¯t help but giggle at the ticklish sensation of his fur coat and stumbled backwards onto the tall grass. ¡°You¡¯re cool and handsome,¡± she finally said.

    With a satisfied look on his face, Micah let go of her head and jumped back down to the ground. ¡°Good,¡± he smiled. ¡°Micah is very pleased with your compliment.¡±

    ¡°... And cute.¡±

    He frowned and shook his head away. ¡°Hmph, but I can accept that too, I guess.¡±

    Then he turned back to Elysha and asked, ¡°So are you still keeping up with the trial or have you given up?¡±

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t given up yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Why not?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to give up,¡± she insisted, clenching her hands together. ¡°I have to keep trying.¡±

    ¡°I like your spirit,¡± he grinned, ears pricked up and tail wagging. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long it can stay bright before it runs out of fuel.¡±

    Noticing his challenging tone, Elysha made a tight-lipped gesture and asked, ¡°I just have to figure out how to pass the Trial of Ir?stos, right?¡±

    ¡°No doubt about it, yes.¡±

    ¡°Can you tell me how to pass it?¡±

    ¡°Just by using your mind¡¯s intuition, that¡¯s my hint I¡¯ll give to you.¡±

    Elysha looked at him in a blank stare. ¡°Mind¡¯s intuition?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡±

    ¡°What is that?¡± she asked, still confused. ¡°How can I use my mind¡¯s intuition? Is it like theonum?¡±

    ¡°Sorry! But Micah cannot give you any more hints.¡±

    Elysha made a displeased face, then sighed in reluctant acceptance. ¡°Okay, I will keep going with that hint.¡±

    ¡°Good luck, Elysha!¡± Micah cheered. ¡°I¡¯ll stay in the keyhole, and if anything happens, let Micah know!¡±

    She frowned. ¡°And don¡¯t sleep on me again, okay?¡±

    He flinched and replied, ¡°I won¡¯t this time!¡±

    Micah¡¯s form flashed in white light as he transferred into the keyhole object attached to Elysha¡¯s necklace. After that, she was on her own, standing on the tall grasses of Zhivopia¡¯s sub-layer domain.

    ¡®Think,¡¯ she thought to herself. ¡®Mind¡¯s intuition, huh? But what is that? My mind is my mind, but what is intuition?¡¯

    Then she looked out at the view before her, the trees of Zhivopia alive with flora and shrubs, accompanied by the sounds of plants and animals, perhaps even people. Her eyebrows knitted in determination.

    ¡°I¡¯m not giving up yet,¡± she muttered to herself and set off on her next attempt.

    Elysha strolled through the tall grasses of the woods, passing tree after tree, until she closed her eyes and let her mind clear, paying attention to nothing but nature itself.

    ¡°Hm... if I just focus, maybe the answer will come to me...¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    She stopped walking and concentrated on her ears, and there she heard something.

    *chirp*

    ¡°Pi¡­ pi pi¡­¡± she spoke, trying to imitate the sounds of the birds. Then she opened her eyes and sighed, ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. What should I do?¡±

    Elysha was still on her feet when she saw a small group of unfamiliar faces coming toward her on the same path. They looked different from her, more like Micah, Eleu and Anaja. They resembled tall anthromorphic rabbits with large ears, one adult looking and two smaller. However, they were not like the small fluffy bunny-like creature she had seen before.

    ¡°Ohh! An Elbijan girl!¡± ssaid one of the smaller rabbit-like creatures, who then approached her. ¡°Hello!¡±

    ¡°Um, h-hi,¡± Elysha stammered nervously.

    ¡°Cerse, no!¡± shouted the adult.

    The small one named Cerse turned around and asked, ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°You cannot go up to strangers like that. Do you not remembered what your mother had told you?¡±

    ¡°That we don¡¯t know if they are good or bad?¡±

    ¡°That is true,¡± she nodded her head. ¡°TAlthough this girl is a child¡­¡± She then approached her and said, ¡°Little miss, are you alone here in these woods?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Elysha shook her head. ¡°I am here with Micah.¡±

    ¡°Micah?¡±

    Then a fluffy head poked out of the keystone of Elysha¡¯s necklace. ¡°That¡¯s me!¡±

    ¡°Ahh!¡± the three of them shouted in unison.

    ¡°Haha!¡± the smallest one giggled, prompting the mother to ask, ¡°Welja, are you laughing?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s funny!¡±

    Cerse stepped forward and stated, ¡°Hey, I know you! You are popular in Zhivopia!¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± his eyes twinkled with stars. ¡°I am popular?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! You are the ¡®Annoying Gray Dwarf¡¯ that everyone is talking about, right?¡±

    ¡°ANNOYING GRAY DWARF?¡±

    Elysha noticed that Micah¡¯s expression turned furious, his muscles tensed and his fur stood out.

    ¡°Bahahaha!¡± Cerse laughed. ¡°That¡¯s what they all called you. There are words everywhere about what you did.¡±

    ¡°Cerse, that is enough. You must not speak ill of others.¡±

    He turned around. ¡°But mom¡­¡±

    ¡°Listen to my words,¡± she said in a stern tone, then looked down. ¡°Welja, you also understand what your mother is saying, right?¡±

    Welja turned and looked up at her mother, nodding her head.

    ¡°That is good,¡± she smiled, then turned her eyes to Elysha and Micah. ¡°You two, are you hungry? Our house is nearby, I can make you both a sandwich.¡±

    Micah¡¯s ears perked up as Elysha replied. ¡°No, I¡¯m not hungry. I had breakfast earlier.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? You must have lived around here then.¡±

    She nodded and said, ¡°I live nearby with Elder Mera.¡±

    The mother¡¯s eyes widened with familiarity. ¡°You mean Elder Merakia? I see, then you are well taken care of.¡±

    ¡°Mom, who is Elder Merakia?¡± Welja asked.

    ¡°She is a powerful and intelligent mage and a doctor, my dear,¡± she answered. ¡°She currently lives in Ir?stos, up on the surface, and the people have paid for her to visit them for medical checkups.¡±

    Then she turned and asked, ¡°Is Elder Merakia not with you? Where could your guardian be right now?¡±

    ¡°No, she¡¯s not with me. She¡¯s at home, I think,¡± Elysha replied, rubbing Micah¡¯s head. ¡°Micah is with me.¡±

    ¡°Hey! Micah¡¯s not for petting!¡± he pouted.

    ¡°I understand.¡± The mother then wrapped her arms around both Cerse and Welja and said, ¡°If you two ever would like to eat, my family and I are welcome to invite you to come over and have a meal with us.¡±

    Elysha looked up at the kind rabbit-like mother. ¡°Okay,¡± she replied with a small smile.

    ¡°You can call me ¡®Merlji,¡¯¡± she said, smiling back.

    With a final wave to the family, Elysha set off through the trees again. As she walked, she tried to quiet her thoughts and focus on the sounds around her: the rustling of leaves, the distant birdsong, and the soft whisper of the wind.

    ¡°Mm¡­¡± she groaned as she frowned, slowly growing impatient with the fact that she still neither fulfilled nor understood the trial.

    She began to speed up her pace, looking around, trying to figure out what Micah¡¯s hint meant for her. Eventually she came to a circle of stones in a clearing. Each stone was covered in green moss, lichen and dirt as she stepped into the circle.

    She stood still and waited.

    But nothing happened.

    Elysha frowned, shifting her weight impatiently as she looked around. ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m in the circle. So¡­ what now?¡±

    She looked down at the stones beneath her feet, half-expecting them to begin to glow or for some magical force like theonum to surge through her.

    Still, nothing.

    Her lips pressed together tightly, then she exhaled with a sigh, ¡°I thought that something would happen. Why? This is hard¡­¡±

    Elysha lifted her foot and tapped on one of the stones, but there was no response. Frustrated, she sat down in the center of the circle and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. A voice came from the keyhole and said, ¡°Giving up now?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Oh, how come?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± she frowned, tightening her grip on her legs.

    ¡°Persistent, aren¡¯t you?¡± he replied. ¡°If you want to give up, you can always let Micah know.¡±

    ¡°But if I give up, Elder Mera will not be proud of me.¡±

    ¡°She won¡¯t be proud of you? Would that really happen?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I don¡¯t want to know.¡±

    Micah thought about it, then gave a slight chuckle and said, ¡°Hm, you really are something. Not even knowing if Elder Mera would be disappointed, and yet you keep going no matter what?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to let anyone down. Especially her,¡± Elysha said, her eyes glued to the ground.

    ¡°You know¡­ you don¡¯t have to keep going for anyone else,¡± Micah said. ¡°Not for the witch, not even for me. This is your trial, after all. And whatever you decide to do, Micah will be right here with you.¡±

    She blinked, surprised at his words. ¡°Really? Even if I¡­ stop trying?¡±

    ¡°Of course! If you give up, I¡¯ll keep you company all the way back. And if you keep going, I¡¯ll be here, too. No matter what, Micah is on your side. That¡¯s what friends do, right?¡±

    ¡°Friends?¡±

    ¡°Yep! Micah is your friend, no?¡±

    Elysha recognized that she had heard the word ¡°friends¡± several times recently. She lifted her fingers and touched her right cheek, feeling its warmth.

    ¡°You are my friend, Micah,¡± she smiled.

    ¡°Aw, that¡¯s your spirit!¡± he grinned as he wagged his tail. ¡°Micah likes it when you smile like that.¡±

    ¡°Like this?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm!¡±

    Elysha registered his words in her mind, then she dropped the smile and made a neutral expression. ¡°How about this?¡±

    ¡°Now you are just playing with me,¡± Micah said, unamused.

    ~ ??? ~

    As the day slowly wore on, Elysha¡¯s impatience began to gnaw at her. She was still walking under the trees when she stopped and looked around. ¡°... Huh?¡±

    She raised her eyes to the sky and the trees around her. They all seemed the same to Elysha, as they had become very familiar to her. However, something was wrong in her mind.

    ¡°How long have I been walking here?¡± she asked herself, feeling a sense of urgency. She shook her head. ¡°No, I have to hurry, Elder Mera will be mad at me if I¡¯m not back soon.¡±

    She clenched the sides of her dress and pursed her lips in a tight line, ¡°I need to find another hint,¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°Maybe Micah can tell me something, or¡­¡±

    ¡®Should I give up?¡¯ a voice echoed in her head.

    Shaking off the unwanted thought, Elysha walked on until she came to an open field of flowers. She stepped into the clearing until she came to a large tree in the center of the place.

    ¡°A big tree¡­¡± she murmured to herself.

    A sense of calm washed over her as she stared at the tree. Then she looked up to the sky and watched the clouds pass by slowly. Looking closer, she noticed the dotted stars scattered across the vast expanse, but she knew they were different from the ones on the surface she had come from.

    As she observed the sky, a question rose within her mind.

    ¡°Those stars¡­ were they always there?¡±

    To her, the sky was mostly silver and cloudy. Her mind wandered as she watched the stars until her eyes fell on one in particular.

    It was the brightest star she had ever seen.

    Elysha clenched her chest as her heart began to swell with an unfamiliar feeling¡ªa feeling she could not understand. Her eyes began to quiver and her breathing became difficult to control.

    She instinctively reached out to the shining star.

    ¡°It¡¯s so¡­¡±

    Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her head, causing her to jerk in distress.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    She clutched her temples as the sensation intensified.

    ¡®¡ªhave you ever seen the meteor shower? I¡¯ve always wanted to see one. Someday I will.¡¯

    ¡°Ouch! That hurts!! It hurts!!!¡± Elysha cried out, the pain of her throbbing headache overwhelming her senses. ¡°I-I heard a voice again¡­¡±

    ¡°Wha¡ª? What happened? Are you okay, Elysha?¡±

    Micah¡¯s voice squeaked from the keyhole in concern. But his words went unheard. Instead, Elysha¡¯s vision blurred, and the pain in her head persisted, increasing with each passing second. She took several steps in aimless directions, her hands still at her temples as she stumbled to the ground. Then she turned her trembling eyes back to the bright star.

    The star seemed insignificant and yet significant, and she didn¡¯t understand any of it. The essence of the sight shone with a brilliance she had never seen before. A strange longing stirred within her, as if her brain had been flooded with endorphins and dopamine, easing her pain for a moment and calming her fears.

    As her gaze locked on the star, something about it compelled her, as if a magnetic force had ensnared her senses. Hallucinations danced in front of her eyes.

    *sniff*

    The sounds of a crying child echoed in her mind. However, the cries were not coming from her surroundings¡ªthey were coming from somewhere.

    ¡®No¡­ he¡¯s gone¡­ help me.¡¯

    ¡°I... I hear someone crying... a girl asking for help,¡± Elysha murmured.

    Micah¡¯s voice cut through her mind. ¡°What are you saying? I didn¡¯t hear anything,¡± he exclaimed, his concern growing as he tried to get her attention. ¡°More importantly, are you all right? Elysha!¡±

    Elysha looked back at the bright star. At that moment, a realization struck her like a sudden epiphany. Without a second thought, she sprinted forward, following the guiding light of the star.

    Micah shouted, ¡°Elysha! Where are you going!¡±

    Pain still throbbed in her head, but she pushed it aside, consumed by an unstoppable determination. Her feet carried her as fast as they could, pushing her through the dense foliage, her eyes still fixed on the star that guided her onward.

    ¡°She¡ª! She has to be there!¡± she shouted.

    Eventually, as she arrived into a small clearing, Elysha came to a halt. There, huddled alone and sullen, sat a little girl crying.

 1.16 - Big Kitty

    ¡°My cherished friend¡­¡± she cried, sitting on the grass with her wet hands covering her eyes. ¡°Billi, I missed you¡­¡±

    Elysha caught her breath as she stood behind the bushes. ¡°I-I found her.¡±

    As she took in the scene, Micah emerged from the keyhole and said, ¡°Hey, wait a minute! Micah knows that girl!¡±

    ¡°You do?¡±

    ¡°Yep!¡± he nodded. ¡°That girl you are seeing is a Nartti Zhivopian. The Narttis are one of the three civilizations in the forest, along with the Illumija and the Kajenwa villages. When the Deity¡ªour guardian of the forest, Ir?stos¡ªis in hibernation, these three villages protect the forest and its inhabitants from any threats.¡±

    He continued, ¡°And this girl, she is youngest of all the children of Narmittari, the head of the Nartti village.¡±

    Elysha watched as she wept, still sobbing under her hands, ¡°Billiiiiii¡­¡±

    Micah noticed Elysha stepping through the bushes, twigs and leaves brushing through her dress. He asked in a loud whisper, ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s crying, and I want to help her,¡± she replied, and walked up to the little girl on the grass.

    As she approached, Elysha took in the Nartti girl¡¯s features: the person appeared to be about her age and height, with light brown skin and short, messy dark brown hair. She was wearing green overall shorts, a white button-up shirt with short sleeves, red shoes, and a silver moon necklace. Colorful stickers and bandages covered her arms and legs, as well as cute barrettes on her bangs. There were two long fluffy canine ears sticking out of her head, as long as her hair itself.

    Not only that, but she has a long tail that is even fluffier.

    *crunch*

    The girl¡¯s ears pricked up at the sound of crushed dead leaves. She pulled her hands away from her tear-stained face, her amber eyes snapping back to reality as she looked up at Elysha in surprise.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked, sniffing her tears.

    She flinched, and she quickly replied, ¡°I¡ªum, I¡¯m Elysha, and I wanted to see if you were okay or not.¡±

    Wiping away her tears, the girl with the canine ears and tail grew guarded as she growled softly, ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m not fine. What do you want from me?¡±

    ¡°Uh-oh, she doesn¡¯t look too happy,¡± Micah said from her keyhole stone.

    Despite the lingering pain, Elysha¡¯s mind raced to find the right words. ¡°Um, I didn¡¯t want anything. I just wanted to ask what happened because I heard you crying.¡±

    She froze at the temptation to retreat when she saw the Nartti girl¡¯s unfriendly face and continued, ¡°If you do not want me here, then I will leave you alone. Is that okay with you?¡±

    The Nartti girl¡¯s face lowered without a response. Following that reaction, Elysha turned to leave when a voice from behind shouted, ¡°Wait!¡±

    She paused, then turned to see the girl with fear in her eyes. She gathered her courage and spoke, ¡°I... I need your help!¡±

    ¡°Help you?¡±

    ¡°M-My friend Billi is being chased away by a gigantic, scary¡ªreally, really scary monster!¡± she cried. ¡°I wanted to head back to my village to tell everyone, but¡­ but I want to save Billi! I don¡¯t want to leave Billi alone by himself. I can¡¯t get my brain to decide on what to do!¡±

    Elysha let her words sink in thoughtfully. ¡°A giant scary monster?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! A giant monster¡ªa demon, actually! It¡¯s like staring into a wall of nothing but black! A demon as if spawned from the Underworld has come to steal the sky and my Billi!¡±

    She continued, ¡°I could have run all the way back to my home village because my mama could easily destroy that demon and save Billi and Zhivopia! But my village is too far away and outside on the surface¡­ What if we come back and Billi gets eaten by the monster?¡±

    Then she grabbed Elysha¡¯s shoulders tightly and pleaded desperately, ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but please! I need your help to get my Billi back! If you could help me rescue him, I¡¯d give you whatever you want. I swear it! Just please, help me save my friend!¡±

    ¡°Sorcha seems to be in real trouble,¡± Micah interjected, then emerged himself out of the keyhole and between the Nartti girl and Elysha. ¡°We can help you! You can count on us for anything!¡±

    The girl wiped the tears from her eyes, her voice still shaky as she spoke, ¡°Micah, is that you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s me, yep!¡±

    Her eyes widened with a gleam when she saw Micah, and she rushed toward him until she was hugging his small body, ¡°Ah, Micah! You¡¯re here! I¡¯m so glad that you¡¯re here!¡±

    ¡°Ahh, you¡¯re crushing me!¡± he groaned.

    Elysha, stunned by the turn of events, expressed her confusion. ¡°Huh? You two knew each other? Are you two friends?¡±

    ¡°I told you just a moment ago that we know each other!¡± he let out a gasp from the embrace. ¡°Let Micah go!¡±

    Then he broke free from the Nartti girl¡¯s grip and shook his fur. He said, ¡°I assumed that you haven¡¯t learned about this yet, but in the Forest of Ir?stos, everyone knows everyone, whether Elbijan or Zhivopian, that¡¯s how it is with us, according to the Deity¡¯s philosophy. We are all one family!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± said the girl, turning her attention around. ¡°Micah and Sorcha are both friends and family!¡±

    ¡°Sorcha, your name is Sorcha?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha is Sorcha, that¡¯s me!¡± she smiled, then began to sulk again. ¡°Wahhh! Billi is not here!¡±

    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t worry Sorcha, Elysha and I can go search and find Billi for you,¡± Micah assured her.

    Her eyes beamed, ¡°Oh really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, finding and rescuing your friend from that giant monster spawn sounds like a lot of fun!¡± he said with enthusiasm.

    ¡°Giant monster?¡± Elysha muttered to herself, trying to imagine this description but coming up with nothing, nor did she know what a ¡°monster¡± was.

    ¡°Where can we find this monster?¡± Micah asked, looking up at the sky. ¡°If it was that gigantic, we would have seen it by now, wouldn¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°My Billi was chased away by the monster to, um, I don¡¯t know where!¡±

    Tears began to flow again, and Sorcha sobbed under her hands. Elysha turned to Micah and asked, ¡°Um, what are we going to do? I remember you saying that you know a lot about the forest you call home. Do you know where to find Billi or the monster?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°Well, Micah¡¯s never heard of this gigantic monster creature, and my senses aren¡¯t as sharp as you might think.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Nope. When I think of ¡®monstrous,¡¯ I can only think of the Narmittari. But this demon-like monster Sorcha is talking about can¡¯t be her. She wouldn¡¯t call her mother to be that scary or go after her pet.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s right!¡± she interjected. ¡°My mother is not scary! My mother is great and powerful and scary!¡±

    ¡°You heard her,¡± Micah nodded.

    ¡°Then, what could that monster be?¡±

    ¡°No idea, but I want to find out, just hearing about it makes me interested and curious to see it for myself,¡± he grinned.

    ¡°If it¡¯s scary, then is it really okay to see this monster?¡± Elysha asked worriedly.

    Before Micah could respond, Sorcha¡¯s ears and tail perked up and she quickly turned around, her eyes fixed in one direction as she shouted, ¡°I can feel Billi¡¯s presence now!¡±

    ¡°Oh? You can?¡±

    Her hands clenched, and without hesitation, she sprinted away at a fast pace. ¡°Billi! I¡¯m coming to save you!¡±

    Within seconds, the Nartti girl was out of their sight, leaving Elysha and Micah stunned by the sudden turn of events.

    ¡°Welp, we have to follow her,¡± Micah said, snapping Elysha out of her daze.

    ¡°Follow her?¡±

    ¡°Yep! We have to catch up to her or she will be too far away for me to trace her presence.¡±

    Micah began to race ahead, and Elysha promptly followed, her legs trying to keep up with his swift pace. As they ran, she began to wonder.

    ¡®Is this part of the trial? I don¡¯t know, maybe it isn¡¯t,¡¯ she wondered, then shook it off and continued to follow Micah and Sorcha.

    ~ ??? ~

    They followed the Nartti girl¡¯s trail through the woods, with Micah pacing ahead and Elysha struggling to keep up. More than once, he called out to her to help her catch up to him.

    After several minutes, they caught up to her and saw her figure standing on the ground. Elysha hefted herself to catch her breath as Micah shouted from a branch, ¡°Sorcha! We caught up to you!¡±

    Just as he called her name, they noticed that she wasn¡¯t paying attention to them. Her eyes were fixed upward at something, as if trying to take in what she saw.

    ¡°Sorcha?¡± he repeated, jumping off the branch and following her gaze upwards, and when Elysha did the same, their eyes widened in shock.

    A colossal dark creature hovered in the sky and on the ground, emitting an uncomfortable aura that seemed to permeate the air and their very skin.

    ¡°Huh? What is that?¡± Elysha muttered from her mouth, the sight sending shivers down her spine.

    The creature had a long, sinuous tail that curled like a hook and swung through the clouds. Its four towering legs stood taller than the surrounding trees, and its ears twitched in the shape of mountains. Its face, almost a void-like abyss, stared down at the trees as if searching for something. In its dark expression, the creature had two white eyes, like portals to different worlds.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Meow.¡±

    The voice echoed, a sound that reverberated through the woods, causing masses of birds and other species to take flight in a startled frenzy. Its tail swayed from side to side, swirling the clouds together like a cauldron.

    Micah was the first to react, his mouth shouting, ¡°Wait, is that a cat?¡±

    ¡°K-Kitty?!¡±

    He turned to Elysha, whose face was a wash of disbelief and shock.

    ¡°Kitty?¡± he tilted his head, confused.

    Sorcha, who was standing nearby, stepped up to them with her finger pointing at the creature and shouted, ¡°That¡¯s the giant monster I was talking about! The demon from the Underworld that tried to chase my Billi!¡±

    Micah looked back at the massive, dark cat. ¡°I never thought such a phenomenal creature would appear in Zhivopia of all places.¡±

    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t just stand around and do nothing to save Billi! We have to and find him right¡ª!¡±

    Before Sorcha could finish her thought, the cat raised his left paw and struck the ground with tremendous force, repeatedly pounding the earth.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡± the three of them shouted as violent shockwaves rippled through the area, shaking tree trunks and raining branches and leaves down upon them.

    ¡°Elysha! Watch out!¡±

    Her eyes turned upward to see a large branch falling toward her as a pair of arms pushed her aside to avoid the impact. Micah ran up to them to see Elysha frozen at the sight of Sorcha¡¯s relieved face. She asked, ¡°Are you all right?¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes, I¡¯m all right.¡±

    The tremors did not stop, however, and the three continued to evade the shaking earth and falling objects. They backed away from the moving creature¡¯s paws as they collided with the ground.

    ¡°Meow¡­ Meow¡­ Meow¡­¡±

    The ominous sounds continued to reverberate through the air, unsettling the trio. Micah deftly dodged another fallen branch that was about to strike him, his ears on high alert.

    ¡°What is that giant cat doing?¡± he shouted in frustration, ¡°I almost got hit just now!¡±

    Sorcha found a stable position and looked up again to observe his behavior. ¡°That monster is trying to find and find Billi and hurt him!¡± she shouted, her fists clenched in determination. ¡°That means he must be hiding nearby! I have to find him fast!¡±

    Elysha, dizzy but trying to make sense of the situation, turned to Sorcha and asked, ¡°How will you find him?¡±

    The Nartti child remained silent, her hands pressed to her soft, pointed ears as she strained to hear a particular voice. Her expression became focused, her eyes closed and her lips tightened in concentration as she scanned her surroundings, searching for the source of the sound.

    While they waited for response, Elysha and Micah noticed various fleeing groups running from the giant creature. They ranged from individuals to families who had left their homes to escape the wrath of the quake.

    ¡°Looks like Zhivopia is panicking,¡± Micah said, his tone unusually serious. ¡°The tremors have everyone running scared.¡±

    Elysha clutched a trunk of a tree. ¡°Um, maybe we should do the same? If it¡¯s that bad¡ª¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Sorcha interrupted, her eyes still closed. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving Billi behind! He¡¯s out there somewhere, and I¡¯m not going without him.¡±

    Micah sighed and brushed leaves from his fur. ¡°I get it, you¡¯re determined, but we¡¯re not exactly equipped to fight that thing.¡± He gestured with a paw at the colossal creature that was now coming closer, his massive paws crushing the undergrowth with each step. ¡°If Billi¡¯s nearby, we need to find him fast, before the monster does.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! As long as I have my Billi, then we can run away together!¡±

    Elysha continued to watch as the fleeing groups ran off, and she began to grow nervous as she held the trunk closer to her, overwhelmed by the sounds coming into her ears.

    *squeak*

    Sorcha¡¯s ears pricked up, straining as she tilted her head to one side. ¡°I heard him!¡± she exclaimed, pointing her finger in a certain direction. ¡°I heard him crying from that way!¡±

    Without hesitation, she darted towards the source of the voice. ¡°Billi! I am coming to save you!¡±

    The two left behind exchanged a quick glance as Sorcha dashed ahead. Then they followed her as they hurried through the trembling forest.

    Elysha panted heavily, clutching her chest as she tried to keep up with Sorcha and Micah. The creature¡¯s deafening meows reverberated behind them, and she nearly stumbled as she tried to keep up.

    Micah noticed her movement speed and slowed his pace to match hers. ¡°Are you all right Elysha? Need my help?¡±

    She shook her head, ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Then, she paused to catch her breath, and in that moment she couldn¡¯t help but wonder. ¡°Micah, I want to ask you something.¡±

    Micah stopped and tilted his head, his tail swaying as he replied, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°This¡­ all of this,¡± Elysha gestured at the chaos around them: the colossal cat-like creature, the fleeing people of Zhivopia, and Sorcha darting through the woods. ¡°Is this¡­ part of my trial? The Trial of Ir?stos?¡±

    Micah blinked. ¡°Your trial? You think this is part of it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Elysha said, her voice growing more uncertain. ¡°You said that my mind¡¯s intuition is a hint. So¡­ is saving Sorcha¡¯s Billi part of it? Or does the trial have to do with stopping the big Kitty?¡±

    Micah scratched his head with a paw, his usual smug demeanor softening. ¡°Uhh¡­ yeah, so¡­ funny thing about that.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t part of your trial,¡± he said with a sheepish grin.

    ¡°What?¡± Elysha spoke out in shock. ¡°But¡ªwhat do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Look, I didn¡¯t plan for a giant shadow-cat-monster to show up, okay?¡± Micah sighed defensively. ¡°This whole thing? Not scripted. How was I supposed to know that a massive cat demon was roaming the sub-layer domains of Zhivopia?¡±

    Elysha stared at him, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to process his words. ¡°So¡­ this isn¡¯t part of my trial, and I¡¯m just¡­ stuck in the middle of this mess?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much, yep,¡± Micah replied with a shrug, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. ¡°But hey, you¡¯re handling it like a champ! If I were you, I¡¯d probably just run and let Sorcha deal with it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not helpful, Micah!¡± Elysha said, stomping her foot in frustration. ¡°If this isn¡¯t part of my trial, why are we even here? Is the trial even real?¡±

    ¡°You were the one who stumbled upon Sorcha before all this happened!¡±

    Hearing his words, Elysha looked back at the giant creature, whose shadowy figure seemed to have swallowed part of the ceiling of the sky. She asked, ¡°You said you had never seen anything like this before, right?¡±

    ¡°Nope, I have never seen that cat in my life, or any phenomena of this magnitude.¡±

    ¡°Phenomena¡­?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, that giant cat could very well likely be a phenomenon from the Underworld,¡± Micah said, nodding his head.

    Elysha furrowed her brow. ¡®Phenomenon? Underworld?¡¯

    Her mind reeled with complications, overwhelmed with many terms and things she could not understand with her current knowledge. She had just read a description of a cat from her study book, but to compare it to the one she saw now was beyond the scope of what her brain had absorbed.

    ¡°I¡¯m very confused,¡± she said, shaking her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m also confused as well,¡± Micah admitted. ¡°Like I said, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen a likely Underworld phenomenon roaming our lands. It¡¯s a very rare occurrence. This ¡®cat¡¯ anomaly doesn¡¯t belong here, and we may have to kill it or something, because if left unchecked, that giant monster could disrupt the Order of Balance between Elbijans and Zhivopians.¡±

    Elysha tilted her head. ¡°¡®Kill?¡¯ What is a kill? I don¡¯t understand anything.¡±

    ¡°Uhh, I promise to explain everything later,¡± Micah assured her. ¡°But for now, let¡¯s stop wasting our time and focus on catching up to¡ª¡±

    Elysha¡¯s attention snapped forward as she saw a massive paw hit the ground just a few meters in front of them. The impact sent tremors through the earth, causing the ground to quiver violently and dirt and rocks to be hurled into the air.

    ¡°WAAHHH!!! Talk about bad timing!¡± Micah shouted in midair.

    At the same moment, Elysha stumbled, clutching a tree trunk as the shaking nearly knocked her off balance. Micah quickly jumped onto a nearby branch to regain his balance as he heard a triumphant shout, ¡°Billi! I¡¯m here to save you! Hold on for me!¡±

    Then a low, squeaky cry came from nearby. Sorcha sprang forward, her small frame darting through the chaos like a bolt of lightning. The cry grew louder as she approached a cluster of massive roots tangled together at the base of an enormous tree.

    ¡°Billi! It¡¯s me!¡± she called out, her voice breaking as she dropped to her knees and began frantically clawing at the dirt and roots. A tiny pink nose peeked out from the tangle, followed by wide, trembling eyes.

    ¡°Billi!¡± Sorcha gasped, tears streaming down her face. She reached out and gently pulled the large, pale rodent free, cradling him against her chest. ¡°I¡¯ve got you now. You¡¯re finally safe with me.¡±

    The ground shook violently again as the massive paw of the shadowy cat monster crashed down nearby, tearing into the earth and sending chunks of rock and wood flying. Sorcha shielded Billi with her body, her lips tightening as debris rained down around them.

    ¡°Sorcha!¡± Micah yelled, leaping from branch to branch and to the ground before sprinting toward her. ¡°We¡¯ve have to move! Or else that thing¡¯s going to flatten us!¡±

    Billi let out another squeaky cry, trembling with fear as Sorcha held him close. Elysha staggered as she caught up with them, her breathing labored from the effort. ¡°Um... this Billi you¡¯re looking for... is a rat?¡± she asked heavily, remembering a picture of a rodent from her book.

    Sorcha nodded her head with a smile. ¡°Yes! This is Billi, my cherished friend who has been with me since I was a baby!¡±

    She watched as Sorcha nuzzled the rat¡¯s head. Still catching her breath, Elysha turned and looked up to see two huge white eyes staring down at her, surrounded by an even larger black void, covering the sky.

    ¡°Billi is shaking so terribly,¡± Sorcha murmured sympathetically, stroking the rat¡¯s fur gently. ¡°I feel so bad that he had to endure so much fear and pain. The giant monster who hurt him is going to feel my WRATH!¡±

    ¡°Meowww.....¡±

    A deep, guttural growl resonated through the forest, sending shivers down their spines. Micah and Sorcha looked up to see a colossal creature lowering his head ominously toward them. His growl turned into a long, throaty purr that felt more like a vibration in the earth than a sound.

    Then, the creature¡¯s long, curly tail flailed through the air.

    *crash*

    It hit the ground with such force that trees toppled over. More of the surrounding inhabitants scattered in a frenzy of fear, their cries of alarm piercing through the chaos.

    ¡°G-Great¡­ What are we going to do? This is starting to get real bad¡­¡± Micah¡¯s voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes still fixed on the giant monster staring down at them.

    Sorcha, cradling Billi in her arms, replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t care now that I have Billi with me! I say we should make a run for it!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t care if Zhivopia becomes this cat monster¡¯s playground?¡± Micah asked eyebrow-raisingly. ¡°Don¡¯t you visit here often for funsies with your friends?¡±

    She hesitated and bit her lip. The gray-furred Zhivopian replied, ¡°Haha, did I caught you in your throat?¡±

    ¡°I do care!¡± she muttered out. ¡°I loved everyone in Zhivopia as much as I loved my Billi! I don¡¯t want this stupid cat monster to take this home away from me!¡±

    With a panting breath she continued, ¡°But¡­ But! I don¡¯t want to get hurt too, so now we should go back to the Nartti village and find my mama so that she and other strong people can stop this monster!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving.¡±

    They turned to Elysha, who stood beside them with an intent look on her face.

    ¡°Are you that dumb?¡± Sorcha asked. ¡°Do you want yourself to be crushed by that giant monster?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to,¡± she shook her head. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to leave yet.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. If you stay, we could all be crushed like pancakes!¡± she frowned, her eyebrows knitted together. ¡°That monster is so evil, it stirs my heart like ice cubes!¡±

    ¡°And poor Billi¡­¡± she went on, looking down at the rat. ¡°The giant monster has tried to eat him many times. I don¡¯t want to keep staying here any longer. We should¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then you go home,¡± Elysha interrupted. ¡°Micah and I will try to stop this cat.¡±

    ¡°Why is Micah getting dragged into this?¡± he protested.

    ¡°Says you who fell asleep and left me alone in my trial,¡± she frowned.

    ¡°Ugh, you don¡¯t have to keep mentioning it, and for what reason do you want to stay behind here of all times?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡± she turned her eyes up at the colossal, shadowy cat creature, still staring at them with his tail swaying in the sky, ready to strike down on the earth again at any unpredictable moment. ¡°That cat is Kitty.¡±

    ¡°Kitty?¡± Sorcha repeated the name, tilting her head and ears.

    ¡°Yes, he went missing earlier,¡± she then turned he gaze back to them. ¡°I want to talk to him.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you could talk to that gigantic thing?¡± Micah asked in disbelief.

    ¡°Kitty is not a thing, Kitty is my friend,¡± she corrected. ¡°I was looking for him, and now he is right there, but bigger.¡±

    ¡°Now you are starting to sound like Sorcha,¡± he sighed, groaning. ¡°Grrr fine, Micah will help you, but only for a little bit of time! And if things get really bad, then we¡¯re leaving!¡±

    She turned her attention to Sorcha, who hesitated, clutching Billi tightly. Her lips trembled, and her pointed ears drooped slightly. ¡°I-I don¡¯t want to leave you two behind¡­ but I don¡¯t want Billi to be in danger anymore.¡±

    ¡°Then go. Make sure you and Billi go home safely,¡± Elysha said with a light smile.

    ¡°You promise you¡¯ll be okay, right?¡± she begged. ¡°If you two are not okay, then Sorcha will get upset and cry. I¡¯ll come back and scold you both!¡±

    ¡°We promise!¡± they both said together.

    Sorcha nodded, and with Billi cradled securely in her arms, she quickly disappeared into the trees, fleeing from the imminent danger.

 1.17 - In Imminent Danger

    ¡°AAAHHH!!!¡± I don¡¯t want to be cat food!!¡±

    Elysha watched as Micah curled up into a ball on the grass, right underneath the colossal dark cat creature looming in front of them.

    She knitted her eyebrows together, bent her knees and said, ¡°Shh, don¡¯t scream like that. It¡¯s loud.¡±

    ¡°How can that monstrous thing possibly be your friend?¡± Micah groaned, ignoring her request. ¡°Are you suggesting that you can tell him to stop destroying my home?¡±

    Elysha pressed her lips tight together and stood firm. ¡°Because it¡¯s Kitty,¡± she said with certainty. ¡°I know it is. I can feel it.¡±

    ¡°How can you feel that thing is Kitty? Do you trust your intuition that the phenomenal cat demon is him?¡± Then his eyes widened. ¡°Wait, are you saying that the cat demon is your pet?¡±

    ¡°No, Kitty is my friend,¡± she corrected again, then her eyes widened as well. ¡°Huh? ¡®Trust my intuition?¡¯¡±

    As she spoke, the black cat let out a deep, vibrating growl, ¡°Meowwwww.....¡±

    He arched his massive body, his fur standing upright like jagged spikes. His tail slashed the air with a force that stirred the winds around them. He raised one of his paws, claws emerging from the fur like steel blades, ready to strike at them.

    Micah¡¯s fur bristled as he scrambled to his feet. ¡°Uh-oh, he¡¯s getting seriously angry now,¡± he stated. ¡°Probably because Sorcha ran off with her rat.¡±

    ¡°I-Is he going to hurt us?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s going to hurt us and go after Sorcha and her rat!¡± he shouted. ¡°Elysha! If that¡¯s your so-called ¡®friend,¡¯ then he¡¯s about to turn us into flat pancakes! Say something already!¡±

    Her heart pounded in her chest, and Elysha turned her head to face the colossal creature. She took a step forward, her hand outstretched.

    ¡°Kitty!¡± she shouted, her voice cracking slightly. ¡°Stop it! You¡¯re scaring everyone!¡±

    The tail of the giant cat stopped moving, his glowing silvery-white eyes narrowing as they locked onto her.

    ¡°K-Kitty, you remember me, right? We¡¯ve talked together at the river earlier.¡±

    The cat remained still and did not react to her words. Despite this, Elysha continued, ¡°Kitty, please stop, don¡¯t hurt anyone! Go back to being smaller, let¡¯s talk it out together!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that cat demon can really talk¡­¡± Micah muttered, sweating on his fur.

    The colossal cat¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw recognition. But then, his massive ears twitched, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from his throat.

    ¡°Meow¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s listening to me,¡± Elysha said, disappointed. ¡°Did he¡­ forget me?¡±

    Micah flinched, his expression growing pale. ¡°Uh, Elysha? I don¡¯t think he¡¯s interested in your ¡®talking it out,¡¯¡± he yelped. ¡°He looks very interested in making me his next meal!¡±

    ¡°Eh?!¡±

    Her heart sank as she noticed the cat¡¯s eyes shift focus¡ªaway from her and directly onto Micah. The gleaming eyes seemed to pierce through the smaller creature as if assessing his size, weight, and whether he¡¯d make a satisfying snack. His tail began to wag again, his claws ready to strike.

    ¡°Why does he see me as cat food?¡± he complained. ¡°Micah does not look like a rat¡ª¡±

    In an instant, Elysha instinctively reached for Micah.

    ¡°Wah¡ª!¡±

    She hoisted him into the air towards the towering black cat.

    ¡°Look!¡±

    In a sudden shift of action, the cat¡¯s ears perked up. His rumbling purr stopped and his tail swung faster from side to side.

    Micah, suspended in mid-air, protested vehemently, ¡°H-Hey! What are you doing? Put me down! I don¡¯t want to be sacrificed! I am not cat food!!¡±

    Elysha held him tightly as she spoke out, ¡°Of course you¡¯re not cat food! I¡¯m doing this to help not only us but also Sorcha and Billi from becoming cat food!¡±

    ¡°Huh?! Let go of me! I will not be eaten!! I will not let you sacrifice me! I thought you were not like this! I trusted you!¡± his voice trembled, his struggles growing more desperate.

    The black cat took a step closer, tilting his head and fixing his void-like gaze on the terrified Micah. Darkness enveloped them, casting a darker shadow like an eclipse.

    ¡°Don¡¯t! No!! NO!!!¡± Micah¡¯s cries grew more desperate. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t let you die,¡± Elysha said clearly, her hands shaking. ¡°Please trust me. If Kitty¡¯s going to attack, let¡¯s run away together.¡±

    ¡°Let... Let me go, please. This is scary... ¡° he sobbed. ¡°My stomach hurts... It¡¯s so terrifying¡­ I¡¯m about to barf¡­¡±

    ¡°Meow¡­¡±

    A low, guttural growl sounded again as Elysha declared, ¡°On the count of three, we will make a run for it, okay?¡±

    Micah observed the fear etched across her face, and a flicker of realization sparked within him. As the cat arched his back once more, his voice quivered, ¡°One¡­¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Elysha followed, ¡°Two¡­¡±

    ¡°Three!!¡± they shouted in unison. At that moment, the colossal black cat leapt towards them, claws outstretched, aiming for his next snack.

    ¡°RUN!!!¡± Micah shouted as they dodged the glinting daggers that pierced the ground, tearing through the earth and shaking the surface. The impact sent them both flying into the air as the cat sprang into action, swinging his paw out to catch his prey.

    The cat¡¯s massive paw slammed into the trees, giving the two a brief moment of time as they raced through the dense woods. Then, like a needle in a haystack, the giant cat immediately went after them.

    As Elysha¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps, pushing her exhausted body to its limits. Micah began to undergo a transformation, his form expanding and growing larger¡ªturning into a wolf-like figure. His appearance held her in awe, his fur silken, more silver than gray, and majestic with a symbol on his forehead.

    He slowed his pace and urgently shouted, ¡°Elysha! Climb onto my back!¡±

    Without hesitation, she turned and jumped onto his now large back. Picking up speed again, he propelled himself into the air, trying to leave the pursuing cat behind.

    Elysha clung to Micah¡¯s fur, her fingers tightening as the wind whipped her hair. Her eyes whipped in awe as he soared into the sky, his legs galloping as if he were still on land, his thick, silky fur bristling in the breeze. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart pounding as she saw the massive black cat barreling through the trees, still chasing after them.

    Her mind struggled to comprehend the events that had unfolded, and she said, ¡°Th-Thank you, Micah.¡±

    ¡°Ah, now you finally thank me for my help,¡± he replied in a high tone.

    She raised a brow. ¡°Why did you say it like that? At least you were there for me this time, unlike before.¡±

    ¡°Hey! You still have that on your mind? I was there next to you the entire time? So technically you weren¡¯t physically alone!¡±

    ¡°You were sleeping in my necklace.¡±

    ¡°Oh, sure, blame me. I wasn¡¯t exactly sleeping¡ªI was saving my energy!¡±

    Elysha puffed her cheeks, her pout forming instantly. ¡°Saving your energy? That sounds like you were being lazy!¡±

    ¡°Lazy?!¡± Micah¡¯s voice cracked slightly in protest. ¡°Excuse me, I saved you just now! Let¡¯s not forget I¡¯m the one giving you a first-class ride through the sky! Where¡¯s my ¡®Thank you, Micah, for being the best friend ever?¡¯¡±

    Elysha groaned, then remembered raising him in the air in front of the giant cat and hearing him cry.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to die!¡¯

    She buried her face in his fur and murmured out, ¡°Thank you, Micah, for being the best friend ever¡­¡±

    ¡°Ehehe,¡± he smiled, ¡°of course I am!¡±

    As they made their escape, Elysha turned her eyes to the sky, and the clouds she could see close overhead. Her expression calmed and her heart soothed. It felt like a lifetime ago when she was simply immersed in her homework from Elder Merakia. The juxtaposition of those mundane moments with the current experience left her mind reeling.

    *thump*

    The sounds of thundering steps shook the air around them. Elysha turned her head sharply, her heart dropping as she saw the colossal black cat¡ªKitty¡ªclosing in, his glowing eyes and dark visage locked onto them with unrelenting focus.

    ¡°Micah, what should we do?¡± Elysha shouted, clutching tighter onto his fur. ¡°He¡¯s getting closer!¡±

    He flicked his ears back, his breathing ragged but his pace unrelenting. ¡°Of course he is! Giant demon cats don¡¯t just give up because you say ¡®please!¡¯¡±

    ¡°What should we do?¡±

    Micah glanced back at her briefly. ¡°You¡¯re the one who called him your friend! Got any bright ideas before we both become cat treats?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s mind raced. ¡°Maybe if we get high enough, he won¡¯t be able to reach us! Can you fly higher?¡±

    He let out a sharp, panicked laugh. ¡°You think I¡¯m a balloon? This is about as high as I go!¡±

    The loud thud of the cat¡¯s paws drew closer, the ground trembling beneath him. Elysha felt her chest tighten. ¡°Um, then, what if¡­ what if I call his name again? Maybe he¡¯ll stop!¡±

    ¡°Or maybe he¡¯ll think you¡¯re calling him to dinner!¡± Micah snapped. ¡°We need a better plan! Fast!¡±

    Before she could come up with another idea, Micah took a sharp turn, almost knocking her off his back.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    ¡°Sorry Elysha! He caught me off guard!¡± Micah exclaimed. It was a narrow dodge as Kitty¡¯s claws came dangerously close to them.

    ¡°I¡¯m-I¡¯m okay,¡± she said, regaining her composure.

    ¡°Unfortunately, it looks like the cat will not give up the hunt soon,¡± he said, exhaustion in his voice, I don¡¯t have enough energy to keep this form much longer.¡±

    Desperately, Elysha¡¯s eyes darted around as the wind rushed past them, searching for anything¡ªa clue, a sign, a way out. Then her gaze fell on a nearby lake, and an idea sparked.

    ¡°Micah, there!¡± she pointed. ¡°I remember reading in a book that cats don¡¯t like water. If we can get across that area, maybe he won¡¯t follow us!¡±

    Micah¡¯s eyes followed her line of sight, a mischievous grin forming on his face. ¡°Sounds like a plan to me!¡±

    Then he changed their course as they surged toward the lake. His strides soared through the sky, while Kitty¡¯s thundering steps didn¡¯t falter, closing in with silvery-white eyes piercing unyieldingly.

    ¡°Almost there!¡± Micah shouted, his breath labored but his resolve strong.

    The surface of the lake appeared a vivid blue in the daylight as they arrived, speeding through the air until they hovered over the center of the lake, creating a substantial distance between themselves and the cat¡¯s reach.

    ¡°Haha! The cat demon can¡¯t reach us here!¡± he declared triumphantly. ¡°We¡¯re safe now for the love of the Asnoiji.¡±

    Elysha nodded, gripping his fur tightly. ¡°You think it¡¯ll work?¡±

    ¡°Of course it will work. Cats hate water. It will slow him down for sure. The vast expanse of water would force him to take a long detour¡ªor helplessly not!¡±

    They looked back to the shore where the giant cat was approaching like a mad bull. Unlike Micah, Elysha couldn¡¯t accept victory just yet; something felt amiss. Despite the obstacle, the cat continued to sprint toward them without faltering, increasing his speed with each stride.

    ¡°... Something not right.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in terror. ¡°He¡¯s... He¡¯s about to jump!¡±

    ¡°Eh?!¡± Micah turned his head sharply. ¡°Oh no. No, no, no! Don¡¯t even think about it, Kitty!¡±

    As the cat reached the opening in the lake¡¯s shore, he launched himself forward with a mighty leap. His massive form sliced through the air like a shadowy missile as his momentum propelled him toward his target.

    Elysha and Micah watched in sheer horror.

    ¡°DODGE!!!¡±

    At the same time, the overwhelming fear caused Micah to faint, reverting to his smaller form. Simultaneously, Elysha¡¯s body began to emit a brilliant glow as the black cat drew nearer.

    Her breath hitched as Elysha reached out, her fingers just barely wrapping around Micah¡¯s tiny, unconscious form. The lake¡¯s shimmering surface rushed toward them with alarming speed. Her heart pounded, panic clawing at her thoughts.

    ¡®W-Water!¡¯

    Above them, the massive black cat descended on them, claws outstretched, silvery eyes gleaming.

    ¡°No!¡± Elysha screamed. Then the light erupted from her body in a burst so brilliant it shrouded the lake area in blinding white.

    With a large ripple, Kitty¡¯s enormous form faltered in midair. The glow engulfed him, blurring the sharp lines of his silhouette. His claws retracted, his towering size began to shrink.

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡±

    And there was a loud, tremendous sound of splashing water.

 1.18 - The Trial

    When Elysha regained consciousness, she felt the grass against her skin. she gradually opened her eyes to the sight of clouds drifting across the sky, where the Sun¡¯s rays painted the horizon, casting a golden glow over the lake view in front of her.

    Then, the freezing wet sensation hit her, and she shivered as she realized that her clothes were soaked and clinging tightly to her skin.

    *whoosh*

    The wind blew, not helping in her current state. Elysha blinked several times, trying to make sense of her surroundings. To her left lay Micah, wet and unconscious, not moving.

    Confusion swirled in her mind. ¡°What happened...? Micah¡­?¡±

    She sat up to check on him, placing her hand on his wet fur coat and feeling his body breathe in and out quietly, as if sleeping peacefully, except for occasional grumbling.

    ¡°Grr, Micah wants to have his share of the burnt cream custard too¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s okay,¡± Elysha said in relief, turning her head forward to take in the view of the lake. Then she remembered what had happened.

    The tremors of the forest¡ªthe dark giant cat¡ªMicah¡¯s transformation and the chase above the treetops¡ªto the cat¡¯s massive leap over the lake.

    ¡°Was that a dream...?¡± she murmured, grappling with the surreal nature of her recent adventures. ¡°This adventure, this strangeness. It felt like a dream. Am I in a dream?¡±

    ¡°Meow.¡±

    She heard a soft noise to her right and moved her eyes to see a dark cat sitting nearby, his tail swaying from side-to-side as his silvery-white irises looked directly at her.

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened, for it was the same giant monster creature that had been in pursuit of her and Micah earlier, but in his smaller form.

    ¡°Kitty¡­?¡± her mouth muttered out and trailed off, lips hanging as she struggled for words to continue.

    The cat wagged his tail once more then stopped, and closed his eyes.

    [¡®You are not dreaming.¡¯]

    Elysha flinched at the sudden words, and looked around, seeing no one else in the area. She turned back to see his faceless and void-like countenance staring at her, his eyes not reopening.

    ¡°Was it... was it you who spoke to me?¡± she asked in uncertainty.

    [¡®Who else do you think is speaking to you?¡¯] Kitty responded with indignation. [¡®There is nobody else awake here except you. In fact, I am here as well. You are awake in this world, is that not true?¡¯]

    Elysha rubbed her eyes and looked back at Kitty. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, ¡°Um¡­ then why did you do all of that?¡±

    [¡®Do what?¡¯]

    ¡°Everything you did when you were in your bigger form, scaring everyone and hurting the forest, chasing us, making us your next meal.¡±

    [¡®You should understand that such behavior is natural for a cat, driven by feline instinct and the natural order of the food chain, unlike you immatures with your limited understanding,¡¯] Kitty replied.

    Elysha¡¯s throat went dry, her attempt to respond to his statement stifled by her inability to find the right words.

    [¡®It was never my intention to harm you, unless, of course, you and your friends chose to interfere with me while I was hunting for my food,¡¯] he went on. [¡®What caught my attention was the light emanating from you and the explosion that occurred over the lake. I found the effect quite intriguing to my knowledge.¡¯]

    Confusion clouded Elysha¡¯s mind. ¡®What is he talking about?¡¯

    She glanced over at Micah, who was still out unconscious.

    ¡®Was Kitty always like this?¡¯ she questioned to herself, finding the cat¡¯s vibes to be drastically different from the Kitty she had known. ¡®First the big Kitty and now the faceless Kitty. All the Kittys are so different. I¡¯m so confused, what am I going to say next?¡¯

    [¡®Cursed child.¡¯]

    A shiver ran through Elysha¡¯s body, causing her eyes to flick back to the black cat.

    [¡®I had not fully comprehended the change in events until I saw both the keyhole and the light blasting in front of my face. Now, upon closer inspection, the world has rooted to itself. It is unfortunate that despite her efforts to save you, the curse of distortion has not yet been overcome.¡¯]

    ¡°What... what do you mean I¡¯m cursed?¡± she demanded, confusion and fear gnawing at her heart.

    [¡®I cannot say.¡¯]

    ¡°Why? I don¡¯t understand what you mean!¡± Elysha exclaimed, then remembered the sensation of pain she had felt in her head yesterday. Her eyebrows knitted together, her lips pursed, and she asked, ¡°Do you¡­ Do you know why I feel so much pain in my head? Do you know why it¡¯s so hard for me to use theonum magic?¡±

    [¡®I cannot give you the answer you seek,¡¯] Kitty stated flatly.

    ¡°Why? Why can¡¯t you tell me anything?¡± she pleaded desperately. ¡°Please Kitty, do you know my past? Tell me what you know about me.¡±

    Kitty said nothing, and Elysha¡¯s vision began to cloud, dizziness taking over her senses as the cat finally spoke, [¡®Rest, there is no need for you to remember this moment. Your story has only begun, and at the culmination of your journey you will witness the answer you are looking for.¡¯]

    Elysha¡¯s vision darkened as her consciousness drifted. ¡°Kitty¡­¡±

    [¡®The spiritual energy I received from you is different yet similar,¡¯] he said. [¡®In the end, you are still deeply cherished¡­¡¯]

    ~ ??? ~

    ¡°Uhh, is she okay?¡±

    The two Zhivopians looked down at Elysha¡¯s unconscious self. Examining her condition, a knitted brow etched itself on Micah¡¯s face.

    ¡°Hm, I believe she¡¯ll be okay, Sorcha,¡± he reassured her. ¡°I think that the impact of the water gave her a bit of a shock, but she¡¯ll recover.¡±

    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s good news to hear!¡± she exhaled in relief. ¡°That giant monster scared my heart out of me! Are you sure the demon is really gone?¡±

    ¡°Micah is certain,¡± he nodded his head. ¡°I don¡¯t sense that phenomenal creature anymore. It¡¯s like it just disappeared after I blacked out.¡±

    ¡°Disappeared?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see your rat with you. Did you and Billi made it back to your village?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! I told my parents about the scary cat monster. I even entrusted my Billi to my older siblings, so he¡¯s safe now.¡±

    Then she frowned and shouted, ¡°But if the monster has disappeared, how will my people find this gigantic and terrifying creature? Sorcha wanted to see the strong people of my village attack and put an end to this monster!¡±

    She clenched her hands into fists and pounded her feet onto the ground, throwing herself into a spiral of tantrum. ¡°Grr, ahhh! I was hoping they would find it!¡±

    ¡°I guessed it seems like Zhivopia is going to be on alert for a while,¡± Micah said. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a good thing overall, and in any case I¡¯m glad our home is kind of safe now.

    Then he looked at Elysha, who was still sleeping beside him. ¡°It¡¯s still a mystery to me as to where the giant cat went, though,¡± he sighed. ¡°Aw, I really wish I hadn¡¯t fainted that time.¡±

    ¡°Did this girl see what happened to the giant cat after you passed out?¡± Sorcha asked.

    ¡°How does my unconscious bumhole know that?!¡± he exclaimed.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Well, anyway, my people will try to search for clues and track down the monster,¡± she went on. ¡°That evil creature tried to hurt me, my Billi, you and the girl, and our home itself! We won¡¯t rest until we find it!¡±

    ¡°Good luck with that, then,¡± Micah said with a scratch of his head and a stretch of his limbs. Then, using his theonum core, he imbued his energy onto Elysha¡¯s body.

    Sorcha noticed and asked, ¡°Oh? What are you doing to her?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m about to take her outside of this domain,¡± he replied, conjuring up a cloud and lifting the girl onto the floating object.

    The Nartti girl¡¯s ears and tail hung down ¡°Aw, you are leaving me?¡±

    ¡°Of course! I need to take her back before noon or else the crazy old witch will turn me into a plush doll!¡± he spoke urgently.

    ¡°Crazy old witch¡­¡± Sorcha giggled with a hand over her smile. ¡°Ah, haha! I get it now.¡±

    She then took a step back and waved her hand goodbye. ¡°I hope you make it back in time, Micah. See you next time!¡±

    ¡°See you too, Sorcha!¡±

    With Elysha sleeping on the cloud, he soared into the sky and slowly disappeared from view.

    ~ ??? ~

    A soft throb pulsed through Elysha¡¯s head as she regained consciousness. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at her surroundings.

    She found herself lying on the grass, leaning against a tree under a cloudy, white sky. More trees appeared around her, but they were familiar to her eyes, as if she had seen this place before.

    Her observation was abruptly shattered by a shrill cry, ¡°Aaaaahhh! You¡¯re finally awake! Micah was starting to think you were gone!¡±

    Startled by the sudden voice, she turned her head to see a small, gray creature leaping toward her. It landed on her, tears and snot mingled on her face, eliciting a strong feeling of disgust.

    ¡°EWW!!! Gross!! Get off of me, you idiot!!¡± she shouted, pushing him away with a forceful shove and hastily wiping the mess from her face.

    ¡°Aw, why won¡¯t you let me jump up to you?¡± he asked, wagging his tail. ¡°I was so worried after I brought you outside the portal and waited forever for you to wake up!¡±

    ¡°Forever?¡±

    ¡°It felt like it¡¯s been forever!¡± he sighed. ¡°Can you imagine waiting forever for you to wake up?¡±

    ¡°Was it really been like that?¡±

    Micah blinked his eyes, ¡°Uhh, nope, I was exaggerating.¡±

    Elysha stared at him, then had a flash of memory of what had happened before her awakening in this place. ¡°Oh, what happened to Kitty?¡±

    ¡°Kitty?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I remembered when we were at the lake, flying in the air, and then a giant Kitty jumped up on us. Ah! Are Sorcha and Billi alright?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re safe,¡± Micah nodded reassuringly. ¡°Sorcha and Billi made it back to their village. As for the, um, cat, well, let¡¯s just say everything worked out fine in the end.¡±

    Then he chuckled and gave her a puzzled look. ¡°Though I must admit, I¡¯m very curious as to why you insist on calling to this phenomenal creature as ¡®Kitty.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Hm? Because Kitty is my friend.¡±

    ¡°Since when did that giant cat demon become your friend? From what Micah remembers, that demon never even recognized you.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    ¡°Um¡­?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s cheeks flushed pink and she looked down at the grass as she stammered, ¡°I... I don¡¯t know, I was just thinking about keeping him as a pet when I first saw him, back when he was small.¡±

    Micah spat out laughing, ¡°You wanted to keep a phenomenon from the Underworld as a pet? You truly are one of a kind, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Her eyebrows furrowed. ¡°Why¡­ you are annoying,¡± she frowned. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with wanting something cute as a pet and a friend.¡±

    ¡°So you want to keep that abdominal void of nightmares as a pet because it¡¯s cute?¡± Micah¡¯s face contorted in horror. ¡°I never knew you had such a taste for creepy things!¡±

    Elysha raised her shoulders, her lips biting, and her cheeks grew even rosier than before. She replied, ¡°Oh, you know what? I liked Kitty better than you.¡±

    He gasped, ears pricked up, ¡°You liked him better than me? Micah is hurt, how could you, Elysha?¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    She watched as he sat on his haunches, his ears drooping and his tail curled pitifully around him. His round eyes shone with unshed tears, and he sniffed.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you would choose a giant, demon cat over me,¡± Micah whimpered. ¡°After everything we have been through together¡­¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes quivered and she spoke quickly, ¡°I-I still liked you too, Micah. I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡±

    ¡°Even more than the cat?¡±

    Her lips tightened in a press, and then she shook her head, ¡°Yes, even more than Kitty.¡±

    His tail swayed as he smiled and took a step closer to her. ¡°Really-really?¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, I mean it!¡± she huffed out. ¡°Are you happy now¡ª?¡±

    Before she could finish, Micah jumped up and gave her a hug. ¡°Ehehe! Micah always wins!¡±

    ¡°W-ah!¡± Elysha let out an exasperated laugh, softly shoving him off. ¡°You surprised me!¡±

    He stepped back and puffed out his chest proudly. ¡°Sorry, but Micah tends to have an ego to feed.¡±

    ¡°Huh? An ego?¡±

    ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s proceed with the final part of the trial!¡± he said as he turned and walked off in a direction.

    ¡°Final part?¡± Elysha asked, but saw Micah continuing ahead.

    ¡°We¡¯re right next to the place, so follow me!¡±

    Elysha hurried to catch up to Micah, and together they walked through the woods until they came to the opening of a clearing.

    ¡°Here it is!¡±

    There, her eyes took in what appeared to be a platform surrounded by weathered stone pillars. In the center of the platform appeared to be a large stone tablet with engraved writing.

    She stepped forward to take a closer look at the tablet, then turned and asked, ¡°What does the writing on that stone say?¡±

    He looked at the tablet and made an irked expression, ¡°Micah is not going to translate all of that.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°That stone tells the history of how this forest came to be, Micah¡¯s mind would implode if I had to translate it all for you.¡±

    ¡°Then, what do you want me to do here in this place?¡±

    ¡°Take a look around you! What does your intuition tell you about why we are here?¡±

    ¡°My intuition?¡±

    Elysha wandered cautiously onto the platform, her eyes scanning the ancient stone tablet and the moss-covered pillars surrounding it. The faint rustling of leaves in the trees beyond was the only sound in the otherwise silent clearing. She hesitated, glancing back at Micah, who sat expectantly on his haunches, his tail flicking with a smug air.

    ¡°Well?¡± Micah prompted. ¡°What¡¯s your intuition telling you?¡±

    ¡°My intuition is telling me you¡¯re being unhelpful with helping me understand,¡± Elysha muttered, rolling her eyes.

    She took another step towards the tablet, her fingers brushing over the carvings. The grooves felt cold to the touch, and she felt a sense of curiosity as to what history was contained within.

    Elysha turned back to Micah and expressed her confusion, ¡°What am I supposed to discover here? This place seems similar to the other areas of the ruins we¡¯ve been to before, but what does it all mean? Maybe... maybe there is something I do not understand?¡±

    Micah tilted his head, his ears twitching. ¡°Go on. You are asking the right questions.¡±

    She frowned and paced the platform. ¡°There are rocks and statues and trees all around me, maybe they mean something? I don¡¯t know, but it doesn¡¯t make sense... they have to mean something, right? But I don¡¯t know what they¡¯re supposed to mean or if they¡¯re part of the trial.¡±

    She clenched her hands and bit her lips, brows furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s confusing, and I can¡¯t seem to make sense of it all!¡±

    ¡°Oh, for the love of the Asnoiji, you are doing everything right, Elysha,¡± Micah reassured as he sighed, approaching up to her.

    She turned and glared at him. ¡°What do you mean that I am doing everything right?¡± she asked.

    He leapt onto the edge of the stone platform, his tail curling as he looked at her with an amused smirk. ¡°This place along with the entire trial does mean something, Elysha. But it¡¯s not about the ruins trying to tell you something.¡±

    ¡°This what is it?¡±

    Micah¡¯s eyes never left her face as he stepped closer, ¡°It¡¯s not about them. It¡¯s about you. What do you see? What do you feel?¡±

    ¡°Huh? So, you¡¯re saying that it¡¯s about me and not what¡¯s here?¡±

    ¡°Just take your time and pay close attention to the things around you and try to figure out what they mean in relation to your own self,¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s all you need to focus on!¡±

    Elysha frowned again, pondering in her mind as she looked around her once more. After a minute had passed, Micah prompted, ¡°What do you feel? Do you feel¡­ connected?¡±

    She shook her head and said, ¡°No, I don¡¯t feel that much.¡±

    ¡°Well then,¡± he tilted his head, swaying his tail. ¡°Do you want a hint?¡±

    The little girl turned to see him smiling at her. ¡°Of course,¡± she replied. ¡°I have been wanting another hint from you for a long time.¡±

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s make this easier,¡± he said, taking steps across the surface of the stone platform. ¡°You are confused and uncertain about everything, and that is a natural process to go through. The questions you ask reveal your desire for answers. You have to accept this uncertainty and let your curiosity and intuition guide you. Therefore, you need to focus on understanding your place in this process of connecting to your soul identity.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes flickered with recognition. ¡°My soul identity?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Micah nodded. ¡°You have to relax, clear your mind, and take in your surroundings. Engage your senses¡ªwhat do you see, hear, and smell? Allow those sensations to flow through your thoughts. Shift your focus from the objective details to the larger, more subjective picture, both in the external world and within your own soul. Let your mind wander and you will discover the answers you seek.¡±

    Elysha nodded her head in response to his words. ¡°Okay,¡± she said. Her gaze softened, and she let out a soft sigh.

    ¡°Now sit on the stone pedestal right there,¡± he gestured to her. ¡°And take a moment for yourself. You wanted to find your soul identity right?¡±

    ¡°I do, I¡¯ve wanted to,¡± she said, walking over to sit on the pedestal. ¡°Huh? Wait, how did you know?¡±

    ¡°Hm? The whole trial is about finding your soul identity? Did you forget that?¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t,¡± she shook her head, remembering her personal problems with her theonum core.

    ¡°Anyway, you need to close your eyes and find the clarity of your mind within and allow your theonum to flow freely,¡± Micah said. ¡°Picture your theonum core, but remember not to strain and overdo it, okay?¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Elysha responded, feeling a sense of an uncomfortable deja vu from his words. She focused on grounding herself, quieting her mind, and letting the calmness envelop her.

    With a slight wag of his tail, Micah stepped back, his parting words lingering in the air. ¡°Remember, if you ever need assistance, simply call out my name with all of your might!¡±

    Elysha acknowledged him with a nod, her attention drawn inward as she entered the realm of introspection. She could sense the distant pain in her head knocking at her door.

    ¡®Oh no, this isn¡¯t good¡­¡¯

 1.19 - Solace in Silence, Bond

    Elysha focused on her breath, submerging herself into the realm of her subconscious.

    With her eyes closed, she clasped where her heart lies and began to meditate, ¡®My soul identity¡­¡¯

    Fragments of images, voices, sounds, and sensations from her surroundings flowed into her consciousness. She pictured the essence that is her being¡ªthe appearance of her own self in connection with her theonum core.

    A strange sense of calm washed over her as she tried to regulate the theonum energy coursing through her body while focusing her attention on visualizing her core. As she concentrated, Elysha couldn¡¯t help but remember the incident that had occurred yesterday.

    ¡®No, I don¡¯t want that to happen again,¡¯ she thought to herself. Her hands began to sweat, and as the seconds passed, her breathing became shallow and erratic, deviating from the deep and steady rhythm she had been trying to maintain.

    She clutched the cloth tighter to her chest. ¡®But if I can¡¯t do this, I won¡¯t be able to make Elder Mera proud of me. I want to do this.¡¯

    As Elysha continued to concentrate, moving further and closer to her theonum core, a sudden jolt pierced her head.

    ¡°Eek¡ª!¡±

    Her eyes snapped open in surprise, and she stumbled to the solid ground as her body shook like a tremor. She grabbed her temples with her hands and buried her face in her knees as she winced in pain.

    ¡°Ow, not again!¡± Elysha exclaimed, ¡°Why? Why now?¡±

    Instinctively seeking stability amidst the intense throbbing, she mustered the strength to stand, dragged herself over and grabbed hold of one of the stone pillars that surrounded the place. She leaned heavily against it, her heart racing as her entire body shook, as if her head was wrapped in a suffocating aura.

    ¡°It hurts, it hurts so much. Why is it so hard for me to use magic?¡± Elysha cried in frustration. ¡°I want to use magic so badly, but why can¡¯t I connect with my own theonum core?¡±

    As abruptly as it had begun, the shaking and pain ceased to a stop, allowing her to release from her tight grip on the pillar. Lowering herself to the cold, unyielding stone floor, she pressed one hand to the ground and the other to her temple, feeling disoriented and weakened by the throbbing.

    She looked up, her eyes fixed on the ever-changing clouds. She saw a flock of birds flying over the treetops and the sun peeking through the clouds.

    Elysha drew her eyebrows together and the words escaped her lips, ¡°I must try again, just one more time. If I want to make Elder Mera proud of me, I must do it. If I can¡¯t, then I¡­ can¡¯t.¡±

    Gritting her teeth, she rose up to her feet and steadied herself. She walked back to the stone pedestal and sat down. Then, with her hands across her chest, she began to concentrate on her mind, feeling her very soul echo within her.

    ~ ??? ~

    Meanwhile, sitting on a sturdy branch, Micah¡¯s eyes remained fixed on Elysha. He watched as his ears drooped slightly downwards and his tail curled around him.

    His face was etched with concern as he watched her struggle to overcome the challenge before her. Frustration simmered within him, bubbling up in whispered words, ¡°Ugh, darn you, old witch, why did you have to do this to me? If anything happens to your pupil, you can¡¯t pinned the blame on me!¡±

    As he saw her stumble to the floor, Micah remembered his confrontation with Elder Merakia earlier that morning.

    ¡°Mm, Micah thanks you again for the pancakes,¡± he grinned, pulling the flat cake apart with his mouth.

    Elder Merakia crossed her arms and smiled. ¡°Of course, by now you have come by every morning for a taste of my cooking.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s part of Micah¡¯s routine,¡± he said as he chewed a piece in his mouth, then looked around the room from the windowsill. He swallowed and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s that girl you¡¯ve picked up a few days ago?¡± Then he gasped, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you did something to her?¡±

    ¡°Oh please, the little one has been feeling fine this morning,¡± she scoffed. ¡°In fact, she has already had her breakfast and gone back to her room.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s eaten already?¡±

    ¡°She has, indeed.¡±

    ¡°Aw, I could¡¯ve have seen her if I¡¯d been here sooner,¡± he remarked with a low wag of his tail.

    ¡°More importantly, I have a request for you on my behalf,¡± Elder Merakia said, picking up the dirty plates and cups on a tray.

    ¡°Huh? What request?¡±

    ¡°Today¡¯s weather has been pleasant thus far, and since you seemed interested in meeting this little girl, I would like for you to help her adapt to the Forest of Ir?stos.¡±

    ¡°Eeehhhh? You want me to babysit this girl for you?¡± he exclaimed. ¡°Why can¡¯t you do it yourself?¡±

    ¡°It is as simple as watching her do her homework and bringing her back to my place before noon,¡± she explained, placing the tray in the sink. ¡°My schedule has been busy this week and I had to take a day off yesterday to care for the girl.¡±

    ¡®She really has become your new pupil¡­¡¯ Micah said in his thoughts.

    ¡°Not only that, I would like you to do one more thing for me in the next few hours,¡± she added.

    ¡°Ugh, not another request,¡± he whined as his body flattened like the pancakes he had just eaten.

    ¡°Micah, I wanted you to try and help Elysha connect with her theonum core and discover her soul identity.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Really? You want me to do that for you?¡±

    ¡°The girl has an inexplicable problem with connecting to her theonum core,¡± she said. ¡°A case not even the Institution of Totheniui has ever recorded in our history.¡±

    ¡°Is it that bad?¡±

    ¡°You are a creative and intelligent child. I know that with your high level of imagination you might be able to find a way to help her get in touch with her inner soul.¡±

    ¡°Uh, Micah is baffled that you would trust me with this task,¡± he said with an ego-stroking grin.

    ¡°However, if in any scenario you see Elysha suffering any signs of mental pain during this process, you are to stop her immediately and end the session of theonum concentration.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    He nodded, ¡°Understood, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Good, thank you,¡± she said, turning away as if to leave. ¡°I will leave you to it and help the girl prepare for her outdoor assignment.¡±

    ¡°Aw, anything for more food for Micah to eat,¡± he grinned.

    Elder Merakia smiled and then left the dining area.

    Micah leapt out of the window and onto the grass. He stretched his limbs and let out a big yawn, then repeated to himself, ¡°Hm, Elysha, so that¡¯s her name then.¡±

    He couldn¡¯t help but smile mischievously and say, ¡°Ehehe, that old witch is giving Micah too much benefit of the doubt. As long as I can get the job done, I can play all sorts of tricks on the new kid in the forest. Now, what games shall I play with her?¡±

    The memory ended there, and blinking his eyes back to the present, Micah watched as Elysha stood up again and tried once more to concentrate on her theonum core without any sign of stopping. He knew he had to interrupt, as Elder Merakia had instructed¡ªuntil he saw the unwavering determination on Elysha¡¯s face.

    ¡°Gee, it¡¯s not even that hard to connect to your theonum core,¡± he said, lowering his chin to rest on his paws. ¡°She¡¯s really is trying hard to connect to hers, and she seems to be in pretty rough shape. Is it really as painful as the witch says?¡±

    His thoughts conflicted at the possibility of things going badly and having to take action to stop her progress. He could only hope with all his might for her well-being and a positive outcome.

    ¡°Elysha, please be all right¡­¡± he said, wagging his tail rapidly.

    ~ ??? ~

    As she delved into her subconscious, a burning question arose in Elysha¡¯s mind: What did it really mean to be ¡°at one with oneself,¡± as Elder Merakia had mentioned?

    ¡®With myself¡­¡¯ the concept eluded her as she pondered, blurred with uncertainty. She clenched her hand, despite her desire to connect with her soul identity and learn more about her past, the memories before her meeting Elder Merakia remained out of reach.

    ¡®My past, what is my past?¡¯ she thought to herself, her hands shaking as she clasped them tightly to her heavy chest. Her breathing was uneven as she spoke, ¡°I want to know who I am so I can become a mage like Elder Mera.¡±

    The words of her guardian echoed in her mind, ¡°What you possess is your identity. Who you are is the manifestation of your own self, your conscious values, your will that makes you who you are today.¡±

    ¡®But Elder Mera, what if I don¡¯t know who I am, what my conscious values are, what my will is that makes me who I am?¡¯ Elysha replied in her thoughts. ¡®I cannot understand myself at all.¡¯

    Then suddenly, Elysha winced as another sharp pain shot through her head.

    ¡°Ae-ek¡ª!¡±

    She clenched her temples again, maintaining her concentration through unyielding stubbornness.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to give up. I want to make Elder Mera proud and happy of me,¡± she groaned, gritting her teeth. ¡°Even if it hurts too much¡­ I can always find another way.¡±

    With each attempt to tap into her inner self, Elysha was met with a searing pain that pierced her head like a blunt dagger, stabbing again and again.

    ¡°Aaah¡ª!¡± she cried. ¡°Ahh! Ouch¡ª!¡±

    Gritting her teeth, Elysha refused to give in to the tears and pressed on, still determined to connect with her theonum core.

    However, no matter how close she could get, her efforts only seemed to torment her more. Elysha gasped, her body shaking as the throbbing in her head reached an unbearable peak. Desperately, she tried to fight the growing pain, but her resolve only lasted so long.

    Her breathing became ragged, and she gripped at her chest so hard to steady her pounding heart. Finally, her resolve faltered, her concentration shattering like fragile glass.

    She cried out, ¡°Why? Why can¡¯t I do it? What¡¯s wrong with me?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s body trembled as she collapsed to the cold stone floor, her energy completely drained. A faint glimmer of tears gathered in her eyes, but she bit her lip, refusing to let them spill. Her fingers gripped the edge of the pedestal as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. She pressed her forehead against its cool surface.

    ¡°It¡¯s too much¡­ Why can¡¯t I do this?¡± she muttered, throaty and heavy.

    Micah, who had been watching her from the branch, jumped down and approached her cautiously, his gaze solemn but concerned.

    ¡°Elysha, please stop,¡± he asked, his voice soft and serious. ¡°You¡¯re pushing too hard.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± Elysha cried, pressing her hand tightly to her temple, blurring her vision and forcing herself to stand, clutching the stone pedestal, ¡°I don¡¯t want to let this pain stop me from trying!¡±

    ¡°Elysha, try to relax. Don¡¯t force your¡ª¡±

    ¡°Relax what?! How can I?!¡± she retorted, removing her hand from her throbbing head and revealing the tears pooling in her eyes.

    ¡°This... this terrible headache! Why won¡¯t it stop?!¡± she screamed, venting her frustration by stamping her foot against the unforgiving floor. ¡°The pain hurts so much! It was like this yesterday too! I feel awful! How can Elder Mera deal with this?¡±

    Micah¡¯s eyes trembled, his ears flattened against his head as he watched Elysha teeter on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Then she put her hands to her eyes and sobbed, ¡°I have to learn. If I don¡¯t¡­ then I can never do it. I¡¯ll never make Elder Mera proud of me.¡±

    ¡°Do you¡­ really think Elder Merakia would want this?¡± Micah asked, questioning her words. ¡°For you to hurt yourself like this?¡±

    Elysha did not respond. She squeezed her eyes shut, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress the overwhelming feeling of pain and frustration that was welling up inside of her.

    ¡°Then that means I failed, right?¡± she muttered. ¡°I failed the trial, and I failed myself, too.¡±

    Micah stared at Elysha¡¯s gray-golden eyes as she broke down into tears.

    ¡°Elysha, listen to me,¡± he said. ¡°Failing this trial doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve failed yourself. It doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve failed anyone, not even me.¡±

    ¡°But it does!¡± she cried, her voice cracking. ¡°I¡­ I want to be a mage like Elder Mera so bad, and if I can¡¯t do it, then¡ª!¡±

    ¡°You have plenty of time to become a mage, Elysha, and not only that, you have already shown Micah that you are worthy.¡±

    ¡°Worthy?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said firmly with a nod. ¡°Not because of what you can or cannot do, but because of who you are. Don¡¯t you see? You¡¯re trying so hard to connect with your core that you¡¯re ignoring the connection you already have¡ªwith your spirit, your will, and your determination to keep going.¡±

    Elysha shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. ¡°But you don¡¯t understand! I can¡¯t feel my theonum core! It¡¯s like¡­ there¡¯s a wall I can¡¯t break through. And it hurts so much to even try¡­¡±

    Micah took a deep breath and, without a word, leapt into the air, landing a few meters away. The ground beneath him rumbled as his body began to shift. In seconds, he had transformed into his larger beast form, his golden mark visible on his forehead.

    ¡°Micah¡ª?¡± Elysha exclaimed, stunned by his sudden transformation as he jumped back and surrounding her figure with his massive, comforting presence.

    The warmth of his body wrapped and enveloped her. His fur was luxuriously fluffy, softer than silk but considerably denser. For Elysha, it somehow eased the constant discomfort that coursed through her, as if it were absorbing some of her burden. She clung to his body with her small hands, her eyes lowered as she found solace in his protective embrace.

    ¡°There, there... don¡¯t worry, Micah¡¯s here for you,¡± he comforted her, his voice soft and soothing. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay. Just take slow breaths and try to relax.¡±

    A wave of emotion rose in Elysha¡¯s throat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Micah¡­ It¡¯s just my head, I can¡¯t¡­¡±

    She tried to steady herself, to cling to his larger form, to close her eyes and bury her face in the depths of his fur, as she did with the pillow on her bed.

    *sniff*

    Micah felt her trembling frame and the sniffles she let out. ¡°I can feel your pain, Elysha,¡± he said softly, his yellow-green eyes focused on her. ¡°I know it feels like it¡¯s too much, like it¡¯s never going to get better. But I promise you, it will. You¡¯ve already done so much, and I¡¯m so proud of you for holding on.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s hands gripped his fur tightly, her face buried deep in it. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯ve done anything,¡± she whispered, her voice subdued. ¡°I¡¯m scared that I¡¯ll keep doing the same over and over again and fail¡­ it¡¯s as if I¡¯m not strong enough.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true, Micah is here for you, and you¡¯re doing everything you can at your level,¡± he said. ¡°Your path has just begun, and you will improve and reach your goal as you grow older. So take a deep breath and let it out, okay?¡±

    Elysha inhaled and exhaled deeply as she slowly regained her composure, one breath at a time. The incessant pain in her head began to subside, the heavy body of panic and fear receding to make way for calm.

    ¡°Thank you, Micah¡­¡± she murmured quietly, closing her eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, ehehe,¡± Micah replied, turning his gaze upward to the expanse of sky above. They settled into a moment of companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, finding peace in the woods.

 1.20 - The White Orb

    As Micah pulled away from Elysha and their embrace ended, the little girl rubbed her eyelids and said, ¡°Thank you for hugging me, Micah.¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to say it again,¡± he replied, chuckling humbly. ¡°It was nothing special. I just did what I can to help!¡±

    ¡°Still, thank you.¡±

    Micah stepped a few meters away and transformed back into his smaller form. Elysha watched as his majestic form changed into that of a small fluffy ball.

    ¡°Woah, now this way can help me conserve my energy better,¡± he said, then looked up, ¡°What? Caught mesmerized by my transformation?¡±

    With a blink of her eyes, she replied, ¡°You looked cuter and cuddlier this way.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± he pouted with furrowed brows. ¡°Micah is NOT cute! Micah is cool, smart, handsome and very cuddly!¡±

    Then, looking back at the stone platform, he remarked, ¡°In any case, I must say that even though you were not able to pass the trial, you committed yourself to absorbing new knowledge and showed your will and determination to persevere to a certain point.¡±

    ¡°I never said I couldn¡¯t passed it.¡±

    Micah turned his head toward her. ¡°Huh?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s gaze hardened as she remembered seeing a shining ball of light hovering over Elder Merakia¡¯s hand. ¡°I will keep going until I create a white orb.¡±

    ¡°Are you a masochist?¡± he blurted out in bewilderment. ¡°Weren¡¯t you in tears from the pain? Have you lost your mind?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that!¡± she shouted. ¡°It¡¯s not because of that.¡± Then she looked down at her opened hands. ¡°When I think of not being able to reach my goals¡ªthat I¡¯m failing at what I want to do¡ªit hurts me more than any headache I¡¯ve ever had.¡±

    Then her hands trembled, and so did her voice. ¡°I don¡¯t... I don¡¯t want this to happen again. So please let me try one more time.¡±

    He sighed, his small, fluffy form slumping slightly as his tail flicked. ¡°Elysha, I get it,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re determined, and I admire that¡ªI really do. But pushing yourself to the point where you end up crying and clutching your head in pain? That¡¯s not determination, that¡¯s just stubbornness.¡±

    Elysha frowned, ¡°Micah¡­¡±

    She locked eyes with him, wondering as to how she could convince him.

    ¡°Please... believe in me,¡± she begged earnestly. ¡°One day, when I become a mage, I promise I will use my magic to make the most yummy food you could ever eat.¡±

    His ears and tail perked up, his eyes sparkled with joy, and a bright smile spread across his face. ¡°Really?!¡±

    ¡°Yes, and Elder Mera and I are also making pastries when I get back,¡± she nodded her head. ¡°You can come and have some if you let me focus more on my theonum core.¡±

    ¡°Okay!!!¡± he replied, his tail wagging as he leapt into the air, flying in circles and giggling. ¡°Micah trusts you!¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elysha settled back onto the cold stone pedestal, preparing herself for her last attempt.

    Micah, having stopped his joyful spinning, turned to see her close her eyes and sink back into her headspace. The image of the girl in pain flashed through his mind and he began to think of possible solutions.

    ¡®Ugh, is there anything I can do to help her through this ordeal?¡¯ he thought as he looked up at the sky, the cloud dissipating to reveal the sun shining in the blue background. ¡®I can¡¯t stay any longer in these woods, or we¡¯ll be returning late past noon!¡¯

    He looked back at the girl, concentrating again on her subconscious, then stared at the keyhole stone resting against her chest. Suddenly, a glimmer of an idea formed in his mind like a light switch.

    ¡°Elysha!¡± he shouted, breaking her concentration. ¡°Micah can help you create that white orb!¡±

    Her eyes snapped open, and they flickered as she turned to look at him. ¡°Huh? How? she asked, surprised and confused. ¡°What do you mean by helping me create the white orb?¡±

    He flew over, landed on her dress and asked, ¡°Remember when Micah stayed in your keyhole? I think this stone can be quite useful in easing the pain in your head.¡±

    ¡°Ease my pain?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, even though Micah is not sure if this idea of mine would work, but it is at least worth a try!¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes continued to stare at him until she reached for her necklace and looked at it. It was just a gray stone in the shape of a keyhole that had been in her hand when she first woke up in the forest. She still didn¡¯t know what connection she had with the mysterious object, but to help her in this situation...

    ¡°Do you really mean that?¡± she asked softly. ¡°Can you really help me?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Micah affirmed without hesitation. ¡°Take the necklace off your neck and hold it on one of your hands.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, removing the necklace and holding it with her left hand. ¡°Like this?¡±

    ¡°Like that, yes,¡± he nodded, placed his paw on top of the keyhole stone and instructed, ¡°All right then, now take a deep breath, close your eyes and imagine something nice.¡±

    ¡°Something nice?¡±

    ¡°Such as a leisurely walk in the woods with Elder Merakia, or any memory that brings you joy and happiness.¡±

    ¡°Happy memories,¡± Elysha murmured, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, ready to let the imagination take over.

    ¡°...¡±

    In her mind¡¯s eye, she saw an image of Elder Merakia strolling through a sunlit forest. She saw herself walking with her, hand in hand, as they continued through that scenery. Then she pictured herself being wrapped in her guardian¡¯s comforting hug, and then being read bedtime stories under a warm blanket.

    Micah noticed a smile on Elysha¡¯s face as she immersed herself in her imaginative endeavor. He said, ¡°This is going well. Now regulate the spiritual energy within you and connect these visual images to your theonum core.¡±

    Following his words, Elysha focused her concentration on regulating her theonum, making a connection between the memories. Slowly but surely, they merged together, blending into a white, blurry entity¡ªher soul identity.

    Micah took notice as he felt the regulation through the touch of Elysha¡¯s hand. ¡®She¡¯s doing it! Please let this go well,¡¯ he spoke in his thoughts. ¡°All right, now merge with your soul identity to connect with your theonum core, then use your will to create the white orb.¡±

    Elysha nodded, delving deeper into the process. Within her headspace, she looked at the white blurry figure.

    ¡®My soul identity¡­¡¯

    She took a step forward and reached out to touch it. As the tips of her fingers touched the entity, it suddenly exploded, and a sharp pain reverberated through her head, shattering the harmony of her concentration.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Eee-k¡ª!¡± Elysha winced as the sharp pain lanced through her head, and she pressed her right hand to her temple. ¡°Ouch, it hurts again!¡±

    Micah¡¯s ears perked, taking note of the pain and quickly said, ¡°Elysha! You¡¯re almost had it just now!¡±

    She frowned and murmured, ¡°You said you were going to help me ease my pain¡­¡±

    ¡°I am, since now that I can see your energy regulation, Micah is going to try to use this keyhole as a device that can block the pain.¡±

    ¡°You can¡­?¡±

    ¡°I can!¡± he said aloud, knitting his brows together and using his own theonum to create a depository within the object. Then, he used his other paw on her skin and stated, ¡°Elysha! Try again this time!¡±

    She nodded, a look of perseverance on her face. She pressed on despite the lingering pain, finding strength in the waves of cherished memories that pushed her forward.

    In her mind, she remembered wanting to explore the possibilities of theonum magic, and to become a mage so that Elder Merakia would be proud of her. She remembered crying on the ground and listening to the story of the little girl who wanted to fly and touch the stars. She remembered wanting to understand who she was and who she wanted to be.

    ¡®I¡­¡¯

    She remembered seeing the view of the world outside of her window, and eating breakfast with Elder Mera. She remembered waving goodbye to her as she walked into the forest, and waking up in the same forest for the first time. She remembered the question her guardian had asked her.

    ¡°What is your name?¡±

    The girl could feel the pain leaving her, replaced by a sensation of calm.

    ¡®... I am Elysha.¡¯

    Then, in her mind, she opened her eyes to see a giant keyhole-shaped structure in front of her; the black void inside was darker than the mental space around her. Not only that, but her feet were soaked in a shallow body of water.

    Elysha¡¯s brows furrowed and her lips tightened into a flat line. She turned her eyes to the white, blurry figure standing nearby, as if it could vanish at any moment. She kicked her feet across the shallow pool toward the creature, leaving the keyhole in the darkness.

    Approaching the bright entity, Elysha paused before the figure, then hesitantly raised her hand. She reached out and her fingertips touched the white being of light.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Her eyes widened as she saw moving images of memories inside the entity¡ªmemories that belonged to her, from when she had first awakened in the forest to her comfortable embrace with Micah.

    Elysha¡¯s eyes warmed, reflecting the light of the colorful scenes as she wrapped the white being with her arms. Her lips opened and she spoke, ¡°You are my collective memories,¡± she said. ¡°You are me; you are who I am. My soul identity.¡±

    She could feel the happy, positive sensations touching her nerves. Elysha closed her eyes and said wistfully, ¡°A shiny orb¡­ I want to see a shiny, bright orb from the darkness¡­¡±

    Meanwhile, Micah watched as Elysha¡¯s breaths returned to a steady rhythm, the pulsating ache in her head gradually subsided, and the tension in her muscles melted away.

    ¡®Ah, it worked; my idea somehow worked!¡¯ he exhaled in relief, his tail drooping to relax. The next thing he noticed was something manifesting before his eyes.

    A minute later, Elysha took a deep, steadying breath and slowly opened her eyes. Hovering just above her right palm was a small orb of light that she had materialized.

    The orb glowed with pure white radiance, emanating an iridescent ring that surrounded it. Its brilliance mesmerized her as it swayed from side to side, as if dancing with an ethereal grace.

    Tears welled up in Elysha¡¯s eyes as she gazed at the translucent orb, her irises reflecting the shimmer of the orb itself. ¡°I¡­ I did it¡­¡± she murmured.

    ¡°Congrats, Elysha!¡± Micah cheered, his excitement overflowing as his tail wagged fervently. ¡°You did it! Elder Merakia would be proud of¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish his sentence, the white orb suddenly dissolved, vanishing into thin air, leaving nothing but the bare palm of Elysha¡¯s hand.

    Her smile wavered. ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s all right!¡± Micah hastily reassured her. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s the very first time you¡¯ve ever conjured magic! This is just the beginning of becoming a mage. You¡¯ll get there in time! You¡¯ve done well!¡±

    Elysha stared at her empty hand for what seemed like an eternity, processing the fleeting nature of her accomplishment.

    ¡®Micah¡¯s right,¡¯ she thought. ¡®Even though I only saw it for a short time, I was able to concentrate and see my soul identity.¡¯

    Then, a realization hit her. ¡®If I were able to create a white orb then¡­¡¯

    The thought of succeeding in connecting with her theonum core curled her lips into a smile. Her cheeks puffed up and she couldn¡¯t help but feel her blood rushing all over her body with happiness. She slid herself off the pedestal and moved around, stretching her limbs.

    ¡°Aww, look at how happy you are,¡± Micah grinned.

    She turned to him and said, ¡°Thank you, Micah. You helped me so much.¡±

    ¡°Ehehe, you¡¯re welcome!¡± he chortled, playfully covering his embarrassed face with his thick tail.

    Soon after, her curiosity sparked, and Elysha asked him, ¡°Oh wait! Does this mean I passed the Trial of Ir?stos?¡±

    Micah¡¯s expression shifted, and he hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Oh, um, Micah should tell you the truth.¡±

    ¡°The truth?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ the trial, that is¡ªuh¡ªit was never really a real one to begin with,¡± he admitted, a nervous laugh escaping him.

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    ¡°Wait, so you¡¯re telling me that everything I¡¯ve been through was all a fake?!¡± she exclaimed, completely shocked.

    ¡°Micah was really surprised that it took you this long to realize that the trial was not even real.¡±

    Then he puffed out his chest and wagged his tail, stroking his smug grin. ¡°It proves that Micah did a really good job of staging everything, ehehe.¡±

    Elysha frowned, clenched her hands, and then used them to grab the gray-furred Zhivopian when he wasn¡¯t looking at her, lifting him up.

    ¡°Wa-ah¡ª!¡±

    Caught off guard, he flailed his body in the air, trying in vain to free himself, ¡°Let me go! Like I said before, Micah is not a stuffed animal!¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No?!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve lied to me, therefore, you are now my stuffed animal.¡±

    ¡°NOOOOOOOOO¡ª!!!¡± he screamed, still trying to flail his limbs to free himself. He continued to do so until Elysha let go, sending him spinning a few meters into the sky.

    Her frown deepened. ¡°You should have been honest with me from the beginning.¡±

    ¡°Haha... I apologize for not being completely honest and forthright,¡± Micah replied calmly, dizzy and floating in all directions.

    ¡°... I really thought that I was doing something meaningful for myself,¡± Elysha muttered, looking down and away from him.

    He shook his head to focus and sighed, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll tell you the truth.¡± Then he flew down closer to her and continued by explaining, ¡°Only the Nine Deities of the Asnoiji have the authority to conduct a true trial.¡±

    ¡°Huh? The Nine Deities?¡±

    ¡°Nine of them, that¡¯s right. For us in the Forest of Ir?stos, our guardian and deity is currently in a dormant or inactive state, and I have taken the liberty of drawing inspiration and creating a trial for you.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Elysha then asked, ¡°Why did you make a trial for me?¡±

    ¡°Because that crazy old witch¡ª¡± Micah suddenly coughed a few times before he continued, ¡°because I sensed that you were new to the forest, as I had never seen you before. Everyone in this forest has normally gone through the deity¡¯s trial at least once in their lives, usually during their childhood.¡±

    ¡°Childhood? I didn¡¯t know about this before¡­¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm! Not only that, but your guardian told me all about you and asked me to protect you from any possible dangers.¡±

    He also added, ¡°We, the Asnoiji¡¯s people, can sense the theonum of our kind, which means that we can detect each other¡¯s spiritual energies from various distances. That¡¯s how Micah was able to find you.¡±

    ¡°Find me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, except that the theonum link was very weak. So weak that it was really hard for me to maintain the connection and even find it in the first place.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, then she pressed her hand to her chest and looked down at the ground. ¡°Was my core really that bad?¡±

    ¡°Your core wasn¡¯t weak in a bad way, it¡¯s more like¡­ it needed to be strengthened and nurtured,¡± he said.

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± she took a moment to process Micah¡¯s words, her expression calm yet thoughtful. Finally, she let out a sigh. ¡°Well, I understand now. I know that I needed more time for my core to grow and let me use magic, I hope¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, definitely! It¡¯s not surprising, considering you¡¯re still learning just about everything.¡±

    As the initial excitement wore off, Elysha yawned, her body feeling heavier by the second. ¡°I¡¯m so tired I can hardy move; I want to go home.¡±

    Micah landed on the ground in front of her, swaying his tail. ¡°That¡¯s normal after such an intense focus,¡± he said reassuringly. ¡°It takes time for your energy to recharge. You pushed yourself really hard today, Elysha.¡±

    Her lips curved into a small smile. ¡°Thanks, Micah. I wouldn¡¯t have made it this far without you.¡±

    ¡°Of course! Some things can¡¯t be done without me,¡± he proudly puffed out his chest as an idea struck him. ¡°Oh, but you know, there¡¯s someone else who would like to hear about your achievement.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Your guardian, Elder Merakia,¡± he replied. ¡°Why not share what you accomplished today with her?¡±

    A spark lit up Elysha¡¯s eyes at the mention of her name. ¡°You¡¯re right, I should show Elder Mera! She¡¯ll be proud of me.¡±

    Micah beamed, his tail wagging at her reaction. ¡°That she will!¡±

 2.1 - O Spirit of Light

    Elysha made her way back to Elder Merakia¡¯s cottage, walking under the blue sky overlooking the forest. She couldn¡¯t help but keep touching her own hands, the same smile she¡¯d shown earlier at the brief, recent manifestation still on her face.

    Micah, being carried in her arms, looked up at her expression and commented, ¡°You seemed very eager to share the news with Elder Merakia.¡±

    ¡°I am!¡± she replied without turning her head as she walked at a brisk pace. ¡°How far away is her home?¡±

    ¡°Hm, I¡¯d say a bit further ahead!¡±

    ¡°How long though?¡±

    ¡°Er, soon, I think,¡± he replied. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly how long, but keep straight on the path and we¡¯ll get there!¡±

    As the two of them moved on, Elysha¡¯s thoughts wandered, reflecting on the day she had stepped out of the door to explore the Forest of Ir?stos that morning: from the moment she had met the mysterious black cat named Kitty, to the encounter with the peculiar Zhivopian named Micah and the ¡°trial¡± he had put her through, to the shocking encounter with the same cat from earlier, and to the manifestation of the white orb.

    She had not expected her adventure to be such an experience that she could not get it out of her mind. And though it lasted less than a minute, that fleeting moment of using her own magic filled her with an indescribable sense of joy and accomplishment.

    Elysha¡¯s smile widened, then a sudden realization hit her. A wave of different scenarios regarding Elder Merakia¡¯s reactions swept through her mind, sending a shiver of fear over her shoulders.

    ¡® Wait, would Elder Mera really be proud of me?¡¯ she thought to herself. ¡®Or what if she wasn¡¯t? Would she¡­ would she be¡­?¡¯

    An image of her disappointed look brought her to a halt, prompting Micah to ask, ¡°Huh? What happened? Why did you stop?¡±

    She shook her head from the negative thoughts, her eagerness refusing to waver. Then she looked up at the sky and asked, ¡°You said that Elder Mera wanted us to be back by noon, right?¡±

    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°When is noon?¡±

    ¡°Uh, perhaps right now.¡±

    Elysha raised her eyebrows in shock, a drop of nervous sweat running down her cheek as she blurted out, ¡°Wh-What? Then I have to run quickly!¡±

    The little girl ran down the forest path with Micah in her arms, her breathing heavy with the strain of her physical body¡¯s energy. She huffed, ¡°M-Maybe she won¡¯t be too mad at me when we get back, will she?¡±

    ¡°Forget about her reaction,¡± Micah told her, sensing her nervousness. ¡°More importantly, do you really want to run all the way back to her house like this?¡±

    Elysha paused, taking a brief moment to think about what he had said, until she looked down at the small, gray Zhivopian cradled in her arms, his yellow-green eyes were staring back at her.

    ¡°Hello? Did you hear what Micah asked you?¡±

    Her expression changed slightly. Noticing the change, he asked, ¡°Uhh, what are you thinking about?¡±

    Elysha turned her head away and answered with a grumble. His ears pricked up as he complained, ¡°Hey, Micah can¡¯t hear you!¡±

    She grumbled louder, ¡°... Says you. Who¡¯s the one who has to walk all the way home?¡±

    He gasped, ¡°HUH? More like says YOU, who kept begging ¡®please¡¯ to hold Micah in your arms like your stuffed animal to take home.¡±

    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t say that,¡± she countered. ¡°Besides, I saw you fall asleep in my arms after I picked you up.¡±

    ¡°And what else can I do when I am stuck like this?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s brow furrowed and her grip on Micah¡¯s fluffy little body tightened.

    ¡°What?¡± he reacted in surprise and tried to free himself, but she resisted his will. ¡°And here I thought you were mad at me for using your arms for a nap.¡±

    She avoided his gaze, pressed her face into his fur and murmured, ¡°... I didn¡¯t say that I wanted you to leave me.¡±

    He watched her tired expression and sighed, ¡°Micah didn¡¯t realize you were this stubborn.¡±

    Then, he went on and asked, ¡°Anyway, answer my question, will you?¡±

    ¡°What question?¡±

    The gray Zhivopian in her arms wiggled a little to adjust his position. ¡°Are you really going to use your feet to move all the way back like this? It looks like you¡¯re about to collapse from exhaustion.¡±

    It took Elysha a few seconds to think about what he had said, during which time she could feel her legs tense and tired, her body dehydrated and sweating.

    She replied, ¡°I¡¯m thirsty, Micah. I¡¯m tired and I want to go back home. Maybe I don¡¯t want to use my feet because they¡¯re hurt, but what do you want me to do?¡±

    ¡°Well, Micah is not tired,¡± he said. ¡°And since you did so well in the trial, Micah will do something special for you as a reward.¡±

    Elysha raised an eyebrow. ¡°Special? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll see!¡± he smirked. ¡°But first¡ªlet go of Micah!¡±

    With a swift movement, he broke free of Elysha¡¯s grip and leaped away, stretching his limbs dramatically, shaking off the imaginary stiffness and letting out a fat yawn, ¡°Ah, freedom! Now then¡­¡±

    He began to glow faintly, his fur shimmering with a soft light. Elysha¡¯s eyes widened as the glow grew brighter, surrounding his entire body like an aura. Slowly, his small, fluffy form began to shift and expand, transforming into his larger, fox-like form.

    He turned his head and gestured to her, saying, ¡°Climb and rest on my back! We¡¯ll reach Elder Merakia¡¯s cottage much faster that way!¡±

    Elysha nodded and climbed onto his thick, fluffy back, straddling him.

    Micah called over his shoulder, ¡°Now, isn¡¯t this better?¡±

    She buried her face in his warm fur, closing her eyes before murmuring, ¡°Mm-hm, yes. Thank you.¡±

    Micah chuckled, shook his head and jumped into the air, running in the sky over the treetops and carrying her effortlessly through the forest.

    Elysha looked down at the treetops below them, the wind ruffling her hair as her eyes followed the path of birds and other creatures. With each passing moment, she became more immersed, feeling as if she were flying with the birds.

    Then, she laid her face back into Micah¡¯s fur as the flight continued in the air as they approached their destination.

    Then, his ears perked upwards, his instincts sensing something. ¡°Oh?¡±

    His nose pointed in the direction of Elder Merakia¡¯s cottage, and his eye narrowed in a suspicious thought.

    ¡®Ugh, don¡¯t tell me we¡¯re back at the worst possible time,¡¯ Micah sighed.

    Arriving closer, he descended and landed on the ground again before coming to a complete stop. Micah turned his attention to the somnolent girl on his back and said, ¡°Elysha, wake up! We¡¯re here!¡±

    Startled, she sat up, rubbed her heavy eyes, and blinked. ¡°Huh?¡±

    She looked around in a daze, trying to orient herself. It took her less than a moment to realize that they were still in the forest. ¡°Where are we?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived at Elder Merakia¡¯s place,¡± he answered.

    After taking another look around, Elysha drew her eyebrows together and asked, ¡°... But I only see trees. Where is her house?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because we are close by.¡± Micah explained, pointing his snout towards a certain direction. ¡°Just beyond those trees right there. Although¡­¡±

    ¡°Although?¡±

    ¡°I could sense that someone else is here right now¡­¡± he said, his eyes narrowing and his voice lowering with unease. ¡°Someone else¡¯s theonum aura besides the old witch. Him.¡±

    ¡°Who is ¡®him?¡¯¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯ll see that who he is when we get closer to the cottage first,¡± he sighed. ¡°Micah just doesn¡¯t want that bastard to see me.¡±

    Elysha watched as he shivered slightly, as if remembering something unpleasant. He shook his head and said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get on with it.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Their footsteps crunched against the grass and leaves as they slowly approached the shrubbery that bordered the clearing where Elder Merakia¡¯s residence stood. ¡°We finally made it back just as noon struck the sky,¡± Micah exhaled in relief, then turned his head and whispered aloud, ¡°Elysha, hide behind those bushes.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Shh, trust me and watch ahead from here.¡± He then moved over to a hidden vantage point and knelt down. ¡°Let¡¯s listen.¡±

    The two of them settled behind the undergrowth on the left, at the edge of the cottage yard. There, Elysha¡¯s eyes peered out and saw an unfamiliar figure in the distance. He was standing at the door of the cottage, apparently in conversation with Elder Merakia.

    ¡°Tch, it really is him,¡± the gray Zhivopian grumbled. ¡°See? This is the guy Micah was talking about. He came back, but for what reason this time?¡±

    Elysha squinted to get a closer look at the stranger: the person was tall and masculine, but androgenic in appearance. He wore long dark brown pants and black shoes, a long green coat with a fur hood and cuffs, and a light blue button-up shirt with a high collar underneath. His gunmetal gray hair was neck-length, disheveled, and covered parts of his forehead with fringe. His expression, however, is unreadable from where they hide.

    ¡®I wonder who he is,¡¯ she thought, her curiosity piqued. ¡®What could he and Elder Mera be talking about?¡¯

    Then, she turned to ask, ¡°Why do you not like him?¡±

    ¡°Because he threatened me A LOT when Micah was younger!¡± he whispered loudly. ¡°He may seem all nonchalant and inexpressive when you look at him, but to me, he¡¯s a devil in disguise.¡±

    Then, in a low grumble, he said, ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re talking about the white blast from the other day.¡±

    Elysha turned her head back, her attention was still focused on the two people in conversation when she suddenly noticed something that caught her eye. It was the presence of a large bird-like creature standing beside them. The bird-like creature appeared to be white, elegant, and slender. Its long neck was curled down to get closer to the two people, but its body seemed to be taller than both of them.

    ¡®What is that?¡¯ she questioned herself, her eyes not leaving the creature. ¡®I want to touch that bird, but is it a bird?¡¯

    She turned her head again to see Micah trying to move his ears closer to the scene. As Elysha turned to focus more on the audible background, she began to hear the faint whispers of their conversation. Despite the difficulty of understanding their words, the body language of Elder Merakia and the stranger expressed something else.

    ¡°Hm, I see, so it is safe to say that theonum levels in this area are within normal limits,¡± Elder Merakia spoke. ¡°It is a relief to hear that for the sake of the people who live among these trees.¡±

    ¡°The data does not suggest certainty about the stability and safety of the forest,¡± he said, crossing his arms ¡°Phenomenal occurrences still hold a lot of uncovered grounds to be analyzed, to shelve the cases of these unnatural events is not a realistic conclusion.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Why, of course, no individual would want their home threatened by phenomena, not even the elders who are currently actively ruling this forest would let that slide completely.¡±

    Then she looked up at the clouds in the sky and said, ¡°The people of Soliremisce still remember the news of the incident at the islands of Zhivopis. The fear that is still imprinted in their hearts has left them praying to the Asnoiji that such a thing will not happen to them in the future.¡±

    ¡°And that incident happened seven years ago,¡± said the young man. ¡°Before that, such events had only occurred sporadically throughout history. Rarely had any signs of abnormal events been seen anywhere in Solremisce. Only after signs appeared would a phenomenon of great magnitude appear, like the one that had devoured one of the islands in Zhivopis, erasing almost all traces of it.¡±

    ¡°So you are suggesting that something akin to that event will happen soon?¡± Elder Merakia asked.

    He gave a stern look and answered, ¡°Based on historical patterns and records, I would say there is a probability chance.¡±

    A brief moment of silence passed between them. Elysha tilted her head and turned to Micah, asking him softly, ¡°What happened? It was hard for me to hear what they are saying.¡±

    His ears twitched nervously, ¡°Uh, well, Micah can understand that it¡¯s about phenomenal events, like that giant black cat we saw earlier.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± she took in his words, then looked back at the scene. ¡°Then, could they be talking about Kitty right now?¡±

    He pulled his ears down to his face and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t want to hear about what they¡¯re saying right now¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Blah blah blah I can¡¯t hear you!¡±

    Elysha stared at Micah for a few seconds before turning her attention back to the conversation between Elder Merakia and the young man. Finally, her guardian broke the silence, ¡°Aside from that, I must say that it is an unexpected but pleasant surprise for me to see my former pupil again after such a long time, leaving me without words of goodbye,¡± she grinned wryly. ¡°What other reasons, besides current events, would bring you here?¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    He scoffed, ¡°Oh? In that sense, your surprise was not to be expected, Merakia. I have the impression that your self-centered, dramatic and eccentric behavior has not changed since the last time I saw you. Is that not true?¡±

    ¡°Why, how impertinent of you,¡± Elder Merakia replied with a sinister smile, her fingers on her lips. ¡°It seems your cold and unfriendly attitude hasn¡¯t changed a bit since I met you as a little boy.¡±

    The young man laughed dryly and crossed his arms, ¡°I cannot recall anything I said or did to you that would have provoked such a remark,¡± he said. ¡°Even then I had a similar impression. It has been some time since we last saw each other. My dear teacher, has age brought false perceptions into your attitude?¡±

    ¡°Do you think your concern is genuine? Is it?¡± Elder Merakia scowled with laced sarcasm. ¡°Not that I care how much time has passed, and for your question, my mental clarity is very well and strong.¡±

    She placed her hand to her chest and continued, ¡°As a successful and retired mage since I have moved away from the City of Totheniui, I have a wonderful time and life living among these trees, taking sips of fine tea and caring for the health and well-being of my neighbors as a doctor. What more warmth can I ask for than to be away from the heavy snow and the cold winds?¡±

    He gave her a wide-eyed look and then sighed with his hands on his face. ¡°How could I have forgotten that you are a doctor as well?¡±

    ¡°Being a licensed physician has always been my primary profession,¡± Elder Merakia chuckled, then returned to her earlier question. ¡°Anyway, enough of our playful banter. As for you, hjhI have heard nothing but positive feedback about your assigned role at the institution,¡± she said. ¡°You have made remarkable progress on your journey since the last time we parted ways. The Institute speaks highly of your knowledge and contribution. For that, I am proud of you.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here seeking praise, teacher,¡± he sighed.

    She chuckled again, her laugh light and knowing. ¡°Oh, I know that much. Still, you can¡¯t blame a retired mage for taking pride in her pupil¡¯s success.¡± she paused for a breath and asked, ¡°You came here to tell me something else, didn¡¯t you? Otherwise you wouldn¡¯t even have come here just to tell me about the latest reports of theonum fluctuations.¡±

    ¡®What¡¯s happening?¡¯ Elysha wondered as she watched their exchange, their words elusive to her. ¡®I can¡¯t tell what they¡¯re talking about.¡¯

    She turned her gaze at Micah, who listened with a distorted expression of disinterest and asked, ¡°Hey, do you know what¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°Micah is waiting for them to fight each other,¡± he said.

    Elysha stared at him, wide-eyed. ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Relax, Micah was joking,¡± he chuckled mischievously, then spoke in a loud whisper, ¡°Though, can you imagine the old crazy witch and that frosty-faced man going head-to-head? Magic projectiles flying, trees shaking, the whole forest watching. What a sight that would be!¡±

    She blinked her eyes. ¡°Has that ever happened before?¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯ve done it before, I never been a part of it, but if something like that ever happened, Micah would like to eat something good while watching the show.¡± He sighed wistfully at his imagined sight and wagged his tail a little bit. ¡°Anyway, those two have a shared past¡ªa long one; memories long before you were here. The way they talk, the little digs and jabs¡ªit¡¯s just how they are to each other. It¡¯s unique to them, I guess. They¡¯ve probably been like that for as long as Micah can remember.¡±

    ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Micah nodded. ¡°Yeah. Elder Merakia was his teacher before you after all.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened again, her attention drawn once more to her guardian¡¯s conversation with the young man.

    ¡®So that person was Elder Mera¡¯s pupil before me?¡¯ she thought. ¡®That means he can use theonum magic, strong theonum magic. It also means that he is a mage, just like her.¡¯

    The little girl¡¯s eyebrows knitted, her lips pursed in a straight line, and she went on, ¡®I wonder why I am Elder Mera¡¯s next pupil. I wonder... who I really am to her... and to myself.¡¯

    As Elysha continued to observe the conversation, the white, elegant, bird-like creature moved its head toward the young man, who caressed its head with his hand and replied, ¡°In fact, I came here with the intention of telling you about other discoveries that my colleagues and I have made. However, I can¡¯t tell you about them right now.¡±

    Elder Merakia frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Before continuing, he glanced at the bushes and said, ¡°I see two little rabbits there, eavesdropping on our conversation.¡±

    Elysha and Micah froze in surprise as they realized their cover had been blown. Panic coursed through their veins as they exchanged wide-eyed glances.

    ¡°Oh, crap!¡± Micah cut in, his instincts kicking in. ¡°He¡¯s seen us! Run for your life!¡±

    Without hesitation, Micah bolted from the bushes and headed back into the woods. Elysha, momentarily stunned, found herself following him, her heart pounding in her chest.

    ¡°Uh, um?!¡± she panicked, unsure of the sudden turn of events. Her legs ran as far as they could between the trees when a blurry figure appeared in front of her, wrapping its arms around her and bringing her to a halt.

    ¡°Huh¡ª?¡±

    Elysha looked up; the tall man she had seen in the courtyard with Elder Mera was now standing in front of her, holding her in his arms.

    She froze, staring at the man in shock. His piercing, burnt maroon eyes met hers, mesmerizing and unreadable. Despite his firm grip, he held her with a strange gentleness as he spoke evenly, ¡°Running is not a very subtle way to stay hidden, little girl.¡±

    ¡°I-uh¡ª¡±

    ¡°No need to say any words,¡± he said. ¡°My companion has already gone to fetch your other friend.¡±

    Just as Elysha¡¯s shoulders calmed, a high-pitched sound came from nearby. The young man glanced in that direction and remarked, ¡°Looks like she found him already.¡±

    A short moment later, a gust of wind comes from the trees, blowing their hair as a large white creature glides into the clearing. In her talons is the struggling gray-furred Zhivopian whose protests rang out loudly. ¡°Hey! Put Micah down! This is unfair!¡± he squirmed, his little legs flailing in the air.

    ¡°Good work, Fjorja,¡± he said. With a nod of his head, Fjorja released Micah from her claws and dropped him onto the grass with a soft thud.

    ¡°Plah!¡± he blurted out, feeling the impact in his bones and immediately glared up at her.

    Fjorja tilted her head, letting out a soft, melodious trill that sounded oddly amused.

    ¡°Laugh all you want, bird brain!¡± he growled, puffing up his fur in indignation. ¡°Micah will remember this!¡±

    The young man standing next to Elysha watched the exchange between the small pup and the large bird. ¡°Your friend is¡­ quite expressive,¡± he commented. ¡°I see some things haven¡¯t changed, Micah.¡±

    The small Zhivopian froze mid-huff, his ears flattening as he squinted at the man. ¡°Don¡¯t act all friendly with me, you! Micah remembers all the times you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± the man¡¯s tone shifted, firm but not unkind. ¡°I am not here to argue with you. Now, both of you,¡± he glanced between Elysha and Micah. ¡°We¡¯re going back to the cottage. Elder Merakia is expecting us.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    When they returned to the residence, he watched as the two rabbits went out and hid behind the familiar presence of Elder Merakia, peering out from her sides like two guilty children seeking protection from a stern schoolmaster.

    She glanced down at them with a sigh as she addressed her former pupil. ¡°I trust they didn¡¯t give you too much trouble?¡±

    The young man raised an eyebrow, his arms folded. ¡°Trouble? No. Amusement? Perhaps.¡± He glanced at Micah, who stuck out his tongue in response, only to receive a reprimanding look from the elder mage.

    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s continue this conversation at a later time,¡± she said. ¡°Although I will be busy from now on with tasks to complete, I will send a message to speak with you before you leave again.¡±

    ¡°No problem,¡± he replied. He then shifted his eyes to Elysha, who flinched before he turned around and said, ¡°You never change, Merakia. You are still haughty, though time has changed you, and your heart is always transparent. My days have gone well for me, as I have learned and mastered what I can, and taken steps to learn the world. To see the ebb and flow of time bring new changes is a new chapter to accept and bear witness to. As always¡­¡± He turned his head back to her with a smirk on his face. ¡°Your natural demeanor is just as I have always known it to be.¡±

    Elder Merakia smiled calmly as she crossed her arms. With a final glance at Elysha, the young man walked away as he said, ¡°Well, it¡¯s time for me to continue doing my part in investigating this forest. Come on Fjorja.¡±

    She let out a soft trill, as if acknowledging her companion¡¯s command and lowered her neck, allowing him to climb onto her back with practiced ease. Her wings spread wide, creating a powerful gust that rustled the leaves and grasses as the mighty thrust sent her soaring into the sky.

    Elysha shielded her face, her eyes watching until they were out of sight. When the winds stopped, silence fell over the clearing, leaving them to stand in awe of the encounter.

    She held her breath, her mind racing to make sense of the encounter. ¡®What just happened? Are they just gone?¡¯ she wondered. ¡®Then, what happens next?¡¯

    Suddenly, the air around her began to thicken and her heart grew heavy. Her eyes turned to Micah, who also felt the same sensation.

    ¡°Now then¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia turned and looked back at the two rabbits behind her. They flinched again, as if caught in the presence of a fearsome gaze. One of them managed to stutter, ¡°A-Ah, pl-please don¡¯t hurt us!¡±

    ¡°Calm down,¡± Elder Merakia said with a piercing gaze, her tone sharp. ¡°And after coming back nearly an hour later than I originally told you, you certainly took your time in the forest.¡±

    ¡°O-Oh, really? We were an hour late?¡± Micah asked with a feigned smile, sweats on his fur.

    ¡°Yes, an hour.¡± She arched an eyebrow. ¡°Did you not think I would notice? What were you two doing in the woods?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Micah¡¯s ears flattened, and he lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. ¡°Uh, well¡­ you see, there were some circumstances along the way¡ª¡±

    ¡°Circumstances?¡±

    ¡°Elysha! You go tell her what happened!¡± he blurted out.

    Elder Merakia shifted her eyes to Elysha, who mustered the courage to speak. ¡°Elder Mera... I¡­¡±

    Her guardian remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

    She touched her fingers together as she spoke, ¡°I... um¡­ had a lot of fun with Micah¡­ exploring the forest and learning theonum magic¡­ So, um, it¡¯s my fault for being late¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s expression softened slightly, but her sharp gaze remained. ¡°Is that so?¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that you two had fun. Surely you learned a lot of valuable knowledge during your adventure, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    She nodded her head. ¡°Yes, I have learned so much about the Forest of Ir?stos. I have seen many pretty places and learned more about them... I think.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve seen different places and learned about the history of the forest? I¡¯m sure you had a lot of fun, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I had fun,¡± Elysha smiled.

    ¡°That is good, then,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°I am pleased to hear that from you.¡±

    ¡°Hey! What about me?¡±

    ¡°Not you.¡±

    Micah turned and pouted to himself as a flash of Kitty appeared in Elysha¡¯s mind, and she added. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot! We saw a big black cat in Zhivopia!¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°A big black cat? In Zhivopia?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm! Yes, Kitty can change his size from a little cat like this to a big cat so large that he can cover the sky and shake the ground. Micah told me that he is a phenomenon from the Underworld.¡±

    Then she asked a question to her, ¡°Elder Mera, have you seen Kitty anywhere?¡±

    She paused for a brief moment, then shook her head with furrowed brows. ¡°No, I have never seen such a rare occurrence from the Underworld with my own eyes before.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°I did not. Seeing creatures from the Underworld is more than rare, if you ask me. The last recorded phenomenon occurred on one of the islands of Zhivopis, now seven years ago.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s expression turned blank as she processed the information. ¡°I see¡­¡±

    She looked at the spot where Elder Merakia¡¯s mysterious guest had vanished. Then, she gathered her courage to ask her next question. ¡°Um, that person, who was he?¡±

    ¡°Elysha, the person you just met was a former traveling companion and pupil of mine.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ I heard about him from Micah. He was the one you took in before me, right?¡±

    Elder Merakia turned her eyes to the sulking Zhivopian, who flinched in reaction. Then, she turned her gaze back to Elysha and answered with a hand on her hip, ¡°Well, I am fairly certain that you have already learned just enough information about him from your friend, so there is not much for me to tell you.¡±

    ¡°And what was that large bird-like creature next to him?¡± Elysha asked. As she asked the question, she recalled seeing other peculiar creatures from Zhivopia. ¡°Oh, could she possibly be¡ª¡±

    ¡°Of the race that coexists with us Elbijans?¡± Elder Merakia finished her sentence.

    Her ears perked up at the mention of the name ¡°Elbijan.¡± She had heard it a few times before, and each time it held some significance in her memory.

    Micah¡¯s ears flicked as he watched Elysha tilt her head and say, ¡°Elbijans?¡±

    ¡°Yes. We live together with the Zhivopian race in coexistence in the Soliremisce Archipelago.¡±

    ¡°Zhivopians¡­¡± Elysha repeated the name quietly, recognizing it from her conversations with Micah. He even had introduced himself as one of them.

    In all the time she had spent with Elder Merakia, it had never occurred to Elysha that other spiritual species lived in the Forest of Ir?stos, until this morning¡¯s surprise. Unlike the animals in her book, these creatures possessed spiritual bodies, spoke and understood her language, and wielded a certain degree of magic.

    ¡®Elbijans and Zhivopians¡­¡¯

    She bit her lips; everything Elysha had experienced so far fascinated her. She had never thought about the world outside the Ir?stos Forest. She had been content with the knowledge Elder Merakia and Micah had shared with her. But now her hands were clenching for more, as if her eyes were burning brighter than ever.

    ¡°How interesting¡­¡± she murmured. ¡°Can you tell me about them? Micah is too lazy to explain them to me.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± he exclaimed indignantly, his nose wrinkled as he growled, ¡°I could very well explain them to you!¡±

    Elysha frowned. ¡°Maybe if you had explain them to me sooner until now.¡±

    The two rabbits locked eyes, their argument creating a tense aura between them. Elder Merakia, watching their exchange, said, ¡°I see you two are getting along well. It seems I made the right decision to entrust Micah to your care while I attend to other important matters.¡±

    ¡°That I can get along with this lazy ball of fur?¡± Elysha retorted, pointing a finger at him. ¡°No way, he¡¯s too clumsy and annoying to take seriously.¡±

    ¡°I thought that you had spent a fun and memorable time with him, is that not true to you?¡±

    ¡°See? Even Elder Merakia knows you enjoyed my company. Admit it, Elysha!¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ well, maybe I did have some fun. I guess it¡¯s a good thing I got used to spending time with that big furball. If he wasn¡¯t a dumb and stupid Micah, he might have been more useful to me.¡±

    ¡°Ahhh! I am NOT dumb and stupid!¡± he shouted, sticking his tongue out at her. ¡°How dare you underestimate my intelligence!¡±

    He puffed out his chest, exuding false confidence. ¡°Not only is Micah is very smart, Micah is already very useful in combat and hunting. No need to add ¡®protective big brother¡¯ to the list! And if you want, I can directly show you what¡¯s best about me!¡±

    A strong aura began to emanate from Micah, showcasing his power. But before he had a chance to prove himself, a sudden wave of drowsiness overcame him.

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    Micah swayed like a leaf in the wind before plopping down onto the soft moss. His ears drooped, and his eyes fluttered closed. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not¡­ fooling¡­ around¡­¡± he muttered before a loud snore escaped him.

    Elder Merakia lifted Micah up and said, ¡°Such a strong-willed companion. He is very responsible and has good instincts. I¡¯m sure it will do you good in the long term to have him by your side, Elysha.¡±

    ¡°I like to think so,¡± Elysha replied with a shrug. ¡°But what happened to him?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I just cast a minor spell to let him fall asleep,¡± she said with a grin.

    The little girl took a step forward and stroked his fur. Her guardian asked, ¡°What do you think about him?¡±

    Elysha watched as his small body slept, then she looked up at Elder Merakia and replied, ¡°Well... he¡¯s loud and he teases me, but¡­ he¡¯s also brave. And kind, even when he¡¯s being annoying. He makes me laugh, even when I don¡¯t want to admit it.¡±

    Her guardian chuckled with her hand over her mouth. ¡°I understand¡­ For me, his silliness and charm are something to be appreciated. His willingness to protect his loved ones and fight for everyone¡¯s safety is admirable, and I respect that. You have a kind friend, Elysha.¡±

    The little girl watched as Elder Merakia walked up, turned and opened the front door. ¡°Now then, come inside and rest until we get started on the chores,¡± she said. ¡°And when we are done, I will show you something particularly special.¡±

    Elysha nodded, and just as she was about to go inside, she remembered something important and called out, ¡°Oh! Elder Mera! I want to show you something!¡±

    Her guardian watched as she took several steps away and turned around to face her. Elysha then closed her eyes, and she began to focus on gathering the theonum energy within her, concentrating on connecting her inner soul values with her theonum core. She took a deep breath and extended the palm of her hand out.

    ¡®Just like the last time,¡¯ she thought to herself. ¡®After what Micah had taught me. I can do this.¡¯

    As she approached her core, she spoke with the voice of her subconscious. ¡°I am Elysha,¡± she began. ¡°I am the memory of who I am and everything that I have done, which is the identity of my soul.¡± She reached out and opened her hand, ready to embrace her magic. ¡°Come out and show yourself, O Spirit of Light.¡±

    Myriads of images flickered in her mind, and a stream of warmth coursed through her body as she felt the touch of the light within. To her, it was a pleasant sensation, like the rays of the sun caressing her skin after a long absence.

    She felt a surge of pain knock at her head. Then, for a split second, Elysha saw a flash of white light, as if her own theonum core had answered her call. When her vision cleared, she opened her eyes and looked anxiously at her trembling hand.

    There, hovering over her palm, was a small, white, translucent, glowing orb.

    Her eyes widened in awe and delight, and a surge of happiness rushed through her veins. She turned to her teacher and guardian, her mouth agape with pride and joy. ¡°It... it worked!¡± Elysha shouted, a wide and excited smile spreading across her face. ¡°Look, Elder Mera! I did it!¡±

    ¡°You did indeed, dear child,¡± Elder Merakia smiled and clapped her hands together. ¡°You have performed the incantation correctly and manifested your theonum successfully and beautifully¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    A sharp pain jolted through Elysha¡¯s head before her guardian could finish her sentence. In a split second, the white orb dissipated into thin air.

    She gasped in shock and pain, clutching her forehead. She sank to one knee, then both, and sat with her arms covering her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at her empty hand. After a few seconds, her watery eyes shifted to Elder Merakia, who had also seen the translucent white orb before it vanished.

    ¡°Elder Mera¡­¡±

    The elder mage stepped forward and knelt beside her pupil. Then she wrapped her arms around Elysha in a comforting hug and said softly to her ears, ¡°Congratulations, Elysha, and in just a few days. I''m proud of you.¡±

    The little girl¡¯s watery eyes quivered, her shoulders tense. ¡°Thank you... Elder Mera,¡± she murmured in a shaky voice, trying to hold back tears. ¡°I will practice more.¡±

 2.2 - Elbijans and Zhivopians

    Shortly after entering the house, Elder Merakia led the child into her bedroom and had her lie down on the soft mattress.

    ¡°Rest now,¡± she said, pulling the covers over the girl. ¡°Your body needs time for the pain to subside, and so does your mind.¡±

    Hugging a pillow, the little girl nodded and murmured with her eyes averted,  ¡°I¡­ Okay¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia brushed a strand of hair from Elysha¡¯s face. ¡°As I said before, you have done well for your first manifestation. That itself is enough for the time being. When you feel better again, you can come out of your room and help me clean up the house.¡±

    When the door closed, the room fell into a calm silence. Elysha let the stillness settle over her, her breathing becoming steadier with each passing second. She reached out with her senses, trying to feel the faint warmth of her theonum core.

    ¡°It¡¯s still there,¡± she murmured to herself, her lips curving into a small smile. The pain in her head felt less daunting now than before, overshadowed by the pride of her accomplishment.

    Soon after, she fell back into her thoughts, replaying the events of her theonum manifestations, from the time in the woods with Micah to the one in front of her guardian. Holding her hand to her forehead, Elysha whispered to herself, ¡°I don¡¯t understand why, I can still feel the pain in my head, but why does my core keep hurting me? Rejecting me? I can¡¯t understand it.¡±

    Images of the failed attempts to connect with her theonum core flashed through her mind. She remembered the feelings of frustration and confusion that left her with more questions than before.

    ¡°I have tried so hard to use theonum magic,¡± she went on, her eyebrows furrowed. ¡°I have spent so much time trying. Why do I feel that my efforts are not enough?¡±

    Elysha stared at the ceiling, one hand resting on her chest and the other wrapped around her pillow. The pride she had felt earlier had faded, replaced by an ache not just in her head but in her heart.

    She moved the pillow to her face and asked herself, ¡°Am I¡¯m not good enough? But, I tried so hard. What am I missing? Micah made it look so easy. Even Elder Mera said I am doing well, but¡­ it doesn¡¯t feel like it to me. What if I continue to stay like this?¡±

    A wave of disappointment swept over her expression, she wanted to realize the full potential of her theonum core, to harness its power with the confidence and finesse she had seen her guardian display yesterday.

    As Elysha lay in silence, her mind pondered, ¡®What if maybe Elder Mera had the same problem? What if it was just only me who had this problem?¡¯ Her eyes widened in worry. ¡®Maybe if I could find the reason why my core hurts me so much, why I cannot use my magic. Maybe that way I can fix all of this.¡¯

    *thud*

    She flinched, her moment of introspection interrupted by a subtle and abnormal movement in the background. Her eyes had caught a glimpse of something at the edge of her vision.

    ¡°Huh? What was that?¡±

    Her curiosity piqued, Elysha turned her attention to the ceiling and its corners. Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be there.

    ¡°...?¡± Her mouth was left hanging in confusion. ¡°But I thought I noticed something¡­¡±

    Wanting to investigate further, she closed her eyes, feigning rest. She didn¡¯t move and listened carefully.

    ¡­

    *rustle*

    When she heard another abnormal movement, she quickly rose from her bed and looked up at the ceiling. There she caught a glimpse of the rear end of an unknown creature before it disappeared back into hiding.

    ¡°There you are!¡± she called out with a determined gaze. ¡°I found you!¡±

    Elysha squinted at the corners of the ceiling, searching for any further movement, but there were no other signs to give her any clues. The room was still, with only the soft glow of the dim light casting long shadows across the walls. Her gaze turned to confusion as she muttered, ¡°Where did it go?¡±

    Stepping cautiously out of her bed, she tiptoed across the floor, her bare feet making no sound against the wooden planks. She checked behind the curtains and peered under the furniture, but her search turned up nothing. Despite the stillness, a strange feeling of being watched prickled at the back of her neck.

    Even though she couldn¡¯t see anything, Elysha didn¡¯t want to give up. Thinking, she thought up an idea and decided to address the hidden beings directly. She stood in the center of the room and said aloud, addressing the air, ¡°I know you¡¯re here. I saw you. You can¡¯t hide from me forever.¡±

    Her voice echoed faintly in the room, but there was no response. Elysha frowned, pursed her lips in a straight line and said, ¡°Okay, fine. If you won¡¯t show yourself, and since you¡¯re here and not afraid of me, I can guess that you¡¯re the reason I¡¯ve felt something strange since I woke up this morning. I want to talk to you and get to know you better. Please let me see you.¡±

    Silence hung in the air, and even the dim light from the window was still. She thought about what to do next, but before she could do anything else, another abnormal movement appeared in her line of sight.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Then another, and another. In a few seconds, all the hidden creatures appeared and scattered around the room.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    All of them began to surround her, looking at her with interest. They were creatures that resembled different kinds of animals, some of them emitting sounds of varying degrees.

    ¡°Kyaaaakkkkrrrrrrr!¡±

    ¡°Bwaaaannnnggggiii!¡±

    ¡°Tikkaaakoooooo!¡±

    Elysha stood frozen, her eyes wide as the room filled with the unusual creatures. After a moment of astonishment, she blinked and took a slow and deep breath, ¡°You¡­ you all scared me just now.¡±

    Some tilted their heads, others wagged their tails. A few opened and closed their mouths, while a few more kept moving around the room. Elysha steadied herself, her surprise turning to cautious curiosity as she said, ¡°I believed you all have been watching me for some time now, and now that I see everyone of you, I am kind of reminded of a certain mister fluffy¡­¡±

    As if a lightbulb had switched on in her head, Elysha asked them, ¡°You all belong to a race known as ¡®Zhivopians,¡¯ is that right?¡±

    In unison, the creatures nodded their heads, and some of them even made affirmative sounds to confirm her assumption.

    ¡°Oh, I see now,¡± she smiled. ¡°So you all are Zhivopians.¡±

    One of the creatures, a small being that looked like a cross between a squirrel and a moth, hopped closer, its ears twitching. It tilted its head and made a soft noise that made her giggle in response.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think any of you are dangerous to me, so¡­ I¡¯m wondering, what kind of Zhivopians you all are and where you¡¯re from?¡±

    Her eyes moved from one to the next. She paused for a moment before adding, ¡°Also, do any of you know who Elder Mera is?¡±

    They exchanged glances and then turned their attention back to Elysha. At the same time, they shook their heads, indicating cluelessness.

    ¡°Hmm, okay.¡± She placed her fingers to her chin, then released them and asked again, ¡°Then, do any of you know who Elder Merakia is?¡±

    At the mention of her name, their faces and ears lit up with recognition. They all nodded their heads and either made excited noises or slapped their tails on the ground.

    ¡°I see, so you all know who Elder Merakia is. That means she knows all of you as well. Maybe that makes sense as to how you all somehow entered my room.¡±

    Then Elysha slipped into her slippers and turned back to them before saying, ¡°Sorry, everyone, but I want to help Elder Mera clean the house. Do any of you want to come with me?¡±

    ¡°House chores? No way!¡±

    Her eyes, and the eyes of all the creatures, turned to a small Zhivopian standing among them. She looked like a cross between a fox and a firefly.

    She covered her mouth and looked awkwardly at the others. ¡°Uh, oops, I didn¡¯t mean to say that out loud haha.¡±

    ¡°Seriously Huilji? Did you have to ruin the fun?¡± Another spoke up.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? My mouth just moved on its own.¡±

    ¡°Well, if its ruined now, then we all can just drop the act, right?¡± asked another Zhivopian.

    They all exchanged words to each other when Elysha cut in with her question, ¡°You all¡­ can talk?¡±

    Their eyes turned to the little girl.

    ¡°Of course we can talk!¡± said Huilji, her wings glittering in the light from the window as she waved her tail. ¡°We¡¯re not just random critters, you know!¡±

    The others nodded. Before they could say anything else, Elysha quietly stepped back, opened the door, and slipped out of the room.

    ~ ??? ~

    As the little girl left her room, she felt her heart beat faster.

    ¡®They can talk,¡¯ she thought as she quickly walked down the stairs to the first floor hallway. The living room was empty, as was the kitchen.

    ¡°Huh? Elder Mera is not here,¡± she said, moving her gaze around every corner. ¡°Then¡­¡±

    The faint sound of the wind rustling through the open window caught her ears, and her gaze shifted to the back door, which opened to reveal her guardian entering inside.

    She turned her head, a small smile on her face when she saw Elysha. ¡°Oh, you got out of bed sooner than I expected. Are you feeling better now?¡±

    ¡°I think so,¡± she replied, raising her hand to her temple. ¡°I don¡¯t feel any pain anymore.¡±

    ¡®I didn¡¯t realized it went away¡­¡¯ she thought to herself in surprise.

    ¡°That¡¯s nice to hear,¡± Elder Merakia said, washing her hands at the sink before wiping them with a towel. ¡°Are you ready to help me clean the house?¡±

    Elysha nodded. Together, she and her guardian gathered the necessary supplies and began their task of cleaning up their place.

    The little girl assisted Elder Merakia with various tasks around the house indoor: They swept the floors, vacuumed the rugs, wiped the windows and polished the furniture together. Then, they ventured outside to gather ripe fruits from the backyard.

    ¡°Another one,¡± Elder Merakia called out, releasing a plump mango fruit.

    Elysha adjusted her position and caught the fruit in the basket with a satisfying thump. ¡°Got it!¡±

    ¡°Well done,¡± she praised, reaching for another fruit. ¡°You have quick reflexes.¡±

    Elysha smiled and looked down at the collection of mangoes in her basket. Then she looked back up and asked, ¡°Um, what are we going to do with them?¡±

    ¡°We will make fruit tarts with them,¡± Elder Merakia replied, her hands plucking another fruit. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten since breakfast, and as soon as we take a break from our chores, we can have some delicious tarts and drinks to enjoy.¡±

    She examined the fruit briefly before using theonum to drop it down. ¡°Catch this.¡±

    Elysha caught the mango in her basket, and then they went on to pick strawberries, kiwis, and blueberries before setting them aside for other chores. Then Elder Merakia turned to remove the dry sheets and clothes hanging on the clothesline.

    ¡°Like this?¡± the little girl asked, holding up the folded sheet for for her guardian to see.

    Elder Merakia glanced over and gave a nod of approval. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s perfect, Elysha. You¡¯re getting the hang of it.¡±

    A small smile spread across her face as she placed the folded sheet in the basket. Though she sometimes found the chores tedious and sweaty, she found herself getting the hang of it as the soft hum of a breeze filled the air.

    Soon Elysha was told to take a basket of dry clothes back to the house. As she walked through the garden, her eyes caught the sight of a water fountain. She stopped and watched as the sunlight reflected off the moving water.

    She clutched her basket tighter, a distinct memory emerging in her mind. It was elusive, slipping through her fingers like water, accompanied by a faint echo of childish laughter. The little girl turned, expecting to find the source of the sound, only to find an empty entrance leading to a passageway.

    Silence hung in the air, except for the soft murmur of the fountain.

    ¡®... That is what you are looking for, isn¡¯t it?¡¯

    The wind tousled Elysha¡¯s hair as she stood still. The faint memory that had surfaced refused to solidify. She furrowed her brow, gripped the basket tightly, and lowered her eyes in thought.

    ¡°What¡­ was that?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    After failing to remember, Elysha sighed and turned to focus on the present. She made it back to the door, kicked off the outdoor slippers, and went inside. When she came out again empty-handed to return to her guardian, she made her way past the garden shed where most of the tools were stored. She continued on her way until something caught her eye.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    She halted, spotting Micah bathing in a nearby bird bath, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight. He let out a fat yawn and submerged himself further, as if it were a hot spring.

    For a brief moment, Elysha envied the way he basked in the sun and enjoyed his surroundings. But she shook her head and approached the lazy ball of fur, asking him, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Micah slowly opened his eyes, stretched lazily in his comfortable bathtub, and yawned again with a satisfied smile. ¡°I¡¯m just resting here. Why?¡±

    ¡°How long have you been in there?¡± Elysha inquired, somewhat curious.

    ¡°Hmm, since when Micah woke up and wanted to relax myself,¡± he said.

    ¡°So,¡± she blinked her eyes. ¡°Are you going to stay here or¡­?¡±

    He nodded and grinned. ¡°Yep.¡±

    Elysha frowned, crossing her arms, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at Micah.

    ¡°What do you mean? Are you going to stay here all the time?¡± she asked. ¡°You could at least lend a paw to help Elder Mera and me instead of just lying in there.¡±

    ¡°Help you out with what?¡±

    ¡°Help us out with cleaning the house. Don¡¯t you think you could help us a little?¡±

    Micah cracked open one eye, his whiskers twitching as if her words amused him. ¡°Help? Me? Micah doesn¡¯t even live here. Why should I do chores?¡±

    ¡°But what does that have to do with anything? You¡¯re here, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Then, Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in realization, ¡°Wait, you don¡¯t live here?¡±

    ¡°Of course I don¡¯t! What were you even thinking?¡± he gasped in shock. ¡°Micah is merely a guest visiting here, enjoying the hospitality of your guardian¡¯s garden as she welcomes it. House chores? That sounds like a permanent resident¡¯s duty, not mine.¡±

    He chuckled and flicked his big tail, sending drops of water into the air, some of which landed on her face.

    ¡°Oops, my bad,¡± he said, dipping his tail back into the pool.

    Elysha wiped the water from her face with an annoyed sniff and glared at the smug, gray Zhivopian lounging in the bird bath. Her hands clenched into fists for a moment, but she quickly forced herself to take a deep breath.

    ¡®Calm down, Elysha,¡¯ she told herself. Instead, a sly smile crept onto her face as an idea took shape.

    ¡°Okay, Micah,¡± she said. ¡°You can stay here and relax. Don¡¯t worry about helping us. I¡¯m sure Elder Mera and I can do it all without you.¡±

    He raised a brow, sensing the sudden shift in her tone. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s more like it. Micah knew you¡¯d see reason.¡±

    ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± Elysha hummed, turning around. ¡°You just enjoy yourself. Besides, Elder Mera and I have plans to make yummy fruit tarts and drinks from what we¡¯ve gathered soon. I¡¯ll let her know that you¡¯re here and that you never helped us the whole time. That way, you won¡¯t get to taste the fruit tarts we¡¯re¡ª¡±

    ¡°WHAT? I want my fair share!¡±

    She turned a hundred and eighty degrees to see him standing up from the birdbath with his paws on the edge.

    Micah feigned a cough before continuing, ¡°And being called ¡®lazy¡¯ doesn¡¯t exactly describe what you said earlier.¡± He yawned and jumped out of the water, shaking himself dry. ¡°I¡¯m just resting and conserving my energy, and besides, Micah is not the only Zhivopian around here, you know.¡±

    ¡°Not the only Zhivopian around?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s thoughts turned to the encounters she had earlier today. ¡°Oh? You mean like those creatures I saw watching me in my room?¡±

    ¡°Aha! So you have met them already! They are my friends and my kin, who also live in the Forest of Ir?stos, just like you and me.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Her eyes looked around the area. ¡°I only saw them for a little bit, and at first I thought they didn¡¯t speak. But now that I think about it, you can talk to me, and I met a few others who can speak too.¡±

    ¡°Of course we can talk,¡± Micah said with a raised brow. ¡°We are not like typical animals you know.¡±

    ¡°But if they are your friends, then where are they right now?¡± Elysha asked, looking around in confusion. ¡°From what I can see, it looks empty except for all the trees and other plants. I don¡¯t see them anywhere.¡±

    Then a wave of nervousness washed over her face.  ¡°Could they still be in my room, waiting for me?¡±

    ¡°No way they would still be in your room,¡± Micah said doubtfully. ¡°Just like me, they would all get bored easily and leave.¡±

    Then he continued, ¡°Well, I guess my friends may have been a little shy about meeting you when they haven¡¯t shown themselves yet,¡± he explained, wagging his tail. ¡°Perhaps it could be because you¡¯re Elder Merakia¡¯s newest pupil, and they don¡¯t want to risk getting into trouble right away. We Zhivopians can blend into our surroundings and watch from a distance. We are curious and playful by nature after all.¡±

    Then, as he glanced around the area, he suddenly laughed, saying, ¡°Ehehe, Micah realized that they¡¯re watching you because you¡¯ve piqued their interest. I expected something like this to happen when words of you spread through the forest.¡±

    ¡°Of me?¡±

    ¡°You are like a unique guest that the Zhivopians have been closely observing in this forest,¡± he grinned.

    ¡°Does that mean I am being watched right now?¡± Elysha looked around again with an uncertain, uneasy look. ¡°Do you think they might come out?¡±

    ¡°Well, Micah can call them out for you to show you how friendly and playful my friends can be,¡± he declared, looking in a certain direction and opening his mouth wide.

    ¡°HEY, ALL OF YOU! COME OUT HERE AND SAY HELLO TO THIS SPECIAL GUEST!!!¡±

    Wincing at his sudden and loud call, Elysha shot him an annoyed look before scanning her surroundings for any changes.

    ¡­

    So far, nothing has changed.

    She waited patiently, her gaze intent and unwavering.

    Still nothing.

    And patiently she waited¡­

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    And then, a rustling noise from the trees caught her attention. Her heart raced as she turned toward the source of the sound. There, she noticed a Zhivopian creature hiding amidst the natural surroundings. Then, there were more.

    ¡°There they are,¡± Micah said smugly, sitting down and flicking his tail. ¡°Told you they wouldn¡¯t hold out for that long.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes with her jaws dropped. ¡°You all¡­¡±

    Before she could finish her sentence, the Zhivopians she had spotted sprang into action. Shedding their camouflage, they emerged from their hiding places and took flight, making a flurry of high-pitched sounds and flew around Elysha.

    ¡°Gaaakkkiiijjjiii!!!¡±

    ¡°Arrrraakkkkkk!!!¡±

    ¡°Brrrrrriiiiiiiii!!!¡±

    Soon the area was swarming with Zhivopians, their eyes fixed on the little girl. Elysha stumbled back, her eyes wide as the vibrant swarm of Zhivopians surrounded her, appearing in all shapes, sizes, colors, and races. Some hovered in the air, others darted between her legs, and a few landed on nearby objects. The ones that caught her eye the most were the ones with large wings.

    ¡°They¡­ they look like birds¡­¡± Elysha murmured in wonder. ¡°And I see other strange animals as well.¡±

    ¡°Those you just described as ¡®birds¡¯ are called Fri¨°ja Zhivopians,¡± Micah explained. ¡°They are a race under the canopy of the many different races that reside in this forest. And not only they, but all of them are saying their words of excitement to see you.¡±

    ¡°Saying?¡±

    Elysha blinked at the chaotic swarm of vibrant Zhivopians darting or flitting around her. Their high-pitched cries and excited noises filled the air, but none of it made any sense. She turned to Micah with a furrowed brow and asked him, ¡°Do you know what they are saying?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I can tell! Micah is a Zhivopian himself too, which I thought you would know by now!¡± he replied, amused. ¡°One thing we all share is that we understand each others¡¯ languages and get along like family.¡±

    ¡°Well, then, what are they saying right now?¡±

    Micah flicked his tail and took a quick glance at each of his friends and replied, ¡°That one just said, ¡®Wow, she¡¯s even smaller than I imagined!¡¯ And that one over there? He thinks your expression looks funny¡ªdon¡¯t take it personally, everyone¡¯s sense of humor is different.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Oh, absolutely. And that little one over there thinks you smell like sweet fruits.¡±

    As they continued to swirl around her, playing and getting her attention, Elysha focused on each one, trying to take in their presence. A few more began to appear, and the little girl began to feel overwhelmed and dizzy.

    ¡°Micah, there are so many of them! What am I supposed to do next?¡±

    ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll get used to my buddies eventually,¡± he replied, then curiously asked, ¡°What? Are you scared?¡±

    Elysha furrowed her brows, steadying herself as the Zhivopians surrounded her. She clenched her fists at her sides, taking a deep breath before meeting Micah¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m not scared,¡± she said, though her voice wavered slightly. ¡°If they¡¯re here like this¡­ it means they want to be friends with me, right?¡±

    Micah tilted his head. ¡°Well... yes, that¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then that means they won¡¯t do anything to hurt me, right?¡±

    ¡°Of course not! Why would any of my friends hurt you?¡± he corrected. ¡°Zhivopians and Elbijans coexist with each other in peace on these lands thanks to the Asnoiji, are you that forgetful?¡±

    He then added, ¡°And don¡¯t get too nervous or scared when you want to tell them to stop; do it with your own will!¡±

    As Elysha watched the Zhivopians excitedly fly and move around her, she remembered her earlier encounter with them. She had also once asked a question to her guardian before venturing into the forest, wondering about the presence of other people in the world.

    ¡®Are you curious about what lies beyond this window next to us?¡¯ Elder Merakia¡¯s words echoed in her mind.

    She nodded at the memory.

    ¡®Well, dear child, there¡¯s more to see than the garden. Today is a beautiful day, so how about taking a step outside and exploring the forest?¡¯

    Elysha took a deep breath and stated, ¡°You are all Zhivopians, and I am an Elbijan. We are both here to coexist in this forest. There is no reason for me to be scared of you.¡± She shook her head. ¡°After all, I have this little annoying Mister Fluffy Ball right next to me.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    She raised her hand to her chest and continued, ¡°My name is Elysha, and I am happy to see everyone of you.¡±

    ¡°I am not an annoying ball of fur!¡± Micah complained.

    ¡°So, and not only that,¡± she added. ¡°Can you talk to me in the same language so I can understand you? I want to know you all better.¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s really growing and adapting to this environment,¡¯ Micah remarked in his thoughts. ¡®She is more clever than when I first met her this morning, and that was less than a couple of hours ago!¡¯

    ¡°Sure, we can speak to you!¡± replied one of the Zhivopians.

    A few flashes of light transformed within Elysha¡¯s field of vision, causing her to shield her eyes behind her arms as she watched some of the Zhivopians transform into different, yet similar, forms at the same time.

    ¡°¡ª!¡± She gasped in shock as they turned into humanoid forms, childlike and roughly her size. ¡°Y-You can change appearances?¡±

    ¡°Haha, of course we can,¡± said another one of them. ¡°What? Do you think our bodies can only be limited to our animal-like forms? That would be kind of boring, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    A flash of Sorcha appeared in Elysha¡¯s mind, and her eyes widened, ¡°That¡­ That makes sense now, I get it now¡­¡±

    ¡°I saw you¡¯ve met my friend Sorcha earlier, she¡¯s a Zhivopian too,¡± Micah said. ¡°She would have looked similar to a wolf if she had been here as part of the group.¡±

    ¡°I-I know,¡± she replied, looking at the features of each of the transformed Zhivopians. ¡°So that means each and every one of you can change your appearance, too?¡±

    ¡°If our theonum cores are strong enough, then yeah,¡± one of them answered back.

    ¡°... How long does it take for you to be able to do that?¡±

    They exchanged glances as the same one replied, ¡°Uh, not long for us since we can usually start transforming by the time we started going to school.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s really easy,¡± said another.

    ¡°Yes, we can do more than just change our appearance! It depends on the element of your soul identity and how strong your theonum core is!¡±

    Micah turned to see Elysha with a half-smile and a distant look. ¡°Oh, okay¡­¡±

    Knowing the reason behind her expression, he turned back to them and said, ¡°All right, that¡¯s enough about theonum for now! Talk about something else instead!¡±

    One of them, looking like a cross between a fox and a moth, flew up to Elysha and said, ¡°Hey, do you remember me from earlier? My name is Huilji! I¡¯m curious about you because aren¡¯t you the Elder Merakia¡¯s newest pupil?¡±

    ¡°U-Um, yes?¡±

    Her eyes sparkled as she continued, ¡°Wow! You are so lucky! Who wouldn¡¯t want to be raised and taught by such a powerful and famous mage? I bet there must be something really special about you that made Elder Merakia choose you out of all the others.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re strong, right?¡± asked another in the group. ¡°Can you show us what you can do?¡±

    The last sentence caused the Zhivopians to become even more excited and expectant, their eager vibes swirling around her with even more enthusiasm as well as a stranglehold on her throat. Elysha took a step back, overwhelmed as their eager voices overlapped in rapid, expectant bursts.

    Micah¡¯s eyes darted between Elysha and the others, but before he could say anything, a familiar voice sounded in the distance, ¡°Astad¡¯en mard!¡±

    At these words, a wave of silence swept over the garden. The Zhivopians around Elysha froze in mid-air or mid-step. Their wide eyes darted to Elder Merakia, who stood tall at the edge of the clearing, her garden tools hovering effortlessly beside her in a soft magical glow.

    The Zhivopian children hesitated only briefly before they began to disperse obediently, their chattering voices replaced by murmurs of recognition. One by one, they moved away, regrouping around Elder Merakia with a respectful air.

    The elder mage approached, her gaze landing on Elysha before shifting. ¡°Micah, did you think it would be wise to overwhelm her with your friends so soon? Elysha is still adjusting to our environment.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me madam. They all came here of their own accord,¡± he replied quickly, shaking his head in defense.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± she glanced at the group and back at Elysha and Micah. ¡°I have an understanding of what is going on here.

    ¡°Umm, Elder Merakia, if we are intruding on your place, we can just leave right ahead,¡± one of the children said in a nervous tone.

    Her lips curved into a smile. ¡°Leave? I never said you must leave. I understand your curiosity. It¡¯s not every day that someone new joins our forest, much less someone like this young girl here.¡±

    The Zhivopians exchanged glances, their tension easing. Huilji fluttered forward hesitantly. ¡°S-So¡­ you¡¯re not upset with us, Elder Merakia?¡±

    She chuckled and said, ¡°No, child, I am not upset. I know you are all very well interested, but overwhelming someone¡ªespecially someone who is still adjusting to our environment¡ªis not the best way to make a good impression. My ears can hear the excitement from the other side of my residence.¡± Her eyes swept over the group and finally to Elysha. ¡°I hope they have not disturbed you in their playful way, dear child.¡±

    ¡°No, Elder Merakia, they didn¡¯t disturb me,¡± the little girl replied, shaking her head. ¡°It was just¡­ a lot all at once. They¡¯re all really nice and kind to me.¡±

    ¡°Uh, hello?¡± Micah jumped in. ¡°While you two are talking¡­ could you, maybe, please undo the spell on my friends now?¡±

    He gestured toward the frozen children, who looked both amused and mildly embarrassed in their suspended states.

    ¡°Hm, certainly,¡± Elder Merakia chuckled lightly. With a wave of her fingers, the frozen Zhivopians immediately sprang to life, murmuring and adjusting themselves.

    ¡°We weren¡¯t that overwhelming, were we?¡± one of them asked.

    ¡°Perhaps not intentionally,¡± she replied. ¡°But intentions aside, self-awareness and balance are key. Remember that, children.¡±

    A moment later, the Zhivopian children were playing among themselves nearby. They continued to make excited noises, playfully bumping into each other, running or flapping their wings. A few even tried to climb onto Elder Merakia¡¯s shoulders, but she shook them off with amused but annoyed looks.

    Elysha, trying to hold back a giggle at the sight of her guardian being swarmed, commented, ¡°They are kind of funny.¡±

    ¡°Funny, perhaps, but also a handful,¡± she said, swatting one of them off her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. ¡°Zhivopians are naturally curious, childlike, and live in the moment, immersed in their dream-like environment, so they are often seen as lively and full of energy.¡±

    ¡°Hey, those words sound just like me!¡± Micah chimed in from behind.

    Ignoring his remark, Elder Merakia continued, ¡°Like all Zhivopian species, they feed on the theonum potency known as ¡®wishes¡¯ of Elbijans. And we Elbijans rely on their ¡®dreams¡¯ potency to sustain us. Together, we maintain a delicate balance of existence that harmonizes with the emotions of the world.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Elysha murmured, nodding her head even though she didn¡¯t fully understand the concept.

    Sensing her confusion, Elder Merakia added, ¡°As I mentioned this morning, I will explain more during our evening session after the exercise performance with these children.¡±

    The Zhivopian children perked up at the mention of the evening exercise performance.

    ¡°A performance?!¡± Huilji exclaimed. ¡°Elder Merakia, you didn¡¯t tell us it was happening today! What kind of performance will it be?¡±

    Elder Merakia raised a patient hand and replied, ¡°A simple exercise to encourage creativity and teamwork.¡± She turned her eyes to Elysha and continued, ¡°It is important for both Elbijans and Zhivopians to understand each other¡¯s perspectives through shared storytelling and expression.¡±

    Another kid clapped his hands together. ¡°Does that mean we can act out stories again? Oh! Can I join in this time?¡±

    ¡°Me! Add me! I want to join too!¡±

    A cacophony of eager voices pressed against Elder Merakia¡¯s ears until she replied with a wave of her hand, ¡°Yes, yes, everyone will have a chance to participate, but only if you all agree to behave and follow my words of instruction. Understood?¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± the Zhivopian children chorused, their voices bright and unified.

    Micah rolled his eyes and muttered, ¡°Yeah, sure, like the performance itself is really going to help tone it all down.¡±

    With the garden tools still levitated in the air, Elder Merakia turned around and said, ¡°Well then, our practice session will be held later this evening. Today is a special day for a certain someone.¡± She turned to Elysha. ¡°If you¡¯re interested, I can put on a show that will surely impress you.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in anticipation.

    ¡°Yes, after all, these energetic guests can¡¯t simply sit still and do nothing in my garden. From time to time, I have invited them over and treated them to a demonstration of my theonum arts.¡± She covered her mouth with a yawn and continued, ¡°But for now, we must finish our house cleaning and rest until closer to the evening.¡±

 2.3 - Soul Identity

    When Elysha and Elder Merakia have completed their daily chores, they are left with the final task: making pies and smoothies from the harvested fruits that lie before them in the kitchen.

    The little girl rested her arms on the counter, her eyes fixed on the baskets of mangoes, strawberries, kiwis, and blueberries. She saw something moving and picked it up with her fingers. It was a tiny bug with red wings and black dots on them.

    *pzzz*

    Elysha watched it fly from her hand before turning her attention to her guardian, who was preparing to make the tarts. ¡°What should I do, Elder Mera?¡± she asked.

    Her guardian turned to the little girl and replied, ¡°I want you to wash and sort these fruits at the sink. When you are done, let me know so I can tell you what to do next.¡±

    Elysha nodded, standing on her tiptoes to reach the sink. ¡°Okay, I can do that.¡±

    Elder Merakia gave her a small stool to stand on, and as she began to rinse the fruits, her eyes turned to see her guardian making the pastry cream behind her. From the window in front of her, she caught a glimpse of Micah and his friends playing with each other.

    By the time Elysha was done washing the fruits, she turned her head around and said, ¡°I¡¯m done!¡±

    ¡°Nicely done,¡± she remarked. ¡°Go and wipe your hands with a towel, and come stand next to me.¡±

    The little girl wiped her hands on a soft towel, then walked over to Elder Merakia¡¯s side. Her guardian had just about finished setting up the tart crust. She placed a wooden cutting board on the table and held a knife.

    ¡°Now,¡± she began, ¡°watch me as I cut these fruits. Follow my movements closely.¡±

    Elysha leaned forward, her eyes focused as Elder Merakia picked up a strawberry and placed it on the cutting board.

    ¡°First, you hold the knife like this,¡± she explained, her fingers gripping the handle firmly but gently. ¡°Make sure your other hand stays out of the blade¡¯s path.¡±

    Elysha nodded as she watched the knife move. Elder Merakia sliced the strawberry into thin, even pieces. After cutting a few strawberries, the little girl asked, ¡°Can I try to cut some too?¡±

    Elder Merakia paused and replied, ¡°You may, but you must promise me one thing.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Be careful and take it slow, I do not want for you to hurt yourself.¡± With that, she opened the drawer and took out a small knife with a rounded tip. ¡°This knife will be safer for you. Let me guide you again for the first few cuts.¡±

    Her guardian placed another strawberry on the board and adjusted the child¡¯s hand on the knife. ¡°Now, hold it like this,¡± she instructed, positioning Elysha¡¯s fingers. ¡°And keep your other hand like this, so your fingertips stay tucked away.¡±

    ¡°Like this?¡± Elysha mimicked the gesture, curling her small fingers.

    ¡°Exactly. Now, slowly slice through the strawberry, using the tip of the knife to guide your cut, just like I did.¡±

    She followed her guardian¡¯s lead, mimicking the movements demonstrated before her. The knife slid through, leaving a slightly uneven slice.

    ¡°Like this?¡± Elysha asked again.

    ¡°Like that, yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s keep practicing until we can get enough strawberries cut.¡±

    They peeled, sliced, and arranged the all of the fruits for the tart. When they were finished, Elder Merakia led Elysha through the process of making the smoothies. They blended the rest of the harvested fruits with added banana slices and milk. The little girl watched the colors shifted and blended in the pitcher.

    Later, the two of them arranged the sliced fruits on the baked tart crust filled with pastry cream. When they were finished, the fruit tart sat on a serving plate next to the drinks, and Elysha stood with her eyes fixed on what they had created together.

    ¡°It¡¯s a nicely done result,¡± Elder Merakia smiled, looking at the colorful mosaic of fruit slices.

    Elysha nodded and asked, ¡°What should we do next?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go outside and eat them on the porch. Where else can we enjoy them but in the pleasant daylight and overlooking my garden?¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    They sat on the porch in the sun, indulging in their treats and smoothies. The little girl¡¯s eyes lit up with delight as she took the first bite of the fruit tart.

    ¡°Does it taste good?¡± asked Elder Merakia, who was sitting across from her.

    Elysha nodded quickly and said, ¡°They taste very good and yummy.¡±

    ¡°Please eat with your mouth closed,¡± her guardian said kindly.

    She put her hand over her mouth and swallowed. ¡°Sorry¡­¡±

    ¡°That is all right, I am only correcting you.¡± She took a square piece of soft paper from a small plate next to the fruit tart and offered it to her. ¡°Here is a napkin.¡±

    Elysha took the napkin and dabbed it at her mouth. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    She took a sip of her strawberry-banana smoothie and smiled slightly in response, feeling better after all the house cleaning and backyard work she had done earlier.

    Elder Merakia observed her positive reaction, took a bite of the fruit tart and replied, ¡°Here is the reward for all our efforts to keep the house and garden clean and tidy. Refreshing and invigorating.¡±

    The little girl nodded her head, and as she reached out to take another piece from the plate, a small, gray-furred Zhivopian jumped onto the table, snatched the slice of tart from her hand with his mouth, and locked eyes with her.

    He took a bite, held the big piece in his little paws, and swallowed the rest before saying, ¡°Hmm, not bad! Needs a bit more kiwi, though.¡±

    Elysha stared in disbelief, her mouth slightly open. ¡°H-Hey! That was mine!¡±

    ¡°Can Micah have it?¡±

    ¡°What did you do to have these fruit tarts, hm?¡± She asked, frowning deeply. ¡°From what I remembered, all you have done was sleeping on the fountain thingy!¡±

    ¡°Well, I can explain! Because Micah did contributed to the work!¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°Huh? What do you mean? I didn¡¯t see you do anything.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly what you think. My buddies and I helped out whenever we are needed by your guardian.¡±

    ¡°Helped out? Really?¡± Elysha asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Elder Mera, is this true?¡±

    Elder Merakia calmly sipped her smoothie before answering, ¡°Micah and his friends have been frequent visitors to my home in the past, even helping me with chores and other tasks at my request.¡±

    ¡°See? You heard her right! We contribute in our own way.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    Elysha watched as he and Elder Merakia exchanged some words. She looked down at her glass of smoothie in her hands and thought about his words.

    ¡®I wondered what life was like before I was here,¡¯ she voiced in her mind. ¡®What was life like for Elder Mera and Micah without me around?¡¯

    Not wanting to dwell on those thoughts too long, Elysha turned back to Micah and saw his pleading face, as if asking permission for another fruit tart.

    She sighed, unable to resist and relented, ¡°Micah, you can have more if you want. I¡¯ve never said that you couldn¡¯t have any, you know?¡±

    ¡°Yay! Thank you!¡± Micah exclaimed with glee, grabbing another slice of tart and left, leaving the two behind to watch him disappeared from their view.

    ¡°What a gluttonous child,¡± Elder Merakia chuckled amusedly. ¡°Even after I gave him and his friends their own share of the tarts, he still came over here to take a few of ours.¡±

    ¡°What? Really?¡± Elysha flicked her eyes back to where Micah had disappeared. ¡°So he took a few extras from us?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, yes,¡± she replied as she took another sip from her cup.

    As they continued to enjoy the rest of their refreshments, her mind wandered off, reflecting on everything they had done today. From their trip into the woods and meeting Micah, to the chores and tasks they had completed. She also remembered the previous day, the interaction between her and her guardian, and the events that had transpired. For Elysha, it had been a few days full of experiences in her mind.

    ¡°What is on your mind, dear child?¡± Elder Merakia asked, interrupting her moment of reflection.

    Elysha shook her head. ¡°Um¡­ nothing really. I was just thinking about what I did today.¡±

    ¡°About what you did today, hm?¡±

    She took a sip from her drink and nodded her head. ¡°Yes, I had a lot of fun today. I went to the forest and met Micah. He helped me try to use theonum magic, and I also helped you with the chores and cleaning the house. Oh, I even met Kitty and went through, um, Micah¡¯s trial.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that,¡± Elder Merakia said, taking a small bite out of a tart.

    ¡°I also remember what we did last night,¡± Elysha continued.

    ¡°What we had done last night? As in the stories I read to you?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm, I still have pictures of the stories in my head, they felt like the dreams I had. But like a dream that passed so quickly that it is hard for me to remember much of it.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Even though the pictures of the stories are blurry, they are still inside me,¡± Elysha said, her hand over her heart.

    ¡°How interesting to hear from your perspective,¡± Elder Merakia said, setting down her cup down on the table. ¡°I find that stories are like seeds. They take root in your heart and grow, even as their images fade. What is it about these stories that stays with you?¡±

    ¡°Um, I think¡­ I think each story you told me is interesting on its own, like the bird story and the girl and the beast story. I want to know more about them because¡­ um, they¡­¡±

    ¡°They still linger in your mind?¡±

    Elysha nodded, ¡°Yes, they do.¡±

    ¡°The meaning and depth of the stories had a significant impact on you,¡± said Elder Merakia. ¡°Stories have a way of doing that, don¡¯t they? They stay with us and give us new perspectives on our world.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    The little girl was silent for a moment, her eyes wandering to the colorful garden beyond the porch. ¡°Do you think I will ever have a lot of stories to tell like the ones you told me, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± her guardian smiled. ¡°Every life is a story, and yours is just beginning. One day, you will have stories to share, and they will be uniquely yours.¡±

    Elysha smiled shyly, lowering her head to hide her face. ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera. I want to make you proud of me.¡±

    They sat in silence for a short moment, the rustle of the wind through the garden brushing past them. Finally, Elder Merakia tilted her head slightly and asked, ¡°Is there anything else you wish to tell me, dear child?¡±

    Her eyebrows knitted together as she thought for a brief moment before replying, ¡°Um, I do have something to say, and I was been wondering if I should tell you this, but¡­¡±

    ¡°You can tell me, I am ready to listen.¡±

    Elysha looked at her with a self-conscious expression before continuing, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve been wondering for some time if there was something wrong with me, if maybe¡­ well¡­ you know¡­¡±

    She paused, her gaze still fixed on Elder Merakia, trying to gauge her reaction. ¡°That¡­¡±

    Her eyes shook, flashing back to the events of yesterday. How the pain in her head prevented her from learning theonum sorcery, to her first encounter with the Elder Merakia, to¡ª

    ¡®Hehe¡­¡¯

    She saw a flashing image of the false child, along with their blurred face, giggling and dancing in the flower meadow.

    ¡®Your story, your memories¡ªthey have only just begun. In the last stage of your journey, perhaps you shall find the key to your true soul identity.¡¯

    ¡®My true soul identity?¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened and she clutched her keyhole-shaped stone necklace.

    ¡®What does that mean? Does it mean¡­ that I don¡¯t have a soul identity? Or does it mean that my soul identity is¡­ fake?¡¯

    Her eyes still trembled and she let the words come out of her mouth, ¡°... that I could be different?¡±

    ¡°Different, dear child?¡± Elder Merakia asked softly. ¡°In what way do you mean? Did you feel like something was missing inside of you?¡±

    Elysha hesitated, her fingers curling tightly around the keyhole-shaped stone hanging from her necklace. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted, her voice shaking. ¡°Sometimes¡­ it feels like there¡¯s something missing. Like there¡¯s a hole inside of me.¡±

    Then her head ached as she pressed herself for an answer. ¡°But¡­ but I mean, what does it all mean? I can¡¯t... I can¡¯t seem to understand it!¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, though her expression remained calm. ¡°It means that there is an unknown part of you that feels lost,¡± she replied. ¡°But now that you have found the question that has been troubling you, you are giving that lost part of yourself time to return. You will continue to explore and seek until you rediscover what was missing from your soul identity.¡±

    ¡°My¡­ My soul identity?¡±

    ¡°Yes, everything that makes up who you are resides within the theonum core known as your soul identity.¡±

    Elysha took a moment to absorb the information, her mind racing. ¡°Then... what am I supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°Do?¡±

    She nodded.

    Elder Merakia stood up from her seat and walked up to her. She reached out and gently stroked her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s okay to worry, Elysha,¡± she said. ¡°It is too early to have all the answers right now, so some questions may be unclear. You have a long story of your journey ahead of you, so take this time to find your inner peace and learn about yourself. There is no need to rush into anything. Keep exploring every day and never stop until you find and understand yourself.¡±

    ¡°But what if I don¡¯t really have a soul identity?¡± Elysha asked, holding back tears. ¡°What if I never had one to begin with? What if I am different from you and everyone else? That I¡¯m¡­¡±

    ¡°Dear child,¡± Elder Merakia began, ¡°even if you feel different, even if you feel as though something is missing, it does not mean you are incomplete or without worth. Differences are what make us who we are. They give our stories depth and meaning.¡±

    Elysha sniffled, her grip on the keyhole-shaped stone tightening. Her guardian¡¯s gaze held steady as she continued, ¡°And if you had no soul identity, why are you sitting here with me asking these questions about yourself? The fact that you are asking questions means that you have the self-knowledge and desire to understand yourself.¡±

    She sighed and added a note of conviction to the tone of her voice, ¡°There are no mistakes in the creation of life. Every being, every soul, has a purpose. Even when the path feels uncertain, even when the truth feels hidden, you are still on a journey to discover your purpose. Your journey¡ªyour story has just begun, and you are unique and individual in a way that makes you who you are¡ªyou are Elysha.¡±

    The child looked into Elder Merakia¡¯s eyes, tears welling up as her emotions overwhelmed her. ¡°Okay,¡± she managed to say, her voice choked with tears.

    As tears streamed down her cheeks, she placed her trembling hand on her guardian¡¯s and whispered quietly, ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera.¡±

    ¡°No need to thank me, I¡¯m always here for you as a guardian should,¡± she reassured her with a wink.

    Elysha heard these comforting words and smiled softly through her tears.

    *hic*

    Overwhelmed by her emotions, she could no longer hold back her tears and began to sob. Elder Merakia took her in her arms and embraced her warmly in the quiet, emotional moment.

 2.4 - Theonum of Magic

    After the fruit tarts were eaten and every last dish was cleared and cleaned, Elder Merakia and Elysha walked back out into the garden. They stood in front of the stage where her guardian stretched her arms and legs.

    ¡°Well then, it¡¯s almost time for the special performance,¡± she announced. ¡°Has everyone arrived on time as planned?¡±

    Elder Merakia turned to see that only Elysha was present. The two of them were surrounded by the sounds of nature and the golden light of the evening filtering through the garden.

    She arched her eyebrows and crossed her arms with an expression of dissatisfaction. ¡°Hmph, what a pity. Where are they and why are they all so late?¡±

    ¡°The last time I saw Micah, he was flying off with some fruit tarts and his friends,¡± Elysha replied.

    Her guardian sighed softly, her eyes scanning the garden for any sign of their whereabouts. ¡°How unfortunate that they are not here. I guess it seems I have no choice but to cancel the show.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Really? Are you sure?¡± Elysha asked, only to be met with a hushing sound.

    ¡°Give them a minute,¡± she whispered, along with a wink.

    A little over a minute after Elder Merakia spoke those words, a faint sound of movement suddenly reached their ears, growing louder by the second.

    ¡°Oh? About time they finally arrive.¡±

    A swarm of colorful creatures emerges from the distance, led by Micah. On his snout is what appears to be the last half-eaten fruit tart, along with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He and his friends scurry about excitedly, their fur and feathers golden in the evening sunlight. And it wasn¡¯t just themselves, there were more trailing behind them, as if they had multiplied exponentially.

    Micah ate the rest of the fruit tart, cleared his throat, and screamed:

    ¡°WE ARE HERE!!! SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! WE WENT AROUND AND INVITED AS MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS THROUGH THE FOREST FOR THE SHOW!!!¡±

    Along with Micah¡¯s announcement, the woods erupted in a lively cacophony as the gathered Zhivopians chimed in to express their excitement.

    ¡°LAAAHHAAAEEEEE!!!¡±

    ¡°WEEEJJJJJJUUUUU!!!¡±

    ¡°GRUUUYYYYYIIIIIIII!!!¡±

    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Elysha¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as her ears caught the sounds. ¡°There are a lot of people coming this way.¡±

    ¡°Yes, indeed. It seems we have quite a crowd tonight. Micah certainly knows how to bring a surprise.¡±

    She turned to Elder Merakia and asked, ¡°How does he do it?¡±

    ¡°He is an extrovert who knows how to spread an image of himself around the forest,¡± she noted. ¡°He is a charmer and likes to host his own events or take others to places where they can have fun.¡±

    By the time they arrived, about half of the backyard was filled with guests. Elder Merakia came face to face with Micah, whose body trembled at the sight of her. She placed her hand on her hip and fixed on him with a stern stare, despite the faint grin.

    ¡°Micah, you always find ways to surprise me. Would you like to explain why you brought half the forest into my garden?¡±

    He swallowed his nervous throat and straightened up to speak, ¡°Micah thought a small audience wouldn¡¯t be enough, so my friends and I took the liberty of inviting more people!¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s gaze drifted over the sea of visitors that now filled, ¡°I see.¡± Her grin widened and she turned away. ¡°Well then, tonight we have a special performance to present.¡±

    Elysha observed the view around her: there were visitors sitting on nearby branches, others on floors or chairs near the stage. She noticed a few people who had taken their places on the main platform.

    ¡°They¡¯re getting ready for the show,¡± Micah said, causing her to jump and turn to him.

    ¡°Micah, you scared me!¡±

    ¡°My bad, but some of those people you see over there are my friends, and they are taking part in your guardian¡¯s performance this time around.¡±

    ¡°Taking part?¡±

    ¡°You heard me right. You are going to see them perform a spectacle that will leave your mouth open in awe.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes flickered with curiosity as she watched the creatures preparing on the stage. Some were ruffling their feathers, while others were practicing spins and leaps. ¡°What kind of performance is it going to be?¡± she asked, turning back to Micah.

    ¡°Uhh, Micah does not know how to describe it, but it¡¯s like a blend of dance, music, and storytelling. Beyond that, you will have to see it for yourself!¡±

    Then his ears twitched and he saw a group calling to him. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, Micah has to go meet my other friends.¡±

    He went off to chat with his friends, leaving Elysha alone in the crowd. Her heart grew more excited in anticipation of the show. She found an empty chair to sit on and looked around once more, only to see attendees¡ªboth animal and human¡ªsitting on the chairs, chatting with each other as they waited to watch the upcoming spectacle.

    ¡®Could they be Elbijans? Or maybe they¡¯re Zhivopians?¡¯ Elysha wondered, her head tilting in confusion. ¡®They looked the same to me.¡¯

    She sat quietly in her seat, her legs swaying back and forth, barely touching the grass as she scanned the view around her, then back to the stage. It was then that she realized something magical was about to happen.

    ¡®I wonder when the show will start. It feels like I¡¯ve been waiting forever,¡¯ Elysha thought to herself.

    She looked over the crowd and saw the different types of people who were waiting just like her. They were chatting to each other, playing around, and even eating some snacks. Her eyes lowered calmly, wondering what kind of backgrounds or histories they had lived.

    ¡®Maybe they have seen the world beyond the forest¡­ or maybe they have many stories to tell about their own adventures¡­¡¯ she clutched her dress and gave a soft sigh. ¡®I wish¡­ I wish I could get to know them so that¡­ I could¡­¡¯

    Lost in her thoughts, Elysha was brought back to reality when a girl walked into her sight.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Her eyes turned to see her sitting in the empty chair in front of her. From her features, she has long aubergine hair and is similar in height. She doesn¡¯t have any signs of animal-like characteristics, and she also seems to simply be waiting for the show to begin.

    Elysha looked around again and saw others talking to their friends or people. Swallowing her throat, she gathered her courage and spoke up, ¡°Um, hello?¡±

    The girl flinched, turned, and their eyes met. Her gray eyes flickered as a smile spread across her face. ¡°Hello! Who are you?¡±

    ¡°Um, I¡¯m Elysha,¡± she replied back, leaning forward, feeling comforted to have someone to talk to in this sea of unfamiliar faces. ¡°Are you here to see the show too?¡±

    The girl tilted her head, her hair cascading over one shoulder. ¡°I came with everyone to see the show!¡±

    She continued. ¡°I didn¡¯t know about it until I saw lots of people moved by and heard rumors about Elder Merakia¡¯s next performance. So I decided to follow them along and see it for myself!¡±

    Then she blinked her eyes again and said, ¡°Oh! I almost forgot to introduce myself! My name is Anjel, I think we are about the same age, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ think?¡± Elysha nodded her head next. ¡°Maybe yes.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Elysha. You have a cute name, hehe! Looks like we will be watching the performance together.¡±

    At the sound of those words, a new question came to mind. ¡°Have you ever seen Elder Mera¡¯s show before?¡± she asked. ¡°Do you know what it is like?¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Anjel giggled, ¡°I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s my first time seeing it too!¡±

    Elysha watched her before turning her eyes to the side of the stage where the participants were gathered. Then a white cat appeared in her field of vision.

    ¡°I also brought my favorite stuffed animal with me!¡± Anjel said. ¡°Say hello to Cesfja!¡±

    She held out her plush toy, and Elysha lifted her hand to stroke its head. She smiled shyly, ran her fingers over the soft fur and spoke, ¡°Hi, Cesfja. You¡¯re so fluffy and cute¡­ like my Kitty.¡±

    Her eyes lit up. ¡°You have a stuffed cat too?¡±

    ¡°Not stuffed,¡± Elysha replied, shaking her head. ¡°Kitty is a real Kitty. He¡¯s somewhere, but I don¡¯t know where. He has black fur and silver eyes, though sometimes he can grow into a giant Kitty.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a¡ªwow¡­¡±

    ¡°And it happened this morning, too.¡± She blinked her eyes, feeling as if that incident occurred long ago.

    ¡°Wait, you are talking about the giant phenomenal black cat in Zhivopia, right?¡±

    ¡°Hm, yes, why?¡±

    ¡°I heard that everyone in Zhivopia was in a panic because of an incident caused by a very rare appearance of a phenomenon,¡± Anjel said. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there when it happened, but my neighbors had told me about it. The news has spread all over the forest it seems.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Really-really!¡± she nodded. ¡°My neighbors also told me that the incident is the reason why no one can go visit Zhivopia right now until the investigation is over. Hm, I wondered how bad it was over there?¡±

    She sighed wistfully. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any phenomena myself yet. Aw, if only I had woken up sooner¡­¡±

    As Anjel hugged her stuffed cat to comfort herself, Elysha¡¯s ears caught the whispering and murmuring of excitement that was growing around her.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, if the portal to Zhivopia opens again, I can go visit and find out more about what happened,¡± she concluded.

    Soon after, the noise suddenly grew louder with cheers as Elysha¡¯s and Anjel¡¯s attention turned to the stage, where Elder Merakia stepped onto the platform. Her presence drew everyone¡¯s attention as she raised her arms to calm the crowd.

    ¡°Friends, neighbors, and curious souls,¡± she began, her voice resonant and warm. ¡°Tonight it is time for a special performance of story, song, and spirit. Prepare yourselves to witness a tale that bridges realms and unites hearts.¡±

    The crowd continued to cheer as Elder Merakia turned to the assembled participants and asked, ¡°Is everyone ready?¡±

    They either nodded or voiced their excitement in anticipation, including the Fri¨°jans, who flapped their wings and whirled around. The audience reflected the same mood.

    Elysha noticed when Anjel got out of her seat and walked her way over to the chair next to hers.

    ¡°Hehe, I just want to sit next to you,¡± she said, holding her stuffed cat in her arms. ¡°I think it would be more fun to watch with you like this.¡±

    Then she asked, ¡°Oh, and what¡¯s your name again?¡±

    ¡°Elysha. My name is Elysha.¡±

    ¡°Elysha, I will remember your name,¡± Anjel smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s be friends together, okay?¡±

    ¡°Friends?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm, watching the show together and having a memorable experience is what friends do, right?¡±

    Elder Merakia''s gaze swept over the crowd, then she clapped her hands once, the sound echoing like a bell, bringing silence to the garden.

    A small smile tugged at her lips as she spoke over the assembled crowd, ¡°Well, it seems that everyone is ready. Let¡¯s get started, shall we?¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    With a simple twist of her index finger, the fountains in the garden began to shoot up and sprinkle the surrounding area. The Fri¨°jans took flight and soared through the air, their colorful wings shimmering, almost bathed in light.

    As the fountains sprayed, creating a fine mist over the garden, the audience gasped in delight. Elysha and Anjel watched in awe as Elder Merakia¡¯s voice rang out:

    ¡°Once upon a time there was a wistful dream felt by a curious girl,¡± she began. ¡°A dream in which she was a bird whose heart spoke to the vast, open world¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia waved her staff in the air and used her theonum to create a water silhouette of a small girl standing on the stage. The small girl whirled and danced before turning into a bird that flew off into her own imaginary world. The stage transformed to follow the narrator¡¯s story.

    ¡°To see with her own eyes upon the different places: from a meadow of flowers, to the mystical green forests, and to the rest of the wondrous lands in the afar¡­.

    Colorful patterns of light were present as the environment changed from one scene to another. Each participant played their part in the water bird¡¯s adventures, whether it be in the form of dance or playful immersion. Their voices sang, their song resonating with all who listened in the audience. Elysha and Anjel leaned closer, their breath held in their mouths, their eyes reflecting the sight.

    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s so amazingly pretty,¡± Anjel murmured, hugging her stuffed cat close. ¡°Elysha, what do you think of this?¡±

    She turned to see her transfixed, her eyes never leaving the stage. It was as if she hadn¡¯t even heard her.

    For her, it was more than that. It was as if the performance was the most incredible thing she had ever seen. As the Fri¨°ja Zhivopians flew through the air, Elysha could hardly believe it was real. The display of magic before her seemed like something out of a dream, yet it was happening right in front of her.

    ¡°And yet they were all elusive to her; a dream that was only just a longing dream....¡±

    ¡°Elysha, are you crying?¡± Anjel asked worriedly.

    She flinched and pressed her fingers where the tears were as Elder Merakia¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°When one night, as she lay in her bed like a nest and slept under the starry sky, a bright star fell down in its basked gleam....¡±

    The platform of the stage became empty, leaving only the water bird alone in the center. She moved her hands, and the water bird¡ªnow the small girl again¡ªbegan to hold a glowing orb of light. She spoke through the misty atmosphere:

    ¡°And when she opened her eyes, it appeared in front of her in place of her hand-drawn book. The little girl cradled the bright essence in her arms like a large egg. She closed her eyes once more and whispered to the star, ¡®I want to fly.¡¯¡±

    Trails of sparkling iridescence fell from above, and the star replied, ¡°¡®To fly is to dream, little one. And to dream is to soar beyond what your eyes can see.¡¯¡±

    ¡°But how can I dream when I¡¯m awake?¡± she asked the star.

    ¡°Close your eyes not with sleep, but with trust,¡± said the star. ¡°Trust the wind to lift you, trust the sky to embrace you, and trust your heart to guide you.¡±

    The small girl paused, her hands holding the star close to her chest. Then her watery form began to glow softly in gold.

    ¡°Her eyes reflected gold when she imagined flight,¡± Elder Merakia narrated. ¡°Just as the child was about to drift off to sleep again, the star bathed the girl in its light. Wings sprouted from her back, delicate and shimmering like the petals of a morning bloom. She jumped out of bed, her laughter ringing like bells, happily surprised as she danced around and around with her wings.¡±

    The small girl spun in circles in the mist with the newfound wings on her back. Then, as the mist shifted, it revealed a window opening onto a sea of stars.

    ¡°She took a deep breath, climbed out of the window, flew and danced through the skies....¡±

    The stage transformed into a vision of the little water girl soaring through the starry sky. Her wings left trails of light, and all the participants joined in the display, their forms weaving around her. The audience was enraptured, their hearts lifted by the performance unfolding before them.

    Elder Merakia¡¯s voice rang through the garden. ¡°Let dreams and wishes come alive, and imagination takes flight. Let the passion of your soul identity take you to new heights.¡±

    Elysha felt a rush of inspiration and emotions coursing through her veins. She watched as each Elbijan and Zhivopian participating in the show became shooting stars, streaking across the sky in a final, breathtaking display.

    As the final cascade of light descended upon the garden, the crowd erupted in applause, cheers filling the air as they rose to their feet and clapped their hands, their faces beaming with admiration and satisfaction¡ªas did Anjel¡¯s.

    ¡°That was the most amazing show I¡¯ve ever seen!¡± she exclaimed, clutching her stuffed cat to her chest. ¡°The way the lights moved, and the water bird and the story¡ªoh! And all the dancing and magic, it was all so mesmerizing! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before.¡±

    She turned her eyes and asked, ¡°What about you, Elysha?¡±

    Her enthusiasm dimmed as she noticed Elysha sitting completely still, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, catching the remaining lights in the air above the stage.

    ¡®Is this what theonum is all about?¡¯ she wondered as she watched the last of the conjured lights sparkle in the air. ¡®Is this what it is like to use theonum magic and connect with your core and soul identity?¡¯

    She slowly raised her hand to reach out and touch them when Anjel¡¯s voice trembled softly, ¡°E-Elysha?¡±

    Elysha blinked rapidly, startled by the question. She quickly wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and managed a small, sensitive smile. ¡°I-I¡­ I don¡¯t know. It was just¡­ I can feel it. It was very¡­ very pretty.¡±

    As the participants took their final bows, Elder Merakia stepped forward. She extended her arms towards the audience, a prideful smile gracing her lips.

    ¡°Thank you, dear friends, for joining us tonight,¡± her voice rang out, warm and grateful. ¡°May your hearts carry the magic of dreams wherever you go. Until we meet again, let the stars guide your way.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    As the crowd began to disperse, Elysha was concentrating on making her way back to the house when Anjel gently tugged at her hand.

    ¡°Huh? Anjel?¡±

    ¡°Sorry Elysha, but I need to follow my other friends and head back to my home.¡±

    ¡°Home?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I need to go back up north to Illumija.¡±

    Her eyes widened, a flicker of recognition crossing her face, ¡°You mean the Illumija Village?¡±

    Anjel nodded, ¡°Yes! That¡¯s where my home is at. It¡¯s a bit far to walk from here, especially after dark, but I feel safe when I go there with my other friends.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see, then you should go now.¡±

    ¡°Thanks! Oh, and you¡¯re always welcome to visit our village anytime you like!¡± she smiled.

    Elysha felt a surge of warmth. The thought of visiting the Village of Illumija filled her with anticipation. ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded back, and then remembered something important. ¡°Um, I heard from Elder Mera that there is a festival coming up, is that right?¡±

    ¡°You are right, a festival is coming soon! Everyone in this forest is very excited for the special time of the year to begin, which means I can see you again on that very day!¡±

    She hugged her stuffed cat and turned to leave before saying her last goodbye. ¡°Cesfja and I will be waiting for you then at the village. Bye-bye Elysha!¡±

 2.5 - Story of Soliremisce

    When Elysha returned to the cottage, she was told by Elder Merakia to take a moment to rest until it was time for the nightly preparations for the upcoming festival. She went upstairs to her room to change when she noticed a certain fluffy Zhivopian on the open windowsill.

    ¡°So! How was the magical performance?¡± he asked immediately with bright eyes.

    Elysha jumped, putting a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart. ¡°You¡­ you scared me! W-What are you doing here?¡±

    He tilted his head and said, ¡°Micah didn¡¯t mean to scare you. Micah just missed you after the show. You disappeared so fast! I couldn¡¯t find you, so I thought you were back in your room.¡±

    ¡°Elder Mera told me to take a rest here until a new activity starts.¡±

    ¡°Oh, another one?¡±

    ¡°Arts and crafts, I remember her telling me, since the Illumija Festival is less than a week away.¡±

    ¡°That sounds fun, I guess you and she will help to contribute to the festival, since it is part of our forest tradition to contribute something to our foundation, after all.¡±

    Elysha remembered Anjel¡¯s words and asked, ¡°I see, do you know what the Illumija Festival is about?¡±

    Then Micah jumped down from the windowsill, his fluffy tail swishing as he padded across the room. ¡°The Festival of Illumija is one of the most special times of the year in Irostos. It¡¯s an event about the cultural memory of the village, along with the celebration of the forest¡¯s founding and history,¡± he replied. ¡°The festival has everything: the lights, the music, the food¡ªoh, and especially the food. What are the reasons for not wanting to go to this event?¡±

    ¡°You seemed very excited,¡± she remarked.

    He turned his face to show his drool. ¡°Oh Asnoiji, I could almost taste the food.¡±

    Elysha frowned at the sight of drool on the wood tiles and yelled, ¡°Hey! I don¡¯t want that watery stuff from your mouth getting on the floor! Get out of my room!¡±

    He wiped his mouth with his paw and jumped onto her desk and back onto the windowsill. ¡°Oops, my bad. Micah didn¡¯t mean to make a mess like that.¡±

    When he still saw that her frown was not going anywhere, he sighed dramatically, his tail swishing behind him like a feather duster. ¡°Well, Micah will go check and see if my friends are still around. Maybe they haven¡¯t gone home yet.¡±

    With that, he bounced off the window and disappeared into the darkness of the night, leaving Elysha alone in her room. She sighed, ¡°What a weird Mister Fluffyhead.¡±

    She changed into her comfortable nightclothes and lay down on her bed. The little girl thought about the day¡¯s events, from her adventure in the forest with Micah, to cleaning the house with Elder Merakia, to watching the magical performance with Anjel. Her body felt worn and tired, for today had been a long day for her, and yet she felt content at the same time.

    Elysha pulled the blanket over her and closed her eyes, drifting off into a restful nap.

    ~ ??? ~

    *chatter*

    Her ears twitched at the sound outside her door, and her consciousness floated back to the present. She opened her eyes and turned to the corner of her vision where light from the hallway seeped into her room.

    ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ she wondered, adjusting her vision. ¡®I hear people.¡¯

    Elysha took a yawn and a brief moment to shake off the fatigue, then slipped out of her blanket, touched the cold floor with her bare feet, put on her slippers, and slowly opened the door. She walked down the stairs to the living room and heard voices on the way.

    ¡°It looks... creative,¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just being nice.¡±

    ¡°Chaos is a part of art, you know!¡±

    Elysha blinked when she saw arts and crafts on the floor of the main hallway. When she peeked around the corner, her eyes widened at what she saw.

    The living room was abuzz with activity: colorful fabrics, ribbons, small glass balls and jars, baskets, small decorative toys, and paper cutouts and tools covered the floor and table in a lively and messy scene. A group of people and creatures¡ªsome of whom Elysha recognized as participants from the earlier performance¡ªsat in clusters, chatting and laughing while working on various individual projects.

    And right in the middle of it all was Micah, his paws tangled in a long, flowing ribbon.

    ¡°Micah, you look like an ornament for the Wisphorian tree,¡± someone commented.

    ¡°An ornament? Micah was trying to look like royalty, like Candelarian royalty, per se.¡±

    ¡°More like a discarded present,¡± another one giggled.

    Elysha stifled a giggle at the sight before her, then spotted Elder Merakia, sitting in a rocking chair near the bookshelf, knitting. Her eyes then caught the little girl and she spoke, her voice cutting through the noise, ¡°Ah, Elysha, you are awake.¡±

    All eyes turned to her, and Elysha froze for a moment, clutching her nightgown nervously. Micah¡¯s ears perked up, still in the pile of ribbons. ¡°Elysha! You¡¯re awake now! Come join us!¡±

    ¡°I have brought a variety of materials that can be transformed into creations for the festival,¡± her guardian said. ¡°Feel free to choose a station and create anything you wish.¡±

    Elysha surveyed the various crafts spread out before her and saw small dolls and animals that some were making. She walked over to that station and sat cross-legged on the floor. Her eyes scanned the scattered pieces of fabric, thread, and stuffing at the doll-making station. Around her, people were sewing and assembling small dolls¡ªsome looking like animals, others like little people with clothes and expressions.

    ¡®How do they do that?¡¯ she wondered, picking up a limp bundle of cloth and frowning. ¡®How do they even make this look like anything?¡¯

    She turned it over in her hands, her face scrunched in confusion as a calm voice came from her right, ¡°Need help?¡±

    Elysha looked up to see Huilji, the same fox and moth half-hybrid from this morning, except she appeared human-like, the same as she had seen outside around noon.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± she shifted nervously. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know how to make a doll.¡±

    Huilji smiled softly, her ears twitching. ¡°That¡¯s okay. Everyone has to start somewhere, and that includes me. Here, let me show you.¡±

    The house buzzed with conversation and the sound of crafting. Everyone was immersed in the rhythm of their work, including Huilji, who was guiding Elysha through the steps of making a doll.

    Later, Elysha noticed Micah nestled in a pile of fabric, dozing with his tail sticking out. She called out to him, ¡°Micah, what are you doing?¡±

    His tail flicked and the fabrics moved as his head emerged. He looked at her as she continued, ¡°You are just sleeping on that pile. You should help us work too, you know? Instead of being lazy like you were on that fountain thingy.¡±

    ¡°What? Micah has already done some of my work!¡± he retorted. ¡°I am taking a break for now.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    A few minutes later, someone came over to pick up some fabric when they saw the gray-furred Zhivopian within the pile and cried out in shock, ¡°Ah! Micah!?¡±

    The sound jolted him out of his comfortable position and he fell to the ground. He got up and shook his fur. ¡°Geez, that scared the fur out of me!¡±

    Seeing him out of the pile of fabric, an idea popped into Elysha¡¯s head and she took the initiative to ask, ¡°Hey, Micah? Can you come help me? I don¡¯t know how to do this¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you really want Micah¡¯s help? I thought Huilji was helping you.¡±

    ¡°She went away to do other things. Look, even everyone else was helping each other.¡±

    ¡°Brrriiii!¡± someone nearby reacted.

    Micah groaned, ¡°Grr¡­ fine.¡±

    With a sigh, he sat down on his stomach next to her and asked, ¡°So what do you want me to do?¡±

    Elysha stared at him. ¡°Well, you can¡­ um¡­¡±

    ¡°Um¡­?

    ¡°You can stay like that while I touch your fur and make my doll,¡± she finally said.

    At her suggestion, a sound of laughter can be heard. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s so funny about what I just said?¡± she asked embarrassed.

    ¡°What? Is that what you want me to do?¡± Micah reacted in surprise. Then a grin formed on his mouth and he said, ¡°Ah, I get it now. You can¡¯t resist Micah¡¯s charm, huh?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she denied quickly, shaking her head at his words, ¡°that¡¯s not what I meant.¡±

    ¡°Admit it, Micah is irresistible,¡± he teased, swishing his tail.

    Elysha groaned in annoyance. ¡°You¡¯d be better and more likeable to me if you were a stuffed animal.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean? Do you not want me to talk and act around you anymore? That would be boring, to be honest.¡±

    It was then that his eyes noticed the doll in her hands that she was working on. It was an unfinished humanoid figure with half-done silver hair and a blue cloth wrapped around its body, decorated all over with strings.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    He commented, ¡°Is that... you?¡±

    Elysha blushed pink and quickly hid the doll out of his sight.

    ¡°Hey, why are you hiding it?¡± he asked. ¡°I was just curious to see it.¡±

    ¡°No! The doll isn¡¯t for me!¡± she shouted. ¡°It¡¯s for the festival like Elder Mera said! And I have so many dolls to make! Why would I want to make one that looks like me?¡±

    ¡°What? That doll clearly reminds me of you from earlier this morning.¡± He raised his eyebrows. ¡°You know, if you wanted to make a doll of yourself, you could have just said so! Micah wouldn¡¯t judge.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not for me¡ªit¡¯s for the festival!¡±

    Clearly seeing the sweat and lies on her face, he leaned closer, his tail brushing against her side, and said, ¡°Sure, sure. But if it were for you, Micah bets it¡¯d be the cutest doll in the whole festival¡ªalbeit messy-looking.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s cheeks turned a deeper pink, and she glared at him, ¡°Stop teasing me, Micah! You¡¯re not helping! Then, I¡¯m going to make a plushie of you, too!¡±

    ¡°A plushie of me?¡± his eyes sparkled in delight. ¡°Sure do!¡±

    As they engaged in their playful banter, Elder Merakia watched from her rocking chair as she continued her knitting. ¡°This place felt so bright and alive tonight. How lovely it is at this hour,¡± she whispered to herself.

    ~ ??? ~

    After an hour, the group decided that they had done enough work for the night. Everyone began to clean up and organize the materials and project work, except for Elysha, who remained focused on making enough progress on her doll.

    People began to leave as soon as they were done, and one by one they left to return to their homes. By the time the lively atmosphere was gone, only Elysha and Elder Merakia remained in the living room. The little girl was sewing the last strings into her doll when her ears perked upon seeing a book in her guardian¡¯s hand.

    ¡°The book!¡± Elysha exclaimed, noticing that her guardian had settled into her rocking chair. ¡°Is it the same book you read to me last night? Are you going to read me more stories today?¡±

    ¡°It is not the same book as what we have read before,¡± Elder Merakia replied, turning the pages. ¡°However, I would like to read you something of particular interest.¡±

    After stopping at a certain page, she continued, ¡°The book that I read to you last night was a treasury of stories about the world itself, the folklore of our people that has shaped our lives, memories to be passed on to future generations. The treasury book was written and published by a renowned librarian and scholar in Totheniui by the name of Professor Demetrius Chthostric, who has dedicated his life to the preservation of knowledge and history.¡±

    ¡°Oh, interesting,¡± Elysha replied, holding the doll in her hands. ¡°Um, Elder Mera, what are you going to read to me today?¡±

    ¡°This book I am holding is a textbook that records the history and cultures of our world. Tonight, before you go to bed, I will read you the very beginning of the Soliremisce Archipelago.¡±

    She nodded, clutching her doll as she sat on the rug while her guardian cleared her throat and began to read from the book she was holding:

    ¡°In the beginning of Soliremisce, the world was a white, desolate and empty space¡ªa place of nothing; without colors, beings, emotions and harmony. In this formless void stood a figure known as the Asnoiji, looking out at the world.

    The Asnoiji wished to change nothingness, to fill space with visions of happiness, and so He did. The Asnoiji wished to bring fulfillment to this world, to apply His ideal of ultimate harmony and peace to everything, and so He did. Thus Soliremisce was founded, with two sides of nature created to balance the fault that causes distortion and instability in the world.

    The study of the world¡¯s equilibrium has been a source of interest for people all over the world throughout history, including the leading scholars of the Totheniui Institute. Researchers have conducted expeditions and recorded data and statistics to better understand the Asnoiji¡¯s world and its phenomena to this day.

    The Soliremisce Archipelago consists of the isles of Elbija and Zhivopis, where we, His children, reside, representing the first half of these natures. Elbijans exist as the fulfillment of Asnoiji¡¯s ¡®wishes¡¯, living in the world of His creation. They embody His happiness, His everything, and it is their duty to preserve His happiness by living.¡±

    Elder Merakia paused, allowing the child to absorb her words. Then, turning her attention away from the book, she asked, ¡°What do you think of this story, Elysha?¡±

    She pondered the question for a moment before answering, ¡°Hmm... I don¡¯t really know. Um, I¡¯m an Elbijan, right? Does it mean that I exist under the wishes of the Asnoiji?¡±

    ¡°Yes, child. By your very existence, you are a fulfillment of the Asnoiji¡¯s wishes. Every Elbijan carries within them a fragment of His happiness, a piece of His ideal.

    Elysha hugged her doll closer, her eyes thoughtful. ¡°Hm, so... does that mean that everything I do is part of His happiness? Even if I make mistakes or feel sad?

    Elder Merakia leaned back in her rocking chair. ¡°Even in sadness, there is a place for happiness to grow,¡± she said. ¡°The Asnoiji¡¯s wish was not for us to be perfect. It was for us to live, to feel, and to find harmony in the world He created. Mistakes are part of that balance.¡±

    Elysha looked down at her doll, her fingers tracing the tiny stitches she had sewn. ¡°Then¡­ I hope this doll makes Him happy.¡±

    Then she closed her eyes, thought about it some more, and asked, ¡°Um, if the Asnoiji wants us to live in a world of peace and happiness, then we should keep trying to live that way to make Him happy too, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that is certainly true. We must take the honor and the act of fulfillment for our Creator and Lord. As for you, Elysha, you are indeed a bright and smart child.¡±

    Her face flushed and covered her face with her doll. ¡°Ah¡ªum, thank you.¡±

    ¡°And even understanding the reason for existence is not something that everyone can fully comprehend,¡± Elder Merakia continued reading. ¡°There are concepts that remain beyond our comprehension, knowledge that can only be truly understood by those who are able to experience it. The Asnoiji created this world so that we could find happiness and experience peace and harmony. While we may not fully understand His intentions, we can strive to understand His reasons and find meaning in our own lives.¡±

    Elysha listened, her eyes fixed as her guardian turned the page. The words flowed from her lips as she continued to read, ¡°The Zhivopians are one of the creations of the Asnoiji, along with the Elbijans and the other biological existences of Soliremisce. Sharing half of the two natures that constitute with the Asnoiji¡¯s wishes, the Zhivopians exist as the Asnoiji¡¯s ¡®dreams,¡¯ embodying His aspirations and living in the realm of His imagination. They are His hopes, and through their existence, they preserve and harmonize with the natural environment.¡±

    ¡®The Asnoiji¡¯s dreams¡­¡¯ Elysha thought, thinking of the connections between the two races.

    ¡°The relationship between Elbijans and Zhivopians is symbiotic, coexisting as the embodiment of the wishes and dreams of the Asnoiji,¡± Elder Merakia explained. ¡°Their harmony is essential to the existence of Soliremisce. Should either nature overwhelm the other¡¯s concentration of theonum, or should an abnormal change occur in the environment and population, it can cause an imbalance in the atmosphere, resulting in unnatural phenomena, including familiar examples such as the ¡®distortion¡¯ and ¡®erosion¡¯ that threatens to overtake our world.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes and asked, ¡°Huh, I didn¡¯t get that. What is does that mean? It sounds a little¡­ um¡­¡±

    ¡°Complex? It¡¯s quite a large information to take in, dear child. Let me explain it more simply. Imagine a scale with two sides: one represents the wishes of the Asnoiji, which is us, the Elbijans; the other side represents His dreams, the Zhivopians. For the scale to remain balanced, both sides must exist together in harmony. If one side becomes too heavy, the scale tips, and the balance is lost. That imbalance can lead to chaos¡ªthings that shouldn¡¯t happen, like the distortion or erosion I mentioned.¡±

    ¡°What are ¡®distortion¡¯ and ¡®erosion,¡¯ Elder Mera?¡±

    Her eyes caught a change in her guardian¡¯s expression, especially her eyebrows, which drew together as if in hesitation. ¡°Elysha, your question will be a topic for another time,¡± she replied. ¡°For now, let us focus on the continuation of this book.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay,¡± she nodded her head, then thought, ¡®I wonder if something like this has happened in the past.¡¯

    Elder Merakia turned the page and continued reading, ¡°Where the wishes and dreams of the Asnoiji exist as one of the two natures, ¡®emotions¡¯¡ªthe third and the latter half, represented as the emotionality that thrives in the unseen space. They exist as the depth of the Asnoiji¡¯s emotional sphere, hidden from the surface, holding the world in place through sustainability, which is then further stabilized by the former half of the natural balance. This allows the world to evolve and bring energetic abundance to the atmosphere.¡±

    ¡°The Asnoiji¡¯s emotions, hm¡­¡±

    Elysha¡¯s interest lingered, but the amount of information overwhelmed her. She sighed, her head spinning. ¡°I don¡¯t understand anything, my head hurts.¡±

    ¡°I understand, dear child. Learning can be confusing and takes time. Sometimes the answers to our questions elude even the most knowledgeable scholars,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°Perhaps taking steps into the world and witnessing existence will help bring some clarity.¡±

    Elysha nodded, thinking of questions, ¡°So the Elbijans represent the Asnoiji¡¯s wishes, and the Zhivopians represent the Asnoiji¡¯s dreams. That is correct, is it not?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Elysha. You have it right.¡±

    ¡°Then what are the emotions of the Asnoiji? And what is the ¡®unseen space?¡¯¡±

    ¡°There are many theories and speculations about what exactly the ¡®emotions¡¯ of the Asnoiji represent¡ªfor if our world¡ªif Elbijans and Zhivopians exist in the seen space, one can only guess what kind of ¡®phenomenon¡¯ dwells hidden from the surface.¡±

    She then turned her gaze back to Elysha and said,

    ¡°The theonum of Elbijans and Zhivopians is cultivated together to exist in the seen space on the surface, which is made of positive energy, so to speak. On the other side, the ¡®emotions¡¯ that dwell in the unseen space are made of negative energy. The two natures of the Asnoiji mutually balance each other, creating harmony.¡±

    ¡°So, ¡®wishes¡¯ and ¡®dreams¡¯ are made of positive energy and exist in the seen space, and ¡®emotions¡¯ are made of negative energy and exist in the unseen space,¡± Elysha said, understanding spreading across her face. ¡°Okay, I get it now. That means Kitty is from the unseen space.¡±

    ¡°Kitty?¡±

    Elysha nodded, ¡°Yes, I told you earlier that Kitty was the black cat I¡¯ve met this morning.¡±

    ¡°Hm, how intriguing. I should investigate this phenomenal occurrence one day. The mysteries of the Asnoiji¡¯s world continue to unfold in fascinating ways.¡±

    Realizing the lateness of the hour, Elder Merakia closed the book and said, ¡°Now it is time to go to bed, Elysha. Let us return to your room and rest.¡±

    The little girl nodded and rose from the rug, holding her doll as she followed her out of the living room and into her own room. She slipped under the covers of her bed and tucked the doll beside her.

    ¡°Goodnight, Elysha,¡± Elder Merakia softly said at the doorway.

    ¡°Goodnight, Elder Mera.¡±

    She watched as her guardian closed the door, leaving her alone with her room. With a yawn, Elysha thought about the events of the day, her mind drifting to what lay ahead.

    ¡®I wonder what will happen tomorrow. When will the festival be? I want to visit where the purple-haired girl lives. Anjel was her name, right?¡¯

    Elysha lowered her eyelids as she hugged her pillow. ¡®I want to try and learn how to use theonum magic, but I¡¯m scared that it will hurt again. Maybe I should ask Elder Mera tomorrow and see what she tells me.¡¯

    With her doll by her side, Elysha pulled out the necklace her guardian had given her. The keyhole-shaped stone faintly reflected the light from the window. She remembered the words Elder Merakia had said, ¡®Fill it with your wishes and your dreams, as well as the emotions you will bear over the course of your time in this world.¡¯

    Elysha held the necklace to her heart and felt a wave of comfort and hope wash over her. ¡°Someday I will work hard and get better at my theonum magic,¡± she whispered to herself, her eyes reflecting her determined will.

    Outside her window, the wind blew in the night sky. Elysha tucked herself and her doll under the covers and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

    *thud*

    Behind the window, on the branch of a tree, the moonlight bathed the little gray Zhivopian in a soft glow. He lifted his head, opened the window and climbed in. Quietly, he jumped onto the side of the bed where Elysha slept. His gray fur shimmered in the moonlight. He let his tail curl around his small form as he gazed at her sleeping expression.

    He couldn¡¯t help but smile as he whispered, ¡°The moon is so enchanting tonight, shining bright and cloudless. The stars are sparkling in the sky, too. You know, Elysha? Micah thinks it is nice that we¡¯ve become friends.¡±

    He turned his gaze to the moonlit view behind him. ¡°I don¡¯t think you would know that there is something about you that interests me, Elysha. You are like the moon¡ªsilver, steady, and full of quiet light. Even when the world feels dark, you shine, determined to make it through in the end. Micah finds that to be an admirable quality in you.¡±

    He took a lengthy yawn and stretched his small limbs before settling into a comfortable position. He murmured, his voice barely audible, ¡°Goodnight, Elysha. Let¡¯s hope tomorrow will be another sunny day, and so on and so forth in our happy world¡­¡±

 2.6 - Physician and Mage

    The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window of Elder Merakia¡¯s room, grazing her face and waking her from slumber. She stretched her tired muscles and yawned as she rose from her bed for the day ahead.

    She stepped to the window and opened it to let the cool breeze into her room. The sounds of the birds and the fresh scent filled her senses as the sunlight shone through. She took in the view for a moment before closing the window.

    After a shower, she dressed, pulling her dark brown hair into a neat bun. She went about her routine, starting with a cup of brewed coffee in her office. She focused on her work, reading and writing letters to her recipients while sipping her drink.

    As Elder Merakia wrote the letters, a bird flew through the open window and landed in a cage. In its chest area was a rolled-up scroll tied with string. She approached the cage, took the letter, and released the bird back into the world outside.

    She untied the string from the letter, unrolled it, and read the message inside. She then set the scroll aside as she continued her work. When the letters were finished, Elder Merakia rose from her chair, feeling a slight ache in her limbs from sitting too long. She stretched and let out a satisfied sigh.

    ¡°Ah, the letters are finished,¡± she muttered to herself, cracking a few joints in her limbs. ¡°Now then, time to attend to my duties.¡±

    ¡°Hi Elder Merakia, how are you?¡±

    She turned her head to see a a small Zhivopian appeared from the window, her large eyes looking at her with curiosity.

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t realize you were there, Mariju,¡± Elder Merakia smiled at the little guest. ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you for asking. What brought you to visit me so early this morning?¡±

    ¡°I was passing by here looking for my friend and thought maybe I wanted to come and say hi,¡± she said back. ¡°I heard that you were going somewhere. Where are you going, Elder Merakia?¡±

    ¡°I have a client who needs medical attention. It is my job as a local physician to ensure their well-being. I have to prepare everything and meet them promptly according to my schedule.¡±

    Mariju nodded, ¡°Oh okay, I understand. I hope the patient feels better soon!¡± she giggled and smiled as she left the scene. ¡°See you later, Elder Merakia!¡±

    After the young child ran off, the elder mage took another sip of her coffee and left the office, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she made her way to prepare for the meeting with her client.

    ~ ??? ~

    The elder mage was standing at her front door, putting on her coat and boots, when a mail carrier appeared and greeted, ¡°Oh, nice to see you again, Elder Merakia!¡±

    She turned to see Firlija flying down onto her mailbox. ¡°How have you been? Are you going to work soon?¡±

    ¡°I am about to leave very soon, so yes indeed.¡±

    ¡°All righty!¡± She started to put the new mails in when a recent memory popped into her head. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s only been two days since I last saw you. Did you find out where that basket of cookies came from?¡±

    ¡°That basket, huh? It¡¯s still sitting in my office, and I haven¡¯t found any clues or directions as to who delivered it to my house.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? I remember smelling a lot of chocolate chirps¡ªI mean chips in that basket, and it smelled so fresh that I thought it was all homemade. So maybe that would be a clue that someone took the time to make all those cookies for you.¡± Then she gasped, ¡°Oh? Maybe you have a secret admirer!¡±

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t play the fool with me,¡± Elder Merakia said, furrowing her brow and crossing her arms. ¡°If I did had a secret admirer, then how come I received a black envelope instead of a bouquet of flowers?¡±

    ¡°Well, you are right with that part. Hm, did you opened the envelope and read the message inside?¡±

    ¡°I did, and then I have my friend burned the mail after.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ what?!¡±

    ¡°Burned the mail,¡± she repeated. ¡°I have a sharp memory, so keeping that mail around is of no use to me.¡±

    ¡°What does the mail say?¡±

    ¡°It was all nonsense and nothing you needed to know. It was a short message.¡±

    ¡°Aww, so you won¡¯t tell me?

    ¡°I told you what I said, Firlija.¡± Elder Merakia pulled the gloves into her hands and picked up her suitcase and umbrella when her carriage arrived. ¡°Now then, I will go to my client.¡±

    Firlija watched as the elder mage walked past her and asked one last question, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, what are you going to do with all those cookies and the mysterious message?¡±

    ¡°Firlija, don¡¯t tell me that you are a sugar addict, are you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no-no-no, I¡¯m not an addict!¡± She immediately shook her head.

    ¡°Well, I am not a wasteful person, nor can I trust gifts from an unknown sender,¡± she sighed. ¡°I will figure it out in time.¡±

    Firlija nodded and closed the mailbox. ¡°Fair enough. You¡¯re as cautious as ever, Elder Merakia. It¡¯s a good quality, I suppose. By the way¡­¡± She noticed the umbrella and looked up at the gray clouds gathering overhead. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s going to rain soon?¡±

    ¡°I am bringing an umbrella in case it does happen. You are a mail carrier, I will leave you to your work so you can finish all your deliveries in time before a possible downpour.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you! I wish you good luck to reach your clients in time!¡± she flapped her wings and hovered in the air.

    ¡°Take care, Firlija,¡± the elder mage said and waved as the mail carrier flew away, quickly disappearing into the distance. The driver got out of the vehicle and helped her into the carriage. She settled into the seat and placed her suitcase and umbrella beside her.

    ¡°Where to, madam?¡± the driver asked.

    ¡°To Oakleaf Street,¡± Elder Merakia replied, her tone calm but firm. ¡°The patient there is expecting me.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    The driver closed the door and walked away before transforming into his Zhivopian form. He got into position before pulling the carriage to their destination.

    ~ ??? ~

    As they traveled, Elder Merakia glanced out the window. The gray clouds were thickening, the once faint scent of rain growing stronger. She leaned back in her seat and let her mind wander.

    The carriage followed the road to the north side of Ir?stos Forest, making its way to the neighborhoods on the outskirts of Illumija Village. The elder mage opened her eyes again and looked out the window, seeing people on the sidewalks and children playing.

    Eventually they neared their destination, and the carriage pulled to the side of the road. Elder Merakia stepped out of the carriage, paid the driver, and walked down to the client¡¯s residence with her suitcase and umbrella. As she did so, her eyes caught sight of a group of children gathered under the shade of a tree. Some of them noticed her presence, and she smiled at them in return.

    Their expressions turned to one of surprise, and they exchanged reactions and words as Elder Merakia went about her business. Arriving at the residence, she stepped onto the path leading to the front door, rang the bell, and waited.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    After more than a minute, the door finally opened and an elderly woman with grayish-brown hair pulled back in a braid stood in the doorway. ¡°Oh my, Cecil, you surprised me with your early visit.¡±

    ¡°No worries, dear Daryla,¡± Elder Merakia said with a polite nod. ¡°I came as soon as I could with my busy schedule. How is your husband faring?¡±

    Daryla sighed, ¡°He¡¯s been bedridden since yesterday, I¡¯m afraid. His fever hasn¡¯t subsided, and he keeps mumbling things in his sleep¡ªnonsense, mostly. I¡¯ve tried everything I can think of, but nothing seems to help.¡±

    ¡°I see. Please, lead the way to his room.¡±

    As Elder Merakia entered the house, she took a quick look around: the walls were adorned with family portraits, and the flickering candlelight gave the room a warm glow. She noticed the neatly arranged decorations and the aroma of home-cooked food in the air.

    When they reached the bedroom, Daryla quietly opened the door. The room was dimly lit, and on the bed lay a man, his face pale and slick with sweat. He shifted restlessly under the covers, his breathing shallow and labored.

    Elder Merakia approached the bedside and set her suitcase down. ¡°Paul, can you hear me?¡± she asked softly.

    The man groaned faintly but didn¡¯t respond coherently.

    Daryla clasped her hands together tightly. ¡°He¡¯s been like this since morning. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s trapped in a fever dream.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? Hm¡­¡±

    After a brief moment of thought, she then said, ¡°Rest your worries, dear, I shall treat your husband¡¯s condition from here on.¡±

    Elder Merakia knelt by the bedside, her hands hovering over the man¡¯s fevered body as a soft, golden light began to emanate from her palms. Daryla watched with her breaths held within, her hands clenched tightly together as if in silent prayer.

    The golden light enveloped the man, bathing him in warmth and vitality. His restless groaning subsided, replaced by deep, steady breaths. His face, once contorted with pain, softened as the lines of discomfort melted away.

    ¡°My words, they are gone,¡± Daryla murmured, barely louder than a whisper. ¡°No one but the current and past forest priests and priestesses have ever caught my eye like this before.¡±

    Elder Merakia did not look away from her work. Her hands moved in deliberate motions, directing the theonum to the areas in need. Then she placed her hand on his chest, her sharp eyes narrowing as she assessed his condition through the flow of his spiritual energy. ¡®Hm, his fever is related to a rare imbalance in theonum levels.¡¯

    Looking further, she thought to herself, ¡®There is an abnormal increase in DR levels overpowering the WI levels that govern balance and harmony in his body. It seems that his fever, delirium, and erratic breathing were symptoms of a rare syndrome caused by this imbalance.¡¯

    She turned her eyes and said, ¡°Daryla, your husband is suffering from a rare disruption in the natural equilibrium of his theonum levels.¡±

    ¡°Suffering from what?¡±

    ¡°Suffering from a rare disruption in the natural balance of his theonum levels,¡± she repeated. ¡°His DR energies are overpowering the WI flow, causing his body to spiral out of sync.¡±

    Daryla¡¯s eyes widened in alarm. ¡°What does that mean? That sounds dangerous.¡±

    ¡°It is dangerous if left untreated,¡± Elder Merakia replied, her voice calm yet serious. ¡°Fortunately enough, this is still in an early stage where he can still be treated, but it requires precision. I will need to draw out the excess DR energy that is causing the imbalance. Once that¡¯s done, I will replenish his depleted WI energy to stabilize him. It¡¯s a potentially very risky process, but based on past records, cases like this can suddenly accelerate to fatal stages.¡±

    Daryla hesitated before clasping her hands tightly. ¡°Do whatever it takes to save my husband Paul. I trust you Cecil.¡±

    With a reassuring nod, Elder Merakia turned her attention back to the man in front of her. She placed her hands directly over his chest, feeling the pulse of DR energy beneath her palms. Closing her eyes, she began to channel her own theonum to counteract the imbalance within him. A dark, almost gray glow emanated from his body, which she began to draw outward, like pulling threads from a tangled web.

    ¡°That aura¡­¡± Daryla muttered out in shock.

    ¡°This is all is theonum energy, specifically DR. Normally, each type of theonum has its own trace of color, even if it is invisible in the air, but in this case, everything I am holding is almost colorless, which means there is dead theonum in his concentration.¡±

    ¡°D-Dead theonum?¡±

    ¡°Yes, dead theonum,¡± she said, her expression remaining calm as she carefully guided the swirling, grayish glow into a concentrated orb above her hands. ¡°It is a stagnant, lifeless form of energy that should have naturally dissipated into the environment. Instead, it has accumulated abnormally in his body, causing the imbalance by acting as a toxin within his system.¡±

    Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, but she didn¡¯t flinch. Daryla covered her mouth with shaking hands. ¡°How could this happen? Paul has always been so healthy¡­¡±

    ¡°He may just be a healthy individual. However, that depends on the causes that led to his current condition.¡±

    As the orb of colorless energy grew denser, the man¡¯s breathing began to ease. His restless movements calmed, and a faint flush of color returned to his pale cheeks.

    ¡°The first step is complete,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°Daryla, I would like for you to do me a favor and hand me the dark square container from my suitcase.¡±

    Daryla immediately went to the opened case and saw, among various vials, herbs and tools, a dark square container made of polished wood. She picked it up and handed it to the elder mage.

    She took the container and opened it to suck out the dead theonum. Covering the object with the lid, the elder mage let out a slow breath before placing her hands back on the man¡¯s chest and saying, ¡°It¡¯s almost done. Now comes the second step. I will safely neutralize it by transferring WI energy to restore balance.¡±

    ¡°WI energy, but from where?¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s lowered her gaze sharply, ¡°From me, as the only person in this room capable of theonum transfer. He needs WI energy to restore balance, or his body will remain weak and prone to reactions such as seizures.¡±

    ¡®This is a gamble, I can¡¯t be certain if this type of WI energy is compatible with him,¡¯ she thought to herself.

    She closed her eyes, summoning her inner reserves. The elder mage began to channel her WI energy into him. A soft, silver-blue light radiated from her hands, permeating his body like ripples on a calm lake, flowing from her palms and into his chest. As the light enveloped him, Paul¡¯s breathing slowly calmed.

    ¡°Dear Asnoiji¡­¡± Daryla murmured under her breath, her hands covering her mouth. ¡°He¡¯s getting better¡­!¡±

    ¡°It will take time,¡± Elder Merakia said, her voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. ¡°His body must adjust to the WI energy. It is like watering a parched plant¡ªit must absorb the energy gradually.¡±

    ¡°But what about you? You¡¯re giving him your energy. Won¡¯t that hurt your body?¡±

    Her lips curved into a slight smile. ¡°I have enough reserves to spare. Do not worry about me.¡±

    There was silence in the room for a while. The man¡¯s chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, the lines of strain on his face began to fade. After a few more moments, she finally removed her hands and sat back in a chair behind her, breathing heavily. ¡°It¡¯s done. His levels are stabilizing.¡±

    Daryla rushed to her husband¡¯s side and grabbed his hand. ¡°Paul? Paul, can you hear me?¡±

    His eyelids fluttered open, and he looked up at her with a dull gaze. ¡°Daryla¡­?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Paul!¡± she cried, tears streaming down her face as she leaned over him. ¡°You¡¯re safe. You¡¯re really safe!¡±

    ¡°I¡­ feel lighter,¡± he said, looking around. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Daryla turned to the elder mage, who was now sitting on a chair she had pulled from the corner of the room. ¡°That lady¡ªCecil Merakia¡ªshe saved you.¡±

    ¡°Saved me?¡± he turned his eyes to the physician and let out a flicker of recognition. ¡°Oh you¡­ you look like a famous eccentric mage I knew long ago.¡±

    A small chuckle was heard from the elder mage, and his wife frowned at him, shaking her head. ¡°Paul¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh dear, it seems I still have that reputation to this day? And here I thought people would have forgotten that about me by now,¡± Elder Merakia said with a grin.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a mage like you to take care of me today,¡± Paul said. ¡°Even working as a doctor in this forest.¡±

    ¡°Paul, please be more respectful. This person came to treat your illness and even saved you from a¡­ possible life-threatening scenario.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®saving¡¯ me, Daryla? What even has happened? I was just laying down sick with a fever, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°What on Asnoiji¡¯s¡ªdo you not remember what happened after that?¡±

    ¡°Calm down, both of you,¡± Elder Merakia intervened. ¡°Daryla, my work here is done. Your husband¡¯s body will heal itself now with proper care. As for you¡­¡±

    She turned her eyes to her husband Paul and said, ¡°If you experience any symptoms, send me a mail as soon as possible. I will schedule another appointment in a few days for further instructions and prescriptions.¡±

    After giving her client advice for a speedy recovery, Elder Merakia was packing up her materials and supplies to leave when Daryla approached her and said, ¡°Thank you so much for treating my dear husband. I owe you all my gratitude for your efforts. If you would like, I would be happy to treat you to a meal.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no,¡± she waved her hand politely. ¡°There is no need to treat me to a meal. I have a busy schedule at the moment. Perhaps next time, when I am free, I can come and join you and your husband.¡±

    ¡°Ah, is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and on top of my workload, I have a small child to take care of,¡± the elder mage smiled.

    ¡°I understand,¡± Daryla nodded. ¡°That reminds me of all the times Paul and I raised our children together.¡±

    She turned her eyes to the picture frames hanging on the walls. ¡°Only our youngest daughter lives with us now. She will be twelve next month. Paul and I are planning a birthday party for our little girl. We can invite you and the little one for that very day.¡±

    Elder Merakia smiled as she closed her suitcase. ¡°That sounds lovely. A birthday party is always a joyous occasion. I will see if I can arrange my schedule and bring my little one. She would enjoy making new friends.¡±

    As the elder mage went out the door, she said her goodbyes to the couple and stepped back into the world.

 2.7 - Cecil Merakia

    Elder Merakia stared at the rain beating against the carriage window, her hand resting on her cheek.

    ¡®How strange,¡¯ she thought. ¡®External influences or exposure to unstable theonum in the environment could only trigger such a reaction. Stress or emotional turmoil could also amplify its effects¡­¡¯

    She sighed, leaning back against her seat. ¡°I expected it would just be a normal viral infection this morning¡­¡±

    ¡®And this is the first abnormal case since I moved to this forest. What could it possibly indicate? Would this forest still be safe for everyone to live in? Not only that, but Elysha kept mentioning this Kitty that seems to be a phenomenon.¡¯

    The elder mage then looked back at the view outside. ¡®I must have Lucius or another researcher in the area investigate this potential problem. If the pattern continues, then perhaps these abnormalities could attract the attention of the institution.¡¯

    Shortly after staring through the window, Elder Merakia stated, ¡°You can drop me off here.¡±

    The driver stopped the carriage, then turned to look at her and asked, ¡°Are you certain? We are only halfway there, and it is still raining quite heavily at the moment.¡±

    Raindrops splattered the window, and she shook her head, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I have an umbrella to shield me from the rain. Not only that, but when I was a young lass I used to dance and sing in the rain whenever I saw it with my eyes. And so, allow me to depart from this point.¡±

    The driver paused for a moment, glancing between the rain outside and back to her resolute gaze. ¡°Very well, madam,¡± he said. ¡°However, be careful. It¡¯s not the most ideal weather for a stroll.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± she replied, nodding approvingly and stepping out of the carriage, her boots making a soft splash as they touched the wet ground. She adjusted her umbrella, holding it steady against the pouring rain, picked up her suitcase, and walked over to the driver before paying him fifteen oras for the ride.

    ¡°Thank you for the ride,¡± she said. ¡°May your day be a safe and happy one.¡±

    ¡°And may the rain be kind to you, madam. If you ever need my services again, you know where to find me.¡±

    Taking a step back, Elder Merakia watched the carriage roll away. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the sensation of the weather around her. The scent of wet earth filled her nostrils. Folding her umbrella, she began to twirl and dance through the rain-kissed streets, her laughter blending with the falling drops.

    ¡®You look like a famous eccentric mage I knew long ago.¡¯

    After a moment of childlike act, she paused, remembering the words her client had described her. Her smile widened as she frowned at the unexpected comment. Memories of her past self and the reputation she once held flooded her mind.

    ¡°Hm, the past does indeed have a way of catching up to me, doesn¡¯t it? They were good old times¡­¡±

    She reopened the umbrella and began her walk back to her home.

    ~ ??? ~

    By the time Elder Merakia reached the cottage, the rain had stopped and the clouds had begun to dissipate, revealing the peaks of sunlight touching the forest.

    She folded the umbrella and stood in the doorway, her clothes still damp as she removed her shoes. The elder mage took one last look at the rain-soaked streets before taking the handle and stepping inside.

    Entering her residence, warmth enveloped her, contrasting with the coolness of the outside. Elder Merakia removed her coat and set her umbrella and suit case aside. She was about to check up on Elysha¡¯s room when a little girl stepped outside of her office.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Her eyes widened as she saw her guardian looking directly at her, and she swallowed her throat.

    ¡°Elysha? I was about to check to see if you were still asleep,¡± the elder mage said in surprise, then she noticed something. ¡°And is that a cookie in your hand?¡±

    ¡°Uh, um¡­ it tastes good,¡± she said, her mouth covered in leftover chocolate.

    Elder Merakia¡¯s gaze lowered at the half-eaten cookie, subtly concerned over possible consequences. ¡°How many cookies have you eaten already?¡±

    ¡°... One.¡±

    ¡°So this is your second one?¡±

    ¡°Hm, I see. Well, those cookies would be neither enough nor healthy for your breakfast this morning. I would rather cook you a proper meal instead.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes lit up and she nodded her head. Elder Merakia smiled, brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face and said, ¡°Very well, let me put my things away, and I¡¯ll start preparing breakfast. Any requests?¡±

    ¡°Yummy eggs,¡± she replied quickly. ¡°Can we have eggs? And those yummy cake thingies and potatoes too!¡±

    ¡°Sure then, I will prepare those for our meal soon.¡±

    Elder Merakia then made her way to the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder at Elysha, who followed quietly, finishing her cookie.

    ¡°Elysha, why don¡¯t you wash up before breakfast? Your hands and face look like you¡¯ve had a battle with a chocolate monster.¡±

    She tilted her head as if imagining a picture. ¡°Kitty wasn¡¯t made up of chocolate, was he?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? The possibilities are a mystery. Now go and clean yourself before you eat.¡±

    While the little girl went to the restroom, Elder Merakia gathered the ingredients. She washed the potatoes and cut them into neat triangles. She placed them in a bowl and began to season them with salt, pepper, and a touch of smoked paprika. Nearby, she set a large frying pan on the stove and added oil to heat it.

    Elysha returned, her hands and face clean from a quick wash. She stepped onto a stool at the kitchen counter and watched her guardian stir the potato wedges in the pan, the sizzle filling the air and her nose.

    ¡°Interested, are you?¡± she asked.

    The little girl nodded her head.

    ¡°I have a task for you soon, just like the time we¡¯ve made fruit tarts together.¡±

    ¡°For me?¡±

    ¡°Indeed. I can have you help me make the crepes as soon as the potatoes are done.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that the cake thingies?¡±

    ¡°Yes, the ¡®cake thingies¡¯ are crepes. Thin, soft, and delicious with its toppings.¡±

    ¡°How long until we eat them?¡±

    ¡°Good food takes a bit of time and care. Be patient, dear child, I promise the end result will be worth it.¡±

    Once the potatoes were crisp and golden, Elder Merakia transferred them onto a plate lined with a cloth to drain the excess oil. She then wiped her hands and turned to Elysha. ¡°All right, it¡¯s time for your task. Wash your hands again, and we¡¯ll start on the crepes.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    She washed her hands at the sink before climbing back onto the stool. ¡°What do I do?¡±

    Elder Merakia placed a mixing bowl in front of her, along with a jug of milk, some flour, eggs, and a small bowl of sugar. ¡°We¡¯ll make the batter first. I¡¯ll measure the ingredients, and you can pour and mix.¡±

    She then measured the flour and poured it into the bowl, followed by a pinch of salt and a spoonful of sugar. ¡°Now, add the eggs, one at a time. Be careful.¡±

    Elysha took an egg and cracked it on the side of the bowl. The shell broke unevenly, and some of the yolk splattered onto her fingers.

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± she muttered out, holding up her messy hand.

    ¡°Not bad for the first time,¡± Elder Merakia said with a smile as she wiped Elysha¡¯s hand with a cloth. ¡°Let¡¯s try the next one.¡±

    This time the little girl cracked the egg evenly and her face lit up. ¡°I did it, Elder Mera!¡±

    ¡°Well done,¡± she praised. ¡°Now, whisk everything together while I slowly pour in the milk.¡±

    Elysha nodded, holding up a whisk and stirring the mixture as her guardian poured the milk in a steady stream. The batter turned smooth and creamy, and Elder Merakia nodded in approval. ¡°Nicely done. Now that the batter is ready, let¡¯s turn to the stove next.¡±

    She heated a pan and ladled a small amount of batter onto it, tilting the pan to spread it thinly. The crepe sizzled softly, and Elysha watched with wide eyes. ¡°It¡¯s like magic, isn¡¯t it?¡± her guardian asked.

    The little girl nodded her head again, and a moment later, Elder Merakia deftly flipped the crepe with a flick of her wrist.

    ¡°Huh? How did you do that?¡±

    ¡°With practice and precision over time,¡± she winked at her. ¡°Or you can use a spatula to flip it instead.¡±

    When the crepes were neatly stacked on individual plates, Elder Merakia gave Elysha the task of decorating the crepes with various toppings while she took care of the fried eggs.

    After the eggs were done, they arranged everything on the table before sitting down. Elysha loaded her plates with crispy potato wedges, a fried egg, a crepe slathered with chocolate spread and whipped cream, sliced strawberries and bananas, and a cup of warm almond milk.

    Elysha began to dig her fork into the food and into her mouth, savoring each bite and the flavors that danced on her taste buds. Elder Merakia enjoyed her breakfast as well, watching the little girl enjoy the meal the two of them had prepared together.

    ¡°Oh hey, breakfast! Can Micah have some?¡±

    A familiar voice broke through the room where the little gray Zhivopian had appeared from the window.

    Elysha flinched in surprise. ¡°When did you show up? You scared me!¡±

    ¡°Micah,¡± Elder Merakia set down her drink and gestured her hand towards an untouched plate of food. ¡°Here, we¡¯ve made made your share of breakfast.¡±

    ¡°Really? For me? Thanks!¡±

    He jumped down from the windowsill and landed next to his plate. He then began to dig his mouth into the food before saying, ¡°Mm! This is delicious!¡±

    Elysha stared at him eating when he noticed her gaze and asked, ¡°Hm? Why are you staring at me like that?¡±

    She turned her eyes back to her food and replied, ¡°N-Nothing.¡±

    As they continued to eat, Elder Merakia shifted her eyes and asked, ¡°How is the food, dear child?¡±

    Elysha, her mouth partially filled with a bite of crepe, expressed her satisfaction with a muffled but appreciative sound, ¡°Mmm-hmm! It tastes yummy!¡±

    She swallowed her food before taking a sip of her drink. Micah looked at her half-finished plate and commented, ¡°Oh wow, that¡¯s a lot of chocolate you have on your crepe cake.¡±

    She flinched and swallowed again before saying, ¡°Is it a lot?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Micah figured you must really like chocolate, right?¡±

    Elysha blushed, quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin and shook her head. ¡°Um, no I don¡¯t,¡± she said before pushing her plate away and turning to eat the potatoes.

    Micah tilted his head as he watched her continue to eat. ¡°Well, you know, you¡¯ve already eaten half of those crepes,¡± he remarked with a smirk. ¡°If you keep this up, you might gain weight and get fat.¡±

    Elysha froze, a piece of potato halfway to her mouth. She turned to him, cheeks puffed and sweaty. ¡°Wh-What? That sounds bad¡­¡±

    She turned to attention to her guardian, who had finished her fried egg and asked, ¡°Elder Mera, what does Micah mean by that?¡±

    Elder Merakia put down her fork and replied, ¡°Micah is just teasing you.¡±

    ¡°Teasing me?¡±

    ¡°It is okay to eat what you like as long as you are aware of and respectful of your body¡¯s needs and limitations. So if you ever feel like you don¡¯t want to eat anymore, just let us know.¡±

    Elysha nodded her head. ¡°Okay, I understand.¡±

    She looked down at her plate of triangular-cut potatoes and felt that she still had an appetite. She dug her fork into one of the pieces and resumed eating.

    As the three of them continued their breakfast, Micah licked his paw clean, his stomach bloated. ¡°Wooo, that was a good one today, Micah feels full.¡±

    He turned his eyes to Elysha, who was staring indifferently at him. ¡°What? Why are you looking at me like that?¡±

    ¡°You look fat.¡±

    Micah blinked, his ears twitching. ¡°What? Fat? Me? Nah, it¡¯s just my fluff!¡±

    Then he suddenly changed the subject. ¡°So, what are you up to today, Elder Merakia?¡±

    ¡°Today will be quite busy for me,¡± she said, dabbing at her lips with a napkin. ¡°I have a list of duties to do for work. Therefore, Micah, I would like to assign you a task.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What task?¡± Then he turned to see Elysha and said, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t tell me Micah has to watch over her again.¡±

    ¡°Yes, indeed. I would like for you to take Elysha out into the woods again for her homework assignment today.¡±

    ¡°Ehhh?? Again?¡± Micah groaned, flopping dramatically onto the table. ¡°Elder Merakiaa, why do I have to take her to the woods? Can¡¯t she just stay inside and do, I dunno, book stuff?¡±

    ¡°She can do her book stuff with you and other children you can introduce her to as potential friends,¡± she said. ¡°That is part of her main homework assignment¡ªsocializing with others.¡±

    ¡°Gah, fine then."

    Elysha looked back and forth between her guardian and Micah, realizing that she was about to embark on another adventure in the forest.

    Micah turned around and jumped back onto the windowsill before saying, ¡°If this is how it is going to be today, well, Micah needs to explore some options I have on my plate. Oh! And you better start giving me a raise of a lot of oras this time around!¡±

    The next second, he jumped out of the window and disappeared from their sight.

    Elysha and Elder Merakia continued to eat until their stomachs were full. They stored the leftovers away and took their empty plates and utensils to the sink, where they washed and rinsed them until they sparkled. The warm water cascaded over their hands as they worked together, their conversation flowing naturally.

    As they were washing, Elysha suddenly asked, ¡°Um, Elder Mera? There¡¯s something I want to ask you.¡±

    ¡°Of course, dear. What would you like to know?¡± she replied, rinsing the soap from a plate and placing it on the drying rack before turning her attention to her.

    The little girl hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing, ¡°I was wondering, um, what was your life like before you met me? I mean, what did you do before I was here?¡±

    Elder Merakia paused, considering Elysha¡¯s question for a brief moment before replying, ¡°My life was not much different before I met you, dear child. I was busy with various tasks¡ªworking, keeping the house clean and organized, reading books, and writing letters. I¡¯ve interacted and met with guests and clients, giving my input and helping to ensure that people¡¯s needs were met.¡±

    She continued, ¡°Some days have been short and relaxing, while others have felt long and overwhelming with work to do. Life has been a journey of ups and downs, but overall it has been satisfying for me.¡±

    Elysha nodded her head, listening and trying to make sense of her words.

    ¡°In my day-to-day journey, there were moments that felt dull and uninspiring, like shades of gray,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°On the other hand, whenever I returned home after a long day, I would relax and find sensational pleasures in indulging in my fine hobbies such as arts and crafts. I enjoyed sewing some stylized outfits and exploring what creative displays I could make with my theonum arts. Life has many paths and options for an individual to pursue. Like a fish, you can always swim in many colorful seas.¡±

    Then she turned to Elysha and smiled, saying, ¡°And then, I met you, my dear child. You have already brought so much color to my lens, and I am grateful beyond words.¡±

    Elysha stood, taking in Elder Merakia¡¯s words. Though she couldn¡¯t fully comprehend the complexity of her guardian¡¯s experiences, she understood that her presence had brought some significance to her, and that was enough to make her heart swell and her cheeks flush a rosy pink.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m happy I could make you happy, Elder Mera.¡±

    She knelt on her knees and leaned forward to embrace her, saying, ¡°I am glad to hear, dear child. Seek for your future happiness in your life¡¯s journey.¡±

    Elysha buried her face in Elder Merakia¡¯s shoulder, the warmth of the hug wrapping around her like a blanket.

    Later, after all the remaining dishes were cleaned, the little girl hummed as she looked through more books from the bookshelf. Meanwhile, the elder mage¡¯s attention was focused on her thoughts.

    ¡®No, now is not appropriate to tell her about my time as a youth, even though my soul is forever youthful¡¯ she sighed in her mind. ¡®Perhaps when it is time for the child to venture out into the world on her own, I will tell her the story of Cecil Merakia.¡¯

    Shortly after, Elder Merakia approached Elysha and asked, ¡°All right, it¡¯s time for you to get dressed up and ready for your outdoor homework assignment.¡±

    She turned around, nodded her head and said, ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Before you go upstairs, I would like to ask you one important question.¡±

    ¡°What question?¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow is the weekend, which means that I have some free time in my work schedule. Then we can continue your training and study session, this time at Lake Ir?stos. Would you like to do that?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened, and she eagerly nodded in anticipation. ¡°Yes! I would like that!¡±

    ¡°Good, now go back upstairs to your room and change your clothes. When you are ready, meet me back downstairs so I can give you your backpack and assignments.¡±

 2.8 - The Nartti Village-1

    ¡°Ah, Micah hopes there is not another bizarre phenomenon this time,¡± he whined, his tail lowered but still wagging.

    Elysha looked down at his small form, leading the way to his destination. ¡°Are there any more like Kitty out there?¡±

    ¡°Hopefully not, or that could be a problem for the balance of our world. In any case, perhaps the Forest Council has already dealt with the latest incident in Zhivopia, and we are about to meet those two girls again at their usual place.¡±

    She blinked an eye. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°You remember Anais and Nelvya from yesterday, right? We are on our way to meet them again. I¡¯m certain they¡¯ll remember you too.¡±

    Elysha tilted her head, vaguely recalling seeing a trio of children in the ruins the day before. ¡°Oh, them?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Micah will take you to see them. Micah knows they are still finishing their movie project, but there is plenty of time to talk and get to know them, and Huilji and the others are there as well.¡±

    ¡°Huilji?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the red-haired girl with the looped braids, fox-like ears, and orange moth wings. You also met her brother Neliel in the ruins, by the way.¡±

    Elysha nodded her head and took in the surroundings around them as they continued on their way.

    ¡°Usually their hangout spot is somewhere between the villages of Illumija and Nartti. The path between those two places is popular and busy with people, as it connects directly to the Ir?stosa Trail that comes out of this forest,"¡± Micah went on. ¡°There are numerous trails in the forest, the one we are currently on is the main trail, but before that we were on the Aurosa Trail¡ªhey, are you even listening to me?¡±

    She turned her head back to see Micah¡¯s disappointed look at her.

    Elysha tilted her head and replied, ¡°Um, you were talking about the people you wanted me to meet, right?¡±

    ¡°Not only that, Micah also talked about the paths in this forest. Hm, I should show you the map sometime so you can get familiar with it.¡± Then, he asked, ¡°By the way, why are you holding that basket? Micah could smell something good in it.¡±

    ¡°This?¡± She lifted the basket she was holding. ¡°Elder Mera told me to give some cookies away to people I meet.¡±

    His ears pricked up. ¡°Huh? She did? I didn¡¯t even know she had cookies.¡±

    ¡°She also told me that I could make friends by giving them away. I already ate two of them this morning.¡±

    ¡°Well, are they good and delicious cookies?¡±

    ¡°Good, yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°Delicious too.¡±

    As they continued along the dirt path, Micah asked another question, ¡°What is the homework Elder Merakia gave you? Micah knew it had to do with socializing, but what exactly?¡±

    ¡°Hm, I didn¡¯t check, but it¡¯s in my backpack.¡±

    ¡°Can I see it?¡± Then he turned and looked up the trail. ¡°Oh! There¡¯s a bench at the carriage stop just ahead. Put your bag down and let me have a look.¡±

    The pair reached the small wooden bench, its surface weathered but sturdy. Elysha set down the basket of cookies before taking off her backpack and placing it on the bench. She opened it and handed Micah her homework.

    His eyes read the lines and he said, ¡°Hm, so your homework is basically to write about your experiences with meeting new people and what you¡¯ve learned from them.¡± Then he looked in her backpack. ¡°And using that notebook of yours like a diary to write in.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yes so, talk about an easy assignment. Micah can do it in less than five minutes.¡±

    ¡°Do you get homeworks too?¡±

    ¡°Well, only when Micah goes back to school again, yeah.¡±

    After zipping up her backpack, the two of them continued walking along the trail until they got closer to the destination Micah had led her to. ¡°We are getting close to their hangout spot!¡± he called out.

    Elysha¡¯s anticipation grew, but for some reason she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. Her fingers clenched over her arm and she bit her lips; she knew and had been told that she had met them before, but still the wave wouldn¡¯t go away.

    As they were about to arrive, a rush of shadow quickly approached them.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Micah jumped out of the way, but Elysha froze in her tracks as the shadow spur lunged at her.

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    She collapsed to the ground, her eyes revealing the shadow to be a wolf-like creature, one that quickly reminded her of a memory from yesterday.

    Micah¡¯s eyes widened and he reacted, ¡°Sorcha? What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha could sense that you two were coming from nearby,¡± she said, before transforming back into human form. Her appearance consisted of a pink overall dress with puffed sleeves and a blouse, along with two pink hair bows. ¡°Also, Ana said not to interrupt while she¡¯s still filming,¡± she added.

    ¡°What? They are still not done yet?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hm, and that¡¯s another reason why Sorcha gave you a surprise greeting!¡±

    Then she turned her eyes back to the girl, who was getting up from the ground herself. She slowly got to her feet, shaking slightly, and said, ¡°Y-You scared me.¡±

    Sorcha¡¯s playful grin faltered. ¡°Oh no! Sorcha didn¡¯t mean to scare you,¡± she said, clasping her hands together and bowing slightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, um, Elysha, is that your name again? Please don¡¯t be mad at me!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I am not mad at you,¡± she said, shaking her head.

    ¡°Geez, and Micah thought a horse was going to run us over,¡± he sighed, brushing dirt from his tail.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that,¡± Sorcha countered, then looked down and said, ¡°Oh! Does Sorcha smell cookies in that basket?¡±

    ¡°They are cookies,¡± Elysha said, nodding her head again and holding out the basket for her to see.

    ¡°Can Sorcha have one?¡±

    She pulled out a bag and handed it to her, much to Sorcha¡¯s delight as she took it before giving her a hug. ¡°Thank you! You are the best!¡±

    ¡°Hey! Where am I in that scale?¡± Micah asked.

    Ignoring him, Sorcha looked around before saying, ¡°And guess who¡¯s also here with me! It¡¯s Billi!¡±

    Their eyes turned to the white rat who walked up to them and stopped. His red beady eyes and pink ears looked back before hiding behind Sorcha.

    ¡°Wow, you even brought your pet too with you?¡±

    ¡°Billi is not a pet, he is my friend!¡± she retorted, pointing her finger at him. ¡°Call Billi my pet again and Sorcha will make you my pet too!¡±

    ¡°Sheesh, Micah was just joking,¡± he sighed and looked in the direction where the movie project was being filmed. ¡°So what do we do now? I still suggest we go over and let them know that we are here.¡±

    ¡°Nope, can¡¯t do,¡± she shook her head. ¡°Ana told me that she will call out to us when they are all done.¡±

    ¡°What? Then what?¡±

    Her eyes turned to Elysha, then, with a bright light bulb in her head, she took Billi into her arms and ran off, calling out, ¡°Follow me! Sorcha has a place for you to see!¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    The two followed Sorcha as she led them to an unknown location, which piqued Micah¡¯s curiosity as he asked, ¡°Hey, where are you taking us?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough! It¡¯s very close from here!¡±

    They continued on until the trees parted to reveal a sunlit clearing. Sorcha finally stopped, and Elysha¡¯s took in the scene as yellow and red flowers dotted the area, and in the center stood a large fallen trunk, its surface mossy and weathered by time.

    ¡°Where are we? And what is that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a tree log¡ªand a special one at that!¡± Sorcha replied, running ahead to set her rat on it before climbing up and sitting on it, tapping it with her bare palm as a gesture. ¡°You two! Come sit down next to me!¡±

    Micah leapt onto the log with ease. ¡°Woo¡ª!¡±

    He settled down, and curled his tail around his paws.

    Elysha went over and took attempts on climbing up. ¡°You got this!¡± Sorcha said, encouraging her.

    She grabbed the edges of the mossy log and pulled herself up with a soft grunt. Sorcha reached out for her hand and helped her to sit down beside her.

    ¡°See? Sorcha knew you could do it!¡± she said with a big smile.

    ¡°Th-Thank you,¡± Elysha nodded back, running her fingers over the bark as she looked out over the grounds: the sunlight shining through the trees and over the field of flowers around them. Then she turned to see Sorcha take the cookie from the bag and shove it into her mouth with a bite.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Mm! Yummy!¡± she smiled happily, swinging her legs back and forth. ¡°Thanks for the cookie, Elysha.¡±

    As she took the last bite, Sorcha sucked the chocolate from her fingertips and wiped it on Micah¡¯s fur.

    He froze in mid-yawn, his ears twitching as he stared at the sight of chocolate smeared on his fur. ¡°Hey! What are you doing? Micah is not a napkin!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wipe them against my cute clothes, or else they will get dirty.¡±

    ¡°So a tree log isn¡¯t dirty for you?¡±

    Sorcha turned around and asked, ¡°Hey Elysha, would you like to know why I picked this place for us to visit?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°You see, my momma used to spend time here with her best friend when they were younger. They used to sing and play instruments and have a lot of fun.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yes so! For momma, this place was a treasured memory for her.¡±

    Then another light bulb flashed in her head and said, ¡°Oh! Momma is in my village today, so you and Micah can come visit and meet her!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen your village before. That¡¯s where your home is, right?¡±

    ¡°It is! And you can also meet my daddy and all of my brothers and my sister, too!¡± Sorcha swung her legs restlessly, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. ¡°And you can get to see my room and all of my cute clothes and toys!¡±

    Suddenly her ears pricked up and Sorcha jerked her head in a certain direction. ¡°Oh! Ana and the others are done now, we can go meet them all together.¡±

    Then she jumped down from the log and stretched her limbs, Billi following after. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go and see them!¡±

    Micah leapt to the ground while Elysha slid down the log with her basket in hand. They followed Sorcha to where everyone else was, down the trail to another clearing that was a hive of activity.

    Voices and laughter reached their ears, and when they arrived, they saw a small group of children gathered near a makeshift stage made of wooden planks and other objects. It took them a moment to realize their presence.

    ¡°Oh! You are here!¡± Ana spoke first and ran over to them. ¡°Sorry that we took a little longer than expected, but we are all finally done now!¡±

    ¡°Micah has returned, just as he promised,¡± he said with a nod of his head. ¡°And I brought Elysha with me.¡±

    She froze shyly as the rest of the group approached, before Sorcha spoke up to ask, ¡°Wait, have you all met Elysha yet?¡±

    They exchanged glances and Neliel replied, ¡°I remember that Nevi, Ana and I met her yesterday in the ruins.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you did? Sorcha didn¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°You also knew her too, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha also met her only yesterday, but not at the ruins.¡±

    As they chatted, Elysha turned to see a girl with aubergine hair standing nearby. She recognized her face at the same time the girl noticed her gaze. ¡°Anjel?¡±

    She smiled and replied, ¡°Hehe, you remembered my name, even though it only has been less than a day.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you would be here too.¡±

    ¡°Well, Ana invited me to be part of the movie project she is making, even though I am only a side character. Ah, have you met Mariju?¡±

    ¡°Mari-who?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s me, I¡¯m right here.¡±

    Elysha turned her attention to Mariju as she came into view. She had a friendly, yet dazed and distant expression on her face, as if she had just woken up.

    ¡°Mariju is my friend,¡± Anjel said. ¡°My best friend other than Sorcha, but I am good friends with everyone else here too!¡±

    ¡®Her hair looks like tree leaves¡­¡¯ Elysha thought as she looked at her long, bushy green hair, though her yellow-green eyes complemented her appearance.

    Mariju waved her hand and said, ¡°Hello, my friend told me about you.¡± Then she pointed a finger at her chin and asked, ¡°I hear you are Elder Merakia¡¯s pupil, are you?¡±

    Elysha nodded her head, ¡°I am, yes, I think. What about you?¡±

    Mariju blinked her eyes. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s interesting. And as for me? Well um¡­ I used to think about becoming a mage¡¯s pupil, but I don¡¯t think I could keep up with the amount of knowledge and spells I¡¯d probably have to learn.¡±

    ¡°Hey you three! Come over here!¡±

    A voice called out and the three turned to see Ana waving at them. As they approached, a different voice responded to another conversation. ¡°Is that what Sorcha heard? So they HAVEN¡¯T found the demon monster yet?¡±

    ¡°This is what I have learned so far,¡± Neliel said. ¡°The investigation team is still trying to access the situation, including the damage and the accounts of the witnesses who saw the phenomenal creature. However, sadly, they¡¯re struggling to find any clues or leads as to where the creature went.¡±

    ¡°Really? But how can I get closure about what almost happened to my Billi? Not only that, but I was almost turned into a pancake!¡±

    ¡°I understand how your anger, Sorcha. Zhivopia is where Huilji and I lived. What happened to our home cannot be forgotten.¡±

    Sorcha clenched her hands and teeth and said, ¡°If they can¡¯t find that demon monster, then¡­¡±

    ¡°By the way, where is your sister?¡± Nevi asked.

    ¡°She went to find a restroom.¡±

    When Elysha, Anjel, and Mariju joined the group, Ana asked, ¡°What were you three talking about?¡±

    ¡°We were just getting to know each other,¡± Anjel replied.

    ¡°Oh, well, that¡¯s good!¡± she smiled. ¡°Now that the filming is finally done, we just need to make sure that the post-production process is done and ready before the festival.¡±

    ¡°You are very efficient and hardworking, Ana.¡±

    ¡°Haha, ah, that¡¯s just because I just want to get these creative projects done and out of the way once and for all,¡± she sighed. ¡°Thinking about it makes me want to melt into a pancake¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey! If you want to get turned into a pancake, you better help Sorcha find that demon monster!¡±

    Ana flinched. ¡°What¡ªyou listened to what I said?¡±

    Neliel took a step forward and asked, ¡°Ana, there should still be plenty of time for what we have left on this project until the festival, right?

    ¡°Um, absolutely, including all-nighters and sugary drinks, haha!¡±

    Nevi shook her head in disapproval. ¡°That sounds unhealthy.¡±

    ¡°Anyway,¡± Ana turned her attention back to Micah. ¡°What was it again that made you bring that girl along?¡±

    ¡°She has homework to do that involves socializing and meeting other people,¡± he replied. ¡°In short, her homework is literally about making friends.¡±

    ¡°Wait, you mean a homework assigned by the Elder Merakia?¡±

    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s right!¡±

    Ana spat out laughing, ¡°Haha, meanwhile we are all on spring break right now.¡±

    Elysha tilted her head at an unfamiliar term. ¡°Spring break?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, every kid in this forest is on spring break right now¡ªexcept for a few unlucky ones like you. Which means no homework for us.¡± Then a new question popped into her head and she asked, ¡°Oh, by the way, how old are you?¡±

    ¡°How old am I?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, do you not know your age or what?¡±

    Elysha took this into her mind, trying to get an answer, but nothing came out. She shook her head and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Ana raised her eyebrows. ¡°What? How can you not know your age?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha thinks she¡¯s younger than me.¡±

    ¡°She kind of looks like she¡¯s seven or six years old,¡± Nevi suggested.

    ¡°That¡¯s younger than Sorcha!¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Elysha touched her fingers nervously and stepped back.

    Micah stepped in and said, ¡°Uhh, Elysha is a kunau,¡±

    They turned their attention to him. ¡°She¡¯s a what?¡±

    ¡°A kunau!¡± he repeated. ¡°She¡¯s a kuniju-naufen¨¹vji.¡±

    ¡°Oh! I get it! I know what you mean now!¡± Ana said.

    ¡°I remember you telling us that back at the ruins from yesterday,¡± Nevi added.

    ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s what I meant!¡± Ana chimed in. ¡°Remember the whole thing with Kytela.¡±

    As they talked, Anjel turned and asked, ¡°How old are you again, Sorcha?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha is eight years old.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see. I will be turning eleven soon, hehe.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean you will join the older kids club with Ana and the others? Don¡¯t leave Sorcha and Neria out like that!¡±

    ¡°Hm, no, I won¡¯t leave you all because of a number, hehe.¡±

    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m back!¡±

    A voice shouted from the other side of the clearing. They turned to see Huilji emerging from the trees.

    ¡°You were quick,¡± Neliel said.

    ¡°I had to run fast because the nearest toilet was in the Nartti village. A girl has to pee, okay?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you pee in the bushes?¡± Micah asked.

    ¡°What? I am not feral unlike you!¡± Then, taking in the view, she spoke, ¡°Oh? Is that Elysha I see?¡±

    Elysha saw Huilji approaching. Her red braided hair bounced slightly as she walked, and her bright orange eyes sparkled.

    ¡°Uh¡­ hi,¡± she said softly, clutching her basket closer.

    ¡°Hiii,¡± Huilji greeted, albeit tiredly. ¡°How are you today?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± she nodded nervously. ¡°How about you?¡±

    ¡°I feel great now that my bladder has emptied itself,¡± Then, Huilji nose sniffed and her fox-like ears perked up, saying, ¡°Oh? Do I smell something?¡±

    She turned her eyes to the basket in her hand. Elysha noticed and held it in front of her. ¡°These are cookies, do you want some?¡±

    Huilji¡¯s eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together. ¡°Cookies? Oh, you¡¯re already my favorite person!¡±

    Elysha pulled a cookie bag out of the basket and handed it to her. Seconds later, other children joined in, wanting cookies as well.

    ¡°Cookies? Did someone say cookies?¡± Ana asked, already reaching out.

    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t take them all!¡± Sorcha complained. ¡°They¡¯re Elysha¡¯s cookies, and she¡¯s being nice enough to share!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. There¡¯s enough for everyone,¡± said Elysha, who had already counted the cookie bags.

    ¡°Yay!¡±

    Everyone took a bag and ate them together. Micah sighed with a flick of his tail, ¡°Well, looks like you¡¯re the most popular person around here now.¡±

    Elysha noticed that the basket was already empty. ¡®Someone took multiples,¡¯ she thought to herself.

    ¡°Mmm! These are good!¡± Huilji reacted, munching on her cookie. ¡°Did you make them yourself?¡±

    ¡°No, I think Elder Mera made them. She said I should share them with people I meet.¡±

    ¡°Well, talk about a smart idea,¡± Ana said. ¡°Food is the fastest way to connect with people. Everyone loves a good cookie.¡±

    She turned around and asked, ¡°Hey Nevi, you told me once that you wanted to open a bakery, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, yes, but it¡¯s only an idea.¡±

    ¡°Be more determined about it, possibilities are only possibilities if you don¡¯t have enough drive to make it happen.¡±

    ¡°Hey! We should play a game!¡±

    They all turned to Micah, who had a puckish grin on his face.

    Neliel blinked his eyes. ¡°Game?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! I can be the host and turn our surroundings into a theater for a storytelling adventure!¡±

    ¡°Oh no, not this again. This will take a long time,¡± Nevi said with a hand on her face.

    Huilji pointed a finger at him and shouted, ¡°Hey! Last time, I died an unnecessary and embarrassing death! I was laughed at and mocked by you and your other friends!¡±

    ¡°You died by the Lord of Probability, not by Micah, do you hear me? I was just describing the scenario.¡±

    Her face flushed, as if a flashback had slapped her face. ¡°You¡­ You even wheezed at me!¡±

    ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t I learn from yesterday that you took Elysha on a trial?¡± Ana spoke up. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that something only the deity Ir?stos could do?¡±

    ¡°Oh come on! What else can I do to satisfy Elder Merakia¡¯s request from me?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha has an idea!¡±

    Everyone turned to her as she stood resolutely in front of them and declared, ¡°We can all go and visit my home together! Elysha has never seen Nartti Village, has she? Let¡¯s give her a tour!¡±

    ¡°That sounds like a good idea,¡± Anjel nodded.

    ¡°I preferred sightseeing to mind-boggling activities, so I will take her hand in this,¡± Mariju commented.

    ¡°Hmm, well, Sorcha¡¯s idea isn¡¯t bad, but how about we make this all fair and square?¡± Micah said. ¡°Let¡¯s vote on what to do next!¡±

    The group exchanged glances and Ana raised her hand, ¡°I agree with that! A vote sounds fun.¡±

    ¡°Alright, but we each get one vote,¡± Neliel added.

    Everyone walked up and held a small stone in their hand. They cast their votes in front of either Sorcha or Micah. Elysha was the last to vote.

    After throwing her stone into the winning pile. Sorcha threw her arms up in the air. ¡°Victory!¡±

    Then she turned to the losing competitor and stuck out her tongue. ¡°Hah! Sorcha beats you, Micah! You only got one vote, and that was from yourself!¡±

    He narrowed his eyes and groaned at Sorcha, his tail flicking in mock annoyance as he flopped onto his back with a dramatic sigh. ¡°Ugh, whatever. You won this time around.¡±

    She grinned triumphantly before turning around. ¡°Come on, everyone! Let¡¯s go to my village!¡±

 2.9 - The Nartti Village-2

    They all walked together as a group to the Nartti village, chatting and passing the time until they approached where the forest gave way to an open field.

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re here!¡± Sorcha pointed out.

    The children¡¯s eyes took in the view before them: the area was dotted with small buildings that looked different from what Elysha had seen before; more stylized and unique to the village itself, colorful. They saw people moving about the village, either talking, working, or just simply passing through the streets.

    Sorcha turned to Elysha and to everyone else, tail wagging as she said, ¡°Welcome to Nartti Village! This is where Sorcha lives! What do you think?¡±

    Elysha looked around again, taking in the view and the atmosphere of the village, then replied, ¡°I liked it. It¡¯s my first time here.¡±

    ¡°And it will be your first time to see my family!¡± she giggled, her excitement bubbling over.

    ¡°Are we really going to follow you as you show her around the village and your home?¡± Huilji asked.

    ¡°My momma is here, and I don¡¯t think any of you seen my momma before,¡± Sorcha stated.

    ¡°Except Micah, I have seen your mom before!¡±

    ¡°Sorcha isn¡¯t talking to you.¡±

    As they entered the village, they walked through different streets and saw different sights. As they walked, Elysha kept staring at Micah¡¯s swinging tail, his body size like a living stuffed puppy. Curiosity grew inside of her, and she cannot help but asked, ¡°Micah? Can I ask you something?¡±

    ¡°What is it that you want to ask of me?¡±

    She hesitated a bit but continued, ¡°Um, why do you always looked like that?¡±

    ¡°Look like what?¡±

    ¡°A puppy. Can you, um, change appearance like the others?¡±

    ¡°Well¡ª¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because he likes it that way,¡± Sorcha interrupted.

    Micah frowned. ¡°Hey, can you not talk over me?¡±

    She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. ¡°But it¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? You could look all big, cool, and scary-even if you wanted to, but you¡¯d rather be cute and fluffy! Besides, when was the last time you changed into your human form?¡±

    ¡°Uhh, quite a while ago.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a vague kind of a while for me.¡±

    Micah sighed dramatically, his ears twitching. ¡°For the record, any Zhivopian can change their appearance whenever they want, however they want. As for me, this form is efficient, comfortable, and undeniably charming.¡±

    ¡°Charming? You¡¯re just a furball,¡± Sorcha teased. ¡°You just wanted people to look at you, haha.¡±

    ¡°And so what? There are all kinds of benefits to the attention Micah can get.¡±

    ¡°Like this?¡±

    She turned around and crouched down suddenly, her eyes twinkling mischievously, and in one swift motion she scooped him into her arms.

    ¡°Wah¡ª! Micah¡¯s ears flattened out as he squirmed in her grasp. ¡°Sorcha! Put me down this instant!¡±

    ¡°Nope! I can¡¯t do that!¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°You said it yourself¡ªattention has benefits, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    While the two were engaged in their own chatter, Elysha heard a voice from behind. ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    ¡°Haha, did you soak your socks in a puddle, Huilji?¡± Ana asked.

    ¡°Why did it have to storm earlier? Now these brand new shoes I bought are ruined¡± she complained. ¡°Noooo!¡±

    ¡°When did you buy them?¡±

    ¡°Just a few days ago. Ugh, if only if it wasn¡¯t still raining this morning¡­¡±

    A memory popped into Nevi¡¯s mind and said, ¡°Oh, that reminds me, I heard from my mother that Elder Merakia took care of my father this morning.¡±

    ¡°What? Really?¡±

    Elysha turned her head to look at Nevi, who nodded her head and replied, ¡°Yes, though it happened while I was still asleep. When I woke up to eat breakfast, my mother told me that she had already left.¡±

    ¡°Well, I heard that she has a role to take care of people,¡± Neliel chimed in.

    Nevi turned her eyes and asked, ¡°It was true that the Elder came to visit my parents, wasn¡¯t it, Elysha?¡±

    ¡°I think so, yes.¡±

    As they walked on, they could see a building in the distance, and Sorcha pointed to it and shouted, ¡°There it is! That¡¯s my house over there! Let¡¯s make a run for it!¡±

    She took off like a soaring bird, Billi and the rest of the group began to follow. They all ran fast, as if a race had suddenly begun.

    ¡°Last one there is a soggy cookie!¡± Ana shouted, pumping her arms as she sprinted.

    ¡°I¡¯m not losing to you again!¡± Micah yelled, his tail waving like a fan behind him.

    Sorcha laughed, ¡°Hah! Try me!¡±

    As they all ran, Elysha tried her best to keep up, clutching her basket tightly, but her legs couldn¡¯t quite keep up with the others¡¯ speed. Soon the gap widened, and she found herself falling behind. Her steps slowed as she tried to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling with the effort.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try too push too hard, it¡¯s just for fun, after all,¡± said a calm voice behind her.

    Elysha turned to see Anjel and Mariju moving at a slow pace, perhaps even walking. Despite the race, they were both unhurried, taking their time like a stroll in the park.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded, letting herself relax and calming her breathing.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like running much. It makes my head spin,¡± Mariju said. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s not a real race.¡±

    ¡°We will catch up eventually,¡± Anjel added, then noticed something. ¡°Oh, someone else is tired out too.¡±

    Their eyes caught sight of a red-haired boy walking meters ahead of them. Anjel ran up to catch up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Are you okay, Neliel?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± he exhaled his breath. ¡°I just¡­ underestimated how fast everyone else is.¡±

    ¡°Hehe, then come join the slow people club.¡±

    The four moved together, chatting lightly about various topics as they approached Sorcha¡¯s house. Meanwhile, on the other side, Sorcha and the others stopped suddenly in front of a larger house with gates and walls painted in earth tones. Two guards stood at the entrance, their stance firm as they noticed their arrival.

    ¡°Here we are! My house!¡± she announced, waving her arms dramatically as she stopped and turned around. ¡°I won, haha! Now who¡¯s here?¡±

    Billi ran up to her, and she crouched down and let him jump into her arms. ¡°Yay! Billi! You came in second!¡±

    Micah arrived moments later, panting and looking at Sorcha. His fur was slightly ruffled, his tail swishing in irritation. ¡°You cheated!¡± he accused. ¡°You had a head start!¡±

    ¡°So? Even if Sorcha didn¡¯t have a head start, you¡¯ll still be upset because my Billi beat you to the finish line!¡±

    ¡°Ehh?¡±

    He looked closely and saw her white rat in her arms, snickering at him. ¡°Kukukukuku¡­.¡±

    Micah¡¯s fur bristled and he yelled, ¡°EHHH??? No way did Micah lose to a rat!¡±

    ¡°Too bad,¡± she giggled. ¡°Face the truth, Micah, you were beaten by my Billi.¡± Then she leaned over to give her rat a nose rub. ¡°Right Billi?¡±

    Billi squeaked in what could only be described as triumphant approval, his tiny chest puffing out with pride.

    Micah¡¯s face heated up and he muttered, ¡°That little bastard¡­¡±

    Before he could continue to stew, Ana sprinted up, her face flushed with exhaustion, but smiling. ¡°Third place! Not bad for me!¡± she exclaimed, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. Then she looked up to see Micah and Sorcha, ¡°Oh? What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not in third place, Micah is,¡± Sorcha corrected.

    At the same time, Huilji and Nevi followed. One of them looked tired and exhausted, while the other looked content, as if she had just gone for a morning jog.

    Huilji stopped to catch her breath and gasped, ¡°No¡­ more¡­ running¡­¡± She took out her pocket mirror and looked at her reflection. ¡°At least I don¡¯t look hideous from all of these sweats.¡±

    She turned to Nevi who was lightly stretching and asked, ¡°How come you don¡¯t look like you are slowly dying?¡±

    ¡°Hm? Because I like to take care of my body¡¯s heath,¡± she replied. ¡°Also, I am on the cross-country team. So I tend to run every day for practice.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? I could take another gym class next semester to help keep my body fit and not drain out so bad.¡±

    ¡°Though, I would also suggest that proper nutrition could help. Lack of important nutrients could be the cause of tiring out easily.¡±

    ¡°Lack of nutrients?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Nevi nodded. ¡°Have you been eating healthily?¡±

    ¡°Umm¡­¡±

    Huilji quickly looked around and frowned, shouting, ¡°Where the heck is my brother?¡±

    ¡°Looks like he and the others are behind,¡± Ana said and turned around. ¡°Sorcha, should we wait for them?¡±

    However, she was already engaged in another conversation, this time with two guards standing in front of the closed gate. ¡°Miss Sorcha, bringing guests again?¡± one of them asked.

    ¡°Yeah! Sorcha wants to show them the house! Can you let us all in?¡±

    He looked up and scanned the faces in her party. Then he shook his head and stated, ¡°I recognized their faces, and you¡¯ve already shown them around here before not that long ago.¡±

    ¡°Wow, he remembers,¡± Micah said.

    ¡°Sorry, little miss. But we cannot let your friends in this time without your parents¡¯ permission.¡±

    Her ears twitched, her tail flicking in mild frustration. ¡°Aw, come on!¡± she complained. ¡°They¡¯re my friends! Sorcha promised we won¡¯t cause any trouble.¡±

    ¡°Last time you and your friends caused a great ruckus in your house, and your maids and butlers had to clean up your mess,¡± the guard replied. ¡°We have been ordered to be stricter with you, little miss. At your age, you should understand the rules.¡±

    ¡°But!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t bend them for you, or else your mother and father will put us into trouble.¡±

    Sorcha¡¯s ears flattened, her face crinkled in frustration. Billi immediately sensed what was about to happen and jumped out of her arms.

    ¡°Uh oh. She¡¯s upset now,¡± Micah said in a loud whisper.

    Without further warning, she threw her arms in the air and began stomping her feet on the ground, screaming unintelligibly. ¡°WAAAAAAAHHHHH!¡±

    ¡°Sorcha, please calm down,¡± the other guard stated.

    ¡°IT¡¯S NOT FAIR! IT¡¯S NOT FAIR! IT¡¯S NOT FAIR!¡± she wailed loudly, her voice echoing through the area. Her tail flailed wildly behind her as she jumped up and down, her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°YOU¡¯RE SO MEAN! WHY CAN¡¯T I JUST TAKE MY FRIENDS IN?!¡±

    Meanwhile, Elysha, Anjel, Mariju and Neliel were approaching the house when they heard a crying sound. Neliel¡¯s ears perked up. ¡°What the¡­?¡±

    ¡°Was that Sorcha just now?¡± Mariju asked.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s upset,¡± Anjel said. ¡°We should move faster and see if something has gone wrong.¡±

    The group hurried toward the commotion. As they caught up, they could now see the sights of everyone else. At the same time, there was another person approaching in on behind.

    Mariju asked, ¡°Who¡¯s that tall lady?¡±

    On the other side, the guards exchanged glances, and one of them knelt down at her eye level. He spoke softly but firmly, ¡°Miss Sorcha, we understand you¡¯re upset, but your mother gave us strict instructions. We can¡¯t just let anyone in, even if they¡¯re your friends.¡±

    ¡°I DON¡¯T CARE!¡± she cried, stomping again. ¡°I want them inside! It¡¯s my house too!¡±

    The other guard sighed and folded his arms. ¡°Miss Sorcha, please. Your mother is busy all day today, and we can¡¯t disturb her over this.¡±

    Nevi turned to the group and asked, ¡°What should we do? We can¡¯t just stand here, we have to help them.¡±

    Before they could answer, Nevi¡¯s eyes widened as a person approached from behind the group. Noticing her reaction, they immediately turned to see an older woman walking directly toward them.

    ¡°Was busied, to be more accurate.¡±

    The children quickly parted to let her pass, and the guards flinched when they saw her with her arms crossed and her sharp gaze fixed on them.

    ¡°What happened here?¡±

    The guards rose and bowed their heads to her. ¡°O¡¯ Narmittari, we did not expect your presence here,¡± one of them said. ¡°Miss Sorcha brought her friends to visit, but per your instructions, we could not let them in without permission. She¡­ became upset.¡±

    The Narmittari raised a brow, and her eyes flicked to Sorcha, who was now sniffling and looking up before running to hug her. ¡°Momma¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, Sorcha, you came back from your adventure?¡± she smiled and stroked her hair. ¡°You¡¯ve even brought your friends with you.¡±

    ¡°Momma, can you tell them to let me and my friends in?¡± she begged.

    ¡°You want your friends to come over today? But your father is at home right now doing his work. It would be disruptive for you to distract him from his buisness.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s always focused on his work and not on me,¡± she rolled her eyes with an annoyed pout, then sulked. ¡°But Elysha¡­¡± she sniffed. ¡°I want Elysha to see Sorcha¡¯s house and everything Sorcha loves¡­¡±

    The Narmittari gazed down at her daughter, then turned to see four more children watching her nearby. Sorcha lifted her face to see the rest of her friends arrive. She waved her arm and called out, ¡°Elysha! Neliel! All of you! Come over here!¡±

    The four stepped forward. Elysha took in the woman¡¯s appearance: she has dark skin, long brown hair, and piercing red eyes. Despite her frightening eyes and aura, she had a welcoming smile on her face. Elysha didn¡¯t know how to describe the outfit she was wearing, but it gave the impression of someone in a position of authority.

    Sorcha wiped the tears from her eyes and said, ¡°Momma! This is Elysha! She¡¯s my new friend!¡±

    The Narmittari turned to look at the little girl. ¡°Elysha, is it?¡±

    She flinched, clutching her basket as she shook her head. ¡°Y-Yes, madam. I am Elysha.¡±

    A corner of the Narmittari¡¯s lips curled, and she turned back to the guards and stated, ¡°Open the gates.¡±

    They bowed in unison. ¡°As you wish, O¡¯ Narmittari.¡±

    The guards moved to unlock the gates, their movements swift and precise. Sorcha¡¯s face lit up, her tail wagging with delight. ¡°Yay! Thank you, Momma!¡± She turned and pulled Elysha closer by the hand. ¡°Come on, Elysha! You¡¯re going to love it!¡±

    Her eyes widened as Sorcha pulled her into the house. The other children followed immediately. Anjel bowed to her and said, ¡°Thank you for letting us in, Madam Narmittari.¡±

    ¡°No need to thank me, child,¡± she said. ¡°I want my daughter to have a good time with all her friends. At the same time, I want her to take small steps toward understanding the responsibility of her actions.¡±

    When they arrived at the front door, Sorcha turned around and asked everyone, ¡°Ah, from now on we have to take off our shoes. Momma doesn¡¯t want us to wear dirty shoes in the house.¡±

    They nodded and took off their shoes before going inside. As each of them entered the house, Sorcha turned again and held her finger over her mouth and said, ¡°Shh¡­¡±

    Then she pointed in a certain direction and whispered loudly, ¡°Papa might be here doing his work. We don¡¯t want to bother him.¡±

    The group walked silently down the hallway, past the family photos hanging on the walls, until they reached a door to a bedroom. She opened it and let them all in.

    Micah gasped and inhaled before exhaling. ¡°Wooh! Micah held his breath for dear life!¡±

    ¡°What? You didn¡¯t have to go that far in Sorcha¡¯s house,¡± she gave him a wry look before turning her attention back to the group. ¡°Welcome to Sorcha¡¯s room! This place has changed quite a bit since the last time you were all here!¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes took in the details of the room: The room was very pink. There were clothes and stuffed animals and other toys everywhere, and drawings and pictures of Sorcha and her family hung on the walls. Her princess bed was covered with pastel curtains, and there were packages of candy and crayons on the countertops and the table in the center of the room.

    ¡°Woah, your room has more stuff since the last time I was here,¡± Ana said, stepping in and looking around as Huilji ran past her, jumping over objects on the floor to the other side of the room.

    ¡°When did you get this vanity?¡± she asked, her eyes on her own reflection.

    ¡°Just recently, haha. Momma got it for me after I passed all my tests before the break. It¡¯s brand new.¡±

    ¡°Seriously? I¡¯m jealous. Your mom is spoiling you right now,¡± she sighed. ¡°To this day, I still don¡¯t have one of my own.¡±

    Then suddenly, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me your family also owns a hot springs pool.¡±

    Sorcha tilted her head sideways. ¡°Hot spring? What¡¯s that?¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Nevi looked around and touched the fur of the stuffed animals on the counter. ¡°Your room is very cute, Sorcha.¡±

    ¡°Hehe, yeah, I wanted to make my room more cuter and pink,¡± she replied, then turned her eyes and asked, ¡°What do you think of my room, Elysha?¡±

    She looked at the picture frame of what appeared to be Sorcha¡¯s family. Behind her, Sorcha walked up and said, ¡°This picture has me with all my brothers and my sister and my parents. We were all smiling together for the camera.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you have a family, Elysha?¡±

    Elysha stared at the photo. The happy smiles in the frame tugged at something inside her, but she wasn¡¯t sure what.

    ¡°Hello? Did you heard what Sorcha asked?¡±

    ¡°Um, I... I think so.¡±

    ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Elder Mera¡­ Elder Mera takes care of me. Does that make her my family?¡±

    Sorcha blinked her eyes, then put her hand over and mouth and thought aloud, ¡°Sorcha doesn¡¯t remember if that mage has a daughter or granddaughter or what.¡±

    Then she said, ¡°But in this forest, everyone is family, you know? We all treat each other kindly, like how Sorcha treats my Billi and my brothers and my older sister. That¡¯s what my momma always taught me.¡±

    ¡°I think Micah had told me that before,¡± Elysha said.

    ¡°A-choo!¡±

    Their eyes turned to Micah, who had sneezed on top of the pink bed next to Billi, and he looked around and asked, ¡°Did someone say Micah¡¯s name?¡±

    Sorcha gasped and shrieked, ¡°Hey! What are you doing on my bed, Micah?! Did you sneeze on it?!¡±

    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t mean to sneeze!¡± he shot back, blinking innocently and drooping his ears slightly. ¡°It just happened!¡±

    ¡°Grr, no one is allowed on Sorcha¡¯s bed except me and Billi! It¡¯s a rule!¡± she growled, then pointed dramatically at the small sign on her bedside table, which read in messy handwriting: ¡°Sorcha¡¯s Bed: For Sorcha and Billi ONLY!¡±

    ¡°Since when the heck did you even have that?¡± he asked with a raised eyebrow.

    Soon after, the group did an activity where they would draw on a large piece of paper, as Sorcha wanted to hang a collective artwork on her wall with everyone¡¯s portraits.

    As everyone gathered around the large piece of paper on the floor, each person grabbed a crayon, marker, or pencil and waited for their turn to draw. Sorcha was the first, lying on her stomach, her tail wagging as she began to draw herself in the center.

    ¡°Ana, why are you eating a candy from the floor?¡± Neliel asked.

    ¡°Why not? It¡¯s still wrapped so it¡¯s not eaten, so what¡¯s wrong with it?¡±

    Then she blew a bubble out of her mouth, which got big and pink until it burst, and then grinned at Neliel. ¡°See? Tastes just fine! No harm done.¡±

    Everyone took turns until they were satisfied, some going all out and others wanting to be left alone to concentrate on drawing. When the artwork was completed, they all took a step back to observe the finished work. ¡°Aww, look at all of us together!¡± Sorcha spoke in awe.

    The piece was chaotic and colorful. Each character was as unique and expressive of their personality as the person who drew them. ¡°Micah, why did you draw yourself bigger than Sorcha?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Why not? Micah is big because that is what Micah drew.¡±

    She frowned, noticing that her eyes kept looking at his portrait instead of hers. ¡°Grr, maybe next time, I¡¯ll draw myself bigger and stand out!¡±

    ¡°Aw, I looked cute!¡± Huilji said with a satisfied smile, then looked at her brother who was drawn next to her. ¡°Neliel, how much effort did you put in? You almost look like a nerdy doodle.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a skilled artist or anything,¡± he sighed.

    ¡°Hm, I should have used more color, but that¡¯s okay, I still looked good,¡±Ana said, then turned her gaze to the right. ¡°Wow, both Anjel¡¯s and Mariju¡¯s drawings look cute. And Nevi, your drawing looks as pretty and talented as ever.¡±

    ¡°Thanks Ana.¡±

    Huilji turned her eyes at Nevi and she looked away. While they all exchanged words, Elysha¡¯s eyes continued to stare at the artwork that showed everyone smiling together, including herself.

    ~ ??? ~

    After spending some time in Sorcha¡¯s bedroom, Neliel suggested that they visit the village shrine as their next activity. In the end, they agreed on that choice and left the house. On the way, they chatted about various topics until Sorcha noticed a familiar face along the street. ¡°Ah! Mairi!¡±

    She ran out, drawing everyone else¡¯s attention as she jumped to hug the person, who caught Sorcha mid-jump and spun her around. ¡°Woah! You¡¯ve almost scared me, Sorcha! How are you?¡±

    ¡°Sorcha never expected to see my sister come back from Candelaria! And I am doing great!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re as lively as ever, haha,¡± Mairi smiled as she set her down, then looked back forward. ¡°And who are these new faces I see?¡±

    ¡°Oh! You haven¡¯t met Nevi, Mariju and Elysha yet, have you? They are my new friends!¡± she replied before turning around. ¡°Say hello to my older sister, Mairi!¡±

    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Nevi,¡± she waved. ¡°I¡¯ve only been to this village once before, and it was a memorable visit.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Mariju,¡± she yawned.

    Elysha noticed the empty pause after that and offered a shy wave. ¡°Um, hello. I¡¯m Elysha.¡±

    ¡°Welcome to Nartti Village, and as Sorcha said, I am Mairi, her older sister,¡± she introduced herself, smiling warmly. ¡°Your friend has told me so much about her adventures with all of you. Is there anything you need?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just exploring and seeing the village,¡± Ana replied.

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s so much to see, especially with Sorcha as your guide, she just knows everything there is to offer. Are you all going somewhere in particular?¡±

    ¡°To the shrine!¡± Sorcha shouted. ¡°Sorcha and her friends will go there next!¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see,¡± she chuckled. ¡°So then, will all of you be praying to the statues?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! We will! That¡¯s the point of going there, or is Sorcha wrong?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. People visit the shrine for many reasons¡ªprayers, offerings, or just to enjoy its peace.¡± Then, she thought for a second and asked, ¡°Mind if I come along with all of you?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Wait! You want to come with Sorcha and everyone?¡±

    ¡°I have so much free time, and having just returned from Candelaria, why not spend some time with my one and only little sister today?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Come with us, Mairi!¡± she beamed, grabbing her sister¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go, everyone!¡±

    The group continued toward the shrine. The path wound through a quiet part of the village, lined with tall trees at a higher elevation with cooler air and a long flight of stairs.

    ¡°Elysha, you looked like you are dying.¡±

    She looked up and saw a fox-moth creature flying above her. Behind her, Micah passed by, turned his eyes around, and said, ¡°Too bad you can¡¯t fly, Elysha.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rude. You two have the privilege of flying,¡± Ana countered.

    ¡°What? Are you upset that you cannot transform?¡±

    ¡°If only my theonum core was stronger, but even if I can transform as an Elbijan, I still won¡¯t be able to fly like you Zhivopians.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Ana.¡±

    She turned to see Nevi beside her as they walked up the stairs. ¡°Let¡¯s not get into any arguments as we get closer to the shrine. Besides, at least most of us are going up the stairs on our feet.¡±

    Elysha looked around and saw Ana, Nevi, Sorcha, Mairi, Anjel and Mariju coming up the stairs.

    ¡°You are an Ilutherjan Elbijan like me, so we should stick together,¡± Ana said.

    ¡°Please, I don¡¯t want to bring race into this, and we¡¯re almost at the top anyway,¡± Nevi replied.

    *bleh*

    The sudden noised caused everyone to turn around. ¡°Mariju?¡±

    Their eyes saw her lying on the stone steps next to Anjel, hovering over her vomit. ¡°Mariju¡­ you looked even worse,¡± Huilji said in concern.

    Anjel knelt down and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Sorry¡­ my body is tired and my legs are too exhausted to continue,¡± she said, heaving. ¡°I feel like passing out¡­¡±

    ¡°Move out of the way!¡±

    Ana, Nevi and Elysha stepped aside to let Sorcha and her sister pass. At that moment, Mairi transformed into a wolf-like form while Sorcha said, ¡°Mariju, climb on my sister¡¯s back.¡±

    She groaned weakly, tried to sit up and said, ¡°I-I don¡¯t want to burden anyone¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that to yourself,¡± Mairi said firmly. ¡°You¡¯re not a burden, Mariju. We¡¯ll make sure you get to the shrine safely.¡±

    Mariju hesitated, then nodded slowly. ¡°Okay¡­ thank you.¡±

    Sorcha crouched beside her and helped her climb onto Mairi¡¯s broad back. ¡°See? My sister is super strong, though not as strong as momma. You¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Hold on tight, okay? I¡¯ll take it slow as we go up the rest of the stairs,¡± her sister said as she helped Mariju steady herself.

    They resumed their ascent, and the chatter of the group quieted as they approached the end of the stairs. As they reached the top, their eyes caught sight of the shrine.

    The place was nestled, almost blended, into the trees that surrounded it. Elysha¡¯s eyes caught the carvings of creatures and symbols on the walls as they walked forward. A friendly maiden greeted them, and after a brief conversation and handing out small cups of water for each to drink, she gave each person a candle and led them through the place until they reached the center.

    Elysha turned her eyes to Micah, who had his candle floating in the air. ¡°How did you do that?¡± she asked him.

    ¡°With my own theonum magic, of course.¡±

    She watched the movement of the floating candle until her gaze returned to hers, unlit and cold from the touch. As they passed an archway into a courtyard, the children¡¯s eyes fell on a tree. It seemed taller and larger than any tree Elysha had ever seen. It looked more than different from the others, not only in size, but in certain details of its appearance.

    ¡°Elysha, you know who the Asnoiji is, right?¡±

    She jumped at the sudden question from Sorcha, nodded her head, and replied, ¡°I know who the Asnoiji is. He is the one who created this world, is that right?¡±

    ¡°You are right, but we don¡¯t know what He looks like,¡± Sorcha said. ¡°You see, throughout history, He has always been represented by a tree like this one.¡±

    ¡°That tree?¡±

    ¡°Yep! That¡¯s why what you see in front of you is one of the oldest trees in this forest. It has a spiritual connection to Asnoiji, so a shrine is built around it so that we can pray and resonate with Him.¡±

    Elysha remembered seeing the statues yesterday morning. Beyond the large pedestals, she remembered seeing trees attached to them.

    ¡°It¡¯s not the biggest tree you will ever see, sadly. The one in Illumija is the biggest because that is where the deity now stays,¡± she added.

    Soon after, the shrine maiden instructed them to stand in a circle around the tree. Then she lit each candle in turn until a ring of light formed in the shrine.

    ¡°It¡¯s starting,¡± Sorcha whispered, standing beside Elysha. The atmosphere became solemn and the place fell silent. Then the shrine maiden clapped her hands together, closed her eyes, and prayed.

    ¡°O¡¯ Asnoiji, we thank you for this wonderful day. We come to you with gratitude in our hearts, seeking your blessing and guidance. May your light shine upon us as we walk our paths¡­¡±

    As she spoke the prayers to the tree, everyone else either closed their eyes or lowered them to the swaying of the candlelight. Then the maiden bowed her head, and the group instinctively followed, the tiny fires flickering in the stillness.

    After a moment of silence, the shrine maiden raised her head and said, ¡°Each of you standing here today carries your own hopes, dreams, and questions, for the light of the Asnoiji watches over us all. Let His presence remind you of the connection we all share¡ªto each other and to the divine. Let this day remind us of the strength found in unity and the warmth in shared moments.¡±

    Then she said, ¡°Now, each of you may approach the tree and offer your prayer, then place your candles at the base of the tree.¡±

    One by one, the group approached the tree. Sorcha went first, her eyes closed tightly as she whispered, ¡°Thank you for letting me find friends and come to this wonderful place. Please watch over all of us and please keep my friends safe too! Please give Sorcha, Mairi, Billi, Momma and everyone great memories, fun, happiness and love in our forest that is our home¡ªoh, and yummy food and cute things too!¡±

    After saying a few more words, she took a few steps forward and smiled as she put the candle down. Then the next child stepped forward and offered their prayer. As each one took turns saying words and placing their candles, it was finally Elysha¡¯s turn.

    She slowly stepped forward, her heart pounding as she felt the eyes of others looking at her. As Elysha stood before the tree, she closed her eyes and thought, ¡®I pray¡­¡¯

    A moment of silence followed, and the memories resurfaced in her mind. She remembered the time she had spent today¡ªeating breakfast with Elder Merakia, going into the woods with all the people she had been with, seeing new and familiar faces, and experiencing new places she had never seen before. As she thought about these memories, Elysha formed words into a wistful prayer.

    ¡°I pray that, if you are listening¡­ I hoped that every day would be peaceful like today,¡± she whispered softly. ¡°I pray that everyone would be happy, and that I would make more memories like this with them. I pray that¡­ we would have fun for a very long time.¡±

    She opened her eyes and knelt down to place the candle with everyone else¡¯s at the base of the tree. Then she stood and looked back up at the tree, wondering if the Asnoiji had heard the words she had spoken from her heart.

    ~ ??? ~

    Everyone left the shrine when the prayer time was over. The day was starting to settle down and as they were descending the stairs, Anjel turned and asked, ¡°Mariju, will you be okay walking down the stairs like this?¡±

    ¡°Uh, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± she replied, nodding her head. ¡°I will be all right.¡±

    They continued to descend until they were finally back on the ground. Ana stretched her limbs and remarked, ¡°Whoo! What a long day today. The sun is slowly turning golden.¡± She let out a big yawn. ¡°So, shall we retire for the day, or is there something else we should all do?¡±

    The others exchanged glances. ¡°Maybe we could get something to eat?¡± Mariju suggested.

    ¡°My mother is cooking dinner for me to eat when I get back home,¡± Nevi said.

    ¡°Our parents are doing the same,¡± Neliel chimed in.

    ¡°So do you think we should call it a day?¡± Huilji asked. ¡°Because I feel like taking a good shower after all the walking today.¡±

    ¡°Aww, but it¡¯s not that late yet,¡± Sorcha frowned before her eyes met a familiar face from the distance. ¡°Ah, Momma!¡±

    Everyone¡¯s attention turned as the little Nartti girl¡¯s legs ran up to her mother, the Narmittari, her arms outstretched. ¡°Momma! Look! We went to the shrine, and it was so much fun! Mairi came with us too!¡±

    The Narmittari knelt down to take her daughter¡¯s outstretched arms in a hug. ¡°So, you have just returned from the shrine. Did you have a good time, Sorcha?¡±

    ¡°Yes! We all prayed to the sacred tree, and the shrine maiden was very kind. Oh, and guess what? She even took a picture of all of us together before we left!¡±

    She pulled out a photograph of the group standing together in front of the tree. The Narmittari took it from Sorcha¡¯s hand and studied it. ¡°What a warm memory you, your sister and your friends created,¡± she smiled. ¡°Look at those bright faces¡ªeach of you looks so full of life.¡±

    ¡°We all had so much fun, Momma! Even Mariju, although she got tired on the stairs and even threw up!¡±

    ¡°Why did you have to talk about me?¡± Mariju sighed.

    Mairi stepped forward. ¡°Hello mother, how was your day?¡±

    ¡°My day has been good, busy all morning, but nevertheless productive,¡± she replied. ¡°As luck would have it, I was passing by to pick up an item when I bumped into Sorcha and her friends.¡±

    Then she asked, ¡°Mairi, I haven¡¯t seen your face since you went to the Kingdom of Candelaria for your sociology studies. How was your time there?¡±

    Mairi smiled at her mother¡¯s question as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. ¡°Candelaria was... enlightening,¡± she said. ¡°The culture, the people, the way they live¡ªit fascinates me how different and yet similar they are to us. I learned so much, especially about how communities grow stronger through shared traditions.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like a valuable experience. As your mother, I am proud of you for seeking knowledge outside of our village,¡± she said. ¡°You have always had an open heart for the social sphere around you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mother,¡± Mairi said with a slight blush in her cheeks. ¡°Even though I do well in my endeavors, no matter where I go or what I do in my field, I miss home more than anything. There is nothing like the village I grew up in.¡±

    ¡°Aw, Sorcha¡¯s glad you¡¯re back, big sister Mairi!¡± Sorcha spoke, hugging her sister¡¯s arm. ¡°Now you can spend more time with me and my friends!¡±

    ¡°At this hour, your brothers should be returning home from work soon,¡± the Narmittari said. ¡°They would probably have many words to share with you.¡±

    Mairi looked up at the colors of the sky, then asked, ¡°By the way, Mother, have you ever introduced yourself to Sorcha¡¯s friends? Since you are the head of the village, they would like to have a good impression of you before the day grows late and they return to their homes.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for reminding me, it would be unpleasant for me to forget who holds the most important position in this village,¡± the Narmittari said with a smirk before taking a step forward to face the children.

    Elysha felt a sudden shiver run down her spine as she saw the Narmittari¡¯s confident posture and almost commanding presence. Her deep red eyes looked at the group. Mariju, feeling the same aura, asked, ¡°What¡¯s about to happen?¡±

    ¡°As most of you probably know by now, I am what the village calls the Narmittari, otherwise my full name is Tallulah Narmittari. It¡¯s always a pleasure to meet one of Sorcha¡¯s new friends.¡±

    She continued, ¡°Since you are all outsiders who have come to our village, it is only fitting that you learn a little about the village of Nartti. We are a community rooted in tradition and resilience. Every task, every gathering, every word spoken here is recorded in the history of our lives and of this world. The core values of our village are the same as those of the forest: treating our neighbors with respect, unity, and maintaining harmony. Everything we do is based on these principles. It is through them that we have thrived for generations.¡±

    Then she pointed her finger and stated, ¡°You there, boy with the red hair, what is your question?¡±

    ¡°What kind of traditions do you have?¡± Neliel asked.

    ¡°Many. Like all the other villages in this forest, we celebrate festivals with dance and song, honor our ancestors with rituals, and of course maintain our connection to the Lord and the deities with offerings at the shrine. There are even some other fun activities we can do, such as displaying our strengths and sharing our artistic talents. Each tradition is a connection to the roots that make us who we are as Narttis.¡±

    Micah¡¯s ears perked up and asked, ¡°Displaying our strengths? Like what?¡±

    The Narmittari grinned. ¡°Ah, would you like to see for yourself?¡±

    The children exchanged excited glances, and Ana said aloud, ¡°Yes, we just wanted to see how strong you are!¡±

    The others nodded their heads, and the Narmittari gestured for them to follow her to a larger area of the village. There, standing at a distance from the rest of the group, the Narmittari stopped and turned around.

    ¡°As the Narmittari, I am not only the leader of this village, but also its protector, as some of you may already know. My strength lies in my physicality and in my mastery of theonum¡ªthe life force that connects us all to this world and its divine roots.¡±

    ¡°Momma, are you going to show them your fire dance?¡± Sorcha spoke up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

    She smirked again and turned away before closing her eyes. Suddenly, the air around her seemed to change. ¡°The air is getting really warm!¡± Huilji spoke up.

    A faint glow enveloped the Narmittari¡¯s body, and then flames erupted from her hands, spreading up her arms and across her body. The children gasped in awe. ¡°Woah! She¡¯s on fire!¡± Ana exclaimed.

    ¡°But she¡¯s not burning?¡± Nevi muttered out loud.

    The Narmittari began to move, a powerful, fiery dance, like a scene on a battlefield, defeating enemies in fluid motion. The flames danced with her, spiraling and twisting in sync. She spun, her movements light yet powerful, the fire trailing behind her like a ribbon of light.

    The children watched, their eyes fixed on the Narmittari as her movements slowed and the fire around her settled into a glow. She raised her arms and the flames spiraled upward, forming a fiery fountain that stretched toward the sky. Then, with a wave of her hand, the flames dissipated, leaving only the faint warmth in the air.

    The clearing fell silent, the children too stunned to speak. Finally, Sorcha broke the silence, clapping her hands and jumping excitedly, ¡°Momma, that was amazing! You are the best momma in the whole world!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Sorcha,¡± she said with a trace of sweat on her face. She turned to the rest of the group as Ana took a step forward and asked, ¡°Can you teach us to be strong like you?¡±

    The Narmittari chuckled, ¡°I have all the important things on my schedule, young one. Not only that, but strength takes time and effort. It¡¯s a journey of continuous effort without a direct and linear goal.¡±

    A small disappointed look appeared on Ana¡¯s face, but she just nodded, ¡°Okay, I understand. But maybe one day, when we come back, could you show us again?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps next time, when there is a tournament of strength to showcase potential talents.¡±

    Then, looking at her watch, the Narmittari turned away and said, ¡°Now, children, I must take my leave. My duties call, and as the Narmittari, it is my responsibility to see that the village thrives.¡±

    Sorcha¡¯s face fell slightly. ¡°Must you go now, Momma?¡±

    The Narmittari knelt down to hug her daughter. ¡°Yes, my little spark, but I will be back before the stars fill the sky.¡± She smiled as she stroked her hair. ¡°Be good and listen to your sister, okay?¡±

    She nodded her head and returned her smile twice as bright. ¡°Okay, Momma. I¡¯ll be good.¡±

    With that, she turned and walked away, her long, dark, curly hair flowing behind her. The children watched in silence until she was out of sight. ¡°I wish I had your mother, Sorcha,¡± Huilji said.

    ¡°No way,¡± she pouted. ¡°Sorcha¡¯s momma is mine and mine alone¡ªand Mairi¡¯s too, and all of Sorcha¡¯s brothers plus Billi.¡±

    ¡°Your mother is really cool,¡± Anjel said.

    ¡°Sorcha knows! Momma¡¯s the best!¡± she beamed proudly. ¡°She goes around the village a lot, talking to people and helping to make our home a better place. Momma is a very busy person after all.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    As the warm light of evening shone upon the forest, it signaled the time for the children to go home before nightfall, and with it came the departure of Sorcha¡¯s friends from the village.

    Sorcha sighed and leaned against Mairi¡¯s side as they all walked towards the entrance. ¡°Sorcha wishes the day didn¡¯t have to end so soon,¡± she murmured, her tail drooping slightly.

    ¡°Days like this always feel too short, don¡¯t they?¡± Mairi asked, ruffling her little sister¡¯s hair.

    Ana came up behind her and patted her shoulder. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t look so glum, Sorcha. The festival¡¯s coming up, remember? We¡¯ll have a whole day to play, eat, and make more memories together.¡±

    Sorcha sniffled, then perked up a bit. ¡°The festival! Sorcha almost forgot!¡± She straightened, her ears twitching with relieved mood. ¡°You¡¯re right. Sorcha feels a little better now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Ana grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

    The entrance to the village was visible from a distance, and the mood began to turn bittersweet. ¡°Well, it¡¯s time to head home, isn¡¯t it, Nevi?¡± Ana said, nudging her friend.

    Nevi nodded, her expression calm but warm. ¡°Yes. But we¡¯ll see you soon, Sorcha.¡±

    When they reached the gate, Sorcha and Mairi stood together, seeing their friends as they were ready to leave. Ana turned around and waved first, calling out, ¡°Bye, Sorcha! We¡¯ll see you again soon!¡±

    ¡°Bye-bye! Take care!¡± Sorcha shouted back, her tail wagging as fast as her hand.

    ¡°Bye everyone!¡± Mairi said. ¡°Travel safely, okay?¡±

    Huijli, holding her brother¡¯s hand, turned and grinned. ¡°Bye, Sorcha! Don¡¯t miss us too much!¡±

    ¡°As if! Sorcha will be too busy planning how to beat all of you at the festival games,¡± she countered, sticking out her tongue playfully.

    Micah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sure, Sorcha. Keep dreaming.¡±

    As the last of her friends disappeared into the forest, Sorcha stood still and watched until they were out of sight. Mairi placed a hand on Sorcha¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Feeling lonely already?¡±

    ¡°A little,¡± Sorcha admitted. Then, brightening, she turned to her sister. ¡°But it¡¯s okay! Sorcha has lots to do before the festival. Sorcha¡¯s going to make the best decorations ever!¡±

    Mairi smiled. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. Come on, let¡¯s head home. I¡¯m sure our mother will be happy to hear all about your day.¡±

    With a bounce in her step, Sorcha followed Mairi, her mind already racing with ideas for the festival.

    ~ ??? ~

    Once out of the village, the group walked together down the forest path until they reached a familiar junction where their paths diverged.

    Ana stretched dramatically, her teal twintails catching the last rays of sunlight. ¡°Well, Nevi and I will go this way. See you all at the festival!¡± she said, her cheerful voice ringing out as she waved to the others.

    ¡°Take care, all of you!¡± Neliel called out, waving as he and his sister took their path. Huilji turned to add, ¡°Don¡¯t get lost, all of you!¡±

    ¡°Micah never gets lost! The forest is like a map in Micah¡¯s mind!¡±

    As their figures faded into the distance, Micah turned to Elysha, his fluffy tail flicking behind him. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s just us now, Elysha. Let¡¯s head back before it gets too dark.¡±

    Before they could take another step, a voice called out from behind them, ¡°Wait! Can we come along with you two?¡±

    They turned to see Anjel and Mariju standing nearby, holding hands. Micah tilted his head and asked, ¡°What? Micah thought you two had already left. Don¡¯t you live in Illumija with Ana and Nevi, Anjel?¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Anjel said with a nod. ¡°But I want to follow Mariju until we reach her house, then I¡¯ll take my own path.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s curiosity sparked as she looked at Mariju. ¡°You live near us?¡± she asked.

    Mariju nodded, brushing back her long, curly green hair. ¡°Yes, I live not far from Elder Merakia¡¯s place. Anjel visits sometimes. Maybe you¡¯ve seen me around?¡±

    Elysha drew her brows together and thought for a moment before shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I can¡¯t remember, but maybe I just didn¡¯t realize.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Mariju replied with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see more of each other now.¡±

    Taking her words in mind, Elysha turned to Micah and asked him, ¡°Micah, do you also live near us?

    ¡°The forest is Micah¡¯s home, so Micah sleeps wherever he wants.¡±

    ¡°Even in the bushes?¡± Mariju asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Sometimes,¡± he said nonchalantly, his ears twitching. ¡°Bushes, trees, even caves. Micah is not picky. Nature provides all that Micah needs.¡±

    Elysha stared at him but decided not to comment. Instead, she walked beside the group as they made their way home against the backdrop of the golden sun.

 2.10 - Mother Rabbit

    Micah ran ahead of everyone, stopped, and opened his mouth, releasing a massive blast of air that blew away a horde of mobs.

    ¡°Micah has created an opening! Everyone, get through!¡± he shouted.

    Huilji and Neliel nodded and made their way through the opening, followed by Anjel and Mariju. Elysha followed and entered another part of the forest. Behind them, Ana and Sorcha stayed behind and took out their staffs.

    ¡°Take this!¡± Ana called out, casting blue magic at the crowd that had been blown away.

    The mobs, whose appearance looked whimsical and magical, like creatures from children¡¯s books, exploded into confettis and candies. Sorcha joined in, casting pink spells from her staff and shouting, ¡°Sorcha demands that you stop chasing and hurting us!¡±

    More mobs exploded on contact, but despite the colorful piles of remains scattered across the ground, more rounds of enemies kept popping up, prompting both Ana and Sorcha to retreat and catch up with the rest of the party.

    ¡°Did you get them?¡± Micah shouted.

    ¡°No matter how hard we fight them off, more of them keep showing up!¡± Ana replied. ¡°They just never stop!¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t stop because it¡¯s like we¡¯re invading their territory!¡± Micah replied. ¡°They just showed up and attacked us out of nowhere ever since we started looking for the mother of those rabbits!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re trying to stop us from the momma bunny!¡± Sorcha joined in. ¡°Grr, they are all Sorcha¡¯s enemies!¡±

    ¡°And to think that all this happened because the smaller rabbits were crying for us to save their mother,¡± Neliel sighed. ¡°What a crazy night it has been so far.¡±

    ¡°It was Sorcha¡¯s idea to take on the quest and gather us all together to find their mother,¡± Micah said. ¡°And not long after, we¡¯re being chased by these phenomenal, strange-looking creatures!¡±

    ¡°Do you want to be blown by Sorcha¡¯s staff into confettis and candies too?¡± she countered. ¡°And we¡¯re not stopping here! We getting close to saving the bunnies¡¯ momma!¡±

    Sorcha paused at her feet before turning to face the approaching crowd. She held out her staff again, twirling it dramatically and shouted, ¡°Become candy!¡±

    A spiral of pink energy shot out. The blast expanded into a swirling vortex, consuming the nearest mobs and leaving behind an explosion of glitter, confetti, and candy that rained down like a bizarre party gone wrong.

    ¡°Come on, Sorcha. We have to catch up with the others,¡± Ana said.

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    The two hurried along the forest path. Up ahead, the rest of the group had just cleared out another horde. As the last mob burst into a shower of colorful junk, the group paused to catch their breath and wave at Ana and Sorcha¡¯s arrival.

    Elysha brushed some glitter off her shoulder and looked down to pick up a piece of candy. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion as she curiously inspected the piece. ¡°Why are they turning into candy?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Because the forest magic here is quirky. That¡¯s why,¡± Micah replied.

    ¡°Is that really a good explanation for this?¡± Huilji asked with folded arms. ¡°Those creatures that chased us look like living toys that came straight out of a nightmare movie.¡±

    ¡°Oooh, that sounds like a good idea for my next project,¡± Ana said.

    ¡°Now is not really the time to focus on anything that doesn¡¯t relate to our current situation at hand,¡± Nevi interjected.

    Anjel turned to Mariju, who was leaning against a tree, still trying to catch her breath. ¡°Mariju, are you all right?¡± she asked.

    ¡°I am tired, but still okay,¡± she said with a strained smile. ¡°As long as there are no stairs, I think I¡¯ll get my strength back.¡±

    ¡°When we get out of this¡­ bit of a chaotic mess, do you want to eat something sweet with me and Elysha?¡±

    ¡°Sweet?¡± Mariju calmed her chest and let out a soft chuckle. ¡°And here I was slowly getting tempted by all those exploding candies in the air.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure why that came out of my mouth either, hehe. Maybe the desire for sweets is calling me.¡±

    Meanwhile, Ana picked up a candy from the ground and said, ¡°I wonder what it tastes like,¡± before unwrapping it and tossing it into her mouth.

    Nevi looked at her disgustedly. ¡°You¡¯re gross.¡±

    ¡°What? It tastes surprisingly good,¡± she replied, blowing a bubble from her mouth before popping it.

    ¡°In that case, Micah wants to try it too!¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Nevi sighed.

    Elysha walked over to the boy with the red hair and glasses, asking, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thinking about our current situation,¡± Neliel replied, adjusting his glasses as his eyes darted through the trees. ¡°We can¡¯t waste any more time here. Either we continue to search for the missing mother rabbit, or we make our escape back home.¡±

    Elysha looked up and around the area. The woodland surroundings appeared dark and blueish, lit by the light reflected from the moon. Her eyes stopped at a small hill covered in trees and bathed in the same moonlight. ¡°We should go there,¡± she said.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    She nodded. ¡°I think so. Maybe the mother rabbit is there.¡±

    At the same time, Huilji took the candy she had picked up, unwrapped it, and dropped it into her mouth. ¡°It tastes like chocolate! Weirdly good chocolate.¡±

    ¡°See? I told you!¡± Ana smirked and winked at Nevi. ¡°You¡¯re missing out.¡±

    Nevi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. ¡°I¡¯d rather not eat anything that used to be a living monster, thank you.¡±

    Neliel stepped forward into the middle of the group and said, ¡°We can¡¯t stay here too long, we have to move on quickly before the mobs show up again.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! We have to save the momma as soon as possible to make the little bunnies happy again!¡± Sorcha added.

    ¡°Micah agrees with Neliel. Those weird-looking creatures could respawn with twice as many as last time!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re kind of cute though,¡± Huilji said.

    ¡°Focus, all of you!¡± Neliel interjected, gesturing forward. ¡°Like I said, we can¡¯t stay here much longer. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±

    The group pressed on. As they continued to search for the mother rabbit, Mariju couldn¡¯t help but groan in frustration, ¡°I hope we¡¯re close to whatever it is we¡¯re looking for. I don¡¯t know how much more walking and running I can handle.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like a race to see who can get to the momma bunny first!¡± Sorcha said, smiling as she skipped ahead.

    ¡°You¡¯re not even helping!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mariju,¡± Anjel reassured her, offering a hand to help her. ¡°I¡¯m right here beside you. If anything happens, I can help make sure you are safely out of harm¡¯s way. We¡¯ll get there with everyone sooner than later.¡±

    ¡°Th-Thanks?¡± she replied as she accepts Anjel¡¯s hand.

    The group trudged on, their steps quickening as the air grew cooler. Elysha stayed close to Anjel and Mariju, glancing at the path ahead every now and then. The little girl¡¯s silver hair shimmered faintly in the moonlight as she clutched the edges of her dress.

    ¡°Are we really getting any closer?¡± Huilji asked, her voice tinged with doubt. ¡°Or are we running aimlessly in vain?¡±

    ¡°Elysha pointed us in the direction of that hill over there,¡± Neliel said. ¡°If any of you see any other particular signs, let me know.¡±

    ¡°My body is drenched in sweat, covered in dirt, and I feel absolutely disgusting,¡± she groaned dramatically. ¡°I need¡ª¡±

    ¡°A bath?¡± Ana interrupted. ¡°Yeah, yeah, we all do. But some of us probably need it more than others.¡±

    Huilji whipped her red braided hair around with a sharp glare. ¡°Excuse me? And what exactly are you trying to say, Ana?¡±

    ¡°Enough, you two!¡± Nevi intervened. ¡°We are literally running in the woods right now, perhaps surrounded by these same phenomenal creatures! Now is NOT the time for this¡­ this catfight!¡±

    Despite her words, Huilji does not let go of her pointed look at Ana. ¡°You, me, at your same hangout place, tomorrow. Deal?¡±

    ¡°Deal!¡±

    Micah bounded ahead. ¡°Micah sees something ahead! It¡¯s¡ªoh no.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Neliel asked, picking up his pace.

    His tail pointed to the trail ahead. ¡°Stairs. Lots of them.¡±

    Everyone stopped, their eyes fixed on the seemingly endless ascent ahead. The stairs wound long and high into the dense canopy, its steps uneven and sometimes narrow, disappearing into the shadows above. It was like a stairway to the unknown, or to their own end.

    Mariju¡¯s shoulders slumped as she let out an exasperated complaint. ¡°Why stairs? Why does it always have to be stairs?¡±

    Nevi crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. ¡°I knew it,¡± she sighed. ¡°Something about this forest is actively trying to ruin our lives.¡±

    Huilji patted Mariju¡¯s shoulder, her grin equal parts teasing and encouraging. ¡°Hey, come on now. You can do this. We¡¯re all going together. No one is getting left behind.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! Micah will go first to make sure it¡¯s safe,¡± he volunteered, puffing out his chest and jumping onto the first few steps. ¡°If any mobs show up, Micah will blow them away!¡±

    Sorcha gripped her staff and spun it with dramatic flair. ¡°And if there are too many, Sorcha will blast them into candy again,¡± she said with a bright smile. ¡°No mob is too much for Sorcha¡¯s magic!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope there aren¡¯t any mobs at all,¡± Neliel muttered, adjusting his glasses. Taking a deep breath, he placed one foot on the first step of the stairs. ¡°All right, everyone. Let¡¯s do this.¡±

    The group made their way up the stairs, their shoes crunching against the weathered stone. The climb was slow and steady, with Micah leading the way, scouting as the others followed.

    As they ascended, Elysha turned her attention to Mariju, who was quickly getting tired of walking up the stairs. Next to her was Anjel, who helped her out despite the slow pace. ¡°Do you need to stop for a bit? You look a little pale,¡± she asked.

    ¡°No... I don¡¯t want to slow everyone down,¡± Mariju replied weakly, trying to muster a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just so easy for me to feel tired or weak.¡±

    Elysha moved closer and offered her hand, saying, ¡°Take my hand. I can help you too.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Elysha. You¡¯re very sweet,¡± Mariju smiled.

    The stars above twinkled and faded with each leaf that passed beneath them, their faint but serene light casting a glow over the stairs. Despite the steep climb, there was a sense of unity among the group. Sorcha hummed a cheerful tune as she twirled her staff, and Ana kept cracking jokes to lighten the mood.

    ¡°Does anyone else feel like we¡¯re climbing into the sky?¡± Huilji remarked, her eyes tracing the stairs ahead. ¡°It¡¯s almost like this thing never ends.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it,¡± Nevi said. ¡°The last thing we need is for these stairs to suddenly get longer.¡±

    Anjel¡¯s eyes noticed Micah pausing at the front. ¡°Micah? Did you see something?¡±

    ¡°Micah can see the top!¡± he shouted from ahead. ¡°And something else¡­ glowing!¡±

    ¡°Could it finally be the rabbit?¡± Huilji asked.

    ¡°We¡¯ll soon find out!¡± he said as he quickened his pace.

    The others followed along as Neliel spoke with quiet confidence. ¡°Just a little more!¡±

    Elysha held Mariju¡¯s hand a little tighter. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±

    Mariju nodded. ¡°Yeah. Almost there.¡±

    The group pressed on, step by step, until finally the stairs gave way and they could see the glow grow brighter, illuminating the forest around them. At the top of the hill stood a small clearing bathed in moonlight, and in its center the group froze as their eyes locked on the giant creature.

    Huilji muttered, ¡°What the¡­¡±

    The mother rabbit stood at least three times her size, perhaps more. Her soft fur reflected the light of the moon as it brushed against the wind. The rabbit struggled against the heavy chains that bound her arms, but her focus remained on the cauldron before her, the liquid inside shimmering in different colors.

    ¡°This must be the mother rabbit those little ones were crying about,¡± Neliel said.

    ¡°You know, I expected us to spend our night looking for their missing mother, but I didn¡¯t expect their mother to be so big and fat,¡± Ana stated.

    ¡°That¡¯s rude.¡±

    ¡°Come on Nevi, I was being honest. She looks like a giant rabbit that came from the top of the beanstalk tower,¡± she shrugged.

    Sorcha stepped forward cautiously. ¡°Wh-Why are the momma bunny¡¯s arms chained up and bruised like that? We have to help free her!¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes blinked and she asked, ¡°What is she doing?¡±

    ¡°No idea, but more importantly, she¡¯s hasn¡¯t noticed us yet!¡± Ana replied, then walked up to her before waving her arms. ¡°Heyyy! Can you hear us?¡±

    The rabbit¡¯s ears twitched at the sound, and her glistening eyes turned toward them. Despite her immense size, her gaze was soft, almost pleading. She opened her mouth, but instead of words, a low, melodic hum resonated through the clearing.

    Anjel¡¯s eyes widened and she said, ¡°I think¡­ she¡¯s trying to tell us something.¡±

    ¡°What do you think she¡¯s trying to tell us?¡± Elysha asked.

    ¡°She¡¯s asking for our help, of course!¡± Sorcha replied, then called out, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Sorcha and all of us will help save you!¡±

    Neliel adjusted his glasses and looked at the cauldron in front of the rabbit. Around its base were scattered various items¡ªglowing herbs, crushed flowers, and crystalline powders. ¡°Look at the ingredients scattered around,¡± he said. ¡°She¡¯s making something.¡±

    ¡°Making what?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. More importantly, we need to figure out how to free her from those chains.¡±

    Neliel approached the rabbit cautiously, his eyes darting between her and the cauldron. He muttered under his breath, ¡°Chains enchanted with runes... This is no ordinary magic. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.¡±

    Elysha stepped closer and softly asked, ¡°Is she hurt?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Micah moved closer to the cauldron and took a whiff of smell from his nostrils. ¡°Ooooh, smells sweet, like honey and flowers,¡± he said.

    ¡°You should add yourself to the pot,¡± Huilji suggested.

    ¡°No way! Unless you want to have some Micah-flavored stew to go into your stomach, then fine by me!¡±

    *rumble*

    Suddenly, the Earth began to shake, startling and alarming everyone. The moon became covered by the clouds, and the mother rabbit let out another hum.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happening!¡± Mariju said.

    The mother rabbit¡¯s gaze shifted to the forest around her, and she raised one bound paw and gestured weakly toward the trees.

    ¡°She¡¯s pointing at something!¡± Sorcha exclaimed. ¡°Tell us, do you need anything? How can we save you?¡±

    [¡®Seeds¡­¡¯]

    They all flinched and shook at the sudden voice. ¡°Did... did you just hear that?¡± Micah asked.

    ¡°Y-Yes,¡± Nevi replied, still shaking. ¡°But did we hear it at the same time?¡±

    ¡°We just heard the word ¡®seeds,¡¯ didn¡¯t we?¡± Neliel asked.

    Elysha turned to the large mother rabbit and stared into her reflective but wistful eyes.

    [¡®Please find my last ingredients for me.¡¯]The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    The group exchanged wide-eyed glances. ¡°Did the rabbit just speak to us?¡± Huilji asked.

    ¡°Telepathically, I suppose,¡± Neliel confirmed. ¡°And she mentioned seeds. It must be the last ingredient she needs for whatever she¡¯s brewing.¡±

    ¡°Seeds? What kind of seeds?¡± Nevi asked, clearly uneasy. ¡°This forest isn¡¯t exactly an easy-to-find grocery store.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Mariju frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this means another detour back into the woods again? That¡¯s where all those mobs were!¡±

    ¡°Do you see any other way to help her?¡± Sorcha asked. ¡°We can¡¯t leave the momma bunny stay chained up like this!¡±

    Huilji sighed and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. ¡°Okay, so we¡¯re ingredient hunters now. What exactly are we looking for? Seeds? Isn¡¯t that like looking for needles in a forest-sized haystack? Shouldn¡¯t we just use brute force to break these chains and call it a night?¡±

    Anjel stepped closer to the mother rabbit and said, ¡°We¡¯ll help you. Please tell us where to find the seeds.¡±

    The rabbit made a loud hum, and glowing symbols appeared in the air above the cauldron. The shapes morphed into images.

    ¡°How is that even possible?¡± Huilji asked.

    ¡°So those are what the seeds looked like¡­¡± Mariju yawned. ¡°They looked bigger than what I thought.¡±

    ¡°And colorful and have patterns on them,¡± Micah said.

    ¡°I counted about eight of them with different colors,¡± Neliel added. ¡°So, if we need to rescue the mother rabbit, we need to follow what she wants first to learn more about the situation.¡±

    ¡°Seriously brother? But why does she need those seeds to finish whatever she¡¯s making?¡± Huilji asked with outstretched arms, then pointed to her bound wrists. ¡°Look! She¡¯s chained up for some reason! Shouldn¡¯t we set her free first?¡±

    Neliel turned back to the rabbit and looked at the mysterious runes that were etched into the chains.

    [¡®Without these seeds, my spirit cannot be free.¡¯]

    The children¡¯s heads snapped back to the large rabbit. ¡°Her spirit¡­ cannot be free?¡± Nevi whispered. ¡°What does she mean?¡±

    [¡®Find the seeds. They are the foundation for the growth of this new tree.¡¯]

    ¡°Sounds like she¡¯s really trying to make something,¡± Micah said, then a light bulb went off in his head. ¡°Ah! Micah knows where to start! I saw some weird glowing plants on the way here. Maybe they have the seeds!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I think I saw them too,¡± Mariju added.

    Nevi took a moment to think about the words she had just heard, to process them and to ask a question, ¡°So, does that mean we have to¡ª¡±

    *rumble*

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    The group tensed as the ground rumbled again, shaking loose pebbles and dirt from the hill. The air around them grew cooler, their breaths visible in the dim moonlight. Elysha clutched her necklace tightly as she heard sounds in the distance.

    Out of the dark forest came more mobs¡ªstrange, weird-looking and whimsical creatures emerged. Their glowing eyes locked on the group, and a low growl echoed through the forest in unison.

    ¡°Ah! It¡¯s them again!¡± Micah shouted.

    ¡°Oh, come on!¡± Ana groaned, drawing her weapon. ¡°Talk about perfect¡ªno¡ªworst timing!¡±

    ¡°And I was wondering when they were going to show up again,¡± Nevi sighed, putting her hand on her hip and shaking her head.

    Sorcha eyed her and pointed her staff at her, ¡°Don¡¯t tell Sorcha that you were the one who jinxed it.¡±

    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re here now, then they must not want us to find the seeds,¡± Neliel reasoned, drawing his own sword. ¡°Whatever phenomenal they are, we must defend ourselves against them while we gather the ingredients."¡±

    Sorcha twirled her staff confidently and smiled. ¡°No problem! Let¡¯s blast them into candy!¡±

    ¡°Brother, your sister would get scared if you weren¡¯t fighting by her side,¡± Huilji teased, winking at Neliel as she casually rested her morning star weapon on her shoulder.

    ¡°Sis¡­¡± Neliel sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Could you take this a little more seriously?¡±

    ¡°Come on, brother. Let¡¯s make sure we slay together while we fend off these hooligans,¡± she smirked. ¡°It¡¯ll make a great story for when we¡¯re back home.¡±

    Mariju groaned, clutching her side and leaning against Anjel. ¡°Forget stories... I just want to go home¡­ and sleep¡­¡±

    Micah¡¯s voice cut through the chatter. ¡°We¡¯ll split up! Some of us will distract the mobs, and the rest will go find the seeds. You hear Micah?¡±

    ¡°Right, it¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll make it through this,¡± Neliel said.

    Sorcha raised her staff high. ¡°I¡¯ll keep them busy! Sorcha¡¯s magic will make them wish they¡¯d stayed in their forest holes!¡±

    Mariju tugged at Elysha¡¯s sleeve and exchanged a look that suggested she wanted her to follow her and Anjel. ¡°Let¡¯s go find the seeds together.¡±

    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Micah asked, his eyes scanning the group. They nodded as one, ready to face whatever came next.

    ¡°Set¡­¡± Micah crouched slightly, his tail twitching with excitement as the whimsical mobs approached. Their glowing eyes blinked like jack-o-lanterns, and their strange, cute, yet unsettling forms advanced steadily.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    The group launched into motion at Micah¡¯s command, splitting into two teams as planned.

    Micah, Neliel, Huilji, Sorcha, and Ana stood their ground, ready to face the incoming mobs. Meanwhile, Nevi, Elysha, Anjel, and Mariju veered off into the forest, slipping between the trees to begin their search for the seeds.

    ¡°Micah, you better not slack off!¡± Huilji called over her shoulder, gripping her morningstar.

    ¡°Slack off? Micah never slacks!¡± he replied. As the first wave of creatures came at them, Micah inhaled sharply and blew out with all his might, the gust scattering the smaller mobs like dust and leaves in the wind.

    ¡°Take that! Micah¡¯s wind is stronger than your stinking mob faces!¡± he shouted, puffing out his chest like a champ. ¡°See? Micah¡¯s amazing!¡±

    ¡°Less bragging, more fighting! These little guys are multiplying faster than Sorcha¡¯s candy explosions,¡± Ana said.

    ¡°Stinking? But these monsters look cute! If only they were good monsters, they would become Sorcha¡¯s stuffed plushies! And speaking of candy¡­¡±

    Her grin turned mischievous as she twirled her staff in a flourish display. ¡°You think Micah¡¯s that¡¯s good? Watch Sorcha¡¯s magic!¡±

    With a dramatic slam of her staff into the ground, she unleashed a flurry of colorful toys that sprang to life, bouncing toward the mobs before¡­

    *kaboom*

    They exploded into bursts of confetti and candy.

    ¡°They¡¯re like pinatas!¡± she clapped her hands and jumped up and down enthusiastically. ¡°Sorcha loves this!¡±

    Huilji laughed as she swung her morning star, the heavy weapon smashing through a group of mobs. ¡°Nice work, Sorcha! You¡¯re making this look like a festival!¡±

    ¡°More like a candy raid,¡± Ana muttered, taking her own staff to defend herself from the approaching mobs. ¡°But you know what? That sounds like a lot of fun. I¡¯m enjoying my time here, finding my next inspiration for my projects.¡± Then she smiled, acting like a narrator, and continued, ¡°¡®The Night of the Dreamvasion¡­¡¯¡±

    ¡°Ana, can you stop with the acting and focus on the mobs?¡± Neliel shouted, slicing through a pair of mobs with his sword. ¡°You can write about whatever¡¯s on your mind later. I can¡¯t let myself be distracted if I¡¯m not interested in being mob fodder tonight!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Micah¡¯s watching their moves!¡±

    Ana shrugged. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± she said, dodging a blow from a particularly large mob and blasting it with her magic. Then she saw Micah being surrounded by mobs. ¡°Micah!¡±

    Neliel took notice and ran to strike at them with his sword. He swung, but despite the precision of his blows, the blade was not enough to make some of the enemies explode.

    ¡°Watch out!¡±

    He backed away as Huilji jumped in with a grin, her morning star crashing down with a satisfying crunch. The remaining mobs exploded in a shower of candy.

    ¡°Woo, that was a close one,¡± Micah said.

    Huilji turned and gave her brother an air kiss before saying, ¡°You¡¯re welcome, brother. I better be rewarded for saving you from that moment.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Micah the one who was saved from being cornered?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about you.¡±

    Meanwhile, Sorcha twirled her staff and said, ¡°You think these little guys are tough? Watch this!¡±

    Her staff sent a massive jack-in-the-box springing out of the ground. It opened with a loud pop, releasing a wave of pink and colorful energy that scattered the advancing enemies like bowling pins.

    ¡°Princess Sorcha is unstoppable!¡± she laughed as confetti rained down around her.

    ¡°How the heck has she not run out of energy yet?¡± Huilji asked.

    ¡°How the heck is she even that powerful?¡± Micah raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°It¡¯s her mother¡¯s genes,¡± Neliel sighed.

    ¡°Sorcha, less showing off, more helping us!¡± Ana said as she fended off a group of mobs coming at her. ¡°And you three, stop watching her and help me clear out this side of the area! These things aren¡¯t going to stop anytime soon!¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡± Sorcha replied, pouting slightly. With another spin of her staff, she summoned a rain of pink fireworks that exploded over the battlefield, clearing another wave of mobs. ¡°But you owe me candy for this later!¡±

    ¡°Candy? If we survive this, you can have all the candies you want,¡± Micah huffed as he went to help Ana.

    ~ ??? ~

    Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Nevi led the seed-searching team through the woods, her eyes scanning the shadows for the glowing plants they¡¯d seen earlier. ¡°Keep an eye out. We¡¯re looking for seeds with patterns and colors, just like the ones the rabbit showed us.¡±

    ¡°My heart won¡¯t stop beating fast because of a possible ambush,¡± Mariju said as she held her hand over her chest.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mariju. Nevi, Elysha, and I are here. We can all hold them off and defeat them together until all the seeds are collected,¡± Anjel reassured her.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear, I just want to go home and sleep¡­¡±

    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t keep being pessimistic about what¡¯s going to happen,¡± Nevi said, pausing and turning to face her.

    Mariju blinked her eyes. ¡°Huh? Nevi?¡±

    She raised her hand to touch her cheek, causing her face to flush upward.

    ¡°Calm down. Take a deep breath. Breathe slowly and relax.¡±

    Mariju nodded and took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady herself.

    ¡°Do you feel a little better now?¡±

    She nodded and moved her face towards Nevi¡¯s bare palm. ¡°Your hand feels warm,¡± she said quietly.

    ¡°It¡¯s comforting, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°It is.¡±

    ¡°My mother taught me that when the situation seems negative, when you feel alone and nothing seems to help you. She told me to always look for the bright side of the situation, like a small glimmer of light in a pool of darkness, just like my hand feels warm to you.¡±

    Mariju nodded, ¡°Thank you¡­ Nevi. I will keep that in mind.¡±

    Nevi gave Mariju a small smile and removed her hand. ¡°Good. Just hold onto that thought. We¡¯re not alone in this. We¡¯ve got each other.¡±

    As they moved further into the woods, a light mist began to settle on the ground, and a faint rustling caught Elysha¡¯s attention. ¡°Huh, did you hear that?¡±

    Everyone froze, the forest around them eerily quiet except for the occasional wind.

    ¡°... Nothing, thankfully,¡± Anjel whispered, gripping her wand tighter.

    ¡°Stay alert, no matter what your mind thinks,¡± Nevi said.

    Suddenly, her eyes caught a glimmer through the mist. ¡°Over there,¡± she said, pointing to a faint, silvery light shining through the trees. ¡°That could be one of the seeds we were looking for.¡±

    They moved toward the glow, the mist parting slightly to reveal a small luminous plant, its leaves gently swaying as it basked in the moonlight.

    Anjel stepped forward cautiously and plucked the shimmering golden seed. ¡°I¡¯ve got it! The seed is bigger than I imagined, and pretty-looking, too,¡± she said, holding it up for everyone to see.

    ¡°Good work,¡± Nevi said, her bow still drawn as she scanned the surrounding forest. ¡°That¡¯s one down. Seven more to go. Let¡¯s not linger here too long.¡±

    ¡°Are we sure this is going to work? What if we don¡¯t make it in time?¡± Mariju asked, clutching her side.

    ¡°Maybe, but still, we have to try,¡± Nevi said firmly, looking back at her. ¡°We¡¯ll find all of them so that we can free the mother rabbit. We have to keep moving.¡±

    As they continued to search for the next seed, the ground began to tremble beneath their feet.

    ¡°Not again!¡±

    Suddenly, strange and whimsical enemies emerged from the shadows, ready to ambush them. Their glowing eyes fixed on the group as they made their menacing noises.

    ¡°Wjirriirii!¡±

    ¡°Oh no, they found us!¡± Mariju shouted, her voice trembling.

    Nevi¡¯s bowstring snapped taut as she took aim. ¡°Anjel and I will hold them off! Elysha, Mariju, find the next seed!¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡± Elysha began to protest, her eyes darting nervously between the advancing mobs and Nevi.

    ¡°No time to argue!¡± Nevi shouted, loosing an arrow that hit a mob directly, causing it to burst into confetti and candy. ¡°Go!¡±

    Mariju grabbed Elysha¡¯s hand, her grip firm despite her trembling fingers. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s hurry before more of them show up!¡±

    The two dashed deeper into the forest, Elysha¡¯s eyes searching for any sign of a seed. ¡°There!¡± she exclaimed, pointing to a faint purple glow up ahead.

    ¡°We must hurry and be quick so we can reunite with Anjel and Nevi,¡± Mariju spoke in a tired but urgent tone,

    Elysha asked, ¡°Do you want me to pick up the seeds or do you want to do it?¡±

    Mariju thought for a second and replied, ¡°I can watch out for the monsters.¡±

    When they reached the plant, Elysha knelt down to find the next seed. At the same time as she grabbed the seed, a mob suddenly emerged from the shadows above her, freezing her in place.

    ¡°Elysha!¡±

    The creature looked oddly cuter than the others, with floppy ears and round cheeks, but its sharp claws gleamed menacingly as it rose to strike at her.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Mariju shouted, throwing herself at Elysha to push her aside.

    The mob lunged, claws slicing through the air. Before it could land a blow, a spell streaked through the darkness and struck the creature directly in the chest. It exploded into a puff of sparkling confetti and candy.

    Mariju opened her eyes to hear footsteps coming closer. ¡°Are you two okay?¡± a familiar voice asked.

    She and Elysha looked up to see Anjel emerge from the shadows, panting and grinning. She was holding her wand, the same one she had used to cast a spell.

    Elysha clutched the seed to her chest. ¡°Thank you, Anjel! I thought we were done for.¡±

    She turned her eyes to Mariju, who was still covering her, and then quickly stood up herself. ¡°Sorry,¡± she said, then reached out to help her back up.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to say sorry,¡± Elysha said, shaking her head. ¡°You saved me, and I¡¯m happy you did that for me.¡±

    Hearing those words, Mariju¡¯s eyes shook and she gave a small, yet soft smile. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±

    ¡°Elysha, Mariju, we should keep going.¡±

    Their eyes turned to Anjel who said, ¡°See that arrow of light in the sky? It came from Nevi. She¡¯s calling for us to reunite with her. So, are you two ready to continue?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Elysha replied with a nod.

    ¡°We¡¯re ready.¡±

    They pushed forward, their feet crunching on the undergrowth as they made their way through the thickening mist. They could hear the faint sounds of battle from Nevi¡¯s team in the distance, the crackling of magic and the ominous sounds of the mobs echoing through the trees.

    ¡°Stay focused,¡± Nevi said, her voice steady despite the situation. ¡°The next seed should be around here somewhere.¡±

    Mariju nodded, her eyes darting between the trees. Just then, a faint blue glow appeared through the trees. The trio hurried toward it, and there, nestled among the roots of the tree, was the next seed.

    ¡°There it is!¡± Anjel breathed and reached down to pick it up. ¡°We¡¯ve got it.¡±

    ¡°Six more left to go,¡± Nevi said in perseverance.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    They continued to search for the remaining seeds while the other party fought the mobs. By the time Nevi, Elysha, Anjel, and Mariju had collected all the seeds, they returned to find their friends holding off the remaining mobs near the mother rabbit.

    ¡°We got them all!¡± Nevi called out, relief flooding her chest as she saw her friends still there.

    Anjel and the others rushed forward, and their eyes could see that Micah¡¯s team was running low on energy. The mobs were circling, and Ana and the others were surrounded by a relentless tide of creatures. Their faces stained with sweat, their eyes filled with exhaustion. The ground beneath their feet trembled as the enemies advanced.

    They looked at Nevi and the others with relief. However, they were facing a larger crowd than before. Sorcha swung her staff once more, sending a wave of weakened energy that reduced some of enemies to glittering candy and confetti.

    ¡°These mobs just never stop coming, do they?¡± Huilji groaned. ¡°Ugh.¡±

    ¡°Well, at least Nevi and the others are back now,¡± Ana said, then turned her attention to them and shouted, ¡°HEY! YOU HAVE THE SEEDS RIGHT?¡±

    ¡°Why is she yelling at us?¡± Mariju asked, confused.

    ¡°WE DO HAVE THE SEEDS!¡± Nevi shouted back.

    ¡°Why are you yelling at her too?¡± Mariju asked again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, honestly,¡± Anjel replied, shaking her head as if she was used to this kind of exchange.

    Elysha glanced around the area before asking, ¡°What should we do with the seeds in our arms?¡±

    ¡°Why are you looking at us?¡± Micah shouted, swiping at a mob with his claws in his larger form. ¡°Throw them in that pot or something!¡±

    ¡°Just do it already!¡± Huilji shouted, and her morning star sent another wave of mobs flying, disintegrating into candy and confetti. ¡°We can¡¯t hold them off forever!¡±

    Elysha hesitated, turning to look at the giant rabbit, whose eyes looked back at her.

    ¡°If the rabbit trusts us, we must trust her,¡± Anjel said firmly, stepping forward. ¡°Let¡¯s put these big seeds in the pot!¡±

    The four darted toward the cauldron, the others shielding them from the mob. One by one, they threw the seeds into the swirling liquid. The liquid bubbled and rose, spilling over the edges in tendrils of golden mist. As the last seed hit the surface, the cauldron began to glow with an intense brilliance.

    ¡°Wha¡ª!¡± Mariju cried, shielding her eyes from the light.

    ¡°It¡¯s working!¡± Neliel shouted, slicing through a mob with his blade with renewed vigor.

    *rumble*

    The cauldron erupted like a geyser, sending a column of golden liquid shooting and swirling into the sky. The clearing was bathed in warm, celestial light as the liquid transformed into a golden tree, its branches reaching skyward as if into the heavens.

    The mobs froze in mid-attack, their glowing eyes dimming as the light of the tree enveloped them. They began to dissolve, turning into glittering dust as they merged with the branches.

    Anjel blinked and took notice as she gasped, ¡°Look at the chains!¡±

    All eyes turned to the massive rabbit as the golden light fell upon her. The chains that had bound her cracked and shattered, disintegrating into tiny, harmless sparks. The rabbit rose to her full height, towering over the group. Her soft hum resonated through the clearing, a melody of relief and gratitude.

    ¡°She¡¯s free!¡± Mariju whispered, her tiredness momentarily forgotten.

    ¡°We did it!¡± Sorcha cheered, twirling her staff in delight. ¡°The tree¡¯s magic is incredible!¡±

    Micah slumped to the ground, exhausted but grinning. ¡°Micah told you it would work!¡±

    [¡®Thank you, brave souls of Light, for restoring harmony to this forest and releasing me from my chains.¡¯]

    ¡°Did she¡­ just talk in our heads?¡± Micah asked, looking around.

    ¡°She did!¡± Sorcha spoke out.

    The mother rabbit stepped forward, her immense form now glowing softly like the tree. She lowered her head, as if bowing and continued, [¡®Because of all of you, the Tree of Wishes and Dreams can continue to bring light to the world.¡¯]

    Huilji stepped forward, her morning star resting on her shoulder. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy, and I feel like a sweaty fish, but seeing this¡­ it¡¯s worth every bit of filth on my skin.¡±

    ¡°Micah still feels like collapsing,¡± he murmured, still lying flat on the grass, his eyes reflecting the golden glow. ¡°But I admit this is... beautiful.¡±

    ¡°Look!¡± Nevi shouted, pointing her finger in a certain direction.

    The group turned as the little rabbits emerged from the woods and scampered across the clearing, their cries filling the air.

    ¡°Momma!¡±

    ¡°Mommy!¡±

    ¡°Mother!¡±

    The mother rabbit knelt down, her massive ears drooping as her children nuzzled her fur while she continued to hum a soft, resonant melody that echoed through the clearing.

    ¡°They¡¯re reunited,¡± Neliel said, adjusting his glasses with a small, satisfied smile. ¡°All the effort and trouble was worth it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, I feel emotional¡­¡± Nevi said, watching the scene with teary eyes and in awe. ¡°Not only that, the golden tree behind them is so, so¡­¡±

    ¡°Sorcha is so happy that the little bunnies finally came back to their momma,¡± she cried.

    ¡°But what¡¯s happening now?¡± Ana asked. ¡°I am so confused. Is anyone else lost here, or is it just me?¡±

    The tree began to glow brighter, and the mother rabbit lifted her head, her eyes reflecting the brilliance as the light began to envelop her. One by one, the little rabbits began to glow, their forms shimmering as they began to dissolve into golden dust.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Mariju muttered out. ¡°Are they leaving?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just them,¡± Nevi whispered.

    The glow from her children began to swirl around her, their golden dust enveloping her massive form. The mother rabbit closed her eyes, her expression peaceful as she too began to dissolve into mist. The particles rose upward and merged with the tree, pulsing with light.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Sorcha asked, tears streaming down her face. ¡°They¡¯re... they¡¯re all turning into light!¡±

    ¡°Micah doesn¡¯t understand. Why would they disappear after everything we did?¡± he muttered, visibly shaken but trying to keep his composure.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯ve disappeared.¡±

    They turned to Anjel, whose pink eyes, gleaming with gold, watched the last of the particles merge with the tree. ¡°I think¡­ I think they¡¯re becoming one with the tree,¡± she said in a near whisper, then lowered her eyes. ¡°They¡¯re not gone. They¡¯re protecting this place, making sure our world is happy and at peace... forever.¡±

    Elysha watched as leaves and branches of the tree swayed and shimmer. She felt immersed, as if her eyes could not let go of the ethereal sight. Something about the tree felt connected to her, though she could not understand what it means, or why she felt such a sensation.

    She turned to the others and her eyes widened as she watched them slowly dissolve into golden mist and dust. She opened her mouth to call out their names, but nothing came out. She moved her feet and took a step forward, reaching out to grab Sorcha¡ªbut her hand moved past her, and Elysha stumbled and fell to the ground.

    Her eyes turned and she saw the light from the tree overwhelm her vision and everything went white.

    ~ ??? ~

    White light streamed from a slit in the window, and Elysha¡¯s eyes slowly opened to see the rising morning. She stared dazedly, hugging her pillow against herself, trying to make sense of what had happened.

    ¡°A dream¡­ again?¡± she murmured, blinking and remembering the remnants of her dream that had not yet been forgotten. ¡°What dream did I have¡­?¡±

    She remembered the experience of the dream¡ªthe adventure, the strange, yet whimsical creatures, the moonlight, the mother rabbit, the large colorful seeds, and the sight of a mesmerizing, golden tree of light.

    Processing all of these abstract sensations in her mind, Elysha lowered her cheek against the pillow and murmured under her breath, ¡°It was a strange dream.¡±

 2.11 - Lake Ir?stos

    Upon waking, Elysha cleaned her face and teeth before meeting her guardian for breakfast. After eating, the two of them went back upstairs to help the little girl pick out her clothes for today¡¯s trip to Lake Ir?stos.

    Back in the bedroom, Elder Merakia pulled out a navy-blue uniform dress with a white collar and cerulean ribbon. ¡°What do you think of this?¡± she asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s cute.¡±

    ¡°Hm, would you like to choose this one, or this outfit right here?¡±

    Elysha raised her hand and chose the first dress. ¡°That one.¡±

    Elder Merakia then gave her the outfit to try on. When she was dressed, she went to the mirror to look at her reflection. Her guardian commented, ¡°Why, don¡¯t you look lovely?¡±

    Elysha stared, trying out the movements of the dress, seeing how the hem swayed. The outfit seemed nice and comfortable to wear, and soon after testing it out, her guardian braided the back of her hair before tying the end with a red ribbon. ¡°There, nicely done.¡±

    The little girl lifted her hand to touch her braided hair at the back of her head, feeling the texture of the ribbon attached to the ends of her silver strands.

    As they finished their preparations for the trip to the lake, Elysha packed her books and writing utensils into her backpack. At the door, Elder Merakia turned to her and asked, ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    She straightened, her hands gripping the straps of her backpack and nodded her head. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±

    Elder Merakia smiled and opened the door, and together they stepped out into the crisp morning air and began their adventure through the Forest of Ir?stos.

    ~ ??? ~

    The sun shone through the overcast sky as they walked through the woods, holding hands and following a path that led to the lake. As they walked, Elysha¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the dream she had last night.

    ¡°...¡±

    Her guardian noticed this and asked her, ¡°What thoughts are going through your mind, dear child?¡±

    ¡°I was thinking about the dream I had today.¡±

    ¡°A dream? What kind of dream did you have?¡±

    ¡°I dreamed¡­ I dreamed of going on an adventure with Micah and everyone.¡±

    ¡°An adventure, I see,¡± said Elder Merakia. ¡°Can you tell me more about it?¡±

    ¡°I think we were helping some rabbits who wanted us to find their mom,¡± she continued, then she thought hard to remember. ¡°Um, it was dark, and there was this white mist thing, and there were these weird monsters trying to hurt us, and we turned them all into candy before we ran away.¡±

    ¡°¡®Turned them into candies?¡¯¡±

    Elysha nodded. ¡°Mm-hm, someone in my dream said that it tasted good.¡±

    ¡°Is there more to the dream you would like to share with me?¡±

    ¡°There is, I remember what happened.¡±

    She took a moment to recall before saying, ¡°Um, and then we found the mother rabbit, and she was big, but not as big as Kitty. She was doing something and we all went to collect magic seeds that were hidden around. More monsters came, and after they turned into candy and we collected all the seeds.¡±

    Elysha paused for a moment to catch her breath and continued, ¡°Then we gave them all to the mother rabbit. And then the rabbit¡¯s pot thingy shot something magical into the sky, and the sky became so pretty that we all stared at it¡­ And then¡­¡±

    Her mouth stopped and her eyes quivered as she remembered the scene at the end, when she saw the tree of gold. It was as if it was a tree she could only see in her dreams. ¡°... Then I woke up.¡±

    ¡°What a nice dream you have,¡± Elder Merakia commented. ¡°Sounds like quite an adventure for you to remember so vividly.¡±

    ¡°It was a weird dream.¡±

    ¡°Well, dreams like that often reflect your inner world and memories.¡± She then asked, ¡°What do you think the magical seeds might represent?¡±

    ¡°Those magical seeds? Hmm¡­¡± Elysha tilted her head in thought. ¡°I think¡­ I think the seeds are like the wishes and dreams of others. Because when they all came together in the rabbit¡¯s pot thingy, it shot out like a fountain, and all the wishes and dreams came out like a shooting star.¡±

    Then, she blinked her eyes and said, ¡°The dream¡­ the dream reminded me of a story that I had heard before.¡±

    ¡°A story?¡±

    ¡°A story about a girl who wanted to fly like a bird.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that story. I remember telling you that story the other night,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°Hm, those children you spent time with yesterday. Do you consider them your friends?¡±

    ¡°Friends?¡±

    ¡°Yes, friends are those who share in your joys and adventures, even if only for a little while.¡±

    Elysha looked back at the view of the path ahead, which appeared to be a creek with a bridge leading from one side to the other. As they crossed it, she thought of the memories she had shared with them, their faces and their smiles and laughter.

    Her eyes widened. The flashing memory from her dream of seeing them dissolved into a golden glow. She remembered trying to catch up to them, but falling behind in vain.

    ¡°Micah, Sorcha, Anjel, Mariju, Ana¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia stopped and turned around to see her standing there. She asked, ¡°Elysha? Are you saying their names?¡±

    The little girl looked back, nodded, and replied, ¡°I think, I think they are all my friends, yes.¡±

    Her guardian smiled and motioned for her to stand beside her. ¡°Then hold on to that feeling, dear child. The red ribbon of friendship is a treasure, not only for the adventures you share, but for the memories they leave behind.¡±

    As they continued to walk, Elysha looked ahead as the path began to widen, when suddenly there was a sound.

    *swish*

    Their eyes turned to the bushes¡ªand in an instant, a creature appeared. It was a rabbit, its fur white and brushed by the wind. Its ears twitched as it nibbled at a patch of grass near the path, seemingly unperturbed by their presence.

    To Elysha, it looked exactly like the rabbit from her dream, only smaller.

    ¡°Well, would you look at that,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°It appears we have company¡ª¡±

    An image of a girl running towards the rabbit crossed the vision of the elder mage. In the next second, as quick as a flash, the rabbit darted back into the bushes and disappeared from view.

    Elysha stopped in her tracks, her shoulders drooping slightly. ¡°Aw, it ran away again,¡± she said sadly.

    ¡°Hm, what a coincidence, nature is an interesting wonder in itself to reflect the dream you told me,¡± Elder Merakia said as she approached her.

    The little girl sighed, and then looked up at the sky, where the birds flew between the trees, and then at the sounds of other animals and nature. The subtle hum of life around her seemed to soothe her disappointment.

    She turned her gaze to Elder Merakia, who stood patiently nearby, her expression as calming as the surroundings.

    ¡°Come on, dear child,¡± she said, extending a hand to her. ¡°Let us continue forward. The day is still young, and we will arrive at the lake soon enough.¡±

    Elysha took her hand, and together, they resumed their walk toward Lake Ir?stos. Elder Merakia began to hum a soft, lilting tune, and the little girl listened, finding comfort in the touch of her guardian¡¯s hand and to the melody that accompanied their walk.

    After a while, they came to a bench by the side of the path, and Elder Merakia motioned for them to take a break. ¡°Let¡¯s rest here for a moment,¡± she said,

    They sat down on the bench together. She opened her bag and took out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Elysha watched as she unwrapped a few snacks: fresh bread, slices of cheese, and some dried fruit. They shared a nice silence with their simple snack, their surroundings enveloping them.

    ¡°This little trip is so nice,¡± Elysha said, taking a small bite on a piece of bread and chewing it. ¡°I like spending time with you, Elder Mera.¡±

    ¡°And I with you, dear child,¡± she replied. ¡°This little trip is pleasant, is it not? And being with you brings me a sense of peace and contentment.¡±

    The little girl¡¯s face flushed and warmed, a shy smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera. That makes me very happy.¡±

    They lingered at the bench for a while before continuing down the path. It was not long before the sounds of their destination reached their ears as they walked along. ¡°We are near the lake,¡± Elder Merakia said.

    Elysha subtly held her breath as the glimpses of the lake began to appear and the trees began to thin. When they finally stepped into the clearing, she audibly gasped as her eyes met the sight of the lake itself.

    The Lake of Ir?stos spread out before them, its surface shimmering like glass under the sunlight. Ripples danced across its surface, reflecting the sky above and the trees that lined its edge. There were also two small, tiny islands sitting in the middle of the lake.

    As Elysha stared at the scenery, Elder Merakia stepped beside her and asked, ¡°What do you think of this place?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty,¡± she murmured, her voice tinged with a sense of awe.

    ¡°Indeed, it is. From here on forward, your training sessions will be held at this place.¡±

    ¡°Here?¡±

    She pointed to the pergola from a distance. ¡°Over there, actually. A lake brings with it a sense of peace and tranquility, which is precisely why I have chosen it as the setting for your study and practice,¡± Elder Merakia replied. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s go to the place.¡±

    Following her into the pergola, Elysha asked, ¡°How will the study go, Elder Mera? Will it be like the other day when I tried to learn theonum magic?¡±

    ¡°Dear child, when we entered the garden that day, it was the first time you immersed yourself in connecting with your theonum core.¡±

    Elysha nodded, and the elder mage continued, ¡°Today we will focus more on understanding the knowledge of theonum sorcery, starting with the basics, including the relationship between theonum and our world itself.¡±

    The little girl took in the words, and as they walked, Elder Merakia turned her gaze to look at her expression. She remembered what had happened to her that day, the child¡¯s reaction, and the profound effect even simple concentration had on her.

    ¡®However, on that same day, you were unable to connect with your core and manifest theonum as you desired.¡¯

    Her eyebrows furrowed, but her tendency to hesitate was nullified by the child¡¯s bright and determined gaze. An image of her former pupil¡¯s gaze flashed before her eyes, and then, stopping at her feet and turning to face her, she asked, ¡°Elysha, do you still desired to learn how to connect to your theonum core?¡±

    Elysha nodded again and replied, ¡°Yes, Elder Mera, I want to learn how to do it.¡±

    When they reached the pergola, Elder Merakia motioned for her to sit at the table. She placed her briefcase on the table and opened it with a soft click.

    ¡°Now, Elysha,¡± she began, her tone calm yet purposeful, ¡°since today¡¯s session will focus on what I said earlier about the knowledge of theonum, do you remember what I told you about theonum energy?¡±

    ¡°Um, you said it was like a connection to everything, right? And it¡¯s part of me, but I don¡¯t know how to fully connect to it yet, because¡­¡±

    ¡°That is correct, your understanding is growing, and that in itself is a good sign,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°As I explained the other day, theonum energy permeates every living being in our world. Each individual has been given a core that testifies to his or her relationship with the Lord, for our soul identity¡ªby origin¡ªis a piece of the Asnoiji Himself, given to us as a blessing for our existence. In this way, we are connected to the Lord, and can express His gift through the art of theonum.¡±

    She continues. ¡°Cultivating and expressing the art of theonum requires not only a spiritual connection to one¡¯s theonum core, but also a connection to one¡¯s essence of passion, or one¡¯s essence of soul identity. It comes in a variety of elemental forms, derived from the source of their original element, chosen unconsciously by their soul identity.

    ¡°Passions?¡±

    ¡°Yes, passions. Every Elbijan and Zhivopian has their own specialized ¡®gift¡¯. When one is born into the world, their individual passion remains unrealized in the soul. Only then when one realizes one¡¯s passion does one gain access to their essence. Each person¡¯s theonum expression is shaped by their passion and reflects their soul identity and individuality.¡±

    ¡°Does this mean that everyone can use theonum in their own special way?¡±

    ¡°Yes, because theonum is an energy that flows through all living things,¡± she said. ¡°With time, training and guidance, one can unlock their own special way of using theonum, unleashing their inner potential and creating possibilities.¡±

    ¡°So this means that each person¡¯s theonum is different based on their passion?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Indeed. Passions are categorized into seven elemental types of theonum, each represented by the Seven Divine Deities of the Asnoiji.¡±

    ¡®Seven Divine Deities of the Asnoiji?¡¯

    Elder Merakia leaned forward and turned the page of the book to where an illustration showed gathered figures. ¡°Here you see the representatives of the deities that protect the Asnoiji¡¯s world.¡±

    She let the child¡¯s eyes take in the illustration for a moment before turning to the next page, which showed an elk-like figure surrounded by elements of nature.

    ¡°The first guardian, Ir?stos, embodies the element of nature,¡± she explained, pointing to the drawing. ¡°Think of the trees and flowers you see around you. He is symbolized by the elk like here in this picture.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes stared at the figure that bore the same name as the forest itself. The elk looked different from the one she had seen in her picture book the other day. His antlers looked like refined branches, his body carried defined elements, and he possessed a confident stature. Formal, regal, even majestic.

    She couldn¡¯t take her eyes away from the elk¡¯s appearance, saying, ¡°I know him, he¡¯s the deity of the forest.¡±

    ¡°To the forest, he represents the harmony, courage, and strength found in the natural world,¡± said Elder Merakia. ¡°Like the other deities, Ir?stos had a long history that led to the present, watching over his territory where we reside and maintaining the stability of the environment.¡±

    ¡°Long history?¡±

    ¡°Yes, since the foundation of the world, the deity Ir?stos, along with the rest of the deities, has had their own histories that coincides with the territories they have been given. The natives and ancestors of this forest have deep and strong ties to Ir?stos himself, for he and the deities serve as reservoirs of the Lord¡¯s power, providing resources and security for the people, and the people give them their prayers and gratitude in return.¡±

    Elysha let the words sink into her mind before turning to the next page, which depicted a land tortoise.

    ¡°What you see here is Eftelvildt, the deity of the earth element, associated with the stability, endurance, and grounding qualities of the world¡¯s terrain,¡± she continued. ¡°He looks out as a guardian over eastern Hymelum, including the mountains of Eftelvildt and the adjacent Soterian Forest.¡±

    Elysha stared at the illustration of Eftelvildt, her fingers tracing the edges of the page. ¡°So¡­ he watches over the mountains? Just like Ir?stos watches over the forest?¡±

    ¡°Not entirely correct. Each deity holds possession of different sections of the world, as the Lord has given territorial sovereignty to the seven deities before he sleeps. The entire forest of Ir?stos is only a large portion of the territory that the deity Ir?stos watches over.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I get it now,¡± she nodded her head and then asked, ¡°Do every deities have places named after them?¡±

    ¡°Not all deities have places in the world named after them. Most places in the worlds are named by the people who lived in those areas.¡±

    Then, Elder Merakia turned to the next page, which showed a fox-like creature and said, ¡°Here is Amets. He is the deity who possessed the element of air.¡±

    Elysha leaned over to look at the illustration and said, ¡°He¡¯s cute and looks a little like Micah.¡±

    ¡°Does he?¡± she looked at the picture again before continuing. ¡°Amets embodies the symbolism of freedom, whimsicality, and the thrill of adventure. He embraces change and creative solutions as the deity of the Island of Wren.¡±

    As Elder Merakia went on with speaking, Elysha¡¯s eyes were on the text on the page:

    ¡®Of all the deities of the Asnoiji, Amets is one of the most enigmatic figures of Soliremisce, both in terms of sightings and the influence he has spread throughout the land of Wren.¡¯

    ¡®The series of documented sightings of the deity Amets have led to cultural shifts in both the Wrenian and Candelarian terrains. People throughout the span of time have created tales and art movements that depict the influence of the elusive and totemic figure.¡¯

    ¡°... There is little to know about Amets. Given the qualities and traits of the deity of air as a free spirit type, even to the natives who lived on the island, it is a rare sight to be able to find him,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°Do you see the background illustration behind him?¡±

    Elysha nodded, looking at the illustration. The art depicted a vast and open landscape, full of flat grasses and the central, expansive view that stretched who knew how far to the other side.

    ¡°That place is called ¡®Amets Valley,¡¯¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°It is located within the island of Wren, and it makes up a good percentage of the land itself. It is also the home of the Emuinets, who are the natives of the island, with a rich culture, traditions, and beliefs.¡±

    ¡°Just like here in Ir?stos, right?¡±

    ¡°I would say that every corner of Soliremisce has its own collective dishes of cultural history and values. This is what makes the world interesting from my perspective.¡±

    Elysha pictured the island of Wren in her mind, immersing herself in the place shown in the illustration she saw on the page. She also imagined meeting the locals and seeing all sorts of creatures she might never have met before. She looked up again and asked, ¡°I¡¯d like to visit there someday, wouldn¡¯t I?¡±

    Elder Merakia smiled, patted and stroked her head, and said, ¡°Life always has room for the first experience of visiting new places, dear child.¡±

    Soon after, she turned to the next page, and Elysha¡¯s eyes caught the illustration of the tiny fae-like creature surrounded by a swirling mist of frost and snowflakes. She looked more human than the other deities, with blue hair and eyes that looked like crystals, and she held a flower like an umbrella. Her wings shimmered in the artwork, almost as if dusted with ice particles.

    ¡°Culturally associated with the harshness and purity of frozen landscapes is the deity of ice, Hymelu,¡± said Elder Merakia. ¡°She takes the form of a tiny fairy, and has a notable history of healing the people from illness and injury. Some stories had similarities of seeing the deity Hymelu like seeing a lanturn in the midst of a snowstorm.¡±

    ¡°What part of the world is she from?¡±

    ¡°This deity comes from the west of Hymelum, over the mountains of Galanthja, including the Wistrellekre Hills. There, the deity holds co-sovereign territory with J?ll.¡±

    ¡°J?ll?¡±

    ¡°He is the other deity who shares dominion over the region with Hymelu,¡± she said, pointing to the dark, wolf-like creature on the other side of the pages. His body seemed to look like it was on fire. ¡°They are the only two of the seven deities to have authority over the same territory. What is uniquely interesting is that these two deities are known to have contrasting personalities, true to the elements of ice and fire, yet they generally have a peaceful reign over the area.¡±

    ¡°Peaceful¡­¡± Elysha¡¯s curiosity grew and she asked, ¡°I didn¡¯t know that before, I am very interested to learn more about them. What are the others?¡±

    ¡°There is the electric guardian, Krothjura, who watches over most of the isles of Zhivopis,¡± she answered, turning the page over to show mage and the illustration of the islands. ¡°He represents the dynamic and transforming power of electricity and takes the form of a dragon. And finally, the deity of the water element is Vikavirya.¡±

    ¡°Vikavirya?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she takes the form of a siren. Little is known about her, however, and unlike the elusive nature of Amets, this deity is due to an incident that occurred about ten years ago.¡±

    ¡°What happened to her?¡±

    ¡°That would be a discussion for another time,¡± Elder Merakia replied. ¡°In the meantime, I would rather keep our conversation focused on this subject of theonum.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s mind buzzed, her understanding of theonum, the deities, and the world itself growing. Her head spun like a wooden spinning top dancing on the table¡¯s surface.

    ¡°That is all of them,¡± her guardian concluded. ¡°Is there any questions you would like to ask?¡±

    ¡°Um, Elder Mera, your theonum element is water, right? Like what happened yesterday at the performance.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. My original element correlates to ¡®Water¡¯ or let¡¯s say, Vikavirya¡¯s element, therefore the color of my theonum core would be blue.¡±

    Then she conjured a small ball of water on her palm. ¡°I have the passion of performing a display to impress my audience, as I delight in the wonders of the theatrical arts¡ªthat is my passion, my soul identity. In Soliremiscian observance, water represents flow, adaptability, and life itself. The element can also symbolize emotionality, art, transformation, and so much more than those qualities alone.¡± She then asked, ¡°Do you remember my performance from yesterday?¡±

    The scenes of hydraulic magic from the previous day¡¯s performance flashed through Elysha¡¯s mind. She nodded her head back. ¡°I remember, yes.¡±

    ¡°That prior act is an example of what the element of water can do, such as displaying visual illusions of art to enchant and fascinate others. One¡¯s soul identity and element comes from one¡¯s individual passion and role of existence in this world. It is their natural disposition that defines their original element. For me, it¡¯s about leaving a history of myself and my work of art. Just as this world should remember who Cecil Merakia is and her story that leaves a lasting impression on everyone¡¯s mind.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    ¡°Go on, you can tell me any questions that have come up in your mind.¡±

    ¡°How many elements are there again? I want to know.¡±

    ¡°There are a total of seven known elements of theonum, like how there are a total of seven deities,¡± she replied. ¡°Of these elements, there are ice, water, nature, earth, fire, electric, and air.¡±

    ¡°Only those?¡±

    ¡°Yes, they are the only confirmed elements that were discovered.¡±

    ¡°Then what is Micah¡¯s element?¡±

    ¡°His element is that of air.¡±

    Elysha remembered the times he blew air out of his mouth and saw swirls of wind around him. She then asked her next question, ¡°Um, can someone have more than one element?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is possible. However, unlike their innate element, learning a second or third element requires continuous practice, tuning, and strengthening the potential of their theonum core. Such practice could take a long time for one¡¯s core to grow and to adapt to another element.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a second or third element, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°Me? I do, yes. I can also control the element of fire.¡±

    ¡°Fire?¡±

    Elder Merakia nodded, ¡°Yes, fire.¡±

    She extended her other hand, palm upward, and with a slight motion of her fingers, a small flame appeared, flickering warmly against the breeze. It glowed a vibrant orange, its light reflecting in Elysha¡¯s wide eyes.

    ¡°Wow,¡± she whispered, leaning closer. ¡°It¡¯s so¡­¡±

    ¡°Alive, you say? Indeed,¡± said Elder Merakia with a smile. ¡°Fire is an element that also symbolizes transformation¡ªas well as destruction and creation. It burns brightly, demanding attention and respect. Yet, it can also be gentle, a source of warmth and light, as you see now.¡±

    Then, with a quick movement of her fingers, the flame vanished like the flicker of an eye. Elysha asked, ¡°Do you have another element besides water and fire?¡±

    ¡°Even as an elder mage, I can only control these two elements at this present time,¡± she replied. ¡°As I said, gaining and mastering elemental control is a long and persistent process, more difficult than you might imagine. You must focus not only on the elemental side, but also on the concentration of your theonum core itself. Think of your core as a heart, for it is like an organ in your body. The heart must be well-maintained, not only for the potentiality of sorcery, but for the health and vitality of the heart itself.¡±

    Elysha took a moment to fully absorbed those words, and then lowered her gaze at the study materials laid out on the table¡¯s surface.

    ¡°Do you have any other questions, dear child?¡±

    ¡°Elder Mera, I¡­ I want to¡­¡±

    ¡°You want to¡­?¡±

    She clutched her hands together and looked directly at her. ¡°I want to learn how to do magic, Elder Mera. I want to connect with my theonum core. I want to learn what my element might be. Could my element be air like Micah, or could my element be water just like you, Elder Mera? But I don¡¯t know, I want to know. That¡¯s why, that¡¯s why I want to try. I want to try again.¡±

    Elder Merakia watched the child¡¯s eyes shake and tremble, yet filled with determination and bravery.

    ¡®An unwavering spirit, like a flickering flame that never fades, I see.¡¯

    ¡°As a mage with decades of experience, the first key to success is to have a strong will to pursue your ambitions,¡± she said. ¡°I will ask the same question again: Elysha, are you willing to connect with your theonum core again? Even if it means facing unwanted obstacles that may slow you down and take longer to achieve such success?¡±

    Elysha¡¯s hands tightened slightly in her lap as she met her guardian¡¯s gaze, her piercing yet familiar eyes searching hers.

    Biting her lips, she nodded firmly. ¡°Yes, Elder Mera. I¡¯m willing to try again, even if it is hard. I want to learn.¡±

    Her lips curved into a proud smile. ¡°Good. That resolve is the foundation of all progress. For this session, let¡¯s first work on breaking down the situation that had occurred the other day.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Elder Merakia discussed the events of yesterday and outlined her plans for the study program she had designed to address the complications Elysha had encountered during her theonum practice.

    The table was filled with textbooks, notebooks, papers, and pens, many of which belonged to the mage herself. She had set up the study session with the research she had done, analyzing the data she had collected to gain more insight into the matter, assessing the progress, understanding the reasons for her inability to communicate with her theonum receptor, and so on.

    ¡°Let¡¯s work on adjusting your connection to your theonum core,¡± she said, her voice calm yet focused. ¡°I heard from Micah that you are gradually learning to communicate with your abilities, albeit slowly and safely, which is perfectly natural given your age and development.¡±

    Elysha stopped drawing her self-portrait on a piece of paper, looked up and asked her, ¡°But why am I struggling so much with my theonum core, Elder Mera? I¡¯m trying, but it feels like something is missing¡­¡±

    ¡°Even if you are struggling to make a strong connection. From what I have gathered, the problem could may not be with your effort, but rather with your approach. Theonum energy is like a river¡ªit flows naturally, but if you try to force it, it may scatter or resist.¡± And then she asked her, ¡°Tell me, Elysha, when you try to connect with your core, what do you feel?¡±

    Elysha hesitated, then said, ¡°I feel¡­ nervous, like I¡¯m going to do it wrong, or that my head will hurt again. And sometimes, I try to, um, force myself to feel something, but it just makes me more upset, I guess. And that¡¯s because¡­ because¡­¡±

    ¡°Relax, dear child. Take your time and let these words come out slowly.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded, and then said, ¡°It¡¯s because¡­ I¡ªI could be different. Everyone else can use their theonum magic easily, and they don¡¯t feel any pain except me, but why? When I feel pain, it hurts, my head hurts, and it makes me not want to try to use magic, but when I see others using it, I feel¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia reached out and placed a comforting hand on Elysha¡¯s shoulder, her touch warm and steady. ¡°You feel what, dear child? Go on. Speak your heart.¡±

    She bit her lip, her small hands clenched tightly in her lap. ¡°I feel¡­ left out,¡± Elysha said softly, her voice trembling. ¡°Elder Mera, how will you help me connect with my theonum core?¡±

    Her guardian looked into Elysha¡¯s trembling eyes and said, ¡°First of all, dear child, I must emphasize that direct contact with your theonum core is currently off-limits due to its current instability. It will take time to cleanse that level, and at your age, with caution.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s brows drew together. ¡°How will I be able to ¡®cleanse¡¯ my theonum core? Can you help me, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°As for cleansing your theonum core, it is a process that lies within you. I can observe and record the level of your core, but the answer to stabilizing it lies in your own progress through training and beyond.¡±

    ¡°So, it¡¯s up to me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but you will not be alone on this path of your journey,¡± Elder Merakia said, rising to her feet. ¡°Come with me to the shore. There is something I would like to show you.¡±

    Elysha followed her to the wooden walkway along the lake. The lapping of the water against the shore filled the silence between them. The elder mage paused at the edge of the dock and motioned toward the lake.

    ¡°There,¡± Elder Merakia said, pointing to the water¡¯s surface. ¡°Look at our reflections below.¡±

    Elysha leaned forward, her gaze falling on the rippling image. Her reflection stared back at her, slightly distorted by the movement of the lake.

    ¡°What do you see, dear child?¡±

    ¡°I see¡­ me, but it¡¯s a little wavy.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°These reflections represent more than our physical selves; they symbolize our souls¡ªour identities, and the images created by the Asnoiji and His world into which we were born.¡±

    Elysha blinked, studying the shimmering image of herself. She thought back to the times she had gazed at her reflection when she had spent her time exploring the forest alone.

    She waved to herself and her reflection waved back.

    Elder Merakia knelt beside her. ¡°Now then, turn your attention to me.¡±

    Elysha watched as she extended her hand to her own reflection, closed her eyes and said, ¡°From here, you listen to your inner voice, and let your thoughts merge with your subconscious.¡±

    As the words faded, the surface of the lake where her hand touched began to glow softly, like the edge of a crystal. Ripples spread outward, turning into tiny waves that swirled around the dock.

    ¡°Elder Mera, what¡¯s happening?¡± Elysha gasped, gripping the edge of the wooden platform.

    She opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Elysha¡¯s and said, ¡°The water is responding to the energy of my theonum. Watch closely.¡±

    The ripples picked up speed, growing faster and faster, until they shot into the air as glittering arcs of water. The droplets sparkled like diamonds before coalescing into the shapes of fish.

    Elysha watched as the manifested forms flew and shimmered like living creatures. Some of them spiraled toward her, playfully spitting water droplets into her face. Despite her surprise, she giggled and continued to watch the shapes move through the air, almost as if they were dancing.

    ¡°Elder Mera, how did you do this? It¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Theonum represents the individualistic aspects of our being. Using theonum to create art and cultivate it in the outside world requires communication,¡± she explained. ¡°Communication is like connecting your soul to the natural environment around you¡ªinviting it to understand your intent and guiding it with your passion.¡±

    Then she said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you try saying hello to them?¡±

    Elysha saw a fish swim closer to her in the air. She reached out and touched it, feeling a rush of satisfaction as its wet surface tickled her skin.

    ¡°H-Hello.¡±

    The water spirit shimmered brightly for a moment until it and all the other manifested forms dissolved into a fine mist and vanished into the air.

    Elysha stared at her hand where the spirit had been, still wet from the touch, wide-eyed as she turned and asked, ¡°Elder Mera, do you think I can do something like that someday?¡±

    ¡°Only if you are patient enough to study and persevere. The path to learning and growth is not a race, but a long process,¡± she replied, looking up at the sky before pulling out her pocket watch. ¡°Well then, let us return to the pergola. It is time to begin your assignments.¡±

 2.12 - My Theonum, My Soul

    Elysha sat in her chair and listened as Elder Merakia gave a lesson on theonum, using context from the textbook her pupil was looking at at the same time.

    ¡°¡®Conceptual precognition?¡¯¡± she repeated the word she had just heard, tilting her head in confusion. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Conceptual precognition refers to a pre-sentimental feeling of anticipating future events or a vague premonition of danger,¡± she explained, holding an open book in her hands. ¡°In the context of using theonum, it involves conceptualizing a scenario in our minds and manifesting it by bringing that vision into materialization¡ªinto our world. In simpler terms, it means imagining something so vividly in your mind that you guide the theonum energy to shape that vision into reality. It¡¯s like painting a picture in your head, and the theonum becomes the brush that brings it to life.¡±

    Elysha stared at the sample illustration in the page of her book, ¡°Oh, I think I get it. So, it¡¯s like what I did with my ball of light, right? I manifested it by creating a picture in my mind. Is that how it works?¡±

    ¡°Close enough,¡± Elder Merakia replied. ¡°You are correct that you created your orb with your cognitive mind. However, conceptual precognition refers to scenarios where the user, in an act of clairvoyance, conceptualizes theonum as a means of self-defense and manifests it in a foreseen experience.¡±

    Elysha furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of the explanation. The words felt heavy with meaning, yet slippery, and she felt overwhelmed by the amount of information she was unfamiliar with. Still, she wanted to learn more.

    She imagined a person inside a ball of light, protecting themself from any foreseeable danger, just as she did when she would bury herself in her blanket on her bed late at night, frightened by the feeling of the unknown.

    Elysha flipped to the next page, looking at all the details she couldn¡¯t fully grasp, and it quickly frustrated her despite her recent progress in working with her theonum energy.

    Frowning again, she looked up at her guardian and asked, ¡°There is so much more, how long would it take me to learn it all?¡±

    Elder Merakia closed the book in her hands and placed it on the table. ¡°As I mentioned before, mastery of theonum, like all things worth pursuing, is a long journey. There is no end to learning, but every step you take brings you closer to understanding its essence¡ªand yourself.¡±

    Elysha sighed and leaned back in her chair. ¡°I know, but it seems like it will take a long time for me to learn everything. I can feel that everything is going to be hard, and I just... I want to know and get better faster. I want to be strong like you.¡±

    ¡°Dear child, strength is not only what you can do with theonum, but also how you face challenges, how you grow through them, and how you remain steadfast in your spirit.¡±

    Elysha pursed her lips flatly, not saying a word in response, to which she continued, ¡°As long as you continue to practice, your abilities will improve. Growth depends on your progress. Everyone starts somewhere and builds on their abilities. Even now, as you sit here eager to learn, it shows me the strength of your will to grow.¡±

    The little girl looked back up at her, gave a small smile at her guardian¡¯s words, and said, ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera.¡±

    ¡°I am carrying out my role to do what I can to help teach you,¡± she replied, then a brief moment of thought passed before she said, ¡°Would you like a hug?¡±

    Elysha nodded, and Elder Merakia opened her arms, and the little girl stepped into her embrace, feeling the warmth and reassurance of her guardian¡¯s presence.

    Feeling the comforting silence, Elysha glanced over and noticed a gray furball lounging nearby, sprawled comfortably on the grass with multiple butterflies standing on what appeared to be a flower crown he was wearing.

    Her eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Micah? You¡¯re here?¡±

    He stretched his limbs and let out a fat yawn. His tail flicked from side to side before he opened his eyes and lifted his head lazily to look at her. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you would be here, too,¡± Elysha said, letting go of her guardians arms. ¡°You¡¯re kind of everywhere, you know that?¡±

    ¡°Micah thinks it¡¯s about time for you to realize that Micah can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants,¡± he said, yawning again and looking at some fallen leaves scattered around him. The leaves began to levitate and float in the air, much to her amazement. They accumulated and all at once fell on him like a haystack in which he lay comfortably, as if back to sleep.

    ¡®Wow, he can use his theonum so well, I want to become as good as him too.¡¯ Elysha thought. Then she pursed her lips again and looked down at her hands, folded into a ball. She remembered the few, fleeting times she had successfully conjured an orb of light and processed the same sensation she had felt before.

    ¡®But if I want to become like him, I have to improve, I have to become better,¡¯ she spoke to herself in her mind. ¡®It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s not enough.¡¯

    Shortly thereafter, Elysha continued her studies with Elder Merakia, learning how to write, reading further into her textbook, and discussing with her guardian the relevance and meaning of each term she had learned.

    After completing the introductory section, Elder Merakia turned the page in the textbook. ¡°The core concept of psychic powers,¡± she began, ¡°is rooted in mental strength, perception, and the ability to communicate through spiritual means. It is not merely an extension of theonum but a refined discipline that allows one to visualize, sense, and even influence the energies around them.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ it¡¯s like being able to hear or see things without using your normal senses?¡± Elysha asked, leaning forward.

    ¡°Yes, that is one way to think of it,¡± Elder Merakia affirmed. ¡°Psychic abilities manifest differently depending on the individual. Some may develop heightened perception, sensing emotions or energies that others cannot. Others may cultivate the ability to project their thoughts or receive impressions from their surroundings. And, in very rare cases, some individuals can even glimpse fragments of possible futures¡ªthough such a gift is unpredictable and difficult to control.¡±

    ¡°Who can do that?¡±

    ¡°Do what, my dear?¡±

    ¡°Seeing the future.¡±

    ¡°One example is the current forest priestess of the Deity Ir?stos, Lady Caralampia,¡± Elder Merakia replied.

    ¡®I think I heard that name before,¡¯ Elysha thought. ¡°What does a forest mistress do?¡±

    ¡°In the Forest of Ir?stos, a forest priest or priestess serves as a representative of the deity. It is a cultural tradition that has been handed down since the beginning of the forest¡¯s history. His or her role has been trained since childhood to represent the will of the deity, as they have been hand-picked by the previous representative to be the next priest or priestess. Another name for this position in the Ir?stos language is a ¡®Jv¨¹ejaiaji O¡¯Naufen¨¹vji.¡¯¡±

    ¡°J-uhaia O¡ª¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to struggle just to say the words, dear child,¡± she said. ¡°There have been well-known priests and priestesses who have brought positive reforms and changes to the state of the forest.¡±

    ¡°Like who?¡±

    Elder Merakia thought for a moment before answering, ¡°Hm, like the former priest Soraju, he was the most famous example, except for the current priestess Caralampia.¡±

    ¡°What did he do?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s another conversation that we can talk about later. For now, I would like to continue and complete our study session firsthand.¡±

    She cleared her throat and said, ¡°Continuing off with the psychic abilities, before attempting to perceive what is hidden, one must first strengthen the mind. Just as one must train the body to wield a weapon, so too must the mind be conditioned for theonum perception.¡±

    ¡®That sounds like it¡¯ll take a long time¡­¡¯ Elysha said in her mind. ¡°Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°Yes, my dear?¡±

    ¡°After this, we can do something like using magic, right?¡±

    ¡°We certainly will, Elysha. After we review the chapter overview questions, we can move on to practice and begin your first true lesson in mental perception.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    Once they had covered the chapter overview, Elder Merakia led Elysha to an open area by the lake. Standing there, the little girl held a wooden staff as she gazed down at her reflection.

    ¡®I wonder which element is connected to my theonum,¡¯ she thought, staring at the wavering image of her appearance. ¡®My passion too, but, what could it be? I don¡¯t know.¡¯

    She touched the long, loose strands of her hair, then moved her fingers up to touch her cheeks before turning and looking at her guardian. ¡°Elder Mera, do you think I have an element that resonates with my passion?¡±

    ¡°The answer lies within you, dear child. It is, after all, a process of self-discovery and awakening.¡±

    ¡°I know, but I was wondering if there was a deity connected to me.¡±

    Elder Merakia regarded her before answering. ¡°Each person¡¯s theonum resonates with one of the eight elements, and through that, a deity¡¯s essence may flow within them. But whether a deity is truly connected to you¡­ as I said, that is something only time and self-discovery can reveal.¡±

    Elysha nodded her head, tightening her grip on the wooden staff as she took in her guardian¡¯s words.

    ¡°We shall proceed with the training.¡± She took a few steps back, straightened her posture, and then said, ¡°Now then, Elysha, have you heard of a ¡®trial¡¯ before?¡±

    The term sounded familiar in her mind as she replied, ¡°Yes, I do. Micah made me go through his¡ªum, his trial before. But Elder Mera, I heard that trials can only be done by the deity Ir?stos himself, right?¡±

    ¡°Indeed you are correct. Trials are not as simple as words from a book,¡± she explained. ¡°Trials are tests of knowledge passed down from generation to generation, administered only by the deities themselves. That would mean that in this forest, a true trial can only be initiated by the deity Ir?stos.¡±

    ¡°When does one get a trial by the deity?¡±

    ¡°One can receive a trial during some special occasions in their lifetime, such as a coming of age. Let¡¯s say a child is taking one of their last exams to graduate from their education, they may receive and pass a trial from Ir?stos, which would mark their maturation from their homeland.¡±

    ¡°Did you received a trial from Ir?stos before, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°I have only done it once before, but on that occasion, it was¡ªahem¡ªuniquely special to me.¡±

    ¡°Uniquely special?¡±

    ¡°It was a long story, but to make it short for you, I am not a native of this forest. That is, I was not born as a child of this forest.¡±

    ¡°You were not?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, I was born in the city of Totheniui and grew up there for a good part of my life. I met a representative of the deity there and took a trial from that person as part of my final exam for my education. At some point it inspired me. It made me want to try every trial from every deity in the world, and so forth I went and did it.¡±

    Elysha blinked her eyes. ¡°And how did it went?¡±

    ¡°It went very well. In fact, it was a life-changing experience for me, for my self-discovery and for gaining insightful knowledge of the world through my very own eyes. That is what the thrill of an adventure is all about, my dear.¡±

    Then, as Elysha reflected on these words, Elder Merakia said, ¡°Now then, before we go any further off topic, let¡¯s pick up where we left off. What was it¡­ ah, I remembered. In this particular scenario, you will be using theonum to control your physical manifestation through visualization.¡±

    Despite her eager anticipation, the thought of using her mind to channel theonum was a subtle reminder of the pain she had felt before. Elder Merakia noticed the slight change in her expression and said, ¡°Elysha, let me ask you again, are you sure you are willing to try again and take on this task of contacting your theonum core?¡±

    Elysha nodded, furrowing her brows as she gripped the wooden staff tightly in her hands. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure. I want to keep trying.¡±

    Elder Merakia watched her determined eyes and exhaled in resignation at the child¡¯s willful demeanor, then gave a nod of approval. ¡°Very well. We shall begin.¡±

    She gestured for Elysha to stand in a comfortable position, making sure her feet were steady. She then explained the process of concentration.

    ¡°In a sense, if you can create something that looks real, then your theonum levels will increase exponentially. However, if you are unable to do so, then the desired result will not be realized,¡± Elder Merakia explained, allowing the words to sink in before continuing, ¡°For this reason, I will assist you in channeling your natural abilities to transform your imagination into reality.¡±

    ¡°You will help me, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°As a guiding figure, yes. Make sure you focus on the wooden staff you are holding, it will serve as a focal point for your theonum concentration, allowing you to channel your theonum energy.¡±

    Taking in a slow breath, Elysha steadied herself and asked, ¡°I¡¯m ready. What do I do first?¡±

    ¡°Close your eyes,¡± Elder Merakia instructed gently. ¡°Breathe. Feel the theonum inside you, like a current flowing through your body. Focus on it, and then visualize the magical fishs you saw earlier from your memory.¡±

    Elysha obeyed, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to clear her mind. A light breeze rustled through the leaves, the distant sound of the lake lapping against the shore filling her ears.

    ¡®Visualize¡­¡¯

    She visualized the wooden staff in front of her, feeling its weight in her hands.

    Her guardian¡¯s words echoed in her ears, ¡°If you can imagine fish swimming in the air around you, then imagine it as real. If not, do not worry; as long as you believe in yourself and your abilities, things may not turn out the way you expect, but that will not stop you from working hard at anything.¡±

    She thought of something simple. Something small, swift, yet full of life. A glowing fish.

    She pictured its wings, shimmering like the stars, moving through the air, just as Elder Merakia had suggested. She visualized the scene in her mind, trying to make it as vivid and real as possible.

    It was peaceful, weightless.

    But it remained elusive, refusing to materialize in her mind.

    Elysha tightened her grip on the staff, trying to bring forth the image of the flying fishes¡ªyet nothing helped but the mental strain of the chaotic ball of tangled thread.

    She shook her head and tried to focus on her imaginary fishes again, but to no avail. All her mind could think of was how much she did not want to fail, to disappoint and fail at the task she had set out to accomplish. Her mind wandered. Her concentration wavered. Every thought and imagination shifts to her own fear.

    ¡®I can¡¯t¡ªI can¡¯t do it!¡¯

    ¡°Concentrate, Elysha, on visualizing the image in your mind and focusing your attention on it,¡± Elder Merakia¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts. ¡°Imagine the fish swimming in the air around us and keep your visualization steady. Make sure your grip on your staff is comfortable and in place.¡±

    Elysha frowned, feeling the firm grip of her staff in her hand. If magic could be conjured simply by following Elder Merakia¡¯s words, then surely she could do it. She had to.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    She continued to focus on imagining what she needed to do; her breathing slowed as her concentration deepened. ¡®Imagine the fish,¡¯ she told herself. ¡®See them, feel them.¡¯

    A faint smile formed on her lips. And so she tried again, and pictured the fish moving through her mind. ¡®Imagine fish moving in the air. Like swimming in the lake.¡¯

    A gust of wind blew past her. The trees swayed but remained silent, replaced by the sound of moving water. The moment felt calm and serene. The little girl felt as if she was floating in the air. The fish circled around her as if dancing¡ª

    ¡°Ah¡ª!¡±

    The same, familiar pain ran through Elysha¡¯s mind.

    Subconsciously, she knew that the pain would return. She also knew it would cause the same struggle and distress within her. She knew this, but despite the suffering, her inner desire to become a mage overcame it.

    ¡®I can¡¯t¡ªI can not fail this!¡¯

    She clenched her teeth and a small voice echoed in her head, ¡®Remember the words Elder Merakia said to you. Remember what they meant to you. Concentrate and visualize the image in your mind and let go of your worries and fears for the moment.¡¯

    ¡®What did Elder Mera say to me?¡¯ she thought to herself, falling into deep thought as she remembered her conversation with her guardian.

    ¡®Dear child¡­¡¯ the words spoke. ¡®The fact that you ask these questions means that you have the will and desire to understand yourself.¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s mind flashed back to the moment she stood behind the window. She remembered the sight she had seen when she had pulled the curtain, and she began to recollect everything she had ever wanted to see beyond the window.

    ¡®The light¡­¡¯

    ¡®Want more¡­¡¯

    She took a deep breath, her pulse quickening. She had to let go of the fear. She had to believe.

    ¡®I want to understand... I want to see and learn theonum magic, I want to become a mage and make Elder Mera happy. I want to know myself and what I wanted to be¡­¡¯

    A breeze stirred, carrying her words into the open sky. The staff in her hands felt different now¡ªlighter, warmer, as if it resonated with her resolve. As she slowly began to understand the identity of her soul, a warmth flickered in her chest.

    ¡®Your journey¡ªyour story has just begun, and you are unique and individual in a way that makes you who you are¡ªyou are Elysha.¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s right,¡¯ she said to her thoughts as she pieced together the fragments of her desires, ¡®I am Elysha.¡¯

    At that moment, Elysha felt the anticipation and fear leave her. Her breathing became calmer and she focused steadily on her concentration. Her body felt lighter and more relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted. There was no more tension in her body.

    Suddenly, a faint glow appeared at the tip of the staff. Elysha didn¡¯t react but kept her focus. The light flickered, its shape uncertain, but it was there.

    Elder Merakia watched with silent encouragement. ¡°Good. Keep going.¡±

    Elysha furrowed her brow and poured her concentration into the image. In her mind¡¯s eye, she saw the fragments of memory she held over the palm of her hand connect and form an orb of light.

    She spoke to the subtle glow, ¡®Please¡­ let me create a scene of my imagination.¡¯

    The glow grew stronger, taking on forms of delicate shapes¡ªtiny bodies of fishes.

    With persistent patience and concentration, Elysha conjured up a vivid scene of magical fishes swimming through the air, as if they had emerged from the lake and were flying freely around her. They were her own magical fishes that she had created for herself, one with her theonum.

    In that moment, it was real.

    And she watched the scene with her own eyes.

    With a deep sigh, after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she whispered in awe as her eyes fell upon the ethereal sight, ¡°What a pretty landscape¡­ I feel¡­ happy.¡±

    Elder Merakia clapped her hands together, and before she could speak, the magical fishes flickered¡ªand vanished.

    Elysha¡¯s head ached, she clutched it with her hand, and her heart sank. ¡°It¡ªIt hurts. I¡ªI lost it.¡±

    ¡°Wow, you did it, Elysha!¡±

    Startled, Elysha turned to see the fluffy creature approaching her enthusiastically. ¡°Micah?¡±

    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s my name!¡± he replied, puffing up his ego.

    ¡°How long have you been here?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean you didn¡¯t know I was here! I was here with you the whole time!¡± Micah shouted, exaggerating his sobbing. ¡°You were even talking to me earlier!¡±

    ¡°Oh, sorry, my head was just¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia put a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Do not be discouraged. You have made great improvements from what you showed me the other day. Theonum responds to the union of mind and heart. You were almost there.¡±

    Elysha swallowed, her hands tightening around the staff. She wasn¡¯t satisfied with ¡®almost there.¡¯

    ¡°I want to try again,¡± she said determinedly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to stop until I get there.¡±

    Elder Merakia observed her behavior before saying neutrally, ¡°Then let us continue.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    ¡°With my plans in mind, I thought you and Micah would have to team up and work together as part of the next task you will learn as you go through your session today.¡±

    ¡°With him?¡± Elysha stared at Micah, her expression sending a shiver down his spine.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t underestimate me! You may not know it, but in all of the forest, Micah is one of the strongest and most intellectual Zhivopians around! You¡¯ll see what Micah can do soon enough! Right, Elder Merakia?¡±

    She chuckled at the look of pride and joy on his face and patted him on the head. ¡°That is very true,¡± she agreed, looking over at Elysha, ¡°and as long as he is with you on this trial, I believe you will do just well.¡±

    ¡°I will do well?¡±

    ¡°This trial is about gaining experience and training, and in order to do well, you as a pupil should be able to conjure any fabricated substance I suggest. Do you understand?¡±

    Elysha nodded and said, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Good. Now show me what you have learned so far,¡± Elder Mera instructed. ¡°This will allow us to evaluate and measure your progress and identify areas for improvement.¡±

    Elysha calmed her chest, her grip on the wooden staff tightening. Standing upright, she faced Elder Merakia with confidence, willing to prove that she had grown in the past few days.

    ¡°I am ready,¡± she declared. ¡®I can do this. I can¡­¡¯

    The subtle pain in her head still lingers, reminding her of that moment. She put her hand to her temple, trying to calm it down.

    Micah noticed and his ears and tail lowered, asking her, ¡°Are you sure you got this?¡±

    When Elysha turned back to look at Micah, his worried expression lessened as he saw the confident and determined look on her face. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I like it better than not trying at all,¡± she replied.

    Then she turned back to her guardian and nodded, signaling her readiness for the next task.

    ¡°You will be using your other hand for this assignment,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°Try to conjure up an orb of light in the palm of your hand.¡±

    Elysha looked down at her left hand and took a steady breath. ¡°Okay.¡±

    The two watched as she spread her fingers and held her palm open. They could see the determination in her furrowed brows, the slight tension in her shoulders.

    Elysha closed her eyes, pushing aside the lingering ache in her mind. ¡®Focus¡­¡¯ she told herself. ¡®Clear your thoughts. Imagine it.¡¯

    She envisioned a sphere, translucent and glowing like a tiny star. Its surface shimmered with shifting colors¡ªblue, violet, silver¡ªlike reflections on water. A gemstone, catching the light in its perfect clarity.

    Her breathing grew deeper, controlled.

    She remained silent and attentive, keeping her focus consistent.

    Slowly, a faint glow flickered to life in her palm.

    Micah¡¯s tail bristled. ¡°Woah¡­¡±

    Elder Merakia remained still, observing. ¡°You are doing well. Keep going.¡±

    Elysha focused harder, drawing the image from her mind into reality. The glow intensified, condensing into a defined shape. A small, crystalline orb, radiating a soft, pulsating light, emerged and hovered over her hand.

    The moment it fully formed, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Elysha opened her eyes to see the result of her efforts, and tried to keep it still. ¡°Elder Mera, I¡­¡±

    Her guardian looked pleased and said, ¡°Very good, Elysha. You just need to keep practicing and improving, and now you have succeeded in conjuring the orb¡ªthat in itself is progress.¡±

    The little girl smiled, pleased to hear her guardian¡¯s words. ¡°Thank you, Elder Mera¡ª¡±

    But then¡ªa sharp, stinging sensation ran through her mind, and her concentration faltered. The orb flickered¡ªits radiant glow destabilizing.

    ¡®No, I have to hold on¡­!¡¯

    But the pain swelled, clouding her focus. The orb shattered as quickly as it had appeared, disintegrating into scattered fragments of light.

    Elysha staggered slightly, clutching her temple. ¡°Why¡­ I almost had it¡­¡±

    Micah stepped closer, ears flattened and his tail bristling with concern. ¡°Elysha, are you okay?¡±

    Elder Merakia placed a calming hand on her back. ¡°Breathe, dear child, it¡¯s all right. Do not push yourself beyond your limits.¡±

    ¡°But I tried so hard,¡± she murmured, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°Why can¡¯t I get it right?¡±

    Elder Merakia knelt beside Elysha and placed a hand on her back, rubbing in slow, soothing circles. She said softly to her, ¡°You did do a good job, sweetie.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Elysha whispered, her voice trembling. She wiped at her eyes, frustrated at herself. ¡°I had it. I could feel it. But then it just¡­ disappeared.¡±

    Elder Merakia chuckled lightly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°Do you know what I saw, dear child?¡±

    Elysha sniffed and shook her head.

    ¡°I saw a girl who faced her fears and overcame her doubts. A girl who took what she had learned and turned it into something real, something beautiful. You conjured an orb of light, Elysha. That is no small feat.¡±

    Elysha looked down at her hands, still tingling from the lingering energy of the spell. ¡°But it wasn¡¯t perfect¡­¡±

    ¡°Perfection is not the goal,¡± Elder Merakia reassured her. ¡°Growth is. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. And today, you took a big step.¡±

    Micah¡¯s tail flicked as he grinned at her. ¡°That was pretty cool, actually,¡± he said. ¡°Micah seen you do it once before, and now Micah has seen it twice.¡±

    Elysha let out a small breath of relief, her fingers still tingling from the energy she had summoned. ¡°Thanks, Micah.¡±

    After a moment of rest, she flexed her fingers, the tingling sensation of magic still lingering in her palm. She took a deep breath, the frustration slowly dissipating.

    ¡°Feeling better now?¡±

    Elysha turned to Micah, who was circling around her, his tail swishing behind him.

    She nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah¡­ a little.¡±

    ¡°Well that¡¯s good, because Micah thinks you¡¯re starting to get the hang of it! Well¡­ mostly.¡±

    ¡°Mostly?¡±

    ¡°Yep, what else can Micah say without being dishonest? You were able to summon the orb twice now!¡±

    ¡°Three times,¡± Elysha corrected.

    ¡°What? Since when have you summoned the orb three times?¡±

    ¡°One was when we came back from the forest where we saw the strange man and his bird friend, and Elder Mera spoke to us after that. That was when I showed her the orb of light, right after the first orb I created.¡±

    ¡°What? How come Micah doesn¡¯t remember that?¡±

    ¡°Um, I think you weren¡¯t awake at the time.¡±

    ¡°Well, now Micah was disappointed not to have seen that.¡± He scratched his head with his claws, then his ears perked up. ¡°Hey, so now that you can do orbs and fishes, what else can you do with your theonum besides making orbs and fishes?¡±

    Elysha blinked, caught off guard by the question. ¡°What else¡­?¡±

    ¡®What else can I do with my theonum?¡¯

    She thought about it, then turned to her guardian. ¡°Elder Mera, what¡¯s next after this?¡±

    Elder Merakia looked up at the sky. ¡°There¡¯s still the full day up ahead. Do you still want to continue practicing your theonum or take a rest?¡±

    Elysha heard the question and recalled the sight of her orb, shimmering and pulsating with light. She could remembered seeing the iridescent ring of color around its edges, like a crown.

    She thought about how far she had come and then finally turned back to her guardian and replied, ¡°I want to keep doing more.¡±

    Elder Merakia could see the visible sweat and strain on her face, along with her weakening physical frame. Still, she could see the strong will to continue.

    ¡®You looked tired, yet you still insist on trying to control your own theonum core. You have already impressed me, and yet you have shown me no concern for your own well-being,¡¯ Elder Merakia said in her mind. ¡®This reminds me of the times when I was a child, dreaming of exploring the world, hoping to master the magic of theonum¡­ I could see that aspect of myself inside of her.¡¯

    She exhaled and motioned with her hand, saying, ¡°You two, come with me.¡±

    Elysha and Micah followed her to the pergola, where she conjured a flowerpot into the air. It floated before landing on a table. Micah jumped beside it and tapped it with his paw, asking, ¡°What are you planning to do with this plant?¡±

    ¡°This is a blue iris plant,¡± she said, turning her eyes to Elysha. ¡°Your next task is to go one step further. You must conjure an orb and manipulate its shape to become one of the plant¡¯s flowers.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Conjure an orb¡­ and change it into a flower?¡±

    She looked at the flowerpot, taking in its appearance once more. The blue color of the plant¡¯s petals seemed calming, relaxing, but she had never recreated it with her own mind until now.

    Elysha slowly stepped forward and reached out, running her fingers over the soft petals, stems and leaves. They felt cool and delicate to the touch. She wanted to feel their texture, to immerse herself in the details of the flower, the way the edges curled slightly inward, the way the light danced on them in subtle gradients of blue.

    ¡°Yes, you must summon an orb and use your mind to shape it into a flower,¡± Elder Merakia repeated once more. ¡°Use the process you have learned by deforming the orb and shaping it into the desired form. Let me show you an example.¡±

    Closing her eyes, she materialized an orb of light and began the transformation. ¡°By using your imagination, you can transform the orb into any object you desire. Visualize the sequence of events that transforms the original object into something else. It could be a butterfly or a seashell, to give you some ideas.¡±

    As she spoke, the orb began to shift and change shape, eventually taking the form of a butterfly. The summoned insect fluttered and flew with its blue wings before landing on the elder mage¡¯s finger.

    Elysha watched with awe. ¡°Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°Yes, dear child?¡±

    ¡°Do you think I will¡­ I will be able to do that one day? Creating a butterfly¡­¡±

    ¡°If you give time with dedicated perseverance in study, practice and effort, that time will reward you with your desired result. You have already learned how to create an orb of light, which is a first step and an opening to the possibilities of conjuring countless shapes that can be seen all over the world.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right! every time I lose my hat to the stupid wind, I use my theonum to get me a new hat as a replacement,¡± Micah nodded.

    ¡°How many times does that happened to you?¡± Elysha asked.

    ¡°A lot!¡±

    Elysha then took in her guardian¡¯s words into her mind once more. ¡®I now know how to make an orb of light. I want to learn other shapes, right? I tried the fish, and the next one will be the flowers.¡¯

    She looked up and said, ¡°I understand, Elder Mera. I will try.¡±

    ¡°That is all I ask of you for this task.¡±

    Elysha nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, concentrating on the task at hand.

    First, she focused on summoning an orb in her mind. She recalled the steps she had taken before¡ªthe visualization, the focus, the steady breathing.

    ¡®An orb of light. I¡¯ve done it before. I can do it again.¡¯

    Slowly, she spread her fingers, feeling the warmth build in her palm. A faint glow flickered to life, soft and wavering, like a candle in the wind. She concentrated harder, willing the energy to stabilize, to take shape.

    The orb formed, shimmering and colorless, pulsing and hovering over the palm of her hand.

    Micah¡¯s ears twitched. ¡°There it is! You got the first part down.¡±

    ¡°Shh,¡± Elder Merakia silenced him with a finger held to her lips.

    Elysha opened her eyes slightly, watching the orb hover just above her skin. She felt its warmth, its delicate presence.

    ¡®It looks like I¡¯m holding a tiny star¡­¡¯ she thought to herself.

    Then she swallowed her throat, nerves creeping in. ¡®Next is the blue flower. The harder part¡­ ¡¯

    She glanced at the blue iris in the flowerpot, studying its petals again. ¡®How do I turn the orb into that?¡¯

    A flash of Elder Merakia¡¯s demonstration crossed her mind, and Elysha closed her eyes again. She pictured the iris in her mind, tracing its petals with her thoughts as she painted the image of the blue flowers. With all her willpower, she tried to shape the orb into the desired form.

    ¡®A flower¡­ I need to turn it into a flower¡­¡¯

    ¡®I want to see the blue flowers in front of my eyes¡­¡¯

    ??A faint glow emerged in her palm as an orb of light began to take form, shimmering softly. She held it steady, willing it to shift.

    Micah leaned in eagerly, his tail swishing. ¡°It¡¯s forming! You¡¯re doing it, Elysha!¡±

    Elder Merakia remained silent, watching closely.

    Elysha¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡®Come on¡­ just a little more¡­¡¯

    However, despite her efforts, the orb stubbornly maintained its spherical shape, refusing to take on the form of a flower. She could feel her energy draining, her concentration slipping away.

    Frustration gnawed at her. She strained, pushing herself to the limit, willing the orb to change. Then¡ª

    A sharp, searing pain shot through her head.

    Elysha gasped, the orb flickering and dissolving in her grasp. She stumbled back, clutching her temple.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    ¡°Elysha!¡± Micah yelped, jumping down from the table to her side.

    Elder Merakia stepped forward, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Elysha¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Enough, dear child. I told you that you must not push yourself beyond your¡ª¡±

    ¡°I understand, I understand,¡± she stammered, her lips trembling as she clutched her clothes, her body shaking with frustration. ¡°But Elder Mera, I have tried, and tried. I felt it¡­ I was so close! I give my best effort, but it seems that it is never enough. I¡ª¡±

    ¡°I understand, dear child, I understand.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s face stiffened, her hands trembling as she tried to hold back the frustration that was welling up inside her. But then Elder Merakia pulled her into a tight embrace and held her close.

    That was all it took.

    The little girl squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the warmth of her guardian¡¯s arms. She fought the lump in her throat, trying to suppress the emotions that threatened to overflow. But the soft, reassuring voice of Elder Merakia broke through her defenses.

    ¡°It is okay, dear child,¡± Elder Merakia murmured, stroking her hair. ¡°Allow yourself to feel these emotions. They are yours, and you have every right to express them. It is okay. Remember how hard you have worked. You have come a long way in such a short amount of time. You deserve every success you have worked so hard for.¡±

    The moment the words reached her, Elysha¡¯s restraint shattered.

    Tears streamed down her cheeks, her body shaking with each sob. She clung to Elder Merakia, her breathing coming in quick, uneven gasps as she buried her face in her guardian¡¯s shoulder.

    Micah¡¯s ears flattened, his tail curling around his feet as he watched as she struggled to control her cries.

    ¡°¡­ It hurts. Why does it hurt so much?¡± Elysha sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Every time I use theonum, it¡¯s painful. I just wanted to learn magic. I wanted to become like you.¡±

    Elder Merakia tightened her hold, her expression shadowed with something unreadable¡ªsadness, frustration, and deep concern. ¡°I¡¯m not going to pressure you anymore. Never again. I don¡¯t want you to suffer any more.¡±

    Then she slowly pulled away, just enough to cradle the little girl¡¯s tear-stained face in her hands. Her thumbs gently wiped away the glistening marks on the child¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°As for the cause of your troubles¡­ I will explain it to you, dear Elysha.¡±

 2.13 - Soulful Bond

    After calming her down, Elder Merakia took a moment to gather the words to explain the child¡¯s situation.

    As she did so, on the other side of the pergola, Elysha¡¯s face was lowered to the ground, her expression downcast and melancholy before her eyes met Micah¡¯s. From her perspective, he looked restless on the table and kept scratching himself, as if he had no idea how to deal with the moody atmosphere.

    ¡®Micah¡­ right, he been there for me all along,¡¯ she thought to herself. ¡®He¡¯s been with me since I met him in the forest, and he¡¯s been with me whenever I¡¯ve been¡­¡¯

    Elysha bit her lip and shook her thoughts away. Then she reached out and placed her hand softly on his head.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Micah stopped and turned his eyes to her. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    She continued to stroke his fur down to his back, petting him and replied, ¡°Thanks, Micah.¡±

    He blinked, his ears flicking at Elysha¡¯s sudden gesture, and tilted his head as if trying to read her. ¡°Huh? What for?¡±

    ¡°Everything,¡± she said, giving him a subtle smile.

    Micah¡¯s ears twitched again as he took in Elysha¡¯s words. He stared at her for a moment, then puffed out his chest. ¡°Well, of course! Micah is the best, after all.¡±

    After the brief conversation between the two, Elder Merakia returned and the atmosphere changed in an instant. ¡°Elysha, are you feeling better?¡± she asked.

    The little girl nodded her head. ¡°I am, yes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Now then, I am going to talk about the cause of the current problem with your theonum core.¡±

    Elysha straightened, her heart tightening as her guardian spoke to the group.

    ¡°I first noticed the issue with your spiritual core when I met you at the willow tree,¡± she began. ¡°I mentioned this before¡ªthe complications of using it in its current state. It is not normal for a theonum core to behave like this. No, its abnormality is the root of the problem.¡±

    Elysha blinked, the words sinking in. ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s gaze met hers, steady but heavy. ¡°It means that an abnormal theonum core poses a great risk to the individual who carries it. In this case, it is you who carry the abnormal core.¡±

    A chill ran through Elysha¡¯s body. She instinctively clutched her chest, as if she could somehow feel the impurity within. ¡°But, I¡¯ve been getting better at controlling it, haven¡¯t I?¡±

    Elder Merakia sighed. ¡°You have been improving, yes. But improvement does not mean the risk has lessened. I once believed that harnessing your core¡¯s power would reverse the impurities. That if you developed your experience with practice, you could overcome them. However, I was mistaken.¡±

    Silence fell over them.

    Elysha lowered her gaze, her grip on her chest tightening. She slowly raised her eyes again as she asked, ¡°Then¡­ Elder Mera¡­ what¡¯s happening to me?¡±

    Micah¡¯s tail bristled as he listened, his eyes darting between them.

    The elder mage took a slow breath before speaking again. ¡°The impurities in your theonum core cause a negative reaction for every time you interact with it, such as the pain in your head you felt. If this speculation is true, to avoid further risks to your health, I would advise you not to attempt direct inner contact with your theonum core from this point forward.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s fingers curled into her lap as she lowered her gaze again. The weight of Elder Merakia¡¯s words pressed down on her chest like a stone.

    Micah jumped onto the table and stamped his little paws on the surface in protest. ¡°So you mean Elysha can¡¯t use her theonum anymore? That¡¯s not fair! After all she¡¯s done so far!¡±

    ¡°Micah¡­¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, yes,¡± Elder Merakia confirmed. ¡°If the reaction of her theonum core is causing her pain and suffering, as I said, it would be wise for her to refrain from using it.¡±

    ¡°But how? I¡¯ve never heard of such a case. Micah hasn¡¯t even seen an abnormal core like you said. Normally, from what Micah has seen and heard, other kids my age or younger can easily connect with their cores for the first time and use them whenever they want. Why not hers? How did her theonum core end up like this? Side effects like headaches weren¡¯t that common, and Micah had never seen such pain as bad as Elysha¡¯s!¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s gaze turned distant as she fell into thought. The pergola was silent except for the rustling of leaves in the wind.

    He knitted his brows and asked, ¡°Hey, Micah still remembers that moment when there was a massive flash of light and the whole forest went silent and all that stuff. You still haven¡¯t told me exactly what happened during that time.¡±

    Elysha watched her, anticipation and anxiety twisting inside her.

    Finally, Elder Merakia spoke, ¡°When I first met her, I discovered that her theonum core was already in this state.¡±

    Micah¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, so you mean Elysha¡¯s core was already like that?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it seems that whatever happened before is instabilizing her theonum core in this regard. The cause still remains a mystery beyond speculation. It¡¯s best not to put any more pressure on her, as it might cause more harm in her delicate core.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s breath caught in her throat and her grip on her lap tightened. She stared at Elder Merakia, her mind struggling to comprehend what she had just heard.

    ¡°¡­ So I can¡¯t use my theonum anymore?¡± she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Elder Merakia hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡°For now, yes. It¡¯s for your own well-being.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s expression darkened, her heart sinking as the weight of her situation settled on her. She looked down, not knowing if the words were meant to comfort her or make it easier to accept. But all she could hear was finality.

    She felt like she was slipping away, like something precious was being taken from her before she even had a chance to hold on to it.

    Micah studied her face, his ears drooping slightly as he tried to reach her. ¡°Elysha¡­?¡±

    She closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to let the pain in her heart settle. Memories surfaced¡ªevery failed attempt, every moment of frustration, and every quiet wish that one day, she would finally be like the mage she admired.

    ¡®Maybe, I will never be able to become a mage¡­¡¯

    Taking a slow breath, Elysha opened her eyes and looked at her guardian.

    ¡°I understand,¡± she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. ¡°If trying to connect to theonum core hurts me too much, then I will learn without relying on it. I don¡¯t want to hurt myself any more, like you said.¡±

    Micah blinked. ¡°Wait¡­ You¡¯re just giving up?¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°No. I¡¯m just¡­ moving towards a different story for me.¡±

    Elder Merakia stepped forward and placed a warm, reassuring hand on her shoulder. ¡°Elysha, dear child, your journey does not end here. There are many paths to knowledge and growth, even without the use of theonum magic.¡±

    ¡°Even without using theonum magic?¡±

    ¡°There are known alternative ways for you to cultivate your abilities and discover your potential. We can explore these options together.¡±

    Elysha nodded slowly, her eyes filled with unshed tears. She wiped them away with her sleeve, knowing deep down that it would be difficult to let go of her desires of becoming a mage

    But she was still determined to forge a new path for herself¡ªone that would lead her to self-discovery and inner strength.

    ¡®I still want to try¡­¡¯

    She took a calming breath, steadying herself before lifting her head to meet Elder Merakia¡¯s gaze. Then, feigning a small smile, she said, ¡°I can do it. Even if I can¡¯t use my theonum anymore, I can still study and learn how to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Elysha!¡±

    She flinched, and she turned to see Micah¡¯s fluffy face beamed with fierce resolution. ¡°I have an idea!¡±

    ¡°Wh-what idea?¡±

    ¡°Let me be your theonum core!¡±

    Elysha blinked in confusion. ¡°Huh? W-Wait, what do you mean, my theonum core?¡±

    ¡°You heard me right!¡±

    ¡°Micah, what are you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Even if you can¡¯t properly use your theonum core anymore, that doesn¡¯t mean you have to give up!¡± Micah interrupted, his golden eyes flashing like sparkles. ¡°As a Zhivopian, I can replace your unstable theonum core and become your new one!¡±

    ¡°That is a risky technique, Micah. I was not aware that you knew of this method,¡± said Elder Merakia.

    ¡°Sometimes Micah would get bored and read through the books in your library just to find something theonum-related and cool for me to learn and try.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you want to use that method?¡±

    Elysha stared at him in disbelief. ¡°W-Wait what? How are you going to be my¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just give me a minute! Micah can do it!¡±

    ¡°No, Micah, it¡¯s okay¡­¡± she said, shaking her head and holding back her emotions quietly and desperately. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m fine with it being like this¡­¡±

    But the moment the words left her lips, a sudden warmth surrounded her. Her eyes looked up to see a soft, cerulean light pulsing from Micah¡¯s small body, radiating outward in gentle waves. The glow intensified, enveloping him completely until his form blurred, shifted, and reshaped.

    Elysha gasped as the light coalesced into the shape of a small pendant stone. It shimmered, wrapped in intricate filigree, and before she could react, the pendant floated toward her until it was attached to her collar.

    ¡®Elysha, try to connect with me!¡¯

    Micah¡¯s voice rang out¡ªnot from anywhere, but from her mind.

    Elysha¡¯s breath hitched. She reached up with trembling fingers, brushing them against the pendant resting against her chest.

    ¡®It¡¯s warm.¡¯

    ¡°He has transformed himself into a substitute core,¡± Elder Merakia commented. ¡°It is admirable and respectable to see how much trust he has placed in you.¡±

    ¡°Trust?¡±

    She nodded back at her.

    Shock still showed on Elysha¡¯s face, but she nodded back and began her attempt again. She murmured under her breath, ¡°Micah, you¡ª¡±

    ¡®Now I will transfer my theonum energy to you,¡¯ Micah¡¯s voice echoed again in her mind. ¡®Concentrate on connecting your consciousness with mine, and think of me as your theonum core.¡¯

    His voice was calm and reassuring, and she could feel his presence within her as a sense of familiar warmth spread throughout her being. Her fingers curled around the pendant, giving it a look that said¡ªcould this really work?

    Elysha hesitated for only a moment before gripping her staff sitting next to her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused, placing everything she had into the connection.

    She imagined Micah as the source of her theonum, guiding the energy as it pulsed through her.

    And slowly, the weight she had carried for so long¡ªthe heaviness of her struggling core¡ªlifted. She felt light, like a feather in the wind.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    She reached inward, past the uncertainty, past the ache of loss. And there¡ªlike a star in the dark¡ªshe felt Micah.

    ¡®Do you feel any sense of pain?¡¯

    Elysha shook her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡®That feels much better, don¡¯t you think?¡¯

    ¡°Yes, it does, I think.¡±

    ¡®That¡¯s good! Now practice by imagining the flower you tried to form earlier.¡¯

    Elysha nodded, her grip on the staff tightening as she closed her eyes and began to visualize.

    ¡®Picture it clearly,¡¯ Micah¡¯s voice resonated in her mind. ¡®Don¡¯t force yourself, and let the imagery flow into you.¡¯

    She let the image begin to form in her mental space, focusing on every detail she could remember.

    ¡®The blue flower¡­¡¯

    A warmth surged through her veins, unlike the painful pressure of her own core. This was different, and it surprised her, but she continued with her task anyway. Light yet boundless. Strong yet comforting.

    That was what Elysha sensed before she felt something shift. The familiar sensation of energy moving¡ªnot from within herself, but flowing seamlessly from Micah¡¯s presence into her hands. A soft glow pulsed through her hand and she held it out as a blue-green energy shimmered over her palm.

    And then, something bloomed.

    A single petal emerged, deep blue and vibrant, followed by another. The stem thickened and the leaves unfurled. Theonum swirled around the flower as it took full shape, blossoming into an iris.

    Elysha¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and there, resting in her palm, was the flower.

    Her breath caught.

    For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn¡¯t feel helpless.

    ¡°I¡­ I did it,¡± she whispered, staring at the bloom in wonder.

    The pendant pulsed against her chest. ¡®Of course, you did! It actually worked!¡¯

    She looked up at Elder Merakia, who was wearing a soft smile, her gaze filled with a quiet sense of approval.

    ¡°Elder Mera!¡± Elysha exclaimed excitedly, dropping the staff as she ran up to hug her. ¡°Elder Mera! I did it! I did it!¡±

    ¡°Well done, Elysha,¡± she said back as she took her embrace. ¡°You have done it. You have done your work to reach this level of progress.¡±

    Elysha fought back tears as she said, ¡°I did it. I thought I would never use magic again.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no need to worry about that anymore.¡±

    She looked down and saw the pendant speak, then change back to his original form and stretch. ¡°As long as Micah is here, Micah is always available to help you continue to learn magic!¡±

    ¡°Micah¡­¡± Elysha muttered, trying to gather her thoughts before proceeding. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were able to¡­ um¡­ do such things to help me.¡±

    ¡°Well, we Zhivopians, who fulfill the ¡®wishes¡¯ of the Elbijans through the ¡®dreams¡¯ of the Zhivopians, are of course willing to help our neighbors, since that is what Lord Asnoiji wants us to do,¡± he replied. ¡°But even though I helped you with your problem, consider it a temporary act of kindness from Micah. Not every Zhivopian will do what I did when you go so far as to give so much of yourself to another. I did it because I wanted to help you!¡±

    ¡°If that is so, then do you give yourself to another as if you expect something in return?¡± Elder Merakia asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡ªum¡ªa good question! And Micah¡¯s answer is¡ªum¡ª¡± he fluffed up his fur and puffed himself up to look bigger, ¡°¡ªthat he doesn¡¯t expect anything, exactly! But Micah does think friendship is about trust! And trust is something you build by helping each other, right?¡±

    ¡°A fair answer,¡± she said. ¡°But I would advise you to always understand the weight of what you give. Trust and kindness are noble, but balance is necessary to prevent too much selflessness or selfishness.¡±

    Micah puffed out his chest. ¡°Micah is balanced! Mostly¡­ Probably¡­ Okay, maybe sometimes he acts before he thinks, but it worked this time, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    *giggles*

    His ears twitched and he turned around and asked, ¡°Hey, what are you laughing about?¡±

    Elysha looked at him, her expression softening. ¡°Thank you, Micah,¡± she said, lowering her head gently. ¡°I am just happy for your help and for being there for me.¡±

    Micah wiggled his ears proudly. ¡°Well, duh. Micah wouldn¡¯t just let his someone struggle alone!¡±

    ¡°Well then, it seems we have found a temporary solution to keep the study session going,¡± Elder Merakia said with a sigh and continued, ¡°In the meantime, since there is a good portion of the day left, I can continue to teach you theonum sorcery so that you can learn and improve.¡±

    Elysha sniffed as she wiped her eyes and nodded. ¡°So what do we do next, Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°I think you can do more than simply conjuring manifestations. I want you both to follow me to where I can show you the next stage of this session.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    They walked back into the woods until they came to a place where a single tall tree stood at the far end. Nearby, several smooth, round stones were arranged in a neat row on the ground.

    ¡°Here we are,¡± Elder Merakia announced. ¡°In the next assignment, there are two stages where you can practice your magic.

    Elysha tilted her head. ¡°Two stages?¡±

    ¡°In total, yes. In the first stage, you must use your skills to move the manifested magic from one area to another.¡±

    ¡°Like before on the bridge?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Elder Merakia nodded, ¡°In this session, you will direct your theonum toward that tree over there. Use it to aim and hit the target.¡±

    Elysha swallowed, glancing over at Micah, who had transformed back into a pendant and was resting in her collar. His presence was strangely comforting, but doubt still lingered in her mind. ¡®Could I really do this?¡¯

    ¡®Elysha, do you have any self-doubts about yourself?¡¯

    She flinched. ¡®Micah? You can hear what I am saying in my mind?¡¯

    ¡®Yep, because my theonum core is connected to you right now as a substitute. So Micah has access to what your thoughts are saying.¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s eyes twitched. ¡®That¡¯s¡­ weird¡­¡¯

    ¡®Well, if you still want to become a mage without relying on your core, then you¡¯ll probably have to get used to having company in your head,¡¯ he said, subtly restraining his humor. ¡®Back to what Micah was saying, stop doubting and believe in yourself.¡¯

    ¡®Believe in myself?¡¯

    ¡®Don¡¯t forget, if you use your core, then it¡¯s probably likely you¡¯ll feel that pain again. But Micah is here right now to help you learn and use magic the way you¡¯ve always wanted to.¡¯

    She took these words into her reflection, and in the process, Elder Merakia spoke, ¡°Elysha?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡ªokay,¡± she nodded and came back to attention. ¡°I need to hit that tree with theonum, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Focus your mind, channel your theonum, and direct it toward the tree. Do not overthink¡ªjust let the energy flow.¡±

    Elysha looked down at her hands. She adjusted her grip and raised the staff, her attention focused on the tall tree in front of her. Closing her eyes, she visualized a steady stream of theonum.

    ¡®Good, now let it flow,¡¯ Micah encouraged.

    Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and flicked her wrist, releasing a surge of theonum.

    A shimmering arc of blue-green light shot forward, but just before it reached the tree, it veered slightly off course and hit the ground nearby. A small cloud of dust rose where it landed.

    Elysha winced, disappointment sinking in. ¡°I missed¡­¡±

    ¡°Tell me what happened,¡± Elder Merakia said.

    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know,¡± Elysha admitted, gripping her staff tighter. ¡°I thought I had it, but something shifted at the last moment¡­¡±

    ¡®You hesitated again,¡¯ Micah pointed out. ¡®Just a little, but it was enough to throw it off.¡¯

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it¡­¡± she shook her head. ¡°I thought I was doing everything right.¡±

    Elder Merakia stepped forward and said, ¡°Remember, do not be discouraged by setbacks. Improvement comes with practice and patience. Take a moment to collect yourself and try again.¡±

    ¡®Yeah, Elysha, you gotta show her how much better Micah is at being your theonum core!¡¯ Micah added.

    Elysha sighed,  ¡°Okay¡­ One more time.¡±

    She closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths to regain her focus, and let go of the hesitation that had held her back. She visualized the tree again, this time focusing on her target, imagining a direct path from her to the tree.

    She channeled the energy once more, the magic crackling from the tip of her staff, humming with potential. Taking another breath, she flicked her wrist¡ª

    A streak of blue-green theonum shot forward, swift and precise. It cut through the air and¡ª

    *pzzz*

    But just as it neared the tree, the magic faltered, flickering for a split second before dissipating in the air. The last remnants of the spell vanished into tiny sparks, leaving only silence in its wake.

    Elysha¡¯s shoulders sagged. She had been so close.

    ¡°Good progress,¡± Elder Merakia said calmly, watching her pupil¡¯s reaction. ¡°You¡¯re getting there. Keep going.¡±

    The little girl looked away, gripping her staff tighter. ¡®What am I doing wrong?¡¯ she thought, frustration prickling at her.

    ¡®Elysha, do you have any self-doubts about yourself?¡¯¡ªthe words echoed in her head.

    She paused, considering Micah¡¯s prior question. She had always tried to push through, to tell herself that she just needed to work harder, to get better. But deep down, those doubts had always been there. The fear that she wasn¡¯t good enough. The worry that no matter how hard she tried, she would always fall short.

    ¡°Micah?¡±

    ¡®Micah¡¯s here, what is it?¡¯ his voice hummed in her mind.

    ¡°There are times when I doubt whether or not I¡¯m good at this,¡± she admitted quietly. ¡°I worry that I won¡¯t be able to meet the expectations I have for myself.¡±

    ¡®Hmm¡­ Micah thinks that¡¯s natural!¡¯ he replied. ¡®Everyone has doubts and fears, but if you focus too much on them, they become like chains that hold you back. Believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, and let go of the doubts that are making you hesitate, okay?¡¯

    ¡°Do you have doubts sometimes?¡±

    ¡®Ehh, not really, because I was already good at using my theonum for as long as Micah can remember. I guess sometimes Micah worries about not being popular enough in the forest, ehehe. That¡¯s why Micah works hard to achieve my goals!¡¯

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    ¡°Elysha, are you concerned about your confidence?¡± Elder Merakia asked her.

    She turned to her guardian and hesitated for a moment before answering her question, ¡°¡­Yes. I think I am.¡±

    Elder Merakia regarded her with calm understanding. ¡°It is natural to have doubts, but you must learn to recognize them for what they are¡ªshadows of uncertainty that do not define your abilities.¡±

    ¡°Shadows of uncertainty?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, you must believe in yourself and realize that everyone can have faith in their own potential to improve and grow, and that includes you, dear child.Let go of any shadows of doubts that are holding you back, because you too have the hidden abilities to achieve your desires to become who you wanted to be.¡±

    Elysha held her breath as she let the words sink in. Self-doubt was something she was struggling with currently, creeping into her mind whenever she feared and realized her failed attempts. But she couldn¡¯t let it overwhelm her. Not now.

    She exhaled and clenched her staff a little tighter as she turned back to the tree, determination rekindling in her chest. ¡°Okay,¡± she whispered to herself, then nodded to Elder Merakia. ¡°I¡¯ll try again.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Elder Merakia said. ¡°This time, focus not just on the target but on your connection to theonum. Let go of any lingering uncertainty. Trust in yourself.¡±

    ¡®Trust¡­¡¯

    Elysha had been hearing that word multiple times now. Meanwhile, Micah¡¯s pendant pulsed warmly against her collar. ¡®Let¡¯s do this, Elysha!¡¯

    Elysha closed her eyes. This time, instead of worrying about whether she would succeed or fail, she focused only on the feeling of magic flowing through her. She imagined the energy forming within her, guided by her will, and extending outward in a steady, unwavering stream.

    Her eyes snapped opened. Raising her staff, she extended her arm and channeled her theonum energy forward.

    ¡®Believe in myself.¡¯

    A shimmering beam of blue-green light surged through the air, its path clean and precise¡ª

    *pssh*

    The beam of theonum struck the trunk of the tree, leaving a faint glowing mark. Elysha gasped, her heart pounding with exhilaration.

    ¡°I did it,¡± she murmured in awe. ¡°I actually did it!¡±

    ¡®YES! You totally nailed it!¡¯ Micah cheered.

    ¡°Well done,¡± Elder Merakia praised. ¡°You have taken the first step toward mastering your control.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s face lit up with happiness, and she wiped away the slight sweat that was forming on her forehead. She looked back and ran to the tree, her fingers lightly brushing the mark of the theonum beam that had been left on the tree.

    Her eyes widened. She had done it¡ªreally done it. The mark was proof that she was improving, that she was getting closer to becoming a mage like her guardian.

    Elder Merakia watched her before shifting her gaze in another direction. She nodded, as if confirming something in her mind, before speaking again. ¡°Now for the second part of today¡¯s session. This time you will try to direct your magic at me. We will participate in a fun little game called ¡®tag.¡¯¡±

    Elysha turned, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. ¡°Tag? What is ¡®tag¡¯?¡±

    ¡®Oh! Oh! Micah loves that game!¡¯ Micah¡¯s excitement resonated in her mind. ¡®It¡¯s like chasing, but with magic! You have to hit the other person with a light touch of theonum!¡¯

    Elysha could almost picture him swirling through the air as Elder Merakia explains, ¡°For the purpose of this session, I want you to become familiar with and attuned to the synchronization of your theonum with Micah¡¯s. Your goal is to ¡®tag¡¯ or touch me with theonum magic, while I try to prevent you from doing so.¡±

    Elysha listened, her fingers tightening around her staff.

    ¡°You should stay connected to Micah¡¯s energy and mark me with your theonum output¡ªonly theonum, as physical touch is not allowed. Do you understand my words?¡±

    Elysha nodded, but then a flicker of concern crossed her face. ¡°Elder Mera?¡±

    ¡°Yes, dear child?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I want to do this.¡±

    Elder Merakia¡¯s smile remained soft. ¡°Is that so? It is entirely up to you if you do not want to participate in this activity.¡±

    ¡°I mean, I do want to try and do my best, but¡­ I don¡¯t want to hurt you, Elder Mera. What if my magic hurts you?¡±

    The elder mage knelt before her, taking her small hands in her own. ¡°I know you are worried about me, but this exercise is meant to help you grow. Like I have said earlier, you must trust yourself¡ªand me.¡±

    Elysha searched her guardian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Would you be mad if I hurt you?¡±

    A light laugh escaped her mouth. ¡°I won¡¯t be mad. If you manage to land a hit, it just means you¡¯re improving. And if you don¡¯t, then it simply means we keep practicing. No matter what happens, I will not be disappointed in you.¡±

    Elysha lowered her gaze, her mind swirling with uncertainty. She wasn¡¯t sure she liked the idea of attacking someone she cared about, even if it was just for training.

    ¡®Elysha, you¡¯re overthinking again!¡¯ Micah chimed in. ¡®It¡¯s just a game! And Micah likes games! If Elder Merakia is confident she won¡¯t get hurt, then trust her! Micah knows she¡¯s super fast anyway!¡¯

    Elder Merakia believed in her.

    Micah believed in her.

    ¡®Maybe¡­ I needed to believe in myself more. I¡¯ve got this.¡¯

    ¡°Okay,¡± Elysha finally said, looking directly at her guardian with determined eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, Elder Mera.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± she said, rising to her feet. A twinkle of amusement danced in her eyes. ¡°Now, let us begin.¡±

 2.14 - Guardian and Pupil

    As the second stage began, Elder Merakia sat on a sturdy branch, reading a book as she watched Elysha stand still nearby, communicating with Micah in her mind.

    ¡°Micah, how do we¡ª?¡±

    ¡®Shh, don¡¯t speak with your mouth, speak with your mind¡¯s voice. Do you want that old witch to hear our plans?¡¯

    Elysha tilted her head. ¡®Like this?¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s right! Now our conversation will be more private. The next step is to figure out how in the world we can tag that woman.¡¯

    She looked up at her guardian, who seemed to be busy with a newspaper she was reading while sitting on a branch.

    ¡®I have to do the same with her as I did with the tree, right?¡¯

    ¡®Seems like it, though Micah suspects that she wouldn¡¯t make it that easy.¡¯

    ¡®Why?¡¯

    ¡®Because knowing her, Micah playing some game up her sleeve¡­¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s gaze flickered to Elder Merakia, who remained comfortably seated on the branch, yawned, and turned to the next page of her newspaper.

    ¡®Ahh, Micah was thinking about getting creative and setting up some cool traps to tag her when she least expects it. And if that failed, we could plan to trick her by trying to make her run around in circles like an idiot, ehehe.¡¯

    It was as if Elysha could practically picture what he was imagining. ¡®Do you think we could do that?¡¯

    ¡®If by the chance that your theonum beam fails, then yes.¡¯

    She nodded to herself, but as she raised her staff, hesitation crept in. She glanced back at her guardian, who was still sitting on the branch, turning another page of her newspaper, as if she had carried herself so casually.

    ¡­

    She pinched the hem of her dress, her fingers trembling slightly.

    Something about it felt¡­ uncomfortable to her.

    She didn¡¯t want to hit her guardian with a theonum beam, even if it was just part of the learning experience. Elder Merakia had acted as her guardian, guiding her, encouraging her to believe in herself.

    Could she really target her like that?

    ¡®Like I have said earlier, you must trust yourself¡ªand me,¡¯ said a voice in her memory. ¡®I won¡¯t be mad. If you manage to land a hit, it just means you¡¯re improving. And if you don¡¯t, then it simply means we keep practicing. No matter what happens, I will not be disappointed in you.¡¯

    Elysha exhaled softly. She pressed the palm of her hand against the pendant resting on her chest. ¡®Okay,¡¯ she whispered inwardly. ¡®Let¡¯s try, then.¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s the spirit!¡¯ Micah cheered, his excitement crackling like static in her head. ¡®Let¡¯s go!¡¯

    The little girl turned to face her target, her fingers tightening around the staff. The soft blue-green glow formed at its tip, wavering like candlelight before condensing into a thin beam.

    *pssh*

    The energy shot forward¡ªaimed directly at Elder Merakia.

    At the last moment, without even lifting her gaze from the newspaper, Elder Merakia nonchalantly tilted her head to the side. The beam sailed past her and struck a distant tree with a faint crackle.

    ¡°¡ª!¡±

    Elysha¡¯s breath caught.

    Elder Merakia turned the page of her newspaper. ¡°Good aim. A bit slow, though,¡± she nodded in approval. ¡°You will have to be faster than that if you want to land a tag on me.¡±

    Her heart raced. ¡®She dodged it without even looking¡­¡¯

    ¡®Micah knew that she would play unfair with you,¡¯ he huffed back.

    Elysha¡¯s eyebrows drew together as she raised her staff again. This time she did not hesitate. Summoning more energy, she formed a small sphere of theonum at the tip. Without another word, she shot again.

    *pssh*

    The beam tore through the air straight at Elder Merakia¡ªbut once again, the old woman casually tilted her head, not even glancing up from her newspaper, and let it pass harmlessly.

    Elysha gritted her teeth and fired again.

    *pssh*

    And again.

    *pssh*

    And again.

    Each time, Elder Merakia dodged effortlessly. The paper rustled as she turned another page, not even sparing Elysha a single glance as if nothing had happened.

    ¡®Hey, stop it, Elysha! Stop!¡¯

    She froze, lowering her staff. ¡®Stop? Why?¡¯

    ¡®We can¡¯t keep going like this¡ªit¡¯s draining my theonum,¡¯ he groaned in complaint. ¡®Micah only has so much energy to share before I get tired out!¡¯

    Elysha blinked. ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡­¡¯ she lowered her staff. ¡®I was so focused on hitting her that I forgot about you.¡¯

    Micah sighed in relief. ¡®We need a different plan,¡¯ he insisted. ¡®A smarter approach! Throwing beams at her won¡¯t work if she just keeps dodging them like she has a third eye or something. Let¡¯s think more creatively!¡±

    ¡®Like what?¡¯

    ¡®Like let¡¯s say getting her butt off of that branch!¡¯

    Elysha tilted her head to look at the sturdy branch holding Elder Merakia. ¡®Get her¡­ butt off?¡¯

    ¡®Exactly. Micah doesn¡¯t like how she¡¯s sitting so high and mighty over us,¡¯ he growled. ¡®Hey¡ªcan you climb trees?¡¯

    ¡®Climb trees?¡¯

    Following his train of thought, she gazed up at the branch and then ran over to the trunk of the tree.

    ¡®Wait, wait, hey! Micah didn¡¯t say to climb right now!¡¯ he rang over her head.

    However, Elysha was already pressing her hands against the rough bark. She tried to pull herself up, only to feel her arms wobble and her feet slip. After several futile attempts, she blew out a frustrated breath, stepping back from the trunk. ¡®No,¡¯ she admitted quietly, looking at her messy hands. ¡®I can¡¯t climb it.¡¯

    *chuckles*

    ¡®What the¡­? Did Micah just hear something?¡¯

    Elysha glanced up, cheeks warming as she caught sight of Elder Merakia¡¯s newspaper still raised.

    ¡®Did that old witch just laugh at us?¡¯ he burst out in indignation.

    ¡®I don¡¯t know¡­¡¯

    ¡®Ugh, we need another plan.¡¯

    ¡®Then, what should we do?¡¯

    ¡®Micah can come up with hundreds of ideas!¡¯ he huffed. ¡®But Micah can¡¯t actually do them, because that would mean I¡¯d have to get out of your head and help you find openings to tag her. The problem is that you are the one in the driver¡¯s seat, which means that Micah can talk the talk, but not walk the walk. After all, you can¡¯t use your core, can you?¡¯

    There was silence between them.

    Then, quietly, Elysha shook her head and answered, ¡®No, I can¡¯t¡­¡¯

    ¡®Then that puts us at a disadvantage already,¡¯ he admitted. ¡®But! On the bright side, you are using Micah¡¯s theonum core! And Micah has some really cool abilities that could catch her off guard!¡¯

    ¡®Like what?¡¯

    ¡®Micah¡¯s element is air! So let¡¯s make a massive gust of wind¡ªlike a vortex¡ªthat will push her away!¡¯

    ¡®But how do we do it?¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s simple! Similar to shooting a theonum beam¡ªbut imagine it expanding in all directions, swirling and gathering speed. Imagine the air obeying your will! Let it grow until it¡¯s a strong gust!¡¯

    ¡®Okay,¡¯ she nodded her head and raised her staff in her hand again. She closed her eyes and focused. Theonum pulsed through her staff, its blue-green glow shifting and spreading outward.

    She recalled the vague memories of seeing Micah using theonum in her dream. Seeing the wind¡ªa focused storm of air, swirling around and growing in strength.

    The grass rustled.

    ¡®Yes, that¡¯s it!¡¯ Micah¡¯s voice encouraged. ¡®Now push it outward!¡¯

    *whoosh*

    A sudden gust of wind erupted from the ground and swirled upward. Tree branches shook and leaves whipped through the air.

    And yet¡ª

    Elder Merakia did not move.

    She didn¡¯t flinch or even acknowledge the gust, her eyes drifting across the newspaper¡¯s pages. It was as if not even the strongest storm could tear the paper from her grasp.

    Elysha felt her heart sink as the wind whipped her hair around her face.

    Micah¡¯s mental shout exploded in her mind, ¡®WHAAAAAT?!¡¯

    She winced at the sharp noise in her mind. ¡®Micah?¡¯

    ¡®Does her butt weigh as much as a house?!¡¯ he ranted, practically pouting. ¡®Micah¡¯s getting mad!¡¯

    Elysha grimaced, pressing a hand to her forehead to dull the sharp ringing in her skull. ¡®Micah¡­ please keep it down¡­ my head is hurting¡­¡¯

    She swallowed, glancing at Elder Merakia again. The old woman still looked unbothered, flipping leisurely to the next page.

    Micah let out a rough sigh. ¡®Micah needs a short rest¡ªthis gust drained a lot of energy, and trust me, Micah will be useless if I don¡¯t recharge soon. As for you, you need to think of a new plan too, Elysha.¡¯

    She lowered her gaze. ¡®I¡¯m trying to. I¡¯m trying to think of ideas, Micah¡­¡¯

    ¡®Well, try harder! Micah will give you some time. In the meantime, Micah will be back after a few minutes.¡¯

    And just like that, his voice fell silent, leaving Elysha in a sudden hush. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡®... Are you gone?¡¯

    The lingering swirl of wind around her dissipated, the last leaves falling back to the ground. After hearing no response, she pressed her lips together, her staff feeling heavier in her grip.

    Elysha closed her eyes and thought. ¡®What to do¡­¡¯

    A small pang of frustration tugged at the little girl. A part of her¡ªa big part¡ªwanted to impress Elder Merakia. She wanted¡ªno, needed¡ªto prove that she was learning. To show that she had grown since the beginning of this stage and that her efforts weren¡¯t for nothing.

    But how?

    Nothing she had tried so far had even come close to working.

    ¡®What ideas can I think of¡­ I need to think¡­¡¯

    Her mind raced with visual examples of how she could possibly tag her guardian and pass the second stage, but she struggled to find a confident approach.

    Her eyes drifted open slowly, traveling up the tree trunk to the branch where Elder Merakia remained unmovable. A part of herself still wrestled with the idea of attacking someone who had been her guardian and caretaker. But no matter her hesitations, she had to pass this stage.

    Then, in her mind, Elysha called out again, ¡®Micah¡­ if you¡¯re right, then how will I ever tag Elder Mera?¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s the big question, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ Micah replied, sounding unimpressed. ¡®Because right now, she¡¯s just sitting up there all high and mighty, waiting for us to fail again.¡¯

    Elysha bit her lip and thought. Suddenly, she recalled the memory¡ªthe demonstration from earlier¡ªthe image of Elder Merakia effortlessly conjuring a butterfly with theonum. It had not been like a beam or a gust of wind, but it had been mesmerizing and finely controlled, like a work of art.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Micah let out a dramatic yawn inside her head. ¡®Hurry up, or Micah really will fall asleep¡ª¡¯

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Elysha¡¯s eyes lit up, and she nearly jumped in place.

    ¡®Woah, wait, what just happened?¡¯ he asked, sounding as if he had jolted. ¡®You figured something out?¡¯

    ¡®There¡¯s an idea I want to try,¡¯ Elysha nodded. ¡®It¡¯s¡­ inspired by something Elder Mera did before. Maybe it could work.¡¯

    ¡®Then what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s do it!¡¯

    Over the next few minutes, they finalized their plan together. Once the details were settled, Elysha braced herself and stepped forward, staff in hand.

    Meanwhile, Elder Merakia folded her newspaper and set it aside. She peered down at Elysha with mild curiosity. ¡°Have you given up yet, dear child?¡±

    Elysha shook her head firmly. ¡°No, not yet.¡±

    A small smile curved the old woman¡¯s lips. ¡°Then I would like to see your next attempt in tagging me. You have plenty of time to succeed¡ªimpress me.¡±

    Her heart thumped. ¡®Don¡¯t let her get into your head,¡¯ she reminded herself. ¡®Focus.¡¯

    Closing her eyes, she focused on the theonum¡ªthe power she had borrowed from Micah¡ªand visualized the plan the two of them had put together. She raised her staff, energy accumulating at the tip. Instead of firing immediately, she let the energy build, forming a small, pulsating ball of light.

    ¡®All right, Micah, let¡¯s give her our best,¡¯ she whispered in her mind.

    ¡®Make it count, Elysha!¡¯

    Elder Merakia arched an eyebrow. ¡°Interesting,¡± she remarked, watching the slow-forming sphere. ¡°And how are you planning to tag me with this technique?¡±

    Elysha ignored the question, concentrating instead on refining the shape and density of the theonum. At first, the orb flickered and sputtered, but with each passing second, the pulsing orb expanded slightly, growing denser with power. Once it felt stable in her hands, she sent it forward¡ªnot in a swift strike, but it drifted. Slowly, deliberately, almost as if unsure of its own path.

    ¡®Micah could almost practically feel second-hand embarrassment at how slowly you made that thing move like a snail,¡¯ he groaned.

    ¡®Don¡¯t say that,¡¯ Elysha retorted inwardly, her lips set in a determined line. ¡®I¡¯m still learning.¡¯

    As the orb of light moved toward Elder Merakia, she gave a low, amused chuckle. ¡°It is a nice effort, slow but steady,¡± she remarked. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I could just let out a sigh and the orb would blow away by itself¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, the orb gave a sudden shudder.

    *spoosh*

    In an instant, the light exploded outward, scattering into countless butterfly-shaped motes of theonum. Each one glowed in soft shades of blue-green, fluttering through the air like fragments of a dream.

    Elder Merakia¡¯s eyes lit up with surprise. ¡°What a sight¡­ Very impressive, dear child.¡± Despite her apparent calm, she leaned forward a fraction, taking in the display of shimmering wings with renewed interest.

    Elysha felt her heart jump into her throat. ¡®She finally reacted! Tag her!¡¯

    The butterflies¡¯ wings flapped as they approached. For a fleeting second, Elysha felt a surge of hope¡ªthis time she would land a tag. But then, with a swift, fluid motion, Elder Merakia leaned back and sprang to a higher branch in a single, graceful bound.

    ¡®She moved!¡¯ Micah exclaimed. ¡®That old witch finally got off the branch!¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s eyes widened. It had worked¡ªthey had finally forced her to move. That was progress, wasn¡¯t it? At least they had forced Elder Merakia from her original spot.

    But the hope was short-lived.

    As the fluttering butterflies approached their maximum range, the theonum connection faltered, and one by one, they dissolved into faint sparks of light, vanishing before they could touch their target.

    Still poised on the higher branch, Elder Merakia gazed down and chuckled. ¡°Your control over theonum has grown, Elysha. I¡¯m truly impressed. You managed to catch me off guard.¡± She nodded in approval, then shrugged lightly. ¡°However, I remain untagged. The distance proved too great for you to maintain the link.¡±

    ¡®Ah! So unfair!¡¯ Micah fumed inside Elysha¡¯s mind. ¡®How in the world are we going to catch her now at this point? It¡¯s like trying to catch a feather in the wind!¡¯

    ¡°Do you still want to continue,¡± Elder Merakia asked, ¡°or would you like to try another time?¡±

    Raising her gaze, Elysha exhaled and locked eyes with her guardian. Elder Merakia¡¯s calm yet amused demeanor reminded her just how far she still had to go.

    ¡­

    But something in her chest still ached. She had to keep going.

    ¡°I want to continue.¡±

    ~ ??? ~

    The two of them spent another round working their way around, trying to tag Elder Merakia. Since the butterfly strategy had failed, another flurry of attempts followed¡ªand this time with her on the ground and on the move. But time and again, Elder Merakia would either evade, shift her footing at the last moment, deftly flick an arm to deflect their efforts.

    With each failed attempt, Elysha¡¯s arms grew tired, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She felt the sweat trickle down her temples. Meanwhile, Elder Merakia maintained the same serene half-smile, barely exerting herself¡ªmoving just enough to avoid the little girl¡¯s reach.

    At last, Elysha paused and lowered her trembling staff. She pressed her lips together, frustration threatening to boil over. Before she could speak, Elder Merakia broke the silence.

    ¡°Your handling of theonum is getting better,¡± she said in a calm tone. ¡°Remember, don¡¯t let setbacks discourage you from improving.¡±

    Elysha swallowed hard and nodded. She wanted to believe those words¡ªneeded to believe them¡ªbut every failure gnawed at her resolve. Even though they had tried everything, and even though Elder Merakia had effortlessly countered every attempt, she still steeled herself with a slow, steady breath.

    ¡®I can¡¯t give up. I won¡¯t.¡¯

    Another failed attempt later, she and Micah paused to strategize.

    ¡®None of our ideas are working,¡¯ Micah grumbled, sounding more bored than angry. ¡®She¡¯s too good at this. One step ahead every time. It¡¯s not even like she¡¯s trying to let us tag her or whatever, Micah doesn¡¯t know anymore¡­ Maybe we should call it a day? Unless¡ª¡¯

    ¡®Unless I have another idea?¡¯ Elysha finished.

    ¡®What, you still have something in mind after all of this?¡¯ he asked. ¡®Micah¡¯s surprised you haven¡¯t given up.¡¯

    Elysha bit her lip and looked away, her mind racing. ¡®... Let me think about it first.¡¯

    ¡®HUH? So you actually don¡¯t have an idea yet?¡¯

    ¡®I haven¡¯t given up!¡¯ she insisted. ¡®I¡¯m just going to keep her distracted while I think of a new way. And if I still can¡¯t do it¡­ then I¡¯ll stop.¡¯

    Micah¡¯s mental yawn reverberated through her. ¡®Fine, fine. Though Micah needs to recharge my theonum potency¡ªagain. I won¡¯t say much for a while. Micah needs to sleep so I can replenish and increase the amount Micah can reserve.¡¯

    ¡®Take a break, Micah.¡¯

    His presence faded, leaving Elysha alone before Elder Merakia. The stillness of the moment settled around them, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

    She thought about why none of her attacks had worked so far. Direct attacks had failed. Tricks had failed. Every idea she and Micah had come up with had failed.

    ¡®She¡¯s always one step ahead¡­ always moving just enough to dodge without herself getting tired like me,¡¯ Elysha thought.

    Elder Merakia cocked her head slightly. ¡°You seem deep in thought, dear child.¡±

    She felt her heart skip¡ªnot in nervousness this time, but in something else.

    An idea was forming¡ªa new idea.

    ¡®Micah can sense that you¡¯re stirring up an idea,¡¯ a groggy voice murmured in her mind, half-asleep.

    ¡®I thought you were resting.¡¯

    ¡®Micah can still see what you¡¯re doing.¡¯

    Elysha¡¯s lips curled. ¡®What if¡­ what if we tried something new? Something different?¡¯

    ¡®Huh? Something different? Something new? Like¡­ what?¡¯

    ¡®You¡¯ll see.¡¯

    ~ ??? ~

    As the stage progressed, Elysha paid more attention to Elder Merakia¡¯s movements. She imbued her staff with theonum and tried to swing at her in an attempt to land a tag, but each time, Elder Merakia easily evaded the strike. Their exchange became a game of cat and mouse¡ªwith Elysha Elysha struggling to keep up with her guardian''s agility, shifting and weaving just enough to stay out of range.

    These actions didn¡¯t escape her guardian¡¯s notice. ¡°I can see what you are doing,¡± Elder Merakia mused calmly. ¡°You are planning something, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Elysha didn¡¯t reply. She simply pressed her lips together and fired a few more theonum beams at her.

    Elder Merakia dodged easily as she continued to move. Elysha followed, her gaze flickering to the ground where she spotted a small stone.

    *thump*

    Her foot purposefully collided with it, sending herself stumbling forward. The abrupt loss of balance caused her latest attack to veer off course, the theonum beam dissipating into the air before it could reach its target.

    She hit the ground, hands up just in time to shield her face. A dull, stinging pain throbbed at her brow, and she let out a soft cry. Her fingers trembled against the mark already swelling beneath her hairline.

    ¡°Elysha!¡± Elder Merakia¡¯s voice rang out. Concern flickered in her eyes as she moved toward her pupil. ¡°Are you hurt? Let me¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Elysha pushed herself onto one elbow, lifting her staff with trembling arms. With all the energy she had left, she unleashed a concentrated theonum beam directly at her guardian.

    *pssh*

    Elder Merakia¡¯s instincts kicked in, her body reacting on pure reflex. She pivoted, narrowly dodging the beam at the last possible moment.

    A smirk lingered as she slowly straightened her stance. ¡°How cunning¡­¡± she murmured. ¡°You¡¯ve surprised me again, but I will not fall for that next time.¡±

    Her gaze flickered over Elysha¡¯s shoulder, and a subtle shift came over her expression.

    Abruptly, Elder Merakia tilted her head upward, attention caught by a small orb of light floating in the air above them. It hovered there, steadily growing in size. She took a cautious step back, eyes narrowing with recognition.

    ¡°Since when did you conjure a light orb of this magnitude?¡± she asked, her voice threaded with genuine surprise.

    Elysha, nursing the ache in her forehead but unwilling to let the moment pass, drew in a breath. ¡°Back when you weren¡¯t looking,¡± she managed, ¡°dodging my attacks while reading a book.¡±

    A faint laugh escaped her lips. ¡°So that¡¯s the reason you kept firing earlier. You had me focusing on one thing while you prepared another. I like your resourcefulness. You have me proud by your creative and smart thinking, dear child.¡±

    As the orb above them expanded, Elysha noticed her guardian¡¯s continued stillness. The giant sphere ballooned outward, pulsing with theonum. Yet Elder Merakia made no move to evade. Elysha¡¯s brows furrowed.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you moving?¡± she called out, and pointed her staff at the steadily growing sphere. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about¡­ that?¡±

    Elder Merakia merely winked, folding her arms across her chest. ¡°I¡¯m waiting.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for your orb of light to finish growing¡­ for that moment when it expands and finally explodes.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°When one becomes a skilled mage, dear child, one must develop an eye of intuition¡ªan ability to see beyond the immediate shape of magic, to sense the potential within it. I felt the fluctuations in your theonum. That was the first clue. And, well¡­¡± She spread her hands, still unruffled. ¡°I know your creativity. I recognized the potential in what you were creating. Even still, this strategy is not enough to trick me.¡±

    ¡°Not enough?¡±

    Elder Merakia shook her head. ¡°Not enough, I am afraid. But you have impressed me, I will give you that.¡±

    In the next heartbeat, the giant orb of light erupted with a brilliant flash, releasing a torrent of white butterflies that flooded the air. Their wings shimmered in the daylight, painting arcs of luminescence as they spiraled downward.

    Elysha staggered back in awe at the display before her lips parted. Her pulse raced with anticipation. ¡®Go¡­!¡¯

    The swarm descended upon Elder Merakia, a flurry of wings moving like a cohesive cloud. For a moment, it looked as though the elder was caught in the current of fluttering shapes. Elysha¡¯s heart soared.

    ¡®Perhaps this time¡ª!¡¯

    Elder Merakia¡¯s hand rose, magic swirling around her in a sudden, forceful sweep. Theonum energy pulsed outward like a wave, swallowing the entire swarm of butterflies. In an instant, they vanished¡ªlike morning dew under the harsh sun. Not a single trace of them remained, as if they had never existed.

    The entire process lasted just a few seconds before it stopped.

    Silence settled, save for the faint echo of dispersing magic. Elysha tried to steady her breathing, the rush of adrenaline quickly ebbing away. She looked to see if there was any hint of surprise on Elder Merakia¡¯s face, but there was none. The seasoned mage stood there, not even out of breath.

    ¡®Of course she can do that¡­¡¯ Elysha realized, her shoulders dropping in resignation.

    Elder Merakia turned her gaze upon her pupil, lips curving into a satisfied smile. ¡°It¡¯s over, dear child.¡± She lowered her arm with ease, as though that burst of magic had cost her nothing.

    Elysha exhaled, still reeling from the sudden disappearance of her butterflies. She blinked a few times in disbelief, her eyes were wide in surprise¡ªno, she shouldn¡¯t be surprised. Elder Merakia wasn¡¯t breaking a sweat. After all, she was a great mage, and her prowess was evident in this display.

    She then offered a small, genuine smile of admiration. ¡°That was amazing,¡± she breathed.

    ¡°Thank you, dear child. I certainly am,¡± Elder Merakia responded, a pleased glint in her eyes.

    A note of seriousness crept into her tone as she continued, ¡°You¡¯re quick with your hands and you¡¯ve displayed impressive determination. However, your technique still needs refining. I can see the improvements in every attempt you make¡ªyour strength is growing, little by little.¡±

    Elysha¡¯s cheeks warmed at the praise. She nodded, swallowing the lump of disappointment forming in her throat. ¡°Thank you,¡± she replied softly.

    Elder Merakia glanced at the staff in her trembling hands, then shifted her focus back to the girl¡¯s pale face. ¡°That last butterfly swarm must have drawn heavily on your bond¡¯s theonum core. Would you still like to continue?¡±

    Elysha closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to reconnect with Micah. All she heard was the distant rumble of his snores echoing across their shared link.

    Her lips curved in a faint, tired smile.

    ¡°No,¡± she admitted quietly, lowering the staff. ¡°I give up.¡±