It had been four days since Liora and Lif set out for the country of Aetherwyn. The road behind them was a winding blur of forest trails, nights spent under stars, and Liora's near-constant sass, countered only by Lif's eye rolls and dry comebacks.
The morning mist clung to the trees like spiderwebs as they walked, and Lif exhaled sharply, slinging his pack higher onto his shoulder.
"Hey… you got any idea how much longer this is gonna take?"
"Nope," Liora answered without even looking at him.
Lif stopped in his tracks, dragging a hand down his face.
She smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'm joking, idiot. Besides, Sela literally told us where we should be heading."
They kept walking, bickering lightly, the forest changing slowly around them. The trees ahead began to shift—leaves fading from green to silver, bark shimmering faintly with ethereal runes etched into their trunks. Some glowed softly, pulsing like quiet heartbeats. Flowers bloomed in impossible colors, their petals shifting hues when touched by sunlight.
Liora stopped in front of a tree whose bark was a deep, rich indigo and glowing gently. She placed her hand on it with reverence.
"This tree… it only grows in Aetherwyn. We must be close."
Lif raised his brows. "Wow, really? Couldn't tell by the fact that IT'S LITERALLY BLUE."
She scoffed, brushing past him. "You're impossible."
They pressed forward. The further they went, the more bizarre and beautiful the surroundings became. Trees towered higher, spiraling into the sky, mushrooms the size of boulders lined the path, and the air shimmered with floating motes of gold.
Soon, they found themselves surrounded by the same radiant blue trees from earlier—hundreds of them forming a ring of magic.
Liora slowed. "We're here… this is the boundary of Aetherwyn."
She turned to Lif, her tone softer. "Thank you for coming this far. You don't have to go any further. I can handle it from here."
Lif crossed his arms. "We've walked four days straight. You think I'm just gonna dip now?"
"Go home, Lif. You've done enough."
"Yeah, and what if something happens to you? I'd never forgive myself."
Liora sighed, shaking her head. "You're such an idiot."
"Yep," Lif said with a grin. "So what."
She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Fine. But if you slow me down, I'm leaving you behind."
As they walked, Lif's eyes kept darting around. Strange creatures peeked from behind trees—beasts with feathers made of light, deer with antlers like crystal. Above them, massive birds wheeled between the clouds, some so large their shadows blanketed the forest below.
"What the hell is that???" Lif whispered, pointing to a floating creature that resembled a titanic jellyfish made of vines and starlight.
"Etherglide," Liora said. "It's harmless—unless it's hungry."
"Noted..."
They continued, marveling at giant blossoms as wide as rooftops and rivers that ran with glowing silver water. As the sun began to dip low, painting the forest in amber and blue, they reached a rise in the land. Below it sat a small village—stone cottages with moss-covered roofs, glowing lanterns swaying gently outside, and curling smoke rising from chimneys.
"That's probably where we should ask for directions," Lif said.
Liora nodded.
"Let's go."
As they descended, Lif immediately felt the eyes on him. Elves stood frozen mid-task—buckets in hand, laundry half-folded, conversations cut short. Everyone stared—at him.
Whispers swirled like wind.
"Is that a human?"
"What's he doing here?"
"Dangerous..."
A group of older elves grabbed pitchforks, wooden rods, and gardening tools. Lif looked down, shoulders tense—not from fear, but something else.
Liora stepped toward a market stall. "Excuse me, could you tell us how to reach the kingdom of Herene?"
The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed. He didn't answer. Instead, he reached behind the counter and pulled out a curved knife. With a snarl, he lunged over the table—straight at Lif.
"Wai—Lif! Move!" Liora shouted.
But Lif didn't flinch. His hand snapped out, slapping the man's wrist aside and sending the knife clattering to the ground. The man clutched his hand, yelling in pain.
Gasps echoed across the village square.
"He hurt him!"
"He attacked an innocent man!"
"Get the children inside!"
Lif remained still, eyes fixed on the ground.
More villagers stepped forward—flames igniting in palms, water gathering from nearby barrels, and gusts of wind curling around fingers.
"He's dangerous!"
"No human can be trusted!"
Liora raised her arms. "Stop it! He hasn't done anything!"
No one listened.
A wind blade sliced through the air toward Lif's head. He ducked fluidly and bolted forward—not at the attacker, but past him. As the man turned in confusion, Lif swept his legs out from beneath him and let him drop, harmless.
More magic launched at him—fire, water, earth—but Lif unsheathed his sword, not to attack, but to deflect. Fire arced into the sky, water splashed into a tree. Not a single strike hit another villager.
Liora stood frozen, eyes wide.
She was seeing the difference between these men and Lif...
Is it power? she thought. No... it's skill. Those men must be stronger than Lif, yet they aren't even making him flinch.
Another fire blast came his way—and again, Lif knocked it upward without missing a beat. He didn't raise his voice, didn't make a single threat. He just stood there, guarded, quiet, unafraid.
"STOP!" Liora screamed, voice echoing through the village.
The villagers faltered, staring at her.
Liora stepped forward, brushing her hair aside to reveal the glowing tattoo etched into her neck—a spiraling sigil that pulsed with soft gold.
Gasps this time—different gasps.
"...The mark."
Instantly, the villagers backed off. The flames died. Water returned to stillness.
"We... we apologize," the shopkeeper stammered, rubbing his bruised wrist. "We didn't realize he was with you."
Lif blinked and glanced at Liora. "Okay, I gotta ask. What is that mark?"
Liora smiled slyly and winked.
He shook his head, smirking. "Figures."
As they turned to leave the village behind, a new path opened before them—an overgrown stone trail leading deep into the glittering forest beyond.
The kingdom of Herene awaited.