The forest path stretched ahead, quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the low crunch of boots on earth. Rivian walked beside Leonora, the tall trees of Elaria surrounding them in green shadow. The air was crisp and cool, filled with the soft scent of moss and morning. It was a peaceful kind of silence, one that made Rivian’s earlier battles feel distant.

  Suddenly, a sharp whir split the air.

  Rivian flinched as an arrow zipped past his shoulder and sank into a nearby tree. A second later, a blast of wind magic swept through the clearing, knocking him off balance. Leonora shoved him behind a tree, eyes narrowing.

  "Elves," she muttered. "Defensive patrol."

  More arrows came, thudding into the earth around them. Wind howled again, pushing at their clothes and hair, trying to force them to the ground. Rivian started to reach for his sword, but Leonora stopped him.

  "Don't fight back. They'll listen... eventually."

  He ducked as another arrow zipped past. "'Eventually' sounds like a bad plan!"

  Before Leonora could respond, a ripple of water surged between them and the incoming magic, forming a solid dome around them. The arrows bounced off harmlessly. The wind faded.

  A woman’s voice rang through the forest. "Stop! I know her!"

  The attacks ceased.

  The dome dissolved into mist, revealing a woman stepping into the clearing. She had warm brown skin, long blue curls, and striking lilac eyes. Her robes were elegant and light, her stance confident.

  Leonora’s face lit up. "Mirage."

  Mirage grinned. "Still getting into trouble, I see."

  They closed the distance in three quick steps, embracing tightly.

  "You got my letter," Mirage said.

  Leonora nodded. "Of course I did. Took me long enough to reach Elaria, though."

  The nearby elves, pale-skinned with mint green eyes and long white hair, had lowered their bows. One of them stepped forward, clearly uneasy.

  "Leonora of Varn... we didn’t recognize you. We apologize."

  Leonora waved it off. "No harm done. Reflexes are still sharp, at least."

  Rivian stepped closer, rubbing his arm where he’d landed hard. "Good to know I almost got impaled by accident."

  Mirage raised a brow. "And who’s this?"

  Leonora smirked. "This is Rivian. He’s... a new traveling companion. Been through a lot recently."

  Mirage tilted her head at Rivian, as if weighing him. Then she nodded. "Welcome to Elaria, Rivian. You survived a Shardbeast and lived to complain about it—impressive."

  Rivian blinked. "You heard about that?"

  Leonora sighed. "Told her just now."

  Mirage's smile softened. "And the summoner?"

  "Gone," Leonora said. "Unmade."

  Mirage looked thoughtful. "It makes sense. The mana’s been trembling lately. The trees whisper things they didn’t before. Something’s shifting."

  Rivian frowned. "You think it has to do with the Void?"

  Mirage’s gaze darkened, but she said nothing.

  "Come on," she said instead. "Let’s talk more at the edge of the kingdom. Haoyu’s there."

  Leonora's eyes lit up. "He's here?"

  Mirage nodded. "Sleeping. Of course. In the Elven temple."

  They began walking together again, the elves now guiding them respectfully.

  The forest began to thin. The trees grew wider apart, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground. The path curved around a ridge and opened onto a breathtaking view.

  Ahead lay the heart of Elaria.

  Homes and towers built of white marble and crystal stood in harmony with the land. Waterfalls spilled from cliff edges into clear pools. Tall trees surrounded the city, their branches stretching high above like guardians. The structures shimmered under the light, their design elegant and practical. Temples rose toward the sky, carved with symbols of ancient magic.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Rivian stopped, overwhelmed.

  "It’s like... someone painted a dream."

  Leonora gave him a knowing smile. "That’s Elaria."

  Mirage led them along a bridge carved of smooth stone, arches laced with flowering vines. Below, a gentle stream ran clear, its waters full of mana. The closer they came to the city, the more Rivian could feel the magic. It wasn’t like the raw power of the Void or the burning pressure of Varn. It was calm. Balanced.

  The city bustled quietly—elves moved with purpose and poise. Children ran through gardens. Mana crystals floated gently in the air, pulsing with soft light.

  Rivian breathed deep. "So this is the opposite of Varn."

  Leonora snorted. "Varn has its beauty, in its own way. The dunes. The sunsets. The brick homes glowing at night. But yeah... Elaria’s easier on the boots."

  Mirage chuckled. "She used to complain nonstop about the sand."

  Leonora smirked. "You try fighting in the unrelenting humidity and sun."

  They crossed the final arch into the outer circle of the Elven capital.

  Mirage gestured ahead. "We’ll stay at the temple tonight. Once Haoyu wakes up, we can talk properly. The council might want to hear about what you faced in Varn."

  Leonora’s expression turned serious. "That’s why I’m here. The darkness spreading—it’s not random. And I think the elves know more than they’re saying."

  Mirage gave a slow nod. "They might. And if they don’t... we’ll make them listen."

  The three continued toward the marble steps of the temple, the city's golden light behind them and the mystery of the realms still ahead.

  #####

  Leonora, Rivian, and Mirage walked through the kingdom of Elaria, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished paths that wound between tall, graceful buildings of crystal and marble. Waterfalls cascaded from the cliffs above, their gentle roar blending with the calls of birds and the distant hum of magical currents in the air. The homes and palaces stood tall, gleaming under the afternoon light, wrapped in vines and blooming flora that clung to the structures as if nature itself had a place in their design.

  The kingdom exuded serenity, a stark contrast to the scorched dunes and clay brick homes of Varn, Leonora's homeland. Even Rivian, who had grown more accustomed to the strange sights of this world, couldn’t hide his amazement at the ethereal beauty that surrounded them. The mana in the air buzzed softly against his skin like a second heartbeat.

  Mirage, walking ahead, glanced over her shoulder. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” she said to Leonora, her lilac eyes gleaming with warmth.

  Leonora smiled faintly.”I just couldn’t ignore your letter now, could I?

  “I guess you couldn’t. Haoyu will probably fall over when he sees you.” Mirage chuckled

  “Wait... he's awake?” Leonora asked.

  “He shouldn’t be,” Mirage said with a raised brow. “When I left, he was passed out cold. Hasn’t been doing much lately except sleeping and grumbling. Or at least that’s what I thought.”

  They reached the temple at the edge of the city, built into the side of a hill, its fa?ade lined with elegant arches and symbols of old elven craftsmanship. Water flowed through channels carved into the steps, adding a serene melody to the air. Inside, soft candlelight flickered against pale stone walls, and the scent of herbs and incense lingered.

  As they entered the wide hall, they were immediately met with the unmistakable sound of someone singing. Badly.

  “Wooohooo! When the moon is... hic... full and the stars are... oh, what’s that word... twinkling!” a loud voice rang out, echoing through the temple. “And the wind in the trees says... ugh, what’s it say again... ahhh forget it!”

  Leonora froze mid-step. Mirage blinked, stunned. “Is that...?”

  They turned the corner into the main hall and there he was—Haoyu, very much awake and more than a little drunk. He was sprawled in a plush chair at the far end of a long stone table, holding a nearly empty bottle of elven wine in one hand and gesturing wildly with the other. His long black hair was a disheveled mess, hanging in his face, and his tall, muscular frame was slouched lazily as he tried to belt out the next verse of his off-key song.

  He wore his usual black long-sleeved compression shirt, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders and arms, with loose black trousers and a pair of worn Tai Chi shoes. A Tang dao sword lay sheathed at his hip, looking far more dignified than its owner.

  Mirage put her hands on her hips. “I left him asleep. How is he this awake—and this drunk?”

  Haoyu blinked blearily at them, finally noticing the figures in the doorway. He squinted, as if trying to make sense of the blur in front of him. “Is that... Leonora?” he slurred, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Heyyy! Look who it is! The Flame of Varn herself!”

  Leonora sighed and strode forward, arms crossed. “You’re supposed to be resting, not serenading the spirits.”

  Haoyu tried to sit up straighter and failed. “Mirage said I could nap! I did nap. Then I drank. Balance, right?”

  Mirage shook her head, trying and failing to suppress a laugh. “You idiot.”

  Leonora walked up to him and gave him a light slap to the back of the head. “You’re a mess.”

  “An elegant mess,” Haoyu replied proudly. “It’s called style.”

  Rivian hovered behind them, trying to hide a laugh as he watched the interaction. Haoyu finally seemed to notice him and leaned to the side to get a better look.

  “And who’s this?” Haoyu asked, narrowing his eyes. “A new recruit? A student? Wait, no... you're too serious-looking. What’s your name, friend?”

  “Rivian,” he said, offering a polite nod.

  Haoyu grinned. “Strong name. You look like someone who needs a drink.”

  “He’s good,” Leonora interjected quickly, saving Rivian from the awkward offer. “We’ve been traveling together. Things in Varn have gotten complicated.”

  “Complicated?” Haoyu’s tone shifted slightly, the grin fading. “What kind of complicated?”

  Leonora took a deep breath. “A shardbeast. A summoner. They attacked us. We barely escaped.”

  That sobered him up a little. He frowned and sat forward, rubbing his face. “Damn. That’s serious.”

  “We need answers,” Mirage said quietly. “That’s why we’re all here.”

  Haoyu nodded slowly, the weight of their reunion settling in. “Well then,” he muttered, putting the bottle aside. “I guess the vacation’s over.”

  Leonora smiled faintly. “Good. I was starting to worry you were turning into a piece of temple furniture.”

  He laughed hoarsely. “You wish.”

  The three of them—Leonora, Mirage, and Haoyu—stood together again, not just as old friends but as survivors preparing for the storm ahead. And somewhere behind them, Rivian watched quietly, feeling like he was finally stepping into something much bigger than he’d ever imagined.