The night attack on Silverbow Haven had been chaotic but mercifully brief. The corrupted shadowfangs—led by what Lysandra called an "alpha phase-stalker"—had probed the settlement's defenses before retreating into the darkness. Whether they were testing the elves' strength or simply biding their time, Ethan couldn't tell.
Dawn found him bleary-eyed atop a creature that defied simple description. The elkstrider resembled an elk in its general shape, but with legs twice as long as seemed natural, a sleeker build, and iridescent markings that shifted colors with each movement. Despite its gangly appearance, the beast moved with astonishing grace, practically dancing through the forest undergrowth.
"You ride well for a human," Lysandra remarked, her own elkstrider moving alongside his. "I expected you to fall at least three times by now."
"I'm as surprised as you are," Ethan admitted, gripping the woven reins a bit tighter. "I think my System might be helping with balance."
Indeed, since mounting the creature, his wristband had displayed:
[ ADAPTIVE ASSISTANCE ACTIVE ] MOTOR COORDINATION ENHANCEMENT: +25% BALANCE REGULATION: ACTIVE NOTE: TEMPORARY ADAPTATION TO FACILITATE MISSION OBJECTIVES
The forest around them had changed subtly as they rode. The trees grew larger, their silver-blue bark taking on a more luminescent quality. Patches of strange, geometric flowers dotted clearings, their petals arranged in perfect mathematical patterns that Ethan suspected might be impossible in his world.
Most striking, however, was the increased frequency of reality anomalies. His enhanced perception detected dozens of minor phase-sicknesses—flowers, small animals, even patches of mist that flickered in and out of existence. Most were too small to pose immediate danger, but their proliferation painted a worrying picture.
"We're getting closer to a major rift, aren't we?" Ethan asked, noting how his wristband subtly pulsed with increasing frequency.
Lysandra nodded grimly. "The Heart Tree stands at the center of Elderwood—both physically and metaphysically. If the barriers between worlds are weakening..."
"Then the effects would be most pronounced there," Ethan finished her thought. "Like the epicenter of an earthquake."
"A fitting analogy," she agreed. "Though I know not what an 'earthquake' is."
Ethan smiled despite himself. "Trust me, you don't want to know."
They rode in silence for another hour before Lysandra suddenly raised her hand, signaling a halt. Her elkstrider stopped instantly, while Ethan's took a few extra prancing steps before complying.
"We are approaching the outer perimeter," she announced, dismounting with fluid grace. "From here, we proceed on foot."
Ethan climbed down considerably less elegantly, his legs protesting after hours in the saddle. "Perimeter of what?"
Instead of answering, Lysandra placed her palm against the trunk of a nearby tree and whispered something in an elegant, flowing language. The air around them shimmered, and suddenly Ethan could see it—a gossamer-thin barrier of energy stretching between the trees, almost invisible until viewed from the right angle.
"What is that?" he asked, reaching toward it instinctively.
"The Veil of Discernment," Lysandra replied, catching his wrist before he could touch the barrier. "A protective enchantment. None may pass without invitation or escort."
She turned to her elkstrider and spoke another phrase in the same mysterious language. The creature bobbed its head once before turning and trotting back the way they had come, Ethan's mount following without prompting.
"They'll return to Silverbow Haven," she explained, seeing Ethan's confusion. "The path ahead is not suitable for riding."
[ ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS ] DETECTED: MULTIDIMENSIONAL SECURITY BARRIER COMPOSITION: ADVANCED REALITY ENFORCEMENT FIELD PURPOSE: SELECTIVE PASSAGE CONTROL NOTE: BARRIER EXHIBITS SIGNS OF RECENT STRAIN (17% WEAKENED)
Lysandra led him along the perimeter for several minutes until they reached what appeared to be an ordinary section of forest. To Ethan's newly enhanced perception, however, there was a subtle discontinuity in the barrier—a doorway of sorts.
Two elven guards materialized from the foliage as they approached, their armor so perfectly matched to the forest that they had been completely invisible until movement gave them away.
"Guardian Lysandra," one acknowledged with a respectful nod before turning a considerably less friendly gaze toward Ethan. "This is the outsider?"
"This is Ethan Stark, a Between-Walker," Lysandra replied formally. "I vouch for his passage under the Old Compact."
The guards exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the invocation of whatever this "Old Compact" was. After a moment's hesitation, they stepped aside, one pressing his palm to a nearby tree just as Lysandra had done earlier.
The barrier rippled, creating an opening just large enough to pass through. Lysandra gestured for Ethan to follow and stepped through the shimmering portal.
The transition was subtle but disorienting—like walking through an invisible curtain of static electricity. When Ethan's vision cleared, he found himself in a different forest entirely.
While the outside forest had been impressive, this was... magical. Trees of impossible size soared hundreds of feet into the sky, their massive trunks wider than houses. Bridges of living wood connected elaborate structures built seamlessly into and around the trees, populated by elves going about their daily business. Streams of water flowed up the sides of trunks in defiance of gravity, creating vertical rivers that somehow never spilled or overflowed.
And at the center of it all stood the Heart Tree—a colossal living tower that dwarfed everything around it. Its trunk must have been at least a hundred feet in diameter, with a canopy that spread like a verdant sky above the entire settlement. Unlike the silver-blue of the surrounding forest, the Heart Tree's bark was a deep, rich amber that seemed to pulse with an inner light.
"By all that's..." Ethan whispered, unable to complete the thought.
"Welcome to Elyndrialar," Lysandra said, a hint of pride in her voice. "The heart of Elderwood and the oldest elven settlement in the great forest."
Ethan could only nod, overwhelmed by the beauty and impossibility of what he was seeing. His wristband, however, was considerably less awestruck:
[ CRITICAL ALERT ] REALITY INSTABILITY DETECTED AT UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS MULTIPLE MICRO-RIFTS DETECTED WITHIN VICINITY OF HEART TREE CONTAINMENT MEASURES VISIBLE BUT DEGRADING WARNING: MAJOR DIMENSIONAL BREACH POSSIBLE WITHIN 37-94 HOURS
"Your Council needs to understand how serious this is," Ethan said, showing Lysandra the alert. "These rifts aren't just random incidents—they're part of a pattern, and it's accelerating."
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Lysandra's expression darkened. "The Council Chamber is within the Heart Tree itself. We should proceed immediately."
As they made their way through the settlement, Ethan became acutely aware of the stares following them. The elves of Elyndrialar were even more elaborate in their appearance than Lysandra, with intricate braids, shimmering garments that seemed woven from light itself, and jewelry that appeared to be made from living plants.
None of them looked particularly pleased to see a human in their midst.
"Is it just me, or am I not exactly welcome here?" Ethan murmured.
"Humans are rare visitors to Elderwood," Lysandra replied quietly. "And those few who have come before were not always... respectful of our ways."
"Great, so I'm dealing with the diplomatic fallout from my entire species."
"Indeed," Lysandra said, without a trace of humor. "Though your status as a Between-Walker may mitigate some prejudice. Such beings are revered in our oldest traditions."
They reached the base of the Heart Tree, where an elaborately carved doorway opened into the living trunk itself. Guards flanked the entrance, their armor more formal and ornate than those at the perimeter. They recognized Lysandra immediately, bowing deeply before regarding Ethan with barely concealed suspicion.
"The Council is already in session, Guardian," one informed them. "They discuss the growing crisis."
"Then our timing is fortuitous," Lysandra replied. "Please inform them that I bring one who may offer insight into the nature of the rifts."
The guard nodded and disappeared into the tree. After a brief wait, he returned and gestured for them to enter.
The interior of the Heart Tree defied Ethan's expectations. Rather than a hollow trunk, they entered what appeared to be a series of chambers and passageways formed within the living wood, illuminated by glowing orbs similar to the dreamlights he had seen earlier. The walls pulsed subtly, as if in time with a massive heartbeat, and the air carried a sweet, resinous scent that made Ethan feel simultaneously alert and calm.
[ ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS ] LOCATION: HEART TREE INTERIOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES: SELF-SUSTAINING ECOSYSTEM REALITY ANCHORING: DETECTED NOTE: THIS LOCATION SERVES AS A NATURAL STABILIZATION POINT AGAINST DIMENSIONAL DISRUPTION
They climbed a spiraling stairway that wound upward through the trunk, passing multiple levels and chambers before reaching a set of massive doors inlaid with what appeared to be starlight captured in crystalline form.
The doors swung open silently, revealing the Council Chamber—a circular room near the top of the Heart Tree, with walls of polished amber wood and a domed ceiling through which sunlight filtered in patterns too regular to be natural. At the center stood a circular table formed from a cross-section of what must have been an ancient tree, around which sat seven elves whose bearing and attire clearly marked them as leaders.
All conversation ceased as Ethan and Lysandra entered.
"Guardian Lysandra," spoke an elderly elf with silver hair that cascaded down past his shoulders like a metallic waterfall. "We did not expect your return so soon. And with... a guest."
The way he said "guest" made it clear that Ethan's presence was unusual at best, unwelcome at worst.
Lysandra bowed formally. "Honorable Sevandril, esteemed Council, I present Ethan Stark, a Between-Walker from beyond our realm. He possesses knowledge and abilities that may be crucial in addressing the rift crisis."
A murmur ran through the Council members. Sevandril—apparently the leader—studied Ethan with ancient eyes that seemed to contain galaxies of wisdom and experience.
"A Between-Walker?" he repeated skeptically. "Such beings are known to us only through legends. What proof have you of this claim?"
Before Lysandra could respond, another Council member spoke up—a female elf with amber eyes that matched the Heart Tree's bark. "Guardian, while we respect your judgment, bringing an outsider to Elyndrialar in these troubled times requires more than mere assertions."
Ethan could sense the situation deteriorating. These elves, despite their mystical appearance, were politicians at heart—concerned with protocol and precedent. He needed to demonstrate his value quickly.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and addressed the Council directly.
"Honorable elves," he began, surprised at how steady his voice sounded, "I understand your skepticism. In your position, I'd feel the same. But the reality is that your world—and potentially many others—faces an imminent threat."
He raised his wrist, displaying the System interface. "This device has identified extensive reality degradation throughout Elderwood, centered on this location. The rifts you've observed are symptoms of a larger problem that's accelerating rapidly."
Sevandril's eyes narrowed. "What manner of enchantment is this?"
"Not enchantment—technology," Ethan replied. "From my world. It allows me to detect and repair breaches in the fabric of reality. With Guardian Lysandra as witness, I sealed a significant rift in the Western Grove yesterday."
Lysandra stepped forward. "It is true, Council. The rift would have expanded to catastrophic proportions had Ethan not contained it. His methods are unlike any I have witnessed."
The Council members exchanged glances, some skeptical, others intrigued. Sevandril raised a hand, silencing the whispered conversations.
"Your claim is extraordinary, human," he said. "Yet these are extraordinary times. If you truly possess such abilities, a demonstration would be... illuminating."
Ethan's wristband vibrated with an alert:
[ OPPORTUNITY DETECTED ] DEMONSTRABLE PROOF REQUIRED TO GAIN COUNCIL TRUST MICRO-RIFT DETECTED: 4 METERS NORTHEAST, WITHIN COUNCIL CHAMBER ENERGY RESERVES: 68% (SUFFICIENT FOR MINOR REPAIR)
Following the guidance, Ethan turned toward the indicated direction. His enhanced perception immediately spotted it—a tiny rift, no larger than a coin, flickering in and out of existence near one of the chamber's supporting columns.
"There," he said, pointing. "You have a small rift forming in this very chamber."
Several Council members turned to look, though their expressions suggested they couldn't see what he was indicating.
"I can seal it," Ethan offered. "With your permission."
After a moment's consideration, Sevandril nodded. "Proceed, but cautiously."
Ethan approached the micro-rift, which pulsed with the same sickly purple energy he'd seen in the larger tear. As he raised his hand toward it, his wristband displayed:
[ REPAIR SEQUENCE INITIATED ] TARGET: MICRO-RIFT DIFFICULTY: MINIMAL ENERGY REQUIRED: 7% PROCEED? [Y/N]
"Y," Ethan whispered, and immediately felt the now-familiar surge of energy flow through his arm. Blue light emanated from his fingertips, wrapping around the tiny rift like threads of luminescent silk. The tear resisted briefly before sealing with a small pop that was felt more than heard.
[ REPAIR SUCCESSFUL ] MICRO-RIFT SEALED ENERGY RESERVES: 61% REALITY STABILITY INCREASED: +0.05% (LOCALIZED) NOTE: COUNCIL CHAMBER STABILITY TEMPORARILY IMPROVED
A stunned silence fell over the chamber. Several Council members rose from their seats for a better look, while others whispered urgently to one another.
"I... was unaware of that flaw in our defenses," Sevandril admitted, his skepticism giving way to grudging respect. "Your perception exceeds even our most skilled Seers."
"That's part of what I'm trying to tell you," Ethan said, turning to address the entire Council. "These rifts are appearing faster and growing more quickly than you realize. My System estimates a major breach within the next two to four days, possibly centered on the Heart Tree itself."
This announcement caused immediate uproar. Council members argued amongst themselves, some demanding more information, others expressing disbelief.
Sevandril raised his hand once more, restoring order. "If what you say is true, Between-Walker, then your arrival is either remarkably fortuitous—or perhaps not coincidence at all." His ancient eyes fixed on Ethan with newfound intensity. "Tell us everything you know, and how you came to be here."
As Ethan began recounting his story, from the System's sudden activation in his apartment to his journey through Elderwood with Lysandra, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him—not the Council members, but something else, something hidden.
His wristband vibrated once, so subtly that only he noticed:
[ WARNING ] ANOMALOUS OBSERVATION DETECTED UNKNOWN ENTITY MONITORING CURRENT PROCEEDINGS CAUTION ADVISED
Ethan continued his explanation while surreptitiously scanning the chamber. Among the Council members, one elf in particular—younger than the others, with sharp features and calculating eyes—seemed unusually interested in his wristband rather than his words.
The elf caught Ethan's gaze and smiled thinly before looking away. Instinctively, Ethan knew that whatever was happening in Elderwood, this Council member knew more than he was letting on.
The question was: what was he hiding, and why?