Feeling our movement pause, I snapped out of my half-conscious state.

A quick survey of my surroundings revealed plenty of eyes focused in my direction—mostly elves with a sprinkling of human faces among the crowd. There was a glimmer of recognition in their eyes as they looked at my two travel mates, completely absent when their gazes turned my way. Instead, their expressions switched between intrigue and apprehension.

Before I could look around, Verdenia unstrapped me and helped me down. The herbs they'd given me and aura had sped up my healing. Even so, only some things were fixed. The significant breaks were still there, though my minor wounds and cuts had healed.

I noticed the gigantic trees surrounding me, with natural wooden homes built into their trunks. I couldn't help but sense a specific power lingering in the air. It was a power that resonated with the energy coursing through my own body. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a gentle and serene glow, while the pure air and a light breeze gently swayed my clothes. As my eyes shifted, there it stood before me—the portal. It was genuinely colossal, a sight that left me in awe.

This portal stood out, towering in size and power. It was encircled by a ring of majestic trees, which seemed to have grown around it over time. A narrow gap was in front of the portal, guarded by a wooden gate crafted by skilled elves. Archers were positioned in watchtowers around the area, their bows ready to defend against any threat. Additional guards patrolled the vicinity, watching the magnificent gate closely. I couldn't help but wonder why they hadn't chosen a more substantial material like metal for the gate. Still, perhaps the elves had perfected the art of woodcraft, making it just as durable and formidable.

A faint pressure surrounded me, perhaps from the gazes of those around me.

"Stop daydreaming, you Moth idiot," Hadrian's insults resumed. I would have to get accustomed to it or find a way to teach that old bastard a lesson someday. Verdenia remained silent, her gaze fixed on a particular tree. It stood out as the largest among the others in the north part of this place, away from the portal. That may be where we were supposed to go.

"Go on then, bearer of the Moth. You'll be meeting the Lady of the Forest Elves," Hadrian's curt words lacked any explanation. Sensing my confusion, Verdenia took over. It made me wonder; I hadn't shared anything about the Moth with either of them. So how did they know?

"Falond, every newcomer to this encampment must meet Lady Elnara. If she accepts you, you'll eventually have the chance to enter the portal. If not, you may be 'asked' to leave," Verdenia explained with a smile that sent a shiver down my spine.

Grumbling about the constant surprises, I mentally prepared myself to proceed. My eyes instinctively scanned the surroundings, searching for any mana materials or reagents. My legs carried me toward the tree as if on autopilot. The crowd parted, creating a path for me leading to the settlement's northern part. It didn't take long before I stood before an abnormally large oak tree with intricate runes carved into its bark and a subtle pulsating energy.

"Come in," a commanding voice beckoned, unmistakably belonging to their Lady. It was a voice that carried an indescribable power, making it difficult to discern many details, except that it emanated from a woman. As I hesitated, a subtle pressure nudged me forward from behind. Reluctantly, I followed the guidance and approached the entrance. The roots surrounding it seemed to come alive, parting ways as I drew near as if they were conscious and aware of my arrival.

As I stepped further into the inner sanctum of the tree, the atmosphere grew denser, almost tangible. Moss clung to certain parts of the surroundings while mushrooms sprouted in others. Delicate butterflies flitted about, and the melodic chirping of songbirds filled the air. Recent interactions with the moths made me notice them as they danced gracefully around a luminescent plant.

Inside, I was greeted by an elf butler exuding an air of dignity and pride. Raw power radiated from him while his eyes held a wisdom that belied his youthful appearance. Although his physical age looked to be his mid-thirties, I couldn't help but wonder if that was the case.

"Her Ladyship is awaiting your arrival," the butler stated, his tone condescending and his nose held high. It was as if he considered it a personal burden to deliver such a message. "I must request that you maintain a minimal presence. Her time is more valuable than your insignificant existence."

I have had the propensity to meet rude people lately. I was missing Verdenia already, that is until I remembered how she tricked me. At least Kidra had only good intentions for me. Even if those intentions nearly got me killed. Shortly after, I followed the butler. Who kept a brisk pace, leaving little time to take in the enchanting scenes around me. Seeing as we made one turn after another, without him as a guide, I would have been hopelessly lost within the passages of the tree. Some enchantment must've been put on the tree; there was no way it naturally had this much space. Soon, the elf butler stopped, nodding towards a hole. A green barrier was filling the gaps. It'd look like you'd be unable to enter unless permitted.

"Inside is her Ladyship. You shall show respect in her presence, even though you are nothing more than a wastrel. Mind your manners, if you have any, and do not dare to deceive her. I assure you, it won't end well for you if you even attempt it," the butler warned, his words laced with authority. A short burst of pressure accompanied his warning.

Was it my face? Why did people always seem to get annoyed with me so quickly?

I held back my tongue and came before the barrier without risking muttering any curses. Within moments, it surrounded me, pulling me in despite my instinctive resistance.

After a moment, the green power released its hold on me, allowing my vision to clear. Before me stood a lady radiating immense power. However, something was off. I could not describe her when I tried to focus on her face. It was as if my brain was failing to understand what was before me. Some magic must have distorted my senses, but why would the Lady of the Elves do such a thing?

"A perceptive man, I see," commented the Lady of the Elves, her voice resonating like a part of nature itself. "There's no need to be alarmed by my obscured form. It's for your protection, really."

"Not just your face? For my protection?" I questioned, perplexed by her words.

"Quite a curious man. Is what little I reveal still too much for you?" The Lady of the Elves read me like an open book.

She possessed a level of power and insight that surpassed my understanding. She wielded her magic in a way that affected the senses. Did many magic users have this ability? Shifting gears, I remembered why I was here. This woman held much of my fate in her hands, and I tried to change the focus of the conversation.

"My Lady, I am Falond, a man wishing to join your encampment. Hadrian and Verdenia brought me here and instructed me to visit you. Or really, Verdenia did."

"I knew of your presence the second you entered the inner forest. Hadrian is one of the sourcers of our encampment and part of your human faction, who are allied with my people. While on this side of the portal, they all answer to my command." she explained, shedding light on Hadrian's role and the nature of their alliance.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I caught her last words especially. Under her command on this side of the portal? What had I gotten myself into?

"Don't you know staring at a lady so intently is rude? If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to flirt with me," she remarked, her voice carrying a soft tone.

My gaze was on her for a while, drawn in by more than just her allure. Her words, with teasing remarks, had me off balance. It felt odd as if there were hidden motives behind her banter.

"The fact that you're an elf who's as stunning as she is surprising is truly testing my control," I confessed. Realizing my mind let slip my real emotion hurriedly, I added, "What did you mean by 'under your command'?"

"So, you're choosing to sidestep your earlier comment," she retorted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I cringed, feeling exposed under her knowing gaze. Despite that, she began to respond.

"Yes, that's the first condition to remain here, Falond. To tolerate you auramancers, you must first form a loyalty contract with me."

Elves and their contracts... I had always assumed that was more of a human tradition. You live and learn.

"And what does this contract involve?" I asked.

"It's similar to the one Verdenia had imprinted on you, with a few adjustments. First, I won't restrict you further. Second, the contract includes a pledge of loyalty to me, specifically. Lastly, there's a penalty clause."

My attention was immediately drawn to her last point again. "A penalty, my lady?" I asked apprehension in my voice.

"You may refer to me as Elnara; let's dispense with the boring, my lady," she instructed. If the other elves overheard this, they'd probably skin me. That butler would undoubtedly be ready for that.

As though she had read my thoughts, she reassured me, "Don't fret over the other elves. Most won't mind, and it's not like we'll see each other frequently. If you wish to remain here, prove your sincerity by addressing me by my first name."

"Elnara, then," I agreed, returning to our earlier conversation. "You said something about a penalty being put in place?"

Elnara's moment of levity faded. "Yes, Falond," she stated solemnly, "all humans who wish to be under my protection must accept a certain punishment. One that they will endure before they officially join, and another that will take effect immediately should they betray me." Her voice held a heavy tone.

"Doing this will enable me to enforce your pledge of loyalty. Otherwise, the punishment won't cease."

"So, I don't have a choice, do I?" Annoyance was in my voice.

"No, Falond," she responded with disarming frankness, "as you know, those without power rarely have choices. If you want to change that, then you must change. Let's begin."

Before I could blink, Elnara was right in front of me. I thought Hadrian was swift, but he seemed painfully slow compared to her. Her hand rested on my shoulder, and a crushing force bore down on me. It was overwhelming, like being under a cascading waterfall, struggling not to be submerged. I instinctively fought back, my hatred for being powerless driving me. My aura began to surge like a candle flame against the raging sun. My knees began to buckle, my bones creaked, my muscles strained, and my body popped with the mounting pressure.

Then, a long-suppressed memory resurfaced. An imposing man with a refined face, swept-back black hair, and deep brown eyes stood before me. He wore the distinctive garb of a high-ranking mage, abyss black to match his hair and boots, with a floating grimoire suspended over his right shoulder. The man was my father, and this was one of his lighter punishments—more of a stern lecture. But it stayed with me.

He'd belittled me, questioning why I couldn't be more like my sister. Accusing me of being a failure, saying that our family didn't raise failures while asking me how such a disappointment could be his son. With each word, the pressure from his open grimoire intensified until I was forced to my knees, the overwhelming force causing me to curl up into a ball. The last image remained of my father walking away, his back turned to me.

The memories filled me with rage. Was it such a disgrace not to be able to use mana? How was any of this my fault? Why did nothing ever change? Enough! Enough! ENOUGH!

A dangerous glint ignited in my eyes, echoed by the surge of aura within me. As if soothing my anger at this world that only tried to push me down. Was I destined to remain powerless forever? I refused to accept that. The descent of my knees abruptly halted. Blood began to flow from my mouth. Damage of increasing severity was building, the freshly healed wounds breaking open again.

I no longer cared. To face this world as a man, there was no other choice. The moment my knees hit the ground so quickly, this world would have its final victory over me. I refused to keep going down this path.

Elnara's eyebrow arched upward, seeing my refusal to submit under her increased pressure. "Finally, I found a fool with backbone. Lucky for you, Falond, I like fools." she declared, her hand gliding from my shoulder to my chin, then down to the right side of my chest. "Now, I will inscribe the mark of loyalty upon your chest. In honor of your spirit, should you ever ascend to my tier, I will permit the chains of this brand to be shattered."

A searing pain arched across my chest, and I felt unfamiliar chains to my spirit. Ready or not, Elnara was now my Lady to serve. The formation of two similar bonds in such a short time felt like a heavy toll on me. As the crushing pressure lifted, I straightened up, a grin stretching across my face before my eyes lost focus.

Taken aback by the man who had just managed to stand, only to faint immediately, Elnara chuckled. She lowered her head, whispering, "You're part of the clan now, foolish man."

And with that, my senses were cut off, and a dream overtook me.

___

The whispers were the beginning.

"A failure, a defective child."

"Why can't you just channel mana?"

"Why were you born into a mage family then? Useless."

"Can't you do anything right?"

"What a disappointment."

A lucid dream, a haunting one. These usually came when I failed to keep my internal turmoil at bay, often unfolding much like the one I was experiencing. The only difference this time was that I watched from a third-person perspective, a strange situation where I was myself, yet also an observer.

There I was, a younger me, curled up in a fetal position. Tears streaked down my face. Shadowy outlines of my family and "friends" formed a circle around me. Their forms were spectral, mere sketches of their true selves. Some were more intricately detailed than others.

Three stood out, signifying my father, mother, and sister. In their eyes was a blend of superiority, disappointment, mockery, and even a trace of sorrow. My younger sister's eyes held a mysterious depth, a quality I could never fully understand. They reflected a tinge of apathy and indifference, hinting at something more profound I couldn't quite grasp. A shadowy grimoire hovered behind my father, and two orbs shimmered behind my mother. As it was in most families, the woman was often the more accomplished mage, at least until they reached their twilight years. Both of my parents were far from that point. The orbs indicated their level of control over mana, and the grimoire symbolized their mana knowledge.

"Why don't you say something?" The shadows' lips never moved; the words seemed to echo from all corners of the dreamscape.

Of course, what could I say back then? "Sorry"? As always, it never changed a thing. The younger me huddled and shed tears, hoping it would be enough to be left alone. But it never was. Deep down, I longed for acceptance, to be included. Even today, that longing remains unchanged. My depths never accepted being unfit for mana.

"Not only is he cursed, but also a weak coward." Mom always had the sharpest words, piercing my heart with every insult.

Strangely, in these dreams, my sister never said a thing, but her gaze was the most painful. We used to be so close until...

"Why can't you be like your sister, son?" My father's words echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of my inadequacy.

"He's no son of mine. It would be better if he were never born. A cursed one can't be my blood. How could he come from me?" My mother's words cut deep, leaving scars that never truly healed.

The venom in her words towards me was the most intense. I could sense rage, anger, and profound disappointment from my father. I liked to think that a tiny part of him still hoped that mana would recognize me one day. My mother had once loved me so dearly before the burden of becoming a mage entered my life. That love turned into the most intense scorn later.

They started using their magic when they noticed I was no longer reacting. Being experienced, they knew exactly how much pressure to inflict the most pain without causing permanent damage. This nightmare lasted for what felt like hours. And then...

Awaken.

What happened next was something that had never occurred in any of these nightmares before. The Moth, appearing in a spectral form, fluttered into the center of the circle, landing gently on the forehead of my younger self. Its wings flapped slowly, almost as if trying to be gentle and comforting. Within minutes, the helpless younger me had drifted into sleep.

The Moth gradually drifted towards me, filling my entire field of view. Then I heard it again.

Awaken.