If you’ve made it this far, let me take a moment to thank you sincerely. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far or, at the very least, found it intriguing.
Your continued trust and interest mean the world, and I’m excited to share what lies ahead.
Happy reading, and thank you for staying with the story.
Chapter 26 - Ayperi
Love walked into the darkness of the night, the glow of the stars above her and the rustle of the travel bag that Zeydran had prepared for her the only sounds marking her steps.
The cold wind of Frostheim lashed against her face.
It didn’t take long for her to leave the city behind.
----------------------------------------
She was now advancing in the uncertain light of dawn, when the first pale rays of sun began to break the night’s darkness.
Before her, the entrance to the Fjalrin forest stood like a natural arch of gigantic trees, whose trunks twisted into bizarre shapes, almost as if they were alive and in a perpetual attempt to touch each other.
It was a surreal landscape: every branch, every leaf was covered by a transparent layer of ice reflecting the sunlight.
As soon as she crossed the threshold of the forest, the world seemed to transform.
The sounds became muffled, as if the snow under her feet was swallowing every noise.
The air was sharp, a mix of resin and glacial freshness, with a sweet and spicy hint from flowers hidden beneath the snow.
The trees, hundreds of meters tall, rose like columns of an ancient natural cathedral.
Their trunks were covered in silver bark streaked with blue, and the branches spread into an intricate web that seemed to mimic a starry sky.
Some of them emitted a faint, gentle glow.
And she wasn’t alone in that forest; there were various species of animals, birds, and plants that seemed to come from a realm of fantasy.
It was a full-fledged enchanted forest.
Her steps sank into the soft snow that sparkled under the filtered light from the high branches.
The silence was broken only by the faint rustling of her movements and the distant chirping of birds.
She felt a strange unease, as if unseen eyes were watching her from every direction.
But she kept walking.
----------------------------------------
Suddenly, a different sound broke the stillness: a soft giggle, as light as the wind.
Love stopped abruptly, her heart pounding.
She looked around, searching for the source of the noise, but saw nothing.
She took another step, and this time the giggle turned into a crystalline, cheerful voice.
> “Well, finally someone who can see me! Hello, little lost one!”
Love flinched and turned quickly.
Before her, on a low branch of a tree, was a small luminous creature, the size of a robin.
It seemed made of light, with an ethereal body glowing with a soft bluish hue.
It had large curious eyes and two small transparent wings that fluttered slowly, as if it were floating rather than flying.
> “Who… who are you?”
Love asked, clutching her cloak to her chest to shield herself from the sudden cold that seemed to have filled the air.
> “Ah, finally someone asks the right question!”
the creature replied, doing a small pirouette in the air.
> “I am Ayperi, the most charming, amusing, and brilliant sprite in all of the Fjalrin forest! And who are you, my little lost one?”
> “My name is Love,”
she answered hesitantly.
> “Why did you call me lost?”
Ayperi sat cross-legged on the branch, the playful smile never leaving its face.
> “Because you’re here, in the forest, of course! Isn’t this the place where everyone ends up when they don’t know where to go?
>
> But wait, wait!”
It floated closer, until it was just a few inches from Love’s face.
> “You can see me… you can really see me?”
Love nodded slowly, confused.
> “Yes, of course I can see you. Why wouldn’t I?”
Ayperi pulled back abruptly, as if struck by a revelation.
> “Ohhh, but this changes everything!
>
> You know, the others who enter here… well, they don’t see me.
>
> And yet, they stay. Always.
>
> Do you know why?
>
> Because the forest enchants them, traps them, and eventually… takes something from them.”
Love shuddered.
> “Takes something? What do you mean?”
Ayperi floated idly, seemingly indifferent to Love’s growing fear.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
> “Their souls, little lost one.
>
> That’s how the forest feeds.
>
> It keeps them here, wrapped in such overwhelming beauty that they forget everything, even themselves.
>
> And when there’s nothing left of them… well, they’re just another part of the scenery.”
It made a sweeping gesture, pointing to the glowing trees and the creatures moving in the shadows.
Love stepped back, her terrified gaze darting around.
> “Are you saying I can’t leave here?”
> “Oh, no, no, no!”
Ayperi answered, laughing.
> “You’re special.
>
> You can see me, and that means the forest can’t take your soul, at least not while I’m here.
>
> You know what? I’ll be your guide! After all, who better than me to help you not get lost?”
Love hesitated.
> “And why should I trust you?”
Ayperi put a luminous hand to its heart and made an exaggerated expression of mock offense.
> “Trust me? But I’m the only one who can help you, little lost one!
>
> And besides, who else would you talk to in this frozen cathedral of trees and snow?
>
> Come on, let me show you the way!”
Love stared at it for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
> “Alright… but if you’re lying to me, Ayperi, I swear…”
Ayperi raised its hands, laughing again.
> “Me? Lie? Never!
>
> Now, follow me, and don’t worry: with me, you’ll be safe—at least until we have a little fun together.”
----------------------------------------
Despite its demeanor, Ayperi kept its word and guided her out of the forest.
> Ayperi: (floating in front of Love, with the usual mischievous smile) “So, little lost one, now that we’ve avoided you becoming a lovely piece of decoration for this forest... what are you planning to do next?”
> Love: (looking straight ahead, with a thoughtful expression) “I must continue my journey. I’ve been told to head towards Porto Fidelis. There’s someone I need to find there. But, to be honest, I don’t even know where to start.”
> Ayperi: (doing a somersault in the air, seemingly indifferent to the seriousness of her response) “Oh, Porto Fidelis! A place I’ve never seen… but it sounds exotic. And dangerous, just how I like it!” (suddenly stopping, staring at her with sparkling eyes) “And you, little lost one, what are you hoping to find on this journey? Answers? Salvation? Or just a bit of peace?”
> Love: (pulling her cloak tightly around her, gaze lowered) “I don’t know. I’m just… trying to move forward. Maybe a place where I’m not judged, where I can just… be free. But I’m not even sure what that means.”
> Ayperi: (lowering to float at her eye level, voice softer) “Free, huh? That’s no small word. You know, little lost one, I once sought freedom too… and I ended up trapped in this forest for centuries. Funny, isn’t it?”
> Love: (looking up, curious) “Why didn’t you ever leave? I mean… you’re a sprite; you could fly anywhere, right?”
> Ayperi: (shrugging, tone more melancholic) “Oh, sure. I could have left this place… but I always found an excuse to stay. Here, I was safe. And when you spend enough time in a place, it starts to feel like home. Even if it isn’t really.”
> Love: (hesitant but sincere) “And now? Why don’t you stay here? Isn’t this home for you?”
> Ayperi: (chuckling, though with a serious undertone) “Maybe it was, but you know what? After talking to you, little lost one, I realized that home isn’t where you feel safe, but where you feel like you belong. And this forest… well, it’s too full of tired memories. I need to see something new, feel something different.”
> Love: (with a faint, but genuine smile) “So… will you follow me?”
> Ayperi: (putting on an exaggeratedly surprised expression) “Oh, what a question! Of course I will! Do you have any idea how boring this forest is? And let’s be honest, who else will keep you out of trouble, little lost one? You’re a magnet for disasters.”
> Love: (softly laughing, for the first time in days) “And you think you’re the solution to my troubles?”
> Ayperi: (laughing, spinning in the air) “Oh no, I’ll probably make everything worse… but at least we’ll have fun. And who knows, maybe along the way, we’ll find that place we both call home.”
----------------------------------------
And so, with Ayperi floating beside her, joking and casting her glittering glances, Love set off toward the snowy horizon.
The capital of Frostheim awaited them, hidden beyond the silent, icy expanse.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
APPENDIX WARNING:
As we move into the next section, I want to give you a heads-up: the upcoming part is highly intricate and delve deeply into the technical details of this universe. These details are not strictly necessary to understand the main plot, but they are essential for those who want a fuller comprehension of the world-building and its inner workings.
If you enjoy immersing yourself in the mechanics, lore, and finer points of a richly detailed universe, I encourage you to continue reading. However, if you prefer to stick to the core storyline, feel free to skim or skip these parts.
Appendix: Vices of Elysium – Alcohol, Smoking, and Gambling
Let me now review some common vices in Elysium. I won't detail every liquor or plant, as an entire book wouldn't suffice, but I'll highlight some notable or widely used examples.
----------------------------------------
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ELYSIUM
Alcohol played a fundamental role in Elysium's culture, consumed both to celebrate significant events and to find solace during tough times. Here are some of the most common varieties:
FLAMMA (THE EQUIVALENT OF WINE FOR HUMANS):
* Production: Derived from the fruits of a climbing plant called Rubra Coronis, known for its intensely red clusters. The fruits are harvested at full ripeness, fermented in barrels made of aurion wood for at least ten years. The wood imparts a spicy and lingering aftertaste.
* Taste: Sweet-bitter, with notes of ripe red fruits, spices, and a hint of honey.
* Alcohol content: 12–14%.
RADRA LIQUOR:
* Production: Obtained by distilling the root of the Radra Noctis plant. The roots are dried, ground, and soaked in a neutral distillate, then flavored with bitter herbs and sweetened with honey.
* Taste: Strong and bitter, with earthy and licorice-like notes. The aroma is sharp and persistent.
* Alcohol content: 40–45%.
HYVERNE:
* Production: Made by distilling frozen fruits collected from Frostheim forests. The distillation process concentrates their natural sweetness.
* Taste: Sweet and rich, with a fresh and slightly minty aftertaste.
* Alcohol content: 35–38%.
----------------------------------------
SMOKING PLANTS
Smoking was a widespread pastime among the demigods and inhabitants of Elysium, often associated with moments of reflection or socialization. Among the most commonly used plants:
SEREN LEAVES (THE EQUIVALENT OF TOBACCO, WIDELY USED):
* Raw appearance: Long, dark green leaves with golden veins.
* Treatment: Slowly dried in the shade to preserve their aroma, then finely shredded. In some variants, they are immersed in extracts of honey or spices for added flavor.
* Processed appearance: Fine, golden-brown shredded leaves with a slight sheen.
* Effects: Relaxing, with a slight initial euphoria. Prolonged use may lead to addiction.
FERVEN ROOTS:
* Raw appearance: Long, white tubers that emit a faint glow when touched.
* Treatment: Dried and powdered, then mixed with other aromatic herbs to reduce harshness.
* Processed appearance: White powder with silvery highlights.
* Effects: Brief and intense euphoria, followed by a profound sense of relaxation. Often used by artists and poets for inspiration.
VIRMIS PETALS:
* Raw appearance: Thin, fiery red petals, as delicate as paper.
* Treatment: Sun-dried until brittle, then shredded.
* Processed appearance: Red filaments resembling tiny fragments of fire.
* Effects: Stimulant, with an increase in mental energy. Overuse may cause insomnia.
----------------------------------------
GAMBLING
The art of gambling in Elysium was considered both entertainment and risk, attracting both demigods and humans. Taverns and gaming halls bustled with activity, offering a variety of games involving dice, cards, and unique objects of the world.
BANNERS OF AETERNUM (CARD GAME):
* Players: 2–6.
* Tools: A deck of 77 cards, divided into three main suits:
* Gold (Virtue): 25 cards.
* Silver (Destiny): 25 cards.
* Black (Ruin): 25 cards.
* Special cards: 2 "Balance" cards.
* Objective: Accumulate the highest score through combinations of Virtue and Destiny cards while avoiding Ruin cards.
* Rules:
* Each player is dealt 7 cards at the start.
* Players take turns playing cards to form combinations.
* Example: Two Gold and one Silver form a "Triumph," worth 10 points.
* Black cards can sabotage opponents, forcing them to discard cards or skip turns.
* The game ends when a player reaches 50 points or the deck is exhausted.
CUBES OF CHAOS (DICE GAME):
* Players: 2–4.
* Tools: 5 six-sided dice, called "Cubes of Chaos," decorated with Elysium symbols: Sun, Moon, Star, Stone, Void, and Chaos.
* Objective: Achieve the highest score by rolling combinations of symbols.
* Rules:
* Each player has three rolls per turn and can hold onto dice between rolls.
* Combinations have specific values:
* Sun + Moon: 10 points.
* Three Stars: 20 points.
* Stone + Chaos: Cancels opponents’ points for that turn.
* The game lasts six rounds, and the winner is the player with the highest score.
HOSTS AND FORTRESSES (STRATEGIC DICE AND CARD GAME):
* Players: 2–4.
* Tools: A deck of 50 Host cards and 3 special dice.
* Objective: Destroy opponents’ "Fortress" while amassing the highest attack points.
* Rules:
* Each player starts with a Fortress (40 resistance points).
* Players draw one card and roll a die per turn to determine effects:
* Host cards: Add attack points.
* Ruin cards: Redistribute damage.
* Balance cards: Temporarily protect the Fortress.
* The game ends when a Fortress is completely destroyed.
DANCE OF THE STARS (COIN AND DICE GAME):
* Players: 2–8.
* Tools: Coins called Fragments of Aeternum and a 12-sided die with astronomical symbols.
* Objective: Collect coins by correctly predicting symbols on the dice rolls.
* Rules:
* Each player bets an amount of coins.
* Players choose two symbols from the die before rolling.
* If both symbols appear, the player wins the pot. If only one appears, the player recovers half the bet.
* The game ends when a player doubles their initial coins.
----------------------------------------
This brief overview only scratches the surface of the subject. Should you be particularly curious, feel free to ask, and I’ll gladly delve into greater detail.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank You for Reading!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that the story has sparked your curiosity for what’s to come. If you’d like to stay updated on new chapters and support the journey of this universe, be sure to follow this page. Your support means the world to me and helps keep this story alive.
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions—I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Teo