Resto looks down at Heaim, who has a flushed face, scooting back and standing up, brushing herself “No- Del, sweetie, it isn’t what it looks like!” Heaim would open the young girl's door, run over and turn the doorknob, and shut it behind her. Resto sits awkwardly, fiddling with his thumbs for a moment before he gets up, grabs his shirt, puts it on, and stretches his arms over his head. A few moments later, the door opens, and the two leave the room.

The younger girl was not keeping eye contact with anyone, and her arms were crossed. Heaim would sigh heavily, gesturing for Resto to step out and into the main room, which he did. ‘Del, this is Resto. Resto, this is Del, my daughter. Please get along with one another.’ Said the motherly elf, trying to get any feud or dispute out of the way while she could. Del would burrow her brow, still not making eye contact with anybody. ‘Hey…’ She said hesitantly, looking up at the ceiling as an annoyed sigh escaped her lips.

‘God- this is so dumb! Why am I being introduced to a guy I’ll never see again after today!? I don’t know him, and he’ll leave the next day anyway.’ Heaim would look down at the elf girl with green eyes, smacking the back of her head lightly. ‘I told you not to be rude to strangers! This man has done nothing wrong! And until he does, you treat him with respect. You understand me, young lady?’ Del looks at her mother, walking away and back to her room. ‘Whatever. I’m going to bed.’ The rebellious girl says, slamming the door behind her again. This time, it was louder.

‘She has a point.’ Resto would say hands in the pockets of his brown leather pants. ‘I thank you for tending to my wounds and giving me a place to stay for the night, but… Was it necessary to give formal introductions? After today, I’m heading off. I most likely won't see you two again.’ ‘You won’t be doing that.’ Said Heaim, looking down at her skirt as she grabbed at her arm. ‘And why is that?’ ‘Because they won’t let you.’ The elf said rather coldly. Resto’s hair stood up momentarily as if he wasn't expecting that answer. Which he wasn’t. ‘Won't let me…? Explain, if you will.’

The elf nodded. ‘The townspeople here- if you haven’t noticed, they all have something in common. Well- if not all, most. Do you know what that is?’ She asks, staring at Resto with an odd expression. He thinks for a moment before answering. ‘The eyes.’ He belts out quickly. ‘Everyone I’ve met, aside from you, has had green eyes… Is that it? The girl clasped her hands together as if to clap but would stop halfway, simply combining them. ‘Yes. Green eyes mean you are a sorcerer or a sorceress.’ Heaim gently says, looking down once more. ‘Then that means Del-‘‘Yes.’ She turned around, grabbed her brown coat from the hanger near the door, and opened it. Some hot air is being shoved inside the colder building. ‘We shall talk about it on the way to church. Let’s hurry.’

‘Del is a Slinger.’ The two would walk towards the church near the back of Eatoruun. The air was getting a bit colder as the night began to rise; some stars and a hint of the blue moon would appear in the sky. The flowers across the large village would wisp and woosh as the now colder air breezed against it. ‘Slinger?’ Resto would look at his elf companion. ‘I heard Mayhise mention that word a couple of days ago. What does it mean?’ ‘It’s a half-breed. Half Sorceress or Sorcerer, half Elf.’ As they continue to walk, crowds are formed, and soon, many begin to walk- the streets becoming very crowded as many rush to the church. The two walk slowly and take their time, unlike the others. ‘I found her as a child, in a burnt down village, sleeping in a pile of dust and burnt limbs… She was hard at first to take care of. Needy, always angry, still is really- but she’s my sweet girl.’

‘Never cared to ask what happened to her? How did she get in the burnt village situation to begin with?’ Resto would ask, the two picking up the pace slightly. ‘Never cared to ask. After adopting her, she became my child, and that was it. Whoever she was before then- was someone she didn’t want to be. Even today, she hates her eyes, hates the sorceress side of her. She never uses incantations, only her bow… She wants to be an elf more, so I raised her as such.’ Resto tried to hide his small smile, finding the story sweet. Well, not Del being found in a burning village; that part wasn't sweet. He found the connection between the two caring. He wanted to keep his tough guy act, especially around a pretty lady like Heaim. Coughing in his arms, he raises his head to ask another question.

“You mentioned I can’t leave? What's that about?’ She stops as Resto takes a couple of steps forward before noticing the stopped girl. Turning, he walks back up to her, standing before Heaim. ‘Heaim?’ She would stare at the ground slightly, legs a little wobbly. ‘I mentioned that this is a town of sorcerers and sorceresses—the actual word for these people at Congants. People who can bend the will of reality using incantations and spells… They are horrifying. ‘ ‘Get to the point Heaim.’ Said Resto, coming off more directing and commanding than usual when talking to the elf.

‘R-right… Once you enter the village, you cannot leave. They bound you to an incantation that makes you obey the church's every command. We can leave the village and go about halfway out, but if you try and leave the area completely, you black out, waking up back here.’ Resto would stop for a moment, grabbing at his belt nervously. He wanted to ask for more information but knew that he had to wait. ‘…I see. The church meeting is starting soon. We should hurry.’ Resto turned, walking ahead towards the church. He didn’t want to leave that unnoticed but knowing that almost everyone was a sorcerer and that such a vile spell was cast on the people, this church meeting could reveal his current questions.

The church was onion-shaped. It was completely black, with what looked like fancy white flowers everywhere. The black church had windows in different colors, some paintings of a blue sun, men praying to see the sun, and much more. They saw a beautiful yet daunting sight as the two walked through the large open doors, their footsteps mimicking the townspeople singing, all standing before their pews. Looking forward, the two saw a gigantic stained glass with a picture of a naked man kneeling in front of a large, beautiful sea.

In front of the glass, standing right behind his lectern, was the green-eyed pale man whom Resto met when he first entered the village. He would smile wildly, seeing the two walk in. Putting a pale hand up, everyone stopped singing instantly. Looking back as multiple eyes of emerald color shined upon the two guests. ‘Welcome! Resto, and… Heaim? An odd combo, but who am I to detect?’ As if he said something funny, everyone laughed, a generated laugh that sent chills down Resto’s spine. ‘Please, take a seat. Anywhere works. You made it just in time for the beginning of my grand proclamation.’

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The two took an empty seat near the entrance of the church. Archen clears his throat as he puts his hand down. When he did, everyone else sat down as well. “As you all know, I am the church's minister here. I preach what is shown to me in visions, conquer the future, and show my insight to worthy followers… Not long ago, I had a dream. A dream that shook my core, opened my fifth eye, and showed me the path to righteousness…’ The man stopped for a moment, gathering his thoughts. And with a quick gesture, he swept his hand over, pointing with an open palm to the stained glass, the picture of the man kneeling in front of the sea...

‘THIS!... THIS IS THE PATH!’ He says loudly, everyone intently listening, including Resto and Heaim. ‘This sea is known as the endless sea… And it is the only path to the fabled Starlight. Nobody has survived these waters. Poets, bards, travelers, and other curious folk who have tried to reach Starlight… Has failed. That changes today.’ The man would stand up straight, looking down at his lectern for a moment, then putting a fist up. ‘That dream, that proclamation… Was an alternative way to enter Starlight. Every century, the moon glows an ancient yellow shade. One that bleeds gold!... Every thirty years, the night of the Almighty occurs.’

Night of the almighty…? Resto sure was confused but didn’t eject to anything the man was saying. He wanted to hear more, even if he believed the man was blabbering on and on. ‘The night of the Almighty is glorious. Tomorrow marks the day that the mortal man became the Almighty Creator. Centuries ago… Now, every century, on the day, we celebrate with toasts and victories.’ The people begin to clap, some whistling as the church erupts in festivity. As if they were thinking the same thing, both Resto and Heaim would look at each other, a look of pure oddity on their face seeing what was happening. The man spoke again.

‘Tomorrow, however, … Is different. As I have already said, a dream, a vision, has come to me. On the night of the Almighty, I saw all your wonderful faces… Here in this very church. As I spoke an ancient spell, we all ascended. Ascended into Starlight!’ Putting a fist up, the church screamed out in cheers and happiness. Only minutes later, everyone was excused, and people left and made their way home. Heaim turned to Resto, who was standing near the Pew they were sitting at. ‘We should probably go-‘ ‘Not yet.’ Said the man, looking at the elf with a confident expression. ‘I will share a few words with the reverend up there. Go ahead and wait for me outside.’ And with that, Resto walked up to the front and towards Archen. Heaim would stand for a minute before taking her leave from the church.

Archen, exchanging words with a nearby person, saw him off as they walked away. He then turned his gaze to the left, seeing Resto appear. He gave a soft, friendly smile. “Resto, was it?” ‘Indeed. I had a few questions regarding your… Speech.’ Archen would smile even more comprehensively. A smile Resto knew was a load of rubbish- all of this was. Or so he thought. ‘Yes, ask away friend. And I thank you for stopping by to- ‘ ‘Where is the endless sea?’ Asked Resto, interrupting the man. His look was concentrated, and Archen could tell he wasn't playing around.

‘Nobody knows-‘ ‘Lies.’ Interrupted Resto again, his glare became even more concentrated. ‘You said that previous people have failed to cross the sea. If we didn’t know where it was, we wouldn’t say that people went missing-‘ ‘Letters. Tales. Why do you think that people believe that Starlight is but a simple fable? Nobody has seen the sea for themselves. People have said they’ve gone, family or friends went and never returned… Yet nobody can tell anyone where exactly it is. Of course, I know it’s real. And I know we can get to it… As do you.’ Resto stops as Archen interrupts him, thinking about what he said.

He… Had a point. And it might have been right. Archen raised his brow on his pale face, taking control of the conversation. ‘Why do you doubt me, Resto? Is it because you don’t see the truth in my words? Do you not trust me?’ Resto didn’t have anything to say. His brain stopped for a moment as Archen would sigh, turning and facing the stained glass. ‘You have an obscure obsession with Starlight. I can see it in your eyes, friend. Why?’ ‘…’ ‘Answer me. Why do you want to reach Starlight so much? If you tell me your reasoning, I’ll also explain mine.’ Resto stared at the ground, turning towards the church entrance, clenching his fists. ‘I’ll pass.’ With that, he began to walk away. Archen would speak up, stopping Resto as he said his next words. ‘Will you be attending the night of the almighty?’ ‘…I’ll think about it.’ Resto walked out of the church. As he did, the doors came to a commanding close.

Outside the church, sitting on a bench fit for two people, was Heaim. She was resting her eyes, only opening them after Resto sat beside her. ‘You didn’t do anything stupid, right?’ Asked the woman, looking to her right and to the human, who had his hand on his lap. His gaze was still concentrated, blankly staring at some nearby flowers. ‘Who do you take me for? Some reckless macho man who rushes into things without a plan?’ She smiled slightly. ‘I do, actually. You haven’t proven to me that you aren’t that type. Most humans are as they look- selfish and always full of themselves.’

Resto couldn’t help but chuckle slightly at that statement, his right arm swinging over to the back of the bench, letting it rest. ‘Well, I'm different from the others. As for you- you are incredibly sweet, caring, and quite the looker. If every elf is like this, I wouldn’t mind taking a trip to Pollicaria.’ A smirk was gained on Resto’s face. Heaim jabbed his shoulder slightly, and redness was easily noticed on her face. ‘Don’t change the subject- we aren’t talking about me here. We were talking about you.’ Resto turned his head and looked at Heaim, his head was closer to hers than he thought. However, he had no intention of moving it back. ‘Heaim… Do you have a dream?’

The man asked rather suddenly. Heaim wouldn’t move her head back either, staring deep into Resto’s blue eyes… It was memerizing. She began to feel her body get hotter, a soft gulp traveling down her throat. ‘Wh-what an idiotic question… Of course, I have a dream.’ ‘What is it then?’ He asks almost immediately, his face turning away from Her’s as he looks up to the sky, staring at the blue moon shining upon the world of Hyria in all its glory. Resto would move his left arm over, it rests right behind Heaim, as she sees him move it from the corner of her eye. ‘My dream. Hm… Del. I want Del to be happy. Accept who she is and grow to be a wonderful person. Someone who others can look upon… That’s all I want. The best for her.’

Resto was surprised at that answer but liked it at the same time. It was selfless, caring… Just what he’d expect from Heaim. ‘The best for Del hm? A beautiful-‘ Heaim would lean her head on his shoulder, pressing her body against him as she looked up at the moon as well. Resto would stare for a moment, not knowing what to do. His heart flushed- body went through one quick shiver, as his hair stood up. Hesitantly, he moves his left arm down to her shoulders, wrapping it around her as it pulls her even closer. The two stare up at the sky. ‘I…wouldn't mind staying like this. For just… A little longer.’ Heaim said softly, as a cool breeze would direct itself towards the two, the flowers being pushed forward as well. As if it was pointing at them. Resto, for the first time, would smile organically- A smile that came from his own heart. He said nothing, simply pulled the woman closer… And stared up at the night sky.