“Saria.” [Talindra]
An emergency meeting was underway when Saria was found and the guards reported it to her father.
“Saria, sweetie…” [Talindra]
Talindra called out to her daughter as the two sat face-to-face on soft sofas. She was flanked by her husband, Nylian, and her son, Agis. The family had gathered together late at night in a private room with no one around to deal with this mess. They were all still in their sleepwear, but nobody was drowsy or sleepy.
“Saria, please…” [Talindra]
Talindra, who sported an anxious look, called out to her daughter again. The ten year old girl didn’t want to meet her gaze or respond and only sat there silently. He kept her eyes on her hands that were tightly clenched on top of her lap.
“Saria, your mother is calling you.” [Nylian]
Her father raised her voice seeing as their situation didn’t progress at all.
“… Why?” [Saria]
Finally, she raised her voice.
“… Why didn’t you tell me?” [Saria]
“… It’s not something we can so easily tell others, even to family.” [Nylian]
Nylian answered after a short pause.
“Then, was I supposed to have never known?” [Saria]
She properly looked at her family. All of them had uncomfortable and sad expressions.
“… No. We were going to tell you a bit later, after you turned twelve.” [Nylian]
“Was she always in that room since I was born?” [Saria]
Nylian took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second.
“Yes. She was.” [Nylian]
Seeing as how the cat was out of the bag, he thought it would be better to truthfully answer all her questions. Talindra and Agis didn’t seem to object, though he couldn’t really tell with his wife. She was looking down and didn’t meet his gaze.
“She had been there almost all her life. We wanted to keep her away from others.” [Nylian]
“But, I saw her in Sanctuary Academy before.” [Saria]
“She was sent there because we believed that it would be good for her… Education. It was a decision made by me and the six other clans.” [Nylian]
“All seven clans of Faywood? Wh, why would they decide how she lives too?” [Saria]
“Her ability is that useful. We decided that she would serve the country. The reason why we recalled her was because the school was attacked and, we realized it would be better if our tutors taught her themselves. There were various troubles associated with her.” [Nylian]
“Troubles?” [Saria]
“Do you remember when I went to Sanctuary Academy and you and mother followed along?” [Agis]
Agis, after clearing his throat, spoke up instead of his father.
“That was to warn her not to cause anymore scene.” [Agis]
He told his little sister and she lowered her head once again.
“… What’s her name?” [Saria]
“… Ava.” [Agis]
After some hesitation, he informed her of the half-breed’s name.
“… Why?” [Saria]
Saria gloomily repeated her first question.
“Why didn’t you tell me I had a big sister?” [Saria]
“… Because I didn’t want you to know that a half-breed shared our blood.” [Talindra]
This time, it was Talindra who answered in a voice so weak that they could barely hear her.
“… No, the truth is, I didn’t want anyone to know that I… That I gave birth to her…” [Talindra]
She had a pained expression on her face and she was holding her hands so tightly that the skin turned pale white. Her shoulders were shaking which made Nylian and Agis shoot her worried looks.
“When I saw her on that roof, I had goosebumps. I felt anger, but more than anything… I was scared. I remembered… And then I saw you next to her, thinking… What if you disappear? Everything will be ruined again.” [Talindra]
She had a self-depreciating smile and a hollow chuckle escaped her lips.
“I’m a pathetic mother, showing this side of me to my daughter. But, that’s why I love you so much.” [Talindra]
Talindra raised her head and stared at her daughter with slightly moist eyes.
“Elves don’t give birth so easily, but I didn’t even have to wait a decade to have you. You’re my little miracle. Seeing you smile as I held you in my hands, it brought me so much joy and comfort.” [Talindra]
She stood up from her seat and kneeled in front of her daughter, holding her hands in her own.
“Please, Saria, please stay away from there.” [Talindra]
“… Mother.” [Saria]
Saria herself was feeling guilty that she made her mother look so sad and fragile, but she couldn’t stop now.
“But, will she spend all her time in that room? All her life? Can’t she go back to school?” [Saria]
“It’s better like that. The six clan heads have also decided so.” [Nylian]
Nylian told her as he stared at the two.
“Saria, please listen to what we’re saying. That girl, she’s the child of…” [Agis]
Agis stopped himself from speaking further and clenched his teeth. Anymore and he would hurt his mother. Saria looked at each of them one by one and her gaze rested on her mother. Her gentle mother that spoiled her looked so sorrowful and weak. She always depended on her, but it turned out that her mother depended on her as well.
“… Ok.” [Saria]
She meekly nodded her head, accepting to stay away from that room and to never bring up that half-elf again. Talindra hugged her so tightly that it hurt a bit. Agis sighed in relief, happy that the half-breed wouldn’t have a chance to corrupt his little sister. Nylian warmly watched over them and silently swore to himself that he would protect his family properly for as long as he lived. The four returned to their respective rooms to retire for the night, but Talindra went with Saria. They slept together like they used to when Saria was still very young.
“Good night, sweetie.” [Talindra]
“Good night, mother.” [Saria]
Feeling her mother’s warm embrace and her hand gently patting her head, Saria closed her eyes.
“(… Ava. That’s my big sister’s name.)” [Saria]
In her mind, memories of her conversation with the black-haired elf on the school’s rooftop resurfaced. She had sleepy-looking eyes and the right iris was white. She didn’t take her seriously and didn’t want to be friends. Yet, talking with her was fun.
“(Ava… Big sister… Right now… Are you having nightmares?)” [Saria]
As the elven child went to sleep, she sadly wondered how her half-sister was doing.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
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The sun rose and light passed through the curtains of the window, illuminating the room.
“Mnn… Mnnnnggh!” [Saria]
Sluggishly getting up from her bed, Saria stretched her arms over her head while groaning. Her long white hair was a mess, covering half of her face. She moved it to the side as she got out of bed.
“Good morning, young lady.” [Maid]
At that moment, a knock was heard and an elven maid opened the door. She entered the room, not waiting for permission. Usually, she would wake up Saria who was still asleep, but now, that child would get out of bed on her own.
“Good morning.” [Saria]
Saria greeted her with a smile. The maid assigned to her couldn’t help but think that she was looking more and more like her beautiful mother.
“I will help you change right away. Afterwards, please head out to eat breakfast.” [Maid]
“Yes. I can’t keep my family waiting.” [Saria]
It was the daily routine. It was the usual greetings and the usual exchanges. The maid proceeded to smoothly undress her and helped her put on a neat and tidy pale green dress. She noticed that her young mistress, who was twelve years old, had grown taller yet again. Her body was slowly changing into that of a woman as well. She would definitely become a beauty that no man could ignore. While she harbored such idle thoughts, the maid combed her hair and got rid of the knots formed during her sleep.
“Thank you. Well then, shall we go?” [Saria]
Once she was ready, Saria headed for the door, followed by her personal maid.
“Let’s take a small detour for the kitchen.” [Saria]
“… Young lady… Again?” [Maid]
“I just want to walk a bit and see what you do in your work.” [Saria]
The woman clad in a black dress and white apron held down a sigh as she dutifully followed the youngest child of the Luceran clan.
“(Why are they doing it again?)” [Saria]
It had been two years since Saria learned about the fact that Ava was her half-sister and that she was living in her mansion, locked inside a room like a prisoner. Although she promised her family that she wouldn’t get close to the half-elf, she had secretly decided to do whatever she could to help her.
“(That’s bad. You shouldn’t do that.)” [Saria]
Using her powers that allowed her to see the near future in her sleep, she saw one of the maids in charge of delivering food to the half-breed adding too much salt to her meal on purpose. So, Saria would visit the kitchen and have a taste of the food they make by using her position. If news that the young lady of the Luceran visited the kitchen often, the maids probably wouldn’t temper with Ava’s food since Saria might accidentally taste it. That was how the young elf tried to protect her older sister from the harassments of the servants. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stop everything.
The tutor was, as always, mean and cold during their lessons, same with the maids that cleaned her room. Also, she was even more powerless when it came to Ava’s nightmares. The half-elf would toss and turn, cry or scream in her sleep. There was nothing Saria could do to change that. She was worried about her future. If possible, she wished that she could see it using her ability, but she couldn’t control it and it sometimes happened on its own when she slept.
Her father said that her farthest vision was ten days into the future. Even now, she described to him every vision she saw and they would note down what and when they would happen. With such a valuable power, she was being trained to somehow master it and perhaps see years into the future. However, the training bore no fruit whatsoever, which was rather depressing for her.
Settling for the current status quo, Saria did what she could for Ava while keeping her family happy. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t ignore that half-elf. It might be because they were sisters. Whatever it was, it made it so that her visions were only ever about her. Thanks to that though, she was able to see how Ava was doing for the past two years.
“Saria.” [Nylian]
Eating at the table with her family after subtly warning the maids to not perform any sorts of harassment, Saria was addressed by her father.
“Have you made your preparations for tonight’s Spirit festival?” [Nylian]
“Yes, father.” [Saria]
She said while wearing a small smile. Things had gotten a bit awkward with her family because of her decision to help Ava.
“Of course she has. I even helped her with choosing the dress. Every elf that has turned twelve can attend the Spirit festival. It’s a big day for our little girl!” [Talindra]
Her mother, Talindra, who was sitting beside her, spoke up while imagining her cute daughter during the festival. It was an event that happened once a year and it was only permitted to elves that were older than twelve. So, most of the time, when children turned twelve and manifested their powers, they would be allowed to participate in the festival. It was an important day that marked a transition in their life. Saria was excited to finally be able to attend, though it seemed like her mother was more excited about it than her.
“(Did Ava go to the festival when she turned twelve?)” [Saria]
Needless to say, Saria already knew the answer to the question that she stopped herself from voicing.
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After going through a regular day that mainly comprised of studying, night fell on Faywood’s capital city that bore its name. The full moon was out, shining faintly and bathing everyone in a gentle light. It was reflected off the surface of the water in the canals, shimmering and sparkling softly. Tonight, the city was enveloped in a solemn air as most of the populace made their way to the forest. A road was built that allowed ten people to comfortably walk side by side and the mass steadily walked towards their destination.
This part of the forest was different from the rest as the trees were bigger, thicker and were winding and twisting in weird shapes. Treading through such a place at night would normally be creepy, but no one was afraid and the young elves that were present for the first time were reassured by their parents. Once they arrived, there was a vast open space that was lit up by multiple lamps and the earth was covered in fresh green grass. There, a tree with a huge trunk majestically stood upright. It was the biggest and the oldest out of every tree in the area.
A simple, but elegant stage was set up before it and one man in white and green garbs with red linings patiently stood on it. At the front, a large number of chairs were prepared for the crowd who just arrived and swiftly sat down, waiting for the ceremony to start. Many prominent figures were present, albeit sitting at their special seats and surrounded by guards. Among them were Nylian, Talindra and Agis. The three watched as Saria made her way to the stage in front of everyone.
Other children were waiting their turns, but those of important lineages would go first. It was their right and their duty to break the ice. Dressed in many layers of thin cloths, Saria was clad in a light green and white dress. Four strips of transparent green cloth fluttered behind her like wings whenever the breeze blew. A flower crown that she made herself decorated her head full of long white hair. Thanks to her beautiful outfit, the young elf had a certain sublime air around her as she bathed under the mystical moonlight.
“… That’s my sister.” [Agis]
The one who let slip such a comment was Agis, who was gushing with pride. His father didn’t say anything, but a warm smile hung on his lips. As for his mother, she had tears in her eyes and was wiping them away.
“She’s growing up so fast.” [Talindra]
She said, moved at seeing her daughter’s growth, causing her husband to stare at her and chuckle.
“Talindra, Saria won’t suddenly marry and leave us the next day, so there is no need to cry. She still has centuries ahead of her before she finds a groom.” [Nylian]
“I know, but that’s simply how mothers are. I also cried when it was Agis up there.” [Talindra]
She matched Nylian’s gaze and lovingly gazed at him as she held his hand. However, she didn’t say another word since the main event was about to start. The elven man, who stood before her and was in charge of the ceremony, formed a ball of yellow light between his hands.
“May the spirits guide you so that you may one day guide others in turn.” [Elf]
Saria closed her eyes and he clapped his hands, squishing the ball of light which caused a small flash.
“I will use all my powers to one day become a beacon of light.” [Saria]
After saying those words that she memorized, that was the end of her part and Saria walked back to her family. Now, she was no longer considered an ignorant child, but a promising young elf. Upon her return, her family greeted her warmly, congratulated her and she took a seat next to her mother. While the other children went through the ceremony, Saria thought back on what she learned as the man repeated the same thing with every kid of her age. Unlike many other races, her kind didn’t worship gods or goddesses.
Rather, they respected and prayed to spirits. She didn’t know what they were exactly and her teacher didn’t make it clear. Instead, he said that they were unclear existences to begin with and that they were in the world and not in the world. They had been here long ago since the world was born and were the first to have walked upon it. Of course, that only made her more confused since spirits didn’t have legs to walk with apparently and they didn’t really exist. They were supposed to be somewhere between existing and not existing.
While she was recalling her confusing lesson, all of the children finished their ceremony and the man on the stage asked everyone to stand up. As the crowd followed his instruction, they listened to another speech, which many had heard every year, and closed their eyes.
“And so, to the children of this year, we welcome you and wish you good health, and a bright future. May the spirits guide you on your path.” [Elf]
Copying his movement, the crowd raised their hands to their chests with their palms facing each other. Then, they used their powers simultaneously. Various abilities could be seen as elements like fire or other phenomenon like wooden snakes were floating in between their hands. Saria, who couldn’t manifest her ability, only watched on. Next to her, her family each revealed their powers. Talindra had white feathers swirling around, Nylian had lightning crackling about and Agis had white fire burning brightly. She felt a bit jealous and lonely that she was the only one who couldn’t control her powers.
At that moment, the spirits appeared. Small green orbs of light were floating in the air, almost like fireflies. They glowed softly, lighting the area in their gentle light. This was the closing act of the Spirit festival.
“The spirits!” [Elf]
“Pretty…” [Elf]
Some murmured and sighed in admiration while others closed their eyes and silently prayed. Even though it happened every year, everyone was moved by the mesmerizing spectacle. Saria was no exception and she watched the breathtaking scene with sparkling eyes. Such a sight was the reason why it was called a festival.
“(Woow… I wish I could show this to Ava.)” [Saria]
She wistfully thought to herself as she stretched her hand out to poke a spirit floating in front of her. Like she expected, her finger passed through it. She was taught that nothing could harm or interfere with a spirit in any way since it didn’t really exist. However, a moment after she tried to touch it, the little orb of green light suddenly flew upward. Its fellow spirits did the same and each of them took to the sky, causing the crowd to exclaim in surprise. It had never happened in the previous years since spirits usually just randomly floated in place for a while before disappearing.
“What? What’s happening?” [Elf]
“The spirits are suddenly leaving…” [Elf]
“impossible…!” [Elf]
While the gathered elves were staring with wide eyes and wondering what was happening, the spirits flew in the direction of the capital city and headed straight for the Luceran’s mansion.
A while later…
“… The hell is this?” [Ava]
Ava, who was doing a handstand on one hand, was suspiciously eyeing a spirit that was floating in front of her face. For some reason, her room was full of them and they filled the place in a pale green light. Luckily, she was sitting on her bed and examining the glowing orbs when the door was opened and people barged in. Otherwise, she would have been seen surrounded by spirits while doing a handstand with her underwear exposed.