The world tree totally burnt down into ash in under an hour. The powdery remains, a testament to the strength of the flames of which devoured its limbs. In the location which used to be the base of the world tree, Vincent the First gently cradled the exhausted elf princess. Her body shivered like a newborn fawn in the autumn breeze.
“W-what did’ st thou inflict upon mine person?” She weakly protested, her breathing was ragged from the intense pain felt from earlier.
“There is a price that must be paid.” Vincent the First pulled out a canteen from out of nowhere. “Come. Drink.” He beckoned.
“…” Princess Arya felt wary but still obeyed. If the youth wanted to do anything to her, he would’ve done so a long time ago.
“As of this moment, you are free. The chains that have bound you to the world tree are no longer.” Vincent the First explained, “Long ago there was a race of existences similar to the gods. They lived in peace and harmony, following the natural laws of nature. They do not know of death nor of strife and warfare. This race of immortals was called the Fae.”
“The Fae?” Princess Arya’s ears perked up. There were vague stories of this race in the storybooks of her childhood, but they were only myths and legends.
“That’s right. The Fae originally owned this world. They are immortal, but can still die to disease and wounds of the flesh. The gods felt threatened by this peace-loving race and forced them to submit to the gods. When they refused, the gods cursed them to serve. The lucky ones were sealed away in another dimension. The unlucky ones were cursed to protect a make-believe pact between the earth and the heavens. That pact, to this day, is—“Vincent the First looked over to the pile of ashes nearby.
“…” Princess Arya understood the rest of Vincent’s words without him finishing it. But everything that she had been taught was making it hard for her to honestly believe him.
“Do you feel that?” Vincent the First closed his eyes. The breeze picked up and blew away the ash. The evergreens shook with reverie as if they had been freed from an unseen restriction. From the destruction of the world tree, the surrounding plant life began to recover at a visible speed.
“The powers of nature. It speaketh to me.” A strange connection had formed between Princess Arya and Nature. It felt like a phantom limb, something that was there and at the same time not.
“The powers of the Fae will slowly return to you with time,” said Vincent the First. He stood up and got ready to leave.
“Wait!” Princess Arya begged. He looked like he was about to leave her. “Whither shall thee travel?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t abandon you.” Vincent the First rubbed her head like a grandfather. “I made a promise to bring you to overturn the heavens, and I intend to keep it. For now, you have to gather your brethren that have scattered to the corners of this land.” The other dark elves of Emerald Forest should’ve also experienced what Princess Arya had. They will soon understand that fundamental truth of their world has been altered.
“Can’t thee aid me in mine quest?” She asked expectantly. Her pleading eyes were cute to look at, but Vincent the First obstinately shook his head.
“I cannot do that. There is someone else to fulfill that role. Right?” Vincent the First turned to one side of the clearing.
“Fufufu! As expected of the Godslayer.” An ancient voice rang out. A mist gathered in the ruined streets of Ithvije. The stagnant breeze blew in a chilling layer of cold into the already dead city.
“Faerin. I’m surprised you’re still alive.” Vincent the First greeted.
“The same to you, O’ Godslayer.” A figure dressed in a ragged robe strode out from the mist. In his hand was a staff with a lamp swinging from the top. He looked like the ferryman to the great beyond.
“Faerin?” Princess Arya furrowed her brows. This stranger had the same name as the first king of Ithvije.
“That’s correct. He’s the same person as the Faerin that founded the city of Ithvije.” Vincent the First looked grim as he spoke. “Say hello to your ancestor.”
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“…” Princess Arya’s eyes enlarged to look like two giant moons.
“Hello, young one. It must be a handful trying to comprehend what is happening.” Faerin pulled down the hood obscuring his face. The revealed face of Faerin wasn’t what she had pictured. Instead of a well-worn grizzled face of wisdom, it was a handsome grown man in the prime of his life. “Surprised? We Fae cannot grow old. It’s a curse of immortality~.”
“As lighthearted as usual.” Vincent the First harrumphed.
“Aw come on~, Godslayer.” Faerin grinned and walked to their side, “I’m just trying to lighten up the mood.” He playfully waved away the mist.
“Still hiding from the prying eyes of the gods, I see.” Vincent the First commented.
“Those fools upstairs are still convinced I died.” Faerin laughed and looked over to his remaining relative. “I must thank you for releasing her seal. I never had the guts to do it myself.”
“It’s bound to happen sooner or later, regardless.” Vincent the First shrugged.
“But you’ve now put yourself in great danger due to your actions.” Faerin embarrassedly smiled. “By the way, I found this on my way here.” He clapped once, and a small treant walked over, carrying a wounded bird on its head that resembled a nest.
“Emet!” Vincent the First was momentarily overcome with Vincent’s emotions. Due to all the action, Vincent didn’t have time to pay attention to his companion.
“That’s her name? I found her shot down by one of Selvyrus’ arrows.” He took out a silver arrow.
“It must’ve been the work of Yeriel.” Vincent the First cursed under his breath for letting her escape after hurting his family. “Thanks for saving her.”
“I didn’t do much.” Faerin chuckled. “But this bird is quite intriguing. Do you mind if I raise her for a while? There’s something I want to test out.”
“If it were anyone else, I would’ve declined, but…” Vincent the First fully trusted Faerin. They had quite a history together as the Godslayer and the Sage of the Forest.
“Great! Thanks!” Faerin excitedly laughed and picked up Princess Arya.
“Uncouth man! Let go of mine person this instant!” Princess Arya grew flustered and tried to wrestle from his grasp.
“Ow! Hey!” Faerin took a smack to his cheek and dropped her. “I’m your ancestor! Is this any way to treat your only family?”
“I do not acknowledge thee as mine own kin.” She crossed her arms and turned her head away.
“Godslayer~! Convince her for me! I’m really her great-great-great-great-great-great-great—“
“I get it!” Vincent the First smacked Faerin’s head and turned to Princess Arya. “Princess, this person really is your ancestor. As embarrassing as it may be to be related to this…” He looked at the dumb smile on Faerin’s face, “idiot, he’s still the only person you can rely on.”
“What about thee?” Princess Arya asked expectantly. “I wish to follow thee.” Vincent the First frowned. He was only a ghost that existed inside Aion’s Ring. It was only due to a particular circumstance that he was able to manifest himself using Vincent as a vessel.
“I cannot allow you to.” Vincent the First shook his head. “Faerin, I’ll leave her to you. At the same time…”
“Yes, Godslayer?” Faerin looked like he was about to jump for joy.
“Look after my family.” Vincent the First looked sorrowful, “Since I can no longer…” Vincent the First suddenly fainted. The pressuring atmosphere disintegrated.
“It looks like the Godslayer overtaxed himself.” Faerin checked on Vincent’s condition before concluding that he was only unconscious.
“What dost thou plan to do with him?” Princess Arya moved in between Vincent and Faerin as if to guard him.
“Please, Little Ancestor. I don’t have the guts to harm the Godslayer.” Faerin smiled wryly. “If I had, he would’ve ended my life plenty of times over. I’m just studying how the Godslayer was able to possess this youth.” He’d seen the face of the Godslayer before, and that person somewhat resembled the youth before him. However, dozens of years had passed since they last met. A human should’ve aged a great deal even if they’ve broken through the third gate and achieved near-immortality.
“What dost thou mean by thy words?” Princess Arya grew confused. Is he not the same person she met a while ago?
“That’s…” Faerin felt a headache coming on, so he changed topics. “Anyways, let’s leave for now.” He carried Vincent and Princess Arya with the help of his treants.
Faerin along with the Vincent, Arya, and Emet soon depart for the center of Emerald Forest. Along the way, Faerin was humming a cheerful tune despite the atmosphere of the party. One creature was wounded severely from an enchanted arrow, another just found out her true identity, and the final person was unconscious, and without further analysis, his condition was unknown. Yet, the person helping them looked as if it was just a casual stroll through the woods.
“Ancestor?” Princess Arya tested.
“Yes, Little One?” Faerin turned her way.
“Art thou really mine kin?” she asked for the umpteenth time. Faerin frowned.
“I really have to do something about the way you speak. That’s like so old. Aren’t you younglings supposed to use like “hip” terms and stuff?” Faerin asked back.
“…” Princess Arya felt like this relative of hers was quite different from what she imagined the Faerin of Ithvije to be.
“Don’t worry, Little One. I’ll explain everything once I treat the two hurt fellows.” His tools were located at his home in the center of Emerald Forest.
“Then I’ll accept th- your words.” Princess Arya corrected her manner of speaking. Faerin’s face lit up like a grandparent seeing their grandkid walk for the first time.
“As expected of my great-great-great-great-great-great-great—“
“Shut up!” Princess Arya cursed and turned away in shame. She felt her image of her ancestor crumbling before her eyes. “Why am I related to this person…”
“Don’t worry, Little One! I will prove to you that you shouldn’t be ashamed of being related to me! Come on, let’s go! I have a lot to tell you!” Faerin joyfully picked up the pace and raced home.