A lone figure stood atop a hill; his powerful silhouette outlined against the darkening sky. His long, curly black hair stirred faintly, as if moved by an unseen wind. Below, his blue-green eyes swept over a battlefield, taking in the gruesome panorama of chaos. Bodies, friend and foe alike, lay strewn across the blood-soaked ground, their stillness a stark contrast to the fading sounds of battle. The distant clash of swords and the faint cries of the dying echoed through the air, growing quieter as the fury of the conflict ebbed into a haunting silence.
He glanced at his sides. In each hand, he gripped a sword, their twin blades shimmering faintly blue beneath the blood that slicked them. The low hum of their power resonated in the still air, a sharp contrast to the silence creeping over the field.
A voice, soft but firm, broke the quiet behind him.
“It had to be done. There was no other way.”
“No,” he replied, his tone heavy with sorrow. “There had to have been another way.”
“Eldric, Eldric!”
He spun, searching for the source of the voice. The hilltop was empty—nothing but the wind whispering through the grass.
“Eldric! Hey, Eldric!”
The world shifted. The ground beneath his feet felt unsteady, as though reality itself tilted. Everything around him seemed to grow taller, larger. He glanced down at his hands and froze. Gone were the swords, replaced by the small, uncalloused hands of a boy.
A sudden fog enveloped him, thick and swirling. The battlefield dissolved, replaced by a quiet, familiar scene.
Eldric blinked, shaking his head to clear the haze clouding his thoughts. The world around him sharpened into focus. He was seated in a sturdy wooden chair by the window, the cool wood beneath his fingers grounding him. Just beyond the glass, the familiar village of Valifield lay nestled at the base of a gentle hill, its red-roofed cottages clustered together. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, blending with the pale blue of the sky.
Beyond the village, fields of lush green stretched out, rolling gently toward the distant edge of a dark pine forest. The breeze stirred the tall grass, sending rippling waves across the landscape. Above, a flock of birds glided effortlessly, their black shapes stark against the soft light as they moved toward the forest’s edge. The scene was peaceful, yet something in Eldric’s chest felt unsettled.
“Eldric!”
The voice startled him again, this time cutting through the quiet with urgency. He turned slowly, his eyes meeting those of his best friend, Fiora.
Fiora stood in the doorway, her petite but sturdy frame silhouetted by the soft light spilling into the room. Despite her age of thirteen, there was a maturity about her that made her seem older. Her usually pale skin had taken on a light tan, evidence of time spent working outdoors. Like Eldric, she wore snug brown cloth pants and a bright white shirt, practical for their daily routines.
Eldric’s gaze flicked to her hazel eyes, normally fierce and determined, but today, they carried an unusual weight of concern. She stepped closer, brushing her bright red, shoulder-length hair behind her ear as she bent down slightly to meet his puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Fiora didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her eyes searched his face. His tousled jet-black hair framed his sharp features, the strands brushing against his tanned skin. His blue-green eyes caught her attention, standing out vividly against his complexion. Without thinking, she reached out and swept the messy black hair from his face to get a clearer look at him.
Eldric blinked at the gesture, unsure of what to make of it. Though he and Fiora were the same age, he was slightly shorter and less solidly built. Her confidence often left him feeling like she was the older of the two, though moments like this reminded him of the strong bond they shared.
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her unease.
“I… I was just daydreaming,” he said defensively. “It’s been a long day.”
Fiora tilted her head, brushing her hair back as she studied him. “You weren’t just daydreaming,” she insisted. “I’ve been calling you forever. Then I stood right behind you, and you still didn’t respond.”
“I was just… it doesn’t matter,” Eldric said, his voice trailing off as he turned back to the window. His brow furrowed in frustration as he tried to hold onto the fading fragments of the vision. Whatever it had been felt significant, almost urgent, yet it slipped further from his grasp with each passing second, like smoke dissolving into the air. “So, why were you calling me?” he asked at last.
Fiora’s expression brightened. “It’s dinnertime! But more importantly, your dad’s going to take us out to train after we eat!”
Eldric’s eyes widened. “What? He’s finally going to teach us how to fight?”
Memories rushed to him, watching his father and Fiora’s father spar in the village square. Their strength and precision had always left him in awe. For years, he had begged his father to teach him, only to hear the same reply: You’re too young.
“Yes!” Fiora grinned. “My parents even agreed to let me train. It’s going to be amazing!”
Eldric leapt from his chair. “Let’s go!”
He bounded down the stairs, his excitement carrying him in long, reckless strides. He launched himself over the last few steps, landing heavily on the stone floor of the kitchen. The air was thick with the savory aroma of stew, and his stomach growled in anticipation.
Behind him, Fiora descended more gracefully, rolling her eyes at his enthusiasm.
“Where’s Dad?” Eldric asked, scanning the room.
His mother, Selene, turned from the wood-burning stove. Her dark hair shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the windows. She was tall, her features delicate but commanding, and her green eyes sparkled with warmth and authority.
Eldric looked into his mother’s eyes, his excitement bubbling over as he asked, “So, what’s for dinner?”
“Roast duck with green beans and carrots,” Selene replied, a small soft smile crossing her face.
Fiora inhaled deeply, her expression brightening. “It smells amazing, Selene!”
The front door creaked open, drawing their attention as Alaric stepped inside. His broad frame filled the doorway, his white shirt and dark trousers smeared with dirt from a long day’s work. His long black hair hung in disarray, a testament to the labor he’d endured. His sharp brown eyes swept the room, taking everything in at a glance. With a tired sigh, he set a worn woodcutting axe beside the door and brushed the sweat from his brow, the weight of the day still evident in his stance.
“Busy day?” Selene asked as she placed the last of the food on the table.
Alaric nodded, pulling out a chair and sitting heavily. “The fields are finally ready for planting.”
“Dad,” Eldric blurted, unable to contain himself, “are you really going to teach us how to fight after dinner?”
Alaric chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Yes. But don’t expect it to be easy. And you too, Fiora, I’m not going to go easy on either of you.”
Fiora grinned, leaning forward. “I’m just surprised my parents agreed.”
Alaric smiled knowingly. “It took some convincing. Your father thinks it’ll help keep you disciplined.”
Dinner passed in a blur. Eldric and Fiora wolfed down their food, excitement crackling between them like a tangible energy. By the time the plates were cleared, the last light of day had faded, and darkness had settled over Valifield.
Alaric was the first to rise. Standing tall, he strode toward the door with purpose. “Come on, you two. Let’s go,” he said, grabbing his axe from its resting place. Once outside, he picked up a tattered leather backpack and a lantern waiting by the door.
“Eldric, I’ve packed a change of clothes for you in my bag. Fiora, did you bring what you need?” he asked, his tone brisk but calm.
Fiora stepped forward, lifting a small leather backpack from the ground. “Yes, I packed a change of clothes and the essentials,” she replied, slipping the straps over her shoulders. “I was surprised to hear we’d be staying overnight.”
Alaric nodded in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable, before gesturing for them to follow. “Let’s get moving,” he said, turning toward the path ahead.
The village of Valifield, nestled in a wide clearing, lay peaceful under the starlight. Beyond its borders, the dark forest loomed, its towering pines standing like silent sentinels.
Eldric cast a glance toward the trees, his heart racing with anticipation. For as long as he could remember, the forest had been forbidden.
The trio passed through the heart of Valifield, its modest charm illuminated by the faint silver glow of the stars. Eldric took in the familiar sights: sturdy oak and brick buildings, the village’s quaint church with its stone bell tower, and the water mill that sat quietly by the stream. The town, home to just over a hundred souls, felt alive even in the stillness of the night.
He glanced back toward his own home, perched on a small hill at the village’s edge. Its softly glowing windows had disappeared from view, leaving only the faint silhouette of its thatched roof against the dark sky. A bird darted across his vision, drawing his gaze upward.
Above, the heavens stretched vast and endless. A moonless night revealed an ocean of stars, constellations glittering like scattered jewels. Their light bathed the village in a faint, ethereal glow.
Fiora walked ahead with a spring in her step, her excitement palpable. Eldric quickened his pace to match hers, curiosity simmering as he realized they were heading toward the forest’s edge.
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“Where are we going, Dad?” Eldric asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
“Into the forest,” Alaric replied simply, his eyes briefly flicking toward the star-studded sky.
Eldric’s heart leapt. “Really?” he asked, his grin widening.
For the first time in his life, he was leaving the safety of the village to venture into the forbidden forest. The towering pines loomed ahead, their dark shadows forming an impenetrable wall.
When they reached the edge, Eldric craned his neck to take in the colossal trees. Their thick limbs intertwined above, creating a dense canopy that blotted out the stars. Beside him, Fiora stood in awe, her hazel eyes wide as she took in the towering giants.
Alaric struck a match and lit the lantern he carried. Its warm glow pierced the thick darkness, revealing a narrow, winding path ahead. “Stay close,” he said, holding the lantern high as he led the way.
The crooked trail snaked deeper into the forest. For over an hour, the only sounds were the crunch of leaves underfoot and the soft creak of the lantern’s frame. The light illuminated gnarled roots that twisted across the path and moss-covered stones.
Eldric squinted into the darkness, his eyes catching a faint blue glow in the distance. He stared at it, straining to make out its source, but the light remained shrouded in mystery. As they walked, the glow grew brighter, casting an eerie luminescence over the forest around them.
At last, they crested a small hill and found themselves standing before an ancient wooden hut. Bathed in the ethereal blue light, the structure seemed to hum with mystery. Eldric’s eyes widened as he tried to locate the origin of the glow, but it seemed to emanate from somewhere behind the hut, just out of view.
“Dad, what is this place?” Eldric asked, his voice a mix of wonder and unease.
“This,” Alaric said, gesturing toward the hut, “is where we’ll be staying for the next month.”
“A whole month?” Eldric’s jaw dropped.
“Yes,” Alaric replied, his tone matter-of-fact. “It would’ve been longer, but your mother insisted otherwise.”
“It would’ve been longer?” Fiora echoed, her excitement beginning to waver.
Alaric turned to face them, the lantern’s glow casting sharp shadows across his face. “This is not going to be easy. Over the next month, I’ll push you harder than you’ve ever been pushed. All the food you need will come from the forest, and you’ll bathe in the river behind the hut.”
Fiora frowned. “I wish you’d told us we’d be gone this long. I would’ve brought more clothes.”
“Don’t worry about clothes, you can always wash the ones you have” Alaric said as he climbed the rickety steps to the hut’s entrance.
The wooden steps creaked under their weight as they ascended to the wraparound porch. Alaric pushed open the double doors, and a stale, musty odor spilled out, causing Eldric to wrinkle his nose.
“This place is a dump,” Eldric muttered. As the trio entered the hut.
“But you’re not here for comfort, are you?” Alaric said, his calm tone underscored by a quiet seriousness. Taking a candle from the wall, he carefully lit it with the lantern. Moving methodically around the room, he used the flame to ignite the others, their soft glow gradually pushing back the shadows. Once the room was gently illuminated, he returned the candle to its place on the wall.
The common room was large but sparsely furnished. Dust coated the wooden floor, and cobwebs clung stubbornly to the corners of the paneled oak walls. A pair of small rooms branched off on either side, their doors slightly ajar. On the far wall hung three swords, their simple, functional designs drawing Eldric’s attention.
He set their gear near a small storage closet by the entrance and began organizing it. “Eldric, you’ll sleep in the room to the right with me. Fiora, the room to the left is yours. Go wash up. There’s a robe waiting for you.”
Fiora nodded, taking a lit candle from the wall sconce as she entered her room. The space was barren, furnished only with a wooden table and an open closet. She found the robe exactly where Alaric had said and sighed.
“This is going to be a long month,” she murmured to herself, her voice tinged with both resignation and determination. A faint smile played on her lips. “At least I’ll finally learn how to fight. I’ll learn how to protect him,” she added firmly, her resolve clear as she made her way back into the main room.
Back in the common room, Eldric and Alaric worked together to unroll straw mattresses from the closet. The coarse material scratched at Eldric’s hands as they set them up.
She made her way toward the back door, her attention catching on the three swords mounted on the wall. Pausing, she took a closer look at them. At first glance, they seemed utterly ordinary—almost disappointingly so.
Each sword featured a straight steel blade extending from a plain, leather-bound hilt. A simple circular steel guard separated the blade from the handle, designed to protect the wielder’s hand from an opponent’s strike. Fiora reached out, running her index finger along the back edge of the nearest blade. It was completely dull, its lack of sharpness reinforcing its unassuming nature.
In a trance-like daze, she tilted her head, her hazy reflection shimmering faintly in the muted steel. Without thinking, her finger traced up the other edge of the blade.
A sudden, sharp twinge of pain snapped her out of her reverie. Gasping, she pulled her hand back and stared at her finger in shock. Blood welled up from a fresh wound, trickling down in vivid red streaks. The dull blade, it seemed, was not so dull after all.
After the initial sting, Fiora shrugged it off, popped her finger into her mouth, and pushed open the back door. She stepped onto the gravel walkway, keeping her head down as the crunch of stones under her boots filled her ears. The sound of rushing water gradually grew louder, like a distant melody, pulling her forward. Turning a corner in the path, she suddenly found herself bathed in a faint blue glow.
She froze, her finger slipping from her mouth as her gaze lifted.
“This is no river,” she whispered, awe softening her voice. “It’s a huge pond at the bottom of a waterfall.”
Her hazel eyes widened as she took in the breathtaking scene before her. The pond, nestled in a secluded clearing, shimmered with crystalline clarity that mirrored the stars above. A break in the dense canopy allowed the sky’s brilliance to pour down like a celestial spotlight. But even that couldn’t account for the ethereal blue light suffusing the area.
Fiora turned slowly, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the hidden oasis. Fireflies danced above the pond’s surface, their glowing bodies flitting like tiny embers. Each time one landed and lifted off again, it sent delicate ripples across the still water. Upstream, a waterfall tumbled down a jagged cliff face, cascading over smaller ledges with a soft roar before crashing into the pond below.
But what truly captivated her were the flowers. Thousands of them grew along the water’s edge, their brilliant blue petals glowing with a light that seemed almost alive.
“Wow,” she breathed. “Lunaflare. I’ve never seen this many before.”
The flowers, known for their rarity, seemed to thrive here in secret. Blooming only at night, their vivid blue glow was intensified by a faint shimmer of sparkling dust radiating from their petals. Each petal curled outward, its brightness increasing toward the edges, creating the illusion of a soft, pulsing light.
Fiora knelt by the pond, gently plucking one of the flowers. As she brought it closer, its glowing petals left a faint trail of sparkling dust in the air, fading like a dream. She rubbed the flower against her nose and inhaled deeply.
“This smell… it comforts me every time,” she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips.
For a moment, she lingered there, cradling the flower and gazing at the waterfall. The Lunaflare’s glow reflected in her eyes as she let out a contented sigh. Setting the flower down carefully, she rose and continued toward the pond’s edge to bathe.
Inside the hut, Eldric let out a heavy breath and grabbed one of the straw mattresses. Together, he and his father dragged it out of the cramped storage closet.
“Dad, why didn’t you tell us we’d be out here for so long?” Eldric asked as they maneuvered the mattress into Fiora’s small room. Much to his surprise, it fit snugly within the tight space.
Alaric paused, wiping his hands on his trousers. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Okay… but why now?” Eldric pressed. “Why did you decide to start training us now?”
“You’ve reached the age where you need to learn how to defend yourself,” Alaric said as he adjusted the mattress. “We need more people to protect Valifield. It seemed like the right time.”
Eldric frowned, unsatisfied with the vague explanation. “Protect Valifield? From what? It’s not like knowing how to fight can stop another drought.”
Alaric turned to face him, his expression growing serious. “There are forces at play far more dangerous than a drought,” he said gravely. “In time, you’ll understand.”
Eldric studied his father’s face, puzzled. “So… are the other kids in the village getting trained too?”
“Yes, but not all of them will receive combat training. The village needs farmers, healers, and craftsmen just as much as it needs defenders,” Alaric explained. “Everyone is trained for the role they’re best suited for.”
Eldric hesitated, then asked, “Why were Fiora and I chosen for combat training? Why us?”
Alaric stopped what he was doing and met his son’s gaze. “That’s a question for another day,” he said.
Before Eldric could press further, the back door creaked open. Fiora stepped inside, her red hair darkened and damp, wrapped in a pure white robe. She stood in the doorway, twisting a strand of wet hair between her fingers as she regarded Eldric and his father.
“The bath is free, but it’s starting to get cold outside,” she said.
Alaric straightened and turned to Eldric. “Why don’t you go wash up? I’ll gather some firewood. When you’re done, head straight to bed. Fiora, I have a book your mother wanted you to read.”
He reached into his pack and pulled out a leather-bound volume, tossing it to Fiora, who caught it deftly.
Eldric glanced at her as she examined the book, curiosity and weariness flickering across her face. Nodding to himself, he grabbed his robe from the corner of the room and shook it loose.
“Well, I guess I’m going to take a bath,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”
Fiora offered him a small smile. “Good night, Eldric.”
Fiora retreated to her room, closing the door softly behind her. She had barely settled when a sudden crash echoed through the hut, followed by Eldric’s unmistakable string of curses. She paused, a grin tugging at her lips.
“That idiot fell,” she muttered to herself as she walked to her bed. Sitting down, she stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh. “He’s always been so clumsy.” The thought brought a fond smile to her face.
Her gaze drifted to the book Alaric had given her earlier. It was small, bound in cracked brown leather, with faint gold lettering that shimmered in the candlelight. She picked it up, brushing her fingers over the fragile binding. A faint, stale scent wafted up, hinting at the book’s age.
As she turned it over, a folded piece of paper slipped partially out from the middle. Curious, Fiora unfolded it, immediately recognizing her mother’s wavy handwriting.
Figured you should read this now that you’re alone with a guy.
Her eyebrows shot up as she stared at the note, her face heating in confusion. “What is that supposed to mean?” she muttered under her breath.
Before she could dwell on the message, the book’s title caught her eye: The Making of Children. Her fingers hesitated on the cover, her curiosity warring with unease. After a moment’s pause, she opened it to the first page and reached for the candle on the table.
The opening pages were both strange and eye-opening. With each sentence, her eyes grew wider, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.
“Oh… oh no,” she whispered, flipping quickly through the pages. By the time she reached the end of the chapter, her face was bright red, her hands trembling slightly.
Setting the book on her lap, Fiora glanced at her right index finger. Something was off. She turned it over, inspecting it carefully.
“What happened to the cut I had?” she wondered aloud. The gash from earlier was completely gone. No scar, no scab—nothing. She rubbed the spot absently, her thoughts spinning.
A sudden knock on the door jolted her from her musings. Quickly, she slid the book onto the table and pushed it away, as though it was a snake getting ready to bite her.
“Fiora, it’s me. Can I come in?” Eldric’s voice was muffled but unmistakable.
“Sure,” she called back, forcing a calm tone.
Eldric stepped into the room, his white robe clinging to his damp frame. His wet hair dripped onto the wooden floor as he approached the table, his eyes landing on the book.
“Is this the book my dad gave you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Fiora nodded sheepishly. “Yeah.”
“What’s it about?”
A mischievous glint lit her eyes. “Why don’t you read it and find out?”
Eldric hesitated but eventually picked up the book. As he read the first few sentences, his face turned an alarming shade of red. His jaw dropped, and he froze before rapidly flipping through the pages, his embarrassment intensifying.
“What is this?!” he exclaimed, slamming the book onto the table as though it were cursed. “Why did you have me read that? Is… is that true?”
Fiora burst into laughter, clutching her side as tears streamed down her face. “Oh, your face!” she managed between fits of giggles. “For some reason, my mom thought I needed to read it. She’s a doctor, so I guess it’s all true.”
Eldric slumped into a chair beside her, still blushing furiously. “That was not what I was expecting. Why would your mom even—” He cut himself off, shaking his head.
“Pretty interesting stuff, huh?” Fiora teased, wiping a tear from her cheek.
“I guess you could call it that,” Eldric muttered, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
They sat in silence for a moment before Fiora tilted her head and asked, “So… what were you daydreaming about earlier today?”
Eldric hesitated, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. Finally, he shrugged and offered something plausible. “I was just thinking about our childhood. Not that we’re old now, but, you know… about how we met and became friends.”
Fiora leaned back on her bed, her expression softening. “Oh, those are good memories,” she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. Her thoughts drifted back to the first time they’d met, and a quiet smile crossed her face.