Elves are supposed to be immortal. Eternally beautiful, graceful, witty, and immortal. They're not supposed to keel over and die for no reason. That's what Darrien Salthani thought prior to a chain of events that convinced him otherwise. In this alternate world of colossus trees and a mix-and match of modern technology and magic that isn't quite like our own, he must solve a problem that has dire implications for his people. The Wildlings.  Their immortality may be at an end. And if he can't find answers to how and why it's ending, It just might be the end for all of the Wildlings, including himself. [This is an entrant in the RoyalRoad Community Magazine Contest for January 2024] Rating: PG-13. There's some language, and some crude/crass comments from time to time.