The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels filled the air as Emma and her mother, Vivian, left the lively heart of Windfield Village behind. The bustling market they had passed moments ago had been alive with color and chatter—merchants shouting about their wares, children darting between stalls, and the tantalizing aromas of freshly baked bread and roasted spices wafting through the air.
Now, the scenery shifted dramatically. The cobblestone paths gave way to dirt roads flanked by dense forests and jagged stone formations. The thick canopy of leaves above filtered the sunlight, casting dappled patterns onto the rocky terrain. It was a serene, almost haunting beauty, but not nearly as vibrant or joyous as the village they had just departed.
Emma leaned against the window of the carriage, her unique white eyes gazing curiously at the forest. The towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The occasional chirp of birds broke the quiet, accompanied by the distant rustling of small animals moving through the underbrush. Though it was her first time seeing such an untamed landscape, it quickly began to feel monotonous.
Vivian, noticing her daughter's distracted expression, smiled gently. "Are you enjoying the journey so far?" she asked, her voice warm and soothing.
Emma turned to her mother and nodded briefly, though her thoughts were elsewhere. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, “Mom, where are we going to pass through next?”
Vivian adjusted her posture, her elegant demeanor undisturbed by the bumpy ride. “Next, we’ll reach Mount Lily,” she explained. “It’s a mountain range, but from there, we’ll stop briefly—about fifteen minutes—before continuing to the air-train boarding station.”
Emma tilted her head in confusion. “What’s an air-train?”
Her mother’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “You’ll see for yourself soon enough,” Vivian replied. “It’s going to be magical.”
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Magical. The word sent a spark of excitement through Emma. Her fatigue vanished as she leaned closer to the window, eagerly watching the scenery change. The dense forest seemed to thin out slightly, revealing rocky outcrops that jutted into the sky like ancient monuments.
The “rocks,” as Emma had initially thought of them, grew larger and more intricate the further they traveled. Some were sheer cliffs with jagged edges, while others were weathered smooth, with patches of moss and grass clinging stubbornly to their surfaces. Here and there, dark openings gaped within the rocks—caves that seemed to stare back at her like ancient eyes.
“What are those holes in the rocks?” Emma asked, pointing toward one particularly large opening in the distance.
Vivian glanced out the window and adjusted her thick glasses. “Those are caves,” she explained. “They’re not just random holes. According to historians, most caves were formed during the Deformation Period of our world.”
Emma’s curiosity deepened. “The Deformation Period? What’s that?”
Vivian’s gaze grew thoughtful as she began her explanation. “The Deformation Period was an era of great upheaval, a time when the gods of our world walked upon its surface. They waged war against otherworldly invaders who sought to claim our land. The battles were cataclysmic, shaking the very balance of the planet.”
Emma listened intently, her eyes wide as her mother continued.
“Mountains cracked open, and molten lava surged to the surface, leaving scars on the land that we now see as caves and chasms. Entire regions were transformed—deserts formed where once there were forests, and rivers shifted their courses. The gods’ victory ensured the survival of our world, but the scars of their battles remain, etched into the earth itself.”
Vivian paused, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Does that satisfy your curiosity, dear?”
Emma pursed her lips thoughtfully before offering a small, teasing smile. “A little.”
Her mother chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Emma’s silver white hair. “A little, hmm?” she repeated. The two shared a quiet laugh, their bond evident in the way they eased into each other’s presence.
As the carriage continued its journey, the sunlight broke through the treetops, illuminating the rocky landscape in a golden glow. Emma leaned back in her seat, her thoughts filled with images of ancient gods and battles, of caves formed by molten fire and a world reshaped by divine conflict.
For the first time in a while, she found herself looking forward to what lay ahead—not just the air-train station, but the mysteries and wonders that seemed to wait around every corner of this vast, magical world.
Under the brilliance of the sun, the journey continued.