Shadow of the First Sin

The ground trembled beneath me, accompanied by the rhythmic thunder of hooves and a harmonious chorus of voices. Their melodic song wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, coaxing me back into the realm of slumber and pulling me back out once more. As my eyelids fluttered open this time, I found myself beneath a wooden canopy, illuminated by a lantern of intricate design, far beyond anything I had seen in Emberfield. Carved into the wood was the figure of a woman wearing a crown, her hand extending towards a man on a distant hill, offering him a star from the heavens. It was a breathtaking sight, tinged with a hint of melancholy in the woman's sorrowful gaze. The lantern's light also revealed another presence in the room—a tall, slender figure draped in pure white, their face veiled from view. Their gaze seemed to pierce through me, though I could not discern the intentions behind it.

"Who are you?" I murmured, still feeling the weight of exhaustion.

"Val'ar Mal'er," echoed the feminine voice in an unknown language, pulling me back to sleep. As darkness enveloped me once more, the enigmatic figure faded into the void.

After some period of rest, I stirred once more to the distant sound of horns echoing from all directions. Beneath the vast expanse of the starry night sky, I turned my head to the side and beheld a row of soldiers, armed with spears and shields at their sides. Tall and slender, they bore pointed ears and colorful wings that graced their backs. Unlike mine, their wings were not feathered but translucent, shimmering with a myriad of hues like a delicate butterfly—beautiful and enigmatic.

Floating beside the soldiers, my body was just above the ground, their faces somber as my gaze met theirs. In their eyes, I discerned no malice nor affection, only a profound sense of guilt that caused many to avert their gazes. The chorus of chirping birds and the gentle murmur of flowing water grew louder as we ventured deeper into the forest. Towering trees surrounded us, their thick trunks and dense foliage obscuring the night sky, yet allowing slivers of moonlight to filter through the canopy, casting ethereal beams upon our path.

Though I remained motionless and unable to speak, it felt as if I were ensnared in a tranquil dream. Walking beside me was the figure from the carriage, cloaked in pristine white with her face veiled. Slowly, she walked by my side, a green aura emanating from the emerald crystal adorning her silver ring. The energy seemed directed towards me, its gentle glow enveloping me as I realized that the power of the ring had transported me through the forest, rendering my wings dormant for the journey.

Soft footsteps approached, heralding the arrival of a magnificent creature. Before me stood a deer, its coat the hue of deep green, reminiscent of the grasslands under the night sky. Instead of traditional antlers, its crown boasted living trees adorned with vibrant leaves. Amber eyes, gleaming with a mesmerizing allure, met mine in the moonlight as the creature moved gracefully alongside me, opposite the veiled figure.

Following behind, a company of fair ladies in flowing white gowns sang, their butterfly-like wings fluttering to the rhythm of a peaceful song.

Suddenly, we came to a halt. The gentle sound of splashing water could be heard as droplets caressed my forehead. Amidst a grove of majestic trees, a breathtaking waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool below. The water sparkled with an ethereal radiance as if infused with magic. Approaching the pool, one of the singing ladies presented the veiled figure with a silver chalice adorned with green crystals. As she poured the water from the pool into the vessel, she turned her attention to me.

With gentle hands cradling the back of my head, she lifted it toward her. The gemstones adorning the chalice emitted a brilliant glow as the singing grew louder and clearer. It was as though they wove an enchantment, beckoning forth yellow and green lights from the treetops to flow into the chalice. As the gemstone's glow intensified, the veiled figure pressed the silver vessel to my lips, pouring the water into my throat with a steady hand.

The water, cold and refreshing, initially quenched my thirst, but then a sudden shock rippled through my body, causing my spine to twist and my eyes to widen in shock. The once clear night sky above me transformed into an inky black void, consuming my vision. Panic surged within me as I felt a strange and unsettling presence overtaking my being. My eyes, once filled with color and life, began to fade. The world around me dissolved into darkness, leaving me disoriented and afraid. Tremors shook my body uncontrollably as an unknown force seemed to writhe within, struggling to break free. Without warning, my mouth opened wide, allowing a thick, smoky substance to break free. The air grew heavy and suffocating, making it difficult to breathe.

In the middle of this surreal spectacle, faint echoes reverberated in the air, like distant whispers carried on a chilling breeze.

Among many voices, one clear voice pierced through—the boy I had sought to protect, screaming, "Murderer!"

"Leave me alone!” I cried out.

At last, the haunting echoes faded, leaving behind an eerie silence. In that moment, a remarkable sensation washed over me, as if a weight I had long carried had suddenly been lifted, freeing me from its oppressive grasp.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself standing in the middle of a magnificent hall decorated with the essence of nature itself. The walls were alive, intertwined with branches and leaves that formed a natural canopy. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the space. Before me stood a throne unlike any other; an embodiment of a living tree, its trunk extending through the ceiling, branching out like an intricate work of art.

A figure was seated on the throne that was both familiar and enigmatic, a woman veiled in pure white.

"Come forth, Val'ar of Elyria, child of two worlds and the son of our savior Cyrus,” her melodic voice beckoned, resonating through the hall as she gracefully lifted her veil, revealing her face to me.