The Endless Forest

Yedril paced back and forth in the middle of their dorm, the other elves were either lying or sitting in their beds. It was early morning, and none had slept. They couldn’t, the excitement and anticipation wouldn’t let them. In fact, they all were becoming cognizant that their lives were about to change forever…

Will she accept me? Yedril wondered to himself. He remembered the conversation they had with Zira yesterday. The fact that she and Felix still argued with one another actually made him feel better. We don’t need to be perfect…

I wonder what she would be like– “Hey Sis?”

“Hmm?” Solanna was busy oiling her bow…for the fourth or fifth time.

“What do you think they will be like? Like, their personalities,” he asked. Similar questions had already been brought up, but they were running out of things to talk about and keep them sane.

She let out a sigh, setting her bow down onto its leather wrapping. Meanwhile, Noria perked up from Yarnel’s notebook. Lorem let a light chuckle from where he was laying.

“I don’t know… But does it really matter?” his sister commented.

Noria chimed in, “W-well, I hope my…partner would be kind.”

“Outgoing, for me,” Lorem answered. “But as for your question, Solanna? I don’t think so.”

Yedril frowned, “Why not?”

Lorem turned in his bed and looked at him. “Because, both us and them have already committed. No matter who they are, I’ve already accepted whoever my partner will be. That doesn’t mean, though, that I can’t be wishful. Hence, why I said I hope they will be outgoing. But it changes nothing for me if they aren’t.”

He thought about that for a moment. “I see…”

Lorem smiled. “Good, but since you asked, what are you hoping for?”

Yedril couldn’t help but blush slightly. “I… I think I just want them to be friendly. Besides you and Noria, I don’t really have any friends– Don’t get me wrong, people have been kind to me but…” he trailed off.

The large elf dropped his smile. “You two lived pretty far out, right? It was just you and your parents?”

He nodded. “We had to leave our tribe because of me. The constant traveling was too much. They did still come and visit us once or twice a year, though.”

“What tribe, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Yedril waved the concern away, “Laefa.”

“The tribe of leaves? That’s… Wow, they are one of the most remote tribes I know of. But, I think I’ve been up there– Had to have been my third or fourth posting as a caravan guard.”

“Where are they?” Noria suddenly asked, sounding intrigued. “I don’t think I’ve heard of them.”

Solanna answered. “Way up to the northeast of Bernel village. Depending on the season, could be as far as a month's walk away. And wait, Lorem, did you say you’ve been up there? How long ago was that?”

Lorem sat up and gave a half-shrug. “A long time ago it feels like. I had to be younger than you, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two?”

“How…old are you?” Yedril asked, trying to work out the time frame.

The other male elf laughed, “You know, it's not nice to ask people their age… But, I never let that bother me. I’m close to fifty– And, for the record, Noria is roughly the same age as me.”

The two siblings stared over to Noria, who started blushing. Her small stature made it hard to tell just how old she was, and that was after taking into account how slowly they all aged. Even Aluin looked rather young, and everyone knew he was centuries old at least.

“So… before I was even born,” Solanna said. “I guess, it’s possible you met our parents.”

“Maybe? But it’s been too long, I barely remember the visit as is. I know it was a long, long walk and that I never wanted to make such a long trek ever again– No offense.”

“None taken,” Solanna responded. “After our own journey, I can understand.”

“I didn’t make it any easier…” Yedril added sheepishly.

His sister gave him an exasperated look. “Yedril… We made the journey because of you. Neither of us would have gone if we didn’t need to. I’m just grateful to the Gods above that we made it with little issue.”

He gave a meek smile and plopped down onto his bed. The conversation died out there, but it did give him another thought…

“Say, what do you think our parents would do if we flew back on dragons?”

Her expression changed to amusement. “Mother would probably faint, and father would run and wrap us in a hug… Then he’d start yelling about how stupid we were.” She grew quiet and Yedril had a good idea why.

“We should probably send them a letter letting them know we’re okay," he suggested.

“Yeah, if only they weren’t so far out. We could probably make a trip to Bernel village and leave a letter for a caravan to take. But how long would it be before they receive it?”

“It would take a few months to reach your tribe, after that though? I don’t know, the tribe would probably have to take it to your parents, if they live any further out,” Lorem answered. “But, I know the guys who make that trek. They’re good people, your letter would make it safe and sound.”

“Then maybe it would be worth it. I don’t want them to worry…” Solanna said, deep in thought. “We’ll have to wait a little longer though.”

“Yeah,” Yedril muttered before taking a deep breath and reapplying his smile.

“We got eggs to hatch.”

Felix sat still, trying hard to meditate.

He had been doing this off and on since last night, long since giving up on actual sleep. There was just so much at stake, he wasn’t going to be the one to miss anything important.

Especially because Watcher did something to the eggs. Felix needed to have a proper discussion with him.

So much to do, so much to worry about… He let out a sigh and opened his eyes, seeing the early dawn creep through the open door to the hatchery.

Good morning, he heard from Zira. She stirred behind him, her tail snaking around his waist.

Morning… He said meekly.

Hmm, what bothers you now? Shouldn’t you be excited? This is what you and I have been waiting for.

He softly patted her tail. Oh, I am…

But? Zira asked.

But… I’m just worrying over what I can’t control.

He felt her peer at him through their bond. You are worrying about what Watcher did?

I am, he admitted. I know there isn’t anything that can be done about it– And I’ve tried to keep it out of mind, but I can’t help but worry, you know?

She sent him a wave of sympathy. I’m worried too, but I didn’t taste anything concerning. I don’t think he would ever do anything to harm the eggs.

Yeah, but what he said has me worried. He talked about seeing Fea– How could that be possible?

I don’t know, she answered. A moment later, she removed her tail and stood up. Come, let’s check the eggs one last time. Between the two of us, we should be able to get a good feel for their condition.

Felix nodded and followed suit.

They made their way over to the den holding the four eggs. Even without his mana sight, Felix could tell that there was no more mana being released.

A good sign, he thought, more to himself than to Zira.

It is, she responded anyway.

He activated his mana sight and confirmed his suspicions. A faint glow of brilliant red, emerald green, amber yellow, and pure white came from their respective eggs.

They’ll hatch soon, Zira commented. Maybe a few more hours? Hard to say, their mana are mixing together.

Cocking an eyebrow, Felix looked over to her. Can you tell anything by their mana? Obviously the white-opaque one is essence…

Zira didn’t respond immediately and instead went into heavy concentration.

I am…unsure, she admitted with a hint of frustration. I can tell they are unique, but none of them are anything I’ve seen.

Felix reached out and patted her side. It’s okay, we’ll know soon enough. But that does excite me, it means we have four more unique dragons. The thought of Watcher faded to the background…

She snorted and turned away. The others will be here soon, don’t you think?

He followed her gaze back to the manor in the distance. Probably? I doubt they got any sleep like me.

A dragon sized snore sounded out from the far corner of the hatchery. It was Kyrith and resting up against his side was Eri. The two of them reminded Felix of when the dragon first hatched.

Four…five months? Was it really only that recently? he asked himself. In that time; I hatched Zira, Eri hatched Kyrith. And now? We’re about to hatch four more dragons. What will things look like in a year? In five? Ten?

For a haunting, fleeting moment, Felix saw the perfect future.

Dragons, of all sizes flying through the air. Elves, dwarves, gnomes– Humans. He saw humans among the gathering individuals. Their faces obscured, blurred. Well, all except one. One human stood out from the others.

Lost, the man kept looking around, wondering how he got here.

Felix held out a hand, as if he was always there. “What’s your name?” he asked casually, hoping to ease the man’s panic.

It had the opposite effect.

The man’s expression turned to rage at his sight.

“YOU–”

The world around them erupted in fire and ash. The perfect future, gone.

Rage fueled the flames snuffing out all life that it touched. Nothing was left save for Felix and the man–

A voice, a whisper carried by the wind, spoke to him. Time is running out…

Felix jolted, finding himself gasping for air. Zira was next to him, her expression was of panic. Felix! Are you alright?!

“Y-yeah,” he wheezed out, feeling disoriented. He switched back to speaking to her through their bond. I, uh… I had a vision.

I know, she said, inching closer to him. I saw it too–

What?!

She let out a low growl, but not towards him. Her eyes were staring at a spot just above them. It took him a moment to register what she was growling at.

Yarnel?

Yes, I can taste his mana. He’s floating above us, watching us.

Before he could respond, Zira shouted. He’s gone– Wait, do you think he was watching us the entire time?! I only just now noticed his presence!

Felix groaned and rubbed his temple. Let’s just forget about him, it isn’t worth it… You said you had a vision as well?

She took a moment, making sure the pixie dragon wasn’t nearby. Yes, it was just like yours…

But? He asked, feeling an odd sense of deja vu.

But… I couldn’t find you.

They both fell silent, unsure what to make of either vision. Thankfully, movement from the manor caught Felix’s eye. It was hard to tell, but four figures were starting to approach.

Looks like the elves are on their way. We should wake Eri and Kyrith, and then we can tell everyone when we expect the eggs to hatch.

I’ll greet them, you can have the privilege of waking Kyrith, she said, masking away her emotions.

Felix noticed, but decided to not respond to that. Sure, though it’d be easier to wake Eri first.

Making his way over to the other dragon, Felix froze. Kyrith was no longer snoring, instead he began to whimper. Meanwhile, Eri was staring up into the false sky above them, her eyes wide with terror.

“E-Eri?” he asked with fear creeping into his voice.

She blinked, then gasped. Her head slumped forward before she shook it.

He was quick to her side, holding her still. “Are you okay?”

She tensed up for a moment before relaxing.

“Sorry…” she muttered, finally looking up to him.

“I… I think I had a vision.”