The Endless Forest

Felix and Zira tore through the sky at a blistering speed, the air whipping past them. Neither paid it much attention, their destination was in reach and both wanted to get there as soon as possible.

Below them laid familiar territory, at least, it would have been if they were on the ground. Still, the manor was less than a mile away and at the speeds they were flying, they would make it there in a few wingbeats.

Home… Felix thought, echoing the same sentiment that Zira had. They were only gone for a week, but after their three day journey back, it felt much, much longer.

I see it! Zira shouted with excitement, redoubling her efforts.

A smile crossed his face. Shall we give them a proper greeting? he asked.

I was planning to, but I doubt you could match me.

You’re on…

A moment later, the manor came into sight for Felix. It was a blur, but it was unmistakable. He and Zira both let out a roar as they continued to streak past…

Once they were over the clearing, Zira immediately began bleeding speed. She pulled up and began circling. All the while, Felix held on for dear life even with his mana manipulation.

As they slowed, he was able to finally see details. Small specks started rushing to and from the kobold village. A larger speck suddenly appeared from out of the hatchery, no doubt that was Kyrith.

They began to descend, and he was able to take yet more in…

Several elves came running from the manor, and from all around came four smaller dragons. He only knew it was them because they were so distinctly different from the kobolds in terms of shapes and size…

Looks like we got ourselves a welcome party forming, he mentioned.

I can see that, but… Zira trailed off with a mental smile. How about we give them another show?

Felix cocked his eyebrows but hunkered down, adjusting his mana in the process. Want to try a fast landing? he asked, taking a guess at what she meant.

In response, Zira folded her wings and pulled them tightly to her. Like a rock, she began to fall. With a little adjustment, she was soon facing the ground and picking up speed.

The wind began whipping and searing past them as Felix gritted his teeth. His vision filled with tears as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Meanwhile, the ground came rushing towards them.

Zira pulled up and flared out her wings. Their speed was cut in half as they came out of the dive, but she wasn’t done yet.

While still only twenty feet in the air, she once again tucked her wings and rolled.

From the ground, the onlookers watched in stunned silence as she came out of her spin and angled towards the ground.

With enough force to cause the nearby ground to shake, Zira landed hard and dust erupted around her.

Coughing, Felix finally let go of his death grip around her neck. He could barely see, but after a second, Zira walked– Well, strutted out.

They came to a stop in front of a group of familiar faces.

Finally able to breath, Felix wasted no time sliding off of Zira. He quickly spotted Eri and–

He was tackled to the ground.

Four young dragons came from out of nowhere and pounced on him. They immediately began mauling him…with affection.

“S-stop! Yes… I’m back… P-please–” He let out a grunt, feeling the four dragons collapse on top of him.

All he could hear was the sound of laughter…

“P-please…help,” he gasped out.

“Alright, everyone get off of him…” Eri said, clapping her hands.

The dragons refused to budge.

“I said, get off of him.” Her tone became more serious.

Meanwhile, the other elves moved up and tried to pull their partners off of him. It wasn’t very successful, mostly due to them still chuckling at his predicament…

Finally, it was Zira’s turn. She came to stand and loomed over them. Looking down, she had a fierce expression. “Get. Off. Of. Him.”

The four younger dragons let out several yelps before bolting away…and trampling him underneath.

Felix laid there, groaning and staring up into the sky. A new shadow appeared over him along with a hand.

“Let me help you up,” Lorem said with a smile. It was clear that he was trying not to laugh.

“Yeah, yeah… It’s really funny getting tackled and trampled by dragons…” Felix whined, accepting the hand.

“Sorry… But that was too funny. Are you okay?” the tall elf asked.

Back on his feet, Felix winced as he dusted himself off. “Yeah, I think so. Just sore from riding and being trampled, but I’ll live.”

Eri came to join them then. “Welcome home,” she said with a radiant smile.

“Thanks, it's good to finally be back home. I haven’t been gone that long, but it sure does feel like it.” He returned the smile.

“So… How did it go?” Yedril asked from the side.

Suddenly, Felix was reminded of everything that happened back in the village. His expression became dower.

“N-not good?” Noria interjected.

Oh boy, where to start… “Well, there is good news and possibly bad news…”

Everyone now gathered around him with curious and worried expressions.

“The good news? Chief Yorlen agreed, a group of villagers are on their way here as we speak. In fact, we…kinda rushed ahead. But they should be here in a few minutes…” Felix rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“And the possibly bad news?” Solanna pressed.

He sagged his shoulders and let out a sigh. “Well–” He focused on Eri. “–Aluin is with them.”

What was left of her smile fell away, replaced with a stormy look. The others looked between each other, unsure what the big deal was. Neither Felix nor Eri had told them about her no longer being an apprentice to Aluin.

Felix cleared his throat, “Perhaps you all can give me and Eri a bit of privacy? There is something I need to discuss with her.”

He gave them a nod as he took Eri’s hand. She did not stop him and allowed him to guide her away.

“So, it's a long story,” he started off with. “However, there is something he has to tell you. I think you should listen–”

“What is it?” she asked, interrupting him.

He gave her a pained expression. “I think it would be best to hear it from Aluin himself. I don’t think I could possibly explain… I just wanted to warn you.”

Eri pursed her lips. “Felix…”

“Yes?”

“What should I say to him?”

That question caught him off guard. “I’m sorry?”

“He left right after telling me that I would never be a Sage. I am… I am angry, but…”

“But…?”

She stopped, forcing him to stop as well. “I don’t know…” She took a deep breath. “I’m angry he strung me along like he did, but I know he had his reasons, he told me that much.”

“Still, it wasn’t right or fair to you?” he guessed.

“Yeah. What should I say to him?”

Felix pulled her close to him, putting an arm around her. “You don’t have to say anything at all, if you don’t want to.”

“But I feel like I should…”

He nodded, “Then tell him you are angry with him. Tell him he should formally apologize, stake it on his honor as a Sage. Still, I think you should hear him out. You may come to understand why he did what he did, even if it was wrong.”

“And what do you mean by that?” she asked with a curious look.

“Like I said, I can’t say… But he has something important you must hear.”

“Hmm…” Eri had a distant look in her eyes. “I’ll listen to what he has to say first. Then, I will determine what I will do,” she said after a few moments.

With a weak smile, Felix leaned in and whispered into her ear. “I will be there with you. No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”

She pulled away slightly and stared into his eyes. A moment later, she pulled him into a hug and brought her lips to his.

They kissed.

Felix didn’t want it to end, but soon they both needed to breathe… Separating, Eri’s smile returned, though not as brightly as he would’ve liked.

“Shall we go wait and greet Aluin and the others?” she asked.

“Probably–”

“W-what do you mean, Felix didn’t get any gifts?!” Kyrith’s sudden shout cut him off.

Looking back, he saw that the ember-colored dragon was speaking to Zira. He looked depressed by her news…

Oh Gods, what did you say?! he asked Zira desperately.

He wouldn’t stop pestering me… Besides, I told you, I was going to get back at you for that joke you made back at the Healer’s place. Have fun…

Great, just great… But wait! Didn’t you already get back at me, you know with Haldria?

Her? No… That was just some good natured fun, and you know it.

Felix let out a groan. “We might need to console your partner first,” he muttered to Eri.

“Yeah… I think we should.”

Lorem watched as Eri and Felix walked away. Watching the two of them reminded him of his relationship with Noria. But where those two were openly showing their affections, even if unintentionally, theirs was sort of on hold.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous towards the human, not that he wanted to. But Noria wanted to wait until after the dragons hatched before truly pursuing one another. He respected that, Hells, he agreed. But his love for her hadn’t stopped…

A new plan then? Lorem thought to himself. While he wanted to resume things, he felt he needed something. A simple talk would most likely suffice, but he had a desire to do more. He wanted something to give her.

He wanted to make her a gift.

While the rest made for the manor, he slipped away. His destination? The forest, the never ending forest…

An idea, the perfect gift, was already taking shape in his mind. I need some sky tree wood. That wasn’t going to be easy, even with how plentiful the trees were. They were massive, and he needed fresh wood, an old fallen tree would not do…

As he exited the clearing, a familiar, if distant, face appeared next to him.

“Hmm, where are you going?” Ithea asked, somehow sounding both interested and completely bored at the same time.

“I need some fresh sky tree wood, " he answered, unphased by her sudden appearance.

“I see…” She sniffed the air, “Curious… Do you need help?“

Lorem stopped and considered her question. The fact that she showed up at all was telling in and of itself. She doesn’t want to deal with the newcomers.

“Sure, if you want…”

Several minutes passed as Lorem and Ithea trudged through the woods, looking for the perfect log. There was no way Lorem could chop down one of the sky trees, and while Ithea might be able to there was no reason for it for one simple reason.

Lorem’s mana was guiding him, sending him in a certain direction. Meanwhile, Ithea watched with interest as he seemingly ignored the rest of the world around them.

“A curious ability, does it always guide you?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.

“Hmm? Oh, my mana?” he absently questioned.

“Yes, I can tell it’s leading you but…how?”

Shrugging, Lorem spoke, “It’s always been like that, though, it depends…”

“On what?”

“On how committed I am. Take my wood carvings– I know you’ve seen them, but I’ve dedicated myself to making them. My mana helps me, guides me on where to cut, to shave, and to leave alone.”

“How committed are you to finding the right piece of wood then?”

“Very. I need it, I absolutely must have it.”

Ithea paused for a moment before continuing with another question. “What is it for?”

Lorem didn’t immediately answer as he suddenly came to a stop. Before him was a freshly fallen tree. Even laying on its side, it towered over him.

He turned around to face her.

“Wedding rings.”

Felix, Eri, and the other elves were all gathered in front of the manor. Lorem’s disappearance was noted, but there was no time to worry about him. The group of elves from Bernel Village were in sight.

Felix felt Eri’s hand tightening around his, as they both spotted Aluin. The Sage gave them a warm smile, though Felix believed it was meant solely for Eri.

Still, he smiled back while subtly massaging her hand.

A few moments later, Aluin came to a stop before them and gave a proper bow.

Eri, still holding Felix’s hand, returned the bow. She looked stiff.

“Eri, it is good to see you again. I apologize for returning unannounced,” Aluin said.

She had a conflicted look, but answered with a forced smile. “I understand, Master Aluin. Felix explained that you wanted to speak with me.”

For a brief moment, the Sage flicked his eyes over to Felix. “Then we should go somewhere private. Time is of the essence and we have much to discuss.”

“We shall go to the hatchery then,” she answered.

Eri didn’t bother waiting for a response and immediately turned for the manor, practically dragging Felix in the process…

Meanwhile, the rest of the group came into the clearing and looked around awkwardly. Almost none of them had ever seen the manor before…

As he passed by, he whispered over to Noria, Solanna, and Yedril. “Help them get settled in the back…”

With that, he and Eri disappeared into the manor with Aluin following closely behind.

Make sure no one is in the hatchery, Felix quickly sent over to Zira. We’re going to hold the discussion there.

It’s clear, I’ve already checked. Kyrith is out playing with the hatchlings.

Good, we’ll be there soon… Felix ended the conversation and sent a silent prayer up to the heavens.

Please, let this all go well…