World Seedling {Book One}

Nova watched her parents walk away, their figures slowly disappearing into the misty twilight. Lyra’s silver hair shimmered faintly in the fading light, and Eldric’s broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of both pride and worry. Nova could feel the lingering warmth of their embrace, a comforting memory she clung to as the cool evening air settled around her.

For a moment, she stood there, her heart heavy and her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. Doubt crept in, whispering in the back of her mind. Could she really succeed? The enormity of the task before her threatened to overwhelm her resolve. But then she turned back toward the World Tree, Aetheril, its towering form reaching skyward, though its once-vibrant leaves had dulled to a sickly shade of gray-green. The tree's ancient bark, now cracked and dry, seemed to whisper of its suffering, a soft, mournful rustle that tugged at her soul.

The great branches spread out above her like skeletal fingers clawing at the darkening sky, their tips wilting, as if pleading for salvation. A few withered leaves drifted to the ground, crumbling to dust the moment they touched the earth. The air was thick with the scent of decay, mingled with a faint, lingering sweetness that hinted at the tree’s former glory.

Nova’s chest tightened, her breath catching in her throat. She could almost hear the faint, rhythmic pulse of the tree's life force struggling against the inevitable, the very heart of their world gasping for breath. If it perished, so too would the essence of everything she had ever known and loved.

Her gaze moved upward, tracing the gnarled trunk to the highest branches where the last few glimmers of golden light clung desperately to the dying leaves. A single tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, straightening her shoulders. She couldn’t afford to falter now; too much depended on her.

She felt the countdown clock ticking in her mind, each second a reminder of the urgency of her quest. Nova closed her eyes for a brief moment, drawing in a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs, and exhaled slowly, allowing herself to feel the determination well up inside her once more.

“I won’t let you fade away,” she whispered to the tree, her voice soft but firm. “I promise I will bring back the light.”

With a final glance at the fading tree, Nova turned on her heel, her boots crunching against the gravel path as she headed toward the bustling market district. The sun had fully dipped below the horizon now, and the night market was already alive with noise and activity.

Lanterns strung between stalls cast a warm, golden glow that flickered and danced like fireflies, their light illuminating the faces of merchants and shoppers alike. The air was filled with the scents of spiced meats grilling on open fires, sweet pastries dusted with powdered sugar, and the faint tang of fresh herbs and flowers. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional strum of a lute melded together into a symphony of the evening.

As she moved through the crowd, Nova could feel the cool night air brushing against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from the market stalls. The clinking of coins and the rustle of fabrics filled her ears, a constant reminder of the life and energy around her, even as the weight of her mission pressed heavily on her mind.

Merchants called out in loud, eager voices, each trying to outdo the other to attract attention. "Fresh fruits, just picked this morning!" shouted one, his hands gesturing towards baskets overflowing with plump, ripe berries and gleaming apples. "Rare crystals from the Caverns of Uldar! Perfect for enchantments!" another vendor yelled, holding up a glittering stone that caught the light, refracting it in a rainbow of colors.

Nova weaved her way through the crowd, dodging children chasing each other with wooden swords and old women haggling fiercely over bolts of fabric. She moved with purpose, her cloak flowing behind her like a shadow, the hood slightly drawn to shield her face from prying eyes. She could feel the weight of her mission pressing against her mind, a constant reminder that she had no time to waste.

Yet, amidst the chaos, she found herself momentarily distracted by a small stall at the market's edge. An elderly man sat there, his hands deftly crafting something from twine and wood. His eyes, though clouded with age, were sharp and focused, and a faint smile touched his lips as he worked. On his table lay a series of small, delicate charms — miniature replicas of trees, woven with care and precision. Nova paused, her gaze lingering on the tiny carvings, each one a perfect likeness of the Aetheril tree in its prime.

"Can I help you, miss?" the old man asked, his voice raspy yet kind, sensing her curiosity.

Nova smiled faintly, her fingers brushing over one of the charms. "Just admiring your work," she replied softly. “These… they’re beautiful.”

The old man chuckled. “Aye, they are. Made with love, they are — love for the old ways, for the life that flows in all things. You look like someone who understands that.”

Nova nodded, a sense of calm washing over her. "I do," she murmured, before placing a small coin on his table. "I’ll take one. For luck."

As the man handed her the charm, his gaze seemed to hold a hint of something deeper, almost as if he knew more than he let on. "May it guide you on your path," he said with a wink, the words carrying a weight that lingered in Nova’s mind as she slipped the charm into her pouch. There was a subtle energy in the air, a feeling that this small token might hold more significance than it appeared.

Nova quickened her pace, moving past the lively market toward the path that would lead her to the departure point. But before she went, she made her way toward a few shops, knowing she needed to prepare for the journey ahead.

Her first stop was at a general store, where she purchased an inventory bag—a sturdy satchel enchanted to hold more than its appearance suggested. She filled it with provisions: dried fruits, nuts, salted meats, and enough water to last several days. Satisfied with the essentials, she exited the store and continued to the next shop.

Inside, rows of dusty shelves were stacked with scrolls, books, and peculiar trinkets. Nova’s eyes scanned the titles of the skill books and scrolls, grabbing anything that seemed useful—maps of forgotten lands, incantations for protection, scrolls on herbal remedies, and a guide on wilderness survival. She didn’t know what kind of environment she might find herself in, so she chose everything and anything that might prove beneficial. The shopkeeper, an old woman with keen eyes, nodded approvingly as Nova piled her purchases onto the counter.

Finally, she entered a seed shop tucked away in a quieter corner of the market. The familiar scent of soil and fresh greenery filled her senses, reminding her of home. She browsed through the neatly organized rows of packets, choosing carefully: elf food seeds that could thrive in even the harshest conditions, medicinal herbs for healing, flowers to lift her spirits, mosses that could be used for bedding or bandages, and even vines that could serve as makeshift ropes. She wanted to be prepared for every possibility.

As Nova left the shop, she adjusted the straps of her inventory bags, her steps carrying her toward the ancient archway that marked the portal station. The city around her buzzed with life, but she felt a strange disconnect as if she were moving through a dream. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts—of her parents, the dying World Tree, the quest ahead, and the unknown land she was about to enter.

Nova paused, her heart skipping a beat as the plaza filled with murmurs and worried glances. The shimmering portals, usually stable and constant, flickered and wavered, their colors dimming to a dull gray for a brief, unsettling moment before flaring back to life. The air around her seemed to vibrate with an uneasy energy, a low hum echoing through the space.

She watched as the dwarf, who had just stepped into the blue-green portal, hesitated on the threshold, casting a wary glance back at the portal keeper—a stern-looking mage with a staff carved from crystal. The mage was already moving, his hands raised in a calming gesture as he muttered an incantation under his breath, stabilizing the magic in the air. The crowd around the plaza murmured in unease, with many slowing their steps or turning to observe.

Nova’s eyes darted around, trying to gauge the situation. She saw the dragonkin warriors tense, their scales shifting in a subtle display of caution, and the dark elves quietly whispering amongst themselves. A group of lizardmen clustered closer together, their faces marked with concern as their tails flicked.

“Portal disruptions?” she whispered to herself, her mind racing. This wasn't a common occurrence. Her gaze settled on the mage, his face creased with concentration. She had heard rumors of strange disturbances affecting the magic flows recently, but she hadn't thought it would reach the portals. If something was wrong with the portals, it could mean delays… or worse.

As Nova considered her options, the air crackled again, and this time, the central portal—a massive archway of swirling, silvery light—flared violently, sending out a wave of energy that rippled through the plaza. A few people stumbled back, shielding their eyes from the sudden brightness.

The mage's voice cut through the commotion, his tone sharp and commanding. "Stay calm, everyone! The portals are experiencing a temporary fluctuation. Please stand back while we assess the situation!"

Nova’s instincts kicked in; she knew she needed to be ready for anything. She edged closer to the central archway, careful to avoid drawing too much attention, listening intently to the mage’s instructions and watching for any signs of further instability.

If the portals were to close or malfunction, she might not get another chance to start her quest.

Suddenly, she felt a light tug on her cloak. She turned to see a small figure—an young girl smiling up at her, she look to be around 12 years old with dark chestnut curls and fair skin.

She was wearing what looked to be a summer dress of whites and yellows, if she had to think she look like someone just about to go to the beach for some sun.

“You’re heading for Earth, aren’t you?” the girl asked, her voice surprisingly firm despite her young frame. “there’s been talk of a disruption… or something or someone has been interfering with the magic threads around these parts.” She smiled before looking towards the centre portal.

Nova’s eyes widened. “How do you know this, and who are you?”

The girl glanced around cautiously, then leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper. "My name's Mia," she said, her eyes flicking toward the nearest portal as if expecting something—or someone—to emerge from it. "And I know because... I can sense it. The magic around here has been strange lately, shifting like it's unsettled, like something’s pulling at it from the inside." Mia said, pulling a sweet berry pastry out of thin air.

Nova studied Mia, a mixture of curiosity and caution on her face. "You can sense magic threads? At your age?" she asked, trying to understand who this girl might be.

Mia nodded, her expression serious. "I pick up on things. Like… vibrations. I guess you could say, but sometimes I just know when something's wrong." She paused, then added in a softer voice, "And I like to listen. People say a lot when they think no one's paying attention, especially when all they see is a little girl."

Nova thought of her own childhood, listening to her parents discuss the dying World Tree and the fear that its death would bring catastrophic consequences. She understood all too well the burden of knowledge.

Nova felt a flicker of unease. If Mia was right, there could be hidden dangers ahead. "What kind of disruption are you talking about? Is it something dangerous?"

Mia bit her lip, her fingers playing with the edge of her berry-filled pastry as she glanced around again. "I think so. I overheard someone mention ‘dark weavers’—creatures that feed on the threads of magic themselves. If they’ve found a way into the portal network, they could be causing all sorts of chaos. They thrive in places where magic is in flux, like here, or your world." She looked up at Nova, her eyes wide with concern as she handed her a pastry.

Nova's expression turned grave as she took the pastry. "Dark weavers," she murmured. She’d read about them in old texts—elusive beings drawn to unstable magic. If they were involved, her journey would be far more dangerous than she had anticipated. "Thank you for telling me, Mia. I’ll be extra careful, and thank you for the pastry."

Mia smiled, a bit shyly this time. "I thought you should know. You seem like someone important… someone who’s meant to do something big in time." She hesitated, then added, "The weaving of magic around you paints an interesting picture."

Nova blinked, taken aback by the girl’s insight. It was as if Mia could see something in the magical currents that no one else could. "I'll do my best," she promised. "And if you ever sense something more, find me. I could use a friend who knows how to listen."

Mia beamed, clearly pleased. "I will. Good luck, Nova."

As the girl turned to walk away, she paused mid-step and glanced back at Nova, her expression thoughtful. "Say hello to Noah for me, and let him know his friend Dorian is okay," she said before slipping behind a passerby, disappearing from sight as if she had never been there.

Nova stared at the spot where Mia had vanished, her mind racing. Who is Dorian? she wondered. And how does this girl know about Noah? The encounter left her with more questions than answers. She felt a strange mix of urgency and confusion, her thoughts swirling as she whispered to herself, “Just who are you, Mia?”

Turning back towards the portal in the center of the room, Nova noticed Alice standing with her parents nearby, their gazes scanning the crowd of people passing by. The air was filled with the hum of conversation and the soft shimmer of magical energy from the various portals.

Alice’s mother, a tall elf with elegant features and hair the same shade of dark honey-brown as her daughter’s, looked worried. Her father, with a stern expression and eyes that missed nothing, stood protectively by her side. The three of them seemed out of place amidst the bustling activity, their presence a beacon of calm in the chaos.

As Nova approached, Alice spotted her first. A smile spread across her face, her eyes lighting up with relief. She pointed towards Nova, drawing her parents' attention. They both turned, their expressions softening as they saw her.

“There she is,” Alice said, her voice carrying over the noise as she waved Nova over.

Nova quickened her pace, weaving through the crowd until she reached them. As she got closer, she could see the mixture of concern and pride in Alice’s parents’ eyes, as if they knew the weight of the task Nova was about to undertake.

Alice stepped forward, her smile brightening. "We were starting to worry you might’ve gotten lost in the crowd."

Nova smiled. "No, just had an interesting encounter... one that’s going to leave me with many questions for our dear Noah." She sighed and then turned to her parents, pulling them both into a warm hug.

"We’re going to miss you, dear," her mother sobbed, clutching her daughter tightly. Her father kissed her forehead, smiling at Nova with a mixture of pride and sadness.

“I am very proud of you, Nova,” he said softly. “You’ve grown into a fine young elf. But, if you ever feel the urge to grant us grandchildren…” He smirked playfully, which earned him a playful punch on the shoulder from Nova.

“Oh yes, dear, do let us know if you decide to pair—” Her mother started, only to stop mid-sentence when she saw the deadly glare in Nova's eyes. They both burst into laughter, unable to contain their amusement.

"But in all seriousness," her father continued, his tone becoming sober, "be careful. We don’t have a portal to wherever you’re going, so take this." He handed her a small crystal-like orb, its surface shimmering faintly.

“What is it?” Nova asked, inspecting the ordinary-looking sphere.

“It’s a one-time use teleportation stone,” he explained. “You can use it to escape a dragon's lair, or to come back home if things go sideways. It stays open for up to five minutes, so if you need help, I’ll be able to come through and assist you.” His expression grew serious. “Remember, the path ahead is full of uncertainties. Trust your instincts when nothing else can guide you.”

He smiled as her mother handed over a small pouch. "This is from us—some backup items I thought you might need but may have forgotten to grab," she added with a smirk, kissing Nova’s forehead before stepping back.

Alice, her best friend, wrapped her arms around Nova, hugging her tightly while trying to hold back tears. As she stepped back, she handed Nova a small, glowing stone. “Here, I want you to have this,” she said. “It’s a communication stone. If you ever need help or guidance, just speak into it, and I’ll hear you. There are two runes on it: one linked to me and the other to your parents.”

Nova felt a surge of warmth spread from the stone, its cool surface comforting against her palm. “Thank you, Alice. I… I don’t know what to say.”

Alice grinned. “You don’t have to say anything. Just promise you’ll use it if you need to. And don’t worry—it’s enchanted with discretion. No one else will know you’re calling.”

Nova nodded gratefully, tucking the stone into her pouch. “I promise.”

The timer above her head reached zero, and in the open space beside them, a small portal flickered to life, causing everyone but their group to step back in surprise or shock.

“That’s your portal,” her father said, placing a hand on her shoulder, his face softening into a small smile, even as a tear made its way down his cheek.

“Father, you’re crying,” Nova teased gently, a smile tugging at her lips.

“I’m just seeing my precious daughter off,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. Nova rushed forward, hugging him tightly one last time, and he whispered, "I’m going to miss you, my little leaf." Hearing him use that nickname broke the dam of emotions she’d been holding back. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she wept her goodbyes.

Stepping back, she faced the portal, seeing a blurred image on the other side—a man’s back, with a burnt scar running down his right arm.

“Farewell, Mother, Father… and farewell, Alice,” she managed to say, wiping her tears as she turned and stepped through the portal.

-Alice POV-

Alice POV

Alice watched as her friend Nova disappeared into the swirling depths of the portal. The shimmering light swallowed Nova whole, and the portal collapsed in on itself with a soft hum, leaving only empty space behind. A chill ran down Alice’s spine as the reality of Nova’s departure set in.

She could hear Nova's mother weeping softly, her cries muffled against her husband's chest as he comforted her, rubbing small circles on her back, whispering words that even Alice couldn’t make out. The rawness of the moment made Alice feel strangely numb, like the world around her had dimmed, leaving only the sounds of grief and the fading echoes of the portal’s energy.

Alice stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, as if waiting for Nova to reappear, for the portal to flicker back to life. She had known this moment would come, but now that it was here, she felt a gnawing emptiness, a hollowness in her chest that seemed to spread with every passing second.

Nova was gone, off to a place where even Alice couldn't follow, where magic was uncertain, and danger could lurk behind every corner. She clenched her fists, feeling the cool surface of the communication stone she had given Nova just moments ago. "Stay safe, Nova," she whispered to the empty air, fighting back her own tears, "You better come back to us… no matter what."

The weight of the silence pressed against her, a heaviness that settled in her bones. She turned to Nova's parents, who were still lost in their grief. Alice wanted to say something, to offer some words of comfort or reassurance, but found herself unable to speak. Instead, she reached out, placing a gentle hand on Nova's mother's shoulder, feeling the tremble beneath her fingers.

Alice’s eyes caught a flicker of movement in the shadows—a pair of guards, discreetly positioned, their postures tense as they watched from a distance. She gave them a slight nod, a silent signal to retreat, and they vanished back into the hidden alcoves of the portal hall.

She knew they were only there out of duty, assigned to protect her at all times, even when she wished to be alone with her thoughts. It was a constant reminder of who she was supposed to be—the soon-to-be queen of their land, carrying the weight of a kingdom’s expectations on her shoulders.

Only Nova knew the truth behind her royal title. The secret hopes and dreams she harbored, the doubts that gnawed at her when the crown felt too heavy to bear. When Alice had confided in Nova, expecting the usual reverence or fear, she had been met with none of it. Instead, Nova had laughed and shrugged, treating her no differently than before.

That’s what Alice loved most about her friend—Nova never saw her as a future queen, never got caught up in the layers of courtly etiquette or formalities. To Nova, she wasn’t a royal figure; she was just Alice—a young woman who needed a friend, someone to lean on, someone to share her dreams and worries with, not another subject bound by duty or tradition.

Alice sighed, glancing at the empty space where the portal had stood. She felt the familiar ache of loneliness that came with her position, the isolation that seemed to widen as the day of her coronation drew closer. But Nova's unwavering friendship had always been her anchor, reminding her that she was more than her title, more than her duties.

As Alice turned to leave, she whispered softly to the void, "Come back soon, Nova. I’ll be waiting... like always." And with that, she straightened herself, slipping back into the poise expected of a future queen, but with a resolve burning brighter in her heart.