Tylin and Ezeak had finally reached the waterfall, and now that Tylin was standing before it, he'd sensed there was something more than a waterfall. A misty layer shrouded the bottom, spreading and intertwining with the river.
Something was calling for him; a ghostly whisper unforeseen coming from the waterfall, beyond the barrier of water and stone.
Ezeak was watching him all the while. "You're the only one who can go through," he said, suddenly. "I cannot enter. It is forbidden. When you've finished, meet me at Balkes Shore."
Tylin scrunched his brows. "What do you mean?"
Ezeak pointed towards the waterfall, but his eyes saw something beyond the waterfall and the stone wall. "Walk through it," he encouraged. "I promise you won't be bumping into stone."
"What of you?" Tylin asked. He didn't want Ezeak to leave. He hadn't talked to anyone in such a long time.
Ezeak delayed his answer. "Drinking."
Tylin rose his eyebrows. He hadn't expected such a blunt response from him.
Registering his surprise, Ezeak said, "Did you expect me to be battling demons and warlocks? I'm off work. I've been off work for a century until I heard of an elf locked in Vilashen's dungeon. I wasn't sure if it'd be you when I arrived, almost dreaded the thought of bringing back a different elf. You were my best chance to getting what I've desired for a long time." Ezeak paused and smiled thoughtfully before the moment was gone. "It was a risk coming to you in such grave and dangerous times. I almost expected you to be half dead, but I'd forgotten you're an elf. It's oddly convenient and highly irritating that your kind is immortal, to an extent, but I suppose that makes me a lucky man. Were it not for you and your stubborn ass, I'd never get this far."
It took Tylin several minutes to comprehend Ezeak's words. He still wasn't used to socializing. Though he had his chance with Blems countless times, the rat never returned the favor. "I know you hate being bombarded with questions, and I do have many, but I'll narrow it down to one...something I've been meaning to ask you for a while. Why did you save me?"
Ezeak gave him a weak, uncertain smile. "It's not my place to say. You'll find all the answers you need in there," he stated with a nod towards the waterfall. There was a hint of a smile on his face, as he looked out into the distance. "Send Seljiah my regards, will you? Her and I haven't spoken since the second winter, so put in a good word for me, yeah?"
Tylin didn't know who this Seljiah was, nor if he'd meet her, but he'd try his best.
Tylin nodded. "Farewell, friend."
For the first time, Ezeak's face lifted, and his eyes lit up from the hollow grave they'd been impressed in. With a genuine smile, Ezeak bid him farewell and treaded across the tapered path once more.
Taking in a deep breath, Tylin made his way towards the waterfall.
As he entered, a scenery, not of rocks and stone, engulfed his vision. A dozen or more treehouses rested above him, swarmed by the tallest trees he'd ever laid eyes upon. Redwood, he thought. It would've been dark as a cave were it not for the glowing lanterns and the dazzling, glimmering creatures flying pass every nook and cranny. It was a whole new world, completely averse to the other side of the waterfall...to the dark, cold world he'd grown familiar with.
It took Tylin five blinks until he could finally process what was happening. There were people laughing, children playing, and warriors dueling with one another. Walking across a wooden, unsteady bridge were three, with grace and balance and beauty. Golden hair graced their features along with bright green eyes.
Tylin knew he'd found them; the elves. There were so many, too many. This is where they had been hiding. He discovered his brothers and sisters at last. Tears almost welled at his eyes until a woman began approaching him with sharp, hasty steps, a hand on her bow. Her actions suggested a rather enraged demeanor, glaring daggers and all. "I don't know you," she called out to him. "Who are you?" Her bow was raised, an arrow aimed between Tylin's eyes. All the other elves seemed to have taken notice of the commotion and stopped what they'd been doing.
The woman's arrow was less than a centimeter away from his forehead. She was intent on defending her people and would not hesitate were he to threaten.
With a gulp, Tylin replied. "I was brought here. I'm sorry to intrude-" The tip of the arrow was now touching his porcelain skin.
"Did the king send you?" the woman demanded.
"The king? I thought he'd been dead."
"The king is very much alive. You should know since you came from the outside world. Who are you, and why are you here? I won't ask again."
"Tylin," he replied. "A mage named Ezeak brought me here. Do you know of him?"
The woman searched his eyes for truth, and it'd seem she found it. With a sigh, she lowered her weapon. "That mage is always trouble. He never tells me anything. Why would he bring you here?"
"I don't know but..." Tylin slowly brought up his hands up and moved away his golden hair, showing his two-pointed ears akin to her own. "I'm an elf like the rest of you."
"Where have you been hiding all this time?" she asked.
"I wasn't hiding."
"Then, where have you been?"
"Vilashen," he replied. "Been in its dungeon for twenty years."
The woman frowned. "All these years? That explains everything. I pity you. You needn't worry. This place is farthest from that icescape. I'm Seljiah. Vilashen's king has been dead for a long while. A new ruler from Rhaker took his place. He's ruler of all five realms now. As soon as we got word, we left the mountains and have been hiding here ever since."
"Tylin!" a light, joyous voice shouted abruptly. Tylin glanced behind Seljiah to find a tall, older woman racing towards them. Her arms were wide, ready to embrace, until Tylin stopped her with the gentle push of his hand. "Do I know you?" As if he hadn't been bombarded with enough surprises for the day, he tried to remain intact.
The smile she'd been wearing disappeared, as realization and grief dawned on her. "I'm your mother."
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(A/N: This is the end of the current released product. If you guys enjoyed this story, I would love any feedback! The more feedback you give me, the more I'll write & continue this paused story! If this was not to your liking, don't worry, I have another project coming along soon! Thanks everyone❤️).