Althara—a world kissed by the soft light of three radiant moons and graced by skies that turned from deep indigo to shimmering lilac every morning. Life on Althara was unlike anything seen on Earth. Here, the Altharans were eternally youthful. They did not age; their bodies remained as they were, untouched by the passing of time, yet death remains a reality that shadows even eternal youth.
Among the many who called Althara home was a girl named Elara.She was no taller than a blossom sprouting in spring, with dark brown eyes that sparkled with curiosity and short hair that framed her round, sweet face. Her eyes held an unusual light, as though every sight she beheld, every sound she heard, and every thought she entertained was something extraordinary, something worth holding on to.
Elara grew up in the city of Talanthir, a place of high archways and winding streets, where art and beauty were stitched into every structure. The buildings themselves seemed to breathe, alive with colors and patterns that danced under the three moons. To the Altharans, creativity was as essential as air, and Elara embodied that spirit of life.
From a young age, Elara had a boundless love for learning. In Althara, there are no schools for children under 10; instead, parents take on the role of teachers. Though her family is wealthy enough to hire tutors, Elara learns everything from her loving parents, absorbing knowledge in a warm, nurturing environment. She would spend hours flipping through holographic books in the Great Library of Talanthir, where knowledge of their world and beyond glowed in shimmering colors. She devoured everything she could, from histories of the ancient Altharan dynasties to tales of explorers whch beyond the stars.
Yet Elara's curiosity was not limited to just books. She was a whirlwind of energy, her enthusiasm spilling over into every corner of her life. She was as quick to pick up a sport as she was a brush to paint. Elara loved to race across the fields of Lyntia, her laughter echoing under the open sky, the thrill of movement filling her spirit. No game, no race, no challenge could wear her out.
Her passion for the arts was just as boundless. Altharans celebrated life with sculptures, paintings, and melodies that floated through the air like whispers. Elara could spend hours lost in the colors and shapes that came alive under her fingertips. She would sit by the crystal-clear lakes, sketching the scenes around her, capturing the play of light over water and the dance of birds that dipped and soared.
And of course, Elara adored food. To her, each meal was like a celebration, a chance to taste the essence of her world. She'd savor everything with relish, from sweet fruit that tasted like sun-drenched honey to delicate pastries that melted on her tongue. Altharan cuisine was a mix of flavors that awakened every sense, and she loved nothing more than to sit with her family and share a meal, their laughter filling the room as they traded stories and bites of food.
Elara's life was bright, her days filled with a constant stream of joys and discoveries. But she was also aware of something else—an undercurrent, a whisper of mystery that filled the edges of her world.
In the heart of Althara, a world where time itself seemed to have fallen still, Elara's journey was only just beginning.