The next morning, dawn had barely broken when Orin and Lira prepared to set out, their hearts heavy with anticipation and unease. They gathered only the essentials from home: clothes, a small amount of dried food, and a few personal belongings. The journey to Helior would be long—nearly 125 miles through the vast and unpredictable forest of Fir. Orin's nerves prickled as he thought about what awaited them both in the capital. Answers, he hoped. And perhaps some semblance of peace.
The village market bustled with activity as they approached. Vendors called out to customers, their voices mingling with the clang of carts and the chatter of early risers. The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread, sharp spices, and smoked meats, adding an almost comforting normalcy to the morning. Yet Orin's mind remained elsewhere—on the unsettling mysteries of the day before, the supposed "sister" at his side, and the question of what lay beyond the borders of Fir.
"We'll need enough provisions for several days," Lira said, tugging him gently toward a stall filled with bags of dried meats and preserved fruits. She spoke with a quiet authority that Orin noticed more and more in her. If she was truly his sister, he thought, she'd taken on the role of caretaker well.
Orin nodded, eyeing a cluster of dark red berries that looked freshly harvested. He reached for a handful, feeling their sticky texture. "These should last us a while. Firethorn berries—they're high in energy and won't spoil quickly."
The vendor, a stocky man with a broad grin, noticed his interest. "Those berries are a good choice—perfect for long journeys. I can see you two are thinking ahead!" His eyes flicked to their packs, and his grin widened knowingly. "Traveling far, are we?"
Lira offered a polite nod, glancing at Orin with a flicker of uncertainty. "Yes, we're heading to Helior. The road will be long, and we'll need to be prepared."
The vendor raised an eyebrow, his expression turning serious. "Helior? That's no small trek. And Fir isn't kind to travelers who go unprepared." He ducked below his stall, pulling out a small, tightly woven pouch. "Here, take this—wildwood ash. Sprinkle it around your camp at night. It keeps certain… creatures at bay."
Orin accepted the pouch with a grateful nod, tucking it carefully into his pack. They continued through the market, gathering more essentials: dried fish, flatbread, and a small flask of honey that gleamed golden in the morning sun. Just as they'd collected the last of their supplies, Lira's eyes widened in surprise as she spotted someone across the market.
A woman stood at a fabric stall, her tall, graceful figure immediately recognizable. She wore a deep green cloak, its hood pushed back to reveal a face softened by age but marked with wisdom. Her chestnut hair, streaked with silver, was woven into an elegant braid.
"Mara?" Lira called out, her voice filled with pleasant surprise.
The woman turned, her expression brightening as she saw them. "Well, if it isn't little Lira! And Orin, all grown up." She stepped forward and enveloped them both in a warm embrace.
Orin felt a rush of familiarity, a sense of comfort at Mara's presence. He could remember her, though his memories of her were distant, faint impressions from his childhood. She had been a friend of his mother's, a rare visitor who'd always brought warmth and wisdom to their home.
"It's been too long," Mara said, pulling back to study them. "What brings you here so early, with packs that look ready for an expedition?"
"We're on our way to Helior," Orin explained, though he hesitated, unsure how much to share. "There's someone there who might help me understand some… things about my abilities." His gaze dropped momentarily, feeling the weight of his uncertainty.
Mara's knowing gaze softened with understanding. "Ah, the capital. A long road indeed, but one well worth the journey." Her eyes flicked to their packs again, her brow furrowing slightly. "Are you certain you're prepared for the forest of Fir?"
Lira glanced around the market, a hint of worry in her expression. "We've gathered supplies, but… I'm not sure if we have everything we'll need."
Mara's smile returned, warm and reassuring. "As it happens, I'm headed to Helior myself." She gestured toward a small carriage at the edge of the square, its polished wooden frame catching the sunlight. "I try to visit my sister in the capital whenever I can. You're welcome to join me—it'll be safer, and the journey is always more enjoyable with company."
Orin and Lira exchanged a glance, their expressions reflecting the same mixture of surprise and relief.
"We'd be honored, Mara," Lira said gratefully. "Thank you."
They helped Mara load their packs into the carriage. It was modest but well-kept, lined with soft cushions and blankets, with a few small parcels and gifts Mara had prepared for her sister. Orin settled himself near the window, watching the village fade behind them as they set off. As familiar sights gave way to the untamed wilderness of Fir, an odd sense of anticipation stirred within him.
The atmosphere shifted as they entered the forest, the air growing cooler and the sunlight filtering through in narrow beams. Fir was a place of shadows and secrets, a forest that locals spoke of with equal parts reverence and caution. Mara guided the carriage carefully along the narrow, winding path, her expression thoughtful as she scanned the trees around them.
"The forest of Fir has always had a presence about it," Mara said softly, as if speaking to herself. "It's as old as time itself, or so the stories say. Spirits are said to guard these woods, spirits that don't take kindly to strangers."
Orin leaned forward, his curiosity piqued despite the growing unease that tingled down his spine. "You've traveled through Fir often?"
"Oh yes," Mara replied, her gaze never wavering from the road. "In my youth, I spent many years exploring these woods. Your mother and I even took a few journeys here together." She smiled, her expression distant as if recalling an old memory. "There were times when Fir was kinder. But the forest has changed. There's something heavier here now… something watching."
Orin felt a shiver, and he glanced at Lira, who looked equally unsettled. The trees around them grew denser, their trunks thick and twisted. Strange plants lined the roadside—clusters of pale mushrooms with a faint blue glow, flowers with dark red petals that seemed almost too vivid, as if they absorbed the shadows around them.
They rode in silence for a while, the forest closing in, casting long shadows that shifted and moved with every turn of the path. Orin found himself glancing back frequently, half-expecting to see something lurking in the gloom. The occasional rustle or snap of a branch only added to the tension, and even Mara's confident demeanor seemed tinged with caution.
Just as Orin was beginning to wonder if the forest would ever relent, a sudden movement in the shadows caught his attention. He turned sharply, eyes narrowing as he strained to see through the trees. A low, rumbling growl echoed through the forest, followed by a sharp, metallic scent drifting toward them.
Orin's heart skipped a beat, his hand moving instinctively to the dagger at his side. "Mara..." he whispered, his voice tight with fear.
She nodded, her grip on the reins tightening as she slowed the carriage. "I heard it. Stay quiet."
The growl grew louder, closer, and as they rounded a bend, the source of the sound came into view. A massive creature loomed in the shadows, its body a terrifying blend of fur and rock. It was an Earthbound Stoneclaw, an Elemental Beast of the forest, its body covered in stone-like armor, jagged claws scraping the ground as it moved.
The creature's yellow eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, locked onto the carriage.
"Stay inside," Mara hissed, slowing the carriage. "Don't move."
Orin felt a faint but familiar hum within him—the stirring of aether. Yet he held back, unsure if he could control it. Just as the Stoneclaw began to advance, a streak of silver light shot through the trees, striking its shoulder and forcing it back.
"Get down!" a voice called from the shadows.
Orin obeyed, pulling Lira down as another bolt of light flashed through the air. He turned, searching for the source, and saw a young woman emerge from the shadows. She held a slender silver staff that glowed faintly with aetheric energy, her silver-blonde hair glinting in the dim light, lavender eyes sharp and steady.
With practiced precision, she raised her staff, tracing a pattern in the air that left trails of light. The Stoneclaw snarled, staggered, then retreated, vanishing into the forest's depths.
The woman lowered her staff, approaching them with a faint smile. "Are you all right?"
Mara nodded, relief flickering in her eyes. "Thank you… Seraphine. Your timing couldn't have been better."
Seraphine inclined her head, her gaze lingering on Orin. "I sensed a disturbance in Fir. The forest is restless."
Orin, still shaken, stared at Seraphine in awe. "Who… what are you?"
But before she could respond, another roar echoed through the trees. The Stoneclaw had returned, its eyes blazing. Seraphine's grip on her staff tightened. "Stay back. This isn't over."