Inside of what seemed to be a massive chamber surrounded by glowing crystals acting like a power source, metallic columns, floating contraptions with attached lines and circular ceiling which gives the space a theatrical vibe. A beautiful lady with flowing, vermillion-shaded hair tended to a sphere at the center emitting sparks of energy, behaving uncontrollably. The little girl called out in Aldelorian tongue, expressing her distress.
Little girl: …Mother!
She gestured to the little girl, shaking her head and urging her not to come closer as the energy dispersion grew increasingly unstable. She uttered her final words, but midway through, they became inaudible due to the sphere's growing noise.
Lady tending the sphere: Selah, my dear... ""
Then, without warning, a swift and powerful eruption occurred, causing an implosion powerful enough to consume the entire chamber leaving a huge gap. The shockwave hurled the little girl back, knocking her unconscious. As her consciousness begins to fade, she could hear a voice calling out to her, growing fainter with each passing moment…
A beautiful lady with slender physique, amber colored eyes like marbles and cascading vermillion hair jolted awake, screaming a familiar word. Clutching her sheets, she breathed heavily, her face etched with sorrow, haunted by the lingering trauma.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man in his makeshift lab coat, inner gray tunic, brown pants, goggles and along with his shaggy maroon hair appeared, shouting the name 'Selah', slid through the entrance of the lady's door, forcing his way in, in an absurd manner.
As he approached, the beautiful lady threw herself into his arms, and they shared a warm embrace, both sobbing softly.
Selah: Father…
Clause: …Another nightmare?
In those few moments, Selah suddenly realized that her door was broken and her father sitting by her side. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she threw a temper tantrum, landing a vicious punch to his left cheek that sent him sprawling to the ground, twitching with a swollen face.
Early that morning, Selah went to her father's workshop, a space filled with his inventions hanging in every corner and some piled up on his work desk mostly consisted with artifacts from a forgotten age eons ago.
She equipped her battle gear, specially designed for hunting. She wore a white, fitted, lightweight tunic, and trousers tailored with reinforced leather patches at the knees and thighs. Sturdy, ankle-high boots crafted from tough leather with rugged soles protected her feet.
She also wore fingerless gloves made of a durable, flexible material. A utility belt equipped with various pouches held her essentials, adorned with a set white strap. Her primary weapon of choice, a Sinclair sword, was perched at her waist, and finally an oval-shaped necklace that hung from a thin, intricate chain, its pendant glowing faintly with an ethereal light.
A tall man with bulky physique with yellow beastlike pupils and set of fangs, spiky navy-blue shaded hair, looking for Selah from outside the workshop.
Wearing a bandana that covered his forehead, his hunting gear was rugged and functional. A fitted vest adorned with two parallel 'X' designs emblazoned across his chest. Protecting his shoulders were reinforced spaulders, crafted from a tough yet lightweight material.
His legs were guarded by sturdy greaves, reinforced to withstand the toughest impacts. Durable boots made with sturdy materials. Strapped to his back was a long sword, featuring serrated edges along one side.
Clause: Oh hey, Hyuwin.
Hyuwin: Hey, uhm what happened to your face?
Clause: It's nothing. By the way, ya here to pick up my daughter for a date?
Hyuwin: Don't be silly, I'm here to ensure her safety, it's her first hunt.
Clause sneered at him, causing him slight discomfort. He then playfully handed over the package he was carrying to Hyuwin, assuring him.
Clause: Selah worked so hard, she won't fail this time.
Hyuwin received the package without complaint and followed him toward the workshop. He paused for a moment, his eyes catching a glimpse of a strange contraption on the sideline that looked like something he had never seen before.
Hyuwin: What is that?
Clause: You have keen eyes! That's my latest model. I call it the first Metal Steed of Sabin, or perhaps I'll add some rigamarole to it.
Hyuwin: Rigmarole?
Selah stepped outside the workshop fully equipped in her battle gear, adjusting her hair, when she noticed their attention was currently occupied.
Selah: My father has been working with some even stranger things lately. I wonder where he gets all these ridiculous ideas from.
Hyuwin looked at her, enthralled by her new appearance. Clause noticed his gaze and, with a mischievous grin, comically spun closer to Selah, attempting to provoke jealousy over their closeness. However, he was met with a sharp strike to his right cheek, knocking him to the ground.
Clause: Selah my swee-… eek!
Selah: Please lead the way, leader.
Hyuwin snapped back to reality, hurriedly placed the box inside the workshop, and waved Clause good bye, while he is still writhing in pain, forced a hand to wave back.
On the top of the hill where they were supposed to rendezvous, three individuals stood waiting, their silhouettes framed against the sky.
The burly guy had a thick, curly brown beard, a metallic helm adorned with intricate engravings, His outfit consisted of a heavy leather tunic reinforced with chainmail. His broad shoulders were covered by padded shoulder guards, and he wore sturdy trousers tucked into rugged knee-high boots. A utility belt wrapped around his waist held an assortment of tools and weapons, including a hefty battle axe slung across his back, his appearance deeply resembles the Vikings.
The young feisty hunter had striking lime shaded hair that flowed gracefully past her shoulders, pointy ears, wore a fitted, a strapped breast-plate covering leafy tunic interior made from natural fibers, adorned with intricate vine patterns, her trousers were made of a flexible, durable materials seemingly from a certain Tree, she also carried a sleek, curved bow slung across her back, along with a quiver of arrows fletched with feathers resembling a fairy or an elf.
The gloomy path finder stood silently to the side, wore an upper stealthy robe made of a lightweight, dark fabric, robe was adorned with subtle patterns that mimicked the night sky. His dark blue hair fell in tousled strands around his face, piercing eyes that seemed to reflect an unwavering indifference. A hood was pulled low over his forehead, casting a shadow over his expression. At his side, he carried twin bone daggers with intricately designed hilts.
Hyuwin greeted them and introduced Selah to the rest. He moved aside and gestured to make sure they all get along, looking proud to have her on the team.
Hyuwin: Sorry to keep you waiting, this is Selah, I wish you get along with her.
The burly guy let out a cheerful laugh and introduced himself as H'reig. The young lady with pointy ears pouted and crossed her arms, introducing herself as Mirelan.
The gloomy path finder was about to speak but flustered so Mirelan kicked his shins. "Ha-Hax!" he exclaimed, raising his voice in pain while clutching his leg and jumping up and down. Mirelan approached Selah and inspected her by walking around her, gauging her strength.
Mirelan: So, you're that girl huh? I heard so many bad things about you.
Selah's mood suddenly shifted, her expression softening as she bowed her head slightly and closed her eyes in quiet admittance. Hyuwin intervened by picking Mirelan like a kitten and scolded her for being rude, but Mirelan couldn't help but be suspicious, narrowing her eyes.
Hyuwin: Hey, that's enough of you, Selah is not the same person.
Selah: It's totally fine Hyuwin, what she says is true.
Hyuwin: Selah but…
H'reig, ever the lively spirit of the group, noticed the rising tension and stepped in before things could escalate. He signaled that they should get a move on, drawing their attention to the horizon kissed by the morning sunlight. The trees, crystalline rivers, and array of fauna created a dreamlike landscape. Despite having seen it countless times, they stood in awe of how the great Aldis had crafted such unparalleled creations.
On their way, Hyuwin reminded Selah, that the hunt is focused on the migration season of a creature called Tyrathis. This majestic creature resembles a Quetzalcoatlus, with a mix of bird and giraffe-like features, its vibrant shade of red and yellow plumage and towering frame made it both awe-inspiring and fearsome to behold. Boasting a long beak and six pairs of colorful wings. Its striking features included two feathered tails and fierce eyes, highlighted by a dark stripe that crossed from its nose to its neck.
Hyuwin: Tyrathis was often found near deep forest lakes, where it would gather in flocks during its seasonal migration.
Selah shifted her attention towards a pathway on the left, where a sign would read "Death, do not enter" in Aldelorian characters, but instead of feeling apprehensive, she let out a gentle smile, as if the warning held no weight.
After a few hours of traversing the rich Sabin Forest, Hyuwin signaled to his team to dock and wait for the ambush, planning every possible way to capture the creature. He raised his arm, urging Hax to activate the traps he had hidden in the lake beforehand.
Multiple dark chains conjured and ensnared the Tyrathis, wrapping around its long neck, legs, wings, and feet while others made their escape. Hyuwin and the others did not waste this opportunity and ran towards the target.
Hyuwin led the team by giving instructions to surround Tyrathis and maim the creature. As it struggled, a couple of chains had already given out. To prevent its escape, Mirelan launched a paralyzing arrow from a great distance, wrapping it in wind to increase its effectiveness and grant obscurity, thereby weakening the creature. Hax rushed toward the lake near Tyrathis and threw several ball-like traps that transformed into chains, further holding it down. H'reig raised his axe, pointing it at the creature, and in an instant, its wings became heavier.
Just when it seemed like they had won, Tyrathis's eyes filled with spirit, its red hue becoming more vibrant, granting it a partial enhancement in strength. As it wallowed in the lake to loosen the chains, it stretched its wings breaking free from H'reig's spell and surged forth into the sky. In that critical moment, Hyuwin leaped into the air like a phantom, skillfully slicing the creature's wings several times, tearing off its feathers before falling back into the lake.
Selah was astonished to see them effortlessly manifested their abilities firsthand, spacing out. When suddenly, Hyuwin called out to her, snapping her back to reality.
Hyuwin: Selah, now!
As she readied herself, she took a stance with her right foot forward and brandished her sword. Suddenly, the oval-shaped necklace began to glow. Mirelan, catching sight of Selah's transformation, watched as a burst of energy enveloped her, and in an instant, the creature fell onto its back, lifeless. Selah almost stumbled from the momentum, but fortunately, Hyuwin was there to catch her.
Mirelan stood silent, her eyes widened with surprise. She hadn't expected an Avas to achieve such feat, let alone manipulate the energies in the air with so little setback.
Mirelan: How should I put it, is that thing the source of your power?
Selah picked up her necklace and raised it gently. She smiled as she explained that her father had given it to her on her seventeenth birthday a few months ago. She shared that its true abilities were still a mystery to her, but she had been training and, somehow, she was able to manifest its power albeit artificially. Despite this, she humbly acknowledged that what she could do was nothing compared to everyone else.
Hyuwin raised his chin, crossing his arms and looking proud as he gazed at Mirelan, but she looked away, irritated.
Sensing the new tension, H'reig found a way to lighten the mood with his usual contagious laughter, resting his arms on Mirelan's and Hax's shoulders, which caused Mirelan some discomfort.
H'reig: Aha-ha-ha! Look, we did it, that's all that matters!
Mirelan: Hey! Get it off!
Hax: Ugh…
Everyone rejoiced as they quickly dismembered the catch to bring it home before the sun dipped below the horizon. It was a big haul, one that would last for weeks and provide precious materials for crafting or even for making a potent salve capable of curing even the most grievous wounds. These materials would surely fetch a high price among merchants and even sorcerers.
That evening, shrouded in darkness, the path was illuminated only by the faint glow of mystical insects. Selah slipped out of her room and made her way to the Mistral Forest, taking the left path past the sign she'd seen earlier. Despite the lingering danger, she moved forward stealthily, her agile movements allowing her to reach her destination in no time.
A thick fog welcomed her, accompanied by an eerie aura looming within it. Without hesitation, she traversed the mysterious mist. Her skin felt as though it was swelling, and visibility faded to nothing. Her senses dulled, worsening with each step deeper into the fog. On her way, she passed the bones of an identified origin animal, or perhaps even a human. The oppressive feeling grew heavier, making an average person's skin crawl, prompting them to run away silly.
Relying solely on her instincts, she made it through her way to the deepest part of the mist. In the distance, a light called out to her revealing a towering being resembling a woman of great beauty. Her long hair flowed like liquid silver, with slender arms and skin that shimmered, she wore flowing clothing, and a shining tiara perched atop her head, symbolizing her authority.
Sitting gracefully behind a giant tree, the landscape around her was truly magical and brimming with life. Floating, glowing objects like faeries danced in the air, while rare plants, trees, and wildlife flourished unseen in the outside world. This enchanting scene stood in stark contrast to the desolation beyond the mist.
As Selah took another step, the beautiful being opened her eyes, her long eyelashes revealing blue eyes that sparkled like stars at dawn. She directed her attention toward Selah, and in an instant, Selah was engulfed in a whirlwind of flower petals that lifted her gently, bringing her closer. The being smiled warmly and reached out her hand to lift Selah up.
Selah: I have come back Arifea.
Selah shared the story of her life, recounting both the joyful and painful moments, with the ethereal being listened intently as Selah opens up, she felt a deep connection between them. The being, completely delighted by Selah's tale, placed her left hand on her lips and giggled softly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
With a smile, Selah showed her new necklace, explaining that it was a gift from her father on her last birthday. She described the importance of the exquisite piece of jewelry, noting that it was capable of storing specks of energy as abundant as the air around them, allowing her to harness its power when needed. The being's expression shifted to one of wonder as she regarded the necklace, appreciating both its beauty and the potential it held.
They shared a few laughs together, then Selah looked at her with a serious expression, shifting the mood. She recounted how many times she had been mocked for being an Avas, but holding the will and legacy of her mother, she was determined to enter the Sabin's Ascension Festival in a week to receive the title of "Ascendant".
This title would grant her the authority to cross Zyrencian borders and travel freely and fulfill specific roles fit for her. With all her heart, she swore that she would bring happiness to the world from which her mother adored.
With utter respect, Arifea smiled gently and nodded, as if she fully felt the weight and sincerity of Selah's words. She lifted the fog above revealing sky full of stars and spoke to her telepathically, her sweet voice like a lullaby that would make anyone feel comforted.
Arifea: Love truly is a fascinating thing. Your mother must be very proud of you. Your victories and failures are measures of your growth. For eons, I existed in this place without clear memories of my own existence. I may have possessed a great power granted to me, but unlike you, I have no freedom. Each day, I watch the skies we see right now and pray to our creator to explore the world as it is, live and be free. An Erbecea like me serves only a single purpose, bound to our domain.
Arifea looked at her wearing a thin smile.
Arifea: I recall a time when things were different. Some time ago, I had someone beside me, but now that she had left, I find myself all alone, for ages I thought things will remain the same.
Selah: …Losing someone is incredibly hard, it feels as if a piece of yourself has been torn away.
Arifea listened intently, nodding in understanding as they shared their mutual feelings of loss and their struggle against loneliness.
Selah: That night, when I was chased by the beast of the forest, when you came and rescued me. It never occurred to me that I would find someone who would fill a special place in my heart.
Arifea: Thank you for sharing your stories about the outside world, I truly cherish them. While we've seen the bitter side of things, I know this world is vast and full of hope. I'm sure you will meet new people and discover new places, I will wait here to hear more of your adventures.
Selah's face brightened as the forest spirits gathered around to comfort them. She shed no tears, instead. She pressed her forehead against Selah's. Without uttering a word, they conveyed a deep connection, while light danced around them cheerfully, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairy tale.
On the day of the Sabin Festival, a huge crowd gathered in the city plaza. Peddlers lined up to attract customers and sell their wares, while blacksmiths, merchants, and craftsmen showcased their best trades. Although Sabin is a small country compared to its neighbors, it is home to many skilled hunters who have gathered to inspect the various goods.
The plaza was surrounded by sturdy rocks and watchtowers, built to fend off potential attacks from creatures. There were building halls for transactions, training grounds, and food stalls, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Monumental structures rose around, a statue of a figure clad in armor, standing with a sword planted firmly before her, radiating authority. Locals revered this statue as a symbol of their ruler, Recivela, the Blazing Bloom.
Selah and Clause strolled around the plaza, as they took in the sights and sounds of the festival, Selah suddenly caught a glimpse of an unusual visitor, a person with ash-gray hair in his brown garb, happily munching on sweet treats from one of the stalls.
Just then, a man in a long white tunic and a weird mask approached, handing over a wanted poster featuring a sketch of a man in black clothing with jet-black hair.
Clause, intrigued by the scene, had been immersed in studying the old era and exclaimed a solid theory about the fate of those who lived in the past.
Clause: Ah, hmm. I'm pretty sure the race with jet-black hair went extinct long ago.
But the man in the white tunic wasn't having it, he forcefully held out Selah's hand and continued to distribute more posters. Selah looked back at the gentleman at the food stall, but he had vanished. Intrigued, she brushed it off, remembering that she needed to register for the competition.
Leaving Clause behind, she hurried into one of the halls when she was called by a beautiful and strong-looking lady clad in heavy armor with golden hair.