The leather-bound diary felt heavy in Elysara's hands as she sat by the flickering firelight. Her fingers traced the faint grooves of the cover before she opened it, revealing the neat, looping handwriting of her mother.
She flipped to the first entry, marked by a faded date from decades past. Her mother's words drew her in, the voice of a woman who had faced both the wonders and the burdens of her destiny.
************************************************
Diary Entry - Life in Vihnlox
Life in Vihnlox has always been so simple, so full of warmth and light. The days seem to stretch on forever, filled with laughter and magic. Mama and Papa are always so busy with their work—Papa with his books and spells, Mama with her herbs and potions—but they always find time for me. We'd play by the river after dinner, or I'd sit on the porch with Mama while she taught me how to brew the simplest of potions, just like she had learned from her mama before her.
I've always loved casting spells, though I'm not as good as Mama yet. I can make flowers bloom with a flick of my fingers or light up the candle wick with a thought. But there's something about magic, something that calls to me more than just simple spells. Sometimes, I dream of a great tree, its branches reaching high into the sky. I don't tell Mama or Papa about it though, they'd probably just laugh it off.
Papa says I have a gift, that it's in our blood. I don't understand much of it, but I know it makes me feel special. Mama always says I'll help her one day, to become just like her—a keeper of remedies and magic.
Diary Entry - Growing Stronger
I'm getting so much better with my magic! I can feel the magic buzzing inside me, stronger every day. Mama says I'm starting to show real promise as a witch, and I can't help but grin every time she says that! I'm so proud of myself—today, I turned water into sparkling bubbles! It was the prettiest thing I've ever seen! And yesterday, I made my broom zoom across the room all on its own. It was like it had a mind of its own!
Mama also taught me a new trick with the flowers. I made a whole field of daisies bloom into a rainbow of colors—red, blue, pink, purple—all at once! I could hardly believe it when it happened! It felt like magic was everywhere, like I was alive with it.
Sometimes, I try to think about all the things I'll be able to do when I'm older. Mama says one day I'll be able to brew potions that heal people, or maybe even change the weather! I don't know how I could do something so big, but it's so exciting to imagine!
But—oh! There's something else that's been happening. The dream… it's getting even more vivid. The tree, I mean. It's not like the soft, blurry dream it was before. Now, it feels… clearer, somehow. The tree is enormous, with a huge, twisted trunk, and its branches stretch up to the sky like they're trying to touch the stars. They're so wide, like arms that reach out over everything. The leaves are a deep green, but when the wind blows, they shimmer like they're made of silver. It's such a strange feeling! And it's not just any tree—there's something about it, like it holds a secret, something ancient and powerful.
When I'm dreaming about it, I can almost hear a soft rustling, like the tree is whispering to me—but I can never make out the words. It's not scary, though. It's almost… peaceful? But still, I can't help but wonder about it. I haven't still told Mama or Papa about the dream. They'd probably just say I'm imagining things. But it's been happening every night now, and it feels like it means something important.
Diary Entry - The Pull of the Dream
I don't know how to explain it, but something about the dream is changing. At first, it was just an odd thing—something I couldn't quite understand. But now? Now, it's different. Every night, when I close my eyes, I feel pulled toward it, like there's a string tied to my heart, tugging me closer and closer to the tree. And it's not just that—there's a feeling that comes with it, too. It's both calming and… scary. It feels safe, like I'm wrapped in a soft blanket, but at the same time, there's this deep, strange weight pressing against me, almost like the tree is calling me, and I can't run from it. I just… I don't know how to explain it, but it's starting to feel like it's real—like the tree is really there, waiting for me.
It's like when you hear a song for the first time, and you like it, but then, the more you hear it, the more it gets stuck in your head. Except with the tree, I can't stop thinking about it, even when I'm awake. I've noticed myself drifting off during lessons—Mama has caught me staring out the window, lost in my thoughts. She says I'm being absentminded. And it's true! I don't mean to, but it's like… I can't help it. It's as though the tree's voice is humming in the back of my mind, and I can't focus on anything else.
Today, during herb gathering, I just stood there, staring at the sky, like I was waiting for something. I think Papa noticed, too. He raised an eyebrow and asked if I was feeling alright. Of course, I smiled and said I was fine, but I wasn't. I haven't felt fine since the dreams started. Every time they come, I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing, but then I can't stop thinking about the tree, even when the sun rises.
I feel like I should talk to Mama about it. She's always been so wise, so calm. Maybe she'll know what this means. Maybe she can help me understand why the tree is calling to me like this, and why I can't seem to stop it.
I'll confide in her tomorrow. I just hope she doesn't think I'm losing my mind.
************************************************