Nova and Elizabeth's journey to Elveren City took longer than expected, primarily because they had to secure a few crucial items to help disguise Nova. Their most significant find was a magical earring shaped like a cross, capable of subtly altering someone's appearance—perfect for their current predicament. With a quick adjustment, Nova's silver hair shifted to white (a barely noticeable difference), and his Terrarian ears became the pointed ears of a Dark Elf.
The only real obstacle left was proving Nova's elven "pure blood." But Elizabeth had spent years cultivating connections and favors, so slipping a human disguised as an elf past the city gates was not beyond her capabilities.
When they finally approached Elveren City, they were greeted by a massive gate that seemed to carry its own heartbeat. Towering, intertwined vines and Silverwood bark formed the main structure, each pulsing with a faint green luminescence—an aura of Lumis energy taking a color somewhat similar to its controllers. This was nothing like the cold iron or steel gates in Terrarian settlements; these gates were alive. They responded to the presence of sentient beings, shifting and parting only for those granted entry.
Nova's eyes went wide at the sight. How is this even possible? he wondered,as they walked closer, he noticed Intricate bioluminescent veins ran through the gate, displaying ancient Elven runes that pulsed in a gentle rhythm, like a heartbeat. Stationed in front of this marvel were elven guards clad in what appeared to be organic armor.
| "Are those armors forged? How did they manage to make it look so natural? Are elves that skilled at forging?" Nova asked breathlessly.Elizabeth fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"No. They're grown rather than forged. Just like their weapons—crafted by blending Lumis-infused crystals with hardened elderwood."
Nova's gaze followed the guards' cloaks fluttering behind them, silver in hue, giving them an almost heroic silhouette. Eventually, they arrived at the foot of the colossal gate, easily matching or surpassing the height of any grand city's walls he'd seen before.
Two guards approached. One of them, who seemed to have a green tattoo that looked like tree roots, and almost approached the height of a giant, took Elizabeth aside, leading her toward a smaller archway. Their conversation seemed tense but controlled. The other guard who was the opposite of the first beckoned Nova to follow him for the purity check. Nova tried to calm his racing heart as he cooperated, hoping the magical earring's disguise held. Suddenly, a second guard tugged the first aside, and the two began a heated discussion in hushed tones.
Elizabeth used the moment to catch Nova's eye.
| "Get your belongings," she said quietly, tucking her black shirt into her trousers. During their stop in Mangrove—a small town on the way—she had swapped her usual attire for more practical traveling clothes.
Nova hurriedly collected his few items, including extra garments to bolster his elf disguise (now seeming somewhat pointless). Finally, the guards broke off their argument. And the thin One cleared his throat, fidgeting awkwardly.
| "You're clear to go," he announced.
Nova exhaled in relief.
| "Just like that? I thought they'd find us out… and we'd have to fight or something,What did you say to them?"
"Now isn't the time for questions, Nova King," Elizabeth admonished gently, cutting him off before stepping forward.
One guard placed his hand against the living gate, arranging his fingers in a specific formation. Immediately, the vines began to shift, creating an opening just wide enough for two people to pass through. The moment they stepped inside, the gate closed behind them with a hushed, natural rustle.
---
A shimmering path of stone tiles—woven through with strands of luminescent light—stretched before them, flanked by lanterns suspended from crystalline lotus flowers. The petals of these flowers absorbed and diffused ambient Lumis, casting a warm, golden glow across the pathway.
Nova found his breath stolen by the sight before him. The city of Elveren was a breathtaking harmony of nature and technology, where every building and street pulsed with life. He tried not to gape, remembering Elizabeth's warnings.
| "Close your mouth will ya," she teased. "People will notice you're not really an elf if you keep staring at everything like that."
Nova pressed his lips together, forcing himself to look calm.
"Where are we heading?"
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder.
"To a friend. We'll try to track down your uncle, but first, we need to keep you hidden. I have other business here, so you'll be in his care for a while."
"The Empire?" Nova asked.
She nodded tersely. "Precisely."
They walked onward. The city surrounding them was a mesmerizing interplay of forest and advanced craftsmanship. Instead of brick walls and mortar, the Elves had shaped nature into living structures. Towering celestial trees, each the size of a small mountain, formed the backbone of the skyline. Their colossal branches intertwined to create hanging bridges, spiraling walkways, and entire settlements built right into their trunks.
Nova craned his neck, marveling at the leaves above—glowing faintly with Lumis, they shifted from a soft emerald in daylight to a deep violet under the stars. As he twirled around to take in the spectacle, Elizabeth kept moving, forcing him to jog a little to catch up.
Homes in Elveren weren't constructed so much as they were grown out of living bark. Each residence shimmered with small conduits of Lumis, channeling energy throughout the city. Some homes even floated a few feet off the ground, secured by the same vine-like veins that supported the lanterns, giving them the appearance of drifting sanctuaries.
They passed by several "tree-hotels" with entire living quarters blooming from giant branches, all connected by transparent lift pods that moved as gracefully as a breeze. Cascading waterfalls tumbled from one level to the next, purified by Lumis-powered filtration systems, creating crystal-clear streams that ran through the city's pristine lakes.
Elevated walkways crisscrossed between the great trees, formed of woven vines and glowing crystals that gave off a gentle thrum—a constant reminder of the living energy at work. Below these pathways, the streets teemed with self-sustaining gardens; fruits never rotted, sustained by a perfect balance of natural and magical energy.
Public parks weren't artificial breaks in a concrete jungle; they were natural sanctuaries with winding roots that formed smooth, comfortable benches, and birds with iridescent plumage flitted through the air, sprinkling soft, glowing pollen like drifting fireflies.
Floating Lumis orbs drifted overhead, clusters of warm, golden radiance that brightened as dusk fell over the city.
Eventually, Elizabeth led Nova to the topmost portion of one of the colossal trees. A graceful, living structure emerged from the trunk—a testament to the Elves' dedication to merging seamlessly with nature.
Elizabeth paused in front of the organically grown doorway, turning to Nova with a purposeful expression.
| "This is where we'll stay," she said.
"At least for tonight. Then we'll see about your uncle."
To be continued…