The sun set over the village of Elowen, its light reflecting off the distant floating islands. These islands, suspended in the sky, held a world Aeris had only heard about in stories.
Elowen was a quiet, remote village surrounded by fields and forests. Stone houses with moss-covered roofs dotted the landscape, and life moved at a calm, steady pace. Above the cliffs that bordered the village, the floating islands shimmered in the fading light, their crystal spires glowing faintly.
These crystals, called Skyshards, were the source of magic for all who lived in Aetheris. Each person was born with a single magical affinity—fire, water, earth, air, light, or shadow—granted by the Skyshards. Aeris, a 17-year-old healer, was gifted with water magic.
That evening, Aeris rushed through the village paths, heading toward a small stone house. Inside, an elven couple stood by a bed where their daughter lay pale and still.
"Aeris, thank you for coming," the mother said, her voice trembling. "Please help her."
Aeris nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll do everything I can."
He approached the bed and raised his hands. Closing his eyes, he focused his energy, feeling the flow of magic from within. Tiny water droplets formed in the air and turned into a fine mist that settled over the girl. A soft blue glow surrounded her as the healing magic worked.
The girl's body twitched, and her breathing grew labored for a moment before settling. She coughed, her face regaining some color, then drifted into a peaceful sleep.
"She'll be fine now," Aeris said, stepping back. "She just needs to rest."
"Thank you," the father said, relief evident in his voice.
"It's no trouble. Let me know if she needs anything," Aeris replied as he headed toward the door.
Before he left, the mother spoke again. "Don't forget to rest yourself, Aeris. You have a big journey tomorrow."
"I won't forget," Aeris said, stepping into the cool night air.
He climbed the cliffs nearby, as he often did, to sit and watch the floating islands above. The stars were bright, and the faint glow of the Skyshards cast a soft light over the land. Tomorrow, he would leave for the Capital, a place he had only imagined.
After a while, Aeris returned home, where his mother waited at the door.
"You should rest," she said with a smile.
"I'll try," Aeris replied, stepping inside.
Later that night, Aeris lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of the Capital filled his mind—what it would look like, what kind of people he'd meet, and what his future might hold.
"Can't sleep?" his mother's voice broke the silence.
"No," Aeris admitted quietly, careful not to wake his younger sister in the next room.
She adjusted his blanket and sat beside him. "You're probably just nervous."
"Maybe," Aeris said.
His mother smiled softly. "When I lived in the Capital before I met your father, it was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen. The streets were filled with life, and the Skyshards glowed brighter there than anywhere else."
Aeris turned to her. "Do you think I'll do well there?"
She brushed a hand through his hair. "You'll be fine, Aeris. You've always cared for others. That will guide you, no matter where you go."
Her words comforted him, and as she left the room, Aeris closed his eyes. Tomorrow, his journey would begin, and the simple life he had known in Elowen would change forever.
The sun rose, bathing the village of Elowen in soft, golden light. A gentle breeze carried the scent of spring, swaying the tall grass as birds chirped their morning songs.
Aeris woke to an empty house. Confused, he stepped outside, glancing around. The village paths were quiet, but faint sounds came from the village circle—the heart of gatherings and celebrations.
As Aeris approached, he was met with a surprising sight: the entire village had gathered, including Mrs. Alleron and her family. They all turned to him, their faces glowing with warm smiles.
"What's going on?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in his voice.
His mother stepped forward, smiling gently. "The village chief thought it would be nice to hold a small farewell celebration before you leave this afternoon."
Aeris blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. He felt a wave of gratitude as he looked at the familiar faces of his community. "Thank you, everyone," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
The villagers cheered, and Aeris couldn't help but wipe away the tears that welled in his eyes. For the rest of the morning, they celebrated with food, laughter, and heartfelt goodbyes.
Aeris had always been a remarkable healer, even among the talented mages of Elowen. When others in the village struggled to heal difficult ailments, Aeris often succeeded with ease. His gift didn't go unnoticed.
One day, a healer from the Capital Infirmary visited Elowen. She saw firsthand the incredible potential Aeris possessed, calling him a prodigy. "Staying here would limit your abilities," she told him. "The Capital needs skilled healers like you. You could save so many lives."
At first, Aeris hesitated. He loved his village and the people in it. But when he learned the Capital was in desperate need of healers, he reluctantly agreed—with one condition. "If I go, you must send a patrol ship to protect our village from potential threats," he said firmly.
The healer from the Capital agreed, understanding his concern. And so, the decision was made. Aeris would leave for the Capital, where his abilities would be trained to their full potential, not just for his village but for the greater good of Aetheris.
The time had come. Aeris stood at the village circle, holding his modest luggage—packed with clothes and a lunch box filled with his mother's cooking.
The villagers had gathered once more, offering their heartfelt farewells. Their warm smiles and encouraging words filled the air with bittersweet emotion as Aeris prepared to take the next step in his journey.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the village, bending the tall grass and drawing everyone's attention skyward. From the horizon, an airship appeared, descending gracefully toward the village outskirts.
The vessel was an impressive sight—a massive, boat-like structure with a gleaming Skyshard embedded at its core. The crystal pulsed faintly, radiating energy that kept the ship aloft. Two wind mages stood near the ship's mast, channeling gusts of air to propel it forward. The ship's sails billowed under their control, guiding its movements with precision.
The airship slowed as it approached the village, hovering just above the ground. Its wooden frame gleamed in the sunlight, reinforced with metal bands that shimmered faintly with enchantments. It was both practical and majestic, a symbol of the Capital's mastery of magic and engineering.
The ship touched down with a gentle hum, its sails rippling softly in the wind. A soldier stepped out, dressed in a crisp white military uniform, a short, ceremonial robe draped over his shoulders. His confident stride and cheerful expression immediately caught the villagers' attention.
"Greetings! I'm Veliford from the Capital," he announced, his voice carrying warmth as he approached the crowd.
The village chief stepped forward, offering a polite nod. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Veliford. I am this village's chieftain."
"Good to meet you, sir!" Veliford replied with a wide grin. "I'm here for someone named Aeris Heragon."
The chieftain stepped aside, revealing Aeris standing behind him. The young healer clenched his fists tightly, steeling himself for what was to come.
"That's me, sir," Aeris said, his voice steady despite the nervous knot in his stomach.
Veliford's eyes softened as he took in the young man's determined expression. "Ah, the prodigy healer I've heard so much about. It's an honor to meet you, Aeris. I've been tasked with ensuring you get to the Capital safely."
The villagers murmured among themselves, their pride for Aeris evident in their smiles and nods.
Veliford extended a hand toward Aeris. "Come, we should board. The journey ahead is long, but I assure you, it'll be worth it."
Aeris hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the villagers. His mother and sister stood in the crowd, wiping their eyes with a handkerchief as they waved encouragingly. He took a deep breath, walking forward to clasp Veliford's hand firmly.
Before stepping onto the ship, Aeris turned to face the villagers one last time. "Thank you, everyone. I won't forget any of you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
As he climbed aboard, the interior of the airship was unlike anything he had ever seen. Smooth wooden floors gleamed under soft crystal-powered lamps, and the faint hum of the Skyshard at the core filled the air.
Veliford gestured toward a seat near the railing. "Make yourself comfortable, Aeris. The Capital awaits."
Aeris settled in, gripping the railing as the ship began to rise. The village of Elowen grew smaller beneath him, the familiar sights of home fading into the distance. Despite the ache of leaving, a spark of anticipation flickered within him.
The floating islands above and the vast sky ahead seemed to whisper promises of change and discovery.