Chapter 1: Awakening
Beginne Darkness surrounds me.
An indistinct murmur, I can’t understand anything.
The whispering is too quiet, the language unfamiliar.
A feeling of worry.
I want to respond, but my voice doesn’t obey.
Suddenly, there’s light, the murmuring in my head fades, and I open my eyes. Damn, another one of those strange dreams. Am I slowly losing my mind?
I sit up, stretch, and glance through the small skylight window. Two birds are perched on a branch, chirping their morning song. Ah, beautiful—the world is waking up, and I should probably get up as well. My fingers reach to the side, where my dress from yesterday should be. It’s made of simple fabric, white with a turquoise overlay and practical pockets. Quickly, I pull it on.
For a moment, I let my gaze wander through my small domain. The room under the sloping roof isn’t big, but it’s my home. The walls and floor are made from the warm wood of the Emerald Forest, still in impeccable condition even after all these years. My simple bed, made of branches, moss, and linen bedding, is all I need to sleep. In Grünhain, where it’s warm year-round, you don’t need much.
I step in front of the small mirror next to the door and study my reflection. My long, dark blonde hair is tousled from sleep, and my eyes, a mix of blue and brown, look tired. Freckles dance across my sun-kissed skin. With practiced movements, I braid my hair into a practical plait.
I descend the creaky wooden stairs, each step a familiar sound in the morning stillness. When I enter the kitchen, I see my parents already sitting at the table.
“Good morning, you two,” I mumble, stifling a yawn.
My mother, Elara, smiles at me, her deep green eyes radiating warmth. Her dark hair is, as always, tied into a practical bun. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”
My father, Tharon, nods at me, his strong arms resting on the table. His angular face, with a light beard, shows the usual laugh lines around his eyes. “Morning, little one.”
I sit down with them at the simple wooden table. My gaze drifts through our cozy kitchen. The brick hearth and stone oven form the heart of the room. Warm morning light streams in through the small window, and I catch a glimpse of our yard. The majestic Emerald Oak stands there in full splendor, its emerald-green leaves glittering in the sunlight. A Florabbit hops around cheerfully, its pastel green fur shimmering softly.
“Would you like some bread and honey?” Mother asks, already handing me a plate.
I nod gratefully. “Yes, please. The honey is really delicious this year.”
I chew on my honeyed bread, feeling the sweetness slowly chase away my sleepiness.
“You look a bit pale, Lyra,” Mother notes, concerned. “Is everything alright?”
I shrug. “Just had a strange dream. Nothing serious.”
Father raises an eyebrow. “Strange dreams, huh? Hopefully not a premonition of trouble.”
“Oh, come on, Tharon, not every dream is a premonition,” Mother says gently with a smile.
I have to laugh. “Don’t worry, I don’t think Viridia is sending me ominous warnings.”
“Well, I hope not,” he grumbles, a smirk playing at the corners of his eyes. “I’ve got a lot to do in the forest today.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Mother suddenly says. “Lyra, could you gather some herbs for me this afternoon? I’m running out of Moondrop flowers in the garden.”
I nod eagerly. “Of course! I was planning to go to the forest anyway. I’m meeting Shali.”
Father looks at me curiously. “What are you two up to today?”
I feel my cheeks warm slightly. Shalina and I plan to practice archery, but I don’t really need to mention that.
“Oh, nothing special,” I say, trying to sound casual. “We’re just going to wander through the forest a bit, maybe pick some berries.”
Father nods, though he doesn’t seem entirely convinced. “Alright, but be careful, okay?”
He let me off the hook easily—lucky me.
I finish my breakfast and help Mother clear the table. As we wash the dishes together, she hums a familiar tune. It’s a comforting ritual that calms me.
“I’ll go get ready,” I say, drying my hands.
When I’m done, Mother is already waiting for me. “Ready?” she asks with a smile.
I nod. “Yes, let’s go!”
Together, we leave our house and head to the herb kitchen.
I step outside with my mother and squint into the bright sunlight. Our small yard greets us with a concert of birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves. The towering trees surrounding our house provide soothing shade, making it feel as though our home is a natural part of the forest.
My gaze sweeps over the two narrow paths that lead away from our yard. One winds deeper into the Emerald Forest, while the other heads towards Grünhain. We take the path towards the village.
As we walk along the path, I watch in fascination as a Florabbit hops between the trees. Its pastel green fur shimmers in the sunlight, and tiny flowers sprout from its back. A flock of Rainbow Thrushes flies overhead, their iridescent feathers glinting with every movement.
Suddenly, I feel a dull throbbing in my temples. “Damn,” I murmur, rubbing my forehead. These headaches are becoming more frequent lately.
Mother notices my discomfort immediately. “Lyra, are you alright?”
I sigh softly. “Just another headache. Nothing serious.”
She places a concerned hand on my forehead. “This has been happening more often lately, hasn’t it? You should talk to Aeloria about it.”
I nod hesitantly. Aeloria. Of course. As an Archon of the Plant Realm, she has a deeper understanding of the subtle energies of nature. Perhaps she can perceive something that my mother and I cannot.
“I know,” I sigh. “It’s just... I have so much to do in the herb kitchen today.”
Mother shakes her head firmly. “No excuses, young lady. Your health comes first. Go see Aeloria before you head to the herb kitchen. She lives just around the corner.”
I can see the concern in her eyes and relent. “Alright, I’ll stop by her place first.”
We reach a fork in the road, and Mother turns towards the herb kitchen. “I’ll see you later. And Lyra?” She turns back to me. “Take care of yourself.”
I nod to her and make my way to Aeloria’s house. It’s just a stone’s throw from the herb kitchen, nestled between tall trees on the edge of the village. Even from a distance, I can see the lush flowerbeds that surround her home.
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