Human Elf

Cassian had always been different from the other elves. Since childhood, she had felt like an outsider among her own people, as if she didn’t belong. Most elves in her land – perhaps even her entire world – looked down on humans with disdain. To them, humans were primitive, crude, and impure. But Cassian saw something entirely different. She was drawn to them, fascinated by their way of life, the way they loved, laughed, and sometimes made mistakes.

She would spend countless hours by an ancient spring that could reflect images from other dimensions. This spring had once been used as a tool for observing enemies during wars, but for centuries it had lain forgotten, overgrown with moss. Cassian, however, had discovered it – and turned it into her window to the human world. She would sit at its edge and watch humans walk the streets of their cities, celebrate, or deal with their small, everyday struggles.

Sometimes, she felt an irresistible urge to imitate their behavior. Once, for example, she skipped school just to experience what it was like to do something forbidden – something human. And she had to admit, she enjoyed it. She spent the whole day alone at home, resting and enjoying the peace. However, her parents did not share her enthusiasm. What had been an exciting adventure for her, they saw as a serious transgression. After that evening, she promised herself she would never do anything like that again... but she didn’t keep her promise.

Cassian simply couldn’t accept the monotonous routine of her life. The same days, the same traditions, the same duties – it all suffocated her. She was convinced she didn’t belong in the world of elves. Every day she spent observing the human world, she felt more certain that she would fit in there much better. She longed for the freedom she saw there, for the chance to make mistakes and discover new things.

In her heart, she knew her place was somewhere else – in our world. And even though it was impossible for now, Cassian never stopped hoping that one day she would find a way to change that.