Elena's Rebirth

of decay and renewal. Elena's shoulder ached, a constant reminder of her frailty as she leaned against the twisted roots. Kaelen had rip

hose?" Elena managed at

of this area.Nothing I've ever seen, nothing that is actually mortal. His pierc

d. Like shadows given shape,

desired her death, not merely her exile. The ins

by Elena as the first rays of dawn filtered through the

familiar throb of celestial energy. The wounded vine from the night befo

ack of her mind: "The mortal realm, child of the stars, holds its

must leave this place. They will follow us. He v

eemed to provide an odd sort of grounding, but her legs felt weak and unsteady.

to the forest's subtle energies by concentrating on the cadence of her steps. She observed the intricate moss patterns on the trees, the way the sunlight filtered th

nd on his dagger's hilt. He g

ained hands and gentle eyes. She had a subtle earthy s

" she said in a kind but

moke and herbs filled the air. Using poultices made from forest plan

, but the dark energy seem

, you are not from this world," she said quietly. "You are confin

, Elena paused. Bram and Kaelen

lly confessed, "I...I was banished." "S

omy. Shadow Weavers do

, but the dark energy seem

, you are not from this world," she said quietly. "You are confin

, Elena paused. Bram and Kaelen

lly confessed, "I...I was banished." "S

ng to this world. They support a dark force that aims

y your arrival." The earth hints at

a surprising way. She became more bonded to this new reality as the energy of the earth infused her. She learned from E

on, and a strong bond with the living world around her, unlike the easy manipulation of starlight.She could se

threw long shadows across the clearing. An ancient pool of wa

" Elara clarified. "Listen carefully, s

d emotions-the earth's age-old wisdom, the interdependence of all living things, and a profound sadness over an increasing

ergy that ran through the mortal world. In both Aethelgard and on Eart

than merely a personal tragedy. Because of Zephyr's actions, the

rn who had fallen. She served as a link between two worlds and a protector of a fine equilibrium. She had found a new way and a new reason to fi

to her in a way that Aethelgard had only taught her intellectually.In its quest for purity and order, the heavens had frequently seen the earthly world as chaotic, something

e hearing from the earth now?" His eyes flashed wit

on. perceiving with its senses. A disease is spreadin

silence. Like the blight that has been destroying Northwoo

Her voice hardened with a newfound confidence as she stated, "It's connected." The effects

wound bleeds into the other. She gave Elena a glance. "Child, you are now the pivot. Though your fee

learned to feel the pulse of the rivers, and learned to listen to the rustling of the leaves. The untamed, unadulterated energy was a sharp contrast to the refined power of sta

nderstanding of the mortal world.He showed her how to track, how to find cover, and how to deal with the intricacies of social situations. Despite his continued c

ing loyalty. His bulk and weighty weapon were a comforting sight, a ph

couldn't just hide. It was time for her to do something. The earth's murmurs pu

o turn golden. She spoke with a quiet resolve, "The earth calls us north." "Th

e country is wild. There are bandits

danger," Elena retorted. Furthermore, if

te of both worlds. The staff she gave Elena was carved from a live ancient oak branch, and it felt warm and smo

lls, through thick forests, and across swift-moving rivers on the difficult trek. Sensing danger, discovering