He leaned forward, eyes glinting softly like moonlight on still water.
"Not all that visits us in slumber is mere shadow or fleeting thought.
Sometimes, the past reaches out—not in words, but in whispers caught.
A woman laughing in silvered light, her roots deep as ancient trees,
Is she memory, or a seed yet sown on tomorrow's gentle breeze?
The fairies that dance in your vision — are they guides or guardians true?
Or reflections of a power waking, long hidden inside of you?
To know your path, you must look beyond the veil of night,
And listen for the song that turns darkness into light.
But beware, young seeker, for riddles walk with dual face—
Truth wrapped in mystery, a puzzle time can only trace."
He smiled faintly, quill tapping rhythmically on the desk.
"Walk with patience, and let your heart be both question and answer."
Lira slowly walked out after bidding Grandmaster Elion farewell, his riddle still echoing in her mind like the last note of a song. The corridors felt quieter than usual, as though the stones themselves were listening.
She reached her room, closed the door behind her, and sat at her small desk. Taking up her quill, she carefully wrote the riddle down, each word curling across the page like a secret spell.
Her gaze fell to the green book—the one she had found during her very first visit to the library. Something about it seemed heavier now, as though it had been waiting for this moment. She opened it.
The moment she thought of the riddle and the Grandmaster's voice, faint shapes began to shimmer across the blank page—delicate, swirling lines that curved into strange symbols. The ink seemed to grow brighter, pulsing faintly like the breath of something alive.
She read the riddle again under her breath, her fingers brushing the glowing shapes. A warmth traveled up her arm, and she felt the strange certainty that this book was answering her… though the meaning still hid just beyond her reach.
Lira thought deeply, her mind swirling with questions and half-understood riddles. After a moment, she made up her mind. She would seek answers from those who knew the forest best—Renkai and Thalanir.
Rising from her desk, she grabbed her cloak and the green book, and called softly for Fluffy. The little creature padded beside her eagerly. Together, they stepped out of her room and made their way toward the forest edge.
The air grew cooler as they neared the grove. Soon, she spotted them—Thalanir sitting calmly beneath a large oak, his serene smile welcoming. Beside him, Renkai was fanning himself with a delicate leaf, glancing away as if holding back some frustration.
Thalanir's eyes lit up as he noticed her approach. "I am happy to see you," he said warmly.
Renkai snapped his fan with a sharp sound. "Of course you are," he said, then turned his gaze toward Lira, pouting slightly. "You haven't come for so long. Do you not miss me?"
Lira chuckled softly, her smile brightening. "Of course I miss you. Both of you. Now, come—let's go to the grove."
With that, the four of them disappeared deeper into the whispering trees, the quiet comfort of the forest wrapping around them like an old, familiar song.
The forest path wound softly beneath their feet, through ruins and portal until the familiar clearing opened before them—the grove, bathed in a gentle haze of green light. Leaves whispered overhead, and the scent of herbs drifted on the breeze.
Lira knelt by her workbench, unpacking her tools with practiced ease. The grove always seemed to lend her hands more steadiness, and soon she was stirring, grinding, and pouring. One by one, the small glass bottles filled with shimmering liquid—deep violet, golden amber, pale green. She wiped each clean and tucked it into her space bag, its hidden interior swallowing the growing collection without a hint of weight.
While she worked, she pulled the green book from her satchel and held it out toward them. "I got something in here," she said, her voice carrying a thread of curiosity. "A riddle… or maybe a warning. I can't quite figure it out."
Thalanir accepted the book gently, turning it so both he and Renkai could see. Renkai tilted his head, eyes narrowing in playful suspicion as he traced a finger over the strange symbols.
"Hmm," Renkai murmured, fanning himself with one hand while holding the book with the other. "It's… peculiar. Like it's hiding something between the lines."
Thalanir studied the markings quietly, his expression unreadable, as if tasting each word in his mind before speaking.
Thalanir and Renkai exchanged a glance, their eyes flickering between the strange symbols and the curious glint in Lira's gaze.
"We could help you with this," Thalanir said finally, voice calm but full of quiet certainty.
Renkai nodded, a slow smile creeping across his face. "Yes. It's like a puzzle waiting for the right hands to solve it."
Lira, having just finished securing the last potion in her space bag, stepped closer and leaned over the book. Her fingers traced the swirling script.
"What does it mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, both eager and hesitant.
The two beings looked at each other once more, then back at Lira, ready to share whatever ancient wisdom the riddle concealed.
Renkai furrowed his brow as he read the riddle aloud, the soft rustle of parchment filling the quiet grove.
"'Not all that visits us in slumber is mere shadow or fleeting thought.'" He looked up at Lira, voice low. "This speaks of dreams — but more than just sleep. Memories reaching beyond time."
Thalanir nodded, fingers tracing the elegant script. "The woman laughing in silvered light… roots deep as ancient trees. Could that be your past self? Or perhaps a seed of what's to come?"
Lira's eyes widened, "So the fairies in my vision — are they protectors, or something else? Are they part of me?"
Renkai smiled softly, "The riddle warns you to look beyond the night's veil. The path isn't clear, and answers won't come easily. You must listen — not just with ears, but with your heart."
Thalanir tapped the page thoughtfully. "And it ends with a warning — riddles have two faces. Truth and mystery, wrapped together, only time will unravel."
Lira took a slow breath, feeling the weight of their words settle within her. "So I must be patient… and trust both my questions and answers."
Renkai grinned, "Exactly. The journey ahead is as much inside as outside. Walk it with care."
Lira's voice was steady but filled with determination. "I got information that told me to visit the ancestral mountains… to learn more about my air element."
Thalanir and Renkai exchanged a brief glance, a flicker of concern passing between them.
Thalanir finally spoke, his tone gentle but serious. "That place is quite far from here, and the path is not easy."
Renkai added, folding his arms thoughtfully, "Do you really want to go there? It's a journey full of unknowns—and dangers."
Lira met their gazes without hesitation. "I have to. If I'm to understand and master this power, I can't stay hidden forever."
Thalanir nodded slowly. "Then we will help you prepare—for the mountain and what lies beyond."
Renkai gave a small, approving smile. "Together, we'll make sure you're ready."
The three of them spent the afternoon gathering supplies and discussing what Lira might face in the ancestral mountains.
Thalanir taught her how to listen for the subtle shifts in wind, to sense the breath of the mountain before it even arrived. "The air there isn't like here," he warned. "It's older, wilder — it tests those who come."
Renkai focused on practical skills: crafting protective charms and teaching Lira how to move quietly through the rugged terrain. "Stealth will keep you alive," he said, "but so will knowing when to stand your ground."
Lira listened intently, absorbing every word. Fluffy weaved between their legs, sensing the growing tension and excitement.
As twilight approached, they marked the map with safe resting points and potential dangers. The journey would be long, but with her friends by her side, Lira felt ready to face whatever awaited.
Lira took a deep breath, looking at Thalanir and Renkai. "I need to inform Grandmaster Elion about my leave."
Together, they stepped out of the groove, the portal shimmering softly as they emerged at the border of the forest and academy grounds. The fading light of day brushed the treetops as they made their way to the edge.
There, they waited in quiet anticipation. Lira released her small messenger bird, a delicate creature that soared swiftly toward the grandmaster's quarters. Moments later, the bird returned, carrying a scroll tightly clutched in its beak.
Unfurling it, Lira read the grandmaster's words:
"Be careful on your journey. Don't forget you still have the protective medallion charm. If anything happens, use it. Take your companions with you and send me messages often so I know you are safe. Travel well."
A warm smile spread across Lira's face. She folded the scroll and nodded to her friends.
"Let's begin."
With Thalanir and Renkai leading the way, the trio stepped forward, their silhouettes merging with the deepening shadows as the adventure truly began.