Elena's breath trembled as her eyes adjusted to the blinding figure before her
Calithar knelt on one knee, folding his tall frame neatly as though he had been waiting for her all along. His face was partly hidden under the hood of a worn cloak but that same light that had unsettled and comforted her shone quietly from his body.
He reached out without hesitation, brushing gently against her chin with his long, slender fingers.
"It's you again." he said with a smile warming up on his face. "You're back," he continued softly, as though he had been in expecting her.
Her pupils dilated at his touch. She felt her pulse quicken, and though she wanted to pull back, her body betrayed her. Instead, she lifted a trembling hand and pressed it against his cheek, unconscious of what she was doing. The warmth of his skin sent a wave of shock through her and she felt the urge to linger there for a while.
Calithar stilled, soaking in the earth of the touch and then, in a rare gesture, placed his own hand over hers. His thumb moved slowly across the back of her fingers in a small, almost loving motion. His lips curved into a soft smile.
For a moment, Elena forgot the forest, the river and even the darkness. It was just them. Her and the mysterious man who seemed both stranger yet far more familiar.
She parted her lips to speak, looking into his eyes but words failed her. What could she ask? Who are you? Why are you here? Or why am I here? None seemed enough.
He broke the silence instead. With quiet care, he lowered her hand from his cheek and let it fall to her lap. "You've wandered long enough," he started in the softest yet masculine voice ever. "Come."
He rose fluidly to his feet, taller and stronger than she remembered. The cloak he wore was glaringly worn with frayed frayed, but it did little to hide the attractiveness beneath. Even his appearance changed.
His hair was darker now, black as midnight and spilled loosely over his shoulders, but those eyes... those eyes had not changed.
He stretched out a hand toward her.
Elena hesitated for a minute. She looked at his hand, then at his face, then at the dark forest that loomed before her. She had no guarantee this wasn't another trap or another dream waiting to swallow her whole. She did feel comfortable with him but what if it was a trick? You just can never know...
And yet, she slipped her hand into his.
His fingers wrapped around hers firmly delicately before pulling her up in one smooth motion even steadying her by the shoulders when she stumbled on the uneven ground.
"Follow me," Calithar said.
Together, they walked back to the river. The current moved slowly as the moonlight glinting faintly across its surface. Elena's eyes darted to the spot where the creature had cornered her, half-expecting it to reappear. But the forest was quiet now, the only sound heard was the steady rush of the water.
Calithar released her hand and lifted his arm. With a commanding motion, he stretched out his palm toward the river and started to chant.
At once, the water trembled. A low hum filled the air, vibrating through the earth beneath their feet. Slowly yet impossibly, a bridge began to form.
Stone emerged from the depths, piece by piece, rising and locking into place as though answering his will. The arch grew high and strong, spanning the river with ease, until at last it stood complete. Under a few seconds, a great bridge of pale stone, glowing faintly with veins of light stood in front of them.
Elena gasped at the sight and her lips parted in wonder. She had never seen such magic. Not even in her dreams.
Calithar turned to her. His expression was now unreadable but his hand once again outstretched. "Trust me," he said simply. Elena wished that look would get lost from his face. Why did he look like that now after smiling just a while back?
She swallowed hard and took his hand again. Side by side, they crossed the bridge.
The moment her foot touched the other bank, the world shifted. The dense forest that had pressed against her vanished, now replaced by a narrow path. Ahead, a village like structure spread out in a lonely sprawl. As they came closer, everything came into view though it was still dark. Buildings and rooftops with lanterns flickering in the night greeted them as they entered.
Elena froze, disbelief etched on her face.
"This... this was here?" she whispered. "Hidden all this time?"
Calithar's gaze remained ahead as they continued to walk. "Yes."
The words struck her strangely, but before she could reply, he quickened up his pace, giving no time for her to ask any more questions.
They walked deeper into the village in silence. Elena's eyes darted everywhere; at the clustered houses, the curved rooftops, the patterns carved into the doorframes. It was like stepping into a forgotten kingdom, one preserved in silence.
Oddly, no one seemed to notice them. The lanterns burned alright, but no figures moved in the streets. The stillness and defeaning silence began to unsettled her.
"Where is everyone?" she asked after a while of walking in silence.
"Resting," Calithar replied simply. "They do not concern you now."
She wanted to ask more, but his tone made the questions die on her lips. Somehow, she felt it was safe enough not to press him for answers until at least she met Seraphine.
They turned a corner, leaving the village lights behind, and stepped into another forest path. This one was narrower and darker, but Calithar's stride thankfully slowed down.
After another long silence, she finally spoke again, unable to bear the silence. "Uhm... where are we going?."
Calithar slowed down more before glancing back at her. "You'll see for yourself soon."
Her chest tightened. She did not know why, but his words, though short and now seemingly cold, eased her fears more than anything.
Why though? I barely know him!
They reached a small clearing in the woods, and there it was; a lone cabin tucked away neatly in the forest. Calithar walked towards it and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to enter.
Inside, the cabin was warm. A faint fire glowed in the hearth, casting shadows to flicker across the wooden walls. It smelled faintly of herbs and smoke, reviving her senses after taking in bouts of dried leaves in the village.
Calithar closed the door softly behind them. When he turned, his eyes locked on hers.
"Elena," he said quietly in the dimly lit room.
She stood frozen, unable to look away. There was something different in his gaze now.
And then—his form began to shift. His skin shimmered and the cloak on his shoulders started to dissipate like steam. It was as though he shed a layer of himself, revealing what had always been beneath. The black hair shimmered into his normal silver blue. The cloak that had faded away was now replaced by a long blue jacket with a white shirt paired with black pants.
Elena stood in awe as she watched him transform.
He stepped closer, took her hand gently, and bowed his head. His lips brushed the back of her knuckles softly, sending her to jerk unintentionally.
The sound of his lips on her hand echoed in the small cabin, settling in her mind.
Her eyes widened and her heart thundered in her chest. What was he doing?!
But before she could speak, his thumb moved from her hand and settled on her neck, pulling her closer to himself until their lips were just a breath away...