"Kaziya," her mother called softly, her voice warm as she knelt in front of her daughter. The ten-year-old stood still while her mother fixed the last pieces of her ceremonial outfit. A deep red cloth wrapped around Kaziya's small frame, its ends decorated with tiny beads that glimmered when they caught the light. A tribal headband was placed gently across her forehead, and a bold streak of red paint marked the center of it—a symbol of courage for all children attending the rite.
Kaziya's long black hair had been braided with thin strands of dried herbs for protection. Her bright blue eyes, clear as the morning sky, reflected a mix of excitement and nervousness.
This was the day she had been dreaming of since she was old enough to understand stories—the day she would walk into the Fairo Tree, hidden deep within the dark forest. Only chosen children were allowed inside, guided by elders and protected by enchanted lanterns. Today, she would attempt to bond with an Elemental Fairy, a spirit tied to one of the six great elements.
Kaziya's heart beat fast at the thought. She imagined the thrill of discovering her element—fire, water, wind, earth, light, or shadow. She wondered what kind of power would flow through her once the bond was made.
But beneath her excitement, a quiet fear pressed against her chest.
What if I fail? What if no fairy chooses me?
She swallowed hard, hands trembling slightly. Though she tried to hide it, her mother noticed.
"You'll do well, Kaziya," her mother said, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. "The forest knows your heart."
Kaziya nodded, taking a slow breath, trying to steady herself. Today could change her life forever.
The path to the forest entrance was lined with families, all gathered to watch the chosen children begin their journey. Kaziya stepped forward, holding tightly to the small charm her mother had slipped into her palm—a carved wooden leaf meant to bring good luck.
The dark forest stood ahead like a towering wall of shadows. Its leaves whispered softly even though there was no wind, as if the forest itself was breathing ancient secrets.
Kaziya made her way toward the gathering of children and immediately spotted Xela—her best friend since they were small. His sandy hair glowed under the faint morning light, and he kept bouncing on his feet, unable to hide his excitement.
"Kaziya!" Xela waved and rushed to her side. "Can you believe it? We're finally doing this!"
She gave a nervous smile. "I still can't tell if I'm excited or terrified."
"Both," he said confidently. "That means it's important."
A quiet girl nearby held a woven basket filled with dried flowers, and a few other children stood close, sharing the same anxious energy. When Kaziya and Xela joined them, some offered warm, understanding smiles.
One of the elders stepped forward, his long green robes brushing the ground as he raised a staff carved with glowing runes. "Children," he said, his voice calm and steady, "today you will meet the spirits who shape our world. Be respectful, be brave, and trust the forest."
As the group began moving, Xela reached for Kaziya's hand. She squeezed his fingers tightly, grateful for the steady warmth he offered.
Together, they stepped past the vine-covered archway that marked the border between the village and the forest.
Instantly, the air shifted. It grew cooler, filled with a faint shimmering mist that floated above the ground. Small glowing insects drifted lazily between the trees like wandering stars. The sounds of the forest wrapped around them—the crunch of leaves beneath their feet, the distant call of strange birds, the whisper of branches brushing together.
Kaziya's heartbeat quickened, but Xela's hand in hers helped steady her.
They walked deeper, the trees growing taller and thicker, their branches entwining overhead until only thin strands of sunlight reached through. Stripes of golden light decorated the forest floor like scattered ribbons.
After what felt like a long walk, the path finally opened into a wide clearing.
At its center stood the Fairo Tree.
It was massive—its trunk broader than a house, with silver veins running across the bark like living lightning. Mist curled around its branches, shifting in color from blue to green to violet. Soft pulses of light moved across the roots, as if the tree itself was breathing.
Several children gasped in awe. Others stepped closer without thinking, drawn by its warm glow.
Kaziya stared silently, her breath caught in her throat. She had heard stories of the Fairo Tree her whole life, but nothing compared to seeing it with her own eyes. The tree felt ancient and alive, radiating both comfort and power.
The elder lifted his staff once more. "Approach with an open heart. The Elemental Fairies will test your spirit. Only then will they choose."
Kaziya felt Xela give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She took a slow breath.
This was the moment she had been waiting for—
and there was no turning back now.
The children formed a single line as the elders guided them toward the glowing roots of the Fairo Tree. Kaziya and Xela stayed close together, their hands still linked. The warmth of his grip helped settle the nervous flutter in her stomach.
As they walked, Xela leaned closer and whispered, "So… what element do you want?"
Kaziya glanced at him. "You already know? You've been thinking about it that much?"
"Of course!" he said proudly, puffing out his chest just a little. "I want fire. A strong flame, bright and steady. If I get it, I can train to become a smith wielder like my father. Just imagine—shaping metal with my own elemental fire." His eyes sparkled at the idea. "It would be perfect."
Kaziya smiled softly. She loved how sure he was, how confident he sounded even when everyone else trembled with doubt.
"What about you?" Xela asked. "Which element do you want?"
Kaziya opened her mouth, then closed it again as uncertainty washed over her.
"I… don't know," she admitted quietly. "Every element sounds special in its own way. I've tried thinking about it, but nothing feels like the right answer."
Xela tilted his head. "Maybe your element is waiting to surprise you."
"Or maybe I just won't get one," she whispered back, a worried crease forming between her brows.
Xela squeezed her hand gently. "Hey, don't think like that. You're Kaziya. If anyone gets chosen, it's you. The fairies will see it."
She wanted to believe him. She truly did.
Ahead of them, the line moved slowly as each child stepped into the shimmering light near the base of the massive tree. A soft hum filled the air—like distant singing—and the mist around the branches began to shift as if responding to their presence.
Kaziya looked up at the swirling colors above, her heart beating a little faster.
She still didn't know what element she wanted… but she hoped the forest would know better than she did.
The line slowed as the adults at the front came to a stop. Kaziya and Xela stepped forward until they saw the reason why.
Two tall stone pillars stood before them, each carved with winding patterns and old symbols that glowed faintly in the dim forest light. The carvings looked ancient—older than their village, older than the stories Kaziya had grown up hearing. Moss clung to their sides, and small lights flickered inside the carved lines like fireflies trapped in stone.
One elder raised his hand. "Children," he said, his voice firm yet gentle, "this is where we stop."
A quiet murmur spread among the group.
"This entrance," another elder continued, "marks the boundary where only the chosen may walk. From here on, the path belongs to you alone."
Kaziya felt Xela tighten his hold on her hand. She squeezed back.
"The walk to the Fairo Tree will reveal your spirits," the elder explained. "Every step, every choice, every fear you face—the forest will see it all. The Elemental Fairies will watch, and only then will they decide which of you is worthy of their bond."
The wind shifted, carrying a soft, whispering sound that curled between the trees. It almost felt like the forest itself was listening.
"Do not stray from the path," one elder warned. "Do not run. Do not turn back. The forest will test your heart, your strength, and your truth." He lowered his staff. "Walk with respect, and the forest will guide you. Walk with fear, and it will show you who you really are."
The children exchanged uneasy glances. Some stepped closer to their friends. A few swallowed hard, gripping their charms or tokens from home.
Kaziya tried to steady her breathing. She could feel her pulse beating fast in her chest, but Xela's presence beside her kept her grounded.
"We believe in you," an elder said softly. "All of you."
Then, as one, the adults stepped back, forming a line behind the stone pillars and leaving the children at the entrance.
A hush fell over the group.
Beyond the pillars, the forest path seemed to glow faintly, winding toward the distant, pulsing light of the Fairo Tree. The air felt different beyond the stones—heavier, more aware.
Xela looked at Kaziya, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ready?"
"No," she admitted honestly. Then she smiled a little. "But I guess we go anyway."
Hand in hand, they stepped past the stone pillars and entered the true heart of the forest—where the Elemental Fairies were waiting and where the tests would begin.
As soon as Kaziya and Xela stepped past the stone pillars, the air around them shifted. It felt thicker, warmer, as if the forest had suddenly awakened and turned its attention toward the children. The faint glow of the path brightened slightly, guiding their steps.
The group walked together at first, staying close. No one wanted to be the first to fall behind. Leaves rustled overhead, though the air was still. Small sparks of light floated through the trees, drifting lazily like tiny spirits watching from above.
Xela leaned toward Kaziya. "Do you feel that? It's like the forest is… studying us."
She nodded. "Like it's waiting."
They walked deeper, and slowly, the path began to change. The trees grew taller and closer together, their branches weaving into tight arches above. The mist thickened around their feet, curling softly with every step.
Then came the first test.
Without warning, the path split into two directions.
The children froze.
The left path was bright, covered in gentle green light, surrounded by flowers that swayed even though there was no breeze. The right path was darker, shadowed, with strange symbols glowing faintly on the trunks of the trees.
"What do we do?" someone whispered.
"The elders never said anything about two paths."
Kaziya felt her heart beat faster. She looked down both paths. The bright one felt safe… almost too safe. The darker path pulled at her, even though it frightened her. She sensed something deeper there, something testing their courage.
A soft wind drifted past the group, carrying a whisper that sounded almost like words. The children turned nervously, trying to understand what the forest wanted.
Then a voice echoed—not human, not loud, but clear enough for their minds to hear:
"Choose."
Some children gasped. A few stepped back.
Kaziya looked at Xela. He looked back, eyes wide but steady.
"What path do you want to take?" he asked.
She swallowed hard. "I… don't know. The bright one looks safe, but the other feels like it hides something important."
Xela nodded slowly. "Then we should choose together."
From behind them, a brave boy stepped toward the bright path. "We stick to the safe one," he said, trying to sound sure. "The fairies won't trick us."
But another girl pointed toward the darker path. "What if the safe path is the trick? What if the fairies want to see who faces fear?"
Voices began to rise in confusion.
Kaziya's grip on Xela tightened. "If we split up…"
He shook his head immediately. "I'm not leaving you."
She felt a warm flush of relief.
Kaziya took a breath and stepped forward, letting her instincts guide her. She closed her eyes for a moment—just long enough to sense the quiet pulse of the forest's energy.
When she opened them, she met Xela's gaze.
"I think," she said softly, "we should take the darker path."
Xela nodded. "Then that's where we go."
Together, still holding hands, they walked toward the shadowed path while the other children made their own choices behind them.
As soon as Kaziya and Xela stepped onto the darker path, the forest lights flickered—and the shadows shifted, slowly forming a faint silhouette ahead.
The deeper Kaziya and Xela walked into the darker path, the quieter the forest became. The glowing symbols on the trees pulsed like slow heartbeats, and the shadows around them shifted with every step. It felt as if the forest was watching, weighing their courage.
Kaziya held Xela's hand tightly. His warmth kept her steady in the dim, eerie path.
"This place feels strange," Xela murmured.
"It's the test," she whispered back. "It has to be."
Then something flickered to their right—small at first, like a spark. But it grew brighter, forming a tiny flame floating just above the mossy ground. It burned without smoke, dancing gently in the air.
Xela's breath caught. "Fire… Kaziya, look! I think it's meant for me." His eyes shone with excitement. "Maybe this is the sign. Maybe it's calling me!"
"Xela, wait—don't go near it!" Kaziya reached for him.
But he moved quickly.
Before she could grab him, he slipped from her grip.
His hand vanished from hers.
In a heartbeat, he was following the little flame deeper between the dark trees, as if pulled by something only he could feel.
"Xela!" Kaziya called, panic burning in her chest.
He didn't answer.
She spun around, expecting to see the other children behind them—but the path was empty. No footprints. No shadows. No sound.
They were alone.
Completely alone.
A cold fear wrapped around her like mist.
"Xela!" she screamed, louder this time. Her voice shook.
No reply.
Only silence… heavy and thick.
Her heart pounded painfully. She couldn't stay still. She couldn't think. She could only run.
Kaziya rushed down the path Xela had taken, her feet thudding against the soft earth. Darkness crowded around her, swallowing her small figure as she pushed deeper into the forest. Branches brushed her clothes, and the flickering lights above dimmed the farther she went.
"Xela! Xela, please answer me!" she cried, breathless.
She didn't care if she tripped.She didn't care if she went the wrong way.She only knew she had to find him.
Her throat tightened as fear grew heavier in her chest. She wished he still held her hand. She wished she hadn't let go.
The darkness thickened until she could barely see her own feet. Her breaths came fast and sharp.
Then—somewhere ahead—a soft whisper drifted through the shadows.
"Kaziya…"
She stopped instantly, heart hammering. The voice wasn't loud. It wasn't human. It was soft, like wind brushing against her ear.
She swallowed hard. "Who's there?"
Another whisper followed, closer this time, curling through the darkness like smoke:
"Do not fear the dark, child… or it will swallow what you love."
Kaziya's hands trembled. She took one step back.
But then she remembered Xela—lost, chasing a fire he didn't understand.
She clenched her fists, pushing down the fear that twisted inside her.
"Tell me where he is," she said, her voice shaking but strong. "Tell me where my friend went!"
The darkness stilled.
A final whisper floated around her, almost like a warning… or a choice:
"Find the flame…before it finds him first."