In the times of ancient magic, when the first sorcerer still walked those lands, the kingdom of Eldermarch celebrated a singular union. The throne room, transformed for the occasion, shimmered under crystal chandeliers that fragmented light into unique hues, while the air remained thick with the scent of exotic flowers brought from distant frontiers.
Arin and Lirien, once attentive disciples, had become the most improbable of couples, uniting two kingdoms formerly divided by strife.
Queen Lirien, majestic in silver silk, caressed the crystal she had received from her master years ago. Beside her stood the King, robust and solemn, adjusting his sword out of pure habit as they both received nobles and mages from every corner of the world, gathered to witness the sealed peace.
— Who would have thought that one day we would reunite like this — Lirien murmured, her gaze wandering through the room teeming with life.
At the entrance, trumpets announced new guests.
— If he is coming, he will come — Arin replied, keeping his voice steady despite a trace of doubt. — But after so much time... perhaps he has other priorities. We don't know if the letter truly reached him.
There was a nod of the head, and the sovereign's eyes glinted with a mixture of hope and resignation. They had been his students and had learned magic from him, but the lessons had turned into distant memories. The master had always been a mystery, even to those closest to him.
The hall buzzed with the murmur of nobles clad in the finest treasures from their vaults. While musicians played in the galleries and the scent of delicacies mingled with the perfume of flowers, speculation ran wild among the tables.
— I heard he still lives — a guest commented. — Even if he did, why would he come here? No one has seen him for years — retorted a merchant in silk as dark as obsidian.
New trumpets echoed, announcing a dignitary from Aquarius whose robes reflected the colors of the ocean. Amidst greetings and toasts, the celebration drew eyes even from beyond the seas.
In one corner, young sorcerers discussed advances in elemental magic under the suspicious gaze of certain aristocrats; for many, the arcane arts still inspired as much awe as they did fear.
At the back of the hall, a figure in simple clothes tilted his head, as if catching a sound inaudible to the others. With an enigmatic smile, he remained there, observing the flow of the party. The music swelled and the floor filled with couples; the newlyweds danced with the natural grace of those who still held onto the dreams of youth.
Suddenly, royal guards entered hurriedly, clearing the way with determination. A tense silence replaced the laughter as the sound of firm footsteps echoed through the room.
— Open the doors! — one of the soldiers commanded.
The heavy wooden leaves swung wide, allowing a gentle breeze scented with wildflowers to drift in. Arin and Lirien stopped their dance, spurred by an anomaly that the warrior's instinct quickly detected.
A figure emerged, illuminated by the golden light spilling outside. His slow steps seemed to carry the weight of centuries.
The First Sorcerer of Humanity entered.
He walked with grandeur, his long blonde hair falling over his shoulders, catching the light like a halo atop his head. His eyes, as blue as primordial ice, fixed upon his former students while the air around him vibrated with a subtle, omnipresent energy. It was as if a deity had descended among mortals.
The hall plunged into absolute silence. Bards ceased their music, and a noble, in shock, dropped his glass; the shattering of crystal on marble sounded like a solitary crack of thunder.
— It cannot be... — whispered an old noblewoman, her eyes welling with tears. — The legend... — breathed a young mage, clutching the amulet at his neck.
Lirien pressed her hands to her mouth, letting tears of relief and reverence fall. The star of humanity was there. Beside her, the king felt his knees falter, bowing in a vulnerability rarely seen. The master's presence was not merely that of an honored guest, but a silent blessing that sanctified the legacy of that union.
— It gladdens me to witness this union — said the legendary figure, his voice clear and soft as a wind chime. — But this moment belongs to you. The celebration is not mine, but rather belongs to the love and peace you have built.
The announcement allowed the focus to return to the couple. With quick steps that broke the expected formality, the master approached them, revealing a glint of deep affection. With a strong hand, he helped Arin rise and held Lirien's hands, radiating a familiar warmth.
— Master... we thought we would never see you again — the queen whispered.
— Life weaves unexpected paths, Lirien — he replied, before turning to the king. — Arin, look at the peace you have built. It is the greatest proof of your virtues. More potent than any spell.
With a gentle gesture, the master declined the center of attention, preferring the role of observer. The music regained its strength, and joy once again filled the hall. Even a child, drawn by the ethereal aura, approached to touch his cloak; he leaned down with a tender smile, touching her forehead and leaving a spark of wonder in the little girl's eyes.
Later, a silent invitation drew the couple to a discrete corner of the hall, near an ancient tapestry. The pressure of the crowd seemed to diminish in that proximity.
— The feast is magnificent — Lirien said, feeling like a student once more.
— Indeed. The splendor of a new beginning — replied the master, with an expression of tranquil purpose. — But I did not come only to witness. I brought a gift.
Aslam extended his hand, and in his palm, mana condensed into a multi-faceted crystal of blue and violet tones. Around the core, vibrant petals unfurled like lilies in full bloom, supported by small lime-green leaves. He had created a new species.
— This is the Splendorina — he announced, with a rare touch of pride. — A creation that took centuries to mature. I gathered essences from every known corner of the Earth to refine it. It is a bridge; each leaf contains the memory of an ecosystem.
Lirien touched the sapling with trembling fingers, feeling an ancient and vibrant warmth. Arin sensed a pure and fundamental energy, unlike anything he had ever felt.
— I wish for you to plant it in your garden — continued the master. — May it flourish as a testament to the union you have forged, remembering that beauty resides in diversity and strength in unity.
The couple accepted the gift with deep gratitude, promising to tend to the jewel of the kingdom with their own hands. The sapling pulsed in the queen's palms, reflecting the reverence of the moment, while the magical hum of the artifact filled the silence between the three.
Suddenly, eyes snapped open. The modest walls of the inn took shape through the gloom, and reality seeped painfully into the mind.
There was no celebration. It had all been a tapestry woven by sleep over what had once been lived.
A heavy sadness settled in his chest. The memories were vivid, but they belonged to a life he no longer inhabited. An echo of mana still seemed to vibrate in his hands—a phantom reverberation of the Splendorina crystal that Kaelus's body felt without understanding.
He sat up in bed, staring at the dark ceiling.
"They existed," he thought, his inner voice sounding raspy. "They built a future."
The melancholy transformed into a crystalline determination. He needed to know what remained of that legacy. He stood with renewed agility and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains. The image of the plant that represented all of Earth still glowed in his mind.
"Does it still live? Does the Splendorina still exist?"