Worn Body, Worn Mind

 “W-wait! We’re here for a good reason!” Liora calls out, her voice nervous.

The fuming weedman starts pursuing her, more intent on retribution than listening to reason.

« I’m sorry, Jason ! » Liora laughs, darting away from the elder weedman.

« My name is not Jason ! »

A thick cane swings dangerously close, promising a rough beating.

Thalindra sighs, shaking her head.

“Do you always run from your problems?” she mutters, her gaze unwavering from Althea.

Althea chuckles lightly. “Your friend isn’t the most graceful, is she?”

With a small gesture, Althea motions for Thalindra to follow her. They step toward a quiet clearing where a round table and chairs await.

Althea places a small, delicate hand on her cup, taking a sip as if nothing had just happened. “You may find this more to your liking,” she says, her voice now smooth, almost inviting.

The biscuits, however, are barely edible.

‘Are these pet snacks?’ Thalindra wonders, watching the tamed little fawn prance across the table, obediently waiting for its treat.

“So, you’re saying you cut through our grove, in search of a precious artifact?”

Althea raises a skeptical eyebrow, idly tossing a snack to her fawn.

“Yes, Lady Althea.” Thalindra answers.

She has been careful to avoid mentioning specifics about the Star Tear. But the human across from her is probing, testing their intentions. And she has yet to be convinced of their good will.

“I am very sorry for … this girl’s antics.”

“Don’t worry” Althea chuckles, watching as Liora stumbles over oak roots. The weedman finally catches her, delivering well-earned retribution. A few dryads observe from the shadows—silent, but the rustling of their foliage and the twitch of their thorny vines betray their amusement.

“I’m a healer mystic. I can catch glimpses of the future. Maybe, I can help you find this … artifact?”

Another suspicious eyebrow rises. Thalindra has lost count of them.

“I doubt it.” the elder elf growls. “The artifact has remained hidden for centuries despite its fame.”

“So you are searching for the Star Tear…”

Thalindra chokes on her tea, hot liquid spilling down her robes. The butler treant rushes to her side, its wooden branches moving swiftly to help clean up.

Althea chuckles, bringing a small hand to her lips with delicate amusement. “I knew it. I foresaw your coming.”

Thalindra wipes her mouth, narrowing her eyes. "Then, why?"

"I have a standing here."

A pause.

"It was also funny."

“That’s the real reason, isn’t it?”

Althea simply sips her tea, offering no answer. Instead, her gaze shifts to Liora.

“This elf girl personality is … unique. Elves are peaceful people, subdued even…”

Thalindra scoffs. “Subdued may be pushing it. But I get it...”

They both watch as Liora swipes a handful of sweet honey acorns from the large honey oak. The weedman’s eyes flare from red to purple, his fury reigniting. Another chase begins.…

“Maybe she should master thievery instead?”

Thalindra nearly chokes, coughing violently. "Excuse me? You want her to get even worse?"

Althea’s eyes glint with mischief.

“I know the perfect duo to teach her. They’re a bit far from here, but…”

“No, thank you.”

Althea smirks knowingly.

“We’ll meet them anyway, won’t we?”

A pause.

Thalindra exhales sharply. “Knowing my future sucks.”

“You won’t last without help. Better she spends her energy on them rather than on you.”

Thalindra shifts uncomfortably.

“You’re too perceptive for a human.”

Althea chuckles softly.

“Well, I am a healer, after all. Let me ease your weary body before you leave.”

A day later, Liora and Thalindra leave the Spellgrove, bidding farewell to its peculiar inhabitants.

They continue down a narrow path, taking in the ever-changing landscapes. Time passes—one week—treading through ancient swamps, vibrant rivers, and mushroom forests.

Nine weeks left.

Thalindra slows her pace, breathing heavily. They’ve been pushing themselves harder lately.

“We’re getting closer.”

Liora sits beside a hazel tree, content with her youthful energy.

“You told me we need three keys just to have a chance at entering the Star Jewel sanctuary.”

Thalindra frowns slightly.

“I did. What’s your concern?”

“Hm. If the keys are easier to find than the Jewel, why hasn’t anyone found them yet?”

“I never said it would be easy.”

Thalindra gestures towards the ancient ruins, smiling.

“But the first key may be within our reach.”

The ruins loom before them, moss-covered walls crumbling under the weight of centuries. The scent of damp earth and lingering magic fills the air.

Liora’s ears twitch with excitement.

“Now, that’s treasure grounds, old freak!”

“Stop calling me ‘old freak’.” Thalindra retorts, fully aware that Liora’s nickname antics are unstoppable. Another nasty habit.

They walk past crumbled columns, evoking fading memories of Thalindra’s past with her husband, Elicth.

“Come, Elicth! You slow slug!” she laughs.

She sees herself smiling at him, waving cheerfully to enter the magnificent, Aztec-like palace.

“Come, old freak! You slow snail!” Liora laughs at her.

Some things just never change…

They stumble upon a maze, dark within the walls of the palace. The sunlight barely shines through the thick moss layering the ceiling.

A shiver spins through Thalindra’s spine. She has been here before. And failed.

“We need to stick close together, Liora” she warns her.

But the girl is already running through the walls, excited to find more treasures.

“Eek!”

A troll blocks Liora’s path. Its dark skin glistens in the eerie darkness of the labyrinth.

“You can’t rush through this.”

They try to cast their magic at the troll, but the spells are merely reflected on its skin.

The troll grumbles, before speaking in a deep loud voice.

“I am the guardian of this place. If you wish to enter, you must answer my riddle.”

They pause, staring at him.

“I am small. I am bright. I feel alive, yet I am not. I shine at night, but vanish in the daylight. If you touch me, you are already dead. If you feel me, you are already alive. Who am I?”

“A vampire!” cheers Liora.

The troll throws a huge boulder at her, sending her spinning to the wall near the entrance.

Liora coughs heavily, fallen on the floor.

“I-I’m fine!”

She glances at Thalindra, flashing puppy eyes.

“You may be an old freak. But, I trust you.”

Thalindra feels her heart sink.

“We need those treasures!”

Never mind…

Thalindra ponders the riddle, for a while. She’s not ready to let any boulder crush her.

“A flame?”

The troll stares at her, before leaving. Its heavy steps echo, deeply and loudly, through the labyrinth.

“Yay! You did it!” cheers Liora.

“It’s not over, child.”

Thalindra gestures ahead.

“The real challenge begins now, with the first key at the center of this maze.”

“We got this!”

“You can’t map it. Once you’re in, you can’t look higher than the walls. This maze is too perfect. My husband and I failed many many times here...”

Liora’s face is a blank stare.

“Why don’t we just burn our way through…”

“Try it.”

Liora gulps, nervous now.

“The only way to navigate it is with a guide and a thread between the two people. One person stays at the entrance and guides the other in.”

“Sounds easy.”

“It is not. I’ll be the one going in.”

A silence settles. So far, in tough fights, Thalindra has been the brain, and she has been the brawn. She’s the steady anchor, the one who handles the pressure. But this?

“Why!?” finally protests Liora, her voice tinged with disbelief and concern.

Thalindra meets her gaze, with deep resolve in her eyes.

“I need to. This is my fight.”

Something in her eyes startles Liora. There is no life in them. This isn’t the usual bitter Thalindra.

Only deep, painful regret etched across her face, like a wound that never fully healed.