Far from home

Once upon a time, there was a young elven woman hurrying through a dense forest beneath a curtain of pouring rain. Far from shielding her from the downpour, the trees collected the water on their leaves until the droplets swelled into little cascades, forcing her to weave around the enormous ash trees. In the distance, beyond the lush green foliage, a watery dusk gnawed at the horizon, allowing the last orange rays of sunlight to filter through the rain and the dark silhouettes of the trees.

Soaked through, exhausted, and hungry, the young elf decided to head towards the mountain in search of shelter.

She walked for a long while until a strange sound caught her attention.

Intrigued, she strayed from the path and ventured deeper into the undergrowth, following the faint noise as she gripped her bow and nocked an arrow. She advanced slowly and quietly until she reached its source. Hiding behind a tree trunk, the elf peered around it, drawing her bow.

A small sparrow lay in a puddle on the ground, barely able to move.

The young woman quickly lowered her bow and rushed over to help. Carefully, she scooped the bird into her hands and lifted it out of the water. One of its wings appeared to be broken, and several scratches marked its tiny body. Worried, she placed it on her lap and rummaged through her backpack until she found a dry handkerchief. She gently wrapped the sparrow in it and tucked it beneath her clothes.

“Don't worry, little friend. You're safe now.”

Without wasting any time, she stood and searched for shelter for them both.

After a while, she found a small, abandoned cave where they could take refuge. She carefully took the bird out from beneath her clothes and placed it on a dry rock. Then she removed her cloak, armour, and the wettest layers of clothing, leaving herself in only the damp linen shirt and breeches she wore beneath her gambeson.

Reaching into her backpack, she took out some tinder and flint. Together with dry roots, leaves, and branches she had gathered along the way, she used them to start a fire. Once everything was ready, she picked up the little sparrow, which was trying weakly to move, and placed it near the warmth of the flames.

She carefully unwrapped it while taking a small first-aid kit from her bag. Inside were bandages, a jar of ointment, and several other healing supplies. Once she had finished tending to its wounds, she gave it some food and water.

Still weak, the sparrow began chirping a little more cheerfully, as though thanking her.

“You're welcome, little friend,” the girl replied, gently stroking beneath its beak with the tip of one finger. “How did this happen to you?”

The bird chirped again, but the young elf clearly did not understand.

“Sorry, little one. I don't understand what you're saying... I suppose I still have plenty to learn as a ranger,” the young woman said with a soft laugh, and the sparrow answered with several chirps of its own. “I hope it doesn't hurt too much. Don't worry. I'll take care of you, and before long you'll be well enough to fly freely through the sky again.”

The little bird chirped happily at her words, then stared at her and tilted its head.

“Hmm... I suppose you're wondering what I was doing out here in the middle of this awful storm, aren't you?”

The bird seemed to nod—or at least she thought it did—so she continued.

“Well, you see, I'm travelling. I'm in the middle of an important mission. I have to find a way to help my people. Everyone back home is depending on me!”

The young elf smiled broadly as she brushed some of her long white hair away from her face.

The firelight cast reddish highlights across it.

“I've been away from home for several lunar cycles already. I hope everyone is all right,” she added, lowering her head slightly as her smile faded.

The sparrow gently tapped her hand with its beak, as though trying to cheer her up.

“It's all right, little one. Don't worry about me. Just focus on getting better.”

The days passed beneath the relentless rain, which fortunately they could watch from the safety of the cave. Beside the fire, they shared rations while the kind elf recounted stories from her journey. Little by little, the sparrow recovered, and their friendship grew along with the affection and care she gave it.

Then one morning, as the sun began to break through the few remaining black clouds, the little bird flew again.

“Great!” the girl exclaimed, raising a fist. “You can fly!”

The sparrow circled her several times, then fluttered around the cave before landing on a rock.

“Now you can go back to flying through the skies with your companions. Go on, my friend!”

“I can't leave yet,” said a delicate voice that echoed through the cavern.

“Huh? Are you...?”

Stunned, the elf tried to speak but failed. She could only stare at her friend, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

“Indeed, young friend. I am speaking,” said the sparrow.

Suddenly, brilliant iridescent light in shades of green and white began to emanate from the tiny bird. A feminine silhouette slowly appeared within the glow, blurred at first, then becoming clearer until it revealed a young woman with elven features.

She had fair skin and brown hair streaked with lighter and darker shades that blended together like the delicate feathers of a bird. Her eyes were slightly sharp and tapered gently at the corners. She wore a brown-and-white dress, a cloak in shades of green, leather archery bracers, and a quiver on her back.

“A-are you... a girl?” the young elf asked, even more astonished.

“My name is Kiany, spirit of small animals, and I would like to thank you for what you have done for me,” the young woman said, bowing to her saviour before looking back at her.

“N-nice to meet you,” Leyade replied, awkwardly returning the bow. “It was nothing. I only wanted to help. I couldn't just leave a creature to suffer like that.”

“I know. You have a noble and pure heart, and that is precisely why I would like to know your name.”

“Th-thank you... I'm Leyade Tíanladastra,” she replied, feeling her face grow hot at such praise.

“I see,” Kiany said as she stepped down from the rock and approached until only a few paces separated them. “Tell me, Leyade. What do you desire?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” the girl asked, confused.

“I want to reward your kindness and nobility, so please, tell me what you desire.”

“I didn't help you because I wanted a reward,” the elf replied firmly.

“Don't misunderstand me, Leyade. I'm not suggesting your actions were selfish,” the young woman clarified. “We spirits show our gratitude this way for acts of genuine kindness such as yours. So please, allow me to reward you.”

“Well... if you insist.”

The young woman drew a breath before continuing.

“As I told you when I found you, my people are in trouble, and I've set out on a journey to find a way to help them.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“A great evil is threatening my people, and I need something that can put an end to it,” the young elf explained, determination filling her voice.

“I understand. But I would need more details before I could give you something that might help,” the spirit replied, frowning thoughtfully.

“Well... some time ago, an enormous rift opened in the mountains near my village.”

Leyade spoke slowly, trying to describe what had happened as accurately as possible.

“People travelling nearby said the fissure suddenly burst open, releasing intense heat and making a noise so loud it sounded like an explosion.”

“And what happened afterwards?” the spirit asked attentively.

“Once things had calmed down, the Council sent a group of rangers to investigate. I was one of them. And what we saw...”

Leyade paused, gathering herself before continuing.

“What we saw wasn't normal.” She shook her head. “When we looked into the rift, we saw hundreds—no, thousands—of horrifying creatures.”

“What did they look like?” the spirit asked, concern showing on her face.

“Well... I have a sketch.”

Leyade rummaged through her backpack until she found a rolled-up piece of parchment tied with a ribbon. She untied it and spread the parchment across a rock.

The paper was worn with age, and on it was a drawing of a strange, macabre creature: large and powerfully built, with enormous goat-like horns curving downwards. It also wielded a three-tailed flaming whip and a sword made of fire.

The moment Kiany saw it, she exclaimed:

“It's a dark spirit.”

Her expression shifted from confusion to concern.

“What is a dark spirit?” the elf asked.

“They are spirits that have been corrupted,” Kiany began solemnly. “A very, very long time ago, the sun elves, moon elves, and forest elves joined forces to fight them.”

“Now that you mention it, I think I've heard some of the Council elders speak about them before,” Leyade said, nodding thoughtfully.

“And how did you end up travelling across the nation all by yourself?” Kiany asked.

“Several days later, one of those spirits managed to force one of its arms through the rift and destroyed everything within its reach,” Leyade continued, tapping the parchment twice. “So the Council called a meeting and asked for a volunteer to go in search of help.”

She turned towards Kiany, determination in her eyes.

“And I volunteered.”

“I see...” Kiany murmured.

She stared thoughtfully at the drawing until she finally broke the silence.

“If dark spirits are involved, then I'm afraid this is much more complicated than I first thought. Unfortunately, I have neither the knowledge nor the power to close the rift.”

Leyade lowered her gaze, disappointed.

“However, I can help you by giving you this.”

Kiany extended her slender hand, which began to glow. From the light emerged a sword whose hilt was adorned with roots and vines that ran along the blade.

“This is Kalindra. With it, you will bring light to your people. Wield it, speak its name, and you will unleash its power.”

“What does it do?” Leyade asked, fascinated.

“It will shine like sunlight and dispel the darkness, eradicating it forever.”

“Thank you, Kiany. I will be eternally grateful,” Leyade said, dropping to one knee.

“No, my friend. You saved me,” Kiany replied as she closed Leyade's fingers around the sword's hilt. “I hope this gift helps you as much as you helped me.”

For the first time, the young spirit smiled.

Leyade studied the sword in her hands for a few moments before breaking the silence once more.

“But... I don't know how to wield a sword,” Leyade admitted, somewhat embarrassed.

Kiany smiled warmly.

“Don't worry. I know someone who may be able to help you,” the spirit said, amused by the look of relief that immediately crossed the ranger's face. “Head towards the foothills of the mountains bordering the human kingdom and enter the forest of Kalneria.”

She paused to make sure Leyade was following.

Leyade nodded attentively as she fastened the sword to her belt.

“Give me a second. Let me check the map to make sure I've got it right.”

She slung her backpack over one shoulder and slowly opened it, loosening the fastening cords and lifting the worn leather flap.

She reached inside and rummaged through its contents amid the clinking of glass, the rustling of papers, and the sound of other objects shifting around. After a few moments, she pulled out a somewhat worn map. The passage of time and frequent use showed clearly on it, but so did the care and affection with which she had preserved it.

She spread it across the rock where Kiany had been standing earlier and took out a piece of charcoal to trace the route.

“All right... You said I need to go to this area here, right?” she asked, marking a spot beside the mountains Kiany had mentioned. “And from here...”

She drew a gentle line from the mountains towards the wooded region.

“...to this forest?”

The elf turned towards Kiany for confirmation.

But there was no one there.

Confused, Leyade looked around. Then she noticed a feather lying on the ground and realised the spirit had vanished.

Slowly, she walked over, knelt on one knee, and picked it up.

“Thank you,” the ranger whispered to the feather, as though Kiany could still hear her.

She gently closed her fingers around it and stood. With her other hand, she reached into her backpack and took out a small, ornate wooden box.

She opened it and placed the feather inside with the utmost care, treating it as though it were a fragile, irreplaceable treasure. Then she closed the box and put it safely away.

She turned back to the rock and collected the map, carefully rolling it up before tying it with the ribbon. She placed it back inside her backpack, tied the cord securely, and folded the flap over the top.

Then she slipped the backpack over her shoulders and covered it with her cloak, fastening the cloak across her chest.

She gave the cave one last look to make sure she had left nothing behind.

The place that had sheltered her for days was once again what it had always been: an empty, muddy cave made of cold stone, streaked with tiny trickles of water that slipped through the cracks and fell drop by drop, their dull echoes resonating through the cavern.

With a soft sigh, aware of how much had changed in such a short time, she turned away.

Her cloak fluttered gently in the breeze as she stepped out of the cave.

Without looking back, she set off towards the great forest and the adventures that awaited her.