The Elven Forest of Valtoria breathed like a living god.Ancient trees towered toward the heavens, their bark etched with faintly glowing runes,radiation mana each instant , canopies woven so tightly that light fell in emerald shards. Mana so pure drifted through the air like pollen, rich and warm, carrying the quiet songs of spirits older than memory. This was a forest that housed memories of forgotten eons and legends , the birthplace of elves and the cradle of spirits, faes and fairies.It has endured the test of time and wars , remembered lengends and heroes .The forest was protected by a world tree ,which based on legends of old was a gift from the goddess of nature , patron of the elves taken from a branch of the True world tree ygdrassil.
But on this night, the forest trembled for the first time since a long time..High above the Verdant Crown, the moon rose—
not silver, not pale— but red as if tainted by an ocean of blood .
A blood moon ,often a sign of a era of chaos or the birth of a scourge.
Whispers rippled through the forest paths. Lamps dimmed. Ward-lights flickered. Elves halted mid-step, gazing skyward as the crimson glow bled through the leaves.
"That hasn't happened since the Demon War 300 years ago…"
"Close the paths."
"Return home. Now."
Fear moved faster than reason.Doors sealed. Illusion wards snapped into place. Rangers vanished into the canopy as families retreated into their grown dwellings. The forest itself seemed to pull inward, as though recoiling from the omen above.
Within the heart of Valtoria stood the Verdant Spire, the Elven Palace grown from the World-Tree's heartwood. Tonight, its halls were in chaos.
"More water!"
"Secure the eastern wing!"
"Where is the healer—hurry!"
Maids rushed through living corridors, silk robes brushing moss-covered floors. Guards lined every entrance, silverleaf spears humming with mana. The palace had not been sealed like this in centuries.
At the highest chamber, behind layers of runic wards, the Queen paced.
Her steps were sharp, uneven. Her hands trembled as she clenched them together.
"Why is it taking so long?" she demanded, voice tight. "She is strong. My daughter is strong."
Inside the delivery chamber, pain echoed.
The Princess of Valtoria lay upon a bed of living vines, her white hair damp with sweat, her breaths ragged. A master healer knelt at her side, palms glowing with soft green light.
"Stay with me, Your Highness," the healer urged. "The child is… unusual."
The princess cried out, fingers digging into the sheets.
"He's—" She gasped. "He's taking too much."
The healer stiffened. "Blood and mana… he's drawing them to form himself. I've never seen such—"
"Let him," the princess whispered fiercely. "He is my son."
Another wave of pain tore through her. The runes along the walls flared as the mana in the room surged violently, pulled toward the life struggling to be born.Outside, the blood moon burned.Hour after hour passed the night dragged on, heavy and suffocating. Even the forest spirits fell silent.
"Your Majesty," the healer said hoarsely near dawn, "if this continues—"
"I said let him," the princess snapped, then softened, her strength fading. "Please… just let him live."
With a final cry that shook the chamber, the child was born.
Silence followed.
The healer stared.
The Queen stepped forward, breath caught in her throat.The infant's hair was white as snow.His skin, pale as the moon.And when he opened his eyes were crinsom red
A sharp inhale rippled through the room
.
"A-a blood child…" one maid whispered.
"No…" another murmured. "That can't be…"
The healer took an unsteady step back. "This child—"
"Give him to me." The princess reached out weakly. The healer hesitated, then gently placed the newborn into her arms.
The moment she held him, her trembling ceased.
"My little one…" she whispered, tears spilling freely. "You're here. You're finally here."
The baby stirred, tiny fingers curling against her chest.
"Kaelar," she breathed. "Your name is Kaelar."
She pressed her forehead to his, voice barely audible. "I love you. No matter what they say… I love you."
Her gaze lifted, finding her mother.
"Mother… come closer."
The Queen rushed to her side. "You must rest. Please—"
"I don't have time," the princess said softly, urgency lacing every word. With trembling fingers, she removed a delicate necklace, its crystal pendant pulsing faintly with hidden runes.
"Take this," she said, placing it in the Queen's palm. "Give it to Kaelar when he is older. Tell him… tell him I loved him. And that he must always keep it with him."
The Queen's eyes widened. "What are you saying?"
"He'll understand one day," the princess replied faintly. "Promise me… you'll protect him."
"I—" The Queen's voice broke. "I promise."
A fragile smile touched the princess's lips.
"Take care of him, Mother…"
Her grip loosened.
"Protect… Kaelar…"
Her eyes fluttered shut as her breath slowed, her life force ebbing like a receding tide.
"No—" the Queen whispered. "Stay with me. Please."
The healer bowed her head and said grimly
"Your Majesty… she has fallen unconscious. Her essence is dangerously low.I don't think the princess will make it.Her blood essence and mana pool have both dried up..There's nothing we can do . "
A dead silence fell into the room.
Outside the chamber, rumors and whispers had already began to spread.
"A cursed child…"
"I heard he is a demon , a curse ..."
"Born under a blood moon…"
"Red eyes… white hair…"
The forest listened and somewhere deep within the newborn's gaze, something ancient stirred.Under the blood moon,
Kaelar Zareth Valtoris drew his first breath.