Through the glowing and quiet woods, with spirits flying everywhere a hymn was heard.
Wood and leaves were cracking until it stoped suddenly.
"Are you alright little one" a voice quietly called out. She had an above average face with long ash brown braided hair, pale gold eyes, and a gentle aura.
Down on one knee, She was wearing a fitted brown corset vest over a cream blouse with soft, billowing sleeves, a long pleated skirt edged in lace, and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with dried flowers—practical, elegant, and quietly scholarly.
She reached out "Here this will help" she fixed the small wound and it thanked her and left.
She continued humming and left until she reached a house of wood and stone. She opened the door and went in.
"Ari I'm here, where are you?" She called out but no answer came. There was silence. She looked out the window and saw a man clad in a knights training attire of black and grey with long black hair tied behind his head, clear blue eyes, and a small scar on his collarbone.
"She's upstairs sleeping" he said turning to face her. "It's almost twelve. why is she still asleep?" she asked.
He gave a warm smile "you know how she is". She immediately went up the stairs to the bedroom on the left side and opened the door.
"Ari get up you can't keep sleeping this late" she yelled. The blanket moved up until a head poped through, it was a young girl no more than 6 of soft features, white hair that reached her wraist, a lean build almost fragile, subtle serphant scales near her collarbone almost unnoticeable, star freckled skin,a tiny mole on her left cheek, and two sleep heavy velvet green eyes.
"You went to sleep late again didn't you?" The witch scolded with almost annoyed eyes. The blanket went all the way down and the young girl replied "I stayed up trying to finish that book you gave me" the two velvet green eyes looked ready to cry.
"No no it's alright I was just a little annoyed your fine" the witch comforted her. "Now fix your bed and come downstairs we have things to do".
She closed the door and went downstairs. "He's up now Jega" she called to the kitchen. Jega turned back and replied "I have her breakfast ready exactly as she likes it" on the plate infornt of him was sweet pancakes with blueberry's, strawberry, honey, and syrup.
"What did you do this morning?" He asked. "I planted new flowers in the garden, picked some herbs and helped a spirit with an injury" she answered. "An injury?" He look at her with a curious and serious face.
She quickly explained "it was only a small injury nothing to get worried about, it looked like it was from falling".
Quiet and slow footsteps were heard from the stairs. Down came a sleepy young girl. She immediately saw the breakfast and ran to it "thank you uncle Jega you make amazing meals" she praised.
"Hey what about mine, you never say that about the food I make" the witch joked. The young girl didn't reply and just ate her breakfast.
"Can you show me some tricks mommy?" The young girl asked with an excited face. The witch looked down with a face similar to hers and said like a school girl "want me to show you a cool one?" .
"Don't you think she's too young?" Jega asked. "Nonsense any age is perfect for magic" she retorted cheerfully. "Let Jega clean the plate and let's go" she grabbed the young girls arm and ran out the house to a open field. "She really just left me here with the work" Jega chuckled.
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The field was empty with two figures and silhouettes behind trees.
"Alright Ari I'll show you a simple spell" the young witch said with a smile. Behind a tree a floating spirit of all colors flew up to the young witch in a hurry "Lady Elantra Vale do you really think it's wise to show her this at a young age" it warned.
Elantra replied "don't worry I've been doing this for over a thousand years". A big smile was plastered around her face.
The spirt of all the colors understood, it bowed and flew away. "Now look here Ari" Elantra pulled her index finger.
A short flame of fireworks suddenly appeared. Elantra bent down towards the young girl. The young girls eyes widen as if she's no longer sleepy and reached towards it.
Elantra immediately removed the flame "it's fire Ari you shouldn't touch it". Ari cheerfully said "let me try".
"Wait a little longer and I'll teach you " Elantra promised. The young girl had a disappointed face but nonetheless still enjoyed it. "Let's play with the spirits now" She proposed and the young girl agreed.
-———-
They played together for hours. Inside the house Jega heard wings flapping, he immediately ran out. When he saw a messenger bird come he calmed down and grabbed the message.
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Both the young girl and Elantra walked into the house cheerfully laughing and with Elantra humming. They walked to the living room and saw Jegas face. Hers became stern "what happened"she asked.
Jega looked back and noticed the both of them "nothing bad it's just that we're going to have a visitor soon". "A visitor?" She asked.
"It's Arius's sister"
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The next day they all three waited outside with Elantra humming. "Do you ever stop humming?" Jega asked but not annoyed.
Elantra replied "it's habit and it's a good tune". "How much longer until she arrives? I'm tired" Arius asked sleepily "you wouldn't be tired if you went to sleep at the time I told you to" Elantra scolded. "There" Jega said.
All forms of colors and mana came together to one spot to form a silhouette. It came together to make one girl.
She had long white-gold hair, soft gold eyes, and a beautiful face. She wore a skirt and shirt of gold and silver with a book by her left side. She look at Arius with a cheerful smile.
She ran up and hugged him "Ari it's been too long, are you alright?, you look thinner are you eating well?, you also look pale are you drinking water?…" she kept asking different health questions while hugging tightly.
Arius looked up at at Jega in plea. He laughed and let Arina continue. He turned towards Elantra but she laughed and didn't do anything either.
After 2 long minutes she let go and held his hand. "Let's play I don't have much time" she dragged Arius away deeper into the woods.
Elantra motioned her hand to call over a spirit "keep them safe and make sure they don't exit the forest" she commanded. The spirit flew towards the children hiding itself.
"She didn't even greet us" Jega joked. "Ha, what's funnier is that it's only been a few weeks since her last visit" she joked back. "Jega when she leaves I think it's time to start her studies" they walked back to the house while Elantra hymned a tune.
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The two girls chased each other around the forest. While Jega was watching the house Elantra walked beside him.
"I have a surprise for her tomorrow" Elantra smiled. "And what will that be?" Jega asked. "Magic" Elantra grinned.
Jega smiled "winter will be coming we should prepare, so I'll be gone for a while to get supplies". Elantra pointed to the wall "the money is in there and remember to not say a word to Arius" she had a serious face.
Jega replied " I won't be gone for too long my lady" he bowed and took the money while Elantra sat down and stringed a lute harp while humming.
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After a few hours Arius and Arina were sitting talking about all kinds of things. "Tell me how are things outside the forest?" Arius leaned forward and asked.
"I'm not supposed to say, what do I say?" Arina thought to herself. She paused "it's nothing compared to here, tell me what is it like to live here"
Arius had a wide smile cheek from cheek "it's amazing Jega cooks amazing, mommy shows me cool tricks and I have lots of fun with the spirits".
"Hey show me that trick again" Arina asked. "Ok" Arius stood up and took a deep breath. Arina leaned forward in excitement.
Arius's body began changing, her face, features, and body. Until she was now a he.
This was nothing new Arius had never been just one shape.
"Wow I still don't understand how do you that" Arina commented in awe. "I was kinda born with this" Arius said with a smile.
They both laughed until Arina fell to her back and the forest grew still and silent as if it held its breath. "Hahahah… hey Ari what's that" she pointed up.