Thalira Estom, 17, Human–Hybrid Dryadkin (Wildborn)
"I don't know how you did it," Romus said, perched on Thalira's right shoulder. "But I have my eyes on you."
"Oh brother…" sighed Cloud, resting lazily on her left. He had just returned from visiting his father, his form now glowing faintly after replenishing the magical energy that sustained him.
Romus would never admit it aloud, but he was captivated by these Wildborn—especially their leader. They did not look like a race on the brink of extinction.
Not at all.
He folded his arms, lost in thought.
It had been six hours since they entered the sanctuary. Even with breaks, Thalira pressed forward, determined to find a place her people could finally call home.
"I advise you rest for the night," Cloud said.
"Don't you want her to reach her destination?" Romus scoffed. "Some guide you are."
Cloud growled. "Your mouth does far more work than the rest of you."
Annoyed by their constant bickering—which had gone on for nearly two hours—Thalira flicked both of them off her shoulders.
She walked toward a towering tree, its bark thick and ancient, veins of faint golden energy pulsing beneath the surface. Placing her palm against it, she closed her eyes.
She breathed in deeply.
The forest responded.
Leaves trembled. Branches shifted. The air itself seemed to pause.
Then—
The trunk softened beneath her touch.
An opening formed, as if the tree itself welcomed her.
"Go," Thalira said quietly.
One by one, her tribe stepped through the living passage.
When the last of them entered, she followed, and the tree sealed shut behind her as though nothing had ever happened.
⸻
The Celestial Realm
High above the mortal world, beyond sky and time, sat the domain of the gods.
At its center rested Sol, the God of the Sun—ruler of the celestial pantheon.
His presence alone illuminated the vast chamber. His skin carried a warm golden hue, like sunlight at dawn, and his hair burned like living flame—deep gold at its core, fading into vibrant orange at the edges. It did not consume, but it radiated power, shifting like a steady, eternal fire.
He sat upon a throne formed of condensed light and cloud, one arm lazily supporting his head.
Before him, his children argued.
As usual.
"Will you not do something about them?" asked Elysara, her voice calm yet commanding.
She was the Goddess of Balance and Fate—the one who ensured harmony between all things: gods, mortals, and the unseen threads that bound them.
Her beauty was otherworldly. Long black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, yet within it shimmered faint starlight, as though the night sky itself had woven into her form. Her presence alone brought stillness to the air.
"They'll speak when they're ready," Sol replied lazily, stifling a yawn.
"Father—"
Amai stepped forward.
Her body was formed of living wood, smooth and elegant, with subtle grooves running along her limbs like natural grain. Her hair flowed like vines and leaves, blooming softly with flowers that shifted depending on her emotions. At this moment, sharp buds had begun to form.
"Could you please tell Lior to stop meddling in my affairs?" she said, barely containing her irritation.
"How am I meddling in your affairs?" Lior asked, folding his arms.
Unlike his siblings, his presence was… fluid. Alive. The air around him moved subtly, as though responding to his very existence. He felt different from when he had first met Thalira. Was it because he was now being praised?
"You know exactly what you're doing."
"Then say it."
"Father," Amai snapped, "tell him not to touch my things."
Sol sighed. "Lior, don't touch your sister's things."
"But she doesn't do anything with them anymore," Lior replied. "She created them, mixed two races together… and abandoned them because she didn't like the outcome."
"They're still mine."
"They don't belong to anyone," Elysara interjected calmly. "They are their own people."
Lior nodded.
"But—"
"I will not hear another word," Elysara said sharply.
The room fell silent.
"I warned you, Amai. Life is not something to toy with. Now you will watch as this race thrives… without your intervention."
Lior let out a quiet chuckle.
Amai bowed stiffly before turning away, her vines tightening with anger as she left the chamber. Before disappearing, she shot a glare at her younger brother.
Lior turned to leave as well—
"And where do you think you're going?" Elysara asked.
"To take care of my people," he said with a small, innocent smile.
"Your people?"
"Yes, Mother."
Elysara studied him carefully.
"You've already done something you knew would upset your sister," she said. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time she lost control?"
"I remember."
"And yet you continue."
Lior's expression softened slightly.
"I can't stand by and watch them suffer."
Sol spoke up, uninterested as ever. "Luckily, I reversed it last time. Half the world would've been gone otherwise."
"Half of those were my followers too…" he muttered.
Elysara sighed softly.
"I commend your intentions," she said to Lior. "But understand this—you will bear the consequences of your choices."
She dismissed him with a wave.
Lior left without another word.
⸻
Back in El'ore
"Hmm…"
Thalira stared down at the crude drawing in the dirt.
A castle.
Or at least… it was supposed to be.
Before she could refine it—
A group of children ran through, trampling it instantly.
"…Ugh."
She groaned, dragging her hands down her face.
"Thank the gods," Romus sighed. "I was about to pluck my eyes out if someone didn't fix that terribledrawing."
Silence.
Then—
Thalira picked him up…
And launched him into the distance.
"I'LLBEback!" his voice echoed faintly.
Cloud snickered.
Now within the sanctuary, Thalira scanned the land.
Should they live on the ground…
Or in the trees?
She inhaled slowly and raised her hand.
The earth trembled.
Trees began to sprout—rapidly.
Thin stems burst upward, thickening, twisting, expanding as they reached for the sky.
"Wow!!" the children shouted, eyes wide with amazement.
Avide and his family stepped forward, joining her. Though unsure of her plan, they couldn't stand by while she struggled.
Energy flowed between them.
A forest… began forming within a forest.
Massive trees rose higher and wider than those around them, their trunks thick enough to house entire families.
"Welcome to our new home!" Thalira declared proudly.
"There's nothing there," Bai said flatly.
"Au contraire," Thalira replied. "From this point forward, we will live in the trees."
"In the trees?" Meini asked, gently holding her stomach.
"I don't think that's possible," Amisna added.
"How can it be impossible if you haven't tried?" Thalira countered.
She looked up.
Strategically, it made sense.
The Wildborn were constantly hunted. Living on the forest floor left them vulnerable.
But trees infused with their energy…
The Drayads would have no control there.
Vorani leapt upward, carried by the wind.
She landed atop one of the newly formed trees.
They're wider…
Beneath the canopy, the surface flattened naturally, like a platform.
"Everyone, gather!" Thalira called.
They huddled together.
The ground lifted beneath them—
And slowly, they rose.
Up into the trees.
Thalira stepped forward, overlooking the forming settlement.
Her chest rose and fell steadily.
Her first phase…
Was complete.