Me, My Spirit, And I [Book 1 Complete]

Luca had never gotten the chance to spend much time with his father, Theo Drykus. Wyld Elves were known as the Traveling Folk in some places, and Theo was no different. He spent much of his time traveling between the various communities that ran along the edge of the Wyldwood.

Theo's clan moved in large caravans between cities. The routes they took could take decades to complete a single circuit, but decades were nothing to such long lived people. The Wyld Elf caravans were rare sights, but often welcome ones. They brought exotic goods, and more importantly entertainment, to the often isolated communities of the Wyldwood region.

As a Half Elf raised in a primarily human community he had little contact with Elves, except on his rare visits to the Wyldwood Glade to visit his father when he was in the area. Once, long ago, it was said that the Elves ruled much of the known world and had been divided by a strict caste system based on their coloration. From Shada's memories of Earth, Luca knew many stereotypes about Elves, and ironically they weren't completely wrong. The Elves of Sierrallas were beautiful, long lived, fond of nature, and had something of a superiority complex. That last bit didn't really apply to the gregarious Wyld Elves except when it came to music, and their superior attitudes were somewhat justified there.

The Drykas clan caravan was due to arrive in Westlin any day now. Luca was excited to finally meet members of the other half of his family, but wondered how they would react to his strange heritage. Half-elves were rare, because humans and elves were distinct species and were normally not genetically compatible. For this reason, almost all known Half-Elves were the result of magic gone right or wrong. Luca knew that the Goddess Sierra had used the potent fertility magic of the Spring Frolic festival to ensure his conception, but that was not common knowledge.

For most of his life, Luca or Shada had used Shapeshifting to make himself appear human; or more specifically, a human of the Wylderfolk race. However, he had enjoyed having hints of his parentage in his appearance and had often added a coppery tone to his skin and hair. There were other human groups with similar coloring and most assumed he was a result of an illicit affair with some traveler. Few knew his true heritage, but that would change soon. With his Awakening ceremony so close, the time for hiding was coming to an end. He didn't want to meet his Elven relatives looking like a human. He didn't intend to go as his true self, but planned to not hide his status among the Wyld Elves.

"Dad, I know we haven't spoken much about your, or well our, people but could you tell me more before the caravan arrives?" Luca asked his father after a family dinner while walking in the garden under the moonlight.

"What would you like to know?" Theo responded.

"Well why are they called Wyld Elves?" Luca gestured towards the woods. "Is there some connection to the Wyldwood like with mom's people?

"We do not call ourselves Wyld Elves, Luca my sweet. In fact we don't refer to ourselves as Elves at all. Those are human names." Theo had a far off look in his eyes as he thought of how to explain. "Elves call themselves Alfaran. We Wyld Elves call ourselves Kopara Alfaran or Copper Elves."

"That is odd. Did you know that certain cultures on Earth called elves Alfar?" Luca had stopped to look at his father. "That seems a strange coincidence."

"Why would it be a coincidence?" Theo was smiling at Luca. "We are the children of the Fae and the fae are known to visit even Unawakened Worlds. It is entirely possible that Fae visited Earth at some point in the past."

"I didn't realize that was even possible…" Luca trailed off in thought.

"Few are the things in this world that are truly impossible, dear Luca. The universe is vast and we are less than grains of sand on a beach in the grand scheme of things." Theo sighed before continuing to tell Luca about his people. "While the Alfar as a whole are ancient beyond belief, the Alfar of Sierrallas are much younger."

"There are Alfar beyond Sierrallas?" Luca asked curiously while waving a curious glow bug away.

"Obviously." Theo gave Luca a strange look. "Have you never thought it odd that there were humans on Earth and Sierrallas?" He gestured at Luca. "Shada told me that there were only humans on Earth, after all."

"I, or rather Shada, used to think about that a lot in his early days, but never found a good answer."

"Before the Worldgates fell when the System broke, we received frequent visitors from other worlds. While they had strict rules about interfering with developing worlds like ours, they could still tell us some things about the nature of reality."

"I might have seen books on that, but I have been forced to focus primarily on more practical subjects by my tutors." Luca let out an annoyed sigh.

"You will have ages to study whatever you may choose my child, but human cultures have short memories, so you may not find anything on other worlds or the origins of different peoples here." Theo took a seat on one of the carefully Shaped rocks that dotted the garden for that purpose.

Luca sat on the ground facing his father. "Go on then," he said encouragingly to his father.

"I am not an expert, but the simplest explanation is that patterns repeat in nature. Under similar conditions, similar creatures develop. Did the people of Earth know about evolution? How do new types of life emerge from others via adaptation?" Theo had little involvement in intellectual pursuits, but Alfaran kept extensive histories and retained knowledge that humans tended to forget.

Luca was surprised to hear such a scientific concept from his father. The people of Sierrallas weren't ignorant, but their knowledge and view points were somewhat limited. "They actually did. I am really surprised to hear you mention it though. As far as I knew, it wasn't a known phenomenon here."

"It isn't widely known except among the Alfaran. Humans forget so easily and almost seem to enjoy not knowing things just as much as they are curious about everything. It is a dichotomy I have wondered about many times." Theo shrugged. "Anyhow, evolution is not a blind process; there are rules, and while some of those rules are simply the consequence of natural laws, others are enforced by more mystical forces."

"I am not sure I follow. Evolution as I know it, or rather as John knew it, is a purely physical process governed by physics, chemistry, and biology." Luca had to go into more detail to explain what he meant, but eventually Theo nodded along in understanding.

"That matches what I know up to a point. Beyond that point are forces beyond the Physical Realm. Everything is connected, and once something occurs once, it has a greater chance of occurring a second time. With each iteration, the pattern becomes more embedded in the fabric of reality and the more the pattern repeats."

"So humans are part of this repetition?" Luca asked as he considered the possibilities and consequences.

"Yes, as are the Alfaran, the Dwarves, the Giants, and many others. The wheel of fate turns and the patterns of life repeat. Thus has it always been, as far as I know." Theo said sagely.

"I am missing something. You said that the Alfaran are descended from the Fae and that the Fae were world travelers. How does that work into your explanation?" Confusion was clear on Luca's face.

"Ah, well that is simple. When Fae blood and human blood mix, Alfaran are the most common result. When the Fae, who aren't fully physical beings by the way, find a new world they often settle down for a time and mix with the locals, which more often than not are human." Theo grimaced before speaking again. "The Fae are not like us. They do not think like us nor do they act like us." He sighed. "They purposely mix their blood with humans to create more pliable slaves. There are Alfaran that evolved naturally, but the Alfaran of Sierrallas are not one of them. We were made to be servants of the Fae before they abandoned this world."

"That is a bit dark isn't it?" Luca looked conflicted. "Why did the Fae leave?"

"No one knows, or if they do they aren't telling us." Theo shrugged again and picked up some grass to weave into a small basket to give his hands something to do. "The Fae created specific slave castes, each with a unique appearance and purpose." He gestured to himself before continuing. "The Kopara caste were entertainers and performers. Even to this day we can't fully break away from our near instinctive ancestral role in society."

"How many castes are there?" Luca hadn't learned any of this in his studies. Did humans simply not know, or was it something for more advanced study?

"There are gold, silver, platinum, copper, bronze, and tin Alfaran. They have different names in the human tongues. The bronze caste are commonly known as Wood Elves, the gold Sun Elves, silver Moon Elves, platinum are High Elves, and the tin are called Dark Elves..."

"Uhmm, dad? I originally asked about why our people are called Wyld Elves." Luca interrupted his father's stream of words.

Theo blinked before his eyes cleared. "Forgive me, you will find we Kopara Alfaran are prone to talking too much. Right, Wyld Elves. The name comes from the fact that we have long lived near the Wyldwood, the same as the Wylderfolk, but it is honestly also a slur." This caused Theo to laugh for some reason. "Kopara culture is one of freedom and decadency. We do not adhere to the stricter codes of conduct that most people do. Not that we don't have our own, but we are known for engaging in wild abandon. In other words, we party. For this we are called 'wild' or in the local tongue 'Wyld'. " He continued laughing at his own thoughts on the matter.

Luca tilted his head curiously. "I haven't noticed you doing anything I would call wild. Not that we see each other often."

"Ah, I am a bit more widely traveled than most of my kind. I adapt to those I am with. You will see a far different side of your father once we are among our clan folks." Theo's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I dare say you are in for a bit of culture shock, my dear child."

Freedom and decadency? Luca didn't know if that was something he could adjust to or not. He smiled, remembering drinking with Westlin in the woods. Maybe he would like it? Only time would tell.

—

The day the Drykus clan caravan rolled into Westlin a local holiday was declared. Luca had expected a large caravan, but nothing quite prepared him for the sheer numbers the caravan boasted. While the core of the caravan was made up of Kopara elves numbering in the hundreds, the rest was composed of merchants of many races who traveled with the Kopara for safety and protection. The wilds between cities were filled with wandering Beasts and Monsters. People only ever traveled in large groups. Kopara caravans were famed for the safety they afforded travelers. Only the Kopara knew that the safety of their caravans were the Wyld Elven Shadows, stealth and defense specialists, that roamed the lands around the caravans and took out enemies before they ever got close.

The Kopara caravans were famed not only for bringing trade, music, and entertainment to the cities they visited, but also because of their colorful and exotic aesthetics. They didn't use wagons or other traditional modes of transportation, but instead used floating barges that hovered just a few feet off the ground. These Kopara barges were floating homes, businesses, and everything else one might need. It isn't an exaggeration to say that a Kopara caravan was a mobile city of thousands, when you counted all those that followed them.

Luca was watching the main part of the caravan setting up just outside the walls of Westlin from the bridge of the Shadow Beast as they circled above the area, which had caused a panic until Luca's Shadows contacted those below. The barges seemed to balloon outward as hidden structures folded from their sides to create massive tents next to each one. These tents were a riot of colors. Each one was covered in fantastic designs, pictures, and other artwork. In some ways it was like watching a circus being set up, but on a larger scale.

One of Luca's Shadow guards broke stealth briefly to talk to him. "Remember youngling, don't stare at the other Shadows guarding the caravan; you will make them excessively nervous and compromise security."

Luca gave an exasperated sigh. "I know, you have told me three times since the caravan was first spotted. Honestly, is it really that rare to be able to see you guys?"

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"Our stealth is legendary. Your sensory abilities are also unique. I know of no one else that can detect us." With that the Shadow disappeared again or rather remained nearby as always. He hadn't actually become visible, but simply broke his normal strict silence.

"This is a fine vessel, my child. I do think my kin below might become a bit jealous once they know I can travel on it whenever I wish. In fact…hmmm," Theo trailed off. He was standing on the bridge beside Luca while observing the activity below.

"In fact what?" Luca mused.

"Well I just thought that there are similarities to your skyship and the barges our people use."

Luca grinned and laughed. "I see what you are thinking. Shadow Company Skyships instead of floating barges?"

"Exactly, just imagine an entire flotilla of Kopara skyships moving from city to city!" There was excitement and a bit of wonder in Theo's voice when he said this.

"Do you think they could afford them though?" Luca's grinning face and twinkling eyes gave a way that he wasn't completely serious. "The amount of Essence me and Shada spent to build this ship would make many a noble weep." He paused in thought. "Admittedly, we rushed it. Shada is planning a facility to manufacture skyships, but those plans are somewhat long term. For now, at least, the Shadow Beast is one of a kind."

"Even before the advent of the System we were a long lived people. After, well, let's just say we are good at waiting." Theo grinned back at his son. An observer would notice how similar their expressions were. "Did I ever tell you about the fall of the kingdom of Vosteras?"

"I don't think so."

"Well the Vosterans had a rather greedy [King] that thought he could get away with trying to tax Kopara caravans excessively. So we just went around. The [King] refused to lower the tax and the Kopara refused to enter the kingdom of Vosteras." Theo began laughing. "This went on for years. Eventually the people of Vosteras complained enough that the [King] lowered the tax, but by that point it became a matter of pride. The clans declared they would not enter Vostaras until the king was dead."

"Did his own people assassinate him?" Luca asked while making stabbing motions.

"Of course not, who would assassinate a [King]?" Theo asked in confusion. "[Kings] keep the most powerful Beasts and Monsters in check. Without them the kingdom would fall. It also helps that if you are powerful enough to have the title of [King] you are not easily killed."

"I didn't know that. I haven't studied [Titles of Nobility] much."

"Well, now you know. Anyway, the clans avoided Vosteras for so long that there was a coup and the king was exiled and became a [Fallen Noble]. This was decades later though."

"Wait, are you saying the Kopara avoided an entire kingdom for decades because of the insult of a tax that was later removed?" Luca asked in surprise.

"I am indeed, my sweet Luca. No one has tried to tax gouge us since," Theo said proudly.

"That is… wow." Luca shook his head both impressed and horrified in equal measure. "As soon as Shada is done with business, we will merge and find a place to disembark."

"Wonderful! Have you decided on what form you wish to take in front of your kin?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of possibilities."

"If I might offer a suggestion?" Theo said tentatively.

"Always," Luca said with a smile.

"Among the regular clansfolk you should appear as you are now, though without hiding your heritage; but when we meet the elders you should appear as yourself. Glow and all."

"Really?" Luca asked in surprise. "I have been hiding my elven heritage for so long…"

"You are of age Luca, you will fully Awaken very soon, and you are blood of my blood. To appear as a human would be improper among your kin, but there is no reason yet to reveal your entire heritage."

"I can see your point. I guess." Luca stared off into space and touched his rounded ears. To most people Luca looked like a Wylderfolk, albeit with a slight copper hue to his coloring. Only among his closest family did he let his pointed ears show or reveal his snow white appearance. Changing that seemed odd at best. Dangerous at worst.

—

Lusha stood nervously next to their father as the SCSS Shadow Beast hovered just high enough that the lower part of the skyship's hull, known among the crew as the Maw, opened and a ramp was rolled out like some giant metallic tongue. A large crowd had gathered to watch them disembark.

At the forefront were three female Wyld Elves. Their embroidered, beaded, fringed, and colorful silken robes were incredibly elaborate, but still showed off their graceful and slender figures. While all the Wyld Elves looked excited, the trio in front looked both happy and sad.

Lusha and Theo walked down the ramp and stood in front of the leaders of the Drykus clan.

As soon as they came to a stand still the youngest of the three spoke in a ritual cadence. "Is that my brother I see? He who wanders far and wide?"

"It is true, dear sister, I have returned. I have traveled many paths and many trails. Tonight I will regale you with my tales," Theo replied in a sing-song voice.

"Can it be? Are you truly my son returned to me and his kin?" The second woman spoke next. She looked older than the first, but only barely.

"It is true. I have returned my dear mother to thee and my kin," Theo replied next.

Finally the oldest of the three women spoke. "I see you son of my daughter, brother of my daughter's daughter. I see you here again among kith and kin. Yet by your side I see new blood. Who is it you bring with thee?"

"I see you mother of my mother. Rejoice for the blood grows like the Worldtree. May I present my child to thee?"

The youngest turned to Lusha. "Oh dear, oh my, what tragedy to be of the blood, but so far from kith and kin! Be welcome, son of my brother and child of my mother's line!"

"Is that my aunt I see before me? Sister of my father? Daughter of my grandmother? Grandchild of my great grandmother? Am I truly welcome among my family?" Lusha spoke the ritual words their father had taught them.

"Those of the blood are always welcome among Kopara Alfaran. I am Alisandra, Maiden of the Triad of clan Drykus, and you have found your way home," Lusha's aunt, Alisandra replied with a wide smile.

Lusha turned to the next woman. "Is that my father's mother I see before me? Daughter of my grandmother? Am I truly welcome among my clan?" Lusha asked.

"Blood of my blood. You are always welcome among the Drykus clan. I am Lucinda, Mother of the Triad of clan Drykus, and you have found your way home."

"Is that my father's grandmother I see before me? Mother of my grandmother? Am I truly welcome among the blood?" Lusha asked the final woman.

"Blood of my line. You are always welcome among family. I am Lucretia, Crone of the Triad of clan Drykus, and you have found your way home. Declare yourself."

"I have many names, but among my family I am Lusha, child of Theo Drykus of clan Drykus and Shinobin Aseralis of the Wylderfolk. I am nephew of Alisandra, grandchild of Lucinda, and great grandchild of Lucretia. Blood of the Kopara Alfaran. Child of one who wanders."

"Thrice questioned and thrice recognized! Welcome Lusha, child of Theo, child of Shinobin, blood of the line of Lucretia! We see you!" The three women chanted in unison.

The Wyld Elves in the crowd all relaxed and began to make cheerful and rambunctious noises as Lusha and Theo were embraced warmly by their family. They were guided towards the center of the clan's tents where Lusha was introduced much more casually to his distant kin folk. All greeted them like long lost children. Lusha's head was spinning with all the new names and faces.

Later, Lusha sat with their father, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother beneath the tent erected around the Triad's barge.

"We have heard so much and yet so little about you Lusha," Lucretia, their great grandmother said while holding a cup of wine and lounging on several plush pillows.

Lusha was sitting crossed legged on their own pillows while the others lounged about. They all had wine in their hands.

"Is it true you have a spirit living inside of you?" Alisandra asked curiously while resting comfortable on her stomach while propped up on her elbows. Her eyes were alight with lively curiousity.

Lusha tilted their head in thought before responding. "No? Or yes? Sort of? I am my spirit and my spirit is me, but when we split we have different identities. My physical self goes by Luca and my spirit self goes by Shada."

"How does that work?" Alisandra asked.

Lusha did their best to explain their strange state of existence, which seemed to fascinate all three women in equal measure.

"From what I understand, this isn't your true appearance either, is it?" Lucinda, Lusha's grandmother, asked while waving a hand to encompass all of Lusha.

"No, this is a result of Shapeshifting." Lusha gestured at themselves, and let the metaphysical muscles that kept their true appearance hidden relax.

Their pointed ears grew a touch larger revealing their pinkish white color that faded into their snow white skin. Copper brown hair turned a pristine white. Amber brown eyes became a startling blue. Finally, their brown spots turned a light luminescent blue while a halo of light surrounded their whole body.

Alisandra gasped at the changes and sat up to look closer. Even the older two women leaned forward to stare at the beautiful creature Lusha had become.

Lucretia squinted at Lusha and seemed to see something the others could not. "You are hermata, yes? Neither male nor female, but both?"

"I am. As far as my mother can tell I am fully functional." Even Lusha's voice had changed, taking on a higher pitch and more otherworldly quality.

"Blessed be the children of Twin Souled God," Lucinda said fervently.

"Twin Souled God? Who is that?" Lusha asked curiously.

Lucinda lightly smacked Theo. "What have you been teaching this child that they don't know the Twin Souled?"

Theo looked sheepish, but was smiling charmingly. "I have been busy. Besides I knew the clan would educate them eventually." Theo took a drink of wine and tried to subtly hide his face.

"The Twin Souled God, is a the God of those whose sexual preferences or gender differ from the common male/female binary. They are said to be hermata. So anyone who is born such is considered the blessed child of Lokivar the Twin Souled."

Lusha laughed. They were a little tipsy, as they had more than one cup of wine so far and the evening was still young.

"Why do you laugh at the Twin Souled?" Alisandra asked in her ever curious voice as she stared at the laughing teen in bemusement.

Lusha wiped their eyes and took a drink of wine to wet their tongue. "I am not laughing at the god. I am laughing at the blessed child part."

"Why does that make you merry, grandchild?" Lucinda asked languidly.

Lusha turned a half smile to their grandmother. "I am a blessed child. I am the Agent of the Goddess Sierra after all." Lusha said this casually, but everyone except Theo stiffened.

"You jest?" Lucretia stated as much as asked.

"No, they speak truly. They are blessed by the Goddess Sierra, and her Agent." Theo defended Lusha.

"Then you are twice blessed by the Gods." Lucinda said in a more solemn tone.

Lusha shrugged. "I suppose, in my past life I didn't believe much in Gods. If they existed on Earth, none made themselves known to me." He waved his cup around nearly spilling some of the wine. "But here the Gods are real and I have spoke to the Goddess Sierra and the demi-god Asonia. I know, rather, than believe both to be real. Is Lokivar real?"

"Of course they are!" Lucinda said in something close to offense.

"Well as far as I know I have no blessings from them…" Lusha trailed off as a message from their Guide caught their attention.

Everyone in the room smiled as they saw the distant look on Lusha's face that people got when communing with their Guides.

Alisanda's grin slipped. "Wait, you haven't had your Awakening Ceremony, but it looks like you are communing with your Guide. How is that possible?

"Huh?" Lusha turned their focus back on the room. "Oh, I have limited access. Shada, my spirit form, has full access, but I have technically been Awakened since conception."

"So I take it you have the Blessing of Lokivar?" Lucinda asked.

"Yes, it doesn't explain what it is or does or anything like that."

Lucinda shook her head gracefully. "Blessings are strange things and what they do is typically unclear. You said you talked to Sierra? That is a rare thing." A slightly envious look appeared on her face. "As part of the Triad I am a priestess and I have never had a direct conversation with a Divine. Whispers, visions, nudges, System Messages, and other more subtle communications, but never conversations. You are the first person I have met that can claim such."

They didn't know what to think. Lusha had always assumed that the Divine talked to their adherents regularly. The religious leaders on Earth always claimed to speak directly to god when there was no evidence their gods were real. Were they unique in this too? Maybe they should look into religious beliefs on Sierrallas more thoroughly. A whisper of laughter that Lusha knew came from Sierra echoed in their mind. This reminded them that the Goddess was never far, even if she hadn't spoken to them directly in years.

—

The following days were filled with parties, dances, concerts, plays, and more wine than was good for anyone without a high Body Stat. The Wyld Elves lived up to their name. The first day had been a family affair, but what followed was something to be remembered. Luca was given drinks, strange plants, taught bawdy songs, and made out with multiple people. By the time the Kopara caravan left, they were left thoroughly exhausted and more than a little hung over.