The Endless Forest

Zarrina laid upon the cold floor of the Sanctuary, drifting through vague dreams and fog. She laid there upon the cold floor as blurry visions passed by, ghosts of the past. She laid there, wondering, scared…alone.

She was tired, oh so tired.

She was cold, oh so cold.

She was lost, oh so lost.

There was no one there to comfort her. There was no one to hold her. There was no love…

Yearning, Zarrina desperately reached for something. Something that was missing, something that should have been there. Something that was only hers.

Where? She could not find it and panic soon set in. She needed it.

Come, please… I scared…

No response. That shouldn't be right, should it? Something– No, someone was always there. Someone…important.

Please… Who was it? Who was she missing? Alone…

She searched the fog, looking, hoping.

She found only her sluggish thoughts.

Where you go? Zarrina begged. She was desperate to find them.

Cold, so cold… Please come back! She shivered. I be good, I promise!

Heavy-lidded, she could not keep her eyes open. She would have to fade away, alone–

Sounds, hurried footsteps, echoed throughout the Sanctuary. I'm sorry. I'm coming now.

Her eyes cracked open, wondering who it could be. Please…

Slowly blinking, Zarrina soon found a shadow, a shape, approaching her. Her blurry vision made it impossible to recognize them.

Gods… Zarrina, I'm so sorry. Their voice… It was familiar.

Who you? she asked, hoping it was the someone she was looking for.

Yedril, they answered hesitantly. A-are you feeling well?

Yedril… The name had a warm and fuzzy feeling to it. She lifted her head to get a better look. Yedril– YEDRIL!

It dawned on her then. This was who she was looking for, who she hoped would come. She reached for him through their bond. She dove through it, slamming into his mind and wrapping it into a cocoon of relief.

Yedril gasped, not ready for her assault. Yet, he embraced her back.

Yedril! I… I so scared! I no find you! Where you go? Will you leave? Her onslaught continued until a tray was laid down in front of her.

Her partner kneeled down next to her, fear and frustration radiating from him. I'm so sorry, he said. I…never meant to leave you to suffer alone. I did not intend to make you worry. And, I am so, so sorry…

The scent of delicious food permeated the air. Her stomach growled and Yedril noticed.

This… This is the only way I know how to apologize. I made you a feast. It is yours and yours alone. Eat however much you want, I only wish I could find a better way to express my remorse.

Zarrina stared down at the tray. It was piled high with all her favorites, and still… Something felt off, wrong.

You no eat?

No. It is yours–

She gazed into his eyes. But I want to eat with you.

Yedril's mouth hung open, tears welling up in his eyes. Are you sure?

Yes, she answered, cocking her head. We partners. I want to eat with you.

He choked back a sob, slowly reaching for a biscuit. She watched him, making sure he would take a bite.

He did.

Good! We eat together! She reached down with her snout and took a bite herself. She waited again.

I… I'm not good enough for you, he commented picking up another biscuit. This time, he slowly loaded it with more food before consuming it.

Why not? We perfect, we even make pledge to leave mark on world! We in it together. She cleared a plate.

Because… He took one for himself. I've been careless– Abusive. I've been using your mana to help myself while harming you.

How? I give mana. You did not take it. Another plate cleaned…

I left you here all by yourself! You are recovering and… I should have been here. He pulled at more food. Instead, I got lost in my own misery and locked myself away in the kitchen.

To make us a feast, yes. I forgive you.

You shouldn't. You should–

No! I will not hate you! I can't! I need you…

And I need you, Yedril finished for her. He shook his head and took one last plate. Felix says he has an idea on how to prevent you from using up your mana.

I no want to stop! Do not do that! I want to help you!

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He pulled away defensively. No! Not like that! I meant, so that you don't have to burn your own mana. Not to prevent you from helping me.

She paused licking at her plate. Oh. Good.

Is… Is that all? he asked incredulously. He might not be successful…

So? It no change things. I help you, you help me.

Yedril blinked. How, exactly, do I help you?

You cook feast. I hungry and you feed me. Simple.

Once again his jaw hung open. If you say so. Still, I am sorry–

Shh! Stop saying sorry. You already say it plenty. She turned to the last morsel.

Split it.

Felix found himself squeezing through the kitchen as he, Eri, and Oralyn made their way into the manor. Kobolds filled the space, all working at an incredible pace while Chef shouted orders.

It was chaos.

It was a mess.

It was…home.

If they were in mourning for their fallen leader, it did not show. Though, maybe that is how they are coping? Tracker definitely looked distraught yesterday, he thought, letting out a breath as he exited into the hallway. Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Including me…

Fighting to keep from frowning, Felix brought his gaze forward. This part of the manor was filled with people as well. He could hear discussions taking place within the sitting room and further beyond in the small library.

Must be the elven Chiefs, he thought as they passed by the first room. Peering in, he confirmed it. Mari was there, along with a few others, discussing something about the coronation. What exactly was being said, however, he didn't get the chance to know. Eri and Oralyn proceeded past, making for the stairs. Only, they did not make it…

Before he could react, the two women came to a sudden stop. Confused, he peered over Eri's shoulder and found a ruby-eyed human blocking their way.

"Your Majesty," she said with a formal bow before spotting him. Without warning she lit up. "Felix! I had hoped to find you!"

Feeling the annoyance of the two women in front, he quickly pushed his way up. "Zeph… What can I do for you?"

She stared directly into his eyes, somehow piercing into his soul. "I have a message! One meant specifically for you."

He raised an eyebrow but he felt Oralyn's mounting ire bubbling up behind him. I need to make this quick… "What's the message?"

Zeph cleared her throat. "Yarnel has requested your audience! He wishes for you to meet him at his home!"

His…home? That piqued his curiosity. "What for? Usually he comes to me–"

Eri decided to interrupt, her frustration matching her aide's. "And when, exactly? We are going to be quite busy. Even after the coronation. We'll be having our honeymoon after and Felix will be indisposed until we are back from it."

The ruby-eyed woman covered her mouth and gasped with delight. "Oh, how wonderful! But…" She began to deflate. "He wishes to see you as soon as possible. It is urgent."

Felix shook his head. "Sorry, but I am not missing my honeymoon. He will have to wait. Besides, you still haven't told me why he is so desperate for me to come to him."

"Oh! Right. That is…complicated. I am unable to say–"

"Then I will have to decline."

She looked surprised. "It's not far! The coronation is happening at the Sanctuary, right?"

He began to nod but something she said caused him to freeze. "How do you know where the Sanctuary is? Have you been there?"

Zeph fidgeted. "N-no… I've not been there personally, but Lorenzen told me. It is only a day's flight to Yarnel's home from there."

So Lorenzen knew? As far as Felix was aware Fea never told anyone about it, only leaving the portal for him to find. And the note… But I guess Lorenzen knowing would make sense. He was her personal guard.

"Still, it will have to wait. Tell him I'm sorry, but it will have to be in a week's time at least." He started to walk past her but she suddenly threw a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait! It's about the mastermind behind the attacks on the clearing! Lorenzen captured him and he's being held there!"

Now that changed things. "Lorenzen…captured the bastard?" He asked, his brows furrowing. Another thought occurred to him and he bore his gaze into her. "Wasn't Ithea supposed to be with him? Did she know this?"

"Not exactly," Zeph answered meekly. "Ithea was there for when he was captured, but Lorenzen was the one to handle things. She decided to come back here because she thought the clearing was in danger."

"I see." The air began to cool… He turned his attention to Eri. "I think we'll have to delay the honeymoon. I want to talk with that bastard."

Eri's expression hardened but not out of disagreement. "I would like to be there as well. He killed my people."

He gave her a nod and turned back to Zeph. "Fine. After the coronation we will head there. I take it, you know the way?"

"I-I do! I was planning on guiding you."

"Please do." The air began to warm. "Now, if you will excuse us, we have to prepare for our wedding."

Without another word, the woman stood aside and let them pass…

***

Felix stared at himself in the fogged mirror of his bathroom. He stared at his reflection, wondering how he got here. He stared, pondering what the future would hold.

He was alone. Eri left a few minutes ago, spirited away by Oralyn and her retinue. Now, it was only him and his thoughts.

Today's the day… It was starting to feel surreal for him. In many ways, their wedding and Eri's coronation were only a formality. And yet, it isn't.

It wasn't.

This was the day they would officially be a family. A big deal, even if they were one unofficially. It meant, though, they would establish a lineage. One that would hopefully last. It helped that Eri was pregnant and that their child wouldn't be born out of wedlock.

No one would be able to claim our son is illegitimate. The thought made him sour. Personally, he never cared for such things. But this isn't about my own personal beliefs. This is about our future, the…kingdom's future.

That was another reason why today was so important. With Eri becoming Queen, they would form a new country. No longer would everyone live fragmented and scattered. They would have their own destiny and right to live how they chose.

And it couldn't come at a better time…

The Holy Triumphant would attack soon, he knew. They wouldn't stop, not until Felix was truly dead and gone. No, they won't stop then. This island… This forest is special. The concentration of mana is high, nothing like how barren that farmland felt.

The memory of his childhood home came to him. The dead earth, cold and unfeeling, sent a shiver down his spine. Magic and the mana that powered it had long since dwindled to almost nothing.

Things were better with the Holy Triumphant, but only just. Farmers could grow crops in abundance, but only if they swore their allegiance to the so-called Lord.

That gave him pause. It was a revelation of sorts for him. Why have I not realized that until now? Perhaps he did but the painful memories had made him ignore it.

Why was it only those who joined the Holy Triumphant who saw improvements? Was it really because of The Lord? Or… Was it because of something else?

His eyes narrowed. He had a feeling he might know. Miasma…

Miasma, the corrupting power that could destroy mana. The two had similar properties as well, that much was evident from his fight. In fact, I can control it but I have to burn my life essence to do so.

Why?

Felix began to ponder the question. Why are mana and miasma so…similar? Why am I able to manipulate both? It's like… It's like–

Despite the heat from his bath, his veins filled with ice. The color drained from his face as he came to a startling epiphany…

–they are intertwined.