Mytri strolled down the crowded streets of Loranthel, the capital of the elven queendom. A simple black cloak hung from his shoulders, worn thin with age and tattered along the hem, small holes scattered across the lower edges.
His hood rested quietly against his back.
Despite the packed streets, he avoided every shoulder with ease. The main road was so crowded one could barely breathe. Elves brushed shoulders constantly, yet no one bat an eye, as if it were simply part of life in Loranthel.
Mytri effortlessly weaved past people into a simple back alley, in between two fused trees above him, working as a roof.
Small patches of red roses grew from perfectly trimmed grass, their scent faintly mixing with the damp forest air.
A gust of wind swept through the narrow hallway pushing his cloak widely open, revealing a small backpack thrown over his shoulder. The deeper he walked in, the less vegetation there was;
He stopped right by the doors to his right and looked at it, after a moment of silence he walked in. There he saw his acquaintance, who he considered a new friend, Varu, with no surname.
Inside stood a small counter, with a wide collection of alcohol lining the shelves behind it, with a couple of chairs and tables. It wasn't too big or too small, just a comfortable dark place where people hang out.
"Oh, Varu. There you were; I wanted to ask for a favor. Mind giving me some of your time?" Mytri asked.
Varu slowly looked towards Mytri. His long dark brown hair and warm round grey eyes, alongside his sturdy but rounded figure, made him seem approachable to anyone he talked to.
"A, Mytri! My friend! How are you? Of course I have time for you. What do you need? Just say the word!"
"I'm… good, B-but Thank you for asking. What I need is a supply of food. I'm heading for the far end of the queendom."
"Really? That's fantastic! I figured you'd be heading out soon." Varu struck gently with his finger on his temple while saying, "So here you go!"
Varu reached under the counter, grabbed a backpack full of food, and tossed it to Mytri. "There you have it! As good as it could be. It'll last you over a month! Take it and enjoy it!"
"Thank you… I… Don't know what to say," Mytri said.
"No need to say anything," Varu smiled warmly, "Helping a friend isn't a favor, Mytri. That's just what being a friend is ."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
"Now now, no need for thanks. Go travel. I guess Luna means a lot to you" Varu said.
Mytri frowned as he looked right at Varu. "How do you know my student?"
"A—" Varu said, taken aback as he said way too much of what he knew. "... Right, from the guild… You are a talk of town there! haha. People loved how cute and gorgeous your student and her sister looked!"
"Ah… I see. She will grow up to be a beautiful woman…" Mytri said as he smiled gently,
"I'll make sure she will," he muttered under his nose.
Varu pointed right up at Mytri with his thumb up and said with closed eyes, "That's a given!"
"Right…" Mytri muttered, "Now I have to go, Thank you so much for your gesture"
"Yet again, no need for thanks! That's what friends do!"
"haha… You and your laughter… Right, see you afterwards!" Mytri said
"Of course! Drinks?"
Mytri turned back towards the exit and stopped, hesitating. He answered, "No… I… want to stop drinking."
Varu blinked repeatedly, rather surprised by Mytri's response, "Haha… Didn't expect that…"
"I see… She really had a strong influence on you."
"I'll visit you afterwards, whenever I return." Mytri stepped out of the room and closed the door behind.
"Okay… Bye bye!"
***
Back in the house where Luna and Theia lived, only silence remained, but it was suddenly broken by the splash of water.
Inside their room, Theia knelt on the floor, dipping white cloth into a wooden basket of water. Until the cloth was heavy and cold, she drenched it. As each fiber was full of water, she wrung it out.
She rose, water dripping from her fingers, and placed it over Luna's forehead.
Her body was burning up, sweat pouring right of her like a waterfall, the white duvet was drenched in sweat.
Luna's breath was fast and shallow; her lank, greasy pink hair plastered to her skull.
Theia's hands trembled as she watched her carefully; A bead of sweat, cold despite the room's heat, traced a path down her temple as she fell to her knees, tightly gripping Luna's body.
"Thank you… Creator. She got better… Luna… My sister, I was scared… You were shaking and trembling; you scared me… please don't do that again."
"I know you are just sick, a little sick. That's just people, right? It's nothing serious. Just a little time and you will be better, right?"
"Right! Theia said as she gripped Luna's hand tightly, "I know what will make you happy! I will bring you flowers from the forest! Just for you! The white lilies you adore!"
Theia stood up and wiped the sweat off her forehead, and with a goal in mind, she opened the window to the room. "Fresh air will help you breathe! I'll set up the barrier around so no one will get in! Don't worry! I'll be back soon!" Theia said, but Luna did not answer.
She looked back at Luna one last time. Her sister's eyes were open, but they were glassy, fixed on a point on the ceiling that wasn't there. Then Theia jumped out the window as bluish, barely visible hexagonal figures stacked upon each other appeared out of nowhere.
Luna lay on the bed, alone. For a long moment, there was only the ragged sound of her breathing. Then, from deep in the forest, a shout echoed back to the empty room. "Really! I will be back soon, Sister!"