Aurora's footsteps landed softly on glowing moss. All around her, the forest lay open beneath the bright moonlight.
Towering trees rose like grand palaces. Their trunks shimmered green as if made of dew-kissed glass, and their leaves glowed a mixture of green and silver. A faint luminescence radiated from tiny blossoms nestled among the roots and branches.
"Welcome, Aurora."
She spun, searching the shadows for the source of that voice. As drifting leaves spiraled toward her, the voice grew clearer. Her heart raced in rhythm with an overwhelming sense of calm.
Pastel-colored birds fluttered low, their wingbeats singing sweet melodies. A golden-furred stag with luminous antlers darted past, as if guarding nature's balance. Behind thick undergrowth, small fairies with rainbow wings observed Aurora, giggled softly, then vanished in a shower of sparkling dust.
Living rattan bridges stretched from tree to tree, forming winding aerial walkways. Aurora's attention shifted to Xander, standing quietly behind her.
"It's absolutely stunning."
Her hazel eyes gleamed with joy as a radiant smile curved her delicate features. The night sky unfolded in auroral curtains—green, red, yellow, blue, black, white, and violet—entrancing to behold. And the forest's fragrance felt both refreshing and warmly embracing.
No trace of foul air, oil fumes, or Marcus's cat droppings—just paradise. The water from the Breaths River had opened her eyes to the true face of the immortal realm. She longed to bring some of it home.
"This is the immortal realm—specifically, Norelia. Every creature here has unique abilities, and each immortal race has its own territory."
Xander watched Aurora as she ventured toward a patch of white roses.
Aurora smiled in understanding. She reached out to touch a white bloom; it pulsed with golden light. She basked in peace and joy. A pang of longing, long hidden in her heart, resurfaced.
"Since you've demonstrated immortal abilities, I thought better of sending you home."
Xander admitted quietly. He was genuinely surprised that a non-immortal like Aurora possessed Dryad powers—plant growth, life, and magic were hallmark Dryad abilities. He had much to ask her.
Aurora gave a shy smile, still gazing at the softly glowing white petals.
"Thank you, Xander. Isn't fate ironic? I don't know where my powers came from... but just like you said, I feel at home—as if I truly belong to an immortal race."
Xander moved to her side.
"Maybe your soul comes from here."
Aurora nodded slowly. She tried to suppress the memory of killing the giant. Suddenly, a memory flashed in her mind: a soft voice—perhaps her mother's. She saw a tall gnarled tree and two children laughing among white roses. Could her powers come from her mother? But that seemed impossible—her mother was a simple farmer, and her father traveled and returned home only once a month.
Xander pointed to the sky ablaze with auroral color.
"Each hue represents an immortal kingdom. And one of them... will be your next destination: Avenleigh."
He turned to Aurora.
"Give me a reason why you want to go to Avenleigh. Don't you already feel at home here? What do you know about Avenleigh?"
Aurora, caught off guard by his questions, paused.
"You're quite the talker. But I'll answer. I want to go to Avenleigh because I heard the Avenleigh people are friends with the Dryads—right?"
She hesitated but pressed on.
"And aren't the Avenleigh people angels? How could angelic beings befriend the Dryads?"
Xander raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about? Yes, Avenleigh is home to angels—but friendly ties with Dryads? That's... debatable. Where did you get such information?"
Aurora recoiled.
"It isn't true? I—I don't need to tell you where I heard it."
Typical Chessy, misleading her.
Xander's ears twitched; from three hundred meters away, he heard approaching footsteps. Surely another immortal force.
From behind a tree emerged two red-eyed men, their gazes hungry. Aurora's bleeding scent was rich; if they headed northward, their path ended here. But they recognized Xander, famed across Norelia as Avenleigh's warlord.
"Should we catch her now?" asked a curly-haired man. They were vampires—long sharp nails, veins visible on their necks.
"Can't you see Xander is with her?" countered the bald man.
"If they slip away... it's dark now—that's our chance to attack."
"Agreed." The bald man nodded.
Their steps drew closer. Xander extended his hand, summoning a white-glowing sword. He realized Aurora's blood—sweet like Dryad blood—would draw dangerous attention, especially with her injured feet. No wonder they came.
Xander silently counted down, adrenaline surging.
One. Two. Three.
CRAAASSHH!
Xander slashed with precision, wounding the bald man's arm. The man retaliated, aiming his claws at Xander's neck. Xander dodged, spun, and pierced the vampire's heart. The man collapsed with a heavy thud.
Suddenly, the curly-haired vampire kicked Xander in the chest, toppling him. Before he could recover, razor nails slashed across his back. Xander screamed—vampire poison was legendary. His strength drained; the protective barrier around Aurora vanished.
"You're weak, Xander."
The vampire sneered, surprised a high-ranking warlord could be so easily struck. His hunger turned to Aurora, who trembled in fear. He licked his lips.
"You'll come with me."
"Never!"
Aurora shook her head. The vampire lunged a claw toward her heart. She shut her eyes. A strange rush surged through her. Instantly, Aurora transformed into swirling flower petals that enveloped the vampire. He froze in surprise. He struck out—but none reached her. The petal vortex spun faster, glowing—cutting him like blades. He crashed to his knees, groaning. Blood coated his face, arms, and torso.
"What just happened?"
Aurora returned to human form. Her green eyes sparkled briefly before dimming. Xander didn't hesitate. Regaining his footing, he summoned electricity into his sword and slammed it into the ground. Electric currents wrapped around the vampire, burning him until his screams faded. Aurora trembled.
Xander ignored the vampire, whose consciousness slipped away, and reached out to steady Aurora as she wobbled.
"You just used basic Dryad power," he said. But transforming into flower petals was beyond normal Dryad ability. It was extraordinary—he was genuinely concerned.
Aurora's eyes watered.
"I—I don't understand. I only wanted to protect myself. Then I felt this strange surge, like I could see him—and next, I blacked out."
"I understand. Don't worry too much. Are you hurt?"
Aurora shook her head, wiping tears.
"Not at all. But look—you're the one who's injured protecting me."
Xander glanced down: the back of his clothing was torn.
"Let me heal you."
Aurora offered, genuinely wanting to repay him. Under the moonlight, she winced out of sympathy for his wound.
"It's fine. It will heal quickly. Angels' healing is fast."
Xander began walking again, Aurora at his side. She hadn't realized her caring made his pointed ears blush.
Aurora stared in wonder.
"Really? So you are one of the angels? Can you show me the way to Avenleigh?"
She longed to learn more about Norelia—especially Avenleigh.
Before long, the wound on Xander's back silently closed, as though it had never been.
Their steps halted. Before them rose a majestic green gate. Xander turned to Aurora.
"I cannot take you to Avenleigh. I only wish to bring you home—to where you belong."
Avenleigh was too dangerous for someone like her.
Aurora sighed with disappointment. She had hoped he'd guide her to Avenleigh.
"Where are we now?" she asked once they passed through the gate.
She could feel the plants around them creeping as if welcoming her arrival. Slowly, structures reminiscent of Evandor rose before them.
Without a word, Xander took Aurora's hand firmly.
"Now we are home—among the Dryads. Prepare yourself, Aurora."
His words hung in the moonlit stillness—her heart pounded with anticipation.