After Alpher disappeared in a yellow glow, he found himself in a dark place. A place where nothing could be heard but the sound of his own breathing. It was as if this place was nothingness, and Alpher was simply levitating there. Suddenly, Alpher began to be pulled in an unknown direction. Frightened, he cried out:
Alpher (in fear): "What's happening here? Where am I being pulled to?"
And suddenly, in this dark place, a light appeared in the center, illuminating the area. The sudden light blinded Alpher, and he found himself in a strange forest. Cautiously, Alpher began to survey his surroundings. He saw tall trees with various birds perched on their trunks, singing something indistinct. Alpher wanted to get out of there, so he moved in the opposite direction. Without knowing where he was going, he managed to reach a river mouth. Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through his head, and memories of the river's current and where it could lead came to him. Alpher didn't understand what this was, but recovering from the headache, he followed the river's path, hoping to find something he didn't even know he was looking for.
The sky began to turn a yellowish-orange with the sunset. Finally, emerging from the forest, he saw a nearby village surrounded by water and makeshift bridges. He decided to head there. A little while later, the simple small grass gave way to a path that was clearly well-trodden. Alpher arrived at the entrance of the water-surrounded village. He saw people with long, sharp-tipped ears, but the color of their skin was different from what he was used to. Their skin was pale, matching their hair the color of dandelions, silver like steel, and orange like the very sunset he had just seen. They wore what seemed to be the tattered clothing of a typical villager. Alpher saw from the corner of his eye that he was being looked at with unfriendliness. Suddenly, a young woman approached him, dressed differently from her kinsfolk. Her silky, long hair, the color of the sun, conveyed her friendliness. From her mouth came a voice:
Young woman (with curiosity): "Hello, stranger. Are you not from around here?"
Alpher (with an impassive expression, forcing out what came to his mind): "Uh, I just got lost in the forest, and... and I'm just a traveler."
The young woman looked at him with suspicion, but also with a hint of surprise.
Young woman (with surprise): "Oh! Would you like me to accompany you to the village elder?"
Alpher managed to force out:
Alpher (with surprise): "F-fine..."
The young woman introduced herself as Elaya and said that everyone here was not human, as Alpher had called them, but elves. Taking Alpher's delicate hands, she began to pull him toward the elder. They reached the town hall, its roof covered with straw and its walls made of dark wood. They both went inside. The room felt as if it was filled with air, and on the walls hung various herbs and animal fangs.
Suddenly, a figure of a gray-haired man appeared before Alpher, who spoke immediately after the guests entered.
Elder: "Who have you brought here, Elaya?"
Elaya: "Father, he said he's a traveler! Shouldn't we at least show him some hospitality?"
The elder sighed.
Elder: "We will. My name is Rinaler, and I am the elder of this village. And we would be very happy if you could tell us where you are from and who you are."
Alpher began to explain that he was indeed a traveler, but he didn't know how he ended up here, nor did he know who he was. Rinaler and Elaya exchanged glances, their faces full of questions, but they held them back. Rinaler allowed Alpher to stay here, but only on the condition that he would help them. Elaya was overjoyed and led Alpher to show him the village.
About a week passed. During this time, Alpher noticed that the elves used a strange ritual to seemingly lift a clot of water upwards. He saw the elves washing themselves with this clot by the river. He asked Elaya about it, and she replied that it was magic, and the clot was water magic made from a being's internal energy, but it was obviously costly for them, so they only washed every two weeks.
Alpher thought to himself:
Alpher (mentally): "Why do they do this, and this energy, and... magic? What is it? Such methods are too costly for them!"
Alpher decided to help the elves, and while thinking about how to do it, the pain in his head returned, but this time the memories were different. They appeared as a mixture of something wooden and water passing through strange pipes, and in the memories, this was called a simple plumbing system. The headache subsided, and Alpher began to absorb the new memories. Many of the elves, including Elaya and Rinaler, did not understand what Alpher was doing, but continued to watch the entire process with amazement.
Later, as Alpher was carrying the last parts for his strange and first construction, he saw a scene nearby: a river monster, a mixture of a crocodile and a predatory fish, was dragging one of the young elves into the water with its large jaw already grabbing the boy by the leg. Next to the boy was Elaya. She held the elf's hand and shouted at the creature to let go of her brother. The situation seemed to be getting tense, Alpher thought to himself. Alpher dropped the parts he was holding to the ground and ran to help. He jumped onto the creature, wrapped his arms around its body, and with a simple motion, threw it onto the land, where it began to thrash from side to side. Alpher found a heavy object and began to pound the creature's snout with it until it finally went into convulsions.
Silence fell. Suddenly, one of the elves began to cheer, followed by the others. Words and sounds of gratitude came from their mouths. Elaya approached Alpher.
Elaya (tearfully): "Thank you, Alpher, for saving my brother! I'm so grateful to you!"
Alpher smiled and replied:
Alpher: "I was just passing by, and I just wanted to help you."
Soon, rumors about Alpher spread throughout the village, reaching the elder, who listened to Elaya's joyful exclamations that her brother would live. Rinaler summoned Alpher. He was grateful that Alpher had saved his son from the creature that had been tormenting their village and taking their people.
A little later, Alpher was able to create his unusual device that could supply water without any magic, which amazed many of the elves. He called it a plumbing system, or at least that's what came to his mind. Many of the elves, who had used magic for centuries, were stunned by the new equipment and changes. They no longer had to use their precious energy to wash themselves. They praised Alpher, asking what he wanted in return, but Alpher was satisfied with their smiles.
Later, under the cover of night, he went out to get some fresh air. Suddenly, he saw Elaya sitting calmly on a bench. She saw him too. He sat down next to her, and they began to talk.
Elaya: "Isn't this wonderful? The villagers who used to avoid you now admire you."
Alpher (sighing): "Heh, well, I still had to do it like no one else. Anyone in my place would have rushed in there."
Elaya: "Of course, because it's you."
Hearing this, Alpher became thoughtful.
Alpher [to himself]: "But really... who am I? Why did I appear here of all places? And what is my purpose?"
He was distracted from these thoughts by an unexpected moment. Elaya, who was sitting next to him, suddenly leaned in, and her soft lips touched Alpher's cheek, making him jump.
Alpher was struck by strange feelings and suddenly turned red.
Alpher: "W-what are you doing?"
Elaya: "Nothing, I just wanted to thank you this way, because you've done so much for the village."
Alpher: "..."
They sat for another twenty minutes, talking about funny moments, until they parted ways. Meanwhile, Alpher lay on his hard bed, thinking about what had just happened. That warm touch of her lips... Alpher decided not to dwell on it and fell asleep.
The next day, Alpher was walking through the village as usual when a yellow circle suddenly appeared around him. Alpher saw it for the second time, and not immediately understanding, he realized that his journey lay beyond this village. The villagers rushed to the light from the circle, which was gradually surrounding Alpher. Elaya and Rinaler approached him, not understanding what was happening. Alpher explained that he might be teleported somewhere else. Elaya, realizing that this might be her last meeting with Alpher, told him that she would never forget him, and neither would the entire village. Alpher said goodbye to them as well. The yellow circle that surrounded Alpher glowed, and Alpher himself disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of dust raised by the air around the circle, as well as the bewildered villagers. The circle left behind clumps of energy connected to Alpher and his unknown past, and his soon-to-be-revealed future.
To be continued --->