Stories of Acoptia

Ch. 7 Syvis Elandorr #2 -The cracks in the ancient wall

The old elf placed a cup of what looked like herb tea on the table. Pushing it towards Syvis.

"Here, drink up miss. It's the least I can offer." - The elf spoke softly sitting at the opposite side of the small table.

Syvis looked at the cup and smiled.

"Thank you, sir." - She replied picking up the tea and taking a sip.

It tasted sweet and refreshing. She couldn't start to guess what kind of herbs had been used.

"Ahh. I can tell you like it miss. If you're wondering what the herb used is, it's quite rare. It's called Bloodveil only growing in the wilderness of the demon kingdom. The flower's leaves hold a lot of value. Its healing properties are some of the best in Acoptia and it helps you calm down." - Ellisar said smiling.

"That's impressive. Anyways, I want to ask you some questions sir. About the things you mentioned... The dark mana. I keep hearing things about it and yet no one seems to be taking it seriously. Ugh!" - She said, getting more and more frustrated with every word.

"I understand your anger, miss Syvis. The darkness and the great evil. Shirewood speaks to me. The woods, they feel it too. It's been closing in for years now. But I am much too old and frail to act a hero now. When the time comes, sitting here won't do." - He said, turning his gaze to the window, into the giant trees.

"Exactly. That's why I am not planning on sitting and doing nothing. We have sat here for thousands of years. Acoptia will need us, I know it. But we won't swallow our pride. Why? What's the point of acting high and mighty if we never do anything." - Syvis blurted out, gripping the cup in her hand roughly.

"Hm. Young miss, I must admit. You remind me of the great people I knew in my young days." - The elderly elf said getting up from his chair and walking to a cabinet on the other side of the room.

Opening it, he rummaged through for a second, before finally pulling out something.

"You have moved me. If you intended to back up your words miss - then this will be way more of use with you, than rotting here with me." - He added turning around.

In his hands, he held a longbow, even from here Syvis could tell that the materials and the craftsmanship were immaculate. Ellisar slowly walked up and placed the bow on the table.

"Miss, take this as a gift. It's from days of the past, back when I was a lot like you. Young, brave and adventurous. It will serve you well I promise. If you hold to the words of your heart, it will reveal itself truly. When the time is right, it will call back to you." - He said with a mysterious smile.

Syvis stared at the masterpiece in front of her, examining the details. The bow was made of wood that Syvis hadn't seen before. Engraved into the wood were strange symbols foreign to her. She slowly reached out and picked up the bow, still taken aback she looked at the old elf who noded.

"Are you sure this is alright sir? This looks... Expensive and anything unlike I've seen before." - She said moving her white hair behind her ear.

"Yes, miss. I have placed my hope in you. I see potential and grit in your eyes. And I think your words hold no doubt or lie behind them, that makes it all worth for me. Believing in the future. I am sorry now, miss. I must go to sleep, at my age, it truly calls for you." - He said turning around and smiling.

"Goodbye, miss Syvis." - The elf added.

Syvis got up with the bow still in her hands, slowly moving towards the door.

"Thank you so much sir. I'll make sure this doesn't go to waste!" - She said opening the door, jumping down to the ground and running back towards home.

Syvis didn't know why she was running. Overcome with emotions, she felt truly understood for the first time in what felt like ages. Excitement and nervousness filled her as her mind raced around. Though one question filled her mind - "What's next?"

After running for a few more minutes Syvis, seeing her house in the near distance, slowed down. Taking a deep breath in and looking at the bow she clenched in her hands.

"I wonder, why me? This day is so strange and confusing, yet... I feel so alive." - She thought to herself.

"Hey?" - A voice right behind her suddenly uttered.

Syvis quickly spun around, hitting the figure behind her straight to the jaw. The hooded individual fell on the grass.

"Ow! I see you haven't changed much, but that is no way to treat an old friend, Syv." - The male elf said, rubbing his jaw before getting back up on his feet.

"You... Althidon?" - She responded, shocked and confused.

Althidon Valthyra was her childhood friend. The guy she considered her best friend for many years. He was also the second son of the elf king, which was why for the past 20 years they hadn't seen each other. His duties as one of the sons of king Arathorn, who was a forbearing and very serious man. He didn't want his sons to hang around with the commoners and instead pressured them to focus on education.

"Yes. I know, I know. This is all sudden, but I didn't know where else to come to. I knew I could count on you. And well... I am aware that we haven't spoken at all in so long, but with all going on. I came to you." - He said scratching his head.

The long, light blond hair, which was styled in a ponytail, hadn't changed much except growing even longer. His peach coloured eyes stared at her full of emotions.

"Althidon I-. You know, this is no way to approach an old friend. First off you scare me and then you try to get sympathy. I see you haven't changed at all. Still the same brat you have always been." - Syvis responded, hugging him.

"I missed you, idiot." - She said smiling.

"The feelings are mutual Syv. I wanted for so long to approach you, but I just didn't know how and so I put it off day by day. But something happened and it lit a fire in me. Making me take this chance." - He said, closing his eyes before exhaling deeply.

"What happened? Is it something bad? Are you okay?"

She could see the concern plaguing him.

"I'm sure you know already, about the things going around the kingdom. The pixies dying, the strange atmosphere around." - He responded.

Syvis nodded.

"Well, I ran into something way more concerning. A spot I used to oftentimes visit. It's very far away from the heart of the kingdom almost at the edge of the woods. There's a spring there and around it Lightblooms grow. Or, should I say grew.

On my last visit, I found that all the flowers are dead. The Lightbloom only grow in the shades of the Shirewoods barrier. This means the barrier, the artifact, is losing its power. We, the entire kingdom won't be safe from the outside anymore." - He spoke fast, by the end of his speech clearly out of breath.

Artifacts, which are powerful objects ranging from items, weapons to structures. Holding ancient powers and special properties. They come from a time far more ancient. One of many possessed by the Elfs called the Barrier of Shirewood.

It stood in the very centre of the kingdom, shaped like a giant pillar. It had inscribed on it the symbols of old elven language, it emitted a barrier around the entire woods. Protecting them from anything evil and foreign. Losing it would be a huge blow to the Elven Kingdom and Syvis knew that.

"Have you told anyone of this?" - Syvis answered after a few minutes of silence and thinking.

"I tried telling my father and my brother but they didn't listen. Well, they did, but they claimed there's nothing we can do. But that doesn't satisfy me, there must be a way!" - Althidon replied.

"Figured. They are stuck in their ways... No matter. I have decided." - Syvis spoke the last part with complete confidence now, a smile forming on her face.

"Decided what?

"To pave my own path." - She replied.

All of the uncertainty she felt before had gone up in smoke, now replaced by purpose to do what she thought was right.

"I'm going." Syvis remarked, looking up at the starry night sky.