Of Realms and Relics

An Insightful Pause

Eventide had only ever imagined the hanging houses in the trees. His tribe had told stories of their great battles against the Wilted. Unfortunately, at the cost of over half the population of the Cracow. Half bird, half human creatures led by the wizard Skritch.

That was his destination now, because he just knew Skitch-Skratch would know what to do with the Orb.

"You're awfully quiet." Bean said as she flew shoulder height next to him. Her green leaf dress flowing in the soft breezes.

The journey had taken two days so far. Passing through the thickets of low hanging trees and thick forest bushes. His mind had raced so much, the implications of everything he had done becoming reality.

Luckily, time moved different between the realms. A week here, was supposed to be a single day in Vale. Mere minutes in the spirit realm, and milliseconds in the realm of banishment.

"We are close to the Cracow." Eventide said, pointing to the trees ahead of them. Full and tall, the red leaves of the Tower Maples marked the beginning of their land.

"Ohhh, they're so pretty. I can't wait to see one of these bird guys. I'm gonna ask if they can fly." Bean grinned and began flapping her arms like a bird and giggled.

Sometimes she was so child like, but still held such a powerful presence. What was it she had said before?

"A little piece of Cor. Like a tiny God."

Eventide stopped in his tracks. Stunned, he looked baffled at her. Had she just read his mind?

She swooped in the air and twirled like a tornado, her green dress fading into a translucent blue. Her features even changed, matching all of the pictures of Cor he had seen.

"Not really mind reading Even. More of a connection of self."

"Are...are you Cor?" Eventide softly asked. His light beige goat like ears pulling forward in anticipation.

Bean smiled, like a parent seeing their child for a first time, "I am the last remaining life essence of Cor in this realm and Vale. It is nice to officially meet you, Eventide."

She bowed in midair, small sprinkles of blue popping around her, "You were born for great moments. Bestowed with the gift of being able to see into two realms at once."

Eventide wiped his face, trying to shake the shock. He was in the presence of a God! How was he supposed to address her?

"I...I...uhh, I don't know what to say. The proper way to address you?" He stammered.

She flew closer to him, hovering just in front of his face. She reached out and ran a hand down the bridge of his nose and tapped the end. "It's me that should be asking you that, silly. You are more powerful than you know, and hold the fate of the realms more so than anyone. You're an old soul, Eventide."

He barely understood the implications of what she had said, he barely grasped that what he thought was a wild woodland fairy was actually a God. The God of creation and life, no less. She was telling him that he was more important than her?

"I feel like this is a sick joke. I can't comprehend all of this sudden change." Running his hand absently over the bulge of the orb in his robe. Eventide looked up into Bean's tiny bright eyes.

"More people than you have come to that realization lately, my friend. A proverbial passing of the torch."

"A passing of the torch? With no warning?"

She smiled softly and twirled in the air and came to a resting pose of sitting in an invisible chair, "Things moved faster than we ever anticipated. We knew Shathari would be released again. We put measures in place, but had to rush the process when he was set free."

He crouched in the middle of the forest trail and picked up a rock in thought, spinning it over in his fingers. Flecks of red Spider's Eye stone shining in the overhead sun.

"I was part of the plan all along? There's others too?"

"Yes. Lyn Noss, the King's daughter. She is a Naturist. Given the gift of healing and jumping to this realm. Ander Wills, her betrothed. He was given the gift of Life magic. Healing with his touch but also able to destroy the undead by giving them life to pass to the Spirit Realm." Bean flew down and sat on Eventide's bent knee.

He looked down at her and smiled. "Is that all of them?"

"No." She shook her head, "There's Alain Halfblood, given the gift of Shadow hopping into the Realm of Shadows. Lukens Vladie, a simple farmer bestowed the honor of connection magic. Known as a Link Mage. Able to enhance the magic of others by tapping into the consciousness of the realms around us. Using their power to flow through him and into others. Then, there is a very special man. Pallando. One of the first measurements taken, he was created and touched by me. Holding the power of all Magic's inside of him."

"You've created a small army. You knew the peace wouldn't last forever. Why us though?" Eventide whispered as he continued to stare at the rock.

"There are strings of fate that bind us all. Unseen to mortal eyes, yet like glowing strings of red yarn to us. They are bound upon your birth, and written in the stars upon your creation."

Eventide dropped the rock and narrowed his eyes on the soft features of what was once Bean, but was now Cor.

"Do we win? Have you seen it?"

Cor dropped her eyes slightly and said softly, "I don't know. Being only a fraction of what I was, I can't see that far."

Eventide abruptly stood up and reached out his palm for Cor. She flew up and softly landed on his open hand. He stated into the tree tops for a moment and with his other hand he felt the orb in his robe. "We do win. We have to."