Thalamus

Chapter 1

Awakening, I found myself engulfed in darkness. Struggling against the shroud that veiled my vision, I fought to open my eyes, yet the obsidian veil remained unyielding. It clung to me, an unrelenting embrace. Time became my only constant, a fragile lifeline offering a glimmer of escape. As the hours turned to days and days to an eternity, I acclimated to the solitude within the abyss. In that isolation, I yearned for anything to break the monotony. A voice, a flicker of motion-any sign of life. But the void offered nothing, a silence so profound it was deafening. I longed for the most superficial connection, a salutation, a single utterance-anything to stave off the suffocating loneliness. Why was waking so elusive? How much longer could my sanity withstand this relentless isolation? Then, a sudden movement shattered the monotony, my body trembling in response. I was being carried, a gentle swaying like a delicate dance. I could only hope this motion held the key to unraveling the mystery.

******

I faced a mirror, my reflection revealing silver hair and eyes as dark and piercing as the abyss. Memories of a tumultuous past surfaced, the weight of war etched into every line and shadow. War had exacted its toll, exacting losses too profound to quantify. My appearance was that of an elf-towering six feet and eight inches, my chin and ears pointed in the elven tradition. Clad in a black tunic and leather pants, I stepped into my sanctuary-the library, where arcane knowledge held sway. Rows of magic books beckoned, and I continued reading, picking up where I had left off. As the words unfolded before me, I wandered through my thoughts. Magic had become both a refuge and a discipline, a hobby turned into mastery.

Leaving the shelter of my abode in pursuit of sustenance, I ventured into the forest, the tranquility of dawn a balm for my spirit. The sun's ascent was accompanied by a gentle breeze that stirred the leaves, carrying the delicate fragrance of pine with it. Morning's embrace felt like new beginnings, a promise of hope. The forest embraced me as I walked towards its edge, the well-trodden path leading me onward. Observing a wounded deer, I cautiously approached, hoping to lend aid. Yet, it bounded away, elusive as a memory. Further along the path, I encountered Gersermelda, a friend who had weathered the years alongside me. With her silver hair and wise brown eyes, she projected an aura of mysticism that only deepened with age.

"Sairu, how does this morning find you?" Gersermelda inquired as she tended to her plants, nurturing them with care.

"I am well. Truly a splendid day, is it not? Earlier, I came across an injured deer. Could you perhaps watch over it and tend to its wounds? It eluded my efforts," I spoke politely, my gaze on her as she tended to her roses and tulips.

Her eyes bore into mine, a gravity to her tone as she offered her counsel. "Today, caution should be your companion. My intuition warns me that danger lurks. Remain vigilant."

I thanked her for the warning, though I had grown accustomed to her premonitions, often received with a measure of skepticism. Continuing my journey into the forest's heart, I reached a cherished haven-an open glade teeming with wildlife. Here, I could find solace, a sanctuary away from the city's bustle. The river's gentle song echoed through the clearing, the trees adorned in a vibrant tapestry of leaves. A sense of peace enveloped me, a welcome respite from the world's demands. It was a place I could linger, a space untouched by the trials of life.

My dwelling nestled at the fringes of the forest a testament to my deliberate isolation following the ravages of war and the retribution against the malevolent King Seskel. Those tumultuous times had left me bereft of all I held dear, prompting me to seek solace in solitude rather than face the complexities of interaction with my fellow elves. Gersermelda remained the sole companion with whom I exchanged words in this newfound quietude. The years flowed like a river. I found myself moving through the verdant expanse, foraging berries, and even dispatching a rabbit using the finesse of my magical abilities. Packing my meager hunt, I returned it to my abode with a mere thought, awaiting its transformation into a nourishing meal. Turning my steps homeward, I tread the familiar path, noticing Gersermelda's absence. A quiver of uncertainty accompanied me to the dwelling, for I beheld the unexpected sight of two elves stationed at my threshold.