Short Stories

Celestia

Quick Author Note: I know the image says June 17, 2024. This story segment was completed on June 21, 2024.

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"The water feels soft," Jade whispered.
What was once pale, damaged skin upon her fingers became healthy and rejuvenated. The way her melanin skin seemed to hold a faint, luminous glow, caught her eyes like diamonds. Leaning further into the mystical fountain, her hands twirled and splashed in the malachite, foamy water. The shimmer of the fountain's current sparkled in her eyes, tempting her to try to scoop the mysterious liquid.

Malachite: (Picture is not mine.)

However, what she did not expect was for the magical water to fade into stone dust. Utterly nonplussed by the unbelievable sight, she made another futile attempt. She submerged her hands in the fountain, opening and closing her hands like a toddler reaching out for a piece of candy. The confusion on her face was perspicuous as she lifted her gaze to the guardian, Evangeline. "Why can't I pick it up?" She asked.

Lowering her emerald gaze to the puzzled child, Evangeline let out a small chuckle. She reached out firmly planting a hand on a tethered root of the fountain. With a contented hum, a happy smile graced her features. Emitting an aura of warmth, Evangeline's voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, "That's because the wood of our mother tree is special. The water we see now can only be held and conserved by containers made of bark and wood from our mother tree."

Jade's eyes grew wide with amazement. She couldn't help turning her attention to the rich, mahogany-like wood that surrounded the fountain. Her eyes trailed along the thin, beige lines that covered the fountain's bowl in ring-like patterns. "I want to take some back to my hometown!" Jade exclaimed, drawing her stare to Evangeline. "You see, my big brother, Ezekiel, is a fighter in the city of Batlente. I am sure this will help him win his battles to become the greatest fighter ever!"

Suddenly, Evangeline’s smile faded into a faint grimace. She retracted her hand, tucking it back into her long, emerald silks before taking a deep breath. What was once a veil of warmth turned to a block of ice. "I'm sorry, my dear, but I cannot let you do that," Evangeline said.

"What?! Why not?"

"Our mother tree is the vein existence of the city of Eldenite. We may help our comrades at Celestia and Ventale. However, we do not associate with the brutes of Batlente and the conceited of Adlania."

"Brutes of Batlente? They aren't brutes in Batlente! My big brother is kind and gentle. He has written me letters about all the kind and generous people he has met there. They just like to wrestle and play fight."

"My dear, Batlente is a place only the strong go to fight until their heart is content. In other words, the kind and generous are seen as the weak. If your brother, Ezekiel, has gone to that city in hopes of becoming the greatest fighter and he is kind and generous, then I fear for where he may be now."

"Don't talk about my big brother like that! He is strong... He will become the greatest fighter. He just needs some of this water to help-"

"Enough! I apologize, my dear, but we at Eldenite do not help those at Batlente or Adlania. They are nothing more than bloodthirsty criminals who crave only bloodshed and heartache. I know this because I had witnessed an unfortunate event that led to the separation of nations... Trust me, this is for our own good."

"But-"

"No buts! Now, come along, I promised your mother that you would be healthy and safely returned by nightfall."

"But, that's not my mother..."
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