Hexe - The Great Exodus

[CH. 0036] - Echos of Love

Sternmelos

Noun

Translation: Star Mushroom

Pronunciation: /'ʃtɛʁn.me.los/

Definition: The "Sternmelos" are a rare variety of mushrooms known for their bioluminescent properties. These fungi emit a magic glow and are typically found in regions rich with the ley lines energy, known as "Ormsaat." The Sternmelos is a catalyst for powerful hallucinations that weave together the realms of dreams and nightmares. Ingesting Sternmelos can precipitate a journey through the psyche, revealing visions that oscillate between the reality of the now and the fabric of the Veilla, often leaving the user in a state where those boundaries are temporarily dissolved.

CAUTION: Sternmelos are highly addictive! Please, consume them with moderation! If you consume don't operate in heavy machinery, don't consume while pregnant, and be sure to be with someone sober. Stay safe!

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Every morning, Noctavia could smell the scent of flowers, particularly golden lilies that covered the house from ceiling to floor. Yeso's happiness was present with every step he took. More flowers seemed to sprout from him. She was unaware of why. Why would Yeso sprout these flowers? They would sometimes stick for days, if not for moons, and other times, they would vanish in the blink of an eye. But still, it was clear evidence that her Hexe was happy, and she loved them, each petal of them.

They had been secluded in Faewood for three moons now, blissfully detached and unaware of the happenings of the wider world. The cold and news from Whitestone had not yet reached Faewood.

Noctavia woke up on their bed as usual, which was actually more of a nest than anything else, ingeniously woven from branches, silks, and vines. Dangling from the ceiling, it possessed a delicate balance, swaying ever so slightly with her every movement. This gentle rocking motion was unexpectedly comforting. Cocooned within her blankets, she felt akin to a little bird. A very spoiled little bird.

Her days unfolded in a series of rituals meant to pamper her. Mornings greeted her with breakfast in bed, typically an assortment of fruits and seeds prepared by Yeso's godmama. Then, Howl would lead her on walks through the forest, but these were no ordinary woods; it was an astonishing landscape, dreamy even. They were a symphony of glowing lights and unfamiliar flowers, creating a spectacle like light bubbles floating under the forest canopy. In the background, there was always the voice of a faerie singing in chorus with birds or winds. It made her feel like walking inside a dream that she couldn't understand to its full extent.

In the afternoons, Yeso would hunt game for her, and together, they would enjoy a picnic in a secluded spot, a respectful distance from the vegetarian, sort to speak, faeries that hosted them. It wasn't so much about concealing their actions as it was an act of courtesy towards their gracious hosts.

Every day brought Noctavia new knowledge, pieces of Yeso's childhood, new experiences, and a growing sense of contentment. But above all, her happiness stemmed from seeing Yeso so happy and at peace. She now understood why he cherished this place so deeply.

As the days passed by, Noctavia found that walking had become increasingly challenging. The weight of her growing belly and the persistent ache in her lower back were constant reminders of her advancing pregnancy. Despite this, she endeavoured not to complain, aware of how attentively Howl and Yeso watched over her, always ready to drop everything at a moment's notice to come to her aid.