A Good Man Awakens

The Faye

I sat, still stunned, watching the figure before me—a man, but not quite. Elbis had shifted into human form, his once-translucent wings now gone, leaving a solid figure with pale grey-blue skin, like the sky before a storm. His frame was muscular but compact, and his round belly jutted out, as though he had a loaf of bread tucked beneath his tunic. His dark hair fell in waves, partly obscuring his pointed ears. But even without the wings, there was no mistaking him for a mere human.

This was no illusion, no trick of the mind. The Faye were real. I had seen many things in my seventy winters, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Winged men? Translucent wings that shimmered like light caught in a prism?

My thoughts were interrupted by the fluttering arrival of another figure—a Faye with wings still intact, hovering delicately as he landed on a nearby rock. He too was of similar grey-blue skin, with long, silver wings shimmering in the moonlight.

"Elbar is just scouting the area," Elbis said with a defiant edge in his voice. "We've learned to be cautious. Your kind killed enough of us during the Celestial War."

"I... I..." I sputtered, still trying to wrap my mind around what was happening. The entire situation was too surreal.

"No one else around," Elbar reported, his voice squeaky. "I think it's one of their young. Strange they left him alone. Look at those ridiculous leaves he's trying to wear as clothes."

I glanced down at my improvised leaf tunic and boots, feeling strangely self-conscious.

"He doesn't look right, Elbis. He doesn't even smell like a human should."

Elbis scowled at his companion before slowly lowering himself to the ground, rubbing his round belly in thought. Despite his new human form, he still had a magical presence, as though the energy of this place lived inside him.

"It's alright, boy. Boy, right? Yes, boy," Elbis said, his tone softening. "We just have a few questions. Did you get left behind by your... uh... Mum and Dog?"

I blinked. "It's Dad," I said, trying to suppress a laugh.

Elbis scowled again at Elbar. "That's what I said. Dad." He shook his head, then refocused on me. "So, is that what happened? You lost your parents?"

"I lost my parents nearly thirty winters ago. It would be quite a trick if you could find them now."

Elbis's eyes widened slightly. "Elbar, you idiot. He's not a young one. His parents died that long ago—he's no child. Humans don't live nearly as long as we do."

"Why are you here then, dressed in rags?" Elbar asked, his voice full of suspicion. "You don't look like the others. You don't even smell like them."

"I've just arrived," I said, trying to remain calm. "I mean no harm. These rags are just what I could fashion to keep myself warm. Villas didn't exactly tell me I'd arrive naked."

The name seemed to have an effect on them both.

"Did you hear that, Elbis?" Elbar squeaked. "He said Villas!"

"That's enough, Elbar," Elbis interrupted, turning toward him. "Head back to the village and prepare some food. And get the best tailors working on something suitable for our visitor. We have young ones here, and we can't have him walking around like that."

With a quick nod, Elbar shot into the air, his legs kicking behind him like an excited child, disappearing into the overgrowth.

"Villas, you said," Elbis continued, his tone more serious. "That's not a name I've heard in quite some time. Now, it's not that I don't believe you, but how do I know what you're saying is true?"