A flaming warrior

Chapter 53 Eirwyn

As we walked into town, the first thing we noticed was a massive tree in the center of the town. "Titan Silverpine tree infused with Eirwyn's essence. The trunk glows faintly with aurora light. No structure is ever built against it; the Veyrani consider it sacred." Joseph told us. "That is amazing. I wonder if we can do something like this," Tyler said. "Before we die, we should. I say we pick a place we all love and let our essence permeate that area, protecting it. Of course, mine would be where my family lives," Chris said. "You two are acting like you're going to die soon...please tell me you're not." Samantha was very worried. "We already died once, won't happen again," I told her. "Things are harder, it seems. That monster brought out a whole new you. And what seems like a new weight on you. You're the only one of us so far that can resurrect people and heal and just flat out make us immune to everything."

Tyler said. "She'll be just fine. As long as we stick together and talk to each other, we will be good. Right, Eva?" Chris asked, looking at Eva, who was smiling. "Sure, but I want food first," Eva said, rubbing her stomach. "You ate a whole man, but whatever," Tyler said, shaking his head. "Well, the outer ring has the food market, so let's skip everything and go. Also, do you think you may need to change clothes?" Joseph asked me, looking at my outfit. "No, it's fine. My energy is still going, so I'm warm." I told him. "Maybe that's why we can be in our regular clothes and be fine. Your energy is helping us," Leona said as we walked to the food market. "FOOD!!" Eva said, running excitedly to the food market as everyone looked at her, eager for her to eat their food. The aesthetic was extremely cozy. Booths carved into soft alcoves of snow and living roots. Warm steam rising from heated stone plates. Hanging frost-lanterns creates a comfortable glow. Scents of herbs, warm broths, and smoked meat drifted through the cold air. Aurora light reflecting off crystal bowls and ice-cut serving plates. The result is a warm oasis in a frozen forest, a perfect blend of nature, culture, and comfort.

"Guy, you have to try this snowhare stew with sweet sap tea, forstsilk noodles," Eva told us as she, her stomach, and Nel ate happily. We all ordered the same thing and enjoyed the food a lot. "Would you all like any more?" The vendor asked us. "Nah, we have to get going. We wanted to see more out here." I told him. "I heard all about you all. If you like, you all should make a base out here, too. A lot of people would love to join you for battles like that," The vendor told us. "That would be horrible if something happens to them, though," Chris said. "We all signed up for it. We're all ready to die defeating this land." The vendor told us. "Well, I need to go back to the castle. Here, take this map so you all don't get lost," Joseph told us, finishing eating and leaving. "Well, where shall we visit first?" Stella asked. Let's go in order: back to the central ring, then to the shrine. "We all walked over to it and were amazed by how it looked. "Look. The altar is growing from the roots it seems like" Leona said. "How did they do this?" I asked. Out of the blue, auroras started appearing all over. "She's here," a man said excitedly. "I sense her," Athena said. "You do? How?" Eva asked before someone placed their hand on her shoulder. Eva yelled and ran behind Tyler and Nel. "Aww, I hope I didn't scare you too much," A tall, ethereal woman composed of drifting white frost said. "Are you Eirwyn?" Eva asked, still scared. "I am, yes. Wanted to thank you in person today. So you wanted to know about this shrine?" She asked us. "Ummm...yeah," I said nervously. "Before any Veyrani settlement existed, the Silverpine Woods had a natural 'heart-point, ' a place where the trees' roots intertwined more densely, and where my sleeping essence pooled the strongest," Eirwyn explained. "When the first Veyrani stumbled into the grove, I appeared to their seer, Liraelen, in a dream shaped from aurora light. The message was simple. Do not build. Ask, and I will let the forest shape itself. To create the shrine, the Veyrani performed their earliest central ritual. The Harmonizing Chant is a slow, melodic song that aligns mortal emotions with the Silverpines' heartbeat. As they sang, the trees' roots began to rise and arc. Branches curled downward like protective arms. Frost gathered and froze into delicate patterns. The ground softened and shaped into an altar bowl. The forest itself did the "construction." The Veyrani only guided the mood and emotion." She explained as we got closer to the shrine.