That's So Wizard

Chapter 57 - Heaven is Gone

"Watch me jump!" the little boy shouted only a moment before he leapt from the stones to plunge twenty feet down into deep water.

He surfaced from the lake, and swam with a bright smile and chuckle over towards land. He pulled himself up, and water dripped down from his short black hair, and his pointed ears. Garbed in a pair of black trunks, the little elf stood triumphantly at his accomplishment of bravery.

The Silver Stars were out and bright, filling the violet sky with beautiful light, which also caused the water to glitter like magic.

Another boy of similar age sat nearby—trunks green, hair blonde and short. He laughed as well as his friend boasted.

"That was scary, Tyreth. Don't hurt yourself."

Tyreth waved his had dismissively. "I checked the depth first. You worry too much, Yaelos. I've done a ton of dives, and I've never hurt myself."

"Hey. Do you think Earth has lakes like this one?

The black-haired boy slapped Yaelos across the face. It left the boy in shock as he covered the red mark on his cheek. He looked to Tyreth a step away from crying.

"Don't say things like that," Tyreth snapped. "Haven't you read about them? They're monsters there. Savage animals. Whatever lakes they have are probably ten times worse then here."

"That really hurt."
"Well you know what else hurt? When they took everything from my grandfather. They robbed him blind, and now his stuff is in the hands of those monsters! It's best to just not think about it."

"I think I want to go home, Tyreth."

"Hey~!" a squeaky voice called out from afar.

A little elven girl with a long pink dress and incredibly lengthy raven hair came skipping towards the edge of the lake the two boys were resting beside. She had a woven basket in her hand filled with bright yellow spheres.

"Sister," Tyreth said, suddenly smiling. "What are you doing here?"

The girl held the basket out. "I brought you both some pumblefruit. Will you eat them? You need to keep your strength up if you want to swim. That's what mom says."

Yaelos eagerly took one, and sunk his teeth into the juicy sweetness. "Thanks, Tyla!" he said with a mouth stuffed with fruit.

She giggled. "No problem, Yaelos. You need to grow up big and strong."

"But I'm already big and strong!"

"Nuh uh. You're small. Even my brother is bigger than you."

"That's harsh."

"Take one, brother! They're freshly picked."

"Of course I will," Tyreth said as he grabbed one for himself, and took a bite as well.

"Don't eat the core," she warned. "Or you'll grow a pumblefruit tree in your belly."
She leaned down to the sitting Yaelos, and gave him a peck on the cheek. It brought a rosy glow to the boy's face, and hers as well.

Tyreth crossed his arms. "I know you two will get married some day. I wouldn't want it any other way."
Yaelos nodded, but he felt an extreme discomfort deep down. Not long ago, his friend struck him in the face with no hesitation, for even mentioning Earth. And now with his sister here, he was suddenly as sweet as the fruit they were eating. But Tyla brought him comfort, which definitely helped.

***

Wedding bells. Yaelos made his way up past his friends and family, and waiting for him was his best man Tyreth. Both had decided to let their hair grow, so if not for the difference in colour, one could mistake them for the other. But Yaelos' eyes were on a specific figure following up behind him.