Thalira Estom, 17, Human–Hybrid Dryadkin (Wildborn)
Two months had passed since Thalira helped the Autumn Wildborns, and it had been a month and several weeks since they decided to join her tribe.
They could have reached the sanctuary much sooner. However, Avide's recovery had been slow. His body had been in terrible condition when they first found him, and even with Sachi's care, his strength returned gradually.
For the first time, Thalira's group remained in one place for an extended period.
Each day she altered the terrain surrounding the camp, reshaping the forest floor and shifting the earth to keep their tribe hidden from outsiders.
During that time, Vorani had completely molted her fur.
She had fully embraced her new affinity.
Her coat, once thick and rugged, had shed entirely. The new fur that replaced it was lighter, softer, and pale gray at first. As the season shifted toward autumn, the color deepened slightly, darkening into smoky shades that blended naturally with the forest shadows.
Her body had changed as well.
She no longer had the powerful, dense build Thalira had first seen. Instead, she had grown slimmer and more agile.
According to the training guide Cloud had given her, this transformation allowed wind-affinity Wildborn to move with greater flexibility and speed.
Vorani had begun receiving personal training sessions from Thalira, who was also learning the affinity herself.
⸻
Flashback to Wind Training
"Stand still and breathe," Thalira instructed.
Vorani stood in a small clearing where the wind slipped easily between the tall trees.
The other tribe members watched from a distance.
"Feel the air," Thalira continued. "It's always moving. You're not forcing it to obey you. You're joining it."
Vorani closed her eyes.
A faint breeze stirred the fur along her arms.
"Good," Thalira said.
"Now extend your hand."
Vorani lifted her arm slowly.
The wind responded immediately, swirling around her palm in uncertain currents.
"Don't grip it," Thalira corrected gently.
"Guide it."
The currents steadied.
Leaves lifted from the forest floor and circled her feet.
The first technique they practiced was Air Manipulation.
Thalira demonstrated by sweeping her hand sideways.
A smooth wave of wind followed the motion, pushing leaves and dust across the clearing.
Vorani mimicked the movement.
At first the wind sputtered and scattered unevenly, but slowly the current began to follow her hand.
Thalira stepped closer.
Without realizing it, she released a pulse of warm energy from within her body.
The ground beneath her feet glowed faintly.
That energy flowed outward like invisible roots spreading through the air.
Vorani suddenly felt lighter.
Her movements became smoother.
The wind around her responded faster, stronger.
Thalira blinked in surprise.
Did I do that?
Cloud's guide had mentioned something about it.
Because Thalira was directly connected to Lior, her presence could strengthen the natural affinities of those around her.
It was subtle, but powerful.
"Good," Thalira said again.
"Now the second drill."
She crouched slightly.
"Speed."
The moment she finished speaking, she burst forward.
Wind rushed around her body, lifting the edges of her dress as she dashed between the trees.
Vorani followed.
At first her steps were clumsy, but the wind quickly gathered beneath her movements.
Her body became lighter.
Faster.
Soon she was gliding through the forest like a drifting leaf.
Behind them, the ground trembled faintly.
Even while practicing wind, Thalira still maintained her earth training, instinctively grounding herself through the soil beneath her feet.
The balance between the two elements steadied her body.
Watching from afar, the tribe members exchanged amazed glances.
Their Eryndra was growing stronger every day.
⸻
After weeks of exposure to Thalira's training, Dron and Bezi had also begun awakening their natural affinity—wood.
Small roots now responded to their touch, and branches sometimes bent toward them as if recognizing their presence.
Their abilities were still weak, but the growth was undeniable.
At long last, the tribe reached their destination.
El'ore — The Southern Amorian Sanctuary.
The vast forest opened into a breathtaking valley.
Towering trees formed natural pillars around glowing streams and moss-covered hills. Ancient roots twisted across the land like living architecture, forming bridges and natural shelters.
The tribe members stared in awe.
"It's beautiful," someone whispered.
"WHO GOES THERE?!"
A booming voice echoed through the forest.
Emish squealed and clung tightly to Meini.
"I SAID—"
A small creature waddled out from behind a root.
"Who goes there?"
It was a tiny earth elemental.
Romus looked like a round boar sculpted from rich dark soil. Small stones formed his tusks, and bright amber crystals served as his eyes. Patches of moss grew along his back like fur.
The group stared. Confused.
Thalira stepped forward and circled him curiously.
"I am Thalira," she said calmly.
"Who are you?"
She crouched and poked him with a stick.
This world keeps getting better and better.
"Would you—!" Romus swatted the stick away.
"Stop that!"
Behind Thalira, Bai, Roha, and Caerin watched eagerly.
Mesno stood a little farther back, carefully sketching the creature onto a piece of bark with a sharpened bone tool.
During Avide's to recovery, Thalira had begun teaching the children basic writing and drawing.
"ENOUGH!"
A cloud of dirt exploded outward.
Thalira instantly shielded the children.
The small boar-shaped elemental began to grow.
Soil and stone rose from the ground, swirling around him.
His tiny body expanded, forming long limbs and a broad chest of compacted earth. Moss spread across his shoulders like a cloak, and thick stone horns curled from his head.
When the transformation finished, Romus stood several times taller than before with his arms firmly crossed.
"Who are you people," he demanded, "and why are you here?"
Thalira dusted her dress and stepping a bit closer.
"I am Thalira. This is my tribe of Wildborn."
"We seek refuge in your sanctuary."
"No can do."
Romus shook his finger while wagging his head with his eyes closed.
"Only those connected to the earth may pass through."
He peeked at them curiously.
It had been centuries since a Wildborn had approached the sanctuary.
"In that case," Thalira said calmly.
She began removing her belongings along with her pouch.
The other tribe members followed her example.
Thalira stepped forward and closed her eyes.
She reached for the earth.
Just as she had done before, she spread her energy into the soil like growing roots.
The ground responded instantly.
Warm golden light spread beneath the tribe's feet.
The Wildborn began glowing faintly with earthen energy as the sanctuary's hidden barrier opened like a curtain parting.
"WHA—?!"
Romus stared with his mouth wide open.
For the first time in centuries...
The sanctuary had opened itself willingly.
"Th-this proves nothing!" Romus huffed, shrinking back into his small form.
Thalira laughed softly as the tribe gathered their belongings and walked through the entrance.
At last—
They had found their new home.
⸻
Envard
Royal Capital — Darmen
Today was an important day.
Not for the Hunter's Guild.
But for the Envardian Expeditionary Corps.
Another continent had been discovered. One overflowing with magical energy.
And they had been chosen to explore it.
"I'm going to miss you, big brother."
Ellie sniffled while clutching her stuffed lion.
"I'll be back before you know it," Heath reassured her gently.
"At most, I'll only be gone five years."
Hopefully.
After saying goodbye to his family, he joined the rest of his unit.
"Ladies and gentlemen," King Orland announced from the palace balcony.
"Thank you for volunteering for this expedition."
The soldiers murmured among themselves.
For centuries the continent had been unreachable.
A wall of unnatural fog surrounded the distant land, hiding it behind violent seas and monstrous creatures.
Only recently had Envard succeeded in developing transportation magic powerful enough to bypass those barriers.
"You shall now journey to Crescentia," the king declared, extending his arm toward the glowing portal.
"Learn what secrets this continent holds on behalf of our kingdom."
The troops applauded.
Some were excited.
Others nervous about the years ahead.
"May the Sun God Sol guide you."
With that blessing, the expedition began.
Together with scientists and researchers, the soldiers stepped through the portal.
Toward the unknown continent of Crescentia.
⸻
Rodar
Unknown Lands — Crescentia
"All units confirmed, sir," Heath reported.
Commander Gordon barely responded.
He was too busy staring at the landscape.
Everything here was enormous.
The trees towered so high they dwarfed the tallest mountains of Envard.
And that was saying something.
A soldier beside them raised his arm.
He was a wind archetype.
He attempted to lift himself into the air using a gust of wind.
The moment the magic responded—
The current exploded with overwhelming force launching the soldier straight into a tree.
Heath winced.
The man dropped to the ground with a painful groan.
"You okay?" Heath asked, helping him up.
"I wasn't ready for how strong the magic here is," the soldier groaned.
Commander Gordon chuckled.
He was pleased.
Crescentia clearly possessed an abundance of magical energy.
If their expedition succeeded...
A promotion would not be far from his reach.
"Enough sightseeing," Gordon ordered.
"Begin construction."
The soldiers immediately began assembling their equipment.
Within days, a fortified base would stand here.
Their home for the next five years.