Lania trailed a few steps behind him. Luminous couldn't help but walk a little slower whenever he felt she was falling more behind. She almost bumped on his back as he suddenly stopped walking after a few steps later.

"You walk too slow, Lania." He peeped over his shoulder. Abruptly snapped from her thoughts, she apologized. While making sure she doesn't fall behind again, she continued to think about the man she's following in front of her.

"Lumi, have you heard of the Elves?" the girl asked, trying to avoid the journey she's having with him for the first time silent and awkward.

"Yes."

Rarely did the man initiate any kind of casual talks. If anything uncommon happened, which is when he would be the first was to start a conversation, he would ask about what he can help to prepare food or when she did something silly out of her bad habit of being carried away at times.

"What were they like?"

"They look exactly like the figures you have seen in the book you have read."

"Looks like the book is accurate after all!"

"Yes."

One-liner answers has always been the man's specialty. Remembering the time Luminous said he was never good with conversations, she gathered her breath to release the little tension she felt.

"Luminous."

"What is it?"

"Have you been in love before?"

"Yes."

"How was it?"

"Tragic."

"How come?"

"She died within my grasp."

"Oh..."

"..."

It was such a lie. Lucia didn't die in his arms. She died in agony as he helplessly watched her being impaled by the Black Mage's black spear. It was the very first lie he ever told her, thinking that if he told her the truth, more questions would come. He didn't want her to be afraid of him and because she's still young, she wouldn't understand anyway. Lania's question triggered a scene to be repeated inside his head. Gladly, he was able to make it disappear. The nightmare of the past was too much to be a reality, any other person would have broken down but he firmly kept his expression: straight face.

"You seem very open about it." The young woman commented.

"I just see no reason why I should not answer your question."

"Wasn't my question out of the blue?"

"Not quite. I'm surprised you rarely asked regarding my past."

Lania have always thought about it and funny how he's lived with him for years as she grew up, she still knew nothing about him. She wanted to know more. How he has become skeptical to almost everything. How he rarely smiled. She was always curious yet never found the courage to ask so. Did he go to a famous magician school? Was he a genius among his schoolmates? Was he a popular boy? Where was he from? But only more questions raised anew from the answer she was given. Why did the girl he loved died? She kept silent. A sudden ache was felt within her chest, as if it was constricting, but she realized she was breathing fine. This feeling felt quite new to her. A feeling she quite understood yet wondering why it felt like so. Her understanding of that one little ache was somewhere in between. She really couldn't fully comprehend it because it was different from the day she cried whenever he would not return for days.

Following his footsteps, she observed his figure from his shoes up to his dark grey hair. How broad his shoulders were, she noticed, imagining how she would fit inside his arms whole with little effort. How his hair shined against the sun, she thought, almost turning it to a platinum color.

"What was she like? What's her name?" the constricting pain in her chest slowly disappeared and was almost immediately replaced by nervousness and mild palpitation. How come I'm feeling this way… I just asked him a question… she thought. She anxiously waited for his answer but he remained silent and only kept walking. Perhaps he didn't want her to know deeper about his tragic past. Is he still hurt about it? Does he not fully trust me yet? The girl suddenly felt regret when she asked the questions.

"She's…" feeling reluctant to answer Lania, he thought that perhaps there's nothing to lose with letting her know more about him. He watched her grow up ever since she was 12 years old and everything about the two of them has only been one sided. He knew everything about her, but not her knowing him even the slightest.

She quickly focused her attention to him after hearing his voice.

"She's just like you, Lania."

Like me? The woman that Luminous loved was just like me?

Like her? In what way? Was she as carefree as she is? Cheerful as her perhaps? Did they look similar? No, he meant what he said. Nothing about looks from that statement. She continued to wait for an explicit answer. If she asked further, then he might feel pressured. Besides, they never had this kind of talk. It was always about what they'll do tomorrow. Or what kind of stew they're having for dinner. Or if they need to go the farmer's house for a trade. She then wondered what the man thinks of her. Perhaps like a little sister? A niece? Oh no… a daughter? She hoped not. Suddenly a lot of thoughts came through her mind. Like a waterfall, the questions flowed like water. First, the wide river was calm. Then there came a point it became a bit narrower. And narrower, and narrower, and- why did these thoughts have to come at a time like this? Such bad timing, she thought again. She was set to have her first journey with him to Ellinia yet all she could ever think about was all of him and his past. Of course, she has not forgotten about their first trip together. It's just that her curiosity outweighed her excitement.

"She was beautiful just like you, albeit a little clumsy." Finally, another answer. She silently heaved a sigh of relief, making sure he didn't notice her anxiety and feeling thankful she didn't have to ask another question. The man's words were still vague but it made her heart skip a beat. Beautiful? Yes, she heard him right (she made sure to clean her ears every day). This man just told her she's beautiful. Feeling shy, a noticeable shade of pink painted her cheeks.

"Lania, look up."

Stopping all of her thoughts at once, what she saw wasn't a forest. It was a city. It looked quite modern in regards to structure but still maintained its cultural aspect. They both looked up and the trees were skyscraper tall. The morning sun peeped down and flickered its shining rays as the leaves that covered almost all of the town danced with the wind. The trunks were emerald green in color as they were covered in moss, almost comparable to the color of the leaves. It wasn't that different from where their home is. She'd always known that their house was within the complex of Ellinia but there's something about the town looked so enchanting.

The buildings sat on the broad tree branches with the roofs decorated by free-roaming leafy vines, as if the structure grew from within the tree. Some houses had chimneys through the use of a steel tube, some didn't have any. Some structures had its own foundation from the trunk, some had used pieces of wood for structural support. Each part of the town was connected with exceptionally thick and wide branches, practically turned into some sort of a road. Most of the roads had a number of branches, braided together by mother nature like a rope which gave stability. Hanging rope ladders can be seen occasionally, providing shortcuts for those who don't have to carry anything heavy.

The fairies that populated Ellinia were the Sylph, a subspecies of the Fairies associated with Earth. Similar sub-species are also found in Orbis called the Nymphs who are associated with the element of Air. Some historians say that there were more than two that are associated to the rest of the elements of the world but until now, no one could ever prove their claims as they only remained as theories. Another part of the history said that the Fairies species had a far more superior race called the Elves as they held all the power of the elements of the world: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. But everything else aside from the Sylphs and the Nymphs were only legends, so they say.

The Sylph Fairies have similarities to humans except for the translucent wings attached to their backs and the eyes that glimmered even from a distance. They don't like humans as Grendel the Old have told Luminous. The bad history goes way back even before he was born, he remembered. How the human poachers hunted the fairies for personal gains. People were all over the town and it sure was refreshing for the young lady to see a lot of people. A number of adventurers can also be seen walking around the town while carrying weapons and backpacks.

She was taken aback for what she saw especially for the huge building that sat on the biggest tree of Ellinia. She figured that she's been missing out a lot in her whole life wondering how she even had to wait for Luminous to take the initiative. She might have experienced the different seasons the world has to offer, but for a moment like this, she must find it on her own.

"It's the Magic Library, Lania. Would you like to go sightseeing first before we visit the library?"

"I don't know... there's so much to do!" she uttered in excitement. Luminous couldn't help but smile. She was happy, therefore he is. That's all that mattered to him. The man suggested to visit the different shops for window shopping. The enthusiastic young lady agreed and they went to their first stop: the weaponry. He figured that she might take interest in magic as the town offered a variety of mage equipment. Ellinia is, after all, called the Mage Town.

XX

"Welcome!" they heard a warm greeting as they opened the door. The walls of the building was comprised of painted concrete, while the ceiling was made out of wood. A small wooden stall is built across the store where the owners can be seen. The owners comprised of two fairies and introduced themselves as Flora and Serabi the Fairies. A small furnace can also be seen, where the store owner used for forging weapons. One of them must also be a blacksmith, Luminous thought. There wasn't much of a display except for the armor that was chained on the wall and common mage weapons such as wands and staffs.

"Hi, I'm looking for a wand or perhaps a staff for a… Hmm." Luminous stopped for a second and observed Lania who kept looking at the weapons that were displayed. He noticed she kept looking at the staff that resembled a maple leaf. Another weapon caught her attention which was the Mithril Wand.

"This is difficult…" he crossed his arms. The store owners just kept smiling at them as they were entertained by the contemplating man, thinking if he should buy a wand or a staff, and the girl who looks too enticed by seeing the beautifully crafted weapons. "Ah, the perks of having a store. Always a different day with customers." Flora the Fairy chuckled. The weapon store owners weren't so distasteful among the human customers they had. They always had human customers and most of them have been friendly. Besides, the bad blood between the two races was already a long time ago. It was time for them to put it all behind.

"Lania." He called out for her attention.

"Yes?" the girl replied as she continued observing the staff that resembled the maple leaf.

"I think it's time for you to choose a class."

Confused with his statement, Luminous explained to her that adventurers in the Maple World essentially has their own classes which gives them unique abilities. He also told her that even if he's away for a mission, she'll be able to protect herself and that he wouldn't have to be worried sick about her.

"Are you perhaps a married couple?" Nora the Fairy asked as she overheard their conversation.

Luminous turned his attention to the young Fairy, politely telling her with a smile that they are just siblings. The young lady was surprised with the store owner's question, asking herself if do they really look that way. She pretended not to be so embarrassed about the question as she kept her gesture but upon hearing Luminous' answer, she found out one thing: she's just a little sister. His short answer was simple yet straightforward and it finally cleared some questions that's been lingering in her head for a while.

The store owner apologized and told them to take their time.

"I want to be like Luminous." The girl said with a warm smile.

"Are you sure...?" the man tried to confirm of her decision. He asked her another question if she wanted to be a bowman instead or maybe a swordsman. Both of them started to imagine what she'll look like holding a bow or a sword.

"Wouldn't those weapons be too heavy for you...?" He asked her again. He imagined the scenario where Lania would be more focused of the weight of the weapons as she tries to target a certain monster. Or how she would have the difficulty of walking as she keeps her posture with the heavy quiver of arrows and the bow or with the sheathed sword hanging lower than her waist. Meanwhile, Lania imagined being an expert with both classes, becoming a famous bowman or swordsman from the town of Ellinia. She even imagined being a bowman and swordsman hybrid, thinking that perhaps that would be possible.

But those imaginations weren't the only concern for him. Luminous knows the young lady has the tendency to be clumsy, injuring herself often with sharp objects except when peeling fruits or vegetables. The expertise of Lania's peeling skills has always been a wonder to him and how she would cut herself often when doing something else. Remembering those times made Luminous have a worried face and Lania having the expression of a chuckle.

Luminous sighed and smiled later on, assuring her that it will still be her decision at the end of the day. After all, he has always given Lania the option to decide something on her own with his full support, something she loved about him.

They decided to give more thoughts into it and told the store owners they will definitely come back if ever she chose to be a mage. They bid farewell and went to the Magic Library.

XX

Luminous opened the door and they saw Grendel the Old, seen to be floating in the air in front of the tree trunk, meditating.

"I see we have unusual visitors!" Grendel the Old greeted them while he continued his meditation.

"This is Lania. She's my… little sister."

He tapped her shoulder as he noticed her eyes wondering throughout the mountain of books organized on the shelves that covered almost all of the corners of the building.

"I didn't know you had a sister, Mister Luminous."

"Please, just call me Luminous, Master Grendel."

"Of course, Luminous. What brings you here?"

"We're here to borrow books."

"You may borrow anything you want. Our library's specialty is magic but of course, we also have another topics. Take your time to browse. If there's anything you can't find, you may ask Lolo."

"Thank you very much."

The old man called for Lolo, his apprentice, to assist the visitors. Lolo heard the call and immediately went on them. The young boy had a dark brown hair and wore a green cap. He greeted the visitors with a smile, asking what kinds of book they want. Luminous looked at Lania giving her a smile as a sign of confirmation.

"I have a favour to ask you, Master Grendel."

Grendel the Old opened his other eye and asked the young man what his favour is. Luminous kept his silence for a while, observing the happy Lania. The favour seemed important, Grendel thought. He then suggested that they talk to a more private place, where no other ears will be able to listen. The old man stopped his meditation and slowly descended to the floor.

"This sounds important, Luminous. Come."

"Please." He replied, thankful of the offer for a more private place.

"Lolo, keep Miss Lania entertained. We'll be back."

Lania noticed something must have happened but with all the excitement she felt, she couldn't help but brush it off and continued browsing books with the young boy. The two started walking toward the old mage's office for a discussion.

A long table and a chair was placed near the window of the office room where the old mage sat. Luminous was offered to take a seat but politely declined, saying he was fine. Luminous observed the room full of old hard bound books and complimented how neat his office is. Grateful of his compliment, he finally asked what his favour is.

"Please make Lania as your apprentice of Magic."

"Why ask this all of a sudden?"

"Ellinia looks really beautiful for such a young town. 400 years ago, this land was only full of growing trees but not as tall as it does now. The first few houses that were used to be seen was built on dirt, not on the branches of the trees itself. The Fairies weren't the first inhabitants of this place but the humans. But they were driven away due to the Fairies' resentful attitude towards them." Luminous didn't directly answer his question, but instead he talked about the history centuries ago.

"I am not sure what you're talking about… I understand the part about the Fairies distasteful attitude towards humans but…"

There was once a fairy called Ephenia, the Queen of Sylph Fairies, of the Ellin forest. They lived peacefully until the arrival of selfish humans or let's say… Human Poachers. The Human Poachers kidnapped her children one by one and sullied her beautiful land. The kidnapped fairies were sold to traffickers. Some were put into prostitution; some were made to fight powerful beasts for entertainment in underground stadiums. The Fairies who were sold for entertainment would eventually have their wings cut off for auctions once they didn't survive the fight. The price of each wings varied with how long the fairy lasted during the fights. The more beast they were able to put up against, the more expensive their wings were. The Queen became furious about what has become to her children, causing her to feel hatred and distrust within our kind.

One day, the Black Mage offered his allegiance for revenge. The Queen was eventually consumed by the Black Mage's darkness, giving her a tremendous power. The Queen killed every Human Poachers that step afoot on her land but it didn't stop her, even the innocents were killed. The news reached out to the Queen of Elves, Mercedes, causing her pain and great dilemma. One of the Elf Queen's apprentice took action and called for the Legendary Hero called Aran. The corrupted Queen Ephenia was then killed and peace was brought back to the land but this didn't get rid of the hatred of the remaining Fairies. After the event happened, the survivors of Ellin forest sealed off the land, and no outsiders were ever allowed. The seal they made created illusions that lead to the outsiders thinking that it was just a never ending forest.

"How do you know all of this? And Why? Why are you telling me this?" the old man leaned forward and rested his chin on his crossed fingers.

"Because… this is just one of the ugly truths about our world, my friend… unfortunately, I witnessed them all. Our hard work and sacrifices have come into fruition but I don't know when this peace, this peace that we are happily enjoying right now, will come to an end. The wars we have faced centuries ago may repeat itself and if I were to sacrifice my life again to seal the Black Mage for us to have a better world, then I shall, without doubt, gladly do it."

"You were… one of the five Legendary Heroes?" the old man assumed Luminous was one of them because of his statement and his story. Not only did he realized that the young man's story wasn't written in any of the books he has read. He didn't even know any of the names Luminous has mentioned earlier. Mercedes, the Queen of Elves? Aran? No record was ever shown that revealed the heroes' names, Thales the Librarian never allowed him to know more about the legend just because of mere curiosity. Grendel the Old had the ability to perceive a lie, a secret ability he has taken pride of. He saw the sincerity of the young man with his eyes and how he hasn't blink once. The old wise mage realized that this must be the reason why Thales the Librarian never revealed anything more to him. Perhaps the Gods had this planned all along, a plan for the living legend to seek out his help.

"We couldn't defeat the Black Mage and the only way for us to do was to seal him." He continued. "Yet we had to pay the price. I was cursed in return. I don't know what happened to my other comrades but I ended up slumbered deep in the forest for centuries and realized my powers were gone. I realized my aging has also come into a halt. I figured I had to train again and again to recover the great amount of mana I've lost, requiring me to leave Lania for days. There was a time when I felt like giving up to make my abilities come back but one fateful day made me decide that I should try one last time. I was able to cast my skills once again. It felt sudden but all I knew was that everything about my powers have come back. Unfortunately, I was also able to feel the Black Mage's presence. I was able to feel the seal become weakened. His physical touch might have also had an effect on me that's why I was able to feel it.

Please don't worry as I will give you something in return but only when I have prepared the necessary items. I am willing to give you Aurora's researches about Light Magic and of course, a Light Orb and a Shining Rod. Everything you need about Light Magic is in those books."

The old man kept silent, trying to digest all of the things he has heard from him. The young man went down on his knees and bowed to beg. He needed the old mage's strength and knowledge to make Lania to be able to protect herself. He doesn't know when unfortunate events will happen and so he has to prepare as soon as possible. The Black Mage is no petty threat. Luminous knows how powerful the Black Mage can be. He has dealt with him personally and turned his life into a real nightmare. Yes, nightmare. It was the only word he knew to describe it and nothing else. That one word that became the epiphany of what has happened.

"Luminous, please, stand up."

"…"

"I am… astounded. But… Aurora? What is it? An organization? Where are you fellow Light magicians?"

"I... I am the only survivor. Aurora is our headquarters, located in a hidden forest where no light can ever reach. Our headquarters were attacked before the sealing of the Black Mage began. Everyone was killed… except me. I was the one who sealed the location, just like how the earlier generation of fairies has done with Ellin forest. The only way I know to go there right now is through our own teleportation prism."

"I see… that's very unfortunate. I'm sorry to hear about that."

"Indeed it is. That is why I'm telling you all of this. I beg for your assistance, Master Grendel."

"But why me? I don't believe I can—"

"Master Grendel, you may not believe me, but ever since I've met you, something deep inside me tells me that I can trust you. I'm faithful that you can make Lania become a magician just like you. I believe I do not have the time anymore to teach her as I need to prepare myself for whatever that is to come. You're the only one who can do it. Please teach her the ability to protect herself. She is the only one I have left."It took Grendel the Old a lot of thinking whether he should accept or not because of Luminous' condition to give something in return, making it looked like he's taking advantage of the situation. He was willing to agree to help him but Light Magic research? Light Orb and a Shining Rod for his own? The offer was too much for him to decline considering the only condition for him was to make Lania his apprentice.

"Very well… I will inform Flora and Serabi the Fairies to give you a beginner mage weapon for free. Lania will have a great use for the weapon she chooses once she starts her apprenticeship with me. You may visit me again once you're ready to start."

"Thank you very much! This means so much to me and for Lania."

"You are too humble, Luminous… I am merely an old magician instructor. It is my job to train aspiring mages."

"But still…!"

"Your contributions to this world is far greater than mine and thanks to you and your other comrades, we are able to live a peaceful life. I must be the one to thank you, Luminous."

"Thank you, Master Grendel… I will be forever be indebted to your kindness." Luminous started to tear up as he has felt a new kind of hope. He underestimated the threat of the Black Mage once due to his arrogance, causing his loved ones die. He doesn't want the same fate to happen ever again and so he started to seek new comrades to protect everything in this world. He wiped his teary eye with his hand and bowed his head. He then asked Grendel the Old to go back to Lania and both decided to leave the office.

"Lania."

"Luminous!"

"Have you found a book you like?"

"Can we borrow these?"

She pointed a finger to the piled books on the ground. Much to his surprise, he smiled at her in return and saying she can have them all. Luminous decided to join Lolo and Lania and started browsing books for his own, too. Lania then asked if Luminous was hungry. She took out the packed lunch out of her pouch and shared the food along with him and Lolo. Grendel asked the young lady if he could have some too. Luminous and Lania spent the rest of the day in the library reading some books while Lolo organized the shelves and Grendel continued his meditation.

They eventually decided to leave before the sundown with the bag full of books being carried by Luminous. Lania felt bad and took some of the books he carried and put them in her pouch. He scoffed saying that it didn't really make a difference to the weight. She pouted her lips and offered to take more. The young man declined and told her it's okay. They bid farewell to Lolo and Grendel the Old as Lania waved and smiled. Luminous gave Grendel the Old a farewell smile and bowed his head, Grendel winked in return as the two opened the door and finally left.

Luminous tried to adjust the bag full of books at his bag and grabbed Lania's waist with one of his arm. Lania was astounded with his sudden action, she blushed as she asked what he was doing.

"Hold on to me, we're going to teleport."

"Ehhhh?!"

Luminous chuckled at her reaction and began using his teleportation skills on their way home.

End.

...my earlier compositions are an embarrassment to my existence. I can't believe I wrote something lame. And now, after a very very very very loooong hiatus, I have decided to write again and switch to third person POV! It might create confusions but I think it's better this way. I can explore more on Lania's side. Besides, Luminous is boooring. Jk. Enjoy! Your reviews are also very much appreciated, it gives me... ENERGEH. Mwahahahaha.