How am I supposed to climb up? …of course, I'll use the horn as a step. Hop!
"Hey, Adalberto, you're actually pretty comfortable!"
"So you think, child? You'll be even more comfortable like this!"
A soft blue glow forms all around me. It's warm. After all that cold, it feels like being reborn.
Strange though—my feet are in the water. They should be wet.
I look down.
Incredible! The water doesn't touch me at all, as if my whole body were protected by something invisible.
"Ready?" Adalberto asks.
"Ready!"
"Good, then let's go! Hold tight!"
Anxiety grips me.
"Wait, wait!"
"What is it?"
"Are you absolutely sure I won't drown?"
He laughs.
"Of course not. Come on!"
And in a flash, he dives.
I cling to him with all my strength, hold my breath, and squeeze my eyes shut as tight as I can.
I feel like I'm suffocating. I'm going to die, I know it.
"You can open your eyes, you know, child," the elven narwhal says after a few seconds. "And while you're at it, you can breathe too—and maybe loosen your grip a little."
Only then do I realize my nails are dug into the poor creature's back.
"Sorry, sorry!" I blurt out instinctively.
Hey—water isn't filling my throat.
"I can breathe!" I shout, thrilled.
He laughs again. This fish is really nice.
We're truly underwater… it's amazing.
We keep descending, deeper and deeper, like entering a magical world.
The seaweed seems to dance.
And look at those flowers.
"Hey, hey, easy, you're tickling me!"
A group of seahorses just swam under my hair, making me laugh out loud. Then one of them made a strange sound. Maybe it wants to play.
"I'm sorry, I can't… another time, I promise!"
And what's that silver trail?
Wow… schools of silvery fish! They're beautiful! They dart by as fast as the wind!
And those corals? They're so red they look like cherries.
I wish I could go down there and take a walk.
"It's all so beautiful…"
"It is, child, it is. Hold on tight now, we're almost there!"
Suddenly, he shoots upward.
I cling harder, afraid of falling. But no claws this time…
The higher we go, the more the darkness fades behind us.
Up there, a bright, glowing light is waiting.
Adalberto moves so fast it truly feels like racing toward a shining opening!
Here we are! We're about to surface. I'm so curious.
I wonder what the world of the elves looks like.
Just one more second and… out, we're out!
By the Great Universal Sage, what a marvel!!!
Before us stretches a beach so vast I can't see its end, with golden, sparkling sand! And there, in the distance, stand the most colorful, strange, and beautiful trees I've ever seen!
I immediately look up at the sky… a bit disappointed. No clouds.
But at least there's no trace of that horrible black stone here. Everything shines.
"Here we are, child. This is the Crystal Shore. To find the Elves, all you have to do is enter the forest. You can get down now."
"Thank you, Adalberto, thank you with all my heart!"
I climb down. I'm so happy I kiss him on the horn!
What? Did it really turn red?
"What's wrong? Are you blushing?" I ask, amused.
He looks embarrassed, but he laughs too. Then he grows serious.
"Tell me something. I brought you here gladly, but why did you want to come all this way?"
The joy fades, replaced by worry. My heart starts racing again. I almost feel guilty for having forgotten, even for a moment, what's happening.
He looks at me, concerned.
"Hey, little one, are you alright?"
I have to tell him. He needs to know too. I tell him everything.
"…and that's why I went looking for Aeltiàfisar, and here I am," I finish.
"I know him well."
That—now that is good news!
"Really? What is he like? How will I recognize him among so many elves? Is he different from the others?"
"In his Realm there isn't a soul who doesn't know him. He lives in a place that shines, just like his name."
But everything shines here, even the sand! Not much of a clue. Still, I don't want to take advantage of his kindness—I'll make do.
"Oh, I see. Then… I'll go. Thank you, thank you so much!"
"Good luck, child. Be careful and… if you ever need me, call me!"
He seems to smile. He turns and dives back into the sea.
My heart sinks.
I'm alone again.
But there's no time to waste. I turn my back to the sea and walk toward the forest.
I take a glowing path, shaded on both sides by two rows of tall trees.
This forest is a riot of plants, flowers, and colors of every kind.
And the scent… not even Nuvolandia has anything like this!
Looking closely, there isn't the slightest trace of elves… nor of anything that shines.
It's getting dark… I hear shrill cries, strange noises. I need to find shelter. I don't want to be out alone at night—it's too dangerous! And I'm so cold… and so hungry! I should eat something first… there's no fruit on the path, maybe among the bushes? And what's that? …between the leaves there's a floating light, blinking on and off. Such beautiful colors… white… blue… pink… What is it? I have to find out!
I push into the thick vegetation and quicken my pace. …it's gone!
"Hey! Where did you go? Come back! Show yourself!"
I have to find it, no matter what!
I run.
I slide down embankments.
Branches scratch me, I trip, fall, get back up, my clothes tear. No matter. Where is it? …There!!! It's shining even brighter! Green, violet, blue, orange, lilac, white.
"You're calling me, aren't you? I'm coming."
Oh no, don't run away. I chase it. It's fast! Oh no! It vanished again.
"Wait for me, please!"
I run.
Oh, there it is!
Hey—it's flashing above a berry bush! Big, juicy berries, black-tipped with a vivid red-orange glow… they look delicious… I'm starving! The perfect dinner!
"I knew I should follow you! Thanks for the meal, little light!"
It pulses one last time, as if saying, "You're welcome."
Then it disappears.
No matter. Maybe I'll see it again tomorrow night.
Now I need to eat.
I attack the berry bush, stuff my pockets, and look for a place to enjoy them. There—this hollow trunk will do perfectly!
It's spacious, the ideal solution. I take out the berries and bite into them! …well, I expected better but… but… I fall asleep.
-----
I float in a place without time, soaked in fire-red light.
"Is anyone there?" I call. "Is anyone there?"
I look for someone. A path.
Oh no. Why? I run, horrified. The guards, Helbert, Dad, Mom… they're all dead, pierced by terrible wounds.
I gasp and move forward. "No… this isn't real…" I kneel to embrace my mother. She's so light… But as I hold her, she changes! A swarm of black little creatures with enormous mouths and jagged teeth lunges at me!
I scream. Again and again, louder each time. No one hears me!
Pain explodes through me—real pain! I'm truly dying this time. Their sharp teeth sink into my flesh, slice through my veins, shatter my bones!
I have to be heard. I scream with all the breath I have!
-----
"Hey—easy… easy. It's alright now," a voice says.
I wake with a jolt, flailing my hands as if to chase the monsters away.
I'm drenched in sweat, my stomach twisting in sharp pain.
Someone behind me is holding my arms while a bowl is brought to my lips.
"You ate one of the most poisonous berries that exist, you know? You've been asleep for five days. In another couple, you'll be as good as new. Drink a little more…" It's a male voice. I turn my head.
Oh… wow. He looks a bit older than me. Tall, with a strong build and soft, beautiful blond curls. His eyes are dark. Black as night. And so gentle… Hmm… but… there's something… strange… like a glow… dark?
No. That's impossible. A dark glow? What am I thinking? He's taking care of me.
I take the bowl and look around.
We're in a cave—warm, welcoming. And I'm lying on a comfortable bed of hay.
"Are you an Elf? Ugh, everything hurts."
My voice comes out weak.
"No, I'm not. I was riding when I heard you moaning. You were inside a hollow trunk. If I'd arrived any later, you'd be dead."
He looks at me. Serious.
"There were abro berries near you. Were you trying to die?"
"Die? Are you crazy? Why would I want to die? I have far more important things to do!"
"Then why did you eat abro?"
"I was hungry! I thought they were currants or something like that!… I didn't know they were poisonous."
Heat rushes to my face. Dying—what a thought.
"Currants… sure. If you're going to travel through places like this, it wouldn't hurt to learn how to recognize fruits and roots."
I blush even more. Fine, I messed up. Does the lecture have to go on much longer?
"Yeah… anyway… thank you. Nice to meet you, I'm Aileen."
"Dorcha. Rest. You need it."
I drink, then sink back into sleep.
-----
I can't sleep.
Earlier she looked at me in a strange way… just for a moment, but still—she seemed wary.
Maybe she's not as naïve as she looks.
I'll have to be careful. Slip into her heart like a serpent.
Urchoicha's teachings—and Bàistec's—will be very useful.