In the middle of a long flat landscape filled with white flowers that seemed infinite in the distance of the horizon, the world stretched in silence. At first glance, that field seemed to have no end. The flowers moved gently with the wind, forming white waves that traveled across the land as if it were a calm ocean.
The sky was clear, of a blue so pure that it seemed unreal. Some clouds moved slowly, letting the sunlight fall over the field and making it shine with an almost magical calm.
In the middle of all that landscape, a small stone column rose alone. It was simple, ancient, as if it had been there for centuries. On top of it grew a green apple tree, strong and full of life. Its branches stretched to the sides, and its leaves formed a fresh shade over the ground.
It was the only place where there was shade to rest in that entire sea of flowers.
Under that same shade there were two small figures sitting next to each other.
A boy and a girl.
Their appearances were different, as much as the sky and the night.
The little girl had white wings coming out of her back, soft and bright as if they were made of light. Her hair was also white, falling over her shoulders with delicacy. She wore a simple dress of the same color, clean and light.
Her eyes were crystal blue.
So clear that they seemed to reflect the world like the surface of a calm lake.
Every time the wind moved her hair, the sunlight made it seem to shine.
Next to her was the boy.
His wings were dark, black like the deepest night. His hair was also dark, falling over his face in a messy way.
But what caught the most attention were his eyes.
Red eyes.
They shone among the tears that sprang out and slowly fell down his cheeks. One after another, the tears descended in silence until falling over the grass.
The boy looked at the sky.
His expression was full of tiredness, as if he had spent too much time carrying something that was too heavy for someone so small.
There was sadness on his face.
A sadness that did not seem to belong to a child.
The wind blew softly, moving the flowers and the leaves of the tree. Some apples swayed slightly on the branches.
The boy breathed deeply.
His lips trembled a little before speaking.
—Tell me... —he murmured with a weak voice— Tell me something... does freedom exist?
The girl turned her head a little to look at him.
But he kept looking at the sky.
—Are you free? —the boy continued— Because I want to be...
His voice slowly began to break.
—I want to feel what freedom is... tell me what freedom is.
The wind passed again through the flowers.
The boy closed his eyes for a moment.
—If you don't know what it is... then at least tell me why all the creatures and people of this world are so cruel.
His hands slowly closed.
—Why do I feel so much sadness...?
Another tear fell.
—Why do I feel so much guilt...?
The boy breathed with difficulty.
—I just want to be free from so much guilt...
His voice became even weaker.
—I want to be free even if it's only for a single second... just one...
The flowers moved around them, but in that small place it seemed as if time had stopped.
—I want to be able to stop thinking... —he continued— I want to stop thinking about these feelings that suffocate me so much...
His fingers trembled.
—I don't want to keep living anymore...
Silence fell between the words.
—I don't want to anymore...
The girl looked at him for a few seconds.
Her blue eyes did not show fear or confusion.
Only a deep calm.
She lowered her gaze for a moment, as if thinking about something.
Then she spoke softly.
—I... don't know either.
The boy slowly turned his head toward her.
The girl smiled with a calm tenderness.
—I don't know what freedom is —she continued— But the only thing I can do for you...
She slowly stood up from where she was sitting.
Her small white wings moved slightly.
She walked one step toward the boy.
Then another.
Until she stood in front of him.
She leaned a little and began to gently stroke his dark hair.
—...is to always be with you.
The boy remained still.
—Because we two are best friends.
The girl hugged him tightly.
A small hug, but sincere.
The boy did not move at first.
His hands remained still for a moment.
Then, slowly, his fingers closed on the fabric of the girl's dress.
Maybe that little boy had seen too much evil for someone his age.
Maybe he had witnessed things that no child should see.
Or maybe he had made mistakes that his heart still could not forgive.
But in that moment, under the green apple tree, in the middle of an infinite field of white flowers...
He was not alone.
The wind blew again.
The flowers moved once more.
And for an instant, the world seemed to be at peace.
********
The sun began to rise slowly over the elven forest.
Rays of light passed through the leaves of the giant trees, creating paths of light among the vegetation.
The air was fresh.
The sound of birds filled the forest with small songs.
In front of one of the main paths of the elven kingdom stood Kael.
On his back he carried quite a large pack.
Inside there was food, some blankets, basic utensils and several things that they would need during the journey.
Kael adjusted the straps of the pack with both hands.
—This weighs more than I thought... —he murmured.
Magnus, who was standing near him, let out a small laugh.
—Of course it weighs —he said— You put food in there as if you were going to feed an army.
Kael frowned a little.
—We don't know how long the journey will last.
Seraphyne was leaning against a nearby tree, watching them in silence.
—It's better to be prepared —she said calmly.
Viridia walked a little closer to Kael.
Her eyes looked at him softly.
—Besides, you're not carrying everything alone —she said while lifting a small bag— I'm carrying things too.
Kael let out a small sigh.
—Thanks.
A few steps away from them was Elirya.
The elven queen looked at the forest calmly.
Her hair moved slightly with the wind.
In her hands she held a small blue ribbon.
Carefully she began to tie it in her hair.
Her royal cavalry remained at her side, watching the surroundings with attention.
Magnus crossed his arms.
—I still find it hard to believe you're coming with us —he said while looking at Elirya.
Seraphyne nodded slightly.
—I thought you would stay in the kingdom.
Elirya finished adjusting the blue ribbon and smiled softly.
—Normally I would.
Kael tilted his head a little.
—Then... why are you coming?
Elirya raised one hand.
In her palm a small green light appeared.
The light slowly took shape.
In a matter of seconds, another Elirya appeared in front of them.
Exactly the same.
Magnus opened his eyes in surprise.
—What...?
Viridia was also surprised.
The second Elirya remained standing in silence.
—One of my spirits —the queen explained calmly— can create a perfect copy of me.
The copy slightly bowed her head.
—She will take care of the kingdom while I am away.
Kael looked at both of them for a few seconds.
—That is... impressive.
Magnus let out a small laugh.
—Elven spirits always surprise me.
Seraphyne watched the copy for another moment before speaking.
—So the kingdom will still have a queen while you travel.
Elirya nodded.
—Exactly.
The copy began to walk back toward the inside of the kingdom.
Little by little she disappeared among the trees.
Kael looked at the path in front of them.
The trail left the forest and was lost among distant mountains.
—Then... —he said taking a deep breath— It's time to go.
Magnus stretched his arms.
—Finally.
Viridia smiled slightly.
Seraphyne moved away from the tree.
Elirya took the first step toward the path.
—Our destination —she said calmly— is the Demonic Kingdom.
Kael looked at the horizon for a moment.
He knew that many things were waiting for him there, Training, Battles and Difficult Decisions.
But this time he was not alone.
He breathed deeply.
Then he began to walk together with the others.
Thus, the small group departed once again, leaving the elven kingdom behind and advancing toward the Demonic Kingdom.