[So, you brought me the girl to check if she can also use more than one spirit…]
Both Fay and Horin stood in front of Elaruîn.
This took place just after his mentor had led the Ravari tribe into a small mound within the forest—a perfect place to begin setting up camp.
Everyone was already hard at work clearing the area, careful not to damage any of the trees Elaruîn had pointed out.
"Yes, teacher, please! She can help us hunt that creature, too, right?"
Fay tried to vouch for her as the long-lived Eluwyn studied the young girl with a scrutinizing gaze.
To his surprise, Horin reacted strangely under that stare. She fidgeted, even blushing—a sight Fay never thought possible from someone who always seemed like a born warrior.
[Her test will be different. That one is your task. And don't worry—I already spoke to Nahrin about the payment.]
Fay was curious about why he alone had to hunt the beast Elaruîn had mentioned, and what kind of price his mentor had arranged for helping Horin—but he didn't ask.
The elf was already pulling out the stones he had shown Fay before.
One by one, he tested Horin with the basic elements. He began with Land, Wind, Fire, and Water—but none of them shone or reacted to the girl's presence.
Then he moved on to the more difficult ones—Ice, Lightning, and Nature—yet still, there was no change.
Horin looked disheartened, especially when Fire didn't respond—likely because her father wielded that element.
As for Shadow, it didn't react either, since she already had a creature of that element. If used, the aether would simply be drained by her vulture.
[We haven't tried them all yet, so relax. There are more to use.]
He continued the test. He had one more of the Dream stones—the same kind he had given Fay earlier—but it, too, showed no reaction. Then he switched to Illusion, but again, nothing.
Next came Sound, Light, and Metal. Still, no response.
He even tried Mind and Void, and was quietly relieved that neither reacted, especially after one of them had responded to Fay.
[Well then… I have one more to test. It's just… I didn't want to use it, given your circumstances…]
Elaruîn looked down at the small crystal in his palm—
The Elar Stone.
The one said to hold the Spirit, or perhaps even the essence of a soul.
It was a silver-blue gem, softly glowing as if something ethereal pulsed inside it. When one listened closely, they could even hear a faint howl echoing from within.
Fay watched as Horin's cat-like ears twitched. He even felt the urge to touch them, but quickly pushed aside the foolish thought.
"Well? How is it? Does it respond?"
He asked, noticing that both Horin and Elaruîn stood frozen, as if paralyzed.
[You could say that. It's just… this particular gem is one of the stranger ones I possess. You see, Spirit—or Soul—usually reflects the self. And if someone carries damage within their own, this tries to compensate for it.
Whether the girl can manage that, though, is an entirely different question.]
Fay scratched his head, not quite understanding. He turned toward Horin, hoping for a simplified explanation—but the girl didn't react. Her gaze remained locked on the gem, distant and unfocused.
"Well, Horin?"
His words jolted her awake. She blinked, looked around, then returned her attention to the jewel.
[We can try this… but I wonder if you're truly ready to accept such a creature.]
Elaruîn said, his tone heavy and serious—enough to make Fay briefly question whether bringing her had been the right decision.
[Yes, I'll be able to use it. Sorry, it's just… seeing it made me remember something. But it's fine. I want to do this!]
Horin answered firmly, her eyes steady now.
Elaruîn still looked doubtful, but he shrugged and handed her the small stone.
Like Fay, Horin had her palms pierced—though hers were harder to notice, always hidden beneath a cloth wrapping or bandage.
Fay, having spent enough time with her, assumed it was because—unlike her semi-pawed feet—her hands looked more human. It was just a guess, though.
[Well then, you know what comes next. Close your eyes and imagine a form. Let the beast take the shape of your choosing.]
Unlike with Fay, Elaruîn did not show Horin any illusions of possible creatures.
She didn't seem to need them.
Horin lifted her hands high and began to chant, speaking words in a language so old that even the guide didn't offer a translation.
Within seconds, something began to take shape in front of her.
The air grew heavier as Horin's chant continued, her voice low but steady.
Fay held his breath.
Even Elaruîn stopped moving, his expression unreadable but sharply focused.
The glow in front of Horin twisted and bent, not like any element Fay had ever seen, but like something reaching for Horin from another plane.
It was like a ripple in still water, as if something unseen were parting the space between worlds.
Then, with a faint hum, the shape solidified.
It floated just above the ground.
It seemed sleek and thin, delicate.
Pale as moonlight, with a faint mist clinging to its form. Two wings—no, not wings—streaming ribbons of translucent membrane extended from its back like drifting threads of fog.
Its body slowly grew more defined, lean and feline in shape as more features began to emerge. Its eyes—deep silver with a soft inner golden glow—locked onto Horin, who now slowly opened her own.
The creature let out a soft purr, almost like a plea to be touched.
Fay stepped forward slightly.
"What is that…?" Fay asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
[Be careful, child. Like your own creature, that one does not take well to being touched by others. The power it holds… it slowly wears down the soul. A subtle but dangerous effect—one not widely known, since those who can wield this element are extremely rare. They must meet certain criteria for such a bond to even be possible.]
The Eluwyn's words carried a certain weight, as if he already knew the story behind Horin's past, one Fay was still in the dark about.
As for the girl, she didn't hesitate to get to know her new creature. She knelt and wrapped her arms around the creature, hugging it tightly.
The small kitten let out a louder purr in response, leaning into her embrace.
But even then, its form began to fade slightly.
The glowing lines along its body trembled, and its shape turned back into a fog as if struggling to stay anchored in this world.