The evening air of Greenwood carried the sweet scent of starbloom petals, their soft glow illuminating the cobblestone path as Akira, Elara, Hana, and Saya returned from the field where Sylthar and Rhygar, the stone drakes, had settled. The village hummed with quiet life, the barrier cast by Sylthar shimmering faintly overhead, its silver-blue runes pulsing like distant stars. Akira's boots crunched on the path, his arm around Elara, her silver hair catching the moonlight, her hand resting gently on her belly. Hana's apron fluttered in the breeze, and Saya walked beside her, the silver spirit perched on her head, its translucent form flickering like a candle.
As they stepped into Hana's cottage, the warm scent of fresh bread and moonberry stew enveloped them. Akira turned to Elara, his dark eyes softening, and pulled her into a tight hug. "I missed you so much," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, his cheek pressed against her hair.
Elara's arms wrapped around him, her voice warm. "I know, dear. I missed you, too. Three days in Glimmerfen… it felt like forever."
Hana chuckled, her gray-streaked hair catching the lantern light as she set a basket of bread on the table. "Oh, my, how shameless my son's become! Flirting with his wife right in front of his mother."
Akira's cheeks flushed, his voice sheepish. "Mom…"
Hana waved a hand, her tone teasing but firm. "Enough flirting, you two. Akira, you're covered in road dust. Go take a bath. Elara needs a clean house for her and the baby, and from the look on your two faces, I doubt anyone could separate you tonight."
Akira's blush deepened, his voice silent as he nodded, a shy smile tugging at his lips. Elara laughed softly, her hand squeezing his before he headed to the bath. Hana turned to Saya, her voice warm. "Saya, you're staying for dinner, right?"
Saya nodded, her auburn braids swinging, the silver spirit giggling on her head. "Yes, Hana."
After his bath, Akira returned, his dark hair damp, his tunic fresh. The group gathered around the table, the silver spirit hovering near Hana, stealing a nibble of bread. The stew steamed in wooden bowls, its rich aroma mingling with the tang of moonberry juice. As they ate, Akira's voice grew animated, his hands gesturing. "Glimmerfen was incredible. Their fields are on these sky platforms—floating in the clouds, surrounded by fog. Did you believe Mom, the dhan plant is rice from Earth. They just called it different from what we called them on Earth. The Dhan crops were hit by pests, mostly Dhan planthoppers, but also some beetles and moths. No mana traces, just like Earth pests. We made light traps with their lanterns—brighter than anything I've seen. The First Layer… It's like nothing else. The sunset paints the clouds gold, and at night, the stars and moons make it feel like you're part of the sky."
Elara's eyes sparkled, her voice curious. "The First Layer sounds magical. Did you see the river?"
Akira nodded, his tone awed. "It's like a ribbon of stars, winding through the fields. I want to take you and Mom there someday. The gnomes even said they'd build us a house on the Second Layer—more beautiful than the first, they claim."
Hana's brow raised, her voice teasing. "A house? Already planning to move us, are you?"
Akira laughed, his voice earnest. "Don't move, just visit. You'd love it, Mom. The air's so fresh, and the skyflowers glow like tiny lanterns."
Saya leaned forward, her tone intrigued. "And the pests? You fixed their fields?"
Akira's smile widened. "The traps worked perfectly. We caught enough to know the infestation's manageable. They're making more traps now. Tilda and the farmers gave me a sack of Dhan plants—enough for a whole field in Greenwood."
The silver spirit chimed, its voice a soft breeze. "Dhan! Tasty!"
Elara laughed, her hand resting on Akira's. "You've done so much, Dear."
They finished dinner, their laughter filling the cottage. Saya stood, her voice warm. "Thanks, Hana. I'll see you tomorrow."
Hana nodded, her tone gentle. "Sleep well, Saya."
As Saya left, Hana yawned, the silver spirit trailing her to bed. "I'm off too. Don't stay up too late, you two."
Akira and Elara stepped outside, the night sky unfolding above, Sylthar's barrier shimmering like a veil of starlight. They sat on a wooden bench, their hands intertwined, the air cool and scented with starbloom. Akira's voice was soft, his eyes fixed on the moons. "This sky… It's almost as beautiful as Glimmerfen's. But here, with you, it's perfect."
Elara leaned against him, her voice tender. "You're such a romantic. I missed this—us, just being together."
Akira's thumb traced her hand, his tone wistful. "In Glimmerfen, I kept thinking of you. Every sunset, every star… I wanted you there. And our baby—knowing our baby'll grow up in this world, with skies like this, it feels like a gift."
Elara's eyes misted, her voice soft. "He or she'll have you as a father, teaching him or her about crops, stars, and courage. That's the real gift."
Akira smiled, his voice warm. "And you, as their mother, show him or her magic and love. We're building something special here, Elara."
They sat in silence, the barrier's glow mingling with the moons' light, until Elara yawned, her voice sleepy. "Let's go to bed."
Akira nodded, helping her up, their steps quiet as they returned to the cottage and drifted to sleep, hands still entwined.
Morning sunlight streamed through the cottage windows, the scent of fresh pancakes and apple preserves filling the air. Akira, Elara, Hana, and the silver spirit sat around the table, their plates piled high. The spirit nibbled a pancake, its giggles echoing as Hana scolded it playfully. As they finished, Saya knocked and entered, her auburn braids neat, her smile bright. "Morning, everyone. Ready for the day?"
Hana wiped her hands on her apron, her voice firm. "Akira, you're off to the greenhouse, right? Elara, you're staying here to rest."
Elara's eyes sparkled, her tone insistent. "Mom, I want to go to the field."
Hana's brow furrowed, her voice sharp. "Dear, you can't—"
Elara raised a hand, her tone gentle but firm. "Let me finish, Mom. I mean the field where Sylthar and Rhygar are. I want to talk with Sylthar. The house is cozy, and Saya's great company, but it's a bit lonely. Sylthar's got stories—I know it. Please, Mom."
Hana's expression softened, her voice reluctant. "How can I say no when you want it so badly? Fine, you can go. But wait a little; I packed you two some snacks. Don't sit in the sun. Saya, fill a waterskin with juice and another with water. Make sure Elara drinks."
Saya nodded, her tone cheerful. "Sure, Hana. I've got it."
Hana turned to Akira, her voice brisk. "Akira, go with them. Bring a chair—Elara can't sit on the ground."
Akira opened his mouth, but a deep, resonant voice echoed in their minds, rich and warm like a distant storm. "You're all very overprotective of that elf girl."
Hana gasped, her voice sharp. "What was that? Who's talking in my head?"
Akira, Elara, and Saya spoke together, their voices startled. "You heard it too?"
The voice rumbled again. "It's me, Sylthar. I'm using telepathy, sending my voice through the Forest Heart's connection. We're all linked now—me, you guys, the Heart."
Saya's eyes widened, her tone awed. "How does it work?"
Sylthar's voice was patient. "It's magic, simple as that. The Forest Heart binds us, and I've joined it. You could learn it, too, if you connect deeply enough".
Akira's voice was eager. "Sylthar, can you teach me? That's so cool and incredible!"
Sylthar's tone carried a hint of pride. "Of course, Akira. But no chair's needed—I'll craft one from soil with magic. It will be just a waste of your effort."
Akira's face fell, his voice sheepish. "Oh… okay."
He paused, his tone thoughtful. "Sylthar, you keep calling me 'human' and Elara 'elf girl.' We're
companions now, aren't we? Call us by our names."
Sylthar's laugh echoed in their minds, deep and warm. "I knew you were unique, Human. The Forest Heart told me you're from another world—Earth. No human here dares speak to me so boldly. I like it. Very well, I will grant your wish. I'll call you Akira, Elara, and the rest by name."
Akira grinned, his voice curious. "You talked to the Forest Heart? What did it say?"
Sylthar's voice softened. "All night, we spoke. I learned of your village, the elves' arrival, the wars, and your journeys. You're a rare one, Akira."
Hana finished packing snacks, her voice brisk. "Enough chatter. Akira, Elara, and Saya, take these and go see Sylthar. Silver, you're with them."
The group set out, the silver spirit hovering above Saya, the sack of snacks swinging in Akira's hand. The field was alive with activity—elf children swarmed around Sylthar, their voices high and excited. "Stone drake! Stone drake! Can we play with the small one?"
Sylthar rose, her granite scales glinting, her amber eyes twinkling. "Little elves, my name's not 'stone drake.' I'm Sylthar, and that's my son, Rhygar."
The children giggled, their voices a chorus. "Okay, Sylthar!"
Sylthar's tail flicked, her tone playful. "No, no, wrong. Add 'Sama.' Try again."
The children shouted, "Sylthar-Sama, can we play with Rhygar?"
Sylthar's soft roar rumbled, her voice approving. "Good. Rhygar!"
Rhygar bounded over, his smaller form agile, his eyes bright. "What's wrong, Mama?"
Sylthar's voice was gentle. "These elves want to play. Go with them and make sure everyone stays safe. Don't go to the forest, even if you want to go, you can't pass the barrier without my permission."
Rhygar's tail wagged, his voice eager. "Okay, Mama!" The children climbed onto his back, squealing as he trotted off, their laughter echoing.
As Akira, Elara, Saya, and the silver spirit approached, Sylthar raised a claw, green light flaring. Two chairs rose from the soil, smooth and sturdy, positioned in her shadow. Elara and Saya settled in, the silver spirit perched on Elara's shoulder. Akira smiled, his voice warm. "Elara, I'm heading to Thalion's to meet Fenwick and the others. If you need me, just tell Saya to go and call me."
Elara nodded, her tone teasing. "Go be a leader. I'll be fine with Sylthar's stories, Dear."
Akira headed to Thalion's cottage, where Fenwick, Mira, Tilda, Torin, and Thalion waited, their faces bright. Thalion stood, his silver hair glinting, his voice proud. "Akira, yesterday you proved yourself a true leader. When Sylthar roared, I rushed to help, but Kael said you'd ordered no one to approach. I was right, making you the leader."
Akira blushed, his voice quiet. "Thank you, Thalion. I just did what felt right."
Fenwick clapped his shoulder, his tone hearty. "You handled drakes like it was nothing! Now, let's finish that greenhouse."
Tilda nodded, her white braids neat. "The glass awaits. Let's go."
Akira's brow furrowed, his voice curious. "You didn't bring soil from Glimmerfen. How will you make the glass?"
Torin grinned, his blue eyes sharp. "No special soil needed. Our magic shapes any earth into glass—clear, strong, perfect. Watch."
They reached the greenhouse site, where Liora and a group of elves waited, the wooden frames gleaming, metal brackets shining. Akira's voice was proud. "So much has happened—journeys, drakes, Dhan plants. Today, we finish the small greenhouses."
The elves cheered, their voices a chorus of excitement. Torin, Fenwick, and Mira stepped forward, their hands glowing with golden light. They knelt by a pile of soil, their magic weaving intricate patterns in the air. The soil shimmered, grains fusing into molten glass, flowing like liquid starlight before hardening into clear, flawless panes, each edge smooth, each surface gleaming. The gnomes worked in harmony, their chants soft, their movements precise, the air humming with the warmth of their craft.
Tilda observed, her emerald eyes sharp, inspecting each pane. "Flawless," she murmured, nodding to Torin. "As Hazel said, your works are the best."
Akira, Liora, and the elves lifted the panes, their own magic guiding them into the greenhouse frames, the glass snapping into place with soft clicks. The morning passed in a blur of work, the structures taking shape, their interiors glowing with promise.
At noon, Hana arrived with a basket of bread and stew, her voice cheerful. "Food for the workers!"
Akira glanced around, his tone curious. "Where's Elara?"
Hana smiled, her voice warm. "At home with Saya, done eating. She's fine."
Liora grinned, her tone teasing. "Worried about your wife already, Akira?"
Akira's cheeks flushed, but he laughed, as the other also laughed, digging into the stew. After lunch, they resumed, the final panes sliding into place as the sun dipped low. By evening, three small greenhouses stood complete, their glass sparkling like captured sunlight.
Akira clapped his hands, his voice triumphant. "The small ones are done! Tomorrow, we tackle the big one."
The group cheered, their voices echoing across the field. As they dispersed to their cottages, Akira returned home, the barrier's glow soft overhead. He bathed, the warm water easing the day's labor, then joined Elara, Hana, Saya, and the silver spirit for dinner. Over moonberry pie and roasted vegetables, Akira recounted the day—the gnomes' magic, the glass's clarity, the greenhouses' promise.
After dinner, Saya left, and Hana retired. Akira and Elara sat by the hearth, the fire crackling. The silver spirit is sleeping in the bed. Akira's voice was quiet. "Today felt right—working together, finishing something for the village."
Elara leaned against him, her tone warm. "You're making Greenwood more stronger. I love seeing you like this."
They talked softly, their voices blending with the fire's glow, until sleep called, and they drifted off, the barrier's light a quiet guardian over their dreams.