BETWEEN DREAMS AND FALLS
The sun shone intensely over the vast green fields surrounding the peaceful village of Eldrion. As always, after the morning lesson, the apprentices scattered around the area, each lost in their own tasks. But Zyrion was not like the others. For him, every corner of the world offered an opportunity to explore, dream, and, above all, marvel at the little wonders around him.
He walked along the dirt paths with a big smile on his face, idly kicking a small stone while humming a catchy tune a bard had sung to him days ago. He wore his slightly worn cloak and a crossbody bag that held a couple of snacks he had “borrowed” from the kitchen, as usual.
“This place is amazing!” he exclaimed, his eyes shining as he looked at a gigantic tree in the distance. “I bet from up there I could see everything… even beyond the hills. Maybe even the Dawn Tower!”
Zyrion couldn’t resist the temptation. Without thinking, he began to run toward the tree, dropping his bag at its base. The thick branches and green leaves rose like a natural mantle, and he didn’t hesitate before starting to climb with agility. “Easy as climbing a ladder,” he murmured, securing each movement as he ascended. “One foot here, one hand there… Ha! This is a piece of cake.”
When he reached one of the highest branches, he stopped, catching his breath and letting the view envelop him. From that height, the golden fields, the winding river, and in the distance, the village he considered his temporary home stretched out before him. But what caught his attention the most was a figure walking slowly along a nearby path. It was Kyrahna.
“It’s Kyrahna…” he said aloud, not realizing how close he was to the edge of the branch. “She always seems so calm… Although yesterday, during the lesson, I think her hands were shaking. Maybe she’s not as serious as she seems.”
He leaned in a little more to observe her better, but without warning, the branch under his feet creaked. “Uh-oh.”
In the blink of an eye, the branch gave way and Zyrion fell with a muffled gasp, tumbling through leaves and branches before landing with a loud thud on the ground.
Kyrahna, hearing the noise, quickly turned and ran toward the source of the crash. When she arrived, she found Zyrion on the ground, covered in leaves, twigs, and dust, but surprisingly, he didn’t appear to be hurt.
“Zyrion? Are you okay?” she asked, struggling to hold back a smile at the sight.
Realizing she had seen him, Zyrion quickly stood up, wobbling a bit as he tried to appear normal. “Me? Of course I’m fine! I was just… checking if gravity still works.”
Kyrahna couldn’t help laughing. “Gravity? Really? And what did you discover?”
Zyrion dusted off his clothes with dignity. “Well, it seems to be working perfectly. But that’s exactly what I wanted to test, so… mission accomplished.”
Kyrahna crossed her arms, still wearing a teasing smile. “And what were you doing in that tree? You weren’t spying on someone, were you?”
“Spying?! Of course not!” Zyrion replied, raising his hands in innocence. “I just wanted to see the view. From up there you can see the river, and… well, I also saw you walking here. But not in a weird way, I swear.”
Kyrahna let out a small laugh and sat down on a nearby rock. “You know? You’re different from the other boys. Everything seems to excite you.”
Zyrion shrugged, sitting on the grass in front of her. “And what’s wrong with that? The world is incredible, Kyrahna. Every day there’s something new to discover. Don’t you ever feel that?”
Kyrahna looked at him curiously, thoughtful. “I suppose so, but I never saw it that way. For me, life has always been more about duties. Doing what’s expected of me.”
“And what do you expect from yourself?” Zyrion asked, leaning forward, showing genuine interest.
The question caught her off guard. She looked at the ground, playing with a small stick as she thought. “I don’t know. I guess I want to be strong. Someone who can protect others. But sometimes I feel like I don’t have what it takes.”
“That’s not true,” Zyrion said firmly. “Yesterday, during the lesson about the fragments, you asked more questions than anyone. That shows you care. And that already makes you strong.”
Kyrahna smiled, grateful for his words. “And you, Zyrion? What do you want to be?”
Zyrion lay back on the grass, looking at the sky. “I want to be someone who makes a difference. I want to see the world, learn its secrets, and maybe, just maybe, do something people will remember. Not because I want fame, but because I want to know my life had meaning.”
“That sounds… big,” Kyrahna said, surprised by his answer.
“Well, why not dream big?” Zyrion replied with a wide smile. “Life is too short to settle for less.”
Kyrahna nodded slowly, as if processing his words. “Do you think we have any chance against what’s coming? What Master Eldren said about the shadows and the fragments…”
Zyrion adopted a serious expression, so uncommon in him. “I don’t know. But what I do know is that if there’s something I can do, I will. Even if it means falling from more trees.”
Kyrahna laughed again, this time with a genuine, carefree tone. “You’re hopeless, Zyrion.”
“Hopeless? No. I’m exciting,” he said, winking.
The sun began to set, tinting the sky with orange and pink tones. The sounds of the village faded as the inhabitants returned home, but Zyrion and Kyrahna remained under the tree, enjoying each other’s company.
“You know something, Zyrion?” Kyrahna said while playing with a dry leaf. “I think I’ve never talked this much with anyone since I arrived in Eldrion.”
Zyrion smiled, still lying on the grass, looking at the sky. “I’m glad to be the first. Though, to be honest, I don’t usually shut up that much, so… I probably didn’t give you a choice.”
Kyrahna let out a soft laugh. “That’s not it. It’s just that… I’ve always found it hard to open up to others. But with you it’s different. I don’t know why.”
Zyrion sat up, leaning on one arm as he looked at her. “Maybe because you know you can trust me. I promise I’m not the judging type. Besides, I’m terrible at keeping secrets, so if you ever want to tell me something, I’ll… probably forget it.”
Kyrahna raised an eyebrow, amused. “That’s not very reassuring, you know?”
“Well, at least I’m honest,” Zyrion said with a grin.
She shook her head, still smiling, before falling silent for a moment, looking at the horizon. “Do you think Master Eldren was right about what he said? That the fragments might be the key to stopping what’s coming.”
Zyrion’s usual cheerfulness was replaced by a thoughtful expression. “I don’t know. But if those fragments are as powerful as they say, it makes sense they’re important. What worries me is… who has them now?”
Kyrahna nodded, her face also more serious. “The master mentioned that some are hidden, protected by clans and villages. But others… are lost or in the hands of people who could use them for evil.”
Zyrion sighed, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees. “Then I think our mission will be to find them. If we want to protect everyone, we need those fragments before someone else does.”
Kyrahna stared at him, as if evaluating his resolve. “You talk as if you’ve already decided we’re going to be part of all this.”
“Aren’t we?” he replied, eyes gleaming. “If Master Eldren is teaching us about the fragments, it must be because he believes we can do something about it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually.”
Kyrahna let out a heavy sigh, as if accepting a burden she never asked for. “I guess you’re right. But I can’t help wondering… why us? What’s so special about us?”
Zyrion looked at her with an expression between serious and playful. “Well, in my case, I’m incredibly charming. That always helps.”
She tossed a leaf at his face, laughing despite herself. “I’m being serious, Zyrion.”
“And so am I,” he said, brushing the leaf from his hair. “Look, Kyrahna, I don’t know if we’re special or not. But I think what matters isn’t who we are now, but who we can become. And if we can be part of something bigger, something that truly makes a difference… isn’t it worth trying?”
Kyrahna remained silent, considering his words. Finally, she nodded. “I suppose so. But that doesn’t mean I’m not scared. All of this… sounds so big, so overwhelming.”
“It’s normal to be scared,” Zyrion said softly. “I am too. But I think fear is what makes us brave. Because, in the end, being brave isn’t about not being afraid, but moving forward despite it.”
Kyrahna looked at him, surprised by the wisdom in his words. “Sometimes I forget you can be serious, Zyrion.”
“See? I’m a mystery full of surprises,” he replied, winking again.
Kyrahna’s laugh echoed in the air, light and sincere. “Alright, I admit it. You’re deeper than you seem. But if we’re going to do this, we need to be prepared.”
“So… does that mean you’re in?” Zyrion asked, excitement bursting through his voice.
Kyrahna looked at him, and a determined smile crossed her face. “Yes, I’m in. But on one condition.”
“What condition?” he asked, pretending to worry. “Please don’t let it be studying more. I’m terrible at that.”
“My condition is that you don’t make me fall from a tree,” she said teasingly.
Zyrion burst out laughing. “Deal. Though, to be fair, I wasn’t the one who fell this time. But okay, I’ll write it down: ‘Don’t make Kyrahna fall from trees.’”
Both laughed, and the weight of the earlier conversation seemed to lighten for a moment. However, deep in their hearts, they knew what they had discussed wasn’t just a joke. Something big was coming, and one way or another, both would be part of it.
As the sun finally disappeared over the horizon, Zyrion stood up, extending a hand toward Kyrahna. “Shall we? Dinner should be ready, and I don’t want us to miss out on the meat stew. It’s the only decent thing they cook here.”
Kyrahna accepted his hand, standing gracefully. “What about your stolen snacks?”
Zyrion smiled widely. “What about them? They’re… my… reserve.”
“A reserve for what, an apocalypse?” Kyrahna said between laughs as they began walking toward the village.
Zyrion shrugged with a confident smile. “You never know when you’re going to need something sweet.”
And as the last light of day faded away, Zyrion and Kyrahna walked together, unaware that this day would be the beginning of something much bigger than the two of them. Something that would test their dreams, their courage, and above all… their friendship.
TO BE CONTINUED…