Page 88 of Eluvonia
I turn to him, raising an eyebrow. “Where do we find them?”
“I am here.”
The voice is soft, like the sound of rushing water, and it comes from nowhere and everywhere at once. I whip around, my senses on high alert, and see her.
A female stands before us, her skin a pale, translucent blue that almost seems to shimmer faintly in the dim light. Her hair is long, thin, and silver-gray, floating gently around her face like the ripples of water. It lacks the vibrancy you’d expect from an elemental; instead, it hangs limply, like it’s drained of energy.
Dark circles ring her eyes, sunken into her face, giving her a haggard appearance. Her eyes are dull, the blue faded and lifeless. Her lips are thin and pale, almost blending into her skin, which looks too tight against her sharp, drawn features.
She wears a faded gown of pale blue, the fabric dull and frayed. The edges of the gown are loose, the intricate rippling patterns worn away with time. Despite her frailty, there is aquiet dignity in her presence.The water Ymiral.
She turns towards Tura, and there’s an apology in her eyes. “I am sorry I failed you,” she says, her voice soft and weary.
Tura inhales sharply, her chest rising and falling with the effort of holding back tears. “I do not blame you,” she says, her voice steady, but her eyes betray her. “I thank you for everything you’ve done for us over the centuries. Now it’s our turn to help you.”
The water Ymiral gives a knowing smile, though it’s tinged with sadness. She turns towards me, Declan, and Kaida, her eyes searching each of us in turn.
“The earth Ymiral is requesting your presence, Blessed Ones,” she says, her voice reverberating with power.
I glance at Kaida, his face unreadable, then at Declan, whose smile flickers.
“Well, we were just saying we should visit you, so that works,” Declan says, his usual charm slipping into place.
We take a step forward, but the water Ymiral raises a hand to stop us.
“To meet with an Ymiral, it comes with a cost,” she says, her voice grave.
I tilt my head, confusion knotting my brow. “But she is requesting to see us,” I say, the confusion evident in my tone.
The water Ymiral sighs, her expression heavy with regret. “It is the way of the realm,” she says softly. “You must pay a price to meet an Ymiral.”
Kaida steps forward, his usual air of arrogance settling over him. “But we are meeting you,” he says, quirking an eyebrow. “Does that not count?”
The water Ymiral gives a small, sad smile. “I am no longer an Ymiral,” she says, her voice low. “I am diminished, unableto access the Nexxus of this realm.”
Tura inhales sharply, and the water Ymiral looks at her with a nod. Declan’s voice breaks the silence. “What is the cost of meeting the Ymiral?”
She shakes her head slowly, as if she too wishes she had answers. “We do not know,” she admits. “That is up to the realm to decide when the time is right.”
“That’s… not comforting at all,” I mutter, frustration boiling in my chest. I glance at both the Dragons, their stoic faces unreadable.
Kaida shrugs, and Declan’s smile is wide, almost too wide for the situation. “Guess we’re doing this,” he says with a lightness that doesn’t match the gravity of the moment.
“Alright, we agree,” I say, though my voice feels hollow.
The water Ymiral nods once, before making a sound—a serene noise that seems to vibrate through the very air around us. Then, from nowhere, a green cloud materializes next to her, shimmering with an ethereal glow.
“What’s that?” I ask, pointing at the cloud, my voice a mix of wonder and confusion.
“This is a portal to the earth Ymiral,” she explains, her tone serene. “If you please.”
I glance at Tura, who smiles softly, but there’s sadness in her eyes. “Go,” she says. “I need to bury my kin.”
“We’ll come back for you after,” I promise, my voice a little unsteady.
The water Ymiral places a hand on Tura’s, looking at her with quiet understanding. “I will help her,” she says, her voice gentle. “And when we are done, I think it’s best we leave Eluvonia.”
“I can guide her to her kind in Midgard,” she adds, pattingTura’s hand softly.
