The deeper they went, the livelier it beca, voices, laughter, and music weaving together in the evening air.
By the ti they arrived at the clearing, the fair was already in full swing.
It was a sight to behold.
The entire forest glowed with thousands of tiny lights, lanterns hanging from trees, fireflies swirling in luminous spirals, and will-o’-wisps dancing in the air. Elves moved gracefully among the roots and bridges, their laughter light and clear as they played instrunts carved from crystal and wood. The aroma of roasted fruits and nectar wine wafted through the air.
Children chased each other between the glowing flowers, while adults swayed to the rhythm of harps and drums. A river nearby reflected the starlit sky so perfectly that it looked as though the heavens had fallen to earth.
Even Nie Ziyu was montarily speechless. "Whoa... I take back everything I said. This place is like walking into a dream."
Ye Qingxue nodded, eyes wide with wonder. "I’ve never seen sothing this... alive."
Ling Yu said nothing, but her gaze softened as she watched the elves dance beneath the starlight. Their joy was genuine, pure. For a mont, she envied it, their ability to live so freely, untouched by the world’s darkness.
"Young Lady Ling!"
A familiar voice called out, and her spine stiffened instinctively.
She turned, and there he was.
The First Elder.
He was dressed differently from earlier in the day, his long silver hair was tied back loosely, and he wore a robe of deep forest green embroidered with threads that shimred like moonlight. The faint smile on his lips made him look far too gentle for soone who carried centuries of wisdom in his eyes.
Nie Ziyu leaned toward Ye Qingxue and whispered, "Oh no, she’s blushing again."
Ye Qingxue elbowed her sharply.
Ling Yu’s expression didn’t change, but internally, she was very aware of the faint warmth creeping up her neck. ’Of all people to run into...’
She had hoped to avoid him tonight, and to enjoy the festival quietly, perhaps blend in with the crowd. But fate seed to think otherwise.
"Elder," she greeted, her tone calm but polite.
He smiled faintly and extended a hand in invitation. "Will you not join the festivities? The forest sings differently when its guests are among us."
"I—"
Before she could decline, Nie Ziyu shoved her lightly from behind. "Of course she will! She was just waiting for you to ask, Elder."
Ling Yu shot her a murderous glare that promised retribution later, but the elder only chuckled.
"If that’s the case," he said smoothly, "then allow to be your guide tonight."
The faintest flicker of amusent touched his eyes as he gestured toward the dancing circle. "Co."
Reluctantly, Ling Yu followed him. The music was soft at first, a haunting lody played on silver flutes. The elves danced in circles around the fire, their movents graceful as flowing water. It wasn’t a wild, chaotic dance, it was ritualistic, sacred, yet filled with life.
As they stepped closer, the forest itself seed to awaken, the leaves shimred, and faint lights like tiny spirits drifted through the air.
"The fairies," the Elder murmured beside her. "They co when they sense harmony. Watch closely, guest human."
Indeed, small luminous figures began to appear, tiny beings with wings like crystal petals, their laughter chiming like bells. They danced above the fire, sprinkling glowing dust that fell like stardust over the elves below.
Nie Ziyu’s jaw dropped. "Real fairies?! Do they actually exist?"
Ye Qingxue smiled softly. "They’re... beautiful."
Ling Yu watched silently, feeling a faint pulse through her bond-mark as if the forest itself acknowledged her presence. The elder seed to notice, his gaze lingering briefly on her hand.
"It responds to you," he said quietly. "The forest recognizes strength that does not seek to destroy. It’s been a long ti since we’ve seen a human capable of that."
Ling Yu turned her head slightly. "You flatter ."
He chuckled. "No. I only speak the truth."
For a mont, their eyes t under the pale glow of lanterns. Sothing unspoken lingered in the air, an odd, quiet understanding.
The music swelled, and the elves’ song rose with it, soft at first, then powerful, a chorus that seed to echo through the stars themselves. The fairies spun faster, their trails of light forming shapes of wings and blossoms in the sky.
Nie Ziyu and Ye Qingxue were swept into the circle of dancers, laughing as the elves pulled them in, spinning and twirling to the rhythm.
Ling Yu stayed where she was, watching with faint amusent. But then, she felt a hand extend toward her.
The Elder again.
"Even warriors must rest their swords and join the song once in a while," he said softly. "You’ve carried burdens heavier than most. Allow the forest to share them for tonight."
She hesitated. Dancing wasn’t her thing. But sothing in his voice, gentle yet unwavering, made refusal difficult.
"...Fine."
He smiled faintly, taking her hand. His touch was warm, steady. As they stepped into the circle, the music shifted subtly, as if adjusting to their presence.
Their movents were simple at first, slow, rhythmic steps that matched the beat of the drums. But as the song rose, so did the energy. The fire’s glow reflected in her eyes, and her laughter, light and rare, escaped her lips for the first ti in a long while.
Nie Ziyu, watching from the side, nearly dropped his drink. "Wait... did she just laugh?!"
Ye Qingxue smiled knowingly. "Seems even Master Ling can enjoy herself sotis."
As the dance ended, the elves cheered, and the fairies released one final shower of light that rained over the gathering like glittering snow.
Ling Yu stepped back, catching her breath, the faintest smile curving her lips. The elder still held her hand, his eyes soft.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation," he said quietly. "Perhaps now, the forest will rember your na not as Dragon Slayer... but as the one who danced beneath its light."
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