Eclipsed Hearts

Dear Diary, it is currently Sept. 2, 2145. The world as I've known it has irrevocably changed. The merging of our two worlds has brought forth a series of unforeseen challenges and wonders, transforming cities into landscapes where towering buildings are intertwined with ancient enchanting forests. It's been twenty years since our worlds collided. And fifteen years since my parents' disappearance. Yet we still know nothing about the reasoning behind the collision, there have been no sightings of any otherworldly creatures either. The only things we know are as I've listed below. On Sept. 2, 2125, there was a loud rip followed by a crash as the earth shook. Strange plants appeared, mingled with our world. They have never before been documented. The Lunacy Outbreak spread. Only those with the Steoxdine gene were spared from the mysterious illness. Nearly three quarters of humanity was wiped out. Stone tablets and ancient structures were discovered across the globe.” Elara groaned as she let her pen fall from her fingers grasp. She picked up a family photo she had framed on her desk. It was of her, her mother, father, and their family dog, kaelee. “I promise you I will find you. No matter how long it takes. I will search until my last breath.” The words rolled off her tongue with ease as she exhaled and let her shoulders relax. She set the photo down then stood from her chair, she stretched and heard a few satisfying pops as she sighed and walked back over to her microscope, inspecting a sample of a plant they had promptly named Lunacy. It was the cause of the illness that wiped out nearly six billion people. She took in how the cells in the plant looked more like bacteria, she adjusted her microscope to get a clearer view of what she was seeing. The cells moved sporadically, they absorbed into one another then broke apart again, she watched closely as she saw them breaking every scientific law she had learned. A small noise caught her attention, it sounded like a small scraping sound, she listened closely for it again and tracked down its source. She saw what looked to be a mirror, except the surface was rippling like water. “What the..” She grabbed a swab from her supply cabinet and stuck the end of it but when she pulled it out, it was completely dry. She rushed to her microscope but when she looked there was nothing out of the ordinary. She felt like she was going crazy. She figured she was hallucinating from lack of sleep so she sealed off that area and laid on her cot. She pulled a thin blanket over herself and slowly drifted to sleep. When she awoke the next morning she found the flowing mirror to be intact where she saw it last night. “I mean, I suppose it Isn’t the strangest thing that's happened…” She sat down at her desk as she opened a ration and took a few bites as she made up her mind. She walked over to the mysterious mirror and stuck her hand through, the other side felt cold. She grabbed a bag, she put in a change of clothes, some rations, personal hygiene items, along with a scientific inspection and testing kit. She slung the back over her shoulder then grabbed her dagger. She took one last look at her surroundings before she cautiously went through the mirror. As Elara stepped through, she was enveloped in a swirl of vibrant colors and otherworldly sounds. When the disorienting journey had ended, she found herself in a stunning landscape, seemingly plucked out of a dream. Towering trees with glowing leaves stretched towards the sky filled with two moons, casting an ethereal light over the scene around her. Before she could fully take in her surroundings, a shadow darted towards her. Instinctively, Elara reached for her blade and took a defensive position. The figure stopped short, revealing itself to be a tall, imposing figure with wings outstretched to appear larger. This creature appeared humanoid in almost every aspect, except the wings of course, and the ears. The ears were long and came to a point, they were turned downward and had three rings of silver pierces through them along with one ring of gold, and three rings of a glowing purple. This humanoid figure had piercing white iris’s and slightly pointed teeth. Its hands have long lanky fingers with long sharp nails. It stood about seven feet at least. There was an air of authority around this.. Person? “Name.” its voice demanded response. Elara fell short of words, she just stared, taking in the wonder before her, in the back of her mind, she wondered if the plant she had been studying earlier had an affect on her. She wondered if she was hallucinating. “Are you a deaf? Possibly a mute, human? I said, What is your name?” His tone was a blend of suspicion, curiosity, and irritation. “Elara.” she spoke. “My name is Elara Kruprit.” His face was unreadable. “And your business here?” He looked her up and down, surveying her. “I’m a scientist.” She spoke confidently, her hand still holding her dagger, ready to defend herself or attack. “Hm.. A Scientist? Interesting. And why is it you're here?” His voice was laced with a venom, soothing but deadly. “I’m investigating a… portal I guess? I don’t know what else to call it. I think it may have to do with my parents. They disappeared fifteen years ago.” She looked around and realized, parts of the world she knew were here too. I could see skyscrapers, but no people. “Go home.” He turned to walk off. “No.” He turned back to look at Elara before quickly walking toward her and disarming her. “Go. Home. you have no business in our world. Its bad enough you.. Roaches have infected our home with your so-called buildings.” I looked at him wide-eyed. “Roaches? That's how you view us? You think youre so much better? All high and mighty and stuck up?” he laughed, sharp and cold. “You think we’re the ones on a high horse? Your world is run by humans. Our world runs itself. The animals, the plants, they come first. We come second. We live in harmony with our planet while you destroy yours for your own selfish desires. Your kind cannot and will not pollute our beautiful world with your human imperfections more than you already have.” She stared blankly up at him, her emotions a whirlwind inside of her, She did not know whether she should be hurt, offended, angry, or humbled. “And what’s so different about us? You wish for your world to remain unchanged and comfortable, while we wish the same.” He scoffed as he looked around. “Comfortable? You think your world is comfortable? Take a deep breath in, notice how crisp and fresh the air is here. Then step back through the gates to the hell you came from and take in how polluted it is.” “I’m not going home. I will find my parents. I know they must be here.” “If your parents are here, they are either slaves or dead.” He spoke in a cold, condescending tone. “So what, I just turn around and forget them? Act like they never existed? Just stop searching?” He turned from me and started walking down a path of moss covered stone. “Yes.” “Like hell I will. I will never stop searching.” the figure turned to look at me, then you shall suffer the same fate as them.” He grabbed Elara’s arm with an iron clad grasp as he pulled her quickly up the path to an old castle looking building which seemed to be entirely made from stone, chiseled and worked into wondrous patterns and engraved with foreign symbols. Elara knew better than to struggle, this might actually lead her to her parents, or at least the truth as to what happened to them. “What is your name? You already know mine, it’s only fair if you tell me yours.” He turned to look at her for a long while, seemingly debating whether or not to tell her his name. “Travien Briar.” she looked at him curiously. “Travien, huh? That's a beautiful name. Thank you for telling me.” Traviens grip on her arm as he abruptly stopped walking. Turning to her with a scowl on his face. “Never say those words again. You do not thank anyone here for anything. Understood?” She stared wide-eyed at Travien as his grip was leaving bruises on her arm, tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she tried to get out of his grasp. “The hell is wrong with you? All I did was thank you, it's common courtesy.” Elara raised her voice as the words rolled off her lips. “That is not courtesy here, Elara. It implies someone has done something for you out of kindness. There is no kindness here. Only strength and weakness. You humans are weak.” She stayed silent for the rest of the walk into the Castle-like structure. Once they were inside she was taken to the Fae Huntress. Travien stopped before they reached the doors of the council. “When we are in there, you ask no questions and only speak when spoken to. Understand?” She simply nodded. “Good. now, if you upset her in any way you will be killed on the spot.” And with that, they entered the council room. The Huntress sat at the head of a long rectangular table with Faeries either side of her, the one to her right, was an older Faerie With a long, white, wellkept beard. He had blue-gray eyes, and unlike Traviens Ears, his were smaller and pointed upwards, one of his wings appeared to have been halfway torn off. He wore a royal purple robe with golden ties. Across from him sat an older female Faerie, she had long, gray hair that was put into one braid over her shoulder. She wore a deep purple robe-like gown with golden beadwork on the bosom. There was a young human girl next to her who wore a black simple dress with a golden hem. Her hair was a rich brown and was pulled back into a braided bun with purple flowers decorating it, her eyes were a beautiful hazel. Across from her sat a young Faerie boy wearing a black robe with purple ties with a pattern of swirls and flowers in gold. His hair was long and Raven black. His eyes are piercing white like Traviens. The Huntress herself, wore a flowing powder blue dress with purple and gold accents. Her hair was a gorgeous golden blond which flowed down almost to her knees, there were a few braids decorated with Purple, golden, and silver rings. Her ears were long and pointed upwards, she was young and beautiful. Her eyes were as blue as sapphire, and her face was decorated with freckles. She looked at Travien and welcomed him with open arms, she stood and embraced him before turning to Elara and inquired about her. “Why is she here? I thought I had made it clear that no more humans are to be brought into our world unless they are someone's mate. Is she your mate?” Travian sighed. “You know well that my mate is dead, Vaelerin.” She turned to him with a gentle smile. “No I know, that's why I’m confused.” She turned back to Elara and looked her up and down. “She seems athletic, what can she offer us?” Travien turned to Elara. “Go ahead and tell her what you have to offer.” Elara was stunned. She didn’t know what to say so she stayed silent. The Huntress sneered at her silence. “Speak.” Elara stumbled to compose herself before speaking. “I am a scientist. I specialize in the plants from your world and the ancient structures from your world that have appeared in ours.” The Huntress thought for a moment before she spoke again. “What else can you do? Can you cook or sew? Possibly do woodworking or art?” Elara chose her next words carefully. “I cannot sew, but I can crochet, I draw and paint but mostly I use it to create detailed diagrams and illustrations for my studies, I can cook, I can clean, and I can craft tools and equipment when given the proper supplies.” Elara thought for a moment more before adding onto her skill set. “I brought a scientific study kit with me and if you allow me to study your plants more I can make plant based remedies and medicines. I am also a quick learner, so if there is a skill you wish for me to learn I can do so.” The Huntress looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before turning to the council. “And what are your thoughts on whether or not the girl should stay?” The older female Faerie spoke up. “She would make a valuable asset, she would also be good company to the other human workers we have.” “But she could also be the cause of our downfall.” The older male Faerie countered. “I will watch her. Ill make sure she doesnt do anything to harm us.” The female human spoke. But her mate rejected the idea. “You are too naive to know if she's up to no good.” Finally Travien spoke. I’ll watch her. I am the head of the guard, I am the strongest, the smartest, and the most capable of the younger Fae.” Elara finally knew what this species called themselves “The fae..” she muttered to herself. “Excuse me? Were you given permission to speak?” The Huntress snapped at Elara, her tone an icey venom. “I apologize, Huntress. I didn't mean to speak without permission.” Elara was scared she had overstepped her place, and she had. The Huntress turned to Travien. “If you want to babysit her, by all means go ahead.”And with that, Travien and Elara were dismissed from the council.