WHISPERS OF WHAT WAS LOST
741 Words
The fae realm unfolded before them like a living painting.
Amaris took a step forward, breath catching as the air shimmered around her. The sky arched in shifting hues-lavender fading into gold, clouds streaked with pale pink light. Trees towered in elegant spirals, their silver leaves whispering softly in a language she almost understood. Between their roots, moss glowed faintly, lighting the cobblestone paths that curved toward a village glowing with warmth.
Homes built of smooth stone and curved wood stood nestled among the trees, their windows round and glowing like amber lanterns. They looked ancient and Victorian in shape, but softened by the earth's touch-moss creeping over carved railings, vines blooming with tiny luminescent flowers. Fae of every kind drifted through the village: tall figures with wings of glass, children chasing ribbons of light, and others whose hair shimmered like spun metal. Everything pulsed with quiet life, like the realm itself was breathing.
"It's beautiful..." Amaris whispered, her voice small in the vastness.
Leora smiled, walking ahead with the ease of someone who belonged here. Her golden hair caught the realm's light like a halo. "This place remembers beauty, even when the world forgets."
Amaris watched her for a moment, then asked softly, "So... how did you know Iris and Arion?"
Leora's steps slowed. A fond, faraway smile tugged at her lips, though her eyes flickered with something heavier-memory, grief. "They were... are, dear friends of mine." Her tone was gentle, reverent. "I don't know what you've been told, but they had good intentions. Braver hearts than most."
Amaris frowned, uncertainty threading through her voice. "Good intentions? I know you said they were good but they caused destruction. Whole realms fell because of them, I don't know what to believe."
Leora stopped walking. The warmth in her posture stiffened, her light dimming slightly. "Destruction?" she repeated softly, turning to face Amaris fully. "They've done no such thing."
Elias's voice was cautious, steady. "Then who did?"
Leora's lips twitched-not in amusement this time, but bitterness. "That precious Council of yours," she said, her words cutting through the still air.
Elias's jaw tightened. "The Council exists because of the uprising-to keep the peace."
"Peace?" Leora echoed, her laughter soft and humorless. "They've only covered up their crimes. Peace built on lies isn't peace at all."
She lifted her hand, and light began to spiral in her palm-silver and green threads weaving together until they formed a swirling portal, rippling like water. "I'll show you. Come on."
Amaris and Elias exchanged a glance before stepping forward. The air shifted around them, bending, then broke apart into light.
---
The world changed.
Colors muted into sepia-gold. The scent of flowers and ozone faded, replaced by the hush of an older time. They stood within a memory-one so vivid it almost felt real.
Before them, Iris and Arion walked side by side down a long bridge of crystal, laughter echoing softly through the air. Their hands brushed, and power shimmered faintly where their fingers met-an effortless balance of flame and light. They looked happy. Untouchable.
Then, a flicker.
From the shadows of the great hall beyond, robed figures of the Council watched them-faces half-hidden, eyes glinting. A single nod passed between two of them. Another leaned forward, whispering something inaudible, a faint smile curving his lips.
And just like that, the light began to warp.
The bridge cracked; laughter faded; Iris turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as though she felt the gaze upon her. But before Amaris could move closer, before Elias could reach out, the vision shattered into fragments of light.
They stumbled backward into the present-the fae realm rushing back around them, full of color and sound once more.
Amaris's chest rose and fell quickly, her heart racing. "What was that?"
Leora's expression softened, though her eyes glistened. "The truth they buried," she said quietly. "Iris and Arion didn't destroy the realms-they protected them. But when power shifts... so does loyalty."
She turned toward the glowing trees again, voice barely above a whisper. "See? Things aren't what they look like. They never were."
For a moment, none of them spoke. The fae realm hummed faintly around them-beautiful, endless, and aching with memories that refused to fade.
And in that stillness, Amaris felt it: a strange pull, deep and quiet, like something inside her had been waiting to remember all along.

- Writer
