Fate's Folly: A tale of love and Destiny

The sound of a stream running as it hits against rocks, the strong forest trees flutter around in a ballet dance as birds chase after the sun, A steady and even paced footsteps crunch dried leaves beneath them as the figure of a woman is seen, dressed in a white off shoulder flay dress with a head full of black hair, as black as the skin of a mountain goat, her skin so pale but beautiful as well, evenly shaped brows that meet at the bridge of her nose, cherry lips, not so beautiful but Charming in her own way, what stands out from her appearance is her eyes, silver irises like the moon, seemingly ethereal but breathtaking at the same time, she highlights the scenery as the forests serves as a backdrop for her ethereality, "Hmmn" she breathes in as her silver eyes takes in the scenery before her, a smile slowly breaks out on her face, her eyes twinkle as she smiles like silver bells on a wind chime slowly she spins around as she hums a tune, the joy of this scene is so pittoresque, it's like a goddess descending to the earth and gets caught in the scenery and begins a dance, Suddenly she stops, looking ahead like nothing in particular she frowns, a frown that'll irk worry in anyone if there was an audience to gaze upon this scene, "Fae" she chortled "come out, I can feel your energy you know" she chimed in a singsong voice, her voice sounded more like rain, that calm soothing rain that washes away your fears, "Athelia you're the only one who calls my name without my title" a figure of a lady appears beside Athelia, she seemed to hover above the ground, with the face of a beauty that could topple kingdoms and a skin so rich and beautiful, her blond hair offsetted her beauty, her brown eyes added that matte touch to her face with lips so plump, She wore a long black silk dress with long sleeves that hugged her figure so well "oh my princess, please come out" Athelia laughs "that's what friends are for" she added, Fae rolls her eyes, "Why do you keep coming to the fold, besides on the other side is Lycan territory" Fae chimed as she turned to look at Athelia When the gods created the different realms, they made Eltea to be a utopia that would accept any race, even those they had placed curses upon. The dragons lived to the south of the realm, while the Lycans lived to the west, and the fairies to the east. The fairies shared their land with the Ousts, who were gods that had lost their godhood and were banished to Eltea. The humans lived to the north of the realm. Each territory was separated by invisible folds or barriers, making it impossible for anyone to encroach on another's land. Despite this, over the years, different territories have made passes into each other's lands. These passes can be obtained from the Eltean guild. The center part of the realm, known as the Realm Center, housed every species living in Eltea. It's Eltea's very own Times Square, complete with skyscrapers and 7-star hotels. Anything you could imagine a city to have, it had it. Here, everyone could mingle and be free - no race, no territory - it belonged to everyone. "I don't know," Athelia mumbled. "Maybe I just love the feeling of being free from my past. Eltea is so peaceful, and I'm happy to be here. Your hard work has paid off, Fae." "But it's funny," she continued, "how I can't forget. I still remember the taste of my mother's breast milk from thirty years ago. It's still so fresh in my mind." She laughed and sat down on the dried grass. "Would you like to hear my story?" Athelia asked, looking up at Fae with a lazy smile. Fae chortled. "I saw your story unfold, but I'd love to hear it from you." A smile bloomed on Althea's face as she wiggled her brows, " Let's go back memory lane then" she laughed ~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~ 30 Years ago; Year of Periculum, Northern territory, Eltea "You have to push!" A plump, middle-aged lady with a small face yelled at another lady lying on the bed. "I need water," the woman on the bed rasped. She was thin as bones and heavily pregnant. One would infer that she had melons in her belly, but her eyes held so much hope that you'd forget her scrawny figure for a moment. The only source of light in the room was a candle that struggled to stay on. A table that held the said candle and two chairs rested close to the wall of the room. The bed that held the pregnant woman with white sheets that had turned yellow from so much washing, and a wardrobe close to the table were the only pieces of furniture in this tiny room. At a glance, the family's financial situation could be seen and judged in a word, struggling. "We need drinking water!" the plump lady screamed. "Make it warm!" she added. Hurried footsteps could be heard as pans crashed against each other in a battle for who could boil water. "Here," a masculine voice rasped as a muscular arm was pushed into the room with a jug and a bowl. The plump lady grabbed them and poured some water into the bowl, then fed it to the pregnant woman. "Claire, you're doing a good job," the muscular voice muttered from outside the room. The plump lady smiled as she heard his voice, and Claire's eyes twinkled like bells on a wind chime. She looked at the plump lady and, with a slight nod of her head, the lady smiled and chortled, "When you feel that searing pain, push!" Claire gave another nod as she said a silent prayer to the immortals watching. "Give me strength," she thought. And it came. The pain shot through her abdomen as she contracted her muscles. "Ahhh!!!" she screamed as she gave a big push. "I see the head. Once more," the plump lady urged. "Ahhh!!!!" she screamed as she gave another push, stronger than the last. "Oh, bless the Immortals! The baby is out!" the plump lady laughed. "Waaahhhhhhh!!" A strong cry of a baby filled the room as the plump lady wrapped it in a clean white cloth. "Claire fought to keep her eyes open, struggling against the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm her. As she strained to make out the small, wriggling bundle nestled in the Plump lady's arms, she wondered how the baby in the woman's arms looked. "'It's a girl and she is beautiful,' the plump lady laughed as she gently laid the child in Claire's arms. Claire's eyes danced around her daughter's face, taking in the short black hair that resembled the skin of a mountain goat, and the chubby pale cheeks. The baby's eyes were closed as if in peaceful slumber. 'She's beautiful,' Claire whispered, feeling a surge of love for her precious child. 'How's my wife, Elder?' demanded the masculine voice from earlier. 'Hold your horses, Dean. Your wife and daughter are fine,' Elder chortled. 'Oh, bless the Immortals,' Dean bubbled with relief. 'This is the first time a husband hasn't asked about his newborn first,' Elder remarked with a smile. 'Let me clean her up, and then you can come in. Get some hot water, please.' "'It's snowing!' Dean exclaimed Elder and Claire's eyes met, and a smile broke out on both their faces. Elder opened the only window in the room and gazed outside. Small balls of white drifted down from the sky as children ran around the yard, shouting with glee at the snowfall. 'Your child is a blessing from the Immortals,' Elder said, turning to Claire, who stared at the young one in her arms with so much love. 'She'll lead her clan to greatness. Eltea will know of her,' Elder whispered. 'How do you know?' Claire asked, her voice carrying a hint of timidity. 'I have been an elder of this class for years, and I have heard that children born during the first snow are Hopes. No child has been born during the first snow for two generations now, making your newborn the first in a long while,' Elder rambled. 'When she opens her eyes, you'll understand what I'm talking about,' Elder added with a bit of mystery 'The hot water is here!' Dean shouted from outside. 'Bring it in,' Elder laughed and winked at Claire. The man who entered the room was slim and tanned, with brown hair and an average appearance that would make him easy to forget after a long day. He was dressed in brown pants and a pale yellow shirt that had probably been a lighter shade of yellow earlier. He carried two pails, one filled with hot water and the other empty, dropping them beside Elder. Dean hurried to Claire's side, breaking out in a smile that revealed two dimples on each side of his face. His eyes held so much love as he leaned in to kiss Claire on her forehead. 'Thank you...thank you,' he mumbled as he took the baby from Claire. 'She looks like you,' he chortled as he held the newborn. 'Men,' Elder laughed as she cleaned Claire. 'You can sleep now, love. You've fought long enough,' she added. A smile bloomed on Claire's face as she turned to look at her husband and daughter. They had created this child, and the Immortals had blessed her. She would do anything to protect her family." Exhausted from hours of screaming and birthing a child, she finally succumbed to the sweet embrace of sleep. As she drifted off, she couldn't help but think of her newborn daughter. She and her husband, Dean, had chosen the name carefully, knowing that their daughter was destined for great things. Elder, the tribe's wise woman, cleaned Claire up. "Have you and Claire thought of a name?" she asked in a low voice, so as not to wake the sleeping Claire. "We have," Dean replied with a smile. Elder stared at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Athelia," he added, gazing down at the little bundle in his arms. "She really will bring healing to her tribe," Elder murmured as she cleaned the baby. "Her name also means wholesome, so she'll..." "Elder, you have to see this," Dean interrupted, his voice rising. Elder dropped the cloth in her arms and hurried to his side. "What's the problem?" she asked, her words left unfinished as she gazed at the newborn. Despite her wrinkled face and unwashed skin, the baby was beautiful. But what stood out were her pair of silver irises, like tiny stars shining in the darkness. silver eyes were rare. As Elder looked at the baby, she felt a sense of awe and wonder wash over her. She knew that Athelia was special, that she was destined for greatness. But with that greatness came danger and what kind of danger she didn't know, she would have to divine the child's fate and then she'll know. As they gazed at the child, Elder and Dean had different thoughts but they both knew that they had to protect the child at all costs, Elder had to protect the child because of her obligation to the clan, Dean had to protect his daughter. "she's a blessing from the immortals" Elder laughed The baby gurgled in response, as if understanding the words spoken. Elder chuckled softly and reached to carry the baby gently in her arms. "continue cleaning your wife" she smiled at Dean who returned her smile, "I know you're a special one," she murmured, "with those silver eyes of yours. But there's something else, isn't there?" As if in response, the snowfall grew heavier, swirling around in a frenzy. Elder's eyes widened in surprise and she tightened her grip on the baby as she continued to gaze outside the window. "What's going on?" she whispered to herself, looking around frantically. Just then, a loud knock interrupted Elder's thoughts. She gave Dean a look, silently urging him to continue. Walking to the door, she stepped outside to find a teenage boy with blond hair and warm, chocolate-brown eyes. He was slim but healthy-looking, and snow stuck to his clothes like crunchy icing on a cake. "Wise woman, you have to hurry," he rasped. "Two Lycans have broken into our territory." Elder tightened her hold on the child in her arms, feeling her protective instincts kick in. She gave the boy a nod. "Wait for me," she added, before walking back into the room with large strides. "Stay here with your family," she ordered Dean, as she cradled Athelia in her arms before gently passing her over to him. "If anyone asks, Athelia was born five hours before it snowed." Dean looked at the closed door and his wife Claire sleeping on the bed. "Daddy will protect you and Mummy," he swore as he placed his daughter beside her mother on the bed. As Elder walked out into the snow with the teenage boy, she could feel her heart racing with a mix of fear and anger. Lycans were never good news to the human race "Hurry, Wise woman! They were close to the town hall the last time I saw them!" he shouted, creating a sense of urgency and danger. Elder's senses were on high alert as she scanned the snowy terrain, searching for any signs of more Lycans that could have entered with the other two. She could hear the crunch of snow beneath her feet and feel the cold seeping through her boots. But despite the danger, she couldn't help feeling a rush of adrenaline, knowing that this was what she was meant to do - protect her people from harm. The snow had transformed into a raging storm, with howling winds and thick, blinding snowflakes. Elder tightened her dress around her as she trailed after the teenage boy, her eyes squinting against the fierce wind. In the distance, she could see members of her clan huddled together, with the clan head at the forefront. Slowly, she made her way towards him, feeling the weight of her responsibility as the wise woman. "Thank you," she mumbled to the teenage boy who had come to fetch her. As she passed the members of the clan, they lowered their heads in respect, their breaths visible in the icy air. The position of wise woman had always been passed down to the females of her family, ever since the gods created Eltea and gave the North to humans. Wise women were skilled in everything from healing to pill making and divination, but they never lived long - the life expectancy was only 45 years. "Clan head," Elder said as she bowed before him. He forced a smile in response to her greeting, but she could see the fear in his eyes. Beads of sweat lined his forehead, even in the midst of the storm. "This storm is a bad omen," he said, his voice trembling. "We need your guidance, Wise woman." Elder struggled to keep her eyes open as she stared ahead, trying to see through the blizzard. "What's going on?" she whispered to herself, looking around frantically. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the barrier. It was a tall, imposing man with a cloak draped around his shoulders. He had a wild look in his eyes, like a predator on the hunt. Elder could feel her heart pounding in her chest, as she tried to think of a way to protect her clan. But the man wasn't alone. A woman stood by his side, leaning on him as if terribly injured. Elder instinctively stepped back, "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice ringing out in the stillness "The north is human territory" she added, she knew who they were almost immediately, Lycans, the fierce werewolf clan that loved human flesh. The man and woman didn't reply, but continued to advance towards them. Elder could see the blood stains on the man's cloak, The warriors of the clan drew their weapons, ready to defend the clan, they knew weapons would never help in q fight against Lycans but still humans wouldn't wait for death, but just as the man was about to reach them, the woman suddenly stumbled and collapsed in the snow. Elder gasped in surprise and relief, realizing that they were injured. The man hesitated for a moment, before croaching.before the woman, Elder seized the opportunity and stepped forward. "Let us help her," she said, her voice firm but gentle. The man looked at her suspiciously, but then nodded slowly. Together, they carried the injured woman to the clan hall under the watchful eyes of her Clan members, They placed the woman in the side room of the hall, the blood still flowing out of her body. The members of the clan had packed into the hall, murmuring in hushed tones as they watched Elder work. "Someone hurry, go to my house and ask for my medicine box!" she screamed, her voice urgent. She raised her hand over the woman and tried to stop the bleeding with her powers, but it was no use. The wounds were too deep. "Eltea has advanced medical systems, why are you guys still in the past?" the man snickered from the side, his voice dripping with contempt. Elder tried to fight back the anger in her heart, not responding to his taunts. She muttered her spell under her breath, her hands glowing with a white energy as she tried to heal the woman's wounds. "I guess magic is still faster," the man added with a snicker, but Elder ignored him, focusing all her attention on the injured woman. "Humans and Lycans don't have dealings with each other, but you encroach on our land and aren't even grateful," Elder hissed as she continued to work, her voice low and fierce. The man looked at Elder with a smirk plastered on his face. "Puny beings," he whispered, his eyes glinting with malice. Elder gritted her teeth, her hands never wavering as she worked to save the woman's life. She knew that this encounter was just the beginning of a new chapter in their long and bitter feud. The Lycans had always been a formidable enemy, Elder tried to fight back that but of fear and unease in her heart, humans had never defeated Lycans but whatever happened after this, they would have to be prepared. "Wise woman!" A woman rushed into the room with the medicine box in hand, panting from the cold and the effort of running. Elder nodded her thanks and delved into the box, searching for the necessary supplies. With the help of her magic, she had managed to stop the bleeding, but the woman still needed proper medical care. "We might not come out often, but we do have basic medical care," Elder jabbed at the man, her voice cold and sharp. She knew that the Lycans saw themselves as superior to humans, but she refused to let them belittle her clan. The woman was very beautiful, with chestnut hair, cherry lips, and high cheekbones that gave her a stunning look. Elder couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. No one should have to suffer such a brutal attack. Gently tearing the woman's clothes, she cleaned the wound with a cloth dipped in spirit. The wound was on her stomach, three deep swipes like wolf claws. Elder carefully put a bandage around the wound and wiped her hands clean. "She is no longer in danger. Humans and other races don't interact, so when she wakes up, take her and leave. We do not welcome you here," Elder spat, her voice firm and clear. "We won't be here long," the man replied with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Drop the pass. We haven't given out a pass to our territory in years," Elder added, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Humans only had dealings with fairies, and even those were rare. The man hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Very well. We'll leave as soon as she's able to travel," he said, his voice gruff. Elder watched the man as he swaggered out of the room, her mind racing with thoughts of what the Lycans might be up to. She couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was brewing. "How's the lady doing?" the clan head inquired as soon as he saw Elder. "Stable," she mumbled. The clan head breathed a sigh of relief. "And who might you be, sir?" the clan head turned to the Lycan male. "You're not fit to know my name," the man replied with a smirk. His face looked like he was ready to start trouble. The clan head looked embarrassed, and Elder mentally sighed. "Everyone can go back home. I and the clan head will ensure the Lycans leave," Elder proposed to the crowd. Slowly, the people dispersed. "Lycans," the man laughed. "You humans are so funny. I guess you're still scared after all these years," he added. Elder burned with anger. "Your companion is at our mercy," she warned. The man raised his hands in mock surrender. Despite his rudeness, Elder couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. Lycans were known for their good looks, but this man's arrogance added another layer of attraction. Hours passed as they waited for the Lycan female to wake up. Elder paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of what the Lycans might be planning. Elder felt sorry for the clan head, who had drunk several glasses of water in an effort to calm his nerves. The Lycan male looked just as rude as before, but at least he had agreed to change out of his bloodied clothes. He looked a bit less threatening in his black pants and white shirt, which were simple but stylish. "Elder, you can go rest and return later. I'll have someone call you when the woman awakens," the clan head said with a warm smile. The Lycan watched them both with a smirk, his eyes scanning them like he was sizing up prey. Elder could feel the tension in the air, it felt suffocating and she knew the whole clan felt this way, "Is there anything you'd like?" the clan head asked the Lycan male, his voice quavering slightly. The Lycan chuckled. "No, I think I have everything I need for now," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Elder bristled at his tone, but she knew that getting into a fight with a Lycan was never a good idea. She opened her lips to turn down the clan head's offer but then she remembered Athelia, Nodding in response to the clan head's suggestion she walked out of the hall, As she walked outside the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. The Lycan's smirk had sent a shiver down her spine. The snowstorm outside had finally subsided, but the ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow. It didn't impede walking, but it was a stark contrast to the scene they had woken up to that morning. "Immortals help us," Elder muttered under her breath as she quickened her steps. She could see families peeping at her as she walked. Herself and the clan head were figures of hope to the people, and they knew that nothing could go wrong with the both of them. Elder felt a sense of responsibility weighing heavily on her shoulders. She knew that the safety of the clan and the people was in her hands, and she couldn't afford to let them down. She continued walking, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. As she approached the Dean's house, she couldn't help but think about the unique makeup of their clan. The people were from different places and families. When the gods created humans, they only bore one name. But as time went on, people started changing their last names in order to differentiate themselves from one another. Years ago, their ancestors migrated from different clans to form a community close to the barrier, as they believed it was the safest choice. They named themselves the Spes Nova clan. The gods seemed to have blessed them, as they were granted children, crops, and even some individuals from the clan were chosen to represent them at Eltea's center as actors, actresses, doctors, and more. However, the belief of new hope didn't seem to ring true now that Lycans were in their territory. The nearest clan was a two-day journey away, and the Spes Nova clan didn't accept much modern technology. Their ancestors had warned against it, claiming it would bring disaster. Yet, they allowed them go to the city center, she always felt it was an act of hypocrisy. Elder gazed at the door before her, took a deep breath, and knocked. She could hear the voices of people inside, clan members who had come to see the newborn. As she entered the room, she was greeted with warm smiles and greetings of "Wise woman." Claire was still lying in bed, but she was awake, holding her baby in her arms. Dean stood beside them with a smile, and the room was filled with women and young children. "Alright everyone, let's allow Claire to rest," Elder said, chuckling. The women smiled, and those with children carried their little ones out of the room. As they passed Elder, they mumbled blessings from the immortals. She smiled, grateful for the support of her community. However, she couldn't shake off the worry that was gnawing at her. The threat of the Lycans was too great, and the Spes Nova clan was ill-equipped to handle it. Elder turned to Dean, her face a mask of calm despite the nagging feeling in her soul. "I know you're worried, but the Lycans didn't come with any intention to harm," she said, her voice steady. She wasn't sure if she was trying to calm Dean's heart or her own, but as a pillar of hope to her people, she couldn't appear weak. Dean nodded in reply. "Elder, he's been worried. He even went as far as telling Athelia our family history," Claire said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. shooting him a playful glare. "You're such a worrywart," she added Dean turned away, a blush spreading across his face. Elder felt her fears lighten as a smile bloomed on her face. She sat down in one of the chairs in the room. "Did you tell my granddaughter that her grandmother is the wise woman of the clan?" she asked, chuckling. "I can't remember the last time I heard that address," Dean said, his own smile growing. He sat down on the bed and leaned in to get a better look at the baby, who blinked up at him. "I call you Elder, so I think the baby will call you that too," he added. Claire gave Elder an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Elder. We'll have to work on teaching her your real identity," she said Elder returned Claire's smile. From childhood, her responsibilities had been to the clan and not her family. It was the life she was born into, but she was happy to have had children - a son who now had his own family and a daughter who would become the wise woman after her. She didn't regret any of her choices. If given the chance to choose again, she would still choose her clan over her family. "That's fine too. At least she'll learn to know me," Elder chortled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She looked around the room at her family, her heart full of love and pride. Despite the challenges they had faced, they had tried to love and understand the causes. She was grateful for them, even if her love for her clan would always come first. "Thank you both for allowing me be the doctor in your child's birth, it means a lot to me," she said, the smile still on her face. Claire nodded, her own smile warm. "Of course, Elder. We wouldn't want another person but you," she said. Dean echoed her sentiments, and the three of them settled into comfortable conversation, the baby cooing happily in Dean's arms. As they talked, Elder's worries faded away, replaced by a sense of contentment and belonging. The clan had gathered in front of the clan hall. The female Lycan had awoken, and the man carried her in his arms in a princess carry. Elder felt her fear had been ungrounded. These Lycans had probably been attacked around here, and since they had the pass to the human territory, they were able to cross the barrier. "Thank you for saving my life," the woman whispered as they passed Elder. Elder nodded in response to her words. As they crossed the barrier, the clan erupted in joy. Elder could see the joy in the eyes of the clan head. She allowed herself to smile. Maybe Lycans had changed, or maybe the immortals had blessed them. But whatever the reason, they were alive and there was no need for a fight. "The immortals be blessed. They have saved us!" the clan head shouted, and the people screamed in joy. As the people dispersed, Elder bowed to the clan head before walking to her house. By this time, the sky had darkened. As she walked, she reflected on the events of the day. She was glad that the Lycans weren't a threat, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something else was coming.