Elysium Chapter 1 [Part 2]

“Sa͑ha͓li͑*, don’t do that Velia!” I cursed in Elvish at the green sprite that had flew towards me. The green glow that floated next to me transformed into a small faerie like creature with green skin, and pointed ears. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she doubled over and made quiet squeaking noises in her form of laughter.

I heard a deep chuckle and glanced to my right with a glare at the old man who was working over a cauldron. “It's not funny Viras. She nearly took my head off!” She chuckled a bit louder and I turned to see Velia was making exaggerated expressions behind me, mocking me. A low growl left my throat, like one of a wolf. Viras waved his hands dismissively.

“Come on Ellie, mustn't get mad at her. She’s a sprite, it's in her blood to create mischief.” He gave a raspy chuckle as he walked over. His long gray hair reached his waist. He was slightly hunched over as he walked, seeming to depend on the cane in his hand a lot. He wore gray robes and had on some old, round glasses. Past the glasses were crystal blue eyes, dancing with life. Unlike the rest of him, his eyes never seemed tired.

“I don’t see why you insist on calling me that. My name is not ‘Ellie.’” He rose a brow.

“Oh my apologies, I shall call you by your full name, Ely-” His voice was cut off by my own.

“Nope. Nope, Ellie’s perfect. Fantastic.” He chuckled in triumph and grabbed a bottle filled with something off of a nearby shelf. He then hobbled back over to his cauldron. I walked over next to him, shooing away the pesky sprite that was still by my head. I stood a few centimeters taller than him “So. What are you making?” I hummed as I peered in the pot. He chuckled again when I suddenly leaped back as a green burst shot out of the pot and fell back in.

“Yes, another batch of Alusier.” He warned. Ah, I had learned about Alusier when I was quite young. I mastered it quickly. It is commonly used to treat illness, though it is quite easy to mess up when you’re not watching.

“Someone’s sick again?” I murmured, looking at him sideways. His expression fell slightly as he nodded. Lately children had been falling ill with an unknown disease. They’d get a horrible fever and not wake up for days. When they did wake up, they’d talk about strange creatures, as if they were hallucinating. Viras and I had already figured out that it was of magical origins, but we didn’t tell anyone. He and I were the only ones here known to possess magic, they’d automatically blame one of us.

“Yes, another child. Honestly, I don’t know where this is coming from. They all just collapse all of a sudden! It's only the children falling ill as well.” He sighed and grabbed a vial to his right.

“Could someone be poisoning them?” I mumbled mostly to myself as I took the vial from him and slowly began pouring the green liquid in it. He shook his head and grabbed the vial from me, handing me another empty one.

“I’ve thought of that, but this is something no ordinary person could do. It takes powerful charms and potions to make whatever these children are getting. It can’t be the faeries, they would never do such a thing. I don’t think it originated from here, My Child. It has most likely come from the outside.” My eyes widened slightly. That was utterly impossible.

“H-how? With the shield, nothing should be able-”

“No, things are still able to get through. How do you think rain and sunlight get in?” I had thought about that, but never bothered asking… “Whatever this is, it was strong enough to penetrate the shield.” I handed the last vial back to him and leaned back against the table in thought.

“That would mean there are other people still alive out there. Other sorcerers.” I mumbled. He nodded.

“I hate to force this on you Ellie, but I must teach you to help me keep up the barrier. I am old as it is, you also need to know how in case something ever happens to me. You’d be the only one here to do it. Plus with your help, we might be able to keep out the illness.” I nodded silently. I knew I’d have to learn sooner or later.

“When do we start?” I murmured.

“I’ll come by tomorrow to help you practice on stamina.” He said with a small smile. I nodded in response. “Also, could you please take these to Arailia for me?” He said, holding a box of vials filled with Alusier.

“Sure. See you tomorrow Viras.” I said taking the boxes from him and heading out, once again dodging the small sprite as she flew after me.

* [Say-ha-lee] - Shit.