A Gorgeous White

'Underneath the comfortable shades of the trees, the group of maeruthans crowded altogether with a few elves. Their endless chattering was almost echoing throughout the forest. Tree leaves rustled, and after a few minutes, the noise gradually quieted in the arrival of the High Lord of Helios City and the elegant purifier walking beside him.

Leaves crunched underneath his boots as the youth walked. A subtle air of seduction graced his figure when he moved or as he smiled while he met the Lord's eyes. After spending weeks with him, the maeruthan's impression of him had cleared significantly. The Lord's lover was powerful than they thought he would be. Coupled with his stunning looks, he looked gorgeous. The neighboring elves peaked at him, swooning secretly. The dashing couple brought about a sea of envious people.

"I wonder what took them so long..." Tyve grinned as he leaned against a tree. He glanced at Jagra with an amused look.

Jagra sighed and shook his head. "Isn't it obvious already?"

"C'mon, friend. What's obvious?" Tyve teased as he rubbed his chin. "Hey, just because you've been promoted to a Senior mage in the district doesn't mean I'm not your senior anymore."

Jagra raised an eyebrow. "But you act like a child?"

"Hey!-Ah!" Tyve winced when someone pinched his ear and dragged him a few steps backward. His eyes narrowed when he realized it was none other than his brother.

"He's still a child." Troid apologetically spoke to Jagra with furrowed eyebrows while putting pressure on his pinch. Tyve muttered a curse as he struggled.

Before Jagra could speak, Troid added with a smirk. "But what is 'obvious' exactly?"

With a shake of his head, Jagra only sighed. These two were as playful as ever. No wonder they always had Tessley instruct them.

Not long after, the group was moving, and in their brief travel, they came across many exotic plants, all green and vibrant, unlike the dreadful withered ones that mostly grew to seek flesh. The young man with silver eyes was amazed to see such lush vegetation. Perhaps, the Kron failed to corrupt the islands suspended in the air thousands of feet high up from the ground. Moulin marveled as his fingertips reached out to touch one of the moving vines that swirled around a green tree trunk. However, before he could even feel them, the curled vine reached out, a few centimeters of its end to curl around the delicate finger. Moulin stared at it, amused. He couldn't dwell on the plant too much before Emlen, his dearly protective brother, whisked him away.

However, Adeina, who trailed behind them with Envihr, the hooded man, caught the scene, and her eyes narrowed curiously.

"Where are we going?" Moulin questioned in a whisper to his brother.

Emlen snorted, "Clearly, you two were too busy last night to even talk about the events for today..."

Moulin narrowed his eyes at his brother. His gaze turned deep as if trying to drill into the older man's soul. Emlen was very conscious, and he stilled briefly, affected by his little brother's heavy gaze. He felt like a child that had done something unforgivable.

In the end, Emlen muttered an apology before he answered, sighing. "We're heading to a teleportation portal."

"To where?"

This time, it wasn't Emlen who replied. "To the Tree of Gala'En, young one."

A high-pitched voice spoke, immediately catching Moulin's attention and those around him. Several eyes shifted towards the small person trailing behind the group—the Fae girl with her silent bodyguard.

Inwardly pleased, Adeina lifted her chin as she received the attention. However, her eyes are only on the silver-eyed young man before her.

Noticing Moulin's deep stare, Envihr spoke while glancing at Adeina. "She's 800 years old."

Moulin lets out a soft "Oh" before nodding and paying attention to the little girl. Honestly? 800 years old??contemporary romance

Evihr continued before Adeina could accuse him. "She's also half-dwarf. She's very smart and entertaining."

Moulin restrained a smile when the man talked as if he was trying to sell a doll. Although, it was apparent that he was trying to compliment Adeina the best he could. Unfortunately, based on the little fae's distorted expression, it didn't seem favorable to her. Moulin wanted to laugh.

"I see," Moulin nodded.

Soon enough, they reached the edge of the forest or, more specifically, the edge of the island. It came as a great shock to Moulin that they arrived so soon at the vast round stone platform that looked as if it could hold an army. Moulin's forehead creased, confused, when he clearly saw how far his treehouse was from the edge of the island. 'Was it all an illusion?'

"Watch your step..." Ordan reminded as he climbed the few steps of the platform. The others followed him, gaping at the sight.

Moulin's eyes scanned the vast area, taking note of the carved runes on the stone floor beneath him. The prominent symbols were forming a ring at the edge of the round platform. The sight somehow reminded him of the carved altar he saw in his family's basement and the hidden altar in Gaclan City. Moulin immediately dismissed the thought. He was getting too sensitive about that subject.

Hadrian paused his conversation with Ordan, sensing the brief distress from his lover that vanished in the next second. His gaze locked on moulin and searched his form. The youth noticed his gaze and gave a faint smile.

Adeina pressed her lips together and rubbed her chin. Her endearing appearance looked calculating yet adorable. She froze when Moulin spotted her staring at him. In a blink of an eye, she turned her head as if her eyes caught something intriguing. Her little wings quivered and glistened. Envihr tilted his hooded head in confusion.

Chuckling softly, Moulin then cleared his throat before turning away. He raised an eyebrow at Emlen, who was worried about him catching a cold. Strong winds surrounded the niche, and he was worried that his brother might fall ill, disregarding the fact that Moulin's body had gone through so many experiences, and not once did he fall sick.

Ordan made room for Adeina and Envihr, letting them take the center of the platform. Under the eyes of many, the little fae snapped her fingers and spoke.

"To Gala'En."

And as these words sank in the air, mana shifted in the winds, coiling around each and every one of them. Moulin furrowed his brows, but he was calm, unlike most of the maeruthans around him. He glanced at Hadrian, the finely-built man, and when their gaze met, a bright glow filled their vision, and they were transported.

...

The weightless feeling in his body made him stagger the moment his feet met the ground. He hurried to balance himself, spreading his arms as his vision became clear. The nauseous feeling immediately attacked his stomach, and Moulin blanched. The others weren't doing too well too. However, the feeling was gone before he could even complain.

Adeina scanned her surroundings, frowning at the nauseous people around him. 'Tsk, maeruthans. Don't they travel a lot?' However, she wasn't aware of how heavy the mana was used in the teleportation platform.

Moulin sighed. Worry filled his eyes as he patted his elder brother's back. Finally, Emlen straightened and cleared his throat, trying to shake the odd feeling in his stomach, and strived to not look unlike himself in front of his little brother. 'I almost vomited in front of him!' His embarrassment was drilling inside his head.

Not long after, Ordan, who was already accustomed to the teleportation effects, ushered the others to follow Adeina and Envihr. Thus, despite their troubles, they walked behind the two faes with distorted expressions. Honestly, who could survive such a feeling?

However, when their eyes landed on Moulin and Hadrian, they blinked in utter confusion. How were they so composed? Were they affected at all?

The group continued, still mulling over their poor tortured stomachs, unable to focus on their surroundings. Meanwhile, a particular young man was astounded by the mystical views the forest around him had offered. Glistening swirls of mana symbols marked tree trunks and plant stalks. They varied in color, twinkling, bursting in sparkles when Moulin's finger caressed them. The plants seemed to shiver under his touch as well as leaning towards him as if they had a mind of their own.

So this was the Island of Gala'En. Indeed it looked different from up close. He thought that the tree that towered at the land's center, shading the whole island, was the most exciting part of the island.

Green grass swayed against their leather-clad ankles as they ventured deeper into the mystical forest. Unlike the dull and lifeless woods they had traveled through previously, this forest seemed to brim with life and mana. Even the air carried the fresh ambiance of pure energy. If this land weren't floating, it would have become the breeding ground for malibreeds with its abundance of pure energy.

SIlver eyes brightened, carrying a sprinkle of enthusiasm as he gazed at his surroundings. His expression was calm, but his eyes failed to conceal their joyful and curious glow.

Finally, they arrived before a coil of gigantic roots plastered against a white stone wall, and a thick bridge separated Moulin and the group from the root-covered wall. Flowers with gem-like centers filled the place. Looking down, a massive hole gaped beneath the stone bridge. Fierce waters rushed within. Violent and cruel as if it would shred anything that would fall in.

Swallowing, Ghana subconsciously held grasped Jagra's shoulder, and the man returned her a confused look.

Secretly, Moulin escaped his brother's watched and stealthily made his way towards Hadrian. The golden-eyed man flashed him an amused smirk, and Moulin almost slapped him because of it.

They crossed the bridge, now fully aware of a thousand flowers leaning towards them, swaying and moving, assessing if they were friend or foe. The sight startled Moulin and the others. They stopped before the blocked entrance warily, vigilant of the delicate-looking plants around them.

Adeina took a step forward, and a thunderous rumble filled the area.

The roots creaked loudly as they scraped against each other, unfurling, loosening to reveal the hidden arched entrance. At the same time, the plants and flowers turned away as if worked up for no reason. Adeina glanced behind her and 'hmped' before walking ahead.

The others followed behind her, marveling at the giant entrance. Thousands of fluttering lights illuminated the tunnel. They looked like fireflies. However, if one looks closely, one would notice tiny figures emitting warm light. Fluttering in all directions, the little creatures gazed at the guests beneath them with curiosity.

Moulin had a brief time admiring them before they finally reached the end of the tunnel.

Moulin's mouth parted, and his heartbeat was thunderous. He felt as if he was standing within the giant body of a humungous tree. He forgot that he really was within one. Massive green roots spiraled around the empty space, and crystal glass filled the gaps, allowing natural light to enter the vast area. The thrum of mana in the air was vigorous and strong. A maeruthan could quickly heal itself if they were within this area.

Adeina suddenly stopped when an elven priest came to greet her. Their conversation was brief. The little fae kept glancing at the group behind them. The elf's eyes widened, and he nodded hastily, then ran away to inform the Lords.

"We shouldn't be worried, right?" Moulin spoke to Hadrian.

Hadrian shook his head as he placed a behind the young man's back.

Meanwhile, a particular person walked into the inner balcony, curious about the sudden clamor the nearby elves were making. Her silver eyes narrowed, and she stepped towards the railings for a look. Beside her, the servant uttered the word "maeruthans."

In an instant, the female elf widened her eyes, and she grabbed the railings for a clear look. Her sudden movements startled the nearby elves, but they shut their mouths after recognizing her.

"Your highness!" The servant hurriedly held her.

The princess searched the group, finding a particular pair, one with white hair and the other with gold. Her heart pounded drastically. She could be wrong, but she felt that it was them. Her eyes are now wide as saucers, and her fingers gripped the stone structure. That grown man with silvery-white hair looked so much like him...

"It couldn't be..."

done.co