Part Five

Two Years Ago

Caelum, was suspended mid-air in his fae form. His wings, translucent and shimmering with hues of gold and silver, beat softly, keeping him aloft as he meditates in the center of a gentle, natural expanse. The Eldraline trees stand tall and shimmering, each leaf a delicate emerald canvas pulsing with ethereal energy. His essence radiates outward, a warm, golden aura merging seamlessly with the energy exuded by the trees. The connection between Caelum and the land is palpable, a vibrant exchange of life force that nourishes both the fae and the Eldraline forest.

Caelum looks out over Faeryndor in its entirety—a land where nature and architecture blur into one. Houses emerge from the earth itself, crafted from gnarled roots, polished stone, and sweeping canopies of leaves. Vines spiral around the structures, and grass carpets every roof, rustling in the cool, clean breeze. The skies above glow in a perpetual blush of pink, dotted with countless bright stars that flicker in constellations unknown to human eyes. Every breath he takes carries the scent of fresh blooms and untouched air, a far cry from the polluted realms of humankind. Here, everything is interconnected, and Caelum can feel each pulse of life within a hundred-mile radius, the collective energy a comforting hum in his core.

"Caelum," a commanding voice booms, disrupting the tranquility. His father, wings spread wide, descends from above.

Caelum's eyes remain closed, his body still in a state of cultivation as he absorbs the magic around him, refusing to be disturbed.

"Caelum!" his father calls again, the edge of impatience in his tone.

"I've made up my mind, Father. You cannot change it," Caelum replies, his voice calm but resolute.

His father's face hardens. "Think this through. Their kind are unruly and violent. There's a reason faes have kept out of their business for so long."

"I don't see why you're making such a big fuss. You were the one who insisted I take a seat on the Council of Eldarion," Caelum counters, mentioning the council formed after the Great War, composed of fae, wolves, witches, druids, and humans, tasked with maintaining peace. "You thought it would make me more responsible."

His father grimaces, the lines in his face deepening. "And that turned into a disaster, didn't it? My worry comes from experience. I know you care for that boy, but sitting as an advisor on a council of wolves—"

"Diplomat," Caelum corrects him, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

"I don't care about the title! Just tell them you're not doing it."

"Father, I'm a hundred and ten years old. You can't keep making decisions for me." Caelum's tone softens slightly, but his resolve does not waver.

"Caelum..."

"It's final," Caelum says, his focus shifting back to his cultivation. He knows he will soon be away from Faeryndor for a long time, and he needs as much magical energy as he can harness. All of this, he thinks bitterly, thanks to that pesky dream.

His father's voice rises, tinged with disbelief and hurt. "Is this because of that croyform you allowed yourself to fall in love with?"

<<Croyform: a derogatory term, Fae use to call humans>>

Caelum's eyes fly open, rage sparking in the depths of his usually serene gaze. "Father, I told you never to call her that. She's dead. The least you can do is respect her memory." His wings unfurl, and he rises, hovering with an aura of barely contained fury.

A sigh escapes his father. "It truly was a mistake sending you to that council. You've changed so much. I don't even recognize you anymore."

"No, Father. This is who I've always been. If you had paid any attention, you might have noticed." Caelum's words cut deep, his expression hardening. "Just keep pretending, like you always have," he says coldly, before flying off, leaving his father alone in the fields.

Caelum's childhood had been anything but warm and loving. His father, the High Fae Lord of Faeryndor, was a stern ruler, while his mother had come from one of the lowest tribes. The first High Fae Lord, Alarion, had received a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself, transforming into a powerful, radiant fae. After aiding humanity in the battle against the demons, Alarion discovered a spot brimming with pure magical energy, where he established Faeryndor. But as human civilization grew and polluted the land, Alarion's energy waned, and he felt the earth's suffering. Though faes had boundless life force, they needed a constant exchange with the land to remain pure.

Alarion tried to reason with humanity, asking them to honor the earth, but when they ignored him, he retaliated, draining the land and causing devastating droughts. Only when humans vowed to respect the earth did he promise to restore balance.

Realizing he couldn't maintain the land alone, he shared his magic with disciples who revered Kalareth, The moon goddess. He corrupted their cores, granting them power to defend against future demon threats. These disciples became the first of the Vyrnaerians, Fae's transformed into protectors. They shared a direct link with Alarion.

Among his followers, Alarion found love and had a child, Mirasen. Over time, as these disciples intermingled with other races—humans, werewolves, and sorcerers—new fae bloodlines emerged: (Eldarites: fae-human offspring), (Lupithorans: fae-werewolf hybrids), and (Megathorns: fae-sorcerer descendants). Faeryndor divided into tribes, each with its own hierarchy. On top of the pyramid were the;

Mystariens: descendants of the founding father.

Vyrnaerians- this tribe was filled with direct descendants of the first desciples, who kept their blood pure and did not intermingle.

Megathorns: Fae-sorcerer descendants. They were the one with the most life force similar to a pure fae.

Lupithorans- Fae-werewolf hybrids. They were not many of their kind and they had very short lifespans and were almost extinct.

Eldarites- Fae-human offspring. They hardly had attributes of Fae and were almost extinct too. Their lifespan was the shortest, ranging the same as an average human lifespan.

Caelum's mother belonged to the Eldarites tribe, plagued by short life spans and low magic. She had been a servant in Auradale Citadel, where his father, in a moment of weakness, took advantage of her. When she bore Caelum, the Fae Chamber advised his father to take her in, especially since his wife from the noble Vyrnaerian tribe had struggled to conceive. Caelum was unexpectedly strong, lacking his mother's weaknesses, but his life darkened when his father's wife finally bore a son. The two boys were raised together, but Caelum's half-brother was taught to despise him, a supposed rival.

To appease his wife, Caelum's father treated him and his mother harshly. When his mother eventually succumbed to her short life span, Caelum was sent away to the Council of Eldarion, a political move meant to sideline him. Yet Caelum found solace in the council, appreciating the chance to explore nature and live freely. He never sought power or responsibility; his heart longed for beauty and discovery. He never expected to fall so deeply in love with Silvia, a human diplomat. She was a kindred spirit, a free soul who filled his days with light and wonder. But her life was cut tragically short.

A tear escapes as he flies past the ornate corridor of Auradale Citadel, memories of Silvia still a raw ache in his heart. Her death had shattered his world, and he couldn't fathom finding peace in a realm that had stolen her so cruelly. Now, however, he is inexplicably drawn to watch over Shane, haunted by a mysterious girl in his dreams who whispers, "Save him." The compulsion is strong, though he still doesn't understand why.

<< Flashback to three years ago>>

Caelum moved cautiously, pulling his cloak tightly around him. He masked his presence, merging with nature itself to remain undetected. As he approached the stone pillar, he heard Esme's voice faintly weaving an incantation in the distance. His eyes landed on the girl chained to the pillar, her head bowed, and her once-lustrous hair now wild and tangled.

Whispering a spell, Caelum touched the rootstone. Its energy pulsed beneath his palm before dissipating, and the chains holding her clattered to the ground. The girl immediately grabbed her sore arms, rubbing them to ease the pain.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she met his gaze.

"I've come to help," Caelum said softly.

"Help..." She scoffed, bitterness lacing her voice. Her eyes, rimmed with red, burned with defiance, and her hair seemed to move in the wind like angry tendrils.

"I know you're mad, but I'm only trying to keep you safe."

"I don't need your help," she spat, turning her head away. "Leave before they find you." Her voice broke, and she rested her head against the tree behind her. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks, each drop cutting a path through the grime. She cried without sound, her pain raw and heavy.

Reaching out, Caelum gently covered her eyes with his hands. She didn't flinch, didn't resist—she simply let the tears fall. Crouched beside her, Caelum felt an unbearable sorrow flooding his heart, as if he could drown in the sea of emotions she kept locked away. The weight of her grief was overwhelming, threatening to pull him under. After what felt like an eternity, she pulled his hands away, revealing puffy, swollen eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Guilt tightened in his chest; the vibrant spirit she had once been was now a shadow.

"Why are you crying?" she asked, her voice cold and detached.

"I don't know," Caelum replied, surprised to feel his own tears on his cheeks.

"Thank you," she whispered, and he scoffed. "For what?" he asked, his voice cracking.

"For sharing my pain." She managed a small smile. Although it wasn't as radiant as it had been that day in the park, it still held a beauty reminiscent of fragile, rain-kissed wildflowers opening to the sun.

Caelum stuttered, words of apology forming on his lips but never quite taking shape.

"I can share yours too," she offered, placing her hand gently over his eyes. She began to hum, a melody soft and sweet. Caelum recognized the tune—it was the song fae used to bond with plants, a communication ritual. A smile tugged at his lips; was she calling him a plant? Yet her version was different, soothing. The grief he felt over Esme remained, but the ache wasn't as sharp. Instead, her melody wove hope into his heart, whispering that healing was possible. The wind picked up, carrying flower petals that swirled around them, as though nature itself danced to her song.

Caelum opened his eyes, and the sight stole his breath. The girl glowed, a soft halo illuminating her features. The petals in the wind formed a luminous white lotus behind her, each delicate petal sculpted by the breeze. Her beauty, framed by nature's embrace, was like a vision from a dream, ethereal and unforgettable.

"Did that help?" she asked, her voice like a gentle breeze.

"You're right to hate me," Caelum said, standing abruptly. Guilt crashed over him. He didn't deserve her kindness.

"Why?" she questioned.

"Because of what we did... what I did. I wouldn't blame you if you cursed me here and now. In fact, I'd welcome it once I get you to safety."

"I don't hate you," she whispered, and her forgiveness cut deeper than any wound. "You tried to help in the end. This is my fate."

"Fate?" Caelum's voice cracked, his frustration spilling over. "How can you accept that?" Those words—acceptance, fate—had haunted him ever since Silvia's death.

She laughed quietly, a sound edged with sorrow. "I have no choice. My dad always said, 'With great power comes great responsibility,'" she said, her voice breaking. Caelum saw the weight she carried, the duty she couldn't escape. She was the first of her kind, born to endure.

He clenched his fists, his fingers closing around a small stone in his pocket.

"You should leave," she whispered. "If Esme finds you..."

"I came to free you," he insisted.

"They won't kill me. They still need me," she said. "Go."

"I can't leave you here," he said, his voice trembling with determination.

"If you really want to help me..." She held out her hand, and he hesitated before taking it. A connection flared between them, and Caelum's mind filled with a vision.

Silvia stood before him, her eyes brimming with love and sorrow. "My love," she whispered.

"Silvia," he sobbed, running toward her. But she dissolved into smoke, the moment he touched her.

"I'm so sorry," he cried. "This is all my fault."

Silvia wept too. "No, don't say that," she said, her ghostly hands trying to wipe away his tears. "I was happy to be loved by you. Don't apologize for being true to yourself."

Her image distorted, static crackling around her. "We don't have much time," she whispered.

"No," Caelum choked out. He reached for her, but she remained untouchable. "Please, don't go. I can't live without you"

"Goodbye, my love," she said, her voice echoing as she faded.

"No," he pleaded, clinging to the empty air. Her parting words rang in his heart: You have to let me go.

His eyes opened, and he found Millie wiping the tears from his cheeks. Silvia's voice echoed in his mind: You have to find another reason to live.

Millie leaned in, her face so close that he fell backward. She plucked an eyelash from his cheek. "Make a wish," she said, holding it out. Caelum gave her a skeptical look.

"Come on," she insisted, "I know it sounds silly, but what do you have to lose?"

He took the lash, closed his eyes, and listened to her soft breathing. "Make a wish with all your heart," she whispered.

"I'm not sure what to wish for," he said, opening his eyes.

Millie leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his skin. "Then I'll do one on your behalf, I wish for you to be happy again," she murmured. Caelum's heart broke, she should be wishing him dead and yet......

Caelum knew what to wish for. "I wish to find a reason to live again," he said, she smiled and together, they blew the lash away. The air shimmered, carrying the wish into the universe.

"How did you do that?" he asked, remembering his vision of Silvia.

"Silvia wanted to see you one last time. I promised to help her."

"Can you bring her back?" he asked, hope wavering.

"I'm sorry. Once the connection is severed, it's gone forever," she said gently.

Caelum didn't feel as broken as he'd expected. He instinctively knew, It was time to let Silvia go.

"I have one more thing to show you," she says, taking his hand. As her touch connects them, Caelum's vision blurs, and a scene unfolds in his mind. A young boy appears, his frantic footsteps pounding against the ground. Wasn't this the Blackthorn's son? The boy was running wildly, desperation etched across his face.

"Dad, snap out of it!" he shouted, his voice cracking with fear as a massive wolf, eyes blazing with bloodlust, chased after him. The beast's menacing presence sent a shiver through Caelum, the boy's cry echoing painfully in his mind.

"Save him," the girl had said.

Back to the Present

As Caelum held onto Millie, his mind went back to that night. Caelum's hand slipped into his pocket, fingers closing around the cold stone. The image of Tristan Valkera making him swear an oath before pressing the stone into his palm. Millie's tears reminded him of that day, his bond to her had been forged, their souls knotted together by a promise: to watch over Shane and help her forget her painful past. If she never remembered who she truly was, and if Esme believed her core had been corrupted beyond use, the cycle of death could finally end.

Her plan had seemed simple, Caelum reflected. Who could have predicted that Shane would awaken Millie's core, that everything would be connected in such a way?

On the beach, the stolen memories had returned, and everything made sense. The bond he felt with Shane, the pull toward Millie, the visions—they were all because of their soul knot.

They were bound, their fates intertwined.

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Hey guys kind of a long chapter but necessary. I merged two of Caelums chronicles into one for y'all because I have been slacking in my uploading. I'm back now and we would be getting a new chapter everyday as usual. We're nearing the end of book one , so if you've made it this far hooray. Stay tuned because our girl Millie is in for one hell of a ride. Love y'all ❤️