Dawn bled across the horizon, streaking the sky with amber and muted crimson. The golden sun crept upward, casting long shadows over the land. The southwester stirred with autumn's breath, whispering through the canopy of scarlet and gold leaves. Brittle and flame-bright, they tumbled in lazy spirals. The lush greens of summer had withered into ochres and russets, the land swathed in a fading warmth, fragile against the coming winter.

Beyond the rolling hills, Everdaile rose--an elven kingdom against the morning light. Crystal towers pierced the sky, their glassy faces catching the sun's first kiss. They blazed with fleeting brilliance, shards of dawn woven into stone and spire. Below, the city's shadow stretched over groves where autumn leaves spun like embers, caught in the breath of the Immortal Realm.

"It's so quiet," murmured a young man, lying upon the castle's garden, his green eyes fixed on the endless stretch of blue above.

"These moments are to be treasured, brother mine--times when we are free to do as we please," replied his companion, blue eyes tracing the lines of a weathered book. Like the other, he lay sprawled upon the emerald grass, the cold breeze rustling faintly around them.

"Free to do as we please? Are you certain of that, Varelor?" The man chuckled, pushing himself upright, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

"And what mischief brews in that mind of yours, Livian?" Var asked, his gaze unmoving from the page before him.

"Well," Livian began as he leaned over to pluck the book from his brother's hands. Varelor's eyes lifted at last. "Since the castle folk are preoccupied with preparations for the Festival of the Two Moons, what say we take the horses for a quick ride?"

"You know we cannot," Varelor replied, frowning. "Father's orders were clear. We're not to leave the castle grounds. And would you drag along three or more guards for your little adventure?"

"I never said I'd go alone," Livian countered, his grin widening. "When I say we, I mean us. You, my loyal knight, shall be my guard."

"No, Livian," Varelor sighed, sitting up with a shake of his head. "Father would be furious. I've no desire to hear him shouting at you--or me."

The moment the guard disappeared around the corner, Livian sprang into action, darting toward the nearest gate and seizing the reins of his brown horse.

"What is he--? What is he even thinking? Father will have his head for this," Varelor muttered, his pulse quickening as he watched his brother wave him over with an impish grin.

Casting a quick glance to ensure the guard was well out of sight, Varelor dashed after him, breath sharp in his chest. Livian sat astride the horse, grinning down at him like a boy on the cusp of mischief.

"Little brother, we've no time to waste," Livian said. "It's just a quick ride. If we let this day slip away, who knows when we'll have another chance? Time's no longer ours--not while I'm being shaped into the future king."

Varelor sighed, swinging himself onto his white horse.

"Just a quick ride around the city, then we head back," he muttered.

"Come on now!" Livian grinned, spurring his horse into a gallop toward the hidden gate that led beyond the castle walls.

"Father's going to kill me... and definitely him," Varelor mumbled, urging his horse forward, his gaze sharp, scanning for any guards who might catch sight of their escape.

They rode swiftly into the valley, hoods drawn low to mask their faces from curious elven eyes.

"Race you?" Livian called over his shoulder.

"What?" Varelor frowned.

"If I win, we ride a little longer. If you win, we'll head back straight after circling the city," Livian proposed.

Varelor pressed his lips into a thin line, hesitating.

"Oh, come on--" Livian laughed, tugging the reins from his brother's grasp with a swift pull.

"What are you doing?" Varelor snapped, but the words barely left his mouth before his horse lurched forward. He flailed for balance, nearly toppling from the saddle, his arms flapping like a fledgling bird. Livian's laughter rang out, sharp and bright, as Varelor wrestled with the reins, finally steadying the restless beast.

Varelor shot him a glare, though a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, you shall see my wrath!" he declared, spurring his horse after Livian with mock fury blazing in his eyes.

And with that, the race began. The brothers rode like the wind, laughter carried on the breeze as their horses thundered past the bustling market, the shimmering sea dotted with merchant ships from distant realms, across sprawling meadows, and through landscapes rich with colour and life.

It wasn't long before Varelor had pulled far ahead, leaving Livian trailing behind, pausing every so often to charm passersby. The young prince lingered near a group of intrigued onlookers, basking in fleeting admiration, while Varelor and his white steed stood sentinel atop a windswept crest overlooking Everdaile. The elven lands sprawled beneath him, their verdant beauty brushed with autumn's golden touch. His gaze drifted beyond the familiar--toward distant lands he longed to explore, where even Elves dared not tread: the vast, uncharted expanse of the Sepphoran Forest.

A shift in the wind came with the thunder of hooves. Varelor's dark hair whipped across his face as Livian's voice pierced the breeze.

"Var, you nincompoop! You were so close to victory, and now you're giving up?" Livian shouted, reining in his steed with a laugh, glancing back over his shoulder.

Varelor chuckled, brushing the stray strands from his face. With a subtle nudge, his horse stirred beneath him.

"Enough racing. We should head back to the castle," he said, his voice tinged with playful reproach. "Besides, the horses deserve their rest before the elven army drags them off on another grand adventure." His gaze lingered on the distant hills, where the morning light stretched long, golden fingers across the land. "You fled the palace to escape its grip, yet here you are--racing past everything you came to find. Slow down. Feel the air. Let the winds share their secrets."

Livian's laughter rang out, bright and untamed. "We've no time to dawdle! The guards will catch up if we linger!"

Varelor's heart lurched. "The guards? They're here?"

"Apparently, they noticed us a little sooner than you'd expect," Livian replied with a grin, unfazed. "I spotted them back at the plaza. Thankfully, they haven't seen me--yet."

"Oh, come now! You know I've never had a fondness for chases," Varelor muttered, urging his steed to match Livian's pace. "We need to reach the castle before they even catch sight of us."

As they neared the city walls, the morning light spilled over rows of crystal houses, their surfaces shimmering like shards of dawn. Varelor's horse slowed, its brisk trot faltering as his gaze snagged on a sight that stole the breath from his chest.

He reined in, dismounting with a quiet thud. His fingers slipped into his pocket, retrieving a small, weathered pouch. The silence between the brothers stretched taut, broken only by Livian's distant, breathless call.

"I thought you wanted to keep the pace. Why stop now?"

Varelor didn't answer. Instead, he stepped toward a homeless she-elf huddled in a shadowed corner, her child curled against her, fast asleep on the cold stone. Without hesitation, he offered the pouch. "Take this. Buy food at the market--something to lift your spirits."

The woman's eyes filled with tears, her hands trembling as she accepted the gift. "Thank you," she whispered, her weary face breaking into a fragile smile.

"It's not much," Varelor replied with a humble nod, "but I'll do what I can to help my fa-- the king create laws that truly serve his people."

"The guards! They're nearly upon us!" Livian's shout snapped through the moment, his hand landing on Varelor's back as he slowed beside him, breath ragged, grateful for the brief respite.

"I must go," Varelor said gently, offering the woman a parting smile before turning away.

Then--shouts. The sharp ring of metal. One guard spotted them, and in an instant, the chase resumed. Hooves thundered, voices roared, and the world blurred into a rush of sound and motion.

That was the last thing they remembered before darkness swallowed them whole.

When their eyes fluttered open, the scene before them remained unchanged, yet a strange sensation lingered--something was different, almost unreal. Varelor stood precisely where he had moments before, and they were once again on horseback.

A sudden pinch on his pointed ear broke the silence. He looked beside him to find Livian, equally startled, being pinched by the same woman.

"What do you think you two are doing? If I hadn't found you, you'd likely have been scolded by now!" the woman exclaimed, finally lowering her hand.

"Alfira, what is this? Is this a dream? Did you craft this?" Livian asked.

"I put you two to sleep while I guided your horses back to the castle, all while keeping the guards' eyes busy to buy us time. Don't ask me how," Alfira replied, her purple eyes flicking between the two brothers. "All they know is that you two are still sleeping on that grass, like babes."

Varelor grinned, marveling at the woman's resourcefulness. "You're truly lucky, Livian. You have a betrothed lady like her."

"Enough with that betrothed nonsense," Alfira said. "I do this because the King expects our tribe to reaffirm its loyalty to your family."

Varelor's admiration grew even more.

"You speak so directly. That must be why Father picked you over your elder sister," Livian remarked.

"It's my duty to be your future wife. I don't intend to hide anything from my future husband," Alfira replied.

"People truly respect the future elven King," Varelor said to his brother with a proud smile.

"Oh, shut up, future bearer of the Wind Scepter," Livian teased, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The two shared a laugh as the sun slowly rose, a new day dawning not just in the sky, but in their spirits as well.

Livian's face lit up with joy, eyes sparkling as he urged his horse forward. "I feel so refreshed! Come on, let's head to the port and race with the ships!" He kicked his steed into motion, his enthusiasm carrying him far ahead.

Varelor watched him go, amusement mixed with disbelief.

"You can't be mad at me, brother mine, because you know this is just a dream!" Livian called back with a teasing pause, glancing at him.

Varelor rolled his eyes, playfully. "You should've brought Alfira along hours ago before you ran off and escaped!"

"Hop onto my horse... well, the one that resembles it , Lady Alfira," Varelor said, extending his hand. "I shall race my mad brother, who now has twice the enthusiasm he had before falling into this dream trap."

Alfira raised an eyebrow but shrugged after a moment, accepting his offer. She mounted quickly, and the horse surged forward, closing the gap between them and Livian.

When they caught up, Livian let out a soft chuckle. They paused by the port, the salty air crisp around them.

"Someday, I will sail these seas and explore what lies beyond the Endless Sea of the North!" Varelor beamed, halting his horse and casting a glance at Alfira.

The surreal day bloomed with joy--racing the ships, galloping beside the steeds, sneaking past the guards in playful games, and aiding the folk they crossed paths with. Laughter and warmth coloured the hours. Yet, the revelry shattered when dark clouds began to gather, their ominous shift stifling the air.

Then, through the shifting mists, a familiar figure emerged--one of the three great wizards who could traverse all three realms of Enchantria. His blue cloak, inscribed with the sigil of his order, fluttered in the wind, matching the long, grey cascade of his hair and beard. His sharp gaze met theirs, unwavering, as his voice rang clear, like thunder before the storm.

"The elemental balance will shatter. Be warned, the shadow that stirs over Enchantria awakens."

With a final, deliberate glance, the wizard disappeared, his warning lingering in the air. They awoke to find Alfira and the wizard both gone. Livian brushed aside the words, while unease tightened around Varelor's chest, his heart pounding in the sudden silence.

"Where is she?" Livian asked, his eyes scanning the garden, where the guards now stood in rigid formation.

Varelor stretched, a contented grin playing on his lips as though he'd just awoken from a pleasant dream.

"Well, that was fun!" His voice, light and carefree, carried an almost childlike innocence. He rose, casting a glance towards the castle.

"Now, back to this palace," he added, his gaze drifting to the Wind Scepter's chamber, perched atop the highest tower.

"Do you think the wizard's warning means anything?" Varelor asked, his eyes still lost in the distant silhouette of the tower.

"It's likely just one of the elements Alfira used to make her dreams more entertaining," Livian replied, though the words lacked certainty, a thread of doubt pulling at him.

"I hope so," Varelor murmured, his voice softer now. "I hope so, brother mine."