The village revealed itself fully once they climbed higher.

  Wooden bridges stretched between colossal trees, bound together with thick rope and living vines. The planks creaked softly underfoot, damp from constant rain, and the air smelled of wet bark and crushed leaves. Below them, the ground was far out of sight—only darkness and mist.

  Akitsu Shouga walked at the front, steady and composed. Behind him, Kael Ardent moved with careful steps, eyes constantly shifting, measuring distances, people, exits. Ayaka followed quietly, her blue hair catching droplets of rain as she looked around with a mix of wonder and unease. Seraphine Orion floated just behind them, silent, attentive, her gaze drifting from bridge to branch.

  Chief Tarek Vahru led them with confident strides, his broad back straight as he crossed the bridges like they were solid earth.

  Kael leaned closer to Akitsu and lowered his voice.

  “This is dangerous,” he muttered. “We don’t know what these people might do. We’re surrounded, and we’re high up with nowhere to run.”

  Akitsu didn’t look back. “Relax.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.”

  Akitsu finally glanced over his shoulder, expression calm. “It’ll be alright. There’s nothing to worry about since I’m here.”

  Kael studied his face for a second, then sighed. “I trust you,” he said quietly. “Doesn’t mean I won’t keep my guard up.”

  “That’s fine,” Akitsu replied. “You should.”

  They crossed another bridge, this one wider, with carved railings decorated with symbols—spirals, leaves, and eye-like patterns etched deep into the wood. Villagers stood along the platforms, watching them openly now. No hostility, just curiosity. Children peeked from behind their elders. Some waved.

  Ayaka whispered, “They’re staring a lot.”

  “They’ve probably never seen outsiders before,” Akitsu said.

  “That doesn’t make it less uncomfortable.”

  Chief Tarek slowed and turned slightly, smiling. “Do not worry. My people mean no harm. Curiosity is loud, but our intentions are quiet.”

  Kael stiffened. “You heard that?”

  Tarek chuckled. “Hard not to, when you whisper on a bridge.”

  Kael cleared his throat. “Right. Sorry.”

  The chief stopped in front of a massive tree whose trunk was wide enough to be a fortress wall. A large doorway was carved directly into the wood, reinforced with thick beams. Vines curled around the entrance like decorative guards.

  “My home,” Tarek announced proudly. “Please.”

  Inside, the air was warm and dry. Lanterns made of carved stone and glowing moss illuminated the interior. The room was simple but spacious—wooden walls, hanging ornaments made of feathers and polished gems, and a low table at the center surrounded by cushions.

  “Sit,” Tarek said, gesturing.

  They did.

  Tarek poured tea from a clay pot into small wooden cups, steam curling gently upward. The scent was earthy, slightly sweet.

  “Please,” he said. “Drink.”

  Akitsu lifted his cup carefully, watching the surface. Kael hesitated for a fraction of a second before doing the same. Ayaka followed their lead.

  They sipped.

  The tea was warm and soothing, spreading gentle heat through their chests.

  Tarek noticed their caution and smiled knowingly. “It is wise to be careful. I take no offense. If I were in your place, I would do the same.”

  Kael relaxed slightly. “You’re… understanding.”

  “Trust is not demanded here,” Tarek replied. “It is earned.”

  He leaned forward, eyes bright with excitement. “Still, it is nothing short of a miracle that you are here.”

  Akitsu raised an eyebrow. “A miracle?”

  “Yes,” Tarek said eagerly. “It is impossible for regular humans from the outside civilization to reach this place. The fog alone turns most away. The cliff below swallows the rest.”

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  Kael glanced at Akitsu. Akitsu shrugged lightly.

  “It wasn’t much of a hassle,” Akitsu said smoothly. “We’re travelers. We’re used to harsh terrain.”

  Kael almost choked on his tea.

  Travelers? he thought. That’s a lie.

  But Akitsu’s voice didn’t waver. His expression was perfectly neutral.

  Tarek nodded, impressed. “That explains it. Only those accustomed to hardship could survive such a journey.”

  Seraphine watched quietly. Perfectly delivered, she murmured, unheard by anyone but Akitsu and Kael.

  Tarek tilted his head. “Tell me—where are you traveling to?”

  Akitsu answered without pause. “Wherever we feel like it.”

  There was a brief silence.

  Then Tarek’s excitement dimmed slightly. A shadow crossed his expression.

  “I see,” he said softly. “Then allow me to offer a warning.”

  Akitsu inclined his head. “We’re listening.”

  “Do not go to the swamp near this village,” Tarek said. “It is called the Firefly Swamp.”

  Ayaka frowned. “Firefly… Swamp?”

  “Yes,” Tarek replied. “It glows beautifully at night. Countless lights drifting above the water.” His jaw tightened. “But once a person enters, they never come back out.”

  Kael stiffened. “Never?”

  “Never,” Tarek confirmed. “Many have tried. None have returned.”

  Akitsu stored the name carefully in his mind. “We’ll avoid it if we see it.”

  Tarek’s expression eased. “Good.”

  He straightened, excitement returning. “Now! Tonight, we celebrate!”

  “Celebrate?” Ayaka echoed.

  “A welcoming banquet,” Tarek said proudly. “For our guests. But if you are tired, we can reschedule for tomorrow.”

  Akitsu shook his head. “No need. We’ll be fine. Tonight is good.”

  Tarek’s face lit up. “Excellent!”

  He clapped his hands once. “The village will be thrilled.”

  Akitsu took the moment to ask, “Is there another civilization nearby?”

  Tarek blinked, surprised. “No. None.”

  “Nothing at all?”

  “There is… a temple,” Tarek admitted. “Very close to the Firefly Swamp. But it is dangerous. No one goes there.”

  “I see,” Akitsu said calmly. “We were just curious.”

  Tarek chuckled. “Curiosity is human. Even here.”

  He leaned back, gaze distant. “Would you like to know how this village came to be?”

  “Yes,” Akitsu said.

  Kael nodded. “Might as well, if we’re staying.”

  Tarek inhaled slowly. “Two centuries ago, during the Great Winter War…”

  The room grew quiet.

  “Humans and elves were locked in brutal conflict,” Tarek continued. “Losses on both sides were immense. Blood froze on the snow.”

  Seraphine’s eyes sharpened.

  “Our ancestors lived either within or near the Fiester Kingdom,” Tarek said. “Then, one day… half of the kingdom sank. Kilometers into the ground.”

  Ayaka whispered, “Sank…?”

  “Yes,” Tarek said. “The earth swallowed it.”

  Kael frowned. “That’s… catastrophic.”

  “The survivors tried to escape,” Tarek continued. “Some climbed. Many fell. In the end, those who remained chose a different fate.”

  “They stayed below?” Akitsu asked.

  “They accepted it,” Tarek said. “They dug. They adapted. This land was once above ground, but over generations, they carved deeper. They found caves, gemstones, underground water.”

  He smiled faintly. “And safety.”

  Kael exhaled slowly. “So this place was built… downward.”

  “Yes,” Tarek said. “We abandoned Fiester Kingdom and made this our home.”

  Silence followed.

  Seraphine leaned close to Akitsu, her voice barely a breath. It’s true. I saw the war. I saw the kingdom fall.

  Akitsu didn’t react outwardly, but his grip tightened slightly on his cup.

  Kael heard her too. He swallowed.

  Tarek looked at them warmly. “You are welcome here, for as long as you wish.”

  Akitsu met his gaze. “Thank you.”

  Outside, preparations for the banquet had already begun.