a small farewell

A week had passed since the joyful feast in the cave. The group had grown larger, now joined by another maid-knight named Ruby. The two faeries, Ella and Levy, fluttered ahead, their delicate wings glimmering in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees. Behind them walked the two maid-knights, Elara and Ruby, side by side, engaged in quiet conversation. Lilith, the young demon lord, strolled alongside Tami, the energetic fenrir pup, who occasionally bounded ahead, sniffing at the fresh scents of the forest.

They were making their way towards Glazelin, a bustling port city known for its thriving goblin population. The city was a melting pot of various demi-humans and was renowned for its merchants and the high-quality items they sold. The promise of adventure and new experiences filled the air, and Lilith was in high spirits, eagerly anticipating her first glimpse of the port city that Levy had described with such enthusiasm. Her red eyes sparkled with excitement as she imagined the bustling markets, the lively docks, and the many strange and wonderful sights the harbor would offer.

As they walked, Elara and Ruby exchanged glances, their expressions thoughtful. They then turned their attention to Lilith, and Ruby finally spoke up, her voice gentle but serious. "Lilith, it's time."

Lilith looked at Ruby with a puzzled expression. "Time for what?" she asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion.

Ruby met her gaze, her eyes softening with understanding. "It's time for you to continue your journey alone. We will meet again at the World Tree's sapling, but from here on, you must travel on your own and learn to master teleportation magic. I will send you to another realm where time flows differently."

Lilith's heart skipped a beat. "Alone? But why?" she asked, a mix of curiosity and concern evident in her tone.

Elara stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Lilith's shoulder. "This part of your journey is crucial for your growth. You've come far already, but there are lessons that can only be learned through solitude. There are challenges you must face without us by your side, but you are not truly alone. You have Aurora to lean on, and she can help guide you."

At the mention of Aurora, Lilith's hand instinctively grasped the necklace where the spirit of the ancient dragon rested, a comforting warmth emanating from the gem. Aurora had been a steadfast companion since the beginning, and Lilith knew she could rely on her wisdom.

Ella and Levy fluttered down, hovering just above Lilith. "Don't worry, Lilith!" Ella chirped brightly. "We'll be watching over you from afar. You've got Aurora, and we'll still be connected."

Levy nodded, her expression more serious. "Ruby or I can create a vision orb for you, so we can observe your journey. Wherever you go, as long as you keep this crystal with you, we'll be able to see you. Remember, this is for those with great potential, like you. The World Tree's sapling is a place of immense power and knowledge, but it can only be reached by those who are ready. This journey will test you in ways that will help you grow into the person you're meant to be."

Lilith swallowed hard, trying to process the weight of their words. A mixture of anxiety and determination welled up inside her. "I… I understand," she finally said, her voice steadying as she spoke. She then accepted the small crystal from Levy, holding it tightly in her hand.

Elara smiled, pride evident in her eyes. "We know you will, Lilith. You've already shown so much strength and wisdom. Trust in yourself, and remember, we'll be waiting for you at the sapling."

With that, the group came to a stop at a crossroads in the forest. The path to the left led to Glazelin, while the one to the right wound deeper into the wilds, toward unknown challenges. Lilith knew which path she had to take.

Taking a deep breath, Lilith knelt down to give Tami a final scratch behind the ears and hugged her tightly. "Take care of everyone, okay?" she whispered. The young fenrir pup licked her cheek in response, whining softly.

With a final nod to her friends, Lilith turned back to them, her eyes filled with resolve. "This is a small farewell, I guess, but not a goodbye," she said, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her.

Ruby smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Lilith. You can do more than you know. If you're ready, I'll create the portal for you."

Lilith took a deep breath, clutching the crystal in one hand and her necklace in the other. "I'm ready," she said with a determined nod.

Ruby raised her hand, and a swirling portal of light began to form in front of them. The portal shimmered with magic, its surface rippling like water. Lilith hesitated for just a moment, then stepped forward, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

As she crossed the threshold into the unknown, the portal closed behind her, leaving her friends standing at the crossroads, their eyes filled with hope and anticipation for the young demon lord's journey ahead.

As Lilith's eyes adjusted to the darkness that enveloped her, she found herself in a world that was both eerie and mysterious. The air was thick with a mist that seemed to cling to her skin, and the only sound was the faint rustling of leaves somewhere in the distance. Shadows danced around her, their forms shifting and melding with the darkness, creating an unsettling, yet oddly captivating atmosphere.

Lilith took a cautious step forward, her boots crunching softly against the unseen ground. She reached up to touch the necklace around her neck, the one that housed Aurora, her ever-present guide and companion. Her voice was barely a whisper as she called out, "Aurora... can you hear me?"

A moment of silence passed, and then a warm, familiar voice echoed in her mind. "Yes, child, I hear you. I've been listening all this time, ever since you met Ruby. She even told me what she planned to do, so I fully understand everything."

Lilith's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "She did? When did she tell you that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Aurora's voice was gentle, carrying a note of ancient wisdom as she replied, "On the day of the feast. Ruby is as ancient as I am, Lilith. We can communicate through means that you cannot yet comprehend. Our connection transcends the physical world, allowing us to share thoughts and knowledge across great distances and even realms. Ruby is a being of immense power, much like myself, and her understanding of the world and other realms is vast. When she decided that it was time for you to embark on this journey alone, she reached out to me, ensuring that I would be there to guide you when you needed it most."

Lilith felt a strange comfort in Aurora's words, a sense of reassurance that eased the initial unease she had felt upon arriving in this dark, unknown place. She glanced around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The darkness seemed alive, as though it was watching her, waiting for her to make the first move. Despite the uncertainty, knowing that Aurora was with her gave her the strength to press on.

"Where am I, Aurora?" Lilith asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and determination.

"You are in a realm that exists on the edges of the worlds you know, a place where time flows differently, where the barriers between reality and the unseen are thin. This is a place of trials, Lilith, a realm where you will be tested in ways you have never experienced before. But fear not, for I will guide you. Remember, you are not alone, even here."

Lilith nodded, her resolve hardening. She knew this was the beginning of a significant chapter in her journey. The darkness no longer felt as oppressive as it had moments before. Instead, it seemed to be a canvas, waiting for her to leave her mark on it.

She took another step forward, her senses alert to the changes around her. The shadows seemed to shift with her movement, creating pathways that were not there before. It was as if the realm itself was responding to her presence, testing her, challenging her.

"Aurora," Lilith whispered, "what should I do first?"

"First, you must understand this place. It is not just a test of your abilities but of your heart and spirit as well. Explore, observe, and learn. The realm will reveal its secrets to those who seek them with a pure heart and a determined mind. You may encounter creatures, challenges, and puzzles that will push you to your limits, but each trial will bring you closer to the mastery you seek. Trust in yourself, Lilith, and in the bond we share."

With those words of guidance resonating in her mind, Lilith took a deep breath and began to walk forward, the darkness parting before her as she ventured deeper into the unknown. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with unseen dangers and mysteries, but Lilith knew she had the strength within her to face whatever lay ahead.

And so, with Aurora's wisdom and the resolve that had brought her this far, Lilith embarked on the first steps of her solitary journey, ready to confront the challenges that awaited her in this strange, shadowy realm.