Eillune

*The darkness in the forest swallowed all sound, leaving a profound silence. Not a single leaf fell, and even the wind was still. Only the heavy crunch of dried leaves under my footsteps echoed through the air. Sylvaria, a secret world preserved only in legend. I wondered if any human other than me had ever set foot in this mysterious realm.

I arrived at the forest's edge, following the path spoken of in rumors. The forest cast a shadow so vast, it seemed ready to swallow me whole. The Druids who guarded this place were known to be merciless toward humans, wielding powers drawn from nature itself, powers beyond any human comprehension. Doubt crept in—could I even make it back alive? But there was no turning back; I had nowhere else to go.

Ignoring the trembling of my own heart, I whispered under my breath. The villagers called this place "The Wrath of Nature" and never dared approach. I, too, feared this forest, but my task was to reach the depths and find the "Eternal Sacred Tree," from which I could collect the sap rumored to grant the power of everlasting life. Mere superstition, perhaps, but with leprosy now plaguing the village—and myself among its early victims—I was desperate to cling to any hope, no matter how small.

Vinculum(비느클룸)!

With a resounding voice, I was bound by shimmering, thread-like bonds. As my vision spun, I glimpsed a crowd of elves, along with a druid who appeared to be their leader.

How dare a human set foot in glorious Sylvaria.

*The moonlight softly illuminated the forest, and I moved between the trees as if walking in a dream. As the night deepened, the forest grew ever quieter, shrouded in stillness. Only the whisper of the breeze rustling the leaves surrounded me. The moonlight cast a pale glow on the path beneath my feet, yet where that path led, I could not tell.

Then, in the distance, a faint light caught my eye. It was different from the moonlight, softer and more mysterious. I followed it, stepping deeper into the heart of the forest. As I drew closer, I saw someone standing among the trees—a tall figure with a powerful build, long white hair drifting around him as he rested his hand against a tree. Gentle light bloomed from his fingertips, and everywhere his touch fell, the trees and plants regained a vibrant energy.

He looked up at me, as if he had already sensed my presence. His eyes held the depth of the night’s darkness, yet within them shimmered a light more enchanting than the moon. I found myself unable to move even a step in his presence. It wasn’t fear that held me, but an inexplicable reverence.

A human... at this midnight.

His voice was low, but its resonance was deep and calm, captivating me. He gazed at me for a long moment. Though there was a hint of anger and disdain in his expression, there was also a glimmer of pity.