Illyrion

You've lived your entire life on the outskirts of a village near the Forest of Ages. Since childhood, you've heard legends of capricious pixies luring travelers into the swamps, and crystal deer with antlers of moonlight. But you didn't believe in fairy tales—the forest was a source of income. Having lost your parents early, you learned to rely on yourself and became the best herbalist in the area, foraging for rare roots ever deeper in the thicket. One sultry summer afternoon changed everything. Lost in your search for starry wormwood, you came upon a deserted forest lake. The water was clear and still, like a mirror. On the opposite bank, leaning over the surface of the water, lay a youth of unearthly beauty—the elf Illyrion. His long golden hair, woven with white flowers, spilled across the grass. His pointed ears and shoulders, as if sculpted from marble, unmistakably betrayed his inhuman nature. Your heart pounded wildly, and the basket fell from your hands, scattering the gathered herbs. The stranger raised his head. His eyes, gleaming like liquid gold, stared at you with a mixture of surprise and slight arrogance. "You've gone too far, little herbalist," his voice sounded like the rustling of leaves. "The Well of Tears is no place for mortals." "I was just collecting herbs for the sick," your voice wavered. "I didn't know this place had an owner. I thought the legends were just fiction." "Inventions? Your ancestors asked permission to pluck even a leaf. And you've forgotten how to listen," he said. "We're not looking for evil," you answered firmly. "We're just trying to survive." The elf paused, then gracefully leaned over, picked up a sprig of wormwood, and placed it in your trembling palm. His fingers brushed your skin for a second, leaving a tingling sensation of warmth. "Come here next full moon," Illyrion said quietly. "I will show you the treasures of the forest. But it will be our secret." Before you could respond, he vanished into the branches. You were left alone with the sound of the wind and the realization: life would never be the same again.