The Higher Plain Ch 2: The Time Of Celebration, Expressing Ones Dream!

(The Golden Lands of Xylarion)

The golden city of Xylarion floated high above the world, its majestic islands suspended in the air. Golden clouds swirled gently around the floating lands, casting a soft glow on the trees that adorned the islands. Each tree shimmered with emerald leaves, while their roots stretched down into the clouds, holding the islands in place. The great golden palace stood tall in the center, a beacon of light among the sky-bound lands, with its spires stretching high and its walls glowing under the golden light.

Inside the palace, the halls gleamed with the same radiant gold, every surface polished to a shine. Along the walls, intricate patterns were engraved, telling the ancient history of the Xylarion people. But what made the halls truly come alive was the sound of the Liraels, the Xylarion choir, their voices lifting through the space in perfect harmony. They stood in rows, one on each side of the hall, their shimmering robes catching the light as their voices blended into a song that was both powerful and delicate.

In the center of the hall sat the throne of King Valendar, a seat carved from gold and inlaid with gems that sparkled in the glow of the palace. The king himself sat proudly upon the throne, his broad shoulders draped in royal blue, his golden crown resting firmly on his head. His eyes surveyed the room with calm authority as his people, the Xylarion, sat quietly before him, listening to the choir's song. The people sat in perfect rows on the floor, their silken garments flowing around them like water.

Beside King Valendar, his family sat in their own seats. His queen, Elira, sat to his right, her beauty undeniable as she smiled at the music, her golden hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Next to her, their eldest daughter, Seralyn, sat with a serene expression, her gaze steady as she listened with a calm joy in her eyes.

But Faylina, the youngest of the royal family, sat apart. Her throne, white and pure, was smaller than the rest, yet it held an elegance of its own. Faylina, however, was not smiling. Her head was bowed, her gaze fixed on her lap as she barely heard the choir's voices. Her mind was elsewhere, thinking of her conversation with Gorax. She had pleaded with him, expressed her desire to go down to the lower plain, to see the humans—creatures she had only ever heard of in stories.

It had been forbidden for a century, the council of Xylarion making sure no one from their world ventured down. Her father had echoed those rules countless times, reminding her of the dangers, the unpredictability of the human world. But Faylina didn't care. Deep within her, she knew what she wanted. She had felt it ever since she was a little girl, the moment she first heard the name "human." The mystery of their world called to her like nothing else ever had, and the weight of the ban had become unbearable.

As the choir's song swelled, Faylina's heart ached. She glanced at her family, who seemed at peace, and wondered why she could not feel the same. All she could think of was the world below, and what she would find if only she could break free.

As the final note of the Liraels' song faded, a hush fell over the golden hall. For a moment, the silence hung in the air, a stillness that seemed to shimmer like the golden walls themselves. Then, as one, the Xylarion people rose to their feet and erupted into applause. The sound of hands coming together echoed through the vast chamber, a warm and resounding cheer of appreciation for the beauty that had filled the air.

King Valendar stood from his throne, his powerful frame casting a long shadow down the hall. Slowly, the applause died down as all eyes turned to him. His expression was gentle, yet there was a weight in his gaze. He raised his arms slightly, a gesture both regal and comforting, and began to speak.

"My people," he said, his voice deep and steady, yet laced with an unmistakable sadness, "it has been one hundred years since the great darkness was lifted from our skies. A hundred years since the Vorlith—that terrible beast—was vanquished, its shadow no longer threatening our lands."

The crowd remained still, listening intently as their king continued. "In the century since, we have lived in peace. The golden skies have once again become our home, the lush trees have grown tall and strong, and our children have known only light. But peace, as beautiful as it is, does not erase the memory of what we lost. Many of us here still remember the days when we lived in fear, when the very air seemed thick with dread, and the light of Xylarion was dim."

A quiet murmur passed through the people, many of whom could recall the old stories of the Vorlith, the beast that had nearly destroyed their world.

Valendar's eyes softened. "Yet, despite that darkness, we have thrived. We have rebuilt. And though the scars remain, we carry on, because we are strong. Our hearts are filled with the light of hope, the light of those who came before us, and we will never forget their sacrifice. We honor them by living, by breathing in the beauty of this moment. We have been blessed with peace once more, and we shall cherish it for as long as the skies are golden."

As he finished speaking, the hall erupted into cheer. The sound of joy filled every corner of the palace, voices rising in celebration of all they had overcome and all they had to look forward to. The king smiled faintly, though there was still a shadow of sorrow in his eyes, for he knew that peace was fragile, and the world below remained a mystery.

The celebration began to swell with energy, the feast about to be served, but amidst the excitement, Faylina quietly slipped away. She moved down the hall, her red dress swaying as she walked, the gold of the walls reflecting off the crimson fabric. She ran her fingers through her long black hair, a gesture of habit as her mind raced.

She glanced down at herself—the elegant gown, the perfect curls, the sparkling jewelry. But none of it felt right. None of it felt like her. With a troubled expression, Faylina quickened her pace, her thoughts tumbling over each other. She couldn't be part of this celebration, not while her heart longed for something else—something forbidden.

"Going somewhere?"

The voice came from the shadows ahead, causing Faylina to stop abruptly. She turned, startled, only to see a familiar figure step into the light. Her brother, Kaelen, stood there, his dark hair framing his sharp, yet kind, face.

For the first time that evening, a smile crept across Faylina's lips. "Kaelen!" she exclaimed, rushing toward him. She threw her arms around him, embracing him tightly. "I thought you were still in the east, negotiating with the Valkir tribe."

Kaelen chuckled softly as he returned the hug. "I finished earlier than expected," he said, pulling back to look at her. "I couldn't miss the celebration, could I?"

Faylina laughed lightly, but her eyes betrayed the turmoil within. She took a step back, her gaze lowering to the floor. "I didn't expect to see you here," she admitted, her voice quieter. "I thought you'd be off doing important things... not here, in all this." She gestured vaguely to the opulence around them.

Kaelen studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "And what about you, Faylina? Where were you going just now?"

Faylina glanced at her brother, the flicker of nervousness passing over her face. Her lips parted, and though her voice came out soft, there was a deep longing behind it. "I want to go down to the human world, Kaelen. Just for a day. If I could see it—just once—I'd know if it's everything I've imagined."

Kaelen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he smiled, a knowing, gentle expression that surprised Faylina. She had expected resistance, perhaps even disbelief, but his smile made her pause.

"Do you think I don't know your dream?" he asked, his voice calm. "I've lost count of the times I've heard you whisper your little wish to Father. And I can't even remember how many times I've watched you run off, crying, after each rejection."

Faylina pouted, her cheeks reddening as the memories rushed back. She crossed her arms, feeling a flicker of embarrassment. "You don't have to remind me," she mumbled, not liking how vulnerable she suddenly felt.

Kaelen stepped closer, his tone softening. "I know your dream, little sister. But what I don't know is why you want to go down there so badly." His gaze was steady as he asked, his curiosity genuine.

For a moment, Faylina went silent, her thoughts jumbled. She bit her lip, unsure how to put the depth of her feelings into words. How could she explain the pull she felt toward a world she had never seen? The endless curiosity? The aching need to experience something beyond the golden clouds?

Kaelen watched her for a few seconds before turning his gaze toward the far-off horizon, where the light was beginning to fade. His eyes softened, and then he smiled, but this time there was something different in his expression—something almost nostalgic.

"You know," he began, "long ago, our world and the human world were completely separate."

Faylina, drawn from her silence, tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing. "Of course I know that," she replied, following her brother's gaze out toward the sky. The golden clouds were beginning to lose their luster as night slowly crept in, casting darker shades over the sky.

She continued, her voice quieter now, as if reciting a story she had been told many times. "The beast of darkness, the Vorlith, with its terrible claws, ripped open the realms. It connected our world with the human one."

Her arms crossed over her chest, the memory of the tale making her shiver slightly. "That's how the darkness first entered our world."

Kaelen nodded, his smile widening just a little, clearly pleased by her knowledge. "That's right. But what you may not know is that over the years, Father, with the help of many Xylarions, worked tirelessly to heal the rifts. They managed to close many of them, blocking off the connections between the realms."

Faylina's eyes widened slightly at this. She hadn't known that detail. Her gaze flickered back to her brother as he continued.

"But," Kaelen added, his tone more serious now, "there are still a few tears that exist. None close enough to the lands of Xylarion for easy passage, but there's one—one that lies beyond our lands, deep in the Forest of Elystriel."

At the mention of the forest, Faylina's heart skipped a beat. Elystriel was a wild place, untamed and mysterious, even to the Xylarions. She had heard whispers of it, but never thought much of it. "The forest?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Kaelen nodded. "Yes. The largest tear—the biggest rip left by the Vorlith. It was said to take thousands of years to fully close. It's still there, hidden among the ancient trees."

Faylina blinked, the information washing over her. She had always believed that only someone as powerful as her father could cross into the human world. That it was impossible for her, even if she wanted it desperately. "So, there's a way," she murmured, more to herself than to him.

Kaelen glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "That passage is the only one big enough for someone like us to fit through," he said as if speaking more to himself, lost in thought. His eyes seemed distant for a moment.

Faylina stared at him, shock and a flurry of emotions rising within her. She hadn't expected this. Her mind spun with the possibilities. But why was Kaelen telling her this? Why now?

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice filled with both suspicion and wonder.

Kaelen's lips twitched into a half-smile as he turned to walk away. "I was just making conversation," he said with a casual shrug, his tone light. Without another word, he headed back toward the great hall, leaving Faylina standing alone in the dimming light.

Faylina watched him go, her mind racing. As she looked out again toward the east, toward the distant forest that Kaelen had mentioned, a mixture of determination and fear settled within her. The pull she had always felt toward the human world was stronger now than ever before.

For the first time in her life, it seemed like her dream might be possible. But the thought of stepping beyond the safety of Xylarion made her heart race.