The Higher Plain Ch 1: Memories Of The Blue Fields, The Higher Plain!

(Krelzor)

My day would start like any other. I'd wake up, brush my teeth, get dressed, and head to the kitchen to make breakfast.

As I sat at the table, my mind drifted back to a time when the house wasn't so empty.

It was when my father was still alive. I can still picture him clasping his hands together before every meal, saying a prayer to those he called the ones watching over us from above—the Xylarions. He believed they lived in the higher plane, beyond the sky that gleamed with a golden hue.

My father always reminded me to be thankful for what we had, that even we, simple farmers, were remembered by these higher beings.

I wanted to believe him. But the more I heard it, the more numb I became.

I had never seen a Xylarion. Neither had my father. None of our neighbors or friends had either. No one had seen one in over a hundred years. All we knew were the stories—that they were supposedly hundreds of feet tall, towering over mountains.

Did I believe it? No, I didn't. If they did exist, it was clear they didn't care about us. Not one bit.

But that was okay. All I needed was the family farm and the work that came with it.

"Yep, that's all I need."

I stepped out onto the blue fields, the soft hum of the wind brushing against me. The air smelled fresh, mixed with the scent of soil and the crops I had worked so hard to grow. I looked down at the long rows of zerath stalks, their deep blue stems bending slightly under the weight of the round fyn fruits at the top. Next to them, the spiky valtar leaves spread out, shimmering like they were coated in glass. The kynora bulbs were tucked just beneath the surface, their roots barely visible in the dirt, but I could feel their energy as if they were pulsing with life.

I crouched down, running my fingers through the soil, feeling the moisture that told me the crops were healthy. The zerath stalks stood tall, nearly reaching my chest. Their bright fruits were plump and ready for harvest, promising another successful season.

"It looks like there's going to be another great gain!" I said with a grin, proud of the hard work I'd put into this. I stood back up, scanning the field. The blue of the crops stretched out as far as the eye could see, blending into the horizon.

As I stood there, a memory hit me like a wave. I could see my father, standing right where I was, staring out over the same fields.

"When I die, all of this will be yours," he'd said with a smile, his hands resting on his hips. I could hear his voice like he was standing right next to me. "Honor the land well, my son, and it will provide for you always."

The memory faded, and I found myself looking up at the sky. The golden clouds hung there, glowing like they always did, the same sky my father had looked up at countless times. I spoke softly, almost like he could still hear me. "I've done what you asked, Father. So tell me... are you proud?"

But as I stared, something changed. The golden clouds started to shift, darkening in a way I had never seen before. My heart skipped a beat.

"Huh? What is that?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes. Something was falling from the sky. At first, it looked small, but as it plummeted, it became clear just how massive it was.

"Oh damn!" I shouted, turning on my heel and sprinting as fast as I could. My boots dug into the ground, kicking up dirt as I ran. I barely made it ten steps before the impact hit.

The object slammed into the ground with a deafening crash, the force of it sending a shockwave through the air. The ground erupted beneath me, and I felt myself lifted off my feet. The world spun as I flew through the air, massive chunks of stone and dirt swirling around me like a storm. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of my lungs.

"My fields!"

***

(The Golden Lands of Xylarion)

The Golden City of Xylarion stood as a beacon of light, a place of unmatched beauty and splendor. Its golden halls shimmered like they were crafted from pure sunlight, each wall adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to glow from within. Lush trees with brilliant green leaves, known as Elyrian Oaks, grew along the paths, their branches radiating an energy that hummed with life. Their leaves glowed with a vibrant light, casting a soft green hue over the city. Beyond, floating islands drifted gracefully in the air, each one holding ancient stone temples and towering pillars that reached towards the heavens. And far off in the distance, snow-covered mountains floated high above the clouds, their peaks lost in the golden sky, adding to the breathtaking view.

In this city of wonders, Faylina moved swiftly through the golden halls, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, swaying behind her as she darted from shadow to shadow. Her black and white robes, lined with threads of gold, caught the light as she glanced back and forth, making sure she wasn't being followed.

"Yes, now's my chance..." she whispered to herself, her heart racing as she carefully continued her way down the hall.

She knew exactly where she was going, and this time, no one would stop her.

Just as she turned a corner, a voice called out from behind her, "Fay... what are you doing?"

Faylina froze, her pulse quickening. Slowly, she turned around to see an older man standing there. His grey hair hung loose around his shoulders, and his black robes, speckled with gold flakes, shimmered faintly in the light of the hall.

"Hey, Gorax," she said with a forced smile, trying to sound casual. "I'm just... taking a walk around the palace."

"Uh-huh..." Gorax raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "How about you don't lie to your teacher?"

"What?" Faylina felt sweat form on her brow, her smile faltering.

Gorax crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "You were going to the Mirror Fountain again, weren't you?"

"No! No, I wasn't!" Faylina shook her head quickly, her face turning red.

Gorax let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. "I've seen you sneak there many times before, Faylina. It's the only place in the palace where one can view the Lower Plain."

Faylina's cheeks burned with embarrassment. He knew. Of course, he knew.

"You need to let go of this fantasy," Gorax said gently, his tone softening. "You know as well as I do that going to the Lower World is forbidden. Your father, the king, would never allow it."

"I know... I know..." Faylina replied, her voice dropping. Her shoulders slumped as she looked down at the golden floor. "But I still want to see them, and maybe one day... meet one of them."