Lumen awoke from his slumber in the early hours of the morning, just as the sun broke the horizon of the dim sky. His eyes lazily shifted around his modest room as he sat up in his bed. Lumen didn't own many things, but folded into a neat square, where a pillow would be, was a blanket beginning to show the wear of time, it was an item very precious to him. A blanket which his mother had made for him years ago, it had a bright white moon pattern stitched into its midnight blue fabric. Lumen ran his hand across it before standing, stretching his limbs with an arch of his back.

Lumen pondered for a moment, he didn't need to leave his house until nightfall. Realizing he had this whole day to himself, he wondered what to make of it. He needed to properly prepare if he were to leave in the coming days, but an anxious feeling pulled at his gut, as if telling him to stay home where he knows he's safe, and comfortable. Lumen pushed the idea of staying aside and dressed himself in lighter clothes. He thought maybe a visit to the nearby pond would do him some good. He carefully considered the fact that he may have an episode, but his heart was set on the cool water.

He grabbed a worn looking white towel, slipped into his boots, and closed the door to his home behind him. Tall giants of the earth, their roots far beyond where Lumen could see, invited him deeper within the woods. The song of birds above and the whistling of wind through the branches felt like home to Lumen.

He dragged the tips of his slender, pale fingers across the deep jagged lines of the trees as he passed them. Lumens eyes glanced upwards, admiring the thin tendrils of light that pierced the thick verdant tree tops.

The forest was all he knew of home anymore. He pondered these thoughts as he approached a clearing, shimmering blue water stretched before him. Gentle ripples invited him in as Lumen slid off his boots. Lost in his own thoughts, he slowly wandered to the shore line, before stepping into the inviting lake. The cool water sliding across the pale skin of his legs, he sighed at the touch of water, continuing deeper, unconcerned for his clothes. His shorts greedily absorbed the water as he pushed passed the force of the water, his waist sinking below the surface. Lumen had worn a simple thin shirt with long sleeves; It began to pool around him, drifting atop the surface of the crystalline waters.

Lumens thoughts were sparse as he considered his sickness, Astradel, and if he would even survive. He tried his best, always his best, to be happy. But sometimes the storm within him couldn't allow it. The market was the first time he'd bothered to leave his house in nearly a month, living off his humble garden and the forests gifts of fruit and herbs.

Lumen stared down at the waters which scintillated from the beams of the morning sun. He slid his fingers across the top of the water, watching as it rippled beneath his touch. He caught his reflection, staring into his own mossy eyes. Sometimes he wasn't sure who he was. Or who he was supposed to be. He was just Lumen, Elf-Human Hybrid, and now, an orphan.

It's not that he didn't appreciate people like Mena. People like her were hard to come by in this village. And he appreciated her as much as he could. But, something would always be missing. He sat with his thoughts as he watched his face ripple in the reflection. He felt as though he could cry at any second.

Lumen quickly sank into the waters, allowing it to consume him, encompassing his body, as he watched as his cobalt hair floated around him like seaweed. The chilly water felt welcoming against his skin, rather than a shock of cold; it reminded him that he's alive.

He quickly broke the surface, running both his hands across his forehead, to the back of his head, sweeping his wet bangs back. He could see large droplets falling from his lashes as he inhaled deeply. His shirt clung to his skin, holding his form tightly. He could hear distant rustling from nearby fauna.

Lumen buried his face into his hands one last time before deciding to leave the welcoming waters. He pushed himself back to the shore line, grabbing his towel; he draped it across his head, tousling his hair a few times. His clothes were heavy, trailing water behind him as he walked. He picked up his boots, deciding to walk barefoot. There was a worn dirt path that he knew was relatively clear of anything that could poke him.

Lumen let the wind dry his hair, although it wasn't doing much for his sopping clothes. He headed back to his cabin, trying to shake his somber thoughts.

Once Lumen returned Biyo greeted him with a lazy meow, lounging on the fallen log Lumen had close to his cabin. He often sat on it with Biyo in the evenings. Lumen smiled at the greeting, speaking quietly to his furry friend.

"Hello, Biyo" He reached out to him, stroking his fur a few times before he headed through his cabin door.

Lumen changed out of his wet clothes, leaving droplets throughout his home as we walked to his room. He slipped into his fitted but comfortable pants, sliding a black tunic overtop of his chest, fitting it with a brown leather belt around his waist that hugged his slender form.

Lumen felt anxiety beginning to swirl in his stomach as the day continued. He went outside and began to hang his wet clothes on the line beside his home; he was questioning his motives for the evening. He'd never considered it before, and had no idea what to think. He began to question if he should even go at all. But, the Scholar who helped him days earlier passively urged him, and Lumen knew he didn't have many options. Not for a trip so far.

He thought of many things as he clipped his damp clothes, silently, as he watched them drip onto the earth below.

A few hours passed, Lumen sat outside as the sun began to shift downwards in the sky; the tendrils of steam rising from Lumens cup held his gaze. Lumen had always loved a cup of warm tea, his mother used to make him many different kinds, some fruity and bright. Others deep and bitter but palatable with milk. Lumen sipped at his drink, watching Biyo clean his paws.

Lumen had been consumed with self-doubt for most of the day, but he knew what he had to do. He reminded himself nothing would change if he simply did nothing.

He finished his tea before standing up. He quickly grabbed his cloak, throwing it over his shoulders and raising his hood; He tightened the white string that bound the cloak together across his chest. He tucked a small dagger within his belt; it wasn't something he used for self-defense, mostly carving and gathering. But tonight he felt the need to bring it with him just to ease his mind.

Lumen grabbed his green pouch, slinging it over his shoulder, and across his chest, he double-checked it, picking up the smaller coin pouch inside, it jingled with the weight of coins, almost everything Lumen had saved he made sure to bring.

Lumen's eyes were determined underneath the shadow of his hood, he made way for town. The setting sun dyed the sky brilliant pinks and purples. Casting shadows on the worn path. He was greeted by the guards, nodding silently, as he walked within the core of the town. There were less people, but still some on the streets. A few glanced his way, before returning to whatever they had been doing. Lumen brought out a crumpled piece of paper from his bag, he tried his best to flatten out the wrinkles, checking the scribbles he had written down.

Passed the light posts, on the far west end of the city was his goal. Lumen navigated the dim streets, shadows threatening to swallow the stone below. He kept his guard up as he turned corners, weary of any sounds he heard echoing through the streets. He remembered his assailant from days earlier. He swallowed at the thought, but pressed onwards, to unfamiliar parts of the city. He checked his paper again before his eyes wandered up at the large building in front of him. A large, splintered sign read "Red Tavern"

Lumen realized he didn't even know this building had been here. He never considered going to a tavern before, especially not ones so far from the core of town. Off to the side it looked slightly rundown and rugged. Dim orange lights barely illuminated the thick wooden doors. He could hear voices within, his breath, caught in his throat. He felt his palms begin to sweat as he clenched them. His body was suddenly unwilling to grab the handle and open the door.

Lumen began to feel frustration towards himself, he grit his teeth, quietly mumbling to himself.

"Come on, Lumen, it's no big deal just go in.."