The tunnel was dark and damp. A cool mist permeated the air, created by a gentle river that flowed through the tunnel’s center. A radiant green light moved through the mist along one side of the riverbank. The bearer of the light was perfectly concealed by the mist, and one would only be able to observe the bearer’s form if they were up close.

Fai paced herself as she went along the riverbank in her Vaux form. Her crystal claws glowed faintly, and her radiant green eyes pierced through the misty darkness. She paid careful attention to the river, for in it were small blue crystals she had placed as landmarks. Every time she neared one, it came to life with light.

The Vaux reached her seventh marker and stopped abruptly. She turned away from the river and approached the tunnel wall. I’m here. The West Field, she thought. Transforming into her human-like form, she hesitated. There, on the other side of the wall, were her people.

Taking Thoron into her care had been a life-changing decision. She was forced to dwell with him in exile, for her people shunned wyrms, especially earthwyrms, as the large, snake-like dragons would burrow into her people’s underground sanctuaries and snap their jaws on anything that was edible. She knew her people couldn’t help but be suspicious of Thoron, but she was grateful they at least allowed her to live in exile on the outskirts of the community. Some remained on her side, including the community’s valori guide, giving her hope that someday she’d permanently return to her community, her people.

Fai reached a shaky hand to the wall. I hope my “cat friend” is here, or at least someone that supports me. But does it really matter? I’m here, and I need to do what I know is right.

A crystal on Fai’s wrist became brighter as she reached out with her imagination, and the stone wall before her rolled back like a scroll, creating an oblong doorway. The fox-woman smiled as light shined through. She stepped to the other side onto green, lush grass.

With an imaginative thought, Fai closed the doorway behind her. Before her was an epically vast cavern. Its smooth walls had rough patches where large earthwyrm holes had been sealed over with stone. At the peak of the cavern was an entanglement of thick tree roots from which hung a yellow crystal. The crystal shined down with warm rays of light like the Orb. Manzle trees stood beneath the crystal’s rays on the cavern’s tall grassy field.

Fai opened her arms to absorb more of the warm rays of light. She looked up at the glowing crystal above and sighed. Her people had forbidden her from using yellow crystals in her exile with Thoron. These crystals were a rarity in Lindoria, and the secret to creating them was another part of their heritage that stemmed back before the Great Wave when the Vaux and their tree-like friends, known as the Oakens, shared a unique bond. This bond enabled both to change into more expressive forms. The Oakens’ fruit gave the Vaux the ability to change into a human-like form. The Vaux, in turn, would use this form to transfer extra life-giving light from the Orb’s rays into the Oaken, giving it the ability to change into a humanoid form. When the Great Wave occurred, however, the link between the Vaux and Oakens was severed, and the Vaux departed from them.

Fai knew her heritage well. It was no small feat when her people rediscovered how to use a lesser form of the Great Magic they’d once possessed. For that reason, she’d been forbidden from using yellow crystals or revealing the secrets of creating and using them. Such sacred knowledge in the wrong hands would stain whatever good was left of their heritage and of what once was. Still, Fai couldn’t help her spirit lifting as rays from the crystal above warmed her. Her connection to the light felt invigorating, hopeful, and, most of all, joyful.

The heat from the crystal’s rays beamed down, warming the nearby smeat fields, which emanated the faint aroma of freshly baked bread. Fai took a deep breath and savored the scent. Her joy quickly faded, however, when she spotted other Vauxians within the field, some of whom she recognized. Most were at work, picking manzles from the trees or harvesting smeat behind the reapers, vigorously swinging their scythes through the field. A few others sat beneath the trees, resting in their animal form.

Fai ignored the knotted feeling forming in her stomach and began to walk through the fields, gleaning anything left behind by the harvesters and placing it into her satchel. Her people became aware of her presence as she gathered, some sneering and turning away. Others whispered to each other; some even shook their heads. One of them, gathering smeat nearby, dared to approach Fai. Holding a large bundle of smeat under one arm, the gatherer gave her a warm embrace.

“Fai! It’s been a while,” said the female Vaux. She resembled Fai, though her grey-tipped hair was longer.

“Nice to see you, Avva.” Fai reciprocated the embrace and then stepped back.

“Are you still gathering to help out that old grouch who doesn’t appreciate you?” Avva yapped half-jokingly.

“That’s about right,” Fai agreed with a sigh. “And by the looks of it, it seems I’ve once again disturbed the field’s serenity.”

Avva exhaled. “Don’t pay any attention to them. You’re just doing…what you know you should do.”

“Yeah, I guess. Anyway, how are the other fields doing? The harvest festival is coming soon, isn’t it?” asked Fai as she continued gleaning.

“Oh,” said Avva, her countenance falling. “I don’t think we’ll be celebrating much this year.”

“Why not?”

“You haven’t heard?”

Fai stopped gathering and looked up into Avva’s gloomy eyes. “Heard what?”

“Is there something different about this field from what you remember?”

Fai stood up and studied her surroundings. “Now that you mention it, usually there are reapers patrolling the perimeter of the field. Where are they? Did something…” A look of fright came over Fai’s face.

Avva turned away from her friend and folded her hands onto her chest. “Vauxton’s East Field was destroyed not too long ago.”

Fai clenched her fist. “How many earthwyrms were there? Did the reapers take them down?”

Avva faced Fai. “Just one…”

Fai frowned. The reapers were more than capable of taking down one or two earthwyrms with minimal casualties.

“It was a dragon,” Avva continued. “The blue dragon that hunts the wyrm you’re caring for reopened one of the earthwyrm tunnels that led into the East Field. He caught everyone by surprise and was merciless.”

“This can’t be true.” Fai shook her head in disbelief. “Your brother usually patrols that field. Did he survive?”

“I’m fine,” said a masculine voice behind her. Fai turned as a Vauxian in his human form approached her. Plated armor covered his shoulders, the upper portion of his chest, and his thighs and feet. Across the back of his shoulders rested a heavyscythe. His fur covering was dark grey. The tip of his tail and nose were black, as were the tips of his furry ears.

 “Rayven,” Fai said excitedly with a smile.

 “Good to see you again,” Rayven said curtly, stopping beside Fai and his sister.

 “I’m so glad you’re alive,” replied Fai. Her eyes lingered upon a long scar that lined Rayven’s cheek, but she quickly shifted her gaze to hide her surprise of the new injury.

 “I barely survived.” The reaper looked away. “Many died by the might of the blue dragon, including some of our best warriors. If the dragon continues to pull off surprise attacks, I doubt the strength of our reapers and people will be able to fend him off.”

 “Worst of all, we don’t know where the dragon has gone and when he’ll strike again,” sighed Avva.

 “Where’s Keibriel? Did he assist in the battle?” asked Fai.

 “Our ethereal guide was here in the West Field at the time,” answered Rayven. “He gathered as many reapers as he could to aide in the battle but arrived too late. Those of us who escaped closed off any tunnels we could that lead deeper into Vauxton. We met Keibriel in the Center Field and reported all that had happened. He’s currently there helping our people prepare for the next inevitable attack.”

“There have been rumors,” said Avva. “Rumors that our people may leave Vauxton, and even the plateau all together.”

“But the plateau…Vauxton…they’re our home,” Fai argued emphatically. “We can’t just leave.”

“Our people are afraid,” contended Rayven, his unwavering gaze meeting Fai’s.

“But don’t they remember what Keibriel has taught us? The One hasn’t given us a spirit of fear and desires us to live strongly and courageously,” exclaimed Fai.

“The threat is real, Fai,” Avva said calmly. “Our people don’t want to die…I don’t want to die.”

“Avva.” Fai shook her head. “This is our time of testing. Do we only believe and trust in the One when things are easy? We know He is good and that for whatever reason this is happening, He will help us and use this situation to bring good.”

Avva looked at the ground, her expression downcast.

“Perhaps there’s something I can do to help,” continued Fai. “I’ll speak with Thoron. Maybe he can help remedy this situation.”

“Maybe,” Avva said, moving her gaze up from the ground to the large bundle of smeat under her arm. “Well, there’s always hope.”

“Yes, there is,” Fai replied with determination. She bent down to the ground and began gathering smeat. “Now, I need to finish and get back. I’ve got my duties to attend to.”

Avva looked at Rayven, who made a motion with his eyes in Fai’s direction. Avva let out a small sigh. A trace of sorrow glinted in her eyes but quickly faded as she took a deep breath and stepped closer to her friend. “Here, Fai, take the bundle I’ve already gathered.”

Fai stood up, wiping beads of sweat from her brow. “Are you sure, friend?”

“I…” Avva hesitated. “I insist.”

Fai gave Avva a quick hug and accepted the bundle of smeat, stuffing it into her satchel. “Thank you so much. Now, you and your brother be well and prosper. And don’t worry, everything will be fine.” Fai hugged Avva once more and nodded to Rayven before walking away. She left the West Field through the entrance from which she came. Avva and Rayven watched her until she closed the entrance behind her.

“Did you place the crystal in the grain?” Rayven asked impatiently.

“Yes,” Avva replied gloomily.

“Do you think she suspected something?”

Avva looked at her brother and then lowered her head. “I don’t think so. I just feel so guilty. Do you think we’ve done the right thing?”

Rayven eyed the lines of tears on his sister’s face. “Don’t be foolish. It’s reasonable that one should possibly perish and not the entirety of our people.”

Avva wiped her cheeks. “I hope you’re right.”