The cool early spring wind blew and as it tossed the hair of a young boy around he paused in his actions until his sights became clear again.

With hair that went below his shoulders they easily wiphed around his face and obscurred his vision , but he had a task he had to complete at all costs.

Later that evening the great phrophecy would be fullfilled , so he was busy hanging up little flags and festive lines all around the city square.

Even though the boy was 12 winters old , far from his coming of age ceremony , he had this ceremonious task given to him and he was happy to be of any help. Maybe the other 20 boys and girls his age also felt as proud as him , but he couldnt know.

As it was he rather read a book or studied in his fathers shop then playing with the other kids his age , which in turned made him a little hard to approach. He placed the last line and climbed down from the short ladder.

With a quick scan he evaluated his work and was completly satisfied with the angles and height he hung the mood setting accessories. He looked over the other kids work and was at least relieved of them taking this seriously.

For 1 week the band of kids had been preparing the townsquare with banderols and those tiny flags and they barely managed to finish decorating the 500 square meters gathering point.

He breathed a sigh of relief and brought the borrowed ladder back to the townhall , which coincidentally was directly across the townsquare.

" Alexstros , have you finished? " A young elfen maid called out to him as she saw him disappear into the storage room.

" Yes , mam. " Short and respectfull were his answers , as always.

Even the elfa knew of this but most females just couldnt help but bother this little kid. He looked incredibly cute. His face was rather round , but already showed traces of transformation into his adult like state.

Long and velvet like blue hair covered his long and pointy ears. Even though his rosy cheecks and his full lips already made him cute enough , his eyes was what made all females dote on him.

His eyes were ice blue , border lining on a almost white sheen , and for some reason he always wore a scowl. But then on rare occasions his whole face would light up with a mischevious smile.

Even the already of age girls knees would buckle , and at that point it became evident. This boy of elfen decent would not have an easy life.

" Are you excited about tonight? " The elfa asked in hope to see him smile.

But instead he scowled even harder before he looked at his feet.

" Well , since our times will change im quite alleviated. " He tried to sound as casual as possible but the elfen girls ears picked up the excitement he could barely contain.

" Is that so? " She decided to play into his little hands , " Okay now along you go , your father most likely needs help. "

The small boy nodded and turned around after a light bow. With slow and measured steps he walked out of the townhall but as soon as he rounded the heavy doors he furiously began to run.

..................

He ran home while feeling weightless. His little heart was pumping not only from the strain of running full speed but the joy he felt at the changes that would occur later in that day.

With a screeching tone he came to a halt on the paved road in-front of a large shop. The sign above the door had a vial drawn on it , and if one concentrated long enough you could see a liquid inside of this vial.

If one took an even closer peek the liquid swayed with the rhythm of the sign. A nice little trick his father had procurred in his earlier days. Interactive signs , as he called it. Now half of the town shops had the signs that moved in certain patterns.

With a sound of a angel like bell he opened the door.

" Father im home. " The young boy said in a loud voice into the empty room.

Rows and rows of wooden stands were filled with potions , vials and contotions but the boy gave them no second glance , as it was a familiar sight to him.

With eager steps he walked behind the counter and entered the backroom. The smell of dried herbs and a smell of magical power aggrevated his nose a bit.

He never could completly accept his mothers side of his blood. Elfen blood not only had they long pointy ears and majestical features but also the ability so smell magical power surges. Especially in his fathers alchemical workshop his nose was always under a constant flood of signals.

" Your already done , good. Help me , we are preparing a few low level mana and hit potions as gifts. " A familar voice resounded deeper in the dark room.

A bald man came into the boys view. For a human this man was attractive , as the females of the village claimed. Even his own mother told him various storys about the time she meet his father.

A loving tale , that made little Alexstros gag at best. To much bitter-sweet emotions ran across his mothers face when she told those kind of storys. When it came to his birth everything became intersting again nonetheless.

Usually a half-elf would have been born between the pair , meaning either the pointy ears or the ability to smell magic would have been inherrited by Alexstros. But for some reason the little child held both abilitys in his bloodline.

His mother told him once that the magicians that examined him at birth deemed that the elfen part in his veins was dominant and surpressed the human part.

So even in elfen societys standards , oh and those guys were really anal when it came to mixed bloods , Alexstros was considered 100% elf. Uncommon of an apperance , definetly. But nothing that made the little boy special. Just another elf.

Without another word , the boy picked up a few dried flowers vials and sat down at one of the work benches across his father. Without another word , mostly due to the fact his father was already completly absorbed in his life-work , the boy began to grind the dried flowers and gave them into a small glass vial.

He turned around and grabbed a big bottle of spring water and filled the small bottle half way. With studied expertise he attached a cap to the vial with dried flowers and water. This cap was a little special , as it had a small glass tube attached that extended 5 cm into the air before it came back down in a steep decline.

Alexstros held this vial over a flame and put another vial directly underneath the end of the glass pipe. The water heated and evaporated leaving a red mist swirling into the tube. Soon it liquified itself and what remained was a clear bright red fluid in the second vial.

Most of the first vials contents , the one that was heated , became a murky brown. This told the boy the extraction was complete. With glancing over his shoulders he threw the vial into a trash can.

The vial exploded in a myriad of shards , but as his aim was spot on no glass splinters reached beyond the can. Alexstros took out another bunch of dried herbs and copied the same procedure.

Now infront of him was a blue and red liquid that filled 1/4 of the vials. He grabbed 20 vials and dripped a few drops into those new vials. With a new bottle of spring water he filled the vials up to 3/4.

But the most interesting part came now. With a small silver measuring spoon he took out the proper amount of magical grounded powder from a basket on his side and only gave a few grains of said powder into each bottle.

Quickly he capped them all after he was done and began to twirl them clockwise. A loud noise rang through the otherwise quite dark room. Alexstros stared at the bottles intensly checking for any signs of defective potions.

He sighed a breath of relief as he noticed the perfect coloration and viscosity and soon slapped a small parchment on each potion. Completly non-descript white sheets now stuck to each vial.

Alexstros set them aside to make room to create a few more batches of these vials. While he was in the middle of all this a golden light appeared on these parchments that seemed to form a certain cluster.

- Small health potion.

Restores 100 hitpoints

Cd: 1 minute

Made by a experienced Alchemist.

.............................

A whole crowd had gathered that night around the townsquare. Everybody was excited , most men were drinking and laughing happily , the females squealed from time to time and the kids talked in way to loud voices with one another.

Songs echoed of the walls of building and the lanterns gave away the glassy eyes that came with drinking to much. A festive mood for the grand event that would be occuring in a few minutes.

Occasionally the whole crowd would be looking up at the moon. Or in this cases the moons. A blue , green and yellow moon hovered close to eachother on this particiular night. Only traces of the dark blue moon were visable at the moment as he was almost completly hidden behind the green one and the yellow one was approaching his brothers quickly.

The major of town called out as all three of them began to hide behind eachother only to leave the yellow on in sight. Complete silence , that was only broken by the occasional wail of an infant broke the sight that came only once every millenia.

As the yellow moon covered the other bright flashes of light appeared on the town square and the whole crowd turned its attention to the phenomenon.

More and more of those blinding white lights expanded on the now filling space. They appeared occasional at the start but soon rapidly multiplied. Hundreds of lights filled the square.

The intensity of the first light subsided and now clad in a regular brown shirt and cotton pants was a elf just like any other. But the crowd knew this person was differnet. The crowd broke out in cheers at the sight which seemed to frighten the 20 or so people in the middle of the square.

" We welcome you , oh immortal children of the gods. Finally with your kinds heroic deeds we will be able to take back the infested lands! " The major shouted above the crowd.

More words were exchanged but it was late at night so the familys took back their over eager children.

..................

Soon Alexstroses whole world had changed. Just like today he would wash his face after waking up in the room he shared with his baby sister. After a light breakfast shared with his mother and a light conversation he would head down to the workshop and start todays work.

But much to his surprise , just as he was about to go outside in the backyard , to dry some herbs or prepare other ingredients for the potions he noticed a commotion in the selling part of his fathers store.

Muffled voices came from the front so he took a quick glance.

" ... only 2. There is no way i can accept more. " His fathers voice resounded.

Alexstros saw and heard a man clicking his tongue. The burly figure of 7 foot height stalked off with anger following behind. His father sighed a breath of relief as he came closer to the back of the store. Alexstros saw his que and immedialty hurried out the back door.

But much to his surprise a male and a female , the male looked like he had seen 24 winters and the female seemed to be around his age , were already tending to the herbs.

Alexstros was frozen in place until his father slapped a hand on his shoulders.

" My new apprentices , Gods children. Mirta , Grendel meet my son Alexstros. " His father called out which only garnerd him a quick glance from the pair.

Grendel only nodded but Mirta on the other hand came running over. Well , even though Alexstros couldnt understand at that point of time she sauntered over. With great familarity she grabbed Alexstros hand and shook it violently.

" Hello there , masters son. Im Mirta , Adventurer or Gods child as you call us. LoL. Im 17 years old and here to learn alchemy from your father. Class undecided. Hehe. " She said.

Alexstros , as well as his father , only half understood what the girl had said. The boy , unlike his absent minded at best father , had a complicated expressions of surprise wonder and complete bafflement on his face.

" Wow , wow , wow , look at this Grendel that expression seems just so real. Man those guys are prolly cashin in millions when the game goes live! " She shouted in an excited voice to her companion , completly ignoring the pair in-front of her.

Alexstros finally understood the difference between normal people and the Gods children. They were f-ing insane. Even though they looked the same as the rest of the population their minds were out of complete order.

" Father , since the herbs are taken care of should i mix more Health and Mana potions? " The boy asked completly ignoring the girl in-front of him.

" Yes , i will oversee how they handle the basics out here. "

With quite a relieved feeling Alexstros went as far away as he could from those lunatics outside. He shook his head in disgust and cleared his mind in the process to solely focus on mixing the potions.

.............

A week passed and much to his delight not many adventurers came by after the first pair left 2 days after their appearance. Alexstros , much to his dismay , handled the other worldy customers while his father worked in the back to clean up the mess the first pair of apprentices left.

Smashed vials , scorched tables , wasted ingredients but worst of all they completly devasted the supply room. So many failed potions that should have been succesful contotions left the storage of the shop in dire need of restocking.

His father was making the list while Alexstros was shooing away greedy Adventurers that wanted the potions his father earned his living with for free. This only increased the anger Alexstros held for them.

But soon this would also change. His father handed him some coins and the list as he sent him on the way to go to the market and acquire the needed things.

Many many adventurers crowded the streets , but the boy became more and more frustrated at the stench they were producing. Unwashed bodys and unclean clothes was everything Alexstros fine nose picked up from those adventurers.

A little over 2 hours later the boy held everything that his father needed directly and the rest would be delivered to the store a little later. Alexstros still had a little time and money so he decided to grab a quick bite.

His father wouldnt mind , he knew this as it had happend before , so he walked over to his favourite street vendor. As he set down the heavy ingredients in a jute bag he flexed his shoulders from the strain.

" Hey Michael. The usual please. " The boy told the street vendor.

With a knowing smile and a defiant look towards those adventurers the vendor began to work.

Loud shouts and the usual business was conducted on the market square , just like any other day so Alexstros scanned the area , out of childish curiosity , while his food was prepared behind him.

Many adventurers , even though they seemed to be a rowdy , unfriendly and unpolite bunch seemed voiceless all around the market square. Alexstros cracked one of his mischevious smiles at the completly overwhelmed Gods children.

" Here you go , 7 meat sticks and a extra one your baby sister can chew one. 35 copper please. " Without another word Alexstros handed him the money and received his purchased food.

WIth food for his whole family he headed back completly overloaded from the shopping and exhausted from the devestation he helped to clean that his fathers apprentices left behind.

On his way home he stopped a few times to let his arms get their well deserved rest. Coincidentally during one of those stops he was close to the guards barracks and was surprised at the noise coming from the stone walls.

Much to his delight the gates of the stone structure were opened and he peeked through them. Adventurers were fighting against one another while the instructors , or drill masters , were giving them tips how to fight.

But one girl caught his attention. She was slightly taller then him and seemed to be of 100% human origin , Alexstros knew this because of the way she smelled. Not common in these parts.

With grace and little wasted movements she was dancing around 3 burly men giving strikes in rapid succesions to their exposed sides. Naturally this was done with a wooden training sword and besides a few bruises wouldnt leave any marks.

She shook out her wild mane of amber colored hair after the 3 men gave up and celebrated with a toothy grin. A wild laughter followed and the men left the hall with all the dignity they had left.

As they walked by , Alexstros noticed their speech pattern and identified them as Adventurers. Serves them right he thought and laughed at the image of 3 dogs , their tail between their legs walking off , that flashed through his mind.

Quickly he went home and distributed the meat snack he purchased to his family.

.................

A winter had passed by while Alexstroses life finally settled down. No Adventurers around anymore. 1 or 2 months after they had arrived even the last one of them had left the city and never cast a backward glance yet.

With a yawn he was sitting at the counter of the shop waiting for any customers. Out of boredom and lack of sleep , as he was reading books late into the night yesterday , he put his arms on the counter and his head across his arms.

Within seconds he dozed off only to awake quite a while later. He hurriedly looked around and neither found his mother or fathers furious glare at their now 13 winter old son. He stretched like a cat in the morning sun and took a deep breath to clear his still drowsy mind.

He inhaled quite a bit of the residue magic floating around but as his body was growing it didnt aggrevate his nose as much anymore. As he was about to stand up and go check up on the drying process of the herbs in the backyard he noticed something out of place as his boot covered foot hit something.

" Ow , that hurt you know. " A female voice resounded.

Alexstros looked beneath the counter and found a bundle of amber colored locks sitting there with the same drowsy stare he should have had seconds ago. She stood up and stretched her right arm straight up into the air while her left left arm bent off and lay on her right shoulder.

Gracefull , pretty and elegant rushed through the boys head but he snapped out of it immediatly.

" So why were you sleeping here? " Alexstroses short question rang with a angered tone.

" I saw you sleeping comfortable and i just started to feel drowsy. I have been riding since yesterday morning and let me tell you its not a walk in the park. Everything hurts and a night without rest doesnt help... So i just fell asleep? " She asked rather then answered.

Weird girl was the only thing Alexstros could think of. But soon his buisness look appeared after all she had to have a reason to come in the shop.

" So how may i help you? "

" Ah yes , can you brew up a potion like this? " She asked and handed him a slip of paper.

With quick motions Alexstros studied the ingredient list of the potion and his eyes widend in surprise.

" Where did you get this? " He asked excited.

" In a cave 100 miles from here. When i asked a alchemist in that town he reffered me back to this city. Said something about only the original person that created this potion could make it. "

" Yes , something along those lines and this is definetly my fathers handwriting and initals on the parchment. Wait here for a moment. "

Alexstros disappeared in the back of the room and tried to explain everything to his father. He mentioned the name of the potion first and without waiting for another word of his son he rushed out of the room towards the girl.

" Let me see! " He shouted.

The girl flinched back slightly but handed the parchment to him. 2 minutes passed as Alexstros father kept studying the list over and over again.

" YES this is it, my invention! I am so glad you found it. After i created this i lost it somewhere and never remembered how much i used of what. So how can i show my gratitude for you finding this lady ... ? " My father said.

" I am no lady , just a gods child by the name of Olivia.The best way to repay me would be a zip of this potion oh kind sir. " She said with respect.

This both amazed me and my father. To polite to remind us of any other Adventurers we met but this was definetly a nice change to all of the rest.

" Gladly Olivia ... but i dont have the ingredients at the moment and to order Moongrass takes quite some time. In 2 months the order should come in. " My father told her.

Now a complex expression of grief and inner conflict showed on her pretty face. Immediatly i jumped to her help as i understood she had no such time.

" Father , maybe there is an alternative. A field of Moongrass in the vicinity perhaps? "

" Boy you know as good as i do that those patches are protected by some wisps. Its not easy. "

Now a smile surfaced on Alexstros and her face as they looked at his father. Soon it dawned on him.

" AHH your right , she is a gods child. But sadly a experienced herbalist will need to accompy you. My bones are a little old but my son seems to burn with desire to follow you. He must remain absolutely safe at any cost , do you understand me girl? " My father told her.

" Absolotuely sir , even if it costs me 100 lifes your son will not be harmed in any way. " She stated while the boy saw stars sparkle in her eyes.

" Good now , Alexstros you know where to go. Be careful. " He hugged his son.

After he had packed a few things from the backroom he came back to the store and hurriedly grabbed the girls hand as he dragged her along.

" Woah , not so fast! " She said in a futile attempt to shake of his hand.

But her rising red face just intensified as Alexstros took a peek over his shoulder and flashed a mischevious smile while he ran at full speed.