The Galya was more than just a dorean, more than a place where elthean eggs arose from the magic that flowed through that tree of titanic proportions. Each day, he learned something new, being similar to his routine on Earth, although also different. He had spent considerable time with classes, training, and preparations for their trip, which were not few contrary to what many would imagine.

The Silver Orchid was to the east, too many kilometres to tell them on their map, but it knew it would take them a little more than a week to reach their destination, maybe more. Part of the time spent during those days was to trace routes to follow, as they never knew what would happen once they were on their way. What if the sanctuaries were being monitored by the Calamity’s spies? Or had the towns and villages been wrecked by the Eroder?

“Just like in a battle, anyone who undertakes a journey needs to prepare,” Ailfryd said.

And even if they could not see the future, or not exactly, they would not at least go blind this time. The possibilities were varied, which excited them almost as much as fear infused them with the unknown. Unlike any other member of his group, Leith had seen more territories in Mithra, though never so far north to know the paths they would follow.

“So this adventure will be similar for everyone, won’t it?” Finnian said.

What made that a little simpler, though not too much. Regardless of setting a course or preparing biadhe for the road, as it was never known whether they would have the necessary rest, the potions would be handy, although they could not take all the brews of the world. Even a magically enlarged space had its limits, and it was not the same to store food or other utensils as liquids with the most varied effects.

So, his home started to have much more activity than the previous days, even when training. Ailfryd, Lunaluz and other elthean came to offer them things that could be useful to them, although only if they had been approved by the first two. After all, his backpack might hide an entire house, but it would be advisable to focus on what was fundamental.

“Also, even if this is not a pleasure trip, we need some agility when it comes to moving,” Ead said.

Funny, coming from someone who flew almost all the time without just attracting attention. Although it was not far from reality, and even though it was not a summer holiday in a fantastic world, it was not that they could enjoy the views every step of the way. In fact, their insistence on the Climbing Grounds was always focused on giving him more resistance. After all, it’s not that he had many experiences of going to nature and living in a city with what he needed close to him meant that walking several miles a day exhausted anyone, or at least him.

“The positive side is that we will be able to move forward differently, and it is no small thing,” Rune said.

After all, she had been the one who grumbled from time to time because he couldn’t go faster. It’s also not that they would be running while the sun was high, but it was a relief that Finnian didn’t have to rest too much to catch his breath after a considerable jump. So, the hours went on at a more frenetic pace than the previous, making it complex to enjoy Galya like the first days, although there was always a bright side.

“How do you say this was called?” Finnian said.

“The dance of reunification,” Rune said vehemently, getting a smile off. Even he knew how to make himself forgetful to focus on anything else that would not have to be with “more preparations.”

“Broadly speaking, it symbolizes the cycle of life in Elthea,” Aer said, holding back the urge to laugh at the sight of Rune snorting.

Not only did the day have a beginning and an end, but the lives themselves and the events. Right now, they were not enjoying calm, a period of relative peace where they did not have to worry about the Lord of Calamity actions, but that did not prevent them from enjoying their feasts or customs. The summer had already begun in that part of Elthea, and although the change of season was a decisive moment, the event they were about to see was not dependent on the days but on the people they met.

The reunification dance was done to do more than remind everyone that the problems ended up being solved, but that they remained in the same world and should collaborate, each in the best way they could. Those who participated understood that, regardless of their primordial force or origin.

“We have something similar,” Leith said. “The dancing dragon.”

Different names and may movements were cut off by a similar feeling. Unity, not looking at others as if they were different, as they were part of the same world and a group, gave the same as soon as they did not coincide.

They had gathered together with the rest of the inhabitants of the Galya near the central area, where Ailfryd made important announcements concerning their home, or when they wanted to transmit something quickly to everyone instead of putting it on the bulletin board. With the appearance of an amphitheatre, although always respecting the nature surrounding them, elthean of any kind were there. Some stayed in the centre, prepared to dance as soon as the time was, and made the last preparations while others worked abroad. The ornaments, the evening lighting, and even the smells made the atmosphere so festive that anyone would forget the imminent danger their world was facing.

“It’s a good reminder that we are stronger together,” Lelile intervened as soon as she caught up with them. “In Myrd, we also have something like that. That’s why I decided to participate.”

There was no restriction on who joined, although some preparation was required when coordinating with the other participants. And although the witch is not that she would have had a lot of time to practice, not considering all who invested in teaching him, that did not stop her.

“This is not about seeing who is the best,” Leith said, “but about strengthening ties.”

“What better occasion than this?” Lelile smiled as she joined the rest of the dancers.

Even Embar, Kuel and Onyx were involved! Because of how big they were compared to the others, they got behind, practising with the other musicians while the three took care of drums as imposing as they were. A harp, flutes, and many others would create the music, so staying there watching everything now was less attractive than before.

“Let’s also participate,” Finnian said, rising up suddenly.

“Yeah!” Leith said, making a pirouette in the air.

“We don’t even think you’d be interested in doing something like that,” Rune admitted.

“It’s not that I have great dancer gifts, but….” Finnian began to say.

How bad would it be to move a little? And although he ignored the steps he would have to make, Aer assured him that he would have no problems. After all, however much they repaired in their presence, no one would consider if they did not know how to do them the same as the rest. That was because not all the elthean looked the same as holding on two legs, so that type of dance was remarkable.

So, after a few preparations, the sound of the stringed instruments began to sound. The melody danced between sweetness and darkness, denoting the problems of any life. A step forward, one backward, was not complex to follow the rhythm, for that was not a moment to show his ability but one in which to praise his unity.

Then, in front of their eyes, the flutes joined the symphony, taking consciousness around them in a way that only a few on Earth were able to enjoy. He might not be seeing the notes, but their surroundings changed. The forest’s greens and browns were accompanied by coloured breezes, almost as if the rainbow were enveloping them.

Moving from their site, the elthean intertwined, using their arms or tails to rub those closest to them, spinning at the melody’s rhythm. A quick glance was enough to see how different they were, but at the same time, some smiled, and others eyes shone full of emotion. A chill ran through his body with every sound they transmitted, with every change they made in that dance that was far from complicated.

Earth, fire, air, water and stars. They all had something from each of them inside. They were part of a vast world that they did not know every detail about it. One by one, the energy they gave off mixed with the music, to the sounds that dawned the orchestra, but also to those who watched that dance pleased. Then, the roots absorbed that magic, expanding through each tree, each vegetation, and every being that was in the Galya.

That was not just to unite them, to remind them that they were together in a world hanging out of a thread. It was also done to protect their homes from the evil that chased them in their nightmares. Perhaps it was his mission, the task entrusted to him when he was summoned there, but that did not make everything dependent on Finnian and his companions. They might be placing their hopes on them, but they were all part of the same world, and that would make a difference.

Why didn’t they have something like that on Earth? Why did everything have to be based on differences, not what could be achieved by working together? Maybe he was too small to understand it, but Finnian realized that many things would change if more than one had the will to do it.