The evening air was crisp and cold on the roof of Cornelia’s home. The sun set, painting the sky a beautiful array of pinks and purples. She’d brought a table and a pair of chairs up to the roof just for the occasion. Of course, her company was late for their appointed meeting. She sipped on a smooth red wine and watched the sun set, trying not to be too annoyed with the situation.

Nearly an hour later, two figures began to appear in her garden. One male and the other female, the vine-like beings slowly grew from the ground. Roots and vines tangled together until solid bodies became recognizable. Leaves twisted and curled until they formed a dark green skin. Bark grew and covered the chest and legs of the two beings. Orange eyes glowed like embers in the forest as moss grew and shaped into hair.

When the two figures were complete, they stepped forward and broke free from the dirt. A small shake with each step knocked free the last of the ground that clung to their spindly legs. The two figures glanced up to the top of the treehouse and spotted Cornelia. They gracefully leapt up, sprouting vines from the tree as handholds as they made their way to the roof.

“You missed a wonderful sunset, you know,” Cornelia said as the two wood elves’ projections settled into the chairs around the table.

“Apologies, Cornelia,” said the female tree ent. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the situation we’re in.”

“Yes, Euphemia,” Cornelia replied. “The mana has been alive for months now. I haven’t felt this powerful since my youth.”

“That’s not everything,” the male interjected. “A new hand now attempts to guide the world.”

“Oh? Are you worried, Diethard?” Cornelia jabbed. “That’s so unlike you.”

“Now isn’t the time for petty divisiveness!” Diethard barked. “We must prepare for what comes next!”

“Isn’t that what you’ve spent all this time doing?” Cornelia shot back. “I don’t have the patience to deal with your paranoia! We will survive as we have for a thousand years. A changing of the guard means little to an immortal!”

“Quit bickering, you two!” Euphemia stated tersely. “Cornelia, you know what this will mean. Everyone with an ounce of ambition will drop everything in the pursuit of power. The dragons have already begun tearing themselves apart. We must prepare if we are to survive.”

“You said there is a new hand that guides, why not let them guide then?” asked Cornelia. “I say we stay out of it entirely and rise again from the ashes as we have before.”

“Because too much time has passed. The world was out of balance for far too long and is trying to overcorrect,” Diethard explained. “The oceans teem with new life, the forests grow thick rapidly. It is unsustainable. A collapse is imminent unless someone takes control and prevents it, and everyone with power wants to take that throne.”

Cornelia sat silently and glowered at Diethard. The leaves overhead rustled as a frosty breeze blew through the night air.

“Have you thought about what we talked about last time?” asked Euphemia. “Have you reconsidered taking on an apprentice?”

Cornelia glared at Euphemia, before turning away. The ancient wood elf remained silent.

“So you have found one,” said Euphemia, reading her senior’s thoughts. “Why hesitate? Why not take them on, as a precaution?”

“Because the boy has a strong connection to fire and a blessing from the Geschmolzen clan,” Cornelia spat. “He’s already acquired an ability to control dragonfire and that blasted idiot Tobias has taken him under his wing. Just last night, they forged another accursed weapon for the boy.”

“Tobias… that name rings a bell,” said Euphemia.

“Surely not that Tobias… the man who forged the three legendary swords…” Diethard continued apprehensively. “To think he was hidden here for all this time…”

“Are you on good terms with him?” asked Euphemia. “I have no doubt you’ve contacted him.”

Cornelia scowled. “He’s an old friend, he helped me once upon a time and I’ve helped keep his existence here quiet,” she muttered, before glaring at the pair before her. “You would do well to keep this knowledge quiet as well.”

“What about the boy, Cornelia? He’s exactly what we need,” Diethard said.

She didn’t reply. The silence became uncomfortable as it stretched.

“Cornelia… you have to teach the boy to use his Affinity,” pressed Diethard.

“I know you’re worried, but this is your chance to set the right example for him,” said Euphemia. “You don’t have to take over the world yourself, but you could help shape the future. Is there any reason not to try?”

Cornelia glowered and refused to meet the eyes of either of her peers.

“Surely it’s not over something petty…?” asked Euphemia tentatively. Cornelia glared at Euphemia in response.

“You just don’t like him? What the hell, Cornelia?” shouted Diethard. “Drop the nonsense and teach the boy!”

“You really should teach him, Cornelia,” Euphemia added. “Even if he’s just an insurance policy.”

“Fine! I’ll teach the brat how to use his power, and drill some manners through his skull while I’m at it!” Cornelia barked. “Now begone! I’ve had enough of the two of you for a lifetime!”

The pair nodded and began to sink into the bark of the tree.

“...To think you have such a worthy apprentice right under your nose, and one of the greatest smiths of all time as well! What a waste,” Diethard spat as he turned defiantly from Cornelia. The roots and vines that made up his body collapsed to the floor and were absorbed back into the tree.

“We just want what’s best for the world,” replied Euphemia as her body dissolved as well. “I’m sure you understand where we’re coming from.”

Cornelia sat on her roof and stared at the place her two friends had sat moments before. She swirled the remaining wine in her glass and contemplated what they’d said.

I should have let that damn kid die. Curse Tobias for pressuring me into saving him. I could’ve faded back into the forest and taken advantage of this wild ambient mana.

She drained her glass and stared out at the village. The night guards were posted on their walls, doing their best to stay vigilant. The lights in Olena’s inn danced and flashed in the windows as the villagers enjoyed their evening. Cornelia caught a glimpse of Olena as she gracefully glided between the tables and served her happy patrons.

I’ll do it for her. I’ll teach that boy to harness his strength if only to keep that smile on her face.