It was 13th of Ruyen, 1076MDW on planet 0x408. A black-haired
woman was breathing heavily on her bed. She was wearing a
white silk dress, sewed for greater comfort during labour. Her
husband, daughter and a healer mage were standing beside her.
The mage’s task was to oversee the situation. He was wearing
traditional attire - three gold bracelets on each hand, ice-colored
face tattoos drawn in the shape of a bear’s roar, several string
necklaces with bear fangs as medallions, leather sandals and a
silk loincloth.
Her husband was wearing cream-colored royal elvish attire
engulfed by many white gold decorations.
‘Breathe, sweet Elys. Breathe!’ He said.
‘It hurts!’ She yelled.
‘You are doing great, mom!’ Her daughter shouted.
The cries of a woman during birth were nothing new to the
members of their village - ‘Vel Tissia Ke Aldu’. Those screams
belonged to the wife of the clan chief, Aeden. He was thirty-one
and she was twenty-seven. In this special moment he recalled
why he chose her as his wife. Her endurance to pain, bravery,
strength and dominant attributes made her a very fitting wife.
The villagers followed them with the utmost respect and trust.
‘It hurts! It hurts!!!’ The screams continued until they were
finally cut by a cry belonging to an entirely different entity.
The baby was finally born and its parents were absolutely thrilled
to welcome it to its new home. Its elder sister Veridia cried from
sheer excitement.
‘It’s a baby boy! Rejoice! How will you name him?’ The healer
shouted in joy.
‘His name will be Alduin. Alduin Fa?li. May he grow to be
a strong fighter and bring peace to our lands!’ Aeden shouted
proudly.
‘A beautiful name for a beautiful boy!’ His wife nodded in
agreement.
‘Indeed!’ The healer said.
‘Hello brother,’ the daughter said, gently caressing the new
baby’s head and crying.
‘He is majestic. Isn’t he, Veridia?’ Elys said, smiling.
‘He is really cute, mom! I already love him!’
‘Brother! Come here quickly and welcome your new nephew!’
Aeden shouted.
‘Nephew? I must witness what you’ve brought upon this
world this time, brother!’ A tall black-haired man laughed as he
entered.
He was wearing blue royal elvish attire with a few platinum
decorations. Two long-swords were attached to his hips bearing
the symbol of their clan – a great pale bear baring golden fangs.
He had been guarding the family from intruders during this very sensitive moment. His name was Ley, the elder brother of
Aeden and the great adventure-obsessed member of their clan.
‘Are you drunk again?’ Aeden asked.
‘Am I ever not?’ He laughed hysterically.
Aeden and Veridia sighed.
‘What is his name?’ Ley asked.
‘Alduin.’ Elys replied.
‘He is beautiful! He looks just like you brother! Especially
his snow-white hair. It is so clean and pure! I see he took your
golden eyes Elys. I will teach him so many great things and
indulge him in my exploits when he comes of age!’
‘I am sure he would love that. Just don’t teach him to be a
drunken nomad like yourself.’ The parents smiled.
‘I will personally see to it!’ He burped and chuckled.
The healer coated the baby with red ribbon and handed him to
his parents. Raising him was their task now and theirs alone.
The boy was growing up to be a powerful warrior with a greater-
than-healthy sense of curiosity, courtesy of his uncle. Aeden
was very proud of his son yet found it increasingly difficult to
express it. In his eyes he too must earn the honor of wearing
their clan’s ice-colored warpaint.
We take a leap of a few years forward. Chirps and tweets
of birds were heard throughout the landscape alongside other
astonishing sounds of wildlife in the Euphatan region. His day
began at dawn with breakfast, followed by morning practice
overseen by his father. Breakfasts were the only occurrences
where the entire family sat down together. Alduin learnt to
cherish this special time because unlike his friends’, his family
was incredibly busy as clan reign was a very difficult task to
shoulder.
‘As usual you have prepared very delicious food for us, my
love,’ Aeden said with a smile on his face.
‘Thank you, my love. Veridia helped me prepare it. You
should thank her too!’
‘Oh! Right! How could I forget?! You have become quite the amazing cook sweetheart! A most marvelous woman we have
raised, haven’t we Elys?’
‘Absolutely. She will be a very fitting wife to a very fitting
lord in the future!’
‘She also ranked exceptionally in her physical examinations!
Both caring and strong yet only seventeen years of age! I am
very proud of you, my daughter!’
Veridia blushed and continued eating.
‘What about you, my son? Did you sleep well?’ Aeden asked.
‘Yes, father,’ Alduin said.
‘Well enough for a few dozen kilometers run?’
‘Yes, father.’
‘Good. Finish your breakfast and get dressed. We leave
immediately.’
‘Yes, father,’ he said and choked from his food.
‘Don’t speak while chewing... First you must finish chewing
and then utter your words. Don’t choke needlessly... We have
talked about this Alduin... A seven-year-old should know that
by now!’
Alduin finished chewing.
‘Yes, father. Sorry father.’
‘Good. You don’t have to look so frightened dear, I only care
about your wellbeing. This is not a scolding...’
‘Mhm... Thank you. The food is very tasty, mother! I love
this combination of celery and dusk-lobster eggs!’
‘I am glad you enjoy it, Vo Zuuviet! I know it is one of your
many favorites.’
‘By the way, Ley will be arriving to the village today. His
latest adventure had just ended,’ his father said trying to excite
him.
‘Really? I must see him then!’
‘I don’t like uncle Ley, father. He always reeks of Yasa and I
never see the same woman exit his house in the morning. Why does he even wear that gold circlet of his? He doesn’t even own
any land! He is not a lord!’ Veridia said.
‘At least he is interesting and spends time with me!’
‘He is only here for a few days a month!’
‘You wouldn’t understand! All you ever experience is praise!
All I’ve ever gotten from our father was training regimes and
advice!’
‘Making you way more capable than I am! So quit whining!’
‘But what kind of life is that? Uncle cares for me...’
‘Silence children! Alduin, stop complaining about your fa-
ther! He is doing the best he can!’ Their mother shouted, eyeing
her husband for aid.
‘It is okay, my love. Listen children, my brother and I are
very different. You must learn to respect his way of life, Veridia.
He gave up on his lordship to explore the world. It is what it is.’
‘If you say so, father...’ Veridia sighed.
‘You never listen to me...’ Alduin whispered and looked
down on his plate in frustration, playing with what’s left of his
celery.
‘Did you say something, honey?’ His mother asked.
‘Nothing.’
‘Alright.’
Alduin sighed and took the last bite of his celery. The family
finished their breakfast. He rushed in his room to get ready.
His father wanted him to practice wearing combat armor in-
stead of comfortable attire so he could get accustomed to them
should the time for battle arise. He was waiting for him outside,
patiently.
‘Good. You are here. Let’s go. Fast paced running with
sprints whenever I say so. Ready?’
‘Yes, father.’
‘Zul! Go!’
Aeden chanted a Cylie spell and the pair started running to-
wards the exit of the village. Alduin had no idea where they were
heading but knew he was to simply follow. Running early in the
morning both trained his agility and woke his entire body up
ready for the new day. It was an approximately fifty-kilometers-
long run. Twenty-seven kilometers to the nearest frozen lake
and then back through one of the polar bear habitats.
His father allowed absolutely no breaks during the run as he
claimed they give a person the mentality of giving up instead of
going all-in. Alduin’s agility improved wondrously so there must
have been some ounce of truth to it. He hated how strict these
workouts were yet kept going since they served as opportunities
to hang out with his father. They had finally reached the village
after a few hours.
‘Very well son! You have improved immensely from last
week! Good job!’
‘Thank you... F-Father...’ Alduin said, finding it very hard
to speak while catching his breath.
Aeden smiled, proud of his son.
‘Father.’
‘Yes?’
‘Mother told me of an area at the southernmost forest where
a rare phenomenon occurs once every two years. Could you take
me there? Mom said I am old enough!’
‘Sorry son. I must rush to the great court for a certain con-
flict between two noblemen. Maybe next time...’ His father
replied, patting his son on the head.
‘You always say that!’
Aeden wore a disappointed look on his face.
‘I’m sorry father...’
‘I must go now. Have a nice day, my son.’
‘Thank you. You too,’ he frowned.
His uncle had overheard their conversation from behind one
of the houses. He was flirting with two women but decided to
leave them abruptly. Ley was considered quite the womanizer
of the village but this controversial reputation didn’t seem to
bother him not one bit. He approached them just before they
had parted ways.
‘Did I hear you correctly, Alduin? You would like to go to the
grand ceremony?’
‘Yes!’
‘Indeed, brother. Sadly, I am very busy at the moment.
Could you take him instead?’
‘I would love to! When would you,' he burped, 'like to leave?’
‘As soon as possible, uncle!’
‘Then we shall depart right after lunch and one liter of Yasa.
It is most beautiful in the evening anyways!’
‘Thank you, uncle!’
‘Gladly!’
Aeden patted on his brother’s back in gratitude and left. As
lunchtime was over Alduin and Ley began their journey south.
The forest was located between a human town named Emer-
ald Dawn and a Snow Elf village named Vel Alis’a Resnem. They
stopped for elvish Mer and stories of his uncle’s adventures out
in the wide, wide world.
‘I will now tell you the story of how I met a very strange indi-
vidual. At first he looked like a regular lost child but eventually I
discovered he was about to acquire the title of Ruler of The Deep,
leader of all Katheticans.’
‘What are Katheticans?’
‘Long ago when the magi-[Hiccup]-cal races have just sprouted
out of Godfrid’s seed, one of them was named Mitori. He fell
in love with a few women in a planet named Enceladus which
had led to the creation of a special kind of hybrid – a Kathetican.
It is a being that looks just like a human but has the ability to
breathe underwater and communicate with wild sealife.’
‘Why was he only about to become their king?’
‘A few hundred years after Han was born, Mitori decided to
conduct an alchemy experiment using Enceladus as material.
He tried to turn himself into a god but it didn’t work and the
Kathetican race was erased. [Hiccup]. This act got him the nick-
name The Greedy Alchemist. I met Han before this had happened
and aided him in his journey throughout our Sala’
‘Was he able to speak our tongue? How did you comprehend
his words?’
‘Yes. He was extremely intelligent. Even more than our
clan’s elders. I’m sure of it.’
‘That is amazing!’
‘It is.} He burped, 'Would you like to drink a bit of my Yasa? It
seems I poured myself way too much again,’ Ley laughed.
‘Sorry, uncle, but dad said I shouldn’t be drinking yet. And
Veridia says you are an irresponsible alcoholic.’
‘I always liked your sister. It is a shame she has such vile
thoughts about me!’ He laughed.
Alduin shrugged and sipped from his cup of Mer. He was
always fascinated by the stories of his uncle.
‘Which places did you visit together?’
‘We traversed between different Tanlas craving to witness
different cultures and species of creatures. We explored a few
Neylas in our Sala. He taught me a thing he called Science and
I taught him about Snow Elf magic and different cultures I’ve
stumbled upon.’
‘Could you teach me Snow Elf magic as well?’
‘Sure! Maybe tonight... We’ll see...’ He burped.
Alduin smiled broadly.
‘Anyways... This person’s name was Han Oridawn. To tell
you the truth, I have no clue regarding his whereabouts or well-
being but I hope he is fine. We went hiking on mountains and
traversed through extremely vast landscapes of deserts, beaches,
savanna and so forth. His knowledge in science allowed us to
survive a lot of dangers like starvation, plagues or even torna-
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
does! This one time we were ambushed by a sudden Heelisa
and he just immediately combined ice magic with what he called
a Gun to unleash a tall ice-wall to keep it away. I could have died
many times if it weren’t for him!’
‘This person sounds very talented.’
‘He really is’ He smiled and blushed.
‘Do you think I’ll ever have the chance to meet him?’
‘I-I don’t know. I hope not...’
‘Why? Didn’t you like him?’
‘No, it’s not that. Pfft... It’s more complicated than that.
Let’s drop the subject please,’ he sighed.
‘Okay.’
‘Well... Time to go now. You wanted to witness the cere-
mony, didn’t you?’ He sighed again.
‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’
‘Let us depart then!’ He said and let out a strong exhale.
Ley’s exhale put out the fire.
‘How did you do that???’
‘You will learn in due time! Let’s go!’
They continued running towards the forest, fighting off any
hostile wildlife that stood in their way. Ley taught his nephew a
simple iceball spell that can knock out animals as big as a deer.
The chant was ‘Senkel u Uli’. After a few days they had finally
reached their destination and Alduin’s jaw immediately dropped
to the ground. It seemed they had arrived just in time to witness the beauty of the ceremony. It was performed by some of the
magical reindeer that inhabit the forest. They all stood in a circle
and sang in what sounded like strange Elvish. Maybe a unique
dialect? Every now and then strong light beams in different
colors were shot off to the sky and made an explosion sound. It
was beautiful. It was remarkably beautiful.
‘Are they celebrating something?’
‘Yes. They are celebrating a new year.’
‘Wasn’t new-years’s eve a few weeks ago?’
‘Every species has their own concept of time. So yes, but
also no.’
‘Ah.’
‘Would you like to know how I call them?’
‘Absolutely!’
‘I call [hiccup] them ‘Rainbowers’, because of the color of
their antlers and hooves,’ he burped.
‘Ah, very original!’
‘Yes!’
‘They are so pretty!!!’
‘They are,’ he shed a tear.
Alduin’s smile grew even larger. He was mesmerised by the lights
and their colorfulness. It was a good day. When they got back to
the village his uncle gave him a long hug and went on yet another
journey. His uncle would visit them every once in a while. Each
time with a new story to tell. Of new magic. Of new species
of creatures. Of new races. He also kept appearing wearing
entirely new outfits, probably native to the lands he had explored.
Despite the vast differences in culture and appearance, all of
these outfits had one ongoing theme - looseness and adventure-
seeking. One of his most cherished moments with his uncle
happened when he was approximately ten years old.
He woke up early to eat his breakfast before attending to his
morning practice with his father. His mother prepared some
cheese for them alongside some tuna fish, fresh bread and a
bunch of cooked algae. Wheat could not normally be planted in these harsh snowy mountains but the clan elders knew enough
about magic to bypass that. Agriculture in the village was lim-
ited by its variety but it did in fact exist to a satisfying extent.
He finished his breakfast, kissed his sister and mother on the
cheeks and departed. His father was waiting for him outside,
per usual. That day’s agenda was cardio, archery practice and
then a bit of battle tactics.
‘Are you ready, son?’
‘Always.’
‘Follow me. Don’t fall behind!’
‘Yes, father.’
It was their usual route but a bit longer, sixty kilometers instead
of fifty. Fast paced running to the nearest lake and then back
through some Dorynie habitats, gigantic wolf-like creatures na-
tive to their land. The purpose of going through these predator
territories was to force him to learn to adapt, improvise and over-
come sudden enemy attacks. Wild beasts are highly predictable
and are going to be his main foes until the day he becomes a
Hekket – an ancient name given for a clan lord’s bodyguard dur-
ing the first era of the Snow Elves, thousands of years ago. They
were specially trained in combat, magic and battle tactics, the
‘Special Forces’ if you will. During their way back, Aeden an-
nounced that his target practice begins now. It was explained
simply, but as these things usually go, they are easily said than
done.
The task was to take down at least five Dorynies stealthily
using a bow. The added pressure was that his father would act
as their beastmaster and guard them with his own bow. So, not
to attract any attention from wild and gigantic predators, hunt
them using a bow in complete silence and also not get hit by the
arrows of an elvish clan chief... Yes, now it sounds complicated
doesn’t it? Alduin would take one side and his father the other.
They were to begin at dawn. He crouched and started walking
around, hidden away behind tall snow or rocks.
He used a spell his father taught him, ‘Kentri Dorynie’,
animal detection magic that was invented by the Wood Elves.
Immediately into his sight appeared glowing red flames, sig-
naling where each and every Dorynie was in the radius of half
a kilometer. He climbed slowly on top of a small snow hill and
scanned his surroundings. He recognized a lone one guarding
the entrance to a tiny fishing spot. He kneeled, loaded his bow
and aimed towards the beast. When he believed his aim was
true he immediately shot seven arrows directing the head, one
after the other at an incredible reloading speed. Six of them hit
their mark and the seventh hit the neck. Nevertheless, it was
slain. The next task was completely changing his position as his
father could pick up on it rather easily using ballistics.
He swiftly escaped to another hiding spot, planning his next
kill. It was a pair of two Dorynies sleeping around two hundred
meters from the rest of the pack. Should be simple enough,
the only necessity was to reload swiftly enough. He prepared
his bow and peeked again, letting his head out into the open.
Suddenly, he heard the howling of arrows and instantly took
cover. His father had found him and shot about fifteen arrows at
his direction, as a warning perhaps. Alduin thought hard about
his next move but ultimately decided to try out magic. Ley had
taught him a rather useful spell. Snow Elf magic that turns one
invisible while also spawning a replica of your body.
Alduin was not proficient enough and so decided to focus
no nothing but the head, to make it seem like he was peeking
again. If his father were to realize the rest of the body was fake
it would already be too late. He activated it and ran to another
hiding spot. He tried again to take down the sleeping targets.
Twelve or thirteen arrows should suffice. He kneeled again and
shot one after the other with great success.
‘Two left,’ he thought to himself.
He managed to kill another but was caught by his father while
aiming towards the last one. He lifted him in the air from his
jacket and punched him in the chest. It was not a strong punch
though, it was that of respect between men. A punch of acknowl-
edgement.
‘That was impressive, son. Well done.’
‘Thank you father.’
‘We should escape now, these beasts have an incredible
sense of smell and sight.’
‘Mhm.’
They sprinted back to the village and shared a few laughs.
‘Your mother told me I am too strict with you. I hope you
know I only do this for your own good. A man needs to be strong
in this world. To protect those who are important to him. Do
you get it? Nevertheless I will try my best to be a little warmer.’
‘It’s alright father. I have grown used to it.’
His father nodded, not knowing how to respond correctly. They
got back home just in time for lunch. Aeden winked to his wife,
she understood what he meant and smiled. She approached
them and gave them both a kiss. They sat down to eat lunch.
Suddenly, Ley barged in and asked to join them. Elys accepted
of course, Ley was family. Something was off though. He was
wearing thick black robes that covered his body and head com-
pletely. Odd and unfitting. He always used to wear more "fun"
and "vibrant" outfits. He also appeared paler than usual.
‘Hey! I just came back from the Interstellar Travel portal. I
don’t think I’ll ever get used to the irritating feeling I get when
I use it! It’s like someone is putting my intestines in a pot and
stirring it with all of their might. Oh, Elys, you’ve made food?
Could I join you?’ Ley said.
‘Of course!’ Elys said and smiled.
‘Oh, Ley! Your skin is as pale as the snow! What has hap-
pened to you?!’ Veridia asked.
‘Yes, you look ill. Are you alright? Would you like me to fetch
some herbs? Or maybe some warm soup?’ Elys said.
‘I’m perfectly fine, don’t worry. Just tired, that’s all. This
adventure has taken quite the toll on me. I’d like to have what
my favorite nephew is having.’
Alduin smiled and blushed and Veridia rolled her eyes.
‘Why are you dressed like this? What happened to your
sense of style? You never wore anything this dark before! Are
you sure you’re not sick, uncle?’ Veridia said.
‘I am just trying out a new style! Is it not to your liking?’ He
laughed.
‘If you say so...’ She rolled her eyes again as her suspicion
grew stronger.
The family finished their lunch and thanked Elys and Veridia
for preparing it. Alduin had never known what his sister was
doing during the day, he was curious but not enough to ask. His
mother mentioned healing magic and sword practice from time
to time but he had never delved too deep into it.
‘Alduin,’ Ley said.
‘Yes, uncle?’
‘Let’s go to the market today! I’d like to buy a few things and
I’d appreciate your assistance in holding everything.’
‘Ley needing help with lifting heavy things? You really are
sick!’ Veridia shouted.
‘Veridia... Manners... Don’t pry,’ Elys said calmly.
‘Sorry, mother.’
‘Apologize to your uncle, not to me.’
‘I’m sorry, uncle.’
‘It’s quite alright, no worries. Would you like anything Elys?
Veridia?’
‘No, thank you,’ Elys answererd.
‘Get me a necklace so I can practice enchanting on it!’
‘You got it!’
Veridia hugged her uncle and saw the pair out. Alduin seemed
worried but refused to bother his uncle with further questions.
He followed him to the big market in the village. Despite being
located in the middle of a snowy wasteland, it was full of life. The sheer amount of stores, smells and children’s laughter would
have surely made you smile! Houses were mainly made of wood
and stone, not that you could see any of it since they were all
covered by snow during almost the entire year.
The market had fishermen stalls, butchers, herb collectors,
blacksmiths, cooks, bakers et cetera. Alduin loved the market.
It was brimming with life and modernism. So many people to
talk with. So many wonderful delicacies to taste! He loved food
and shiny things. The market had both food and candlelit stores,
imagine how beautiful it was at night! Anyways, he helped his
uncle pick a necklace for Veridia. They chose a leather amulet
with a blue gem attached to it. Not too expensive, about sixteen
‘Samarices’. Ley bought himself a bunch of healing herbs and
then sat down to eat dinner with his nephew. They decided to
go for walrus soup with greens and potatoes.
Ley ordered two servings for himself alongside a liter of
Yasa in a wooden flask. Alduin had to refuse three whole times
before he would stop offering him to taste it. They reminisced
about the past and finished with a quick story told by Ley. When
they exited the store Ley stopped midstep, facing a jewelry store.
‘Would you like anything?’ His uncle asked.
‘You already paid for my meal, it’s fine.’
‘Come on, it’s on me.’
‘Fine, fine. Let me see what they have.’
Alduin approached the merchant’s stall.
‘Everything’s for sale! A bit of this and a bit of that! Jew-
elry for all ages!’ The merchant was yelling out for potential
customers.
‘Excuse me.’
‘Hello, child. How can I help you?’
‘Do you sell bracelets?’
‘Just the ones I have on display.’
‘Ah. Hmm...’
Alduin looked closely and observed each and every option until
he had set his eyes on a silver bracelet that had a sign on it. It
read ‘15S for a custom engraving’.
‘Well, Alduin, see anything you like?"’ Ley approached them
and asked.
‘Yes, I’d like this one please. Could you engrave something
on it for me?’
‘Sure! What would you like to be written?’
‘Uhm... ‘To Alduin, from the best uncle in the world!’. Thank
you.’
‘How cute! Is he the mentioned uncle?’
‘Guilty as charged,’ he chuckled.
‘That will be one hundred and thirty-five Samarices please.’
‘Expensive! Let’s call it one hundred!’
‘Preposterous, the price is what I say it is.’
‘One hundred and ten!’
‘No.’
‘One hundred and fifteen.’
‘No!’
‘One hundred and twenty then!’
‘Fine! Hand them over.’
‘Here you go!’ He said, laughing.
Ley took out his wallet and paid. The merchant chanted some-
thing unfamiliar to Alduin which had made his pointing figure
glow in the color of red. He used it to engrave on the bracelet
and then handed it to them.
‘Thank you, uncle.’
‘Gladly. Can we go now?’
‘Yes.’
Alduin waved the merchant goodbye and followed him back
home.
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Author's note - I hope to get reviews and feedback. Thank you :)
