A Star's Element - 5. Varen, the Village of Thorns

Many Years Ago

Luno

I have finally decided to leave the Sanctuary.

Mother was completely against it but somehow, I was able to pass through her enchantments and walk through the portal.

I didn’t really feel anything fighting against me. Perhaps a small part of her wanted me to go out to explore the world as well?

I decided to leave Enfi and Kulu. I promised I would be back after a few weeks. I just really want to see what is out there!

I packed a big pouch full of blueberries and then walked off.

Mother made me a cloak for my birthday. It was lined with fur. Fur! That isn’t right at all!

I tried to politely decline the gift and she just ignored me for the rest of the day.

I decided that if she wanted to ignore me, then I want to be able to explore what is out there.

Mother had said that it is scary out there.

She had said that humans are mean and smelly, that they do not approve of magic or anything new. Mother would always end every argument with a simple line,

"They wouldn’t understand."

I refuse to believe they would be as dumb as she thinks they are.

It gets very boring in the Sanctuary.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all my friends in the Sanctuary, but I want to meet a human!

I want to speak to someone who would be able to speak back.

Mother is an invisible goddess who refuses to reveal herself...so it isn’t the same at all!

I am in a nice green forest where the trees tower into the sky.

Birds are singing their sweet songs, and I smile.

I am not sure why, but the air out here feels more...fresh. It is probably just me being dramatic, but it does feel different.

More open. More free!

Now, where does one go to find humans?

I could always try to fly around and find a village or city, but I doubt anyone would be happy to see that.

Not to mention, I doubt I could control the air much right now. I am still training.

I had said that I don’t believe humans are dumb, but I didn’t say I’d ignore Mother’s warnings.

If they really don’t like magic, then I will try to not use any when I find them.

What if one of them gets hurt? I know how to heal rather easily. I guess that would be a bad idea too though.

I decide to follow a river.

Humans would try to stick to water wouldn’t they?

I reach over the edge to hover my fingers above the running water.

It doesn’t respond. It ignores me and continues to quickly flow onward. I frown.

Strange.

Water is usually nice and happy. This river is stubborn and mean. I wonder why it is acting this way.

I guess that means no swimming.

Before walking on, I grab a few berries and drop them into the water as an offering.

Any little bit helps.

I follow along the river and decide to pick up a few flowers I might want to grow back at the sanctuary.

I can easily keep them alive for the weeks to come before I head back.

I stick them into my berry pouch and decide to instead offer the berries to any passing animals. IA could find something else to eat here.

I could also grow them instantly from nothing, but I want to try and keep away from magic for as long as possible.

Perhaps that was a bit too much to ask for.

I glance behind me and see that a small herd of animals are trailing behind me. I smile.

“Hello everyone! Just passing through!” I wave and turn to keep on walking.

Every time I glance back, the group just seems to grow.

There are so many deer here, it is a bit insane.

A couple of beavers, a bunch of squirrels, and one black bear. Birds fly from tree to tree above me.

I just shake my head and snort. Crazy things. I don’t know why they are following me. Is it because of the berries?

I glance around me for any signs of humans, I don’t see anything fur-less so I guess it is safe.

I kneel down and wave my hands over a patch of grass between two trees.

Five bushes begin to grow and sprout. The berries begin to form as small red dots and they soon turn into blue ones.

I quickly grab a handful for myself and then continue to walk on.

I am about to pop a berry into my mouth when the animals begin to scatter. I glance behind me as they scatter into the forest.

I frown before turning to face forward once again.

I freeze when I see them.

It is...a human!

A man. He’s tall, has yellow hair, and brown eyes. Wide brown eyes.

Oh, he’s staring at me in shock. Did he see the animals or the bushes?

“Uh...hello!” I give a shy smile and wave my hand.

The man just blinks before turning his gaze to the bushes. He points at them before narrowing his eyes.

“Are you some kind of angel?” He says.

I laugh and shake my head.

“No, I’m not.” I smile and slowly walk towards him. “Would you like some? They were for all the animals but I am sure they wouldn’t mind sharing with you.”

I offer a few berries from my hand.

He reaches a hand out carefully before plucking one from me. He pops it into his mouth and as soon as he swallows, he gives a brilliant smile.

“They are very good! My sister would definitely love some.” He grins before he starts to blush, “Uh, if you don’t mind.”

I quickly start grabbing berries off a bush.

“No, no! Take all you need! Do you have something I can put these in?” I ask and lift a handful for him.

He opens a small leather pouch that is attached to his belt.

“Perfect!” I beam and then move to stuff as many blueberries as I can into the little pouch.

As soon as a berry pops and begins to make a mess, we stop.

“My name is Viktor!” He says before holding his hand out to me. I stare at it before lifting an eyebrow.

“My name is Lunarico.” I smile but keep an eye on the hand. “What are you doing?”

He laughs before dropping his hand, “It is a greeting? Where are you from?" I shrug in answer and he smirks

"We hold hands and then shake them. Also I take it your parents blessed you with the name of the demigod, eh?”

I just smile and nod. “Something like that.” I hold my hand out. “I want to try it.”

He flashes a warm smile before grabbing my hand gently.

“It is awfully nice to meet you, Lunarico.” He lifts my hand and then kisses the top of it.

I tilt my head to the side in confusion. “What did you just do?” I ask.

Viktor’s face begins to flush red and then he clears his throat, “Uh...M-my Ma used to say that I should do that when I meet someone that shines.”

I can’t help but blush at that and laugh. “Well, you’re awfully sweet, Viktor.”

~~~

“Welcome to Varen!” Viktor keeps his hand on my lower back and urges me along the small village.

It’s pretty nice here. There are only a handful of buildings that are close together in a tight circle; then they begin to spread out in the trees like a spiraling spider’s web.

The people were pretty nice I guess. They didn’t really trust me, not that I can blame them. I would be nervous too if someone was randomly in my home.

I get a few disapproving looks when they see my outfit.

Personally, I don’t really see what is wrong with it. It isn’t cold. It’s actually quite warm here.

I would very much like to go for a swim, but the river isn’t happy so that is never a good idea.

“Now, you must meet Monie. I bet she will love the little flowers over your ears.” He grins and reaches out to touch one.

As soon as he rubs on it, I have to bite my tongue.

Nobody has ever done that. I didn’t even know I could feel something like that!

Then he decides to pull on it! I...should not be feeling this sensation!

Oh gods!

“Huh, you must have them tangled in your hair.” He, thankfully, turns forward and continues to walk.

I try to hide the blush that has spread across my face.

“Uh, y-yeah! Yes of course!” I manage and try not to think about his hand on my back.

We walk past a few houses until there are a bunch of trees that surround us.

“Where are we going?” I ask, a bit confused.

We pretty much just left the village.

“Home!” He grins and keeps walking. “It is a bit further away from everyone. It’s fine though. We have two neighbors.”

We continue walking on a path that is framed by long strips of wood that have different carvings put into them.

We've reached a small group of homes. They have large logs used for the walls and roof. T

hey are all pretty tall. Definitely a lot bigger than my little home.

There are three wooden houses. All are lined up with the path. The one at the very end is where Viktor leads me.

The house has potted plants hanging below the windows. Between the two windows, is the door. It is painted green. It has a carving of a bear family.

Two adult bears and two little cubs.

Viktor doesn’t even knock on the door, he simply pushes it open and walks inside.

I debate on if I should really stay. I have only just met the man and he’s leading me to his house.

Sure, it’s to deliver berries to his little sister but maybe this isn’t a great idea.

Squealing comes from inside and then bare feet running across the wooden floors can be heard.

“Viktor!” A little girl with long golden hair rounds a corner and sprints right for Viktor.

He leans down and scoops her up with a mock groan.

“Monie! You are so heavy! I came to make you heavier.” He grins and pecks her cheek.

She gives a bright smile and then moves her eyes to me.

“Monie, this is Lunarico,” Viktor makes the introductions, “Lunarico, this is Monica, but she goes by Monie.” He beams when he talks about his sister. It’s very cute!

“Lunarico?” Monie tests the name. “Can I call you Luna?” She grins.

I can’t help but laugh.

“I would prefer Luno in all honestly.” I smile and then gasp. “Give her the gift!”

I motion for the little leather pouch on his hip.

Viktor sets Monie down and then fumbles with the buckle.

“Oh! I could always make more-uh," I start but immediately stop.

I was going to offer to put bushes next to their house, but I don’t want them to be scared.

“More what?” Monie asks.

“Um...I could-” I fumble with my words before Viktor cuts in.

“We could plant some bushes behind the house!” He grins and turns to wink at me.

I blush and drop my gaze to the floor.

“Yay! I love blueberries!” Monie beams before running past us and out the door.

“Can I eat th later? I’m going to see Ivern and Crolia!” She says before dashing off.

Viktor laughs at her departure before turning to me.

There is a small silence as Viktor and I just stand by the door. Then he breaks it.

He places a hand on my shoulder, “Do not worry about your magic. We are not against it.” I look up at him to make sure he isn't lying.

He wouldn’t just lie to me would he?

“Are you sure?” I give a shy smile.

It is strange being a bit scared to show my magic. None of the creatures in the Sanctuary seem to dislike it.

“One hundred percent!” He smiles and pushes me out the door.

We walk along his house and decide to put the bushes on the side that keeps it hidden from the neighbors.

I wave my hand over the grass and feel Viktor leaning over me to watch closely. I smile to myself and let the magic do it’s thing.

As soon as the berries turn blue, I pop one off and eat it. Viktor does the same. Then he starts to pop another and then another.

“You know, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of your magic.” He says around a mouthful of berries.

I laugh before eating another berry.

“Perhaps away from the eyes of others?” I smile.

He nods frantically and grins, his teeth stained from the berry juice.

I giggle and quickly move to show him things further upstream, away from the village.

~~

Two Weeks Later

“I’m sorry.” Viktor frowns and rubs my cheek lightly.

I just sigh and let him press the wet rag against the bruise.

A little boy threw a rock at me. No doubt his parents have told him things about me.

Somehow the village learned of my magic. I guess someone spotted me while I was demonstrating to Viktor.

They weren’t so trusting of me before, but now...now they scold Viktor and Monie for allowing me to stay in their home.

They keep saying that magic is demonic and that I am most likely courted with a demon.

I don’t even know what a demon looks like. I know I am not a demon. They are just scared, I think.

I have offered to leave multiple times, but Viktor tells me that if I leave, he and Monie will leave with me.

Monie was more than happy with the idea.

As soon as word got around that I could use magic, Monie practically begged me to show her if it was true.

How could I say no to her sweet little face?

I give a small smile. “Maybe a kiss will make it better.” I ask and pretend to pout. Of course, I am rewarded for it.

Viktor first kisses the bruise and then my lips.

“Of course it will.” He laughs and runs the back of his fingers lightly against the flowers over my left ear.

I shiver at the touch and rest my head against his shoulder.

Yeah it is a bit hard to just leave.

“We should leave this place,” Viktor says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders,

“We can move somewhere nice in the woods all on our own!” He pauses, “like a family!”

I smile at the thought, but then it goes away.

I can’t just let them drop everything here. They have a nice home here in Varen. A sturdy home and friends all around them.

Human friends. Ones that can talk back.

“We can be a family here.” I say, “I am pretty sure they will get over me eventually.”

His arm tightens around me. “I do not want to see you get hurt. They threw a rock at you, Luno. A rock!”

“It was a little kid,” I shrug his arm off and move to the kitchen.

“Want something?” I ask.

I don’t really know how to make any food honestly. I just want this conversation to end already.

Viktor wraps his arms around from behind me. “I want you to be safe. What if they try to do something worse? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

I sigh and turn in his arms. He stares down into my eyes. He has pretty brown eyes. I swear they almost have flakes of gold when they are caught in the light.

“It was just a little boy. He threw a rock. The most that the other villagers ever do, is call me names or corner me to stay away from their homes.” I pat his cheek and smile. “I’ll be fine. I have you and Monie. You both are just two pretty flowers in a bush made of thorns.”

He scoffs at that but smiles. “Yet you are the one with flowers attached to your head.” He pokes at one of them.

“Hey!” I swat at his arm but laugh.

“What were you even going to make? You can’t cook even if your life depended on it.” He pats me on the butt and pushes me away so that he can make dinner.

~~

“Please!” Monie sings and pulls on my hand. I just laugh and finally let her pull me to the woods.

Viktor is helping the old couple next door by chopping wood. Apparently they needed wood even in the middle of the summer.

I was watching him chop the wood. He had his shirt off and he was sweaty...but of course Monie needs me. They princess comes first after all.

We walk along the river and away from the village.

The river seems to have gotten taller and runs a lot faster. I don’t even have to hold my hand over it to know I will be ignored once again.

It is angry. I still do not understand why. Maybe it is always angry?

“Now,” Monie says behind me, “I want to see some magic!”

I laugh and shake my head. “What do you wish to see, my queen?” I give a dramatic bow and she just pushes against me with a giggle.

“I want to see you speak to the animals!” She smiles, her eyes practically glittering.

This, this I can happily do.

“Well, I don’t ask them to come out for me,” I stand and look around us, “they come at their own choice. I don’t think any want to see me right now, however.”

Strange, there aren’t any signs of life anywhere. I look over into the water for any fish.

Nothing.

I frown but quickly paste on a smile when I glance back at Monie. “Would you like to ask for something else?” I ask.

Monie puts her hand on her hip and thinks for a moment. “Can you create a flower of out thin air?” She asks, one eyebrow raised and smirks.

Oh the little girl thinks she’s being tricky.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I fake a sigh and kneel in front of her. I motion for her to hold her hand below mine.

She places her hand under my fist and I think of yellow daisy.

I feel the soft petals in my hand and then I open my fist. A single daisy pops into Monie’s open palm.

She gives a loud shriek of laughter and I can’t help but laugh with her.

~~

Two Days Later

“It’s ok, Luno.” Viktor squeezes me with his arms and kisses the top of my head. “I am sure it was an accident. She is definitely in a better place.”

His voice shakes and I can tell he is mostly talking to himself right now.

We cry together on the small bed.

How could this happen?

Monie is gone. The village people say she was swept away from the river.

They said she was trying to copy me and use demon magic.

I know they are just trying to blame somebody, but I can’t help but feel like it is my fault.

The truth, based on one of her friends, is that she had tried to hop through some stones to get to the other side of the river. They were too wet and she had slipped.

Monie was instantly swept away. Drowned. There wasn't a body to be found.

It’s my fault.

We were playing the other day and I had risked crossing with the stones.

The water must have risen enough to make them slippery. Now she is gone.

Monie is gone.

I try to stop crying, Viktor needs me more than I need him. Monie was his little sister.

I wipe away any snot or tears and pull him down to rest on my chest.

That must have been what he needed because he began to cry even harder. His cries only make me feel worse. He holds onto me tight. I just close my eyes and let my tears silently fall.

Somehow I must have taken a small nap.

Viktor is still on top of me. He is no longer crying but is just staring at the wall next to us.

I gently squeeze him.

“You’re awake,” He says, not really asking.

I just silently nod, a little too numb to talk.

There is a brief pause of silence before he moves to stand.

“I’m going to go get some firewood, ok? It's a bit chilly in here tonight,” He says before brushing some hair away from my eyes.

I nod again.

“I’ll be back.” He sniffs, kisses me, and then leaves the house.

I curl up onto my side. I don’t really want to think, maybe I should just go back to sleep. If I can.

I don’t sleep, I hear shouting outside the house.

I sit up and then I smell smoke.

Frowning, I move to the window. It is a bit dark so I don’t really see anything.

I jump as a villager’s face pops up. He has a mean look and he is holding a torch.

“Child killer!” I hear pounding on the front door.

“Demon!”

“The demon has started a fire!”

Voices shout all around the house and I back into a corner and hide on the bed.

I cover my ears to block out the shouting and keep my eyes on the door.

Then I see smoke coming in through the cracks.

I frown and run to open the door.

Fire.

Fire is everywhere! It is on the curtains, the kitchen, the furniture, and it has spread to the walls.

How did this even start? They said I did it but I didn’t do this. Did I? I was just trying to sleep!

“He will die!” A voice shouts with glee.

I shut the bedroom door and run back to the window. They have been boarded up. I try to push on them but they will not budge!

“Help!” I shout. “Please! Somebody help me!”

Surely someone in this village doesn’t think I am a demon! I don’t want to die!

Nobody is listening to me. Every time I hit the boards, they just hit the other side and cackle.

I feel tears falling down my cheeks and I push myself into a corner. I hug my knees to myself and close my eyes.

I never should have come here. I should have stayed in the Sanctuary. Mother was right.

I start to chant the last thought.

Mother was right.

Banging on the window grabs my attention for a second,

“You dead yet?” A woman’s voice yells.

I close my eyes and cover my ears.

I am going to die here. I keep crying and wait for the fires to breach my door.

“Luno!” I hear a voice shout. “Luno, where are you?”

It’s Viktor!

I hear coughing from outside the bedroom door and then it is kicked open.

Smoke practically pours into the room and Viktor’s handsome face is shining with sweat.

He spots me in the corner and quickly runs to hug me.

“Oh, thank the gods!” He cries and then lifts me up.

He carries me out of the room and then he rushes for the open front door.

They had tried to board me in! An ax is on the ground.

Viktor had to chop his way in.

The flames tickle at my toes and the warmth they bring scares me. It isn’t a good warmth. It will burn me.

The sound of wood cracking above us causes Viktor to freeze for a second.

The second was all it took.

Viktor immediately starts to sprint for the door again, the sound of wood breaking fills my ears and then Viktor throws me forward.

I only catch a glimpse of his face before a part of the roof collapses right on top of him.

I land hard on my back and head.

Groaning from the impact, I quickly try to stand to run back into the house to save Viktor.

I only see his hand sticking out before the entire roof collapses in on itself.

I sink to my knees, and stare at the burning house.

There isn’t any shouting anymore. The people have all gone quiet.

Not for long, unfortunately.

“He killed Viktor as well.” Voices begin to murmur.

“The demon killed them both!”

“Figures. Demons would be immune to fire, a shame it killed Viktor.”

My hands begin to shake and I slowly stand to face them. I feel a hot pulse in my chest and I do not know what it is.

I continue to rise and soon I realize I am flying.

All the villagers look at me in horror. I feel my magic coming to life and my body begins to glow.

I...I...I want to hurt them all. I will hurt them all.

I let the magic take control and the dark forest begins to brighten as if the sun is shining off of me.

The villagers began to scream and claw at their faces. Their screams of agony almost was enough to satisfy me.

It isn’t enough! I want them to feel my pain!

“Stop," A voice sternly whispers in my head. “Do not do this, Lunarico.”

It’s Mother.

“I go by Luno now," I grit out.

“Luno...stop this now. You do not want to murder all these people.” Her voice says, almost like it is right in my ear.

I do not know why, but when she says murder, it makes me realize what is happening.

I blink around and the village’s cries make me stop.

The light that my body was giving off dies down, and the forest is dark once again.

I keep to the air.

The villagers are all gasping for breath on the forest floor. They whimper and cower in fear.

I quickly back away.

“This is not me,” I whisper to myself and shake my head frantically. “I never wanted to hurt anybody! It isn’t right!"

“I know, Luno.” Mother says, “In time, I will tell you what has happened. Now, let us go back to the Sanctuary. Let's go home.”

With one last glance at the house that belonged to Viktor and Monie, I nod and close my eyes for a moment.

I’m so sorry.