Chapter 19: The poster

Large, spiky fruits with golden skin lined one shelf, their thick rinds splitting open to reveal soft, shimmering flesh inside.

Some fruits were perfectly round, others twisted into strange, spiraling shapes, their skins patterned in swirling hues of blue and silver.

The air was thick with the scent of sweetness, some familiar, like fresh citrus and ripe peaches, but others were completely foreign, carrying hints of spice, honey, and something almost floral.

It was overwhelming yet intoxicating, making Alex’s mouth water despite not knowing what half of these fruits even were.

He reached out toward a small, pearlescent fruit that seemed to shift colors as he moved. "What is this one?" he asked, glancing at Sylra.

She grinned, plucking one from the shelf and tossing it lightly in her hand. "Try it and find out," she said mischievously.

Alex hesitated, then took the fruit from her and bit into it.

The moment the juice hit his tongue, his eyes widened.

It was unlike anything he had ever tasted, sweet, yes, but with an unexpected burst of warmth that spread through his chest, like sunlight on a cold morning.

Sylra laughed at his expression. "Good, isn’t it?"

He could only nod, still savoring the flavor.

The truth was that elves were far more careful about preserving nature than humans.

Where human cities expanded by cutting down forests and clearing land, elves built their homes and markets in harmony with the world around them.

They never took more than was needed, and every harvested plant was replaced with new growth.

Because of this, the land thrived under their care, and countless plants, many of which had long disappeared from human lands, still flourished here.

They went on and on, moving from one building to the next, and each time Alex stepped into a new one, he found something else to amaze him

In the Gowns building, shimmering fabrics hung from golden racks, their colors shifting subtly under the light, as if they were alive.

Some dresses were woven with threads so fine they looked like liquid silver, while others carried embroidered patterns that seemed to tell stories of ancient elven history.

In the Necklaces building, delicate jewelry sparkled under enchanted lights.

Necklaces of woven moonstone and bracelets carved from luminous crystal sat in glass cases, humming faintly with magic.

There were rings that changed color with the wearer’s mood and earrings so light they floated just above the skin instead of resting against it.

Even the Books building left him speechless.

Rows upon rows of neatly arranged tomes stretched from floor to ceiling, their spines embossed with intricate symbols.

Some books seemed to whisper softly when he passed, their enchanted pages stirring as if eager to be read.

And on it went, Spices, Cloaks, Lanterns, and more.

Each building held its own wonders, things that would have been considered impossibilities in the human world but were completely normal here.

By the time they had finally exhausted all the buildings, Alex could feel the weight of exhaustion settling into his limbs. His feet ached, and his mind buzzed from everything he had seen.

Alex nodded, too hungry to care about how odd the name sounded. "Lead the way," he said, his voice tinged with relief at the thought of sitting down and eating something, anything, to quiet the growling in his stomach.

The promise of food was enough to push the ache in his legs to the back of his mind, at least for now.

Sylra began to lead the way through the winding streets, her steps light and sure as she navigated the bustling marketplace.

The sun had begun to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths and painting the buildings in shades of gold and amber.

Elves moved around them in a graceful dance, their voices a soft hum as they bartered and laughed, their flowing garments catching the fading light like liquid starlight.

Lanterns shaped like glowing blossoms flickered to life overhead, their warm golden glow illuminating the streets as the day gave way to twilight.

As they walked through a narrow alleyway, something caught Alex’s eye, pulling him out of his thoughts.

It was a piece of paper, or rather, a poster stuck to the wall of a nearby building.

The structure itself was unremarkable, its smooth stone walls blending seamlessly with the others around it, but the poster stood out like a sore thumb.

Whoever had glued it there hadn’t done a thorough job; the lower edges flapped lazily in the breeze, curling upward as if trying to peel themselves free.

The paper looked weathered, its edges frayed and its colors faded, as though it had been there for months, or even years.

A poster flapping in the wind wouldn’t ordinarily have caught Alex’s attention, but there was something about this one that felt... off. He slowed his pace, his brow furrowing as he studied it.

The poster was the only one on the building, no other signs, no decorations, nothing to distract from its presence.

And as his gaze swept the surrounding area, he realized it was the only poster in sight.

In a town as vibrant as Lysarath, where every surface seemed adorned with flowers, carvings, or glowing runes, the solitary poster felt strangely out of place.

What’s that?" Alex asked Sylra, pointing at the weathered poster flapping against the wall.

Its faded edges and solitary presence still gnawed at his curiosity, an odd contrast to the vibrant life of Lysarath surrounding them.

The evening light cast long shadows across the cobblestone alley, making the poster’s worn surface appear almost ghostly in the dimming glow.

Sylra squinted, her emerald eyes narrowing as she leaned closer to inspect it. "Oh, that?" she said after a moment, her voice tinged with a mix of recognition and nonchalance.

"It’s probably an Eclipse poster." She brushed a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear, her expression shifting to mild annoyance, as if the poster were a minor inconvenience she’d rather not deal with.

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