Submission (#6118) Approved

Helios was finally settling in after traveling all day. Ealei, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, welcomed the traveler with open arms, as everyone around him was buzzing with delight towards the upcoming festivities. Feyhallow was right around the corner, and the elnin could feel the anticipation lingering in the air.

The white Elnin had ventured deep into Yggdrasil, the colossal elder tree that anchored the entire region. Yggdrasil reached into the heavens, its towering branches and leaves reaching for miles and miles above, a majestic marvel that could be seen from any corner of Ealei. He found himself in an extraordinary village that was built right into the branches of the giant elder tree - seamlessly integrated with nature. Wooden walkways and suspension bridges connected the dwellings, creating a harmonious coexistence between the Elnins and their surroundings. Now, they were especially colorful as the locals were busy decorating everything for the spooky season. Candles and lanterns, little paper cut outs of bats and ghosts, pumpkins carved with faces - Helios spotted them seemingly everywhere; and if one area was still barren, boxes filled with decoration standing nearby promised upcoming change.

From the open room in the tavern he was staying in, Helios could gaze out upon the clear, deep waters of the ocean in the distance, where countless coral reefs flourished, forming a vibrant underwater landscape, truly one of its kind. Hopefully he would have time during his stay to explore them more in detail, and not only from afar. 

Giant, poofy clouds danced along the horizon, casting ever-changing shadows across the land and their soft, billowing forms framed the landscape.
The only land to be found in this isolated region were the flat-topped mountains that encircled the giant tree and their rocky surfaces glistening under the warm, golden light of the vanishing sun. Mangroves and tree roots crisscrossed the landscape, forming intricate patterns at the tangled roots and a network of pathways and shelters for countless creatures.

While he was arriving, Helios Pomu had a lot of fun balancing and jumping up and down the roots. The little one was almost too careless, as Helios had to help it out more than once and snatch it, before it tumbled into the watery abyss beneath the roots.
Now, it was softly snoring next to Helios, all cozy and happy. They just had dinner at the inn and Helios had unpacked everything. Unlike his furry little friend, he wasn’t in the mood to rest yet. He didn’t really want to waste any daylight, and the village was probably really pretty during sunset, with all the lanterns and decorations. So, he gave his Pomu a little kiss on the head, before he headed out to explore a bit more. 

[...] 

It was a chilly evening once the hour grew later, and in a cozy little nook nestled between the inn and the town hall, a group of kittoms and Elnins had gathered beneath the soft, warm glow of strings of lights that hung from the branches. Pillows and blankets were placed on the ground and little snacks were dotted throughout. The full moon loomed in the starry sky, casting a silver radiance over the scene, setting the perfect ambiance for a spooky tale. Helios was sitting next to a few other Elnin; they had exchanged stories about their travels and the other regions while the little ones were napping - but now they’ve woken up and couldn’t wait to hear… a different kind of story.
The kittoms nestled together, their tiny ears perked up, and their tails curled in excitement as Helios began another tale, his voice a gentle purr, "Gather around, little ones, for I have a tale that will send shivers down your furry spines."

As the night's chill wrapped around them, Helios began his story. "Once upon a Feyhallow, not so different from tonight, in a faraway forest, there lived a brave little Elnin named Midnight. Midnight was known for his daring adventures, but one fateful Feyhallow, he set out on a journey to the mysterious Enchanted Hollow."
The kittoms' eyes grew larger, and they huddled even closer, captivated by Helios' words.
"Legend had it," continued Helios, "that the Enchanted Hollow was a place where the spirits of the forest came alive on Feyhallow night. The trees whispered secrets, the owls hooted in a strange, eerie harmony, and the fireflies danced to an otherworldly tune."

The strings of lights overhead flickered in response to her tale, casting strange, shifting shadows around the little group and the adult Elnins shared amused looks between them, as they leaned in and listened as well.

"As Midnight ventured deeper into the Enchanted Hollow, he encountered ghostly foxes, luminous squirrels, and even a talking toad. They all told him of a hidden treasure, a golden acorn said to hold unimaginable magic." The kittoms listened in rapt attention, their tails fluffed up, while the moonlight seemed to grow brighter as if lending its ethereal presence to the story. "Midnight's heart raced with excitement as he journeyed onward," Helios whispered. "He faced many trials, from glowing spiderwebs that sang enchanting lullabies to enchanted mushrooms that whispered riddles. But he was undeterred. Finally, at the heart of the Hollow, Midnight discovered the golden acorn, bathed in a shimmering, otherworldly light. But as he reached for it, a spectral figure, the guardian of the Hollow, emerged."

The kittoms huddled closer once again, their eyes wide as saucers.

"The guardian," Helios said, his voice taking on a ghostly tone, "was a magnificent, translucent owl, with eyes that glowed with ancient wisdom. He looked into Midnight's soul and said, 'To possess the golden acorn, one must promise to protect the forest for all eternity, for its magic depends on the harmony of all its creatures.'" The little ones gasped, their hearts pounding in their chests. "Midnight accepted the guardian's challenge and vowed to protect the forest. With the golden acorn in his possession, he returned to his home, a changed Elnin, forevermore devoted to the enchanting forest he called home."
The kittoms looked at each other, their eyes filled with wonder and awe. Helios leaned in close and said with a sly grin, "And who's to say, my little ones, that the Enchanted Hollow doesn't exist in our very own forest? Perhaps tonight, if you're brave enough, you might just discover its secrets." 

As the kittoms exchanged eager glances and prepared to venture out into the Feyhallow night, Helios watched them and felt quite content. He had spun a tale that would inspire courage and adventure in these young hearts, all beneath the cozy strings of lights on a night filled with magic and mystery.
Now all was left was to make a decision - would he join the little ones on a possible adventure … or just return to the inn and chase excitement another night?