A Gilded Offering

A soft wash of blue and green light flickered through the windows of The Mystic Herb, subtle and strange—though no one seemed to notice. Inside, Reuben was tucked away in his office, gathering herbs, checking inventory, and tidying things that didn’t really need tidying—just passing the time.

Then the front door creaked open, and the familiar jingle of the bell stirred him from his thoughts.

He stood, smoothing his shirt out of habit, and stepped into the shop with his usual warmth.

“Hello there,” he said, offering a practiced smile. “Welcome to The Mystic Herb.”

The woman who stood before him returned the smile, her presence both graceful and quite striking. She had golden-blonde hair that caught the light like silk and eyes the color of clear spring water. But what truly caught Reuben’s attention was her attire—flowing fabrics in hues of soft teal and ivory, adorned with what looked like a golden steel chest plate. It looked almost medieval, out of place in any modern sense, like something from a forgotten era or a dream.

“Mr. Rothmore?” the woman said with a calm, clear voice tinged with an accent Reuben couldn’t place. “My name is Elora Vyshaan—we exchanged emails last week. I hope now is a good time to talk?”

She stepped fully into the shop, her eyes drifting across the modest interior of The Mystic Herb. There were no other customers in sight.

Reuben’s eyes widened. Elora.

“O-oh—yes. Hello, Miss Vyshaan,” he said, stumbling slightly over his words as he took her in.

Elora gave a light laugh as she strolled further in, eyes scanning the shelves filled with jars, dried herbs, poppets, and potion vials. “What a lovely place you’ve built here. I especially love the poppets… and your potion bottles—they’re so different from what I’m used to back home.”

Reuben cleared his throat, still trying to catch up. “Thank you. And… where’s home exactly?”

She turned back to him, her smile unwavering. “Alvoria. But that’s neither here nor there.”

Reuben frowned slightly as he took a moment to think. He’d never heard of such a place.

“As for why I’m here,” she continued, stepping a little closer, “I mentioned in my email that I run a shop called Mortar & Pestle—not so different from yours. I’ve been hoping to speak with you in person about a potential collaboration.”

Reuben nodded, though confusion still clouded his expression. “Right. Okay. I’m listening. What exactly does this collaboration involve?”

Elora’s eyes sparkled with a quiet excitement. “Well, to begin… I’d love to meet Ryder, if that’s at all possible?”

That stopped Reuben in his tracks.

He let out a dry, incredulous laugh. “I’m sorry—how do you know about him?” His tone sharpened, the friendly warmth draining into wariness. How much did she know? Had he been followed? Watched?

“I can see you’re unsettled,” Elora said gently, noticing the shift. “Let me explain. I don’t mean to alarm you.”

She folded her hands neatly in front of her. “I was raised among the mages of Faelorn, in Alvoria. Much of what I know comes from them. Aurora Aevee was a dear friend, and before her passing, she told me about your work—about your Raevan.”

Reuben’s heart sank. “I’m sorry, but… I don’t even know how she could have known about him. I haven’t spoken to her since I bought this place. That was over a decade ago. And Ryder—he’s only been with me a couple of years.” Panic began bubbling beneath the surface. “I… I think I’d prefer if you left.”

He turned toward the front door, reaching for the handle.

Elora’s expression dimmed, and she shook her head slowly. “Please, don’t misunderstand. I can tell this is coming out all wrong.”

She took a small breath. “Let me be honest with you. I’m a witch—and more importantly, I’m the creator of a magical species known as the Ydra. Fifteen years ago, I discovered a powerful artifact buried deep beneath an ancient ruin. I’ve been studying it ever since. It’s called the Lifire—a living flame, capable of breathing life into paired Animus. After years of trial and refinement, I’ve finally stabilized its power.”

She met his eyes, her voice soft but certain. “I’m not interested in power or prestige. I only want to bring new life into the world—rare, beautiful life. And I believe you’re the perfect person to help guide it. You’ve already proven yourself with Ryder. I even spoke with the good doctor at the Lab. He had nothing but praise for you.”

Reuben stared at her, stunned. His thoughts collided all at once.

“Wait—you’re asking me to… raise a magical creature?” His voice dropped. “And this would be the first of its kind?”

Elora nodded. “Yes. The very first Ydra.”

Reuben blinked hard, as if trying to wake from a dream. “That’s… a lot to process. I still don’t even fully understand what’s happening.”

“I know,” she said softly. “It’s a lot, and I don’t expect an answer now. But I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe you were the right guardian. Ryder himself is no ordinary being, either. He’s a gifted mage, isn’t he?”

“I’m not comfortable bringing him into this,” Reuben replied firmly. “And honestly? It’s unnerving how much you seem to know about my family, when I’ve never even heard of you before.”

“I understand,” she said quietly. “I had to do in depth research to figure out who would be the proper guardian of my first creation. All of that research has led me to you. Here let me show you.”

In the blink of an eye, a rose gold urn appeared on the counter beside them—as if summoned from thin air. Its handles gleamed with pure gold in the shape of a cherry blossom branch, with cherry blossoms of pure gold painted a rosy pink. 

“This,” Elora said, “would be your urn.”

She gently lifted the lid, and a warm swirl of rose gold colored smoke spiraled into the air. It shimmered with gentle magic, like petals drifting on a spring breeze.

“Inside are the Animus of Gold and Cherry Blossoms, bound together by the Lifire. When the time is right, when enough of this magic has gathered… the Ydra will be born.”

Reuben shook his head, more in disbelief than refusal. The shock hadn’t worn off, and he wasn’t ready to process the gravity of what had just been placed in his hands. This wasn’t the sort of decision one made lightly—and certainly not alone.

He thought of Evan. Of Ryder. Of how busy the shop had become in recent months. He barely had time to sort inventory, let alone raise another magical being. One magical charge was already a full-time commitment… wasn’t it?

“I can’t make any decisions until I speak with my partner,” he said at last, his voice steady but distant.

Elora nodded, as if she’d expected that answer. “Of course.”

With a graceful flick of her hand, the golden urn vanished in a shimmer of light, as if it had never been there at all.

“Please email me once you’ve made your decision,” she said gently. “I truly believe you would make an exceptional guardian. And your family—especially Ryder—would be a wonderful brother to the Ydra. Just… think it over. I’ll be waiting.”

Then, with another wave, a swirling portal blossomed open in the center of The Mystic Herb. It crackled with soft, golden magic, revealing a glimpse into what looked like a vast workshop—tools, potions, glowing runes, and strange mechanical devices lined its walls.

Before Reuben could say another word, Elora stepped through the portal without hesitation.

And just like that, she was gone. The portal winked out behind her, leaving no trace she’d ever been there at all.

Reuben stood in stunned silence, trying to convince himself this had really happened. He’d lived through a fair share of magical moments—but this? This was something else entirely.

Still dazed, he turned and wandered back into his office, sinking into the worn chair behind his desk. He stared at the wall for a long moment, the silence pressing in.

Do I even tell Evan? The thought hovered like a ghost.

Because if he did… it would mean it was real.