Chrys Lumenfae's Arc

Chapter 1 of 7

Chrys Lumenfae pressed their small blue hands against the rough crystal wall of the glow mines. The veins of light pulsed beneath the surface, warm against their fingertips. They wanted one thing more than anything—to become the most trusted crystal supplier for the mine leader. Other workers rushed past, their carts rattling with raw stones, but Chrys studied each crystal formation with care. Quality mattered more than speed. Their antennae twitched as they spotted a perfect cluster, its glow steady and bright. This was the kind of find that would get them noticed. They carried the cluster to the sorting station near the mine entrance. A sleek black table sat there, its surface already dotted with crystals of different colors. Chrys placed their find among the others and began to sort. Blue crystals went in one pile, green in another. The dim ones got pushed to the side. The bright ones earned a spot at the front. Their small fingers moved quickly, checking each stone for cracks or weak light. Other workers dumped their hauls and left, but Chrys stayed. They arranged the best crystals in neat rows where the mine leader would see them. Each perfect stone was proof of what Chrys could do. Trust had to be earned, one crystal at a time. The mine leader would need a proper storage place for all these quality crystals. Chrys had heard talk of a massive swamp tree being hollowed out for just that purpose. Its trunk was wide enough to hold carts of sorted stones, and its branches glowed with stored crystal light. If Chrys could fill that tree with their best finds, the mine leader would have no choice but to rely on them. They picked up another crystal from the black table and held it to the light. The glow was perfect. Chrys tucked it into their pouch and headed back into the mines. The tree warehouse would be full of their crystals soon enough. By evening, Chrys had gathered twelve more perfect crystals. They arranged them on a display board near the mine entrance where others would pass by. Each stone glowed against the dark surface, showing off its color and strength. Workers stopped to look. Some pointed. Some whispered. Chrys stood back and watched their work catch the light. The mine leader would see this display tomorrow. They would see the quality Chrys could deliver. This was just the beginning, but it was a good start. One day, the mine leader would ask for Chrys by name.