Chapter 6: New World
Gasping for breath, Ethan skidded to a stop in front of a weathered wooden door, sweat trickling down his forehead.
He steadied his breathing, chest heaving, before summoning enough strength to rap his knuckles against the aged wood.
"Who is it?" a voice called from within.
"It's me, Ethan," he managed to wheeze out between breaths.
The door creaked open, revealing an elderly man, his face etched with wisdom and lines of experience. Concern flickered in his eyes as he took in Ethan's disheveled appearance.
"Oh, Ethan, why don't you come inside," the Elder said, a touch of worry lacing his voice.
Ethan nodded gratefully, pushing past the threshold and stepping into the dimly lit interior.
He watched as the Elder carefully arranged a stack of papers on a worn wooden table, then rose to his feet and approached him.
"Ah, Elder, it's important," Ethan panted, his voice still strained.
"Is it the work that's finished already? We have to prepare for tonight as well," the Elder replied, his tone tinged with a mix of curiosity and urgency.
"No, no, no, Elder," Ethan stammered, his words coming out in fragments as he fought to regain control of his breathing. "Lights."
"Lights?" the Elder repeated, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"Yes, there was a beam of light we saw, just five minutes ago while we were working," Ethan explained, his voice quivering with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Beam of light?" the Elder mused, trying to make sense of the information.
"Yes, Elder, a sudden beam of light appeared, emanating from the mountain. They say it might have come from the top," Ethan elaborated, his eyes widening with a sense of awe.
The Elder's expression turned serious as he contemplated the news. "Did you send anyone to inform Draydon about this?"
"Ah, yes, I did, Elder. But you need to come outside and see for yourself," Ethan urged, his voice pleading.
The Elder nodded gravely, his mind racing with possibilities. "You go outside. I will join you shortly."
With a determined nod, the Elder quickly arranged the scattered papers on his desk, ensuring their order was precise.
As he stepped out of his house, the door clicked shut behind him, the weight of the impending mystery settling on his shoulders.
"Elder," Ethan called out, relief evident in his voice.
"Draydon, you heard about it," the Elder acknowledged, his tone filled with a mix of concern and anticipation.
"Yeah, I heard about it. Want me to check it out?" Draydon offered, his voice tinged with a sense of adventure.
"Oh, yes. I want you to investigate. Or should I go instead?" the Elder pondered aloud.
"No, there's no need. I will go," Draydon assured, his determination shining through.
"Wait," the Elder interjected, his gaze fixed on Draydon. "Take five of them with you."
Draydon hesitated, questioning the necessity of the additional company. "Do I really need to?"
"Just take them," the Elder insisted, his eyes holding a hidden message that only Draydon could decipher.
As Draydon and his companions made their way towards the top of the mountain, a sense of trepidation hung in the air.
The anticipation was palpable, mingling with the mystique of the unknown. Draydon's mind raced with questions, his steps heavy with a mix of curiosity and unease.
"What happened?" he murmured, his voice filled with bewilderment. He cast a perplexed gaze upon his own body, a peculiar sensation coursing through him.
"What is this body? It doesn't feel... human."
Flashes of fragmented memories played in his mind, elusive fragments teasing his consciousness.
"No, what did I see?" he pondered, his brows knitting together.
"A figure... a white figure. I can't remember it clearly, but... then I was inside this colossal rock. And a few minutes later, it cracked, allowing me to escape. And my eyes..."
Valin hands instinctively moved to cover his eyes, a subconscious attempt to shield himself from the overwhelming memories.
His surroundings came into focus—a dense forest of towering trees enveloped him. He pressed forward, crawling through the undergrowth, his body instinctively drawn towards the mountaintop.
Reaching a clearing, Valin settled himself on the ground beside the boulder he had emerged from, his thoughts swirling with confusion and introspection.
"What is this place? What happened to me last night?" he whispered to himself, the words hanging heavy in the air. "Is this an afterlife? I thought I died yesterday... Or is this another dream?"
The silence of the serene mountain was broken by a peculiar sound, faint at first, then growing in intensity—a soft, sith-err-iz-um emanating from the trees.
Valin relaxed against the boulder, momentarily finding solace in the tranquility of the surroundings. But his respite was short-lived as the sound intensified, transforming into an ominous whoosh that pierced through the stillness.
Startled, valin sprang to his feet, his senses on high alert. The sound drew nearer and grew louder, causing his heart to quicken its pace.
He cast his gaze in the direction of the approaching noise, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity etched on his face.
The mysteries of the mountain were far from over, and whatever lay ahead was poised to reveal itself with a thunderous entrance.
The rustling of leaves above heralded the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Valin gaze shot upwards, his eyes meeting those of a figure descending from the treetops.
The stranger's footsteps echoed in the stillness, growing louder with each calculated step.
Draydon's mind raced, his thoughts intertwining with the fading daylight.
"A baby?" he mused, scanning his surroundings with a mix of concern and disbelief. "As the mountain's peak is cloaked in darkness, how is it that a child finds itself here?"
Approaching cautiously, Draydon inched closer to the infant. His attention was momentarily drawn to the boulder that had borne witness to his own emergence.
Curiosity getting the better of him, he investigated the stone, his eyes tracing the cracks and holes that marked its weathered surface. Peering inside, he found nothing but impenetrable darkness, his frame too large to fit within its confines.
Returning his focus to the child, Draydon couldn't help but feel a sense of compassion welling within him.
"Hey," he spoke gently, his voice a soothing balm in the gathering twilight. "Did you perhaps come out from here? If you understand me, just nod."
The baby's head bobbed in response, confirming Draydon's suspicion.
"Hmm, so you did emerge from this stone. That means you have no parents." Draydon contemplated the revelation, his mind searching for answers within the tapestry of his people's collective knowledge.
"Our people have not spoken of such occurrences, but it is not entirely implausible, I suppose."
Concern etched deep lines on Draydon's face as he assessed the child's predicament. "You have nowhere to call home, do you?" he mused, a resolve forming in his heart.
"Come with me to my village. I will carry you. It's growing late, and we mustn't keep you out here."
With a compassionate gesture, Draydon removed his upper clothing, offering it as a makeshift cover for the baby.
Cradling the child gently, he glanced back to see his companions approaching, their figures outlined against the fading light.
"Let us return," Draydon addressed his fellow companion, a sense of urgency in his voice. "There is naught else to be found here, save for this orphaned babe."
Perplexed expressions crossed their faces, questioning the sudden change of plans. "However, we've only just arrived," one of them protested.
Draydon met their gazes, a knowing look passing between them.
"Let us go back. We must not be late for tonight's affairs," he reasoned, a hint of anticipation coloring his words.
A collective agreement settled upon the group, understanding exchanged through shared glances.
"Yes, let us return," they echoed, their steps falling into rhythm as they retraced their path, the mountain's secrets held captive within their hearts.
With the infant securely cradled in his arms, Draydon's pace quickened as he descended the mountain.
However, he soon realized the limitations of his burden. The trees that once served as his companions now hindered his progress.
Unable to swing from branch to branch as he had before, he trudged downward with determination, his steps marked by a hint of frustration.
Conflicting thoughts flooded valin mind, intertwining with the rhythmic beats of his hurried footsteps.
"What's wrong with me?" he pondered, confusion etched on his brow. "I nodded at him, but why do I feel no fear or apprehension, even in the face of the unknown?"
Yet amidst his introspection, another realization dawned upon him, causing his gaze to dart to the surrounding trees.
"Wait, that's not what is important right now," he murmured, his voice laced with intrigue. "There are monkeys. I remember seeing one of them earlier. What is going on?"
As he continued his descent, a sense of motion enveloped valin, as if he were riding a swiftly moving bike.
The scenery blurred past him, his senses struggling to keep up with the rapid pace. He couldn't help but wonder about the enigma surrounding him.
"What's going on here?" he whispered to himself, his voice lost in the wind.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone