Bab 11: Laugher and Revelations
The next morning, the hidden village woke up under a soft light filtered through the branches of the giant trees. The group of adventurers, after a well-deserved night's rest, gathered around the same table in the inn. The small creature, the Faëlis, had decided to stay with Kaelith and did not leave his side, attracting the affectionate gazes of the villagers.
The inn was already bustling with the locals, busy preparing breakfast. The enticing aromas of fresh bread, ripe fruits, and herbal tea filled the air. Aelion, Liraë, Elindor, and Kaelith settled in comfortably, ready to savor this moment of calm before continuing their quest.
"So, Kaelith," teased Liraë as she poured tea into her cup, "how's your new friend? It looks like he's adopted you."
Kaelith, always reserved, managed a slight smile as he glanced at the little creature that had fallen asleep on his lap. "It seems he's decided I'm worthy of his company. And I must admit, it's not unpleasant."
Aelion smiled, helping himself to a piece of bread. "It's good to see you relax a bit, Kaelith. Maybe this village is a good place for that."
Elindor, taking a sip of his tea, added, "Even the most seasoned warriors need moments of peace. This village seems like a refuge, not just for its inhabitants, but for us as well."
Liraë nodded, her gaze momentarily lost through the window, where the giant trees stood majestically. "There's a serenity here that's rare to find elsewhere. It's as if time stops, and all that matters is the present."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a group of villagers who entered the inn carrying baskets full of fruits and vegetables. One of them, a young man with curly hair and bright eyes, approached their table, a joyful smile on his lips.
"Good morning to you, travelers!" he exclaimed. "How are you finding our humble village so far?"
Aelion responded enthusiastically, "It's a beautiful place. We're truly grateful for the warm welcome you've given us."
The young man chuckled softly. "We're delighted to have you among us. It's been a long time since we've had visitors, especially ones with such a noble mission as yours."
Liraë, curious, asked him, "How long have you lived here, in this hidden village?"
The young man thought for a moment, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, for most of us, forever. We were born here, as were our parents before us. This place has always been a refuge, far from the conflicts and dangers of the outside world."
Kaelith, absentmindedly stroking the Faëlis that purred on his lap, interjected, "And you, have you never felt the need to see the outside world? To discover what lies beyond these caves?"
The young man shook his head, still smiling. "Some of us are curious, of course, but most prefer to stay here, where we're safe. The outside world can be fascinating, but it's also filled with dangers. Here, we have everything we need."
Aelion nodded, understanding the villagers' choice. "It's a wise choice. Protecting what matters most sometimes means staying away."
They continued their conversation, sharing stories and laughter, while the inn's atmosphere filled with warmth and friendliness. The Faëlis, now completely at ease, wandered around the table, inspecting each member of the group before curling back up against Kaelith.
In the early afternoon, as the group prepared to leave the inn to continue their learning in the village, the old storyteller, the one who had told them the story of Lumael the previous night, reappeared. He approached slowly, his eyes shining with unfathomable wisdom.
"Ah, my young friends," he said in a soft but grave voice, "before you continue your quest, I'd like to speak to you once more."
Aelion motioned for the others to sit again. "Of course, we're listening. Your words are precious to us."
The storyteller sat near the fire, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. "Yesterday, I spoke to you about the Eternal Light, about Lumael and the trials that await you. But there's something else you must know, something I haven't revealed yet."
He lifted his eyes toward them, his expression filled with gravity. "Your quest is noble, and your determination undeniable. But there's a danger you must be aware of. Sometimes, those who seek the light can be tempted by the shadow, without even realizing it. The shadow doesn't always attack directly; it creeps into hearts, where it finds weaknesses."
Liraë shuddered slightly, sensing the weight of these words. "What must we do to protect ourselves?"
The old man looked at her with a melancholic tenderness. "Be vigilant, my children. One of you, despite all your strength and willpower, might be tempted by the shadow before this quest ends. It's a trial as old as the Light itself. But know that this temptation will not manifest in an obvious form. It will take the shape of doubts, fears, unspoken desires."
Kaelith, his face more closed off than ever, stared intently at the storyteller. "And how can we know if one of us is in danger?"
The storyteller sighed softly, shaking his head. "It's hard to say. The temptation of the shadow is subtle. You will need to watch over each other, and most importantly, watch over yourselves. The light can guide you, but it's up to you to choose to follow it."
The group remained silent, each of them becoming aware of the weight of this warning. The Faëlis, perhaps sensing the tension, gently climbed onto Kaelith's shoulders, as if to reassure him.
Aelion, speaking with a firm yet calm voice, finally responded, "We will be careful. We now know that the path will not only be fraught with physical obstacles, but also with inner challenges. We will watch over each other, and we won't let the shadow divide us."
The old man looked at each of them, his eyes sparkling with a strange light, a mix of sadness and hope. "Then I wish you good luck, young adventurers. And remember, sometimes the greatest light is found in the darkest places."
With these final words, the storyteller slowly rose and walked away, leaving the group to ponder what he had told them. Their hearts were heavier, but also more determined than ever.
The rest of the day passed in a lighter atmosphere, the villagers doing their best to distract and entertain their guests. They visited other parts of the village, exchanged more stories, and learned ancient techniques that could be useful on their quest. But the storyteller's warning lingered in the back of their minds, like an elusive shadow.
And as night fell and the group prepared to set out again the next day, they knew that, even with all the dangers they had already faced, the real challenge would be keeping their hearts pure and their minds clear. For the shadow, though silent, was always there, ready to slip in at the slightest weakness.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone