Bab 6: The Whispering Glade
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the thicker the oppressive energy became. The trees seemed to lean closer, their twisted branches forming grotesque shapes against the twilight sky. Kael's every step felt heavier, as though the realm itself was trying to pull him down.
"Zen," Kael said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel… something. It's like the forest is alive, watching us."
Zen nodded, his staff glowing faintly in his grip. "You're not wrong. The fractured realms are sentient in their own way. The instability gives them a kind of awareness. This forest knows we are here."
Kael shivered but kept moving, his eyes scanning for any sign of danger. The silence around them was unnerving, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant, echoing whispers.
"Do you hear that?" Kael asked.
Zen stopped, tilting his head as if listening. "The whispers. They're stronger here."
Kael strained to hear, and slowly, he began to make out faint voices. They were fragmented and distant, speaking in a language he couldn't understand. The sound made his skin crawl, but there was something oddly familiar about it.
"What are they saying?" Kael asked.
"They are remnants of the realm's memories," Zen explained. "When a realm fractures, its essence shatters into pieces. These whispers are echoes of what once was, caught between existence and oblivion."
Kael frowned, his unease growing. "Can they hurt us?"
"Not directly," Zen replied. "But they can deceive, distract, and lead you into danger. Stay focused."
As they pressed on, the whispers grew louder, their cadence more insistent. The air grew colder, and Kael felt the weight of the realm's energy pressing down on him.
Then, the forest opened into a clearing, and Kael froze.
The clearing was unlike anything he had seen before. The ground was covered in crystalline flowers that glowed faintly, their petals shimmering with colors that seemed to shift and change. In the center of the clearing stood a large stone altar, its surface etched with the same swirling patterns as the gate.
"What is this place?" Kael asked, his voice hushed.
"The Whispering Glade," Zen said, his tone reverent. "This is the heart of the forest—and the source of its instability."
Kael approached the altar cautiously, his gaze fixed on the glowing patterns. The whispers were deafening here, and as he touched the edge of the altar, a surge of energy shot through him.
Suddenly, the world around him shifted.
---
Kael found himself standing in a different place. The forest was gone, replaced by a vast, open field bathed in golden light. The air was warm, and the whispers had transformed into a gentle hum.
"What is this?" Kael murmured, turning in a slow circle.
A figure appeared in the distance, walking toward him. As it drew closer, Kael's heart skipped a beat. It was a woman, her features ethereal and radiant. She wore a flowing robe of light, her hair shimmering like spun silver.
"Kael," she said, her voice soft and melodic.
Kael stared at her, a strange mix of familiarity and confusion washing over him. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled, though there was sadness in her eyes. "I am a fragment of this realm, a memory of what it once was. And I am here to test you."
"Test me?" Kael asked, his hand instinctively going to his dagger.
The woman raised a hand, and Kael's weapon dissolved into mist. "Your strength will not serve you here," she said. "This test is one of the heart. Look around you, Kael. What do you see?"
Kael hesitated, then glanced at the golden field. The beauty of the place was undeniable, but there was an underlying emptiness to it. "It's… peaceful. But it feels wrong. Like it's missing something."
The woman nodded. "This is what the realm once was—a place of harmony and balance. But that balance was shattered, leaving behind only this hollow echo."
Kael frowned. "How do I fix it?"
"You must find the truth," the woman said, her gaze piercing. "The fractured realms are not just places—they are reflections of the broken pieces within yourself. To heal the realm, you must first confront your own fractures."
Kael opened his mouth to protest, but the golden field began to fade, dissolving into darkness. The whispers returned, louder and more chaotic, and Kael felt himself falling.
---
He landed back in the clearing, the crystalline flowers glowing brighter than before. Zen stood nearby, his expression tense.
"What happened?" Zen asked.
Kael shook his head, trying to steady his breathing. "I… I saw something. A memory of the realm, I think. There was a woman. She said I have to confront my own fractures to fix this place."
Zen's eyes narrowed. "The realm's essence has connected with you. That is rare, Kael. It means you are tied to its fate in ways we do not yet understand."
Kael looked at the altar, his resolve hardening. "Then we fix it. What do I need to do?"
Zen gestured to the glowing patterns on the altar. "The altar is the key. Place your hands upon it and focus your energy. The realm will resist you, but if you are strong enough, you can restore balance."
Kael hesitated, then stepped forward. He placed his hands on the cold stone, and the energy surged through him again, more intense this time. The light and shadow within him roared to life, clashing violently as he channeled his power into the altar.
The whispers rose to a deafening crescendo, and Kael felt the realm's instability pushing back, trying to overwhelm him. He gritted his teeth, forcing the light and shadow to coexist, their combined energy radiating outward.
The crystalline flowers began to glow brighter, their colors stabilizing. The oppressive energy in the air lifted, and the whispers faded into silence.
When Kael finally stepped back, the clearing felt… different. The tension was gone, replaced by a calm stillness.
"You did it," Zen said, his voice filled with quiet awe.
Kael exhaled, his body trembling from the effort. "One step closer," he said, his gaze drifting to the sky.
Zen placed a hand on his shoulder. "There will be more trials ahead. But for now, you have restored a piece of this realm. That is no small feat."
Kael nodded, a small spark of hope igniting within him. He was beginning to understand the fractured realms—and himself.
---
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone