บท 34: Chapter 34: Parts of the Past
The forest was alive with the sound of birdsong as the morning sun climbed higher in the sky. The clearing where the team had made their camp was bathed in a soft golden light, the warmth of the sun a welcome contrast to the cool shadows of the night. Despite the peaceful surroundings, there was a palpable tension in the air as the team prepared for the day ahead.
Jenna was the first to rise, her movements quiet and deliberate as she packed up her belongings. She had slept little the night before, her mind too restless to find peace. Elara's recovery was a small victory, but the weight of their journey still pressed heavily on her shoulders. She knew that Alex was struggling, that the loss of his connection to the light had shaken him deeply, and it pained her to see him so uncertain, so vulnerable.
But it wasn't just Alex who weighed on her mind. Jenna had her own demons to face, her own past to reckon with. The events of the past few days had stirred memories she had long tried to bury, memories of a time before she had joined the team, before she had met Alex.
As the others began to stir, Jenna moved away from the camp, needing a moment of solitude to gather her thoughts. She wandered to the edge of the clearing, where the trees cast long shadows over the forest floor. The air was cool here, the scent of pine and earth filling her lungs as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
She closed her eyes, leaning against a tree as the memories came flooding back.
Jenna had grown up in a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom, far from the bustling cities and grand palaces that defined the heart of the realm. Her parents were humble farmers, their lives simple but fulfilling. They had raised her with love and care, teaching her the value of hard work, of honesty, and of kindness.
But life in the village was not without its challenges. The Catastrophe had changed the world in ways that were still being felt decades later. The dungeons that had appeared after the event were a constant threat, and though the village was far from any major cities, it was not immune to the dangers that lurked within those dark places.
Jenna had always been different from the other children in the village. While they spent their days playing in the fields and learning the skills they would need to take over their family's farms, Jenna had been drawn to something else entirely. She had a gift, a talent for magic that had manifested at a young age. It wasn't powerful at first—just small, harmless spells that she could use to light a candle or move a small object. But as she grew older, her power began to grow as well.
Her parents, concerned for her safety, had tried to suppress her abilities, encouraging her to focus on more practical skills. They were afraid of what might happen if the wrong people discovered her talent, afraid of what the dungeons might do if they sensed her power.
But Jenna had been stubborn, determined to hone her skills despite their fears. She would practice in secret, late at night when the village was asleep, pushing herself to learn more, to do more. It was during one of these late-night practice sessions that everything changed.
She had been practicing a new spell, one that required more concentration and control than any she had attempted before. It was supposed to be a simple light spell, something to help guide her in the dark. But something had gone wrong. The spell had backfired, the light she had summoned growing too bright, too intense, until it burst from her in a blinding flash.
When she had regained her senses, she found herself lying on the ground, the world around her shrouded in darkness. Her head throbbed, and her vision was blurry, but she could hear the distant sound of voices, of people shouting her name.
She tried to stand, but her legs were weak, her body trembling from the effort of the spell. It wasn't until she heard the panicked screams of the villagers that she realized something was terribly wrong.
She stumbled toward the sound, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way through the village. What she saw when she reached the center of the village would haunt her for the rest of her life.
The dungeon had broken open.
The villagers were running in all directions, their faces twisted in terror as monstrous creatures poured from the dungeon's entrance. The creatures were unlike anything Jenna had ever seen—twisted, deformed beasts with claws and fangs that glinted in the moonlight. They tore through the village with a ferocity that defied comprehension, their roars echoing through the night.
Jenna's first instinct was to run, to flee from the nightmare that had descended upon her home. But as she watched the creatures tear through the village, something inside her snapped. The fear that had gripped her heart turned to anger, to a burning rage that ignited her magic like never before.
She raised her hands, summoning all the power she could muster, and unleashed it upon the creatures. A torrent of fire and lightning erupted from her fingertips, striking the beasts with a force that sent them reeling. The creatures howled in pain, their bodies convulsing as the magic tore through them, but Jenna didn't stop. She couldn't stop.
The power coursed through her, wild and uncontrollable, as she continued to attack the creatures. She could feel the magic consuming her, burning her from the inside out, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to destroy the monsters that had invaded her home, to protect the people she loved.
But the power was too much. It overwhelmed her, driving her to the brink of madness as she unleashed spell after spell. The ground shook beneath her feet, the air crackling with energy as the village was consumed by fire and lightning.
It wasn't until she saw her parents, their faces twisted in fear as they called out to her, that she realized what she had done. The magic that had saved the village had also destroyed it.
Jenna's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with pain and exhaustion. The creatures were gone, but so was the village. The buildings had been reduced to smoldering ruins, the fields scorched and barren. The villagers, those who had survived, looked at her with a mixture of awe and terror.
Her parents rushed to her side, their faces pale and drawn as they knelt beside her. "Jenna," her mother whispered, her voice trembling. "What have you done?"
Tears streamed down Jenna's face as she looked at the devastation she had caused. She had saved the village, but at what cost? The magic that had flowed through her, the power that had consumed her, was beyond anything she had ever imagined. It had taken everything from her, leaving her broken and hollow.
Her parents tried to comfort her, to reassure her that she had done what she had to do, but their words rang hollow. Jenna knew the truth. She had lost control, and in doing so, she had destroyed everything she had ever known.
In the days that followed, Jenna could barely bring herself to leave her bed. The villagers avoided her, their eyes filled with fear and suspicion. They whispered about her behind closed doors, calling her a witch, a monster. She couldn't blame them. She felt like a monster.
It wasn't long before the whispers turned to action. The village elder, a man who had once been a friend of her parents, came to their home one evening. His face was grave, his eyes cold as he delivered his verdict.
"Jenna must leave the village," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Her power is too dangerous. We cannot risk another incident."
Her parents pleaded with him, begged him to reconsider, but the elder was resolute. The villagers had spoken, and they wanted Jenna gone.
Jenna didn't fight the decision. She knew it was for the best. She had brought nothing but destruction to her home, and she couldn't bear to stay and face the consequences of her actions.
So, with a heavy heart, she packed her belongings and left the village in the dead of night, her parents' tearful goodbyes echoing in her ears. She didn't know where she was going or what she would do, but she knew she couldn't stay. She had to find a way to control her power, to prevent something like this from ever happening again.
For months, she wandered the wilderness, searching for answers, for a way to tame the magic that had nearly destroyed her. She met others along the way, people who had also been touched by the Catastrophe, who had powers of their own. Some tried to help her, others sought to use her, but none could offer her the solace she so desperately needed.
It wasn't until she met Alex that she began to find a sense of purpose again. He had been different from the others—kind, understanding, patient. He didn't look at her with fear or suspicion, but with compassion. He saw her not as a monster, but as a person, someone who had been hurt, who needed help.
He had taken her in, welcomed her into his team, and given her a place to belong. With him, she had found a family, a reason to keep going. And slowly, with his guidance, she had begun to regain control over her magic.
But the fear had never truly left her. It lingered in the back of her mind, a constant reminder of what she was capable of, of the destruction she could unleash if she ever lost control again.
Jenna opened her eyes, the memories fading as she returned to the present. The forest was still, the sunlight filtering through the trees in golden shafts. She could hear the others in the clearing behind her, their voices low as they discussed their plans for the day.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she prepared to rejoin them. She couldn't change the past, couldn't undo the damage she had done, but she could control the future. She had to. For Alex, for the team, for herself.
As she turned to walk back to the camp, she found Alex standing a few feet away, his expression thoughtful. He had seen the distant look in her eyes, the way she had withdrawn from the group. He had always been perceptive, always aware of when something was weighing on her mind.
"Jenna," he said softly, stepping closer. "Are you okay?"
She forced a smile, though she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Just… thinking."
He didn't press her for details, didn't ask what she had been thinking about. He knew better than to pry. Instead, he reached out, taking her hand in his, offering her silent support.
"I'm here," he said simply, his voice filled with quiet reassurance.
She squeezed his hand, grateful for his presence, for his understanding. "I know," she replied, her voice steady. "Thank you."
They stood there for a moment, hand in hand, as the sunlight filtered through the trees around them. It was a small moment of peace, a brief respite from the chaos of their journey. And in that moment, Jenna knew that she wasn't alone. No matter what happened, no matter what challenges they faced, she had Alex, she had the team. They would face it together.
As they walked back to the camp, side by side, Jenna felt a sense of determination settle over her. She couldn't change the past, but she could shape the future. She would control her power, she would protect her team, and she would find a way to make amends for the mistakes she had made.
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