Chương 33: Calm
It was almost morning, and the night was giving way to the soft blue hues of dawn, painted by the early sunlight. The birds were singing once more, some taking to the sky for their morning routines. Meanwhile, nocturnal creatures retreated to their homes as others began to wake up.
Ephiron, Clem, and Chump were slowly walking away inside the northern city graveyard. Their hands or gloves were covered in dirt, and Chump's eyes were red from crying, though a faint smile could be seen on their faces.
Five new graves had recently been dug, their presence was noticeable only by the freshly disturbed earth and the flowers planted on top, marked with stone monuments.
The atmosphere was devoid of emotion, not because it had never been there, but because there was a palpable sense of relief in the air, mixed with the earthy and animal scents.
Once they were out of the graveyard, Chump and Ephiron shook hands and nodded simultaneously. Ephiron made a small gesture of reverence and took a small crystal from his pocket watch. He slowly floated away towards the nearby teleporter installed at the explorer's camp. Clem and Chump hopped into a nearby car that Clem had prepared the previous night.
All of this happened in perfect silence; none of the three said a word. Clem took the driver's seat, and Chump occupied the co-pilot seat. Both fastened their seatbelts in their distinctive styles. Chump crossed his legs, while Clem adjusted a couple of partial arms to the car's manual controls.
A sense of relief washed over Chump's mind. His family had been buried and mourned, and no more demons were tormenting his thoughts. He felt clear about his goals and how to achieve them. Clem looked at Chump before starting the car.
He placed his partial arms on Chump's shoulder for a moment and cracked a small smile, conveying a silent message of "Are you okay?" Chump smiled back, nodded, and gestured with his hands back to the front.
Both turned their heads to the back seat, where the bunnies were peacefully sleeping, their breath and movements synchronized, much like a magnetic field. Except for Zippy, who had jumped onto Chump's lap and dozed off there.
Chump rested his right arm on the car door, propped his head on the door frame, and gazed out at the passing scenery as Clem drove near the beach. Everything remained peaceful, with no disturbances, only the gentle melodies of the birds, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the sun bathing the coast in its golden light.
He took a moment to gaze upon the powerful jewel held in his other hand, blinking more frequently as he did so.
Slowly, Chump closed his eyes, despite the lingering pain in his chest, and drifted off during the journey back to their base. He was ready for a well-deserved rest.
The lurking giant shadow returned after they had buried the deceased, following the car from a distance.
Ephiron teleported back to the front garden of the mansion. It was another beautiful morning; the water was calm, and the animals were still asleep. The flowers had yet to bloom, and the sun was just beginning to touch the first trees on the island.
Ephiron had to remove his gloves, clean them as best as he could, and place them inside a handkerchief. His hands were a curious mix of dark blue lizard claws with a humanoid shape, the nails trimmed and polished for precision.
Carrying a bag in one hand and another on his back, Ephiron entered the mansion silently. Most of the guests and prisoners were still asleep. The guards saluted him with discretion as he walked by and made his way to the main room.
In the main room, the maidens were getting ready for the day. They all bowed in complete silence as Ephiron entered. Only the elderly granny and her young grandchild did not bow. The granny was too old, and the child too young. The child looked almost human, distinguishable only by her natural blue hair.
Despite being the tallest of the maidens, the granny appeared the most fragile. Her wrinkled face gave her an endearing, naturally warm expression that would make anyone feel comforted seeing her smile, even with the nose and mustache of an otter.
Ephiron nodded respectfully and took out his handkerchief with the soiled gloves. The second oldest of the maidens handed him a document written in an unfamiliar script. Ephiron read it briefly, then offered a soft smile that conveyed a sense of approval. He folded the document, slipped it inside an inner pocket of his jacket, and handed the bag to the granny. However, she pushed it back towards him.
Ephiron's calm expression was mixed with confusion and surprise. The granny gestured toward the backyard and extended her hand, inviting him to follow. The other maidens continued their work in silence. As Ephiron floated to the other side of the room, heading for the backyard, he nodded and followed her.
Fair warning, skip a few paragraphs if you aren't interested in descriptions. (I felt inspired, I'm sorry not sorry)
The backyard was a breathtaking sight to behold. Concealed within its borders were waterfalls, hills, and lush trees, forming a semi-circular expanse that seemed to stretch almost endlessly.
The natural walls were adorned with moss, flowers, plants, and rugged rocks. At the center of it all lay a natural sauna, fed by water cascading into a pool and natural steam flowing through the rocks. Flanking it were frozen pools, rendering perfect symmetry and hosting magnificent water horses that served as carriages from the mansion.
The wall of the mansion that faced the backyard was an intricate combination of Remenant lines, ornate windows, semi-opaque crystals, and a colossal door, towering seven meters high with exquisitely adorned horse-shaped knockers. The only separation between the garden and the mansion was a stone molding.
The garden was divided into sections by magical flowers, each enveloping uniquely shaped crystals, creating a landscape resembling icebergs. These crystal shards pointed outward and increased in both length and thickness as they extended further from the mansion, radiating a powerful Remenant aura that flowed through the surrounding fauna.
In the exact center of the semi-circle garden, there was a hall partitioned by these crystal shards and adorned with flowers, with a flowing stream of crystalline water that anyone could touch but not pass through—likely a protective measure by the shards.
Just before reaching the sauna and pools, a massive wooden platform, crafted from the finest wood in the world, displayed a rich brown hue with planks meticulously handcrafted, each almost indistinguishable from the others. Ten stone-like pillars rose around the semi-circular porch.
Above this area was a magnificent semi-spherical floating aquarium. No enclosures or walls were protecting it; it seamlessly blended with the environment. Aquatic creatures, ranging from fishes to amphibians, could freely swim back and forth through the pools and the aquarium, connected by two beautiful channels.
Inside each of the ten pillars, there were bright blue emerald crystals, as brilliant as daylight, seemingly the recipients of Remenant energy, responsible for the enchanting scene before them.
Here: I am gonna cut off the descriptions for now. I may expand it a bit in world-building or volume 0.
Ephiron and the granny gathered on the porch, where a woman sat with a book and a notebook in hand, a pencil made by humans. Chump's sister, dressed in a simple yet cute white dress, was engrossed in her work, seemingly studying from a textbook. Beside her, someone held a cup of wine, their gaze fixed in another direction.
The granny stood by the human, offering assistance in her elderly wisdom. Ephiron positioned himself in front of them, bowed respectfully, and presented the package. Upon closer examination, the woman in the chair spoke to him in the softest and somewhat monotone tone imaginable.
"Rest. We will talk tomorrow."
Ephiron nodded, then gently placed the package in front of the woman. He opened his jacket and retrieved a handwritten letter, leaving it floating before him as a sign that he was ready for a well-deserved rest.
Chump's sister, curious, slowly unwrapped the package after Ephiron departed. She found a mixture of items inside—a doll from their home, a book with her name, "Darinma," written by her, some tea and incense, and various other essentials.
Her attention turned to the letter, its end bearing her brother's signature, although the name was indistinct. As she read it, tiny tears welled up in her eyes. She set the letter down and hugged herself, seeking comfort. Only the figure with the cup of wine attempted to reassure her.
"Brother, please be careful... Please..."
In Asaga's room, which felt a world away, chaos reigned supreme. Trophies lay strewn on the floor, countless pictures torn apart, and titles discarded onto the ground. Oddly, the books remained untouched, as if spared from the fury that had engulfed the room.
Outside the door, the guards persistently knocked, their pleas for her to open it growing increasingly urgent. But she paid them no heed. She was seething, her internal struggle to prevent herself from unleashing her fiery anger upon everything around her.
In the center of one wall, giant claw marks etched a single word:
CHUMP.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Clyonor
Clyonor Wanted to create a silent chapter.
No big words, nor confrontations
A way to express my self without limits.
I know it wont be taste of all...darn...
I am gonna hear lofi and be chilling.
kyahahaha!~
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