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I can't sleep. Tomorrow, finally, I'll be leaving this island.
I should have been excited, but why? Why I feel restless? Do I regret my decision? Do I miss them already?
The faces of people I grew up with flashes in mind one by one.
Will they be okay without me?
Nah, I shouldn't think too much about it.
I clenched my fist.
If I'll ponder on it any further, I might lose my chance. I-I might decide to stay.
On the other part of the island
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Raquel walked silently behind a group of elders. They are going on the deepest part of the village where the old base of Adji was established.
Raquel noticed that the elders are ringing old golden bells. Those are artifacts from the past. Considering how they survived, Raquel can't be helped but be amazed.
"What are those bells for?"
"They are gifts from our ancestors who had received the blessing of gods. They can calm minds."
"What for?" Raquel curiously asked.
"You'll see."
After entering the base, everyone except for Raquel the very leader of the Adji council left. The rest close the door and guard the entire house.
"Adji is preparing you for this very day."
The remaining old woman which is the leader of Adji instructed Raquel to sit on one vacant chair.
Clang.
The old woman rings the bill again.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
The room is almost empty. Except the table nailed across the wall and candles, there's nothing into it.
The old woman went to the table. She opened its top surface and took a book hiding from the thin compartment.
She shows it to Raquel. The young lady is still puzzled for she had never seen that kind of material before. Strangely, despite looking foreign, she can read the text written on the front page.
It says:
The Bless and the Curse
By Zilla Mana
"This young woman is our nastiest and most protective history. As the future chieftess, it's your responsibility to protect this secret together with the future chief. Use this knowledge well. Since you're blessed with wisdom, we decided to show this to you before him."
Sweating, Raquel took the book. She read every sentence and word without taking a long pause.
To calm her down, the old woman as well as the elders waiting outside keeps the bells ringing. They're magical tools after all infused with calming magic by a once blessed citizen of Bia.