As they go in the wagon, ESU explains that, if you go with it, the road will open, OKE seeing how thick the forest is, it questions what the girl says, at least hopefully if it is metaphorically.
The trees of the forest are imposing, large and thick, with very thick roots, the more they enter, the less light there is, the air also begins to run low despite being full of vegetation.
ESU in a low voice, full of regret, comments that I wish those villains had gone in there and not surrounded the way they did.
KEKI looks at her seriously, there's almost no light anymore.
From among her suit, in some pocket, KEKI looks for something, she pulls out a paper talisman, lights a wick of light with the use of a paper talisman and it goes out soon after, this is a sign that the air is dangerously scarce.
They're starting to sweat.
Their path is now dangerous, they've gone a long way.
They think it's hard to be in those conditions, every time the trees and their roots are thicker and it's hard to ride in the wagon, OKE, KEKI, TOIRE and ESU have come down from the wagon, although ESU helps, it has no closeness to any.
The road has become laborious, sometimes you have to push and even carry a part of it.
Despite bringing useful things into the wagon, they decide to let the horses go, they will instinctively find a way out and/or survive.
Well, they're in the woods, now no horses.
They take only what they needed with what they traveled before and set out to continue.
KEKI knows that TOIRE loads with your book and scrolls, in fact, offers you help in case you want to share the load.
TOIRE smiles for KEKI, he says no, it's his backpack, so he'll take care of her.
He's following in the way.
Nearby, a light shines from the darkness, a small light as if there was a hole in the top of the trees.
They walk into that light.
That opening will give them fresh air.
Before they arrive, they see that there is no hole in the treetop, the light comes from a stone in the forest.
ESU says to wait.
It may be the work of the guardian.
They're waiting.
ESU walks alone to the place, in the center there is a rock and on the rock a gem of light, ESU touches the gem but does not take it, oppresses it and the rock sinks.
A staff of light is formed at the feet of ESU, you hear a mature voice (very old indeed) that says: so, you are a member of the village of healers!, the staff reveals your heart.
The staff light turns white and stronger, blows some air to everyone's relief.
Among the shadows, there is someone approaching, it is a very small figure which reveals its appearance as it approaches the light.
She's an old lady with a cane, the others are near ESU outside the staff.
ESU is surprised, kneels in front of her and everyone wonders why, ESU exclaims: oh, Mother! You're a mother of advice.
The woman confirms it, she is WAPURO and... says: my child... there is no one left in the village but we 2.
ESU fearing the worst, asks for KELAO, WAPURO with great regret, tells him that as soon as they took her, more men mounted on beasts arrived in the village... as they had already gone to warn the men, they arrived when they had invaded us, everyone, they all fought with what they could but, dear child, as you know, we are not warriors, KELAO and those who escaped took refuge in the forest but, they found them, there were too many... WAPURO managed to survive with the last strength of a sister when she was unconscious... remembers well that she was wounded by the claws of a bird.
ESU fills with sadness, just tears are crowded in your eyes... KELAO left a message for her.
ESU sheds tears of sorrow and leans forward as she bends her legs, kneeling on the ground.
WAPURO goes all the way to ESU, WAPURO makes her flip by raising ESU's face with her hand, so, she puts her hand on ESU's chest, she feels like a warm light floods it inside, until the message ends.
(the message is only perceived by ESU, others do not know the content).
In her heart she perceives the image of KELAO and hears her voice telling her that she only wants her to know that wherever she is, if he still has life he will come to her, otherwise WAPURO will tell her how much he loves her, he always loves her and that he wants her to be happy, as much as possible and... don't forget him.
The message ended up flooding ESU's heart with tears.
KEKI, moved, though, shows nothing of his face, enters the circle to embrace and comfort ESU, WAPURO because of the spell, can see in KEKI's heart.
WAPURO with regret, says turning to them: my child, you are pure in heart, yet your heart will cost you your life, take care of prudence.
KEKI looks at her trying to understand first whether she told her or ESU and what she can achieve to cover WAPURO's message.
END OF CHAPTER 24