The mottled sunlight painted golden hues on them, as if the earth itself had endowed them with a halo. Elvin and Cassidy, the two travelers on their way to the "Bridge of Friendship," cast their shadows on the dirt road like two lifelines of varying lengths, intertwined. In this vast world, they appeared so small, yet at the same time, so full of resolve and strength. Silence seemed to carve out a stage just for them, with tranquility serving as the forewarning of their forthcoming drama.
Suddenly, a breeze blew past. Cassidy halted, raising her head, her golden hair fluttering in the wind. Her gaze, cutting through the gap of time, fixed on Elvin ahead. "Elvin, where did you learn the knowledge of herbs you used to treat the water sprite's wounds? Herbalism, this profound skill, is not something everyone can master. I've heard that an adept apothecary can even provoke competition among countries," her voice was filled with curiosity, and a hint of admiration.
Elvin halted at this point, turning to face Cassidy, a warm smile adorning his lips. "My grandmother taught me. She was an exceptional herbalist. She knew the secrets of many plants and how to use them." His gaze betrayed a contemplative mood, as if the beautiful past was still etched clearly in his heart.
Cassidy was slightly taken aback. "Your grandmother?" She mulled over this term, then asked, "Where is she now?"
Elvin took a deep breath, a shadow passing over his eyes, "She disappeared on the night our home was attacked by the monster. I don't know where she is now, or even if she is still alive..." His voice gradually fell, his tone full of an undisguised melancholy.
"Monster?" Cassidy was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this term, "You mean..."
Elvin inhaled deeply, nodding, "Yes, a human-like wild boar monster. It destroyed our home and killed my parents..."
Upon hearing this, a wave of sorrow washed over Cassidy. She wanted to comfort Elvin, but didn't know where to begin. Watching his silhouette, she ultimately remained silent, letting out a soft sigh.
Then, they continued their journey. Each step felt like exploring an unknown world, each footfall seemingly uncovering a deeper secret. The road was long, but their hearts were filled with anticipation and hope for the future. They firmly believed that whatever awaited them ahead, they could face it together.
"Elvin, look there, that's our destination - the Bridge of Friendship," Cassidy stretched out her hand towards the distance, her voice filled with solemn reverence.
Elvin followed her pointed finger and reflected in his pupils was a majestic bridge spanning across a river. He asked, puzzled, "What's so special about this bridge?"
Cassidy chuckled and began to narrate, "This is the border between the Reike Kingdom and the Belk Kingdom. The bridge stands on the 'Thousand Waves' river, like a rainbow on the earth, connecting the lifeblood of the two countries. You see the turbulent river water, like thousands of horses running wild, its roar akin to a symphony of nature."
She paused, then continued, "The Bridge of Friendship is not just a passage, but a symbol of friendship and peace between the Reike Kingdom and the Belk Kingdom. Look at every stone on this bridge, as if silently narrating the peaceful and friendly history between our two countries."
Elvin looked at the intricate and sturdy bridge, a flash of admiration in his eyes. "What do the two statues signify?" he pointed at either end of the bridge and asked.
A hint of pride flashed in Cassidy's eyes, "They symbolize our two countries. The Minotaur statue represents the Reike Kingdom. It's strong, resilient, with one hand holding a shield and the other a sword, as if silently guarding this bridge and every passerby."
She paused, then pointed at the other statue, "And that one is the symbol of the Belk Kingdom - a half-goat man. His gaze is like lightning, instilling courage and hope, also with one hand holding a shield and the other a sword, as if in search of future hope and courage."
Cassidy's gaze turned fiery, "These two statues are the guardians of the Bridge of Friendship. They symbolize our persistence for peace and loyalty to friendship. Under their protection, whether it's the people of the Reike Kingdom or the Belk Kingdom, they can travel safely across this bridge, enjoying the blessings of peace and friendship."
However, when their eyes touched the full view of the bridge, their anticipation instantly turned into astonishment and disappointment.
The form of the Bridge of Friendship no longer conjured up memories of past glory. It had suffered a huge impact, with clear traces of fractures on the bridge body. Almost all of the bridge surface had collapsed, leaving only ruins and unrecognizable stonework. The familiar stonework, now shattered, looked like a wailing wound, heartbreakingly torn apart by a storm.
The originally towering and fierce minotaur statue had also lost its former stability and calm. It seemed to have lost balance, sword pointing to the sky, teetering as if it might fall into the river at any moment due to the unbearable weight. The tip of the sword, which once reflected the sunlight, now appeared dull and powerless against the sky, as if silently narrating this tragic scene.
In contrast to the minotaur statue's sorry state, the condition of the half-sheep man statue was no better. Half of it had already been washed away by the river, leaving only one stone arm, still tightly gripping the sword handle, trying to resist the impending fate. Its goat horns were already broken, and those once sharp eyes were filled with shattered stones, becoming dull and lifeless.
The entire scene looked like the ruins after a storm, heart-wrenching. The former glory and magnificence had been destroyed by violent forces, leaving only broken stones and people's memories of the Bridge of Friendship.
Cassidy was deeply shocked by this sight. Her eyes were filled with puzzlement and worry, she held the broadsword tightly in her hand, whispering, "This bridge is sturdy, to cause it to break, a great deal of energy is required... What on earth happened?"
As Cassidy silently stared at the broken Bridge of Friendship, Elwin gazed at the raging Thousand Waves River and bitterly laughed, "It seems we'll need to find another way to cross the river. However, this river is too wide, and the current is too fast..."
Just as they were troubled about how to cross the river, suddenly a clear laughter came, "Haha, are you guys worried about how to cross the river?" That familiar voice made them turn their heads, and they saw the crystal-like figure once again appearing in the air, Caro smiling at them.
Elwin gave Cassidy a bitter smile. Just as they looked helpless, Caro's familiar voice echoed behind them, "Are you preparing to back away from the torrent?" The figure trembled in the air, and Caro looked at them with a grin.
Cassidy asked in confusion, "Caro, why are you here?"
"I'm here to fulfill my promise, I said I would help you, didn't I?" Caro replied playfully, her eyes twinkling.
Next, Caro began to sing a melodious song, a pale blue light enveloping her. In an instant, countless water sprites gathered above the river, their bodies shimmering with crystal light, forming a pulsating curtain of water.
With a wave of Caro's hand, the water sprites obeyed like loyal soldiers. They jointly formed a winding waterway on the surface of the river, as if a bridge had been laid across the river.
Elwin and Cassidy looked at each other, filled with surprise and also trust. They stepped onto the path formed by the water sprites, the river flowing beneath their feet, but their feet felt as though they were walking on solid ground. This magical power filled them with a new awe and curiosity for this world.
When they reached the opposite shore, the water bridge slowly dissipated. Caro's laughter rang out again by their ears: "Haha, it seems you really liked my water bridge! This is a unique skill of us water sprites. If you ever need it again, remember to call for me~" Elwin and Cassidy were filled with gratitude for this tiny water sprite. Her appearance not only brought them help, but also increased their curiosity and urge to explore this world.
Elwin turned his head, looking at her with puzzled eyes. "Caro, do you know how the 'Bridge of Friendship' was destroyed?" he asked.
Caro looked at the broken bridge and her demeanor turned serious, "It was a powerful mage. He unleashed an intense burst of energy and shattered the bridge. At that moment, the shockwave made the river churn and we water sprites were scared and hid in the distance." The hint of fear in her voice made one feel how terrifying the scene must have been.
Cassidy furrowed her brows, "Who is this person, with such enormous power?" she asked.
Caro shook her head, "I don't know. He came quickly and left quickly too. I just remember he wore a black robe and his aura was very strong," she replied.
Cassidy and Elwin exchanged a glance, they both saw the alertness in each other's eyes. Then Caro warned them again, "The 'Town of Amber' you are about to reach has been a bit strange lately, I suggest you be very careful." After saying that, Caro waved her hand and her figure gradually disappeared into thin air, leaving the two standing on the riverbank, contemplating their next journey.
Cassidy slightly furrowed her brows, clearly, she also felt the strangeness Caro mentioned. They immediately started their exploration of the Town of Amber.
As night fell, the colors of the sky gradually deepened, like black velvet. The moonlight was blocked by the sparse woods, leaving everything in darkness. Cassidy took a deep breath, the mysterious gem in her hand seemed to sense her tension, a warm light instantly illuminating the path ahead.
They walked in a deep forest, the surroundings were dark and silent, with only the echoes of their footsteps. The silence here was almost suffocating, not even the slightest insect sound, giving off an eerie feeling. They stepped on the fallen twigs and leaves, making as little noise as possible, like beasts exploring in the dark night, fearing their noises would attract unknown danger.
"How could it be so quiet..." Cassidy whispered, her voice seeming particularly clear in the silent night.
"Hush——" Elwin gestured for her to be quieter, his eyes were even more alert, seemingly any small movement would make him vigilant.
They continued to move forward along the road, their hearts filled with trepidation and unease. Just then, a kerosene lamp suddenly lit up in front of them, illuminating their path. "Where are you headed?" An emaciated old man emerged from the shadows, holding the kerosene lamp in his hand, his eyes deep and gloomy, which startled both of them.