Morning arrived, casting its golden rays through the dusty window. Eldric awakened with a renewed sense of purpose. He dressed, took a moment to steel himself, for the upcoming event ahead.
Descending the creaking stairs, Eldric found the innkeeper preparing breakfast—a simple spread of bread, cheese, and warm tea. The innkeeper glanced up, his weary eyes meeting Eldric's determined gaze.
Breakfast consumed, Eldric thank the innkeeper and stepped out into the morning light. The village lay before him, a ghostly reflection of its former self. The ruined buildings stood as silent witnesses to the tragedy that had unfolded—a stark reminder of the lives torn asunder.
Eldric wandered through the desolate streets of the broken village, his footsteps echoing in the empty spaces. The air hung heavy with a haunting stillness, as if the very essence of life had been drained from the place. He approached the remaining villagers, questioning them about the tragedy that had befallen the village all those years ago.
With each inquiry, Eldric received somber nods and lowered gazes. The villagers spoke in hushed tones, their voices filled with a mixture of sorrow and fear. Many recounted the nightmarish events that had unfolded, the destruction that had claimed the lives of loved ones and shattered their community. But when asked about survivors, their eyes turned hollow, unable to offer any solace.
Hours turned into a blur as Eldric tirelessly searched for answers. He had traversed every corner of the village, spoken to anyone willing to share their stories, but the truth remained elusive. Doubt began to seep into his mind—a nagging feeling that perhaps his efforts were in vain, that he was chasing shadows from a distant past.
Frustration gnawed at Eldric's resolve, his weary body yearning for respite. He found himself drawn to a quiet corner of the village, where he sank down onto the sidewalk, feeling defeated. Lost in his thoughts, he cradled his journal in his hands, its pages filled with unanswered questions and scattered fragments of information.
It was in this moment of despair that a voice pierced through the haze. "What's wrong?" a young girl asked, her voice filled with innocence and concern. Eldric's head snapped up, his eyes meeting hers, and he froze.
Her blond hair, flowing in loose waves down to her shoulders. The rich hues of warm yellow and golden highlights added depth and dimension to her lustrous locks.
Her eyes were a captivating shade of deep dark blue, sparkling with a combination of wisdom, mischief, and kindness.
In terms of height, she stood at an average stature, neither particularly tall nor short, allowing her to move with grace and ease.
Her attire often consisted of flowing robes in soothing shades of green and blue, reflecting her connection to nature and her role as a healer. The fabric of her robes rippled and swayed with her movements, as if dancing in harmony with her graceful steps.
Her face bore a striking resemblance to Aria, one of his childhood friends who had perished in the tragedy that haunted his memories. The shock rattled him, and he dropped the journal he had been writing in.
"How... how old are you?" Eldric stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
The girl tilted her head, her gaze unwavering. "I'm twelve," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity. "And you're Eldric, right? I've seen you a couple of times in my dreams. I can't wait to meet you."
Eldric's heart raced, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Aria's face, frozen in time, stared back at him through the eyes of this young girl. The tragedy had occurred thirteen years ago—there was no way she could be alive. Yet, the resemblance was undeniable.
"What's your name?" Eldric managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.
"My name is Aria," she replied, a smile gracing her lips. "You've been searching for answers, haven't you? Well, here I am."
Eldric listened intently as Aria shared her experiences, her voice carrying a mix of wonder and uncertainty. She explained that her dreams often transported her to a time before the tragedy, where she lived in the very orphanage that had been decimated in the village they now stood.
In those dreams, she had glimpses of a life she couldn't remember, surrounded by familiar faces and a sense of belonging.
"I knew someone had to be alive," Aria said, her eyes shining with determination. "That's why I came here, even though I'm still little at twelve years old. I felt drawn to this place, as if my dreams were guiding me towards something important."
Eldric gazed at Aria, a mix of astonishment and curiosity reflected in his eyes. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the young girl's determination and the profound connection she claimed to have with the village's past.
"You felt drawn to this place?" Eldric asked, his voice laced with intrigue. "Tell me more about your dreams. How did they guide you here?"
Aria took a deep breath, her small frame filled with a surprising sense of purpose. "Ever since I can remember, I've had vivid dreams about this village," she began. "I see glimpses of another life, where I lived in the orphanage here. I recognize the faces of the children, the rooms, and even the surrounding landscape. It feels so real, as if I had truly experienced it."
Eldric listened intently, captivated by Aria's words. He couldn't deny the uncanny familiarity he felt towards her, as if they were connected through more than mere chance. But he still yearned for an explanation. "But how could you possibly be here, given that the tragedy happened thirteen years ago?" he questioned, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and hope.
Aria, also confused. "I don't know much, but maybe" she replied softly. "maybe, my soul carry memories from previous lives. And in my case, these memories have led me here. I felt a calling, saying that I'll definitely found something."
"Aria," Eldric began gently, "how did you even find this village? It's not a safe place, and I can't imagine how you made it here on your own."
Aria smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with a mix of innocence and wisdom beyond her years. "Before I left, I encountered a group of travelers passing through my hometown. They were heading in the direction of this village and offered to take me with them.
Relief washed over Eldric as he realized that Aria hadn't embarked on this perilous journey entirely alone.
"But what happened next, what about the adventurer's that accompanied you here?" Eldric asked, curious to learn more about the young girl's journey.
Aria's continued her tale. "The group of travelers had their own destination, so we eventually reached a point where our paths diverged. They provided me with directions and some supplies to help me along my way.
"what about your family? Do they know that you've left home and went here?"
Aria's expression turned somber as she shared her story. "Well, I was born and raised in a village not far from here. However, monsters often came and raided my village, my family was torn apart.
My parents, along with many others, went missing or perished in the chaos. I was left with distant relatives.
Moved by her words, Eldric looked at Aria with compassion. "Aria, I'm truly sorry for all that you've been through. It takes incredible courage to face such hardships. Now, what do you think we should do next?"
Pausing for a bit, Aria, a bit teary eyed "Eldric, I don't want anyone else to suffer like my family did," she said firmly. "We need to find out what happened. Can I join you in your adventure?"
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Eldric spoke, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and resolve. "Aria, I admire your courage and your unwavering spirit. It's not an easy path we're embarking on, and there will be dangers lurking in the shadows. But if you're willing to face them with me, I won't deny you the opportunity to be part of this journey."
Aria's eyes lit up with a mixture of gratitude and excitement. "Thank you, Eldric," she whispered, her voice tinged with determination. "I won't let you down.