Chereads / World End: Lost Bonds / Chapter 12 - Journey Back

Chapter 12 - Journey Back

As the morning sunlight peeked through the inn's windows, Eldric and Aria stirred from their slumber. They sat up on their respective beds, rubbing their eyes and stretching their tired limbs.

"Eldric," Aria said, her voice soft and filled with curiosity, "what should we do next? The world feels so vast, and I'm not sure where to begin."

Eldric gazed at Aria, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Aria, I have an idea. How about we return to the floating island where I came from? It's a place of safety, where we can gather our thoughts and plan our next steps."

Aria looked up at Eldric, her eyes wide with curiosity. "But why, Eldric? What can we find there?"

Eldric took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. "The floating island is a place of safety and knowledge. It holds the answers we seek and the guidance we need. We can find solace there, away from the perils of the outside world."

Aria nodded eagerly. "Alright Eldric, Going back to the floating island sounds like a good plan."

The villagers had thanked Eldric and Aria for helping them fend and defeat the monsters that had been danger for them. After hearing that Eldric wanted to leave the village and go back to the floating Island, They gave Eldric a carriage as a farewell gift.

With a sense of gratitude, Eldric and Aria climbed into the carriage, its wheels creaking softly as it began its journey. The villagers lined the streets, bidding them farewell with cheers and heartfelt wishes for a safe return.

They had acquired sufficient resources to have enough for their journey, so then, they started they're journey back.

As the carriage traversed the winding roads, Eldric and Aria exchanged excited glances, anticipation dancing in their eyes. Eldric told stories of when he was in the floating island, the quests he did, the abundance of people he met, the adventurer's guild, the orphanage, his caretaker.

They also ecounter monsters, but dealt pretty easily by Eldric, there are some cases where they ecounter a huge desert worm. They decided to flee from it, that strikes as a reminder that the world is a dangerous place to live in, and many powerful foes are everywhere.

They take turns in directing the horse, though the terrain is pretty rough, they manage to become used to the bumps.

At night, they set off camps every night, put up a protective spell barrier, to fend off monsters trying to sneak in. They also take turns staying awake for safety reasons.

Eldric is often practicing his sword at his shift, sometimes even in dawn and in the morning. Aria marveled at his determination and the grace with which he wielded his weapon.

After two days of travelling, they arrived at a bustling town, the pace is certainly slower that the time that he went from the floating island, but they are definitely going in the right direction.

The city, bustling with people roaming about. However ,the atmosphere seems different from when Eldric first arrived there. People are cheering, decoration held up across the city walls. There indicates that there is a festival of sort going on.

"Excuse me, is there some kind of event going on today?" Asked Eldric to the guards protecting the gate.

"Yes, that is correct!" Said the guard with enthusiasm.

"Today is the Festival of Light, a grand celebration held annually in honor of the island's protector and the eternal flame that keeps our village safe. One of the three higher beings, "The Sage" once cast a protective spell onto this area, making it safe from monsters attack."

Eldric and Aria exchanged excited glances, their curiosity piqued by the prospect of experiencing the festival. They thanked the guards and made their way into the city, following the jubilant crowds towards the heart of the celebration.

"Aria, what do you want to do?" Asked Eldric.

"Umm.. I want to enjoy the festival, but let's book for an inn first, after that we can enjoy the festival." Said Aria.

Eldric nodded in agreement. "Finding a place to rest sounds like a good plan. We can freshen up and then immerse ourselves in the festivities."

As they walked through the colorful streets adorned with vibrant banners and twinkling lanterns, the air was filled with music, laughter, and the mouth-watering aroma of street food. Performers showcased their talents, from acrobats and dancers to musicians and storytellers, mesmerizing the gathering crowd with their captivating performances.

Eldric and Aria wandered through the festival, indulging in street food, trying their hand at carnival games, and immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere.

As dawn aproaches, Eldric and Aria found themselves drawn to the central square, where a majestic stage had been set up. The square was teeming with people, their eyes fixed on the elevated platform, awaiting the main event of the festival.

Aria tugged at Eldric's sleeve, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Yes, let's do that! I can't wait to see what's in store."

Aria tugged at Eldric's sleeve, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Eldric, I wonder what the main event of the festival is. Let's find a spot where we can have a good view!"

A guy walks up the stage, a spotlight aimed at him, followed by a round of applause from the spectator.

"Today is a joyous day, a day to commemorate our great savior, the Wise Sage. He not only saved us in the brink of despair, but he also helped rebuilding and prevent further destructions from happening. Though monsters still roam the land, this city is deemed safe as a checkpoint for travelers, also for people living in general. Today's performance will entail the story of the Wise Sage in bringing back hope to Humanity. Please enjoy!"

The crowd erupted in anticipation as the performance began. Eldric and Aria found a spot near the front, their eyes fixed on the stage, eager to witness the tale of the Wise Sage unfold before them.

The curtains rose, revealing a meticulously designed set depicting a town in ruins, devastated by the onslaught of monsters. The performers, dressed in vibrant costumes, moved with grace and precision, narrating the story through their movements and expressions.

The story showcased the Wise Sage's journey, his aspiring journey combined with unwavering determination to protect humanity and restore balance to the world. Through breathtaking dance sequences, aerial acrobatics, and spellbinding illusions, the performers brought the tale to life.

They way that the Wise Sage, seemingly took on the horde of monsters, saving people, and casting a divine protective spell on to the city, before going off to other places to save as much life as possible.

Eldric and Aria were captivated by the performances, their hearts swelling with emotion as they witnessed the trials and triumphs of the Wise Sage. They marveled at the seamless fusion of artistry and storytelling, each scene immersing them deeper into the narrative.

As the performance reached its climax, the stage transformed into a vivid representation of hope and rebirth. Colorful projections and dazzling light displays painted the scene, symbolizing the resurgence of life and the triumph of the human spirit.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, their hearts filled with awe and gratitude for the tale they had witnessed. Eldric and Aria joined in, their hands clapping together as they expressed their appreciation for the performance they had witnessed.

As the night sky blanketed the city, the festival reached its crescendo. The air was filled with anticipation as the crowd gathered in the central square once more. Eldric and Aria joined the throngs of people, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Suddenly, the night was illuminated by a dazzling display of fireworks. Explosions of color burst across the sky, painting a mesmerizing tapestry above the city. Eldric and Aria gazed in awe, their eyes sparkling with delight as the vibrant hues reflected in their eyes.

As the final firework faded, signaling the end of the Festival of Light, Eldric and Aria decided it is time to head back to the inn.

They made their way through the gradually thinning crowd. The vibrant energy that had filled the town began to mellow, and the echoes of laughter and music faded into the night.

As they walked back to the inn they had chosen earlier, Eldric and Aria relished in the memories they had made throughout the day. They recalled the captivating performances, the delectable flavors of the street food, and the joyous camaraderie they had experienced with fellow festival-goers.

Upon reaching their cozy inn, they settled into their comfortable beds. With the darkness of the night enfolding them, Eldric and Aria allowed themselves to drift into a peaceful slumber, their dreams filled with visions of adventure and the promise of a fresh start on the morrow.