Heartbroken by the loss of his childhood friend Poki, Damon bravely carried her lifeless body to his grandmother's house, seeking solace in her comforting presence as he mourned the tragic fate that befell his dear companion.
Damon's Grandmother: (Gasping in shock) Oh, dear gods! What has happened to Poki? Who could have done such a dreadful thing?
Damon: (Struggling to hold back tears) I don't know, Grandmother. I found her like this, lifeless and without her head. It's a nightmare. We need to inform the villagers, but I don't even know where to begin.
Damon's Grandmother: (Trying to steady her voice) Damon, my dear boy, we must remain calm. This is a tragedy, but we need to think clearly and act responsibly. Let's gather the village council and the elders. They will know what to do in such a situation.
Damon: (Nodding, still visibly shaken) Yes, you're right, Grandmother. We need their guidance.
Damon's Grandmother: We will take care of that, Damon.
Damon: (Sniffles) Thank you, Grandmother. I don't know how I'll find the strength to face them, but I'll do my best. Poki was such a kind and vibrant person. She didn't deserve this.
Damon's Grandmother: No one deserves such a cruel fate, Damon. But we must focus on justice. We will work together with the council, the elders, and the village authorities to find out who committed this heinous act. The culprit must be brought to justice for the sake of Poki and the safety of our community.
Damon: (Gently placing Poki's body on a stretcher) I promise, Grandmother, I will do everything in my power to find the person responsible for this. Poki's memory will not fade away, and justice will prevail.
Damon's Grandmother: I believe in you, Damon. Remember, you are not alone in this. The entire village stands behind you, ready to support you in seeking justice for Poki. Let's go now, gather the council, and inform them of this horrifying incident. We will face this together, my brave grandson.
Damon: (Nods with determination) Thank you, Grandmother. Together, we will find the strength to get through this and bring peace to Poki's soul.
News of Poki's tragic demise spread swiftly through the village, casting a somber pall over its inhabitants. Shock and grief permeated the air as the villagers mourned the loss of their beloved Poki, sharing fond memories and tales of her kindness. The three revered elders, wise and compassionate, convened to address the collective sorrow. They called for a village gathering, where they led heartfelt prayers and offered words of solace, reminding the community of the enduring strength found in unity. Together, they vowed to support Damon, honoring Poki's memory by fostering love and harmony in their tight-knit village.
Elder 1: Damon, we gather here today to offer our condolences for the loss of your dear friend, Poki. May her spirit find eternal peace.
Damon: Thank you, Elder 1. There is something else I must share. When I found Poki's body, there was a torn cloth near her. It had the initials C.G. embroidered on it. Do any of you know what it means?
Elder 2: (exchanging uneasy glances with the other elders) Damon, that cloth... It's nothing of importance. We advise you not to dwell on it.
Damon: (concerned) But the fear on your faces tells a different story. Please, I deserve to know the truth about Poki's death.
Elder 3: (hesitant) Damon, it is a matter best left untouched. Our duty now is to mourn Poki and honor her memory.
Damon's Grandpa: (softly) Damon, sometimes secrets are buried to protect others. The truth may bring danger. Please, trust that the elders have their reasons.
Damon: (resolute) I understand, Grandpa. But I won't rest until I uncover the truth. Poki deserves justice, and I will seek it, no matter the consequences.
The conversation hung heavy with unspoken revelations, leaving Damon determined to unveil the hidden secrets that lurked behind Poki's tragic demise.
After speaking with the elders, her body is laid to rest in a burial ceremony. The entire village comes together to offer prayers for her departed soul.
Three long years had passed since that incident.
Damon's grandfather passed away two years ago due to old age. The loss of his beloved grandfather left a void in Damon's heart, as he cherished the memories and wisdom his grandfather shared. Though gone, his presence continues to inspire and guide Damon's path in life.
The death of Damon's grandfather shook him to the core, leaving him with a renewed determination to protect his only family member, his grandmother. Fueled by love and responsibility, he toiled tirelessly day after day, shouldering numerous tasks. But it was his daily ritual of chopping trees that held a deeper significance. Each swing of the axe was not only physical training, but also a symbolic act of strengthening himself, mentally and emotionally. With each tree that fell, Damon grew stronger, driven by the memory of his grandfather's wisdom and the desire to create a better future for his grandmother.
Despite the passage of three years, Damon's heart still held the weight of Poki's untimely death at the hands of an unknown assailant. It fueled his relentless pursuit of strength and a new purpose: to find the person responsible. Every day, as he worked to protect his grandmother and honed his physical abilities, he also sharpened his instincts for justice. Damon knew that one day, he would confront the individual who had taken Poki's life. With unwavering belief in his determination, he vowed to track down the perpetrator, driven by the conviction that justice would ultimately prevail.
Unbeknownst to Damon, he unknowingly ventured deep into the very forest where Poki had met her tragic end. Lost in his thoughts while chopping wood, he came dangerously close to the place that held haunting memories. The air felt heavy, as if whispering the secrets of that fateful day. Unsettling emotions stirred within him, an eerie familiarity that he couldn't ignore. Though unaware of the proximity, the forest seemed to remind Damon of his unresolved quest for justice, heightening his determination to find the one responsible for Poki's demise.
Venturing deeper into the forest, Damon's ears caught the faint sound of cascading water. Intrigued, he pondered aloud, questioning the origin of the soothing melody. Was it truly the sound of a hidden waterfall? Suddenly, a rush of memories flooded his mind, reminding him of a conversation he once shared with Poki. They had spoken of a secret waterfall within this very forest, a place imbued with ancient magic and wondrous tales. The realization struck him with renewed purpose. Guided by the echoes of their past conversation, Damon resolved to uncover the truth and perhaps find solace amidst the enchanting beauty of the hidden waterfall.
Damon, frustrated and determined, ventured deeper into the forest, following the tantalizing sound of the waterfall. He strained his eyes, searching for its elusive source, but it remained hidden from his sight. "Where are you, waterfall?" he shouted in exasperation, his voice echoing through the trees. The forest seemed to respond with an eerie silence, as if teasing him with its secrets. Undeterred, Damon pressed on, refusing to give up.
As Damon's frustration grew, a small, unexpected visitor, a vibrant blue bird, appeared seemingly out of nowhere. At first, Damon was annoyed by its presence, dismissing it as a mere distraction. However, as time passed, he began to perceive the bird's actions as intentional, guiding him towards something significant. Intrigued, he decided to trust the avian guide and followed its lead through the forest.
For an hour, Damon persisted, keeping his gaze fixed on the bird's flight. And then, a breathtaking sight unfolded before his eyes—the legendary waterfall he had sought. But shock enveloped him as he comprehended the impossible: the cascades flowed upward, defying gravity, their majestic descent obstructed by a veil of clouds. It was a scene beyond the bounds of ordinary reality.
Despite the initial astonishment, Damon's determination burned brighter than ever. This extraordinary waterfall held untold secrets, and he was resolved to unravel its mysteries, eager to uncover the truths that lay hidden amidst the ethereal wonder of water flowing skyward.
As Damon approached the astounding sight of the inverted waterfall, he was ambushed by two men clad in black robes. However, the intervening years had transformed Damon, molding him into a formidable force. His newfound strength surged through his veins as he unleashed a flurry of power, swiftly overpowering the assailants. The tables had turned, and Damon now stood as the victor, his determination and training paying off in that crucial moment. With the threat subdued, he stood amidst the surreal surroundings, his resolve unshaken.
Black Robe Man 1: Are you a friend of that little girl?
Damon: (pauses, assessing the situation) What little girl are you referring to?
Black Robe Man 2: Don't play dumb with us. We know you've been searching for the curse gem.
Damon: (narrows his eyes) The curse gem? What do you know about it?
Black Robe Man 1: We know enough to understand its power and the danger it poses. We won't let anyone interfere with our plans to retrieve it.
Damon: (firmly) Plans? What do you intend to do with it?
Black Robe Man 2: That's none of your concern. Just know that it's in your best interest to stay out of our way.
Damon: Wait! Tell me more about the curse gem!
Black Robe Man 1: (grinning) You're too late, It's not just us after it. There are others who seek its power.
Damon: (determined) Who are they? And what is their connection to the little girl?
Black Robe Man 2: (sinisterly) You won't be finding out anytime soon.
[Before Damon could react, a third black-robed figure lunged at him, catching him off guard. The assailant, who had been chasing the little girl, swiftly incapacitated Damon. As Damon struggled to regain his senses, the trio of black-robed figures vanished into thin air.
Damon: (with seething anger) Bastards! You won't get away with this!
[In the aftermath of the sudden attack and their escape, Damon's frustration and rage consumed him. He cursed at the vanished black-robed figures, venting his anger at their elusive disappearance]
Damon's gaze fell upon a little girl emerging from the bushes, catching his attention in an instant.
Damon: (startled) You... You're the little girl they were after, right?(still catching his breath) Hi there. I'm Damon. Are you okay?
Sani Nani: (giggling) Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you for saving me. My name is Sani Nani.
Damon: (smiling) My name is Damon. It's nice to meet you, Sani Nani. What were those men after? They mentioned something about a curse gem.
Sani Nani: (softly) The curse gem... It's a powerful artifact that my father, who is a statue maker, discovered. But its influence has brought chaos and suffering to our town, PATHRIM. Those men seek to harness its power for their own dark purposes.
Damon: (curious) Where is this PATHRIM Town? I've never heard of it before.
Sani: (smiling) PATHRIM Town is located just above these waterfalls.
Damon: (shocked) Whaattttt?
Sani: (giggling) Yes, it's hidden away, nestled in the beauty of nature.
Damon: (astonished) That's incredible! I had no idea such a place existed here.
Damon: Who were those black-robed guys? Where did they come from?
Sani: (surprised) You don't know them? They're the infamous C.G also known as "Carang Gang".!!
[Damon's face paled, rendered speechless by the revelation. He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed upon the waterfall above, contemplating the gravity of the situation.]
CHAPTER 2 ENDS
NEXT
CHAPTER 3- Hunter Appears