Chapter 29: Shadows of the Past
The daylight streamed into the camp, casting golden beams onto Kaito as he examined the mysterious token. Its once grimy surface was now polished, revealing dazzling semi-precious stones encircling an eerily glowing symbol.
"What do you make of this?" Kaito asked, extending the token to Gwen.
She muttered a spell under her breath, her eyes momentarily flashing a deep shade of indigo. "It's magical, without a doubt," Gwen confirmed.
Around them, whispers of the elder goblins filled the air. They huddled, some postulating theories, others recounting tales. Nilo, a sprightly young goblin, excitedly exclaimed, "It's the Key to the Stars! I've read about it!"
His bold claim was met with playful scoffs, though some elders didn't seem as dismissive.
In the midst of this, Lyria stood aloof, her gaze intently fixed on her pendant. Kaito noticed her deep in thought and asked, "You recognize it, don't you?"
She hesitated before nodding. "Let's seek Rael. He would know."
With that, they embarked on a journey through a lesser-known part of the forest. Blue bioluminescent mushrooms marked their path, their glow dimming and brightening rhythmically. As they traversed, a peculiar squirrel with an impish glint in his eyes darted from behind a tree.
"Hiko's the name, and shortcuts are my game," the squirrel declared, earning a chuckle from Kaito. With Hiko's guidance, the group soon arrived at the secluded hut of Rael, the ancient goblin.
Within the dim confines, Rael meticulously examined the token and delved into aged scrolls. He finally said, "This token speaks of the Age of Cascades, when our lands thrived before they faced nature's fury."
Lyria took a deep breath and began recounting the haunting past tied to her ancestors. "My lineage misused the sanctuary's might, invoking an irreversible curse," she revealed. The pendant around her neck was not just an heirloom but a heavy burden of memories and warnings passed down through generations.
Gwen, eyes filled with wonder, emphasized the sanctuary's potential to change Luminara's magical landscape. Kaito, understanding the gravity, asserted, "We need to ensure it's used rightly."
The team began preparations. Gwen was engrossed in weaving wards and crafting elixirs. Kaito, ever enthusiastic, sharpened his weapons. However, in a comic moment of distraction, he paraded around wearing an oversized helmet and shoes that gave off a hilarious squeak with each step. Gwen and Lyria couldn't contain their laughter.
Just as the mood lightened, the camp's perimeter alerted them to a visitor. A cloaked figure approached, her raven-black hair streaked with silver. Holding a pulsing orb-adorned staff, she introduced herself, "I am Serin, a seer of the realms. The visions have shown me your quest." She paused, her eyes searching theirs. "Beware, for not all shadows have faded." The chapter closed on her cryptic warning.