Chapter 20: Whispers of the Past
The shattered remnants of the icy gaming board lay behind Hiroto, Luna, and Riku as they stepped onto the winding path leading to the Whispering Woods. Before them lay a dense forest, shrouded in fog and darkness. Towering statues with somber expressions marked the entrance, their presence a testament to the legends of Valerion.
"Looks like we're in for another round of 'Guess the Trap'," Hiroto quipped, staring at the unsettling statues.
Luna shot him a glance, half-amused, half-annoyed. "Every forest in Valerion isn't a trap, Hiro. Some are just...forests."
But as they ventured deeper, the eerie silence was broken by soft, indistinct whispers. Hiroto halted. "Did anyone else hear that?"
Riku, with his mage-enhanced hearing, nodded. "It's recounting memories. My memories!" he exclaimed as the whispers took on a clearer voice, bringing up his days as a struggling mage apprentice.
Luna frowned as the breeze carried her own past to her ears, tales of her reckless escapades amid the wind valleys. "These trees are gossips," she muttered, trying to use her wind powers to hush them.
Hiroto's memories were more personal. Whispers of his days in Japan, his family, and particularly embarrassing gaming nights with a certain friend brought a flush to his cheeks. "Okay, who's broadcasting my teenage years?!" he cried, but there was a touch of melancholy in his eyes.
Walking became emotionally taxing. Luna finally broke down, admitting her growing feelings for Hiroto amidst the echoing voices of her past. "I... I care for you, Hiroto. And with everything happening, I'm scared we might not—"
Hiroto silenced her with a goofy smile. "If we can brave the forest of my cringe gaming history, we'll be just fine."
Yet, the biggest challenge was the spirit of an ancient sage, a statue brought to life. He declared the whispers a test of their emotional strength. Their resilience earned them a protective talisman and a cryptic warning of a betrayal.
With the Whispering Woods behind them, the trio's bond felt stronger than ever. But Hiroto couldn't help but wonder about the looming betrayal the sage had warned them about.