Elrian returned home, the newly acquired core resting secretly in his possession. His parents greeted him, their faces showing a mix of relief and subtle curiosity.
His mother, concealing her concern with a casual tone, asked, "There you are! Where have you been, Elrian?"
His father, calmly yet filled with mild interest, joined in, "Been out for quite a while. Find anything interesting?"
Elrian, maintaining a casual demeanor, responded, "Oh, I was just wandering around, taking in the sights of our land."
His mother, pushing lightly for more information, asked, "Just exploring, huh? Anything unusual during your little adventure?"
Elrian, keeping his words nonchalant and his secrets hidden, replied, "Nope, all normal and peaceful. Just a regular walk, nothing noteworthy."
His father, observing Elrian's expressions, queried a bit more, "Are you sure? There are many untold secrets out there, you know?"
Elrian, with a light-hearted smile, assured, "Really, it was just a regular walk. Didn't come across anything unusual or secret."
They carried on, the conversation flowing with casual questions and carefully constructed responses. Elrian continued to assure his parents that his excursion was normal and that he had not stumbled upon any hidden mysteries or dangers.
His mother, with a mild, playful warning, added, "Well, just be careful. You never know what you might find."
Elrian, echoing his promise silently, responded cheerily, "Don't worry, it was just a casual stroll. Nothing mysterious or dangerous out there today."
His father, concluding the casual chat but with a hint of protective concern, remarked, "Remember to stay aware. You never know what's lurking out there."
Elrian, providing one last reassuring response, concluded, "I will. It was just a casual day, nothing out of the ordinary happened."
Thus, the conversation, subtle and light-hearted, veiled the immense secrets and promises that Elrian was now bearing within.
Elrian, with a hint of curiosity laced in his voice, hesitated for a moment before asking, "You know, I've never really asked before, but what is the name of our village?"
His parents exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible glance before answering, "Our village is named Sylvanvale, Elrian."
Elrian's brows furrowed in confusion, "But... I remember reading somewhere that it was called Veridia."
His parents, with a subtle sigh, seemed to be enveloped in a transient wave of nostalgia and melancholy. His mother spoke, her voice a soft murmur, "Veridia... yes, that was the name of our village during its glorious days. But it was changed a few thousand years ago by one of the past village heads."
His father continued, "She believed that we didn't deserve to bear the name Veridia unless we could reattain our former glory or surpass it. So, until we can restore our village to its former state, it was decided that we would be known as Sylvanvale."
With a deep breath and a somber tone, Elrian's mother began to recount the tale, "Her name was Lyria, and she was a person of exceptional strength and wisdom, one of the strongest the village had seen in ages. During her time as village head, Sylvanvale... or Veridia, was constantly under threat from menacing creatures and ambitious external forces."
"Lyria defended the village with all her might, her blade cleaving through darkness and light alike," Elrian's father interjected, his eyes reflecting the valor of the long-lost hero, "Yet, despite her unrivaled prowess, she witnessed the continuous decline of our village. Our people were brave but suffering, and our lands were rich but bleeding."
His mother continued, "Lyria, with sorrow-filled eyes, would often stand atop the village walls, watching the lands that were once verdant and thriving with life, now marred by the shadows of despair. She believed the name Veridia, meaning 'thriving green,' was a symbol of hope and prosperity, and our current state was a stark contradiction to that hopeful emblem."
Her voice quivered, "So, Lyria made a heart-wrenching decision. She gathered the villagers, her gaze sweeping over the sea of hopeful and despaired faces alike, and announced that until our lands could once again bask in the light of prosperity, we would bear the name Sylvanvale."
"It was a day of silent tears and muffled sobs," the father added, his voice strained, "Many were disheartened, feeling the weight of our diminished glory, but it also sparked a flame, a resolve to regain our lost honor and once again be worthy of the name Veridia."
Elrian, hanging on to every word, felt a mixture of emotions swirling within him—pride, sorrow, and a burgeoning resolve to protect Sylvanvale and restore its former glory, to see it once again called by its true name, Veridia.
Elrian's parents exchanged a knowing glance before his mother spoke gently, "Elrian, it's been a long day, and you've learned much. It's a lot to take in. It's time for you to get some rest, let your mind and body rejuvenate."
His father nodded in agreement, "Rest well, son. Tomorrow is a new day, filled with opportunities to learn and grow stronger. The tales and truths of today will shape your tomorrow, but for now, let them simmer in your dreams."
Elrian felt a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions in his heart but understood the wisdom in his parents' words. The weight of the history and the potential future of Sylvanvale needed time to fully be comprehended and absorbed. With a nod, he replied, "You are right, I will go to rest now."
He rose from his seat, feeling the exhaustion seeping into his bones, his mind still buzzing with the revelations of the day. Walking towards his room, the images of valiant warriors, heroic deeds, and the lost glory of Veridia danced in his mind, mingling with his own aspirations and the uncharted path that lay ahead.
His mother watched him walk away, her eyes soft yet filled with an unspoken hope, "Sleep well, Elrian." And as the young boy entered his room and the door closed gently behind him, the whispers of the past and the murmurs of the future filled the silent night, whispering promises of hope and trials yet to come.