The ancient temple remained unchanged over the passing centuries, shrouded in a tapestry of wild vines, verdant plants, clinging mosses, and colorful blossoms. Standing steadfast, it was embraced by three walls; the entrance graced the front wall, while the remaining two melded into the mountain, the source of the cascading Nebula waterfall.
The group stood in awe, captivated by the breathtaking sight. Camera shutters clicked fervently, capturing moments beside the weathered lion statues guarding the temple's entrance. Yet, the true allure lay within. The temple's interior was a marvel that surpassed its exterior beauty.
Sunlight streamed through the corridors, extending from the walls, bestowing a golden glow. The walls weren't mere barriers; they were canvases adorned with engravings of various gods, meticulously spaced, creating a divine procession. The echoing symphony of the roaring waterfall reverberated through the corridors, a natural melody that serenaded all who ventured within. These halls were an ideal sanctuary for a sage to meditate, basking in the grandeur of the common garden beyond.
The garden beckoned with its lush expanse, cradling the Nebula waterfall and its tranquil plunge pool. Yet, a peculiar sight intrigued them—there was no visible stream here, although they had witnessed it during their trek. At the heart of the garden stood the legendary wishing well, shrouded in mystique.
As the others delved into unraveling the secrets of the temple's ruins, Aria found solace under the verdant embrace of a tree within the overgrown garden. Nebula's gentle droplets kissed her skin, providing a refreshing caress. Surprisingly, even in this remote location, phone reception held its ground.
With her attention fixated on her phone, Aria was engrossed in the Faceless app. Within its private chat section lay a conversation only between her and Holo, known as Luffy. A text from Holo had engaged her eye, prompting her to close her eyes and reflect. After a brief moment, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. With a decisive click, she began composing her reply to Holo's proposition.
Her fingers typed out the message:
Dora: Date and time?
A moment of contemplation ensued, pondering whether to send the message. A glance around revealed the joyous exploration of her companions amidst the ruins, garden, and waterfall. Among them, her best friend stood out, radiating happiness in the company of DJ. A smile graced her face at the sight of their laughter and shared selfies.
In that moment of contentment, she returned her gaze to the phone screen and pressed send. However, the text remained undelivered, hindered by the sluggish service despite the available reception.
After a while, a new group of individuals made their way to the renowned wishing well, while DJ, Cherry, Holo, and Joe joined Aria in her tranquil spot. "Enjoying the view?" inquired Holo.
"Kind of," replied Aria.
Meanwhile, Cherry settled beside Aria, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "DJ, take a photo please," she requested.
DJ maneuvered his phone camera, capturing a snapshot of the best friends beneath the tree. As he confirmed the photo's quality, Cherry suggested, "Let's take a selfie together."
"Sure," agreed DJ.
The group gathered, ready to strike a pose for the selfie. DJ led the photo, positioned at the forefront, with Cherry beaming beside him. Behind Cherry stood Aria, wearing a gentle smile, and next to her was Holo. At the rear, Joe stood, also sporting a warm smile.
Following the cheerful selfie, Cherry suggested, "Now, let's visit the famous wishing well."
"Do you need some coins?" asked Aria.
"Ahhh! I totally forgot," Cherry replied, a tinge of disappointment in her voice.
"You need to make a wish without speaking it out loud and throw a coin into the well," Aria reminded.
"Also, you cannot tell anyone when your wish is fulfilled, otherwise it will bring bad luck," added Joe.
Aria glanced at Joe. "With time, a lot of superstitions have been added to the lore of the wishing well, but who knows? It might be part of the real lore," she reflected.
"I think I might also need a coin," DJ mentioned, looking at Aria.
"I will also need one," Holo chimed in.
Aria had always noticed that many people forget to bring coins when they visit the wishing well. Being the thoughtful guide she was, she always carried some coins with her. She opened the chain of her fanny pack, tied around her waist, and pulled out a few pennies. In doing so, Joe spotted some carvings on a piece of copper within her fanny pack. "Is that a copper coin?" Joe inquired, pointing at it.
Aria glanced at the copper coin and replied, "Oh, this?" as she pulled it out.
The coin, larger than any penny and made of copper, intrigued Joe. "Can I see it?" he asked, a childlike curiosity in his eyes.
Aria extended the coin toward Joe, saying, "Here."
Joe carefully examined the coin, and Holo and DJ gathered around to have a look too. On one side of the coin, Joe observed a carving of three shooting stars. Flipping it over, he found a carving of a well and a snake etched around the edges. "This is such a fascinating coin," Joe remarked.
"My mother gave it to me before she passed away," Aria shared. "It's like a lucky charm for me."
"Sorry to hear that," offered Joe.
"It's alright," Aria responded with a gentle smile.
"Can I take a picture of it?" asked Joe.
"Sure," replied Aria.
Joe took a picture of the coin with his phone and handed it back to Aria. Aria carefully placed the coin back into her fanny pack and secured it. In a short while, the group moved towards the well, except for Aria. Observing this, Holo asked, "Aren't you coming?"
"No. I don't believe in all this," Aria replied with a smile.
"Alright," Holo acknowledged, making his way to the well with his friends and Cherry.
By the time the group reached the well, the other group had already left. They encircled the well, each holding a coin in their hands. With closed eyes, they silently made their wishes.
DJ wished, "I wish to be very rich."
Cherry wished, "I wish to be very famous."
Joe wished, "I wish to be a great archeologist."
Holo wished, "I wish Dora agrees to the date."
After making their wishes, each of them opened their eyes and tossed their coin into the well. Aria, standing a little distance away, added, "Do you know it's technically not a well?"
"How so?" DJ asked, intrigued.
Aria explained, "It's technically a pit to the water stream of Nebula waterfall. Sometimes you can even see fish swimming in it. Myth has it that these fishes were once mermaids, serving the God of Wishes. Legend says that when you make a wish and throw a coin into the well, the wishes are captured inside the coin. And once the coin reaches the floor of the well, the fishes carry them to the God of Wishes."
"Woah! I didn't know that," DJ exclaimed.
"That's a well-known legend," Joe added.
Hearing this, Holo burst into laughter. "Even I know that," he said.
"Seems like I forgot, Mister... All... Knowing," DJ retorted, playfully glaring at Holo.
In the midst of their banter, Cherry interjected by clapping her hands, suggesting, "Let's have lunch, guys."
DJ composed himself, Holo ceased his laughter, and they all gathered to sit under a nearby tree for lunch. Each of them retrieved their lunch boxes from their backpacks, and the shared meal began. However, Holo was the only one without lunch, having left in a hurry from home. He carefully took a portion from each lunch box to satisfy his hunger, making sure there was enough for everyone else to enjoy.
Holo finished his makeshift meal first and ventured towards the plunge pool of Nebula fall. Standing on the pebble ground by the pool, he closed his eyes, letting the powerful sound of cascading water and the cool droplets against his skin transport him to a serene realm. He found solace in that moment, free from the worries of the material world. However, this tranquility was abruptly shattered when a strong vibration emanated from his pant pocket.
His phone disrupted the peace, and Holo retrieved it with a tinge of reluctance. Upon glancing at the screen, his heart raced. A text from Dora flashed on the screen, and he eagerly opened Faceless to read it. The message was exactly what he had been hoping for: "Date and time?" The long-awaited message brought a genuine smile to his face.
In a burst of happiness, he exclaimed, "YES! YES! YES!" The roar of Nebula masked the loudness of his shout. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes, hidden beneath the water droplets from Nebula.
After celebrating for a brief moment, he turned around with his phone in hand, a bright smile adorning his face. However, in his elation and without paying much attention, he collided with Aria. The sudden collision and his wet hands caused his phone to slip from his grasp and fall to the ground.
Luckily, the phone's screen was facing down, shielding Dora's text. As fate would have it, it was Aria who bent down to pick up the phone from the ground, unaware of the message on the screen.