Alex had been at Veridian for about three months now. He meticulously calculated the months, days, and weeks as if he were still on Earth, carving small notches on the wall of his humble hut to keep track of the passing time. The ring he received from the serpent remained a mystery, its barrier unbroken despite Aurora's best efforts. He had considered seeking help from others, but past misfortunes made him wary.
Now familiar with the village, Alex had become part of its daily rhythm. Aurora had assigned him a task: to check on those who had received her treatments and provide necessary medicine. Days turned into weeks as he diligently performed his duties, growing closer to the villagers. He saved the little money he earned, dreaming of buying another beast core. However, there were no vendors in the village selling beast cores, and the village chief's price was beyond his reach. Traveling to a nearby village was an option, but the risk was too great for him to consider seriously.
Time passed. Some days, lifting 50 kg felt effortless, while on others, he struggled even with lighter tasks. Alex absorbed energy whenever possible, staying within the village limits and immersing himself in the study of trees, flowers, and animals. This environment was unlike anything he had experienced on Earth, and he found solace in its natural beauty.
As the sensations in his body heightened, Alex realized that his body was like a battery, still far from fully charged. He could digest food without producing waste, converting it all into energy. This revelation led him to question his humanity. He tried absorbing sunlight through his skin but failed. Eating anything provided energy, though poisons and beast cores were the most effective.
Five months had passed since Alex arrived in Veridian. One evening, as usual, he visited Aurora's hut for her nourishing soup. Aurora sat gracefully on the floor, sipping soup from a pot on the stove in front of her. The stove, built on the porch floor, was where she prepared their meals. Alex, seated on a small stool nearby, absorbed energy from a sun crystal.
"What new things did you discover today?" Aurora asked, her voice gentle but curious.
"Nothing new yet. I was thinking about leaving the village limits," Alex replied, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the hint of frustration in his voice.
"That's dangerous." Aurora's disapproval was clear. "Remember what happened last time. Beasts are dangerous." She reminded him of his past troubles. "Thanks to the beast repelling stone, the beasts stay away from the village borders. It's made from the core of a high-grade beast, which scares off other beasts."
"Hmmm, let's wait a little longer," Alex conceded, feeling a pang of guilt for worrying her. "When I leave here, I'll take you with me."
"I'm not leaving here," Aurora said firmly, her eyes betraying a mixture of sadness and determination.
"Why don't you want to see the world?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"I'm visually impaired. What is there for me to see?" Aurora's voice was tinged with a resignation that made Alex's heart ache.
"I'm looking for a cure for that," Alex said, his voice filled with determination.
Aurora smiled, a bittersweet expression on her face. "Even as a healer, I couldn't find a cure."
"There must be capable people out there. I'll find one," he insisted, his eyes burning with conviction.
"Ha ha, now drink this soup," Aurora said, handing him a cup. Her laughter was light, but Alex could sense the underlying worry in her voice.
Alex eagerly drank the hot soup, savoring its flavor. Aurora's soup was the most delicious food he had tasted in the village. "Not only that, it seems like the people in the village are getting more and more tired. Why is that?" Alex asked, concerned.
"They are not happy. I can't imagine the reason," Aurora replied, her brow furrowing in thought.
Suddenly, Alex felt dizzy. "I'm feeling dizzy," he said, his voice faint.
"Let's see." Aurora placed her hand on his head, checking his temperature. "You're getting hot. Take some rest," she advised, her voice filled with concern.
"I'll go to bed then," Alex said, making his way back to his hut, the weight of the day pressing down on him.
The next morning, Alex woke up with a start. The sunlight filtering through the small window in his hut seemed unusually bright, almost blinding. He felt disoriented, his mind foggy as he tried to recall the events of the previous night. His body ached, a deep, bone-weary fatigue that made even the act of sitting up feel like a monumental effort.
As he sat on the edge of his cot, Alex rubbed his temples, trying to piece together why he felt so drained. The dizziness from the night before was gone, but a dull headache had taken its place. He glanced around his hut, everything looking the same yet feeling inexplicably different.
The notches on the wall caught his eye. He had been diligent in marking each day, but now, for the first time, he felt uncertain about the passage of time. Had he missed a day? Or perhaps several? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Determined to get some answers, Alex stood up, though his legs felt weak and unsteady. He stumbled slightly but caught himself on the edge of a small table. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his nerves and made his way outside.
He made his way to Aurora's hut, hoping she could help him make sense of his confusion. As he approached, he saw her sitting on the porch, stirring a pot over the stove. Her face lit up with a warm smile when she Heard his foot steps.
"Good morning, Alex. How are you feeling?" Aurora asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I'm… puzzled," Alex admitted, sitting down on the small stool beside her. "I woke up feeling strange. Do you remember anything unusual happening last night?"
Aurora's expression turned thoughtful. "You mentioned feeling dizzy and then went to bed early. I checked on you before I slept, and you seemed to be resting peacefully. Did you have any strange dreams?"
Alex shook his head. "No, nothing that I can remember. It's just this feeling... like I've lost time or something."
Aurora reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Sometimes, when the body is under stress or undergoing changes, it can play tricks on the mind. Perhaps your body is still adjusting to the energies you've been absorbing."
"Maybe," Alex said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "Has anything unusual happened in the village recently? Anything that might explain why I'm feeling this way?"
Aurora sighed. "The villagers have been growing more tired, as you noticed. I've been trying to understand why, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. It's like a shadow has fallen over the village, draining everyone's spirit."