After Eldara, Hestia, and Illyana excused themselves, promising to meet later for dinner, the village felt more intimate. The warm sun filtered through the towering trees, casting a soft golden light over us as Valendra, Elowen, Autumn, Nerina, and I continued on with the tour.
The stories of the village's past wove themselves effortlessly into our conversation as we walked, guided by Autumn and Nerina. Their knowledge seemed endless, each tale richer than the last. From the founding of the village to the ancient, unseen forces that protected it from outsiders, they spoke with a reverence that made even the simplest details feel monumental. Autumn's voice was soft, her presence like a whisper of the forest itself, while Nerina's words were laced with an ageless wisdom, like the very essence of nature flowed through her. I listened closely, yet part of me was aware of how Valendra and Elowen reacted to everything around them—the way their eyes seemed to drink in the beauty of the village, how they subtly leaned closer, as if seeking comfort in my presence.
The forest was vast and eternal, its power flowing through me in ways I barely needed to grasp anymore. I could feel the ancient forces beneath the surface, ready to bend at my will if I wished it. And yet, for now, I kept things simple. The day was peaceful. No need for grand displays, though I knew there was nothing I couldn't do if I so desired. This village, this world—every breath I took felt like it could shape it.
Eventually, we found ourselves under a massive oak tree, its roots twisting through the earth like the veins of the world itself. We sat in the cool shade, the soft wind gently brushing against us. The air was serene, a stark contrast to the intensity of our earlier discussions.
Valendra, sitting closest to me, broke the stillness, her voice hesitant yet firm. "Do we really have to forget all this? Everything we've seen, everything we've learned?" She paused, searching my face. "Is there no other way?"
I turned to her, letting the silence stretch for a moment as I met her gaze. I could see the mixture of emotions in her eyes—curiosity, wonder, and something else, something deeper. The desire to hold onto this experience, to not let it slip away. I had expected her to ask something like this, but seeing it now, hearing the question from her lips, brought a new kind of satisfaction.
A small smile played on my lips as I leaned back against the tree, casually considering her words. "Well," I began, my voice soft yet steady, "I could let you keep your memories. It's within my power to do so." I glanced at Elowen, who sat on my other side, her eyes flickering between me and Valendra, clearly just as intrigued but staying quiet for now.
Valendra's brow furrowed slightly. "You would? But wouldn't that… change things?"
I chuckled softly, the sound barely breaking the calm atmosphere. "It won't make much difference. The world outside will never find this place unless we allow it. The forest shifts, changes, hides itself from prying eyes. No matter what you remember, you'll never be able to lead anyone back here—not unless we want you to."
She bit her lip, a mix of hope and uncertainty in her expression. Her violet eyes never left mine, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world around us had dimmed, leaving just the two of us beneath the ancient oak. I let my gaze linger, savoring the moment before continuing.
"You seem to like this place," I said, my tone teasing. "Enough that you'd be willing to take a risk for it?"
Valendra blinked, her breath catching just slightly as my words settled over her. She was torn, I could tell. The temptation was real, but there was still that hesitation, the fear of the unknown. I could see her wrestling with the choice, but I already knew what she wanted. She just needed a little push.
"Here's the thing," I said, leaning in just a fraction closer, my voice lowering. "If you truly wish to keep your memories, I could allow it. But you would have to swear an absolute oath to your god, promising that you would never disclose what you've learned here to anyone. Ever."
She swallowed, her eyes wide, but she didn't back away. I could see the determination growing in her, the pull of the offer becoming too much to resist.
"And if I swear this oath?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper now.
I smiled, slow and deliberate. "If you swear the oath, I might even give you a gift. Something that would allow you to return here whenever you wish. Without restrictions."
Valendra's eyes sparkled at that, her expression shifting from uncertainty to something more… hopeful. I could feel her resolve hardening, her desire winning out over caution. And it wasn't just her. Elowen, though quieter, was watching closely, her body language betraying her interest as well. She was drawn in, just as Valendra was. The pull was subtle but undeniable.
The silence stretched between us again, the weight of the offer hanging in the air. I could feel the anticipation from both of them, the way they seemed to hold their breath, waiting for what came next. It would be so easy to tip the scales further, to see how far they were willing to go.
Valendra finally nodded, her voice soft but sure. "I swear it. I swear to my god that I will never speak of this place or what I've learned here to anyone."
I nodded, satisfied, though I knew this was only the beginning. "Good," I said, my voice a low murmur. "Then consider it done."
Her shoulders relaxed, and I could see the relief in her expression. She had made her choice, and the thrill of it, the new possibilities opening up before her, was evident in her eyes. Elowen, though still silent, seemed to inch just a little closer, her curiosity pulling her in even as she remained hesitant to speak.
Valendra's gaze shifted, her voice softer now, almost uncertain again. "And the gift?"
I chuckled, leaning back against the tree once more. "You'll get your gift. But all in due time." I cast her a playful glance, watching the way her expression shifted from expectation to something more playful, more intrigued.
"You always keep me guessing," she said, her tone light, but the meaning behind her words deeper.
I smirked, my gaze never leaving hers. "Where's the fun in being predictable?"
Elowen shifted slightly, finally breaking her silence, though her voice was still soft, almost as if she didn't want to disturb the moment. "And… what about me?"
I turned to her, meeting her gaze. There it was—that same curiosity, that same pull. It had been there all along, just waiting for the right moment to surface. I allowed myself a small smile, letting the weight of my presence settle over her.
"I think," I said slowly, my voice deliberate, "you'll find that anything is possible here, Elowen. All you have to do is ask."
She blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly, but there was no mistaking the way her eyes lit up at the possibilities.