Chapter 5: A Faint Echo of the Past
Kor stirred awake just before dawn, the faint light of the early morning casting a pale glow across the small room. For a moment, he forgot where he was. The smell of the village and the sounds of rustling leaves in the distance were different from the paddy fields he had grown up with. But the weight in his pocket—the red gem—quickly brought him back to the present.
It had been weeks since Kor had arrived in the village, staying under Elira's protection and slowly gathering information. Despite the relative peace of the village, his thoughts constantly drifted to his parents. He couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that every moment he spent here, he was wasting time. The answers he sought felt distant, yet somehow tied to the gem in his possession.
He left the small room, stepping into the cool morning air. The village was quiet, the villagers still asleep, save for a few who were tending to their morning chores. Kor wandered through the narrow paths between the houses, his footsteps soft on the dirt. He found himself drawn toward the edge of the forest, the boundary that separated the village from the unknown.
He stood there, looking into the dense woods. His heart ached with the weight of memories—his father's laughter, his mother's gentle hands as she braided his hair, the warmth of their presence. They had been gone for so long now, and yet their absence was as sharp as ever.
Kor clenched his fists. He had to do something.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Elira appeared behind him, her presence quiet yet steady. "You're restless," she observed, her voice gentle.
Kor nodded, not taking his eyes off the trees. "I can't just sit here, Elira. I can't wait for the Lords to come. I need to find them myself. I need to find out what happened to my parents."
Elira stepped closer, her gaze following his to the forest. "I understand your frustration, Kor. But the Lords don't show themselves easily. They protect, but they remain hidden unless they are needed. If you go looking for them, it won't be a simple journey."
Kor turned to face her, his eyes filled with determination. "It hasn't been simple for years. I've been searching for my parents since they disappeared, and I've found nothing. But this gem—" he pulled it from his pocket, holding it up for her to see—"this is the first clue I've had in a long time. I can't let it slip away. I need to do something."
Elira regarded him thoughtfully, her face calm yet filled with understanding. "The Lords will come when the time is right, Kor. But if you truly wish to seek them out before then, there is a place you could start."
Kor's heart skipped a beat. "Where?"
Elira's expression grew somber. "There is an ancient temple, deep within the forest. It is said to be one of the places where the Lords' presence lingers strongest. Few know of its location, and even fewer dare to seek it out. The journey is dangerous, and the forest is... unpredictable. But if you are determined, that may be your best chance to find answers."
Kor stared at her, his mind racing. The idea of an ancient temple, hidden in the forest, sounded like something out of a legend. But if it could lead him closer to the Lords—and closer to understanding what happened to his parents—it was a risk he was willing to take.
"I'll go," he said, his voice resolute. "Tell me where it is."
Elira sighed, though there was a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Very well. I will show you the path. But promise me you will be careful. The forest is not kind to those who wander blindly."
Kor nodded, his heart pounding with both anticipation and a flicker of fear. This was the first real lead he had in years, and he wasn't going to let it slip away. Whatever dangers awaited him in the forest, they were worth facing if it meant finding out the truth about his parents.
Later that morning, Kor packed a small bag with provisions—some bread, dried meat, and a water skin. He strapped the pack across his shoulder and made his way to the outskirts of the village, where Elira was waiting for him.
She handed him a small, folded piece of parchment. "This map will guide you to the temple. It's not far, but the forest has a way of shifting. Trust your instincts, and stay on the path as much as you can."
Kor took the map, nodding in thanks. "I will."
Elira placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with concern. "You're brave, Kor. But remember, bravery isn't just about facing danger—it's about knowing when to ask for help. The village will always be here for you, should you need to return."
Kor smiled faintly. "Thank you, Elira. For everything."
With that, he turned and started down the narrow path that led into the forest. The trees loomed tall and dark on either side of him, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The air was cool, and the sounds of the village soon faded behind him as he ventured deeper into the woods.
For hours, Kor walked in silence, his thoughts consumed by the task ahead. The red gem weighed heavily in his pocket, as though it were a silent reminder of the burden he carried. His parents, the Lords, the secrets that had been hidden for so long—it all felt connected, tangled in a web of mysteries he was only just beginning to unravel.
The deeper he went into the forest, the darker it became. The thick canopy of leaves blocked out much of the sunlight, casting eerie shadows across the path. Strange sounds echoed in the distance—rustling leaves, the snap of a branch, the occasional hoot of an owl. Kor's senses were on high alert, every step filled with caution.
After a few hours of walking, Kor stopped to rest near a small clearing. He sat down on a fallen log, pulling out the piece of bread Elira had given him and chewing it slowly. His mind wandered as he stared at the dense forest around him, the stillness almost suffocating.
But then, just as he was about to continue on, a faint sound caught his attention.
A voice. Faint, distant, almost like a whisper carried on the wind.
Kor stood up, his heart pounding. He strained to listen, but the voice was gone. For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined it, but then it came again—closer this time, clearer.
It was a woman's voice, soft but filled with urgency. "Help... someone..."
Kor's blood ran cold. He didn't hesitate. He grabbed his pack and ran toward the sound, weaving through the trees as the voice grew louder. His mind raced with thoughts of who it could be—another traveler, lost and in danger? Or something worse?
After several minutes of running, Kor burst into another clearing, his breath ragged. And there, lying on the ground near a fallen tree, was a woman.
She was injured, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle and her face pale. Her clothes were torn, and she looked as though she had been in the forest for days.
Kor rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. "Are you okay? What happened?"
The woman looked up at him with wide, fearful eyes. "Bandits," she whispered. "They attacked me... I... I managed to escape, but..."
Kor glanced around, his senses on high alert. The forest was quiet again, but that didn't mean the bandits were gone. They could still be nearby, waiting to strike.
"We need to get you out of here," Kor said, his voice firm. "Can you walk?"
The woman winced, shaking her head. "My leg... I can't move."
Kor gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't leave her here, not in this state. But carrying her back to the village would take time, and the bandits could return at any moment.
Just as he was weighing his options, the sound of footsteps echoed through the trees.
Kor stood, ready to defend himself, but instead of bandits, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the same mysterious swordsman who had saved him from the bandits weeks ago, his dark cloak billowing slightly as he stepped into the clearing.
"You again," Kor breathed, surprised.
The man nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "It seems we've crossed paths once more."
Kor quickly explained the situation, gesturing to the injured woman. The swordsman knelt beside her, examining her leg with a practiced eye. "She'll be fine, but she needs medical attention. I'll take her back to the village."
Kor hesitated, glancing back at the path he had been following. The temple was still out there, waiting for him, but he couldn't just abandon the woman.
The swordsman seemed to sense his conflict. "Go," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I'll handle things here. You have your own journey to continue."
Kor met the man's gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude. He nodded, then turned and continued down the path, the weight of the gem in his pocket pulling him forward.
The forest loomed darker ahead, but Kor knew one thing for certain: he was getting closer to the answers he had been seeking for so long.
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End of Chapter 5