Unconscious Concise
Inside a cave bathed in an ethereal glow, time seemed to hold its breath. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, curling tendrils of smoke weaving their way toward the craggy ceiling. At the heart of this sacred space sat a figure, draped in an auspicious saffron woolen cloth, his form still as a mountain and his presence as vast as the sky. Ken Gayu, the venerable monk, known as the spiritual guide of Princess Ariana—revered as the reincarnation of Goddess Ariana—was deep in meditation.
The lines etched across his weathered face whispered of lifetimes of wisdom and struggle, while a faint, luminous aura surrounded him, a testament to his unwavering devotion and countless deeds of merit. The only sound was his soft, rhythmic chanting, each syllable resonating with an ancient power that seemed to stir the very stones beneath him.
Then, as if sensing a shift in the universe, Ken Gayu slowly opened his eyes. His gaze, deep and knowing, fell upon a figure standing at the cave's entrance. Draped in a cloak of pristine white, its edges embroidered with golden filigree, the visitor was a vision of otherworldly grace. The cloak's hood was pulled back in a single fluid motion, revealing a face that seemed to belong to the heavens.
The girl's features were delicate yet commanding, her eyes shimmering like mist-kissed pools, and her lips curved in a smile that spoke of both joy and reverence. Her golden ornaments, from the crown resting lightly on her head to the anklets adorning her feet, caught the faint light, casting a kaleidoscope of reflections onto the cave walls.
"Greetings to Master Gayu," she said, her voice soft but steady. She bowed deeply, her hands cupped reverently in front of her.
Ken Gayu's lips curved into a gentle smile, his tone calm yet filled with warmth. "You may rise, Aera."
The girl straightened, her composure unwavering. "Master, is there any command for this disciple?"
The monk inclined his head ever so slightly, gesturing for her to sit before him. As she gracefully settled onto the cold stone floor, he studied her for a moment, his expression serene yet inscrutable.
"Aera," he began, his voice resonating like the first notes of a sacred hymn, "the time has come. The goddess must awaken from her slumber."
The words struck Aera like a thunderclap. Her breath caught, her eyes widening with both wonder and trepidation. "The goddess?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ken Gayu nodded solemnly. "But her awakening is bound to the Guardians. Without them, her consciousness cannot fully return."
The mention of the Guardians sent a shiver down Aera's spine. Whispers of their existence had lingered in sacred texts and bedtime stories, but to hear their name spoken with such certainty unsettled her.
"The Guardians…" she echoed, her voice trembling. "Master, where are they?"
The monk's gaze seemed to pierce through her, as if seeing into the depths of her soul. "They are no longer in this realm," he said, his voice tinged with both gravity and hope. "They now reside on Earth, scattered and hidden, awaiting the one who will awaken them."
Aera's heart pounded in her chest. The enormity of the task felt like a mountain pressing down upon her shoulders. "But Master," she began, her voice quivering, "how can I—how can one like me—accomplish such a task? What if I fail?"
Ken Gayu's smile deepened, his calm presence wrapping around her like a comforting cloak. "Do not fear, my child. You have been chosen for this sacred duty. You carry within you a strength that even you have yet to uncover. Trust in yourself, as I trust in you."
She swallowed hard, her throat dry, as beads of sweat formed along her brow. Despite her doubts, something about his unwavering faith sparked a flicker of resolve deep within her.
"And the Guardians?" she pressed, her voice steadier now.
The monk leaned forward slightly, his serene face illuminated by the faint glow of his aura. "They are waiting," he said, his tone almost reverent. "And so is the goddess. Seek them out, awaken their consciousness, and bring them home. For only then will the goddess rise again."
The cave fell silent, the weight of his words settling heavily between them. Aera clenched her fists, determination replacing fear in her eyes. Though the road ahead was cloaked in shadow, she resolved to step forward, guided by the faith of her master and the light of her destiny.
The faint whisper of the wind outside seemed to echo her unspoken vow. Somewhere beyond the cave, the earth itself seemed to stir, as if awakening to the call of the Guardians.