Chapter 18: Words of the Forgotten
The forest was eerily silent after the battle, as if the very air held its breath. Jin-Seong stood still, his mind racing, replaying the figure's words over and over. The constellations are not as they seem. What did that even mean? And how was he, of all people, supposed to choose between powers greater than he could comprehend?
The fading starlight above seemed indifferent to his thoughts, but Jin-Seong knew better now. He had felt their gaze—felt their scrutiny—and the weight of it lingered like a shadow over him.
"We should move," So-Ra's voice broke the silence, practical as always. She was already wiping the blood from her blades, her eyes scanning the treeline. "We can't stay here any longer. The enemy might regroup."
Yeon-Hwa silently nodded, though her expression showed concern as she looked toward Jin-Seong. "Master... what did that figure mean?"
Jin-Seong sheathed his sword and exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the unease that clung to him. He turned to the others, his face set in determination. "I'm not sure yet, but we can't let it distract us. Not until we understand the full picture."
His words sounded firm, but inside, Jin-Seong knew the cracks of doubt were already forming. If the constellations were truly hiding something, then this war—this struggle with the Hero Council—was just a surface-level conflict. The real battle could be far more insidious.
He glanced at So-Ra, her form cutting a striking figure as she tightened the straps of her armor. She had been the first to warn him of the council's corruption, the first to defect when she saw the truth. If anyone could understand the weight of hidden motives, it was her.
"We need information," Jin-Seong said, turning to her. "Anything you know about this... anything at all about the constellations that might not be common knowledge."
So-Ra narrowed her eyes as she thought, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. "Constellations themselves have always been symbols of power and protection. But... there have been whispers. Stories of constellations that were lost or forgotten. Banished from the skies."
Jin-Seong frowned. "Banished?"
So-Ra nodded, her expression serious. "Legends say there were once other stars, other constellations, but they were cast out by the more prominent ones. The reasons vary depending on who tells the story—some say it was because they were too ambitious, others say they threatened the balance of power."
Yeon-Hwa stepped closer, her curiosity piqued. "Are they still out there?"
"I don't know," So-Ra admitted. "But if they are, then it's possible the figure we just encountered is connected to them."
Jin-Seong's heart sank. If there were banished constellations, then what did that mean for his connection to Ara? Could he trust the blessing he had received, or was there something more behind it? The idea that the constellations might not be united—or worse, that they were playing a deeper game—was a dangerous thought.
"We need to move forward carefully," Jin-Seong said after a moment. "We can't just charge into the next fight without understanding who or what we're really up against."
So-Ra gave a curt nod. "Agreed. But where do we go from here?"
Before Jin-Seong could answer, the ground beneath them began to tremble. At first, it was just a faint vibration, but then the shaking grew stronger, more violent. The earth itself seemed to groan in protest, and the trees swayed unnaturally.
"What's happening?" Yeon-Hwa shouted, gripping her weapon tightly as the ground buckled beneath her feet.
Jin-Seong reached out, trying to steady himself as the tremor intensified. His connection to Ara should have given him control over the land, but now it felt like the earth was slipping away from him, as if something deeper was shifting below the surface.
Suddenly, the ground gave way in front of them, collapsing inward to reveal a massive, gaping chasm. Dust and debris filled the air, and from the depths of the chasm came a low, rumbling sound—like the growl of something ancient awakening from a long slumber.
Jin-Seong's eyes widened as he peered into the darkness below. Something was moving down there, something vast and powerful. He could feel its presence, a suffocating weight pressing down on his senses. And then, from the depths, a faint light began to glow—dim at first, but growing steadily brighter.
"It's coming from underground," Jin-Seong whispered, his voice barely audible over the rumbling.
So-Ra stepped closer, her expression unreadable as she stared into the chasm. "That's no ordinary tremor. There's something beneath us. Something... alive."
The light from the chasm pulsed, and for a brief moment, Jin-Seong caught a glimpse of something massive—a shadowy form, coiling and writhing within the earth. It was like nothing he had ever seen before, a creature made of starlight and shadow, its eyes burning with a strange, otherworldly fire.
And then, it spoke.
"Chosen of Ara..." the voice echoed through the chasm, deep and resonant, as if it came from the stars themselves. *"Do you seek the truth?"
Jin-Seong's heart pounded in his chest. The voice was ancient, older than anything he had ever encountered, and it seemed to speak directly into his mind, bypassing words altogether.
So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa looked at him, their faces pale. They hadn't heard the voice. Only Jin-Seong could hear it.
Swallowing his fear, Jin-Seong stepped closer to the edge of the chasm, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "What... are you?"
The creature's eyes glowed brighter, and the ground trembled again as it shifted within the earth."I am the forgotten. The castaway. The one who was banished from the heavens. But you... you have been chosen to hear my voice."
Jin-Seong's breath caught in his throat. "Why me?"
"Because the constellations are not what they seem," the voice replied, its tone heavy with meaning. "They manipulate, they deceive, and they use those who contract with them for their own gain. But there are those of us who were cast aside, those who hold the true power of the stars. If you wish to learn the truth, you must come to me."
Jin-Seong felt a cold sweat break out across his skin. The ground beneath him pulsed with energy, and he could feel the pull of the creature's power, calling to him like a siren's song. But was this the truth, or was it just another layer of deception?
Before he could respond, the light in the chasm faded, and the ground sealed itself once more, leaving only the lingering presence of the ancient being's words in his mind.
So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa rushed to his side, their expressions worried.
"Jin-Seong, are you alright?" Yeon-Hwa asked, her voice trembling slightly.
He nodded slowly, though his mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear. "We need to leave. Now."
Without waiting for an explanation, Jin-Seong turned and began walking away from the chasm, his steps quick and purposeful. So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa followed closely behind, but they didn't press him for answers.
There were too many questions. Too many mysteries. But one thing was clear—something dark and ancient was stirring beneath the surface of the world, and it was watching him. And now, more than ever, he had to figure out what role he was meant to play in this celestial game.