The morning sun streamed into Eldenwood, illuminating the cottage that once had been a sanctuary but now felt more like a jail. The air, still filled with the energy from the night's fight, hummed with the result of winning—a win that was quickly becoming something more troubling.
As the villagers began opening their doors, they looked at each other quietly amongst themselves. They glared suspiciously and pointed fingers accusingly at the diminutive figure of Bai Cheng. Not knowing anything about the rumpus around him, still held in his mother's bosom, Toru threw wide, innocent eyes from across.
Look at him," said an angry woman, her voice laced with scorn. "He is the accursed who caused us to be provoked by the serpent!
Mei( Bai cheng's Mother) felt despondent over the brusque way she talked. She hugged Toru( Bai cheng) closer, but the child kept babbling happily, as if oblivious to the accusation spreading around them like the shadows they had just vanquished.
Now light, now this, another muttered grumblingly, his brows furrowed in suspicion. He's Kuro, the accursed one, mark my words, darkness that clings to him.
Mei felt the words like fire against her skin. "Stop! You do not know what happened last night! He saved us!" she cried, her voice shaking. "You are mistaken to blame him!
But nobody listened to her. The villagers were afraid and desperate, searching for someone to blame. In their minds, the enormous snake, which was an awful symbol of their fear, seemed even bigger. And they needed someone to blame.
As the crowd grew in size, a tall man moved forward, his face very serious. "The child can't be trusted. We lost everything because of that creature, and Kuro is the cause of it all. What if it comes back?" His eyes shone with both fear and anger.
"The shadows are still here," another voice said. "It's a warning. He has to go! We can't take the chance of another night of fear!"
Many agreed, and their voices grew louder and more passionate. Bai Cheng could feel the stares upon him; the harsh accusations felt like a snake's grip around him.
As she turned to run away, she saw Toru's innocent face, like a light in a dark time. It was then she understood—the villagers were not just scared of the serpent; they were very afraid of what they did not understand. They saw strength in Toru and changed it into something evil.
Let's get rid of him! a voice cried. Let the accursed one walk into the shadows he has called!
There, rising within him, was panic; yet looking at Toru, she saw within himself stir. "No!" she shouted, approaching nearer. "You can't punish him for something he did not choose! He is innocent!"
"Then let's see if he can keep us safe!" the tall man said as the crowd stirred about them. "If he really is the light, then he'll fight the darkness alone!"
The villagers challenged Toru and His mother to a trial at night - a challenge. Then they thought if Toru can save them again, their fears may fade away. But if he failed to do so, they would abandon him and he would be left battling the darkness he himself made.
The sun sets long shadows because the villagers begin to troop out of the village. Bai Cheng and Mei face their new situation.
"Mama," Toru pulled on her sleeve. "Why do they get angry?" ( Thinking) yet Unable to speak!
Mei looked miserable. "They are afraid, my love. They believe you brought the serpent. But you did not, and we will prove that to them.".
A black cloak of night had befallen, and in unison, the villagers trooped forward, each grasping a torch to weave an erratic circle of glow within a temporary arena. Light from the flames danced wildly. A soft breeze laced the leaves, seeming to carry an ominous feel. Bai Cheng and Mei stood at the edge; heavy was the weight resting upon them.
He felt change and pushed off, quivering in his small frame but still propelling forward. "I can do it!" he declared in the final drops of the power that had dwelled within him. Mei felt a great fear. "Toru, no! You do not need to do this!" But the boy, feeling bold for whatever reason inside himself, merely shook his head. "I am not Kuro! I am Bai cheng, and I will protect you all! Bai cheng then fainted due to exhuast he got from fighting with serpant. Villagers now believed that he's just a normal boy and the sole reason of their suffering. Lao Jun( village leader) Thinking about bai cheng's safety declared that " As of Now Bai cheng and his mother is banished from the town"
The challenge coming was a test not just of the determination of Toru but the core of their fears. Bai Cheng realized the fight was not only with the darkness sitting outside but with the shadows the people in the village bore in their hearts - being labeled and limited rather than understood and appreciated. whats waiting for bai cheng and whats future behold for him is yet to be Seen!