Night fell upon Bai Cheng ( Toru), the darkness of shadows settling over him like a shroud. He had been crawling forward for some time, the pulsing markings beneath urging him onward, when a rustling sound caught his attention. Out of the thick darkness came a tall, robed figure, the features obscured by the moon's dim light.
Tension is simply and quietly filled when that newcomer comes with haunting air and an Immense presence around him.
Bai Cheng's heart was pounding with the growl still ringing out in his head. Was this another threat, or an ally? He turned back and looked at the black dog's amber eyes from afar-wary and curious at once, urging him to be strong.
"Who are you?" Bai Cheng almost whispered his small voice, his voice baring slight tremors( Bai Cheng could not speak yet so these are just his thoughts). The figure stopped, unmindful of the view, weighing the value of the boy.
People call me Uncle Gerald," the man replied, his voice low and smooth as distant thunder. I live beyond the village, invisible among shadows. Many fear what they cannot understand, yet in the unknown lies much power."
He felt something lurking behind him. It was a silent guardian urging him forward. "I am searching for my mother," he said with a shiver. "They expelled me for. for what I am." ( Bai Cheng's Inner thoughts) ( Third person voice)
The gaze of Gerald softened, as shadows seemed to well in, "You carry the loads of their fears, child. But let not darkness of their lives take light out of your eyes." He moved closer. The flickering torches made peculiar patterns on his face that showed his eyes very deep set, with an expression that spoke to the deepest wisdom and unutterable sorrow. He was tall and a huge figure with muscles. A wooden sword in his hand it looked like he was trying to shoo away a dog.
Bai Cheng clenched his jaw, flexing his fingers against the ground. He was yet a little kid size of a dog cub so he can't even understand anything at all.
Gerald nodded slowly as if to signal he understood the turmoil raging inside the boy. "To find her, first you must navigate the shadows that bind you," he said. "The path is treacherous, but you are not alone." He gestured to the dog, now sitting protectively beside Bai Cheng. "This creature, he senses your heart. Trust him. He will guide you when darkness threatens to overwhelm.".
The black dog winced softly, nuzzling up against Bai Cheng as if agreeing to his words. The boy thrust out a shaking hand glad for the warmth of its presence. He wanted to touch the dog.
Gerald said you must be wondering who I am. Why do I live outside the village? Not afraid? Gerald laughed. The sound rolled in like the receded thunder, leaving an odd lighthearted feel to the air. "Fear follows all who serve in the shadows," he said. "I set myself apart so I'd know the measure of the light and the dark. And I wish to watch over all those lost souls or burdened with trials they cannot understand. It's a path not far from my own.". A noise rustling in the bushes caught their attention and the temperature suddenly dropped. Chills ran down Bai Cheng's spine. The creature sitting beside him growled softly; its body tensed and focused eyes in the dark.
Stay close, child," Gerald warned, his voice steady. "The shadows are restless tonight.". Bai Cheng's heart juddered, but his memories recalled the warmth of hugging his mother and finding that promise. Face up you have to horror given over to you. Enduring to embrace the magic that looks to be placed within such symbols and blaze forth within the search for truth, Gerald turned into the wood, shadows all about him swirling. Come along; together we'll uncover deep secrets in this darkness. Gerald carries Bai Cheng on his back and moving towards the woods they have to go to Gerald's House Near the Entrance of Eldenwood.
With a feeling of determination, Gerald pushed forward with Bai Cheng. Alongside him trotted a black dog. Gerald led them into the forest, where energy hummed in the air. Every step they took meant that the pulsing marks under Bai Cheng responded by telling stories of bravery and loss and light that came from the darkest depths of their souls. Suddenly rustling sounds came out from the bushes, and a low growl sounded out there.
Bai Cheng stood frozen, taking an almost painful breath. Gerald whirled around with eyes sharp and watchful.
"Stay behind me," he barked in an unyielding tone.
Shadows spawned a creature with glowing eye embers at nightfall. The figure moved within the dark shadows as Baicheng's heart sank, realizing the monster behind him resembled a huge gray fur wolf under the moon but this time as black as noon. Fear not, said Gerald, sensing the fear in Bai Cheng's voice. This is Huan, guardian of the forest. He knows the truth you seek, but trust must be earned. Those eyes sniffed the air as if searching for something that he wanted. His eyes were going right through to Bai Cheng's soul, connecting him and reducing his fears by a fraction. "Friend or foe?" Bai Cheng thought, his voice almost a whisper.
Huan's eyes softened, and his voice rang deep in the boy's heart. "I am both. The path you walk is one of shadows and light. To find your mother, you must face your worst fears and accept the strength within you.". With those words, Bai Cheng must realize that the path ahead of them was not just to find his mother but a journey about him toward the discovery of who he was. Thus, guided by Gerald and by watchful Huan, Bai Cheng plunged deeper into the forest where the night was full of mystery and adventure, heavy with promise, with revelation after revelation yet to come.
The shadows were no longer enemies but companions in a path that could take him toward the light he sought. Every crawl forward was one step closer to the truth that bound him to his mother and maybe to some destiny he wasn't even aware of. At the same time, something happened in the east of Eldenwood! What could it be?