The faint glow of dawn stretched over the horizon, casting the first golden rays of sunlight over the quiet village. The air was crisp and cool, and the gentle hum of morning life began to stir among the huts. Women emerged from their homes, carrying wooden buckets and pots, their expressions filled with a mix of optimism and curiosity.
The announcement from their god, Relethis, the previous evening had lingered in their minds all night. The thought of using the nearby lake for fresh water seemed almost impossible—it had always been murky, stagnant, and unfit for drinking. Yet, their faith in him outweighed their doubts.
A group of women, led by the village chief's Daughter, Saria, began the short trek to the lake. Kalen, the young boy who had made the request to Leon, darted among them, his small feet kicking up dirt as he ran excitedly.
"Slow down, Kalen," Saria called with a laugh, adjusting the large pot balanced on her hip.
"But Mama, Relethis said the lake would be clean!" Kalen shouted back, his voice filled with pure enthusiasm. "I want to see it first!"
The women exchanged amused glances, their earlier skepticism melting away under the weight of the boy's infectious excitement.
"It's true," one of the younger women said. "If anyone can make this happen, it's him."
Another woman, older and more cautious, nodded hesitantly. "Still… I wonder how he plans to clean an entire lake overnight."
"Don't question the great Relethis," Saria said firmly, though her voice held a hint of doubt. "He told us it would be ready, and so it will be."
As the group approached the lake, they fell into a hushed silence.
The sight before them was nothing short of breathtaking.
The water, which had always been murky and uninviting, now shimmered under the morning sunlight, its surface crystal clear. Gentle ripples reflected the golden hues of dawn, and the surrounding greenery seemed to glow with renewed vibrancy.
The Mana Reeds, planted along the lake's edges, pulsed faintly with light, their slender stalks swaying in the soft breeze. The entire scene exuded a sense of purity and serenity, as though the lake itself had been reborn.
Kalen, unable to contain himself, ran to the edge of the water and peered in. His reflection stared back at him, undistorted and sharp, and he gasped in delight. "Mama! Look! It's so clean!"
The women followed slowly, their steps tentative as though afraid the illusion might shatter. One by one, they knelt by the water, dipping their hands in to feel the cool liquid.
"It's… it's beautiful," one of them whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Saria crouched beside her son, scooping up a handful of water and letting it flow through her fingers. "It's clear," she said softly, almost in disbelief. "I've never seen it like this before."
The initial shock gave way to a wave of joy and relief. Laughter bubbled up among the group as they began to fill their buckets and pots with the pristine water.
"We don't have to walk for hours anymore," one of the younger women said, her face lighting up with a wide smile.
"Relethis has truly blessed us," another added, holding her full pot up to the light to admire the sparkling water within.
The older woman, who had been hesitant earlier, wiped at her eyes as tears threatened to fall. "For years, we've struggled to find clean water nearby. And now… this. How could we ever doubt him?"
The women began talking animatedly, their voices overlapping as they shared their joy.
"I'm going to make the softest bread with this water," one of them said.
"My husband will be so happy—he always complained about the long walks to fetch water," another chimed in, laughing.
Even Saria, usually composed and measured, found herself laughing along with the others. "This will change everything for us," she said, her tone both grateful and awestruck.
Meanwhile, Kalen splashed at the edge of the lake, his small hands creating ripples in the otherwise still water. He leaned over to stare at his reflection again, giggling as he made faces at himself.
"See, Mama?" he called out, his voice filled with pride. "I told you Relethis could do it!"
Saria laughed, scooping him up in her arms. "You were right, my little one," she said, kissing his forehead. "And you should thank him properly the next time you see him."
"I will!" Kalen said, nodding eagerly. "I'll tell him he's the best god ever!"
As the women worked together to fill their pots, they began to share stories and plans for how they would use the water.
"This will make washing clothes so much easier," one woman said, wringing out her scarf and watching the water drip back into the lake.
"And cooking," added another. "I can't wait to see how the rice turns out with water this pure."
Saria smiled, listening to the chatter around her. It had been a long time since she had seen the women so happy, so lighthearted. For years, fetching water had been a tedious and exhausting task. Now, it was something they could look forward to—a daily reminder of the blessings their god had bestowed upon them.
Once all the pots and buckets were filled, the group began the short journey back to the village. Their laughter echoed through the forest, their burdens lighter than they had ever been.
Kalen ran ahead, carrying a small bucket of his own, his steps energetic and carefree.
"Careful, Kalen!" Saria called after him.
"I won't spill it, Mama!" he shouted back, his grin wide and infectious.
The women exchanged amused glances, their earlier doubts now completely forgotten.
As they reached the village, the sight of the crystal-clear water drew attention from other villagers. Men, women, and children gathered around, their curiosity quickly turning to amazement as they heard about the transformation of the lake.
By the time the story had been shared, the entire village was abuzz with excitement. The lake, once a source of frustration, was now a symbol of their god's power and generosity.
Saria stood at the center of the crowd, her heart swelling with pride and gratitude as she watched her people celebrate.