Hina and I trudged along the rocky terrain, the sun shining through the canopy of trees above. The terrain was uneven, with jagged rocks and patches of moss that made every step an effort. We reached a stream of water that flowed with a gentle gurgling sound, cutting across our path.
I hopped onto a smooth boulder in the middle of the stream, effortlessly leaping to the other side. "Come on, Hina," I called, turning to watch her.
Hina hesitated, staring at the stream as if it were a roaring river. "Uh… do I have to jump?" she asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Unless you plan to swim across, yes," I replied, smirking.
She huffed, puffed up her chest, and stepped onto the first rock. "Easy..." she muttered to herself, wobbling slightly. She took another step forward, her arms flailing for balance.
"Careful," I said teasingly. "Wouldn't want the 'future queen' to fall into the water."
"Shut up!" she snapped, her focus entirely on the rock beneath her feet.
Just as she made the final leap, her foot slipped, and she let out a small yelp. I reached out instinctively and grabbed her arm, steadying her before she toppled over.
"Nice save, right?" she said, trying to play it cool.
"Sure, if you call me doing all the work a 'save.'"
"Ughhhh," she muttered, stomping ahead of me, her cheeks flushed red.
We continued walking, and the scenery began to shift. Strange, glowing butterflies with wings that shimmered like liquid gold fluttered across our path.
"Wow…" Hina breathed, her annoyance forgotten as she reached out to touch one. The butterfly landed briefly on her finger before flying away.
"Don't let their beauty fool you," I warned. "They're harmless now, but when disturbed, they can emit a paralyzing aura. It's why they're called 'Stasis Wings.'"
Hina pulled her hand back quickly. "Good to know," she muttered, her gaze lingering on the mesmerizing creatures as we moved forward.
After a while, we arrived at a shrine nestled in a small clearing. The stone steps leading up to it were cracked and covered in moss, but the structure itself stood intact, its ancient carvings telling stories of an age long past.
I stepped inside, scanning the dark interior. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and something faintly sweet, like old flowers. But the shrine was empty.
"He's not here," I said, my voice echoing slightly.
Hina peeked inside from behind me. "So, what now? We keep looking?"
I nodded, already turning back to the path.
As we walked, the forest began to thin, giving way to an open expanse where a small village sat in eerie silence. The houses were abandoned, their roofs caving in and their walls covered in creeping vines.
"This place..." Hina whispered, her voice barely audible.
We moved cautiously through the village, the sound of our footsteps unnervingly loud in the stillness. That's when we saw them—the bodies of elves, their once vibrant forms now frail and lifeless. Their faces were sunken, their skin pale and stretched thin over their bones.
Hina stopped, covering her mouth with her hand. "They... they look like they just wasted away..."
I knelt beside one of the bodies, examining it closely. "It's malnourishment, even though the land is filled with resources." I said grimly. "And their energy... it's completely drained. Whatever's affecting this place, it's killing them slowly."
"But why? Why did those travellers are doing this to Eladrins?" Hina asked, her voice breaking.
"I don't know," I admitted, standing and brushing off my hands. "But we don't have time to linger. If there's anyone who can give us answers, it's the Grand Elder."
Reluctantly, we pressed on, leaving the haunting scene behind us.
We reached another shrine, this one larger than the last. Its pillar reached toward the sky, and intricate patterns were carved into its stone walls.
Once again, I stepped inside, my eyes scanning every shadowy corner. And once again, it was empty.
"He's not here either," I muttered, casually as I walked away.
Hina leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms. "Does he just stay in shrines all the time? What if he left to, I don't know, run errands or something?"
"He wouldn't," I said firmly, stepping back outside.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because that's not how he works."
We continued searching, moving from one shrine to another. At one point, I tried peeking inside a shrine by climbing up its side, only to find it as empty as the others.
"This is getting ridiculous," Hina muttered as she leaned against a tree.
I ignored her, my focus narrowing as I tried to sense any trace of the Grand Elder's presence.
As we pushed through a dense thicket of bushes, I suddenly stopped, holding up a hand to signal Hina.
"What is it?" she whispered.
I pointed ahead, where a group of elves armed with weapons stood. Their postures were tense, their eyes scanning the area as if on high alert.
I summoned my dagger, the black blade materializing in my hand with a soft hum.
"What are you doing?" Hina whispered harshly, grabbing my arm.
I glanced at her, my expression unreadable. She shook her head slowly, her eyes wide and pleading.
After a moment of hesitation, I let the dagger vanish.
Hina exhaled in relief and silently nodded toward a path that veered off to the right. It was narrow and overgrown but clear of any elves.
We moved quietly, slipping away unnoticed.
After what felt like hours, we finally arrived at the base of a mountain. The path wound around its edge, precariously narrow in places.
"Is this really it?" Hina asked as we carefully made our way along the rocky ledge.
"It's close," I said, my eyes fixed on the faint outline of a small temple built into the side of the mountain, partially hidden by a natural tree.
When we reached it, I pushed open the wooden door, its hinges groaning.
Hina followed me inside, sighing heavily. "This is so tiring..."
I stopped abruptly, my eyes locking onto the person sitting in front of an angelic statue at the far end of the room.
Hina bumped into me from behind. "Oii, why did you stop?" she asked, annoyed.
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the man ahead. His long white hair flowed around him, pooling on the ground like a shadow. He sat with his back to us, his posture straight and unmoving.
"Gyosu..." I said, my voice calm but firm.
The man's head lifted slightly, his movements slow and deliberate. The silence in the room was deafening, the air thick with tension.
Hina gulped, her eyes darting between me and the man. She didn't dare say a word, waiting to see what would happen next.
Without turning to face me, the man finally spoke, his voice deep and resonant.
"You finally awakened again... Esther."