Toby led Mark through the trails of the village, and their footsteps left shallow marks on the soil. Along the way, the tribesmen beside the campfire talked in low voices, and occasionally burst into hearty laughter, like the echo in the valley, melodious and far-reaching. The flames jumped, reflecting their faces, each face was full of stories. The aroma of barbecue and the smoke from burning firewood intertwined, making people salivate and warm their hearts.
Several children chased and played in the open space, their laughter was crisp and pleasant, like the clear spring in the valley, injecting infinite vitality into this peaceful land. Mark was infected by this simple happiness, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth. His steps became brisk, as if he had become a part of this village.
The meeting hall is a taller building than other wooden houses, built of sturdy logs, and the roof is covered with thick thatch and animal skins, which can effectively block wind, rain and sunlight. At the entrance of the meeting hall, there was a huge animal skin with some complex patterns painted on it. These patterns looked particularly mysterious under the sunlight.
Toby lifted the door curtain and motioned Mark to enter. Mark bowed slightly and walked into the meeting hall.
The interior of the meeting hall was spacious and bright, with a blazing bonfire burning in the center. The fire illuminated the entire room and dispelled the chill of the night. There were several seats made of animal skins around the bonfire. Several tribal elders were sitting around the bonfire, discussing something in a low voice. The elders were all very old, and their faces were full of traces of time, but their eyes were still sharp and full of wisdom. They wore animal skin robes and feather-decorated headdresses on their heads, looking majestic and sacred. Sitting in the main seat was the old man who had just met Mark.
The elder with white hair and beard said to the other elders in a slightly hoarse voice, "His name is Mark, the man I just told you about." Mark bowed slightly to the elders, and then sat down in the empty seat next to Toby. "Can I check your energy?" An elder said to Mark. Mark looked at the other party, who was holding a wooden stick in his hand. The wooden stick was made of a special wood, with some complex patterns carved on the stick, exuding a faint fragrance. Toby introduced Mark, "That is Elder Batu, the priest of our tribe. He usually communicates with the holy stone of the holy city." "Of course." Mark nodded. Elder Batu slowly stood up. He was tall and tall, and even though he was old, he was still as straight as a pine tree. He leaned on the wooden stick and walked towards Mark step by step. Every step was steady and powerful. The wooden stick made a dull "dong dong" sound when it touched the ground, echoing in the silent meeting room. The firelight cast a flickering shadow on his face, making his deep eyes look even more piercing.
Elder Batu walked up to Mark and stood still. The wooden staff in his hand exuded a faint warmth, and the patterns carved on the staff seemed to come alive, flickering slightly in the firelight. The elders around held their breath and focused their eyes on Mark and Elder Batu, and the air was filled with a solemn atmosphere.
"Please extend your hand." Elder Batu's voice was low and deep, with an unquestionable majesty. His voice was like an ancient bell, echoing in the meeting hall, making people feel an inexplicable awe.
Mark stretched out his hands as he was told, palms up. His hands trembled slightly, not because of fear, but because of an inexplicable excitement. He could feel the gazes of the elders around him, and he could also feel the powerful energy emanating from Elder Batu.
Elder Batu handed the wooden staff to Mark, and Mark took the staff with both hands. The wooden stick is warm to the touch, with a smooth surface, but it also has a sense of vicissitudes of time. The lines on the stick are clearly visible, as if it was carved with some sharp tools, but it is full of artistic beauty.
"Hold it and close your eyes." Elder Batu's voice sounded again, still low and thick, but with a hint of gentleness.
Mark did as he was told, holding the wooden stick and closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He could feel the warm touch of the wooden stick and smell the faint fragrance of the wooden stick. This fragrance made him feel relaxed and happy, as if he was in a quiet and peaceful forest.
Elder Batu began to chant the ancient spell, his voice was low and melodious, like an ancient ballad, echoing in the meeting hall. The syllables of the spell are obscure, but full of mysterious power, which makes people feel an inexplicable shock.
As the spell was chanted, the lines on the wooden stick emitted a faint fluorescence. The light gradually increased, flickering like fireflies, and then gathered into strips of light, flowing on the wooden stick, interweaving into mysterious patterns. The light in the meeting hall also became brighter, as if countless stars were flickering.
The light finally formed a ball of light, enveloping Mark in it. The ball of light exuded a soft light, like the morning sun, warm and comfortable. Various patterns flowed on the surface of the ball of light, and these patterns were unpredictable, as if interpreting the mysteries of the universe.
The elders carefully observed the changes in the ball of light, and their faces gradually became solemn. Toby also looked at Mark, his eyes full of worry. His hands were clenched tightly together, his knuckles were slightly white, and his lips were pursed into a straight line. He seemed to have a premonition of something, but he didn't dare to believe it.
The ball of light suddenly flickered violently, like a flame that was about to go out, flickering and dazzling. The temperature in the room also rose, and the air became dry, making it difficult for people to breathe.
Then, with a loud bang, the ball of light exploded, and the fragments flew everywhere, like broken crystals, streaking dazzling light in the air. The room was suddenly filled with a pungent smell of burning, which made people feel suffocated.
The shock wave of the explosion shocked the surrounding elders and made them retreat again and again. They covered their mouths and noses with their hands to avoid inhaling too much smoke and dust. Toby was even knocked to the ground by the shock wave. He struggled to get up, his eyes full of horror.
When the smoke and dust dissipated, everyone saw the scene in front of them clearly. Mark opened his eyes, he felt dizzy and his ears were buzzing. He found that the wooden stick in his hand had been broken into two pieces, and the broken part was charred and exuded a pungent smell of burning.
Elder Batu collapsed on his seat, unconscious. His face was pale, his lips were purple, and his breathing was weak, as if it would stop at any time. The wooden stick in his hand also fell to the ground and broke into two pieces.
"Elder!" Toby exclaimed, and rushed to Elder Batu to check his injuries.
"Water..." Elder Batu uttered a word weakly.
Toby immediately stood up and looked around. Before the ceremony, in order to avoid accidents, all items that could be easily ignited, including water, had been cleared from the room. The nearest water source was outside the meeting room, and he shouted anxiously: "Water! Go get some water!"
Two guards immediately responded and ran out of the meeting room.
Mark shook his head, and the impact of the explosion still made him have some tinnitus. He stared blankly at the broken wooden stick in his hand, then looked at Elder Batu who fell to the ground, and muttered to himself: "How could this happen..."
He rubbed his face hard, trying to make himself more awake. The burnt smell from his hands made him realize that what had just happened was not an illusion.
The other elders also came back to their senses from their panic and gathered around. An elderly female elder leaned over and felt Elder Batu's breath with trembling hands, her face becoming more solemn. She turned to Toby and said, "Hurry, carry him to my room, there are medicines there."
Toby and another young and strong male elder carefully lifted Elder Batu up and walked out of the meeting room. The female elder followed closely behind them, constantly admonishing, "Slow down, be careful..."
Outside the meeting room, the guards had already brought water, put it in a wooden bowl, and handed it to Toby. Toby took the bowl of water and gently fed it to Elder Batu. Elder Batu swallowed a few mouthfuls of water with difficulty, opened his eyes slightly, and his eyes were full of fatigue.
"Toby..." Elder Batu's voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible. He raised one hand with difficulty and tried to grab Toby.
Toby immediately held Elder Batu's hand, leaned down, and put his ear close to his mouth, "Elder, I'm here." Elder Batu turned his eyes to Mark, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he couldn't make a sound. His hand fell down weakly, and his eyes slowly closed.