The days turned into weeks, and Hruaia found himself growing more accustomed to life in the village. The initial shock of his situation had faded, replaced by a quiet determination to understand his place in this world. He spent his mornings working alongside the villagers, his afternoons learning from Pu Thanga, and his evenings by the fire, listening to stories and songs that spoke of a time long before his own.
But it was his encounters with Lianchhiari that left the deepest impression. The village healer was an enigma, her presence both calming and unsettling. She moved through the village like a shadow, her eyes always watching, always knowing. And though she spoke little, her words carried a weight that lingered long after she was gone.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the village was bathed in the soft glow of firelight, Hruaia found himself drawn to Lianchhiari's hut once more. He had been thinking about their last conversation, about the darkness she had seen in her dreams. He needed to know more.
He knocked softly on the doorframe, and after a moment, she appeared, her expression as inscrutable as ever. "You've come again," she said, her voice low and melodic.
Hruaia nodded. "I have more questions. About the prophecy. About the darkness you saw."
She studied him for a moment, then stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. The interior of her hut was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of herbs and incense. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of dried plants, animal bones, and other objects Hruaia couldn't identify. In the center of the room stood a low table, covered with a cloth embroidered with intricate patterns.
Lianchhiari motioned for him to sit, then took a seat across from him. "What do you wish to know?" she asked.
Hruaia hesitated, unsure of where to begin. "You said our paths are intertwined. What did you mean by that?"
She leaned forward, her eyes searching his. "The spirits have brought you here for a reason, Hruaia. And I believe that reason is connected to the darkness I saw in my dreams. It is a shadow that threatens not only you, but all of us."
Hruaia felt a chill run down his spine. "What kind of shadow?"
Lianchhiari reached for a small pouch on the table and poured its contents into her hand—a handful of smooth, black stones. She arranged them in a circle on the cloth, her movements slow and deliberate. "The shadow is a force that seeks to disrupt the balance of our world. It is ancient and powerful, and it has been growing stronger in recent years."
Hruaia frowned. "How do you know this?"
She looked up at him, her gaze piercing. "I have seen it in my visions. The spirits speak to me, Hruaia. They show me things—things that have happened, things that will happen. And they have shown me that you are the key to stopping this darkness."
Hruaia shook his head. "But I don't know how. I'm just a man. I don't have any special powers or knowledge."
Lianchhiari's expression softened. "You underestimate yourself. The spirits do not choose lightly. They have brought you here because they believe in you. And so do I."
Her words stirred something deep within him, a spark of hope that he hadn't realized was there. But it was quickly overshadowed by doubt. "What if I fail? What if I'm not strong enough?"
She reached across the table and placed her hand over his. Her touch was warm, comforting. "You are not alone, Hruaia. I will be with you, as will the spirits. Together, we will find a way."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Then Lianchhiari stood and moved to a shelf, where she retrieved a small, intricately carved wooden box. She placed it on the table and opened it, revealing a necklace made of woven vines and a single, polished stone.
"This is a talisman," she said, lifting the necklace from the box. "It is imbued with the power of the spirits. It will protect you and guide you on your journey."
She leaned forward and placed the necklace around his neck, her fingers brushing against his skin. Hruaia felt a surge of warmth, as though the talisman were alive, pulsing with energy.
"Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lianchhiari nodded. "Remember, Hruaia, the path ahead will not be easy. But you are stronger than you think. Trust in the spirits, and trust in yourself."
As Hruaia left her hut that night, the talisman resting against his chest, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew that he couldn't face it alone. And with Lianchhiari by his side, he felt ready to take the first step.