Chapter 5: Whispers of Eldervale
By dawn, Ren and Akio had already set off.
The path north led them through a forest that felt more like a forgotten memory than a real place. The trees whispered, not with wind, but with voices — faint, fleeting ones, like songs sung in dreams. Neither of them spoke much. The silence of the world demanded quiet, and they obeyed.
Every now and then, Ren's mark would glow slightly, guiding them — left at a fork, or right by a creek. As if the world itself was reading their path.
After hours of walking, the trees thinned, and a wide valley opened before them. In the center was a village.
But it wasn't like anything they'd ever seen in books.
The houses were shaped like lotus flowers, built from a mix of white stone and living vines. Floating lanterns moved on their own, following villagers with soft golden light. People dressed in long robes etched with glowing runes moved about calmly, some carrying baskets, others… floating off the ground completely.
A village powered by magic.
"Holy…" Akio whispered, eyes wide. "This isn't ancient. This is... futuristic and ancient at the same time."
Ren couldn't even argue. It felt like they were walking into a fantasy novel.
The villagers didn't look surprised to see them — but their eyes lingered longer than they should have. Some even bowed slightly as Ren passed, whispering in a strange tongue.
Then—
A woman in silver robes approached. Her eyes glowed faintly blue. She looked no older than thirty, but her presence was heavy… wise.
"You are not of this time," she said.
Ren and Akio froze.
"You bear the Marks," she continued. "Your arrival was foretold."
Ren stepped forward. "You know who we are?"
She nodded slowly. "You are the Four Flames. Chosen by the Echo."
Akio whispered, "She knows about the other two."
The woman gestured for them to follow. "Come. You must not stay out in the open. Not while the shadows still linger."
Inside her home — a round, vine-woven hall glowing with soft light — she gave them warm drinks that soothed their bodies instantly.
"I am Lysenna," she said. "High Seer of Eldervale. And I have waited for you for a very long time."
Ren leaned forward. "Then maybe you can tell us why we're here."
Lysenna smiled faintly. "You are here because the Forbidden Era is no longer sleeping. The balance is shifting. The one who seeks to rewrite fate has awoken."
"Someone from our time?" Akio asked carefully.
Lysenna's smile faded. "Yes. A being once like you… now corrupted. His mark burns black. He seeks to use the magic of this world to invade your future."
The room grew colder.
"And you expect us to stop him?" Ren asked. "We don't even know what we're doing."
"You will," Lysenna said. "In time. But first… you must reunite with the other two. The Echo never reveals the full path to one alone."
Ren looked at his glowing mark.
It had dimmed… almost resting.
Then it pulsed again.
> "Survivor 03: Estimated arrival — 1 day. Area: Eastwoods of Valehorn."
Akio nodded. "Guess we're heading east next."
Lysenna stood, placing a crystal vial into Ren's hand.
"Take this. When the skies bleed red, you'll need it."
Ren didn't understand, but took it anyway.
As they left the Seer's home, the village wind bells began ringing on their own. The sky was still clear… but something distant stirred in the clouds.
The journey had just begun.
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