Chapter 32: Luminous Sphere and the Shadowy Figure
After several hours, the group finally emerged from the desert, seeking shade under the nearest tree. Upon arrival, most of them collapsed to the ground, releasing sighs of relief. The young mage, exhausted from using all his mana to keep the group hydrated, looked back, contemplating the vastness of sand before succumbing to fatigue.
The healers promptly went to help him, unable to wake him but providing some comfort in his well-deserved sleep, acknowledging everyone's strenuous effort.
Noah and Theo quickly checked the perimeter while the others rested, ensuring there were no imminent threats, before joining the group to recharge their energies.
As night approached and the group regained strength, Ekiles led some warriors in search of food nearby, while others took care of finding water and setting up camp.
With the arrival of darkness, everyone gathered around a campfire, sharing animated stories about the desert adventure. The excitement was palpable; they could hardly wait to share these experiences with the village residents.
In a distant part of the vast universe, an imposing dark door opened to welcome a slender man. He entered, traversing a huge temple where floating pillars displayed agonizing faces. The eyes of these unfortunate figures followed him, their mouths moving, but no sound escaped.
The man walked through the entire temple, seemingly indifferent to the suffering faces observing him. Upon reaching the end, he encountered a colossal throne, upon which sat a figure radiating overwhelming aura. Relaxed, he leaned his shoulder on the throne and his fists on his chin, each breath causing small tremors in the chamber.
Ignoring the manifestations around, the man knelt and spoke with a soft and delicate voice, "I have observed her. I do not see her as a threat, my lord."
The eyes of the imposing figure opened, intensifying the aura, although it seemed to have little effect on the kneeling man. "Only a few years have passed. Of course, she would not be a problem yet. However, even if she does not become one, I will eliminate her, as I have with all the others," declared the figure with a malevolent smile.
"The development of your world is happening slowly. From what I've seen, she seems to desire that living beings develop on their own," commented the man.
The colossal figure on the throne finally moved. "Hahaha! Allowing living beings to develop on their own? Nonsense! Power is everything!" he exclaimed, making the entire temple shake.
The man stood up, turned, and left, letting out a light sigh as he walked away. "No need to come back! Next time, I'll send some to say 'hi' to her. HAHAHA!" said the colossal figure, his voice barely audible as the man moved through the door.
Back in the human group returning to the village after the long desert journey, they decided it would be safer and wiser to prepare adequately, recruiting more skilled individuals for future explorations. As for the young man who had decided to explore Arcadia on his own, all that remained for them was to pray for his safety.
Days unfolded, bringing some challenges along the way, such as an encounter with a group of goblins and intense rains. However, the goblins were easily defeated by the less experienced members of the group. Upon finally reaching the village, they were warmly welcomed by everyone. Eager to share their experiences, they narrated their adventures in the desert, from crystal scorpions to the vast area filled with imposing crystals. Some displayed the crystals they had collected, sparking even more curiosity among the locals.
When asked about the young man they were seeking, Noah could only say they couldn't find him, expressing hope that he was well. However, even in his words, Noah couldn't ignore the brutal reality of the outside world, a truth he had experienced himself.
While the young ones shared their stories with the curious villagers, Noah, Ekiles, and Theo headed to a central building where village matters were handled. Upon entering, they found Aqua, Aurora, and Safira gathered, along with Kayn, Noah's son. The three women quickly stood up, warmly embracing their husbands and expressing their concerns, given the prolonged time it took for them to return.
During the narrative of events and challenges faced, Noah moved forward and placed the small strange chest on the table. "I couldn't open it in any way, not even with my abilities," he revealed. The eyes of the three women widened, knowing Noah's formidable ability. The inability to damage the chest indicated that it was something extraordinary.
Dissatisfied, Safira grabbed the chest and tossed it into the air. Everyone stepped back, realizing Safira's intention. Although Aurora wanted to warn her, there was no time. Dozens of ice blades appeared in the air, flying toward the chest and causing an explosion upon impact.
"Be careful, Safira! You might destroy what's inside the chest," Ekiles warned. However, when the icy vapor dissipated, the chest remained intact, leaving Safira's face obscured by an expression of surprise and frustration.
Noah picked up the box from the ground and examined it. "All we can do is wait," he said and threw the chest toward Kayn, "Hold onto this until we find a way to open it," he requested.
In the heart of the village, a new teaching place had emerged for children, providing them with a conducive environment to learn about the village's history and the magical gifts shaping their world. The older figures of the village shared their knowledge with the younger generations, establishing a connection between the past and the future.
Every year, new children were born, representing the future of the village. They carried with them the promise of new ideas, the possibility of becoming powerful warriors or mages, and the expansion of knowledge about the world through exploration of various places.
Whenever a large group of people went on a specific mission, the entire village knew. Everyone eagerly awaited the return of these brave adventurers, asking questions about the adventures experienced, discoveries made, and challenges overcome. The children, with bright eyes, imagined a future where they could explore alongside these brave warriors.
Some days passed, and when Noah and the others least expected it, upon reaching the place where Kayn had stored the chest, they found it open. Inside, a beautiful crystalline sphere shone with a powerful aura.
Noah approached the sphere and took it in his hands. His eyes gleamed in a deep gold as he was astonished by what he saw.
Looking around, Noah realized that he could access detailed information about everything and everyone around him.