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As he looked on, his face, usually so fierce, was softened by a hint of nostalgia.
“You’ve come further than most,” he began, his deep voice echoing gently throughout the chamber. “But you must know that the waters of this spring aren’t just a remedy. They hold the memories and energies of all who have come before you.”
He paused, seeming to gather himself before continuing. “Long ago, my own daughter was struck by the Vendikar virus. The pain she endured, the transformation—it’s a sight no father should ever have to witness. I sought these waters for her, believing in their legend. While she found some respite, it was not the cure I had hoped for. The virus’s mark remained, forever altering her path and eventually claiming her life.”
I gasped softly, realizing the weight of his responsibility and the pain behind his stoic demeanor.
Here was a man who had personally suffered at the hands of the very plague I was trying to ward off.
“That’s why I became the guardian,” Keldar continued. “To ensure that only those truly worthy would approach these springs, to prevent their misuse, and perhaps… to find some form of redemption.”
The room was heavy with the weight of his revelation, and I found myself moved by his story, feeling an even deeper connection to our shared quest against the Vendikar curse.
“Emilia, Mayn,” he said, turning his gaze to both of us. “The waters might heal, or they might amplify the energy within you. I cannot say for certain. But I grant you access, trusting in your intentions.”
Mayn nodded gratefully while I whispered a heartfelt “Thank you.”
We approached the spring together, the water’s allure pulling us in.
I could feel its power, almost hear the whispers of the souls who had sought its help before us.
Mayn took my hand, his grip reassuring. “Whatever happens, we face it together,” he murmured, and I nodded, the weight of our journey and the challenges we had overcome making this moment all the more profound.
Keldar stepped back, giving us space but watching intently.
We knelt at the edge of the spring, the waters beckoning.
Slowly, Mayn and I submerged our hands, the coolness of the spring sending a shockwave of energy through us.
A multitude of emotions welled up: hope, fear, determination, love.
The future was uncertain, but in that moment, surrounded by the magic of the sacred spring and with Mayn by my side, I felt a strength I had never known.
As we withdrew our hands, the water left a shimmering residue on our skin, glowing with the same iridescence.
Mayn
The heart of the temple had always been a place of peace and reverence for me—a sanctuary away from the chaos and battles of the outer world.
But today, that serenity was overshadowed by the gnawing anxiety churning within me.
I stood at the temple’s edge, my eyes fixed on Emilia as she slowly approached the luminescent waters of the springs.
Their glow seemed to cast a gentle spotlight on her, making her appear both ethereal and yet more tangible than ever.
Every step she took made my heart race faster, each beat echoing the apprehension coursing through my veins.
The stories of my childhood, tales of brave warriors and hopeful seekers who approached these waters swirled in my head.
Many had been healed, while others faced destinies changed forever.
Which fate awaited Emilia?
I was so lost in my worries that I almost missed it—a soft, harmonious hum, starting as a whisper and gradually growing in intensity.
It vibrated through the temple’s ancient stones and up into my very soul.
The resonance was familiar yet strange, like an old song you’d forgotten but was now returning with a flood of emotions.
