Ashes Whisper

Chapter 4 : Amber Stone

At nightfall, as they made their way back to the cave where Elara had first met Zarek, they decided to set up camp and start a small fire. 

The night was dark and quiet, with only the sound of crackling flames and crickets to break the silence.

Khai began to share his experiences of past expeditions with Elara and Zarek. He recounted tales of exploring ancient ruins, deciphering cryptic symbols and finding long-lost artifacts.

Elara and Zarek listened in fascination as Khai spoke. They could see the passion in his eyes as he described the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of piecing together the mysteries of the past.

Khai also spoke about the dangers he had faced during his expeditions. He recounted narrow escapes from traps and predators, and moments of near-death experiences. However, his love for exploration always kept him going.

Khai began to speak, his voice low and grave. "Before the Kingdom of Arvandor, there was the Kingdom of Avalon. Since the birth of civilization, tyrannical rulers have plagued mankind, driven by an insatiable appetite for power. The Kingdom of Avalon was known for its mastery of light magic, and it was ruled by a powerful emperor. But as their civilization advanced, they began to delve into dark magic, and corruption seeped in. They began to play God, and the consequences were catastrophic. The obscure truth of their actions pointed towards a future filled with disaster, but they refused to see it. At this moment, the truth is being buried into darkness, a foolhardy courage crawling, smeared with earthly desires. Even God starts sneering in confusion, by these eyes denying the doom of sin.

One day, God sent one of his creations, a being known as "the unfamiliar shadow." It covered the sky, spreading its wings and casting an eternal loop, sending the Kingdom of Avalon into the void. All that was left was the legend of the once great kingdom the only remain is Yrolk one of the seven city in Avalon Kingdom, known only for those who remembered its dark history and Yrolk the lost city remain mystery"

Khai fell silent, staring into the flames of the campfire as he pondered the weight of his words. Elara could feel the weight of the story settling in her heart, and she knew that she would never forget the tale of the Kingdom of Avalon.

Khai turned to Elara, his expression serious. "What happened at your village, Elara?" he asked.

Elara's face darkened as she remembered the events of that terrible day. "My village was attacked during a war," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I remember waking up to the sound of screams and the smell of smoke. My parents rushed me out of the house, but we were quickly separated in the chaos."

She took a deep breath and continued, "I ran for what felt like hours, hiding in the dense forest and trying to stay out of sight. But eventually, I was found by a group of soldiers who were ruthless and merciless. They didn't care and attacked me anyway, and I still remember the excruciating pain as the sword pierced through my chest and into my heart. I thought it was the end for me, but this curse overtook me." Elara's voice trembled with emotion as she recounted the horrific experience.

Khai's expression softened as he reached out to comfort Elara. "I'm so sorry, Elara," he said, his voice filled with empathy. "No one should have to go through something like that."

Elara nodded, grateful for his understanding. "I've been running ever since," she said.

As the night wore on, they continued to talk, sharing stories and experiences. And they knew that they were all united in their quest to uncover the secrets of Yrolk The Lost City.

Suddenly Elara's face contorted in pain, her body tense as she clutched her chest. Elara tried to speak, but the pain was too intense. She could feel the curse taking hold of her again, its grip tightening around her heart. It was as if someone had plunged a knife into her chest and was twisting it mercilessly.

Khai's expression turned serious as he realized how severe Elara's condition was. Without hesitation, he turned to Zarek and urgently instructed him to take healing herbs from the forest.

"Quickly, Zarek! We need green, yellow, and red herbs, along with a white stone, honey, and purified water. Put them all in your bag," Khai ordered, his voice urgent.

Zarek immediately rushing through the forest in search of the required herbs. He searched high and low, combing through bushes and scaling trees to find what they needed. Eventually, he found the herbs and the white stone and hurried back to Khai and Elara.

Khai's hands worked quickly and efficiently as he prepared the healing mixture. He carefully measured out the herbs and ground them into a fine powder. He added the honey and purified water, mixing everything together until it formed a thick paste. Khai then took the white stone and ground it into a fine powder, which he added to the mixture, creating the amber stone.

Elara lay on the ground, writhing in pain as Khai gently applied the amber stone to her chest. The amber stone began to emit a soft, warm light. Elara's entire body. At first, there was no change, but slowly the pain began to subside. Elara's breathing became more regular, and her body relaxed as the curse's grip on her heart loosened. Khai and Zarek watched in relief as Elara's condition improved, grateful for the healing properties of the amber stone.

Khai held up the amber stone, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "The amber stone," he explained, "is a rare and precious gemstone that has been used for healing purposes for centuries. It has the power to draw out negative energy and replace it with positive energy, allowing the body to heal itself from within."

Zarek nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the stone's glowing surface. "But be careful," Khai warned. "The more you use it, the more its color fades, until it becomes just an ordinary stone. It's important to use it sparingly and only in times of great need."

Elara listened intently, her pain now subsiding thanks to the healing powers of the amber stone. "So, it's only temporary?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Khai nodded. "Yes, it is," he said, "but it can help you get through difficult times, and it can give you the strength to keep going. You're not alone in this, Elara. We'll get through this together."

Elara looked at Khai with curiosity and asked, "Khai, what are you? How did you know about the amber stone and its healing properties?"

Khai took a deep breath and began to explain. "I used to be an alchemist," he said. "I studied the properties of natural substances and worked to create medicines and potions. The amber stone is one of the rarest and most powerful gemstones I've ever come across in my studies. It has been used for centuries by healers to cure various ailments, including curses."

Elara nodded in understanding, grateful for Khai's knowledge and expertise. "Thank you, Khai," she said. "We're lucky to have you with us."

With the fire burning low and the stars shining brightly above them, they eventually drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures that awaited them in the mysterious Yrolk The Lost City.