Tears of midnight Crystal

Chapter 15

The village was abuzz with whispers and curiosity about the strange girl who had arrived out of nowhere. In the small community where everyone knew everyone else, the appearance of a newcomer was an event that set tongues wagging. The girl had been taken in by Mara, and the villagers couldn't help but speculate about her origins and the mystery that seemed to surround her.

One afternoon, a group of villagers gathered in the shade of the ancient tree at the village center. Among them was Aling Edna, the village's oldest resident, known for her sharp eyes and sharper tongue. She had been around long enough to witness countless stories unfold and had a keen sense for discerning truth from fiction.

"kakaiba talaga ng batang 'yon," Aling Edna said, her voice carrying a tone of intrigue. The others leaned in, eager to hear her thoughts. "Nakita ko siya nung dinala siya ni Mara. May malalim siyang mga mata na kulay kayumanggi, parang may mga lihim na tinatago."

"Hindi ba't isa rin iyan sa nagpapahiwatig na siya ay walang kapangyarihan?"

Aling Edna chuckled, her wrinkled face creasing into a smile. "Oo Lila, Ngunit hindi pa natin alam.. baka may tinatagong kapangyarihan yan sa luob."

"At ang kanyang buhok ay ang pinakaitim na nakita ko. Kapag tinatamaan ng araw, parang kumikislap. Pero ang balat niya ang pinakakapansin-pansin—sobrang puti, parang hindi pa siya nasisikatan ng araw."

The villagers murmured among themselves, imagining the girl as Aling Edna described her. "Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanya?" one of the men asked.

Aling Edna shrugged, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Sino ba ang nakakaalam? Hindi niya maalala masyado. Mga pira-pirasong alaala lang tungkol sa pamilya niya. Pero may kakaiba sa kanya... parang marupok at makapangyarihan sa parehong pagkakataon."

Lila glanced towards Mara's house, where the girl was resting. "Sa tingin niyo po, delikado siya?"

Aling Edna shook her head slowly. "Delikado? Siguro. Pero hindi sa paraang iniisip niyo. Marami na akong nakita na dumaan dito, at itong batang ito... may mabigat siyang dinadala, pero may kabutihan sa kanya. Nakita rin iyon ni Mara, kaya kinuha siya."

A young boy, no older than ten, piped up. "Sa tingin niyo po, dito na siya titira?"

Aling Edna smiled at the boy, her eyes twinkling. "Nasa kanya na iyon, sa palagay ko. At nasa atin din. Kung bibigyan natin siya ng pagkakataon, baka makahanap siya ng dahilan para manatili. Baka matulungan pa niya tayo sa mga paraang hindi pa natin nakikita."

The group fell into a contemplative silence, each of them considering Aling Edna's words. The girl was a mystery, but one they were willing to unravel together. And perhaps, in doing so, they would help her find the pieces of herself that she had lost along the way.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, the villagers dispersed, each of them carrying a bit of hope in their hearts. They had faced many challenges before, and they would face this one, too, with open minds and open hearts. And maybe, just maybe, the girl with the brown eyes, wavy black hair, and pale skin would find a home among them.

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the village as Amara went about her daily chores. She had just finished sweeping the front porch when she decided to check on Hestia, the mysterious girl she had taken in. Hestia had been a quiet but welcome presence in her home, her pale skin and wavy, bouncy black hair a stark contrast to the usual faces of the village.

Amara walked into the cozy room where Hestia was resting. The girl was sitting by the window, the soft light accentuating her deep brown eyes. Amara smiled, carrying a tray with a bowl of warm soup. "Good morning, Hestia."

Hestia looked up and gave a small, hesitant smile. "Better, thank you, ata Amara. You've been so kind."

As Amara set the tray down on a small table beside Hestia, her eyes were drawn to something unusual. There, just above Hestia's heart, was a faint but unmistakable glow. Amara blinked, unsure if it was a trick of the light. She leaned closer, her curiosity piqued.

"Hestia, may nararamdaman kabang kakaiba?" Amara asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Hestia frowned slightly, looking down at herself. "Wala, hindi ko alam. Bakit?"

Amara's eyes widened as the glow became more pronounced, shimmering with an almost ethereal light. "There's something... glowing on your chest," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Right above your heart."

Hestia's hand flew to the spot, her fingers brushing against the warmth of the light. She gasped, her eyes widening in surprise and confusion. "H-hindi ko alam kung ani ito." she stammered.

Amara shook her head, stunned into silence for a moment. She reached out tentatively, her fingers hovering just above the glow. "I've never seen anything like this before," she murmured.

"It looks like... like something powerful."

Hestia's breathing quickened, panic creeping into her voice. "What does it mean? Is it dangerous?"

Amara met her eyes, trying to calm her. "I don't know, Hestia. But we'll figure it out together. Maybe the village elder will know more about this."

As they sat in silence, the glow seemed to pulse gently, casting an otherworldly light across the room. Unbeknownst to either of them, the shining thing on Hestia's heart was the gemstone of the three clans—an ancient and powerful artifact that held the secrets and legacies of the destroyed clans.

Later that day, they made their way to the elder's house. The elder, an old woman with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, listened intently as Amara explained what she had seen. When Hestia revealed the glowing mark, the elder's eyes widened in recognition.

"This is extraordinary," the elder whispered. "This light... it is the essence of the three clans, captured in a gemstone. It has chosen you, Hestia."

Hestia's eyes filled with tears. "But why? I don't remember anything about these clans. I don't understand any of this."

The elder placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps you were meant to restore what was lost. To heal the wounds of the past and bring peace to our world."

Amara and Hestia exchanged a look of determination and resolve. Whatever the future held, they would face it together, with the support of the village. And maybe, through this mysterious gemstone, Hestia would find the answers she sought and the redemption she so desperately needed.