The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 80

As they strolled through the museum, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Matsu held onto Calie and Marie's hands, his touch a silent reassurance amidst the swirling emotions that lingered between them.

Calie and Marie, still grappling with the tension from earlier, avoided meeting Matsu's sisters' eyes, their expressions a mix of guilt and unease. Sensing their discomfort, Matsu leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he offered his apologies.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his words laden with sincerity. "I didn't mean to make things awkward earlier."

Blaze, ever observant, pointed excitedly at an artifact on display, her curiosity piqued. "Hey, what's this?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the ancient scroll encased in glass.

Matsu's eyes sparkled with pride as he explained, "That, Blaze, is one of our ancestor's scrolls. It holds the story of their life, passed down through generations."

Blaze's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, that's incredible! Why is it here in the museum though?" she inquired, her interest piqued.

Matsu's smile softened as he shared the reason behind its presence in the museum. "It's very old and delicate," he explained. "To ensure its preservation, my family decided to donate it to the museum where it can be properly cared for and appreciated by everyone."

Blaze nodded in understanding, her gaze lingering on the intricate details of the scroll. "That's really thoughtful," she remarked, a newfound appreciation for the artifact dawning on her.

As they continued to explore the museum, the tension of earlier gradually dissipated, replaced by a shared sense of awe and fascination for the rich history and culture preserved within its walls. For a moment, all worries and uncertainties were forgotten as they immersed themselves in the timeless stories of the past.

Then Marie's curiosity led her to point excitedly at a statue across the room. "Matsu, what's that over there?" she asked, her interest piqued.

Matsu, intrigued by Marie's question, joined her as they approached the display. "I'm not sure," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the imposing figure cast in stone. Together, they read the plaque beneath the statue, and Matsu's eyes widened in recognition.

"It's the First Sun Sage," he explained, his voice filled with reverence. "She was an ancestor from our mother's side."

The plaque provided further insight into the remarkable woman immortalized in stone. "It says here that she was known for her extraordinary healing abilities," Matsu continued, his tone tinged with pride. "She was hailed as the world's greatest healer and played a pivotal role in the founding of Eclispia."

Marie nodded in understanding, her gaze lingering on the statue as she absorbed the significance of their ancestor's legacy. "She sounds like an incredible person," she remarked, a sense of admiration evident in her voice.

Matsu's expression softened as he reflected on the profound impact of their ancestor's contributions. "Yes, she was," he agreed, a sense of reverence coloring his words. "Her compassion and strength continue to inspire us to this day."

Then Yumiko's statement brought a solemn air to the conversation, her words echoing with a sense of what could have been. "You know, if our family hadn't lost the sage abilities during the war," she mused, her voice tinged with a hint of regret, "Matsu and I would've been sages."

Blaze's eyes widened in surprise as she absorbed this revelation. "Really?" she exclaimed, turning to Matsu for confirmation.

Matsu nodded somberly, acknowledging the truth of Yumiko's words. "Yes, it's true," he confirmed, his tone tinged with a touch of melancholy. "I would've been the Moon Sage, the Sage of Spirits, and Yumiko would've been the Sun Sage, the Sage of Healing."