Fly Until You See The Light

Forest - Chapter 13

They have finally reached the beginning of the Valley! It's a beautiful place...

The snow extends in front of them - even if not a flake falls from the sky - and that small space is surrounded by low mountains.

Stone tombs are scattered around the small place. They belong to the Spirits of that realm.

And, in front of them, an adorable black gazebo that looks like those in the Forest. It, however, is larger and has a more circular shape than those already seen. Additionally, it contains a campfire for the people who are cold and tired and want to stay warm, and it has a stone bench that looks quite comfortable, despite the material used to make it.

«Guys, welcome to the Valley» Ojtaro tells them, crossing his arms. «One of the most beautiful realms in the world, following every Child of the Light's opinion».

Orlando whispers:«It's really gorgeous...». And, trembling, he adds:«But also cold».

«Come with me» Ojtaro invites them, motioning for them to follow him.

The boy takes the others to the campfire. The flame is warm and gives a good feeling to the three, who all sit close together on their knees.

They are silent for a while, watching the fire move as lively as ever, until Ojtaro smiles and asks:«Don't you think a story would be a good idea?».

The boy waits for the response of his friends, who look at him curiously.

«A story?» Sentinekka asks enthusiastically.

«Yeah, a story of this place. In your opinion, why is the Valley called the Valley of Triumph?» Ojtaro explains to them, taking on a mysterious tone.

The two shrug and wait for their companion to start talking and telling that legend.

And he begins:«Once, when nothing had happened yet, when the Isle had green grass on its land, the Forest had no acid rain, the Golden Wasteland was not empty and corrupted and the Eye of Eden was nothing like what it is now, peace reigned among us. The Elders ruled their realms with wisdom and cared for their people. There was one character in particular, who ruled the Eden. The King. No one knows what happened to him, he lost his mind». And he makes a movement with his hand near his head to make it clear that there was something wrong with that Ruler. He continues:«Another Elder in particular lived in this realm, but she's now gone: her name was Samekh. She was the "Priestess Samekh". When the King went mad, she was the only one who wasn't afraid to talk to him in person. She met him in his realm, she tried to make him think about his actions... But he didn't listen to her. She who once ruled the Valley of Hope was killed».

Sentinekka gasps and covers her mouth with her hands, surprised, while he continues his story:«The Priestess had twins as her Children. When they grew up, after learning of their mother's death, they did not hesitate to take her place in the realm and decide on revenge... Which never actually happened. The Valley was called Valley of Triumph by them, just as the twins took their mother's name and transformed it into their two new names: Sah and Mekh. Now they are the Elders of this realm».

Sentinekka and Orlando are cuddled up to each other as if they were siblings. Yes, Ojtaro just traumatized them for life. Maybe he should have told them something else, but the old stories about the past are all terrible and the one of the Valley was and still is the most delicate one.