lost village of time

chapter 1. "silence, the only language that we're fluent in"

It had started as some sick and demented joke. It was supposed to be a way of life, a way of protection, and now it's a symbol of death.

Thats what Adam had thought as he approached the alter where the gods had their offerings. His friends dared him, How could he let himself be tricked into this?. His hands shook, disrespect the gods could be punishable. What if the elders found out it was him? Would he be punished? These thoughts ran through his head as he stepped up to the alt, his feet touching the soft white marble floor. The alter was a beautiful sight to see, pristine quarts blocks, arranged in a beautiful pattern, it was almost serene to see, something like that was uncommon for Adam, he usually steered clear of these things, why wouldn't he? He didn't believe in such "gods."

"Cant believe I'm doing this.." Adam mutters to himself with a hint of respite in his voice. His knees felt weak, like his own weight could collapse beneath himself if he took another step. The pot in his hand, untouched by the painters hands, plain as day, his hands shook Gripping it. All the pots around the altar were colorful, decorated to honor the gods the village worshipped so heavily. With another shakey step, he stood close to the alter, looking down at it with such contempt. "Is this worth it?" Adam thought to himself. Despite the fear in his body, coursing his veins, he decided to do it. Placing the bare pot against the bumpy dark oak wooden table next to a purple candle, its flame flickering and reflecting off the surface of his hand and the reflection in the pot. "This better be worth the emeralds I was promised." He spoke out loud to nobody in particular, His fingertips brushed against the wood, it's texture was bumpy against the padding of his skin, Adam thought he might get a splinter from how grotesk it was. With a heavy sigh, Adam withdrew his hand and stared down at the pages of the old book. "Was that always here?" He whispers to himself As he picked up the book, grazing over the old pages that were once a clean white, now stained with yellow and the words on the page, fading with time. He began to read it to himself, a book that told of gods that once visited and roamed about the world with builders who influenced those around them.

"Hah! What a joke, builders? Influencing the villages they lived in!" Adam roared out a loud laugh that rumbled in his chest, so loud, he didn't hear the elders approaching.

"Yes. Builders that once influenced us all" Elder Barik spoke up, His voice horse from the time he's lived on this world, He looked like any particular old person, or what he seemed to be a typical elder.

Adam had always visited the elders cabin when he was a kid. His dad would take him to teach him respect those around him. "Elders! I-I'm sorry!" Adam stutters out nervously, Setting the book down carefully, despite the nervousness he felt.

"Do not fret, you're young. We couldn't expect a young man to believe something he's not seen with his eyes." Barik's voice, shakey and gravely, worn down with time, he was an elder after all, that was a huge responsibility as Adam always guessed, what else did the elders do inside their cabins all day? "Those builders really did a lot for tus villagers young man," Barik continued. "More than we've seen today, they've shaped these lands..".

Adam could only guess barik was telling the truth. Had he met the builders? Surely not, Adam was being silly, right? "Did you know them..?" Adam's voice sounded distant, nervous. The trembles in his voice shone through his broken pride

Barik let's out a throaty chuckle at the young man's words. "My grandfather did. He would tell tales of them.. He passed on things from the builders before they - " barik cuts himself off, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter, young man, They were amazing people, truly.." barik continues, his voice softening as he recalls his grandfather's words before his voice starts to drift off. "You should get home.. it's quite late, " the elder man chuckles.

"Crap!" Adam recalled the time, Barik was right. It's alright sundown. "I gotta go! Thank you for talking to me, elder!" He quickly spats out before running off, running as fast as his quaking legs could carry him home. He didn't live that far, but he was still late to dinner. He promised his father he'd help with tonight's harvest for dinner.

By the time Adam got home, dinner was ready, set up on the table, all neat and organized. "You're late," a voice gruffs from the table, only to be presumed as his father, who looked disappointed, rather than upset.

"I know! I am so sorry!" Adam spoke clear, despite the nervousness. "The elders, They kept me busy, then my friends-"

Adam's father cut him off with a dissatisfied sigh. "Jamey, Jessica, markas, and Dominick? Those four - " Before the father could continue, Adam's mother gives him a hard glare.

"Oh, leave him alone. They ain't hurting anyone, bruce." Adam's mom huffed out disapprovingly. She hated it when Adam's dad, Bruce, made such a fuss about his friends, Adam would be teased about being a mommas boy by his friends, he couldn't blame him, he'd tease someone like him too.

"Thanks ma" he exclaimed with relief dripping in his voice, a smile crossing his face as his mother gave him a reassuring smile and a squeeze to the shoulder
"Of course hun. So what did you and balik talk about today?" She asks inquisitivly, Adam couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, his mother always listened to him talk.
"Well uh.. We talked about his grandfather, he says he has lots of stories about him"
"Well thats nice hunny! Balik always has stories, doesn't he?"
"Of course ma, It's surprising honestly" Adam took a bite of his food, enjoying the flavors melting his taste buds "This is good ma!"

Adam's mom giggles, sitting down to eat with the family. Soon it comes time and Adam excuses himself from dinner, walking to his room and changing into a shirt and shorts, the shirt was just a loose fitting and fell over his waistband, just the way he liked it, wasn't too tight or too large, just right. Tucking himself into bed, pulling the soft plush covers over his own shoulder, his eyes grow heavy and his body relaxes, slowly falling asleep, his thoughts calming and then, Adam falls into a deep sleep, Calm and serene.