The Search

Chapter 1 The Dream

The village is enveloped in darkness and gloom, where visibility is limited to occasional bright flashes of light and the eerie glow emanating from the ancient totem.

It's a mysterious item with reflective gold skin and big green emerald stone eyes. Many say it's shaped like a man, or is it an angel with wings? Its shape is truly somewhat strange and nobody really knows its origins.

What they know for a fact is that for centuries, this totem has stood atop the fountain. Serving as the life force that powers the entire village, nestled amidst the forest of its naturally beautiful surroundings.

However, the village's beauty is obscured by a fierce storm. Raindrops pelt the ground with a rhythmic intensity, their impact echoing through the air, transforming the earth into a canvas of dots and lines, as if painted by nature's own hand.

This wasn't normal for the village. Usually, it is bathed by the gentle sunlight and refreshed by the soothing breezes, with occasional mists of rain to water the crops. The village was a harmony, some say it's thanks to the totem that protects them from nature's wrath, and without it... many fear to imagine such a day

So, something is definitely wrong.

- What's happening?

Then came four cloaked figures who approached the vibrant sigil. "This has to be the right one," one said as they snatched it from its pedestal -the very spot where the totem had stood untouched for centuries

"No... No, NOO!"

"PARROT!"

Parrot jolted awake, gasping for air.

"Parrot, are you okay? You've been screaming in your sleep, you're gonna wake everyone up," Planet said.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize. You can go back to sleep," Parrot replied.

"Aren't you gonna tell me?" Planet asked.

Parrot hesitated, "Tell you what?"

"Your nightmare. What was it about?"

"Nothing, forget about it. It's the middle of the night. Let's just go back to sleep."

"Fine. Goodnight," Planet said.

The lights flickered within the village.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Parrot! Wake up! Something's wrong," Planet urged.

"Ugh, seriously? It's Saturday. Can't it wait?" Parrot groaned.

"No, man, you need to see this. The whole town is gathered."

Planet tossed the covers aside and yanked Parrot out of bed. Outside, light fog enveloped the town, but the tension could still be felt in the air. Amidst the blurry figures was the mayor, pacing back and forth on the fountain's edge as all the villagers stared in concern. Light chatter and whispers about the situation filled the air.

"What's the mayor doing?" Parrot asked.

"No clue. He's been like this for the past hour," Planet replied.

As they approached the gathering, the mayor announced, "I fear to announce that our precious totem was stolen last night, but no need to worry, we are currently working to figure everything out."

What used to be chatter and whispers quickly transformed into yells and madness as people pushed around angrily at the mayor. Among the uproar, Planet couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief.

"Look at him, he doesn't even know what he's talking about," Planet said.

"I don't know, this seems serious," Parrot replied.