The Promised Blade ✧ Min Yoongi

𝐓 𝐖 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 𝐘

CHAPTER 20 | SACRED BEINGS

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YOU

I stood on the balcony, completely entranced by the breathtaking expanse of nature that unfolded before me. The landscape stretched endlessly, as though the world itself had been painted with vibrant strokes of color. On either side of the valley, two towering mountains loomed like ancient, watchful guardians, their jagged peaks piercing the sky with an imposing majesty that spoke of timeless strength. The mountain tops were capped with dustings of snow, while the steep slopes were veiled in thick, verdant forests that clung to the rocky terrain like nature's steadfast embrace.

From those lofty heights, waterfalls cascaded down in a breathtaking display of raw power. The torrents of water plunged over the cliffs with an untamed ferocity, sending shimmering spray into the air, creating silver threads that danced in the light. As the waterfalls collided with the rocks below, a mist hung in the air, forming delicate rainbows that sparkled in the sun's rays. The air itself felt charged with the energy of the rushing water, alive with an invigorating hum.

Above, the calls of distant birds echoed through the vast expanse, their wings slicing through the clear blue sky as they soared effortlessly. The sound of the waterfalls merged with these ethereal calls, blending into a tranquil symphony that resonated with a soothing, almost otherworldly harmony. It was a sound so pure, so uninterrupted, that it felt like time itself had slowed down, allowing me to fully savor the serenity of this untouched paradise.

Far below, the rivers meandered through the landscape, winding like veins of liquid light cutting through the earth. Their smooth, glassy surfaces shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting the brilliance of the sky above. These rivers, vast and winding, flowed effortlessly toward pristine lakes, their surfaces as smooth as mirrors, casting reflections of the surrounding trees and mountains. The lakes glittered like jewels, their stillness offering a quiet contrast to the energetic rush of the waterfalls above. The entire scene, from the grand mountains to the delicate ripples of the water, seemed to exist in perfect harmony—a masterpiece of nature, untouched and timeless.

Yet, my gaze shifted downward to the figures gathering in the streets below, where a growing crowd of Elves had begun to gather. They were whispering, pointing, casting wary glances upward at the balcony where I stood. Their whispers carried on the wind, and though I couldn't hear every word, I knew what they were saying. The news of our arrival had spread like wildfire, and it was no secret how they felt about us. We were strangers, invaders, a dangerous force marching into their territory. Of course, they didn't trust us. Why should they? We were at war, an army in their midst, and we brought nothing but turmoil and uncertainty with us.

I didn't blame them for their fear. In their eyes, we were the enemy—a threat to everything they held dear. And I could understand that. I felt the weight of their judgment, the distance between us that no amount of diplomacy could bridge.

But for now, I stood on this balcony as though I were safe. Hidden away from the world below. The Oracle's cryptic silence still haunted me. The visions from the night before were clear in my mind—those shadowy glimpses of a future that made my skin crawl. But she hadn't offered any further guidance, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of dread and uncertainty. What was she hiding? Why had she remained silent?

There was something in the way she carried herself that unsettled me, something that radiated from her ring, a strange energy that was neither good nor evil, but something in between. It felt ancient, foreign, and it made my skin prickle. Was she afraid of the truth? Or perhaps, in her own way, she had already accepted what was to come and didn't want to share that burden.