Chapter 21: Farewell
A forgotten, silent kingdom, abandoned for centuries, had now begun to change.
Through white stone streets and corridors adorned with runes, new faces appeared. Priests of the Cult of Aurelia walked in small groups, studying ancient inscriptions on the walls or reciting quiet prayers that echoed through the halls. Some wore light robes, others carried grimoires and relics brought from afar.
There were also adventurers, loyal to the cult, sent to protect the place. Light armor, watchful eyes, and silent steps. They moved among pillars and courtyards, always ready to react to any threat that might appear, even if the real danger lay outside the walls.
In the central courtyard, craftsmen and scribes set up improvised tables. They cataloged everything they found: ancient weapons, broken statues, fragments of decorated walls. The sound of tools striking marble mixed with the quiet voices of scholars, who debated theories about who had built Eldranor or what purpose each symbol served.
Ethan, standing atop a staircase, watched it all. This was no longer a forgotten place. It might not yet be a complete kingdom, but it was a start.
The Guardian, standing out among them all because of her appearance, moved among them. Always calm, always observant. When asked, she answered directly, like someone who knew every stone in that place. The newcomers called her "Lady Guardian," though she herself preferred the simple title of "Guardian."
Ethan had tried to speak with her about choosing a real name, but she said that was the one request she could not grant. She was the Guardian and nothing more.
Aeris and Sylfie walked among them as well. Aeris guided the younger priests, pointing out important halls or giving instructions on where to set up the first altars. Sylfie, with a more closed expression, took care of the adventurers, helping them learn the layout of the corridors and hidden passages.
The contrast between the two drew attention, but no one questioned it, both were known and respected.
The number of people was still small, but it was enough to change the atmosphere. Eldranor was becoming less of an empty ruin and more of a home. There were voices, movement, and even quiet laughter echoing through the halls.
Ethan took a deep breath, looking up at the sky through the open ceiling of the main hall. He knew this was just the beginning. Little by little, Eldranor would become something much greater.