Chapter 9: Another Fateful Meeting, Legend’s Tale
After a few minutes of silence, Elowen let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly as though shaking off the weight of anticipation.
"finally," she muttered under her breath, glancing at the sealed door one last time. "now I've got some orcs to kill—preferably before they start redecorating Sanctora with our heads."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode briskly toward the temple exit. Outside, she found a junior priest hovering anxiously near the entrance, clearly unsure whether he should be there at all.
Fixing him with a sharp look, she pointed a finger at him. "listen carefully, kid. No one—no one—enters this temple until I said otherwise or the Grand Priest comes out by himself. Not even the elders. Understood?" the young man blinked rapidly but nodded quickly.
"y-yes, Mage! But.. for how long?" Elowen smirked faintly, her tone dripping with dry humor. "until eternity ends—or until the old man walks out. Whicever comes first."
Satisfied with his wide-eyed nod of agreement, she adjusted her voodoo doll at her waist and continued her march, muttering something about incompetent soldiers and turnips being less useful than expected.
Inside the sealed chamber, Liora stepped cautiously through the endless expanse of white, her footsteps making no sound as if the world itself held its breath.
Confusion clouded her mind, but she pressed forward, one step at a time, until suddenly—after what felt like seven deliberate strides—the blank void melted away into a breathtaking scene.
She found herself standing in the middle of an impossibly vast field, surrounded by soft green grass that swayed gently in a breeze she couldn't feel.
Scattered among the blades were delicate white flowers, their petals glowing faintly under a sky so blue it seemed painted by divine hands. Wisps of clouds drifted lazily above, completing the serene tableau.
Liora gasped softly, her initial apprehension giving way to relief. This place wasn't dark or foreboding as she had imagined; instead, it radiated peace and quiet beauty. For a while, she simply stood there, taking it all in, marveling at how such simplicity could feel so profound.