image [https://i.imgur.com/RqM9Iuo.png]

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29th day of Dayhelm, 1369

[Quintessence] 13524/64000

A year had passed since the war against the Kungwans and the liberation of Kelzryn. During that period, the village settled into a quiet and peaceful routine, enjoying the stability and safety provided by their patron deity.

The farmers tended the fields, and the hunters ventured out into the woods, providing the community with plenty of food and supplies. Crafters labored in their workshops, creating tools, clothes, furniture, and other items to improve the daily lives of the people. Children ran and played, their laughter filling the streets. Elderly folk sat together, exchanging stories and reminiscing about the past.

Life was simple and straightforward, but pleasant.

At the center of the settlement, in the commons near the feast hall, Ebonheim sat cross-legged within her shrine, listening to the sounds of the villagers going about their business. Occasionally, they'd stop and pray to her, and she'd smile in response, nodding her head and offering a wave as she thanked them for their prayers.

Ebonheim watched as the children darted around the plaza, playing games and chasing each other, while their mothers and grandmothers chatted amiably as they worked.

A group of older boys sparred with wooden swords, practicing their swordsmanship skills under the tutelage of their father. The young women gossiped, sharing news and discussing rumors about who was courting whom. She overheard Lira's name being mentioned but chose not to eavesdrop further.

She was content with the tranquility.

"Hey, Ebonheim! I have a confession!"

Her trance was broken as she glanced up at Serrandyl, who trotted towards her, tail down between her legs. The Beastkin girl dropped onto her knees beside her, ears folded flat on her head, a guilty look on her face despite her attempt at an awkward smile.

Ebonheim squinted and cocked her head. On the off-chance that this involved mischief, she wanted to prepare herself mentally beforehand. Her shrine duties for the day weren't over yet, but Serrandyl's guilty demeanor might suggest otherwise.

"Um, what is it, Serrandyl?" Ebonheim asked hesitantly.

Serrandyl leaned in, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. "I thought you were in your cabin this morning, so I knocked for a while but no one answered. So...I..."

"No..."

"...accidentally broke your door ag—"

Ebonheim wrapped her arms around Serrandyl's neck and locked her in a guillotine choke, applying pressure on her windpipe with her forearm. Even though Serrandyl could easily break free, the Beastkin girl stayed still, obediently accepting the chokehold, her eyes rolling back as her face began turning a strange color.

In a calm, relaxed voice, Ebonheim whispered to her friend. "Serrandyl, why would you do that to my front door? Again? You know how important the doors are. They keep bad things from getting into the house, and they keep the good things from getting out. Now my house is open, and the elements can come in and ruin all my stuff. You can't just barge into a goddess' house and expect everything to be all sunshine and roses. You have to knock, and when no one answers, you come by at a later time! Or else...otherwise...I might accidentally manifest and strangle you in real life. Like right now."

"W-Wait! I'm sowwy, I swear I'll fix it, I'll fix iiiiit..." Serrandyl pleaded desperately. "I'm sho shwead."

"You know," Ebonheim continued, still holding Serrandyl in the choke, "just like how people need doors, so do goddesses. In fact, I think it's even more important for a goddess to have a door. Because without a door, she might end up having to make a new one, which would require finding the right wood, cutting the boards, measuring and cutting the boards, gluing the boards together, attaching the hinges, hammering the nails, and assembling the entire door. I don't think you understand how stressful it is to have to build a new door."

Serrandyl's eyes widened and her ears perked up, as she quickly spoke up again in a rushed voice, "I-I know where we can get the materials to rebuild the dowwow! I'll ask Thwomsten! I'm shorry, I'll go right away to fiwd it!"

"And speaking of important things," Ebonheim went on, tightening her grip around Serrandyl's neck, "I bet that most towns and cities don't worship deities that live in doorless houses. They probably secretly harbor a deep resentment for those poor deities out there without any doors to their name. Can't imagine what life must be like for those poor deities, eh, Serrandyl? I bet they suffer from intense psychological trauma, struggling to cope with the constant social ostracization and abandonment due to their lack of doors.

Think about it: the complete inability to maintain any sort of privacy; the crippling sense of insecurity and vulnerability caused by the absence of a sturdy, reliable barrier to keep unwanted visitors and intruders out of your personal space; the humiliation of living in an open, unprotected state, unable to prevent random passersby from peeking into your house and judging you based on the meager furnishings you have available. Oh, that's right, Serrandyl. I can't imagine what that must be like. To be me."

"Mmghmrmhmrrngbwllrdfrffmmmffff!"

Ebonheim had no intention of choking her dear friend to unconsciousness, even if she let her do so. After a few moments, she finally released her hold on the gasping and coughing girl, who flopped onto her back, heaving and wheezing as she tried to catch her breath.

Serrandyl lay sprawled on the ground for a long moment, sucking in deep gulps of air before she finally sat up, wiping the drool from her mouth. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment as she averted her gaze.

"S-Sorry about your door, Ebonheim..."

"It's all right," Ebonheim responded with a gentle smile, placing her hand on Serrandyl's head and gently stroking her crimson locks.

Serrandyl's ears and tails lowered, and her shoulders slumped as she pouted, cheeks still flushed pink.

Ebonheim tried her best not to laugh at the sight. "Ah, you're such a handful sometimes. So what was so important that you had to kick my door down to tell me anyway?"

Serrandyl's face immediately lit up and she bounced back to her feet, standing ramrod straight with her chest out. "Right! So, Lira and I were heading towards the river when I remembered that I didn't invite you to join us!"

"Invite me to the river? Really? After you destroyed my door? Not even a bath can salvage your sins now," Ebonheim replied with a roll of her eyes, folding her arms across her chest.

"No, I mean, to a picnic! You didn't eat any breakfast yet, did you?"

"Uhhhh, no?"

"Exactly! I didn't either, and Lira said she'd whip up something special for us. So c'mon, let's go!"

Serrandyl grabbed Ebonheim by the wrist and tugged her out of her shrine. She stumbled slightly, nearly toppling over, but managed to regain her balance as she allowed herself to be dragged. The morning had been quiet, and her village needed nothing more from her right now. A quick trip to the river to cool off in the summer heat sounded like a refreshing idea.

The villagers nearby stared curiously as the two girls hurried through the trails, their robes and clothing flapping in the breeze. Ebonheim offered a wave of her hand in a half-hearted attempt to reassure them, but they only shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders at the spectacle.

Ebonheim had trouble keeping pace with Serrandyl's stride, her shorter legs causing her to jog to match the Aslankoyash girl's loping gait. Fortunately, Serrandyl eventually slowed and fell into step beside her, flashing a toothy grin as they approached the riverbank.

The waters sparkled under the bright sun, and the smell of wildflowers filled the air. Large boulders jutted out from the earth, and clusters of shrubs and trees dotted the landscape. The lush greenery swayed gently under the warm rays, casting shifting shadows across the surface of the water. A few smaller streams flowed from the mountain ridge, their course snaking through the sloped terrain before converging into the main stream.

Several villagers fished with their nets along the banks of the river, while others swam and played in the shallows. The sound of their laughter rang through the air, mingling with the chirping birdsong and rustling leaves.

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Lira stood underneath an elm tree by the riverside, surrounded by baskets and sacks filled with assorted goods, laying out a blanket for the trio to sit on. She waved when she saw Ebonheim and smiled, beckoning them closer. "Ah, you made it. Come, sit."

Ebonheim plopped herself onto the ground beside Lira, stretching her arms and legs before leaning back, basking in the sunlight. "So, what's the occasion? You usually only do this when you've got news to share."

"Not this time," Lira began, rummaging through her bags, "I've noticed how hard you've been working these days, and I thought you needed a break from your daily chores. So, here we are."

Serrandyl giggled, sitting down cross-legged and resting her elbows on her knees. "She's not wrong, you know. You've been really busy lately."

Ebonheim closed her eyes. "Maybe, but I love what I do. Without this village, I wouldn't be here. So, it's only fair for me to give back as much as possible. Besides, it keeps me occupied, which helps take my mind off things."

Serrandyl tilted her head to the side inquisitively. "What sorta things?"

Ebonheim gazed skyward, observing the clouds drifting lazily across the vast expanse.

Lira tapped Serrandyl on the shoulder and shook her head. "We shouldn't pry, Serrandyl. If the goddess wishes to discuss her concerns, she will."

The Aslankoyash girl frowned and averted her gaze, looking over the river. "Hmm. Yeah, I suppose."

Ebonheim inhaled deeply and let out a sigh, glancing back at her friends. "You guys know I can hear you, right?"

The two exchanged sheepish grins and began preparing their lunch.

Ebonheim cracked a smile and turned her attention back to the sky. She enjoyed spending time alone in peace and solitude, but the company of companions eased her thoughts, allowing her to focus more on the present and less on the things that troubled her.

She pondered the question.

Often, she found herself deep in thought, especially recently, reflecting on the events that transpired over the previous year. Some mysterious group was lurking around the valley, and their presence unsettled her. Yet, she had no clues about who or what they were, making the situation all the more concerning.

The likelihood that the ones who implanted the Magitech device within Aelindra, which corrupted her, and the ones who imprisoned Kelzryn and erected the portal to supply the Kungwans with bodies to infect for their brood, were the same group, was high. The mystery behind the device that was attached to Aelindra also continued to puzzle her.

She had tried examining the device, given that she had managed to understand the workings of the contraption that bound Kelzryn, but the skill she had acquired during that instance of enlightenment vanished from her mind as if the Akashic System had deliberately removed the knowledge.

All Ebonheim could remember were vague impressions, images of mechanical designs, and complex symbols. Even though the information had faded from her memory, the lingering fragments nagged at her. Why would the Akashic System suddenly erase this kind of knowledge? It almost felt like someone, or something, was watching her, monitoring her actions and limiting what she was able to learn.

The realization both frustrated and frightened her.

She had always assumed that the System was impartial and neutral. It granted power, rewarded accomplishment, and acted as an objective guide for the gods. Yet, if that were true, why would she experience this sudden loss of knowledge? What purpose did such restrictions serve? Was she doing something wrong?

Th'maine's wild theories about the Akashic System came to mind, about how the gods were agents of the System and the System itself was a means to prevent civilization from becoming too advanced. At the time, she didn't give his conspiracies too much thought, but his words stirred unease in her heart.

All of these mysteries gnawed at her mind. Focusing on her daily tasks helped her distract herself and ease her worries. The idyllic routine of the village, where everyone went about their business peacefully, undisturbed by conflict or chaos, brought her comfort.

A piece of fruit bounced off her forehead, interrupting her thoughts. She blinked and sat up, catching the projectile as it fell into her lap.

Serrandyl smirked mischievously at her. "Quit spacing out and help us with this lunch, will ya?"

Ebonheim wrinkled her nose in feigned annoyance, tossing the fruit back at the beastkin, who caught it easily with one hand. She snickered, reaching for another and aiming to chuck it back.

Lira cleared her throat and flashed a warning glare at both of them. "Girls, play nice or no food."

Ebonheim quickly backed down and grabbed a chunk of bread instead, sinking her teeth into it. Serrandyl sulked and begrudgingly followed suit, reluctantly picking up a slice of meat and munching on it.

The trio ate their meal quietly, occasionally sharing idle conversation, until the last morsels disappeared. Afterwards, they lounged around, chatting amiably, taking in the afternoon sun and warmth.

Ebonheim stretched her arms above her head and yawned, patting her belly contently. "I think I'm gonna take a nap."

Lira nodded, patting her back. "Rest well. We'll clean up. Take all the time you need."

"Mmkay, thanks."

She closed her eyes and laid back down, listening to the soft voices of her two companions. After a while, her breathing slowed, and her consciousness drifted into the realm of dreams.

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6th day of Highglow, 1369

The next week, the village bustled with activity, people carrying baskets filled with vegetables and fruits from the farm plots, chickens clucking as they scurried around the dirt roads. Children ran about, laughing and shouting in delight, as parents busied themselves with chores.

Ebonheim strode through the main path leading through the village. She glanced around at the scenery, appreciating the sight of her village and its inhabitants. She walked along the trail, nodding her head at the children who passed by, waving and greeting the adults who worked in the fields.

When she reached the square, she paused to watch the proceedings. Several villagers had gathered around a wooden table set up in the center of the area, engaged in a lively discussion. Some of the men laughed as they drank ale, while others listened attentively to their companions.

The women exchanged recipes and gossip, sharing tips about the best methods to prepare certain dishes or which ingredients gave better results. They shared stories and advice, offering each other encouragement when necessary.

After a short while, Ebonheim resumed walking through the village, heading to her cabin. She hummed a tune as she strolled along the dirt path, enjoying the autumn weather. The air smelled of freshly cut wood and newly tilled soil, and the sounds of people milling about and conversing filled the air.

Ebonheim reached her dwelling, pausing at the front porch to admire its appearance. Her cabin was much bigger than the tiny hut the villagers had hastily erected for her over a year ago. After the hut had been blown away by the rampaging elemental storm, the villagers had all pitched in to rebuild a larger, sturdier domicile for her—although it took a long while before the carpenters managed to agree on the design. She had slept in the feast hall during that time, but she was happy to have a proper abode of her own again.

When she arrived at her door, freshly restored to its original condition after Serrandyl had 'accidentally' kicked it down, she turned to admire the scenery one last time before stepping inside. Her cabin overlooked the entire village, granting her a panoramic view of the settlement. She loved the view, and she spent several minutes admiring the landscape before entering her home.

Inside, the interior appeared spacious and comfortable, with furniture that matched the rustic aesthetic. A simple bed sat against one wall, covered in sheets and blankets, while a dresser stood at the opposite end. A round table occupied the center of the room, with two chairs positioned neatly around it. The fireplace crackled softly, casting warm light around the room.

Ebonheim leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh as she closed her eyes. It had been a busy week for her. She'd spent most of her time helping out around the village, and she was exhausted. She hadn't even had time to go on her usual patrols, as she usually did. But there was always something to do.

The village was thriving. Everyone in Ebonheim helped one another. She liked how close everyone here felt, and how people cared for each other. But she also appreciated how independent and self-reliant the villagers were, despite the communal spirit.

She opened her eyes and gazed out the window at the village beyond. A speck of green light zipped by in the distance and drew closer and closer, until a familiar face came into focus.

"Ebonheim!" Ivera's cheerful voice rang out, her tiny figure hovering by the window.

"Ivera," Ebonheim greeted with a warm smile. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Ebonheim! Big news, big news!" Ivera chirped, buzzing around excitedly. Her wings hummed rapidly, the leaves on them fluttering in the wind.

Dejavu? Ivera's unexpected appearance was oddly similar to Serrandyl's visit from the week prior. Ebonheim arched a brow inquisitively, and her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What news?"

"Big, big group of humans! On the road, they come this way. They'll be here in a few days, I think!" Ivera answered, practically vibrating with her news. "You should check on them! Make sure they're not bad people!"

Ebonheim's golden eyes widened. "Really?"

Ivera bobbed her head excitedly. "Yes!"

A big group of humans were heading here? No one in the village mentioned anything about a caravan passing by. She should have been notified about this sooner. Were they travelers, traders, mercenaries, or something else?

"Do you remember exactly how many?" Ebonheim inquired, standing up from her seat.

Ivera pursed her lips thoughtfully.

Maybe it was a difficult question to ask of her. Ivera was unaccustomed to the concept of counting, as faeries didn't typically have much use for such skills. She understood the difference between 'many' and 'few,' but beyond that, her comprehension eluded her. But she tried her best, nonetheless.

"Hmm...Oh! I saw more of them than there are people in the village, Ebonheim! It'd be like having five villages all together!"

Ebonheim's jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. Did she mean that she saw five times as many people as the village population? So...almost five thousand?!

"That many people...?" she muttered.

What could be the purpose of such a large group coming here? If they were merchants or explorers, then perhaps the sheer numbers wouldn't be so unusual. But there were no trading routes here, and the Eldergrove valley wasn't a destination for any significant human expeditions unless...

Roderick's face came to mind, and Ebonheim recalled the merchant's promise to send word to his contacts about her village's existence.

"Ivera...did you happen to see a large iron spider the size of a small house leading the caravan?" Ebonheim asked, already expecting the answer.

Ivera nodded eagerly. "Yup, yup! And there's a human riding on top of its head, right? I've seen him before. He usually passes through the valley alone. Well, with another human by his side anyway."

Ebonheim facepalmed and let out a groan. "Oh, gods."