The group stood in the heart of a vision, the world around them shifting and settling into a scene that was both vivid and haunting. The air was thick with tension, carrying the sharp cries of children, the soft murmur of despair, and the occasional cough from the elderly.
The Guardians found themselves in the middle of a large crowd—perhaps a hundred people in total—clustered together in a rough circle. The people’s faces bore the weight of suffering: dirt-smudged cheeks, hollowed eyes, and worry carved into every line. Most of them were children, their fragile forms huddled together for warmth. The elderly sat nearby, some with trembling hands holding onto walking sticks or each other. A few injured young men and women moved slowly through the crowd, their bandages crude but functional.
In the center of it all stood a tall, lean young woman. Despite her youth, no older than sixteen, she carried herself with a burden far beyond her years. Her left arm hung in a makeshift sling, and she leaned heavily on a wooden staff for support. Her long hair, tangled and windswept, framed a face etched with lines of exhaustion and worry.
Her voice carried over the murmuring crowd, steady but with an unmistakable tremor beneath the surface. "We will rest here for the night, my friends. Take what comfort you can."
The crowd obeyed with quiet efficiency, each person setting down their few possessions: bundles of cloth, battered pots, or the occasional trinket. Small fires began to spring to life, casting faint, flickering light over the grim scene.
The Guardians felt the weight of the woman’s determination. She moved among the people, offering words of encouragement, though her own body screamed of exhaustion. After a time, she limped away from the circle, disappearing into the surrounding tall grass.
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"What are we seeing?" Reya whispered, her voice tinged with awe and sorrow.
"I don’t know," Lina murmured, gripping her staff tightly. "But she feels... familiar."
Amaya’s gaze followed the woman’s retreating form. "Look at her. She’s so young, but she’s their leader. Their only hope."
Kai frowned, watching as the woman paused, her eyes narrowing. Something in the grass had caught her attention.
The tall grass rustled, and a shape leapt out—a large rabbit, nearly pure white. It landed a few feet away, standing upright on its hind legs. Its nose twitched as if it were deep in thought, and one ear flicked lazily.
The woman froze, her staff shifting slightly in her good hand as if she was debating her next move.
The rabbit turned away, its fluffy tail bobbing as it began to hop into the grass. The woman followed, her steps hesitant but determined, perhaps seeing an opportunity for a fresh meal.
As she pushed through the grass, a sudden burst of light engulfed the rabbit, causing it to vanish. The woman stopped abruptly, blinking against the brightness. When the light faded, she found herself standing on the edge of a high cliff.
The Guardians felt their breath catch as they took in the view. Below the cliff lay a lush, vibrant valley, its greenery vivid and alive in stark contrast to the bleak scene above. The woman’s face lit up with a mixture of awe and relief.
A smile softened her worried features, and a happy sigh escaped her lips. The tension in her shoulders melted away, and for a moment, she looked less like a battle-weary leader and more like a hopeful young girl.
"I found it," the woman whispered to herself, her voice carried faintly on the wind. "I found the way."
The scene began to blur and dissolve, the valley fading into mist.
The Guardians woke in the present, still in the ruins of Kali'dar. The obelisk stood silent and unmoving, but the memory of the vision lingered like a ghost.
"She led them here," Amaya said softly, her voice breaking the silence.
Reya nodded, her eyes distant. "She found this place, a sanctuary. A new beginning."
"But it wasn’t enough," Kai said, his fists clenched. "Something still went wrong. Something destroyed all of it."
Lina knelt by the obelisk, her fingers brushing its cold surface. "The rabbit," she murmured. "It wasn’t just a coincidence. It was guiding her. Maybe something still guides us."
Amaya straightened, determination hardening her features. "Then we follow her example. We keep moving forward, no matter what we face. If she could carry all those people here, we can finish what she started."
The others nodded, their resolve firm. Whatever shadows lingered in Kali'dar’s past, they would uncover them—and ensure that history did not repeat itself.