When the light fades, and shadows rise, One will bear the golden flame.
A calamity foreseen, yet unprepared, The world shall tremble in her name."
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Chapter 0.5: The Prophecy and Lia (Part-I)
The Chief's Dream
The village chief gazed out at the crystal mountain through the cracked wooden window of his small hut. A quiet prayer escaped his lips as his frail hand clutched a worn pendant, pleading for unseen forces to protect his people. He coughed deeply, his age and exhaustion evident, yet he stood tall, preparing for the village council meeting.
Discussions about the harvest's yield and the rise in monster sightings filled the room. Tension hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Suddenly, the ground trembled. A monstrous roar shattered the fragile calm. Guards scrambled, villagers armed themselves with farm tools, and the Royal Guards stationed in the village leapt into action. Magic lit up the darkening sky, their techniques forming the main line of defense.
The battle dragged into the evening, leaving destruction in its wake and fear lingering in the hearts of the villagers. By nightfall, calm returned, but the chief's unease deepened. That night, he knelt before the dim glow of a shrine in his hut, whispering a prayer. Sleep overcame him as his voice faltered.
In his dream, a blinding light filled his vision. A faceless, radiant figure appeared, both comforting and overwhelming. A voice echoed like a thousand chimes:
"Prepare for the calamity. Train the one who bears the golden light."
He saw a fleeting image: golden hair whipping in the wind, pale skin glowing in a brilliant burst of light. The vision faded, leaving him with a sense of urgency and dread.
The Stranger's Arrival
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Two weeks passed. The village endured relentless attacks, driving off eighteen monsters while hearing reports of thirty more nearby. The harvest was secured, but the rainy season turned dirt roads into muddy traps, making life even harder.
One stormy evening, a lone figure trudged toward the village, wrapped in a tattered pale-green cloak. Rain poured in torrents, soaking her to the bone. Limping from injuries and shivering from the cold, she knocked on door after door, only to be turned away by cautious villagers.
Her knocks grew weaker with each step. Exhaustion overcame her as she reached the chief's home, an older structure with the faint glow of a fire visible through the cracks. The chief peered out the window, his heart heavy with indecision. "What harm could a lone girl do to an old man?" he muttered, opening the door.
The girl's voice was barely a whisper. "Please... help me."
"Come in before the storm takes you," he said, stepping aside.
An Encounter of Fates
The chief offered her dry clothes, a warm bath, and a meal by the fire. As she carefully bandaged her wounds, she introduced herself as Lia, a 19-year-old merchant from the northern kingdom of Euratia. Her story spilled out between bites of food. She had been traveling to the royal palace to seek aid for her homeland when monsters attacked her caravan. Injured and alone, she had barely escaped into the forest, losing everything in the process.
The chief listened carefully, his earlier hesitation fading. Then, as she spoke, something clicked in his mind. Golden hair, pale skin—she matched the figure from his dream.
"You've endured much," he said, masking his realization. "Rest tonight. We will talk more in the morning."
A Village Tested
The next day, Lia moved through the village, offering help wherever she could. Her kindness and hard work quickly earned her the trust of the villagers. But the chief's thoughts were consumed by the crystal mountain, its looming presence a constant reminder of his dream.
After a few days, Lia had recovered well. The chief finally approached her with a request. "You plan to travel to the capital, but before you leave, I must ask something in return. Will you journey with me to the crystal mountain?"
Lia hesitated but agreed. "If it will help your village, I will."
The Mountain's Secret
The path to the crystal mountain was treacherous. As they climbed, the air grew thick with mana, and an unnatural weight pressed down on them. The mountain's surface shimmered with an eerie light, its presence both beautiful and unsettling.
The chief, accompanied by three village mages, led Lia to a prepared magic circle near the mountain's base. "Step into the circle," he instructed. "Have faith."
Lia hesitated but obeyed. As she stepped into the circle, the air crackled with energy. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. A brilliant light erupted from the mountain, and the ground shook violently. The magic circle glowed, its energy intertwining with hers. Suddenly, the mountain exploded in a cascade of light and shards. The deafening boom echoed for miles as purple crystals rained down, their mana corrupting the surrounding forest.
From the shattered remains of the mountain, a pulsing darkness emerged. Lia clutched her chest, dread flooding her senses.
The chief's voice was barely audible;
"The calamity begins."
Chapter End
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