Chapter 4 : The Market

Ezra always thought that he was living in a secluded village. The peaceful environment of his neighborhood, the nature surrounding his house, and the beautiful mountain valleys with their cascading waterfalls gave him a calm and serene view of his village.

But he was wrong. His village was not some backwater settlement secluded in a remote place. It was immensely vast, with numerous houses and other buildings scattered throughout. During the long journey from his house to the village market, Ezra marveled at the sheer number of people and the bustling activity that surrounded him.

Farmers were working in the fields, some tending to their livestock, while others were engaged in small trades. He saw leather workers tanning animal hides to produce leather, and wagons packed with goods passing by on their way to the market.

Even after he observed the village throughout his journey, he still didn't have a grasp on how big it was. what he did notice was some oddities in his village, which became evident when he reached the market.

He felt something off about the place. the market was crowded with people,

Children ran and played in the streets, their laughter mingling with the clamor of merchants advertising their wares. Street performers entertained crowds with music and acrobatics, while bakers and cooks filled the air with the delicious aromas of freshly baked bread and savory meals.

The market was practically a small town, but it wasn't the crowd or the noises that confused Ezra; it was the products and the outfits that made him feel something was off about the place.

Everywhere he looked, there were canned foods, water contained in plastic bottles, and dried fruits and vegetables in plastic bags. Lightweight portable tents, binoculars, headlights, and other modern supplies were also in abundance.

But what truly shocked Ezra was the man in the distance, not the man himself, but what he was wearing. He was clad in an Exoskeleton suit, its imposing yet sleek form capturing their attention. The suit stood tall, its frame constructed from a blend of lightweight alloys that gleamed faintly under the ambient light. Intricate joints and articulated segments hinted at its capability for movement and flexibility, while cables and streamlined conduits traced purposeful paths across its surface.

The Exosuit, resembling a futuristic fusion of mechanical prowess and ergonomic design, encases the wearer in a lightweight frame crafted from advanced materials that look like carbon fiber and titanium

'What the hell is that? I thought this was a medieval fantasy setting, but it's Sci-fi all along?', Ezra thought to himself;

It didn't make any sense to him. Looking around, half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets were indicating the Middle Ages, but some items looked like they came from modern times—futuristic even.

As he observed the market, he felt there was a gap in the evolution, as if the world had skipped centuries of technological progress and jumped straight to the final product. The stark contrast gave the place a sense of wrongness.

He noticed a few more people wearing exosuits. Some had exoskeletons only on their arms and legs. These individuals were only interested in shops that sold items like canned foods and dried fruits and vegetables, suggesting that the merchants were targeting their goods specifically to those in exosuits.

Ezra pointed his finger in the direction of the exosuit and asked, "Mom, what are those?" Upon hearing his question, Acantha followed his gesture and spotted the man in the exosuit. Her eyes lit up with understanding, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she nodded slightly, indicating that she had grasped what he was asking.

"Oh, that? They're the Void Explorers," Acantha replied with enthusiasm. "They're strong and brave, exploring ancient ruins and discovering new things."

"Like Uncle Relius?" Zara chimed in, asking. Their mother nodded and said, "Yes, like your uncle Relius. These explorers wield formidable strength and powers." Suddenly, Zara's face lit up. "I want to become strong like them," she declared, prompting a faint smile from their mother.

Uncle Relius is the older brother of their father, Adonis. Ezra had only seen him a few times, and each time he treated Ezra to candies and sweets. Little did Ezra know, his uncle was also an explorer.

"What kind of new things did they discover? Is it like those suits?" Ezra asked, his curiosity piqued. He had speculated that the origin of those suits might be tied to the discoveries from the ruins. Confirming his theory, his mother replied, "Yes, like those suits, And also, they unearthed many other remarkable treasures from the ruins."

Listening to their exchanges, Adonis, who is interested in such topics also joined their conversation "Don't compare that inferior imitation with the real ones that are found in the Crypts" he said glancing at the exosuits in the distance;

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"Crypts?" Ezra asked, noting the word from his father,

"Void-Crypt, that's what we call the ruins," his father replied. "They existed in a liminal realm where many civilizations with different cultures once thrived. They possessed ancient arcane knowledge and powerful relics and artifacts."

"Nowadays, you can see many knock-off replicas of these relics and artifacts circulating in the market," he added.

"Says the one who crafts those so-called replicas," their mother said with a sarcastic undertone.

"I'm a researcher before I'm a craftsman. Making those is just a side job. It's more fascinating to study the ancient people, their cultures, beliefs, languages, and artistic expressions." he explained.

"Yeah, yeah, but let's not forget that it's your side job that puts food on the table," Acantha interjected, brushing aside his passionate rant about his research.

Paying no attention to his wife's sharp comment, he turned to Ezra and asked, "Anyway, is my little Ezzie interested in the Void Suit?" Ezra nodded vigorously. His father smiled and said, "When you grow up, I'll teach you about crafting. Maybe one day you can even make one of those suits yourself." Then he added, "But don't forget, studying the histories and myths of lost civilizations from the Void-Crypt can be even more captivating."

Acantha rolled her eyes and said, "Don't give my baby any strange ideas. Let's leave this explorer section and head over to the common market instead."

Saying that Acantha took Ezra's hand and led their family toward the common market. Unlike the explorer section, the common side was a proper medieval market with a large open space. Makeshift stalls, tents, and wooden booths lined the area, each displaying a variety of goods.

Stalls overflowed with fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs. Baskets of bread, wheels of cheese, smoked meats, and barrels of ale and wine were prominently displayed. Sellers offered candles, soaps, kitchenware, and various household items, adding to the vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Acantha took Zara to do some shopping, leaving Ezra with his father. His father lifted him onto his shoulders, and they began to explore the market together. As they wandered through the bustling stalls, his father bought him a wooden toy that looked like a horse.

After some time, the family reunited at the end of the market, finally putting an end to their shopping spree. Adonis couldn't help but notice the multitude of bags in Acantha's hands. Despite his father's best efforts to conceal it, Ezra could still detect a faint look of panic in Adonis's eyes.

With that, the Artemis family's visit to the village market came to an end, and it was time for them to visit the Gaia tree.

*****

The journey towards the Gaia tree was calm, unlike the bustling trip to the market. Situated atop a hill, the path led through a small forest enveloped by nature, adorned with beautiful wildflowers and towering trees. Occasional passersby were few and far between.

The air was filled with the melodic chirping of birds, reminiscent of a nearby stream gently flowing. The chorus of insects added to the natural symphony, harmonizing with the crisp, fresh air that enveloped them. In the distance, nestled among the landscape, small houses peeked through the greenery. Along the path, small animals and birds darted about, adding to the tranquil ambiance of their surroundings.

They walked through the woods, exchanging small talk and laughter that resonated amidst the tranquil surroundings. Eventually, they reached their destination.

When Ezra's eyes met the Gaia tree, he forgot to breathe for a few seconds. The Gaia tree wasn't just an overgrown mundane tree; it was something magical, almost otherworldly. A majestic aura emanated from it, and its size defied comprehension. Standing three times taller than the average trees in the forest, with a width as wide as a room, its branches spread out like an umbrella, covering a wide expanse of the forest canopy above.

The huge veins of the ancient tree wound around its trunk like intricate ancient pathways, weathered and rugged with age, Each vein seemed to pulse with life, carrying the essence of centuries within its woody fibers. Within its towering branches, a bustling animal kingdom thrived—a symphony of squirrels darting among leaves, birds chirping melodies, and insects buzzing in a symphony of small, persistent sounds, creating a backdrop of natural harmony.

The tree exuded a calming and relaxing air as if its very presence emitted a sense of peace and tranquility into the surrounding forest. The dappled sunlight filtering through its expansive canopy cast gentle patterns on the forest floor, creating a serene ambiance that invited quiet contemplation and admiration.

Ezra watched as his mother laid a blanket on the ground between two large roots of the Gaia tree. She took out several gourmet delicacies from her bag and began to arrange them on the blanket, with Zara eagerly assisting her. After several minutes of preparation, their mother called out, "Hey, everyone, Let's eat."

The family gathered around the blanket and had a relaxed lunch under the soothing atmosphere of the Gaia tree. After finishing the meal, Acantha took out several colorful cookies for dessert, handing them out to everyone with a warm smile. The cookies were a hit, their sweetness complementing the serene surroundings and adding a touch of joy to their afternoon under the majestic tree.

"Hey Ezzie, come with me," Zara suddenly called Ezra and told him to follow her. He complied and followed. She went near the Gaia tree. When she reached it, she touched the wall-like trunk of the tree and said, "Did you know that if you touch and pray to the spirit of the Gaia tree and make a wish with your eyes closed, then your wish will come true?"

Even though Ezra didn't believe his sister, he still followed her instructions. 'There is nothing to lose anyways.... or is there?' he suddenly noticed that Zara's other hand was dangerously close to his cookies. With a bit of hesitation, he closed his eyes, touched the tree trunk, and wished, 'I wish these serene times would last longer.'

When he opened his eyes, he noticed one of his cookies was missing, just as he had suspected. 'I've been tricked,' he thought to himself, but as a mature little brother, he let it slide.

"Hey Ezzie, tell me, what did you wish for?" Zara asked with her usual enthusiasm. Then she added, "Do you know what I wished for? I wished to become strong enough to protect little Ezzie," she said with a wide smile on her face, beaming with determination.

Seeing the smiling face of Zara, his lips curved up a little, forming a faint smile on his face. He thought about the last few years of life in this place. Even though nothing special happened, he still enjoyed small moments like these.

Just like that, Two Years had passed.