Celestienne awoke in the treatment room. Her emotions flowed again, as warm as the morning sun after a storm. She gazed at the starry sky, scattered like jewels on a velvet night.
"The stars are so enchanting tonight. Aren't they, Sword Soul?" she thought, feeling a long-lost peace.
"Indeed, Princess Celestienne," replied the Sword Soul's voice, calm yet respectful, like the whisper of wind through ancient trees.
Celestienne smiled faintly, gently rocking her bed. She didn't want to startle Selene, who was fast asleep beside her.
"Emm..." Selene opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times before focusing on Celestienne's smiling silhouette. "Celestienne? You're awake?"
"Yes, Selene," Celestienne replied softly, touching Selene's cheek affectionately. The warmth of her love radiated in that touch.
Selene immediately hugged Celestienne tightly, warm tears soaking her shoulder. "You're such an idiot! Why do you always act so recklessly? We would have missed you so much," she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion.
"I'm sorry, Selene. It was part of my plan," Celestienne replied with a guilty expression. She felt the weight of responsibility for her friends' worries.
"But I'm back now, right?" Selene looked up, seeking reassurance in Celestienne's eyes.
"Yes, you're right. Now, get some rest. I'll wake the others; we need to get out of this room," Selene said, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"Alright." Celestienne nodded, letting Selene guide her.
Celestienne lay back down, closing her eyes. She felt a deep weariness, not just physical, but emotional as well. Selene got up to wake their friends carefully.
"Hey, wake up... Celestienne is sleeping, don't disturb her," Selene whispered, gently shaking Eryndor's leg.
One by one, they awoke to Selene's voice. They rubbed their eyes, trying to gather their senses.
"What's wrong, Selene? Why do we have to leave? Celestienne isn't even awake yet," Eryndor mumbled, his eyes still closed, his voice hoarse with sleepiness.
"Celestienne is awake!" Selene whispered, her voice trembling with joy.
"What?!" They were all shocked, their eyes widening. "Why didn't you wake us, Selene?" Velissandra looked annoyed, but also relieved.
"Celestienne told me to. She said if I woke you, I'd disturb your sleep," Selene explained, feeling a little guilty.
Her friends frowned, but they understood. Selene gently pushed them out.
"Hurry up and get out! We'll disturb Celestienne," Selene whispered, a little sternly, but her eyes sparkled with happiness.
"Yeah, yeah, be patient, Selene. We're still sleepy," Seraphina replied with a hoarse voice, yawning widely.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Selene said with a guilty face, looking down.
After her friends left, Selene closed the door slowly, making sure not to make any noise. Celestienne opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling of the room.
"Hah... Finally, it's quiet," she whispered, feeling a soothing silence. "Alright, time to continue the conversation with the Tree God."
As it turned out, Celestienne wasn't really asleep. She was talking to the Tree God in her mind, seeking answers to the questions that haunted her.
"Oh? Is your room quiet now?" The Tree God's voice was calm, but its aura felt terrifying, like a storm hiding behind tranquility.
"Yes, it's quiet. Now, use your body and come to my room," Celestienne requested, feeling a deep urgency.
The Tree God shone brightly, emitting a warm golden light. The light conjured a beautiful girl with a captivating smile, like an angel descending from the sky. "I will come, Celestienne," she said with a warm smile, like the sun shining on the earth.
The radiant woman flew towards Celestienne's room, leaving a trail of sparkling light behind her. Throughout the elf chambers, the dazzling light from the Tree God woke them from their deep sleep.
"What is that? What is that dazzling light from the Tree God?" The elves looked confused, whispering to each other and wondering.
However, Celestienne's friends were still fast asleep, lost in their respective dreams. Only Rion remembered something important.
"Oh dear, I forgot my things in Sister Celestienne's room," Rion mumbled, gently hitting his forehead. "Should I get them now or tomorrow?" Rion hesitated, considering his options.
Finally, he decided to get them now, even though Celestienne was resting. He didn't want to delay any longer.
Section 2: Outside the Room
Rion arrived in front of Celestienne's room, panting after running from his house, which was quite far away.
"Finally, I'm here," he whispered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'll go in."
As Rion was about to open the door, he heard voices from inside. Celestienne's voice, but there was another voice he didn't recognize.
"Who's inside? That's not Sister Selene... Then who is it?" Rion wondered, his heart pounding.
He opened the door slightly, peeking inside carefully.
"What is that? Dazzling light... Green?" he whispered, squinting his eyes because of the glare.
Section 3: Inside the Room
Celestienne was talking to the Tree God, who had taken the form of a girl. The room was filled with a soft golden light, creating a magical atmosphere.
"Yo, you finally came, Tree God," Celestienne greeted with a smile, feeling relieved.
"Were you waiting for me?" the Tree God asked with a curious tone, her eyes sparkling.
"Not really," Celestienne replied briefly, trying to hide her nervousness.
However, when Celestienne saw the Tree God's form, she was shocked. The form was a beautiful girl who was familiar to her—her childhood friend who had been lost for a long time.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Celestienne?" the Tree God asked, confused, frowning.
"You took the form of my childhood friend?" Celestienne asked with a scolding tone, feeling betrayed.
"Oh, this form? Yes, I took it from your heart. Don't tell me you like this girl?" the Tree God smiled mockingly, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"No! I just... Miss an old friend," Celestienne replied with blushing cheeks, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Really? I feel like you're lying," the Tree God teased, her laughter light like the murmur of water.
"Shut up! Quickly tell me, why did you want to talk to me?" Celestienne scolded again, trying to divert the conversation that was making her increasingly uncomfortable.
However, the joking stopped. The Tree God put on a cold and serious face, her eyes turning as dark as a starless night. The room was silent, filled only with the rustling of wind from the window, carrying the scent of pine and wet earth.
"Alright, Celestienne. You came here to find out about that whisper, didn't you?" The Tree God's tone was cold, piercing the soul, making Celestienne's hairs stand on end.
"Yes, that's right. You must know, because you are a god," Celestienne replied, trying to keep her voice calm.
"Exactly. But the answer you seek is not in this elf village, but in that mountain," the Tree God pointed towards the mountain that loomed in the distance, its peak covered in a mysterious mist.
"There? So the clue isn't here?" Celestienne sighed, feeling a little disappointed.
"That's right."
Celestienne sighed, feeling like it was pointless to have traveled so far to the elf village.
"Then, why did you tell me about this clue?" Celestienne asked, curious. "Why are you helping me?"
"I'm sorry, I can't tell you the reason," replied the Tree God, her eyes showing deep sadness. "But, someone left a message for me: If a woman comes here with her friends, tell her the clue is in that cave. That was the message."
"What? Someone told you to tell me? Who was that person?" Celestienne became more and more curious, her mind filled with questions.
"I don't even know. Their face was blurred, I couldn't recognize them," replied the Tree God, shaking her head listlessly. "But I felt a very strong aura from them, an aura full of power and wisdom."
Celestienne could only resign herself, even though her heart was happy to know the location of the clue. She felt that a greater power was at play, guiding her towards her destiny.
"Alright, thank you, Tree God. But, should I keep calling you Tree God? Tell me your name," Celestienne requested, feeling close to this mysterious being.
"Emm... I also want to... May I call you not by your false name, Jungwo?" The Tree God's eyes were watery, pleading.
"Emm... Alright, you can call me Jungwo," replied Celestienne, feeling touched by the Tree God's request. "But, tell me your name?"
The Tree God looked happy, her smile blooming like a flower in bloom. Rion, who was still hiding behind the door, became more and more confused by this strange conversation.
"What does the Tree God mean? Sister Celestienne isn't her real name? Her real name is Jungwo?" he whispered in his heart, feeling that a great secret was being hidden.
"Okay, we have an agreement, Jungwo. I will tell you my name," said the Tree God, her voice trembling with emotion. "My name is Syris."
"Syris... A beautiful name," Celestienne whispered, feeling a strange warmth in her heart. "And this is the first time someone has called me by my real name. Hahaha..." Celestienne chuckled softly, feeling free for a moment.
Syris and Celestienne laughed cheerfully, but quietly so as not to wake the elves who were still asleep. Suddenly, Syris began to disappear, her body fading into golden light.
"Oh, it's time for me to go back to sleep," said Syris with a sad tone. "Goodbye, Jungwo." Tears fell from her eyes as her light faded.
"I will miss you too, Syris," Celestienne whispered, her eyes watery. "You are the only one who calls me by my real name."
The room was silent, only lit by the pale moonlight. Celestienne pondered, thinking about Syris and the mysterious woman who sent the message.
"Who is that woman? Why did she tell Syris to tell me that clue? Could this whisper and that woman be connected?" Celestienne wondered, feeling closer and closer to the truth.
"I will leave tomorrow... But before that, I will ask my friends if they want to come," Celestienne mumbled, feeling that she needed their support.
Celestienne smiled at the moon, enjoying the beauty of the silent night. She felt hope and fear mixed together in her heart.
"I will sleep," she whispered, closing her eyes and letting herself drift into a dream.
Section 4: The Next Morning
Celestienne woke up because the dazzling sunlight was shining through her window. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times to adjust to the light.
"Oh... It's morning already," she mumbled, feeling her body stiff after a long sleep. "Hoam..." She yawned widely, stretching her stiff muscles.
She opened the thick blanket that wrapped around her body, feeling the cold morning air piercing her skin. She put on her warm furry slippers, then walked slowly towards the window.
"Damn, still sleepy from staying up late," she complained, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. "Hoam..."
As she yawned for the umpteenth time, she heard a gentle knock on her door. She was confused, who would come so early in the morning?
"Who is it?" she asked with a hoarse voice.
"It's us, Celestienne," replied Selene's voice from behind the door, sounding cheerful.
Celestienne walked towards the door, feeling curious. However, before she had a chance to open it, Solara burst through the door with enthusiasm.
"Sister! I've been waiting for you to wake up for so long!" Solara exclaimed, jumping towards Celestienne and hugging her tightly.
"Yes, yes, but please get off me," Celestienne requested, chuckling. "I want to talk to you guys."
Selene, Eryndor, Velissandra, and Seraphina entered Celestienne's room, looking confused. They exchanged glances, wondering what Celestienne wanted to talk about.
"Talk about what? Is it important, Celestienne?" asked Seraphina, frowning.
"Yes, it's very important," replied Celestienne, looking at her friends seriously. "Come in."
They all entered Celestienne's room, amazed to see her room as messy as a shipwreck. Books were scattered on the floor, clothes were lying on the chair, and the soothing aroma of herbal tea mixed with the smell of dust.
"What is this? Like a shipwreck," Eryndor blurted out, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Hehehe..." Celestienne chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed. "Come on, sit down, I want to talk to you guys."
They sat on Celestienne's narrow bed, while Celestienne prepared warm tea for them. She sat in front of her friends, looking at them with an expression that was difficult to interpret.
"Alright," she began, taking a deep breath. "I want to ask... Do you guys want to come with me?"
Her friends and Solara were shocked to hear Celestienne's question. They exchanged glances, then pretended to fall asleep to avoid answering.
"What's so important about it, you idiot!" Eryndor said angrily, throwing a pillow at Celestienne.
"Quickly answer, are you coming or not?" Celestienne urged, impatient.
"Where are you going, Celestienne?" asked Selene, curious.
"I want to go to that mountain," replied Celestienne, her eyes sparkling. "Because the answer I'm looking for is there."
Selene, her friends, and Solara discussed with each other, whispering and gesturing to each other. Celestienne waited patiently, sipping her warm tea.
"How is it? Are you coming?" she asked again, breaking the silence.
Selene finally spoke, representing her friends. "Maybe we can't come," she said with a regretful tone. "We want to play with the elf children here. Would you mind?"
"No, go ahead," replied Celestienne, smiling even though her heart was a little sore. She tried to hide her disappointment, not wanting to burden her friends. "I can go alone."
"Are you sure?" asked Selene, looking at Celestienne with a searching gaze. "The journey to that mountain is dangerous, you know that."
"Yes, I'm sure," replied Celestienne, nodding firmly. "I have prepared everything."
They were silent for a moment, exchanging glances. Selene and her friends understood that Celestienne had made a decision and nothing could change it.
"When are you leaving? Tomorrow?" asked Selene, finally giving in.
"Maybe tomorrow, because I want to rest first," replied Celestienne, feeling tired.
"Oh, alright. But you have to come home after you're done at the mountain, okay?" Selene requested, her voice full of worry.
"Yes, I will come straight home," Celestienne promised, smiling reassuringly.
Her friends and Solara smiled with relief. They stood up and left Celestienne's room, leaving Celestienne alone with her thoughts.
"Alright, we're going out first, Celestienne," said Selene with a warm tone, stroking Celestienne's shoulder gently.
"Yeah," replied Celestienne, returning Selene's smile.
They opened the door and left, looking forward to playing with the little elves in the village. Celestienne's expression changed when her friends left. Her smile disappeared, replaced by a burning gaze of determination.
"Clue, wait for me," she whispered, clenching her fists tightly. "I will find you."
Section 5: The Next Morning
Celestienne had prepared all the equipment to go to the mountain. She looked happy and excited, although a little nervous. She wore warm and comfortable clothes, carrying a large backpack containing food, water, and other important equipment.
"Finally, the day has come," she mumbled, taking a deep breath. "I will go to the mountain."
She came out of her room, surprised to see the elf villagers, her friends, and her younger sister lined up along the road, escorting her to the exit of the village.
"Oh? Are you guys escorting me?" she asked, feeling touched.
"Of course," replied Selene, smiling widely. "We want to make sure you leave safely."
"But I can do it alone," said Celestienne, feeling uneasy.
"Are you sure?" asked Selene, looking at her doubtfully.
"Yes, I'm sure," replied Celestienne, nodding firmly.
They nodded slowly, understanding that Celestienne wanted to make this journey alone. The elf villagers made way for Celestienne, giving their support and encouragement.
"Thank you everyone," said Celestienne, waving her hand to them.
Celestienne walked towards the exit of the elf village, leaving her friends and a comfortable life behind. Her eyes were full of curiosity and hope, imagining what clues she would find in the mysterious cave on that mountain.
When she reached the exit of the village, she stopped for a moment and looked back. She saw her friends waving their hands at her, smiling and giving their support. Celestienne returned their wave, then turned around and stepped towards the mountain, towards her destiny.
---
Chapter 16 Part 1 Completed.