The birds and small animals, gathered in the garden, started to scatter as the silence and peace had been broken by the sound of footsteps echoing around the garden. Following the footsteps, a male came into view. The man was wearing a a golden color robe, and there were green stripes all over the robe. The golden color represented the sun, while the green represented nature. His ears, as well, looked similar to the other people in the castle, proving that he was one of them.
If someone had glanced at the man, they would surely mistake him for someone who was in his early 20s. However, upon a closer look, it would be evident that the man was nowhere near that age; rather, he looked quite a bit older. Rather than being in his early 20s, he looked like he was in his late 40s.
The skin of that person looked plump and smooth, pale as a woman's. Seeing him from afar, people would have a hard time believing he was a male. The way he walked looked tender, making him look like someone who had never trained. However, his robe hung loosely at the chest, leaving his chest clearly visible. Muscles bulged on his chest, while a wide scar ran through it; this proved that he was indeed a man.
With each step he took, his long golden hair swept through the air like liquid sunlight, making him look aethereal. His eyes, green just like the leaves on the tree, unlike the leaves, were quite sharp. Even though his eyes were sharp, when his gaze landed on the man who was meditating, those eyes had no choice but to be subservient. He walked with his head hung high as if he was looking down on the world he was walking on.
His quick footstep came to an abrupt halt as he reached a little distance away from the old man. The head he had held proudly high until now lowered in respect before the old man.
"Velen, why have you come seeking me, my child? Is it because of the incident that occurred today?" Asked the old man, and he didn't even move to look at the other man; it felt like he didn't even acknowledge him. This kind of behavior didn't surprise the young man; however, he seemed like he was quite used to it.
"Yes, elder, as you must have already sensed, Dolores's power was felt throughout the continent just now. I came here to inquire about this matter to you; this should have been impossible unless...." Velen was about to continue, however he was interjected mid-sentence.
"Ahh, yes, that reminded me of the days past, of the day when I first met that mischievous little child. She was barely 2 years old back then. She loved to pull on my beard when I took her into my arms. Such fond memories, I felt quite happy as I remembered those days, the smile she carried used to light up an entire room even when she was so small." The elder reminisced on the long-forgotten memories of his past. Although he had interrupted the Velen and was talking about such pointless topics. Veled didn't have a change in his reaction, nor did the reverence in his eyes disappear.
"For such a bright and bubbly child to take on such a daunting task, and yet to fulfill it without failing. I truly admire the heart she carried. I don't think even I would have been able to do the same if I were in her shoes. Alas, her imprisonment is over. I just hope that in her next life, she gets to enjoy the joys of being alive. That's all I can really do for her, only pray." Elder continued with a bitter smile on his face. Hearing this, Velen's face turned saddened as well. There was a long pause between the two after that as no one spoke up for a while.
"You came to ask me if she was still in this world, right? Even after all these years, you still feel the same, huh? Well, I already answered your question. She was in her soul form when she descended. So, she had just a limited time; the last time you two saw each other was the final time you could have met. Don't lose hope, though. Maybe in your next life, you will be able to be together at last." The elder said with a gentle smile on his face.
"I am sorry, I was being too greedy," Velen said as a drop of tears traveled down his cheek.
"No, it's obvious you would feel this way. After all, the two have known each other since childhood. Both of you were of the same age after all." Elder replied, his expression changed to that of understanding as if he, too, had been through the same thing. "You should forget about the lass. There is something more important you must worry about at this moment."
"I do not understand," Velen answered with a bewildered expression on his face.
"That lass being freed from that prison means there is a huge storm coming to the continent. I cannot tell if this storm will be a good one or a bad one; however, I know that this storm will definitely cover the entirety of the continent." Elder said in a very cautious tone. Velen suddenly felt chills as he heard the words from the elder.
"On top of that, the wretched groups that we pushed back so long ago seem to have begun moving once again. All things appear connected, yet the nature of their connection remains hidden from my understanding." Velen continued after the elder.
"There is no point in finding connections. The most important thing to do right now is to prepare for whatever is to come, train the young ones, and be prepared for the worst." Elder said.
"That is all." Elder said, "Ah, wait, I remember one more thing. Do you remember we once had a conversation about 'life'? I told you that I would ask you the same question once again in the future." Elder continued as Velen seemed to have turned around and was ready to walk off.
"Yes, I remember....." After saying that, a long pause followed, which seemed like Velen fell into deep thoughts. He tried to speak up many times, only to stop as he was unable to form any words. Elder didn't say anything, though; he just sat there with a smile on his face, which was quite unlike him.
The question that played over and over in Velen's mind was "To live longer than others — is that a blessing bestowed by time, or a curse concealed within it?". This was the first time Velen was contemplating, so hardly thinking about this question. For the first time, this question seemed difficult to answer. They had a longer lifespan than most of the other living beings in the world, which was why he had always believed that this was a blessing.
After contemplating for a long time, Velen finally spoke up. "Forgive me, for I cannot answer your question at the right moment at this moment, if I answer, it will just be contaminated by the emotions I am feeling right now."
"If that is your answer, I will ask you the same question again. I hope by then you will have your answer ready." Elder said with a warm smile on his face.