The World of Aurië
The cave felt like a gaping giant's mouth, with cold air enveloping every corner.
's heavy footsteps echoed, blending with a faint rumble from deep within. The mysterious woman stood not far from the cave entrance, wearing a dark robe that fluttered in the night wind. Around her neck hung a simple necklace, just an ordinary accessory, but its small gleam caught the attention of anyone who looked.
Beside the woman, Neir stood, her face showing a mix of fear and confusion. Her small body trembled under the woman's cold gaze.
"Stop right there!" the woman's voice echoed with a commanding tone. She watched as Mr Gharrick emerged from the darkness, holding the green pendant in his hand. "I know why you're here, but don't expect to take this girl without paying a heavy price."
Mr Gharrick halted his steps. His face remained calm, but his gaze was sharp like a sword. He assessed his surroundings, ensuring he wouldn't be ambushed. In a calm yet authoritative voice, he replied, "I'm not here to fight. I just want to ensure the child returns safely. Let's talk."
The woman let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in her voice. "You think I'll just give up? This girl is the key. With her blood, I can restore what I've lost. And that pendant—" She pointed at Pak Gharrick's hand, "—is the perfect tool to ensure this ritual succeeds."
Mr Gharrick glanced at the pendant in his hand, then looked at the woman again. "You're overestimating it. This pendant is only a catalyst. It's not as powerful as you think. But I know another way, a method that doesn't involve sacrificing a child."
The woman narrowed her eyes, her expression shifting to a mix of confusion and suspicion. "What do you mean?"
Mr Gharrick took a careful step forward. His voice was low but filled with conviction. "I know about the magic accident that caused you to lose sight and hearing on your left side. I know how difficult it is to live with that imbalance. But hurting a child won't bring you peace. Whatever you gain from this ritual will bring more suffering than healing."
The woman seemed hesitant for a moment but quickly regained her composure. "You don't know what you're talking about. The Etherium in this girl's body is the answer. And that pendant, with the right combination, can complete everything."
Mr Gharrick shook his head slowly. "You don't understand the true nature of Etherium. It won't give you what you need unless you're willing to pay a higher price than you imagine. Instead, I offer an exchange. This girl for this pendant. You can find another way, without involving innocent blood."
The woman fell silent, thinking hard. "What guarantee do you offer?"
"My guarantee is that I know more about Etherium than you think," Mr Gharrick answered firmly. "I am the keeper of the Aurië library, where knowledge of Etherium has been gathered for centuries. You can trust my knowledge, or you can risk using the wrong method."
The woman stared at Mr Gharrick for a long time, then finally spoke in a cold tone, "Very well. I accept this exchange. But if you try anything foolish, you will regret it."
Mr Gharrick nodded, carefully placing the pendant in his hand. He stepped forward slowly, preparing to hand over the pendant and bring Neir back. However, just as he was about to surrender the pendant, something unexpected happened.
His foot slipped on a moss-covered, slick stone. In that same instant, the pendant in his hand slipped free and soared through the air, reflecting a bright green light in the dark cave. All eyes were fixed on the floating pendant—Mr Gharrick was shocked, the woman was stunned, and Neir froze in place.
The pendant moved too quickly to be stopped. Before anyone could react, it struck Neir's left eye. A blinding green light erupted, enveloping the small girl's body, filling the entire cave with a terrifying humming sound. The woman stepped back with an expression of fear, while Mr Gharrick tried to reach for Neir, but the light was too intense.
"Noooo!!!!" Mr Gharrick screamed, trying to shield Neir, but the Etherium energy released from the pendant was already too powerful to contain.
In an instant, the green light faded, and Neir collapsed, unconscious. The woman fell silent, her expression turning to confusion mixed with fear. She began to step backward. "Wha... what..." the woman stammered. Misfortune struck as she misstepped, her foot slipping on the moss-covered rocks.
"AAAAAARGH—!"
THUD!
A sound of impact, followed by a sharp crack. The woman's head struck a large rock hidden in the wild grass. Her body jerked once before finally falling still, unmoving.
Warm blood seeped slowly, creeping into the crevices of the rock. Her open eyes stared emptily at the starry sky, but they no longer saw anything.
Silence once again enveloped the night.
Mr Gharrick lifted Neir's unconscious body, checking her condition anxiously. The girl's left eye glowed faintly, showing signs of unnatural energy. Something had changed, but the true consequences were still unclear.
He also seemed to briefly consider the mysterious woman. Whether she was dead or not. But for now, there was something more urgent in his arms—Neir.
Mr Gharrick swallowed hard, trying to hold back his panic. He looked at the pale face of the little girl in his embrace and whispered, "Neir, you must be strong… You must hold on." He spoke the words like a prayer, though he wasn't sure who was listening. Only the whisper of the night wind and the faint tremors from the small body in his arms answered.
Blood stained the sleeve of his shirt, warm yet a reminder of the cold reality. Neir's breath was weak, almost inaudible. He bit his lip, suppressing the fear that was tightening in his chest.
As he stepped out of the cave, the cold night air swept across his face. But the chill wasn't enough to calm his mind. In his heart, a burden pressed down heavily, as if unwilling to leave. The thought of Mariela haunted him. The woman's face, with its tired yet sincere smile, seemed to demand an answer he couldn't provide.
"How can I face her later?" he thought desperately. "She entrusted her daughter to me... and all I've brought back is injury."
Amid his chaotic thoughts, he looked at Neir once more. The little girl was still breathing, but her body felt increasingly light in his arms—as if she could disappear at any moment.
"No... I won't let that happen."
Mr Gharrick clenched his fist, holding Neir tighter, as if trying to keep her life from slipping away. "I will fix this," he vowed in his heart. "Whatever happens, I will atone for my mistake. I won't let this be the end for Neir."
His steps, which had initially been shaky, now grew steadier. Mr Gharrick knew the road ahead would be full of obstacles. Neir's wound wasn't just physical—something greater had happened tonight. But he didn't care.
For Neir, and for Mariela's trust, he vowed he would not give up.
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