Naval village was awake early and lively, and everyone was enjoying quiet and peaceful lives. Today, the sun came with a majestic vibe. Everyone was happy, feeling grateful for Mother Nature. Today cows have given more milk than usual, even after calves have drunk more than usual, strange, you know.
But what are our warriors doing? Let's see.
Ah... Morning in the village, huh. Feels like I haven't seen in ages before, same old balcony, same view, but different point of view, Rin... Come here, I need you. Coming... just a minute. Rin replied,
Yes, mother, what do you want? "Can you go to Ela's place and tell her to come? I need something, why not tell me?" Rin said.
I appreciate that, but I need her dear, not you? She said with a faint smile.
Okay then... I'll bring her by..
She went like the wind.
Meanwhile,
What's Limbo doing?
Limbo stepped out of his home, stretching his arms. His body was still feeling minor pain, sleeping in bed, like his body was not accustomed to it.
Near the doorway, his mother was sitting quietly, grinding herbs. She looked at him, her eyes red but warm.
"Wake early today, hmm?" she murmured. Limbo respond with smiling face, "Yeah, my body is getting used to it."
She said. A strict - discipline mom take place instead of caring mother.
That's nice actually, but don't push too much
He smiled faintly.
There was no need for more words.
Oh, has Gaja awakened? "That Musclehead is sleeping like a dead body," Limbo replied. Ela corrected, "Limbo, don't say like that." It attracts bad omens. He didn't say anything.
Rin appears while they were talking. "Hello... Aunty, what are you making..." nothing, "just a potion."
Aunty mother is calling you. I think she needs you. "Is everything okay?" I guess.
I'll see her while the two of you eat something sweet from the kitchen.
Thanks, but we have a meeting with Elder Chaya. We have to report to her, Rin said. Okay then, give her this potion.
From there, everyone was about to part ways. Wait, where's everyone heading without me? Ela said, I'm heading to meet Rin's mother. While these two have to report elder Chaya. Okay then, I'll hang out in the village till then.
Let's go. Limbo replied, adjusting the strap of his bag where the bloom rested safely inside.
The path toward the elder hall was calm.
Everyone is doing their own work. But every passing glance carried curiosity.
They all whisper, "the children who went into the forest and came back alive."
Soon, they were standing in front of the elder hall, which was located in the center of the village, carrying mana around it.
Two elders were waiting - Elder Caya, the keeper of wisdom, and Elder Chaya, the Healer and Master of herbs.
Elder Chaya's eyes follow them as they enter. "You've both grown... In more ways than one," they remained silent.
Limbo bowed slightly, and Rin also followed his gesture. "We came as you called."
Elder told them to sit, "tell us everything from the beginning."
Rin began slowly, voice steady but shaking finger as she began. She told them about how they entered the forest's deepest parts, how the mist changed, how the beast turned restless. She describes the Corrupted valley, the Sub-Guardian, the battels, each word careful and respectful, but shaking.
Chaya's brows widened as she listened.
A Corrupted Guardian... "So old records were true. The seals are failing again."
Caya looked at Limbo, concerned. "And you survived such pressure?"
Limbo nodded. "Barely. Something guided us, not luck, not strength. It was like the forest itself was testing us."
Chaya exhaled slowly. "That forest has always chosen its own trails."
When Rin came to the part of 'Silver Bloom flower' elders leaned closer.
Rin took out the flower carefully from the pouch. The whole room was filled with mana and a silver glow. The petals were shimmering as if breathing.
Elder Caya gasped. "This... this isn't ordinary Silver Bloom."
Her hands hover above it, not touching, only feeling.
Elder Chaya's expression turned grave. "Pure silver Bloom... born of balance between corruption and purity. I've read about it once, in a text centuries old. None were seen in generations."
Rin's shocked while her eyes widened, "Is this that rare?"
"More than rare," Caya replied softly. "This bloom only appears where light and corruption collide. Where life itself is on the edge of rewriting law."
Limbo's eyes flickered slightly. The system's memory flashed inside his vision:
[ Artifact class: Divine Resonance. ]
[ Fragment signature: Confirmed. ]
He remained silent.
Chaya continued, "Such Purity can heal what no ordinary medicine can. If prepared properly, it can purge even corruption from the soul."
Rin's breath caught, "Then... Will it heal my mother?"
Both elders exchanged looks.
Caya nodded slowly. "If this flower is what it appears to be, it will not only heal her. It might clean the root completely."
Rin covers her mouth, eyes flowing with full tears. For the first time, her voice broke. "Then please use it. Use whatever is needed."
Elder Caya smiled gently. We will. But first, we must stabilize its essence. "Pure Silver Bloom is alive. If handled carelessly, it might lose its Purity."
She brought a bowl filled with clear manawater. As she placed the Bloom inside the water shine in silver shine and a light scent of lightning filled the room. The glow spread throughout the walls.
Meanwhile, elder Chaya leaned forward,
Studying Limbo. "Tell me, boy. When you held it, did you feel anything unusual?"
Limbo said with hesitation, "It felt... Aware," he admitted. "Like it recognises me."
Chaya hummed thoughtfully. "Awareness, you say... The forest watches in strange ways. Perhaps the Bloom chose to be found."
Limbo just nodded silently.
Inside, another faint line blinked across, while His system display:
[ Observation Protocol Active.]
[ Bloom resonance linked with the host. ]
He blinked it away.
The meeting lasted till noon.
After confirming Bloom's stability, Chaya excuses herself to prepare medicine for Rin's mother's treatment.
Caya dismissed them gently. You've done enough for the day. You may go and rest. Forest may sleep, but not forever.
Rin finally relaxed. "Finally... Now my mother will smile again and be healthy as before."
Limbo was looking at South. The mist there was feeling like shimmering with faint silver, like something breathing beneath.
"You're right, but I don't think this will last for long."
Meanwhile,
Gaja was busy telling kids on the Street, the tales of his bravery...
Waving a wooden sword, I jumped and slashed, and saved both of them...
He was bragging while making dramatic poses.
They continue to walk, leaving him to what he was doing.
Rin stopped for a moment while looking back at the elder's hall. "Do you ever think," she asked soft voice, "that may be it wasn't luck we found it?"
Limbo replied, "No. It was something else."
That night, the village was peaceful.
Inside elder Chaya's hut, the Silver Bloom flower floated within the bowl, its light steady, pulsing like a quiet heartbeat.
Far beyond the forest, deep in an unknown land, something moved through corrupted mist, faintly. Unknown.
As if something has awakened his eyes.
"Peace."
"Is never the end. Only the breath between awakenings." But...