Cafra had begun his journey, a path that leads him toward the heart of the evil threatening his world. Without any doubt, he believed everything Faricah said about this evil creature. Leaving his home town wasn't easy for him. But after facing evil together with his friends, he knew that more danger will come and to bring everything back to normal, to live peacefully, he needs to defeat the creature that brings the greatest threat to humanity, Val'Zhemyr.
Cafra: "So.. Faricah.. are you from another planet?"
Faricah: "No. I am from the alternate dimension connected to this world, Solaris Sanctum, along with the other protectors."
Cafra: "Are we going to that place? maybe you guys can make me stronger instantly."
Faricah: "Normal human like you cannot enter Solaris Sanctum, unless our leader, Bathala, invites you directly."
Cafra: "So this Bathala, if he is your leader, then he must be really strong."
Faricah: "We are forbidden to get involved in human conflicts, all we can do is watch and guide people. And that is why I am here assisting you, showing you your path, nothing more."
Cafra: "That sucks. How can a mere human like me, defeat someone who is capable of destroying our world?"
Faricah: "You can. Because you Sandipa's core answers to you."
Cafra: "You all keep mentioning names I've never heard of. All I know is that I saw this stone fell from the sky like a meteor and decided to go get it. I have no idea where it came from or who this Sandipa is."
Faricah explained everything to Cafra. Telling the story about the celestial protector, Sandipa. She mentioned that it was Sandipa, who sent them to planet earth and put them in charge of protecting and guiding its people. She explained that they never knew the existence of Val'Zhemyr. All they know about him is the message that he announced. His plan of devouring the sun and destroying the balance of the world.
Faricah: "Your journey will not be easy. Danger will follow. But you must grow stronger. for yourself, for your friends, and for all who cannot fight."
Cafra: "Then I need to get strong. As quick as possible. But where exactly are we headed?"
Faricah: "We will go to a place where you can try to connect with the core. So you can have a little understanding of what power it holds."
Faricah leads Cafra to a secluded clearing, illuminated by a soft celestial light. There in front of them is a gate, bound by ancient runes, only those who speak ancient language can open the door. They walked closer to the gate. Cafra, amazed of what his eyes see right in front of him, tried to touch the gate, but Faricah immediately slaps his hand and stops him from touching it.
Faricah: "Do not touch this gate! Doing so will separate your soul from your body, and your soul will be trapped, absorbed by this gate, for eternity."
Cafra: "You should've told me that sooner..."
Faricah: "Stand back."
She placed both her palms on the gate and chanted something using ancient language. After a few moments the gate shined brightly and slowly opens. Cafra looked through the gate, curious of what's behind it. What he saw is nothing special, an empty field with a fountain under a giant tree. the fountain was illuminated, a bright light.
Cafra: "What is this place?"
Faricah: "We are at the Oracle Fountain. Follow me."
Faricah guided Cafra towards the fountain. As they approached, fireflies resting around the fountain scattered like tiny sparks fleeting into the giant tree. The light within the fountain dimmed slightly as though acknowledging Cafra.
Faricah: "Use the water to wash your face."
Cafra: "Is it safe? What's gonna happen if I wash my face?"
Faricah: "I cannot tell. You will find out once you do it."
Cafra leaned in closer to the water. He slowly dips his hands into the cold, glowing water, lifting it and washed his face with the water. All of a sudden, everything went black. All he can see is the fountain in front of him. He was scared. But then he heard a voice echoed through the darkness, deep, ancient, resonant.
Mysterious voice: "Young one. What do you seek?"
Cafra: "I'm not really sure.. but I guess... my purpose... I was told that I was chosen to defeat this evil monster because I have found this stone. They call it Sandipa's core. I never asked for any of this. I just want to live normally with my family and friends."
Mysterious voice: "Ahh. Sandipa, the celestial guardian. It is very unfortunate that he perished. Now that he is gone, there is no one to protect the galaxy. Tell me, child of earth... do you fear the burden placed upon you?"
Cafra lowered his head.
Cafra: "...Yes. I'm scared I won't be strong enough. I'm scared I'll just fail and disappoint everyone."
Mysterious voice: "Fear is not weakness. Fear is the reminder of what must be protected."
A faint light formed within the dark, shaping itself into the silhouette of a tall, radiant figure. The outline flickered, unstable like a memory struggling to hold shape.
Mysterious voice: "I am the echo of Sandipa, what remains of his consciousness within the core."
Cafra: "Y-you're... Sandipa? the one who this core belongs to?"
Sandipa's echo: "A fragment, nothing more. When I fell, I left pieces of my essence to guide whoever would carry the core. And now. Here you are, you stand before me."
The light pulsed through Cafra's Chest, warm, and heavy.
Cafra: "Why me? I'm nothing special, I'm weak."
The echo leaned closer. Though its face had no features, Cafra felt eyes looking into him.
Sandipa's echo: "You were chosen not for strength.. but for heart. For the courage to act even when fear consumes you. That is what darkness cannot understand."
Cafra: "Do you think.. I can defeat Val'Zhemyr?"
The echo flickered, almost trembled.
Sandipa's echo: "Val'Zhemyr was born from ancient darkness. He draws power from fear, despair, and the crumbling of hope. If left unchecked, he will consume the sun, and all will freeze beneath the eternal night. But hear this well, power alone cannot defeat him. You must learn to master the light within you. Not to destroy darkness, but balance it."
Cafra hesitated.
Cafra: "Balance the darkness? Why would I.."
Sandipa's echo: "All things exist as a pair. Light creates shadows, and shadows define the light. To destroy one completely is to break the balance that sustains the cosmos."
The echo raised a glowing hand, resting it gently against Cafra's shoulder. Cafra felt warmth seep into him. A warmth that wasn't just heat, but comfort.
Sandipa's core: "The core chose you. But power does not bloom in the unwilling. You must decide. Will you walk the path of light, knowing the darkness will follow you?"
Cafra: "Yes. I will. If this is what i have to do to protect everyone.. then I'll do it."
The echo brightened as though smiling.
Sandipa's echo: "Then take this first lesson. Listen well. Light is not found, it is awakened. And darkness cannot devour a heart that refuses to surrender"
The echo's form cracked with a blinding flash. Sandipa's echo: "You will face trials. You will face loss. But remember my final words, bearer of the core, the sun lives in you now."
Light exploded outward, and the vision vanished. Cafra gasped as the darkness dissolved. He stumbled back into the clearing, drenched in sweat, falling to his knees beside the fountain. Faricah rushed to him.
Faricah: "Cafra! Are you okay? What did you see?"
He stared at his trembling hands. hands now faintly glowing with sparks of soft golden electricity.
Cafra: "Sandipa.. or.. What's left of him.."
Faricah: "You spoke to him? He still lingers in the core?"
Cafra stood shakily, a new weight settling on his shoulders, but also a new fire in his chest.
Cafra: "Sandipa is gone. It was just his consciousness. But he told me something important. that light isn't something you are born with. It is something you awaken."
Faricah smiled softly.
Faricah: "Then the core has truly accepted you. So... are you prepared of what's ahead of you?"
Cafra: "Yes."
Cafra, determined, ready for whatever it is that will come his way. They leave the Oracle Fountain, in front of the gate, they see a blinding light preventing them from seeings what's on the other side. they continued to walk through the door. Cafra looked back at the gate as it vanished into thin air.