Chapter 416 A second meeting with the Karkavan Part 2

Chapter 416 A second meeting with the Karkavan Part 2

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"A Spirit?"

Kuddan's voice was marked with a touch of uncertainty. For a few seconds, he remained still, trying to make sense of the word before he finally understood what Dale was referring to. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

It wasn't the first time he heard the term in this language, but it was so long ago that he had difficulty tying the meanings together.

"Are you referring to the Ancient Spirits that dwell within the depths of the woods?" Kuddan's voice was tinged with a hint of unease, his brows furrowing, almost obscuring his eyes as he said so

His pronunciation of the word 'Spirit' was off, as if he was swallowing the phrase instead of spitting it out.

This could be due to the uniqueness of the languages. Now, Dale was speaking in English, which was then translated to the common Imperial Human language before reaching Kuddan's ears, who then had to peruse his mind for terms and meanings he hadn't thought about in decades.

Even if the system perfectly translated every word Dale uttered, Kuddan still lacked proficiency with the language.

As he knew, the system wouldn't translate for every language unless some conditions were met. However, even that was speculation on his part.

"Yes. At least... I hope we're talking about the same thing." Dale said with a light smile as he coughed lightly

"The reason for the questions is... Moments after I lost consciousness, I was pulled somewhere and met with a being that recognized itself as the 'Old Spirit'."

"Soon after, I was forced awake due to what he called "separation of mind and body"..."

Kuddan listened with great focus, and once Dale was done speaking, he touched his chin, deep in thought.

"But of course... The mind cannot exist outside the body for long as it is far too easy to corrupt and affect when unprotected by the shell that is one's flesh." Kuddan replied with a knowledgeable nod, drawing his conclusions from Dale's words

"It seems you were temporarily drawn to the Heart of the Woods, where the 'Spirits' reside. A great honor, for sure."

"Can you tell me anything about them?"

"Hm... Not much."

"What they wish you to know is what I can share. No more, no less."

Kuddan stopped to think for a while, picking the right words to explain his thoughts, but it was evident he was having difficulty selecting the right words for the job.

"As you know, my kind lives deeply attuned with nature. What you call "magic" or "technology" is not apparent in our civilization. But you would be wrong to assume it is non-existent."

"We seek connection to the earth as the Spirits of our ancestors live within it; through our rituals and practices, we attune with it and seek comfort and guidance."

"You live in a world of Magic and Vitality; we live in a world of Hexes and Spirits. But as divergent as they may seem, they are all connected and part of the same wheel."

"That is what Spirits are to us."

He moved his hand to the side, grabbing a small crystal torch from a nearby shelf.

"Your kind has a name for these... I forgot what they were called, but roughly translating it, we refer to them as 'Tears of the Forest'."

"These represent the power of the forest, the crystals shine according to the 'breathing' of the woods."

"We grow learning to feel these movements and to respond in kind, interpret them, and act according to what we hear and see, very much akin to my interpretations of the Stars above..."

"My point is that to us, Ancient Spirits, beings that define the forest which we revere, are no different from what you call a Divine."

"Their will is absolute, and their secrets incorruptible."

"But you already knew that, didn't you?" Kuddan asked as he looked at Dale

"..."

Unsurprisingly, Dale was already quite knowledgeable about the Karkavan and their practices.

Even if they interacted little in the past timeline, Dale's intentions hadn't changed much from then to now.

Before, he approached them to solve issues and progress with the development of their relationship, now, he approached them to push forth beyond where they stood before.

When he had the chance, both then and now, he asked Kuddan these same questions, intending to resolve these issues ahead of time.

Still, why ask these particular questions again? Well, for once, he didn't feel satisfied with the answers he had been given in the past.

And second, for the sake of pushing his Quests forward.

"Can you be more specific? What they are, their origins and..."

/Shake.../

Kuddan shook his head.

"I cannot. Because even if I wanted to, I do not know."

"Even their home, the Wood's Heart, evades us..."

"In modern times, the Ancient Spirits are present but not materialized. However, it wasn't always the case."

"There are tales of times when Spirits and the Children of the Woods lived in harmony, together, hand in hand..."

"Nonetheless... We have far too few records of the ancient times when the conditions were others. Of the times when the Great Tree still stood."

"What made them change, their reasons for transforming... I sought answers to these questions before your ancestors were even born, and I came face to face with a wall."

"When I had the chance to ask my questions, they were enigmatic... So I can understand your frustration."

"The Ancient Spirits remain around us, but they've chosen to observe rather than intervene. They still do, but not as often."

"I believe they're still recovering from the catastrophe that was the fall of the Great Tree... Maybe, even sustaining their existence is a hurdle for the ancient forest they lived in is as good as dead post the fall of the Tree of Legends..."

"It's hard even to say if our ancestors were even here when it fell... So the veracity of our records is dubious." "But seeking them on your own is but a road with a dead end. As the path towards them is a secret they hide dearly..."

"... That didn't sound very reassuring..." Hina said with an awkward expression as she tried not to interfere

"If they approached you first, they'll certainly do so again if they see the need. The Spirits overlook the Great Woods, and their embrace covers it all. If they see the necessity of approaching you, be sure they will."

"But seeking them on your own is but a road with a dead end. As the path towards them is a secret they hide dearly..."

"... My regrets."

He said nothing after. But his silence was deafening.

Hina looked at Dale, but he shook his head.

Once they arrived at the last few floors, he opened his mouth to ask:

"You said you received an omen from the stars... But didn't you say you stopped reading them because you 'lost your touch'?"

"I did, I stopped because I couldn't read them properly anymore. I gave my people untrustworthy readings, signs of disaster coupled with visions of prosperity and fertility."

"When what I saw started to become contradictory, I knew I had lost the ability to listen to the Skies above properly."

"Thus, the Karkavan stood without the guidance of the stars, and for a very long time, I feared this lack of belief was what drove us to this corner."

"None of the visions of prosperity I had envisioned ever came to be... And neither did those of catastrophe. Everything we're experiencing now is a mystery to me."

"For many years, I yearned to go back and gaze upon them for guidance..."

"However, the Stars led our kin to the deadlands beyond the wall... This very act led to our downfall."

"And for long after, I was regretful and doubtful of having done so. Fearful of their intentions. So much so that I wished... They were never there."

"... Maybe that was why their words stopped having any meaning to me..." He said deeply as he coughed lightly

""...""

"Yet... A few weeks ago... I saw the Comet streak across the sky. The sign of a good omen, the birth of a new tale... A Great Warrior..."

"You."

"The moment I did, I knew what I had to do..."

"Cough..."

Dale coughed in light embarrassment as he looked at side. At the same time, Hina chuckled, finding the situation funny... Before she quickly returned to her stoic appearance.

There wasn't anything to laugh at this old man's tale.

"I knew that even if whatever I read was absurd, it was my task to listen..."

"I was reminded of my duty."

"And for the first time in a long time, what I read was coherent and clear."

"The Stars showed me a path, a future... And they showed me how to reach it."

"But they also showed me the pain my people would have to endure... One I cannot support."

"No matter how brilliant the future may be, it is not worth the sacrifice of the few. That is not how we are. Not the way I wish to live."

"We stand on the shoulders of thousands, and their passing was one we embraced and sang. Not one to mourn."

"The Stars showed me a path, and I know, deep down, that if I follow it, prosperity like none other will bless the Karkavan."

"But I don't plan to follow it... I'll make a new one."

"Even if I may be scorned after, this is the curse I must bear. This is the pain I shall take upon my shoulders as the one tasked with leading the Karkavan."

"Even if the chosen ones are ready to sacrifice themselves, I am not ready to throw them into the fire."

"I am old; not all of them are. There isn't much I can offer them, but there is much they can do for each other. So if there's someone to suffer, someone to carry the burden, then may it be me."

"I'll throw myself into the fire for the sake of the Karkavan. That shall be my last contribution."

"Child, you came at the right moment, changing the odds and carving a new path where we thought impossible..."

"The White Comet has fallen; a great omen is on the horizon..."

"I ask you... Will you see it with me?"

"..."

"I'm not asking this without consideration; this isn't something I wish to push on you. This path is dark, and I cannot envision its end. It is a future the Stars are unaware of."

"I wish to attain that future, one where we can all thrive. A future without needless sacrifice."

"I offer you my everything, this remnant spark of life."

"Will you..."

"Kuddan." Dale interjected "...?"

"What are you talking about? Can you be more clear?" Dale asked as he smiled slightly

"Do you need help, yes or no?"

Dale smelled a Quest...

"... Yes... I need help." Kuddan said with a smile as he clutched onto his walking stick

"Then I'll help. Let's change the future. I hate prophecies after all..."

'Technically speaking, the entire future I lived through is a prophecy... One I must diverge from.'

"Prophecies... Right." Kuddan closed his eyes, thinking of a past that has long passed...

[DING]

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Notes