The twin moons hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow as the butterflies fluttered around, their soft lights dancing in the air. Rain sat beside Eve, his voice heavy with the weight of the words he was about to say.
"To be honest, I don't want to go. But if I don't, it feels like all those who sacrificed for my cause will have done so in vain. Their deaths would mean nothing if I don't do something to stop Gorm." Rain clenched his trembling fists, his eyes closing as worry gnawed at him.
"We must stop him . . . but I'm terrified that more of my troops will perish this time. The thought of losing them . .
. it scares me more than anything."
Eve watched him silently, her gaze soft and understanding. After a moment of quiet, she gently placed her hand over his clenched fists, offering comfort and strength without words.
After a few moments of silence, Eve finally spoke, her voice soft and reassuring. "Any leader would feel the way you do. It's only natural."
Eve gazed at Rain with a softness in her eyes, her voice tender as she spoke. "Rain, the weight you carry is heavy because you care so deeply. It's not a sign of weakness, but of strength. Your compassion for your people, your desire to protect them, that's what makes you a true leader.
The fear you feel shows that you understand the cost of war, and that's what will guide you to make the right decisions."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, "You don't have to shoulder this burden alone. Your people, your friends, they believe in you because they see the courage and determination that drives you. Lean on them, trust in their strength, just as they trust in yours. Together, you can face whatever comes, and whatever sacrifices are made, they won't be in vain."
Rain felt the tension in his chest ease a little, the warmth of her words reaching deep into his heart. "Thank you, Eve," he said, his voice steadying. "I needed to hear that."
Eve smiled beneath her hood. "By the way, I see you still haven't found the Starfire Blossom I asked for."
Rain's thoughts of impending war were abruptly replaced with a sense of dread. "Ah. D-don't worry about it. I'm already in talks with our alchemists and herbalist about using those Thorny Bushes as a base for other plants. If they succeed, the Starfire Blossom will just be a matter of time."
"Thorny Bushes?" Eve's voice held a hint of surprise as she pointed at the spiky, cactus-like plants that thrived in the barren wasteland. "You mean those?"
Rain didn't react, a mix of curiosity and concern in his heart. He wanted to understand her story, to know what had bound her to such fate. And what's this about calamity she was talking about?
"Don't worry," Eve said softly after a brief silence. "As long as I remain here, no calamity will befall the world."
Wasn't she . . . so powerful then? Rain thought.
Rain wanted to ask more, but he sensed that Eve wasn't in the mood to elaborate further. He should be grateful that she wasn't planning on killing him anytime soon.
"Hmm~?"
"What's wrong?" Rain asked, noticing that Eve's attention had suddenly shifted to him. Even behind her hood, he could feel that she was staring intently into him.
"I sense something . . . an energy that's trying to emerge but couldn't yet."
"Huh? Something trying to emerge but couldn't?" Rain didn't quite understand what she meant. Read latest stories on мѵʟ
"It's drawn by your intense emotions, but it's not fully developed yet. It wants to respond to your call, but it's still incomplete."
"Uh . . . I'm not sure I follow . . .
," Rain admitted, feeling more confused as she spoke in what seemed like riddles.
"Do you have an egg with you?" Eve asked, cutting him off before he could finish his thought.
Rain was taken aback. "How do you know about that?"
Instead of answering, Eve extended her hand, her voice gentle yet insistent. "May I see it?"