Day 3 in Atheria-∞
Location: Western Verdantwood, near the Mistglass River
Jiwoo adjusted the strap of his traveler's bag as the party followed the winding forest path. Towering trees with golden leaves and humming branches lined the route. The air smelled like sweet herbs and moonlit rain.
Eunsol crouched down, gently touching a glowing mushroom. "It's warm. Like it's breathing."
Yoori plucked a crystal-blue flower. "Even the plants here feel… aware."
Baek leaned closer to a floating stone lantern embedded in the dirt. "We're not alone."
Ahead, the forest parted—revealing a bridge made of pure woven light spanning a narrow, misty river. On the other side stood a village.
Wooden homes carved from trees. Lanterns floating in midair. Canals filled with soft blue water instead of roads. Creatures walked silently—tall, slim beings with horns of smooth bark and eyes like starlight.
Sena whispered, "Spiritfolk?"
Jihye nodded. "Definitely not human. And they seem peaceful."
Mirae clutched Jiwoo's sleeve gently. "We're the strangers now."
Jiwoo nodded. "Let's move carefully. No power. No magic. We're travelers—nothing more."
---
Crossing the Bridge
The bridge pulsed gently under their feet, reacting to their steps like a heartbeat. No guards stopped them. No weapons were raised. In fact, no one looked afraid.
An elder spiritfolk stood at the bridge's end. Wrinkled bark ran along his arms like ancient wood grain. His eyes sparkled with silver as he bowed slightly.
> "Welcome, strangers of far wind and old light."
His voice echoed like a flute in a cavern.
> "You are the Nine. We dreamed of you last winter, though your faces were blurred."
Jiwoo met his gaze. "We mean no harm."
The elder smiled. "Then you are welcome. Harm has not been known here for centuries."
---
Inside the Village of Solensil
The group was given guest rooms in a hollowed-out star-tree, its interior glowing with warmth and laughter. Food was simple—herb-baked bread, dewfruit stew, and hot leaf-tea with honey sap.
The villagers moved gracefully, always quiet, always smiling.
No one questioned them.
No one feared them.
But Jiwoo noticed the glances—soft, curious, respectful. Like they knew something.
---
That Night – A Quiet Conversation
Jiwoo sat alone on the guest balcony, watching the twin moons reflect off the river.
Jihye joined him, sipping warm berry brew. "They know we're not normal."
"I know," Jiwoo replied.
"But they're not afraid."
"They're used to magic. Maybe not our level—but they feel it."
Jiwoo reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple bronze coin. He let it dance on his fingers.
> "We could change this world in an instant…"
Jihye looked at him calmly. "But we won't. Not yet."
He smiled. "Right."
---
Morning of Day 4 — The Spirit Archives
The elder invited them to the Archives of Memory, a massive underground tree-root library of glowing scrolls and floating runes.
> "We remember not through ink, but through soul-threads," the elder explained.
Each scroll contained living fragments of memory—visions, voices, feelings.
Jihye's eyes widened as she read. "These memories go back… millions of years."
Mirae touched a scroll titled 'The Thousand Cries of the Skyfall War'. She heard voices of ancient dragons. Songs of forgotten kings.
Sena paused in front of a scroll named simply: "The One That Fell From Gold."
It refused to open.
Jiwoo walked toward it… and it vibrated.
The elder frowned. "That scroll has never reacted to anyone before."
But Jiwoo stepped away.
> "Not yet," he whispered.
---
Before Departure – A Gift
As they prepared to leave, the elder spiritfolk handed Jiwoo a glowing pendant shaped like a leaf made of mist.
> "If you ever wish to return, or call for us… this will reach across even the storms between stars."
Jiwoo bowed deeply. "Thank you. For trust."
The elder smiled.
> "The Nine will shape this world, but only if they walk it first."
> "Do not rush to rule. Learn what it means to belong."
---
Back on the Road – That Afternoon
They left the village in silence, walking slowly down a jade-tiled path that shimmered as they passed.
No one spoke for a while.
Eventually, Baek said, "I like them. They felt real."
"They didn't worship us," Mirae said.
"Or fear us," Noeun added.
Yoori looked at Jiwoo. "We need to understand this world before we shape it."
Jiwoo nodded.
> "No castles. No thrones. Not until we understand what peace means here."
---
Final Scene – Sunset on the Hills of Echofern
The nine set up camp near a sparkling river under a sky of dancing stars.
Jihae painted glowing lines across the night sky with her finger, conjuring constellations of light.
Baek and Sena sparred with floating boulders, laughing.
Eunsol cooked fire-berries over an open flame.
Jiwoo watched it all quietly.
His strength was endless. His magic limitless.
But this—laughter, exploration, friendship—was what truly mattered.
> "Let the world stay untouched by us... just a little longer," he said softly.
> "When we build again, it will be with hearts full—not just hands of power."
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