As night fell, the flickering campfires in the town cast a warm and peaceful glow upon everything around them. However, beneath this tranquility lurked unknown dangers and challenges. Just then, a young boy's voice broke the temporary silence: "Is Mr. Istra really going to unravel the secret of that mysterious crystal? Can he do it?" His voice was filled with both longing and anxiety about the unknown world.
An old soldier standing not far away nodded upon hearing this: "Don't worry, kid. This young man is extraordinary; his strength and wisdom far surpass those of ordinary people. Besides, none of us will let him fight alone."
A young woman nearby chimed in, "Yes, yes! Didn't you see? Lilia and Caroline went with them! They're two of the best fighters around here." She emphasized their prowess.
Just then, a little girl suddenly jumped out from the crowd, grabbed her mother's hand, and asked sweetly, "Mommy, Mommy! What's that blue glowing thing? It's so pretty! Shall we go help the older brothers and sisters too?"
The mother smiled and gently stroked her daughter's head, softly comforting her, "Silly girl, such a powerful being is too dangerous for us. But don't worry, your older brothers and sisters will definitely protect us."
As the conversation continued, Sophia went to the makeshift command tent to discuss the specifics of tomorrow's departure with Ares. "Ares, do you have any ideas about how to approach this magic crystal? After all, it's extremely important to us."
The latter lowered his head and thought for a moment before replying, "Following the scholar's advice shouldn't be wrong. However..." He paused slightly, seemingly hesitant to continue, "...I have a feeling things aren't that simple. What will happen if we actually manage to get close to that crystal? Will there be even greater risks waiting for us?"
Hearing this, Sophia frowned slightly but nodded in understanding, saying, "Indeed, as you said, everything is still just speculation. But we must take that step and try anyway."
At this very moment, in a small house on the edge of town, Istra sat alone at the table, eyes closed, contemplating the upcoming mission. Suddenly, the door was gently pushed open, and a figure entered—it was Lilia. "Did I disturb you? You seem lost in thought."
Istra opened her eyes, smiled slightly, and shook her head in denial, saying, "It's alright. I was just looking for an opportunity to talk to you. Are you afraid of the test we're about to face?"
Lilia chuckled and retorted, "What's there to be afraid of? With you by my side, what do I have to be afraid of!" Then her expression turned serious as she added, "Actually, I've always admired you! You're not that old, but you always give people a sense of reliability."
Such praise made the young man blush slightly. "Hehe... not at all, you're an excellent soldier too!"
As the two were chatting happily, a soft knock on the door interrupted their rare moment of relaxation. It was Sofia, coming to inform them to quickly prepare their gear and get ready to greet the approaching sunrise and embark on their journey. "Time waits for no one. Let's witness it all together."
And so, amidst everyone's expectant yet tense gazes, a new day officially began...
The following morning, as dawn broke, the townspeople had already gathered in the town center, awaiting Istra and his party's arrival. An atmosphere of both anticipation and unease filled the air; everyone's emotions, like the flags fluttering in the wind, fluctuated wildly.
As a command rang out, Istra, Sofia, Lilia, and Caroline finally appeared before everyone, each clad in equipment perfectly suited to their fighting style. Of particular note was the sword Istra wielded, gleaming with a blue light; it was said to be a legendary artifact from ancient times, specifically designed to combat evil forces.
A murmur of admiration arose from the crowd:
"Look! There are the heroes!"
"They're amazing... I wonder if we can become as strong as them?"
"Look at that sword, isn't it cool? It's like a character straight out of mythology."
Amidst the cheers and murmurs, Istra stepped forward and faced all the friends and supporters who had come to see him off: "Thank you for your trust and support. Today we are about to embark on a journey to explore that unknown land. Rest assured, whatever the outcome, we will do our best to strive for a brighter future for everyone."
After hearing these words, everyone present felt a surge of warmth in their hearts. An elderly man stepped forward and patted the young leader on the shoulder: "Keep it up, young man! Remember, a true warrior is never alone, because there will always be one or more hands that will lend a helping hand when you need it."
“Well said!” a young man chimed in. “Whether you succeed or not, what matters is the courage to face challenges. We all support you!”
At the same time, Caroline quietly pulled aside a child who was watching everything with wide, curious eyes and asked, "Little brother, do you also want to become a warrior?"
The little boy nodded shyly, then suddenly became excited: "Yes! When I grow up, I want to protect my home from monsters just like these adults!" His words immediately drew laughter from those around him. Everyone knew that countless flowers of hope were being nurtured on this land full of love and courage, and that they would surely bloom even more brilliantly in the future.
Just as the atmosphere was reaching its climax, a strange color suddenly appeared on the distant horizon. "Oh no, a storm is coming," Sophia whispered, frowning as she looked up at the sky. It turned out that this adventure not only required battling the powerful magic crystals but also overcoming additional difficulties brought about by the natural environment.
Faced with this situation, Istra did not panic but instead showed a determined expression: "It's alright, after the storm comes the rainbow. Let's go—let's move forward into the unknown!"
At his call, the four warriors turned and walked towards the rising sun, leaving behind not only admiring and respectful glances, but also the boundless anticipation of the entire town's residents for a better life...
At this point, the story has come to a temporary end, but many secrets await them as they explore the road ahead...
"Brother Istra, please come back safely!"
"That's right! We all believe you can do it!"
-……
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