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Quartzone tried to get up, but the arrow had hit him on a weak spot. Chalcelle looked at him with disgust. "Pathetic...", she thought. Nervously, Eco helped the grey bear using magic, which made the girl giggle a bit.
They walked through the forest until their goal village. The houses made use of the trees. Most of them were treehouses. Quartzone was surprised by a big building with a clock tower in the center of the town.
- This is our hometown, we have lived here for generations. - Eco said to Quartzone. Chalcelle frowned.
- Can I go? - Chalcelle asked Eco, annoyed by the situation.
- Yes, I'll handle it now.
Eco lifted Quartzone through the stairs upon a house in a tree. The old elf laid Quartzone on a leaf bed.
- Why is she so rude? - Quartzone asked. Eco sighed.
- She's been here since she was a baby. We raised her like one of us, but the obvious difference made her want to protect the village when she grew up. She never got out of the forest, so she doesn't trust anybody outside our town.
Quartzone sighed and nodded, but Eco continued.
- Don't bear a grudge against her... She's a good girl.
- She laughed at me! - Quartzone angrily said.
- She's always been playful... And she definitely is rude with those she doesn't know.
Quartzone looked away, now focused on his Citrine Blades leaning on a corner of the house. He didn't bother to ask about why Eco is helping him. He started to accept that he maybe just lost his memories.
- Get comfortable, you'll stay here until you heal. The elves in the village will help you, trust me. - Eco said.
Quartzone buried his face in his scarf and closed his eyes. - Thanks.
Weeks passed, and Quartzone could already walk around the village. By that time, he was on good terms with the elves. His main focus everyday was helping everyone, so everybody in the village loved him. However, Chalcelle still looked at him with disdain, avoiding speech but giving him dominance and fierce looks.
One night, Quartzone was going for a walk in the village and heard a pleasant sound. It felt like… A melody? It was coming from the building he saw when he arrived. Once in front of the door of the building, which was half-closed, he got inside and was revealed a hallway to an elegant door. The sweet sound was right ahead.
Quartzone cautiously opened the door and arrived at a large auditorium venue. Empty seats were facing a stage. He then understood the source of the sound. A Pentaphone, one of the most complex musical instruments of Crystallia, was being played. Chalcelle was at the keys, with her eyes closed, playing a sweet Nocturne with breathtaking majesty. Quartzone felt his heart starting to race.
The girl stopped playing. When seeing Quartzone, she gave him a disgusted look.
- Leave. - she said firmly.
- Your playing is beautiful… - Quartzone told her.
Chalcelle blushed, but instantly looked away to hide it.
- None of your business… - She said. - Go away.
- We don’t have to get along badly anymore… Everyone in the village has… - Quartzone could not finish the sentence.
- GO. AWAY. - she shouted.
At that same moment, Eco entered the door.
- Calm down, Chalcelle.
- Oh, Eco… - She said.
- It’s finally time to tell you.
Chalcelle looked at him confused.
- I want you to go with Quartzone on his journey.
- WHAT?
- Don’t let the trees hide you from the forest, Chal… He is a great guy. Didn’t you see him helping everybody? - Chalcelle didn’t reply. - You need to grow up and accept the fact that not everybody wants to hurt us… You won’t learn that here.
She knew Eco was right.
- What about the village? - She asked.
- We can protect ourselves. - Eco smiled.
The idea of exploring the world beyond Fairy Dust Forest amazed her, but still, she didn’t trust Quartzone.
- Alright.
- Nice! - Eco looked at Quartzone. - Go to Eenah. You will probably find answers.
Quartzone nodded. Chalcelle looked at him with dominance once again.
She wanted to let him know they were not friends.
- Genre
- Lorecore