Valeora Lake
In the year 1001 After the Beginning of the Oath Circle, life in this village began to pulsate with color.
Spring arrived, bringing the scent of damp earth and wildflowers.
Jeanne and Joanna had now become part of village life.
No longer founders or guardians, they were known simply as "Kak Jeanne" and "Kak Joanna" by the villagers.
Their days were simple yet filled with purpose and community engagement.
Working in the fields.
Helping children learn to read.
Tending to the vegetable garden.
Amidst all this simplicity, a new chapter of emotions began to unfold.
Jeanne began to notice something she never thought she would feel again.
His name was Caelan Arwyn.
A 23-year-old villager.
With blackish-green hair and bright green eyes like young emeralds.
His strong physique came from working in the fields, yet his gaze was intelligent and gentle.
He was neither a wizard.
Nor a warrior.
Not a philosopher.
But his choices in life were always made with a deep sense of responsibility and love.
"Kak Jeanne," he greeted one morning as Jeanne was helping to harvest apples.
"If you keep working harder than the original farmers, I might lose my job." Caelan smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. He understood well how passionate and dedicated Jeanne was in every task she undertook.
Jeanne let out a small laugh. "I just love feeling the earth in my hands." Her laughter seemed to overpower the songs of the birds chirping among the branches of the apple trees, awakening the sweet memories of her colorful childhood.
"I enjoy it too... but I prefer seeing your smile while you work." Caelan smiled shyly. His words touched Jeanne's heart, making her feel her heartbeat quicken. Caelan appeared to shine in the sunlight, adding warmth to the bright morning.
Joanna, who was tying bundles of rice in the distance, observed their conversation.
For the first time in ages, she saw a blush on her sister's cheeks.
"You like him," Joanna whispered as they walked home that night. Her voice was soft, like morning dew touching the leaves. She hoped Jeanne could feel the peace in her words, knowing how long they had waited for a moment like this.
Hearing this, Jeanne felt her heart race, as if something was dancing inside her. For the first time in ages, she could sense a blush creeping on her cheeks, a sign that new hope was intertwining between them. It felt like witnessing something so fragile and delicate, yet incredibly precious.
"Joan... I... I don't know if I deserve this beautiful moment." Jeanne looked down, her gaze fixed on the footprints they left in the ground, as if wishing she could bury the doubts haunting her soul. Joanna could see how deeply rooted that uncertainty was, feeling the pain intertwined with hope.
"After everything we've been through, sis," Joanna took her sister's hand, "I believe... this is the best choice you could make." She winked, wishing to share the confidence and love flowing within her. Joanna's touch was warm and soothing, like a gentle embrace reminding them that they were always together, no matter what happened.
"And I will support you."
Days passed.
Caelan spent more and more time with Jeanne. Their interactions grew closer, filled with laughter and stories flowing like a gentle river between two safe shores.
They talked about farming, the seasons, and even Caelan's small hope of creating a simple irrigation system to make Valeora more prosperous. Every idea Caelan shared seemed to spark a light in Jeanne's eyes, as if she began to glimpse the promised future behind the lush fields.
It's not about magic or destiny; it's about the love that blossoms between them, metaphorically like young plants slowly coming to life after a nourishing rain, reminding them of nature's rhythms. Every word, every smile, strengthens their unbroken bond in this journey of life.
"I want to build something that can be passed on to my children," Caelan said.
"Something simple yet eternal." He spoke with deep conviction, and Jeanne could see the spark in his eyes that signaled purpose, igniting a long-dormant passion in her heart.
And in that moment, an empowering choice was made. In her heart, she recalled all the struggles and journeys they had faced, all the pain and doubts that had accompanied them, which now felt lighter as she began to overcome the fears that had long held her captive.
"I don't want to be a spectator anymore.
I want to be a part of this life." Her voice was filled with determination, resonating among the branches of the trees surrounding them. It was as if nature itself listened to her sincere desire, waiting to witness her new step.
That night, Jeanne invited Joanna to sit by the riverbank, where they used to talk. The gentle sound of the flowing water accompanied them, bringing an indescribable comfort, as if wrapping them in its warm embrace.
"Joan... I know you might want to keep wandering.
But I've made my choice.
I want to stay here.
With Caelan.
With a life that doesn't demand me to be more than just a human."
Joanna smiled, yet within her heart, she felt a wave of profound emotions. Her feelings were a mix of tenderness and sadness, as if she wanted to trade their whole adventurous world for the love and peace her sister longed for. The moonlight reflecting on the river deepened this moment, as if nature itself understood this difficult yet beautiful choice.
"I already knew you would say that, sis.
And... I'm also tired of wandering endlessly."
Joanna's voice was soft and deep, as if she were expressing more than just words. Sadness and longing haunted every syllable she spoke, leaving a deeper impact on her statement. She gazed at the flowing river, where shadows of the past and future intertwined. This decision, though painful, seemed to offer them a chance to rediscover their true selves.
"If you stay, I will stay too.
I will become a teacher for the children of this village.
I don't need a grand stage or the threads of time."
Jeanne felt as if a new world had opened before her. The images of children running and laughing, their cheerful faces in the midst of green fields, filled her with renewed spirit and hope. Joanna's words resonated warmly within her, affirming that the purpose of their lives did not always have to be grandiose but could also be simple and meaningful.
"I just need... a home."
That night, the two sisters who once built a world decided to stop being guardians.
They chose to be human.
Yet, outside the village of Valeora...
the world was not entirely silent.
In the new capital, Stones Concordia, advisors began reporting strange phenomena:
"There are young people who can sense fluctuations in time without training."
"Some of them claim to have dreams of a blue light and a shining sword."
"Old names are starting to whisper again: Excalibur."
In Arkanum Veritas, similar reports surfaced.
"The threads of change have strengthened once more."
"And a new name is beginning to be heard among the ranks of the Shadow Scholars..."
"Fitran Fate."
In Valeora, Jeanne and Joanna remained unaware of these whispers.
They were busy planting, harvesting, and smiling with the villagers. Amidst laughter and simple conversations, the two sisters felt the warmth of the community flowing like a river beside them, bringing hope and life.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jeanne often found herself sitting by the riverside with Caelan. The gentle trickle of the water and the songs of birds created a beautiful atmosphere, making each shared moment feel even more precious.
Jeanne grasped his hand firmly. "And I choose to stay by your side." Her soft voice trembled with conviction and hope, as if sealing a promise between them, expressing her desire to embrace a shared future. Within her heart, she felt the strong connection that had already formed—a bond intertwining their lives more deeply.
Jeanne grasped his hand. "And I choose to stay by your side." Her soft voice trembled with conviction, as if sealing a promise between them. Within her heart, she felt the strong connection that had already formed—a bond that intertwined their lives more deeply.
Meanwhile, Joanna taught the children to read and write through a curriculum she creatively named Ars Vitae—a critical lesson in making wise choices in daily life. With every lesson delivered, she witnessed the sparkle of curiosity in the children's eyes as they absorbed knowledge, and her heart swelled with an indescribable joy, believing firmly that through education, they would gain the power to create brighter futures for themselves.
"I think... this is where our legacy truly lives, sis," she said to Jeanne. Her voice was filled with hope, as if reminding Jeanne of their responsibility as agents of change. "It's not in Stones. It's not in Arkanum.
But in the laughter of children and the hard work of those who choose their own destinies, Joanna's words resonated deeply with Jeanne, further inspiring her resolve to continue their struggle for a more fulfilling life.
On a quiet night, beneath the starlight, Jeanne and Joanna stood by the riverbank. The evening breeze gently blew, carrying the refreshing scent of damp earth, adding to the tranquility that enveloped them. In that silence, they exchanged glances, a look that conveyed all their gratitude and hope.
"We've been walking for quite a while, Joan." Jeanne's voice was warm, reflecting the long journey they had shared together.
"Yes, sis. And for the first time, I feel like I don't want to know the future." Joanna smiled, feeling at peace in this moment, unburdened by what was to come.
In their hearts, that hope vibrated harmoniously, as if promising never to fade, akin to seeds planted in fertile ground, full of potential.
They embraced, reminiscent of their old pajama nights. Those memories felt warm, reminding them of times when the world seemed simpler and filled with dreams.
And Excalibur, deep within the forgotten ruins of Nexus, continued to shimmer faintly.
Waiting...
for although the founders chose peace, the world had not finished with the new choices to come.
Amidst that silence, there was a gentle whisper carried by the wind, as if attempting to convey a message from an era long gone. Each rustle carried the rich scent of damp earth, a reminder of the hope lingering among the abandoned ruins of Nexus, urging them to take action.
"Do you hear that, Joan?" her brother asked, gazing into the distance with a look as if he could see something invisible to others. "It's as if Excalibur is calling us..." His voice ignited a spark of enthusiasm, giving Joanna the courage to step closer.
In that moment, Joanna felt an exhilarating connection bridging the past and the future; her curiosity surged, creating an unprecedented opportunity that danced between hope and trepidation. "If we succeed, can we truly rewrite our fate?" she wondered, fueled by the soft light from Excalibur, which touched her soul and reassured her that they were not alone on this transformative journey.