Weeks passed since the shadows fell, and the valley, once black with ash, was now a lush green land of grass and flowers.
But with the quiet, new voices began to emerge in the wind, whispers in the fire, signs of a wider world than they had known.
A New Era:
Lylin walked through the small fields planted by the people by the river, holding a small golden torch in her hand, helping the children heat water on cold mornings, the wind caressing her cheeks.
"We live without fear of shadows."
Lylin whispered, looking at the fire in her hand, feeling warmer and safer than ever.
Discovering New Abilities:
In the evening, Eren trained in the courtyard of the ruined stone temple, moving his hands in the air as the wind currents swirled around him in gentle eddies.
Suddenly, he felt something new within the wind, as if it carried distant voices, calling to him from the heavens.
"This wind... is unlike any I've ever known."
Eren whispered, reaching out to touch the currents. Flashes of green light emanated from them, merging with the wind to become sharper and clearer.
Fire Vision:
As Leylin gazed at the fire at night, she saw strange images within the flames: stone portals, cloudy worlds, and figures with eyes that held the glow of shadows, but who looked nothing like Nazar.
"The fire... shows me something."
She whispered, her eyes reflected by the flickering fire. She felt something strange tugging at her heart toward these images.
Signs from Other Worlds:
That night, Eren and Leylin gathered by the fire, talking about what they had seen.
"I saw shadows... but not like the ones we fought."
Leylin said anxiously.
"And the winds carried voices... from far away, as if an unknown storm were coming."
Eren replied, looking up at the starry sky.
The Stone Gate:
In the morning, the people in the forest surrounding the valley found a half-buried stone gate, marked with intertwined symbols of fire and wind.
Eren and Leylin approached it, and when Leylin touched the stone, the fire symbol ignited, while the air around them vibrated, as if the gate was calling them through.
"This gate... is linked to fire and wind."
Eren said, touching the symbols with his hand, feeling the wind flowing inside him grow stronger.
The Decision to Leave:
In the evening, the people of the valley gathered around Eren and Leylin, while Leylin spoke firmly:
"A new age has begun here, but the fire tells me there are worlds that need us."
Eren looked at the wind caressing the children's faces and said, "And the wind tells me there are greater storms to face."
He extended his hand toward Leylin and said, "Let's leave together."
Leylin held his hand and said,
"Together... always."
Chapter Ending:
Leylin and Eren stood before the stone gate at dawn, the fire in Leylin's hand glowing, and the wind around Eren gently swirling.
With the first ray of sunshine, the gate gently opened, revealing a golden light and a strange wind blowing from within, carrying the scent of a new world.
"Come on," Eren said, as they walked together, fire and wind protecting their steps, into a new world... and new challenges awaiting them.