Proto-Speech at the Gateway
(Inscribed above the cracked stone gate)
"ꦲꦶꦤ ꦱꦥ꧀ꦠ ꦮꦭꦸꦮꦺꦴꦢꦺ ꦥꦺꦴꦤ꧀ꦱ ꦥꦺꦴꦤꦺꦴꦭꦶꦪꦼ."
"Only those who bear the forsaken violet may pass where the light refuses."
Thick fog-like wisps of smoke swirl around the gate, accompanied by a gentle breeze that whispers secrets, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The rustling of dry leaves underfoot seems to convey messages from the souls who have traversed this path before, echoing their experiences. In the silence of the night, the faint sound of a gamelan orchestra adds a touch of magic. A group of owls with sharp gazes observes from above, silhouetted against ancient trees draped in moss, as if safeguarding the secrets hidden within.
1.
"ꦏꦸꦠꦶꦪꦸꦩ꧀ ꦥꦿꦧꦸꦥ꧀ꦠ ꦏꦶꦠꦸ ꦲꦤ꧀ꦠ ꦄꦮꦸꦤ꧀."
"Courage walks not in front of the light, but alongside the darkness."
As the voice echoed through the night fog, Fitran recalled his long journey filled with twists and turns. Each step he took carried not just burdens but a potent mixture of void and hope, intertwining his destiny. He paused momentarily as his lantern's light explored the gaps between the gnarled roots of the trees, seemingly guiding his unpredictable path. "I must step forward, even though my way remains uncertain," he thought, feeling the vibrations emanating from the ancient stones, urging him onward like ancestral voices echoing through time.
"If fate compels us to fight against one another, I will change that with my own blood, so I can find happiness in a different destiny," Fitran declared in his heart as he gazed at Rinoa's face.
"What?," Rinoa said, her face slightly flushed as she felt Fitran's intense gaze searching for a way into her heart.
"No," Fitran replied, forcing himself to suppress the turmoil brewing within his chest.
"Why? Is there something you want to tell me?" Rinoa asked, her tone insistent, yet imbued with curiosity.
"Hey, Fitran. What has been your reason for fighting all this time?" Rinoa continued, her hands clasped over her chest, as if seeking strength in his presence.
"Is it for treasure, power, or women?" Rinoa inquired, her gaze dropping as if it were difficult to express her vulnerable feelings.
Fitran paused for a moment, his mind drifting far away as he honestly contemplated what truly mattered to him.
"Of course, it's women," Fitran said, his resolute voice resonating in the silence that enveloped them.
Rinoa smiled softly, a smile that yearned for more, like the light of the moon in a dark night.
"I fight not only to achieve victory... I fight so that one day in this world, where shadows loom large, I can call your name... Rinoa," Fitran declared, his words sharp yet sweet, piercing Rinoa's heart with a profound warmth that radiated hope and longing.
Rinoa was left speechless, lost in a sea of emotion that surged between them.
2.
"ꦗꦩ꧀ꦧꦫ ꦏꦶꦤꦠꦸ ꦱꦏ꧀ꦱꦶ, ꦲꦶꦤ ꦥꦿꦧꦸ ꦢꦶꦤ ꦲꦶꦁ ꦢꦶꦪꦸꦠ."
"This path does not test strength; it measures the meaning of will."
As the violet light gently shone, signaling that more obstacles awaited, Fitran's reflections flowed like a river. "Is my will strong enough to overcome this?" A shadow from his past, when he felt powerless and trapped in fear, crossed his mind. However, upon seeing Rinoa beside him—brave and resolute—he found renewed strength within himself. "Together, we can navigate through this darkness," he expressed with conviction, his heart's voice echoing, providing the much-needed encouragement to continue their journey.
"You still haven't answered my question on the boat," Rinoa said, her voice filled with hope, like a small light attempting to pierce the darkness that enveloped them.
"Who am I really?" she continued, her eyes shimmering with deep doubt, marking an endless search for identity.
"There's no point in living if I don't know who I am; it's like being trapped in a maze with no way out," Rinoa added, each word flowing with profound sadness, illustrating how trapped she felt in her own thoughts.
"I'm sorry... I can't explain it right now," Fitran replied, his voice hoarse, as if weighed down by the unspeakable burden pressing upon him.
"There exists a force that prevents me from revealing the truth," Fitran continued, his tone shrouded in an air of mystery. "In time, all the answers will emerge from the shadows." A faint glimmer of hope enveloped his words, tracing a dark yet promising path ahead of them, brightening their journey.
"Maybe...," Rinoa answered quietly, clutching her racing heart.
"Perhaps deep down, I feel this love is weak. To strengthen it, I want to know the truth. This is the fundamental reason driving me to act recklessly, doing anything to obtain it," Rinoa said, her heart seemingly vibrating slowly, accompanied by a profound longing to discover her true self.
"It hurts, even though the man next to me loves me dearly...," she whispered, as if revealing a secret that had long been buried.
"Rinoa. That's not how it is," Fitran said gently, looking at her with compassion, attempting to provide the reassurance she might need.
"I will not let that fade away from you," Fitran asserted with determination, attempting to strengthen his feelings despite the fear that gnawed at him.
"It's just that I'm too afraid to do this... this path is quite heavy for me...," he confessed, his voice trembling, reflecting the tension flowing between them.
"I will wait, Fitran," Rinoa said with conviction, as if igniting a flame of hope in the midst of darkness.
"I will be patient in this world filled with darkness and solitude," Rinoa continued, her eyes filled with resolve, even as her spirit wavered with uncertainty.
Their minds must align on a singular goal, a collective purpose. The air around them vibrated with burning courage, igniting their spirits. Fitran felt the leaves intertwining with his steps, as if the very forest was communicating a message of resilience and unity. "It is not only this path that judges us," he said, gazing at Rinoa with fierce determination, "but our unwavering spirit that ensures we never retreat." With renewed resolve, they advanced, synchronizing their steps with the rhythm of their hearts that beat for every challenge they would face ahead.
Rinoa simply nodded.
The path they traveled was rich with stories from souls who had ventured before. The misty air seemed to beckon them to share in the tales of those who walked these grounds. Courage is not merely about facing darkness; it also involves recognizing and nurturing the light within oneself—a sound that echoes with the voice of hope in their souls, guiding them resolutely through every unexpected twist in the road.
As their journey along this Dark Road progressed, every second transformed them, sharpening not just their bravery but also deepening the bond of their friendship. Each obstacle presented an opportunity for learning, growth, and the realization that what truly matters is not solely the final destination, but the journey and its accompanying lessons. In the depths of darkness, they discovered the illuminating force of hope, guiding them toward a new dawn filled with possibilities.
At the end of the path, the first rays of dawn broke through, enveloping everything in a warm golden glow that captivates not just the eyes but the heart. They realized that, although this path was fraught with twists and shadows, their unwavering courage would always shine as a beacon of light, guiding them onward. "Let's keep going; nothing can stop us now!" Rinoa exclaimed with fiery enthusiasm, her words bursting forth like a new flame, igniting a vibrant energy that pierced through the lingering silence of the night. With that, they continued their meaningful adventure, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
🜏 Mystic Lamp Whisper (Void Whisper)
(As Fitran and Rinoa began to run toward the violet light)
"It is not the light that leads you.
But rather the courage that follows your light."
(those words were not spoken by anyone, but rather conveyed by the magical threads that formed the lamp itself)
Fitran gazed curiously at the Mystic Lamp, its soft violet light creating illusions in the dark night.
His Voidwright whispered softly in his mind:
"Courage does not mean being unafraid or not feeling fear;... . Courage means choosing meaning even in the face of haunting fears."
Courage means choosing meaning even when afraid."
Rinoa followed him, her breath harmonizing with the rhythm of their footsteps that seemed to blend with the natural cadence of the damp earth. The cool air penetrated their skin, offering a refreshing sensation that reminded them of the value of life and its fragility. Towering trees stood steadfast beside them, their low-hanging branches reaching out as if to embrace them, casting long shadows that danced on the ground. The scent of moist earth and foliage mingled, invigorating yet hinting at the challenges they had to face. The magic of harmony within her merged with the violet pulse that flowed through the air, resembling the heartbeat of the world.
"Fitran, this path doesn't want us to reach the Center Stones."
"This path wants to see if we are worthy of reaching it."
Fitran nodded, searching deeply for meaning in Rinoa's words. He recalled moments where he felt utterly powerless, times that urged him to fight harder against the tide. His reflection flickered faintly in the tremoring light, a reminder of his resilience. As he took a deep breath, he felt courage slowly blooming within the confines of his heart, urging him to embrace the trials ahead with renewed vigor.
"I know. We are not searching for an end. We are searching for answers."
Amidst the trees, the pale moonlight struggled to shine through. Rinoa felt a tension in the air, bridging hope and uncertainty. The twisted roots and rocky terrain created an uneven path, each step reminding them of the challenges they had to face.
Her heart pounding, Rinoa redirected her gaze, realizing the significance of this moment. "We will surpass them. We must believe in ourselves. This is where our courage is tested," she replied with inspiring determination. Her voice trembled, but in her eyes, a spark of passion burned brightly, ready to confront any obstacles ahead.
Every step they took left new imprints in the wet ground, marking a change—not just in the world around them but also within themselves. As they moved forward, they felt the transformation within; the fears that once haunted them were gradually replaced by newfound strength.
🜏 Proto-Speech at the Last Stone before Center Stones
(Engraved on a large stone at the edge of Dark Road, just before Mystic Lamp halts)
"ꦄꦠꦶꦏꦿꦩꦤ꧀ꦠꦶ ꦲꦸꦤ꧀ꦠꦼꦔꦸ. ꦗꦪ ꦤꦸꦮꦸꦤ꧀ꦠ ꦏꦸꦠꦶꦪꦸ."
"Those who carry the truth do not perish. They transcend."
Fitran held Rinoa's hand tightly as they stepped deeper into the enclosing darkness. The atmosphere around them almost felt alive; shadowy blades of grass danced against moss-covered stone walls, seemingly responding to their presence with a rhythm all its own. The musty scent of damp earth tangling with remnants of decaying vegetation lingered, suggesting that the Dark Road was not merely a passage but a being that bore witness to their journey.
"We have not come to demand or question;
but to give the final meaning to the wounds we choose."
With each step forward, the weight in Rinoa's heart felt heavier, as she contemplated how this journey was not just a physical endeavor but a profound spiritual quest demanding courage and resilience. "Are we truly strong enough to face the trials that lie ahead?" she whispered to herself. Leaning closer to the etched stone, she sensed a mysterious energy vibrating within it, as if this stone were a keeper of thousands of untold stories. "The final meaning," she murmured softly. "What does it signify for us?"
Rinoa returned his grip, feeling the comforting embrace of Fitran's hand soothe her soul. "Sometimes, I feel like we're carving our own history here," she said softly, her voice filled with deep hope and longing.
"And even if the Center Stones reject us...
we will still choose each other."
Each sentence echoed against the stone walls, creating a profound resonance. The Mystic Lamp had dimmed, yet their presence seemed to replace the light with sincere hope. Fitran observed Rinoa, his warm smile filling the void left by the darkness. "We are the chosen ones to write this chapter," he said, his voice trembling. "Not just for ourselves, but for all who will come after us."
In the distance, the soft sound of movement reached their ears, as if something greater than themselves awaited their arrival. Their steps carried two wills that had become one, propelled toward a shared purpose. Surrounding them, tiny feathers trembled in the stillness, undulating in silence like whispers of encouragement, silently bearing witness to their meaningful journey. Amidst peace and tension, Rinoa felt the heartbeat of the world, where every breath pulsed with significance and every vibration resonated with a deeper purpose.
As they approached the Center Stones, their steps grew more resolute. The darkness was merely a shadow, and thanks to their courage, a light of hope began to shine forth. "Before we move any further," Rinoa said, glancing at Fitran, "what we are doing here is not just for ourselves, but for all the souls who have fought before us." Rinoa closed her eyes, recalling how many people had felt this way.
Where reality will be rewritten.