The High Elf Forest had chosen the Ancient Sleep, sealing itself off. The forest now remained a mystical enigma, its connection to the world severed. To forge the powerful lantern that would stop the darkness of the Shadow-kin, Merslin's party set out to find the Tears of an Ancient Divine Beast.
The legendary location of the divine beast, vividly remembered in Daren's memory, was the Star Temple. This temple was known as a sacred place of the ancients, said to have a deep connection with the divine beast. Merslin's party began their long journey toward it.
Upon arriving at the temple, they were met with an interior filled with holy energy and mystical runes. The temple walls radiated a sacred aura, glowing with starlight and a soft blue light. In the center was a large, circular altar, surrounded by complex symbols and ritualistic decorations. On the altar rested a star-shaped crystal orb, and the runes of light encircling it seemed to be alive. The temple ceiling was adorned with stars and sacred symbols, giving the impression that starlight was flowing down from the air.
A figure named Riona was performing a ritual at the altar, with glittering starlight flowing around her. The temple's aura enveloped them all, calming their hearts.
"Lady Riona, we have come to find you," Daren said cautiously.
Riona stopped her ritual and welcomed Daren and his companions warmly. "I have been waiting for you on the wind, Daren. Welcome."
"The world is in turmoil due to the resurrection of the Shadow-kin. We need the Tears of an Ancient Divine Beast. Your knowledge and abilities are desperately needed," Daren explained.
Riona, after a moment of deep thought, replied, "The tears of the divine beast possess a mighty power. To find them requires special preparations and rituals. Let us depart together."
The ancient divine beast, Kaeldragon, was said to be a mystical being combining the features of Eastern and Western dragons. With a long, flexible body and delicately adorned wings, it was known as a guardian that maintained the balance of nature and the sky. Its tears were said to possess a powerful purifying force. To obtain them, an ancient ritual had to be performed at the sacred hall where it slumbered.
Daren, Merslin, Kaila, Ria, and Sera began their journey with Riona to find Kaeldragon. Riona used an ancient map and ritualistic methods to track the beast's trail. "To get the tears, we must find a place imbued with the beast's power," she explained. "It is a mystical place with a deep connection to nature."
The journey was anything but easy. The party had to face various natural obstacles and dangerous creatures. They passed through dense forests, crossed rocky cliffs, and traversed giant waterfalls, overcoming each obstacle with their individual skills and teamwork. Daren fully utilized his druidic abilities, opening paths by controlling the plants and animals of the forest. Merslin analyzed the situation by collecting maps and information, Kaila scouted the path and prepared for threats, Ria used magic to remove obstacles, and Sera strategically commanded the team. Riona protected her companions from danger with a ritualistic barrier.
At last, they arrived at the hall of the ancient divine beast. It was a sacred space where a vast plain, ancient trees, and falling starlight blended in harmony. In the center of the hall stood a giant statue of the divine beast, around which its energy flowed strongly. At the very heart of the hall was a sacred altar known as the beast's heart, where the final ritual would take place.
Riona began the rite, chanting a complex spell to summon Kaeldragon's spirit. A sacred energy gathered around her, and the form of Kaeldragon began to descend from the sky. The great beast's body shimmered like scales, and its eyes held deep wisdom and peace. The divine beast's tears fell from the sky, radiating a holy light and forming a powerful energy that enveloped the area. These tears were the crucial ingredient for the lantern that could defeat the forces of darkness.
"We did it," Daren said joyfully. "The divine beast's tears will be used to create the lantern that can stop the forces of darkness."
Riona wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled. "The tears hold a mighty power. Now, we must return."
Merslin's party, having obtained the tears, prepared to return to Luminaria. Kaila, in particular, felt a sense of relief as the Prince of Luminaria, believing this great material would be a significant help in defeating the Shadow-kin's darkness.
***
Episode : On the Border Between Ideal and Reality
Having obtained the tears of the divine beast Kaeldragon, Daren and Merslin's party now headed for an ancient waypoint on the Celesta continent. This waypoint was the crucial passage for their return to Luminaria.
As the party stood at the center of the waypoint, the ancient runes began to glow, and the passage started to open. Just before stepping into the portal, they took a deep breath.
"Is everyone ready?" Merslin asked, his voice slightly tense.
Daren nodded. "It's time to depart. This is the final step to return to Luminaria."
As they entered the waypoint's center, everything began to distort. They were momentarily sucked into an unknown space. This space was a chaotic and bizarre landscape where dimensions were entangled and spacetime seemed to be twisted.
"This place is... hard to describe," Kaila said, looking around.
The walls of the unknown space shimmered with blue energy, and lights of various colors flickered everywhere. Rifts between dimensions became visible, offering glimpses into different worlds. Among them, an afterimage of Earth suddenly appeared, a flickering vision of past Korea and present-day Seoul blended together. The sight of Seoul's glittering nightscape intertwined with scenes from his homeland delivered an emotional shock to Merslin.
"Over there... that's Seoul," Merslin said, his voice filled with surprise and nostalgia. His eyes were overcome with complex emotions. "That's where I'm from."
The party was confused. "Seoul? Where is that?" Kaila asked.
Daren, noticing Merslin's reaction, asked, "Merslin, are you from there?"
"Yes," Merslin answered slowly. "Seoul is the capital of a place called Earth. It's my former home."
Ria listened intently. "Then... Earth is a world we don't know of. I wonder what it's like."
Merslin, though his feelings were complicated by the sight of Seoul's nightscape, quickly composed himself. "Seoul is my home, a place full of many memories. It feels strange to see it."
The other party members, their curiosity piqued, listened to his story about Earth and Seoul. Ria focused her power, sensing the spatial distortion and trying to regulate it. "Many dimensions are entangled here, so we must be careful," she said. "But for now, we have to pass through."
Under Ria's magical protection, the party continued to move, waiting for the dimensional flow to stabilize. The chaos of the unknown space gradually began to subside, and they neared the end of the waypoint's passage.
"We're almost back," Daren said with a sigh of relief.
"That's right, we're almost there," Merslin said emphatically. "Luminaria is waiting for us."
As the waypoint's gate opened, they returned to the familiar landscape of a forest in Luminaria. The crisp air and the sounds of nature greeted them, and the party broke into bright smiles, sighing in relief.
"We've returned to the forest," Daren said. "Let's prepare for the next stage."
Merslin and his companions safely stored the divine beast's tears and began their final preparations for the mission ahead, ready to face new adventures and challenges.
**
Episode : The Birth of the Lantern
Several weeks had passed since Merslin and his companions returned to Luminaria with the Tears of an Ancient Divine Beast. During that time, they had been preparing to forge a powerful lantern to vanquish the darkness of the Shadow-kin. In the central square of the Luminaria Kingdom, Frontier Elves and people of various races had gathered, the atmosphere thick with tension and anticipation. A large workbench had been set up in the center, upon which lay the precious materials the party had gathered. The Fairy Dust, the Pure Sunlight Crystal, the Tears of an Ancient Divine Beast, and the Shard of Silver Moonlight all shimmered, emitting a mystical light.
Merslin stood before the workbench and addressed the crowd. "These materials, which we have all gathered together, will create a lantern that will defeat the darkness of the Shadow-kin. This lantern will be installed in every kingdom and will illuminate our hope."
Ria, holding a tool engraved with magical runes, stood at the workbench. "Is everyone ready?" she asked.
Daren nodded in reply. "Yes, we are all ready. The power of nature will aid us."
Kaila meticulously refined the materials while Sera prepared the necessary metal components. Ria spread a magical protective barrier to ensure the work could proceed safely.
The Tears of an Ancient Divine Beast were used as the core material for the lantern. Ria handled the tears with great care, placing them in the center of the lantern. The tears radiated a pure light, brightly illuminating the surroundings—a light that seemed to symbolize hope and courage.
Kaila arranged the Fairy Dust and the Shard of Silver Moonlight around the tears. "These materials will amplify the lantern's light. We will be able to defeat the darkness of the Shadow-kin."
Ria placed the Pure Sunlight Crystal atop the lantern. "This crystal will make the lantern's light even stronger. It will not lose its brilliance even in the darkness."
At that moment, Kaila drew the Sun Sword. "This sword will also lend its strength to the lantern." He raised the Sun Sword over the lantern and chanted a spell. The Sun Sword became one with the lantern, unleashing an intense light. As the lantern and sword fused, the lantern's energy grew even more powerful.
As magical runes and symbols were engraved onto the lantern's surface, it began to radiate an increasingly potent energy. Finally, Ria chanted a final magical spell, announcing the lantern's completion. "O ancient power, grant strength to our lantern. Let us vanquish the darkness and reclaim the light."
Once the lantern was complete, Merslin and his companions finished their preparations to install the lanterns in each kingdom. The leaders of the Luminaria Kingdom offered their deepest gratitude.
The King of Luminaria said, "Merslin and his companions, thanks to you, we have reclaimed our hope. This lantern will light up each of our kingdoms and will defeat the darkness of the Shadow-kin."
Merslin bowed his head in response. "We did this for everyone. We will now depart to install the lanterns in each kingdom."
Kaila proudly took a lantern to the heart of the Luminaria Kingdom. He set it up in the kingdom's central square and declared, "This lantern will be the light of our kingdom. Even in the darkness of the Shadow-kin, we will not lose hope."
The King and Queen of Luminaria expressed their thanks to Kaila. "Prince Kaila, we thank you for your courage and sacrifice. This lantern will protect us."
As the lantern was erected, its light shone brightly upon the surroundings, and the people cheered with joy.
Merslin, accompanied by the Prince of the Frontier Kingdom whom he had met before, set off to deliver a lantern to the Frontier King. People had gathered in the central square of the kingdom when they arrived.
Merslin presented the lantern to the king. "This lantern will protect your kingdom. It will help you defeat the darkness of the Shadow-kin."
The Frontier King took Merslin's hand and thanked him. "Merslin, I thank you for your courage and hard work. This lantern will be a great source of strength for us."
As the lantern was set up, its light spread warmly, illuminating the area. The people of the Frontier Kingdom gathered around it, shedding tears of joy.
Daren left to deliver a lantern to the Elven Forest. When he arrived at the entrance, the Elven Queen and the elders greeted him.
Daren presented the lantern. "This lantern will protect your forest. It will help you defeat the darkness of the Shadow-kin."
The Elven Queen bowed her head to Daren in gratitude. "Daren, thank you for your courage and sacrifice. This lantern will protect us."
When the lantern was erected in the central square of the Elven Kingdom, its light spread gently, beginning to brighten the surroundings. The elves gathered around the lantern and offered prayers of blessing.
Sera and Ria departed to deliver a lantern to the Village of the Ancients. The Ancients welcomed them warmly and blessed their journey. Watching the installation process, the leader of the Ancients said, "This lantern will be a symbol that connects our past and our present."
Ria bowed her head to the leader. "This lantern will protect your village. Together, we will be able to defeat the darkness."
As the lantern was set up in the center of the village, its light spread with a holy radiance. The Ancients gathered around it and offered prayers of thanks.
But at that very moment, the sky suddenly began to darken. The gloom of the Shadow-kin settled over all the kingdoms, spreading fear and despair. The people began to tremble in anxiety as their surroundings were steadily engulfed in darkness.
Merslin looked at the light of the lantern and spoke with a resolute voice. "The Shadow-kin have begun to move. The time has come to test the true power of the lantern."
The lantern in the Luminaria Kingdom began to shine intensely, pushing back the darkness. In the Frontier Kingdom, the Elven Kingdom, and the Village of the Ancients, the lanterns also flared to life, holding the darkness at bay. The light of the lanterns pierced through the gloom of the Shadow-kin, brilliantly illuminating the world.
Ria, watching the light push back the darkness, said, full of hope, "We did it! The lantern is defeating the darkness!"
Kaila raised the Sun Sword and shouted, "The fight against the Shadow-kin begins now. We will protect this light!"
Merslin turned to his companions and said with a determined voice, "We have grown stronger. This light will lead us. Let us all fight from our respective positions, protecting the light!"
Merslin and his companions, with new resolve, finished their preparations to fight against the darkness of the Shadow-kin. They pledged to do their utmost in their own positions to protect the light of the lantern.