Chapter 10 – The Silent Guardian of Eravallis
The dense forest stretched endlessly, the sun filtered through the thick canopies like golden silk threads. Birds chirped songs older than memory, and the wind carried scents of untouched nature. Ren walked quietly behind the group, his boots sinking into the mossy earth.
They had decided to rest in the forgotten region of Eravallis — a part of the kingdom shrouded in mystery, untouched even by the locals. It was said to be a sacred ground, but none of them knew why.
Their marks began to pulse lightly, humming a tone only they could hear.
"Ahead… lies a resting place," whispered the voice from the mark. "You will find a fragment of harmony."
"What do you think that means?" Leina asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she turned to Ren.
"No idea," Ren replied. "But I feel… calm. Like we're being led."
They came upon an ancient, half-crumbled shrine nestled between the roots of two giant trees. Vines crawled up its stones, and strange glowing runes flickered along its arch. At the center of the shrine, perched silently on a circular stone, was a creature unlike anything they'd seen.
It had white fur that shimmered faintly, like snow under starlight. Its big, innocent eyes blinked slowly, curious but unafraid. Four long, feathery tails swayed gently in the wind behind it. Tiny glowing specks drifted around its body like floating fireflies.
Ren stepped forward, captivated. "What… is that?"
The monkey tilted its head. Then, as if sensing something within Ren, it slowly descended from its perch. With a graceful hop, it landed before him and placed a tiny hand on Ren's chest, right where the mark lay.
His mark pulsed once—warmly.
"It recognizes you," Aiko whispered.
The monkey let out a soft sound, almost like a whispering bell. It curled up beside Ren's foot, peacefully closing its eyes.
Ren smiled. "Looks like it's adopted me."
Name… me… a gentle voice echoed faintly in Ren's mind.
He blinked in surprise. "Did you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?" asked Kenji.
Ren looked down at the monkey. It opened one eye and nodded slowly, as if understanding far more than it should.
"I think… it just spoke to me. In my mind."
"Seriously?" Leina crouched beside it, observing closely. "This is definitely not an ordinary animal."
"No. It's not." Ren gently stroked its soft fur. "You're special, aren't you?"
The monkey cooed gently, its tails curling like feathers in the breeze.
"I'll call you... Orin." Ren said softly.
The monkey chirped once in agreement, and the glow around it brightened briefly.
That night, they camped near the shrine. Orin slept beside Ren, occasionally lifting its head as if watching the darkness beyond the trees. Unseen, faint blue light occasionally danced from its fur, brushing the air like ripples on water.
None of them knew yet — but this peaceful creature would one day save Ren from death itself.
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