Path of infinity : the star wanderers

As they walked along the narrow path toward the cliffs, Kael couldn't shake the concern gnawing at him. He glanced at Jin, who was leading the way with a determined stride. "So, if Tarek is the chief's daughter, why hasn't anyone gone to rescue her? I mean, shouldn't someone care enough to look for her?"

Jin glanced back. " Tarek isn't just any chief's daughter. She's the adoptive daughter. The chief, well, he died three years after adopting her."

Kael blinked in surprise. "What do you mean? If she's adopted, wouldn't that mean they'd care for her just the same?"

"Not really," Jin said, shaking his head. "After the chief died, his wife took over as chief. And while she treats the villagers well, she has a serious grudge against Tarek. It's complicated, you see. Tarek has a bright future ahead of her, full of potential. But her brother, Otto, well... he doesn't measure up in comparison."

Kael furrowed his brow. "So that's why no one is going after her? Because if something happened to her, there would be no competition for the next chief?"

"Exactly." Jin sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "The villagers like Tarek; they know she's a capable leader. But if she were to die, Otto would slide right into the role without any opposition. Some of them think it's better that way. It's messed up, really."

Kael shook his head in disbelief. "That's cold. I can't believe people would just let her stay out there, knowing the dangers of that cave."

Jin nodded. "It's not that they don't care, but they have their own interests to protect. It's easier for them to pretend she's not in danger than to risk upsetting the new chief."

Kael fell silent, digesting this information as they walked. It was a lot to process. He couldn't imagine being in Tarek's position, thrust into a role she never asked for, then abandoned by those who should care for her.

After a while, they approached a small shop nestled along the path, its thatched roof low and inviting. Colorful lanterns hung from the beams, illuminating the entrance. Jin stopped and turned to Kael. "We should grab some supplies before heading into the cave. Luminous stones are essential; it gets pitch dark in there."

Kael nodded, relieved to have a break from the weight of their conversation. They entered the shop, greeted by the smell of dried herbs and the sight of shelves lined with various goods. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter, her eyes narrowing as she observed the two boys.

"Looking for something specific?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"Luminous stones and some food for the journey," Jin replied, scanning the shelves.

The woman's demeanor softened a little, and she moved to a shelf, picking up a small bag filled with shimmering stones. "These will light your way," she said, placing them on the counter. "Just a few coins for the bag."

Kael reached into his pocket and handed her the coins, watching as she weighed the stones in her hand. They emitted a soft glow, like tiny stars captured within a pouch. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope at the sight; they would need every bit of light they could get.

"Do you have any food? Something that won't spoil on the way?" Kael asked, glancing around.

The woman nodded, gesturing to a section of the shop filled with jars and bundles. "I have dried fruits, nuts, and some bread. Perfect for your journey."

With their supplies gathered, Jin and Kael left the shop, the luminous stones tucked safely in Kael's bag, and food secured for the journey. They resumed their trek toward the cliffs, the sun beginning to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows over the path.

"Do you really think we can save her?" Kael asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," Jin replied, confidence returning to his tone. "Tarek's tough. She could defeat me and you both" after saying this he looked at kael and his sword and whispered to himself "well maybe not you." " We just need to find her before it's too late."

Kael nodded, though doubt lingered in the back of his mind. The thought of facing whatever dangers lay within the cave was daunting. But he couldn't let Tarek down. She deserved a chance to prove herself, to rise above the shadows of her circumstances.

As they neared the cliffs, the terrain became rougher, rocky outcrops jutting out from the earth like the jagged teeth of some ancient beast. They climbed carefully, keeping an eye out for any signs of Tarek.

"Look over there," Jin said, pointing to a narrow path that wound its way up the cliffside. "That leads to the cave. I've heard stories about it—some say it's enchanted, filled with wonders and dangers alike."

Kael swallowed hard, trying to prepare himself for what lay ahead. "Do you think we're ready?"

"Ready or not, we have to go," Jin replied, a fierce determination in his eyes. "For Tarek."

As Kael and Jin approached the cave, the rocky terrain gave way to a dense thicket of trees and shrubs. The cave entrance loomed ahead, but suddenly, a haunting cry pierced the air. It was the sound of an animal in distress.

"What was that?" Kael asked, his heart racing.

"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good," Jin replied, his expression shifting from excitement to concern. They hurried in the direction of the sound, pushing through the underbrush until they stumbled into a small clearing.

What they saw stopped them in their tracks. A large beast lay on the ground, its powerful body writhing in agony. It resembled a lion, but its fur shimmered like silver. Its feet were cruelly chopped off, and its tail had been cut and shoved into its mouth, leaving it gasping for breath.

The creature let out a heart-wrenching scream, its eyes wide with terror and pain. Kael felt a wave of despair wash over him as he watched the beast struggle against its torment, desperate to escape a suffering that seemed endless.

"What happened to it?" Kael whispered, inching closer. The beast's breaths were shallow, each one a pained gasp.

"It looks like it's been tortured," Jin said, horror filling his voice. "We have to help it!"

Kael's heart raced as he unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. He knelt beside the beast, feeling an overwhelming sense of compassion mixed with sorrow. "I'm so sorry," he said softly. "You shouldn't have to suffer like this. Let me put you out of your misery."

With a steady hand, he drove the blade into the creature's side, ending its pain. The beast shuddered violently, letting out one final, agonizing cry before falling still, its body finally at peace.

Jin stood back, watching in silence as the life faded from the beast's eyes. After a moment, he spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and solemnity. "You did a good thing, Kael."

Kael looked up, confusion crossing his face. "Since when has killing someone become a good thing?"

Silence fell between them as they both gazed at the beast's still body. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, and the echoes of the creature's suffering faded into the background.

Suddenly, as they stood there, a glimmer caught Jin's eye. He crouched down and reached for something partially buried in the dirt—a shiny ring, radiant even in the dim light.

"What's that?" Kael asked, curiosity piqued.

Jin held it up, recognition dawning on his face. "It seems like a SHASTRA but it looks too divine to be a normal shastra maybe its a DIVYA SHASTRA." A look of recognition washed over him. He exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe. "It's Tarek's ring!! She must have dropped it during a struggle."

Kael's heart sank. "You think she fought this beast?"

"I don't know," Jin replied, anxiety creeping into his voice. "She will not torture the beast like that even if she did, it's not possible to kill a beast of this level without opening a person's NAADI. She wouldn't have stood a chance alone."

As they contemplated the implications, they noticed a strange aura behind the fallen beast. It was subtle at first, but soon a swirling mist appeared, forming a shape that felt otherworldly.

"What is that?" Kael asked, his voice tense.

"I have no idea," Jin replied, eyes wide. "But it feels... strange. Almost like a portal."

Kael took a cautious step back. "Maybe we should stay away from it."

Jin nodded, unease settling over them as they prepared to turn away. Just then, the ring in Jin's hand began to glow with an intense light, casting a dark green hue around them. Before either of them could react, the light expanded, enveloping them both in a brilliant ball of energy.

"Jin!" Kael shouted, but the ring's glow intensified, pulling them both toward the portal with an irresistible force.

In an instant, they were sucked into the mysterious aura, the world around them blurring into a whirl of colors and sensations. As they vanished from the clearing, the last sounds they heard were the fading cries of the dying beast, swallowed by the darkness.