DarkWinter3

You stumbled upon the Vault of Knowledge, cape ripped and mangled from the attacks of the krills that had suddenly appeared near the gate to the temple of Wasteland.

You had not expected those beasts to appear again after meeting their kind at the start of the Golden Wasteland. Traumatized by your harrowing encounter, you are comforted by the soft and quiet atmosphere which the Vault brings to you.

There are rows and rows of unlit lanterns on the shelves of Vault that reached to the ceiling, forgotten by time and its passing. You believed that these objects used to collect the lights of spirits who used to live in Sky. They recorded every moment of their life in detail, their knowledge and their wisdom. Yet without the proper care from a living being, these lanterns could only sit on the shelves, waiting for someone to summon them again.

Finding safe haven within such a vast and empty place, you decided to explore. You also made a mental note to retrieve your lost wing lights at the other realms once you have found the Vault Elder’s tomb.

After absorbing a few more wing lights to strengthen your flight power, you suddenly found a book lying on the second floor of Vault.

It was sneakily hiding behind a ladder and you would have missed it had your light emitted from your body not found it. Years of neglect had left the brown leather-bound book covered in a thick layer of dust which you blew it off to read the cover clearly.

With gold cursive lettering embossed on the bold cover, it reads as “The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories”.

Curious to find out more, you found a cozy spot within the room before slowly peeling the cover off from the pages to read.

The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories

…It turned out that information about the strange wizard in Golden Wasteland… was used to bait me. 


I was surrounded by all sides when I entered Forgotten Ark. The Wasteland Elder's disciples came to take me away, but I fought hard despite having a losing battle. I thought I was a goner, but somehow my friends knew I was there. They came and fought them off, allowing me to run away. Val even slipped me a candle before I left. It was an address for a safe house.


I took less than a day to reach the safe house and rested there. There, I met my healer, who was waiting for me. They were horrified that my illness had flared up and tried to keep them down but to no avail. I had exhausted all options. The only choice was to sneak into Eden, which was locked. It was also the perfect place to escape the sight of the disciples and the Wasteland Elder. My healer was adamant that I shouldn't go, but we both knew it was a matter of time before this safe house was compromised. Not only that, we hadn't heard a peep from my friends who went to save me. 


It took a day of convincing for them to give in. I went to prepare my things and left message candles behind for those I really wanted to talk to. Parting… gifts. I felt that I wouldn't return from this trip to Eden. 


However, I'm not afraid. I was more fearful of turning into a monster and hurting people. As a Traveler who devoted much of their time to looking after the realms, their creatures, and the children, I found becoming a krill unimaginable. It was the worst type of death I could be in. 


Perhaps, I might turn into those trapped, fallen children at Eden. Or something else.


A shelter for scared little kids like you who are reading this book now. I wanted my tree to bear blue flowers all year round. The colour blue is such a beautiful colour that reflects so much life. Blue is the colour of the clear sky, an indication of a good day. Blue is reflected in the waters, the very source of energy that all living need. Blue is found everywhere, a pigment that compliments nature. 


I may have adapted my wish after seeing the cherry blossom tree in Home. Or that tree that I saw in the Vault of Knowledge.


You will find a colossal blue crystal tree tucked away in another realm. 


In an isolated cave with light illuminating it, surrounded by yellow butterflies and birds. It stands tall and imposing but inviting at the same time. It will quietly blossom blue flowers all year round. The sapphire petals will keep falling, turning the soft ground into the ocean. You will find solace under the solid and sturdy branches. So much so that you would fall asleep under the comfort and warmth of the bark you lean on, surrounded by soft petals. 


… Or maybe a forever home for you and your friends.


I shall leave this diary in the safe hands of my healer. They will leave it somewhere where a moth will find this book. I'm afraid that towards the end, I could not see my dear friends' faces for one last time. I hope that nothing terrible happens to them. The Kingdom has now cast suspicion upon me, while the Wasteland Elder has secrets to keep. I do not know what knowledge I have that caused the Elder to be so wary. If I were to place my bets, it would be among the piles I gave to Vivi. If so, I hope that the Vault Elder protects her well. 


Tomorrow, I will depart to Eden before my eyesight gets any more restricted by the dark shards. Perhaps, someday… I will meet you, my dear reader, in another form.


Sky Log #40: Goodbye