The Rainbow Valley

They arrived in the Orist town near around 8 a.m. It was a beautiful small town nestled in the lap of nature. Surrounded by lush green hills, it was a town rich in cultural history. Friendly locals and curious tourists crowded its streets, appreciating its mesmerizing scenic elegance. However, the beauty of this town could not fill their rumbling stomach. So, they entered a café to have breakfast.

"So where is this Rainbow Valley you've been talking about?" asked Céleste after ordering the food.

"We have to search for it. Its map is in the Opalum Temple."

"A map of a valley in a temple? What era are we living in?"

"Rainbow Valley isn't some ordinary place, Céleste. It's the sacred place of hidden lights. One has to be worthy to enter its premises. If you are not worthy enough, you will never find it."

"What if you are not worthy enough?"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. You don't seem like the worthy type," she continued, "By the way, how do you know about the Rainbow Valley if it's that secretive?"

"It is a place I must visit, a place bound with my destiny."

They then headed to the Opalum Temple located in the heart of the town. On their way, Truce stared at Céleste then at her necklace for a while and asked, "Now that we've nothing to talk about why don't you tell me why do you have the dragon stone?"

"The dragon stone? Oh, are you talking about this? I found it in the forest" answered she taking out the pearl stone from her locket,"I found it where I found you. I won't give it to you so, don't even think about it."

He said with a giggle,"You can keep it. But you must learn to control it, for it holds the power of the sky. If it gets out of control, like the storm, it will ravage everything."

"Okay, I understand. Since we are on the topic, who was that guy who tried to murder us? What kind of weapon did he have that could fire lightning beams?"

"He is the weapon. He shoots lightning strikes from the power of the sky."

"You know that sounds absurd, right? How can a human have supernatural power? You must be kidding me." She said with a chuckle.

"He is the descendent of the dragon warriors."

"Dragon warriors? Who are they?"

"Have you heard of the Dragon lord, Céleste?"

"Dragon lord? From the story? The one that Emperor Phoenix killed? What about him?"

"Dragon warriors were the protectors of the Dragon Lord. They had sworn to the sky that they would protect him with their life which was why they were granted the power of lightning. But they got corrupted with greed for power. They handed over the Scroll of Dark Powers to Emperor Phoenix. And, he abused its power to assassinate him."

"I thought he was just a myth."

"He was made to be nothing more than a myth. Every evidence related to his existence was destroyed so that no one would remember the real ruler of the world."

"Emperor Phoenix was a great king. He loved his people."

"Yeah. He loved his people, people who supported him. Those who protested against him disappeared. That is the custom. The voices that are raised are silenced through power. That is why there is no conflict in your kingdom."

"But why are they after you—"

"There! There is the Oplaum Temple," exclaimed he. He pulled her hand and walked at a faster pace. Its sky-high walls were decorated with paintings that told stories older than time. Devotees filled its holy ground accompanied by faith and peace.

"So where is the map?" asked Céleste.

"There," he pointed at the main statue of the temple. It was the statue of Iris. They neared it.

"Something is written on the pedestal. It says 'When the world turns dark yet soothing, the universe will show you the spectrum of the light within.' It's a riddle."

"What are you two young people doing here?" asked the temple priest with a pleasant smile.

"Just for a visit," replied Céleste.

"I don't suppose you two are here just for a visit," he bowed to Truce and continued," This temple has been waiting for you for a very long time. You've finally come. Now you must figure out the esoteric message from Iris to continue your journey."

"Wait! How do you know his name? And why did you bow to him?"

"He is the—"

"Temple Priest! Temple priest!" shouted a man in an urgent voice as he entered the temple. He was breathless and frightened to the point he was crippled. "We…we must close the temple gates. The town….it's is in chaos."

"Calm down and speak."

"A group of men is attacking the town. They are on their way to the temple. We must.... we must close the gates."

"Oh no! They are here. You guys must run. Leave through the back gate. You will find a stream. Follow it. You must go now. GO!"

The tensed and nervous expression that had almost faded away with a hope to find their destination soon appeared again. With that, they both raced out of the gate.

"Close the gates this instantly," he ordered the temple guards.

"Do you think they will be safe? We should help them," said Truce in a fretting voice.

"We help them by running away as far as we can. If we stay, it will bring more chaos. They will leave once they think we are not there. Now let's go."

But the temple indeed was in complete mayhem. No gate could hold and no guard could stand against the Dragon Warriors. Everyone in the temple was anxious and trembling in fear. One of them marched forward and said, "Tell us where they are and no one will get hurt."

"We don't know who you are talking about. Please, leave the temple. There are innocents here," replied the Temple Priest.

He grabbed his neck and shouted at his face with a furious voice, "No. We know you are lying. Knock it off before I smash your old face!"

"Leave him. We don't need him anymore." said their leader, "They must have left from the back gate. Let's follow them. They must not have gone far."

They searched the vicinity of the temple but couldn't find them. Then they strode into the forest but night had already fallen. One of them suggested, "We should stop the hunt for now. It's dark. We can't find them."

Their leader punched him in the face and roared, "If we don't find them, what do we tell the Emperor? We failed? He will kill us without any mercy."

"I am glad you know that." said a person from behind. Hearing that voice, all of them shivered in fear. They knelt down on the ground with all their heads bowing down. He continued, "Because of your incompetence, Emperor has sent me. I am your leader now. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, Prince!" they all replied.

Meanwhile, the stream that Truce and Céleste were told to follow wound through the deep hill forest leading them to an uncanny buzzing sound like that of swarms of bees. They pursued that sound and a small but spectacular waterfall that shined like glass divulged itself. Spreading the odor of nature blended with mud and freshwater, it fed into a calm blue pool that glittered under the dazzling moon. The swishing humid wind with cataract's melodious tune, it was a paradise on earth, it was tranquil. Its beauty was embellished by transcendent and translucent arc hovering in ease and grace that dispersed the moonlight into a riot of colors of bliss. It was an art beyond perfection as if carved by the universe itself.

"It's a lunar rainbow. That is very rare. Rainbows are generally a reflection of sunlight but lunar rainbows are reflections of the moonlight. It's also called a moonbow. This place, it's magical." said Céleste in amazement.

"I think I know, I know the answer to the riddle, Céleste. The world turns dark yet soothing at night. And, this spectrum, this rainbow is the reflection of the light of the universe, the light that is in all of us."

"I think you're right. And if you look closely, you can see a hidden cave behind the waterfall. Let's go inside. Maybe it will lead us to your 'destined valley', mystery boy."

They climbed up the hill beside the waterfall and entered the cave. It comprised exquisite stalagmites, stalactites, and stone pillars wetted with dew that gave a radiant glow. It was like a fantasy world composed of prism lights and gleaming arrays. The noise of the fall slowly abated as they walked further into that wonderland. It was replaced by the echo of whistling wind. After a while, light emerged. Stepping out of the cave, they observed an awe-inspiring spectacle in front of them. A small valley encircled by rainbow lights. It glimmered even in the darkest night. Even to behold its grace must be a blessing of rapture—a gift from heaven. But it wasn't just magic, it also was the decision of their fate.