Village Worries

Realizing the significance of their partnership, Alex determined that he couldn't approach this game as just an ordinary holographic experience. He needed to fully immerse himself, believing in Devin's words and treating this virtual world as a reflection of reality. He understood that their journey in Oasis held implications and consequences beyond what was immediately apparent.

Motivated by his desire to support Devin and share in his burdens, Alex resolved to become stronger. He couldn't simply rely on Devin's protection; he wanted to stand side by side with his friend, a capable ally and equal. Mediocrity was not an option for him; he yearned to surpass his own limits and contribute meaningfully to their shared goals.

With this mindset firmly in place, Alex committed himself to training, honing his skills, and seeking out his own path to strength. He knew that only by becoming a formidable force in his own right could he truly fulfill his role as Devin's ally and offer the support that his friend deserved.

"Let's go," Devin said, a determined glint in his eyes. He knew that the forest they had just battled in would soon become his responsibility, a territory to protect and nurture. As they made their way out of the forest, Devin's gaze briefly lingered on the dark element herbs tainted by the beast's aura. He knew that these herbs were valuable resources, potential gold mines for the village

Devin led the way, his strides purposeful and confident. Alex followed closely behind, matching Devin's determined pace. As they approached the village, anticipation surged within them, knowing that their successful completion of the task held the promise of not only personal rewards but also the advancement and prosperity of the entire community.

Devin and Alex stood at the entrance of the village, astonished at the sight that greeted them. Instead of the usual somber atmosphere, they were met with a joyous uproar. Villagers lined the entrance, their weapons lowered and replaced with expressions of relief and elation.

As one of the villagers approached them, excitement evident in their voice, Devin and Alex shared a knowing look. The significance of their victory became even more apparent as they listened to the villager's question.

"We have slain the beast, your crops will no longer get polluted, your water will be clean, and your people will no longer get sick," Alex announced confidently, his voice carrying through the throng of villagers. The words hung in the air, sinking deep into the hearts of those who had suffered under the malevolence of Hyde.

Immediately, the village erupted in a wave of cheers and cries of triumph. Villagers embraced each other in tight hugs, tears of relief streaming down their faces. Some danced jubilantly in circles, their joy uncontainable. Yet, amidst the celebration, a sense of somberness remained, as memories of lives lost during the long years of Hyde's terror lingered.

Devin and Alex took in the contrasting emotions, understanding the depth of the impact their triumph had on the village. The weight of responsibility and the significance of their actions settled upon them once more. They realized that their journey in Oasis extended far beyond personal gains; it held the power to heal, protect, and breathe new life into the lives of those they encountered.

Devin and Alex watched as an old man emerged from the jubilant crowd, accompanied by Village Chief Kellan. The old man and the chief approached them with a serious demeanor, signaling that there was more to be discussed.

"Village Chief, we have completed the task," Devin began, his voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "We found out what's causing the plague. It's the evil entity that was sealed in the forbidden forest. It's the dark aura released by it that turned into a miasma affecting the villagers, crops, and water. We fought with the entity and slayed the beast. It will no longer release the dark aura."

Devin hoped to see the village chief's frown dissipate, replaced with relief and gratitude. However, to his surprise, the frown remained, deepening even further. It was a disheartening sight, casting a shadow of doubt upon their achievement.

Devin and Alex exchanged puzzled glances as Village Chief Kellan introduced the old man as the village priest and invited them to his dwelling, where the other Elders awaited their presence. The cheering crowd was left behind, their questions unanswered as they followed the village chief.

As they walked, confusion filled Alex's mind. Why hadn't they heard the familiar system prompt announcing the completion of their task? Something seemed amiss, and the lack of clarity only deepened his uncertainty. He turned to Devin, hoping for some insight or explanation, but Devin's expression mirrored his own confusion. They were both left in the dark, searching for answers.

The village chief led them to his dwelling, where the Elders awaited their arrival. The atmosphere inside was somber, the air thick with anticipation and inquiry. Village Chief Kellan motioned for Devin and Alex to take a seat, signaling a serious discussion ahead.

Devin and Alex exchanged another glance, silently acknowledging the weightiness of the situation. They braced themselves, ready to listen and understand the reason behind the village chief's concerns. The presence of the village priest and the gathering of the Elders indicated that there was more to the situation than they had initially grasped.

Devin and Alex entered the village chief's house, taking in its familiar wooden structure with a thatched roof. It mirrored the other houses on the island, but it stood out due to its slightly larger size. Inside, they were greeted by an elderly man and woman who awaited their presence. Village Chief Kellan took the lead in introducing them.

"Devin and Alex, you have already met the village priest Adan. Allow me to introduce Village Elder Mattus and his sister, Grandma Mara," Village Chief Kellan announced, indicating each elder as he spoke their names.

Devin and Alex nodded respectfully, acknowledging the presence of the Elders who represented the wisdom and experience of their community.

As Chief Kellan shared their accomplishments, attributing the defeat of the entity in the forbidden forest to their bravery, the three Elders' gazes softened. Warmth and gratitude filled their eyes, reflecting the deep appreciation they held for the two adventurers.

However, amidst the warmth, Grandma Mara's smile carried a hint of sadness. It was a bittersweet expression that could not be concealed. Devin and Alex couldn't help but sense the underlying sorrow, stirring their curiosity further.

Grandma Mara gestured for them to sit, her inviting smile contrasting with the sadness in her eyes. Devin and Alex took their seats.

As they settled in, Devin and Alex focused their attention on the Elders, ready to listen to their worries .

Village Chief Kellan took a moment to respond, his voice laced with concern. "Adventurers, I commend your bravery and the success you've had in defeating the beast. The peace you bring is welcomed. However, you must be aware that the repercussions of the dark aura's presence may still linger. It has caused great harm not only to our village but to the entire forest."

Elder Mattus spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and disappointment.

"It's not that we are unhappy, young adventurers. On the contrary, we are relieved and grateful that the threat of the beast has been eliminated," Elder Mattus started, his words tinged with a hint sadness. "But our hopes were intertwined with the belief that when you faced the beast, you would find a cure for the plague that has plagued our village."

The village chief and the Elders exchanged somber glances before Devin and Alex shared a moment of realization. It dawned upon them that the task given to them encompassed not only the defeat of the entity but also the discovery of a cure for the plague. The absence of the familiar system prompt now made sense; their journey was far from over.

Alex, driven by compassion and a desire to be of assistance, immediately posed a question to the Elders. "Is there anything we can do to help? We are committed to doing everything in our power to aid the village and find a cure for the plague."

Village Chief Kellan and the Elders exchanged grateful glances at Alex's words. The weight of their shared burden seemed to lighten just slightly in that moment. Village Chief Kellan's voice carried a sense of hope as he addressed the courageous adventurers before him.

"We appreciate your willingness to extend your help. It warms our hearts to know that we have such determined allies in our quest for restoring the village's well-being," he said, his voice resonating with gratitude.

"If we don't clear the dark aura infesting our village and heal the people that have been infected it will lead to another disastrous problem. I read from the village records that the entity can gain manifestation if the dark aura is not cleared. I have tried every means I know and there's no cure recorded in the record. They mostly burn everything with fire when things like this happen" priest Adan explained as he lamented.

As Priest Adan shared the dark implications of leaving the plague unresolved, concern etched deep lines on Devin and Alex's faces. They understood the gravity of the situation — if the dark aura was not cleared and the infected individuals remained untreated, the entity could possibly manifest once again. The potential consequences were dire, and they needed to find a solution swiftly.

Grandma Mara sighed "if we burn the crops and the people infected it will cause chaos. People would starve and the family of the sick will come to resent the village" she said as she shook her head.

Devin's heart sank as he heard Grandma Mara mention the village's dilemma regarding burning crops and infecting people. It was a lose-lose situation that would only escalate chaos and suffering. They needed to find an alternative path, one that would prevent starvation and resentment from overtaking the village. He needs a healthy, happy, and united village.

"Is there no pharmacist willing to take your case? '' Alex asked.

Alex's suggestion to reach out to a pharmacist seemed like a logical step, but Devin knew the harsh reality. Pharmacists were highly esteemed and regarded themselves as almost godlike, catering only to the most profitable and prestigious cases. The chances of a pharmacist willingly helping their humble village were slim to none.