Chapter 48

Unlocking the Secrets of the Element Stone

The old sage stroked his long, silver beard, his piercing eyes fixed on the other elder seated across from him. "What powers does the Element Stone truly possess?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.

The question hung in the air like a riddle. Wen Shia, seated silently nearby, felt an unusual heaviness settle over him. His body slumped slightly, and he drifted into an unintentional slumber. His mind pulled him into a haze of fragmented memories—whispers of old teachings, forgotten lessons, and ancient words of wisdom.

Moments later, Wen Shia's eyes shot open. Startled but resolute, he straightened his posture and cleared his throat. "The Element Stone," he began, his tone carrying a newfound conviction, "holds seven extraordinary powers."

The sage tilted his head, intrigued by this sudden revelation. "Seven powers, you say? Elaborate, young one."

Wen Shia nodded and began listing them, his words deliberate and measured:

Elements Control: "The stone grants the wielder mastery over the four primary elements—earth, fire, water, and air. With it, one can bend nature to their will."

Transformation: "This is perhaps its most unique gift—it allows the chosen bearer to transform into the 'Diamond Girl,' an embodiment of invincibility and strength."

Healing: "The stone possesses the power to heal any injury or ailment, no matter how grave. It can even restore life to the brink of death."

Balance & Destruction: "This dual power holds the potential to bring harmony to the world or, if misused, plunge it into chaos and ruin."

Memory Access: "The stone allows one to peer into the past or catch glimpses of the future, unlocking secrets buried in time."

Energy Absorption: "It can absorb and amplify energy—be it from the wielder or even an enemy's attack—turning it into unimaginable power."

Dimensional Travel: "Lastly, the stone grants the ability to traverse dimensions and timelines, breaking the barriers of space and reality itself."

Wen Shia paused, his voice softening as he continued, "But these powers come with conditions. They cannot be controlled unless the wielder is pure-hearted and possesses immense strength. Moreover, the stone must be complete—no fragment can be missing. Without its entirety, the powers remain inaccessible. To this day, no one has ever unlocked its full potential."

The old sage leaned back, his expression a mix of awe and approval. "Impressive. You have spoken well, Wen Shia."

The sage stood and walked toward Xiang, who lay unconscious nearby. "Because of your knowledge, I will help this girl," he said. He placed his hand gently on Xiang's forehead, muttering an ancient incantation under his breath. A golden light emanated from his palm, spreading over her body like ripples in a calm lake.

After a moment, the light faded, and the sage withdrew his hand, his face now clouded with concern. "There is a seal on her mind," he said solemnly. "A powerful one. It is the reason she has forgotten her past."

Wen Shia leaned forward, alarmed. "A seal? Can it be removed?"

The sage nodded. "Yes, but it is no easy task. To break the seal, we must enter her mind and dismantle it from within. But this must be done carefully—too much force, and her mind could shatter completely. There is even a possibility that she could do this herself, but it would require incredible willpower and patience."

Wen Shia clenched his fists. "Then we'll do whatever it takes. We'll stay here as long as necessary to help her. Xiang deserves to remember who she is."

The sage gave a slow nod. "Very well. I will begin the process, but it will take time. Her mind must be approached with great care."

Closing his eyes, the sage began a deeper ritual, projecting his consciousness into Xiang's mind. What he found there surprised him. He encountered not one but two seals, layered within her thoughts. One was recent, but the other... the other was ancient. It carried a power far beyond anything he had seen in centuries.

Pulling back from the ritual, the sage opened his eyes and exhaled deeply. "There are two seals on this girl," he announced. "The first is recent, but the second... it was placed in her childhood. Whoever did this was highly skilled. This is no ordinary magic."

Wen Shia's face paled. "Two seals? Can they both be undone?"

The sage's voice was steady but cautious. "They can, but it will take time—and precision. If we rush, we risk breaking her mind entirely. We must move slowly, dismantling the seals piece by piece."

Wen Shia's resolve hardened. "Then we'll do it together. Xiang must remember everything, no matter how long it takes."

Meanwhile, at Doming's Fortress

Far away, in the dark halls of Doming's fortress, a group of soldiers knelt before their master, their heads bowed in submission.

"My lord," one of them began hesitantly, "they have fled into the jungle. We believe they may have reached the old sage."

Doming's dark eyes narrowed, his face unreadable. "The sage?" he said, his voice dangerously calm. "If that man heals her, she will remember everything."

Another soldier hesitated before speaking. "Forgive me, my lord, but the sage is said to possess great power. If he succeeds in breaking the seal—"

Doming raised a hand, silencing him. "It does not matter. Xiang is incomplete. Even if her memories return, she won't trust Wen Shia—not after the pain he has caused her. She will reject him."

Standing from his throne, Doming's aura grew darker, filling the room with an oppressive energy. "We must retrieve the other half of the Element Stone before she unlocks its full potential. Without it, she remains vulnerable. If she refuses to come willingly, we will take her by force. Assemble the troops. We leave at dawn."

Back at the Sage's Hut

As the sage continued his delicate work, Wen Shia sat silently by Xiang's side, watching her peaceful face. Memories of their shared journey flickered through his mind, each one laced with regret.

"She won't forgive me," he thought to himself. "Not after what I've done."

But he shook the doubt from his mind, focusing on the task at hand. No matter what it took, no matter what Xiang's memories revealed, he was determined to help her.

Unbeknownst to them, Doming's forces were already on the move, their march echoing through the jungle as time slowly slipped away.