Chapter 7: Gem Of Patience

The forest was bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, with golden rays filtering through the thick canopy of ancient trees. The air was serene, carrying the scent of moss and distant flowers, as the squad wandered deeper into the Forest of Wisdom.

Yaxoc glanced around, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "So, this is the famous Forest of Wisdom?" he asked, his tone light but tinged with sarcasm.

Cherrystone nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "Yes. Historians believe this forest has been a place of miracles for centuries," she explained. "Migrants from United Chronic had a tradition here. They would take shards, gems, or even pieces of glass and place them where the sun sets. They believed the light of the setting sun would carry their wishes to the stars."

Yaxoc raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So... it's basically a wish fountain, but instead of tossing a coin into water, you're shoving a rock into sunlight? That sounds—" He paused, smirking. "Let's just say I didn't expect these people to be such weirdos."

Yaxocara, walking just ahead, turned her head and smirked. "And yet, you're the weirdest one here, Yaxoc."

Yaxoc shot her a glare, crossing his arms defensively. "Excuse me? What was that? If I'm weird, then you're just as bad—probably worse!"

Yaxocara spun around and placed her hands on her hips. "Oh, really? Do you have proof, loser? Or are you just flapping your mouth because you've got nothing better to say, you pathetic, bitchless wannabe hero?"

Yaxoc's face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and outrage. "What did you just call me?! Say that again, I dare you!"

The two of them began bickering furiously, their voices growing louder with every retort. They circled each other like quarrelsome siblings, hurling insults back and forth as the tension between them escalated.

Twenty minutes passed, their argument showing no signs of stopping, when Moonlight finally stepped between them, her expression stern.

"Enough!" she snapped, her voice firm enough to cut through their shouting. "This isn't the time for childish fighting. We're here to find the gem, not to waste time arguing like toddlers!"

Yaxoc and Yaxocara both pouted, their arms crossed as they looked away from each other like scolded children.

Cherrystone chuckled softly, the corners of her lips lifting in amusement. "Glad to see the squad dynamics are still intact," she teased, before gesturing ahead. "Come on. The Gem of Patience should be this way."

She pointed toward a towering temple in the distance, its structure ancient yet magnificent. The temple's stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings that had withstood the test of time, vines creeping up its surface like nature's own decoration.

"This temple is over 4,500 years old," Cherrystone explained as they walked closer. "It's said that the migrants placed the Gem of Patience here to safeguard it, believing it was too powerful to be left in plain sight. If I'm right, the gem should still be inside."

The group's tension eased as they focused on the task ahead, their bickering momentarily forgotten as the temple loomed larger with each step. The air grew heavier with an unspoken anticipation, the weight of the gem's significance pressing upon them.

"Let's just hope this gem lives up to its name," Moonlight murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because we're going to need a lot of patience to get through this."

The squad exchanged glances, steeling themselves for what lay ahead, and stepped into the temple's shadow.

The squad stepped cautiously into the temple, its grand interior illuminated by faint streaks of sunlight slipping through small openings in the ancient walls. The air felt different—clean and untouched by time. Moonlight glanced around, her gaze lingering on the pristine surfaces and intricate carvings.

"This place is ancient," she murmured, "and yet it looks... untouched. Almost like it was built yesterday."

Cherrystone nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's because the migrants who built this temple used Crystallized Material," she explained. "These materials were infused with a special chemical compound designed to preserve them. The compound prevents dirt, mold, and even spiderwebs from forming. That's why it looks so pristine—even after thousands of years."

"Wait," Yaxoc interrupted, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "You're telling me science was already advanced enough to pull off something like that 4,500 years ago?"

Cherrystone smiled knowingly and nodded. "Yes. Science was more developed than most people realize back then. They just applied it differently from how we do today."

As Yaxoc processed this, the stillness of the temple was shattered. A faint twang echoed through the air, followed by the sharp whistle of an arrow flying straight toward him. Without missing a beat, Yaxoc's hand shot out, snatching the arrow mid-flight.

"Aha!" he exclaimed, a smirk forming on his face. "Looks like we're not alone in here."

"Hey!" Yaxocara shouted, stepping forward and glaring into the shadows. "Whoever's shooting arrows at us, show yourself! Unless you want me to blow this crystallized palace sky-high!"

Footsteps echoed through the temple as a figure emerged from the darkness. The squad froze in shock as the stranger stepped into the light. It was a man, dressed in the traditional garb of an ancient migrant, his attire unchanged by time.

Cherrystone's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way..."

"Is that—" Yaxoc began, his voice trailing off as he studied the figure. "Is that one of the original migrants? He's even wearing the same clothes they did thousands of years ago!"

Moonlight's gaze sharpened as she stepped closer, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "It makes sense. This temple likely has properties that halt the aging process. That would explain why he hasn't aged or died after all this time."

"But how is that even possible?" Cherrystone asked, turning toward Moonlight. "Even if he doesn't age, what about basic needs like food and water? He'd still need those to survive."

Yaxocara scoffed, crossing her arms. "Seriously? Isn't it obvious?" she said, her tone dripping with impatience. "I've heard stories about this temple. Supposedly, it has the ability to clone food if you use an ancient chant. It's like a built-in magical survival system."

"So, let me get this straight," Yaxoc said, trying to wrap his head around the idea. "This place can stop people from aging, manipulate time, and even duplicate stuff? That's insane."

"Obviously," Yaxocara replied with a smug smirk.

The migrant didn't say a word, simply watching them with wary eyes. His silence was heavy, almost haunting, as if he were both a guardian of the temple and a prisoner bound to its ancient secrets.

Cherrystone stepped forward cautiously, her voice soft and respectful. "We mean no harm. We're here for the Gem of Patience. Do you know where it is?"

The migrant tilted his head slightly, as if processing her words, but remained silent. The tension in the air grew thick, the temple itself seeming to hold its breath as the squad waited for his response.

The migrant furrowed his brow, his face clouded with uncertainty. "I'm sorry," he said slowly. "But... what is this gem you're talking about?"

Yaxoc blinked in disbelief. "You don't know what it is? You've been here for centuries!"

Cherrystone sighed and explained, "It's not surprising. Only the temple's higher-ups were allowed to interact with the gem. And since they're long gone, this migrant may never have seen it himself."

Yaxoc groaned, throwing his hands up in frustration. "So, we wasted all this time for nothing?"

Before anyone could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the temple, accompanied by a faint magical hum. A figure stepped into view, his presence commanding attention. He wore an elaborate robe adorned with glowing runes, and his aura radiated power.

The migrant immediately stepped aside, bowing his head.

"Hmph," the newcomer scoffed, his voice dripping with authority. "I didn't expect mortals to wander into this sacred temple uninvited."

Yaxoc squinted at the figure, recognition dawning on him. "Wait a second... isn't that the most powerful magic user in history?"

Cherrystone nodded slowly, her eyes wide. "It seems so..." She quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "We're deeply sorry for intruding on your domain. We didn't realize a noble such as yourself would still be here guarding the gem."

The higher-up crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he said, "Your apology is noted, fox spirit. But tell me—why are you here?"

Cherrystone straightened up, her voice steady but respectful. "We've come for the Gem of Patience. We've already retrieved the other six gems."

The higher-up shook his head firmly. "I cannot allow anyone to take the gem without proving their worth. If you want it, you must first defeat me in a trial."

"A trial?" Cherrystone asked, her tone cautious.

The higher-up smirked, producing a set of five cards. "Indeed. A game of wit and observation. I have three red cards and two green cards. Red means incorrect; green means correct. Your task is to guess which card is correct."

With a flick of his wrist, he began shuffling the cards at a blinding speed, his hands moving so quickly they seemed to blur. "But be warned," he continued, "my speed is unmatched. Choose carefully."

Cherrystone frowned, her confidence wavering as she tried to follow the rapid movements of the cards. The shuffling was so fast that it was almost impossible to track.

Yaxoc and Yaxocara exchanged a glance. Noticing Cherrystone's hesitation, Yaxocara leaned in and whispered, "Alright, listen. This guy is fast—too fast. He might try to swap the cards at the last second. We'll need to use our essences subtly to figure this out."

"Got it," Yaxoc whispered back. "I'll keep an eye on his movements."

The higher-up stopped shuffling and spread the cards out in a fan. "Choose," he commanded, his piercing gaze fixed on Cherrystone.

Cherrystone hesitated, her eyes darting between the cards. She couldn't tell which was green.

Yaxoc raised a hand casually. "Hey, is it the first one?"

The higher-up's eyes flickered with a hint of smugness as he glanced at the card. In a split second, he swapped the first card with the last, his movements nearly imperceptible.

Yaxoc, however, caught the sleight of hand. He smirked and said, "Actually, I think it's the fifth one."

The higher-up froze for a fraction of a second, his composure faltering. "How...?" he thought, stunned. "How did this kid see through my light-speed trick? No one has ever been able to react that fast!"

Cherrystone, sensing the higher-up's unease, stepped forward with renewed confidence. "We'll take your challenge seriously," she said. "But don't underestimate us."

The higher-up narrowed his eyes, intrigued. "Very well," he said, regaining his composure. "Let's see if you're truly worthy of the gem."

The higher-up paused, exhaling as if preparing for something monumental. With a wave of his hand, he conjured six glowing cards, each pulsating with a different color.

"Since you're so determined to challenge me," he said, tossing aside the previous set of cards, "we'll raise the stakes."

The six cards floated midair, their luminescence casting eerie reflections on the temple walls.

"Here are the new rules," the higher-up declared, his voice echoing ominously. "Each card holds a different fate:

Red: One of you dies.

Green: You survive unharmed.

Blue: You obtain the gem.

Yellow: You endure torture.

Purple: You must leave the temple immediately.

Black: You are erased from existence."

Yaxoc's eyes widened. Erasure? he thought. This guy has the power of erasure, too? What is he, some sort of god?

Cherrystone inhaled deeply, steeling herself. "Alright. Shuffle the cards," she said firmly.

The higher-up smirked and nodded. With a flick of his wrist, the cards began to shuffle at a speed so fast, it surpassed even (ĊĊĊ+) levels. The air seemed to ripple around his hands as they moved, creating a whirlwind of colors and light.

Yaxoc's gaze sharpened as he tracked the cards. He focused intently, his eyes locking onto the blue card's trajectory. Meanwhile, Moonlight and Yaxocara kept their eyes on the higher-up, looking for any signs of deceit.

Cherrystone struggled, her focus faltering under the immense pressure. The cards moved too fast, and her confidence began to waver.

The higher-up stopped abruptly, the cards fanning out before him in a neat line. His piercing gaze fell on the group. "Choose."

Yaxoc's eyes flicked to the third card, which glimmered faintly blue for the briefest of moments. Without hesitation, he gave a subtle nod toward Cherrystone.

Cherrystone noticed his signal and turned back to the higher-up. "The third card," she said with as much conviction as she could muster.

The higher-up chuckled, his smirk deepening. "Very well," he said, turning the card over.

The blue card revealed itself, its glow intensifying. "You win," the higher-up admitted. His voice carried no bitterness, only a note of intrigue. "No tricks this time. Your teamwork sealed your victory."

The higher-up turned to the migrant, nodding. "Bring me the gem."

The migrant bowed and disappeared into an adjacent room. Minutes later, he returned, holding the Gem of Patience. Its radiance filled the temple with a calming warmth, as if the very essence of patience emanated from within.

The higher-up took the gem and approached Cherrystone. "Fox spirit," he began, his tone carrying a hint of admiration, "I give you this gem not because of your individual strength or intellect, but because of your ability to rely on your companions. You used friendship and cooperation to overcome what others could not. Those who came before you failed because they tried to solve the challenge alone. Friendship," he emphasized, "is the key to triumph."

He handed her the gem, then pulled a map from his robe. "There's one more thing. This map leads to an extra gem, hidden in the Mountain of Positivity. It's a place where a secret gem lies waiting."

Cherrystone furrowed her brow. "An extra gem? What kind of gem is it?"

The higher-up shook his head with a small smile. "That's for you to discover. If you truly want to solve this mystery, approach it with patience and mindfulness. Now, leave this temple. Your journey continues."

The group bowed respectfully before exiting the temple, carrying the Gem of Patience and the map.

A Few Hours Later

The squad arrived at the hospital where Marcus was recovering, and Luna greeted them at the entrance.

"Sister!" Luna called out, running toward Cherrystone, but stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing with confusion. She turned to Moonlight. "Wait... who is that?"

Moonlight chuckled and gestured toward Cherrystone. "Luna, this is your sister, Cherrystone."

Luna blinked, staring at Cherrystone as if trying to piece together a puzzle. "My sister? I didn't know I had another sister..."

Cherrystone smiled softly, stepping forward. "It's true, Luna. I'm your sister."

Luna looked her up and down, her expression shifting between shock and curiosity. "Well, this is... unexpected."

Moonlight smirked. "You'll get used to it. Cherrystone's been through a lot, but she's here now."

Luna tilted her head, her curiosity overtaking her surprise. "So, does this mean we're, like, a team now? Sisters teaming up to save the world or something?"

Cherrystone chuckled. "Something like that. But first, let's check on Marcus. We've got a lot to talk about."

The group entered the hospital, ready to plan their next move toward the mysterious Mountain of Positivity.