What Happened to Hiraya?

The shrine's energy pulsed faintly as Morvane, Luna, and Esmael stood in silence, the weight of their discovery still heavy in the air. The necklace around Morvane's neck glowed faintly, a constant reminder of the questions yet unanswered.

"We need to understand what this means," Luna said, her fingers brushing against the ancient carvings on the shrine's surface. "This place… it's hiding more than it's revealing."

Esmael crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "I don't like it. That necklace—whatever it's doing to you, Morvane, it's not normal. And this shrine…" He gestured to the surrounding grove, the trees unnaturally still despite the faint breeze. "It's like it's alive."

Morvane clutched the pendant tightly, his gaze fixed on the faint glow. "Alive or not, it's connected to Hiraya. And to me." He hesitated, the memories of the shadowy beast and the voice that guided him still fresh in his mind. "I think the shrine is trying to show us something."

Luna's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Show us what?"

Before Morvane could answer, a sudden chill swept through the grove, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. The carvings on the shrine began to glow brighter, and the air seemed to hum with unseen energy.

Esmael stepped closer, flames flickering to life in his palms. "I don't like this…"

Morvane's vision blurred, and the world seemed to tilt. The sounds of the forest faded, replaced by distant whispers that grew louder with each passing second.

"Morvane!" Luna's voice was muffled, distant.

He tried to respond but was pulled into the whispers. They were voices, indistinct at first but gradually becoming clearer.

"She prayed here every day… searching… hoping…"

"The powerless are not what they seem…"

"Betrayal lies close to the heart…"

The whispers coalesced into a single voice—a woman's voice, calm and resonant.

"Morvane, you must see. Open your eyes to the truth."

Suddenly, the grove vanished, replaced by a vision. He stood in a sunlit field, watching a young woman—Hiraya—kneeling before the shrine. Her face was serene but weary, her hands clasped as though in prayer.

"I trusted you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But you betrayed me."

A shadow appeared behind her, indistinct but unmistakably human. As the figure approached, the vision dissolved into darkness.

"Morvane! Wake up!" Luna's voice brought him back, her hands gripping his shoulders.

He blinked, the grove coming back into focus. His legs felt weak, and Esmael steadied him as he stumbled.

"What happened?" Esmael asked, his tone sharp with concern.

Morvane shook his head, his heart racing. "I… I saw her. Hiraya. She was here. And someone else… someone betrayed her."

Luna's expression turned grim. "Do you think someone hurt or killed her?"

Morvane clenched his fists, the whispers still echoing in his mind. "I don't know. But we need to find out."

Esmael exhaled sharply, looking around the grove. "This place isn't safe. If the shrine is tied to Hiraya's death, it might be tied to whoever—or whatever—wants to keep it a secret."

Luna nodded. "We should go back to town and regroup. Maybe the library or someone in the village knows more about Hiraya's connection to the shrine."

Reluctantly, Morvane agreed, though his gaze lingered on the glowing carvings. The whispers seemed to follow him as they left the grove, a reminder that the shrine's secrets would not remain hidden forever.

As they walked through the dense forest, Luna glanced at Morvane. "You said she was betrayed. By who?"

Morvane hesitated. "I don't know for sure… but I think Hiraya trusted someone who used her. Someone close."

Esmael's voice was low. "You think it was Medas, don't you?"

Morvane didn't answer, his thoughts too jumbled to form a response. But deep down, a gnawing suspicion had taken root.

When they finally emerged from the forest, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the town. The festival was still in full swing, the cheerful sounds of music and laughter a stark contrast to the heaviness in Morvane's heart.

As they approached the royal library, Morvane stopped, his eyes narrowing. Standing at the entrance was a group of royal guards, their armor gleaming in the fading light.

"They're watching us," Luna whispered, her voice tense.

Esmael's flames flickered to life again. "Let them. If Medas is hiding something, we'll find it."

Morvane tightened his grip on the pendant, his resolve hardening. The shrine had given him a glimpse of the truth, but the real battle was only just beginning.

The shrine's energy pulsed faintly as Morvane, Luna, and Esmael stood in silence, the weight of their discovery still heavy in the air. The necklace around Morvane's neck glowed faintly, a constant reminder of the questions yet unanswered.

"We should tell Medas about this," Luna suggested, breaking the silence. Her fingers brushed against the carvings on the shrine. "If anyone knows the truth about Hiraya, it's him."

Esmael crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "You think he'll just tell us everything? If Medas is hiding something, he won't let it slip easily."

Morvane tightened his grip on the pendant. "It doesn't matter. We have to try. If Hiraya trusted him once, he might have answers."

Reluctantly, Esmael nodded, and the trio began their journey back to the kingdom.

The sun was setting as they followed the path through the forest. The air was thick with tension, each of them lost in their thoughts. Suddenly, three figures emerged from the shadows—a group of young men, their faces masked with arrogance and greed.

"Well, well," one of them sneered, his knife glinting in the fading light. "Looks like we found ourselves some easy targets."

Esmael stepped forward, flames sparking to life in his hands. "You've made a mistake, friend. Walk away before you get hurt."

The thugs laughed, clearly undeterred. "Look at the fire boy! Thinks he's scary."

Before they could react, the fight began. Esmael launched a stream of fire toward the leader, forcing him to dodge. Luna summoned a shimmering barrier of light to protect Morvane, who clenched his fists, ready to defend himself.

The battle was chaotic but short-lived. Luna's precision and Esmael's raw power overwhelmed the thugs. However, in the scuffle, one of them managed to lunge at Morvane, his knife sinking into his leg.

"Morvane!" Luna screamed as the thug was thrown back by Esmael's fire.

Morvane fell to the ground, clutching his bleeding leg. Luna knelt beside him, her hands glowing with a soft, golden light. She pressed her palms against the wound, and within moments, the pain subsided as the flesh knit itself back together.

"Luna…" Esmael said, his voice filled with awe. "That was incredible. Most healers take years to master that kind of speed."

Luna brushed off his praise, a faint blush on her cheeks. "It's nothing. My family are healers—it's in my blood."

Morvane flexed his leg, amazed at the lack of pain. "Thank you, Luna. You saved me."

She smiled, helping him to his feet. "Let's keep moving. We can't let this delay us."

By the time they reached the palace gates, night had fallen. The guards blocked their path, their spears crossed to bar entry.

"No one sees the king at this hour," one of them said gruffly.

"We have important news!" Morvane insisted. "Let us through!"

The guards remained unmoved, but before they could argue further, the gates creaked open. A rider emerged, the figure atop the horse illuminated by the torchlight.

"King Medas!" Luna exclaimed as the rider approached.

Medas dismounted, his gaze calm but curious. "What brings you here so late?"

Morvane stepped forward, his voice steady despite the exhaustion in his eyes. "Your Majesty, we need to speak with you about the shrine. There's something you need to know."

Medas raised a hand to stop him. "Not tonight, Morvane. I have urgent matters to attend to in the neighboring kingdom."

"But—"

"Tomorrow," Medas interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "Rest for now. We will talk when I return."

With that, he remounted his horse and disappeared into the night, leaving the trio standing at the gates.

Esmael sighed in frustration. "Great. Now what?"

Luna placed a hand on Morvane's shoulder. "We'll wait. Let's go home and regroup."

Reluctantly, they turned and made their way back to the village.

When Morvane arrived home, he was surprised to find his grandmother waiting for him, her face alight with joy.

"There you are!" she said, pulling him into a tight hug. "Did you enjoy the festival, my boy?"

Morvane forced a smile, not wanting to burden her with the day's events. "It was… eventful, Grandma."

She nodded, satisfied, and ushered him inside. The evening passed in a blur of familiar routines—dinner, small talk, and the comforting presence of home.

Later that night, Morvane lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of his own room. The necklace felt heavier than before, its glow casting faint shadows on the walls.

He held it in his hand, his mind racing with everything they had discovered. The shrine, the vision of Hiraya, the whispers of betrayal—it all pointed to something bigger than he could comprehend.

As sleep began to claim him, one thought echoed in his mind.

"What secrets are you hiding, Hiraya?"