Will of Immortals

The weight of shadows

The village of Eldenwood peacefully rested in the cozy valley, nestled under tall mountains that seemed to reach the sky. The little, cute houses had thatched roofs and colorful gardens, creating a peaceful scene. Morning mist floated around, mixing with children's laughter and cheering songs from birds.

But, oh no, this calm was about to be interrupted.

The sun was rising across the cobblestone cobblestones. Warm, golden rays of light began to flood the cobblestone streets when the basic feel of the villagers began to feel strange. It was like a gentle shake under their feet, almost like a distant heartbeat, made them stop; the happiness resided as the ground began to rumble up scarily.

The warm home where Bai Cheng (Toru) had just entered had a small fire flickering in the fireplace.

The child was in his mother's arms, making soft sounds, his eyes open wide with wonder.

They did not know about the trouble happening just outside their home.

It became worse, and suddenly there waspanic in Eldenwood. The villagers rushed into the streets, fear written on their faces.

They gathered in worried groups, looking at each other with concern. "What's happening?" a woman said, holding her child close. "This's some kind of curse?"

A person hurried into the square, breathing hard and looking shocked.

It was Lao Jun, the village elder, with messy silver hair. "Everyone!

We need to find shelter! The earth is shaking!" he yelled, but his voice was covered by a loar echoing through the valley.

Suddenly, the ground cracked open with an awful sound, and rocks and dirt were all tossed everywhere. People in the village screamed, startedand running for safety, as buildings shook and fell apart and the peaceful village exploded into complete chaos.

Silent stillness filled Eldenwood as the dust was clearing; half of the marketplace had suddenly disappeared into the ground, and houses on the eastern side were destroyed.

Gloom and hopelessness drenched the air, but darker rumrumorspt silently through the villagers' ears.

Blame began spreading quickly among the frightened villagers. They met in small groups, gazing at the house where the boy slept.

"When he was born, everything went wrong," one voice said, full of anger. "He's a child of darkness, someone who brings bad luck!"

Lao Jun stood up, suggesting everyone should calm down. "Come on, we can't blame the baby! He's innocent, just entered this world," he exclaimed, raising his hands to bring peace.

But no one noticed as the blame flew heavy in the air from one to another.

"Think about everything we've lost!" another villager shouted, tears running down her face.

"Our homes, our market, our safety! How can we ignore the warnings?"

Filled with hatred and animosity against Lao Jun, they were looking to place someone at the blame for their exsion. He could feel in his heart that they were losing their reasons; they are now retreating back to twereties of their coty disintegrate before the catastropdisintegratingBai Cheng'catastrophemother hugged him tight, knowing nothing of the trouble outside.

She whispered, "You're my light," playing with his soft hair, which sparkled like gold in the faint moon, as if evading some dark times aead for her son. Still, in that love, a worry appeared; she felt something uneasy in the air.

As night fell in Eldenwood, meeting with a sorrowful feeling, torches flickered within dim light, showing faces of anger the and sadness-while they gathered before Bai Cheng's house, their voices grew louder in resentment.

Lao Jun stood in front, clearly unable to hold himself together. "Listen to me, please!"

he implored but the people woulHe't heed him; they needed an evil-doer to hurt themselves.

Then, in a clear and scary way, a chaclearly and scarilyt be cast out! The child must be cast out!"

Bai Cheng's mother heard the loud crying and felt a bit afraid. She looked out through her window and saw a crowd of people - their eyes filled with anger. "No! " she whispered,angerng the child closer, more frightened. "They cannot blame him for this!"

But anger burst forward in waves, and in one instant of mutual madness, the villagers started toward the small cottage, demanding answers.

Lao Jun stood there frozen into inaction, unable to move either to save the child or to fulfill his responsibility to the people.

"Stop!" he cried, stepping forward as they reached the cottage. "You don't know what you are doing!" But the villagers did not listHoweverto his cries because they were filled with fear and sadness.

They ran toward the cottage, ready to take out their anger on the innocent child they believed was causing their pain.

When the crowd reached the door, a brilliant flash of light erupted from inside, brightening up the dark night sky. The crowd d in amazement and confusion. At that moment Toru, held safely in his mother's arms, opened his eyes wide showing the shining light of a mysterious power.

The light engulfed him, and the cries of the villahim grew dimmer, caught in a struggle of fear between the uncertainty of darkness and the shock of hope in the light.

A struggle began inside the heart of Eldenwood, a fight whose outcome was to determine the future of its people and the innocent child connected to the essence of life.

In a very short period, the shadows disclosed their secrets, hinting at a fate that was much bigger than anyone could ever imagine.