Chapter 4: 4
Nina carefully picked up the wooden box, its weight surprisingly substantial. The cool smoothness of the polished wood against her fingertips sent a taint shiver down her spine. She turned to Elara, her gaze now steady despite the tremor in her hands. The words she spoke were quiet, almost a mumble, but held a surprising firmness. The sentiment was genuine, the words reflecting a deep-seated desire for normalcy, a yearning for a life free from the perils she was about to face. "I don't want fame or glory. I just want to live my life."
Elara listened intently, her expression unreadable. The words seemed to hang in the air, a stark contrast to the gravity of their undertaking. She didn't attempt to argue or persuade, understanding perhaps, the quiet desperation within Nina's voice. Instead, a subtle nod acknowledged Nina's sentiment, a silent agreement to respect her desires, even amidst the looming threat. "Take what you need child," Elara said softly, her voice laced with a hint of weariness, "and be careful." The wisdom in her words was palpable, devoid of the usual encouraging platitudes.
Nina, clutching the box tightly, turned and left the room, the sounds of Port haven fading as she retreated into the quieter pards of the guild hall. She moved with purpose, her earlier apprehension replaced by a grim determination, her gaze fixed on the practical tasks ahead. The quest before her, and the ominous prophecy looming over the Empire, loomed large. Yet, her decision to prioritize her own life, her own quiet existence, resonated deep within her, a guiding star in the darkness. As she gathered her supplies - dried herbs, healing potions, and a few carefully chosen protective charms - a feeling of profound solitude settled over her.
She was adamant that even if she succeeded in this mission, she wouldn't be a hero; she would merely be a survivor, a quiet woman who had faced the darkness and emerged unscathed, her desire for a simple life remaining intact, a stubborn ember against the encroaching night. The weight of the box in her hands served as a clear reminder of the perilous path she was embarking on. The Whispering Woods awaited.