A Whispering Prelude

In the bustling marketplace of the human capital, Amukelo and Eliss threaded their way through the throngs of people, each vendor showcasing their wares with enthusiastic shouts and gestures. Their journey would take them into the heart of the unknown, and they were keen on being well-prepared.

Stopping at a well-known provisioner's stall, they began to gather supplies. Dried fruits, nuts, salted meats, and fresh waterskins filled their cart. A tent, suitable for all weathers, with sturdy stakes and waterproof canvas was chosen. A glance at the wide variety of potions made Eliss's eyes widen; she picked a mix of healing, endurance, and protective brews.

It was when they approached the cartographer's stall, with its vast array of maps and scrolls, that an old man beckoned them closer. His eyes, clouded with age, seemed to sparkle with a hidden knowledge. Rows of maps, some with intricate details and others with vague outlines, were spread out.

They couldn't find the map, so Amukelo asked, "Old man, do you poses a map from old legend about the new world?"

He answered with question, "Do you mean from tale of unknown?" Amukelo nooded.

The old man unveiled a dusty, rolled parchment, intricately detailed. "This map," he began, "is the only one of its kind. It charts the Whispering Forest of Elarth, the Abyss of Sorrow, the Shifting Sands of Nareth, and the Towering Peaks of Urmak. But remember, it only goes so far as the mountains. Beyond that, it's uncharted."

Eliss frowned, "Have you seen those places?"

The old man's gaze seemed distant as memories flooded back. "In my youth, I ventured with a company of brave souls. We faced the challenges of the forest, the abyss, and the desert. But when we reached the mountains, a few of us chose to turn back, fearing the unknown. I was one of them. The others... they went ahead, and we never saw them again."

Eliss and Amukelo exchanged a worried glance. Eliss clearly less confident.

He continued, "For the forest, keep your thoughts pure. Do not let the whispers take hold. In the abyss, confront your fears, let go of your past regrets. For the desert, the North Star is your guide, always. And the mountains... all I can say is, trust your instincts."

Amukelo took a deep breath, absorbing the weight of the old man's words. "Thank you for your guidance."

The old man leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Just remember, no one who ventured through the mountains has ever come back. Make sure you're prepared for that."

With their newly acquired map and the old man's eerie warnings echoing in their minds, Amukelo and Eliss felt a mix of anticipation and dread. Their journey was about to begin, and the path ahead was fraught with danger. But with each other by their side and their unwavering determination, they felt ready to face the challenges that awaited them.

As they approached the forest. Amukelo and Eliss, taking caution from tales told, decided to set up camp just at the edge of the woods. They would embark on their journey through the forest with the dawn.

While Amukelo ventured into the nearby bushes, sword in hand, ready to hunt, Eliss began to set up their tent. However, as the shadows deepened and the evening turned to twilight, she began to hear faint whispers, like wind rustling through the leaves, yet eerily different.

"*Turn back... You don't belong here...*"

She shivered, looking around, half-expecting to see a presence, but saw nothing.

"*Why do you trust him? You will fail again, he will die because of you...*"

Eliss felt a growing unease, the whispers growing more insistent, trying to sow doubts in her heart.

"*You will lead him to his doom... Come back to safety...*"

Gripping the tent poles tightly, she tried to shake off the feeling of dread. But the whispers didn't stop; they played on her fears and uncertainties.

Amukelo's return, with a game bird in hand, broke the trance. Seeing her distress, he quickly approached, concern evident in his eyes. "What happened?"

Eliss swallowed hard. "The forest... it's speaking to me. It's trying to insist doubt."

Amukelo knelt beside her, taking her hands in his. "Listen to me, Eliss. Don't let the forest get to you. If you can't touch it, if it doesn't look like me, don't believe it."

Reassured, Eliss nodded. As the night approached, Amukelo began his daily training. He unsheathed his sword and started to practice, his movements fluid yet precise empowered by mana manipulation. However, the ease he displayed was deceiving. He was attempting to tap into a deeper power, the one he had accessed in his battle with Valarian. But no matter how hard he tried, the rage-fueled strength remained elusive.

Eliss watched him, seeing the frustration build in him with every swing. She remembered the day when Kael fell, how Amukelo had been an unstoppable force. Now, he seemed to be struggling to unleash that power again.

Hours passed, and sweat dripped from Amukelo's brow. With a final, forceful swing, he planted his sword into the ground, breathing heavily. "I need that power," he murmured to himself .

She approached him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way. Together."

The night settled in, but the feeling of unease remained. Both knew that the real test would begin with the dawn. The forest awaited, with its whispering shadows and untold challenges. But Amukelo and Eliss were resolute, ready to face whatever lay ahead.