A Small Village in Celena Forest

Entering the deeper forest, they walked about twelve minutes from Naya's hut. There are no paths, there are only dense forests with fertile soil and grass in the middle. Some fireflies help with their lighting. The blue light of the moon also dominates the forest to be beautiful. Another phenomenon that Han Zhong never got when he was in the castle was the dim lighting.

At the top of the mountain, everything was bright and close to the sky.

"I've been to this forest when I was a kid," said Han Zhong, dragging his feet in the middle of the ground covered in white grass flowers. Naya's body wrapped in a short cloth above her thighs made her steps light and easy to walk. The girl brought a small lantern from her hut to light the way. Even though Han Zhong's eyes had gotten used to the darkness, the lantern with the yellow flame was quite helpful in lighting their feet.

"Oh? The Dragons have been here?"

"Of course. Our grandfather used to work with the Elves to build peace between fellow beings here. Some of them were instigated by the Abyss but mostly chose Grandpa Trixon. By the way, have you met a Dragon before?"

"No. Only ever read in my father's cottage library."

"Who's your father?"

Naya did not answer directly. She stopped at the edge of the forest that was starting to sparse. A sign they are about to enter another field.

"My father used to be the head of our small village. You know that remote village in the Celena Forest?" Naya said walking back and starting to enter the trail area. Around here, the sounds of owls and wild animals in the forest began to be heard. The border between Bluelit forest and Celena forest was indeed like two different portals.

Bluelit Forest is very quiet, the steps of the ants are not heard, in contrast to Celena Forest which seems calm but indicates there is life.

Han Zhong's gaze met with the serene settlements that were spaced from various sides. Every single hut was not close together like the lots in the Lune Temple area. The huts were separated by the moonlight falling on their thatched roofs beautifully. Fireflies shone in one corner, illuminating a dark and quiet path.

"Celena Village. A place where people let go of all worldly problems and focus on praying to the Moon and asking for protection for Celena Woodlands. Of course, I know."

Naya smiled. "Come, come with me to father's old temple."

They passed the huts in silence. The blue light of the moon filled the village with warmth. Han Zhong followed Naya who had turned off her lantern since arriving at the path earlier. Some of the semi-circular dome-shaped huts had wooden doors that closed tightly. Some cottage equipment is around the outside of the house. The ground he was stepping on slightly descended from the Bluelit forest earlier. But everything looks so beautiful and serene.

After passing several huts, they arrived in the middle of the village. There was a temple that wasn't that big, blocked by a branch and a long tree branch that was already mossy and filled with glowing moths—for some reason, the old-looking black stone temple looked beautiful instead.

"Come in," said Naya up the small stairs before entering the temple. The temple was supported by large pillars that were already overgrown with some small grass and flowers. The lantern is not lit. They entered through a short passage. And in that short passage were two doors. To the right and the left. Naya pointed to the left, the opposite place from where she was standing.

"That's where some old elves pray. If you want to go there, I can deliver."

"Up to you. Whatever it is, that can help me find out about this crystal."

Naya nodded, making her ponytail sway and she pressed a protruding stone engraved with a half-moon next to the tall, stone door before entering the shrine. For a moment, when Naya's palm rested on the protruding rock, there was a bright light green light that sent the door vibrating open.

Han Zhong blinked when he saw that. "I thought you must be a Myth."

Naya turned her head before entering the temple. "Did you notice it from the start?"

"Yes. Myth is any descendant that has the orbs of a god. They are very few in the population of this world. Are you a Myth from your father's lineage?"

The two of them walked in. Their footsteps echoed as they entered the enormous and vast temple. Han Zhong had to stop talking to fully process the entire scene in front of him.

"No. My father has no descendants of light. But when my father was able to predict that I would be born as an elf with the power of light, my father was afraid that I would be expelled from the Celena Forest. So when we were little, we all moved to the Lune Temple and stayed in the middle of the city. Because according to the prayers, every elf who has the power of light must be one of the servants here. Protecting the village and its life will be restrained."

Han Zhong was silent for a moment, "do you think it was a good choice your father made?"

"I don't know. But I think so. During this time, if the forests were threatened, surely the Minister and the prayers who possessed the magical powers of ancient artifacts could drive them away. So they don't need me."

"They don't need you yet. What artifacts do the prayers have?"

Naya's eyes turned to the center of the tall and wide temple. In the center of the temple, there is a pond that stands a green tree whose tops extend out from the roof of the temple. Allowing the moonlight to penetrate slightly, letting the surface of the pool shimmer in the moonlight.

"This is the Pool of Life. In the center is the Heart of the Temple. A tree that will never die with the strongest trunk and leaves that can cure any form of disease. Whoever drinks the water from this pool can gain strength without eating anything, This pool is the place where the Moon goddess cries. And this Lunar Crystal that I have is a lump from the remnants of her dried tears."

Naya's explanation made Han Zhong feel amazed. In all his life he had never entered a temple in the sacred Celena Forest. Han Zhong knew very little about the temples here. They are known to be holy, but no one has ever said that there are trees and ponds of life that are directly related to these Lunar Crystals.

"For some reason, my body feels a tremendous amount of energy, crawling through my energy. It's as if something is tying it together," said Han Zhong feeling the blood rustling lightly in his veins. He looked at the glowing pool. The bluish dots that came from the moonlight made his eyes not get tired of looking at it. The tree with branches and peaks that cannot be seen through the roof of the temple looks very sturdy and neat. It was as if Han Zhong could sense that the Moon Goddess was indeed staring at him.

Call him.

"Han Zhong," whispered Naya, "The crystal in your pocket is shining."

When Han Zhong looked down and saw the pouch he was hanging on his belt was lit up, Han Zhong hurriedly took it out.

Flashback to the time he saw Folix stick a magenta crystal to the Shield of Light shattered in his eyes. Then the Lunar Crystal glowed when he held it and changed hands from Naya. All that, what form of energy is absorbed by it? Is this Lunar Crystal capable of absorbing a variety of other powerful energies—those around it? If so, are these Moon Goddess tears actually—a magnetic pole of energy?

Suddenly Han Zhong's brain felt hot. Unknowingly, the crystal in his hand grew brighter.

"I think I'm starting to understand all of this… I think I know what Lunar Crystals are."

Naya's eyes widened. Right at the same time, a black shadow suddenly shot above them.

***