Location: Sundermarket — Day 15 in Atheria
From the top of the final dune, the city shimmered into view.
A sprawling oasis fortress, carved from pale crystal and sunstone, nestled in a massive basin where silver palm trees swayed beside glowing blue lakes. The buildings reflected the sky like mirrors, and curved bridges arched over canals filled with glimmering sand-fish.
Mirae stared, eyes wide. "It's like someone spilled stardust across the desert."
Jihye adjusted her cloak against the wind. "More than a trade hub… this place is sacred."
Baek cracked his knuckles. "Bet they have good food."
Yoori smiled softly. "I sense deep old magic here."
And Jiwoo?
He said nothing.
But his heart stirred.
> Something in this place was calling to him.
---
Entering Sundermarket
Unlike Tivaros, there were no rune-scanners or guards with suspicious eyes. The city gates were open, adorned with wind chimes and ribbons of golden prayer cloth.
Travelers and merchants of all races passed through freely—spiritfolk, crystal-eyed nomads, even walking golems carved from obsidian and moss.
Sena turned to Jiwoo. "Do we still stay quiet about who we are?"
He nodded. "Always."
"Then who are we today?" she asked with a grin.
Jiwoo smiled faintly. "Pilgrims. Looking for stories."
---
The Murmuring Mural
While browsing the northern market, a merchant offered them directions to a local "curiosity site"—a sealed ruin found under the city a decade ago, now open to the public as a sacred site.
They went, expecting history.
They did not expect recognition.
Inside a glass chamber, beneath layers of enchanted sandstone, was a mural that covered the entire wall—etched in light and gold dust, vibrating faintly with energy.
Nine figures.
Each glowing. Each cloaked.
Standing before a swirling tree of flame and stars.
At the base, in ancient script, was a single riddle:
> "When nine step beyond flame and song,
the tree shall bloom once more,
and the gold beyond gold shall awaken."
Noeun reached out toward the mural, her hand glowing.
"It's not just a painting," she whispered. "It's a… recording. A memory."
Eunsol leaned closer. "That figure in the center… his stance, his clothes. Jiwoo. That's you."
Jiwoo's system pulsed faintly.
> [Ancient Relic Detected]
[Origin: Pre-Sunder Era]
[Deciphering partial timeline… failed.]
Jiwoo narrowed his eyes. "Pre-Sunder…?"
Mirae's voice was hushed. "This is older than Atheria as we know it."
---
The Silent Guide
As they left the mural, a voice called to them from the shadows.
A figure in a desert veil stepped forward, leaning on a crystal staff. Her eyes were milky white, glowing faintly.
"I am Zureya, the Silent Guide," she said.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Jihae asked softly.
Zureya nodded. "I am one of the dream-seers. I saw your arrival in the songs of the dunes. But I speak not of prophecy—I speak of memory."
She pointed to Jiwoo.
> "You have been here before. Long ago. Not in body… but in spark."
> "Your soul walked this land when the skies still sang."
The others tensed slightly.
Jiwoo stayed calm.
"I don't remember."
"You're not supposed to," Zureya said. "But the land does. And the murals do."
She handed him a sealed parchment—covered in ancient silver ink.
> "This was found beneath the glass lake last year. No one could open it."
> "Maybe… it was waiting for you."
---
The Sealed Scroll
That night, in their rented high-tower villa overlooking the crystal lakes, Jiwoo sat alone and unsealed the scroll with a touch.
No flames. No light. Just a pulse.
The silver ink rearranged itself, forming a map—not of geography, but of energy.
Nine points.
One in every major region of Atheria.
Each marked with a glowing sigil.
At the center, connecting all points, was a golden ring with the same symbol he placed in the desert days ago: ☉
Jihae stepped in, eyes narrowing. "You see it too?"
He nodded. "This world knows us."
---
Sundermarket Sleeps
The night passed without incident.
Sena and Baek took a midnight stroll across the floating bridge of lights.
Eunsol made tea that glowed blue and told Jiwoo he needed to sleep more, even if he couldn't feel tired.
Mirae sang on the rooftop garden. Her song made the desert winds dance around them in a protective ring.
But Jiwoo didn't sleep.
He stood on the balcony, eyes fixed on the parchment, heart still.
> This world… was once ruled by something ancient.
And maybe, just maybe—his arrival wasn't random.
Maybe it was return.
---
Final Scene – The Whisper Beneath the Market
As morning broke and Sundermarket buzzed with life, Jiwoo wandered the underground glass halls again. This time, alone.
The mural chamber stood silent.
But just as he turned to leave—
The mural shifted.
Just for a second.
The center figure—his figure—opened glowing eyes.
And whispered a single word that only he could hear.
> "Remember."
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