The starship cut through a thick, silvery mist as it neared the unnamed village Li Wei had noted—later called "Mistveil" by the travelers, for how the fog clung to its rooftops. Below, a lake lay like a frozen mirror, its surface shimmering with a faint chill even in the spring sun, and a cluster of wooden huts huddled along its shore. Smoke curled weakly from chimneys, and villagers stood on the lake's edge, their faces drawn as they stared at the water that once sustained them.
Lin Che landed the starship on a patch of mist-kissed grass near the huts, and an older man with a thick gray beard and a frayed coat hurried over. His hands were clasped tightly, and his breath fogged in the air—unusually cold for the season. "You're the ones who help villages?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I'm Elden, the village elder. Our lake… it's gone cold. Not frozen, but cold enough to chase the fish away. The water plants are wilting, and even the frogs are gone. We drink it, but it makes our bones ache. Without the lake's bounty, we'll starve by autumn."
Xiao Ya walked to the lake's edge, her boots crunching on frost that lingered despite the sun. She knelt, pressing her palm to the water's surface, and her hands glowed soft green. The mist around her seemed to thin, and she closed her eyes, listening to the lake's quiet lament. When she opened them, her expression was gentle, not grave. "The lake's heart is weak," she said, turning to Elden. "There's a spring at its bottom that feeds it—warm, life-giving. But it's blocked by a pile of fallen rocks, dislodged by the winter's ice. Without the spring's warmth, the lake cools, and the life in it fades. The water plants say they can feel the spring's warmth still… just out of reach."
Elden's eyes widened, hope dawning. "My grandfather told of that spring—said it was the lake's 'breath.' I never thought it could be blocked. We've checked the shore, but never the bottom."
Mo Ying slung her toolbox over her shoulder, already eyeing the lake. "We'll clear the rocks. Lin Che, you can help me build a simple raft—we'll need to get to the spring's spot. Su Qing, can you use runes to amplify the spring's warmth once it's unblocked? Help the lake heat up faster?"
Su Qing flipped open her Arcane Manual, pointing to a page of fire and life runes. "Runes for warmth and renewal—they'll stir the spring's energy and spread it through the lake. Elden, do you have thick ropes and planks? We'll need them for the raft."
Elden nodded eagerly, calling over a group of villagers. "We've got planks from old boats and ropes from the fishing nets! The boys can help build the raft—they're tired of sitting around, worrying."
True to his word, a handful of young boys appeared, carrying planks and coils of rope. They worked alongside Lin Che and Mo Ying, hammering nails and tying knots, their laughter cutting through the mist. Xiao Ya walked along the lake's shore, her hands glowing—she whispered to the wilting water plants, telling them help was coming, and they perked up slightly, their leaves regaining a hint of green.
By midday, the raft was ready. Lin Che and Mo Ying climbed aboard, each holding a long pole to steer. Su Qing joined them, tucking a pouch of rune-carved stones into her pocket. The villagers stood on the shore, watching as the raft glided toward the lake's center—where Xiao Ya had sensed the blocked spring.
When they reached the spot, Mo Ying dipped a pole into the water, feeling for the rocks. "Here," she said, nodding. Lin Che and her took turns diving into the cold water, hauling up rocks one by one—small at first, then larger, their muscles straining. Su Qing stayed on the raft, chanting softly as she dropped rune stones into the water; each stone sank, glowing orange, and the water around the raft warmed slightly.
After an hour, Lin Che surfaced with the last large rock, gasping. "It's clear!" he called. Instantly, a stream of warm water bubbled up from the lake's bottom, rippling to the surface. The mist over the lake began to lift, and the water shimmered—not with cold, but with a gentle heat.
The villagers on shore cheered, waving their hats. Xiao Ya smiled, her hands glowing brighter; the water plants along the shore burst into full green, and a school of fish leaped from the water, as if celebrating their return.
That evening, the villagers of Mistveil held a feast by the lake. The mist had cleared completely, and the setting sun painted the water gold. They served fish they'd caught that afternoon (the first in weeks), bread baked with grain traded from nearby villages, and a stew made with lake plants that had sprouted anew. Elden sat with Lin Che and the others, holding a cup of warm lake water (now sweet and mild). "You didn't just clear rocks," he said. "You gave the lake back its breath. And us… back our lives."
Before they left the next morning, Elden handed Lin Che a small stone—smooth, round, and warm to the touch, polished by the lake's water. "This is from the spring's edge," he said. "It holds the spring's warmth. Keep it, and when the road gets cold, remember Mistveil. Remember that even the coldest lakes can be warmed—with a little work, and a little hope."
Lin Che took the stone, feeling its warmth seep into his palm. He nodded, tucking it into his pocket.
They climbed aboard the starship, waving goodbye. Elden and the villagers stood by the lake, holding the warm stone aloft, as the water glinted in the sun. The raft they'd built floated gently near the shore, a reminder of their work.
Inside the cabin, Xiao Ya placed the warm stone on the dashboard—joining the reed seed pouch from Mallow Marsh, the cedar box from Cedar Hollow, and all their other treasures. The dashboard was now a mosaic of gratitude, each item a story of a village mended, a life restored.
Su Qing flipped open Li Wei's map, but this time, she didn't point to a new village. She smiled, closing the map. "Li Wei's notes say these were the last villages in need—for now. We've helped them all."
Mo Ying leaned back in her seat, grinning, as she polished Jax's wrench. "Fixed boats, barrels, wells, trees, sheep, bees… even a cold lake. Not bad for a bunch of travelers."
Lin Che looked at his friends: Xiao Ya, tracing the warm stone with her finger; Su Qing, flipping through her Arcane Manual to add notes about the spring runes; Mo Ying, laughing as she recounted the boys' excitement building the raft. The Star Marrow on his wrist glowed steadily, bright and warm, as if proud.
This was their journey—not fighting the Ancient Dark, not chasing glory, but tending to the small, vital things that made the world alive. It was quiet. It was humble. But it was everything.
"Where to next?" Su Qing asked, looking up.
Lin Che smiled, looking out the window at the clear sky. "Back to Ma Lan's village. We've earned a rest. And then… whatever village calls next."
Mo Ying nodded, adjusting the starship's controls. The engines hummed to life, and the starship turned west, toward the familiar forest of Ma Lan's village. The sun rose ahead of them, casting light over the land they'd helped heal.
Their adventure wasn't over. Not by a long shot. There would be more villages, more problems, more chances to help.
But for now, they were together. They had their treasures, their stories, and the quiet promise of more journeys to come.
And that was perfect.
The end of Volume 6.