Crafting a crude raft with logs tied together by vines, I decided to explore this island. However, no sooner had I finished the raft than I realized that bringing it miles to the river was not practical. It was afternoon now, and it took me over one hour to get to the river without carrying anything heavy. Thus, it would take me even longer if I brought a raft along with me. After thinking twice, I left the raft at home and decided to go back to the ancient city on foot.
I can use the raft as the floor of my new cottage in the future.(I thought)(From now, inner thoughts or things like those will be presented in italic form.)
Taking some bottles to collect water from the stream and some energy bars, I set out.
Because I knew the route, I went faster. About an hour later, after passing the temple-like structure, following along the stream to the river, I approached the ruins again.
I don't know whether traps or dangerous things are hidden anywhere, so I had better not touch anything.
I continued walking along the river. Half an hour later, I heard a voice from somewhere ,which did not sound like a language but like telepathy. Looking around, I could not see anyone. I became nervous.
"Is there anyone here? Please answer me…" I said.
"Help me! Help me get out of this hellish prison" (telepathy)
Although not knowing what was happening, I still got the idea of the sentence. Seeking the source of the voice intuitively, I found there was a bizarre stone at the bottom of the river with a faint shine that you have to focus on to notice.
"Are you there? Stone?" I shouted.
"Oh! You can hear me? That's great. Now please take me out of this place"(telepathy)
I was slightly confused, but still dived into the water to take the stone. However, my lungs didn't have enough capacity to let me dive deeper than 2 meters, which was still one meter shallower than the object.
"Please let me out! Just try a little bit! You are nearer to me" (telepathy)
Without enough oxygen, I had to swim back to the surface to breathe.
"Nooo…" (telepathy)
"Wait a little bit. Let me think!" I replied.
Seeing some long, thin trees nearby, I had an idea. I chopped down two trees, stripped off the branches, and used them like chopsticks to grab the stone. It was so difficult. I had to deal not only with the weight of two long sticks with it but also the power of water flow. Trying several times, I managed to bring it on the surface. But in a short time of carelessness, the stone fell back into water. Immediately, I jumped into the river to save it, whose depth was still low. Finally, I grasped the stone with joy and exhaustion. With the last of my strength, I got on the bank.
"Yes! Thank you so much, er… How do I call you?"(telepathy)
"Winterson" I replied breathlessly.
"Thank you, Winterson. I am indebted to you. I can do everything possible to repay you." (telepathy)
"Nothing you need to do. I just want to help you" I said.
"Oh…Fine, just call me if you need because I can't move anywhere"(telepathy)
Not replying, I took a rest for 15 minutes to wait for my clothes to dry a bit, then came back to my cottage with Stone.
It seemed Stone could send a faint telepathic message over long distances, but clear communication only worked within 5 meters. I found that when pretending to leave him on the shore.
When the sun was setting, I came home, put Mr. Stone on my bed and had dinner. I continued eating crackers because bananas were not ripe enough.
"What are you eating?"(From now every time Mr. Stone talks, we understand that it is using telepathy)Stone asked.
"Crackers."
"Crackers? What kind of food are those?"
"Just something crunchy."
Maybe this stone has never seen this before. Indeed, this is an isolated island; I can hardly see any other islands around here. It is understandable that it can't know crackers. Oh! I don't even know its name, it may know a lot about the ancient ruins and ancient civilization!
"Er…How should I call you? Stoney?" I asked.
"You can call me whatever you want because you have saved me."
"Fine. Stoney,…why were you there?"
"It was a long story." Stoney said with a downward tone.
A long time ago, a prosperous empire called Oceanis ruled the whole area with more than 10 islands. The civilization was very developed with various advancements in every field from science and astronomy to herbalism. But many dormant factors were threatening its prosperity. The authorities spent most of the state expenditure on war with other local leagues and empires. They even made many immoral experiments on breeding a warrior race by combining genomes of human with those of animals. In addition, the corruption in the government was getting worse, and by the time the emperor realized it, it was already too late. Seizing the opportunity, colonies rose up, fought and took back the control of the government; those local empires also involved in this chaos. Knowing that the result was irreversible, the emperor had to use his ultimate weapons. He used a gigantic arcane bomb to end this war and also himself, the people and his rivals. Those who survived had little time left to live; otherwise, they were disabled for life and unable to make babies anymore…
The story was so long that it made me fall asleep easily. But when hearing the word "arcane", I became fascinated.
"Arcane? Is it magic?" I asked in surprise.
"It is not something impossible. Most people on this island had the ability to use arcane force." Stoney said.
While still wondering why it was considered arcane—despite being known by many (Maybe Oceanian people called it arcane power to hide the existence of power, which was unknown by outsiders, but very familiar with the indigenous. )—I suddenly remembered the book I had found in the ruins. Instantly, I took out the mysterious book and showed it to Stoney.
"Is this book taking about arcane force?" I asked.
"How do you get it?" Stoney was surprised." Never mind. It is actually a basic breathing technique that guide kids to absorb and use arcane force."
"Can I learn this?"
"You don't seem to be an indigenous person. I don't know whether…"
"If we don't try, we won't know."
"Can you translate it for me?"
"I am always willing for what you ask for"
After listening to Stoney reading the entire book (of course I just knew the intention of the writer not the language), I had a basic knowledge about this breathing technique and had grasped a few basic words of the Oceanian language. Yet I wouldn't try this technique until understanding the book thoroughly. I didn't know if there was any side effects, such as internal injuries or life drain, if going the wrong way.
"Oh. You haven't answered my question. Why were you there?" I asked.
"Sorry, but I didn't remember exactly. When I first got my cognition, I saw some people walking and doing something in a room, while I was situated in a cage. Suddenly, I felt a flux of information going into my mind. At the same time, an explosion occurred. All the light went off. I was taken by a human, who then was pursued by the guards. Seeing the guards were approaching, he used the technique that helped him to move faster. He rushed through from building to building, then, reached the river. When he jumped into river and surfed to escape, the group of sentinels were already on the bank. He got ambushed by those sentinels who used fireballs to attempt to kill the man. To save his own life and not want them to get me, he used his last stamina to dash back, throw me far into the water, hid my presence with an arcane skill, and escape. I have waited for 100 years. Do you know how long it is? 100 years! That said, most of the time I just slept, so it was not so long to wait… But it was still really longgg…"
Hearing Stoney's stories, I had a lot of things on my mind. However, it was too late, and I fell asleep when still thinking deeply. It was one of the greatest nights I have ever had.