Chapter 79 - Fourth Gate: Land Of Terra (Part 2)

"My dear," the old lady whispered, "I'd love to talk more with you, but I need to go back to my grandchild. He must be starving by now".

Elliot gently smiled towards the old lady, "Of course. Would it be alright if we accompany you? We can help you carry your things, too".

The old lady smiled back. "Ahh … I've been blessed to meet such kind people. Just like my little grandson".

And so, they went to accompany the old lady back to her home. Elliot carried the old lady on his back since she was having troubles walking. The old lady was touched and she kept on thanking them along the way while she pointed out the direction to their house. Being unable to use magic, they had to walk a long way to reach it. Too long actually, that it was already late in the afternoon when they arrived. Elliot and Rania began wondering how in the world did this old lady managed to walk that far of a distance all by herself. Their hearts sank at the very thought of it.

Finally, they arrived at the old lady's house. It was a shack - very small and old looking, made of plywoods all over, with two windows and a door. Even the woods itself looked weak and may collapse any moment. It was in no state of being called a proper home. Yet she was so happy to come back since her grandson was waiting for her. Upon arriving, a small but lively child with white hair and blue eyes, peeked out from the window when he heard footsteps.

"Granny! You're back," the child eagerly shouted as he came running towards his grandmother. "Are you okay? I told you I can do it next time! I'm big enough!" Then, noticing the people with his grandmother, he stepped back and asked, "Ahm … who are they, granny? Are they good or bad?" 

"Oho! No need to worry my child, they are kind people," the old lady smiled towards him and patted his head. "They even gave me this -," she lifted the bag with lunch boxes and water. 

"Oh, I see!," the child smiled and turned towards Elliot and the others. "Thank you misters and ma'ams!" His smile belonged to that of an angel. The child was very adorable to look at and his speech was so energetic and enthusiastic.

Rania leaned over to him and patted his head, "My, my, aren't you a sweet child? What's your name? And how old are you?"

"My name is Elijah! And I'm three years old!" the child proudly answered and tapped his chest.

"What a beautiful name, Elijah".

"My granny gave it to me, she's the best!" Elijah nodded with all his might.

Elliot, Luna and Ducis chuckled at them. 

"May we know your name as well, madam?'' Elliot turned to the old lady.

"Oh, yes, how rude can I be?" the old lady jolted. "I am no madam, my dear, you are so polite. My name is Elin, but you may just call me granny. I'm too old to be called by my name". 

"Elin, such a beautiful name as well," Elliot smiled. "But sure, we'll call you granny if you insist".

Elin laughed. "Now, now, why don't we go inside and take some rest? We don't have much but feel free to come in and sit down for a moment".

They all agreed to the grandmother's invitation and came inside. Though the shack looked depressing on the outside, it looked so warm on the inside. There were barely any furnitures inside - just one rustic bed with tattered clothes pieced together to form a blanket, a wooden table partnered with two wooden chairs, a small area for cooking with just two pots and a ladle, some bowls on the side, and at the very middle of the house was small, square area that served as a fireplace - but the place looked warm because of the little decorations that could be found all around. 

It was probably the work of the genius, lively child, Elijah. It must have been him who placed flowers on the table, some plants on the side of the bed, and a little tree on the countertop of the kitchen. There were papers with drawings on the wall, too, and folded papers hanging on the vines that adorned the windows. 

Rania, Elliot, Luna and Ducis sat around the fireplace as Elin and Elijah boiled some water to prepare tea for their guests. Rania and Elliot told them there was no need but the grandmother insisted, it was the least she could do. Once settled, they joined them at the fireplace and passed on the cups of tea. Everyone thanked Elin and slowly sipped in the tea.

"Wow! This is tasty!" Luna cheered up. "What leaves did you use?"

"Fufufu, those are the leaves that this little one planted," Elin chuckled and patted Elijah's head.

"Woah! Amazing Elijah! You're blessed to be able to grow a plant magnificently! It has healing and calming properties, too! Simply amazing," Luna's face was filled with zen.

The others nodded in agreement.

Elijah blushed and shyly said, "Thank you ahm …," he didn't know their names so he hesitated.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry!" Rania quickly apologized. They all forgot to introduce themselves. "I'm Rania, and this is Elliot, Luna and Ducis," she introduced everyone and they bowed as Rania pointed at them and mentioned their names.

"I see! Thank you Rania, Elliot, Luna and Ducis!" Elijah sweetly smiled.

"G-Granny," Elliot shyly called the grandmother, "Is it alright to ask? We'd like to know more about this village".

"Of course my dear," Elin nodded her head. She lowered her hands and gazed at everyone dearly. "I noticed you must have come from a different place, or a different planet since you know nothing of what was happening here".

Everyone was shocked. They looked at each other, then decided to peer in closer and listened attentively to her.

"This planet is called Gaia … and this village is known as 'Pius Village', located in the continent of Terra. We used to be a bustling and lively village … but in the last twenty years, war started to come one after another. Since we're located in the center of the continent, we have become a constant victim of wars - just like what happened a few months back. And it all started when people learned magic".

Elijah looked up to Elin and hugged her to comfort her. Elin smiled back at him and embraced him as well. Rania, Elliot and Luna gripped their cups tight as they listened to the old lady.

"Hundreds of years ago, everyone in Gaia were simple, non-magic people. Life was simple and normal … until a group of people discovered the existence of spiritual energy and how to use them and bend it to their will. It turned out that the whole planet was overflowing with spiritual energy, and our bodies were perfect containers of such energy. We actually had it since the moment we were born, we just never knew. Thus, magic was formed and the knowledge of it scattered everywhere until every single person knew how to use it. From then on, we began calling ourselves - Magi".

Rania and Elliot were alerted. "Could this be …?" they thought in their minds.

Elin continued her story. "Everyone was happy since magic immensely helped in our daily lives and in improving our lands. Magic is indeed a blessing to everyone … a blessing … and a curse". Her eyes turned sullen after. "Sometimes, having more leads people to greed. Few generations passed and many Magi began competing with each other. What started as a friendly competition, grew bigger and bigger, until it became an issue between nations.

You see, not all Magi have been given the same capacity for spiritual energy. Some had little capacity, only able to cast magic once a day, while some were brimming with it that they could cast magic nonstop and still be okay. Then, we also discovered that if our bodies were to be completely depleted of spiritual energy, we will die. So the weaker ones decided not to use it anymore unless they needed it. On the other hand, the stronger ones used it to their heart's content. Noticing the difference in power, some people began to greed - for more lands, more people, more power, titles, and many things I cannot comprehend".

"I-is that … what started the war?" Rania asked as she clenched her chest. 

Elin nodded. "Yes. Each country had their own kings, and each with their own set of beliefs and opinions on things and how the world should run. Their different ideas led to conflicts, now they want to rule over each other and run the whole world the way they want it to. And we, the weaker Magi, couldn't do anything but watch them as they wage their wars and be a victim of it. Even the king that we used to have, and his whole family, were all slaughtered in the hands of the enemy country. Killing our king was not enough, they even plundered everything that we have. Now, our village was left in ruins, as what you can all see now".

Feeling his grandmother's loneliness, Elijah stood up from his seat.

"Don't worry granny! And don't be sad. When I grow up, I promise, I will defeat all those nasty kings and turn this planet to the way it was!"

Funny it might be, to hear such brave words from a small child, but his blue eyes didn't lie. 

As if fire ignited from Elliot's soul, his heart thumped wildly in his chest as he stared towards the little child.