Chapter 13: The Time-Warping Stone
The sun hung low in the sky as Dolla, Ecco, and their companions trekked through the ancient forest known as the Whispering Woods. The trees whispered secrets of old, their leaves rustling with an eerie, magical energy. They were on their way to find a rumored ally who might provide valuable information about Lord Biron’s plans. Drakon flew overhead, his keen eyes scanning the dense canopy for any signs of trouble.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the air grew cooler, and an unnatural stillness settled around them. Gale, riding Thunderclap, landed beside Dolla, her expression wary.
“There’s something strange about this place. Can you feel it?”
Dolla nodded, her senses on high alert.
“Yes, the air feels different. We need to stay cautious.”
Ecco, who had been walking beside them, suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on something half-buried in the underbrush. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a stone that glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.
Dolla and the others gathered around as Ecco carefully unearthed the stone. It was smooth and oval-shaped, its surface etched with intricate, glowing runes.
“This doesn’t look like any ordinary stone,” Ecco murmured, turning it over in his hands.
Inferno, curious, leaned in for a closer look. “I’ve heard tales of such stones. They say some have the power to manipulate time itself.”
Gale raised an eyebrow.
“Time manipulation? That sounds dangerous.”
As they debated the stone’s potential, it began to pulse with a rhythmic light. Dolla reached out, her fingers brushing against its cool surface. In an instant, a blinding flash enveloped them, and the world around them shifted.
When the light faded, they found themselves standing in the same clearing, but the forest looked different—older, untouched by the ravages of time. Drakon let out a confused roar, his eyes wide with alarm.
“What just happened?” Ecco asked, his voice tinged with panic.
Dolla glanced around, trying to get her bearings.
“I think we’ve traveled back in time. This must be the stone’s doing.”
Inferno frowned, his gaze shifting between the stone and their surroundings.
“We need to be careful. Changing the past can have unpredictable consequences.”
As they deliberated their next move, a rustling sound came from the bushes. A young girl, no more than twelve years old, stepped into the clearing. She had the same fiery red hair and piercing green eyes as Dolla, and she stared at them with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
“Who are you?” the girl asked, her voice trembling.
Dolla knelt down to her level, offering a reassuring smile.
“We mean you no harm. We’re travelers. What’s your name?”
The girl hesitated before answering.
“My name is Elena. This is my home. Who are you?”
Dolla’s heart skipped a beat. Could this be her own ancestor? She glanced at Ecco, who nodded subtly.
“My name is Dolla,” she said softly. “We’re here by accident. Do you know anything about this stone?”
Elena’s eyes widened as she looked at the glowing stone in Ecco’s hand. “That’s the Time-Warping Stone! It’s said to hold great power, but it’s dangerous. My grandmother told me stories about it.”
Ecco stood up, looking around the ancient forest. “We need to find a way to return to our own time. Elena, do you know how to use the stone?”
Elena shook her head. “Only the elders know. But they live in the village, not far from here. I can take you there.”
Dolla exchanged a glance with Ecco. “We don’t have much choice. Lead the way, Elena.”
As they followed the girl through the forest, Dolla felt a strange sense of familiarity. The path she now walked was likely the same one her ancestors had tread centuries ago. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
After a short walk, they arrived at a small, rustic village nestled in a clearing. The villagers stopped and stared as they entered, their faces a mixture of suspicion and awe. An elderly woman, her hair silver and eyes sharp, stepped forward.
“Elena, who are these strangers?” the woman asked, her voice commanding.
“These are travelers, Grandmother,” Elena explained. “They have the Time-Warping Stone.”
The old woman’s eyes widened as she examined the stone in Ecco’s hand. “The Time-Warping Stone… I never thought I’d see it in my lifetime. Come, we must talk.”
They followed the elder into a large hut at the center of the village. The inside was filled with herbs, scrolls, and ancient relics. The elder gestured for them to sit around a wooden table.
“I am Elder Maia,” she began. “The stone you possess is indeed powerful, capable of altering time. It has been lost for centuries.”
Ecco placed the stone on the table. “We found it by accident and it brought us here. We need to return to our own time.”
Elder Maia nodded slowly. “The stone can be unpredictable. Using it requires great care. You must focus on your desired time and channel your energy through the runes.”
Gale looked skeptical. “And what if we fail?”
Elder Maia’s expression turned grave. “Then you could be lost in time forever.”
Dolla took a deep breath, determination in her eyes. “We have to try. But first, can we learn anything from this time that could help us in our fight against Lord Biron?”
Elder Maia’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “Lord Biron, you say? There are legends of a great evil that will rise in the future. Perhaps your presence here is no accident. Let me consult the ancient texts.”
As Elder Maia searched through her scrolls, Dolla and Ecco shared a quiet moment. “Do you think we’re meant to be here?” Dolla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ecco took her hand, squeezing it gently. “Maybe. Or maybe we make our own destiny.”
Elder Maia returned, holding a dusty scroll. “There is a prophecy that speaks of a group of warriors who will travel through time to stop a great darkness. It mentions a dragon rider and a peasant warrior.”
Dolla’s eyes widened. “That’s us.”
Elder Maia nodded. “Then you are the ones foretold. There is a ritual you must perform with the stone to harness its full power and return to your time. But beware, the consequences of changing the past can be severe.”
With Elder Maia’s guidance, they prepared for the ritual. They gathered in the village square, the villagers watching with bated breath. Dolla and Ecco stood at the center, holding the stone between them. The runes began to glow brighter, and a humming energy filled the air.
“Focus on your time,” Elder Maia instructed. “Channel your will through the stone.”
As they concentrated, the stone’s glow intensified, enveloping them in a blinding light. Dolla felt a powerful pull, as if being drawn through a tunnel of swirling colors. She clung to Ecco, their connection grounding her in the maelstrom of time.
When the light faded, they found themselves back in the Whispering Woods, the stone still glowing faintly in Ecco’s hand. They looked around, the familiar signs of their own time bringing a sense of relief.
“We did it,” Dolla said, her voice filled with awe.
Ecco nodded, his eyes still wide with the wonder of their journey. “But what did we change?”
As they emerged from the forest, they were met by their companions, who looked relieved to see them. Drakon let out a joyful roar, circling above them in celebration.
Gale approached, her eyes questioning. “What happened?”
Dolla smiled, holding up the stone. “We traveled through time and returned. But we learned something important—there’s a prophecy about us. We’re meant to stop Biron.”
Inferno’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Then let’s make sure that prophecy comes true.”
As they set off once more, the Time-Warping Stone securely in their possession, Dolla felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had glimpsed the past and returned with a greater understanding of their mission. The future was uncertain, but they would face it together, stronger and more united than ever before.