The air in Foresta felt reborn.
Benjamin stopped at the edge of the forest path, watching how the once-gray trees shimmered again with life. The leaves gleamed in hues of emerald, their scent fresh and earthy, carrying the quiet music of renewal. Every step he took echoed softly on the ground, no longer cracked and lifeless, but vibrant and pulsing. He smiled faintly, whispering to himself:
- Benjamin: "The Earth Crystal really worked... everything's alive again."
When he reached the village, laughter filled the air. The people, who had once been withered and frail under the curse of Flamerus Rex, now looked young again—strong and full of joy. Children ran barefoot through the streets, and an old woman's voice rang out with trembling happiness.
- Girl: "Look! I'm a little girl again!" - She said, spinning with delight.
The sight struck Benjamin deeply. His throat tightened. For all the battles, all the fear, this was the reward—to see life return.
Villagers gathered around him, their eyes bright.
- Villagers: "Hero! Thank you for saving us—and the trees!" - One shouted.
" Villagers: "Benjamin, you truly are a blessing!" - Said another.
He smiled, nodding quickly, though his heart still raced. Gratitude was sweet, but there was something more urgent calling him. Without delay, he entered Kaeli's home.
Joanna met him at the door, her expression a mix of hope and worry.
- Joanna: "Go—give her the medicine, quickly!"
Benjamin dashed up the stairs, nearly stumbling in his haste. When he reached the room, Kaeli lay on the bed, her breathing shallow, yet her eyes fluttered open as he approached.
- Kaeli: "Benjamin... is it really you?" - She whispered.
That voice—soft and fragile—made his chest ache. For a moment, the noise of the world vanished. There was only the faint rustle of the curtains, and the warmth of her gaze meeting his.
- Benjamin: "Yeah." - He said gently, smiling. - "It's me."
He held out the small glass vial. The light of the revived forest outside reflected on its surface.
- Benjamin: "Here... the Elixir."
Kaeli took it, her hands trembling slightly.
- Kaeli: "Thank you, Benjamin... with this, I can finally go to Aquaria. Spencer, he's still there... I need to see him."
The name made Benjamin raise an eyebrow.
- Benjamin: "Spencer? Where exactly is Aquaria?"
Kaeli smiled faintly.
- Kaeli: "Go through the Focus Tower, northeast of here. You'll find the path from there."
Benjamin turned to leave, but paused at the doorway. He looked back with a grin that felt more sincere than words.
- Kaeli: "Hey… I never told you my last name before… it's KaeliKaren."
- Benjamin: ""That's a good name! I hope I get to see you well again, Kaeli."
Her cheeks flushed softly. As he disappeared down the stairs, she murmured under her breath:
- Kaeli: "He seems... different. Stronger somehow."
Outside, as he prepared to leave the village, Cristy appeared near the gate. Her expression wavered between relief and sadness.
- Cristy: "Already leaving?" - She asked, trying to sound casual. - "You barely stayed... won't you at least have dinner before you go?"
Benjamin hesitated, his eyes soft.
- Benjamin: "I'd love to, really... but I need to reach Aquaria as soon as possible. Still—thank you for taking care of me."
Cristy lowered her head, her hands clutching something behind her back. When she stepped forward, he noticed tears welling in her eyes. She handed him a small wrapped bundle.
- Cristy: "It's... just some food. For the road."
He took it, surprised, and a genuine smile spread across his face.
- Benjamin: "Cristy... thank you. Truly."
Without another word, she turned away, her cheeks wet and crimson. Benjamin watched her go and called out, voice echoing through the trees.
- Benjamin: "Thank you, Cristy! Really!"
He set out toward the tower.
Back in Cristy's home, her brother Claus leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
- Cristy: "Ah, sister... you know he has something important to do. Why didn't you at least say goodbye?"
Cristy sighed, resting her head on the table.
- Cristy: "I... didn't know what to say to make him stay."
Claus smiled faintly.
- Claus: "You wouldn't have convinced him anyway. That look in his eyes—that's the look of a man who knows what he has to do. You can't fight that."
The path to the Focus Tower was cold and quiet. Mist rolled across the hills like pale waves, and when Benjamin reached the great stone gate, an old figure awaited him—the same mystic aura, the same face as his grandfather.
The elder turned slowly, his eyes bright with distant wisdom.
- Elder: "Well done, Benjamin." - He said. - "But remember—Captain Mac will play an important role in your journey."
Benjamin frowned.
- Benjamin: "Captain Mac...? I've heard that name before..."
The old man smiled cryptically.
- Elder: "You'll understand soon enough. Seek a girl named Phoebe. She will aid you."
- Benjamin: "But I can't just stop! I need to reach Aquaria now—"
- Elder: "Perhaps your paths will cross sooner than you think."
- Benjamin: "Wait—what do you mean by tha—"
Before Benjamin could finish, the elder drifted away on his cloud, vanishing once more.
Benjamin clenched his fists, staring into the empty air where the figure had been.
- Benjamin: "He always leaves before I can ask anything..."
Still, he pressed forward.
The stone door before him was immense, carved with strange sigils. Three smaller doors lined the inner chamber, each marked with symbols of the ancient elements. He studied them, then noticed the familiar emblem etched into the first.
- Benjamin: "The Sand Coin..." - He muttered. Fitting the coin into a recess beside the door, he heard the deep groan of ancient gears turning. A surge of cold air burst through as the portal opened.
- Benjamin: "It worked!"
Beyond lay a chamber glimmering with frost. Inside a chest rested a worn, red-covered tome. When he opened it, light poured forth and spiraled into his body.
- Benjamin: "Another Black Magic..." - He whispered. - "Fire."
The pages disintegrated into glowing embers that vanished into his skin, leaving him with a sense of power and warmth.
He pressed on, the cold intensifying with every step, until the path opened into a frozen plain. Snow stretched endlessly ahead—a silent, merciless sea of white.
After a long march facing monsters like Mint Mints, he reached a grand structure half-buried in ice: the Libra Temple. Inside, he explored quietly, the air thick with stillness. In one corner, he found a small crate of explosives—and a faint sound of sobbing.
Curious and cautious, he followed the sound.
Near the back wall sat a girl with long blonde hair, her head buried between her knees.
- Benjamin: "Hey..." - He said softly. - "Are you okay?"
She lifted her head slightly, her eyes red from crying.
- Girl???: "No... it's useless. Aquaria's frozen, everyone's sick, and my grandfather's trapped. I can't do anything..."
She stood suddenly, wiping her tears, and began to walk toward the exit.
- Benjamin: "Wait!" - Benjamin called out. - "Have you ever heard of someone named Spencer?"
She froze.
- Girl???: "Spencer? He's... my grandfather!"
Benjamin's eyes widened.
- Benjamin: "Then that settles it. I'll help you save him."
She looked at him, uncertain.
- Girl???: "No... it's hopeless. I'm going home."
He smiled, trying to lighten her mood.
- Benjamin: "You're a bit quick to give up, aren't you? What's your name?"
The girl hesitated, then sighed.
- Phoebe: "Phoebe Fey... from Aquaria."
Benjamin's grin widened.
- Benjamin: "Then it's fate. I'm going with you."
She blinked in surprise, and for the first time, a small smile broke through her despair. The cold winds swept through the temple, carrying away the weight of fear and loneliness.
And so began the next stage of Benjamin's journey—a journey of ice, courage, and the faint warmth of newfound companionship.