Joël was lost in his thoughts, wondering where he would spend the night, when a hand rested on his shoulder. He turned around and saw a beautiful woman with silver hair, dressed in yellow and black, with five rings on her left hand. "Do you have a place to stay?" she asked.
Joël shook his head. "No, I don't have one."
The woman showed him an inn and motioned for him to follow. Joël obeyed, intrigued.
When they entered the forest, the woman approached him and said, "I know your curse, that immense power you have... I can feel it."
She opened her eyes, but Joël didn't see anything unusual. "Joël, how can you see my eyes, but it doesn't affect you?" he asked.
The woman smiled. "My name is Eliane. And you?"
"I'm Joël," he replied.
Eliane smiled again. "I'm blind, Joël."
Joël's eyes widened. "You're blind? But you see places perfectly..."
Eliane burst out laughing. "Ah, Joël, you still have a lot to learn..."
Eliane smiled, her blind eyes seeming to see beyond reality. "Yes, Joël, that's exactly it. My world is a world of sensations, textures, sounds, and smells. Colors, I imagine them, but I feel them especially through the emotions of others."
She paused, as if listening to something Joël couldn't hear. "But you, Joël, you have a rich inner world of colors, don't you? A world you hide from others, for fear of being judged or rejected."
Joël was taken aback. How could she know that?
"Who are you, Eliane?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Eliane took his hand and placed it on her shoulder. "I'm someone who has learned to see beyond appearances, Joël. And I think you and I have a lot to share."
Joël's eyes widened, surprised by Eliane's age. "Over a hundred years old? But you don't look it!"
Eliane smiled, amused. "Age is just a number, Joël. What matters is what we've lived and what we've learned."
She paused, her expression becoming more serious. "My sister, the witch... Her name is Lyra. She's powerful, but she's been corrupted by her desire for power. I can help you find her, Joël, but you'll have to be ready to face your own demons."
Joël felt a shiver run down his spine. Was he ready to face what awaited him?
"What do you want in exchange for your help?" he asked, cautious.
Eliane looked at him, her blind eyes seeming to see into his soul. "I want you to promise me one thing, Joël - that you'll use your power to protect others, and not to destroy."
Joël felt Eliane's arms wrap around his neck, and he set off, carrying the old lady on his back. "Ah, you're heavy, ma'am!" he complained, his legs trembling.
Eliane burst out laughing, her warm breath against Joël's ear. "You're a cheeky one, aren't you? But watch it, I'm an old lady, after all. A bit of respect, please!"
Joël grimaced, feeling Eliane's hands pinch his ears. "Ouch! That hurts!"
"That's better," Eliane said, satisfied. She directed him on the path, and Joël set off, carrying the old lady on his back.
"You know, you're really... special," Joël said, panting under Eliane's weight.
Eliane smiled, her face against Joël's back. "I'll take that as a compliment, young man. Now, shut up and walk. We have a mountain to find."
Joël felt anger rising in him, but he bit his tongue. He continued to walk, his legs trembling, his feet aching.
"Straight ahead," Eliane repeated, as if it was the first time she'd said it.
Joël gritted his teeth. He wanted to throw her to the ground and run away. But something held him back. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was the fact that he needed her to find Lyra.
He continued to walk, the hours passing, the sun beginning to set. The forest grew darker, and Joël began to wonder if he'd ever find the mountain.
Suddenly, Eliane sat up straight on his back, her face near Joël's ear. "Look, Joël. The Moon Mountain."
Joël raised his eyes and saw, in the distance, an immense mountain, lit by the rising moon's light. He let out a sigh of relief. "Finally," he murmured.
Eliane smiled, satisfied. "We've arrived, Joël. Now, go get the crystal."
Joël stopped in front of the mountain entrance, his eyes dazzled by the sudden light of the fire that had just ignited. "Ah, welcome, Joël," said a deep voice, which seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time.
Joël turned, but he saw no one. The fire burned before him, illuminating the mountain walls. "Who's there?" he asked, trying to hide his fear.
"I am the guardian of the mountain," replied the voice. "And you, Joël, are the candidate chosen by Eliane to retrieve the crystal."
Joël clenched his fists, determined. "Where is the crystal?" he asked.
The fire began to dance, and a silhouette appeared before Joël. It was a tall, strong man with eyes that shone like stars. "The crystal is at the top of the mountain," he said. "But to get there, you'll have to face your own fears and demons."
Joël nodded, ready to take on the challenge. "I'm ready," he said.
The man smiled, and the fire burned brighter, illuminating the path before Joël. "Then begin your ascent," he said. "And may luck be with you."
Joël found himself surrounded by corpses, their empty eyes staring at him with reproach. He felt fear wash over him, but he regained control, remembering the man's words.
"These are just illusions," he repeated to himself. "I didn't really kill them. It was self-defense."
But the corpses began to speak, their voices weak and accusing. "You killed me, Joël. Why?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
The corpses moved closer to him, their arms outstretched like claws. "You're a murderer, Joël. You've taken innocent lives."
Joël shook his head, trying to shake off the images. "No, it's not true. I'm sorry, but I can't change the past."
Suddenly, the corpses disappeared, and Joël found himself in a dark, silent room. The man's voice echoed again. "You've overcome your fear, Joël. You're ready to continue."
Joël took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief and pride. "I'm ready," he said, his voice firm.
The light returned, and Joël saw that he was standing in front of a staircase leading up to the top of the mountain. "Continue," said the man's voice. "The crystal awaits you."