The little girl who herded the sun vanished together with her Solar Ark, and darkness swiftly surged forth, swallowing the world.
"What exactly did the Sun-Herder Clan Chief mean to say?"
Quinn Shepherd fell into deep thought as darkness blanketed the land. The dragon pillars lit up once more, braziers throughout the city were kindled, and every temple glowed in the night.
The Jade Pendant on his chest emitted a faint glow. According to the Sun-Herder Clan, the pendant came from Carefree Haven—and he might have come from there too. Yet the Great Ruins Geographical Map held no mention of Carefree Haven; it was as if the place didn’t exist within the Great Ruins.
"Where is Carefree Haven, really? Why does it only appear when darkness descends?"
He stared blankly at the darkness outside the city, longing to step into it and search for Carefree Haven. But the darkness covered such a vast expanse, swallowing the entire boundless Great Ruins—who could possibly know where that elusive land truly lay?
Besides, how could he possibly cross the mysterious darkness in safety?
The darkness was so perilous. His little Jade Pendant couldn’t protect him, and treasures like the stone statue were far too heavy—carrying one was like hauling a god on his back, utterly impossible.
Would my parents be in Carefree Haven?
Quinn’s spirits sank. Standing atop the dragon pillar’s head, he lifted his palm as if reaching out to touch the thick darkness beyond.
Beyond the city, endless darkness surged, separated from the bright scene within by a thin, translucent membrane. A gigantic hand appeared on that membrane wall, as if trying to touch his own palm.
Quinn raised his hand, the two palms drawing closer and closer.
From within the darkness came whispers—gentle voices murmuring, persuading him to step into the dark and become one with it.
The whispering grew louder and louder, drilling into his mind, coaxing him relentlessly.
Quinn’s gaze grew unfocused—the two palms were nearly touching.
Gradually, the darkness before him was no longer just darkness, but another vast world. He saw a realm like mist or a water-mirror, where a woman reached out from afar, her hand seemingly about to touch his.
The woman’s face was blurred—he tried to see her clearly, but no matter how he looked, she remained indistinct.
On his chest, the Jade Pendant gently floated upward, as if drawn toward that world in the darkness.
"Quinn, what are you doing?"
A startled, angry voice sounded behind him. Quinn jerked his hand back—Deaf had appeared at his side, snapping him out of the trance. Quinn came to, hastily withdrawing his hand, drenched in cold sweat.
If he really touched that hand in the darkness, what would happen? Everyone else who fell into the dark died horribly—he’d probably be devoured by monsters too, right?
The giant hand in the darkness also withdrew on its own, vanishing, and the strange vision faded away.
In a daze, Quinn thought he heard a sigh from within the darkness, though Deaf clearly sensed nothing.
Deaf was furious. He grabbed Quinn and dragged him away, snapping, "There are monsters in the darkness, skilled at bewitching the mind! Watch out or they'll snatch you!"
"Monsters that bewitch the mind?"
Only now did Quinn feel a chill of fear. He tucked the Jade Pendant beneath his shirt, as if hiding his thoughts along with it, and silently vowed, "Someday, I’ll traverse the darkness, seek its origin, and find Carefree Haven!"
"Grandpa Deaf, what was that in the darkness just now? Why could I suddenly see things inside it?" Quinn asked after a moment’s thought.
"That was the Dark Realm."
Deaf said, "The Village Chief knows about the Dark Realm—he’s been there. Let’s go to the City Lord’s Manor; the Village Chief is there too. He can explain it to you."
Quinn’s heart trembled. The Village Chief had been to the world within the darkness?