A Thousand Years (the sword of Fate)

Chapter 2: The Moonlight Forest ( Blue is the colour of love)

"I went straight to the market without any excitement. If Mama was so sure this time I would be chosen, then I am ready to do whatever she asks of me. She seems to be the only one who hasn't lost faith in me yet. Papa used to be my shoulder, he used to be the one who fed my spirit with strength. I remember the first two times I failed; the year before the trial, he took me away to a far area deep into the forest, away from the village, a place he called the Moonlight Forest: filled with tall trees and surrounded by beautiful and scary-looking rocks. I was scared at first, wanting to ask where he was taking me, but I hesitated. We walked even deeper into the forest until we settled on the side of a mighty river. Upon seeing the beautifully colored water, I was amazed. It was so quiet and peaceful!"

"Son," yes papa! take a look at the world from this view, look at how blue the water is, look how green the trees are, do you see how dark the caves are? They are all part of nature, just like you. I brought you here, son, away from the village for you to focus on your inner strength.

"Once upon a time, many years ago before the existence of humans, the moon and the sun lived peacefully, along with the rivers surrounding the earth. The sun gave the brightest light filled with rainbows, creating so many pleasant colors while the moon also gave light, but without any colors. They moved across all places, supplying wild and bright light. We were standing on a mountain above the river. It was so intense for me; the whole place looked so familiar. I was all over the place, but papa never noticed my reaction as he continued with his story. He then put his hands around my shoulder and continued.

"On one occasion, the moon saw a river so quiet and peaceful, dancing to the rhythm of the sweet melodic sounds which the birds of the forest gave along with the trees waving. The moon fell in love instantly and switched on his light immediately. In that very moment, something magical happened, something he had never seen before; the moonlight became blue, tremendously beautiful unlike anything they had seen before. Since that day, the moon decided never to leave that part of the forest, so he gave part of himself to the river." As papa spoke, I fixed my gaze upon the mysterious water, which was so gentle and calm. The blue light was so captivating and dazzling that I didn't even know where the light came from. Although it was daytime, the mighty trees had used their branches to block the sun, and the forest seemed to have its own light. "Blue is the color of love, not red. Why, papa?" I interrupted.

"Yes, son! Blue is the most pleasant color. That story I just told you happened right here, in this very forest. It's the great harmony between the moon and the river, the only love that has ever lasted forever," said papa. I was amazed by the story but still didn't understand the lesson or the reason he took me all the way from the village to teach me about love and harmony. I was trying to visualize the picture clearly in my head when I realized I had gone far, not just in my thoughts but beyond the market and the village, heading towards the forest. I stopped and started to walk back, but then I heard my name faintly in the distance, something calling out to me from the unknown. Just like that, the voice disappeared. I laughed at myself, feeling confused and frightened at the same time. I turned to walk back again, but the voice returned, more reassuring this time. I took trembling steps backward, slowly turning my head to look back to ensure no one was there. I could feel my heart pounding and racing like the drums of the village festival.

I summoned my courage and turned back boldly, confirming that there was indeed no one there. However, the voice calling out my name continued to drift further into the distance, exerting a magnetic force that seemed to pull me forward. I felt as though I was no longer in control of my own actions. After struggling with this force and hesitating for a prolonged period, I reluctantly made the decision to follow the lead, uncertain whether it was the bravest or the most foolish choice. I ventured into the dark forest, where the sun had now retired or embarked on a journey to another realm. The darkness enveloped me as I kept walking, with the voice leading me deeper into the shadows. "This voice... it sounds familiar," I murmured to myself.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" I demanded with a voice that was on the verge of breaking, hoping for a response. "Who am I? Haha! I think the question should be, who are you?" she replied, her laughter reminiscent of a predator who had ensnared her prey. "I know who I am!" I exclaimed with a loud scream, my breath quickening. "Then who are you?" she challenged. Unsure whether to respond, I fell into a moment of silence. "I am Jaja, the third son of a twin," I finally revealed, breaking the stillness. "So who are you?! Show yourself!" A fierce wind began to howl, creating unsettling sounds. My hand hovered over the handle of my sword, torn between drawing it and holding back. "She is just a woman," I reassured myself. "Jaja, is that what they call you in this lifetime? What do you mean by 'this lifetime'?" I questioned, feeling lost in the perplexing situation, each moment blending into what seemed like a distant memory.

"Reveal yourself! Step out of the shadows!" I demanded. "Tomorrow, you will be designated as the chosen one. When you hoist the sword of Fate, only then will you comprehend your destiny. How did you come to know about me?" I inquired. "Nothing I divulge to you at this moment will align with logical understanding. Proceed onward to the blue forest. There, you will uncover much about yourself," she cryptically responded. Confounded by her words, save for the clarity of "nothing making sense," I found her message utterly bewildering. And so, the journey continues...