The Deep Forest
Deep within the forest, I tread forward step by step, wary of the Fuma clan’s illusions as told to me by the old hunter. The trees tower overhead, blocking out the sunlight, and the forest remains dark even in the daytime. The ground is damp, and the scent of decomposing leaves fills the air. Occasionally, an eerie wind whistles through the trees, sounding as if something were whispering.
The Wind Spirit’s shell continues to glow faintly. The spirit’s voice calms my heart. “Fear not; trust in your courage.” With those words in my heart, I head toward the Temple of the Wind, where the Fūma lurk.
After walking for a while, the forest begins to change. The trees grow farther apart, and the view opens up. Then, ahead of me, a massive stone structure comes into view. This must be the Temple of the Wind.
However, a strange sight spreads out around the temple. Countless windmills are set up on the ground, each spinning and emitting an eerie sound. And at the temple’s entrance, a massive tornado has formed, seemingly blocking anyone who tries to approach.
“Is that the work of the Wind Demon…?”
I mutter. The Wind Demon has not only manipulated the power of the wind to turn the temple into a den of monsters, but is also using illusions to protect it. To break through the tornado, I must find a way.
I carefully observe my surroundings: the arrangement of the windmills, the movement of the tornado, and the structure of the temple. It’s possible that all of this is part of the Wind Demon’s illusion. However, upon closer inspection, I notice a small gap in the tornado.
“If I exploit that gap, I might be able to break through the tornado…”
That’s what I thought. However, the tornado’s movements are unpredictable. A moment’s lapse in concentration could be fatal. Even so, I resolve to take the risk. To defeat the Wind Demon and obtain the knowledge slumbering within the temple, I must be prepared to take that risk.
I took out the lyre of the Atlantis civilization. The lyre is an instrument imbued with ancient power; it might have the power to break through Fuma’s illusions. I began to play the lyre.
The beautiful tones of the lyre echoed through the quiet forest. The sound awakened the power of the wind spirits, slightly weakening the tornado’s momentum. Seizing that opening, I leaped into the tornado.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
