The Altar
As I approach the altar, I see an ancient book lying there. The cover bears no writing; it is bound simply in weathered leather. I pick up the book and slowly turn its pages.
The book is written in an ancient script, and at first glance, I cannot make out what it says. However, drawing on my experience deciphering the script of the Atlantis civilization during past adventures, I realize I can read these characters as well. As I continue reading, I discover a description of an evil spirit that has taken up residence in this temple.
The spirit’s name is “Zolta.” Zolta draws strength from the darkness in people’s hearts and manipulates miasma to pollute the forest. Zolta is an extremely powerful spirit and cannot be harmed by ordinary magic or weapons. However, even Zolta has a weakness: the light of a pure heart.
Since Zolta feeds on the darkness in people’s hearts, it loses its power when bathed in the light of a pure heart. In particular, it is written that the sacred melody of the Harp of Atlantis is extremely harmful to Zolta. However, the harp’s melody alone is not enough to completely defeat Zolta. To defeat Zolta, one must combine the harp’s melody with the water from the Sacred Spring and the Seed of Hope.
The water from the sacred spring wells up in a sanctuary deep within the temple. It is said to possess the power to purify all evil energies. The Seed of Hope is the seed I received from a forest fairy in Emerald City, and it has the power to give people hope.
I finish reading the book and understand Zolta’s weakness and how to defeat him. I tell Sakura what I’ve learned and we devise a plan.
“So, to defeat Zolta, we need the melody of the Harp of Atlantis, the water from the Sacred Spring, and the Seed of Hope,” Sakura says with a serious expression.
“Yes. First, we need to find the Sacred Spring and obtain its water,” I reply.
When we ask the old man where the Sacred Spring is, he shows us the path to the sanctuary deep within the temple. We thanked the old man and set off for the sanctuary. The path to the sanctuary was dark and rugged. Yet, with hope in our hearts, we pressed forward.
Eventually, the sanctuary appeared before us. It was filled with a sacred atmosphere, and at its center was a spring from which pure water gushed forth. I approached the spring and took a sip of the water. Immediately, I felt strength surging through my entire body.
“This water… it’s amazing. It gives me such strength.” Sakura also drinks from the spring and is surprised by its effect.
We fill a bottle with water from the sacred spring to prepare for our battle with Zolta.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
