After the battle, as the capital of Luminaria slowly regained its peace, Merslin and his companions set out on a new mission—to uncover the truth behind an ancient prophecy and find a way to unlock the magic that connects this world to another.
Their first destination was the Luminaria Mage Association, a place filled with ancient tomes and mystical knowledge. There, they were greeted by Grand Magus Ellara Lumis.
"Merslin, I have heard that you seek the Ancient Prophecy. I will grant you access to our archives," Ellara said, leading them to a vast hall filled with dusty tomes and scrolls.
Merslin and Elena spent hours combing through the records, searching for clues. Eventually, they found a passage that caught their attention.
"The Savior shall come from another world, and through the magic of the ancients, he shall find his way back."
Merslin's fingers traced the text as he read aloud, his mind racing with possibilities.
Determined to learn more, the group traveled across the city, gathering information from scholars, elderly mystics, and keepers of forgotten lore. Piece by piece, they unraveled the mystery—the ancient prophecy was connected to a forbidden magical tome that had the power to open a path to another world.
"This magic… it can only be activated when the sun and the moon align," Elena noted, scanning further.
Their search led them to a revelation: the book that had brought Merslin into this world still existed, but it had been sealed away by powerful sorcerers. To access its power, they would need to conduct a sacred ritual under celestial convergence.
"For now, we cannot activate this magic," Merslin acknowledged. "But when the time comes, we will be ready."
Lisa clenched her fists. "Then we must keep training and searching for the right conditions."
Yet, amid their discovery, one unsettling thought lingered—Doomrak's last words:
"You have not defeated me! A greater force exists beyond me!"
Serena frowned. "If Doomrak wasn't the true threat, then we must uncover what is."
As they continued studying the prophecy, they found references to the ultimate darkness—a malevolent force that had once clashed with the Savior.
"The Savior came to this world and fought against this being. Though he sealed it away, he could not destroy it," Elena murmured, her voice heavy with realization.
"This… this must be what Doomrak was talking about," Merslin said grimly.
The prophecy revealed more: the battle between the Savior and the Dark Entity had shaped the very history of Luminaria. Though the Savior succeeded in sealing it, the entity was not fully vanquished.
"If the Savior's power is needed again… then we must prepare for an even greater battle," Merslin said, his resolve hardening.
From that day forward, Merslin and his companions dedicated themselves to unraveling the prophecy and strengthening their forces. They had protected Luminaria once, but the true war was yet to come.
********
: The Reconstruction and the Day of Origin
With the city recovering from the devastation of war, the streets of Luminaria once again filled with the sounds of laughter and life. Shops reopened, people returned to their daily routines, and the once-broken city slowly mended itself.
To commemorate this revival, the people of Luminaria held a grand festival—The Day of Origin.
Merslin and his companions were invited to join the festivities. Unlike any other celebration, this day held a unique cultural tradition: a sacred ceremony where all participants embraced their natural form to honor creation and renewal.
As the festival began, the group gathered at the main plaza. Aria fidgeted nervously, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I still don't know if I can do this…" she whispered.
Serena, always the playful one, laughed and placed an arm around her. "Come on, Aria! We're all in this together!"
Lisa grinned. "The key is confidence! If you act natural, it won't feel so awkward."
Elena spoke gently, her voice full of understanding. "It's about embracing the tradition and its meaning, Aria. Not just for yourself, but for everyone."
Merslin placed a reassuring hand on Aria's shoulder. "We're all here with you. No one is alone in this."
Taking a deep breath, Aria finally nodded. "Alright… I'll try."
As the festival commenced, the city was alive with music, dance, and sacred rituals performed under the night sky. The central altar stood tall in the plaza, where priests and priestesses offered prayers in celestial harmony.
Merslin observed it all with quiet admiration. He had come to respect the customs of Luminaria and the deep faith its people held.
Elena noticed his gaze and smiled. "You've come a long way, Merslin. I'm glad you're embracing this world's culture."
Merslin returned her smile. "There's still a lot to learn, but I will do my best."
As the night deepened, the festival's energy reached its peak. The people of Luminaria rejoiced, celebrating not just the city's renewal but the unity and strength that had brought them here.
Aria, having overcome her initial hesitation, now danced freely alongside her friends, laughter in her voice.
"Merslin," she called out, "I never thought I'd say this, but… this festival is really special. I'm glad I got to share it with all of you."
Merslin nodded. "So am I."
As the festival came to an end, Merslin took a step back, watching the city's skyline glow under the moonlight. He had fought to protect this place, and now, seeing it flourish again, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Elena approached him. "You're thinking about the future, aren't you?"
He exhaled slowly. "Yeah. There's still so much ahead of us. The prophecy, the darkness that Doomrak spoke of… But for now, I'll let myself enjoy this moment."
Elena smiled warmly. "Then let's make this night one to remember."
And with that, Merslin and his companions joined the revelry once more, embracing the warmth of the people they had fought so hard to protect.
The Day of Origin was more than a festival—it was a reminder of the strength, unity, and unbreakable spirit that would carry them forward into the unknown future.