In Her Eyes, the Universe's Sparkle

Fresh from Vanesha's archive, our minds buzzing with newfound information, we made haste towards the Mystic Peaks. The portal I would conjure was our passage there. There was no time to lose, and the party—including Putri, Pyuan, Nabilah, and me—was ready. Now, understanding that Pyuan's pure energy might be useful, we had a better plan for our expedition.

With unwavering focus, I closed my eyes and pictured the Mystic Peaks in my mind. The vision gradually took shape on the page as I drew the glowing doorway that would transport us. The charcoal lines shimmered and ascended, morphing into a translucent gateway several paces wide. Beyond it swirled an image of the snow-capped peaks of a particular region known as the Frozen Heights within the Mystic Peaks.

"Is that... the Mystic Peaks?" Nabilah gasped, eyes wide with astonishment.

Ah, yeah, speaking of Nabilah... she agreed to continue helping us with the expedition. She intended to assist us in crafting a weapon imbued with the essence of the heartstone's pure magic so that we could fight the shadows. Besides, after the jailbreak the other night, Nabilah had probably become the most wanted figure in the entire palace region.

"It's a section called the Frozen Heights," I explained, feeling a chill just looking at it. "Perpetually covered in snow and ice. It's the quickest route to our destination, though it's treacherous."

The Mystic Peaks were notorious for their jagged cliffs and perilous trails, all shrouded in a haunting veil of mist. This region, however, added the challenge of unyielding cold and treacherous ice. Danger seemed to lurk around every corner.

I hadn't ventured into this section during my expedition with the villagers. Still, according to Vanesha's information, this very region hosted the cave where the heartstone was predicted to be.

Well, one new information for sure, I could draw a portal even to a place I had never been to, as long as I have a vague idea where it was, and what it looked like. 

Ah, I just realized something. It seems I've unlocked a new piece of information about my abilities: I can draw a portal even to a place I've never been, as long as I have a vague idea of what it looks like. A welcome discovery, of course.

Bags packed, goal set—there was no turning back now. We collectively steeled our nerves. I could see the same cocktail of fear, hope, and determination reflected in each face. Pyu gave an enthusiastic shout, shattering the tense silence. “Let’s go save everyone~pyu!

Putri and I shared a brief smile. There was comfort in not facing this alone.

“Ready?” Nabilah asked. We nodded.

Together, we stepped through the portal and into the mountain vista swirling before us. Snow crunched underfoot as the towering peaks materialized around us. We had arrived.

Trekking through the rugged trails of the Mystic Peaks, we searched the towering cliffs and high ridges for any sign of the cave's entrance. But these mountains? They guarded their secrets like a CIA agent guarding the president's lunch menu.

Putri took the lead in our search, poring over Vanesha's clues and maps, searching for any detail that might guide us to the cave's location. As the hours wore on without a hint of success, the biting cold of the Mystic Peaks began to wear us down.

We decided to make camp for the night in a cliffside cave to rest. Gathered around the fire, our faces lit with anticipation, each of us eager yet thoughtful about the adventure that awaited us. Laughter and stories filled the cave, and I couldn't help but sketch a little something with charcoal on parchment to commemorate the moment.

Later, I toyed with the idea of drawing a portal back to Orym's inn in Eldenridge. A warm bed and a hot meal sounded perfect. But as the charcoal moved across the parchment, the portal refused to manifest. The Mystic Peaks, it seemed, had a way of keeping their secrets well-guarded, and they weren't about to let us escape that easily.

Putri appeared beside me, her eyes reflecting the dance of the flames. We sat together, our shoulders brushing, and I turned to her with a curious glance.

"You're not sleeping yet?" I asked, a playful note in my voice.

"No, I could ask you the same," she replied with a soft smile, her gaze shifting upward. "It's a beautiful night, don't you think?"

"Yeah," I agreed, following her gaze to the night sky. The unfamiliar twinkling lights above seemed beautiful, yet strangely different. "Do you think those are the same stars I used to see in my world?" I wondered aloud.

"Stars? Is that what you called them in your world?" Putri asked.

"Yeah. What do you call them here?"

"Sky Gems," she replied, looking thoughtful. "Well, the mysteries of the heavens are still debated among the Sky Scholars in the academy. What kind of differences do you notice?"

"Well, I'm not sure," I confessed, feeling a bit out of my depth. "Some stars look brighter, others seem out of place. It's like I recognize them, but they're... different somehow. What planet are we on anyway? Is this a different galaxy or just another version of Earth?"

Who was I to ask? Astronomy was never my strong suit. I had skipped physics back in high school, after all.

"What planet are we on?"Putri's eyes widened, clearly intrigued by the question. "Well...we just call it the realm, or the world," Putri explains, her eyes twinkling like the sky gems above. "Our legends say the gods dwelt here alone before creating humans. According to the old tales, they crafted the Heartstone at the beginning of time to bring life and magic into the primordial void. The gods reside in celestial realms beyond the sky gems."

She gestures to the sky, weaving the story. "The moons, Syl and Cyra, are said to be the eyes of the gods, watching over the world. They dance around the world together, pushing and pulling the tides, a constant reminder of the divine presence."

Her words add a layer of magic to the luminous night, linking the celestial bodies to the mystical narrative of their world, drawing the connection between the Heartstone, the gods, and the cosmos.

I found myself nodding, absorbing the grand narrative of our world as she described it. I was lost in Putri's words, my mind painting the intricate details of our world as she elucidated. Each syllable she spoke was a gentle caress, bringing the celestial wonders alive in my mind's eye. But as she continued to weave her tale, I found myself drawn to something else, something far more entrancing.

Her eyes.

They glowed with a light that rivaled the sky gems themselves. It was as if the very fabric of the universe was mirrored within them, and I was helplessly drawn into their depths.

"Are you still with me, Nanang?" Putri's voice, soft and melodious, called me back to the present.

"I—I am," I stammered, feeling warmth spread through my cheeks. "I was just... lost in thought. Your words, they're beautiful."

"You find them beautiful?" she asked, her eyes shining with genuine interest.

"No—not just your words," I confessed, my heart pounding in my chest. "Everything about you is... beautiful. The way you see the world, the way you make me feel like I'm part of something magical... I've never felt this way before."

Putri's cheeks turned a gentle shade of pink, and her eyes twinkled with a mixture of surprise and delight. "I'm glad we're sharing this journey, Nanang. There's no one else I'd rather explore these mysteries with."

We continued to gaze at the night sky, our hands finding each other in the quiet comfort that seemed to pull us closer. The world around us, filled with its own unique magic, seemed to fade away as we sat together, two souls connected by a bond that transcended realms.

The sky gems continued to shine, but none could compare to the light I found in her eyes, a light that hinted at a future filled with promise, a path we were destined to walk together.

Maybe... just maybe... after all this is over, I could marry her.

Gotta ask for Orym's permission, though.