Chapter 8: The scroll of Destiny
"It's been 1 month since that day....", the flashbacks of the past quest is still in haneul's mind, " that day, I realise that akasuki said was true, I have to save this world...before it's too late",he said with a serious tone, "but before that!, I have to get stronger, that's why I'm studying here on HUNTERS HIGH!", he shouted with excitement.
He gently opens the classroom door, as usual, he's late again.
" haneul!, stop waisting time and sit! Class started!", reirook scolded haneul for a minute, a few subjects later, reirook an ounce his new assignment for everyone.
*cough*
"Today!, I will give all of you an assignment, there's a lost scroll from our chool's library, I will decided you to 2 groups with 5 members, so have fun searching, the assignment starts today until the end of the month.", reirook declares, a new assignment.
[A few nights ago]
A random scroll on a book shelf inside the hsh's library, suddenly grabbed by someone's fast hand, it was quick, it runs quietly on the wooden floors of the hallways.
[Back to Present time]
Group splitting:
Group 1-
-haneul
-bet
-alef
-gimel
-dalet
Group 2-
-yod
-het
-tet
-vav
-zayin
[Next morning]
Meanwhile at the group 1-----
They're searching in the forest and heading to the city. " now that we're settled, it's time for the scroll searching assignment!", haneul said excitedly.
"Any informations on the scroll?", bet asks haneul, she's serious about this assignment.
Haneul thinks for a moment,"I heard that the scroll contains prophecy scripture, the prophecy is still unknown", he said from what he remembers.
As Haneul's eyes sparkled with excitement, he unfolded the paper map on his hand, studying it intently. The others gathered around, their faces set with determination.
"Alright, so we're heading to the Zeing River at Northwest," Alef said, her voice steady. "And then we're supposed to meet this Scroll Master person?"
Haneul nodded, his eyes locked on the map. "That's right. I heard the Scroll Master is an expert on ancient texts and prophecies. If anyone can help us find that lost scroll, it's them."
Gimel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I've heard rumors of a hidden market near the Zeing River. Maybe we can gather some information there before meeting the Scroll Master."
Dalet nodded in agreement. "And maybe we can find some clues about the prophecy scripture contained in the scroll."
Bet's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the map. "We need to be careful. We don't know what kind of dangers we might face on this mission."
Haneul's face set in a determined expression. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. We've got each other's backs. And besides, we can't let a little danger stop us from completing our mission."
With a nod, the group set off once again, their footsteps echoing through the forest as they made their way towards the Zeing River and the mysterious Scroll Master.
As they walked, the sun beat down on them, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant call of birds.
But despite the peaceful atmosphere, Haneul couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the trees and underbrush, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Shrugging it off, he turned his attention back to the map, his mind focused on the mission ahead. Little did he know, their journey was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would test their skills, their courage, and their resolve.
As they emerged from the forest and made their way across the river, the group caught sight of a small, rustic house nestled among the trees. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney, carrying the scent of wood smoke and cooking fish.
Seated on a wooden chair outside the house was an old fisherman, his weathered face creased by years of squinting into the sun. A bucket of fish sat beside him, and he was busily gutting and cleaning the day's catch.
As the group approached, the fisherman looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in their appearance. He nodded curtly, his expression neutral.
"Can I help you young folks?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.
Haneul, who had been leading the group, stepped forward. "We're looking for the Scroll Master," he said. "We were told that he might be found near the Zeing River."
The fisherman's expression changed, his eyes glinting with a hint of curiosity. "Ah, you mean Old Man Kao," he said. "He's the one they call the Scroll Master. He lives just up the hill from here."
He jerked a thumb towards the hill, where a winding path disappeared into the trees. "You can't miss it," he said. "Just follow the path, and you'll find yourself at his doorstep."
Bet's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze fixed on the fisherman. "Do you know anything about the scroll we're looking for?" she asked.
The fisherman's expression turned cautious, and he glanced around nervously before leaning in close. "I don't know anything about any scroll," he whispered. "But I do know that Old Man Kao has been acting strange lately. He's been getting visitors in the dead of night, and there's been rumors of...other things."
He glanced around nervously again, before leaning back in his chair. "But that's just old wives' tales," he said. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
As the group thanked the fisherman for his information and began to make their way up the hill, the fisherman watched them go with a knowing glint in his eye. But what they didn't notice was that the fisherman's eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of amusement, and his expression seemed to hold a secret that he wasn't sharing.
As soon as the group was out of sight, the fisherman's demeanor changed. He stood up, his movements swift and agile, and began to quickly gather up his fishing gear. He tucked the bucket of fish under his arm and began to walk up the hill, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.
As he walked, his appearance began to shift. His worn fishing hat transformed into a wispy crown of white hair, and his weathered face smoothed out into a wise and ancient visage. His fishing gear transformed into a long, flowing robe, and his eyes gleamed with a deep and abiding wisdom.
The fisherman was gone, replaced by Old Man Kao, the Scroll Master. And as he walked up the hill, he smiled to himself, knowing that he had just set in motion a chain of events that would change the course of history.
Haneul and his groupmates were in for a surprise, and Old Man Kao was eager to see how they would react when they discovered the truth.
As Haneul and his groupmates approached the Scroll Master's home, he couldn't help but think about the scroll they were searching for. He had already learned about the scroll's unique properties - how it would reveal a hint of the finder's own prophecy when touched.
Haneul's mind was racing with possibilities. What would his prophecy be? Would it reveal a great destiny, or a terrible fate? He had always been driven by a sense of curiosity, and the thought of uncovering the secrets of the scroll was almost too exciting to bear.
He glanced over at his groupmates, wondering if they had any idea what they were getting themselves into. Bet was her usual calm and collected self, but Alef and Gimel seemed a bit more nervous. Dalet, on the other hand, looked like he was ready for anything.
Haneul took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He knew that the scroll's prophecy would change them all forever, and he was determined to be prepared.
With a nod, he reached out and knocked on the door. The Scroll Master's home was said to be full of secrets and surprises, and Haneul was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Meanwhile, Yod, Vav, and Zayin, members of Group 2, were searching for the lost scroll in the city's ancient marketplace. They had decided to split up and cover more ground, asking vendors and traders if they had any information about the scroll.
Yod, with his charming smile, was able to extract some information from a friendly vendor. "I heard that a mysterious stranger was seen around here a few days ago," the vendor said. "He was asking about an ancient text, but I don't know if it's related to the scroll you're looking for."
Vav, meanwhile, was searching through a nearby stall, looking for any clues or hints. She stumbled upon an old, leather-bound book, but as she flipped through its pages, she realized it was just a collection of ancient recipes.
Zayin, who had been searching the surrounding area, suddenly called out to the others. "Guys, I think I found something!" he exclaimed.
Yod and Vav rushed over to join Zayin, who was standing in front of a small, unassuming door. "I think this might be a hidden entrance," Zayin said. "I saw a symbol etched into the wall, and it looks like it might match the symbol on the scroll we're looking for."
The three of them exchanged excited glances. Could this be the break they needed to find the scroll?
As Yod, Vav, and Zayin were discussing the potential hidden entrance, the other members of Group 2, Het and Tet, joined them, curious about the commotion.
"What's going on?" Het asked, eyeing the small door.
"We think this might be a hidden entrance," Zayin explained. "We found a symbol etched into the wall that matches the symbol on the scroll we're looking for."
Tet's eyes widened with excitement. "That's amazing! Let's open it and see where it leads."
The group hesitated for a moment, wondering if they should investigate further. But their curiosity got the better of them, and they decided to open the door and explore what was behind it.
Yod carefully turned the handle and pushed the door open, revealing a narrow stairway that descended into darkness. The air that wafted out was musty and stale, and the group could hear the faint sound of dripping water echoing up from below.
"Looks like we're going on an adventure," Het said, grinning.
Tet nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Let's do it!"
With flashlights in hand, the group began to make their way down the stairway, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As Haneul and his groupmates approached the house of the Scroll Master, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. They had been searching for the scroll for what felt like hours, and finally, they were about to meet the person who might be able to help them.
As they entered the house, they were surprised to see the fisherman from earlier sitting in a chair, a warm smile on his face.
"Ah, welcome, young ones," he said, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "I've been expecting you. Please, come in, come in."
Haneul and the others exchanged curious glances. What was the fisherman doing here? And why did he seem to be expecting them?
"Um, sorry to intrude," Haneul said, trying to sound polite. "We're looking for the Scroll Master. Is he... um... available?"
The fisherman chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Oh, I'm afraid you're looking at him," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm the Scroll Master. And I've been waiting for you."
The group's eyes widened in surprise as they stared at the fisherman, their minds racing with questions. How could this be? What did it mean?
But before they could ask any questions, the Scroll Master continued, his voice low and mysterious.
"I sense that you're searching for something important. Something that will change the course of your lives forever. Am I right?"
The Scroll Master's expression suddenly turned serious, and he raised his hand in a swift motion. The air around Haneul and his groupmates seemed to distort and ripple, and before they could even react, they felt themselves being pulled through space and time.
When the distortion cleared, they found themselves standing in a dimly lit chamber, surrounded by cold, damp stone walls. The air was musty and filled with the scent of age and decay.
As they looked around, they saw Group 2 - yod, Tet, Vav, Het, and Zayin - standing nearby, their faces lit up by the faint glow of luminescent mushrooms growing on the walls.
"What the...?" Haneul trailed off, staring at the Scroll Master in confusion. "How did we get here?"
The Scroll Master, still in his fisherman disguise, smiled enigmatically. "You're here because you need to be," he said. "You're all searching for the same thing, and it's time you worked together to find it."
Group 2 looked just as confused as Haneul's group, but they seemed to be taking the situation in stride.
"What's going on?" Yod asked, her eyes narrowing. "What's the meaning of this?"
The Scroll Master chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "All will be revealed in time," he said. "For now, let's just say that you're all in this together. And you'll need to work together if you want to succeed."
With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving the two groups staring at each other in confusion.
As the Scroll Master vanished into thin air, Haneul and his classmates were left staring at the empty space where he had stood. They looked at each other, confused and a bit disoriented.
But then, a low, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber, making them all turn to face the sound.
"Find the scroll, and claim your destiny," the voice said. "But be warned, the path ahead will be fraught with danger, and only those who work together and trust in each other will succeed."
The voice fell silent, and the chamber was quiet once again. But Haneul and his classmates knew that they had been given a challenge, and they were determined to rise to it.
They looked at each other, and without needing to say a word, they knew that they were in this together. They would work as a team, using their unique skills and strengths to overcome the obstacles ahead and find the scroll.
"Let's do this," Haneul said, a fierce determination in his eyes.
"Together," his classmates replied, their voices echoing in unison.
And with that, they set off on their quest, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Haneul asked, "Where are we exactly?", Uod, who had been examining their surroundings, spoke up.
"I think we're in some kind of underground temple," she said, her eyes scanning the walls and ceiling. "The architecture looks ancient, and the air feels... heavy, somehow."
Get, who had been studying the walls, nodded in agreement. "I've seen similar carvings and symbols in ancient texts," he said. "This place is definitely connected to the scroll we're searching for."
Tet, who had been exploring the chamber, called out from across the room. "Guys, I found a passageway over here! It looks like it leads deeper into the temple."
Haneul's eyes lit up with excitement. "Let's check it out," he said, already heading towards Tet.
As they made their way towards the passageway, Vav spoke up. "Wait, do we even know where we are in relation to the outside world? How do we get back?"
Het, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "I think I can help with that. I've been trying to get a sense of our surroundings, and I think I can navigate us back to the surface."
Haneul nodded, grateful for Het's skills. "Alright, let's move forward for now. We can worry about getting back later."
With that, the group headed into the passageway, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As the group ventured deeper into the passageway, the Scroll Master's voice echoed through the chamber once again.
"Group 2, it is time for you to continue your journey... separately," the voice said.
Suddenly, a bright light enveloped yod, het, Tet, Vav, and Zayin, and they felt themselves being lifted off the ground.
"Wait, what's happening?" Yod cried out, her voice laced with concern.
The light grew brighter, and the group felt themselves being pulled apart from Haneul's group. They tried to reach out, but it was too late.
When the light faded, Group 2 found themselves standing outside the temple, surrounded by the dense foliage of the forest. They looked around, disoriented, and saw that they were alone.
"Where's Haneul's group?" Tet asked, her voice laced with worry.
Het shook his head. "I don't know, but I think the Scroll Master just separated us on purpose."
Yod's eyes narrowed. "Why would he do that?"
Vav spoke up. "I think it's because he wants us to continue our journey separately. Maybe there's something he wants us to discover on our own."
The group exchanged uncertain glances. What did the Scroll Master have in store for them? And how would they reunite with Haneul's group?
As Group 2 was being teleported away, Haneul and his group found themselves facing a new challenge. The passageway they had been exploring suddenly opened up into a large cavern, and the air was filled with the sound of fluttering wings.
Hybrid bats, with their razor-sharp claws and teeth, swooped down from the darkness above, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.
"Get ready!" Haneul shouted, drawing his sword.
Aleph, Bet, Gimel, and Dalet quickly followed suit, forming a tight circle as the bats descended upon them.
The battle was intense, with the bats darting in and out of the darkness, their claws swiping at the group with deadly precision. Haneul and his friends fought bravely, their swords flashing in the dim light of the cavern.
But despite their valiant efforts, the bats seemed endless, and the group began to tire. Haneul's sword arm ached with fatigue, and he stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding a bat's snapping jaws.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Gimel remembered the words of the Scroll Master: "Trust in each other, and you will find the strength to overcome any obstacle."
With newfound determination, Gimel rallied the group, and together, they launched a fierce counterattack. The bats were relentless, but Haneul and his friends fought with renewed vigor, their swords slicing through the darkness with deadly precision.
As the battle raged on, it seemed that the tide was finally turning in their favor...
As Haneul and his group finally emerged from the temple's winding hallways, they found themselves standing before a large, ornate door. The air was thick with anticipation, and they could feel the weight of their journey bearing down upon them.
"This is it," Haneul said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The final room. The scroll is waiting for us."
Aleph, Bet, Gimel, and Dalet nodded in unison, their eyes fixed on the door. They had come so far, overcome so many challenges. They were ready for whatever lay ahead.
With a deep breath, Haneul pushed open the door, and the group stepped forward into the final room.
The room was small, with walls lined with ancient tapestries. At the far end of the room, on a pedestal of black stone, lay the scroll. It was bound in a strip of crimson silk, and its surface seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.
But as they approached the pedestal, they were confronted by the Scroll Master himself. He stood tall, his eyes blazing with a fierce inner light.
"Welcome, Haneul and friends," he said, his voice low and resonant. "I have been waiting for you. You have proven your worth by overcoming the challenges of the temple. But now, you must face the greatest challenge of all: the test of your own hearts."
The Scroll Master's eyes seemed to bore into their very souls, and Haneul felt a shiver run down his spine. What did the Scroll Master mean? What test lay ahead?
"We're ready," Haneul said, his voice firm. "We've come too far to turn back now."
The Scroll Master nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then let us begin," he said.
The air in the room seemed to charged with electricity as the Scroll Master raised his hands, and a blast of energy shot towards Haneul and his friends.
Aleph, with his quick reflexes, dodged to the side, avoiding the attack by mere inches. Bet, meanwhile, summoned a shield of swirling blue energy, deflecting the blast back at the Scroll Master.
Gimel and Dalet charged forward, their swords flashing in the dim light of the room. Gimel's sword sliced through the air, striking true and biting deep into the Scroll Master's defenses. Dalet's sword, meanwhile, seemed to dance with a life of its own, striking at the Scroll Master from unexpected angles.
Haneul, with his sword shining with a fierce inner light, charged forward to join the fray. His sword clashed with the Scroll Master's, the two blades meeting in a shower of sparks.
The battle raged on, the five friends fighting in perfect sync, their movements a testament to their training and trust in each other. But the Scroll Master was no pushover, and he countered their every move with a fierce determination.
As the fight wore on, the room began to shake and tremble, the very foundations of the temple seeming to be torn asunder by the sheer force of the battle. The air was filled with the sound of clashing steel, the scent of ozone and sweat hanging heavy over the combatants.
In the midst of the chaos, Haneul caught a glimpse of the scroll, still lying on the pedestal, its surface glowing with an otherworldly light. He knew that he and his friends had to end the battle quickly, before the temple itself was destroyed.
With renewed determination, Haneul charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. The outcome of the battle was far from certain, but one thing was clear: only one side could emerge victorious.
As the Scroll Master fell to the ground, defeated, Haneul and his friends stood panting, their chests heaving with exhaustion. They had fought with every ounce of strength they possessed, and in the end, they had emerged victorious.
As they caught their breath, they approached the pedestal, where the scroll lay waiting. The Scroll Master's defeat had released the scroll's seal, and it now lay open, its contents revealed.
Aleph, with reverence, reached out and touched the scroll. As he did, the room was filled with a soft, golden light.
"The prophecy," Bet whispered, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's time to know our destinies."
Gimel and Dalet nodded, their faces set with anticipation.
Haneul, however, felt a sense of trepidation. What did the prophecy hold for him? Would he be worthy of the challenge that lay ahead?
As they read the scroll, they discovered that each of them had a unique prophecy, one that revealed their role in the world's destiny.
But Haneul's prophecy was different. It was simple, yet profound.
"Whoever touches the scroll, if it was the right person, is destined to become this world's savior."
Haneul's eyes widened as he read the words. Savior? What did it mean? He didn't feel like a savior. He was just a normal person, with normal strengths and weaknesses.
He looked up at his friends, hoping for some guidance, but they were all staring at him with a mixture of awe and confusion.
"Haneul, what does it mean?" Aleph asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Haneul shook his head, feeling a sense of uncertainty. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I think we're about to find out."
As they returned to the classroom, their faces still flushed with excitement and exhaustion, they were greeted by the familiar sight of their desks and chairs. ReiRook, their instructor, looked up from his own desk, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Welcome back, class," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I see you've all returned in one piece. Well done."
The class erupted into cheers and laughter, with Haneul and his friends grinning from ear to ear. They had done it – they had overcome the challenges of the temple and unlocked the secrets of the scroll.
As they settled back into their seats, ReiRook handed out a stack of papers. "Now, let's get back to work," he said, his expression serious once more. "You all have an assignment to complete, and I expect to see it finished by the end of the period."
Haneul and his friends exchanged a look, still grinning from their earlier triumph. They knew that they had earned a celebration, but they also knew that ReiRook wouldn't let them off the hook that easily.
With a collective sigh, they settled in to work on their assignment, their minds still reeling from the events of the temple. As they wrote and calculated, they couldn't help but steal glances at each other, their faces still flushed with excitement.
It was going to be a long day, but they were ready for it. After all, they had just saved the world – or at least, they had taken the first step towards doing so.