Nathaniel and his men waited for three days and three nights. The days and nights on Elysium Isle shifted at an unsettling speed. Blazing summer heat scorched them during the day, while snow fell from the sky at midnight.
The soldiers took turns keeping watch outside the yard. They watched the morning glories on the fence bloom and wither repeatedly. The baskets of wild fruit inside the yard emptied and filled again. However, they never saw the child again, nor did they find any sign of the immortals.
Some began whispering among themselves, claiming this was nothing but an empty island where the child was merely a spirit guardian. Others secretly threw stones into the grove, only to have them rebound off an invisible barrier, hitting their own heads and leaving bloody welts.
Nathaniel hadn’t spoken a word at all.
Every morning, he would straighten his battle robes and stand respectfully before the closed gate. Then, he would sit on a stone with his eyes closed, as if certain someone would eventually come out.
On the evening of the third day, the last rays of sunlight filtered through the trees and dappled the ground. Then came the crunch of footsteps from deep within the grove.
Every soldier tensed up, hands tightening on their weapons.
An elderly man in plain gray robes slowly stepped forward. He was leaning on a wooden staff with a simple cloud pattern carved into its tip. His white hair and beard contrasted with a surprisingly rosy, youthful face.
His eyes crinkled slightly, and a faint smile played at his lips as he walked along the leaf-strewn path without making a sound.
The most unusual thing was the energy waves around him. Even though he stood right before them, he seemed almost unreal, as if he could dissolve into mist at any moment.
“Oh? How rare to see new faces on the island. What brings you here?” he asked.
His voice was calm, yet carried unmistakable authority.
Nathaniel’s eyes lit up as he jumped to his feet. After straightening his wrinkled battle robe, he hurried forward and showed even more reverence than he had toward the child.
“I’m Nathaniel Linsor and have led my troops to this Elysium Isle. Sir, I humbly ask you to grant me the elixir of immortality to heal the elder in my family, ” he said.
He stressed the words “elixir of immortality” while staring intently at the elderly man, afraid of missing even the faintest expression.
Upon hearing that, the elderly man burst out laughing. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened.
“Elixir of immortality?” he asked.
He tapped his wooden staff against the ground, and several withered yellow leaves instantly sprouted into green shoots.
“People speak of Elysium Isle as a sanctuary of immortals, and they possess the elixir of immortality. Few realize that this so-called sanctuary is, in truth, a place where life and death cycle endlessly, “he explained.
Nathaniel’s heart sank after hearing that.
“Sir, what do you mean? I’ve read in ancient manuscripts that this island had the elixir of immortality,” he stated. The elderly man raised his hand to interrupt him, “What’s written in the ancjent manuscripts isn’t always true.”
A sudden sharpness glinted in his eyes as he continued, “There have never been immortals on this island, nor any elixir of immortality. I’m afraid your hopes are in vain.”
“Impossible!” Nathaniel blurted, then immediately realized his rudeness and quickly apologized.
“Please forgive my outburst. It’s just that my beloved family member was gravely ill, and only the elixir can save him. Sir, please show us the way.”
He sank to his knees with a thud and added earnestly, “I will risk my life if it means finding a cure.”
Upon seeing that, the soldiers behind him also dropped to their knees and pleaded together. The elderly man looked at the kneeling group in silence for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“While there’s no so-called elixir of immortality on the island, there is a Greenheart Valley. Some are spiritual herbs that can prolong life and may help you,” he said.
“That’s great!” Nathaniel’s eyes lit up. Where is this Greenheart Valley that you mentioned earlier? Could you point us in the right direction?” 11
“It is located at the heart of the island,” the elderly man replied, raising a finger toward the distance.
“However, I must warn you that the valley contains not only carnivorous vines but also strange beasts that guard the spiritual herbs. Throughout history, no one has ever returned from the valley. You’d better think this through carefully.”
“Thank you for the warning. No matter what dangers await, we will not give up,” Nathaniel replied solemnly.
After enduring such hardships to finally reach Elysium Isle, how could they possibly abandon their mission now?
The elderly man shook his head and gestured his wooden staff toward the mist-shrouded peaks deep within the island.
“If you have made up your mind, follow that stream. But remember-do not be greedy. Coming out alive would already be a blessing,” he reminded them.
With that, he turned and walked back into the grove. His figure gradually disappeared behind the gray-green buildings as if he had never been there at all.
Nathaniel wasted no time. After receiving the direction, he immediately led his remaining soldiers straight toward the heart of the island.
