23 Reflection (1/2)
The merging process came to its end, and the shimmering light gradually vanished, leaving only a golden pocket watch on the table.
The lustrous exterior was devoid of any engravings common to other artifacts, as it was common for artisans to carve symbols in order to assist the canalization of energy.
”Is it... done?” Garett asked in befuddlement, as he was expecting something much more mystical! ”That was... simpler than I thought.”
”That's because you weren't the one doing all the work.” The Keeper spat in annoyance, his tone saturated with disapproval. ”When do you plan on leaving on your mission? I will finish the engravings later, as I'm too tired to do it right now.”
”I'll leave after you finish it then.” Garett rapidly responded. ”I'm sure the captain wouldn't mind a day or two if it is because of the artifact.”
”Fine. You can leave now.” The elder rushed Garett to leave, obviously wanting to be alone. ”I'm exhausted and need resting, so I won't have time to entertain... any other question you can have today.”
I haven't said anything! I'm only curious about the final process of carving, but I guess the most important part is already over... Garett bowed slightly and made way to leave, seeming very comprehensive of the elder predicament.
”Then I bid you farewell, Sir Keeper.”
”Yes.” The old Keeper could only snort at his sudden politeness.
Closing the door behind him, Garett walked the labyrinthic cathedral corridors while looking through the large windows.
”It is already this late? It took longer than I realized...” The dark sky greeted Garett on his way out, with the stars scarcely illuminating the earth. And a perfectly round moon hung in the sky, beautiful as a piece of polished jewelry.
The sparse street lights shone amidst the thin night fog, adding to the peaceful atmosphere that encompassed Lhûn every night.
'I don't remember ever seeing the night without the thin mist layer, but again, I've never left Lhûn...' Garett contemplated. His mind was deeply imprinted with the mountainous landscape that surrounded the city, and he couldn't imagine the world beyond the borders of the mist embraced land.
'Do I want to become an artisan? Or should I just continue to train to become a hunter? None of those options suit me much...' The moonlight stirred deep thoughts in his young and impressionable self.
”Heh. Why do I suddenly feel so wistful?” Garett laughed at himself; even a ritualistic marked like him could feel melancholic sometimes.
'I don't feel tired anymore for some reason...' His eyes focused on the dark skies once more before noticing the looming shadow of the watchtower in the distance, and without any defined purpose, he began to wander towards it.
...
”I've never imagined I would climb up here on my own volition...” Garett mumbled to himself. Maybe because of his arduous training, he didn't feel tired after climbing the tower this time.
'The view is stunning, even during nighttime...' He mumbled to himself as he observed the horizon from the tower's edge. The distant City of Altra was brightly lit even at this time of the night, much like Lhûn. He could also observe lights shining in different places of the mountain, illuminating the earth just like the stars illuminated the skies above.
”My mother used to play the flute at nights like these...” Memories of his childhood surfaced in his mind, and he could remember the song very vividly.
'I guess... I know how a flute works.' Thinking to this point, he put one of his hands on the insides of his shirt and focused on materializing a rudimentary flute made from a plant similar to bamboo.
'Yes, that's exactly like I remember.' He then led the flute to his lips and started playing, remembering the lessons he learned from his mother when he was little.
A melody filled the night, even if Garett wasn't a musician, he knew how to play the flute very well. And as such, the music echoed throughout the empty watchtower.
...
”That's an old song, Garett.” At some point in time, an unexpected guest arrived at the place, his steps light and almost inaudible.
Garett paused and turned to look at the sudden company, his eyes relaxing when realizing the new arrival was a familiar face.
”Father Charles... Good Evening, do you know this song?” He asked while keeping the materialized flute to the insides of his clothes, not daring to let it vanish in Father Charle's presence.
”Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt you, so please don't mind me.” The priest waved his right hand, indicating that Garett could continue to play if he so wished. ”This is a song passed down from the end of the last era; it represents the dawn of man and the end of the Carnage.”
”I had no idea it was so old... My mother used to play it for me.” He paused for a second before adding simply. ”Just like her mother played before her.”