Jumping into it, he turned toward Stronghold Leader Drakar, who was still staring at him in a daze. "Ahem! We better get going, Stronghold Leader Drakar. After all, we'll be needing your gift to make this plan work much better," he added.

His words were enough to jolt Stronghold Leader Drakar out of his momentary trance, causing a broad grin to light up his face as he walked closer to the large hot air balloon.

'He's genuinely thrilled about this, huh,' Orion thought, observing as Stronghold Leader Drakar joined him in the basket. Orion's attention then shifted to Saria.

"Why not join us, Saria?" he suggested, extending an invitation to the curious tree nymph. "You could very well become the first tree nymph to ever fly above the clouds, so this might be an opportunity you don't want to miss," he added with a wink.

"I think you can go without me," Saria said with a strained smile on her lips as she slowly took a few steps backwards, causing Orion to raise his eyebrow in mild surprise.

"Come on, even the babies are joining in," Orion persisted. "I promise you, it's bound to be one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life," he added, attempting to sway her decision.

After all, considering the amount of help she had provided him, when she could have merely watched and let him do it all by himself, he couldn't bear the thought of her missing out on such a remarkable spectacle.

"Um.... I'm not sure if you fully understand, Orion," Saria replied, her voice tinged with concern. She nearly stumbled over some of the materials that had been scattered about during their work on the hot air balloons. Regaining her balance, she continued, "I mean, tree nymphs weren't exactly created for flight. After all, there is a reason why we are called tree nymphs."

Considering the enormous height required for what could be considered 'flying'especially given her awareness of how high those with shapeshifting abilities could ascendSaria's instincts told her that such altitudes might pose a significant risk for tree nymphs like her.

Her instincts screamed danger.

.........

The market square

Two hours ago

Several voices and hushed murmurs filled the air, as villagers of all ages, heights, genders, and sizes congregated in the market square, which had been carefully cleared and reorganized to host their gathering.

As the crowd settled, eyes turned toward the Village Chief, the Village Chieftess, the Caretakers, and the stronghold leadersall except one.

Finally, the Village Chief stepped forward, prompting a ripple of hushed whispers to spread through the masses. Those nearest the speaker gestured for quiet, their motions cascading like a wave from the front to the back until an expectant silence enveloped the entire square.

Seeing the crowd now silent, the Village Chief cleared his throat to command attention. He commenced, "In light of the rumours that have been circulating throughout our village, rumours that have sparked urgent concern as they invoke the name of our god, Naka, we've taken it upon ourselves to ascertain the authenticity of these claims.... Ahem!" Another discreet throat-clearing. ".....Hence, the purpose of this gathering and the very reason you all stand here today."

A ripple of murmurs swept through the villagers, each voice eager to express their curiosity about the validity of the rumours and the potential of their prayers being answered by Naka.

The Village Chief raised his hand to quieten the crowd once more, and then resumed, "Following a thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned in our search for the truth, we have at last found the truth behind these claims..."The Village Chief paused, as though finding it difficult to express and complete his next words.

"What is the truth, Chief?"

"Did Naka really give those warriors back their children, Chief?"

"Did Naka really bless them with more wealth, Chief?"

"Chief..."

"Did....."

The questions erupted from the crowd, each one rising with more momentum, seeking confirmation or denial of the various rumours that had circulated throughout the village.

Amid the murmurs from the crowd, the Village Chieftess's hand rose, signalling the villagers to hush and listen. As the chatter died down, she reached out and gently massaged her husband's shoulders, as though she was trying to help him calm his emotions.

Feeling the support of his wife's subtle assistance in adding authenticity and emotion to the moment, the Village Chief fixed his gaze on the gathered villagers, observing their expectant expressions.

His face turned serious as he stated, "It is not a mere rumour. Naka has indeed communicated with them. Our long-held prayers have reached our god's ears, and at last, his divine presence has graced our village."

The once bustling crowd had turned into a sea of silence, with each villager's mouth agape in astonishment. While some had already entertained the idea as truth, thanks to the confirmation from certain warriors who had arrived from their strongholds, hearing the same affirmation from the lips of the Village Chief, amidst the presence of all, both the key figures and the surrounding warriors, rendered the revelation in an entirely new light.

The doubts that had lingered around the rumours were now swept away, replaced by an eruption of voices as the crowd collectively voiced their desires, their screams echoing towards the Village Chief.

"Chief, my son died as a warrior, let us pray so that he could be rev....?"

"Chief, I'm broke, my gift is useless, let us pray so th....?"

"My child..... Chief, my child is gone....."

"Cheif, my daughter is ugly, let us pray for her tranforma....?"

"Cough! Coughh!" The Village Chief let out a feigned cough, its resonance filling the air as he tried to quell the villagers' excitement. Once the voices began to subside gradually, he continued, "The primary purpose of this gathering is for us to unite in prayer and praise to Naka, to plead with a unified voice, in the hope that our requests might reach him. Perhaps through our collective voices, Naka will once again bless us with his divine presence and listen to our pleas."

The last words resonated with intense emotion, causing villagers who could no longer contain their feelings to drop to their knees. One by one, they lowered themselves onto the reddish clay sands, their hands gripping the earth earnestly.

After witnessing such a scene, not wanting to lag behind, among the key figures, Caretaker Ivor was the first to kneel. Following his lead, Caretaker Shani joined in, gently cradling her baby in her arms. Then came Caretaker Zola and Caretaker Nala. The line continued with Caretaker Naida, and even Stronghold Leader Zogar eventually softened his stern countenance, letting out intermittent sighs as he knelt.

Following suit, the Village Chieftess lowered herself to her knees, exuding a distinct feminine elegance that set her apart.

At the same time, the Village Chief controlled the Vylkr energy along with the strange power within him, channelling it into his legs to amplify their weight. As his knees made contact with the ground, a resonating "Boom" filled the air, accompanied by a series of cracks that spread out from where he had knelt.

"Let us all close our eyes and raise our voices in praise," the Village Chief said, his gaze encompassing the gathered villagers. Slowly, he closed his own eyes, his voice softening as he continued.

"...to Naka."