TRAVELING TO FABLE'S VEIL - PART 4

The two gasped, once they realized where they were.  While they were still a few feet away, there was no doubt about what it was, It was the statue of Fable.  They had made it, they had reached Fable’s Shrine.  The two slowly approached the ruins, entering into the clearing.

It was a beautiful spectacle to behold and fascinating to that of Levi.  A part of her wanted to wander off and just explore what remains of the ruined shrine.  She had heard stories about this place, yet who can know if any of those tails were true?  She would wonder if other Arcanai used to live here.  Maybe even the legendary Fable themselves?

The runes and even the statue had almost been completely reclaimed by the forest surrounding it.  Flowers and foliage twisted around the marble statue, almost as if they were trying to grab it and force it into the ground.  The sound of Groobi and other critters danced through the air, creating a welcoming but mysterious atmosphere.

The statue towered over Leviathan and her Xorasi companion.  It stood like a giant in the clearing, reaching passed some of the trees.  All around the statue were the offerings of past Arcanai who completed the journey.  Flowers, treasure, charms, trinkets, books, scrolls, and fruit were scattered around the statue in an attempt to please Fable.  All of it had Levi wondering once more, would Fable accept her offer?  Especially when so many had given her offers that were much grander.

“TUHNK” - Levi turned to see that the Xorasi had plopped itself on the ground, staring at the statue.  Even the little critter’s eyes were filled with wonder.  With a smile, Levi decided to join the Xorasi, sitting down for a moment too enjoy the beauty of the statue and shrine.  It was a peaceful moment.

Hours passed and the two just rested while quietly admiring the statue’s beauty and saying quiet prayers to The Child.

“You never told me, what is your name? Do you have one?”  Levi quietly asked the Xorasi.  The creature looked back at her with eyes filled with… confusion? Sadness?  “Do you not have a name?”  She whispered, “Baaarrrkkk” it replied.  “Well, would you mind if I gave you one?  How about Sprint?” The Xorasi eyes twinkled a bit at the suggestion “Baaarrrkkk”.  Levi perked up when she heard the critter’s bark.  “Well then, I am guessing that's a yes.”  “Baaarrrkkk” it replied, while happily waging its tail.  

Levi looked at the little critter with a huge smile on her face.  “Sprint, you have been such a blessing to me.  You saved my life back in that forest.  Thank you.”

Sprint bounced back up and hopped onto Levi’s back.  “Ahh, Sprint what are you doing?”  Sprint hopped back down and gently placed the offering in front of Levi.

She stared at it for a good long while, feeling tears swelling up in her eyes.  For years she had wanted to make this journey and now she was here, but… “Sprint, I knew we traveled all the way here to give an offering to Fable, but I don't know if I can do it.”  Levi’s eyes glared arond the statue, observing all the other gifts that had been left behind.  Rare and ancient artifacts, books containing a wealth of knowledge, and more treasure than one could fathom.  After observing what others had given, why would Fable ever accept a measly 10 treasure shards?

Levi looked to the ground, with an expression of sorrow and disappointment, “My gift won't be accepted, so what is the point of bothering?”

“Baaarrrkkk”, Sprint exclaimed.  It grabbed the offering, nudging it closer to the timid Arcanai, until it was practically shoving it into her paw.  Levi chuckled a bit at the stubborn little critter.  “You're not going to back down now, are you?  Not until I at least try to give Fable the offering?”  

“Baaarrrkkk”, Sprint exclaimed.

Levi sighed, “Well…. We did come all this way, we might as well just give it a try.  The worst case scenario, nothing happens.  It's not like we will be opening up a black hole if the offering isn't accepted.  At least I hope we won't be opening any black holes if the offering isn't accepted!”  Levi’s anxious comment caused Sprint to roll its eyes.

Levi picked up the offering before turning to the Xorasi.  “You're the reason I'm here, would you like to do this with me?”

“Baaarrrkkk”, Sprint yelped while jumping into the air.