Temple of Whispers
Silvina’s eyes fluttered as she began to wake. At first, her vision was blurry but as it started to clear she was staring back into a pair of dark brown eyes. The creature then sat back to reveal itself as a young-looking man with long blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. “Oh, hello…” Silvina said quietly as she sat up to face him before looking around.
She seemed to be in an unknown part of the forest, surrounded by the crumbling structure of a stone building. It was overgrown with flowering vines that stretched all the way over the top of the wall. From what she could immediately discern it looked like a temple.
“Where am I?” She asks, finally resting her gaze on the man sitting across from her. His posture was stiff, and his legs were crossed with his hands resting gently on his knees.
He raised an index finger to his lips to hush her before rising to his feet and offering a hand to her. Silvina was definitely a little skeptical of this but hesitantly took his hand. She was surprised at how soft yet firm it was.
He easily and gracefully helped her to her feet before letting go of her hand and leading her towards the exit. After stepping through an archway, the ruins opened to a long-forgotten courtyard. One that was surrounded by stone structures much like the space they’d just left. In the middle of the serene little yard was the remains of a statue. It was of a little girl crouching down amongst wildflowers while she held a butterfly in her palm.
The mysterious and quiet man led Silvina over to the statue and pointed at the inscription on its base. Curious now, she crouched down and brushed her fingers over the carvings. It read, “The Whispering Ruins”.
Her eyes widened a little before standing up and looking around at how sheltered the whole place was beneath a canopy of giant oaks. “I thought this place was a myth…” She said but it wasn’t even loud enough for him to hear. However, he seemed to understand what she said because he smiled slightly as she took in the beauty and mysticism of the place.
“How did I get here? Do you live here?” She asks, finally turning her attention back to him, curiosity welling inside her.
Yes. I do.
At first, Silvina opened her mouth to speak but then she realized that she’d heard his voice in her head and his mouth had not moved.
Can he hear my thoughts?
She pondered and his eyes seemed to light up in amusement.
You can speak to me just like this. He explains. My name is Havell
Embarrassed, Silvina felt her cheeks turn a light shade of pink and she clasped her hands together almost nervously. My name is Silvina.
At her introduction, he bowed rather gracefully. It is a pleasure to be in the presence of such a fair maiden.