Liothan had the map of the second opportunities in his written personal diary. Carlos del Puente Stories

 Liothan had the map of the second opportunities in his written personal diary.

In the quiet city of Elmswood, a peculiar old man named Liothan lived. His eyes were like deep wells of forgotten secrets, and his skin, a mosaic of wrinkles that danced with each smile or frown he carried. He was known for his rebel white hair that flowed like a wild river, and because of the way he spoke with himself as he crawled through the cobbled streets, his voice was a soft murmur that seemed to transport whispers from the past of the city. Most people of the town had become accustomed to their eccentricities, offering an assent to recognition or a soft smile when passing.

Liothan had a small messy store at the end of the main street, where he sold his pumps and artisanal baratijas. The bell on the door sang a cheerful melody every time it opened, revealing shelves that extended to the roof, full of herbs and bottles of mysterious liquids that shone in the faint light of their store. The aroma of the earth and the magic hung in the air, a powerful beer that comforted and intrigued those who ventured inside. It was said that he had a cure for each ailment, a charm for each desire, but was chosen by his customers, he only shared his products with those he considered worthy.

A warm summer night, when the sun began to kiss the horizon, a young man named Elaro approached the Liothan store with an emergency feeling. His cheeks were blushed with emotion, and his eyes shone like the stars he often wanted. He had heard whispers of mystical skills, and today he had decided that he would look for her. He paused at the door, breathed deeply and opened it, the bell came out his cheerful greeting.

Liothan looked up from his work, a pen in his hand on an old volume. He looked on his glasses, a smile of knowledge playing on his lips. "Ah, you've come," he said, his voice as warm as a cup of fresh tea. "I've been waiting for you." Elaro's heart jumped one step. He had a mission, and had to start now. He entered the store, the door closed, the bell that vanished in the symphony of whispers that filled the room.

The shelves groaned under the weight of innumerable bottles and bottles, each that emanates a different color or aroma. The walls were full of scrolls and tapestries that represented mythical creatures and ancient symbols, and a large glass ball pressed with a mysterious light from the rear corner. The old man made a gesture for Elaro to approach, his hand moving with a grace that denied his age. "Are you looking for something?"

Elaro nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "I have lost something beautiful," he confessed. "A reliquary. He has an image of my mother. I need your help to find it." Liothan's smile became deeper, a spark of understanding in his eyes. He left his pen and reached under the counter, his hand emerging with a small leather bag that seemed to be alive with energy.

"Take this," he said, placing the bag in the trembling hand of Elaro. "It is a map of the kingdom of the second opportunities. Within its pages, you will find the way to recover what you have lost in your dreams. But remember, this is not an ordinary trip. It will face evidence and temptations. Only its purest intentions will guide you to your destiny."

Elaro felt the weight of the bag, a heat that extended by his arm. He had never been in that adventure before, but he was determined to find his reliquary. "What should I do?" He asked, his clear and stable voice now.

Liothan leaned down, with his eyes locked inside those of Elaro. "You must follow the map with precision," he instructed. "Talk only the truth and prepare to make sacrifices. Because in the field of second opportunities, nothing comes without a price." With that, he gave Elaro a small glass in a silver chain. "Use this at all times," he said. "It will protect you and guide you home when you are ready to return."

The boy grabbed the glass to his chest, feeling an increase in courage. "I'll do whatever necessary," he said firmly. "Thank you, Liothan."

The old man nodded. "Remember, the map is not just a guide. It is a testimony of your heart's strength. Now," he whispered. "Find your path and that the whispers of destiny guide you."

With a final assent, Elaro turned and returned to the night, the store door closed softly behind him. As he moved away, he could almost hear the whispers of the city's secrets following him, mixing with the bell bell. He unleashed the leather ropes and opened the bag, revealing an enrolled parchment that seemed to be made of moonlight. Displaying it, he saw the map, a network of roads and symbols that danced before their eyes.

His heart accelerated, he took the first step towards the unknown, his eyes on the horizon where the sun had submerged under the edge of the world. The map began to shine with a soft blue light, illuminating its path while heading to twilight, ready to conquer anything. The trip had begun.

By Carlos del Puente relatos