narant

*Sigh*...

Narantuya angrily kicks the sand and hits a hard rock. It hurts so much it brings tears to her eyes.

She slows down and eventually turns around to pick up the lamp.

Never give up, even if it's just a tiny sliver of hope... For the treasure...

Don't let me down this time.

This is Fountain Town... I mean, Fountain Village, right?

Who are you looking for?

Does someone by the name of Asaf live here?

What do you want with him? I've never seen you around these parts!

It's a long story. Bring him over—I have something to give him.

Is someone looking for old Asaf? He's really sick. The mayor said no one is to go near his house.

<i>Old</i> Asaf?

There must be a mistake. The Asaf I'm looking for is eight years old.

There's only ever been one Asaf in Fountain Village, and he's a hundred and one.

He might've even broken our age record, if his children hadn't moved away and refused to take care of him...

There's no one taking care of him?

What's it to you? I'm still not letting you in our village!

With a sigh, Narantuya takes out the golden lamp, carefully placing her thumb to hide where the paint was scratched off.

Let me see him. You can have this, if he's really the one I'm looking for.

The villagers look at the golden object, then at each other hesitantly.

Narantuya walks into the tiny hut. The air is filled with dust and the strong smell of herbs.

A withered old man lies on the bed, his chest heaving up and down, and a strange rattle coming from his throat.

Narantuya can see his life fading before her eyes.

Wait! Don't... not yet!

Narantuya dashes towards the bed and puts the slightly misshapen lamp in the old man's hand.

Holding his withered hand, she lifts the lamp into the sunlight, and it reflects its golden glow in the old man's eyes.

Look, there are words etched here! Let me read them for you—

'To Asaf of Fountain Town. Happy eighth birthday. Love, Mother.'

You're Asaf, right? This was a birthday present from your mom, but an accident happened and it never reached you.

Do you hear me, Asaf? I'm giving you the golden lamp that your mom gave you as a present!

The old man's eyes go wide and his lips quiver, but no coherent words come out of them.

Yes, your mom. You remember her, right?

Do you remember where this 'treasure' she talked about is?

Trea—sure. Treasure!

I didn't catch that. Say it again?

Narantuya leans down, putting her ears towards the old man's mouth, only to feel that his hands seem to have regained a little bit of strength.

He clutches the golden lamp and presses it against his chest, above his heart.

Then, he slowly reaches out towards the single ray of sunlight shining through the roof.

'To Asaf of Fountain Town...'

'...it will illuminate all the treasures I left for you.'

The sun shines upon the old man's palm and face. Narantuya does not know what he saw in the sunlight, but she sees a content smile on his face.

The old man closes his eyes and mutters softly...

...I see it, Mother.

So where's the treasure?

The old man opens his eyes irritably, and Narantuya could swear that he rolled his eyes at her.

He opens his lips again, and Narantuya leans forward—

She's the one who insisted on seeing Asaf, mayor!

She had gold on her! Said she would give it to us!

Narantuya does not answer. She draws her knife and plunges it in the ground.

Have you prepared a grave for him?

Fine.

Narantuya picks a withered tree and buries the old man under it, along with the lamp.

Sorry it's so far away. They won't let me bury you in the village. Wasn't easy, carrying you all the way here.

This hilltop overlooks Fountain Village, so you'll always be able to see it if you miss home.

And the tree'll give you shade, so that the sand won't burn your back.

...It'll also tell me where you are, if I ever come through here again.

Narantuya leans against the tree and wiggles her hands, which had become numb from the exertion.

All that effort and not a single coin to show for it. Never thought I'd have to bury someone I've never met before.

So the treasure I was looking for was just a mother's blessings for her child...

I'd already thrown the lamp away and was totally ready to leave, but then I thought about that little boy sitting by the door, waiting for his birthday present...

Who knew he'd been waiting that long?

Narantuya pats the withered tree, and a hollow sound comes out of it.

Well, that was a total loss. I'm never doing this again.

Narantuya sighs and stands up. In one last act of frustration, she punches the withered tree.

Crack—

It seems she punched it a little too hard. A long crack appears in the trunk, revealing the hollow within.

...Please don't be dried burdenbeast dung.

Narantuya stretches her hand into the hollow, and finds a heavy and strangely-shaped object.

...You've got to be kidding me.

It is a goblet etched with elaborate patterns, with gems embedded across its surface. The form and craftsmanship are on a completely different level from the lamp she just buried.

Oh please—

Narantuya lifts it before her eyes, and it shines bright gold under the setting sun.

What the hell is going on?!

Narantuya examines the golden goblet carefully.

In the last light of dusk, she seems to see some delicate etchings on the bottom, looking strangely like...

No!

Narantuya closes her eyes and lies down on the sand, still clutching the goblet.

Not now... I'm too tired for this right now...