postgame:heartwood [New Game Plus]

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====== Celebrations ======

With the Villain’s defeat, festivities break out across the land. The revelry in the Heartwood spreads all the way from Secha Town to Karu’s shrine (it’s only polite to include the local guardian deity in the celebrations, after all).

There’s music, dancing, games, baked goods (both sweet and savoury), and a variety of fruits and juices from the orchards. People gather in all of the clearings to celebrate. It even seems to blow the most recent Blessing Festival out of the water.

As the festivities are finally dying down a few days later, as the golden sunset of the evening begins to give way to the blue-black of the night sky, there is a gathering deep in the Deep Woods. Barke Elder announces that he is stepping down as the elder of Secha Town, and that Rute will be taking over the position the following day.

The announcement starts the celebrations anew, with another week of partying. What better way could there be for the new elder to begin his position?

====== The Shrine in the Woods ======

Deep in the Deep Woods, there lies a shrine. It is quiet now, but it has seen no end of action in the recent weeks.

Its sole occupant looks towards the hole in the floor, and the cavernous space below. The hole has been patched up as best as it can be, but the Guardian insisted that the hydra-like vines that burst forth from underground should not be disturbed. They would recede in their own time, it believes, to resume their duty of guarding the forest’s leyline.

A silent conversation takes place. Two Guardians, one now forgotten to lost annals of history.

**You have done well, Karu. I was right to select you as my successor.**

//I was not strong enough. I scared them. I poisoned their food. I hurt the people I am sworn to protect.//

**And still they came to your aid--**

//What if it happens again?//

**Then they will help you again. As you have helped them for centuries. You have kept their homes safe from monsters. You have guaranteed them good harvests. You have encouraged them to live alongside the forest with respect.**

A breeze passes through the courtyard, carrying autumn leaves with it.

**They love and respect you, Karu. They are thankful to you for all you have done. They do not blame you for what happened. I have been watching them since waking from my slumber, so I know this is true. And I know that //you// know it as well.**

The bear is quiet. It closes its eyes, watching the forest through the eyes of some of its many animal inhabitants. They know the words are true, and they allow themself to smile.

**You have done great things, my child. And you will continue to do great things. The Heartwood could not ask for a better Guardian.**

Karu’s sky-blue eyes look skyward as the vines’ voice quietens again. The sky-blue sky looks back down at the shrine. It is quiet now.