Chapter 1: The Weight of Expectation

"You aren't putting in enough effort."

Alna reached her breaking point. The instrument she was now learning was not only larger and heavier, but the music itself was far more intricate than the simple tune she had played just a week ago. She had dedicated herself to practicing diligently during the days her instructor was absent, but those had merely been introductory exercises. The melodies before her were complex, and her fingers struggled with the additional strings.

"I am!" she snapped back, only to have her fingers betray her, producing an unfortunate twang as several strings rang out of tune. Alna shot an angry glance at Carmena, her teacher, recalling how her uncle used to tease her in similar situations during childhood, saying, "Be careful; you’re just like your father!" It seemed that old habits were hard to shake, even now that she was an adult.

"To become as skilled as I am one day, you must demonstrate progress in your practice," Carmena replied. Alna felt a surge of frustration; she wanted nothing more than to hurl the instrument against the wall or scream in frustration. Yet, she understood that such actions would not alter her reality, and she reminded herself that her friends would be hurt by any outburst. Instead, she took a deep breath, grounding herself in the weight of the instrument and the solidity of the ground beneath her.

"And what if," she asked Carmena, "I don’t aspire to reach your level? What if I never wanted this?" A hint of sympathy flickered in Carmena's gaze as she looked down at the floor. "There is someone else who shares your sentiments," she finally said. "I see the same fire of anger within you. In moments of anger, one has choices: they can lash out destructively, or they can channel that energy into something productive." Alna lowered her eyes, recognizing her father's influence in her emotional responses. Carmena continued, "You can ground yourself, focusing on the task at hand instead of your feelings. Or," she gestured toward the instrument in Alna's lap, "you can convert that emotion into a form of creation."

"Music does not merely exist to please the ears; it is also a form of communication," Carmena explained. "You know this well, given your talent. When you play music that reflects anger, allow yourself to feel that fury—not towards life, the instrument, or the music itself, but embody the emotion as if you were a leaf caught in a storm or prey in a predator's grip. Yield to it as naturally as you would to the need for sleep or nourishment."

"And what if the music lacks that intensity?" Alna gestured at the notes on the page. "What if I can’t connect with what the notes convey?" Her teacher pondered this. "Then that will be your next area of study. Every piece of music has something to communicate, but it is up to the performer to interpret it and for the listener to feel moved. Try again," she encouraged, her stern demeanor softening.

Alna inhaled deeply, studying the notes before her. She understood the general melody, realizing that anyone can utter a phrase, but the way one articulates it can convey deeper meaning. Saying "I love you!" sincerely is one thing, but delivering it with an air of expectation alters its essence. Love and music, she mused, are realms where she felt novice. Just then, Calypsia flashed in her mind, momentarily distracting her, but she shook it off and redirected her focus.

As she examined the notes further, she recognized that while the piece seemed simple, it was deceptively difficult. Each note played a crucial role in the larger conversation—like a sentence or a story. From Carmena, she had learned that intent and precision were vital in music.

With renewed determination, she took another deep breath, mentally rehearsed the melody, and then played, her fingers gliding smoothly over the strings. Silence too was a critical element in music—just as vital as breathing. As she struck the final two notes, all tension dissipated from her body, replaced by a wave of relief.

Carmena watched her with a mix of pride and wonder. "Now you understand." It was the highest praise Alna had received in days. "With this behind us, I have another task for you. These parchments are for your study." From her bag, Carmena produced several leather-bound volumes. As Alna opened them, she discovered illustrations, words, and, surprisingly, music. One image depicted four figures at a table—one in black robes, another in green, all holding writing instruments.

"Study these, but also adapt, replicate, and enhance them," Carmena instructed. Alna flipped through the pages excitedly, searching for something specific. She glanced up at her teacher, bewildered. "Some of these require text to be copied, or music to be transcribed." The illustrations were familiar to her; she recognized scenes from the past—a young girl surrounded by fire and blood, an army of knights in striking reds and oranges, and a man standing before a vast body of water beneath a starry sky.

"This depicts her life, doesn’t it?" Alna asked. "All these… her writings, her history, her music." She held back more words, aware it would be folly to mention that she was from a time yet to come. One page caught her eye: a man in black robes on a red steed. Her heart raced. Could it be? Why had they never learned about this? Would Breldon and the inhabitants of the Isles know of this event? Were they living through something that had already occurred?

"There is much to learn and discover," Carmena replied, rising to her feet. "Sometimes, what is left unsaid reveals even more." She started down the stairs, leaving the tower in silence. Alna found herself unable to respond, for on another page, a young woman stood before a grand army of the Knights of Knoates, with a man kneeling before her, his head bowed. But Alna recognized the emerald hue of his eyes. As she turned the page, she noticed the delicate black dots on the lines hidden between the illustrations and the text. Thus began her work—studying, reading, memorizing, and playing.

The first video, "How to Beat Chapter 7 [Triangle Strategy Guide]," offers strategies and tips to overcome challenges in Chapter 7 of the game.

The second video, "Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verses 12 - 14 | Brni. Shubhani Chaitanya," delves into the teachings and interpretations of these significant verses from the Bhagavad Gita.