Elodie gasped sharply, her chest tight with pain. She was washed in devastation and, perhaps even worse than that, the lingering hope that Elodie had woken up with for four years: the lingering hope that she would find a way to break Arthur free from the chest…
As soon as the emotions flooded her, they vanished, leaving her with the realization that she was floating inside the Great Tree that Ingrid had once told her about, surrounded by the small people called the Punies.
In the midst of them all stood her hero, the Emerald Star in his grasp. Elodie could not help but smile at the sight. If any doubt had remained in her mind about Mario after he had vanquished Hooktail, it vanished like a wisp of smoke.
"Mario," she said, testing his name on her translucent tongue.
He had been awaiting her arrival, it was plain to see. When she said his name, he smiled and silently held out the treasure in his hands.
"You've done so well, my champion," said Elodie, her eyes bright. "Ingrid would be proud of you."
"Who is Ingrid?" questioned a rich voice that Elodie had never before heard. Her silver eyes swiveled from her champion to his newest companion: a spirit, one only slightly more present than herself. She floated just as Elodie did, though all she wore was a stunning necklace of oysters' pearls, and this spirit's hair was purple whereas Elodie's was golden-white. "And who are you, dear?"
With Mario's blessing, Elodie introduced herself and explained her purpose. When she was finished, the spirit, who was named Flurrie, seemed appeased.
"Well, if we have other spirits watching over us, I believe our journey shall be positively divine!" exclaimed the spirit.
Elodie's lips curved into a wry smile as she corrected, "Perhaps not divine, but certainly prophetic. Thus far, you four have proceeded admirably. But this is only the second step in your journey. There is still much to do."
Mario nodded, his expression one of great determination. Elodie was reminded what he was fighting for—at this point in time, he was certainly searching for Princess Peach. Somehow, however, Elodie knew that he would not find her until he delved into the heart of the Palace of Shadow.
She did not have the heart to tell him this.
And so, she did not.
"Lady Elodie," said a voice then; it was rather frail, yet full of respect.
Elodie glanced toward the Puni who could only be the Puni Elder. Immediately, she knew that Ingrid must have handed her ancestor the Emerald Star. Perhaps Ingrid had spoken to the then-Elder as well.
"It is an honor, Elder," announced Elodie, bowing her head politely. The Punies were a people that was thousands of years old, and she thought it proper to display respect.
The Elder seemed to like it as well. Her eyes blinked slowly, and they lost some of their hard glimmer as she said, "The honor is mine. Your friend—was it Isabelle?—handed that gemstone over to my ancestor a thousand or so years ago."
"So I recall," smiled Elodie. "Ingrid was insistent upon having the Punies guard this jewel. She claimed they were a trustworthy people, capable of withholding secrets and strength to whatever end. It appears that she was correct."
The Elder blinked again. Now, her eyes were filled with pride.
"That's right!" she exclaimed, a newfound energy in her voice. "Why, I remember when my grandmother told me about her great-grandmother, who had received word from her mother about—"
"Yes, yes, Elder," interrupted a young Puni with green eyes. He looked the most weary of the bunch, but he bore the unmistakable sign of standing tall and proud. If Elodie didn't know any better, she would say that he had sponsored Mario throughout his quest to obtain the Emerald Star. "What did you want to tell this spirit that Mario told you about?"
At this, Elodie smiled and looked at Mario. Lightheartedly, she mused, "So you told them about me?"
He grinned sheepishly and shrugged, yet was silent.
Elodie could not help but laugh. "I'm honored. It appears my champion is championing me."
It was here that Mario laughed. It was the first time that Elodie had heard him truly laugh, and she was delighted that he had. It was a sign that he was growing to trust her—or at the very least, lower his guard.
Not to mention she was very glad to see this joy in the midst of a dark quest, as he would need all the lightheartedness he could afford in these next few weeks.
"Ah, yes, my news," murmured the Elder, reminded by the young Puni's words. "Something that was passed down many generations by that wise Isabelle girl… what was it—ah, of course. We were told to tell you that she knew what was coming… and that you should not feel guilty."
Elodie swallowed and stared at the Elder, numbly repeating, "She… knew?"
"I remember what was said, my lady, and that was certainly it."
Elodie's form drifted lower to the ground. Ingrid had known what awaited her when she placed the last Crystal Star just outside the Thousand-Year Door… she had known what was awaiting Arthur and Serene and Matthias too.
"She also said that you were the best one for the job… and that she was sorry," continued the Elder.
Elodie's silver eyes flashed with a moment of rage. Ingrid had known what would happen—to her family, her friends. To her. To everyone. Somehow, in her wisdom, she had sensed the demon's curse.
As soon as her rage arrived, however, it vanished. Ingrid trusted Elodie to carry out their final task; their very reason for hiding the Crystal Stars in the first place.
If she couldn't do it, no one could.
"Very well," she sighed, defeated. Her shoulders slumped as she added, "Thank you for telling me the news, Elder."
The Elder looked very satisfied, having finally relayed the words that had transcended generations upon generations. She then nodded towards the Emerald Star that was in Mario's hands and asked, "So what will happen to the Crystal Star?"
"Mario will take it on his journey," Elodie answered simply. She did not wish to worry the Punies of Boggly Wood of any impending doom, and so all else she added was, "He shall need it on his quest to locate Princess Peach."
Before any other Punies could speak, Elodie heard Mario's voice question, "Elodie—what do you mean Ingrid knew?"
Elodie sighed; she could only have expected the question. She smiled sadly and looked into Mario's eyes as she said, "Ingrid knew what fate would befall her and my friends and husband. There was a curse upon those Crystal Stars a thousand years ago, Mario… four of them were cursed so that when they were let go, a black box would appear and trap the souls of the wielder inside it forever. Only the hero of legend, the hero to collect and unify the seven Crystal Stars, would be able to open those boxes and release their souls once and for all."
Three yelps echoed in Elodie's ears from Goombella, Koops, and Flurrie. Mario, however, only furrowed his eyebrows.
"W-well, are they still… cursed?" squeaked Koops. This last word raised his voice half an octave.
Elodie giggled and shook her head. "Fear not, dear one. The curse was only meant to work once, and even if it was not, not even a great demon's magic is powerful enough to last for a thousand years."
"Yours was," said Mario. His voice was filled with respect—Elodie noticed and couldn't help but smirk a bit smugly.
"I suppose it was. I do not mean to brag, but I feel as if I can speak the truth now. Contrary to common lore, it was I who struck the last at the demon a thousand years ago. The tales say it was my husband, the lord of the land. But the truth is… I spread those rumors to make his legend even greater."
A few of the Punies grumbled approvingly at these words; Elodie's champion raised his eyebrows, perhaps in impressment, perhaps in astonished disbelief. Either way, Elodie's mind was no longer on the magic she had cast upon the Thousand-Year Door or the Magical Map.
Her mind was on her surroundings. Glancing outside, she murmured, "You know, I have longed to see the beauty of Boggly Wood ever since I was a girl. But as I had no chance in life…"
She did not have to say anything else before the Punies all rushed outside. Mario and company followed, gesturing Elodie forward as they went. Excited, she glided towards her charges and took her first and perhaps only glimpse at the ancient woods.
They were everything she had ever imagined they'd be. The trees surrounded the glen, taller than Elodie had ever dared to dream. Their leaves were black and white just as Ingrid had once described them, as all the textbooks claimed; birds flocked overhead, chirping softly to one another. As far as she could see, white flowers grew throughout the forest. It was a peaceful place with a slight wind, and warm sunlight that even Elodie, in her ghostly form, could feel.
The spirit inhaled slowly, basking in the calmness of the wood. She felt a blanket of calm wash over her; when she looked to her champion, she noted that Mario was grinning, watching her reaction.
"This was how I felt as well," was all he said, but she understood perfectly.
"Indeed," said Elodie: the only word that came to her mind. Then, she thought it fitting to add, "Thank you for seeing this with me… with a friend."
Mario blinked. It was clear he hadn't been expecting to be called a friend; but as the seconds ticked by, his smile reappeared. "Of course, Elodie."
For a minute or two, they all stood outside, gazing at the place that the Punies were fortunate enough to call their home. Soon, however, Elodie felt the familiar pulling sensation that signaled it was almost time for her to disappear again.
"Mario—" she began to say, but he cut her off.
"It's all right," he reassured her. "I have only one question. Did… you and your friends hide the Crystal Stars so no evil could touch the legendary treasure?"
At the remembrance of what lay beyond the Palace of Shadow, the peace that Elodie felt while gazing over the Boggly Wood disappeared. Darkly, she replied, "I have a confession, Mario: there is no treasure. Not a treasure anyone should ever dare to claim."
"Then what is sealed behind the Thousand-Year Door?"
But Elodie did not answer him, both because the oncoming abyss was too powerful for her to resist, and because she could not yet tell him that what lay at the end of his journey was a demon not even she could truly defeat.