It was a painful evening. However, it was warmer. Over the cliff, another climate ruled. A slightly humid, warm forest. No mist. A purple horizon merged with the pink sky and the strips of orange clouds emitted a gentle, golden hue. While the others sat in silence, cleaning their weapons and crunching on some dry bread, Anevay forced her pen to write down the words in her journal. Her tales had taken a rather sad turn, and she had tried to describe Marrie’s personality as well as she could without flaunting her as some type of hero. Marrie never cared about that at all. She just enjoyed life.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9OMM2Cjn1
Bethil sat against a tree, his knees up, his tired face resting in his hands. Beside him sat Daphnelle, who was resting her head on Bethil’s shoulder. Elliot was sat on a rock near the calm river, and he was running his hand through his head too many times, as if trying to rub away worries. Livi sat with Jarco, and she felt guilty for Lewir. Peita was sitting by herself near the river, rinsing her blades. Vastice and Lemennie were fanning up the campfire in the meanwhile. Soon, the gentle crackling of the fire created the new soundscape, and a radiation of heat flowed towards the others. The group gathered around the campfire, all except Lewir.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYeh8NNmwG
“I will go get him,” said Jarco. He wandered a little deeper down the river, where Lewir was sat with his bare feet in the streaming, cold water.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH1bUatPh5
Lewir didn’t say a word, but he did look up at Jarco and forced a smile.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn9CA0ApiB
“Would you like to come join us?” asked Jarco, sitting down next to Lewir.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kTEu6hTqr
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll stay here,” sighed Lewir.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQBi2p2oiX
“I shall let you gather your thoughts, then,” replied Jarco a tad disappointed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerXp0oxBbU
“I don’t mind you staying, Jarco. I’d prefer it, actually.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKYVxvj05q
Jarco sat down next to Lewir and followed him in taking off his shoes and dipping them in the refreshing water.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdLigFzpqv
“It wasn’t supposed to happen,” he sighed. “Marrie was a lovely, young girl. She was seeking for so much more.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqVg66O3cc
“She was a piece of art,” smiled Lewir. “Of course, she was a flawed piece of art. Rough edges, messy colours and some odd traits, but she certainly was remarkable.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlz9Y80cQw
“What was it that attracted you?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipq7Fdr0v
“Her joy for life. Her perseverance. Her tender thoughts but strong mind. Most of all, she reminded me of my previous wife. It is almost as if they were an exact copy. She died. At the hands of somebody vile. The flask I am carrying with me can help me avenge my wife. Marrie knew about it. She told me that what I was doing was the right thing to do. Although she believed in letting go, she knew that sometimes you can’t just let go. The fact that she accepted that my heart still wasn’t at rest made me realise that she cared about finally giving it back its peace. I think that made me fall in love with her. Just like I know that Marrie is not the best woman, she knows that I have my own fight to win.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbI89jemhT
Jarco looked at Lewir. Even though he personally had never witnessed clear flaws of Marrie, he knew that he didn’t know Marrie the way Lewir did. He didn’t have endless conversations with her and inevitably clashing thoughts and opposing opinions. He didn’t share a connection and understanding with her. Not like Lewir did.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJEvUTruza
“Please come join us,” Jarco said. “We shall talk and eat.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW8ETWyBfd
Lewir shared a look with Jarco and he then sighed. He pulled his feet back, dried them off with the sleeve of his shirt and put on his shoes. The two men stood up and they headed back to the campfire.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsvCfZnpH1
“How are you?” asked Anevay immediately, when she looked up from talking with Elliot.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGPtWTGefu
“I am coping,” said Lewir in honesty. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fA9AeRnP8
“Have some food,” offered Peita, and she reached out to hand a piece of the roasted meat to Lewir. He gladly accepted and chewed on it as the flavours exploded in his mouth.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfGAEMxdqI
“What is this?” he asked.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICKRXHEpfo
“It’s the flesh of the dinosaur,” said Lemennie. “I might have grabbed my fair share from our enemy.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspMwsjcLSb
The group began chattering, and their laughs spiralled through the night sky. Ane looked at the group as they were all talking around the campfire, sharing their stories and thoughts. They talked about their horses that they had left in Taverness, about their parents, about the academy, about the rogue camps.It felt like a cutesy little camp with friends. A soft, warm smile creeped over Ane’s face. Elliot noticed this, so he grabbed her hand and lightly squeezed it.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIRxETtHSf
The couple shared a smile.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3cI42phRl
It wasn’t over yet. The fight had not been lost. They still had a long way to go, and they would not stop.
Daphnelle was the first one to wake up. She headed to the river, where she dropped her weaponry and took off her clothing to get a wash. The river wasn’t deep, but just deep enough so that Daphne could relaxingly bathe, leaning against the strip of land.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fBS1VJFqS
“Good morning,” said Bethil as he joined Daphnelle to her surprise. The two, undressed to their underwear, sat next to each other in the river.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm2K0zrxNT
“Did you sleep well?” asked Bethil.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xZ1ZotOi5
“Lovely. You?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKk5OfoCdD
“Cannot complain. I should not forget that we are in some bewildered forest,” mumbled Bethil.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP8C1EaclC
“That’s right,” chuckled Daphne. When she looked at Bethil, she recalled what Lewir and Marrie had said a while back. The slightly thumping sensation in her chest as she watched Bethil didn’t lie and Daphne didn’t feel like she should hide it either. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr3SCxmSzj
Daphne lay a hand on Bethil’s cheek and when their eyes met, she leaned in. Bethil didn’t hesitate. He reacted to her kiss and his body reacted along with it. Their tongues curved together and Bethil’s hands explored Daphne’s waist. He kissed her deeply, letting all passion cropped inside of him out at once.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPx6OCyl20
Out of breath, Daphnelle pulled back and she looked at Bethil. She let out a little laugh. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjaPnGstA0
“Let’s make breakfast,” she said. Bethil agreed to the delicious plan, and they both left the river.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKHyVCTmmB
By that time, Elliot had already woken up, and he was already taking care of the food. He looked up at the pair and a grin filled his face.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3RW7xL6AU
“Bathed together?” he grinned.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wyQrEYYnD
“You and Ane should do it sometime,” winked Daphne and they joined Elliot in baking the bread over a tiny fire.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVob3E5rka
“Let’s keep it calm today,” said Elliot. “The group can use the bit of rest.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JjdrKe2AI
“Roger,” replied Bethil. “We still have to move on, though.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYbmHEVu6v
“Of course we will move on. Just…”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g635dnjE3
“You are affected too, aren’t you?” sighed Daphne.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJacwkvW7TU
“I just did not expect it. Besides, I know how it feels to lose someone.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP2IH3DIsY
Bethil patted Elliot’s back and Daphne lay a hand on his shoulder.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIehoI5DWjo
“You’re strong, Elliot. One of the strongest humans I’ve ever met, really. If your Mum would know how far you’ve come, how well you’re doing… We’re all sure she’d be very proud,” smiled Daphne. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPvpJ3gA6I
“I am staying strong for Ane. I do not want to show my weakness. Not because I am afraid of being vulnerable, but because she has lost her father as well. I just think that if I stay strong, she will too,” replied Elliot.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbp8LSEuaG
“Although I think that’s beautiful, I think it’d be good for both of you to sit down and talk about it. Share your feelings with each other. You love each other, you surely can offer each other that support, right?” suggested Daphne.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap42K06PNJ
“Bottling up your feelings will not help you in the long run. It is best to be upfront with how you feel at some point,” added Bethil. “Outing your thoughts and worries is the best way to deal with it.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPP5xEGoxa
“I appreciate your concern, guys. I really do. I’ll try to seek for some private time with Anevay at one point,” answered Elliot. The bread was toasted and he shared it with his two friends.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoG3kgREJ2
The journey onwards began off pretty patchy, but the longer they walked, the more bearable in became. They were silent the majority of the walk, but occasionally shared a thought or two. Now and then a wolf came out to attack them, and once a bear. A tiger made his appearance twice as well. They were different to fight. Faster, stronger, more relying on their own brute force rather than brain. They didn’t fight polished, and fought raw. That was no match for the group, of course, and the fellowship easily fought their way through a bunch of animals. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO7i4QMQbo
The day went by slowly. Nothing happened, and they got bored and tired quite fast because of the lack of events keeping them awake.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyXxszDns8
“How much further is it?” asked Lewir at one point.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVb0m8X80A
“Not too long. We should reach the portal before midnight,” responded Peita. Lewir looked up to the sun and then looked around him. He came to the - albeit inaccurate - conclusion that it was around three o'clock, so they still had quite some journey to go. This question did lurk out some chattering, and Peita took the opportunity to walk to Lewir and have a chat with him.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4eeJhF4z6
“Sorry about what happened,” she said.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39tYWsiPlB
“It is fine, Peita.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUjxYrEvgz
“I hope you do not blame us for bringing you here.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2IFmfU2Gl
“If anything, I should be thanking you for bringing us this far,” Lewir smiled.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc7D9uYo7f
“Your positivity is contagious; Lewir. Never lose it,” said Peita.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNSCkWnfpQ
“I won’t, Iopeita. After this quest, I will still be me. More worn out and experienced in combat, but still the optimistic me.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwXL7dF2Jk
“How lovely,” smiled Peita. It was her warmest smile that Lewir ever had the honour of witnessing. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYRjbe7tvG
Vastice was messing around with Mia and Judian. The two small dragons were happy to be free and Vastice tried his best to keep his cheerful attitude under control. Daphne and Bethil were joining Vastice in his joyful demeanor and pleasant interaction with the dragons. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRKAi3p9Do
“Ane, do you think we can have a little talk?” asked Elliot upon remembering the words of the pair that morning.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbuscsYGHf
“Of course, Elliot,” replied Ane.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwv2C5eDMe
The two went to the back of the group, behind a heavily talking Jarco and Livi. Ane just overheard what Livi said, and it was something about hybrids of the Eastern Bay.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcztVV63P0
Once they had their semi-privacy, Ane awaited what Elliot had to share. He, however, didn’t find the words, and instead looked up. His eyes gazed over the blue sail of air and little cotton balls of clouds gently rubbing their subtle traces over the wings of the sky. This was not the Wilderness. This felt like a serene landscape. This was a piece of art of nature. Riverbends, tall, ferocious trees, healthy, green grass, a dozen types of flowers growing together in harmony albeit very unusual and the sky that was a mosaic of white and blue shades. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduP7NeEYxw
“I am sorry about what happened to your father,” he said in the spur of the moment.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTtbyqAKui
Ane confusedly looked up and frowned. “What do you mean?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCj33jkxud
“I am sorry for not giving you the support you needed. I am sorry for thinking you could handle it all on your own,” Elliot replied.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ta2FTNhrM
“Elliot… you do not have to say sorry.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS80xQJI0vM
“Honestly, when my mother passed away, I kept strong just to keep you strong,” said Elliot, ignoring Ane’s response. “I was dying inside. Every breath hurt and waking up knowing my mother was gone was an absolute pain. I realised how it must have been for you. I should have talked about my feelings, but I kept them hidden just to keep the spirit high.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKEPNfhI1f
Ane was struck silent. She looked at the ground in front of her, at the patches of grass and flowers under her boots. It was the prettiest green she’d ever seen, along with the brightest purple that any flower petal could possibly have. She swallowed away her tears of emotion forcing to rush over her. She hadn’t heard Elliot spoke those words of pain and sorrow, and she’s always thought that he had dealt with the grief. A breathtaking moment of pain and fear seemed to slam on her chest, but knowing that Elliot was with her gave her the ability to breathe again.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUSd7orpIP
“Thank you,” she responded. “I just thought that I would have to suck up the pain myself.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9X6b6D0Wf
“You showed that you were capable of doing so, but truly no one is,” Elliot said. “The toughest shells grow soft overtime. It does not matter how strong you are, inside and outside. If life keeps striking and you keep taking the hits, it will break you in some way.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qREMFOPNy
“Thank you for being my friend,” Anevay said. “I do not think I would have been able to do this without you.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6jlER0kE
“Remember that even in your darkest moment, I shall be the one to give you the spark of hope,” said Elliot and he embraced Anevay for a brief moment, planting a kiss on top of her head before they caught up with the others.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHpWWBzJ9u
“Lewir, how are you?” asked Daphne. The two doomed walked together, rather in front of the pack behind Peita, Vastice and Lemennie, and they were silently chattering as they walked.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZTUkXaKOi
“Not quite okay,” answered Lewir honestly.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgTdKEFTHu
“Is there something we can do?” Daphnelle asked. She watched Lewir’s wretched expression and tried her best not to let it get to her, but it was tough to do.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVChFBMsZhT
“No. All I am worrying about is how we will ever tell Hallan,” Lewir mumbled. “I told him I would protect Marrie, but instead I let her slip right through -”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT6j3f6Oqq
“You can’t beat yourself up over this. It’ll tear you apart. Don’t worry about Hallan. It’s best if you first deal with it before you think about passing it on,” said Daphne.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmemqXYUqY1
“It will be hard for me, Daphnelle. I lost the two women I loved the most, and they both died because of me. Knowing that you were the cause really does something to a person. It think that breaks you more than anything. I could have avoided it. Do you understand that?” 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX2nuUyPd6
Daphne was silent. Lewir was a man to look up to, she thought. He was brave, wise and strong. And now he was telling her such abrupt and upfront statements. What could she say? She didn’t understand. She couldn’t imagine how it felt. She felt guilty for not being able to properly communicate with Lewir, and yet Lewir was grateful for her listening ear. He knew very well that he put Daphne on the spot. Even though he found that Daphne was too young to have gone through horrific loss, he knew she had. He could tell the hidden emotions behind her eyes. Maybe the two doomed understood each other because of their shared roots and the horns on their heads, or maybe because they had both been in the same position at least once in their lives.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFpbEXQ2On
“You have a bright heart, Daphne, but you are draining the colour by not letting it shine,” Lewir said. “Show us some more of your emotions, and you will become a different person.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bQdiYR5dz
“Thank you, Lewir,” said Daphne, but more words were not spilt.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJSGauTwhZ
And so they talked and walked and cried and laughed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumd6v2x2H4
Lunchtime came soon, and Livi and Jarco were sat together, munching on some bread they had to share with each other.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJkvnUAwcF
“I think that the most important thing about being a rogue is not to forget that your roots lie with your clan,” said Livi.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeao2pBbDqK
“Aren’t rogues supposed to be all lonesome?” frowned Jarco.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KL7L8FiDD
“It gets lonely and dangerous. Our clan was nice. We had Daphne and Mounty for a solid while. Daphne and I got really close overtime. She’s like a little sister to me.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHTmPNDosU
“Was there ever anybody that you fell in love with?” asked Jarco curiously.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMv7V9XZjI
“In the clan? Not a chance. Most people there were close-minded. Hunting, prey, money, loot. Stealing, killing and causing a riot. It was fun and all, that was for sure… but not quite my style,” Livi sighed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJba3R3knP8
Jarco grinned slightly. “Then what is your style like?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AQHPA7IlI
“People who seek the thrill of adventure,” responded Livi, “in positive ways as well.” 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQCFtXqQt
Jarco squeezed her hand and she smiled at him before planting a kiss on his lips.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4z9PtvyyR
Meanwhile, the others were also heavily chatting. Ane had gotten invested in a conversation with Peita, who was telling her about the history between her and her last girlfriend.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil3HfGgHvo
“It was love… but one-sided,” she spoke. “I just couldn’t get around to loving him. She was too sweet. I can’t live without a bit of spice, get me? She was lovely, that’s no doubt. Just not my type of person.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXbfqEo2w
“How long did you spend with her?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn2TKSRYz3
“Years,” sighed Peita, and she looked up through the leaves of the tree she was leaning against. “I grew up with her. Eventually we fell for each other. Then it all came crashing down when we realised we had different needs.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0qBPTnNWJ
“Sorry to hear that, Peita. Are you still in contact with her till this day?” 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeQOg45cZ0
“No. Hearts broken because of one another shouldn’t remain anywhere near each other,” shrugged Peita. “What about you, princess? You and Elliot?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4duaOJAwR
Ane looked at Elliot, who was having a fun talk with Daphne and Bethil whilst they were all joking around. She then looked back at Peita and she sighed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCQRf1YWcp
“I do not think there was ever a time where I did not love him,” said Ane. “I have never told him, though. I fear that one day he will slip right through my fingers without having been able to tell him what I truly felt.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo62rV5iM50
“The boy knows,” Peita replied, “but it wouldn’t hurt to tell him.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdneAHB88U
“Not sure how. I am not quite the most expressive one with my feelings,” Ane replied. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZci7BThTz
“We know,” nodded Peita. “You like to make decision by your own without really consulting anybody else, don’t you?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTa0IQmsUn
Ane looked at the food in her hand and she thoughtfully nodded whilst taking a bite.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCEwNPQWBp
“I suppose so,” she eventually spoke. “I guess that I always think I have life on my own, but I do not really.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg23FglnKB
“Elliot’s got your back at all times,” reassured Peita. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnc4AchOqW
Ane just agreed silently without using many words and looked at Elliot. The smile that stretched from ear to ear made the arising feeling in Ane’s chest grow bigger and subtly take away her breath. She inhaled deeply and then shook her head for no particular reason, only to face a widely grinning Peita181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSjvBDlVbw
Soon after, the group was back on their way. Peita announced that they’d soon reach the other side where the portal to the Eastern Bay would be, and a layer of relief overwhelmed the group. They were all just as happy to be able to look forward to the end of this particular trip.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi5PH4ESs4
“Be careful, though,” Vastice said. “There is another cliff, and behind that, is the Wilderness that we arrived in. So be careful.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNianXRkvhD
The group nodded and Ane took a deep breath. The thumping, hollow feeling in her chest slowly ebbed away, but she was still thinking about the same worrisome thoughts.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjtntnmUdw
She never got to tell her father that she loved him. And of course she did. She never got to say goodbye to her mother; not that she cared, though. Her father, Eucilde, would never be able to see how Ane and her friends got this far. He never got to experience his daughter being such an important pion in the game. He never got to realise that he helped create one of the four saviours of the new era. She never got to tell her father how thankful she was, and instead felt locked up in a cage of guilt for being the coward and run away. Would he forgive her? Fate really tugged the ropes by deciding that this princess would be the fortune of the new era.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqOCxXog9j
Elliot noticed the worrisome expression on his best friend’s face, so he reached out to her fingers and intertwined them with his. The warmth that shuddered through him the moment he got to hold her hand was calming, which was also something that he needed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCYR5dwoFJ
He didn’t know quite how to feel about the fact that the woman he loved killed the mother he loved. It had to be done, sure, but it was messy and chaotic and unnecessary. Why did this have to happen? Elliot forgave Ane, that was certain, but he would never forgive fate and destiny. How cruel of fate as well to pick the descendant of a former saviour. He never wanted to be the wisdom of the new era, yet the title was thrusted upon him and no further choices were given.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU4Trulj5o
Perhaps it was the entire situation around them or the other worries circling them, but the pair didn’t quite realise how truly alone they had become the moment their parents died. Their only real rock was each other.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiyCHwyhY2
After the group had split to mount Mia and Judian, they flew over the cliff. The depths were unknown, as a darkness engulfed the bottom, and as Ane watched the ground disappear beneath her, she felt quite relieved. As odd as it may sound, when you’re several feet above the ground and can’t see the surface, you have little to worry about other than to land. The distance between the two parts of land was bigger than the other cliff. It’d take them a solid eighteen minutes to reach the other side, so this gave everyone some time to piece their thoughts together and process their last bits of troubles.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqCyIfJbf5
Bethil looked down to the abyss under his body and he just started to wonder. He wondered if his parents would be worried and he wondered if his classmates would even notice his disappearance. Was it fair? Was this all fair? He was born and fate just decided that this baby would become a saviour of the new era. “Yup,” fate said, “this is the one. He will be the heart that the era needs.” Bethil sighed deeply and swallowed his hesitations. He hadn’t really realised how much of a task this journey was up until the bitter loss of one of their comrades. It made him strangely vulnerable, and also a tad angry. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1mEcyk6wG
It was Daphne who wondered why exactly fate chose them, and something just didn’t feel right either. She understood that the former heroes could easily recognise the new ones, but she never really understood why fate chose whom. She didn’t want to be important and instead wanted to dwell in her pit of magnificence, mischief and misery. She never got to. It also dawned on her that her parents would never be proud of her. Of course she would. Although she was the new era’s brute and perhaps also quite the ruthless murderer with wretched morals in her heart, she was still a descendant of the former king of the Druids. Honour ran through her veins, and even if she’d pump out all the blood, it’d still be carved right into her brain.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW67FJlzBx3
“Careful,” said Lemennie as she helped Ane off Mia. The ribbons of mist spiralled around the fellowship who were just slowly adjusting to the coldness that suffocated their skin. Surprisingly, the cold sky burnt their skin and felt like needles penetrating their flesh constantly, mercilessly and ruthlessly. It felt as if an entity had amplified the eeriness of the real Wilderness by at least a hundred and placed the result here. Their feet seemed to sink into every piece of mud where they went and a creepy silence layered over any soundscape.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcD2sC9SKW
The only person who felt strangely comfortable, however, was Anevay, who appeared to float as she walked. This was her realm, or so it seemed, and that only made her comrades more freaked out. They did after all clearly know Anevay’s true nature, which was the art of summoning those who lost life once, so knowing that sent a chill down their spines.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaDVmyBKgG
“What do you feel, Ane?” Elliot asked, watching her levitated expression.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtojWL8Awlf
Anevay looked around her. A feast of colours collided and merged and became a mush of auras. They were all formidably vivid, which wasn’t a common thing for the undead. Ane felt as if this was their safe haven, and they were intruding their place of eternal rest. The thick air that barely got to invade anyone’s nostrils revealed that freshness wasn’t necessary here.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRaXgkL19Z
“This is their place,” whispered Ane and she cautiously continued to walk, gesturing her group where to walk and where not to. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWMiHcRlHr
“I don’t get it,” mumbled Vastice, keeping both his dragons close. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jfWd4RwyF
“What do you not get?” asked Elliot, carefully stepping forward.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3Zr7u03mK
“This place,” answered Vastice. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRu328ItFG
“We never saw this piece of the Wilderness before,” added Lemennie.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYzGFgtHmh
“You never did?” asked Jarco, immediately warned. “You really do not recognise this place?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2TFayb9yp
“Not a single bit,” answered Peita. “We are just trying to process this.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7INwFrCfa
“That’s not a good thing,” thought Livi aloud and she looked around. It was hard to see through the mist, but she figured out many silhouettes of hopefully trees and plants. “If this is a new place, how are we supposed to find out the location of the portal?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J1dEHkAvh
“We keep heading east,” replied Peita. “No need to worry about that. The only thing we have to worry about now is this new environment… who knows how huge this place is. I don’t suggest going back either, because searching for the correct route would be a major waste of time.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HNAOm6ru4
“Let’s just follow Ane,” decided Daphne, who was sticking close to her friend.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fi4onY2e6
Ane was observing the area around her. A gloomy atmosphere hung over the landscape and dwelled it in a layer of mist. The ground wasn’t solid and felt like something was tugging the fellowship’s feet with every single step. Rays of faint light shone through patches of mist occasionally and the princess let herself be led by that very insecure trail.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbp9VqkwFd
A sudden shaking shook every wide awake and Anevay looked the most alarmed. Her eyes trailed off to the source of the sound and she found it in the ground, a patch underneath a tiny bus with thorns and horns. It would not block their path, knew Anevay, but she also could tell it was a dangerous obstacle if awoken. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYASoCAkjSa
“What is that?” asked Livi, instantly alert by the quake.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaZuXBKequ
Ane remained silent while she looked around. She did gesture to her comrades to stay as quiet yet cautious as possible, because something was definitely off. The quake wasn’t as severe, but it was ominous and probably not the best sign either.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEkglfBFN7
And then, just when Ane was about to raise her foot, the earthquake became quite intense. It didn’t stop there; through the mist erupted an abundance of creatures, dead nor alive. They spawned right through the mist in big amounts and gave the group no chance to cope. The pieces of rotten skin hanging from their bones, the claws and teeth and bloodshot eyes, the deafening growls and overall intimidating size made up for quite the nightmare fuel, and none of the comrades wanted to fight it except Lemennie. However, she didn’t get to pick whether to fight or flight, and Ane immediately called the group to run.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JRx6vkaGs
They didn’t follow specifically Ane anymore and they ran east, where they hoped to encounter a portal of some sorts. Jolts of adrenaline were continuously given to the group, causing their legs to run on their own. Chased by dozens of undead that Ane had no bit of control over, the group remembered true fear. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbPj0AW8iO
Livi told herself not to run out of breath and just keep running. Forward, forward, forward. Breathe well, run well. No excuses. She faintly heard someone shout that the portal was near but that they wouldn’t be able to be faster. During their run, Livi made eye contact with Lemennie, and they both understood each other’s meaningful glare. They stopped running and faced their rivals. A wave of fear ran over Livi before she suppressed it by drawing her zweihander. Lemennie on her turn stretched her arm and did something that the others hadn’t seen either. Her right sleeve ripped apart, allowing space for a leathery, rough skin to come right through. At the end was no hand, but instead a claw just as large as the enemies’. It seemed like the claw of a demon, vicious and intimidating and even Livi was taken aback. She didn’t have much time to be astonished and instead threw herself in the fight together with Lemennie as they began to slaughter their first few victims.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Tne432Wl
Meanwhile, Peita led everyone through the portal, using her killheel magic to make the portal useful and send them to the eastern bay instead of anywhere else.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mss3SqQ5w
“Livi, Lemennie! Come back!” she desperately yelled as she felt the magic drain her energy.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqA4E5dJtj
Lemennie gestured Livi to retreat multiple times, but she wouldn’t listen and kept fighting. Lemennie, caught in a moment of hesitation, tried to reach Livi one last time, but without a response. Lemennie eventually retreated and jumped through the portal.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd675TDX45
“Livi, get over here!” shouted Peita. The only response she got was the determined glare from Livi, followed by an apologetic smile. Livi disappeared into the bunch of distracted rivals, and with pain in her chest, Peita ran through the portal, closing it behind her forever.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxXwirIeuF
Lily’s York - where their portal had sent them to - was beautiful, just as Peita remembered, and they found themselves in a small part of the woods near a pond with glistening fairies flying over the greenish surface of the mystical water. Peita had no time to admire the beauty, and instead panted and huffed, forcing herself not to let emotion roll over. The moment that she faced Jarco who was equally exhausted, Peita had no choice but to hide her face and shake her head in refusal for what just had happened.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2877hdI36
“Where is Livi?” asked Jarco, a tone of bitterness in her voice. Peita looked at him and tried to see through his ice cold glare, but they both knew that Jarco was aware of the answer.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbvuKyWFgL
“I’m sorry…” whimpered Peita, trying to keep her head high. Her emotions didn’t allow that, but she still faced Jarco.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvMSJUt7MO
“Where is she?” he repeated. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrveBSGEIR
No answer.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb12x5LEZF
The tension rose.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvtPdHlopi
He repeated the question.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4sztWGTgw
The fellowship shared helpless gazes.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIG8LAkhd6
No answer.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH3wb0MY18
Jarco lunged forward, pinning Peita to the ground. Lewir and Bethil immediately dragged a raging Jarco off Peita. Nobody knew what to do, and instead they listened to Jarco crying, and soon Daphne and Ane chimed in. 181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOrwwgqhFI
And they would never know what truly happened to Livi.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvPSapmsW
and then Add to home screen.