It was soon the next morning, and Scott, Michael and Felix packed their things and prepared to advance their journey to Dangun. However, another person had joined them shortly after this unusually eventful midnight, after the bizarre, startling events that occurred so suddenly ended.
The only information she was willing to share about herself was her name, Ellios Rosette—a young lady from the lands beyond the border.
And, according to Felix, he had heard many rumours about those lands, that the lands from beyond the border that she originated from were both treacherous and terrifying. And, due to the specks of added information by Michael, Scott learnt that Mara's domain was a land plagued by both "Death" and "Immortality".
Though, Ellios herself didn't say anything else to confirm.
Then, as they continued their walk on the earthy road, Scott, absentmindedly, started to stare at Ellios for a while. She looked sickly pale, and her face was now still and emotionless. Although she had taken off her shackles, she still almost looked like a manifestation of death.
It's so strange… the wispy aura that comes off of her.
I'm sure she has many secrets about her, but… I'm not so sure if it's good to pry. Especially with someone like her, someone who seems to hold a deep grief in her heart.
But, I just want to wonder… how exactly will taking her along affect our journey?
Ellios glanced at him, evidently sensing the curious eyes gaping at her.
"…You seem to hold a lot of questions for me." She murmured. Scott shivered and nodded hesitantly.
He was captivated by her for a unique reason, and her deathly aura creepily reminded him of something he seemed to have vastly forgotten.
"…Even if I do not know what they are, I can't reply to such questions just yet. We… have only just started our journey together, after all. However, when the time comes for us to be considered close enough to ask each other, I also like to ask a few things."
"…Such as?"
"…Your blood. It lacks the filth and "evil" of a demon's blood, yet contains the same mystifying elements."
"Before all of my misfortune, maybe, due to my childlike curiosity, I would've ended up "deciphering" you, to see what type of special you truly are."
"Deciphering…?" Scott looked at her with confusion. The way she said that word made it sound like it was one of her strange abilities.
"Hey!"
"…You two seem to be warming up to each other nicely, hehe," Felix spoke out, grinning.
Scott exhaled. He wanted to explain to Felix that he was only curious, but ended up sighing in resignation instead.
"Hm… maybe, with us four, we could become a squad!" Felix half-exclaimed, in a whirlwind of his thoughts, "And—oh wait, I have an even better idea! We could become one of those "Adventurer Bands", like the ones you can hear all about in stories! This might be the beginning of a brand-new legend!"
"…Sure," Michael murmured, "But, to become a legend, like the "Warrior's Troupe", for example, surely we would have to do something comparable to the feat of slaying a dragon."
Felix shrugged.
"Maybe it's only a matter of time. In the words of the wise old church fogeys, what is even a farce at first can become true if it is what the Gods will into existence."
Michael and Scott remained silent for that moment, and for a short while, all four of them strolled in the serene daylight rays with an air of thought hovering about their heads, until Felix said something again:
"My stomach rumbling real bad… Luckily, though, there's a bunch of animals nearby!" Felix said, obviously pointing at the rabbits and such nearby, "Come on guys, let's go snag them to eat!"
Michael chuckled. "Hm… is this the natural-born trait of tricksters like you? One second spouting words capable of making us all contemplate, and the next, running off to scavenge some food. Anyway, there's most likely a village up ahead anyway, judging by the surroundings, so let's walk a bit longer…"
Scott glimpsed a small nearby well which they soon passed by, which had water extracted from it by what seemed to be ordinary villagers and peasants living in the area around Hanus Sols Castle, using rusty buckets and pails.
It looks like there is a village nearby, like Michael said.
I hope I can get some food to fill my belly up too, since I haven't eaten much at all since I first awoke without my memories. Maybe it's because of Hisbiril's Mark that I still don't feel hungry much.
Scott glanced down at his chest as he remembered the Mark. He thought it was strange, how he had lost all recollection of his family, and his friends, and was now wandering this strange world, feeling almost distant towards it.
Maybe, as he continued his journey, he would find out what exactly the Flamesprite was talking about.
Little did Scott know, Ellios was also thinking the same thing. Although, she didn't feel distant. She felt, hollow. And, drowning in the Sea of Souls.
Soon enough, they would realise that they are fully intertwined together, and as he journeys onward with her, with all of his present and future allies, his unrivalled "Legend" will create the arrival of the "new world" itself.
***
In the cold scenery of night, the absence of sound made the eerie backdrop create the ambience "he" desired.
Within the old manor in the ruins of Dangun's old "city", a "king" awaited, with countless sleeping maidens by his side, and a greatsword by him, impaled through a sleeping woman's chest. They all looked satisfied, yet they were hiding the feelings of terror behind their porcelain expressions.
This naked "king" arose from his large bed within the stone manor's bed chambers, and clutched his fist. He stepped forward, and with the moonlight piercing through the veil of the window's curtains, his figure was revealed.
He was a gigantic man with long, spiky hair, who constantly held a clenched "iron fist" with his muscular hand. And, he was almost the height of two men, with a ferocious, grim face that resembled a demon's. His eyes, however, held a deep intensity and fixation, that spoke of a single goal hiding by layers of darkness within.
Like all other "kings", he held potent, inhuman strength like none other, capable of leading the bandits who submitted to him to unfounded glory. And so, this man could be no one else other than "Iron-fisted King Cromse."
"…My fire shall not dwindle yet. I need more strength, to achieve my goal."
"I have resorted to ritualistic practices, and they have worked thus far, but… I need something else."
He paused.
"…However, too much strength, especially at this crucial point, isn't good for me either. After all, the Corrupted Tree of Divinity's root shall do the rest of the work for me. The Orcs shall trust in me, and they will help me get what I need."
A gust of wind blew through the old curtains and caused Cromse to stare at the moon.
"The Abstract Essence shall corrupt that "tree" soon, and everything will be set in motion. Enough sacrifices will be gathered, and Aria's Artifact, the cause of the Old Capital's fall, shall come into my hands…"
"…It is indeed a spectacle, how Abstract Essence has such potential to engulf and destroy. However, unlike the speculative answers that the scholars and officials provide, I know that this unique essence, alongside miasma, originates from the centre of this world, within the Tree of Divinity itself."
"…I will use that to my advantage. Through the power of a Divine Saint's Artifact, no one will be able to defy me."
"I will become a "true king". And then, finally, the lands shall be mine to conquer. My reign shall begin, and commence in Duke Soriel Estrau's territory."
"Just wait and see, fools."