"A land so small, yet its fall would echo across the empire like thunder."
"Don't blame me! You're the ones who forced me to fight!"
The first thing that caught my attention after waking up was the loud commotion of an argument echoing through the tent. My body felt heavy, every muscle screaming like I had run endlessly. The thick scent of herbal medicine mixed with dried blood filled the air, and I could feel the damp fabric of a cloth laid across my forehead. But that voice—loud and filled with emotion—made me push myself up, causing the cloth to fall.
"You think this is some kind of game?!" bellowed the gruff voice of Duke Wildfang, filled with rage. That man seemed to have a temper like Finnian—explosive and unrestrained. The air inside the tent felt like it would collapse from the sheer force of his emotions. "You almost blew up my soldiers!"
"Is it my fault they were standing so close to the blast?! For all I know, they didn't even move when those short green monsters attacked me! Doesn't that mean they wanted me dead?!" another voice snapped in return. It was Aarav. I could recognize that furious tone anywhere—an anger that never seemed to die.
"They didn't step in because they believed in the great power of the Astral Voyager! They thought they would only get in the way if they joined your fight!"
Thalgar's deep voice rumbled through the tense tent. His gaze burned into Aarav, but there was a sliver of something else in his voice—an odd mix of fury and a crumbling hope.
"What?! So letting me get swarmed by those short green things is now considered faith?!" Aarav barked back, sitting at the edge of the makeshift bed, breath ragged. His body was still wrapped in bandages, some stained with blood. A burn stretched across his shoulder and upper chest, and one arm was crudely splinted with wood and cloth. "You think I blew myself up on purpose?! I didn't even know what I was doing!"
"That blast injured seven of my men. Two are still unconscious!" Thalgar growled, slamming his fist into one of the wooden tent poles, making the fabric tremble. "You could've killed them, you reckless brat!"
Aarav tried to stand, but his body trembled from the pain. The wounds hadn't fully healed and showed in every small movement. Still, his eyes were fierce, and the fury within them burned as hot as the explosion that nearly claimed his life.
"You forced me to fight and left me to die! Only Zura and Finnian ran toward me to help!" Aarav gritted his teeth. "I don't understand this power—I was just dragged into this damn world, and now you expect me to become some god savior?!"
"We're not blind!" Thalgar snapped back. "But you're not the only one who got hurt! My soldiers fought with everything they had! All they needed was one signal from you to avoid your uncontrolled power, but instead, you gave them—half a camp blown to pieces!"
"Enough!"
Tavon's voice cut through the chaos like a blade—calm yet piercing. Zura's father stepped inside, allowing the tent's flap to open briefly, followed by his adopted daughter carrying a basin of water and Finnian, arms full with a box of potion bottles.
His gaze swept the room before settling on Aarav and Thalgar. "Your anger is not wrong. But if you let it destroy what little trust we still have left... then we've already lost. Even before the Abyss strikes."
Thalgar exhaled sharply, his beast-like ears twitching. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Tavon then turned to Aarav, his voice softer but still firm. "Aarav, since you're still unfamiliar with your powers, rely on Zura and Finnian. Don't rush into danger alone. The two of them will become your travel companions. If you can't trust us, try to trust them in battle."
Aarav didn't respond immediately. His eyes drifted down to the bandages wrapped around him, then slowly scanned the room. Everyone was watching him—expectant, as if awaiting a decision greater than war.
But before Aarav could speak, a faint yet clear voice broke through the heavy silence.
"Don't… blame each other…"
Every head in the tent turned sharply toward the cot in the corner. My voice—weak but loud enough to be heard—made the world stop turning momentarily.
Zura dropped the basin of water in her hands. The metallic clang echoed as it hit the ground, splashing water onto the dirt floor and the hem of her robe. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her pale blue pupils trembling as if she'd seen a ghost.
"N-Nio?"
Her body moved faster than her thoughts. She rushed toward me and threw herself onto the bed, wrapping her arms tightly around me. Her slender, cold arms clung to my fragile frame, trembling as if afraid I might vanish again.
"You're awake… You're really awake, Nio… I was so scared… The healer said you kept sweating cold… They didn't let me in… I only just got here…"
Her embrace was tight and trembling, stronger than my weak body could handle. I could feel the dampness of her cheek against my shoulder—maybe from the spilled water, maybe from her tears. I could only return her hug feebly, patting her back with what little strength I had left.
The earlier chaos had drained what little energy I possessed.
"I'm okay… Just another nightmare… like always…" I murmured.
Cold sweat still clung to my brow. My breathing was shallow, more from the dream that haunted me every time I fell asleep—Zero.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze to Thalgar and Aarav. They remained silent. Perhaps shocked by my voice, ashamed of the anger they had just unleashed.
"I heard everything," I said, my voice still hoarse. "Aarav… Thalgar… There's nothing wrong with fear… or anger. But we are not enemies. We are just… people… who are hurting."
Zura stared at me intently, then roughly wiped away her tears and turned away, her face still flushed.
"You can be angry, upset, even shout at each other… But in the end, we're all fighting for the same thing, aren't we?" I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "Aarav… I know this world is horrible. I hated it, too. But we made a deal—and you're not alone. Rely on Finnian and Zura. They'll be your partners on this journey."
Aarav lowered his head slightly. His eyes still burned with defiance, but his lips quivered. The wounds on his body seemed small compared to the ones inside him, still unwilling to heal.
Thalgar let out a quiet grunt. "You sound like a priest," he muttered without the usual edge of anger.
I gave a faint smile. "If I'm a priest… then Zura here must be a goddess," I teased, gently patting the girl clinging to my chest.
Zura instantly sprang up, her face burning. "T-That's not funny, Nio!"
Finnian placed the box of potion bottles in the corner of the tent, muttering, "If you have the energy to tease Zura, then quickly assess the village's condition and tell us what to do, oh crown prince."
I turned slowly toward Finnian, just registering his words. "Wait... Village?"
Finnian raised an eyebrow. "You just realized? We've been in Greenreach since last night. Some Savaranth soldiers arrived after you fainted and helped us reach this refugee tent. You've been unconscious since the battle with the goblins—you were sweating and delirious all night."
"Wait, what about Kaeltharion?" I remembered the forest spirit.
"The great forest spirit is resting outside the tent," Thalgar replied.
I nodded in understanding.
My thoughts centered on Greenreach—the village we were meant to save, reportedly overrun by the Abyssians.
I clenched my teeth, striving to sit straight despite my lingering weakness. "Tavon... please assemble a scouting team. I want a comprehensive report on the village's condition. Is it still safe, or are there signs of Gehenna's forces?"
Tavon immediately nodded without objection. "I'll select the best people. We'll move before the sun fully rises."
"Good." I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady despite the heaviness in my chest. "Additionally... I want to meet with the village head, if they survived, and any refugees. We need to understand what happened before we arrived."
Zura clasped my hand tightly, still seated at the edge of the bed. "If you push yourself, you'll faint again, Nio..."
I looked at her and attempted a smile. "I can't just keep sleeping, Zura. The longer we wait, the slimmer our chances of victory."
Finnian crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "Finally... you're speaking like a crown prince." But then he added quietly, "Though you still look like a patient on their deathbed."
Finnian shrugged, then glanced toward the tent entrance briefly before fixing me with a sharp gaze. "By the way... how did you get that forest spirit... Kaeltharion, right? How did you get him to help us earlier?"
Everyone seemed to turn their attention to me. Even Zura, who had been so worried, lifted her face, and Thalgar folded his arms with a scrutinizing look. A brief silence enveloped the tent, broken only by breathing and the faint bubbling from the potion bottles in the corner.
I swallowed hard.
I couldn't very well say, 'Hahaha... I'm half-Elf and the grandson of Queen Rukasha, who often took me to the forest, and boom, I befriended Kaeltharion.' That would surely create a new scandal that could easily dethrone Grandpa.
"Kaeltharion... he just... happened to befriend me," I said hesitantly. The statement sounded weak, even to my own ears.
Finnian leaned in, his eyes narrowing as if trying to peel away the layers of truth I was hiding. "You know, that forest spirit isn't just any creature. They're ancient—far older than our empire. They're proud, reclusive, and indifferent to the outside world as long as their territory isn't disturbed. Even the highest hierophant might be unable to summon them from their lairs."
Thalgar nodded slowly, his deep voice breaking the silence. "Kaeltharion is no ordinary spirit. He is the last guardian of Kael'thar—the ancient forest where elves and skyfolk once lived in unity. He never appeared, not even during the Great War… and now, suddenly, he chooses to protect a human?"
I lowered my gaze to avoid the sharp stares drilling into me.
"It's not just 'coincidental friendship,'" Finnian pressed, his tone hardening as he scrutinized every pause in my answer. "It seems the crown prince has far too many secrets."
I turned away, took a deep breath, then slowly lifted my head. "Enough," I said calmly, though my voice carried a firm edge. "I know you're suspicious. But now is not the time to dissect my past."
Finnian opened his mouth, but I raised a hand to stop him.
"Let's focus on Greenreach first. The village may not be safe, and from the reports I reviewed before we departed… that area was occupied by Abyssians of the Skeleton type—decayed undead that can rise again unless completely destroyed. They move in large packs and are difficult to eliminate without magic."
I glanced toward the table beside my bed, where several scrolls still lay half-unrolled. "But that's not all… there were vague reports about the appearance of a Banshee-type creature. A ghostly woman whose wails curse all who hear them, driving them to madness. And the most dangerous of all…"
I swallowed hard. "There's a chance they're being led by a Lich."
Zura gasped, tightening her grip on my hand. Thalgar let out a low growl.
"A Lich?" he repeated. "We're talking about an immortal sorcerer who turned death into their magic? Who hides their soul in a phylactery and can't be killed easily?"
I gave a slight nod. "If that's true… then this isn't just a minor invasion."
A weak voice rose from across the tent. Aarav, still leaning against a cot, his face pale and shoulder wrapped in bandages, slowly opened his eyes.
"And I'm supposed to fight them like this?"
I turned toward him with a wry smile. "You don't need to fight today, Aarav. You've already saved us more than enough."
Thalgar gave a dry, mocking laugh. "The word 'saved' is doing a lot of work there."
"If Aarav hadn't blasted those goblins, we would've lost more soldiers," I said, trying to defuse the tension. "What he did wasn't ideal, but his actions still brought us victory."
Aarav let out a faint sigh, somewhere between relief and guilt.
I turned my attention back to Finnian. "Finni, I want you to join the scouting team."
Finnian frowned. "Me?"
"Yes." I met his eyes sharply. "Because you're a Paladin."
Everyone in the tent seemed to hold their breath. Finnian looked shocked, but I didn't give him time to deny it.
"During the battle with the goblins… I saw your Arcana Codex emit a radiant symbol—the sigil of Solstara shining and cloaking your shield like a golden mantle. That wasn't ordinary magic. That was a Liturgical Manifestation… the holy magic of the Vowkeeper Paladins."
I still remember how the light from Finnian's shield spread, shielding Zura and Aarav from the goblins' charge. Pure, precise, and brimming with divine might. An aura like that could only be summoned by one who had sworn their life to a sacred oath.
"Your power might be our only hope if that Lich truly exists. And your holy Arcana Codex will be highly effective against creatures like Skeletons and Banshees. I can't send the scouting team out there without divine protection."
Finnian fell silent, his jaw tightening. He looked torn—caught between suspicion and the deep sense of duty rooted within him.
Finally, he let out a heavy breath. "Fine. I'll go."
He rose slowly, then locked eyes with me, gaze sharp and unwavering. "But after this, you'll answer all my questions, Elenio. About the forest spirit. About your bloodline. Everything."
I met his gaze, weary, but nodded. "You'll get your answers. Just… not yet."
Turning toward Tavon, I spoke firmly, "While we wait for the scouting party to return with their report, I want to speak with the surviving villagers and the village chief."
Tavon bowed deeply. "At once, Your Grace."
As silence once again settled over the tent, only the whisper of wind and the soft bubbling of potions could be heard. But I knew… there would be no rest after this.
Greenreach awaited.
And perhaps, within its shadows, a darker truth was lying in wait.