J swung the carriage door open and jumped down, his boots crunching against the gravel. He marched to the front, where the horseman sat stiffly, gripping the reins tightly.
"Are we there already?" J asked calmly.
He swung the carriage door open and jumped down, his boots crunching against the gravel.
"N-no, it's an hour, but… but I can't go any further," the horseman stammered, his voice trembling.
J frowned, his brows knitting together. "Why not? Weren't you supposed to be my ride to Aurora Vale?"
The horseman pointed a shaky finger toward the forest up ahead. "Do you not see the forest?"
J rolled his eyes. "Of course, I'm not blind. And why can't you go through the forest?"
The horseman swallowed hard, his face pale. "We're already in the third layer. Normally, no one makes it this far. This layer is the strongest defense system Aurora Vale has."
J raised an eyebrow. "Third layer? What are you talking about?"
The horseman looked at him incredulously. "You really don't know?"
J shook his head. "Not a clue. Explain."
The horseman's voice deepened. "Throughout the years, many heroes and kingdoms have tried to defeat Noctis and conquer Aurora Vale. Every one of them failed because of the layers. According to legend, there are three defensive layers before you reach Aurora Vale."
The coachman continued.
"The first layer is riddled with traps of many kinds, from pitfall traps to spikes or crushing force from above—impossible to sense even with magic. Then there is the second layer: a mountainous land covered by mist that twists one's sense of self and direction. Only those with high magical abilities can cross through."
The coachman gulped, staring at the misty forest. "And the final layer is a mix of the first and second layer. Not only that, it's filled with dangerous beasts."
J's unease grew, but he narrowed his eyes. "If what you're saying is true, then how do you know all of this? And why did you come after knowing all the risks?"
The coachman looked down. With a faint smile, he said, "It is quite simple if you ask me. Our kingdom, especially the village I'm from, is the closest to Aurora Vale's border, meaning my village would be the one to be attacked first."
He paused before continuing. "So, I'm helping you so that you can defeat the demon and ensure the safety of my village. But being this close to Aurora Vale… I'm terrified. I don't have the courage to go any further, so please forgive me."
"I get it. Don't worry about it." J sighed, glancing toward the forest. "But I'll need something to help me across."
As they both stared into the misty expanse, the horses suddenly panicked, neighing and stamping wildly.
"Whoa, easy!" The coachman struggled to calm them down as they bolted, dragging the carriage and coachman down the road, vanishing into the horizon.
"Hey!" J shouted, but it was no use. He sighed, scratching his head. "Guess I'll have to figure this out myself. I wonder what spooked them so badly?"
A low, resonant sound echoed through the forest, sending a chill down his spine.
"What's that?" J muttered, scanning the trees. A rhythmic clopping grew louder, as though a horse was approaching, yet nothing was visible. His heart pounded.
Then, out of the fog, a shadowy figure emerged—a horse with sleek black fur, glowing blue eyes, and an aura of menace.
J froze. "What in the—?"
The horse stopped a few meters from him, lowering its head slightly. "Silver-haired hero, it is an honor to meet you. My master sent me to guide you. So, please, climb onto my back. We will speak as we travel."
J stumbled back. "D-did you just… talk?
What's up with this familiarity? He feels like Eclipse and Miro."
Cautiously, J climbed onto its back. As the shadowy horse turned toward the forest, J glanced back at the mist behind him.
"Let's go," he murmured, gripping the reins tightly. "Hey, horse, do you have a name?"
The horse replied, "I am Eclipse, one of my master's first summons. And you, Sir Hero?"
J narrowed his eyes. "Eclipse?"
"Yes, my master named me after he lost his pa—" Eclipse paused mid-sentence as if to not say too much.
"Pa? What does it mean?"
"Nothing," said Eclipse.
"Anyway, how come you can talk?" J asked as he stared at the moon symbol on his right hand.
"Because my master has awakened the Eclipse," Eclipse said proudly.
J knitted his eyebrows. "You just gave me more questions than answers."
J cleaned his eyes, shaking his head. "What the? How are we already outside the forest?"
Eclipse's hooves dug into the wasteland.
"I took a shortcut, allowing us to get here quickly," Eclipse replied.
Where J and Eclipse stood was wasteland, where sands flew in the air, the sun scorching like eternal flames, and a never-ending silence devoid of life.
J dismounted from Eclipse's back as he scanned his surroundings.
"Wasn't I supposed to prove something? But there is nothing here," J thought to himself.
"Sir J, remember this—my master ensures you face challenges meant to test you, not kill you. But be wary of Lillian—if she gets too close, it's over," Eclipse warned.
As he turned back into smoke, he thought, "How unfortunate the young master is to face an elite commander."
"What do you mean? Who's Lillian?" J turned toward him, but Eclipse had already vanished.
A light tap on his shoulder startled him. A sweet voice spoke from behind. "Oh, there you are. I thought you'd never come, Silver hair."
J spun around, pulling out his sword, to see a silver-haired girl with emerald eyes, dark skin, and pointy ears. Clad in black and silver, her expression calm.
J quickly stepped back, ready to bite his thumb.
Lillian smiled, her demeanor calm and charming. "Mr. Hero, calm down. You don't have to be so tense. Let's introduce ourselves first, what do you think?"
"There's no point in introductions. Let's get it over with already," J replied, his voice firm and resolute.
Lillian pouted playfully. "Aww, that won't do. We must know each other if we want to be… oh, I can't tell you that yet."
J tilted his head. "What?"
She continued. "Anyway, I'm Lillian. And I've been watching you for quite some time, you know? Well, it's your time."
J narrowed his eyes. "So, you're a spy? And also, what will happen if I don't introduce myself?"
J bit his thumb, summoning Eclipse. "I just want the cure, so stop wasting time and fight me."
"Simple. I won't fight, and without me, you won't get the cure for your girlfriend," Lillian giggled.
J clenched his fists, reluctant but knowing he had no choice. "Fine. My name is J, and I'm a hero summoned to this world. Is that enough?"
Lillian's smirk deepened. "So, J, shall we fight? Don't worry—I'll be going easy on you."