When thelight of the crystal faded, they found themselves standing in a place wrapped in quiet wonder.
A gentle breeze brushed against their faces as the glow of the crystal faded. The place before them was calm, almost untouched by time. Soft green fields stretched as far as the eye could see, covered in wildflowers that swayed lightly under the faint morning light.
The air was cool and clear, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming grass. A small stream wound its way through the land, its quiet murmur blending with the rustle of leaves. In the distance, tall trees formed a natural wall, their branches woven together like a silent guardian around the valley.
Golden rays slipped through the gaps in the clouds, scattering light over the hills and making the dew on the grass sparkle. It was peaceful—so peaceful that for a moment, the world felt far away, and every sound seemed softer, slower, kinder.
Here, there was no sign of chaos or pursuit. Only quiet wind, open land, and the hush of a place that seemed to have been waiting for them.
"Where are we?" Leofric asked, his eyes darting around the open field. The words slipped out softly at first, almost lost to the wind. The land stretched endlessly before them, calm and untouched, and for a moment, even he seemed unsure whether to breathe or speak.
Eldric didn't answer. His hands were clasped behind his back as he walked ahead with unhurried steps, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The silence around them felt heavy, the only sound being the quiet rustle of grass beneath their feet.
Leofric stopped, his instincts sharpening. He drew his sword in a slow, deliberate motion, the steel catching a glint of light. "Edith," he said, his voice low but firm, "stay behind me."
Then, louder this time—"Where are we?" His tone carried a mix of tension and awe.
Eldric paused mid-step and turned slightly, a small smirk forming beneath his beard. "Why? Does it look dangerous to you?" His voice held a teasing calmness as he glanced around, eyes reflecting the soft glow of the land.
Leofric hesitated before replying. "No… it's just that it's so quiet—and beautiful." His hand unconsciously tightened around the sword hilt.
"You're a funny one." Eldric chuckled, the sound breaking through the stillness like distant thunder. "If you want, you can follow me. Or…"—he gestured behind them with a tilt of his head—"you can go back."
"I'll choose the former," Leofric said, sheathing his sword.
Eldric nodded with a faint smile. "Then let's get going."
They continued onward, the grass brushing against their boots as the valley opened wider before them. Edith walked close behind, clutching Olivia to her chest, while Leofric kept a protective watch over them both.
After several minutes, the faint outline of a structure appeared through the haze—a small hut resting quietly at the edge of a gentle rise.
It was simple, made of aged timber and stone, its roof patched with moss and dried reeds. A thin wisp of smoke curled lazily from a crooked chimney, vanishing into the soft sky. Vines crawled up the walls, their leaves glinting like emeralds under the light. A single wooden door stood slightly ajar, creaking faintly whenever the wind passed.
The hut looked old, perhaps forgotten—but it felt alive, as though it had been waiting for someone to find it.
When they finally reached the hut, Eldric came to an abrupt stop. The wind stilled, as though the land itself held its breath. He turned to face them, his eyes calm, a faint smile curling on his lips.
"Welcome, guests," he said softly, his voice steady yet strangely resonant. "This… is my domain."
Leofric blinked, confused. "Your what?" he asked, his hand unconsciously brushing the hilt of his sword.
"My domain," Eldric repeated, his tone calm but weighted. "A place apart from the world—a home untouched by time."
Leofric frowned, trying to make sense of his words. "Who are you exactly?" he demanded, his voice firm though his pulse quickened.
Eldric's smile deepened. "Who am I?" he repeated, chuckling quietly. "I wondered how long it would take before you asked."
The air around him began to change. A soft glow shimmered at his feet, spreading outward like ripples across still water. The sky above dimmed, though no cloud passed, and a faint hum filled the air—low, deep, almost musical.
Leofric instinctively stepped back, drawing his sword. Edith gasped and clutched Olivia tightly to her chest.
Eldric straightened, his frame seeming taller, his presence heavier. Light poured from his skin like threads of gold, his worn robes shifting into flowing garments that gleamed faintly with silver runes. His white beard shortened, his face smoothing into something younger yet ageless, his eyes now glowing faintly with a deep celestial blue.
The air itself seemed to bend around him—calm yet powerful, commanding but serene.
In that moment, he was no longer the humble forger who mended iron and hammered steel. He was something far older.
Leofric's voice broke through the silence, trembling with disbelief. "You're not just a blacksmith… are you?"
Eldric—no, Wilfred—met his gaze with quiet authority. "Once, perhaps," he said. "But that was long ago. The name you know me by is Eldric. The name the heavens know me by… is Wilfred."
His words lingered in the air, heavy and certain. The wind began to move again, whispering through the grass, as though bowing in recognition of its master.
Meanwhile, deep within the Osric Court, Morvain knelt before Lucifer, his face bowed low. The air in the hall was thick with tension, a heavy, unseen pressure that made it hard to breathe. Ministers sat along both sides, their robes damp with sweat as they waited in uneasy silence for the meeting to begin.
Lucifer sat upon his golden throne, his gaze sharp and unreadable. His presence alone was enough to make the torches flicker restlessly.
"So," Lucifer began, his voice quiet but cutting through the silence like a blade.
"What do you mean by you lost them?"
Morvain raised his head slightly, his voice trembling. "My Lord, from the information I gathered, I learnt that they journeyed to Emberhold and were staying with an old man named Eldric."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "And then what happened?"
"I already made my research about the man and where he lived. We found them, but just as we were about to catch them…" Morvain's words trailed off as he glanced up.
Lucifer's expression darkened. "Continue."
"They disappeared," Morvain said at last, his voice breaking slightly.
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, whispering among themselves.
"What!" Lucifer's voice thundered, echoing through the hall.
The air itself seemed to shudder. The golden throne gleamed under the flickering torchlight, and for a moment, it looked as though flames danced in Lucifer's eyes.