Caria broke the silence, subtly raising her hand as she spoke."Actually, I know who saved her. It was a girl from my team. She was near Eryssa at the time and happened to witness the assassination attempt—or kidnapping, whatever it was."
Veer said, "Got it. But the real problem is this—why did we forget something so important? And why didn't the Majesty investigate it at all?"
Eryssa became crestfallen as Caria mumbled, placing her hands behind her back."That, I don't know. Maybe ask John. After all, from your words, it seems John was added to your team by the King."
They were walking alongside their horses when Veer, Eryssa, and Eleana turned toward John. John replied in a panicked voice,"I don't know. He didn't say anything about that. He only told me to take care of Lady Eryssa."
Everyone mounted their horses and headed for the ruins. Eryssa initially had some trouble riding, but she learned quickly under Caria's guidance. Veer rode naturally, even though he had no recollection of ever handling a horse before.
As they passed beyond Drudar's walls, Veer fell into deep thought. It was almost evening. The sun's crimson light painted the sky beautifully, with misty mountains visible in the distance. Fields of violet flowers stretched along both sides of the brick road.
Veer murmured,"Fairies cross the misty mountains, veiled by purple dew flowers…"
He was about to continue when Eleana gave him an odd look and Eryssa said in surprise,"Veer, you can compose poems too?"
Veer replied awkwardly,"The scenery is so beautiful—it came naturally."
Caria caught up and asked,"So, who are the fairies in your poem?"
Veer looked at her and answered without hesitation,"Obviously, Lady Eryssa and Eleana."
Caria protested, pointing at herself,"So I'm not beautiful enough?"
Veer instantly broke into a sweat and sped up. He could hear Caria shouting behind him,"Wait! Give me an answer!"
As he passed Eryssa, her face seemed slightly red—perhaps the weather had gotten to her. Eleana maintained her usual nonchalant expression and also urged her horse forward. John shook his head and followed.
Veer pondered silently. What was the King thinking? Was it really worth sending her to such a dangerous place? Something doesn't add up.
It was past dusk when they reached the outskirts of the ruins. Veer felt an immense pressure emanating from deep within the woods and the shattered landscape.
"Let's stop here for today and camp," Eleana said as everyone dismounted.
Eleana nodded toward Eryssa while Caria exclaimed excitedly,"Will I finally get to see magic for the first time? There are barely any people in the kingdom who can perform magic nowadays!"
Veer watched curiously as Eryssa whispered, wand in hand,"O seven spirits of the world, I, Eryssa Drudar, summon you. Connect and project to my space."
Under the dumbfounded gazes of Veer, John, and Caria, space warped. A whirlwind formed as spirits gathered around it. Once it stabilized, Eryssa reached into the vortex and retrieved various items one by one.
Veer's worldview shattered. Yes… that's my Lady.Then he shook his head. Wait, I'm just a bodyguard.He quickly began setting up the camp.
Eleana turned out to be the cook. Every movement of hers was graceful as she prepared the food, which Eryssa retrieved from the void space. Veer froze when he finally realized what was happening—it turned out Eryssa was only heating the food.
Eleana finished cooking, and Caria laughingly served everyone. The meal consisted of vegetarian dishes and chicken soup. Veer enjoyed it, taking a sip from the alcohol bottle John had brought.
After dinner, Veer lay on the grass, gazing into the vast, starry sky. The sight was mesmerizing. Each twinkling star seemed to calm his mind further.
Suddenly, a face blocked his view—yet somehow made it even more beautiful.
Eleana rested her cheek on her hand and asked,"Veer, can you take the first watch? I'll take over afterward."
Veer nodded. Eleana sat on a nearby stone and said softly,"Be careful. I can't imagine what you're going through—so much has happened in just a few days."
"Same for you. Go get some rest," Veer murmured.
Eleana nodded and went inside a tent. Veer continued staring at the sky, feeling a strange resonance. His body relaxed, and his thoughts sharpened.
The old man saved me—not once, but twice. Why? And why did the King send Eryssa here? Why did I lose my memories?
Veer pondered with his eyes closed, senses alert.
Suddenly, he shuddered and opened his eyes. A shadow stood at a distance, gazing at him. Only two glowing white eyes were visible. Its body seemed formed of moving darkness, chilling the surrounding air.
Veer grabbed a long stick and hurled it toward the shadow. It fled instantly.
He turned to see Eleana rushing over, shock and fear written clearly on her face—the first time he had ever seen her expression change so drastically.
Eryssa and the others arrived soon after. With a grave expression, Eryssa muttered,"It's a very dangerous spirit. I've got goosebumps all over."
Veer asked, surprised,"But it was just a shadow, wasn't it?"
Eryssa replied politely, though fear and sleepiness colored her voice."There are many kinds of spirits. They roam the Abstract World—a realm right before us, yet beyond our reach. Shadow Spirits are among the most dangerous."
"Why?" Veer asked.
Eryssa shuddered."Because they are not formed from nature's energy… They separate from humans and—"
A wolf's howl echoed through the forest. Eryssa and Caria jumped in fright.
None of them slept that night. The only good news was that the shadow did not return.
Morning came. The atmosphere was serene, almost dreamlike. Veer wondered if this was a fantasy—then immediately contradicted himself. Eryssa's powers alone already make this a fantasy.
His thoughts were interrupted by John practicing swordsmanship. His eyes looked dark.
Veer asked with a strange expression,"What happened, man?"
John replied quietly,"I shouldn't have greeted Caria. I couldn't sleep at all because of her screaming."
"Wait—how did you sleep?" John asked.
Veer shrugged."Don't know. I kept staring at the stars and eventually fell asleep out in the open."
Eleana, Caria, and Eryssa emerged from the tents.
"Shall we depart?" Eryssa asked.
"Let's head to the area where the elixir plant is commonly found," Eleana said, and the group nodded.
Eleana led the way. John lagged behind, clearly low on energy. Caria mocked him,"What a scaredy-cat! Looks like we'll have to protect you!"
John gave her an awkward look and shook his head.
Veer remained silent, pondering.Eleana doesn't really need to be here… so why did she come? And why do I keep forgetting things?
They crossed a small spring. The ruin forest was vast, littered with debris from what might have once been a lost kingdom.
Soon, two paths appeared.
"Veer, Eryssa, and I will head north. You two go south," Eleana said."Let's meet back in about an incense's worth of time. This is the area where the fruit is found."
"How do we identify it?" Veer asked.
Eleana looked at him oddly."Open the description you were given."
Veer suddenly remembered and unfolded the paper. How did I forget again?
They entered an open clearing. A massive tree stood at its center, surrounded by shrubs and flowers. Mist lingered in the distance, layered with forests and towering hills.
As they approached the large tree, Veer spotted a smaller one nearby.
"We found it!" Eleana exclaimed. "This is the elixir plant."
A small yellow fruit hung precariously from one of its branches. It looked irresistibly delicious.
Veer checked the description—it matched perfectly.
Suddenly, he frowned."Is there a trap? Why do I feel so drawn to the fruit?"
Eleana replied calmly,"Not a trap. That's simply the fruit's power. But… where are the others?"
..........
Meanwhile, in a darker part of the forest surrounded by dense trees, Caria continued berating John.
"What a useless guy—knows absolutely nothing!" she scoffed.
"Enough, Caria," John snapped. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll leave—"
They froze abruptly.
The familiar shadow appeared before them.
It stared at them, and they stared back.
Their pupils turned completely black. Their movements stiffened.
Without a word, they turned around and walked back the way they came.