A few moments earlier.
Two kilometers away from Heinburg, to the east.Erin took slow steps, holding a red crystal in her chest. Each step she took created frost that slowly spread around."Grandfather..." Her voice accompanied by teardrops.She had managed to escape from the pursuit of the Guardians. However, she didn't know her current location; all that surrounded her were forests, rocks, and a dark sky.A few moments later, she put on a ring with a blue gem on her index finger.She felt exhausted. Throughout the day, she had been running, only taking brief rests before running again. She was thirsty, hungry, and her body began to disobey her commands. Seeing a lush pine tree, she approached it and sat against it.She placed the red crystal on the accidental layer of ice she had created on the ground. At that moment, she realized the surroundings had turned into a frozen forest. Snow began to fall, a bad omen for her."I see snowflakes. Piling up. Am I going to die here? Buried in thick snow?""If only I hadn't left grandfather, at least I could be with him until the end.""From the beginning, if only I could control myself, all of this wouldn't have happened.""Since when did everything go wrong? Where?"The surroundings of Erin began to be covered in snow. While it wasn't heavily snowing where she crouched, with time passing like this, she might still end up buried. Waiting for death to approach, hunger, fatigue, and cold made her body unresponsive....One kilometer away from Heinburg.The sun began to peek through the horizon. It was morning.After dealing with the Arachne Nest Gate, Alden and Frodo continued their journey. They encountered various wild Dark Souls, such as Goblins, and Skeletons. However, it didn't deter them.Their journey now came to a halt.A curtain of snowstorm prevented them from g
A few minutes after Alphonse's group entered the snowstorm curtain."Ugh, even if there are victims here, I'm not sure they can survive. Most likely, they're buried in the snow." Someone from their group said with concern.One of them was a Mage. With the Cold Resistant spell, they could avoid the cold effects within the snowstorm. Meanwhile, Alphonse was tasked with illuminating the path using the fiery aura from his sword."How long have we been in here?" Alphonse asked, forcing to speak loudly due to the disrupting storm."About ten minutes,"Upon hearing the answer from one of their companions, Alphonse took out a pocket-sized object. Inside it, there were several vibrating direction pointers. It was a compass.Indeed, it was very challenging to find something within this snowstorm. But, from the beginning, they had one target – the person causing this storm.According to Alphonse's conclusion, Erin was the cause of
“What, do you know her?” Alphonse asked suspiciously.Alden scratched his cheek, smiling awkwardly, “Yeah, she's my sister.” He said hesitantly.Alphonse looked at him with increasing suspicion.At that moment, Derrick swung his sword, wrapped in green light, towards Alden. His action made the trees respond, dropping snow that covered them. The roots began to rapidly spread, trying to restrain Alden's movements.Alden noticed this and quickly dodged the first and second attacks simultaneously.“Derrick!?” Alphonse called Derrick with a hint of panic.“What?” Derrick looked at Alphonse with his usual cold gaze.“Why are you attacking?” Alphonse asked, trying to take control within the group.“Isn't it clear? If he's her family, then he's also our enemy,” Derrick answered without hesitation.“...” Alphonse didn't respond. Instead, he felt movement behind him.While they talked, Alden had quietly
Erin lifted her eyes upon hearing those words. Could it be that easy? Her mind spun, but she couldn't find a way to use mana.The workings of mana were still a mystery, but it could be realized through various ways, like Elemental magic. Using the help of spirits from the respective element, one could connect mana into a physically controllable form.There were different types of mana utilization, such as Dark Magic, Dark Dimension energy, Divine power, and Cosmos. Those were just various ways of controlling mana.In Erin's case, Alden had briefly considered using Dark Dimension energy, given that she harbored the power of Dorm The Savage. However, he hesitated, fearing the awakening of Dorm The Savage."Feel the mana around you, just think of the element that makes you comfortable," Alden continued casually.The Guardians didn't take any further action. They watched the peculiar conversation between the two individuals in front of them.
The sound of wind roaring accompanied by swirling snow. Silence instantly turned into confusion."..." Both Alphonse and Derrick, who had just launched an attack on Alden, had looks of confusion in their eyes.Meanwhile, Erin fell to her knees, running out of mana. "No... in this state, I could go back to sleep..." Erin mumbled before falling backward onto the snow....What would happen if Alden didn't come to this continent? What if Alden didn't meet someone suspected of having the power of Dorm The Savage? What would happen if Alden didn't interact with his surroundings?This is what is happening now.The storm has stopped, and Alphonse and Derrick have no idea why they are outside the city. However, in front of them are two strangers lying on the ground. One is a young woman with distinctive white hair, wearing slightly loose and somewhat dirty clothes.The other is a man in strange attire, a short cloak covering his
Two weeks after Alden's use of the 'Nullus Ego' spell.The church ceiling, lit by swaying candles, creates an atmosphere of sanctity. Alden, still half-asleep, instinctively wants to close his eyes, but he realizes it's not the time.He struggles to open his eyes, adjusting his position to sit up. Pushing the soft sheepskin blanket down to his waist, he takes a moment to observe his surroundings. Checking for any signs of danger, he realizes he's in a comfortable room.A window on the right side reveals a glimpse of the outside. It's nighttime again, and Alden sees a path of candlelight illuminating the surroundings.A fountain is in front of the gate; Alden recognizes the view—it's the Merkury Church.Now, he starts to piece together his situation. "After using that spell, the guardians must have brought me here."Then, as if something just occurred to him, he furrows his brow, holding his chin. "After using the forbidden spell,
The night before.Alden woke up in a place that was familiar to him. He clicked his tongue at the sight.A settlement, with most houses made of wood. The place was deserted, a stone stood beside Alden.He sat on the stone, waiting for something. He knew it was a dream, and the reason for this dream's appearance was clear to him. This place was where he last saw his mother, where he encountered Darbend The Eclipse, and where he made a deal with Alioth The Nightmare.Reflecting, sitting on the stone, waiting for Alioth to appear. Black Orb was not by his side, making the atmosphere silent, unsettling his mind, even though he knew it was just a dream.His mental state was unstable, especially when confronted with scenes that reminded him of the changing past. Black Orb had told him that the reason Alioth always met him in dreams here was Alden's unstable mental condition. That was one reason why Black Orb didn't fully trust Alioth, even thou
Even though still uncertain, Erin had no choice but to trust Alden's words. First, the issue of her lost memories left her truly blind to her past. She didn't even recognize anyone related to her except for her late grandfather.One week passed after Alden revealed himself as Erin's brother.During this time, Alden chose to stay in an inn, while Erin remained in the house she shared with her late grandfather....In the western part of Heinburg city, the same place where Alden obtained the Goblin Nest Core."In the silent and serene frozen world,Ice Shard, a spell piercing within,Blue light emanates from each shard.""Cold waves envelop, carving,Enchanting ice melody, dancing in the sky,This spell, a beauty that pierces the heart.""Under the pale moon, the night stretches,Ice Shard, stretching its sharp wonders,Penetrating the darkness, eternal crystal gleam."Erin recited the inca