The bright sun showered light upon the meadows where Freya and Tigreal decided to go and find answers. They felt the heat scorching their skin which gradually exhausts them.
"7 hours left before the full moon, and because of that we need to rush things and bathe under the sun"
"I wasn't even sure where we are heading" said Freya. The two kept on walking, not minding what directions they would take or where they are headed, only relying on their instincts.
Meanwhile, Nana, who was ordered by Miya continued to follow them. This is the first time she felt grateful for her height was short, making it easy for her to trace them. She walked along in silence, enervated by the warmth of the air.
"I don't enjoy playing under the sun, especially at noon." She complained. Miya's answer to her question still bothers her.
Powerless? How come a goddess will be powerless? Is that maiden a bluff?
Knowing her last question is not true for she knows that Miya trusts who can only be trusted. She can't possibly be mistaken about Freya, The Legend of Nost Gal. There was a somber light in her eyes, and her lips were whitening and that saddened look failed to overthrow her beauty.
Like a simple maiden as calm as the sea, with her dress that can be compared to the bluest sky; completely irony to how mighty and courageous as she was described in their oral stories. The fact that the leonin cannot sense any volume of power from Freya made her think that she's opened to be attacked by anybody who wishes to. For in this state, she cannot even defend herself.
Those questions distracted her, making her unable to redirect what direction did they took. Especially now, she's facing a two-way path which leaves her with no choice but to rely on her belief about what path they'll take. Judging from the atmosphere, they're most likely to walk on the shady path on the left to relieve their exhaustion from the sun's heat.
But Freya and Tigreal turned right, where there are patio bricks that will help them navigate the land.
"Tigreal, if you don't me at all but you happened to hear a myth about me and you saw as helpless like my current state... would you believe that I'm Freya?"
Tigreal received a gutless attack from the Goddess whose spirit is perturbed.
He denied looking at her, unable to state his critical answer. No one would believe that a goddess would wander in various places.
And no one will believe if she'll look like a commoner, with not having even a scintilla of power that she can use to counter attacks. Powerless, feeble, and frail; that's how anyone will describe her. But she's not for her courage and principles remained even after the blood night where she sacrificed her power in exchange of the people's freedom. As well as her strength in physical combat, she can still fight with or without a sword and shield.
"Tigreal?"
"Hmmm. I'll, well maybe I'll ask you for a proof and such."
"Trust can't be given away freely, right?"
"Right" Tigreal sighed. He escaped the hardest question thrown on him.
"Human are forgetful beings, aren't they?"
"They haven't forgotten goddess, we haven't." Tigreal answered, still admiring how strong she is one compared to her; a goddess who choose to fight and stays anchored in unknown battlefield even if she has no means surviving.
"Who can forget someone who did everything to save this land?" He uttered.
Freya smiled bitterly. "Everyone did."
Her bothering answer transformed the admiration of Tigreal into a perplexed look as he waited for Freya's next words.
"I'm not overjoyed. Everyone keeps on telling that I am the one who saved this land from the pits of hell. And the one who did was there; blood's cold, lifeless and worst, forgotten."
"What are you talking about? You managed to seal the darkness away, and your power, its gone Freya"
"I know, but it requires a life." her voice weakened, pushing herself to contain her emotions and not let out even a drop of her tears. "And he offered his."
"It was me who sacrificed powers, but not the one who sacrificed life."
"Freya, I don't get it! We witnessed how you've done it and we don't know anything about Zilong."
"That's the main reason why I wanted this mystery to be unfolded. I am not wishing to resurrect him at all but to retrieve the lost memories of people who are dear to him."
"Seems like the argument is scorching as the sun isn't it?"
The two stopped talking as they heard the unfamiliar voice interfered with their conversation. The man drifted fast to face them. He's wearing a silver chain on his left wrist along with a cloak, aura as dark as the blackest night. They find it weird for anyone to be wrapped up in garments intended for winter season and walk under the heat of the sun. The stranger read through their perplexed looks. Then, he raises his sleeves halfway through, revealing blisters that invaded his arms.
Tigreal's expression came with sense of distaste. While Freya looked more confused and seemed to remember something. She was so troubled that she wanted to check it out.
"I hoped I answered the questions that clouds up your mind" He responded.
"What happened to---"
"A skin ulcer, and I never want to discuss about it." The tone he used there was intimidating, making you think that showing him a troubled look is a sin. "But perhaps, we can discuss about your problem, young lady."
"What do you know about my problems?"
"You need answers then why don't you ask me for help?"
"Help will not come, unless found"
"Funny, but you've found me, what are you waiting for? Oh, let me guess... trust issues?"
Freya remained hesitant to trust the stranger. She's uncertain of his purpose and his sudden appearance, making it harder for her to find an exact reason for her to easily give away information. She squinted her eyes and analyzed the man and asked, "What help can you offer?"
"The help that the Elven Kingdom denied" He zoomed in his face, keeping a close distance to Freya's for a short duration of time, making every breath she'll take a torture for he lets out a musty odor that displeased her sense of smell. Yet, Freya did not show any hint of disgust.
"It looks like you're finally interested to prolong our conversation." said he, with lips formed into a smirk. "Silly, don't be scared of me. I am not a citizen of Necrokeep, I'm just a man who was burned by fate. If I wanted to strangler you, I would've did that immediately"
"How come you know what happened to us in King Estes' Kingdom?"
"Don't form ideas like stalking, I've heard of that from your conversation but I didn't mean to. How long have I been tailing you is not important, my intentions are pure." he stated.
"Freya, let's give him a chance. Help approached you this time so no need to be so worked up on how to start trusting a complete stranger. At least neglect that idea in this moment please." Tigreal pleaded, wanting to put an end to their pointless journey.
She thought of things carefully.
What if he'll mislead them? Freya erased the negative aspects formed in her mind and proceeded to speak up about the scroll and their journey. Even though, she's unsure of her decision.
"hmmm.. so a soul scroll is currently in my possession with phrases that needs to be translated. I have a feeling that it would lead us to a greater mystery and will solve our dilemma anytime soon."
"I see, moon runes are encrypted here. I'm afraid I cannot read these runes but I know someone who can help. That's my very reason why I approached you"
"Please tell us what to do"
"Here's a map. It will take you for 2-3 hours of walk from here."
"What place is this?"
"Magic Academy. I know of someone who is capable of deciphering runes and its meaning." She continued to listen while analyzing the map with her fingertips, studying which direction they'll take to avoid the recurrence of dangers they met in the Eastern Lands.
"I suppose you do have a deadline for that"
"We do. According to Hylos' instructions we need to do our best before the end of full moon"
"In this month or the seventh?"
"This month."
"You'll reach the place an hour before sunset. Much faster if you do have any means of transportation. I suggest you must leave now." The stranger turned his back and takes the opposite path, back to the location of Elven Kingdom.
"Thank you for the map" Tigreal voiced.
"Sorry for interrogating you too much that I didn't considered that a stranger can somehow be trusted." said Freya. "Anyway, what's your name?"
"Dryce" the stranger answered without even looking at them. And right there, in the midst of the clearing in the Northern West trail, they decided to part ways.
The temperature cooled down a bit, heat can still be felt but not like earlier that burns their skin. Freya noticed that Tigreal seemed to be troubled, like something's bugging his mind. He's losing his focus over a thing left not discussed.
"Tigreal, your uneasiness concerns me. Speak up." she said calmly with a remarkable persuasion in her tone. He gave her a puzzled look, eyes glistening with questions of confusion.
Somehow, worried.
"I know you are thinking also how Dryce learned about your problem but have you ever thought of what happened to the Grand Warden?"
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