Nora looked at the map while Guiding Light floated quietly beside her.
She summoned the Seven Divine Arms.
Crimson threads of essence spread from her fingertips as she carefully connected them to Guiding Light. Instead of simply following the map this time, she was trying to expand Guiding Light's navigation by weaving the surrounding terrain into its memory.
One thread.
Then another.
Then hundreds more.
The crimson threads gradually formed a beautiful tapestry suspended in the air. Mountains, rivers, shelters, valleys, and forests slowly appeared within it, perfectly matching the expedition map.
An entire hour passed before Nora finally withdrew her hands.
She let out a long breath and smiled.
"It worked."
Immediately, the familiar whisper echoed inside her mind.
Guiding Light has evolved.
Nora blinked before smiling even wider.
"So you've finally grown."
Guiding Light happily circled around her before settling beside her shoulder.
Nora dismissed the Seven Divine Arms and sat down to rest.
Rose wouldn't return from the Human World for another hour.
Until then...
She quietly organized her thoughts.
"Beast God..."
"Ocean God..."
"Shadow God..."
"Flame God..."
"Star God..."
"Sky God..."
"Earth God..."
"Time God..."
Eight.
Exactly eight.
Then there were the names that refused to leave her mind.
Fate God.
Fate.
Destiny God.
Three mysterious existences that somehow stood outside humanity's understanding.
Nora slowly frowned.
"If there were truly only eight gods..."
"...then who are these three?"
The deeper she searched for answers, the more contradictions she discovered.
She still remembered Fate god.
She remembered the strange authority carried by Fate God.
And every chapter of the Thread of the Seven Arms seemed to point toward Destiny itself.
"...One day."
"I'll uncover everything."
Exactly one hour later, a familiar rose fragrance drifted into the room.
Rose pushed the door open while carrying a travel bag over her shoulder.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Nora stood up.
"I've been ready."
Rose noticed the floating tapestry and raised an eyebrow.
"You actually improved Guiding Light?"
Nora nodded.
"It'll no longer depend entirely on my mother's Citadel Aura."
Rose walked closer and carefully observed the countless crimson threads.
"I honestly don't know whether to praise you or be jealous."
Nora chuckled.
"I'll accept either."
Rose rolled up the expedition map.
"Come on."
"The others should already be preparing."
The two left Blackbone Shelter together.
Their first destination was the Ash River, nearly two hundred kilometers away.
For the first twenty minutes, neither of them spoke.
Rose eventually stretched lazily.
"I'm already tired."
Nora looked at her.
"You've walked for twenty minutes."
"I know."
"You have several times more essence than I do."
"I know."
"So why are you complaining?"
Rose sighed dramatically.
"Because walking is boring."
Nora rolled her eyes.
"I knew it."
Rose suddenly smiled.
"I have a better idea."
She let out a sharp whistle.
Several moments later, a gigantic eagle descended from the sky before landing gracefully in front of them.
Nora looked at the creature before glancing toward Rose.
"Let me guess."
"You've known it for a while."
"...Maybe."
"You tamed it."
"...Maybe."
"You seduced it."
Rose's cheeks instantly turned red.
"...Can we not use that word?"
Nora laughed as she climbed onto the eagle.
"So your Initiate ability really works on beasts."
Rose climbed on behind her.
"It works on living creatures."
"Within limits."
Nora smiled mischievously.
"So technically..."
Rose immediately interrupted.
"No."
"You haven't even asked."
"I already know."
Nora couldn't stop smiling.
"I was only going to ask whether you could charm any man."
Rose covered her face.
"I regret becoming friends with you."
"I'm older than you."
"You should respect your elders."
Nora shrugged.
"Then stop acting younger than me."
Rose groaned in defeat.
"...Your secret is safe?"
Nora made a zipping motion across her lips.
"My lips are sealed."
Rose didn't look convinced.
Before she could reply, the giant eagle spread its wings.
A powerful gust erupted beneath it.
The two women rose into the sky as Blackbone Shelter gradually disappeared behind them.
Ahead...
The Ash River awaited.
Beyond it...
Eden Valley.
And far beyond that...
The Misty Mountain.
Along with the answers Nora had unknowingly been searching for.