The moment when the light ceased, Gord quickly grabbed the scroll and held it tighter. He traced each word with this thumb.
"The ritual has started." He said and keeps on deciphering the runes encrypted in the scroll. This time, it's more of iokharic characters.
"What does it says?" Tigreal asked.
"She can't tell you." Gord stated. He slowly brushes his glowing fingertips in the scroll.
"What are you doing?"
"It's necessary. I need to seal the scroll and no one can read this aloud, except for you."
"Why?"
"You have too many questions, dear. But it's to control the damage or even prevent it from happening. At this point, all I can help is this." Gord hands out a mini book with a red cover and golden borders. A neon blue logo was designed in the center of its cover. "It's a mystery codex. You'll need it together with the book of sages to form your needed equipment, the tome of evil."
"That's not even the final equipment from what I can remember."
"It contains questionable phenomenon that occurred in the land of dawn. All records of things left as a mystery stated there. All were left unresolved, that's why you need the book of sages Freya." said Tigreal who has knowledge of the items.
"The tome of evil is the book I acquired at the blood night, I know exactly how it looks like, and it must not be too hard I guess."
"That's good but the problem is where we can get the equipment? Are you sure this item was not used?" Tigreal asked, pertaining to the mystery codex.
"I am the keeper of the codex. Good as new."
"The book of sages is needed to counter and expound on the said mystery, but everything remains foggy until the tome of evil is acquired by fusing the power of these two items." the Tiger Warrior explained.
"You have exactly one month left to accomplish this. One wrong move and a delay will make achievements left unreachable, forever. This is quest, a dangerous one so do not expect everything to go as planned"
Gord warned them about the possible risks they should expect during their quest. He explained all details that need to be kept in their minds. "We're looking forward to your success, Freya" he concluded.
"The solstice ending will be triggered by the beginning. The scroll wants you to tell the last phrases before the first one. In short, this is writing is reversed. Keep that in mind"
"What will happen if I uttered the wrong words except for failing?"
"Who knows? But I suggest you to not."
Freya and Tigreal nodded and bowed gently. Lucky enough, things are unfolding one by one. Now, what they need is to equip themselves with the right item. Once again, the pixies assisted the two out of the magic academy, and while walking to reach the exit gate, Tigreal asked the goddess.
"Only powerful spells are written in the tome of evil. Aren't you afraid? It is said to possess magic that opens a vent that will lead us to the hell or purgatory"
"Actually, I'm nervous. The tome of evil ended his life. Will it be the instrument to bring him back again?"
Tigreal can't answer.
No one knows how their journey will end.
----------
"Enjoying our culture, aren't you?" Hanabi asked Chou who have finished trying all things he can try in the festival.
"I never knew it is fun to live here in Iga" He said while improving his drawing etched in black paper. "See? Beautiful isn't it?"
"More like a wooden figure to me"
"Oh, you look like a wood then?" Hanabi gave him a sarcastic look. "Oh sorry, don't kill me"
"Why would I? Are we really frightening people?"
"Well, no one would dare to enter this place unarmed. Ninjas like you and Hayabusa scares the hell out of the people"
"Well, our job and mission are not limited to assassination alone." she explained. "I can also torture people who badly illustrates me"
"I know I'm too good at drawing so I'll take that as a joke."
Hanabi stood up and dusts off her dress. Her eyes caught glimpse of the temple, the place where they'll meet up to enjoy the fireworks show. "Shall we go now to the temple?"
"That's what I'm going to ask. Maybe they are already there, enjoying their quality time."
"And that's for sure; I bet Kagura bought some fireworks for us"
"She's really enjoying. Is she always like this?"
"You shouldn't have mentioned." Hanabi smiled at him.
To him her smile is th he epitome of beauty and a rare sight.
"Chou?"
"What's the matter? Are you still in disbelief that I can draw this well?" He said showing off his drawing of somehow looking like a distorted puppet that he claims to be Hanabi.
"Oh yes! You are an artist in your wildest dreams. Anyway, thank you for making this day extraordinary."
Chou was about to laugh but he is silenced by her words that keeps on repeating on the back of his mind.
'Thank you for making this day estraordinary.'
If that is recorded, maybe the replay button is worn down by this time.
"No, thank you." He said.
After that the two walked in their normal pace towards the temple. It is located in the northern part of Iga, somewhere near their current location. The number of people who came has been doubled, making it harder for them to pass through the narrow spaces between the stalls.
Meanwhile, on the top most part of the temple, Kagura and Hayabusa prepares the fireworks they bought to celebrate. No one looks happier than Kagura. The fact that she's really interested into festivals will make you think that it is her first time. Also, what makes her happier is Hayabusa presence. They have been friends for a couple of year and he rarely joins events or if he did, he's not even trying things. He's just standing there in one corner or he follows his parents or Kagura.
She's an innocent person with a powerful spirit, and a beautiful mind. That's how he would describe her. Hayabusa finished arranging the fireworks and setting up a mini picnic table for them.
"Haya, have you seen the last sketch card I bought?"
"The black one? The last time I remembered you were talking about what you should put in there on our way up the temple"
"I'll check it then maybe it fell out of my pocket."
"I'll help you."
"No, stay here, I'll roam around in the quickest way possible"
Kagura proceeds to walk inside the temple. She carefully observed the ground, hoping to find her sketch card. She reached the hallway that leads to the staircase. It's harder for her to see a thing for the hallway was only lit by wall lamps that give off a dim light. Even such case happened she keeps on walking and finding the sketch card. It's too important for her since that will be the first sketch card she'll give to Hanabi.
Then, she caught a glimpse of a shadow downstairs, as well as the pair of her sketch card on the landing. She walked down the stairs, she bend her knees to reach the cards. Footsteps was heard from behind, the dim light was gone for seconds, as if someone passed through and blocked it. A dark presence was felt, she quickly grabbed the object and faced ahead the staircase but she saw nothing.
Someone's here.
"Kagura! What you're doing there?" Hanabi called out. Relief flushed through her system, like she put on a strong talisman that shooed away the danger.
However, what happened raised Kagura's suspicion. Her focus was divided in half, doubting to let off her guard and lose control of the surrounding.
The yin and yang harmonizes, but why the darkness begins to taint the purest? A warning was sent. They must be careful.
Kagura smiled to Chou and Hanabi when they reached her. She forced herself to look more energetic so they won't be troubled by her behavior. As much as possible this night should be enjoyed. She guided them up to the top-most part, still being cautious.
"Hayabusa's there, you can go there now. We will celebrate for tonight"
Hanabi and Chou nodded and stepped outside to join Hayabusa. After a couple of seconds, she throws a sharp, intent look to every corners of the floor before proceeding to walk outside where they'll watch fireworks. Kagura noticed the white strip of paper and she walk towards the pillar where it's been posted.
Then quickly grabs it and read its content.
A white strip of paper turned out to be the kind of material that is used to ask for a wish. And in that very moment, reality took a toll on her.
Wishes come in two kinds, just like people; he negative and positive, the right and the wrong one.
"Darkness will soon descend, and that's when I'll have my revenge".
And no one knows what kind of wish will be granted.
---------------
The moon is still bright but is slowly fading into sight; dawn will be witnessed in few minutes.
Freya and Tigreal reached miles away from the magic academy. The two chose to travel instead of having a rest. The forest become less dense as they continued walking and the path left them with a tingly feeling as the dewy grass touches their skin.
"Aren't you tired Tigreal?"
"Well, I am surprised I still have a lot of energy left, I'm supposed you're the same"
"Yes but look, what was that?"
"And where we are exactly?"
They walk towards the exit to the woods which lead them to a lake shore. The sky begins to interchange its colors and it can be seen from the majestic mountains in the east.
The thing that caught Tigreal's attention is the group of swans. Each of them has a golden beak and a blue diamond accented in their chest. Their pure white feathers made them more exceptional than the normal ones.
"Swan Lake?"
"What a divine creation!" Tigreal exclaimed. Both of them heard someone hummed a tune from a distant place. Her voice is as soft as the sound of water in the river; flowing and hauntingly pure.
"Tigreal still can't notice where we are? Look around" She is sure that Tigreal will be glad to find out where their restless night took them.
"More like a paradise to me..." A sudden change of tone was remarkable from his words. Tigreal never thought he could visit this land that is peaceful and soothing "No, it was more than that" He turned his head around and little by little he realized that it's quite familiar. Being able to return here gave him bliss of happiness. "We are at the lands of the Moniyan Empire, Freya"
"That's right Tigreal, and we're currently on the swan castle."
"Regina? Then that voice must be---"
"More likely." Freya shifts her gaze to the skies. She's admiring the beauty of the geographical aspects in the empire; untroubled and calm, that's how it can be described in summary. "She's right"
"The dawn of the Swan Lake is really beautiful" Freya continued and looked to Tigreal's vivid expression.
"Let's keep walking until we reach the castle, I would like to greet the princess"
Freya smiled as her response. She cannot hide the excitement she's feeling. It's been years since her last visit to the castle. They can't believe that the land of dawn returned to its normal state, no remnants of the blood night and the dark war remained, at least in the land for its been fixed through time, but never in the mind of traumatized people and other races who survived. Nobody can fathom if that would happen again. For them, every corner is tainted with nightmarish memories, along with pain and fear that no one wishes to remember.
The calm scenery and space let Freya escape from her what-ifs. It nullifies the negative vibes to help tranquility prevail. The sunrise has almost finished, the divine rays showered light to the fields as well as to the castle grounds.
And there, from the other end of the lake shore, meters away to the castle, they saw the princess, as graceful as ever. She wasn't doing a thing except sitting there on the plot of land with little dandelions, watching the swans that admired her in return. The thirteenth generation sole heir of the Regina family is undoubtedly gorgeous; she has captivating eyes with an ocean-like blue color, her golden blonde hair is being blown gently by the wind, skin's fair and as smooth as silk.
She's a goddess in human form, indeed.
The princess noticed their presence and slowly stood. She's not feeling any emergence that could create suspicion but she has one question…
"Who would visit me in an early hour?" She proceeds to walk in a dignified manner to check out who came here to settle any kind of business possible.
"Princess Odette" Tigreal called out and bowed as a sign of respect. "I haven't got to see you for a long span of time"
"You have returned! Have you been to the Moniyan Empire already?"
"No, I haven't. We have been travelling overnight, I just realized that we arrived here the moment I reached the Swan Lake." he replied.
"Good heavens, you must be tired" the swan princess said. She started to worry as her eyes can't hide the sympathy she felt towards them. And the time when she drifted her gaze to Freya, her mood brightens up. "I haven't seen you in ages!" she exclaimed.
Odette is glad to see them both after not hearing any news from them. She pulled them in a warm embrace. Finally, she's able to confirm that the two was finely breathing and in good shape, even though the once renowned mighty goddess of war lost her power.
"How's the empire?" asked Tigreal who's unable to remember the condition of Moniyan the moment he left it.
"I heard your sister is currently searching for you"
"They must be worried sick Tigreal"
"They shouldn't be. I'm the one who's worried for them"
Then, she quickly noticed their distressed appearance. They may look fine but their posture describes how life challenges busted the energy out of them. Odette thought that this might be the effect of their overnight travel and other things they managed to survive. Still, she can't let them go, knowing how tiring a walk that lasts up to couple of hours with nothing even a bottle of water or foods they can consume to relieve themselves from hunger.
'These people must be forcing themselves to keep their balance. Stamina may have run out of their body already' she thought.
"I hope you two are not in hurry since I would like to invite you inside the castle."
"Unfortunately…"
"We can't turn down her invitation Tigreal. Besides, I bet you would like to stay here even just for an hour." She said. Freya is willing to spend an hour or two for the sake of Tigreal. She felt guilty for letting him suffer from restless quests, hunger and crave for peace the moment he agreed to be sent to aid help to her whom they know to save their land. He offered her assistance and protection all along.
"Please agree. There's a lot I want to ask"
"And there are a lot of matters I want to discuss"
"It seems like I can't refuse anymore. Well then let's get going" Tigreal answered and initiated to walk towards the castle gates. "Is Lancelot here?"
"Sadly, he's not. He left immediately when we received news yesterday that Guinevere ran away from home again. So he's gone to find her sister and assure their parents that she's safe"
"Lancelot's sister is really headstrong. Youth nowadays thinks life is easy."
"Well I just hope she's safe. Let's go inside?"
"Wait." Freya said. She carefully watched the sky and noticed that there's a bird that joined the swan as they fly around just above the lake.
"Is there something wrong?" Odette asked. The bird flies in the other direction, separating itself from the swans and headed to them in a fast speed.
"A bird?"
Freya recognizes the bird. It rested itself in front of her and made her wonder because there's no scroll or paper in his beak. Nothing was tied in its feet too.
"What brought you here Verri?"