Lilith ran through the dense forest, Iris following beside her, not missing a step. Low branches and dense foliage brushed their shoulders as the two of them made their way through the dark shadows.
The path was barely visible and constantly winding, forcing them to adjust their steps to avoid slipping.
They kept up a brisk pace, each step hitting a rapid rhythm.
Their eyes remained focused ahead. However, they were still aware of their surroundings, so they passed each corner with ease and jumped over each tree root with ease.
Then—
"?!" Lilith gasped.
She was still walking quickly, but she noticed two presences ahead of them. Perhaps after a few more turns, she would see the answer.
Iris, alert when she saw Lilith nearby, asked.
"What's wrong?"
Without thinking, Lilith immediately answered. "There's someone ahead of us."
Iris became wary, but quickened her pace to get a definitive answer before acting rashly.
"...?"
The two of them passed the trees one by one, until finally the presence became clearer. Lilith's vision jolted again, and she saw two men with their backs to them.
Black and blonde hair, it was very clear. The blonde man was helping the black-haired man walk.
"...!?" Lilith was shocked. Suddenly, she called out their names. "Mr. Flynn! Mr. Nathan!"
The two of them immediately turned their bodies slowly, finally revealing their faces completely.
Yes, now it was clearer—they were Flynn Deschain and Nathan.
"Miss Lilith?" Flynn whispered, confused to see Lilith there.
Lilith immediately halted their steps and stopped in front of them, followed by Iris, who did the same.
Iris suddenly asked, "What are you two doing here?"
"Miss Iris?" he said.
However, he suddenly remembered the friend he was helping, Nathan. Nathan looked a little weak, and there was even a spot on his waist that was bleeding profusely.
Flynn immediately asked Lilith and Iris.
"Oh hey, do either of you have healing magic?"
"I do. What's wrong?" Lilith replied.
"Exactly, then please heal Nathan."
Lilith was confused, but then she was shocked when she saw Nathan's rather alarming condition. She immediately wanted to administer first aid to him.
"...?!"
Flynn immediately lowered Nathan, who was in pain, onto his waist. Lilith then squatted down to examine his wound.
She glanced at Nathan's right side, shocked to see such a serious wound. Perhaps this was why Flynn had guided her earlier.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt."
"Yes... I believe you," Nathan replied calmly. But his breath was still holding in his chest.
Lilith stretched out her arms, facing him, as he gazed at Nathan's waist. She opened her palms and said, "Healing."
She channeled the pure magical energy within her into her hands, releasing a green circle of magical energy that rotated clockwise.
The magical energy completely healed Nathan's waist. The previously severe wound healed instantly.
Nathan felt much better now, the pain he had been experiencing earlier disappearing. His breathing began to become labored, and he was finally able to control it.
"Haah…" he let out a sigh of relief, then thanked Lilith for her help. "Thank you, Miss Lilith."
Lilith replied calmly. "You're welcome. By the way, what happened to you? That your waist looks like it's been ripped open like that?"
"Well, there were a few monsters that managed to injure me earlier. But Flynn quickly exterminated them."
"Oh, I see."
Then, things had calmed down. However, her previous question still lingered, which is why Iris asked Flynn directly.
"What happened to you guys? And where's the shopkeeper?"
"Infori…" After only saying her name, Flynn took a deep breath. Then, with one action, he shocked them all. "…Disappeared."
Their eyes widened.
"Huh?!"
"Yes, earlier on our way, we encountered a strange man who suddenly asked Infori for an artifact," Nathan said. Hearing that, Lilith and Iris immediately gasped. But they listened to Nathan again. "And Flynn said Infori was dragged into a portal created by that strange man."
The two of them immediately turned to Flynn, not to corner him, but to ask him about it.
Iris spoke first.
"Is that true?"
Flynn, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. His voice was honest, barely holding back any emotion.
"Yes. When the three of us were trying to escape that man, he opened a portal and suddenly threw Infori into it," he said. "I don't know what will happen to him, but..." Before Flynn could continue, he took a deep breath, expressing his concern as a friend. "...I hope he's okay."
Lilith caught his meaning. The situation was clear now, even if her answer offered no certainty. She took a deep breath before asking.
"I see." Lilith understood the situation now. "Then, what are you two going to do?"
"We'll continue our journey to Storm Queen City. I want to report all the results of my patrol to the Knightley Queen office there."
"Storm Queen City? Oh, what a coincidence," said Iris, suddenly remembering that their destination was the same as Flynn and Nathan's.
"Huh?"
Lilith then answered honestly about their destination, then she made an offer to Flynn.
"We're also on our way to the same place, because one of the rare artifacts is there. Perhaps we could go there together?"
"Wow, what a wonderful coincidence." Flynn then responded to Lilith's offer. "Okay, together is better, isn't it?"
Iris began their journey with a stride filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
"Of course! Then, let's go!"
"Wait, Iris!" Lilith said, following behind him.
Meanwhile, Flynn asked about Nathan, who was still sitting. "Hey, are you still feeling the pain?"
"No, but help me up first. My back is still a little numb."
Flynn helped him stand back up, but he was now able to stand on his own when Flynn let go. They then walked quietly behind the two Seraphim.
⟨⟩ ⟨⟩ ⟨⟩
In a vast expanse of grass, with only a few trees. Infori walked alone in the vast expanse. He had just emerged from an arch portal that had led him to the middle of the forest.
He didn't know why the arch portal had brought him here. After all, the arch portal was the final destination for all living beings in the Pathways of World.
"Honestly, I'm confused about how I ended up in this forest," he muttered. He then began to think of something better. "But it's better than being stuck in an endless void."
He continued her steps calmly into the expanse of grass, but a gentle breeze then blew from ahead, gently moving the fabric and his hair, which also moved casually.
WOOSHHH
He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
In an instant, he realized that something was about to start all over again.
"..."
Infori then looked up, gazing at the bright blue sky with clouds moving calmly.
Birds were chirping, flying across the expansive sky.
This left Infori with one question.
"Where am I?"
However, an idea suddenly struck him. He lay down on the grass, following his thoughts.
Infori placed his weapon and bag on the grass and lay down, looking up at the sky.
A gentle breeze soothed Infori, and he immediately closed his eyes to rest for a moment.