Eliam hopped down into the basement room where Frostlight was lying. He had gone through the trouble of gathering all the usual equipment and took care of Nolmus the necromancer as well. He figured he would be able to gain Nemina’s trust through the katana itself since it seemed to be growing with him.

  Sure enough, as soon as Nemina jumped down and grabbed Frostlight, the weapon clattered out of her hand. However, while this was taking place, another feeling came over Eliam.

  She’s fine… I’m glad. I knew she probably would be, but that face she made. What happened to her back in the harpy den. I can’t get it out of my mind.

  She put a hand to her mouth as she gaped at Eliam angrily. “What did you do?”

  He sighed as he walked up to the katana and grabbed it easily. Apparently, the more fiends he killed with it, the more sentient and powerful it became.

  Frostlight must have made a big jump when I killed the Harpy Mother. At the same time, I kind of feel bad for Nemina. This is all happening out of nowhere for her.

  “C’mon, don’t be so hard on Nemina,” Eliam said to Frostlight.

  He felt Frostlight freeze slightly in response. While it did so, a blue shine slightly leaked from it as if acknowledging what Eliam had asked.

  Nemina continued to gape at him as he talked to the sword. “You… explain yourself. Now!”

  “Well, the truth is a bit complicated… just know that Frostlight and I are partners. You’re required to watch the sword, yes? Good, I expect you to come with me,” Eliam said.

  I have wondered before if it would be safer for Nemina to stay here, but I quickly ruled that out. It wouldn’t surprise me if Quarlak sent someone after Nolmus. Someone much stronger.

  “What? Why would I do that?” Nemina hissed.

  Eliam rolled his eyes. Despite all her semantics, he enjoyed the time he had spent with Nemina, even if she didn’t remember it. He pushed back the thoughts bubbling up from the harpy den and laughed.

  “No? That’s alright with me then. I’ll just be going…” Eliam started to walk toward the exit, although he was doing so to antagonize Nemina.

  “Wait! Yes, I’m going with you, but understand that I do not trust you! I find it odd that Frostlight does, but make no mistake, one wrong move and you’re dead.” Nemina growled.

  Eliam nodded. “Understood. Now, let’s go.”

  “Huh, where to?” Nemina asked.

  “Why Denovere, of course. I need answers, and it’s looking like that's the best place to find them,” Eliam explained.

  “Answers…” Nemina said slowly.

  She was never told much either, and I know she is curious as to what exactly happened to this place. Hell, what happened to this world? How had its previous countries fallen? And why was Denovere the only place for humans left? Obviously, there was Fantamaia, but nobody above seemed to know of its existence.

  Eliam started to take the usual route out of the Sagmin Cathedral and to the Temple of Apredilio. Nemina stumbled behind him, still somewhat flustered at all that had happened.

  “How do you know how to navigate this place?” she asked.

  Eliam shrugged. “I guess it's just kind of intuitive for me… By the way, have you ever heard of a place called Fantamaia?”

  Nemina turned her head and frowned. “Fantamaia? You mean the children’s fairy tale?”

  “Fairy tale? No, I mean the city?” Eliam said.

  Nemina froze, prompting Eliam to wonder if he had said something distasteful. That was until she started to laugh.

  I’m not sure if I have ever seen her so happy. In fact, she hardly ever shows emotion besides anger or annoyance. It makes me wonder what happened to her in her past.

  “Do you really buy it? The fairy tale, I mean? Everyone knows the city doesn’t actually exist. Just a stupid kids' tale…” Nemina said.

  She thought of Fantamaia as a legend? Those damned faires weren’t kidding when they spoke of not allowing humans inside. It’s also no wonder they felt comfortable letting me in. Since they had established that it was simply a tale for children, nobody would believe one person who claimed to have been there.

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  “This fairy tale… tell me it,” Eliam asked.

  Nemina groaned as she glared at him. “Do we really have time for fairy tales? You seemed in a hurry just a moment ago.”

  “Yes, I am, but this has piqued my interest,” Eliam explained.

  “You… fine….”

  Nemina dived into a brief summary of the fairy tale that was told to so many children in her time. On the surface, it was a warning for children not to go into the worlds as the fairies would come and take them to Fantamaia. It was there that the queen, Lemania Titus, would turn them into a goblin.

  You know, it kind of sounds like something that may have actually happened… No matter what, it doesn’t change much about the situation. It only confirms that Lemania really is an important figure in this whole world, even if nobody knows it.

  “So? Did you like it?” Nemina asked, a slight hint of vulnerability in her features.

  Why is she acting like this? It’s not bad, just odd… especially for Nemina. For some reason, this tale has significance to her.

  Eliam nodded. “Yes, I did… Thanks for telling me.”

  Nemina nodded slowly, her features slowly morphing back into their usual position. “Good, well then, let’s move. I’m sure you have more important things to do than this.”

  They went the usual route, silent as usual. However, Eliam felt as if the atmosphere was ever so slightly less tense. Either way, it left him with time to try to puzzle together all the clues he had of this world.

  So, Lemania is clearly ancient and knows a lot. This is also confirmed by how she was talking about Frostlight. I know I need to get back to Fantamaia as soon as possible, but I’m not sure how. I can’t just wander back into Ancient Woods… for multiple reasons. I will never subject Nemina to that horrific torture again, but what about Eric…

  Eliam shook his head.

  There’s nothing I can do to save everyone. Trying to do so will only drive me crazy. Still, I need that damn elf to even fight against the Harpy Mother. Trying to do so without him will likely result in being put down by her mental magic.

  Soon, the task of slaying Sara was upon them. As always, Nemina was a little taken aback when it had to be done, yet they pulled through as they always did. They continued through the Temple of Apredilio and eventually went back into the cave that was connected to the Denoverian Highlands.

  So, the Ancient Woods are no good. We will not be returning there. We could always power through the fortress, but the risk of death is high. Also, the idea of killing so many humans isn't appealing to me. Of course, there was the other side of the fortress, but it was built up against the mountains. I think Nemina had said they were called the Glacidious Mountains or something like that.

  Once they emerged into the highlands, Eliam turned to Nemina and pointed to the mountain that lined up with the wall.

  “Is there a way over that?” he asked.

  Nemina thought for a moment before nodding. “There should be… but I am not positive. I can tell we are in the Denoverian Highlands, but not where exactly. Originally, the Temple of Apredilio should have existed somewhere along the trail on the Glacidious Mountains, but clearly that is no longer the case. I’m not sure why this pass is here now.”

  “Something probably happened with the trail on the mountains,” Eliam wondered aloud.

  “Probably, if you want to get to Denovere, we should probably go another way,” Nemina suggested.

  Eliam immediately shook his head. “There is no other way. We have to go through them.

  Nemina gave him an odd look, but sighed. “Okay? We will have to find one of the trail entrances then. Everywhere else is too steep.”

  They begin to search the base of the mountain for the trail. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for them to find one.

  “This looks familiar,” Nemina murmured. “I guess they built the pass rather close to the trail. I wonder why…”

  “Like I said, something probably happened.” Eliam shrugged, walking up the mountain.

  “Which makes it odd why you think this is the best way. What aren’t you telling me?” Nemina asked.

  Eliam paused and turned to look at Nemina. He studied her for a moment before sighing. “Look, I don’t really have all too good of an explanation for you. This really is the only way. The other routes are much too dangerous.”

  Nemina scoffed as she followed behind him. “Whatever. Truthfully, your response doesn’t matter. I go where Frostlight goes, and apparently, it wants to go with you.”

  I feel kind of bad for withholding so much information, but I already know how Nemina would react if I told her the truth. It would probably be something similar to what just happened.

  Once again, silence overcame the duo as they walked up the mountain. Time went by slowly until they arrived at an impasse.

  “Left,” Nemina muttered. “That should take us right to the Denoverian plains, which happens to be where Denovere is located.”

  Eliam nodded as he took the turn. The journey up the mountain had been oddly peaceful so far. It was actually quite nice as the scenery in this area was completely untouched. Still, Eliam didn’t let his guard down.

  I won’t allow what happened with the Harpy Mother to ever occur again.

  That look Nemina had… it was burned in his mind. The hollowed-out expression on her face. Her begging to die. It was all nearly too much.

  “I don't understand why a pass was created,” Nemina muttered. “It seems rather safe.”

  As if one queue, a large thump sounded. Both Eliam and Nemina froze, cautiously looking around for the source of the noise

  “Famous last words,” Eliam muttered.

  A roar sounded, followed by a heavy whooshing noise. Eliam stared in the direction of the source of the noise, waiting for something to happen.

  “What was that?” Nemina said.

  “I don’t know,” Eliam said.

  The whooshing noise grew louder as the source of the noise came into view. There was a massive boulder flying straight toward them.