The Meaning of Knighthood

Chapter 10: Innocence Lost

Yuelei sat on Nakrin’s shoulder, staring at the unfamiliar landscape around her. It’s been a day since she left June’s home, and they had been travelling nonstop. Nakrin’s large frame and hulking steps covered a large amount of ground, but they were now nearing the edge of the woodlands that they had been using as cover. After a few quiet minutes, Liur flew down from above and perched herself on a nearby boulder.

Seems like we made the right choice heading south. There were no pursuers behind us, and the path ahead is clear. She notified Yuelei.

“Fewer meaningless lives lost.” Yuelei slowly patted Nakrin a few times before replying. She could still recall the gory battle that had happened yesterday, where the Permafrost Ancient’s iceberg-like arms had crushed fully-geared knights into pulp, armor and all. She could still remember how the dark blood streaked over and stained the snow-covered ground.

“This is just another battle of survival.” Yuelei murmured quietly to herself as she forced the gruesome images away from her mind. Even though it was Nakrin who killed the Enforcers, she felt some responsibility as the one who forced his hand.

Your kind kill each other for the most petty of reasons. If Nakrin have not done it, I would have. Liur scoffed and reprimanded her. You’ve gone soft… having lived among your kind again.

“I have not gone soft.” Yuelei denied.

But you had second thoughts, didn’t you?

“...” Yuelei’s silence was enough to answer the question.

Liur did not press the matter, but instead spread her wings and took off. After a few moments, Yuelei jumped off Nakrin’s shoulder and trailed behind her on the ground. Nakrin alone stayed behind, for it would attract too much attention if he were to travel with them without the protection of the trees.

“You there in the white cloak! Halt!” Yuelei turned to see a female knight in armor traveling up the road behind her on a Lampos, a magical beast resembling a mix of a horse and a rhino. The creature’s scaled feet kicked up snow as it quickly caught up to her, and Yuelei glanced over at the figure seated atop before slowing her pace. At the same time, she slipped a hand beneath the Sheive Cloak and bits of ice started to condense between her fingers.

“Did you not hear the announcement recently? It’s dangerous to head this way!” Veona paused momentarily as she caught sight of Yuelei’s face, startled by her age. “Young miss, are you a cadet by any chance? A bit far from the school, are you not?”

“I am no longer a cadet.” Yuelei decided it was unwise to remain quiet and shook her head. “And I have some business with the League of Adventurer’s branch by the border.”

“Miss, if you’re thinking about abandoning the title of knighthood just to flee the upcoming war, it’s not a smart idea.” Veona laughed and tried to lighten the mood. “As an ordained Knight, you will always have sisters and brothers in arms ready to lend a hand in need. In comparison, the life of an adventurer is lonely and dangerous and you must always watch your back!”

“Danger is part of everyday life” Yuelei replied, reminiscing back to her days learning to survive in the Whitefrost Mountains. “If anything, my time spent as a cadet has dulled my senses. I can see that now.”

“Are you a Shepherd, by any chance?” Veona harbored a guess at Yuelei’s identity based on her attire. In response, Yuelei merely shook her head while hiding a mocking smile. She had never learned to use a bow, nor will she ever need to in the future.

The Lampos seemed to see through Yuelei’s facade and snorted in anger while eyeing her with a beady eye. Clearly it was not happy with the way Yuelei was treating her owner.

In return, Yuelei shot a scathing glare at it without breaking eye contact, and for the briefest of moments, allowed her Winter’s Breath aura to seep out from beneath her cloak and onto the creature’s skin.

“Easy!” Veona patted the creatures side as it reared back in shock. “What’s wrong with you? Is there something nearby?” She glanced around her surroundings, clearly not realizing Yuelei was the one responsible for her mount’s discomfort.

“Danger is always nearby.” Yuelei repeated as the Lampos kept its head low and refused to meet her eyes. “I should really be going.”

“I suppose I can’t convince you to stay regardless?” Veona frowned and shook her head, still believing that Yuelei was about to make a mistake of youth.

“...I’m afraid not.”

“Then may Ecclisa grant you her protection in these trying times. I’m afraid I never caught your name...” Veona offered a hand.

“Alia. I’m called Alia.” Yuelei hesitated before accepting the handshake.

“Well met Alia, I am Veona. If it is Ecclisa’s will, I hope that you return to being a cadet after the war is over.” Veona gave Yuelei’s hand a firm squeeze before letting go. “Would you like me to escort you the League of Adventurer’s branch? It’s not safe for a young lady such as yourself to be alone...”

“I’ll have to decline. I seldom travel with company.” Yuelei coldy cut off her offer.

“A shame. Safe travels then, Miss Alia.” Veona dug her heels into the Lampos’ side, causing it to turn around in the direction in which they came. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you should avoid passing through the Whitefrost Mountains. I’d take a boat from the Keysta Peninsula, or go through the Ona Chaparrel into the Sel Forest.”

“...Thank you for the warning.” Yuelei felt a bit guilty after seeing her leave. Veona clearly did not know who Yuelei was, and she had only been trying to help. Yuelei had been quite hostile in kind and even went as far as to intimidate Veona’s mount.

However, it was only a momentary thought. Better to err on the side of caution in dangerous territory, and like Gallienoir told Yuelei many times, danger is always around.

The League of Adventurer’s Branch was much more active than Yuelei had imagined it to be. With the hundreds of multicolored tents and thousands of people moving about, it reminded Yuelei of an army camp that she had seen a long time ago.

As Yuelei walked by a pile of bricks, Liur flew down and settled on her head. The sight of a phoenix, even though different in color, caused many of the assembled adventurers to turn their heads at Yuelei; Some of them with shock at seeing a phoenix for the first time, some with a greedy expression, and there were even some whose hands itched towards their weapons.

“It seems you’re quite popular here, Liur.” Yuelei commented as she carefully made her way towards the main building that was the original League of Adventurer’s residence.

I will not be able to reach in time if you are attacked down here. Liur replied as she scanned those around her. Adventurers are fickle people, and the worst of them are those that are drawn to the prospect of coin.

“Do you have a grudge against them or something?” Yuelei kept her eyes forward and kept a mental map to any of those she felt had eyed her too long.

My great-grandmother once had a bounty placed on her, put in place by someone from the family that outcasted us. I have no love for their ilk.

“This feud of yours has involved humans?.” Yuelei glared at a man who had been smiling at her, and did not move until he looked away.

You don’t understand Yuelei. To them, I- my family were already considered outcasts, and eventually they even named us as traitors during the aftermath of the War of the Spirits. Liur continued to eye those around her as they pushed past what appeared to be a bunch of food stalls. Where there are people, there is business to be had, and Yuelei could even see a few stalls with banners belonging to the Papalis Marketplace. By all means and standards, this camp was already functioning as a small town.

I gladly await the day I sink my beak into their throats, and tear out their heart with my talons. Some of them were happy enough to leave us alone, but others, particularly those that been bested by us, would resort to other measures. At one point in time, they even disclosed the location of the Frost Palace as a ‘newfound dungeon’ and Lady Lumnieve got involved. There was so much venom in Liur’s words that Yuelei herself started to get worked up. Almost as in response, a cooling sensation seemed to pour out from her core and calm her down.

“We will have them answer for what they have done eventually.” Yuelei promised, feeling a certain allegiance to Lumnieve. “Phoenix blood, heart, and feathers are powerful alchemy ingredients according to Lin, and I would loathe for their bodies to go to waste.”

Good. Liur seemed unperturbed at having her kin being refined into alchemy regents. It seems you also have a guest, turn to your right.

“Who-” Yuelei turned around, just in time to see Cecilla Solas storming through the crowd towards her. Yuelei took it that since she wasn’t swinging her halberd at her, they would be on speaking terms.

“Yuelei Alia. What are you doing here?” Cecilla hissed as she hooked a hand under Yuelei’s arm and pulled her off the main road. It was only after she had dragged her between the alley created by two tents that she released her grip.

“It’s nice to see you too, Cecilla.” Yuelei glanced over her and noted that she had substituted the usual Royal Knight Cadet uniform for a metal-padded medium armor.

“The Templar Order is mobilizing a bunch of forces looking for you, and there are rumors that you killed a group of Enforcers.” Cecilla let everything out in one breath. “Is it true?”

“I did not take their life myself, but I may as well have killed them.” Yuelei replied without hesitation or any guilt in her voice..

“You wiped out an entire squad of Enforcers?” Cecilla’s gaping expression was a testament to her shock.

“I had help.” Yuelei nodded towards Liur’s position. “Why are you here, Cecilla? Judging by your actions, you’re not here to look for me...”

“I received my status as an official Knight yesterday.” Cecilla explained. “I...have had disputes with my family for a while, so I decided to relinquish the Solas name and leave on a journey. I stopped here for supplies.”

“Can’t see that going down well.” Yuelei smirked.

“Better to give up your home and live freely then be forced into a betrothal.” Cecilla scowled. “I don’t intend to marry for the sake of politics, and religion was never my strongest suit.”

“...I can understand that.” Yuelei murmured. If she was still in the Imperial Palace as the Crown Princess, there was a good chance she would have been in the same situation.

“What are you doing here?” It was Cecilia's time to ask.

“I came to get my adventurer card upgraded with a knight’s symbol.” Yuelei admitted.

“I did not see you among the graduates when we took the oath…” Cecilla’s brows furrowed in confusion.

Yuelei did not say anything, but instead glanced around her to see if anyone was watching. After confirming with Liur that there were no prying eyes, she reached beneath her cloak and pulled out the Rose Knight’s Symbol. The ruby-carved rose seemed to catch the midday sun, and practically glowed red against Yuelei’s skin.

“The stories were true. I thought it was a rumor but...” Cecilla’s gaze was hooked onto the pendant for a minute before she tore her eyes away. “The Rose Knight’s Crest has been found and passed into new hands.”

“You don’t seem all that shocked.” Yuelei commented.

“The Church may insist otherwise, but it is known to the old families that the Rose Knight’s Crest has always, always been held in the hand of outsiders..” Cecilla revealed. “Do you remember what I said in our first fight?”

“Just business.” Yuelei nodded slowly, clearly recalling how Lin had stepped in before she had almost struck a killing blow. Even in her current state, Yuelei was not sure she could stop her Primal Frost Edge once it was in full swing.

“The Templar Order is not fond of Goddess Eclissa’s artifacts in the hands of outsiders.” Cecilla said and then stopped, hesitating to continue.

“Get to the point.” Yuelei pushed, not inclined to listen to more politics and wanting to get straight to the point.

“The Templar Order are looking for a martyr. Yuelei.”

“...So that’s why Lin came back.” The word had triggered a name to flash through Yuelei’s memory. Martyr Knight.

“I’m sorry?” Cecilla didn’t quite understand Yuelei’s comment or her grave expression.

“Thank you, I’ve finally connected the dots.” Yuelei clasped Cecilla’s arm despite her confusion. “Cecilla, leave this place. With your fire affinity, you should be able to make it past the Whitefrost Mountains before it is too late.”

“Before what is too late?”

“You don’t want to know.” Yuelei stared into Cecilla’s eyes to make sure that her words would not be taken lightly. “Go anywhere that is not between Ellivita and the Whitefrost Mountains.”

“You make it sound like there’s going to be an invasion…” Cecilla tried to laugh it off, but Yuelei’s grim silence made the laughter catch in her throat.

“I pay you this courtesy because you were a valuable sparring partner. According to Liur, I believe the Church has already been informed, but is keeping quiet about it.” Yuelei finally spoke up in the ensuing silence. She then withdrew the Rose Knight’s Crest beneath her cloak, and turned to leave.

“I hope we will be able to cross paths in the future!” Cecilla’s finally broke out of her shock and she shouted at Yuelei’s retreating figure. “I promise you that I will stay alive until then, and you’d better do the same!”

Yuelei could not help but smile at the woman with a heart of fiery passion, and one of the few whom she considered a friend.

When Yuelei finally managed to enter the League of Adventurer building, she let out a sigh as her fears were confirmed. The entire place was packed to the brink with adventurers clamoring at the help desks, and even the tiniest of cubicles had a group of adventures in a line trailing around it. It was as loud as the lunchroom back at the Academy, and the heat from the masses of bodies intermixing with the cold air outside gave the place an impression like that of a sauna..

“What are you here for?” The doorman who was directing traffic at the front briskly walked up to Yuelei and gestured for her to give something to him. “May I see your card, miss?”

Yuelei said nothing as she retrieved her Adventurer Card.

“Issued from Ellivita? Are you a cadet?” The young man glanced up at Yuelei after scrutinizing her card. “What are you here for?”

“I’m here to update my details.”

“I’ll be honest with you, young lady. You’re better off returning to Ellivita and getting a clerk there to do it for you. You’ll have to wait several hours in line here, and that’s if you’re lucky.” The doorman said good-naturedly. “We had to pull extra manpower from all the other branches here to deal with the sudden influx, yet we still find ourselves undermanned.”

“I’m afraid I’m not heading towards Ellivita.” Yuelei shook her head.

“...Is that so? I’m afraid you’ll have to wait like-” The doorman was about to hand back Yuelei’s card, but his eyes caught a symbol that had been covered by his thumb.

“My apologies miss. Please go down the hallway on the right and see the woman at the stairs. I would escort you but-” He gestured to all the patrons behind Yuelei waiting their turn.

Yuelei was a bit confused but she did not have time to ask the man, who had already moved onto a pair of elderly men with large staves. With Liur on her shoulder and attracting curious stares she made her way down the narrow hallway. After making a turn, she saw a stairwell that was guarded by an old woman reading a small book.

“Card?” She did not look up from her seat, instead holding out an open palm. Yuelei moved to place her adventurer’s card on top, but the woman’s shot out and grasped her wrist. Before she knew it, Yuelei was pulled forward and the woman’s wrinkly face was right in front of her.

“You… have the smell of a beast, yet you are not a half-breed.” The woman sniffed once more, and Yuelei was so close she could see the nose hairs of the old crone. “And there is another smell… something not human.”

“Release me.” Yuelei did not take kindly to the gesture, and her Winter’s Breath poured out. Liur was quick to follow, pouring her own Winter’s Breath and intermixing with Yuelei’s. Just as Yuelei was about to drop her adventurer’s card and start forming her Frost Edge, the old crone snorted and released her arm.

“You are young, but you are qualified. Go upstairs.” The old crone returned to her book and paid Yuelei no heed any longer. Yuelei glared at her before moving up the stairs. After a brief climb, she came to a door at the top.

The room she entered was clearly meant for special guests, with its deluxe lounge chairs, rug-covered floor, and expensive pieces of artwork on the walls. Various sets of armor, as well as swords were on display behind glass boxes, and there was even a harp in the corner of the room by a table ladened with refreshments.

Three sets of eyes looked up at Yuelei as she walked in. The first two belonged to a strange brown-skinned man and a giant gray-green scaled python that was wrapped around his body like one would wear clothing. The third was a tall woman with a green headband in dirty white clothing, with a greatbow that was even taller then she was.

The woman was the first to look away, while the middle aged man smiled in greeting.

“It’s rare to see such a young face up here, but seeing that beautiful creature on your head explains everything.” The man’s smiling face was much older then Yuelei expected, compared to his well-chiseled naked upper body. “Take a seat lass, I’m afraid you’ll still have to wait for a while.”

Yuelei nodded in thanks and took a seat in the far corner where she could keep an eye on the other occupants of the room.

Those two are strong. Much stronger than us. Liur commented as soon as she was seated. They might even be able to fight on par with Nakrin or Mouno.

“It makes me feel as if we shouldn’t even be up here.” Yuelei responded quietly.

It is less likely for you to be recognized if there’s only a few watching. Liur retorted.

As Yuelei and Liur conversed quietly, the woman with the headband stood up and walked over. She swung the greatbow around with the ease of experience and pointed one of the spear-like tips at the seat next to Yuelei.

“The name is Kailee. Do you mind? I want to have a word.”

Before Yuelei could coldy brush her off, she had jumped taken the seat next to Yuelei, and was reclining on her back. Yuelei did not let it show on her face but she was a bit unnerved at how naturally the woman had slid into her comfort zone without her senses going off.

“You know, your name is quite unique. Yuelei.” Kailee said nonchalantly, her comments instantly caused Yuelei to be on edge. “Did you know that someone recently put a rather hefty bounty on someone with the same name as the Kingdom of Macha’s crown princess?”

“Sounds like a case of mistaken identity.” Yuelei shrugged, maintaining her calm. “It is common for parents to name their children after others in hopes they grow to be something greater.”

“A foolish notion, if you ask me.” Kailee laughed. “If you had a different name, then you would not have ended on the other side of my sights. It is a good thing that your appearance doesn’t match the description.”

“What description?”

“Rumors behind the bounty was that one of the Crown Princess ’s body doubles defected to a foreign nation and attempted to murder the Crown Prince. So of course- someone that looks remotely similar to the Princess of Macha.”

“I’m afraid I’ve never seen her, so I wouldn’t know.” Yuelei smirked as she lied through her teeth. Kailee stared at her face for a moment, before shaking her head.

“I suppose not. Truth is someone is said to have founded a skeleton at the bottom of some ravine in the nearby mountains. Bounty’s been collected and all that.” Kailee yawned. “Sounds a tad too convenient to me, but a lowly adventurer such as myself won’t meddle in the affairs of countries.”

“Lowly? If the daughter of Elumia the Huntress thinks herself to be lowly, than the rest of us must be below bugs.” At her words, the old man with the python snorted. “Your instincts must be growing dull if you’re interrogating a young lass like her.”

“Hush Boyka. At least I’m not here to profit off of war.” Kailee snapped back. “What did they offer you?”

“Why, Kailee, I’m here to help defend humanity against a dark enemy.” Boyka shrugged. “The pay and promise of a title are mere incentives.”

Just as Kailee was about to retort, the door at the end of the lounge room slowly opened, and a woman held open the door for the one behind her. As soon as Yuelei caught the sight of heavy armor favored by the Knights of Ecclisa, she quickly pulled on her hood.

“As agreed on Sir Knight, we will issue more fliers and notices to the other branches as soon as proper housing and supply lines are dealt with.. Are you sure you want us to be here instead of being closer to the fighting? The adventurers are growing restless, and we are more than ready for battle.”

“You’ve seen the anomalies in the Whitefrost Mountains, and there is a report of an eternal night past Gareth’s Bulwark. Times have been strange lately, and we believe it would be better to err on the side of caution.” Yuelei heard a male voice reply, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Yuelei watched from beneath the hood as two pairs of legs, one cladded in silver greaves, and one covered by a thin dress, move past her. It was only she heard the door to the stairwell close that she dared to look up.

“Run away from home have we, young knight?” Kailee commented as Boyka followed the woman inside the room. “Can’t say I don’t understand what that’s like. I’m not too fond of war either.”

“We are all running from something.” Yuelei found herself quoting Lin instead of trying to fake a response. “We can only hope to one day have the courage to turn around and face it.”

“Seems like you’ve had wise teachers.” Kailee nodded before standing up. “I should be going. As an apology for pointing my bow at you, let me give you some advice.”

Kailee glanced around before lowering her voice to a whisper. “If you are here to sign up for this Shadowless War. Don’t. If my estranged mother found it necessary to even send me a warning, then things are much worse than they appear. Leave this place and seek your livelihood elsewhere..”

Yuelei could not hold back the smile that surfaced on her face. Just an hour ago, she had said similar things to Cecilla with the same good intentions.

“I do not plan to stay here, much less sign up for a war.” Yuelei reassured. “But I appreciate the warning.”

“Good.” Kailee sniffed as she shouldered her bow. “Then if luck will have it, we will meet again, and hopefully not on the end of the other’s weapons.”

“The daughter of The Huntress, huh...” Yuelei murmured to herself as Kailee carefully closed the door to the stairs without making a sound. “She’s not what I would expect.”

She hunted you for a time. Liur finally spoke up. She is a talented tracker and not one you want as an enemy, magical beast or human.

“I’m more surprised she didn’t make a comment about you.” Yuelei shrugged.

Phoenixes are less rare than you think. I am sure someone like her have shot down several red phoenixes already. Liur smirked. One of the benefits of sticking with you is that human think twice before acting.

“I think it goes both ways.” Yuelei nodded.

We share our benefits and our burdens together.

After another half an hour, Boyka left the conference room with a smile. He gave Yuelei a wave before seeing himself out as well.

“I’m afraid I haven’t seen you around here. Miss Alia, was it?” The woman stepped out from the conference room and gestured for Yuelei to enter. “Apologies for the wait.”

When Yuelei entered the room she thought was a conference room, she realized it was actually a very large and decorated office, like that of Quentil’s at the Royal Knight Academy.

“It is not often that we get newcomers here. I am Porrin, the branch leader. May I see your card please?” Porrin was a lean and stout woman, and her scarred face told many tales of valor. Yuelei could feel faint traces of magic all over her body as she handed over her card, signifying that she was either a powerful mage, or simply carried a multitude of magical items.

“A divine element wielder? Verified by Cohen from the Ellivita branch...” Porrin glanced over the card before meeting Yuelei’s eyes. “If you would be so kind to demonstrate then we can skip the verification and identity affirmation process.”

Yuelei nodded and held out a hand with her palms upright while releasing her Winter’s Breath aura. After making a grasping motion like one might grasp a ball, a Winter Moon formed above her hand. Porrin did not stand on ceremony and reached forward and grasped it with her left hand. After gazing intently at it for a few moments, a trail of flame snaked from her shoulder and down her arm until it smothered the Winter Moon in her hand.

“It’s a long time since another such person has appeared.” Porrin gestured for Yuelei to sit as she moved towards a cabinet in the corner.. “What can the League of Adventurers do for you?”

“I want the title of Knight added to the card.” Yuelei moved straight to the point.

“Usually our branch in Ellivita handles that.” Porrin pulled opened the cabinet doors and pulled out an expensive-looking bottle. “Care for a drink? Cider imported from the Dew Plains.”

“I will pass.” Yuelei replied, and she waited for Porrin to pour herself a drink and made herself comfortable on the other side of the pinewood table.

“We can do it here as well since we are technically within bounds of the Holy Land of Ecclisa. Do you have your personal coat of arms and academy diploma?”

“I have neither of them.” Yuelei shook her head.

“Then I am afraid I cannot help you.” Porrin frowned and shook her head. “Without the consent of the Church or acknowledgement of their rules, we cannot give you the status of Knight. As a former cadet, you should know this. But yet…. here you are.”

“Yet here I am.” Yuelei nodded as she reached into her cloak and placed the Rose Knight’s Crest onto the table and slid it over. “If you are aware of the Church’s rules, then you know what this is as well.”

Porrin frowned as she tried to pick up the symbol, only to have the skin between her fingers scorched in the process. She shook her head in denial as she pulled out a yellow bottle and applied a white paste to her damaged skin, almost instantly healing the blackened parts.

“I certainly did not expect a legitimate Holy Symbol.” Porrin sighed and sat down. “This complicate things.”

“And my request?”

“...If possible, we would prefer not to sully relations with the Holy Church of Ecclisa.” Porrin thought aloud as she sipped on her drink. “You do understand that they have been searching for you correct? Even such news of the Church’s internal affairs has managed to reach our ears.”

“And yet you haven’t tried to capture me. Why?”

“Because we have rules, Miss Alia. There will be no business on League of Adventurer grounds.” Porrin replied. “Surely you have seen plenty of hostile glances on your way in.”

“And what happens to someone that breaks the rules?” Yuelei asked out of curiosity.

“Suspension, excommunication or banishment. All services of the League of Adventurers will be forever closed to them, and depending on the crime, we will put out a no holds barred bounty.” Porrin replied.

“Moving back to the topic. Since you are technically an ordained knight by possessing the crest, there is no reason for us to deny you your rightful status.” Porrin traced along Yuelei’s card. “And first and foremost, we serve our adventurers.”

“Worst case scenario, the Church of Ecclisa would have to remedy their rules and regulations before annulling your status as a knight.” Porrin pulled out her own adventurer card and held it against Yuelei’s. Almost as an afterthought, she placed Yuelei’s card on top of the Rose Knight’s Crest.

As the cards touched Porrin mumbled some indecipherable words under her breath and dim light emnanted between the cards. Yuelei briefly caught the scent of hot metal as Porrin’s black card practically hummed with veins of white and red light.

“First time you’ve seen a master key card?” Porrin noticed the look on Yuelei’s face. “We reverse engineered the technology in some old ruins off the coast of the Kingdom of Four Winds. You should visit there if you ever get the chance, since it’s only available to those adventurers that have the qualifications to enter the second level.”

“The Kingdom of Four Winds…” Yuelei mused. “I will keep it in mind when I travel there.”

“The League of Adventurers sponsors ships. If you were to show them this card, then they will give you a discount.” Porrin handed back Yuelei’s card, and she noticed the symbol of a sword with rose as the hilt next to the ‘AA’ symbol with the golden laurel.

I wouldn’t be taking a ship. Yuelei thought to herself. Liur clearly heard the thought and she curled her beak in response.

“Is there anything else I can help you with then? We are actually looking to contract some veterans for this upcoming battle if you’re interested. ”

“I will have to refuse.” Yuelei smirked as she stood up. “You said you were ready, but you have no idea what is coming, do you?”

“We are adventurers. We have all heard the call of the abyss, and we embrace it wholeheartedly. ” Porrin smiled. “Facing the unknown is what we do best.”

“In that case, good luck.” Yuelei nodded in response as she picked herself up to leave. “As a courtesy for your hospitality, allow me to tell you something.”

“Oh?” Porrin’s eyes widened in bemusement. “As someone being hunted by the Church, I assume you have some insider information?”

“Perhaps. The Church also has no clue what is coming, which is why they are fielding adventurers here. That’s what they are telling you. And I am telling you that you are being sent here to die.” Yuelei’s lips curled as she turned around and left without another word.

It took Yuelei over an hour to leave the vicinity of the League of Adventurer’s camp that was slowly becoming the size of a medium-sized town. Even as she left the makeshift wooden walls behind, more people and caravans trailed in. Where there were people, there would need to be all the services that came with civilization.

You’re being followed Yuelei. Liur cautioned after they had traveled for another ten minutes. Yuelei formed a piece of reflective ice on the palm of her hand and pretended to brush her hair. From the mirror she could barely make out six cloaked people shadowing her, two on the road, and four skulking along the treeline.

“They don’t have horses…. Bounty hunters?” Yuelei murmured quietly to Liur.

I caught the glint of metal beneath their belts.They are armed.. Liur warned as she shifted her body around Yuelei’s head. Some of them have bows. I will deal with the projectiles.

“Let’s deal with them. Do you think we will need Nakrin?” Yuelei came to a quick decision. Clearly her message at the Justinia estate was not received.

No. I think those are cadets behind you. There’s two groups of two on both sides of our flank as well.

“Clearly they are underestimating us.” Yuelei chuckled grimly as she suddenly picked up speed, wind sprouting from the glowing tattoo of butterflies on her ankles. She heard the sound of shouting, followed by the sound of two bowstrings being fired.

One of the arrows thudded next to her, clearly fired in haste and without much precision. The second one, Yuelei heard a whistle behind her before it stopped with a thud. She glanced behind her to see a giant wing made of ice shielding her.

They mean business. Yuelei thought grimly as more thuds touched the she grabbed at the strap of her Palian Satchel, pulling out a handful of Crystal Flare Bombs.

“In the name of the Goddess. Halt! You have been summoned to a court trial!” Yuelei heard a voice shout out behind her. In response, Yuelei smirked and blew her Winter’s Breath on the tiny pellet-like bombs, covering them in a layer of ice. She spread them on the ground as she continued to run.

The resulting yelps of surprise were like music to Yuelei’s ears, and the thudding footsteps behind her halted momentarily, before picking up once more. She took those sounds as her cue to pivot off the road, and under Liur’s instructions, dashed towards the nearby treeline with her Frost Edge at the ready.

As soon as she reached the trees, she ran into two male cadets. After the initial shock, the one closest to her positioned his arms as if to catch her, while the one a few meters behind him paused in shock before he started to draw his weapon.

“S-Stop or we will be forced to-”

That brief moment of hesitation was enough for Yuelei to close the distance and pierce him through stomach with her weapon.

“...!” The male cadet look at his chest in shock as Yuelei twisted and pulled her hand away, leaving the sword hilt jutting out of him. Instead of pain, it was a numbing cold that he felt, chilling him, as well as a lethargic sensation. He tried to blink, but his eyes never moved again as the Frost Edge dispersed into bone-chilling Winter’s Breath.

“You….” The other male cadet was stunned by the ruthless execution, but only a split second later a beam of frost shot out from Liur’s beak. The Ray of Absolute Zero pierced through the cadet’s hastily put up shield of light like a needle, and struck him between the eyes. The sound of his head hitting the ground was like shattering ice, and sounded nothing like flesh.

Yuelei glanced coldly at the bodies before holding up her hand once more. Two Winter Moons started forming on top of the carcasses as she resumed moving without another glance at the bodies..

When her pursuers caught up to the scene of the one-sided battle, there was no longer a body to be found. Instead it was as if two people had shredded into pieces of meat. Blood, scraps of clothing, body parts, entrails were strewn all over- on the white snow, against the bark of trees, and even hanging on low-hovering branches, letting off steam in the winter air.

They’ve stopped chasing. Liur informed Yuelei after another few minutes of fleeing. You’ve scared them away, it seems.

“Ugh.” Yuelei gripped her trembling right hand. She could still feel how she had gutted that man like a beast, and remember how the life had left his eyes. In the next heartbeat however, a soothing chill seemed to slip out from the butterfly mark on her heart, where it chased away the troubling thoughts and calmed her hands.

Yuelei took a deep breath, wondering why the cold air just felt so soothing in her lungs, before she turned around to face the direction she came from.

“...You’re right.” Yuelei agreed as she finally exhaled. “Maybe they got the message this around.”

How was your first human kill? Liur didn’t miss a beat over Yuelei’s reaction and went straight to the point.

“Fine.” Yuelei shrugged as she glanced over her Sheive Cloak. There was no blood thanks to the nature of her weapon, but she brushed it off anyway. “It was... easier than I thought.”

Quickly. Abruptly. That is how a life is taken. Liur murmured while looking off into the distance. How are you feeling?

“I did what had to be done, my thoughts and feelings matter little now.” Yuelei deflected the question as she resumed dashing at top speed towards the south. If she could cover enough ground tonight, she would likely to be able to cross into the Whitefrost Mountains by midnoon tomorrow.

In truth, Yuelei felt a bit of remorse. Gallienoir had taught her that not leaving something behind was a discourtesy, and would make one no better than a killer. Every kill Yuelei or Liur made, they would make sure to leave behind a bit of fur or fresh blood behind, enough to leave a scent for those in search of the departed.

Yuelei’s remorse from wasn’t killing those two male cadets, but rather because she had destroyed their bodies to the point where they were unidentifiable. However, what’s done is done, and Yuelei purged the vestiges of feelings out of her mind. The only time one should show mercy is when one was in a position of power, and right now, for all she knows, the entire Church was after her.

Yuelei spend an hour and a half looking for shelter with Liur’s assistance. With possible Church pursuers and the threat of the Shadowless, Yuelei did not dare camp out in the open, or even in a tree for that matter. Yuelei did not trust a few walls of ice to provide ample protection, and they scouted closer to the road until they found an old, overgrown estate.

“House Elvira?” Yuelei frowned as she pushed open the rusted iron gates, glancing at the weather-worn nameplate. Yuelei thought she had heard the name somewhere before, but she brushed the feeling away, thinking she had merely heard it in passing from someone at the Royal Knight Academy.

The place seems empty. I don’t sense anything. Liur twittered quietly and Yuelei nodded in agreement. The snow on the estate grounds was unmarked, and the crumbling wooden mansion seemed as if it was going to fall apart any second. There were several country cottages on the path towards the mansion, and the heavy snow that adorned their hole-filled rooftops was a testament to how long it has been since human life had came here.

“Let's use one of the cottages.” Yuelei started making towards one of the more hospitable-looking buildings. The unlocked door opened without a creak, and Yuelei carefully peered inside. Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she was surprised to see that despite the layer of dust, the inside was relatively clean.

The interior was closer to that of a barracks than a homely country cottage. Eight bunk beds took up the majority of the room, with the exception of a tiny wood stove and a large weapons armoire. There was also a crude wooden table with similarly crudely-crafted wood chairs.

“Huh...” Yuelei murmured after she explored the armoire. Instead of the swords and shields she had expected, it was stocked with staves with a purple-black orb as a centerpiece. The darkness element was not prevalent in the Holy Land of Ecclisa, yet there were at least eight staves here meant to channel said element.

Shall I go out and hunt something? Liur offered after Yuelei’s search of the room concluded. There’s still an half-hour of daylight left.

“Better not to risk it. They might catch sight of you and track you back here.” Yuelei dug around the third compartment of her Palian Satchel and pulled out some monster jerky. She offered some to Liur, who didn’t refuse and snapped it up with her beak.

As Yuelei chewed, she checked and then sealed the windows with a layer of ice after closing them.. The door Yuelei decide to leave as is after setting the lock in place and pushing one of the beds against to it. From the outside, it would appear as if nothing was amiss, but on the inside it was like a barricaded fortress. After that was done, Yuelei started to cut up the wooden furniture for firewood.

When night finally fell, the inside of the cottage was warm and cozy, and Yuelei was sipping on a tea made from melting snow and adding a few wild greens she had scavenged on the way here. The taste was insipid and unpalatable, but that faint woody odor reminded Yuelei that she was a daughter of the wilds.

This was the first time Yuelei had made use of the collapsible mess kit that she bought at the Papalian Marketplace, and she was slightly impressed at the container that was built out of several moving parts. In essence, it was merely a set of flexible metal plates, but with the right combination, she could make a mug, a kettle, a pot, a frying pan, or even a multipurpose eatomg utensil.

“This brings me back.” Yuelei murmured as she stared at the steam rising from the mug, with Liur curled up in a bundle atop her chest. How many nights had they spent bundled together like this during the Whitefrost?

Liur did not reply, snuggling closer instead until her head rested on Yuelei’s shoulder. It has been a long time since they have been so intimate since they first arrived at the Justinia Estate.

“We’ve grown stronger, haven’t we?” Yuelei murmured as she ran a hand through Liur’s feathers. “Yet we still have so much further to go.”

It seems this half-year staying here was not for naught. Liur nodded in assent. However, Yuelei had already drifted off to sleep and only heard half of her words.

Late into the night, Yuelei woke up when she felt movement at her chest. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Liur wide awake, staring at the barrack door. There was the sound of crunching snow approaching and Yuelei quietly got to her feet.

The footsteps stopped at the door, and the knob started to shake as whatever on the other side tried to enter. By this time, Yuelei had already slid up by the side of the bed barricading the entrance, her Frost Edge at the ready.

After another few minutes of frustrated sounds on the other side, the knob finally stopped turning and the footsteps started making their way away. It was only after the sounds faded away did Yuelei finally release her breath and sheathed away her icy blade.

Go back to your dreams. I will keep watch. Liur’s feathers finally settled down and she nudged Yuelei with her talons. After a brief moment of hesitation Yuelei returned to the bed, but she reoriented herself so she slept facing the door.

The next morning, Yuelei gingerly stepped outside to see a surprising sight. There were indeed footprints of whoever tried to enter last night, but besides the footprints were drops of blackened blood.

Yuelei frowned as she knelt down and checked out the footprints. They were both human and paw-like at the same time, so Yuelei could not identify what manner of beast it belonged to.

“Can’t be the Shadowless. They don’t leave footprints.” Yuelei’s eyebrows furrowed as she tried to reason out what tried to enter her shelter last night. “If it was a Shadeless, then I doubt it would give up trying to gain entry…”

This one does not know what manner of beast this is either. Liur spoke up after glancing at the tracks. They seem to lead to the old run-down mansion, and whatever it is, it’s injured.

“...Shall we go have a look? If it’s still in a weakened state, we could put it out of its misery and harvest it. ” Yuelei’s curiosity was piqued and she ran her suggestion by Liur. She was not one to give up a free breakfast, especially after they did not have a substantial meal last night.

Liur was quiet as she thought about it for a moment, but eventually nodded in response. She deemed that it was not too large a risk, and they could easily escape a wounded animal if it proved too much for them.

As they marched towards the run-down mansion, the trail of blood only grew more and more serious. Whereas in the beginning it was merely a few drops of blood here and there, it was now large splotches and small puddles.

There’s a strange scent here. Liur notified Yuelei as soon as they approached the grand entrance. Be careful.

Strange scent? Yuelei thought as she quietly formed her Frost Edge. This was how they communicated during hunts, and Liur nodded in confirmation.

Like the smell of carrion or putrid meat. Yuelei sniffed the air, but all she smelt was the musty scent that often came with old houses.

The inside of the mansion was dark and dusty. Faded carpets and tapestries bearing coat of arms adorning the place was the only clue that the mansion once belonged to an esteemed family.

If it died last night, then the meat won’t be fresh. Yuelei shook her head as she glanced on the ground. Whatever she was tracking had dragged itself on the ground upon entering the mansion, leaving a trail through the dusty and debris-covered floor.

However, what bothered her was that there was no longer any blood. This was clear signs that the creature’s wound had clotted over and and the creature had not bled out. After conveying this information to Liur, they became even more cautious as they proceeded.

“The trail ends here.” Yuelei murmured as she held up a alchemical glow stick in the air, the dull yellow-white light illuminating the door in front of here. “Are you sure you don’t hear anything?”

I could be wrong… Liur replied hesitantly, which bothered Yuelei. Liur was like Gallienoir, who always had the answers, and now she was unsure of herself.

“We are here, so we may as well persevere through to the end.” Yuelei held up a hand and three Winter Moons started to form in the air behind her. After nodding to Liur, she pulled another vial from the belt attached to the Palian Satchel. She gave a quick shake, and quietly opened the door and rolled it inside.

The alchemical glow stick was hardly what you could call very illuminating, but it was enough for both Yuelei and Liur to catch sight of the person lying on the ground

“...Is she dead?” Determining that it wasn’t a danger, Yuelei dispelled her Winter Moons and gingerly pushed open the rest of the door. Liur kept her eyes on the person as Yuelei explored the rest of the bedroom. There was nothing of note, but the lack of dust was clear that someone lived here.

She’s not breathing, but somehow she is still alive. Liur answered, and Yuelei frowned as she approached the woman lying on the ground.

“...The Shadowblight.” Yuelei murmured as she noted the patches of dark black rotting skin all over the woman’s body, and tainting what would have been a pretty face. A piece of cloth covered one side of the woman’s face, and the splotches of dead skin creeping out from it told Yuelei how serious her affliction was.

“How is she possibly still alive when it has advanced this far?” Yuelei’s eyes were drawn to the weapon that the woman had gripped in her hands. It was like a staff, but both ends were tipped with a spear head, and the shaft was embedded with purple orbs like the staves Yuelei saw in the barracks. Just the craftsmanship told Yuelei that it was something of value and it would be a lie to say that Yuelei did not harbor interest in the woman’s weapon.

Perhaps those of the darkness element interact differently with this Shadowblight. Liur pointed out after concentrating and glancing at the women’s Aeht.

“...I doubt it’s so simple.” Yuelei followed Liur’s lead and closed her eyes. In her mind's eye, the woman’s Aeht was a chaotic mass of darkness, where one shade of gray wispy smoke was struggling against a tar-black abyssal fog.

She won’t last much longer. It seems to me like she gathered the strength to resist one last time, and she failed. Liur snorted.

“We should put her out of her misery.” Yuelei shook her head. She had encountered wounded magical beasts before, and whether the injury was caused by her or due to an accident, it was a mercy to spare them a long and painful death. Dying under the effects of soul and body ravaging Shadowblight was beyond simply ‘long and painful’.

Very well. Shall I do it then?

“No, I’ll do it.” Yuelei quietly drew her Frost Edge and held it against the unconscious woman’s chest. Yuelei planned to go for the heart, since destroying the neck or brain would sully the corpse for anyone that tried to identify the women later.

However, the women’s clutched weapon was in the way, so Yuelei reached for the weapon with the intention to pull it away.

“Run….” Yuelei almost jumped as a voice spoke out. She glanced over the woman’s face only to realize the woman was speaking in her sleep.

“She’s starting to turn delusional from the affliction.” Yuelei sighed and solemnly angled her weapon so she could pierce through the woman’s heart in one solid thrust. There was no need to make her suffer more than she already had.

Yuelei gripped the hilt of her Frost Edge with both hands, and just as she was about to strike down-

“...Silfy….take June…and run….” The woman’s mumblings in her sleep halted Yuelei in her tracks. Perspiration dripped down the woman’s skin as she re-lived her memories in her dreams.

“Nieves! No!” Yuelei jumped back as the woman suddenly shouted, but not soon after she seemed to break down crying. Sobs echoed in the desolate mansion as Yuelei stared in surprise at the woman who still had her eyes closed in a slumber. After a few seconds, she quieted down and returned to her death-like state.

“...A coincidence? Or a twist of fate?” Yuelei murmured as she tug away the weapon from the woman’s loosen hands in case she might try and injure herself.

What will you do now? She is clearly acquainted with your friends.

“‘Our’ friends, Liur. You cannot say after all this that you’re not acquainted with them.” Yuelei replied defensively. WIth her Frost Edge, she quickly cut off the woman’s clothing and sucked in a breath when her exposed body was the color of tar. The dead skin all over the woman’s body was gnarly and flaked off like pieces of rice paper.

“...How is she possibly alive?” Yuelei mumbled as she carefully checked the woman’s vitals without touching any of the blight-stricken skin. “Liur, help me out here.”

… Liur looked away instead of replying. We should go, this is not our place to be.

“Liur?” Yuelei looked up when she realized that Liur was actually suggesting for them to leave. “There’s something you know, and you’re not telling me.”

…

“If she is a friend of Silfy and June’s. I’m not just going to turn a blind eye, so you may as well help me out.” Yuelei quickly searched through her Palian Satchel until she pulled out a vial filled with pure white liquid- Light’s Temptation.

“Still...this is all I can do for her.” Yuelei quickly uncorked the vial, and moved to pour the potion into the woman’s mouth. However, as soon as she tipped the vial, the liquid inside froze to ice and then shattered the vial entirely.

“Liur, what are you doing!?” Yuelei shouted as she realized what her companion had done. Instead of replying, Liur simply sighed and propped her head up to stare at Yuelei.

Preventing you from making an irreparable mistake.

“Did you have to go so far as to destroy it!?”

If I hadn’t, then the instant your ‘potion’ touched her skin, she would have reverted into that of a Shadeless.

“What are you talking about?”

All creatures afflicted by this curse your kind calls the Shadowblight will eventually turn into a Shadowless as their bodies succumbs to the curse after death. This is known to us who have seen this cycle repeat itself.

“Not to me.” Yuelei’s eyes narrowed at the unexpected revelation of information. “Are you telling me that the Shadeless are formerly humans? How long have you known this and not told me?”

I was only informed by Lady Lumnieve recently. Liur shrugged. This one thought it would be better not to tell you. And I still do.

“What else are you not telling me?” Yuelei scowled.

The Shadeless are the reasons why Lady Lumnieve and Lady Nenhym are mobilizing to invade and tear out the root cause once and for all. Liur added quietly.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Those that did not survive your potion turn into a Shadeless. Liur’s bombshell caused Yuelei’s knees to go weak as she realized the implications behind her actions.

“...what have I done?”

Nothing of which you can be blamed for. This was going to happen sooner or later, and your actions only sped up the process a bit. In a way, you did everyone a favor.

“That’s a pretty convenient way to put it.” Yuelei shook her head. “I doubt the inhabitants of this land will think of it that way. How many hundreds of batches of Light’s Temptation did I make?”

How many more would have died instead if this curse dragged on for another hundred years? Liur shook her head. Let’s not discuss this here, we should meet up with Lumnieve.

“And what about her?” Yuelei dragged a dusty blanket she found in a nearby drawer over the woman’s body.

If I am not wrong, then she is a Wuuther Warlock. Their kind always had a natural resistance to the Shadowblight, and her body will slowly fight off the affliction if her bloodline is strong. Give her some things to strengthen her body and soul, and if she is lucky, she’ll regain control over her body. Your potion that relies on the holy element will do her more harm than good.

Yuelei sighed and did as she was bid. After she forced several Rejuventation Potion down the woman’s mouth, she poured several Homeostasis Potions over her body until her rotten skin was covered with a thin-silk like screen. Afterwards Yuelei bounded some of the more festering flesh with Snakeskin Bandages. When she was done, Yuelei took out her Frost Edge and carved a message on the wall.

‘My name is Yuelei Alia, a friend of Silfy. I do not know who you are, but you should know that I saved your life.’

I see you’re not one to give up an opportunity. Liur nodded approvingly at the words on the wall. All debts will be paid eventually.

Yuelei shrugged and pulled out a golden pill that she had scoured from one of Lin’s hidden havens. It was the same ones as the one Arfled had taken long ago, and she forced it down the woman’s throat by encasing it in a small Water Orb and sending it down her mouth.

“One day I would like to be able to make pills as powerful as these.” Yuelei shook the vial sadly and four more golden pills rattled around. After placing the blanket on the woman’s body again, Yuelei stood up to leave.

Lumnieve would like that.

It took Yuelei another day before she crossed the border into the Whitefrost Mountains, and as soon as she stepped onto one of the mountain paths, she sensed something was off. The endless falling snow of the Whitefrost Mountains had stopped, and it was deathly silent. One would have mistaken that they had walked into a dreamy winter wonderland if they did not know how lethal this terrain was to the unprepared wanderer.

It has been a long time…in which the snow in this place has stopped falling. I believe the last time was during my grandmother’s years. Liur had said quietly after seeing Yuelei’s reaction. Winter is coming, and with it, all its glory. This one trembles in anticipation.

“You actually want to stay here?” This was the first time Liur had expressed her own desire, and Yuelei was bemused that she wanted to return to the place they had just escaped.

The full might of one of the Great Spirits is a tale of myths and speculation. Other then their own agendas, they seal themselves away from the world. And now two of them have come together in this place, bound by ancient agreements with the Last Enchanter to take up arms. There was a note of grudgeful admiration in Liur’s voice. The return of the Greats. The end of an era. The dawn of a new age. This is something one can only hope to participate in within their lifetime.

“You’re talking about war, Liur. There will only be deaths in war.” Yuelei shook her head.

There will be deaths regardless. Liur cocked her head to stare at Yuelei. Are you concerned because it is human lives that will be lost?

“I can hardly care less.” Yuelei denied. “Did you see me hesitate?”

Then we shall be kinslayers together. Liur’s blinked before staring off into the distance.

“Shouldn’t we stop to find shelter? It’s almost night.” Yuelei pointed out as an orange glow covered the horizon.

Release your Winter’s Breath. In this domain of the Snow Princess, who dares to touch one of her subjects? Liur replied and after a brief moment of hesitation, Yuelei did as she was bid.

To her surprise, her Winter’s Breath seemed to meld with the environment around her, and Yuelei felt that if she willed it, she could control all of the ice and snow within her eyesight. At the same time, she could sense several familiar presences all across the entirety of the Whitefrost Mountains, as well as one presence behind her back in the Holy Land of Ecclisa.

Let us reconvene with the others. Before you decide what you wish to do next, Lady Lumnieve has a gift for you.

...

And here is the lady of the hour. Telif the giant dire wolf was the first to greet Yuelei as she sat and guarded the entrance to the valley where Lin’s cabin resided.

Welcome back. We’ve been waiting ever since we received word.

“Hello Telif.” Yuelei respectfully nodded to the magical beast who was larger than a full-sized carriage before striding past her immense frame. However, as soon as she caught sight of the valley, she stopped in her tracks.

The place had gone through a dazzling change. Giant monuments of ice resembling obelisks jutted from the ground in neat clusters, and the entire valley floor was blanketed in flowering white and blue orchids. Cerulean blue butterflies danced in the air, and snowflakes were suspended in midair like the inside of an eternally frozen snow globe. In the distance was Lin’s cabin, unchanged despite the winter wonderland-like scenery, except for the gigantic castle of ice in the background behind it.

Mesmerizing is it not? Lady Lumnieve awaits you at top of the Frost Palace. Telif sniffed the air before turning and shooting a scathing glare into the clouds above her. After a few minutes, a figure swooped down and landed with a solid thud in the snow next to Yuelei.

Why do I always have to be the one to give her a ride? Drak complained before glancing over at Yuelei. No offense Yuelei, but surely the work should be shared between all of us…

You’re the youngest, and you can fly. If you feel bothered, you can always go ask Forseer. Telif’s face twisted into a bemused snarl. That is, if you have the courage to wake him.

That old dragon sleeps more than Mouno and Korrbin combined. Drak pawed at the ground in front of him. Would it kill him to listen to anyone other then Lumnieve? I mean, I’m technically part-dragon…

Ignore his ramblings and just climb aboard. Telif gestured with a twist of her head at Drak’s direction. Drak complains about everything, but he never says no.

Yeah, yeah, let’s just go. Drak sighed dramatically and tilted his side on the ground so Yuelei could climb up. Why couldn’t you have been born with wings?

“Yuuuuuuuu~Liiiiiiiii~” Try as she might, Yuelei failed to stop Lumnieve from tackling her with a hug and she stumbled back a few steps to maintain her balance. Behind her, Drak and Liur exchanged knowing glances as Lumnieve clung to Yuelei’s body and refused to let go. Other then the four of them, the entire entry hall of the Frost Palace was empty and devoid of any form of life.

“...And it’s good to see you too.” Yuelei decided not to fight it and waited for Lumnieve to get her fill.

“Look at you. It’s like you’ve been traveling without stop!” Lumnieve laughed and patted Yuelei on the arm, and at the same time a white mist converge around Yuelei’s body and remove any dirt, grime or sweat, falling away as shards of dirty ice..

“Tsk, Tsk. You’ve got to take better care of yourself!”

“Liur said you’ve been given the title of a Knight yet you don’t have anything that looks like one!” Lumnieve wagged a finger in front of Yuelei’s eyes. “If those humans don’t treat you properly, then I suppose I would have to do so in their place.”

Lumnieve turned around and blew out what appeared to be white powder from the surface of her hand. It spread out in a white mist, and then like pieces of a puzzle, they converged together into a set of armor.

“It wouldn’t be fitting if I gave you the armor of a common Frost Knight, so I modeled and created it after my own.” Lumnieve bragged as she twirled around the set of a breastplate engraved with branching phoenix wings,

“This…” Yuelei was not sure how to react to the gift. It would be way too heavy for her to lug around, much less wear all the time.

“Now, now, don’t be shy. I put a lot of effort into it. Let’s have you try it on!” Lumnieve made a grasping motion and the armor seemed to shrink into a ball of white light. Before Yuelei could reach, the ball shot towards her chest and her Winter’s Breath aura suddenly surged before going out of control.

Yuelei watched in awe as her Winter’s Breath condensed around her body and took form. First the breastplate she had seen earlier appeared, then a battle-dress created from a blue-tinted metal, then a pair of mage bracers, and then a set of greaves that covered her feet to her knees. The transformation was complete in a mere moment, faster then it took Yuelei to create a Winter Moon.

“What do you think?” Lumnieve smiled as Yuelei realized that the armor was as light as a feather. “I may have bent a few natural laws here and there but anything to protect my dearest Yuelei when she ventures far from home.”

Yuelei rolled a hand down the cold metal of the breastplate, and down the tightly fitting dress that was akin to hardened ice. In the reflection of the nearby walls of ice, Yuelei saw that although the armor had some semblance to the armor worn by the Frost Knights, the joints were unarmored to allow for free movement, and held a much more noble and regal impression.

“I…this is beautiful.” There were no other ways that Yuelei could describe it.

“It is part of your Winter’s Breath aura. When you bring it out, I hope you’ll think of me.” Lumnieve caressed Yuelei’s face, and Yuelei did not stop her. “Do be careful though, with your current strength, you won’t be able to use magic while you have it out. But in the future, it’ll support your frost magic.”

“Of course. I originally wanted to teach you how to use Frost Magic.” Lumnieve backed off and sighed. “But I have to march off to war, and you- you have your own things to do, don’t you?”

“The things I want to do… I don’t have the strength to do so yet.” Yuelei came to a decision. She took out the Rose Knight’s Crest and gripped it in a fist. Even to become a knight she had relied on an external power and not her own. Frost energy accumulated in her hand as if she was trying to form a Frost Bolt, but try as she might, she could not crush that small pendant.

“Now, now. You’re still young. Let me give you a hand with that.” Lumnieve placed her own hands on top of Yuelei’s and released her own power. When she pulled back and opened her hand, the red rose crest had warped into the color of blue, and resembled one of the orchids from the valley floor.

“We will be marching north soon until we unearth the root of corruption. Then we will be head north west into the Sea of Ghosts to create a new continent of ice.” Lumnieve informed Yuelei as she took the pendant and attached it to one of Yuelei’s bracers.

“Yuelei, What will you do?” Lumnieve asked.

“I…” Before Yuelei could finish, Lumnieve paced a finger on her lips, shushing her.

“Yuelei, you do not have to feel responsible for us or this. If you so desire our help, once this matter is settled, we can give it to you. But knowing you, you always feel responsible for your own actions. I am just giving the option to come with us and learn until you feel like you can stand on your own against the world.”

“...” The room was quiet as Yuelei considered her answer. She was always a person that took responsibility for her actions. Since she was a trigger that started this chain of events, she should at least witness a little of what she had wrought.

“I will go with you.”

End of Arc 1- Knighthood.