“So, what do you think the artifacts are that Brandon is collecting?” Nozomi said, covering herself with her blanket.

“I have no idea, all I know is that the gemstone he's been after was one and there are multiple artifacts he's trying to collect,” Kaito said, sitting down on his bed.

“Whatever the reason, the gemstone is magical if it needs a weapon as a vessel. I read a book about certain magical items that can be built into weapons or tools to make them stronger, like a magic crystal being added to a staff.” She explained.

“If you're that curious, why not ask him tomorrow about it?" He asked, blowing out the lantern light above their room.

"Well, aren't you curious too?" She questioned.

"Not really, I'm here to get as strong as possible. I don't care for his reason for going around collecting relics from the past. As long as I can keep improving my strength, I'll follow him." He said, laying on his bed.

"Is that all you care about anymore?" She hesitantly asked.

"It's the only thing driving me to keep going anymore. Everyone that demon ate from our village is still alive, forever trapped inside. I will get stronger to kill it, I will save everyone." He said.

The room falls silent as Nozomi struggles to find words to respond. They sit in silence until they both finally fall asleep. As Brandon lay in his bed, a tapping noise came from his window. He opened the window and a crow flew in and sat on his bed. With haste, he quickly took the letter off the bird's leg and enlarged it with magic. Once done reading it, he checks the crow's other leg and pulls off another small piece of paper. He enlarges it and joy took over. The paper was old and worn, with a slightly yellow hue to it. It was crinkled and bent from the years of misuse. The paper was a blueprint for a great sword, that took a gemstone in the center of its hilt's guard.

"Thanks, mom." He thought to himself.

He quickly writes a letter and sends the crow on its way. Furthermore, he gently folds the paper and places it into his bag before climbing into bed. The night comes and goes, the group makes their way outside to the edge of the town. Willow was standing on the side of the dirt road, waiting for them.

"I wanted to say goodbye before setting out. Not sure when the next time I'll see you, or if I will get another chance to see you." She explained, walking up to Brandon.

"Nonsense, this won't be the last time. Knowing you, you'll find the scythe and fulfill your goal." He said.

She gives him a tight hug.

"Well, this is my last run, I'm tired of all the traveling and dangerous fights. If it's not up in the North, I'm coming back here to settle down. I want to build a life for myself." She explained.

"Be honest, do you even want to find it at this point?" He questioned.

"Honestly, we both know what's more than likely going to happen if I do. It's a one-way ride with no returns if I do, so honestly, I hope I don't find it. However, I made a vow, and I will stick to that for one last trip." She explained.

"Then for your sake, I hope you don't find it. If you get to build that life you want, go talk to my mom. You can have your pick of land for your home." He said.

"That's very kind of you, well I'll see you around, Brandon." She said, turning away and walking down the dirt road.

"Let's go, we can take this other road to the main road. We should be at Galward within a week or so." He said, leading Kaito and Nozomi down a branching dirt road.

Trees lean above the dirt road they walk down. The trees surround the entire road, providing them with a cool, shaded walk. Nozomi fidgets as they walk, trying to think about how she's going to ask Brandon about the artifacts. Brandon notices her fidgeting and stops walking.

"What's wrong Nozomi?" He asked, turning towards her.

She lets out a small EEP at his question.

"Sorry, my mind has just been running constantly since we first heard about the artifacts you're collecting. I wanted to ask, why are you collecting them, and what are they exactly?" She asked, rubbing her hands together.

"I assumed this question was coming. Honestly, I'm not sure you'll believe me, but here goes nothing. Nearly three hundred years ago, our world was forever changed. Magic went from an extremely rare thing in our lives, to a common, everyday thing." Brandon explained.

Brandon begins explaining everything about his past, what happened with Zion and how he changed the world. He also explained everything he could about the holy artifacts and his plan to kill God. Once he was done talking, Nozomi just stands there with a lack of words.

"So, God left these artifacts and trials, so someone could replace him? And you're planning on undertaking this feat?" Kaito questioned.

"Yes, I'm going to change this world again. I'm going to become God, and make a new world, a better and safer world." Brandon explained.

"You can't just kill God because something bad happened to you. I'm sorry that these things happened to you in the past, but that's why you mourn and move on. You don't just wake up and decide you're going to kill God!" Nozomi exclaimed.

"Look, you don't have to understand or accept what I plan on doing. What you do need to do is decide if you're going to keep traveling with me, knowing my end goal." He bluntly said.

Nozomi ponders what she should say in response.

"Well, I'm sticking with you. I don't care what your end goal is, I don't even know if I fully believe what you say. But, that doesn't change my view on you or what I want out of us traveling. You're a good guy, you fight evil, and you can make me stronger, that's all I care about." Kaito said.

Brandon looks towards Nozomi for her answer, she lets out a sigh in defeat.

"I honestly don't believe what you said, you're just chasing a rumor. But I'm with Kaito, if he stays, I stay." She said.

They continue their walk back down the dirt road, leading to the main stone road. As they walk, Brandon keeps explaining things from his past and how the artifacts work.

A week comes and goes in no time. The road led them up the side of a mountain, once on the other side, they could see the city of Galward. Galward was a massive city, spanning so far they couldn't even see the end of it from the mountainside. Walls reaching over sixty feet in height stood proudly, protecting the city from the outside. Hundreds of buildings fill the inside of the walls, each varying in height. At the center of the city was a castle that was raised to sit higher than the rest of the city. A giant light blue beam projects from the top of the castle. The beam was curving in the air, making a transparent dome over the entire city. Most trees had been removed in the area, leaving nothing but empty fields between it and the mountains that surrounded it. The group makes their way carefully down the mountainside and heads towards the city. Kaito and Nozomi were in awe of its size as they approached the gate. Soldiers stand proudly atop the walls with bows and crossbows at the ready. Multiple soldiers patrolled the outside of the wall as well, each ready to protect the city. The gate that stood before was wide enough to fit several horse-drawn wagons through and reached nearly halfway up the wall. The gate was made of steel and was completely solid, preventing a view into the city.

"This city is massive! Rodon could barely keep their walls standing!" Kaito said, admiring the massive walls that stood before.

"What's with the beam shooting from the castle?" Nozomi asked, looking toward Brandon.

"Magic barrier, probably the strongest one in existence. Galward is the richest and safest city in the Southern empire. It's also home to the DHA and its leader." Brandon said, hailing the gate guard for entrance.

A soldier runs up to them and greets them.

"Welcome to Galward, what business do you have here?" He questioned, holding a clipboard and pencil.

"Personal, here to see an old friend and in search of the legendary smith," Brandon explained.

"Alright, and is it just the three of you? Sorry for the questions, just need something for the log to keep track of travelers." The soldier explained.

"Yes, just the three of us," Brandon said.

The soldier quickly jots down everything and signals the soldiers above by waving his arm. The massive steel gate was slowly pulled upwards into the wall above. Small bits of dirt fall off the wall as it gets raised above.

"Enjoy your stay, don't get into trouble." The soldier said, returning to his post.

As they enter the city, the air becomes alive with the noises from the city. Children laughing and playing, animals running around, people talking about their day. Dozens of people walk through the streets, each headed to a different building. The city was even larger in person compared to viewing it from the mountain. Hundreds of buildings pressed against each other. As they make their way through the streets, Kaito and Nozomi eye every shop they can. Nearly every street had several bakeries and other food places. Clothing and jewelry stores at every other turn. Even weapons and armor stores were a common commodity here.

"I'm going to see if I can't find the smith, why don't you two go explore the city?" Brandon asked.

He holds out his hand and teleports a black cloth bag, filled with gold, and gives it to Nozomi.

"There is an abundance of stores and restaurants, enjoy yourselves. Just be at the castle when night falls if I don't catch up with you two." He explained.

"Thank you, come on Kaito, let's go shopping!" Nozomi exclaimed with excitement.

She quickly grabs the bag of gold and drags Kaito to the nearest store. Brandon lets out a chuckle and makes his way deeper into the city. After checking multiple streets and what felt like hundreds of buildings, he finds a gigantic sign hanging above a brick building. The sign was bright pink with glitter covering it. The sign read, "Legendary Blacksmith", Brandon was hesitant to enter. After debating if what he saw was even real, he grabbed the door and entered the building. Inside, he was blinded by the amount of bright pink and white colors. The walls were painted bright pink, the floor and ceiling bright white. The pink walls had gold glittered strips running along the top and bottom. The shelves and display cases were plastered with weapons varying in type. Every weapon had a bright gold polish over the bladed parts. He froze at the entrance, trying to get the willpower to leave. Suddenly, a woman walks up to him and greets him.

"Welcome, how can I assist you today?" She said in a squeaky and annoying voice.

The woman's hair was even dyed pink, and so was the dress that she wore. Her eyes were a soft blue color, her skin was almost as pale as snow. He couldn't see her shoes, but it sounded like she was wearing heels underneath her dress.

"H…Hi, I was looking for a smith to build me a weapon based on an old blueprint. I heard a rumor that a legendary smith resided in Galward, which has led me to you." He explained.

"Ah, I see, my reputation is starting to get to other cities. I won the competition five years ago, my weapons were the strongest and best built compared to every other smith. The king himself even held a ceremony in my honor." She cockily said, grinning ear to ear.

"If you don't mind, may I test one of your weapons? I need the best of the best, and I'm willing to pay a lot of gold for the best." He explained.

"Of course, come to the front counter, and you can test any weapon from the display case." She said, leading him to the counter.

As he approaches the display case, he is shocked by the prices.

"Are these weapons made of real gold?" He questioned, pulling a dagger from the display case.

"Any weapon residing in a display is made of real gold along with other materials to help it keep its shape. The weapons on the wall are only gold-plated." She explained.

Brandon examines the dagger closely, dragging his finger across the blade. He lets out a sigh in defeat as he grabs the dagger by the blade with his free hand. In an instant, he snaps the dagger blade off its hilt, the smith was shocked by his actions. He throws the dagger down onto the display case.

"Gold is a soft material you idiot, mixing with another material might help keep its form, but it's useless for weapons. I don't know how you earned the title of "legendary smith". But, it was obviously given to you by mistake." He said bluntly as he turned to leave the shop.

"Hey! You better pay for this!" She yelled, holding the broken dagger up.

He ignores her and makes his way back onto the city street. Letting out a sigh in defeat, he continues with his search.

Kaito swings a sword a few times, getting a feel for its weight. The blade was a broadsword, made of carbon steel. The blade was polished to the point where Kaito could see himself on the blade. The hilt was a dark red leather, with a small gold pommel at the end of it. The hilt guard was solid black. As Kaito admired the blade, Nozomi was shopping for new staff, to replace her broken one. The staff selection ranged in a variety of shapes and materials. Some were nearly as tall as she was, and the material ranged from wood to gold with diamonds. She picks out a staff painted dark purple and holds it. The staff was made of metal, which was cold in her hands at first. The end of the staff had a yellow gemstone embedded into it. She aims the staff towards the ceiling, closing her eyes. She could feel her magic intertwining with the staff and could feel her power being amplified. She opens her eyes and takes the staff with her to the counter, waiting for Kaito. Kaito was busy trying on the different types of armor. After going through the entire shop's inventory, he gives up on finding armor and meets up with Nozomi. They hand their items over to the store clerk to buy. The clerk was a young man with smudge marks of coal over his face.

"That'll be ten thousand gold." The young man said.

Nozomi takes out the bag of gold Brandon gave her and began counting out the money.

"If you don't mind me asking, why does it cost so much more to buy a staff compared to other weapons?" She asked, sliding the gold to the man.

"Anyone can make a sword, ma'am, but only certain people can infuse magic into items. If anyone just took a magic crystal and put it on a stick, it wouldn't do anything. The people who make them have to spend time infusing the base of the staff with magic, so it works with the magic of the gemstone. Then they have to make sure it can mix with a user's magic. It takes a long time to make one, so the prices for them are usually pretty steep, you pay for the time and quality rather than paying for the materials like a sword." The young man explained.

He doubles checks the gold and gives the sword and staff back to them.

"I hope you have a wonderful day, please come back anytime!" He said, giving them a warm smile.

They make their way back onto the streets and continue exploring the city.

"That was pretty much all the money he gave us. We should have just enough to stop for some lunch." Nozomi said.

"Good, I'm starving, I think Brandon will be happy with what we spent our money on. I've been dying to have my own sword, it's going to take forever to get used to it on my hip." Kaito responded, fidgeting with the sword in its sheath.

Nozomi chuckles as she watches him fidget. They make their way into a small restaurant and sit down for lunch, laughing and enjoying themselves as they carry on.