I

He wakes up in an unfamiliar place. He sat up quickly, gasping for air, his body trembled with shock. His armour was dry. Nonetheless, he remembered the last thing he saw was a faint light as something dragged him into the deep water.

Searching for his whereabouts, he stood up and looked around him. A small clearing surrounded by forest, similar to the small forest he had just visited. But there was no pond, nor was the old sorcerer he had just met. His breathing and heartbeat became more relaxed.

He could hear birds chirping and flying behind the trees. Behind him, there was a small old building with pillars with a golden dome on top of a large rock. The building was covered with vegetation and moss, which keeps the cracks from collapsing. The building has a circular staircase leading to the entrance. Up there, he could hear a low humming sound.

Nazeir grabbed his belt. To his surprise, he did not find his weapons and equipment. Only his Armor remained intact. He walked up the stairs going up to the building and looked for the origin of the hum. With every step he took, flowers sprouted from the ground he stepped on and bloomed in seconds before wilting. The closer he got to the entrance, the clearer the hum he heard.

When he reached the entrance, a woman sat on the floor humming while petting a bear. Nazeir stood behind her, looking at her to find out who she was.

She wore nothing but diamond earrings. Her hair was long and brown, just above her shoulders. As she was petting him, the bear saw the inquisitor and growled at him. The woman glanced over her shoulder, unaware of the man's presence.

She petted his bear one last time before she stood up and told him to leave. The bear was still watching Nazeir, looking at the man because he didn't trust him. Before long, the bear stopped growling and walked away from the two. He walked past Nazeir and went down the stairs, leaving the two of them.

She turned and looked at the inquisitor. Nazeir also looked into her eyes, watching her every move. The inquisitor's neck hair stood up when she was near him.

"Who are you?" the man asked.

"The question should be, who are you? Entering this world without my permission."

"I have two different names. But now people call me Nazeir."

"Then, Nazeir. How did you come here?" she put her hands on her waist.

"You first. Who are you? I need to know who I'm talking to."

"Who do you think I am, Nazeir?" it amused her. "I thought you might know me."

Nazeir examined the woman in detail.

"Young lady. Brown hair, diamond earrings," he paused. "And 'naked' from top to bottom. I think you are someone who has magic on your side."

"Magic?" she said. "And how do you know?"

"My hair goes up when I'm near you. You have something that reeks of magic."

"You can sense magic? Are you a sorcerer?"

Nazeir stroked his hand's hair.

"No, I'd rather not have anything to do with the sorcerers. And I hate them."

"If you're not a sorcerer. What are you?"

"I am an inquisitor, Lady of the Forest."

She smiled and walked closer to the inquisitor, facing him head-on.

"You're right in guessing who I am. It's rare to meet someone like you in my world."

"I didn't guess. I just know it's true."

"Then," the woman looked away for a moment, positioning her back on Nazeir. Suddenly, she pushed Nazeir off the edge, sending him falling.

The inquisitor saw the woman watching him fall. The man slammed onto a large, slightly pointed rock. Nazeir lost his breath for a while. He rolled off the rock beneath him, coughing and crawling away. The woman suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of him and watched the inquisitor trying to escape.

"Still standing? You have strong bones, Nazeir."

"Only I can kill myself," smirked the inquisitor.

"Let's see about that," the woman replied.

The woman's skin changed. Slowly, the inquisitor stood up and watched the woman transform herself into Nazeir's naked body. The inquisitor's eyes sharpened and eyebrows lowered in annoyance. Not happy with what he saw, the inquisitor flexed his muscles and prepared his fighting stance. His muscles bulging against the armour, Nazeir's doppelgänger raised an eyebrow.

"Let's see what you got!" shouted the lady of the forest in Nazeir's body shape.

The woman swung a big punch at the inquisitor. Nazeir dodged and gave her a hard smack in the stomach. She screamed in pain and fell. Nazeir climbed on top of his doppelgänger and he strangled his neck. She struggled to let go. Nazeir saw he was choking and also saw the fear on his face. Someone who was afraid of their life.

Slowly, her skin changed back to its original form. Nazeir didn't strangle himself. Now he strangled her. The inquisitor saw that the woman was terrified as she tapped Nazeir's hand, pleading to release his stranglehold. He let go of his hand and the woman started gasping for air. She held her neck and inhaled as much air as possible.

"You really let me go," she laughed, coughing. "Why?"

"I kill people, but not like you. You're not a human," he answered breathlessly.

She took a deep breath. "Too bad," she raised her hand. From the ground burst out tree roots and subdued the inquisitor. The roots that wrapped tightly around him lifted the man.

The woman looked at the inquisitor, still clutching the neck that Nazeir had strangled. Slowly but surely, the roots squeeze Nazeir’s body. The Inquisitor couldn’t move as he was being crushed to death. But the woman eventually stopped the roots. She ordered it to present the inquisitor to her face.

"Let’s see what you really are,” she used her index finger and touched Nazeir’s forehead.

The inquisitor saw the sorceress close her eyes and looked very struggling as she was clutching into something. The lady of the forest screamed before pulling her finger away from his forehead. She fell to the ground, looking at her hands which were trembling. She stared at the inquisitor who was clueless about what was happening to her.

The roots released the inquisitor and retreated into the underground. The inquisitor helped the woman to stand. She was afraid of him. Nazeir could see it. She looked at the inquisitor in horror.

"Who- what are you, really?"

II

Nazeir and the Lady of the Forest walked into a massive palace made of sturdy stone. The palace was magnificent, filled with large mosaic glass windows and full of stone statue maids. When Nazeir saw the window, the glass gave off a beautiful gleam. The beauty of this old but beautiful palace amazed the inquisitor. The two of them sat at the long-empty dining table, which separated both of them pretty far. But they can still see and talk to each other.

The stone server served a plate to the inquisitor. Nazeir looked at the food, then looked at the woman from across the table. She just smiled as she ate. Nazeir ate and kept staring at the woman.

"Want to say something? Want to see something? Want to know?" she dropped her spoon and fork.

"Why are you naked?"

"First time?"

"I just never heard of a goddess being like this."

"I'm not a god," she said. "You humans made or depicted me as a god. I am only the guardian of this forest and earth." She chewed and swallowed her food. "I'm just one of several other guards. However, back to the clothes. I have no clothes here, don't need one. A guardian originally didn't have any form. I can be you... I can be others. We are just forces that coexist with nature. That's why I took human form to communicate with living things on earth more easily."

"And," Nazeir played with his spoon. "How do you change shape?"

"I just see or remember who I want to be, then just change."

"And who are you now?"

She looked at her body and tried to remember it.

"Not really sure, but the last time humans came to me was about a thousand years ago. Four people, two women, two men. One man with such intelligence. Has great positivism. And there was one more person... I forgot about that man. They came looking for something."

"What's that?" Nazeir rose from his chair and took his glass of wine, and sat down beside her.

"Yes, this is what I really wanted to tell you," she moved her chair closer to the inquisitor and got close to Nazeir's body as if to reveal a secret. The inquisitor adjusted his hand away to avoid hitting her breast with his shoulder.

"They want something called... the green crystal."

"Green crystal?"

"Eh... actually, it's not a crystal. More like an ore, but harder to get."

"What's so dangerous about this 'crystal'?"

"A lot of dangerous things have come from it. I can't tell you all."

"The worst?"

The woman drank her wine.

"When was the last time you saw a colossal explosion?"

"I don't know. It's been a long time since I saw a colossal explosion."

"Now imagine that we could see and hear the explosion from such a distance. From a city to another city."

"That big?"

"Yes, it's that big. But that's only to my knowledge. I don't know what humans know. Maybe you can find out more about this."

The woman sipped her wine glass while Nazeir gulped down the whole glass. The man lowered his glass and wiped his mouth.

"And there's one more thing I want to ask."

"Is there?"

"Were you the one who sent a group of rock and tree soldiers to attack the Uthgaardian army camp?"

"So that's why you came to the pond," she wiped her mouth as she stopped eating. "Yes, that's correct."

"I want you to stop it."

"Not until I have something they stole from me. Namely, the green crystals."

"How did they get it if the crystal was here?"

"They could also find it in your world. They mined it from the underground, of course. And I tried to stop it, thousands of trees were cut down and burned. I feel their pain, the cries for help. That's why I have a duty as guardian of the forest."

"And the army of Uthgaard did it?" Nazeir crossed his arms, looking a little doubtful.

"Someone in the group had it. They originally mined it far from the north. He took it and brought it south."

"Northern continent?"

"I can see them now. The sorcerers. They were the ones who mined them. Many slaves they used, many died for the crystals."

"Slaves? Then why don't you just stop them right where they are?"

"I've tried it, and it doesn't work. They are powerful sorcerers indeed when united against my magic. And in case you forgot, the guardians of the earth are made by magic."

"Huh, this might be interesting."

"I hope by attacking them, letting them know they have to stop what they're doing. It's a kind of warning sign. But they didn’t listen."

"Alright, you'd better choose another way to do this. Enter the human realm and stop it with your… magic prowess."

"Yes, I can't just enter the human realm just like that. I can't even leave this place. I'm bound here."

"Then you're at the end of the road. How about you come up with a plan to attack them? Hopefully, that helps you."

She frowned, then lowered her gaze. Nazeir took the last drop of his wine and poured more wine into his. Suddenly, the woman raised her head and looked at the inquisitor.

"Wait, but you can."

Nazeir looked at her and shook his head.

"No, you can't do this. The northern continent is not the place for me."

"I can use your help. I will reward you with great things."

"Reward me? How? You have nothing that can be used for me in the human realm," he said as he looked around him.

The woman pondered for a while and leaned back and put her hand on her cheek. Thought for a while until she snapped her fingers. Huge piles of gold appeared.

"Gold," she said with a smile and sat in a confident posture, knowing that the inquisitor wouldn't turn down the offer.

"I don't know. Northerners have never been friendly to me," he looked uncertain. "There's a risk if they find out I'm coming."

She stared at the man, waiting for an answer from him. Nazeir stared at his wine glass, deep in thought. A few minutes of deafening silence passed. Nazeir looked the woman in the eye. Both had long gazes. Nazeir looked away in the end.

"Not today," he answered. He left his seat and walked back to the farthest chair. Standing there and holding the chair.

"What? What do you mean 'no'?"

"I can't take on a task like this anymore. It's too dangerous. Even for me," he sighed. "I want to leave this place now."

She stood up and walked as fast as she could to the Inquisitor.

"You can't do this," her eyebrows dropped, worried by the outcome of the conversation.

"Yes, I can," he answered indignantly. "Now get me out."

The woman slapped him and the sound echoes from the walls.

"Goodbye, Inquisitor. I will keep attacking your allies until I have that crystal," she spoke angrily.

"Hold on-"

She cast a spell, and the floor beneath Nazeir turned into a puddle. Suddenly, he fell and dragged into the water. He looked into the deep darkness of the water. Not fighting it, instead, he followed the water that was dragging him down. Before long, he could see a bright light. Surface.

Nazeir launched out of the water, high into the air. He landed on the ground; the water gushing down, raining down on him. Drops of water splashed on his body. The inquisitor returned to the human realm.

III

Nazeir left the forest on his horse. The sky was dark, filled with smoke from burning trees and forests. He saw that all the Uthgaardian troops were exhausted, almost all of their soldiers were dead or wounded. He rode on a battlefield filled with crushed bodies and pools of blood. Trees turn to ashes while the smoke leaves the trees as soldiers put out the fire. The crows were already flying in the sky, waiting for the soldiers to leave the corpses in the open field. At the camp, he saw Robert organising some soldiers. He sent them out to scout on horseback when he saw Nazeir get off his horse. He looked at the marshal with his eyes, furious.

"Master! That battle-"

Nazeir slammed the man into the defensive wooden wall behind him. Robert stepped back. His soldiers constricted and looked at the inquisitor wearily.

"You have something I want."

"Master, I-I don't know what you're saying."

"A crystal. Mined from the northern continent. Where is it!?" Nazeir pushed Robert against the wall even harder.

The soldiers ran towards them and surrounded Nazeir from all sides. Robert raised his hand, giving orders not to interfere.

"We don't have such crystals."

"Nonsense. You're playing with magic."

Robert breathed harder.

"Tell me!" Nazeir shouted.

"We know nothing, master."

"Someone brought a crystal from the northern continent. And they are with you."

"We- we caught a disorganised group of soldiers in the middle of the night! They're Brindorian. Eight hundred soldiers, including a sorcerer."

"A sorcerer?" Nazeir said.

He let go of the marshal, who was panting, and fell to the ground almost unconscious. He lifted his head, looking at the inquisitor.

"He won't talk. But not the commander. We beat him to a pulp. He talks and gives us the details."

"Where is he?"

"A few hours on horseback. We have a local P.O.W. camp at our disposal. I can send someone to take you there."

IV

Nazeir rode with four guards and a knight he met at the checkpoint. As they rode, the dark sky faded. The lights are coming in.

"You're not a traveller, am I right?" said the knight.

He wears a full plate of armour, from his helmet to his sabaton. His horse wore his family's flag, and the man had a sword mounted in his saddlebag.

"I am indeed a traveller."

"You can't lie to me anymore. You're a mercenary. I had a feeling when I saw you back in the tent. After all, you can use a sword," he said in an interested tone. "Now tell me, why are we going to a P.O.W. camp? Are you looking for someone?"

Nazeir did not answer.

"Or something?" said the knight.

When the knight was trying to get an answer from the inquisitor, a guard cut him off.

"We are here."

In front of them lay an old castle, half intact and partially destroyed. They saw soldiers guarding the place carefully. As the group approached the castle, one soldier in front of the gate approached.

"Good afternoon, Lord Adrian. Welcome to Luden."

"Luden?" Nazeir asked. "I've never seen a castle called Luden on my map," he said as he opened one of his pockets and opened the map. He looked at the West Batunn map, looking for such a castle in its location.

"This is a new map that you have. In the past, Luden was a magnificent castle. Made for theatrical plays and outstanding events by the Emperors of the Southern World. Great artists came here to perform plays, songs, and art," explained the guard. "Well, that was before the Empire fell." The man looked at the knight. "What is the purpose of your visit to Luden, Lord Adrian?"

"I'm just accompanying the actual guest here," Adrian looked at Nazeir. He took off his helmet and a young man in his twenties brushed his short blonde hair. "He's uh... a traveller. He wants to find..."

"I want to speak to the warden," Nazeir cuts him off.

"And what's your name?" asked the guard.

Nazeir looked at the people beside him. Observed their faces before replying to the guard's question.

"Nazeir."

"Okay, I want you to wait here first."

"Can't we just go in?" asks Adrian.

"No, sir. I need to talk to the warden first. He's the one who operates this prison."

"Yes, yes. But I am a nobleman. A landlord. He should serve me now."

"I cannot..."

"Yes, you can, now we're going in," Adrian rode his horse to the gate.

The guard could do nothing to stop the noble and could only watch the man enter.

"Come on, 'traveller'. I'll show you what it's like to be a noble," he spoke to the inquisitor.

Nazeir and Adrian enter the P.O.W. camp. They can see the ruins of the castle as the residents of the castle are the guards and the warden. They turned the large courtyard of the castle into a large prison where the P.O.Ws were being held in a narrow moat that was guarded with barbed wire and fences. P.O.Ws sleep in moist, waterlogged, muddy ground. Nazeir looked at the people in the prison camp. They had robes to cover their shivering bodies. They served food in several large pots. Sometimes, the guard would eat a bread and threw it into the ditch. When they saw the guards gave the bread, the inmates raised their hands and prepared to catch the thrown bread. People who get nothing, eat nothing, would die and left lying in the mud. When they saw one of them dead, their comrades would carry the bodies to the gate and put them at the edge of the ditch. The rest was the job of prison guards, carrying them out in carts full of bodies.

"Poor conditions here," Nazeir said to himself.

"Huh?" Adrian heard Nazeir. "It's always bad here. Look at these ruins. Damn hole, perfect for P.O.Ws to rethink their lives..." he paused. "And also the guards," Adrian said quickly. "But that doesn't mean I'm happy with the way things are. Now, let's go see the warden."

The two of them got off their horses and entered the old door leading to one of the castle's towers that were still standing. As they entered, Adrian shouted at one of the guard soldiers.

"Hey, you," he pointed at the soldier.

The man ran to attend to the noble.

"My Lord?" he gave a bow.

"Where's the warden?"

"He's here. Please follow me."

Their feet screamed as they walked through the high-walled hall. The faded wall paint, dirty dark stones. This is what made Luden different.

"Have you met the warden, mercenary?" asked Adrian.

"Not yet. Why ask?"

"Well, he's a brat. Sometimes when I hear from him, it makes me sick," Adrian spoke disdainfully. "He killed his own men for no reason. And some even said that the reason for killing them was because of some minor mistake made by them. And I have never even told you about the terrible and stupid things he has done," Adrian clenched his fists. "A man like him deserves to be in a dungeon."

Nazeir had no comment. They could only hear their footsteps in the silent hall.

"Are you planning to talk to him?"

Adrian stumbled.

"Me? Talk to him?"

"Yes, you're a noble, aren't you? How about giving him a lecture on sanitation in Luden?"

Adrian raised his eyebrows.

"If that's a good idea. I'll talk to him."

The three of them finally arrived at a door guarded by two guards. They took a step forward and knocked on the door.

"Enter!" shouted a man from behind the door.

Adrian glanced at the inquisitor behind him. He took a deep breath, and the door creaked. There sat a man in armour, writing a letter.

He was a large, middle-aged man, short black hair pulled back, a claw-like scar on his cheek. The man looked at the noble as he entered his room. He stopped writing and leaned back in his wooden chair.

"Lord Adrian, please have a seat," the man pointed to a chair. He held his own hand, looking at the noble who looked uncomfortable. As Adrian sat down, the warden looked at an inquisitor he had never seen before. "I think it's the first time I've seen you as an adult, Lord Adrian," he said as he turned his gaze back to the noble.

Nazeir looked at Adrian beside him, who cleared his throat a few times. He played with his hands and changed his seat position.

"What can I do for you today?" he smiled at the noble.

"It's uh..." he cleared his throat again. "This person here wants to talk to you."

The warden looked at Nazeir.

"Really? Who are you?"

"A traveller sent here by Marshal Robert to take care of some business."

"Business? Like... business? I like that. My father was a butcher. Taught me how to handle customers while he was behind cutting meat. I learned a lot from him. Some could even be called frauds. That's why I'm here. Was dragged to jail for that. My father died while I was in prison. When war broke out, convicts entered the army," he took a glass of wine. "I was a good soldier, and still am." His eyes wandered. "Say, traveller. Do you remember your first battle?"

"Can't say I remember."

"Then let me say this. When-

"Stop it," Adrian interrupted. "We're here for a reason. Tell him what you want."

Nazeir looked at the warden's face. He pressed his forehead together.

"It's about the prisoners you brought here. One of them caught my eye," Nazeir moved closer to the table separating them.

"All the soldiers here are the same. Brindorian's P.O.W., nothing special."

"Oh, there is, and you know that very well."

"Oh, really?" he chuckled. "Then who is this you want to see?"

"He said he was a sorcerer."

It surprised Adrian to hear that.

"A sorcerer?" Adrian said.

The warden got up and looked at the inquisitor. He left the room saying nothing. Nazeir followed the man, and Adrian followed behind them. The three of them descended the stairs and walked down a small passage. At the end of the hall, there was a door.

The warden unlocked the door. He pushed the door and went inside. The room was damp and dark, with one candle to light the room. Nazeir could see nothing until the warden used another lamp.

In the room sat a man. His breath was heavy, chained to the wall. He could see his skin wrinkled. The man was old, almost bald, and with white hair. Nazeir narrowed his eyes, his pupils turning into owl-like ones. Then the old man raised his head when he saw the light was on.

"Nazeir? We need an inquisition."