Towering majestically were the pillars of the temple before their eyes. Nature temple. How many centuries it had been standing.

As the worship of Her who was in high. The silver colors reflected on the tips, leaving behind memories from a time. The place was looking like deserted.

Usually, some monks would come to clean it. However, it was already passed noon when they arrived.

Lucius and Darius stepped out of the carriage that was bringing them to that place. The second child felt something. Like chill, strange. He seemed to know this place. Like very, very familiar with the silence that spoke in the name of loneliness and continued to mix with the air.

However, the eldest didn't seem to feel the same way. A look full of conviction still stuck on his face. Full of determination and hope.

Whatever in his hand as an offering. Lucius then ventured. Questioning a strange decision her brother had made.

"Are you sure you will meet him, Darius ...?"

As soon as he said, it broke the silence that had remained between them for quite a long time. Unfortunately, he found no doubt filling Darius' expression.

What was there was a clear answer even though the owner did not speak.

"Of course. It's too late to go home, Lucius." Darius answered, "besides, even if she doesn't see us this time, we can come back another time. We have two years to force her."

At that point, Lucius was sure that Darius' decision was unanimous. The eldest son stepped first, climbing the stairs one by one to the altar of offerings.

The second child followed behind. Swallowed up his anxiety about the sound, about the feelings.

"How long has this place been around huh ..."

So Lucius said. He wasn't really curious. It was just that, he needed someone to talk to. To keep his courage there.

"I don't know, maybe since the first time the kingdom was founded. That too, 200 years ago, maybe?"

The eldest son was not that interested either. What he cared about was only the throne. And if this place could bring his hopes to life, he would do anything.

"Yes ... it may have been a long time."

Lucius always kept small chats as they climbed the stairs. However, the feeling of restlessness did not go away from the chest. Every step he took only made it worse.

What was that feeling? As if something important was there ... but he couldn't remember. He couldn't remember someone ... important. Like a sense of nostalgia spewed out by the street stones.

However, when their feet came to the last rung. Everything changed. The rocks are no longer there. The stones were changed by roots arising from the ground.

"Lucius!"

Darius immediately released whatever he was holding. He then pulled his brother closer. The eldest son was sure he was not dreaming. For a moment, he thought they were dead, but something said to him he wasn't dead.

They were not dead. Just transferred. Somewhere they didn't know.

Lucius looked at his brother. His fear true. Things that he never imagined came true. They were already in a different place. At least, he was grateful that he wasn't alone.

"You're still Darius, right ...?"

The eldest son then nodded, "it's still me, don't worry."

The question that was spoken was absurd, unfortunately, Darius did not have time to protest. All around them were trees, but somehow, it felt like they were being watched from all over.

Not long after, the voices were heard again. However, this time the eldest heard it too. Voices of joy, filled with laughter but mixed with horror. Even the air that should be nice became heavier to breathe.

"He has come!"

"He's finally back!"

"That girl will be happy!"

"Of course! She's been waiting for him for a long time!"

"What is this...?"

Darius opened his voice. He heard everything. Laughter, every sentence. His glance was directed at Lucius. Throwing up a question of whether he heard the same thing.

"This is what I asked you earlier ... did you hear it?"

"I can hear it this time. What is this ...?"

Lucius could feel Darius' cold hands. Of course, this scenario was far from what he imagined. It never occurred to them that they would be here.

Haunted. The sentence was so clear, so close. Coming from all over. Like the surrounding wind. However, everything was silent when a new voice was heard.

"Can you all calm down?" she said, "they got scared."

The voice they heard was a girl's voice. This time, it was no longer heard from all directions, but from behind them. It only took a reflex for the two of them to turn around and find a girl standing there.

Looks like ordinary humans at their young age, just like them. However, something was whispering clearly that she wasn't human.

"You..."

The eldest son said. Recalling whether they had met before. Unfortunately, he found, nothing in his memory.

"Ah, they're right. You've come. I'm so happy!"

Immediately, she dashed towards Darius and Lucius. Hug Lucius tightly.

"I miss you, I want to see you! It's rare for someone to visit me."

The girl spoke once again. First to Lucius. Second to Darius. The boy didn't have a chance to refuse the embrace. Or keep the girl away from him. He was also too shocked to speak.

"Wait a minute! What did you say?" asked Darius.

Lucius then came back to his senses. Trying to distance himself from the hug, but he found himself unable to do that.

"You ... what place is this?!"

Lucius asked in a panic. Was he going to die here? In a hug?

The girl then let go. Looking at the two with a smile.

"What are you talking about? You used to always come here, didn't you?"

"I...?"

Lucius pointed to himself. He occasionally glanced at Darius. Ask for an explanation that would make sense. Something. Any.

Usually, the eldest brother was reliable. However, not this time. Confusion also reflected the look on the eldest's face. He also tried, to understand.

They were very different from the girl who looked happy.

"That's right! When I'm lonely, you always come to me. You tell me often about him!"

The girl pointed at her brother. Pointing at Darius. Adding deep confusion to the two.

Indeed, Lucius felt he had an inner connection to this place. However, there was nothing he remembered. Not even one.

The girl stepped forward. Her hand tried to touch the boy.

"I'm glad you're back, Peter!"

"Peter ...?" asked Darius.

His tone was filled with confusion. The name was foreign to his ear. He was pretty sure his brother's name was ...

"My name is Lucius ..." Lucius said, "and I'm pretty sure I haven't changed it ..."

"Lucius ...?"

Looks like the girl didn't know them. The name was foreign in tone.

"Yes ... Lucius ... this is my brother, Darius."

Lucius spoke slowly again. He's not sure introducing himself was the right choice. However, it was better, to be honest.

Disappointment immediately appeared on the girl's face. The person she was looking for was not the person standing in front of her. However, the disappointment vanished in the next second.

"Then ... Welcome to the heart of the world, the World Tree! You are the wonderful guests we have!" said the girl with a smile, "but ... you are guests who are not invited. Goodbye, I am Druantia."

"Wait a minute! I -" Darius tried to say.

Unfortunately, the goddess didn't give him a chance. With that said, all the leaves there blew like a gale. To the extent that, Darius and Lucius had to close their eyes.

A second later, they were lying in what looked like their original place ... The time was different, the night was closing in on the orange of the horizon.

It felt like they only spent a few minutes there, but a long time had passed. The two were lying there. Staring at the sky that was about to turn dark.

"She's Druantia ... who is Peter?" Lucius spoke.

He didn't look at Darius. In the end, it all seemed pointless.

"I don't know ... Another god?" Darius said again.

However, he hadn't given up yet. At least, now he was sure that the goddess was real. They had met her.

"She's not a man-eater ..." he said.

"Of course not..."

Many sighs were issued by them. Druantia looked like something troublesome.

"However, she called me Peter ... who is Peter?" again Lucius asked the same question.

His mind didn't have a single answer either. Darius didn't budge either. He was busy thinking about what he would do next.

Time had passed, they were still there. It was quiet. Lying without a definite hope.

Although giving up was not an option, reality tore apart cruelly. The elder's sky-colored pupils then widened when he realized something.

Wait a minute ... why hadn't the sun set yet? It didn't even move an inch.

"Lucius!"

Once he called while sitting up from his position. No longer lying down. At that time he found his younger brother asleep.

"Lucius!"

Again he mentioned the name. That hand shook his brother's body. A sleepy voice came to him later.

"What?"

"This isn't the time to fall asleep! Look, the sky hasn't changed!"

Lucius raised his head to look at the sky. Nor was he foolish enough not to notice that the sky had not changed. It was then ... he realized something similar to Darius.

"We ... haven't returned to where it was, have we?"

The second child said in confusion. Wonder if her brother had the same thoughts. The eldest nodded his head. He had the same thoughts.

"This ... may sound absurd ... but I want you to use your intuition, gut instinct, or whatever is talking inside your head. Maybe we can find her back."

"Huh ...? Didn't you say that those things didn't make sense?!" Lucius, "Lucius, it's just your feeling. Lucius is ridiculous. You always say that!"

"I know! But now it's different!" Darius said, "please, Lucius ..."

Normally, Darius would just use common sense. Everything that had a reason. But just this time ... just this time, he would choose to trust his brother.

If his logic was correct, then his little brother's intuition could save them. He made a bet. That Lucius had a connection with this place. That the goddess was right in saying 'Lucius' was here.

Lucius felt that his brother had gone crazy when he talked about feelings. The boy who was always talking about cause and effect, now talking about feelings. However, seriousness was all he could catch. Lucius nodded. Agree with what was said.

"All right ..." he said.

"I will wait."

Lucius looked around. Indeed, everything did not seem strange. Like he had experienced before. Small fragments of memory seemed as if he could see before his eyes. He ... knew where to find Druantia.

"Didn't she say she was lonely?" Lucius laughed softly. As he always knew her, "she's always lonely ... I always see her ..."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Darius said honestly.

He wasn't quite sure what he meant, but Darius would stick to his choice. The choice to believe.

"I know, come on!"

The eldest was confused. However, he immediately stood up to catch up with Lucius as the boy ran. Through the trees. Turn right and left. If Darius was asked to return to his place of origin, he would not be able to. His physique, which was not as great as Lucius, felt tired.

However, he swallowed it all. For an end, he was looking for. Until they came to a big tree. Hugh. To the extent that he could not see the end.

"Tia, let's play!"

As soon as they arrived, Lucius exclaimed. Darius didn't understand. However, he was busy catching his breath. Forcing air to fill his chest cavity many times.

And the girl appeared. Under the tree, laughing softly like a child.

"I can hear you! So, what brought you here?"

"We just want to play."

***

Playing was something Darius didn't like. Waste of time and effort.

However, he had no choice. His decision to believe Lucius' words would not be withdrawn. Lucius suggested to him, to play with the goddess.

If Darius could be honest, he did not fully believe that Druantia was a goddess.

The girl, physically and psychologically, looked more like a typical brat. While Lucius seemed to be having a good time finding the girl among the trees, the eldest looked exhausted.

None knew how long they've been doing this. A sign of fatigue was also not found by Darius in both of them. Either they were hyperactive or he was just weak.

However, whatever it is, the eldest didn't care. He was just tired and wanted to go home as soon as possible. To the palace. Or wherever, get out of here.

"Ah! I'm tired ..."

In the end, the goddess said.

"Eh? Are you tired?" Lucius responded.

Hearing Druantia, Darius became even more relieved. They would stop. He was impressed by how Lucius didn't seem tired at all.

"I've also ..." said Darius.

"You didn't come here just to play, did you?"

Lucius looked at Darius. Then, both of them nodded. They understood each other. How not, the bonds have been formed since he was in the uterus.

None knew who the mother was, but the bond between the siblings was something real.

"Sit down and just say, I'll listen."

So Druantia invited. She chose the place first. Then, the humans sat with her. Not too close, but not far either.

"So here ... we heard you are the one who will choose the king ..." Lucius began.

"For who?" Druantia asked.

"For Rosewell."

Darius continued. Druantia seemed tp be thoughtful for a moment. Only silence existed between them. The wind whisper was heard clearly.

"Oh right," finally the goddess said, "but I don't care about something like that."

"Don't care ...?" Darius repeated in surprise.

The wrinkles on his forehead were visible. He did not expect that such an answer would come out of the girl's mouth.

"Why?" Lucius continued.

Unlike Darius, he didn't seem that surprised. He just wanted to continue the conversation.

"Eh ... the king is your business, humans. Whoever the king, has nothing to do with me. Either he is good or bad."

Darius sighed softly. A clear sigh. He was tired. How could he not, they had come here with hope. The result was only a child. The eldest was almost taking his younger brother home when Lucius continued their conversation.

"So ... you don't care about the king's business?"

"Not! He wants to kill fellow humans or care for fellow humans, it has nothing to do with me. He wants to burn humans or use those cutters, both are fine."

Suddenly a thought crossed Darius's brain. Something the little girl might agree with.

"But you care about the forest, don't you? If the king kills someone by burning, it takes wood. That's a lot."

"Huh?! Really?!"

The goddess who took the human form looked surprised. Surprised. Her gaze turned to Lucius. It was as if she was asking for a confirmation.

"Ah ... that's right ... but if it's too good sometimes they'll destroy the forest to make new land, right?"

Lucius said. Even though he was interested and hasn't forgotten the name 'Peter', the most important thing, for now, was to help Darius getting what they came here for.

The certainty of becoming king.

"That's right. More people, more land is needed."

The eldest son continued. It made the goddess appear thinking. The creature that took the form of a child then seemed to think, before she spoke again ...

"Eh ... then ... I have to think about how to kill humans without making Alphonse angry ..."

"Rather than having to think of something like that, it's easier to leave it to me, right?"

Darius said quickly. Yes, his ambition had taken up all the pieces in his mind. He would risk everything.

"I don't mind, as long as it keeps me entertained."

That sentence. The sentence Darius was waiting for. He almost jumped in excitement. However, maintaining calm is his specialty. Druantia then continued.

"In that case..."

The air around them grew colder. The wind blew louder. Leaves flying. The goddess who ruled over the forest floated in the air.

"My name is Druantia. Lady of nature and all the elements in it."

Druantia spoke again. What the two children heard was no longer the same. Was no longer the voice of kids.

It was a voice filled with power. It was as if all the spirits, trees, and creatures in the forest were talking to him. The voice was heard from all around. However, all speak in one uniform.

Druantia had proved she was the sole ruler of the forest. Yes, everything was evident at this moment.

Anyone who heard it would feel scared. Lucius himself was no exception. Although his memory of Druantia came in some pieces, he didn't know this part. He didn't remember this incident ever happening.

It felt like he wanted to run. Unfortunately, the running option has been lost.

Contrary to that, her brother didn't seem frightened. Yes, as expected of the first child.

Even though the wind was blowing like a storm in front of them. He was not afraid. He stared at the goddess hovering in midair.

"Son of man, you seem to have a reason to live. I will grant your wish. However, every request has a price. If you are ready to pay ..."

Lucius wanted to stop it. Whatever this was, things were too crazy now. Whatever was called price, it didn't end well.

All his consciousness and sanity screamed that. Unfortunately, Darius didn't have the same sanity.

The eldest could feel all the turmoil of nature around him. He knew now, this goddess in front of him could have killed him if the price was not paid. However, he didn't want to think about the consequences.

His heart was filled with ambition alone. Whatever he would give to make it happen.

The eldest son nodded confidently.

"I-"

***

The sun almost hid when the man woke up. What greeted his gaze was a room with various books. The orange light rested there. Everything looked neat.

It smells like a medicinal house. His warmth was like a memory he had forgotten. However, he knew he could not stay long.

The man tried to move when he realizes he was tied up.

With ropes and spells. The man was none other than a captured killer.

"Oh, finally awakened," said a female voice.

That woman was none other than the owner of the room. At least, one who lived there. Eveline.

"Let's get to the point, who sent you?"

He - who was caught - didn't seem scared at all. Doubt was not on his face. Regret didn't cover it. Only him and his failure to kill a child.

He was silent and didn't make a sound when she started again.

"I don't like it this way, but ..."

Eva raised her finger. It symbolizes the number 1 there.

The man was wrong. They weren't the only two in the room. A knight was behind him. He bent the killer's finger in an unnecessary direction.

Shouts were heard clearly within the room. So painful. However, Eva did not seem sorry. It was as if she had been doing this kind of thing for a long time. The killer didn't seem to want to talk either, even though the pain was real.

One more and one more. Until everything was finished, but he didn't even speak. All that could be heard from the room were screams. Next up are the nails of the man. However, neither did he speak.

Eva herself had a worried face. The woman was unsure of getting an answer. Suddenly...

"Release the spell: all hail Nyx."

So said the killer. Instantly, Eva's eyes widened. The magus shouted at the knight.

"Get out of there!"

And an explosion occurred.