Two weeks have passed since that eventful night. The Divine Lord Foeni stays at Limes Temple to probe and investigate the issue.
How did the Shadows and their Master enter Mystic Spirit Realm?
Technically, infiltrating another realm is impossible. It will require plenty of time to instill hostiles undetected.
Then again, he remembers what the Grand Elder Enoch once said years ago.
'What is the use of hiding if they already knew where we are?'
Sudden chills run to his spine. How deep and complicated is this issue?
What are they really trying to achieve from annihilating an entire Oracle Clan?
Who is after them?
Again, what is the Oracle Clan hiding?
The answers he seeks remains elusive, despite all the information in front of him. He can only assume he is missing more pieces to discover the truth.
Meanwhile, the Holy Guardian Lords has finally gotten used to the tasks in Arcane Palace. It may look like an impossible feat, but working together definitely helps to get the job done.
Then again, they wonder, how did the Divine Lord Foeni do it alone? He is such a miracle worker.
On the other hand, even Gwyddien has gotten used to Arcane Palace protocols. It might sound difficult at first, but his background as the Divine Witch Circe's apprentice helped him to cope up with them.
He smiles at the thought of moving to Mystic Spirit and leave the Middle Realm permanently. After all, everyone shuns him there.
He sighs as he remembers the Divine Witch Circe. How can he betray his Mistress?
On the other hand, Eu is recuperating properly. After all, there is nothing to worry about aside from her exhaustion.
All she needs is a good rest and decent meals.
The Divine Lord and Lumina monitor her nutrition as both added herbs to aid in replenishing her depleted strength. Unfortunately, these two are terrible in the kitchen.
Despite that, Eu decided to indulge them and eat whatever they prepare.
How can she ignore their efforts?
Not to mention, the battle might look intense from afar, but she exerted little effort to defeat that man. He was quickly intimidated by her mere presence.
With her perfect counters, every blow became intense. It was thanks to his impulsive behavior that everything went well on her end.
During her recuperation, Lumina scolded her for her recklessness and failing to take care of herself properly. She was there witnessing this girl exert herself to the extreme.
How can she skip meals and not sleep just to accomplish everything? Even though she knew the task's importance, it is still unacceptable!
Eu can only smile as she looks at the cuddly beast reprimanding her. She can only concede to everything and promise she won't do it again next time.
The night is deep.
The evening brings a cold breeze as the change of seasons begins. Winter roses will start blooming as the temperate continues to drop.
Meanwhile, Eu sneaks out of her quarters to observe the clear starry sky. The moon is not very bright and on waning crescent, and its a pleasant time to stargaze.
"Brother Ravi, what are you doing here? It is quite late…" Eu quizzically asked.
She didn't expect to meet him that night in the Temple rooftop terrace. He seems to linger there for quite some time now.
"Yes, indeed, it is quite late, so why are you still awake?" he chuckles.
He thought this young girl is already fast asleep and in the middle of a dream. He even tucks her to bed and ensures she is resting well.
"The stars shine brighter at this hour. I can see the things I wanted to see. Then I find the courage to step forward for another day." Eu truthfully responded.
She conveys her thoughts with a tinge of sadness on her tone. Though, she masked it with a soft chuckle and a smile.
"What do you see exactly?" Ravikanth inquired.
"Why do you want to know? There is really no fun knowing, 'everything that is about to come…'." she chuckles.
She looks up and raises her hand as she reached the sky. Eu waves her hand and removes the clouds that block her view.
"What are your plans, Eu?" Ravikanth asked as he looks away.
"There tons of things that need your attention. Why are you focusing on me, Divine Lord?" Eu turns to him as she casts a sad smile.
"Is it wrong to focus on you? To think of you?" he responded as he continues, "Besides, you are overthinking..."
He looks directly at her beautiful amethyst eyes and her long dark lashes framing her eyes. He can't help marvel them.
"Am I?" she chuckles and continues, "Well then, focus my dear Lord."
She inwardly sighs as she hides behind a smile, and then thought.
'Please, focus…'
"I am leaving tomorrow, and that is all you wanted to tell me is 'Focus?'" Ravi chuckled.
He can't believe this young girl. He is telling his feelings, and she wanted him to focus on something else.
Ravikanth can't help having a tinge of sadness in his voice. He is starting to feel dejected.
She leaned in to plant a light, gentle kiss on his cheek and chuckles.
"Well, then. Goodnight and take care, Brother Ravi."
Before he could say anything else, Eu has teleport herself and disappeared. She left the thunderstruck Ravikanth alone in the cold, still sitting in the hedge.
He is awestruck on the little girl's sudden attack. It required him a long time before recovering from it.
"Silly girl. You just told me to focus and not think of you. How can I even do that now?" he is holding his cheek and quite flushed and embarrassed.
At his age, he can't believe someone can make him feel that kind of teenage love sensation. He can barely describe his feelings.
He shook his head as he sighs with a gentle smile on his face — a warm feeling spreading on his chests.
Meanwhile, Eu is hiding in a dark corner as she hides in embarrassment. She can't believe herself acting too forward.
Heart races while her face is completely flushed. She thought that she has to get away as fast as she could and decided to teleport.
As scheduled, the Divine Lord left and return to his duties while Eu continues carrying on with hers.
Several weeks continue to pass, and everything seems normal again. The shadows didn't make any noticeable movements since that night.
They can't possibly have surrendered so easily, so they can assume they are planning something more sinister.
Meanwhile, Eu has started a habit roaming around in disguise. Her eyes are in crystal blue with specks of purple dust hue. Her current appearance is somewhat tanned with light brown hair. She is currently using her Euer identity.
Eu travels to Bordertown with Triteia to meet Gwyddien. They rendezvous with the Holy Guardian Lords as well, but they seem busy.
That day, the Holy Guardians are quite busy handling their territory and making up for their absence. They spent quite a while in the Central, helping the Divine Lord with his tasks.
When they arrived, Eu felt the lingering animosity. She knits her brows as she scans for hostiles around the vicinity.
She can feel the presence of the shadows, but at the same time, can't locate them. They seem different in a way, as well.
This is entirely new to her. During their investigations, the shadows have never concealed their presence so efficiently.
How could they evolve so much?
She can only assume one possibility, but she needs to be sure.
"Ms. Teia, meet with Gwyd first. There is something I wanted to check..." Eu said.
She urges Triteia to meet up with the Witch. He tends to panic if they failed to come in time.
Despite Gwyddien's lack of self-esteem, he is a competent caster. She always teaches him new skills while they pass information with each other.
Eu is very please that Gwyddien can quickly pick up everything she taught him. He now has the ability of a high-level Witch even if he fails to realize he is one.
Triteia nods as she agrees. Though she is curious about what has caught her attention. She decided to trust that she will be alright.
Eu heads straight on the busy plaza and focuses looking at everyone's auras. She can feel their presence, but she can't find them.
It is quite unusual.
Then again, she assumes that she might have overlooked them. It is much easier to deceive anyone through physical appearance.
She closes her eyes as she tries once again.
She calms her mind and soul while she separates everyone's presence to distinguish their unique tone.
A child.
A Beast.
A Dragon.
And so forth...
She listens to the timbre of their aura. Each sounded somewhat different from another.
Not long, she finally heard it.
The Shadows...
Still, she can't help finding them quite strange.
They are shadows but different from the ones they fought.
Was it even possible they are the same and different at the same time?
In the middle of her contemplation, she bumps into an equally absentminded stranger. He has platinum silver hair, loosely tied on his back and unique golden amber eyes.
He is like a scholar or practicing medical arts based on physical appearance.
"Pardon me for not looking."
"Sorry…"
Eu narrowed her eyes as she sees him. He is quite familiar but can't remember where she could have seen him.
While the young man apologizes, he quickly picks up his things. She immediately follows as she kneels and to have a closer look at him.
She can't shake the feeling she knows that person.
Where could she have met him?
"I am truly very sorry. My brother is sick and ensures I got everything before heading back..." he carefully explains.
His tone is gentle, friendly, and familiar.
She totally forgot the reason she was there while she figures out this person.
She smiles as she shook her head.
"No. Pardon me. I wasn't looking as well..." Eu responded.
She can't explain why she was absentminded and preoccupied while she roams the streets.
"This is my first time here. This place is vivacious, isn't it? I wish to live at such a warm place..." the young man chuckles while he confessed.
She can't help finding him strange. As far as she knows, Bordertown is such a commonplace. It isn't difficult to find a place something similar.
Where is he from, and who is this man?
"Oh, by the way, I am Noite..." he introduces while he offers his hand.