"It took you long enough to come back, Eques Noctis.", Eques Lux stated as he observed the disheveled Young Knight. It had been sheer luck for Eques Lux to have noticed the glaive, for the cloudy shrouds of the night sky had made sure to hide the identity of its Knight clearly.
"The Princess? Where is the Princess?", asked the Young Knight. He knew the rules they had made in the beginning of their journey. If he did not return the following night she would move to the next location. He would follow. Those were the 'Trials' she had to face, but the 'Valley of Death' was not part of her 'Trials'. This information was known only to Eques Noctis for he had been informed of her future previously by the 'Guardian Witch' of the Kingdom. He knew the delay in his return was not part of the future he had been told but a part of the prophecy playing out to lead them towards their destiny.
"The Princess has already entered the 'Valley of Death'. It is only time until she returns after fulfilling and conquering her 'Trial'.", said Eques Relicus.
The Young Knight was left dumbfounded as he had no inkling that the Knight his Princess was searching for was standing in front of him. He felt distrust towards the unknown Knight but held his weapon for he had noticed how Eques Lux had relaxed his gait and dropped his guard around this particular Knight. His questioning and penetrating gaze had let slip of his mind as Eques Lux immediately confirmed the identity of the Knight as the Eques Relicus.
"If you are the Knight our Princess has been searching for in the Valley of Death', why are you here? Why are you waiting here with Eques Lux? As discussed Eques Lux has stood by his promise to wait for my return, but Eques Relicus, you could have helped the Princess through the Valley or at least prevented any harm which may befall her there. That is the oath we take as guardians and Knights.", said Eques Noctis agitatedly.
"The Princess is required to complete her Trial by herself with minimum assistance.", stated Eques Relicus.
Eques Noctis had understood by now that relying on or trying to make Eques Relicus understand the situation would only delay their journey more. He shook his head and sent a glare towards Eques Relicus as he began following the discussed path towards the Valley. Eques Lux though sceptical of the situation decided that the best course of action would be following the Eques Noctis for he knew that Eques Noctis had more knowledge about the Trials than most of the Knights.
As they progressed through the night, the suspicions of the knights increased with each step for they had not encountered a single beast. Something felt different to the Young Knight. There was a fear he felt as he took each step. A fear which made him aware of every small sound. The insects buzzing, the wind bellowing and the silence around them. He abruptly stopped and looked around. The pounding of his heart could be heard as he wet his lips. Eques Lux and Eques Relicus shared his feelings. They too had fear eating at them but it was different for each. Just as Eques Noctis felt fear for the Princess, Eques Relicus felt the fear of not knowing the identity of Eques Noctis while Eques Lux felt a fear yet unknown to him. The fear which made him realise that they did not take even a single night to enter the 'Valley of Death'. The fear which made him realise that the Princess was missing for the past four Solis.