After noon, the three of them finally arrived in the outskirt of Nova Mesto. In front of a forest surrounded by thick fog. From a distance looks the city of Nova Mesto.
"We have arrived. Only this far can we can get close to Nova Mesto."
Isabel, who was riding the horse with Malcolm, looked around them and then descended towards the thick wall of fog.
"This fog blocks anyone who wants to enter. I think it was the witch that caused it. Now… where is she?"
Suddenly they heard a sound behind them.
Morrigan appeared from behind a portal.
Joshua quickly got off his horse.
"Morrigan, where is Iris? I have come as you wish."
Morrigan snapped her fingers. A portal opens. Iris can be seen with both hands held by a Phantom. Her condition looked weak.
"Joshua…. Isabel, you are here too…"
"Are you all right, Iris?"
Iris nodded.
"Release Iris!"
"Fine, but I need assurance."
Morrigan snapped her fingers again. The phantom disappeared and formed a circle of shadows and became a tribal tattoo on Iris' neck.
Joshua and Isabel immediately approached Iris who suddenly fell.
"What are you doing?!"
Joshua hugged Iris with a worried look. But apparently Iris had just fainted.
"It's an assurance. I put a curse on her. If something happens to me. She will die."
"You bastard!"
But Morrigan only gave a cold stare.
"Alright. Now you come with me, Joshua. Guide me to enter Nova Mesto."
Isabel looked confused.
"Weren't you the one who made this fog?"
Morrigan sighed.
"Very common. Just because I'm the witch, I'm responsible for everything that happened?!!"
"You mean you weren't the one who covered Nova Mesto in this fog?"
"Of course not. He's the one who made it. This magic has the aura of Seraphine Aile.", Morrigan said while pointing at Joshua.
Isabel looked back at Joshua with a face of disbelief.
"It's true that I did it…. I was the one who sealed Nova Mesto before I lost my consciousness…. After that I lost my memories and was stranded in Westray village."
Joshua handed Iris who was in his arms over to Isabel. Then he walked to the wall of fog.
Joshua stuck out one of his hands, touching the thick wall of fog. The Seraphine Aile on Joshua's back seemed to be emitting a dark aura. A fleeting shadow came out and touched the surface of the mist.
"I already opened it. Although it's still foggy but if you know the right route…. you will arrive in Nova Mesto. Unlike before, if you enter you will come back here."
Joshua looked at Iris who was still unconscious.
"Now free her from your curse. Then I will lead you through this fog."
Morrigan shook her head with a sly smile.
"You think I'm going to do that?! That woman is a guarantee that you will obey me and won't attack me too."
Joshua tightly clenched his fists in annoyance.
"Now hurry. Bring me into Nova Mesto!"
"I will come with you too, Joshua…."
Suddenly, Iris' voice was heard. She had awakened from her stupor.
"My Lady, you are awake."
Iris smiled weakly.
"Take me too, Joshua. I don't want to be separated from you."
Iris repeated her request in a louder voice.
Joshua walked up to Iris and stroked her head.
"No. You look exhausted and need rest. Go home with Isabel…."
Iris shook her head quickly and grabbed Joshua's hand.
"I don't want to."
"My Lady, what Joshua said was true. We'd better go home."
"No, Isabel. I'm tired of everyone tell me what I had to do. Whatever happens, I will go with Joshua."
Iris stared at Joshua with an unyielding look. Her resolve was firm that she wanted to come along.
Morrigan stared at everything that was happening before her with impatience.
"I don't care who else wants to come along! Now you'd better hurry and get me into Nova Mesto!"
Joshua sighed then picked up Iris.
"Okay. Follow me if you don't want to get lost."
Joshua then walks into the fog. Morrigan followed.
"Huh??!!"
Isabel looked confused because everything happened so fast.
"Wa-wait, Joshua. Malcolm, you're coming too."
Isabel hurriedly followed inside. Malcolm dismounted from his horse with a roll of his eyes and followed inside.
When entering the forest, a thick fog immediately greeted.
"Don't be left behind! It will be difficult to find each other if you are separated in a place like this!", shouted Joshua.
In addition, the air in the forest was thin. Makes it hard to breathe. Iris gave a small cough.
"Close your mouth and don't talk too much to save your breath." Joshua whispered to Iris.
Then he started walking leading the way.
They walked through the thick fog. They also couldn't see anything around them.
Only Joshua knew where they had to walk.
"This is crazy. We really can't see anything.", Malcolm said as he removed the tree branches that were blocking his path.
He had wanted to mark their route but the thick fog prevented him from seeing anything.
"You are right. I'm not even sure I can find a way out if I'm trapped here.", Isabel put her hands on her hips while wiping her sweat.
Even though the air is cold, walking in a place with thin oxygen makes it feel like running.
As they walked, they occasionally heard faint groans and howls that were terrifying.
Isabel remembered her experiences in Nova Mesto. She could feel the hairs on her neck stand up. Malcolm fingered his katars as if he sensed danger.
"Don't worry about that sound! I will lead you guys safely!", shouted Joshua trying to calm the others down.
Joshua glanced at Iris. He had expected Iris to hug him in fear. Surprisingly, Iris seemed fine.
"It's obvious she's scared but she's also trying to stay calm.", muttered Joshua in his heart.
Morrigan was the only one who wasn't bothered by her surroundings. She looked calm and didn't say anything during the trip.
They continued on their way without saying much.
The route they took was winding and had no clear direction. It even feels like walking in circles. Reminiscent is like exploring a labyrinth.
Dusk came when they finally made it out of the forest. They are in front of the gate of Nova Mesto. But Nova Mesto, which used to be a city, looks like ruins filled with fog. Although not as thick as in the forest.
"We have arrived in Nova Mesto. Now what?"
Joshua turned to look at Morrigan as he put Iris down.
"Hmm, night is coming soon. Let's continue tomorrow. It's dangerous to explore the city at night and I also want to rest."
Morrigan then took a place in the corner and sit down.
Right now, they were at the west wall surrounding the city of Nova Mesto. After making sure that area was free of undead, they decided to rest there.
When night falls, they gather around a campfire. Only Morrigan separated herself from them by sitting a little further away.
"An awkward moment again.", Malcolm muttered to himself while glancing around.
"Eat this, Iris even though it's not much."
Isabel took out a bread from her small pouch.
When Iris picked it up, she noticed a bandage with a bit of blood on Isabel's leg.
"Isabel, are you hurt?"
"It doesn't matter. It's a light wound. Maybe I forced myself so it opened up again."
Iris immediately placed her hand over the wound.
A greenish light appeared and healed Isabel's wound.
"Iris… you managed to get your powers back…. Thank you for healing me…..."
Iris held Isabel's hand.
"On the other hand, thank you for accompanying me too, Isabel…. I'm sorry if I was being selfish by leaving you before…. twice….and now…. like forcing you to come here…. to a place that reminds you of the tragedy that befell your friends…."
Isabel smiled.
"It's okay, Iris. Only this is the first time…. I see you like this. It feels like you seem to have changed since the last time I saw you…"
"Really?"
"Yes. Of course, in a better way even though it's hard to explain. You seem to know what you want to do. Not like before."
"Is that so?"
Isabel nodded one more time.
Joshua silently watched and listened to Iris and Isabel's conversation.
At this moment, seeing the two of them chatting as usual… it was like giving small peace to Joshua's heart.
Joshua turned around to check the surroundings where they had camped. His steps stopped when he heard a scream.
"Iris! Are you okay?"
Iris was seen lying in pain while holding her chest. Her face was pale and cold sweat was pouring profusely.
"I'm-"
Iris had not finished speaking when she suddenly coughed. Blood was visible coming out of her mouth.
Isabel looked at Joshua with a look that said Iris's condition had worsened.
Joshua immediately went to find Morrigan.
"What did you do to Iris?! Why did her condition suddenly deteriorate until she coughed up blood? Is this because of your curse?!"
"Conditions worsening? It's none of my business. I told you that the curse only activates if something happens to me."
"Then what happened to her? Why is she suddenly sick?"
Morrigan sighed in annoyance.
"I don't know. Maybe she got another curse or something?! Or maybe her body is too weak to enter this cursed city?!"
"If something happens to Iris. Our agreement is cancelled," Joshua threatened.
After saying that, Joshua looked for Iris again.
"Where is Iris?"
Joshua asked Malcolm.
"Isabel brought Lady Elizabeth in there to check on her body. Isabel is worried that she had wound."
It seems Isabel took Iris to the room inside the west wall section. Joshua panicked immediately after them.
"Iris!"
When Joshua opened the door. He found Isabel undressing Iris.
"Joshua, can't you wait until I finish checking?"
Isabel immediately glared at him.
"S-Sorry. I didn't-"
Joshua was about to leave but he accidentally saw a black stain on the area near Iris' shoulder and chest. Joshua's face went pale.
Joshua immediately stepped forward and held Iris' shoulder to get a better look.
"Hey Joshua what are you doing?"
Isabel tries to stop Joshua. But Joshua ignored her.
"Iris…. Since when did this appear?"
Iris tried to smile while enduring her pain.
"It's alright Joshua. This isn't bad."
"Please answer honestly, Iris."
Iris turned her head away. Not daring to look at Joshua's face.
"Look at me Iris and answer my question."
"Since… the transfer process that Archpriets Jerome did…. When I woke up… this was already there…."
"Why didn't you tell me…. "
"I-I don't want you to worry…. After all, back then it was just a small spot… not this bad…. And Seraphine Aile remains in your body…. so, I guess this is nothing."
Joshua's face looked frantic and seemed to be crying.
"So… what I saw in my dream was true."
Then Joshua turned away leaving Iris behind.
"Joshua!"
Iris tried to stop him but then she coughed again.
Isabel immediately hugged her. Trying to calm Iris who started to cry.
"Just rest while calming down first, Iris. I'll be the one to talk to Joshua later."
With resignation, Iris nodded and lay down.