"Isabel! Isabel! Wake up!"
Isabel slowly opened her eyes. It seemed that Iris was calling out to her while occasionally coughing a little. Her face looked worried.
Isabel woke up clutching her head which felt heavy. It seemed she still wanted to sleep.
"Iris…. You're awake… how are you?"
"I-It's not important. Joshua and Morrigan disappeared!"
"What?!"
Isabel quickly got up and went out.
"Malcolm, where are you?!"
Isabel frantically looks for Malcolm. When she saw Malcolm's leg sticking out part of the bushes, she immediately pulled him out.
"Malcolm, are you okay?"
Isabel turned Malcolm's body.
"Zzzz…..zzzzz….."
There was a sound of snoring.
Isabel's concern turned to irritation when she realized that Malcolm was only asleep.
"Wake up!!!"
Isabel quickly patted Malcolm's cheek.
Malcolm opened his eyes.
"Morning, Isabel. Hoam…"
Malcolm woke up and rubbed his eyes. Looks like he's still sleepy.
"Malcolm, Joshua and Morrigan disappeared. Do you know what happened?"
"I don't know. Can we go a little late later? I'm still sleepy…"
Isabel shook Malcolm's body as she pointed to the sky.
"Look! the sun is out! It's already morning, Malcolm! Joshua and Morrigan disappeared. Do you know what happened to them?!"
Malcolm looked thoughtful as he tried to remember something. When he saw a piece of paper seemed to be sticking out of Isabel's clothes. Malcolm immediately took it and read it.
"Isabel, you better read this. This is a letter from Joshua to you."
Isabel hurriedly read it.
Isabel,
I'm sorry that I didn't follow your advice to keep Iris company. I am currently continuing my journey with Morrigan. This is my decision. I'm going to fix all the problems I started. I'll make sure that Iris is free from Seraphine Aile.
Take Iris and go back to Grassland. All night I went to mark out the exit route of the fog forest. So, you can get out of Nova Mesto safely. Pay attention to the tree I marked as a guide.
About Morrigan's curse, I already asked her to remove it from Iris. You don't need to worry about it.
Convey my apologies to Iris because I couldn't keep my promise to be with her. Tell Iris, I have always loved her and all I want is that she can live….
Joshua
Isabel just sighed and handed the letter over to Iris. Iris read it with tears in her eyes. Her tears flowed.
"My lady…. You are free from Morrigan's curse…", Isabel slowly approached Iris from behind while holding Iris' shoulder.
The magic circle that looks like a tribal tattoo on Iris' neck has disappeared. It seemed Joshua managed to make Morrigan lift the curse.
"There's nothing we can do. We should just go home now…"
"No! I don't want Isabel! We have to catch up with him before it's too late! I'm sure Joshua wanted to sacrifice himself to save me. I can't allow that!"
Iris burst into tears while holding Joshua's letter.
With a persuasive tone, Isabel took Iris' hand.
"But this is Joshua's wish…. Besides, we don't know where they went either…."
Iris was still crying and didn't move from her place.
"Even though we don't know… maybe we can try to find it…."
"Iris…. I'm sorry… I don't think that's possible…. Nova Mesto is too vast and dangerous…. It's going to take some time. "
Isabel hugged Iris who was crying even louder.
"Maybe…. I know where they went."
Malcolm suddenly said while scratching his head.
Isabel and Iris immediately looked at Malcolm.
"I-It's just maybe, huh. I just remembered I accidentally heard about it yesterday…. "
Isabel immediately glared.
"Explain quickly, Malcolm!"
Malcolm held his chin in deep thought.
"Last night actually I accidentally saw Joshua talking to that witch. Because it looked suspicious, I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation. But only for a while I eavesdropped…. Joshua noticed my presence and knocked me unconscious."
"Then what did you hear?"
"Hmmm… as it was written in the letter that they were going alone. I heard from there then… they were going to… to… duh, what was that? It looks like a religious place."
Malcolm paused as he tried to remember.
"Great Cathedral?"
Iris asked enthusiastically.
Malcolm shook his head.
"Sanctum?"
"That's not it either."
"So, you remember or not?"
Isabel looked impatient.
"The Temple of Varos?"
Iris asked with a look of hope.
"Ah! That's right I heard them mention the Temple of Varos."
Malcolm immediately snapped his fingers.
Feeling hopeful, Iris wiped away her tears and stood up.
"Isabel, we have to catch up with them quickly."
"But…. "
"Hurry."
This time Iris took Isabel's hand. But Isabel did not budge.
Isabel looked at Iris with a face of objection.
"Shouldn't we just go home, My Lady?"
Iris hugged Isabel while holding back her tears.
"Isabel…. This is our only chance to find Joshua. During these three years…. he lived in misery. This is our chance to repay what he did for us."
Iris let go of her hug while holding Isabel's hand.
"Please, Isabel…. He doesn't have anyone anymore…"
Isabel smoothed Iris' hair with a smile.
"All right, Iris. We will find him."
"Let me carry you, My Lady. Although my appearance is not convincing, I'm still strong enough to carry you."
Malcolm bent down so Iris could climb on him.
"Thanks Malcolm…"
"The place we are heading to is in the northern part of the city. Walk under the sun to avoid the undead, Malcolm.", Isabel gave instructions while walking in front to lead.
The three of them ran as fast as they could to the Temple of Varos.
Isabel occasionally glanced at Iris. She was worried about Iris' condition. But Iris insisted that they not worry about her and focus on getting to where they were going.
"Finally, we arrived." Isabel answered while wiping her sweat.
"Put me down Malcolm. We've arrived.", replied Iris, who felt sorry to see Malcolm looking exhausted.
In front of them stood the Temple of Varos. The scary and haunted atmosphere was strong. As they climbed the stairs, suddenly there was an earthquake.
Luckily it was only for a moment but it shocked them all.
"T-This Earthquake is similar to before… something happens to Joshua…", Iris looked worried.
Iris could feel the change in her body and ran away.
"Iris, wait! It's too dangerous for you to go alone!"
But Iris ignored Isabel's words and entered the Temple of Varos without hesitation.
Isabel and Malcolm rushed inside and found the remains of the undead scattered about. They ran after Iris who went inside until they arrived at the main hall.
They followed Iris who climbed the stairs upwards until they came to a corridor. From a distance Isabel could see Iris fell to her knees crying.
As they got closer, Isabel could see more clearly what was happening.
Joshua was sprawled on the floor with a blue face. Black blood could be seen flowing from his mouth. It looks like he's dying.
Iris hugged Joshua with tears in her eyes. She tries to heal Joshua but her efforts are in vain. Joshua held Iris' hands and motioned to stop her efforts.
On the other side of the room, Isabel saw Morrigan who looked happy hugging Raul. Behind Raul's back, Seraphine Aile could be seen.
"Raul, it's me."
"Sister…? What happened?"
Raul confusedly held his head and looked at Morrigan.
Isabel widened her eyes in disbelief. Immediately an image of how Dumar and Roselle had been killed came to Isabel's mind.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPEN?! WHY ARE YOU ALIVE AGAIN?!"
In anger, Isabel drew her knife. But Morrigan stopped Isabel
"Listen! It was Joshua's wish to take Seraphine Aile away from him so that the curse that befell Iris was broken. Look! Iris is in good health as before!"
Isabel glanced at Joshua.
Joshua simply nodded weakly.
"Now, let us go!"
Morrigan grabbed Raul's hand.
But there is something strange about Raul. Raul moved backwards while clutching his head tightly. His eyes bulged black and screamed.
"Ra-Raul???"
Morrigan was about to approach Raul but Raul shoved her hard. Morrigan was pushed against the wall.
"My Lady, we must go now!"
Sensing that there was danger, Isabel immediately pulled Iris away from there.
Malcolm ran to follow them.
Suddenly Raul's body began to grow and turned black. His eyes turned white. Raul blindly destroys the surrounding walls. Not only that, he created strong winds around him.
Isabel ran while holding Iris in her arms. Currently they were outside the laboratory and running down the corridor.
"Isabel, Joshua is still inside!", shouted Iris.
"Forget about Joshua, Iris! You see how it is! There is no hope for him anymore!"
Iris suddenly stopped running and took her hands off Isabel.
"No! I don't want to leave Joshua!"
"Iris…"
Iris looked at Isabel with tears in her eyes.
"Isabel…. I can't leave Joshua…. "
Isabel looked at the laboratory that looked messy and strong winds were blowing around it. The dust caused by the wind covered what was inside. The sound of things being slammed was heard.
"But-"
Iris wiped away her tears and held Isabel's hand. Then she looked at Isabel with a sad smile.
"Isabel…. Thank you for being my guardian all this time. But from now on…. I release you from that duty."
Iris hugged Isabel, "You are already like my own family. Find your own happiness."
After saying that, Iris turned around and entered the laboratory without hesitation.
"Iris!"
Isabel watched Iris leave with a pale face. She seemed to be hesitating what to do. Until she decided to follow Iris.
Malcolm confronted Isabel and held both of her shoulders. Prevent her from going back to the lab.
"No, Isabel. It's too dangerous!"
"Bu-But I have to save her! That's my duty!"
"NO! You know she doesn't need you ANYMORE. She obviously wanted to get in there! Why are you pushing yourself so hard to get involved with her anyways! This is not like YOU!"
"B-Because…. I don't want to LOSE someone who means a lot to me AGAIN!"
Isabel's words surprised Malcolm.
"I have already lost Dumar and Roselle. It's because of Iris… I feel like I have a purpose in life. Dumar gave his life so that she could live. I have to fulfill his last wish."
"Isabel…."
Malcolm seemed speechless when he heard Isabel's explanation. Both his hands drooped limp.
Isabel stepped forward past Malcolm. But before she had gone far, Malcolm suddenly hit Isabel quickly from behind and knocked her out.
Malcolm then took Isabel in his arms.
"I don't want to lose you either, Isa..."
Malcolm stared at the lab before leaving.
"Goodbye, Lady Elizabeth..."
Then Malcolm ran fast as he took Isabel away from there.
=======
Iris entered the laboratory. The room looked messy and the wind was blowing hard. She saw Joshua who was lying down and slowly moved towards him.
"Jo-Joshua…"
"Iris…. Why did you come back…"
Joshua answered weakly then fell unconscious.
Iris tried to lift Joshua to take him away from there. Against the blowing wind. But her petite body couldn't afford it. Iris fell when she had only taken a few steps.
"He's too heavy for you. And this gust of wind is also in your way."
Morrigan limped toward them.
"Give me your hand."
Morrigan took Iris' hand and slashed it with a knife.
Blood was dripping. Morrigan dipped her finger in Iris' blood.
"What are you doing?"
"Ssst…. With my blood, I can't do this magic but… it might be different with the Bloodline of The Chosen Vessel…."
Then Morrigan cast a spell while making a rune on Joshua's forehead. After that on Iris forehead.
"Cum sanguine meo, old vita facta est. Clypeus aeternus factus es mihi."
The runes flashed together before disappearing.
"This is all I can do for him."
Joshua gave a small cough. It seems that Joshua is starting to wake up even though he is still weak.
"Morrigan, what are you doing…"
"Now his life is tied to yours, Iris. As long as you are alive, he will live. On the other hand, when you die, he dies too."
Then Morrigan got up and walked over to Raul. Her magic power had been drained due to the Seraphine Aile incantation and the last remnant of her magic...she had already used it on Joshua…. There was no strength left in her. Including the spirit of her life has been extinguished.
"Stop! It's too dangerous to go near him!"
Iris got up about to stop Morrigan. But Joshua grabbed Iris' hand.
"Leave her be, Iris. This is her last wish…"
The monstrous-looking-Raul immediately gripped Morrigan's body tightly when she approached him.
Morrigan smiled sadly as she tried to reach for her beloved brother's cheek. But the monstrous-looking-Raul instead crushed Morrigan's body with his hand and then threw it into a vortex of wind that destroyed it without anything left.
Iris could only look away when she saw everything.
Joshua is slowly getting better. His body wasn't the pale blue it had been before. Joshua tries to crawl up but fails. His condition was still very weak.
The monstrous-looking-Raul made the windstorm stronger. Destroying everything more and more blindly. Uncontrollable. It was impossible for them to come out unharmed.
Iris looked at Joshua then stroked his head.
"I… I will seal Seraphine Aile…."
"Don't…don't Iris…. Too…. Dangerous…."
Joshua tried to reach Iris to keep her from leaving. But he's too weak.
Iris approached the monstrous-looking-Raul and looked at him. She stretched out her hands. Light came out. This time it was golden light.
Joshua faintly saw a spirit behind Iris. A holy spirit. That spirit was Seraphine with her golden wings.
The light slowly surrounded the monstrous-looking-Raul.
The monstrous-looking-Raul screamed and slowly his body turned into black dust that moved towards Iris. The black dust seemed to be sucked into Iris' body.
After everything had gone into Iris' body, Iris' back seemed to glow. Seraphine Aile's golden silhouette came into view.
Iris then spread her arms wide. The golden wing opened and emitted a dazzling light. A very bright light illuminates the whole city of Nova Mesto.
Instantly the light purified the darkness in Nova Mesto. The thick fog that enveloped Nova Mesto also disappeared.
Two weeks later...
Beverlem seemed busy that afternoon. As a port city many people stop over. Besides that, Beverlem also has beautiful city views. Everything is running normally and peacefully.
Isabel looked at all of them in disbelief. A two weeks ago, something extraordinary happened in Nova Mesto. After three years of Nova Mesto being covered in fog and filled with an aura of darkness, the city was finally free from the curse that had befallen it.
Isabel remembered that she had just woken up near the fog forest with Malcolm. When suddenly a dazzling golden light appeared and purified the city. Only ruins of the city are left with covered by some gold dust. Not a single undead to be seen. Instead, some gold crystallize stone appear.
Isabel also tried to find Iris and Joshua. But did not find them. Just an empty, uninhabited city. Traces of Iris and Joshua even Morrigan were missing. They all seem to have disappeared.
"Are you still thinking what happened to them?"
Malcolm walked over to Isabel who looked disheartened.
"Yeah… I was thinking about them…."
"Hey cheer up! At least we didn't find any of their bodies. They've got to be somewhere. Isn't that why we're going to look for them now?"
Isabel nodded slowly.
What Malcolm said was true. They went on this journey because they hoped that Joshua and Iris would still be alive.
"I'll buy the ship ticket first. You wait here. The queues are long."
Malcolm then ran away.
Isabel saw a place to eat nearby. She ordered a drink then sat down while looking at the crowd in front of her.
Isabel's mind drifted. Recalling her conversation with Duke Albert.
After the events in Nova Mesto, Isabel and Malcolm quickly returned to Lindheim.
Isabel personally went to Duke Albert to report what happened.
Astonishedly, Duke Albert's reaction seemed calm. Even though he didn't seem happy to hear about Isabel's failure to bring his niece home.
"So that's how it happened."
"My apologies, Duke Albert. I don't know what happened to Lady Elizabeth…. Alive or dead… I can't be sure. Allow me to search- "
"That's enough. Your service is no longer needed in this family. Leave."
"But there could be a possibility-"
"I told you enough already! It's not clear what my order is. Just LEAVE. You don't need to come back here anymore."
Isabel seemed shocked to hear Duke Albert's order.
Her hands clenched in frustration.
"So now you will neglect your own niece! Because you are too busy to raise your position? Wasn't that why you framed Archpriest Jerome under orders from Archduke Rondo?!"
From his seat, Duke Albert looked at Isabel with a sharp gaze.
"You think I don't know what happened?! I also know something else you do… You once used black magic to defeat your rival. Yes… you once used Morrigan's services to win the trust of Archduke Rondo."
"It makes no sense what you're talking about."
"That's right. You get to know Morrigan through High Priest Carlos. But then you realize that High Priest Carlos was only using you to gain a connection to your younger brother on orders from Archpriest Jerome. But it was too late when you found out."
"….."
"After that you started to cut ties with the church of St. Varos. But later Archduke Rondo became Morrigan's patron. You approached Morrigan secretly and you guys worked together even though you knew what she did to your niece…."
"What nonsense you speak, Isabel."
"My partner managed to find someone to act as an intermediary between The Free Insurgent and its supporters. Where the intermediary also made contact with Morrigan. That person is none other than your former servant. After my partner interrogated him, he finally confessed your name. In fact, he revealed all your secrets too."
Isabel walked over to Duke Albert while hitting the table in front of him.
"Too bad Duke Greyson doesn't realize who you really are. Just like Lady Elizabeth, he is only a tool and a pawn that you take advantage of. Because of that, you didn't take any steps to save your niece. You thought there was no point in saving her, was it? It will benefit you more if she is not around."
Duke Albert fell silent as he folded his arms.
"I have no intention of revealing your secrets. What I want is to find Lady Elizabeth and return what is rightfully hers… and give her freedom from your control."
Isabel then turned and left the room.
Two days after Isabel meeting with Duke Albert, news broke that Archduke Rondo had died. According to the news, he was also proven to have conspired with The Free Insurgent and financed their acts.
Duke Albert and Prince Reimund Evrat led an army of knights to arrest him. But when they arrived, Archduke Rondo was found dead by drinking poison while leaving behind an affidavit admitting that he regretted killing one of the delegates from Sisilyra named Count Garan.
Archduke Rondo's family were all captured and executed.
Then for his services, Duke Albert was promoted to royal councilor and given the title of the new Archduke. All of Archduke Rondo's assets belong to Duke Albert now.
The sound of the bell that the ship had arrived interrupted Isabel's reverie.
"Duke Albert has been working with Prince Reimund Evrat from the start to get rid of Archduke Rondo. His former servant who served as intermediary is also found dead when Malcolm visits him after hearing the news of Archduke Rondo's death. No one can prove what Duke Albert is doing now…", Isabel muttered.
Isabel sighed.
"Sigh… but that's none of my business either. I need to focus on finding Iris…"
People seemed busy queuing to enter the ship. There was a lot of atmospheres at that time.
Isabel got up from her seat impatiently. She's looking for Malcolm. But Malcolm was nowhere to be seen. It seems he still hasn't come back from buying tickets.
Isabel turned her head in another direction when she saw a familiar faces.
From a distance among the crowds of seas of people….
She saw Iris and Joshua walking. Although they are wearing a hood but there is no mistake. It is them. The two of them seemed to be chatting while smiling each other.
Isabel immediately tried to break through the crowd to catch up with them.
But suddenly she changed her mind and stopped walking. Isabel watched them from a far.
"They look really happy…. ", Isabel muttered.
In an instant a crowd of people covered Isabel's view. They are not visible anymore.
Isabel then turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
"Isabel, I'm sorry. The tickets were sold out but I managed to persuade a young couple to sell us the tickets. Well… even though I have to buy it a bit expensive than usual."
Hurriedly, Malcolm approached Isabel.
Isabel simply smiled and walked past Malcolm.
"Forget the tickets, Malcolm."
"You mean we're not going?"
"How about we go sightseeing and meet our former comrades at Secretglaives?"
"Didn't it say you were looking for Lady Elizabeth and according to information there is someone who looks like her around here?"
Isabel shook her head.
"I changed my mind. Let's just say I want to take a vacation and forget everything that happened."
"It's a waste then, I bought this ticket at a higher price-"
Malcolm's words stopped when Isabel suddenly kissed him on the lips.
Isabel tapped Malcolm on the shoulder and then walked away leaving Malcolm who looked like he still couldn't believe what had just happened. Malcolm wondered if Isabel had gone drunk during her stay just now. But he didn't smell any booze from Isabel.
Isabel turned around and stared at Malcolm.
"How long are you going to stay there?"
"Oh? Ha? Okay."
Cheerfully Malcolm caught up with Isabel. A happy smile appeared on his face.
-end-