There was no name over the grave.
A lone slab of stone was erected above ground as the only marker. Rested against a tree, the unnamed grave was just one of the countless stone slabs scattered through the forest.
In the midst of these closely packed trees, there was a large building shrouded in darkness. The wooden pillars were too old and dying. Structures in the ways of both Nesmeria and Akamori, the temple was barely standing where it was.
And yet, it was surrounded by a festive air.
Neither Ezrahl nor Aesther could really understand the situation. They have tried to trace back their footsteps, leave the fatal forests once and for all.
"The mist is too strong," Ezrahl had insisted in a firm voice, "If it gets to you again, things can get…"
She smiled in amusement, and he paused for reasons none of them really cared to understand. His gaze, however, became dark.
"Complicated."
Ezrahl finished.
"I know you liked that," Aesther playfully chuckled, even though she wass truly scared of what happened, "Why didn't you just use your Sight, Ezrahl?"
He quietly watched her for a moment. The expressions were unreadable, and just like that, he turned away. Aesther caught the barest flicker of crimson rising in his dark gaze.
It would be needed if he wanted to dispell the stronger effects any psychic magic.
Ezrahl ignored her question as if it was none of his concern.
'Arrogant.'
She thought.
"I would have," he replied after a while, not looking back. Ezrahl's voice was low, soothingly deep in ways that left her feeling nostalgic.
Aesther decided to count the dry grass before her mind can be distracted further.
"The laws," Ezrahl reminded her.
This made her bite back a scoff.
Naturally, a power as deathly and strong as the Dragon's True Sight was not allowed to be used carelessly. Much less against someone higher in status.
Aesther smiled in scorn, "Do you think you can always follow them?"
Perhaps the question was odd for him, or perhaps it was the way her voice was devoid of all and any emotions. Ezrahl glanced back, the silver moon creating a dim shadow across his face.
The red in his eyes caused a knot to twist in her gut.
"Shall I?" Ezrahl asked, "Should anyone?"
Aesther's steps slowed down as she blinked in confusion.
"..."
Why was he contradicting himself?
Suddenly, Aesther knew they were not alone.
Ezrahl stopped, listening. They have arrived at one of the denser parts of the forest. There was barely any moonlight to lite up their path.
She reached out for her dagger.
But her guard had already been lowered at the wrong time. Aesther was distracted, she couldn't notice the shadow swiftly and silently running towards them.
There was no fear in her heart even as she saw the shadow abruptly disappear.
Aesther had dealt with enough of these situations.
She did not move.
The shadow appeared right in front of her. Aesther isntinctively grabbed the dagger and channeled her spiritual energy before slashing it across the shadow.
But there was no magic to speak of.
The blade went right through the airy figure, and Aesther was thrown off balance.
However, as she fell on the ground, Ezrahl had already driven his dagger straight into the shadow. The smoky haze disperced in an instant.
His blade dimly glowed scarlet as a rotten skeleton was all that remained of the shadow.
Aesther could not breathe. The shock and realization of her actions made her feel overwhelmed. But above all that turmoil, there was a hot pang of bitterness jabbing at her heart.
She was no longer the same as before…
'Broken.'
Ezrahl was watching her with a slight crease in between his brows. The skeleton feebly struggled under his hold.
"Are you hurt?"
Aesther subconsciously licked her lips, shaking her head as she forced her thoughts to calm down. But she needed little resolve as his gaze dipped upon her lips.
She fisted a handful of grass.
"Does that hurt?" Ezrahl asked, this time his voice was a little soft. Almost as if he could feel remorse for what he did.
Aesther scoffed, the irritation was clear upon her face as she murmured under her breath.
"Very much."
Ezrahl nodded, letting go the skeleton that collapsed down like a rag dall. The ivory blade in his hand gleamed for a while longer, snuffing the remnants of nether mana from its prey.
"Hold on to that," Ezrahl said as Aesther got up and dusted her robes, "Keep your mind clear, remain calm."
Aesther ignored his words.
She knew the basic rules. A variety of minor psychic glamours and spells could be avioded through stern resolution alone. Sometimes pain was used to keep a person grounded in reality.
But how could any of that matter when there was a force much stronger in play?
For a dragon prodigy, Ezrahl was led astray from his path too easily.
It took them around half an hour more.
As navigating through the Kitsune Forest was nearly impossible without proper charms, Ezrahl was relying upon his senses alone.
Aesther concluded he must be leading her to a place where the nether mana was not present.
The kitsune spirits were a creation of the dark realm and ancient curses of the heavenly cities. They always left a trail of intense dark energy.
Nether mana.
"This isn't the town…" Aesther glanced around in puzzlement as their surroundings gradually changed.
The countless graves bothered her.
But after passing them, they were greeted with a mildly bustling place. About twenty or so people busied themselves with mundane chores; cleaning, arranging, sharing words.
There were also stacked coffins on the side.
"A funeral house?" Aesther suggested, looking at Ezrahl.
"Funeral…" he was as confused as her, "Temple perhaps."
Such places were not native to Nesmeria.
A worrying realisation dawned upon both of them.
What if they had crossed to the wrong side? The political situations between the two heavenly cities were too tense.
"I wonder what they are celebrating."
Aesther murmured absentmindedly.
Her thoughts were distracted, too many things needed to be done but no way was there in front of her. She can not freely roam around the forest if Ezrahl was there. Ahzure should not be harmed, but what about Noah?
And above all, the mist was too strong…
She bit her lips nervously.
The soft winds hissed behind the trees. Some of the temple people casually glanced their way. Smiling. A smile that lasted a second too long. There was a quietness amidst their whispers.
A strong scent of blood and rust.