The next morning, we were still in Lumera. We planned to have breakfast and then be on our way.
The inn procured lodging, food and drink so it was only natural we'd have our meal here.
My mood was still as despondent as ever.
Amidst this, I was still able to inform them about Frankenstein Du Rachim; how he was in fact a non-existent being. Just a figment of one's imagination.
It was the reason we didn't plan on spending anymore time in the town.
Honestly, I felt like I'd wasted my time here.
Maybe Lync was right, if I was more involved in battle then maybe I'd have developed more abilities or skills but so far I had nothing to offer.
Rather than progressing I remained stagnant.
It made me truly feel like a child.
Why did I even want to get strong before now? There was no appropriate answer, I just wanted to see how far I could go.
That wasn't nearly an acceptable goal, and because I didn't have something to keep on pushing me, I was left stranded in this abyss of foolishness. Believing the world's problems should be solved by others while I watch.
I sat directly across from Gallus and Hermoine.
They were obviously still concerned about my well being but I'd tried to convince them they had nothing to worry about.
I nibbled on my bread loaf which I'd broken in half.
Hermoine was also eating although her concerns still fell in my direction, as for Gallus he'd chosen not to. I expected that much of him.
The sound of the entrance door opening was loud enough for all to hear. We weren't much in the inn, just three: Gallus, Hermoine and me. We'd awoken relatively early so we could have our meals and immediately depart.
"Uh... hello, Nyx?" that was Lync's voice.
I turned to confirm, and it was indeed him. Hermoine was quick to notice the look on my face and she could immediately tell that was the "someone" I'd told them I met with.
"What're you doing here?!" she folded her hands standing in front of him. I on the other hand, hadn't uttered a word, I just sat there with a nature no more than reticent.
"I just came to talk... with Nyx." his voice was calm.
I did appreciate Hermioneʼs gesture, she chose to stand up for me. "You must be crazy showing your face here.. do you know how he felt?!" she had more horrible words to say but Gallus placed his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet.
While he tried driving her out of the door so he could leave us be, Hermoine was able to remove his hand for some few seconds, "I don't ever want to see Nyx like that, does he have any idea what he looked like last night! He has no right to talk to him!"
It took some wrestling for Gallus to get her out of the room, but in the end he did. Leaving just Lync and I in the diner.
.
.
.
"So, are those the people you told me about...?" he asked me.
We were both seated across from each other quietly, then he killed the silence with his question. "Yeah, they are.." I responded.
He nodded.
"So... can I ask why you're here?" I didn't want to waste anymore time on idle chatter, I preferred going straight to the point.
"Well, uh you know... I wanted to apologize." he said. All the while we'd been speaking we were unable to look each other in the face. Instead we faced the table we had our forearms rested upon. We both did things we regret but maybe reconciliation was the proper road to follow.
"You have nothing to apologize about... you were right, I was so focused on having fun and excelling in my studies I forgot what actually mattered. It makes sense that you'd be upset, you and your party have been struggling all this time to atone and I've been having fun here in Zestria... I should be the one apologizing for messing around." my voice was undefined, but Lync could still hear me nonetheless.
Maybe he was surprised at my level of maturity or how quick I was to apologize ahead, but he smiled for some reason "Is that so.."
I wasn't finished with what I had to say, however, it was good to see he acknowledged my taking responsibility for incompetence. "Don't get me wrong, I feel bad I didn't receive any of your letters, what did it say?" I wanted to know what were the contents of his many anonymous letters.
"Well.." he told me about the letters. It included information on the advances that the Black Trinity is making in other nations in Endlave and how his party planned to rendezvous with me. Possibly to suppress their forces.
I now knew there were the four main powers of Black Trinity which were Zaratros, Lord Spriggan, Greerheart and Vania Croft. Lync didn't have an answer for what Lord Spriggan planned to do with the Frankenstein rumor, but we didn't think it'd be anything good.
What made things worse was that Lord Spriggan was what people called a "Demon Lord contender" these people had the highest chances of becoming a Demon Lord. In turn, granting them unfathomable power.
I should've known better, trouble like this roamed the planet and the entirety of our continent was unaware.
But it made sense nevertheless, the Black Trinity were so good with operating in the shadows that higher-ups didn't even know about them. They had a Demon Lord contender, Necromancer, Dragon Prince and worst of all a Dragon King.
We were talking strategy, we didn't know when we got ahead of ourselves and started laughing. It's true that arguments does make the bond between men stronger. It was good to know we could turn from enemies to acquaintances, a delight.
.
.
.
After breaking the news to Hermoine and Gallus concerning how I and Lyncʼs party first met, I decided to conceal a good number of information regarding the Black Trinity.
I could get Gallus involved but I wasn't going to risk putting Hermoine in harm's way, I couldn't be able to endure the thought of her getting hurt.
It was the middle of the day, it was time we took our leave and head back to the Nedveded Region.
Lync and his party saw us off. Just before we took our leave we had a small farewell moment to discuss plans and know the next step to take.
"So what do you want me to do?" I asked Lync, I was planning on helping however I could not only because it was the best thing to do. It was also because of what Lync had gone through, his appearance was proof that he didn't have it easy all the while. He lost Fushu, his close friend.
"For now, nothing... but hold on to this.." he handed me a communication crystal which he'd use to contact me if a situation ever came where he'd have to relay some information over to me. I was now affiliated with Lyncʼs party. Even if I wasn't officially an Adventurer.
I held the crystal and closely observed it, "Okay, just know I'm always ready if you need me.." a smirk followed.
Gallus and Hermoine were waiting for me, our transport was ready to go.
"I guess I should be going now.." slotting the crystal into my pocket I turned to take my leave.
Then Lync called to my attention, "Nyx!" it prompted me to turn before raining an eyebrow, "Hm?" I said. Then I noticed the handshake he'd extended toward me, this was most likely a show of respect and without a doubt I was much obliged to accept his handshake. That day I'd made a valuable ally.
As he watched me take my leave, he heard a voice from an incorporeal existence that said, "He's going to be a great Mage someday.." it forced him to turn back but he saw no one. Yet that voice, it sounded oddly familiar "...Fushu." Lync uttered. He tried his best not to cry.
Leaving Black Pendant didn't come without a consequence, they couldn't just leave if they wished it. But Fushu fought against the other guild members to ensure Lync and his party could escape, sacrificing his life in the process.
They knew they'd done wrong by joining such a heinous guild and wanted to be better, change the world in a positive manner. Fushu's death was as a result of them trying to escape, but it also served as a harsh lesson to them.
The party members were shocked to see him slap his cheeks to get active. "Alright squad!" he was referring to his members, "Round everyone up for a meeting.." and Beltin immediately saluted him before rushing to gather the others. They had much to do.
.
.
.
As for me, I had serious things to worry about, "Belitha..." I uttered her name under my breath as we rode on the horseback. My reason for calling her name was worrisome at most.
Lync had informed me that when his team was deployed by Vania to the Excelsior academy, it was for one reason. To capture the "target", it turned out she was the target.
What made her so special to their cause? I had to know.