"Anyways, Enzo, this is as far as I can accompany you," Seraphina said after letting Enzo think for a while about what she said earlier. "You'll have to travel alone from now on."
"...Huh? What do you mean?" Enzo was too flabbergasted to answer immediately. He thought that he still needed to train with Seraphina if he wanted to get to level 700 in time, but maybe he was wrong.
"I mean what I said," She repeated. "I've taught you a lot already, more than I would even do to the members of my clan."
"But what about reaching level 700 in time?" Enzo finally asked, concern evident in his voice. "I thought that was the goal."
Seraphina's expression softened, and she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Enzo, the goal was never just about reaching a specific level. It was about unlocking your true potential and becoming the best version of yourself to fight a greater enemy. You've made remarkable progress already, and you have the skills and knowledge you need to continue growing. But remember, although your journey is not defined by a deadline, you might still die if you're not fast enough."
"Besides," Seraphina continued with a mischievous glint in her eye, "I have no doubt that you'll reach level 700 sooner than you think. You have a knack for surprising people."
Enzo couldn't help but chuckle at that. He had certainly surprised himself many times since the start of all this mess.
"Then, what about my family?" Enzo asked the one question he had in his mind earlier. After all, if he had accepted to fight the 'Darkness' with Seraphina and the other Monarchs, it was because they promised that his family would be safe. "Won't you guys help me find them? I thought that our agreement rested on that."
Seraphina nodded thoughtfully, understanding the weight of Enzo's concern for his family. "Of course, we haven't forgotten our agreement. While I won't be accompanying you on your journey, we have already confirmed that your family is alive. Moreover, we already know where they are, as well. It's a grand castle made with a lot of gold and a pretty large garden. From what we have seen from afar, there are a lot of people sheltering there, and your family is there as well."
Enzo sighed in relief as he knew which castle she was talking about. The Versaille Castle, which was originally his destination.
Enzo's heart swelled with a mix of relief and anticipation upon hearing that his family was safe and that their location was known. The Versaille Castle, a place he had hoped to reach, was where they were being sheltered. It was a place he had dreamed of reuniting with them, and now that dream seemed closer to becoming a reality.
"Thank you," Enzo said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Knowing that they're safe gives me the strength to keep going."
"Now," Seraphina continued, her tone becoming more serious, "there is one last thing I must tell you before you go. The Darkness we are fighting is cunning and powerful. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, and they will seek to exploit any weakness they can find."
Enzo listened attentively, his expression focused.
"You possess incredible potential, Enzo, but there is still much you don't know about your own abilities. The Darkness will be aware of this as well. You must be cautious about who you trust, even among those who claim to be allies. Keep your guard up, and never reveal everything about yourself unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions."
"But wait, I thought that this darkness would only come in a year?"
"That's right, it will come in more or less a year. But that doesn't mean that it won't act before that."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, while we want to protect our own worlds against the darkness, some want it to descend completely and destroy it. And unfortunately, there are a lot of people who want to destroy everything."
"Then I need to be more careful when approaching people, right?"
"Yes, but not only that. The darkness would take different forms until it fully descended in a year's time. It may sometimes have the appearance of a human, an animal, or even a monster. And when they do, well you will see it on your own. It's not a pretty sight."
Enzo absorbed Seraphina's words, the gravity of the situation sinking in more than before. The Darkness they were up against wasn't just a distant threat but something that could manifest in various forms even before its full descent. The thought of encountering such malevolent entities was unsettling.
"I wouldn't have agreed if I knew that."
"Well, that's why we didn't tell you sooner." Seraphina smiled at Enzo, and the latter only rolled his eyes.
"Well, I guess I'll have to be cautious and vigilant. I won't let my guard down."
"That's good to hear," Seraphina nodded her head repetitively with a smile. "Well then, Enzo, until our next meeting." She turned around and slashed the air with her hand.
Suddenly, the place she slashed started to move strangely before a blue rift opened.
"Work hard, my disciple. Otherwise, we will all die." She said before entering the rift and disappearing.
As Seraphina disappeared into the rift, leaving Enzo standing alone in the campus exit, a mix of emotions welled up within him. Her parting words weighed heavily on his mind, reminding him of the grave responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.
Taking a deep breath, Enzo turned his attention to the vast landscape before him. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the unfamiliar terrain. He knew that he couldn't afford to waste any more time. The journey to the Versaille Castle, where his family awaited, wouldn't be an easy one. He had to be prepared for whatever dangers lay ahead.
As he started walking, his mind replayed the lessons and training he had received from Seraphina. The skills he had acquired, the artifacts he now carried, and the bond he had formed with his teacher were his greatest assets. Yet, he also understood the need to be cautious, especially when encountering new people or creatures on his path.
The image of his family, safe within the walls of the Versaille Castle, fueled his determination. He was their protector, and he would do whatever it took to reunite with them and keep them safe.
"Please wait for me!" He said with determination before quickening his pace.