On the following afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the land. Rizki stood by his trusty horse, a magnificent female steed with a pristine white coat that gleamed in the gentle afternoon light.
The horse let out a soft, friendly whinny as Rizki approached, his gear fully equipped and ready for the journey that lay ahead. He affectionately patted the horse's neck, a gesture of comfort and camaraderie. "Aqua," he spoke to the horse, "we are going to venture far again." In response, the horse let out a melodious whinny, almost as if it understood the gravity of their upcoming expedition.
Rizki continued, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and determination, "I will be facing one of the strongest individuals in this region. If in my past I had the Kakaragi Shinobi as my trusted companion, now I have you as my steadfast partner." His words were accompanied by a wide grin that conveyed his confidence.
As Rizki made his preparations, a familiar figure named Liora approached, her presence accompanied by a friendly greeting. "Heading somewhere important, Rizki?"
Rizki nodded, his focus still on checking his weapons and gear. "Yes, Liora, I'm off to the hero summit. I plan to take on this challenge myself."
Liora, not one to be deterred easily, inquired, "Can I join you on this journey?"
Rizki's response was firm, "No, Liora, this is a mission for men. Women should not be involved."
Undeterred, Liora proposed, "But at least I can be your navigator. My knowledge of the area could prove invaluable."
Rizki hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. The place they were heading to was fraught with danger, with radiation akin to a nuclear blast zone. He voiced his concern, "Are you sure about this? The radiation there is incredibly dangerous. Survival is not guaranteed."
Liora, showing her determination, revealed a heroic bow called the Bow of Zadkiel that she had carried with her. "I haven't used this in years, but with it, I believe I can protect myself."
Rizki couldn't help but recall her past experiences and the trauma she had endured. He warned, "Liora, you don't need to face your past if you're not ready. I will handle this challenge alone."
However, Liora's resolve remained unshaken. She insisted, "I must be by your side, Rizki. I'm the one who got you involved in this mess, and I feel responsible for it."
Recognizing her determination, Rizki relented, albeit with a touch of exasperation. "Fine, it's your decision. Just promise me one thing: don't put yourself in harm's way. I don't want to have to explain to Varian if something happens to you."
Liora reassured him with a grin, "Varian is in good hands with the girls. They've entrusted me with the herbs because they know you wouldn't accept them."
Rizki's eyes widened as he realized the contents of the brown package she had mentioned. "Those are Varian's medicines! He needs them more than I do."
Liora, however, paid no heed to his protest as she gently urged the horse forward, and they set off on their journey.
As they traveled down the road, Rizki couldn't help but be annoyed by Liora's presence. However, he soon found himself distracted by the soft pressure of her embrace from behind as she hugged him.
"You really are an old elf, aren't you?" Rizki muttered, a hint of irritation in his voice.
In response, Liora playfully pinched Rizki's left hip, eliciting a yelp of pain from him. "I may be old, but I still have the features of a 200-year-old female elf!" she declared with a hint of annoyance.
Rizki sighed, realizing that arguing with her was futile. He conceded, "Fine, do as you wish."
They continued their journey without interruption, making steady progress until they arrived at a cave nestled within a snowy landscape.
Inside the cave, they set about gathering firewood to keep warm. Liora leaned against Rizki's shoulder, breaking the silence with a question that took him by surprise. "Rizki, can I be your partner for a while?"
Her words triggered a warning in Rizki's mind, a cautionary note from Faye about Liora's propensity to become attached. "If Liora loves someone, then she will do everything to get close to them. Be careful," Faye had cautioned him.
Rizki, remaining composed, replied, "I'm married, Liora."
Undeterred, Liora persisted, "Elves often have different customs when it comes to such matters."
Rizki couldn't help but ask, "And what about your husband?"
Liora's response was swift and adamant, "It's different."
"Tsk! Homewrecker" Rizki retorted, a touch of frustration in his tone.
But by the time he voiced his complaint, Liora had already fallen asleep against him.
Feeling remorseful for his harsh words, Rizki offered a silent apology to Liora. He allowed her to rest her head on his lap as he watched the flickering flames of the fire. Eventually, exhaustion overcame him, and he too succumbed to sleep, their journey into the unknown continuing in the embrace of the snowy cave.
The following day brought with it a continuation of their journey, one that would take them closer to their destined destination. They traversed through diverse landscapes, moving from the serene snowy plains to arid deserts, each step bringing them nearer to the foreboding Land of Bastion.
As the horizon began to shift into a more sinister terrain, Liora couldn't help but sense the shift in the atmosphere. She spoke with a hint of trepidation, "This aura... We are close to the Land of Bastion now."
Rizki, too, felt the weight of their proximity to their goal. He acknowledged, "It's undeniably intense. I can feel the pressure building."
Their journey continued, taking them deeper into this hostile territory. The barren, unforgiving landscape stretched before them, offering little respite.
It was then that they encountered a peculiar sight: a towering pike jutting out from the ground like a menacing sentinel. The pike was colossal, and its arrival seemed almost preternatural. It struck with terrifying force, narrowly missing Rizki's horse, which let out a panicked whinny in response.
Reacting swiftly, Rizki dismounted, his heart pounding with adrenaline. He and Liora approached the colossal pike to examine it more closely. It was a formidable structure, and Liora's voice took on a grim tone as she declared, "You have been chosen, Rizki."
Rizki furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued. "Chosen for what?" he inquired.
Liora's eyes held a somber intensity as she explained, "Judgment."