Mikha'el arrived at the tower's location but hadn't landed yet and stayed above.
"Are you sure about this?" Mikha'el asked hesitantly. She wanted to know if Damon would change his mind upon seeing the site.
"Yes, this is perfect. Also, it amazed me how big this place is… compared to the new Acedia city," Damon stated while looking around. He imagined how magnificent it was during its prime.
"Yes, but the life during its reign isn't marvelous at all," Mikha'el replied as she slowly descended. Her eyes looked around in case something suspicious was lurking.
"Hmm, care to tell me what happened? I'm curious," Damon asked while leaning down.
Mikha'el's gaze saddened. "It was… a tragedy. I'm not involved, but I heard the capital of Old Acedia, ruled by the God of Storm, was slain, and a new God took place, reshaping the land."
"God of Storm… a new God," Damon whispered in astonishment. Hearing those words made him excited to see or meet one, but he couldn't deny the sad truth.
Mikha'el ignored Damon's words as she landed softly near the broken tower; she felt a wave of melancholy washing over her.
The remnants of what was once a grand city stood as a testament to the passage of time and the brutality of change.
Damon glanced at Mikha'el after being ignored, his expression reflecting a mix of curiosity and empathy. He understood the weight of history and the sorrow that lingered in the air around them.
But Damon didn't want to sound insensitive by ignoring the Old Acedia's history.
"Ruled by the God of Storm… that must have been an era of power and turmoil," Damon mused, gazing at the ruins and envisioning the grandeur that once defined this place.
Mikha'el nodded solemnly. "It was. The tales speak of mighty battles, power struggles of both gods and mortals. But all that glory came at a cost," she explained with a saddened voice.
Damon looked at the broken tower, its shattered stones a stark reminder of the city's downfall.
"But I'm curious about something, Mika…" Damon muttered while rubbing his chin. By now, they had finally descended to the ground.
"What is it?" Mikha'el replied nonchalantly. Her eyes squinted at the new nickname.
"Well, you stated that you're the protector of this nation, which is an important role, but I don't see anything that reminds them of you. No statues, no memorials, not even a mention of a Dragon Protector," Damon explained with a frown. He stood before Mikha'el's face to see her expression.
Mikha'el strolled amidst the ruins, her gaze sweeping across the broken remnants of what was once a thriving city. "The history has been erased, or perhaps buried so deeply that even the memories have faded."
Damon furrowed his brow, pondering the implications. "But why would such a significant figure and their guardianship be forgotten? You're even living in this broken tower and have been harassed by the Obsidian Order for years!" he exclaimed in rage.
Mikha'el sighed softly. "I have no temple. So I live here instead since it's the only place that can fit my size and weight," she replied and used her claws to destroy a wall.
Damon nodded in understanding, but he wasn't naive. He knew Mikha'el wasn't telling him the whole truth and left some of the essential details, but he didn't want to pressure her. He planned to know about it himself.
"I see," Damon smiled, stopping the topic.
As the sun began its descent beyond the horizon, casting an orange hue across the desolate landscape, Damon and Mikha'el found themselves lost in contemplation.
"We should rest," Damon suggested, breaking the silence. "We need to be prepared for whatever might come next."
Mikha'el nodded in agreement. They found a relatively sheltered spot amidst the ruins and settled down, the remnants of a forgotten era serving as their backdrop.
Damon felt pity toward Mikha'el, imagining how much pain and suffering she had endured for years. Mikha'el was lying before him and sound asleep, resting from fatigue.
A smile appeared on Damon's lips. He stood up and slowly walked away to prevent waking Mikha'el. When he was far enough, he stopped and hid behind a wall.
"Maya, is there a way for me to return to the city and exchange the Pooka's head for pera?" Damon asked in a whisper. He had completely forgotten about it.
[ Answer: Overshadow Teleportation ]
"Yes, I know, but my level is too low to go far," Damon sighed and face-palmed. He needed to level up as fast as he could.
[ Enemies Detected: Look at the map. ]
Damon glanced at his map, which showed several red dots. He remembered seeing Pooka camps nearby.
"I guess I have to do it," Damon muttered, heading to the nearest camp. He pulled out the Obsidian Sword on his crotch and killed as many as he could while looting.
It took Damon two hours before he could finally kill all the Pookas, cut their heads, loot, and store them all in his inventory.
"AH! I'm tired!" Damon whined as he slumped into the ground, feeling his muscles cramped. His hand trembled and got cuts from wielding the sword for hours straight.
[ Congratulations! You achieved rank 12. ]
Damon's eyes glanced at the shining announcement on his system, but he paid no attention. He wanted to take a short rest and a bath to wash the blood away.
"Maya, can I teleport far enough with this rank?" Damon asked while catching his breath.
[ Answer: Yes, after repeating the skill five times. ]
A notification appeared on Damon's screen to show the changes on his map.
Damon glanced at it and it showed the distance he needed to travel and to his surprise. They were closer to the New Acedia than he thought.
"This will do," Damon whispered, closing his eyes for a bit of rest, but he couldn't when thinking about the time before Mikha'el woke up.
Damon stood up and hurriedly went to their camp, where Mikha'el was still sleeping. He smiled upon seeing a dangerous creature being friendly to him.
"Well, I should leave a note in case she wakes up before my return," Damon muttered, searching the area for possible writing material.
Damon took a rock and carved his message on the concrete near Mikha'el, so she would notice it immediately. He waved goodbye before using the Overshadow Teleportation to return as fast as possible.