They continued their journey together. With Terresa leading the way and giving directions, Moirai's journey became easier, thanks to her knowledge of the area.
"You weren't lying about knowing this place... your navigation skills are impressive," Moirai said, admiring Terresa's expertise.
"Thanks... this skill didn't come easily, you know. I learned a lot on the Alpina continent, a place where the Umo Federation needed the help of a mage," Terresa replied.
"That place... is one where you can only rely on yourself. Just like on this continent, Atea, the continent of Alpina has never truly been at peace, even though the holy war ended long ago," Terresa remarked.
"Bandits, monsters, demonic remnants, and even the legendary dragon Thyellas have turned hostile to humans on the continent of Alpina..."
"Come to think of it, why am I still alive in that place..."
"By the way, Rai... why did you become a Knightwalker? You know, because of the war, people who can fight are highly sought after for recruitment. Isn't it better to find a decent place to live than to wander continuously?" Terresa asked, her curiosity evident.
"That's because... I have a promise to fulfill..." Moirai replied.
"Promise?" Terresa asked, confused.
"Yes, a promise... I'm traveling around the continent, fulfilling a promise I made a long time ago. That was long ago... while traveling, I try to help anyone I can. Maybe that's why I got the nickname Knightwalker..."
"The world might be more peaceful if people like you were everywhere rai... more peacefull " Terresa mused, lost in thought.
As they continued their journey, Terresa sensed something odd. "Hmm... I feel something strange from the sky... is it... a bird or something?" she wondered, looking up.
Moirai looked up and saw Flammiel flying closer. "Don't worry... it's my friend," he said, raising his hand for Flammiel to land on.
After a moment, Flammiel slowed down and gently landed on Moirai's hand. "Hey buddy... thanks for working hard," Moirai said, stroking Flammiel affectionately.
"Whoa... you have a spirit? And it's a flaming bird?" Terresa was amazed to see Moirai so close to Flammiel.
"Well... it's a long story. I've been with her since childhood, but actually, Flammiel isn't my spirit. She belonged to someone close to me back then," Moirai explained.
"By the way, you are very good at sensing Flammiel from a long distance... her presence is quite small even at this close."
"I am a great mage, you know... the power of a mage is their ability to control mana, a miracle created by Iliana, the first mage," Terresa explained excitedly.
'"mana is an energy that can be manifested into something new... from nothing to something. like mana is the element that forms all things du world. like turning mana into fire or turning mana into water all depends on the composition needed and the density of the mana released,"
'"for example like me earlier... I released a certain amount of mana from my body which then spread throughout the air as a sense of feeling that senses everything around. with the right composition and the right density in this case I released the mana as thin as possible in order to reach as much area as I could." terresa said with great excitement,
"You really like magic, huh?" Moirai asked, noticing Terresa's enthusiasm.
"Yup... I really do. You know what? When I discovered my talent as a mage, I was so happy. The world seemed so colorful when I was little..."
"I was eager to travel across the continent... I imagined the cool adventures that awaited me outside the village gates... meeting new people, getting to know new places, learning new magic, having fun with my friends... I imagined all the exciting things I could do," Terresa reminisced with a bright smile.
"But now... many of my friends have gone over to the goddess' side. The places I frequent are mostly cold battlefields. The only thing my friends and I used to do was hold funeral ceremonies for our comrades..."
"the only thing I could hold onto was... magic. I traveled around the world learning different types of magic, no matter how small or how insignificant the magic is. because it was... the only thing left from my childhood dreams..."
"Sometimes... reality is not as beautiful as a dreamer's dream," Terresa concluded with a wistful sigh.
"By the way, Rai... why do you want to be a knight? Being a knight seems very hard... you have to follow the knight's code, learn politics, always do good, be honest, fair, and wise... ughh... the thought makes me sick," Terresa said in a joking tone.
"Well... just like you, it was my dream since childhood... to be a knight who helps selflessly... a knight who is good at fighting... a knight who is willing to sacrifice... for the greater good," Moirai replied with a nostalgic smile.
"I want... to be that kind of knight," Moirai said with a smile.
"Hmmm... I guess I'm not the only one with childish dreams like that," Terresa remarked.
"Heh... everyone has those moments," Moirai replied, sharing a knowing glance with Terresa.
They continued walking, flanked by tall trees that towered on both sides of the path. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Birds chirped in the canopy above, creating a natural melody that accompanied their steps. As they talked, it felt as though they were old friends reunited after a long separation. Time slipped away unnoticed, and soon the sun had set, giving way to the soft glow of the moon.
"I think we should rest, Terresa. We can continue the journey tomorrow," Moirai suggested, his voice gentle.
"What? No... we... we need to get through this forest. If we linger here too long, we'll be caught in a messy fight," Terresa replied, her breath coming in short gasps.
"But you look exhausted," Moirai said, concern etched on his face as he noticed Terresa struggling to catch her breath.
"Nonsense... I'm a great mage who can traverse continents in an instant... I... can't be tired," Terresa insisted, though her eyes were heavy with fatigue.
"We should rest. I'll handle any trouble that comes our way," Moirai said firmly.
"Really? Then... please," Terresa relented, pulling over to lean against a tree trunk. She slid down, her body sagging with exhaustion.
"Don't worry. Just rest. Good night, Terresa," Moirai said, his tone reassuring.
"Good night..." Terresa mumbled, already drifting off to sleep as the moonlight bathed the forest in a silvery glow.
Moirai gathered pieces of wood from around the area to use as firewood. Once he had enough, he quickly built a campfire around Terresa, who was already fast asleep.
"This should be enough for us," Moirai murmured as he stacked the wood.
Flammiel, perched on Moirai's head, flapped his flaming wings and flew around the pile of wood. Sparks flew from Flammiel's wings, gradually igniting the wood until it was fully ablaze.
"Thank you, Flamm... take a break, you've worked hard today," Moirai said, smiling at Flammiel.
Hearing Moirai's words, Flammiel's fire slowly dimmed. The warmth that had originally radiated from Flammiel's body now faded into nothingness.
"Huh... what a tiring journey..." Moirai sighed, lying down while picking up the halberd from his back. He looked at the halberd, feeling its unseen aura.
"This weapon... maybe I should burn it along with its owner," he mused.
"Ughh... this sucks," Moirai muttered, staying awake by the smoldering campfire. Darkness had completely enveloped the forest, and the campfire's light was the only illumination. Moirai held his halberd, alert for any threats that might emerge from the shadows.
Time passed slowly as Moirai remained vigilant in the cold, dark night. Suddenly, he heard a sound from the bushes. He quickly raised his halberd, ready to strike.
"Damn it... whoever you are, get out of there... we have no ill intentions. We won't use force unless you force us to," Moirai shouted.
There was no reply, but the sounds grew clearer and multiplied, indicating that many were approaching.
"What's wrong, Rai? Why were you shouting?" Terresa asked, waking up from Moirai's shouting.
"No time to explain... Terresa, I need you to cast the spell that illuminates this place, fast," Moirai instructed.
"How big?" Terresa asked, grabbing her wand.
"As big as possible," Moirai replied, preparing for what might happen.
Terresa quickly took her position and raised her staff high. Instantly, a ball of light appeared above her staff, shining brightly. The ball of light shot into the dark sky, exploding and flooding the forest with light equivalent to the sun.
The darkness vanished, revealing a large number of undead surrounding Moirai and Terresa.
"Oh crap... they've got all the resources for war, and now they don't even have a priest to pay their last respects?" Terresa said skeptically.
"What a joke," Moirai muttered, gripping his halberd tighter as they prepared to face the undead horde.
"Terresa, prepare to fight, I will be the vanguard and you, terresa, use your attack magic that can finish them off in one hit,"
"Alright rai... let's do it," said Terresa as she pointed her staff at the undead.
without waiting any longer moirai immediately lunged at the undead in front of him. quickly he swung his halberd horizontally and made several undead heads cut off in an instant. without wasting momentum moirai stabbed the undead right into its neck. rotten blood splattered everywhere. making a pool of blood where moirai stood.
on the other side, Terresa swung her staff at the undead. a spark of light appeared forming a bunch of small balls that floated in the air.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt."
The ball of light easily pierced the heads of the undead that were trying to get close, giving them instant death. the ball of light continued to fly no matter how many undead had been defeated until Terresa herself stopped it.
With a swing of his halberd moirai continuously slashed the undead's heads with precision. seeing the mass of undead that continued to approach moirai touched the sharp blade of his halberd.
"oh lost soul, I pray for you hope, and a guidance to your promised destiny." moirai whispered softly.
instantly flames appeared. moirai swung his halberd again and this time simultaneously burned the undead corpse. different from the usual fire moirai's fire does not burn anything at all even if it comes into contact with other objects.
A group of undead had been successfully defeated but another group of undead continued to appear endlessly.
"oh my... this night is going to be so long...". Moirai muttered, steeling himself for the prolonged battle ahead.