(Since the prologue is over, you have started the main story, sorry for the delays.)
The moon glowed like a pale disc in the vast sky. Ash, with a graceful yet commanding presence, soared down toward the mountain's peak. Behind her, the deep navy sky was dotted with stars, shimmering as if whispering an ancient tale from millennia past. The profound silence of the night enveloped everything, making it feel as though time itself had stopped. Below, the world stretched out like a dark ocean beneath Ash's gaze, vast and endless.
The cold mountain air was thick, carrying a freshness that burned in her lungs with each breath. A gentle wind howled around the peaks, echoing like a hushed whisper as it struck the rugged stones. Ash's white hair danced delicately in the wind, joining the moonlight in a mesmerizing display of silver reflections. Each strand shimmered as if it held a secret of its own. This unique balance of darkness and light separated Ash from reality, enveloping her in a realm of dreams.
As she approached the summit, the jagged, cold surface of the stones became more pronounced. The cracked, harsh rocks took on an even sharper quality in the night chill. Here, the silence felt like a sacred moment, as if even nature was holding its breath in fear. With each step, Ash's presence commanded the stones and the wind, bending everything in the night to her will.
The cold air caressed Ash's face with a delicate touch. The wind occasionally picked up, rushing down from the mountain peak with fierce intensity. As Ash approached the place where Aery sat, her cloak billowed in the wind; it was so light and graceful that it seemed as though even gravity dared not lay a hand on it. The cloak followed her like a loyal shadow, wrapped in silver glimmers under the moonlight.
The view from the summit was a realm of darkness and cold that stretched endlessly. The forests descending from the mountain's base were barely discernible, shrouded in a thin veil of mist that lay like a blanket over the trees. As the wind flowed down from the mountain, it rustled the leaves in the forest, creating echoes that resonated through the stillness. This whispering was the only sound accompanying Ash's footsteps; everything was so serene and tranquil that it felt as if even the wind paid homage to her arrival.
When Ash stood at the mountain's summit, nature seemed to surrender to her presence. Every detail, every sound, and every shadow danced around her in submission. Even the chill of the night formed a circle around Ash, as if it were trying to avoid touching her.
As Aery sensed Ash's presence, his resolve deepened further. Silencing his inner voice, he stood up and began to walk toward her with steady and calm steps. His feet planted firmly on the stones, each step seemed to weigh down the night even more.
As Ash stood at the mountain's peak, there was not a trace of emotion on her face. The star-studded sky arched above her like a dome. With each step Aery took toward her, he felt her cold aura enveloping him more profoundly. The air around them was filled with an increasingly dense silence. The moonlight draped Ash's white hair and cloak in an almost intangible glow, enhancing her ethereal presence.
When Aery reached Ash, he paused for a brief moment before taking a deep breath and kneeling gracefully on one knee. As his knee made contact with the hard surface of the stones, the silence grew even more profound. Aery lifted his gaze to meet Ash's cold, expressionless face; yet, beneath that chill, he could sense the power that lay hidden. In the darkness of the night, it felt as though an invisible bond had formed between the two of them.
Aery spoke without losing the determination in his voice. Each word echoed in the wind, accentuating the weight of the air around them.
"Everything is ready."
As those words echoed in the deep silence of the night, it felt as if even the stones sensed the gravity of the moment. The wind quieted to a gentle stillness, creating a silence where even nature seemed hesitant to be part of this dark moment. The moonlight circled around Ash and Aery like a halo, appearing to transport them into an isolated reality.
Ash remained still as she listened to Aery's words. Her cloak fluttered gently, and despite her covered eyes, she seemed aware of everything around her, like a being that could see all. Between Aery's kneeling form and Ash's absolute coldness, this taut moment stretched throughout the night, serving as a silent harbinger of the impending fate that awaited them.
The prevailing darkness seemed to envelop them, transforming the scene into one drawn by the moonlight. The night wrapped around the two figures like a shroud of mystery. Everything within this moment felt like a herald of a significant change—the beginning of a silent pact that could even bring the night to its knees.
Ash, with no trace of emotion on her face, looked calmly at Aery and asked, "How many years have passed?"
Her voice, despite the heavy atmosphere surrounding them, was calm and resolute, echoing as if each word were sinking into the depths of the earth. The profound depth behind Ash's question seemed to halt even the wind.
Aery lifted his head, eyes unwavering but filled with a sense of unease. He took a slight breath, as if he were feeling the weight of the moment. There was an unmistakable hint of anxiety in his voice, yet he spoke clearly.
"Eight years, three months, ten days."
Ash maintained her silence, as if she could feel every moment of that span of time. However, Aery could not hide the uncertainty that the moment brought upon him.
Struggling to meet Ash's intense gaze, Aery slowly stood up. Yet, feeling lost under the weight of her eyes, he quickly looked away, staring at the ground as he spoke. His voice was shaky and uncertain.
"One of the two pieces we rescued is fake; the other was taken to the canyon for safekeeping."
These words hung in the air, carried by the cold breath of the wind. Ash noticed Aery's bowed head and the uncertainty on his face, deepening her own anxiety as she waited in silence.
Aery's eyes filled with an expression of sudden concern and guilt. In that moment, the silver glow of the moonlight, which distracted Ash, accentuated the emotions on Aery's face even more. After slowly walking toward Aery, Ash closed the distance before she spoke.
"Aery," she said, her voice deepening as it merged with the cold wind, "you must understand the truth that lies beneath this situation."
Aery paused for a moment at Ash's words, yet still kept his eyes fixed on the ground as he took a deep breath. He attempted to suppress the anxiety within him, trying to replace the worry on his face with a determined expression. However, that resolve could not escape the shadow of fear in his eyes.
Ash recognized Aery's reaction to these unexpected developments as an indication that their plans were in disarray and that a greater danger was approaching.
As Ash slowly walked behind Aery, she asked in a voice that echoed within the silence, "What happened after the last battle?"
The wind whispered through the leaves of the trees, creating a melody that broke the surrounding silence. At the mountain's high summit, the cold, hard surfaces of the stones concealed traces of a hidden past beneath them.
Aery paused for a moment under the echo of Ash's voice before responding with a deep sigh. The air was cold and sharp, causing their breaths to dissipate into the night. He looked uncertainly at the sky, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Everything ended much faster than we anticipated," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "But our losses were heavy. While we did not suffer a loss in manpower, the most critical information you had was leaked."
Ash stood behind Aery, feeling the weight of his words. After lifting the fabric covering her eyes, she squinted, focusing on Aery's face in the moonlight's shadow. The distance between them was perhaps not just physical; Aery's inner conflicts seemed to create a barrier as well.
"Remember," Ash whispered, her voice cold and dark. "Your task is not to forget this leak but to eliminate it."
Aery took a deep breath at Ash's words, but the worry in his eyes remained. This moment at the mountain's peak was not just a discussion between the two; it was an opportunity to confront the heavy burden of the past. The wind intensified the atmosphere, stirring up fine dust from the stones and enveloping the night in a profound silence.
Ash slowly settled onto a log at the summit. The log, cracked and covered in moss over time, was still strong enough to bear the weight of this moment. Around her, the cold wind created a gentle rustle among the leaves, becoming the only sound that disrupted the night's stillness.
The chilly air from the mountain's slopes brushed lightly against Ash's face, yet it did not affect her resolute demeanor. Surrounded by twinkling stars in the sky, she inhaled the fresh, crisp air carried by the wind. In that moment, a deep silence blended with the sounds of nature, supporting the flow of her thoughts.
As Aery stood beside Ash, watching her, the way she perched on the log reinforced her calmness and determination. Like spirits hiding in the shadows of the trees, the memories of the past seemed to gaze back at them. Ash's eyes were lost in the distance, the chaos within her seemingly untouched even by the moon's cold light.
"Ash," Aery said, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Is what you're thinking… passing?"
Ash paused for a moment before responding. Sitting on the log, she contemplated the depth of the silence surrounding them. "Passing... perhaps it's not about forgetting," she murmured, her voice echoing like a whisper. "Forgetting is not for us. However, we must move forward."
Her words danced in the air like a melody carried by the wind, drifting down from the heights of the mountains.
As Ash sat on the log, she found herself lost in a sea of thoughts. Her gaze drifted from the mountain's peak down into the darkness engulfing the depths of the forest.
Suddenly, she asked sharply, "Where are the children I brought you?"
Aery replied in a steady tone, "I sent them away before you arrived. They're at a training camp down the mountain, continuing their education."
A thought sparked in Ash's mind, but it was quickly overshadowed by others. Locking her gaze onto Aery's eyes, she pressed on, "Is their training sufficient? We're going through a difficult time; can we ensure our safety?" Her voice echoed with a cold undertone.
Feeling Ash's anxiety, Aery lowered his head, picking up a pebble from the ground and rolling it between his fingers. The night maintained its silence, and a faint mist began to rise at the mountain's base, creating an air of mystery and uncertainty around them.
"I'm doing my best," Aery said, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "But your presence is their source of strength... They feel braver when you're with them."
Suddenly, the air around Ash grew even colder. The chill from the mountaintop wind rustled the leaves of the trees, as if echoing her unease. The words that fell from her lips seemed to freeze in the air, hanging heavily between them. Each syllable resonated in the depths of the night, piercing Aery's heart like an arrow.
"Everyone's attention will be drawn to you," Ash said, her voice clear and resolute. "Under my guidance, you will become a true (the sound of the wind obscures this part)."
Aery felt the weight of those words settle over her. A wave of confusion washed over her, yet she held Ash's gaze, filled with respect and a hint of fear. "How can I do that…?" Her voice trembled with the intensity of her emotions. Those words echoed like a haunting refrain in the darkness of the night, and Ash could feel the depth of Aery's anxiety and reverence.
"Aery, it's time for you to step out of the shadows," Ash said in a cold tone. "When the right moment comes, you will reveal yourself. But for that, you must build trust with the people according to my words."
Aery felt the weight of those words settle over her. A flicker of uncertainty arose within her, questioning Ash's plan, but she chose to trust Ash wholeheartedly instead. Her gaze fixed on Ash's determined expression, the chilling sensation brought by the cold wind sent shivers through her.
"Ash," Aery said, her voice trembling yet resolute. "How can I build that trust? There's so much I need to learn from you, but I don't think I can handle it all."
Ash fell silent for a moment, casting a glance into Aery's eyes that seemed to pierce through to her soul. "You need to believe in yourself. When you stop staying in the background, you will see your true potential. Remember, the most important trait in this is determination. As you follow my path, you must also have the ability to make your own decisions."
A spark ignited in Aery's heart. "I won't disappoint you, Ash. I will do everything I can to succeed," she declared.
Ash took a brief look around in the cold wind at the mountain's peak. The sharp shadows of the rocky outcrops danced in the moonlight with a faint shimmer. The air grew colder, and with each breath, they exhaled clouds of mist. Ash stood tall and unwavering against all the elements of nature. Then, her gaze shifted back to Aery, and after a moment of silence, she spoke in a tone as cold as steel:
"Where is Ely?" Her voice sliced through the silence like a sharp knife.
Aery flinched slightly under Ash's piercing gaze. As always, she had to stand firm in the presence of Ash's silent yet overwhelming aura. Taking a soft breath, she maintained eye contact, albeit with a hint of anxiety as she replied.
"Ely... while you were gone," she began, her voice dropping, "I kept an eye on her. But as you know... she's still very timid and withdrawn. She wanders around the palace shadows, avoiding dangers. She hasn't found the courage to step out in your absence."
"As usual..." Ash said, her tone cool and steady.
Stepping forward, Ash inhaled deeply, drawing in the cold air with a sense of purpose. The calmness in her voice rivaled the sharpness of the wind at the mountain's peak.
"You have completed your most important task, ensuring that she remains unharmed," Ash said, her gaze piercing through Aery. Although Aery flinched slightly under the weight of those words, a hint of relief flickered in her eyes.
As Ash took slower, more deliberate steps, she reached for the small knife at Aery's waist with almost imperceptible speed. Grasping the blade, she began to twirl it gracefully between her fingers; it danced in Ash's hands, spinning elegantly. During this, she circled around Aery, each step confident and silent, like a predator.
Aery's heart began to race. Being near Ash both terrified her and filled her with profound respect. The knife's polished surface caught the moonlight, shining with a cold glint as it turned. Each moment of Aery's hesitation seemed to align with the knife's revolutions, intensifying the tension in the air.
Ash paused for a moment, speaking without looking into Aery's eyes. "Take me to her," she whispered, her voice both a command and a deep expectation. The air around her seemed to grow colder, the wind passing through the stones with a faint, eerie whistle. Aery felt the weight of the burden fall heavily on his shoulders. How long could Ely, with her timid and fragile nature, endure in the shadow of someone like Ash?
Aery took a deep breath, Ash's words echoing in his mind as he lowered his head slightly. "I'll take you to her right away," he said, a trace of nervousness in his voice. But retreating in the face of Ash's unwavering resolve was impossible.
Ash twirled the knife in her hand one last time before extending it back to Aery. As the cold steel dropped into his palm, he knew this was only the beginning.