Grey soared through the dark sky, his black wings made of magic shimmering against the shadowy backdrop. These wings were one of the many things he had learned from Lyra, who was incredibly proficient in magic. They were perfect for his current mission.
He glanced down at the forest, excitement and curiosity bubbling up inside him. This place was full of surprises, and he was eager to see what lay beyond.
"Almost outta here," Grey muttered to himself, anticipation in his voice. The open landscape beyond promised new adventures, and he was more than ready for whatever came next.
To blend in with the fallen angels, Grey had altered his complexion to a pale shade. His hair was already dark enough, so no changes were needed there. His eyes, too, fit right in. What he really needed were those black wings, and with Lyra's teachings, he had managed to create them with magic. This disguise would help him move among the fallen angels unnoticed, allowing him to gather knowledge about their magic and research their secrets.
As he neared the forest's edge, Grey began to descend, preparing to land. The trees thinned out, revealing patches of open ground ahead. His sharp eyes scanned the horizon, looking for any signs of life or danger. Every sound and movement around him felt magnified by the stillness of the night.
He landed gracefully, his wings folding neatly behind him. The forest had been a sanctuary, but now it was time to move on. Taking a deep breath, Grey felt the crisp air fill his lungs. He set off with a determined stride, the vast, uncharted landscape before him like a blank canvas waiting to be explored.
"Let's see what you've got," Grey said to himself, a grin spreading across his face. With one last look back at the forest, he stepped forward into the open, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Unbeknownst to him, the hunt was already on. High above, the man with red eyes and the blue cross was closing in, his black wings cutting through the air as he flew towards the forest. Grey's curiosity and the fallen angels' mission were on a collision course, and their paths were destined to cross sooner rather than later.
After landing, Grey took a moment to survey his surroundings. There was no greenery here, just a barren landscape with a few dark, twisted plants that looked out of place. He started walking, taking note of everything around him. The ground was hard and cracked, the air thick with an unsettling stillness.
As he walked, Grey's eyes caught sight of a path ahead. It seemed to lead towards a larger city. He paused, considering his options. He could go back to the small city he had encountered earlier, but his gut told him otherwise. Now was not the time to retreat. He needed to push forward and continue his exploration.
Besides, Grey was eager to see what a large city in this realm looked like. In his entire life, he hadn't seen a city that truly impressed him. Thalassar had been magnificent once, but now it lay in ruins. The prospect of discovering a grand city in this strange land filled him with excitement.
He set off down the path, his steps quick and purposeful. The barren landscape slowly gave way to more signs of habitation. The twisted plants became more frequent, and the occasional structure loomed in the distance, hinting at the presence of civilization.
"Let's see," Grey muttered to himself, the anticipation clear in his voice. His wings, still folded behind him, shimmered faintly with the magic that sustained them. He felt a rush of adrenaline, eager to uncover the secrets of this realm.
The path began to show more signs of use—worn tracks from travelers and the occasional piece of debris. Grey's excitement grew with each step. He was getting closer.
As he walked, memories of Thalassar flickered through his mind. That city had been a symbol of grandeur before its fall. He wondered if the city ahead would match or even surpass it. The thought filled him with a sense of wonder.
Finally, as he rounded a bend, the city came into view. From a distance, it was an awe-inspiring sight. Towering structures made of black wood and stone stretched towards the sky. Even from afar, Grey could see the intricate details of the architecture—sharp angles, elaborate carvings, and the occasional glow of magical energy.
His heart raced with excitement. This was what he had been hoping for. A city that was not just large, but alive with energy and mystery.
"I can't wait to see what's inside," he said to himself, a smile spreading across his face.
With a sense of anticipation, Grey continued down the path, eager to explore the city and uncover the secrets it held. He was ready for whatever lay ahead, confident in his disguise and his ability to navigate this strange new world.
Inside the city, Grey wandered around, his eyes wide with excitement like a child. He saw so many different things and so many people. Though they were fallen angels, Grey considered them living beings, just like humans, even if they were affected by evil mana.
What intrigued him the most was that no one seemed to be using their wings to fly. Instead, they were all walking and enjoying themselves.
Grey chose not to fly, knowing it would attract attention. Not many people were flying; instead, everyone seemed to be walking. This struck Grey as odd. If they could fly, why weren't they? Was there some kind of rule or law preventing them from doing so?
The city bustled with life, no different from the cities in Grey's world, as his grandma had described to him.
As Grey strolled down the street, a shop caught his eye. He couldn't read the writing on the board above the shop, but the expression on the girl's face outside told him she needed help.
"Hello, miss," Grey greeted as he approached the girl, who appeared to be about twice his age.
The girl looked at Grey with her obsidian-black eyes, filled with curiosity. Her gaze settled on the small boy who appeared to be around 11 or 12 years old.
"Hello," she said, her voice soothing and melodious. Despite being only 15, she had an air of maturity about her.
Her features were striking, with high cheekbones, a delicate nose, and full lips that curved into a gentle smile. Her beauty was otherworldly, enhanced by her flowing dark hair and the grace with which she carried herself. She radiated an almost ethereal presence, making her stand out even amidst the bustling city.
Grey wasn't usually the type to approach strangers, but there was something about this girl that put him at ease. From a distance, she didn't seem dangerous—quite the opposite, in fact. She looked safe and approachable. Grey thought she might be helpful for gathering information about the realm.
"Is there something you need help with?" Grey asked, hoping the girl might owe him a favor he could use to learn more about the place and its situation.
The girl kept her gaze on Grey, then nodded slowly. "Actually, I do need some help," she admitted. "I'm quite hungry and came here hoping to get something to eat. But the owner of this food shop was caught by the officers for stealing materials from storage. Now, there's no one to serve the food."
"If that's the case, how about I make you something to eat?" Grey offered, a smile spreading across his face.
The girl raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You know how to cook?" she asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
"Of course!" Grey agreed enthusiastically. "But why are you asking that? Is something wrong with me cooking?" he inquired, a touch of confusion in his tone.
"No, it's just that very few men who haven't opened a shop like this know how to cook, and you're the first one I've encountered who does," said the girl, her surprise evident in her tone.
"Well, this is the second time I'm hearing this," said Grey, laughing. "It's good to learn how to cook. It comes in handy when you're traveling alone and feeling hungry."
"You're correct. I think I'll learn how to cook too," said the girl, nodding in agreement.
"Well then, let's go and cook. But where?" said Grey, looking around for a suitable place.
"And what about the ingredients?" said Grey, furrowing his brow in thought. He had some leftover meat from the snake beast, but he hesitated to use it. He didn't know what other kinds of beasts or monsters might be found in this place.
"Oh that," the girl remarked, a smile lighting up her face. "You can use this shop, since no one owns it now." With that, she stood up and walked inside the shop, gesturing for Grey to follow.
Grey followed the girl inside the shop, his curiosity piqued. As he glanced at her back, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. There, behind the girl's back, were four wings, gracefully unfurled and shimmering with a dark energy. They were undeniably beautiful, their sleek black feathers glinting in the dim light of the shop.