Mordelius lifted his magical staff into the air, gathering mana around its exterior. A large gust of wind blew over the forest, sending leaves through its currents.
Quantum particles merged together, forming a gigantic magic circle in the sky with many magical symbols.
"Heed my call, Mother Terra of the Earth Realm! Come forth in the form of nature, and depart the gates to Nazar! Let thou humble servant access the realm of natural good, and bring peace upon thy fruitful lands! Lutraneus Rulva Egdorma!"
His incantation reached the spiritual plane, accessing the Primordial Spirit, Terra, to open the gates of Nazar, for she was the only one with the key.
The large magic circle in the sky manifested the gates to the Earth Realm before their very eyes.
It was silver, covered with vines, and beautiful flower petals. The gates to Nazar opened, revealing the magnificent realm of the Earth Elementals.
"Come." Said Mordelius, heading through the gates.
"Mm." Grimhild nodded her head and followed behind, alongside the four horses of the apocalypse.
Inside the realm was a forest filled with massive trees that extended to the clouds. The gigantic trees had stairs wrapped around its exterior, and houses carved into its bark. Earth Elementals lived within them.
On the ground were hundreds of houses made out of mushrooms, with monuments of Terra scattered along the Elemental Kingdom.
"I've never been here, despite visiting Nazar a few times in my life." Said Grimhild, witnessing the beautiful scenery before her very eyes.
"It's the Central Kingdom of Nazar, known as Naturema."
"I see. I'm assuming this is where you live."
"Indeed. I am the High Priest of Terra, it is my duty to rule over the realm of Nazar with the commandment bestowed to me from Mother Terra herself."
"Of course. You're part of the Ten Commandments, also known as the High Elemental Priests. Terra puts her faith in you to keep Nazar safe, but you could've at least told me where you lived, Mordelius." Said the witch with with a smile.
"Back then, you were still... how do I put it?"
"Immoral?" Said Grimhild.
"Yes, immoral. I wasn't going to take any risks, I'm certain you can understand."
"Naturally. You were only protecting Terra's Kingdom."
"Indeed." Mordelius came to a stop, standing in front of a gigantic tree. It had a massive door, fifty meters in height.
"Welcome to my abode."
"This entire tree belongs to you?" Asked Grimhild.
"Pwa ha ha! Yes, indeed!" Mordelius tapped the massive door with his staff, engulfing it in green light.
After a few seconds, it slowly opened up, revealing the contents inside.
"Come, let us talk."
Inside were your average house appliances, and furniture. An alchemy table was shown at the corner of the room, with various potions, and vials scattered along tables.
Grimhild turned around, facing the four horses of apocalypse.
"Keep Jean safe, and if he ever wakens, tell him where I am."
They all nodded.
"Yes, Master Grimhild."
She smiled, and walked inside Mordelius' abode, as the doors closed behind her.
+
Thirty minutes have passed.
Grimhild and Mordelius conversed with one another, sitting on cushioned chairs, with tea in their hands.
"So, you've spent ten years in the Midland Forest protecting the mythical beasts? That doesn't sound like you at all, Grimhild."
The witch took a sip of her tea, nodding her head.
"The Midland Forest belongs to the Unicorn species. They've been hunted across Tellus (Earth) and were almost wiped to extinction, so I'm protecting them."
"Ah, I see. Unicorns are extremely rare creatures, but their horns are what's used to craft Holy Vessels, so everyone is dying to obtain them." Said Mordelius.
"Mm." Grimhild nodded. "Holy Vessels are the most powerful weapons in the world, and they require immense mana, which is the horn of a unicorn. Without it, a Holy Vessel is incomplete."
"Unicorns are said to ride along the Bifrost, thousands of years ago, which explains the trails of rainbows they leave behind. It is possible that Unicorns obtained the infinite mana from the Bifrost, considering their horns are fueled with endless amounts of it."
"That theory is already proven to be true; a unicorn's horn is known as the Alicorn, which acts as the core of Holy Vessels. With the infinite mana obtained from the Bifrost, the Alicorn is virtually inexhaustible."
"Mmm, I see." Mordelius sipped his tea and rocked in his chair. "So wielders of Holy Vessels have unlimited mana, is what I'm hearing?"
"Indeed."
Mordelius rubbed underneath his chin, humming in thought.
"If that's the case, then how are you going to defeat Lancelot?"
Grimhild went quiet from his question, closing her eyes in thought.
"The five legendary heroes may have weakened over time, but they still have the power to annihilate all of Tellus with a single strike."
The witch remained quiet until she reopened her eyes, gazing upon the High Priest.
"Only time will tell, Mordelius."
"Don't give me that, Grimhild!" The elderly elemental leaned forward, placing his tea on the table. "You know how strong the five heroes are, and yet you accept Lancelot's challenge."
"It's to help those in need."
"I understand that, but you'll die."
"And how can you be so certain?"
"Because I saw it myself!" Shouted Mordelius. "I seen... powerful magicians die at the hands of the heroes. Magicians that could destroy Tellus with their magic! Magicians that had the power to rule the world! I saw them all die."
"I know." Said Grimhild. "They were evil magicians in the past who sought to overthrow the heroes. They had the power to annihilate everything, and still lost in the end."
"If you know of this information, then why are you so confident?"
Grimhild stared at her reflection in the teacup before taking another sip.
"I am not confident, Mordelius."
"Hm?"
Grimhild paused for a moment, saddened in her eyes.
"I only seek redemption, that is my purpose for all of this."
"...?"
Mordelius was baffled at her words, and could only lean back in his rocking chair.
"For the lives I've taken, and for the people I've tortured... I only want to do what is right."
Mordelius felt discouraged to continue, he could only stare at the grieving witch in front of him.
"I've hurt countless mortals, from humans to elves. I drove the world into madness, and made it a living hell, until Arthur nearly killed me, and changed my ways." She sat down her teacup and crossed her arms before taking a deep breath. "My true identity is the Witch of Destruction, Grimhild Yorgana..."
"...The Witch of Destruction?"
"Yes..." She looked away, ashamed.
"I-I believed you to be the Witch of Justice?!"
"That is only a title I gave myself to hide my true nature. I only wanted to become Justice and do what is right, to redeem my past actions."
"I can't believe it..." Muttered Mordelius. "You are the founder of destruction magic! It is you who made it!?"
"Mmn." Nodded the witch.
"All these years, Destruction Magic's founder has been hidden; theories arose, and false magicians claimed to have made it..." The High Priest smiled, having found the creator of the most powerful magic. "But it was you! You're the creator of the most powerful magic in the world, Grimhild!"
"It is why I was feared long ago, as part of the three calamities."
"I presume Arthur Pendragon was the only one who could go up against you and your destruction magic?"
"He was the only human who could do it, yes, but Agnes and Beatrice had their magic that could match my own."
"Unbelievable..." Muttered Mordelius.
"After I left my old group, I ventured into the world to study the arts of magic, and learned countless spells from ancient races; some lost, and some forgotten. Throughout my journey, I have conquered all magic, except for some."
Mordelius stood up, smiling at his old friend.
"I'm assuming the only magic you haven't learned, is Elemental Magic."
"That is one of them, yes."
The elderly elemental smiled and left their vicinity.
"Come with me, old friend, allow me to give you something."
The witch stood up, eyes filled with curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Come see."
The both of them walked upstairs, heading to the fifth floor of the abode.
At the very top was a room filled with bookshelves, and magical staffs hung along the walls.
But most importantly, a display case was in the middle of the room, holding a specific book.
"This is a Book of Spells. It holds every single spell that the Earth Elementals have."
"Mordelius, why are you showing me this?"
The old elemental chuckled at her question.
"Because I'm giving it to you."
"...Why would you give me such a thing?"
Mordelius faced the display case, crossing his arms behind his back.
"You told me your deepest secret, which proves our bond as friends... so I'll also prove it, by giving you the Ancient Book of Nazar."
"I couldn't possibly take that." Said the witch, contemplating her decision.
"But I want you to."
Grimhild's stoic expression became one filled with joy.
She smiled, glancing at Mordelius.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. Go ahead, take it."
She nodded.
"Then I shall."