The faint sunlight spilled over the land of Black Veil, gradually dispelling the oppressive aura that had once enveloped it. The region, once filled with darkness, now seemed eerily serene. Yet, this tranquility could not hide the scars left behind by the fierce battle that had just unfolded.
Jay knelt on one knee, panting heavily. His grip on the Scorching Sky Halberd trembled slightly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
In a low voice, he muttered to himself, "I've drained too much spirit energy… Mara was powerful… If I hadn't awakened my second guardian spirit, I might not have made it out alive today."
His gaze swept across the ruins surrounding him. Mara's death seemed to mark the end of this cursed land. Yet, Jay's brows furrowed even deeper. With a sigh, he murmured, "Mara is gone… but this is only the beginning. The Fallen Organization, the Ghost Wolf Camp, and that new group… the Divine Orbs, the Boundary Tree… No matter, I need to handle the present first."
At that moment, Vilk slowly regained consciousness. He stirred slightly, struggling to prop himself up. His eyes soon locked onto the towering figure of Jay's guardian spirit standing behind him. With a weak voice, he asked, "Is that…?"
Jay glanced back and gave a faint smile. "My guardian spirit, Hephaestus. Sorry I didn't mention it earlier—I'm a Spirit Armament Host. It wasn't something I meant to hide. By the way, Mara is dead. How are you holding up?"
Vilk managed to sit up straighter, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Congratulations, Jay. Mara's death… it's a relief. Honestly, I thought I was about to meet my maker."
Jay chuckled lightly. "Awakening a second guardian spirit at the brink of death… it's not a pleasant feeling, I assure you." He then looked up at the sky, his expression softening into one of quiet relief.
Ares and Hephaestus remained silent, their forms dissolving into light as they returned to Jay's consciousness. With Mara's demise, the curse over the Black Veil began to lift. The warped space started to heal, and the dense miasma dissipated little by little.
Jay stood up, stowing away the Scorching Sky Halberd. He reached out a hand to help Vilk to his feet. Their eyes met, and in that moment, a deeper bond of trust and understanding formed between them. The battle against Mara had not only honed their strength but also solidified their camaraderie.
"Let's go, Vilk. The Black Veil is no more. It's time for us to leave," Jay said softly.
"Yeah, let's go," Vilk replied, steadying himself as best as he could.
The two began their descent along the mountain path, their steps slow but determined. The ground beneath their feet, once hardened by malice, now seemed softer, as if liberated by the lifting curse. The sunlight bathed them in its golden glow, casting a warm radiance over their silhouettes.
The battle against Mara had come to an end, but they both knew that the true challenges lay ahead.
At midday on the mountain path, a gentle breeze swept through, carrying a faint, refreshing chill. Jay and Vilk walked side by side. Though both were physically and mentally exhausted, Mara's death had brought them a small measure of relief.
After walking for a while, Jay glanced at Vilk and casually asked, "Vilk, how's Adam? You seem to be recovering well, so I guess your injuries weren't too serious."
At the mention of Adam, Vilk sighed softly and shook his head. "Adam overexerted himself using his spirit energy to heal my injuries. He's fallen into a deep sleep and won't be able to respond for a few days."
Jay nodded, offering a few words of comfort. "Let your guardian spirit rest properly. They need recovery just like we do. Today was a tough battle—no one came out unscathed."
The two continued in silence, the quiet mountain path gradually opening up to reveal hints of human activity. In the distance, a small cluster of low houses appeared, with wisps of smoke curling up into the air. Under the noonday sun, the scene exuded a sense of serene warmth.
Jay stopped and pointed ahead. "Looks like there's a small town up ahead. Perfect for taking a break. Let's go; today's been rough enough."
Following Jay's gaze, Vilk spotted the town and allowed a faint smile to creep onto his face. "Good idea. Let's refuel—we've still got a long road ahead."
The two headed toward the town, sunlight streaming down on them as if to dispel the shadows of their recent battles. Though the fight against Mara was over, they both understood that the challenges waiting on the road ahead would likely be even greater.
The tavern's lights were soft and warm, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of barley. Jay and Vilk sat by the window, overlooking the peaceful streets of the small town. Occasionally, the distant laughter of townsfolk and the creak of wagon wheels broke the tranquil silence.
Jay picked up the glass of water in front of him, took a sip, and gazed out the window, lost in thought. After a moment, he broke the silence. "This town is quite nice—peaceful and comfortable. But let's get to business. Vilk, about those hidden powers, like the Fallen Order... Their strength must be formidable. Do you know much about them?"
Leaning back in his chair, Vilk shook his head and sighed. "The Fallen Order? To be honest, that name is new to me. But any organization that has someone like Mara among its ranks must be extraordinary. If their members are all on Mara's level—or even stronger—it's going to be a serious problem."
Jay fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly, almost to himself. "In a chaotic world like this, no one can stay uninvolved. We've been dragged into this, and the only choice we have is to face it head-on."
Turning to Vilk, Jay's eyes carried a glimmer of curiosity. "What about the Divine Orbs? I know the Barrier Tree protects the Spirit Realm and Domain City, but I've heard little about the orbs. What do you know?"
Vilk furrowed his brow, seemingly piecing together his thoughts before replying. "You've probably heard the legend. There are said to be eight Divine Orbs, once safeguarded by Domain City to maintain order in the Spirit Realm. However, long ago, the orbs were gradually lost, one by one. Now, Domain City holds only two."
"Only two?" Jay repeated softly, his brows furrowing further.
Nodding, Vilk continued, "It's said that the former Grand Arbiter used the power of the orbs to repair the Gate of Eternity and seal away certain mysterious entities. In the process, they sacrificed themselves. That's about all I know. Much of it is based on rumors, so it's hard to tell what's true."
Jay didn't respond immediately. His gaze lowered, and his fingers lightly tapped the rim of his glass, as if processing what he'd just heard.
The tavern remained tranquil and serene, but the weight of the conversation hung heavily between them. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting its golden glow on their faces.
"It seems the road ahead will only grow more treacherous..." Jay murmured, his gaze firm as he looked out at the sky beyond the window.