Chapter 13: The Road to Nox Aeterna
The gates of Valoria slowly closed behind the expedition.
Ahead stretched a long stone road leading into the eastern wilderness.
Their destination lay nearly two weeks away.
The forgotten ruins of Nox Aeterna.
No one knew what awaited them there.
The expedition marched in silence during the first few hours.
Leading the group was Garrick Thorn.
Behind him walked Prince Lucien and Princess Elena, discussing the safest routes through the eastern mountains.
Lyra occasionally glanced toward Abster, who quietly observed the scenery around them.
Fenrir walked faithfully at Abster's side.
After a while, Elena slowed her horse until she was beside Abster.
"You've been awfully quiet."
Abster smiled.
"I'm trying to remember every detail."
"Why?"
He looked at the endless fields.
"Because everything here is still new to me."
Elena smiled softly.
"I forget sometimes."
"You really aren't from around here."
Abster chuckled.
"You could say that."
As the sun reached its highest point, Garrick raised his hand.
"We'll rest here."
The group stopped beside a crystal-clear river.
Lucien and Garrick began setting up camp.
Lyra gathered firewood.
Elena filled water flasks from the river.
Abster quietly helped without being asked.
Watching him, Helena smiled to herself.
"He never waits for someone else to do the work."
That evening...
The campfire crackled beneath a sky filled with countless stars.
It was peaceful.
Elena sat beside Abster.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"What did you dream about while you were unconscious?"
Abster stared into the fire.
"...A throne."
Everyone nearby looked at him.
"A throne?"
He nodded.
"It was surrounded by darkness."
"I couldn't see who was sitting on it."
"But..."
He frowned.
"It felt familiar."
A strange silence followed.
Helena quietly lowered her gaze.
She remembered the ancient prophecy.
Later that night...
Most of the expedition had fallen asleep.
Only Abster remained awake, standing watch beside Fenrir.
The wolf suddenly growled.
Something was approaching.
Abster gripped his sword.
From the darkness emerged three cloaked travelers.
Each wore a silver mask.
The leader raised both hands peacefully.
"We seek no battle."
"Who are you?" Abster asked.
The stranger answered calmly.
"We are members of the Order of the Eclipse."
"We've spent centuries searching for someone."
The leader stepped closer.
His silver mask reflected the moonlight.
"When we heard rumors of a man who made monsters kneel..."
"...we came to see if the legend was true."
Abster's expression remained calm.
"I don't know what legend you're talking about."
The masked man smiled.
"You will."
He placed a small black pendant on a nearby stone.
Its design matched the crown symbol from Lord Zarek's letter.
"Keep this."
"When the time comes..."
"It will lead you to the truth."
Without another word...
The three travelers vanished into the darkness.
No footprints.
No sound.
As if they had never been there.
The next morning...
The expedition resumed its journey.
None of them noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching from the cliffs above.
General Gruk stood beside a hooded warrior.
"The Sovereign is closer than expected."
The hooded warrior nodded.
"Lord Zarek's orders remain unchanged."
"No one is to harm him."
Gruk looked toward the distant mountains where Nox Aeterna lay hidden.
"Our king returns..."
"And the world still doesn't remember his name."
End of Chapter 13
New Organization Introduced
The Order of the Eclipse
A mysterious ancient order that has secretly searched for the Hidden Sovereign across generations.
Their true motives remain unknown.
They appear to know more about Abster's past than anyone else.