[Narrator's POV]The map given to the orphans was composed of different destinations they needed to pass safely. The hunters' mountain is the most dangerous and secured part of the land of Astria, and the only path they can take to reach the Lake of Aria. The monstrous creatures living in the mountain include wild beasts, elves with strong black magic, half-human half-animal creatures like centaurs, and more.Surviving on that mountain is indeed hard. A single person without abilities would end up dying without even reaching half of it.Alasdair is both worried and excited about what is going to happen after the defenders face their death.He smiled at them and said, "I hope you all have a nice journey.""A question: what's the point of separating us into five different teams when we are all heading to the same destination?" Maison wondered."By the use of my powers, I will send you to different starting points before you begin your journey," Arphen explained. "As you already know, th
[Narrator’s POV]The magic of beginnings happens when a real journey is about to start. No one improves without facing difficult challenges in life, though some end up losing their lives for the sake of progress and improvements; courage is what reminds every one of them. The defenders knew that their either fortunate or unfortunate fate would begin once they all heard the sound of the trumpet noise. They all took a step forward with excitement creeping inside them, even though they felt anxious about all the unknown dangers they were going to face.“Do you think we are able to accomplish all of our plans before the Dark Lord decides to harm them and wipe us all out?” Arphen wondered aloud to the headmaster.Alasdair couldn’t help but smile at his question.“It seems like…” The former king paused for a moment and gave him a quick gaze. “You are already losing your faith in our Gods,” he concluded. “They may send us to a place far away from our kingdom and let us face this kind of desp
[Nowo's POV] This land never fails to surprise me. I thought monsters only existed in books and that there was nothing to worry about since those were all a bunch of letters written on pages. But then, they kept showing in front of me, and this made me feel terrified. Lane and Talaa were captured by an unknown flying beast. Their appearances were somewhat blurry due to the thick dark smoke conquering the whole forest, but then the moment they started flapping their wings, the smoke began to disperse. The two little fairies were both trapped inside the long claws of a half-bird, half-woman creature. "H-help," Lane uttered as they gave us a grimace of pain. As the flying creature came near us, another two appeared behind her. Their eyes were wide-opened, which made me think that they do have a clear sight in this wide and gloomy area. Their faces were wrinkled, and they do have the creepiest smile I've ever seen here in this land. "Moha," I called him and was about to spill a few mo
[Narrator’s POV]There is nothing more entertaining for the headmaster than being able to watch all the orphans clearly with the help of Arphen’s magic. He is fully amazed by how they solved their obstacles with their bare hands and minds. Jack used his spear and his own strength to forcefully free himself from the trap, and Blaze, on the other hand, couldn't do the same thing because her weapon isn't capable of that. She made herself as light as possible, moved to the side where she saw a branch, and quickly reached it. In the end, despite the trouble, their pride still won, and Arphen shook his head as a sign of disappointment."I'm amazed at how these two overcame their situation. They are both skilled to be a pair.""I agree, my king. They are both skilled; however, there are no signs of unity," Arphen commented.Alasdair nodded after he realized what his loyal comrade was trying to teach this pair.As for the next pair, Cordelia and Helios kept on walking two meters away from eac
[Narrator's POV]They couldn't describe the raging happiness creeping inside their bodies the moment they all reach the end of the forest. Their once bowed shoulders and shaking limbs turned into their normal places and movements. They all felt like the energy they had lost during the troubles they faced inside the dark forest already came back.At the end of the dangerous path, another entrance to a weird destination appeared. A familiar place where they had all seen before.The labyrinth.Who would've enjoyed being trapped in a huge labyrinth that is covered not just by normal plant walls, but creepy-looking huge walls with sharp thorns? They could hear a lot of weird noises from where they are all currently standing. The sounds can be described as wailing creatures, which came after the loud growl of a seemingly wild monster. Fear started to creep on their bodies after taking a step towards the dark entrance of the labyrinth. The strong, howling wind gave them goosebumps and even m
[Narrator's POV] A long time ago, there was a group of male sinners, also called cursed humans, who had been altered by the Gods to transform into evil giants with fur-covered bodies, bull-like heads, and tails. These monsters, born from the arrogance of man towards the Gods, came to be known as Minotaurs or the Monsters of the Labyrinths. Five of them found themselves trapped inside the confusing structures created by Poseidon, where five pairs were currently walking through. "To kill is to live" was their belief, and they eagerly awaited the arrival of the defenders to satisfy their hunger. Meanwhile, three pairs, including Nowo and Moha, Helios and Cordelia, as well as Raiden and Fraise, were nearing the center of the labyrinth. Here, they needed to fight and defeat the monster to pass through to the other side of the death circle. The incredible force emanating from the center pulled them closer, and as they approached, strange sounds grew louder. "What is that creature?" asked
[Narrator's POV]Helios couldn't believe that Cordelia's seemingly simple suggestion would lead them to success. With nothing but their bare hands, they wrested the hammer away from the beast and used it to crush him. Lifting the heavy hammer, they felt as if their wrists were about to be ripped off."Damn. That was heavy," Helios exclaimed while stretching his long arms."See? I told you! It will work!" she joyfully uttered with sparkling eyes. Helios nodded. "Yes. You did well." He agreed and smiled at her. He patted her head while complimenting the female orphan.Cordelia smiled at him and suddenly ran towards the beast weapon. "Can I keep it?" She asked while jumping out of excitement."No." He firmly insisted.After the Minotaur fell lifeless, they started to walk and searched for their missing spear and sword. Their unexpected success surprised the headmaster as well as Arphen. Even though they knew the two would still pass through the labyrinth, they never expected Cordelia’s
[Narrator's POV]Except for pairs like Frisia and Raiden, the practicality shows that only close-range and big weapons can defeat a huge and strong enemy in an urgent way. Without cooperation, Blaze wouldn’t win against Jack, since it takes a lot of concentration for a slingshot user to hit a certain target with enough force. The enemy moves in different directions every single time, which is really challenging and difficult on Blaze's side. Due to this fact, the spear-user, Jack, won the said competition. He smiled at the thought that his calculations didn’t disappoint him. He knew from the very beginning that Blaze would find it hard to land her silver ammo on the beast’s body, but then because of her pride, she accepted the deal without thinking of the possible outcome. “What now, rude princess?” He teased her followed by a loud laugh. “Or should I say, my slave?”Blaze rolled her eyes and said, “Among all the dogs I’ve encountered, your barks are the most horrible.”Instead of lo
Like a tragic story, my path didn't end well. I fought in a way that I believed was my best, only to find out that nothing was sufficient. Even one's true self couldn't serve as a ticket to alter fate. The memories of that war are still vivid in my mind, from the moment we prioritized our duties as defenders over everything, including our hearts, to that specific instance when he finally did what he needed to do to save the land. The profound sorrow visible in his eyes remains unforgettable and painful. Although we never had a chance to bid a proper goodbye, at least we knew we did our best for what is right.After that, my messy but joyful life seemed to come to an end. It feels like everything happened just yesterday, yet I know it's been a long time since the terrifying war with the dark realm. I can now feel my entire body lying on a soft bed, which I guess is made of swan feathers. The sweet floral scent in the air suggests daffodils. My hands grip the smooth texture of their ste
[Nowo's POV]"I didn't know you had that kind of courage to betray us," Algea told me.She became mad at me because of what I did to the dark lord. With the use of the queen's soul, I tried to harness her power to cleanse the evilness inside my father's heart. I wasn't even finished when she suddenly entered my father's chamber and pulled my hair.The dark lord woke up, seeing her pointing a knife at my throat."What do you think you are doing?" he asked her."Why? Is your heart getting soft now? This defender is a traitor!" she exclaimed."Kill me so that you won't be able to use that damn stone," I teased her.She pulled my hair tighter, and then she said, "Who are you to order me around?""I'm the daughter of the queen whom you were envious of and the dark lord whom you loved the most but cannot have," I teased her once again."Do you think you can take all the bad spirit inside your father's body?" she asked me. "Let me tell you something. No black witch has the kind of weak power
[Nowo's POV]After they took her for some treatment, me and Lane went to our room to finally take some rest. We only have a few hours to spend here before we go back to the dark realm, like what I have promised to my father. Algea let me drink a potion, which will soon take me back to that place, like a bubble that pops out from this base."I'm leaving everything to you, Lane," I told her."Can I just go with you?" She sadly asked me.I started to lower my gaze and took a deep sigh, "I won't let them have anyone that is precious to me ever again, and I don't want your life to be in danger," I told her."But, Nowo," I didn't let her finish her sentence."Here," I interrupted while handing her a bottle of potion. "Drink it, and you'll be free from your contract.""What do you mean?" She asked me, stammering."You have to take this potion so that you'll stay alive no matter what happens to me," I explained to her.Lane started crying, and that punched my heart so damn hard. My tears were
[NOWO's POV]Like the flower sprouted in a small amount of land placed at the center of the continuously flowing river, I have no other places to go to either. I'm stuck in a bad fate that isn't going to change. I sometimes ask myself, am I really going to do this? Am I ready to fulfill the mission I just found out from where I was destined to die?But far from before, I can clearly understand my purpose in this land now. Those questions are just a part of a normal Nowo who never ran out of complaints and questions in life.Now that I am facing him, not in a safe place but his dangerous place, I know I should never think about going back to our base."What brings you here, my daughter?" He asked me. Everything about the dark lord is kind of weird for me. I also wonder why he always has that evil witch beside him. It's like that woman didn't want to leave him alone."I am here for Fraise," I uttered. I was so determined to get her out of here that I didn't even have time to change my e
[Nowo’s POV]It was a complete, deafening silence the moment they all left the training ground. I thought I was the only one inside at that moment, but then a glowing creature flew towards my direction."Hiya," she greeted me. One of her hands was placed on her back, and the other one continuously waved at me while she was also lowering her gaze.She almost bumped into me, but then I stopped her tiny body with my index finger. "Oops, sorry, dear," she uttered."It's okay. Will you please raise your head up?" I told her while smiling.She pouted, and then she asked me, "Are you still mad at me?"I shook my head from left to right and sat her on my left palm. "I wasn't mad at you.""But you didn't talk to me for days," she responded.I took a deep sigh and then I told her, "Well, I'm kind of disappointed because of what I have figured out recently.""But you can always talk to me about anything. It just doesn't feel right to be ignored, especially by you, my dear," she responded. I coul
[Nowo’s POV]That was the first time I spent almost the whole gloomy day reading only one book. It might not be for me, but the thing is, it captured my attention. What was written inside, as well as the kind of helpful information it provides, makes me want to put my time into it. It's pretty hard to admit, but I find myself really weird these past few days. I've been so busy thinking about everyone’s betrayal towards me, and I knew at that moment that my decision to just end the darkness is at its final level. I know it is kind of unusual for me to confess it, but I don’t feel like ending someone’s life anymore, even if it’s the dark lord. Given the fact that he is my father, won’t change anything. It’s just that I want nothing but peace, and killing will never be a part of it.“Lane, have you...” I was right about to talk to her and paused until I realized that she’s not here with me, and this is the first time I felt completely alone.No Moha, no Lane, no one that I can possibly
[Narrator's POV]Meanwhile, Helios noticed the unusually quiet person beside him. He creased his forehead and started questioning her, "Cordelia, are you alright?"Not only that she's unbelievably silent, but she was also lowering her head to the point that her chin almost reached her chest. Helios is unable to take a peek at her face because it is hidden, and the dark lord's chamber is too dark as well."Hey, kid," Helios uttered after tapping the female defender's shoulder lightly.Helios found it more strange when her body suddenly shakes, as if she was either crying or laughing. A few seconds after that, Cordelia raises her head and stares at him while flashing a wide smile on her face."Am I being weird if I say that I'm completely thrilled and fired up right now, Helios?" She responded. Her voice was too loud for the rest of the defenders to hear her."Are you being serious right now?" Jack asked her.Instead of answering him, she just stared at him still wearing that kind of cr
[Narrator's POV]Life is indeed full of surprises and uncanny events that will leave you dumbstruck for the whole moment. It is quite hard for them to catch their emotions the moment they all figured out that their female comrade is still alive. They didn't know whether to celebrate the happiness they are currently feeling right now or to put their attention to the growing fear and sadness, seeing her in a very unwell condition.The dark lord went somewhere behind Fraise. He clasped his hands on the female defender's shoulders, and then he his near the side of her face. "Wake up and take a look at those wonderful despair painted on your comrades' faces."Raiden was completely annoyed about what the dark lord did. "Don't touch her or even come near her."Pricus quickly lifted his hands away from Fraise's shoulders, "Oh my, I'm scared." He said, and then he started chuckling. A few seconds after that, he began to flash a smirk on his face and touches Fraise's hair gently, and then he su
[Narrator's POV]"Why did you come with us?" Luna asked Lane. "Aren't you supposed to stay beside Nowo?" she added.Lane couldn't blame her for wondering about it because she also knew that it is completely odd for her to accompany them instead of staying beside her dearest person."She doesn't need me. I feel like I'm being abandoned for no clear reasons," the female fairy uttered while lowering her gaze."Hey, don't say that," Luna responded to her. She started tapping her back lightly with her index finger and then she continued, "Nowo will never abandon such a sweet guardian like you."Lane stared at her and asked, "If that's the case, then how come she keeps on hiding? Like she doesn't even want to talk to me anymore.""As far as I know, dear, Nowo didn't speak to anyone for days. Maybe she wasn't in a good mood these days or something really bad came up, and she ended up losing her will to interact or to do anything," she explained.It is clear that she was trying to make the fe