Johan’s journey continued as he followed Elara through a dark open field. The faint scent of dew-kissed grass flooded the air. It was so dark he could barely make out Elara’s frame in front of him. The only source of light came from the moon and stars twinkling above like distant flares of hope over the capital city of Audermas looming behind them.
Johan had little choice but to trust Elara’s words, but the closer to freedom he got, the more suspicion led to doubts that clouded his mind. She had outlined a plan to help him escape the capital’s walls while assisting his friends in maintaining their facade while working alongside her father.
But why?
She didn’t want to sit on the sidelines anymore as her father cast judgment based on paranoia, but were her reasons for all this valid?
It was a risky gambit, but what else could Johan do? Stay and rot in that cold, filthy dungeon, awaiting his death? No way.
As they continued, Elara led the way into a forest of trees. Johan followed closely behind, his gaze fixed on the distant darkness. The soft rustle of grass beneath their feet was the only sound that broke the silence of the night until a melodious sound replaced it.
Johan quickly paused, his ears attuning to the mysterious melody drifting in his head. It was a gentle, rhythmic cadence, like a soft murmuring beckoning to him. Almost straining to listen, the sound grew clearer, weaving into his consciousness with a hypnotic allure.
“…Water…?” Johan grumbled, closing his eyes and allowing the tranquil melody to wash over him.
Its peaceful flow echoed through the darkness, a soothing symphony. Each ripple and eddy carried a wave of serenity as the water danced over stone and earth, forging its path through the silent night.
It was reminiscent of the natural harmony of the world he had left behind before being thrown into this fantasy realm of foreign politics.
Beside him, Elara stood quiet before nudging him forward. “We must keep moving, Johan. We’re almost there.”
With a silent nod, Johan followed her lead. As they ventured deeper into the night, Elara raised her delicate hand, and suddenly, a flickering flame that danced to life in the darkness like a torch cast a warm glow upon their path.
Johan’s mind wandered back to the chilling memory of Captain Enfys and his sword, its icy touch numbing his hands with a bone-deep cold. Shivers ran down his spine at the recollection, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in this unfamiliar world.
Lost in thought, Johan gazed over Elara, her features illuminated by the glow of her magical flame.
“So, you can conjure up fire, huh? That’s pretty impressive. Should I be worried about you roasting me alive in the name of your father?”
Elara chuckled with a smile, replying softly, “Who knows? Maybe you should be worried. But impressive? It’s a simple magic spell quite common in our world. You mean you don’t have anything like it in yours?”
Johan shook his head. “No, we don’t,” he admitted, his voice filled with fascination and a slight chuckle. “Magic like that is just a thing of movies and video games where I’m from.”
“…Movies and video games…?” Elara repeated. “What are those?”
Johan began searching for the right words to describe concepts so ingrained in his world yet utterly foreign to hers.
“Well, movies are like… stories told through moving pictures,” he began, gesturing as if to mimic a screen. “And video games? You could say they’re interactive stories you play on a screen.”
Elara tilted her head, her eyes dancing with curiosity. “So, you mean to tell me… you watch stories on a magical moving picture, and you can also play stories like a children’s game?”
Johan nodded, unable to suppress his grin at her genuine interest. “Exactly. It’s like experiencing different worlds and adventures without ever leaving your home.”
Elara burst into laughter, ringing through the quiet forest like tinkling bells. She quickly covered her mouth with her free hand to stifle her amusement.
“Oh, Johan, you truly are from a strange and wonderful world, aren’t you?” she teased, her eyes sparkling with delight. “I must say, your stories of movies and video games sound quite entertaining. Perhaps I should take some lessons in adventure from you.”
“Well, Princess, when it comes to adventures and video games, I’m practically a master guide. Just consider me your trainer for all of your epic quests.”
The two couldn’t help but laugh at their banter. Despite the vast differences between their worlds, Johan felt much more connected to Elara.
Johan shuffled behind her, his sneakers crunching softly against the grass beneath him. The soft glow of Elara’s conjured flame flickered ahead, casting shadows that danced across the trees. The silence between them had grown comfortable, though Johan’s thoughts were far from settled.
Something had been bugging him, an itch in his mind that refused to go away.
“Princess,” he said, breaking the silence, “can I ask you something?”
She glanced over her shoulder, her pink hair catching the light of the flame as it swayed gently. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“It’s… probably going to sound weird,” Johan began, scratching the back of his neck. “But, how is it that you and I are having this conversation right now?”
Elara raised a delicate eyebrow. “I’m not sure I understand. Is something wrong?”
“No, I mean—” Johan hesitated, trying to find the right words. “You’re speaking English. Like, fluently. And so is everyone else I’ve met here. But how?”
“English?” Elara repeated. “What is that…?”
Johan’s face went blank. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Elara tilted her head slightly, her confusion deepening. “I don’t know of this ‘English’ you describe, Johan. All people of Eosdadalon speak Eosian.”
“Eosian?” the name rolled off his tongue with unfamiliarity. “What the hell is Eosian?”
“It’s the language of our world,” Elara said matter-of-factly as if this were the most apparent thing. “The language you and your friends also speak.”
Johan stopped dead in his tracks. “Hold up.” He pointed at himself, then at Elara, then back at himself. “You’re saying I’m having this conversation in Eosian?”
“Yes. Believe it or not, you’ve been speaking it perfectly since I met you.”
Pacing as his mind raced, Johan muttered, “That doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know Eosian. I’ve never even heard of Eosian. I know I’m speaking English; somehow, you understand me, and I understand you. All of this is giving me a headache.”
Elara watched as Johan’s mind spiraled. “Johan, maybe this whole time you’ve been speaking Eosian. You just haven’t noticed.”
“No way. I know I’m hearing myself in English!” Johan exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “Plus, that’s not how languages work.”
“Hmm, you’re right. It’s not like you wake up one day and suddenly know a new language,” Elara added. “But as history states, all the former heroes summoned here spoke Eosian.”
“But I’m not one of the heroes…”
“Well, who’s to say? Especially with your connection to the others. Your friends speak Eosian as naturally as anyone else here.”
Logically, this made no sense to Johan, but then a thought struck him. Could it be the Sanity System translating for him? But what about his friends? As far as he knew, they had no connection to the system or Sanity.
“So, what do you think? When summoned here, did a universal language converter magically install in our brains?”
“It’s possible that the prophecy’s summoning did more than we think,” Elara suggested. “It’s been centuries since the first recorded heroes stepped foot on Eosdadalon, and we still don’t know all the mysteries regarding the prophecy.”
“That’s… unsettling,” Johan admitted, crossing his arms. “Will I wake up one day with sprouted wings?”
Elara smiled softly. “I doubt that. Though I must say, I find it fascinating that you’ve thought about this. Most people would accept what is.”
Johan smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Well, Princess, I’m not most people. Accepting things as they are sounds like a shortcut to getting yourself killed around here.”
“As long as it doesn’t hinder your journey,” Elara said gently, returning to their path. “Come, Johan. Before it gets too late.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Johan replied, following behind her.
Eosian, huh? His thoughts lingered on the strange, unexplainable phenomenon. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever find the answers.
“You know, Johan, as much as I’ve always been fascinated by tales of exploration, I’ve never been able to experience them.”
“Really? But you’re a princess. Don’t you get to go wherever you want?”
“In theory, perhaps. But in reality, my duties as the princess keep me inside the walls of Audemars.”
“Not being able to explore the world you were born into… rough.”
“It is. Sometimes, I wonder what lies beyond the other kingdoms. The tales of glory that adventurers all long for.”
“Hey, now you’re experiencing a little sense of adventure, right?”
“True, this is exhilarating, for sure,” Elara replied with a soft laugh.
Johan watched on, captivated by the genuine joy radiating from Elara. He saw her true beauty shining through. It wasn’t her striking physical appearance illuminated by the flickering flame she conjured but the warmth and kindness in her laughter, the authentic curiosity in her gaze, and the strength of spirit that surrounded her like an aura.
Silently, Johan marveled at her ability to find pleasure in even the simplest of moments.
Eventually, they reached the forest’s edge, and the two came upon a winding riverbed, its waters glistening like silver liquid in the moonlight. Elara paused, her eyes fixed upon a seemingly innocuous patch of earth at the water’s edge.
Above the patch was tall brushwood, and with a swift movement, she brushed it aside, revealing its secrets camouflaged within the rocky embrace of the capital’s wall—the outline of a hidden door, its entrance concealed from prying eyes and known only to a chosen few.
Elara turned to Johan, her gaze tender as she spoke, her voice a soft melody against the quiet of the night. “This is where we part ways. Beyond this door lies your freedom.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Johan said. “For everything… I will never forget your kindness.”
“You’re welcome… It’s the least I could do.”
Johan’s gaze lingered on her, taking in the beauty that seemed to glow in the darkness, her eyes reflecting the shimmering moonlight above. Elara smiled, her face glistening with fondness as she reached into the folds of her cloak, retrieving a ring.
The ring was a masterful piece of craftsmanship, crafted from deep burnished gold that caught the moonlight with a warm glow. Its intricately designed band featured swirling patterns that mimicked vines entwining ancient trees.
At its center lay a polished, oval gemstone, deep blue like the sky just before dusk, set within a delicate silver frame that beautifully contrasted with the gold. The engraved crest of the Raignald royal family adorned the stone—a majestic lion intertwined with a delicate rose.
“This ring symbolizes my family’s legacy,” Elara explained, slipping it onto his finger. “It holds the strength of my ancestors and my hopes for the future. With it, you carry a part of my family with you, and it will help you as you journey into the unknown.”
Johan stared at the ring, recognizing its value far beyond the gold. It felt like a piece of her history resting on his hand.
He felt Elara’s fingertips delicately touch his skin before intertwining in quiet intimacy. They stood, sharing a silent understanding of the situation, and for some odd reason, their actions transcended the need for words.
Elara smiled, her eyes blazing with unspoken emotion, and her pale complexion flushed a sudden red. “Promise me this. You’ll return it to me someday.”
Johan’s eyes met hers. “I promise,” he vowed, his voice steady and sure as he felt the smooth surface of her hand brushing against his. “But I want you to promise me something too.”
“And what’s that?”
“Keep my friends safe.”
“…I will, Johan. I promise.” Elara returned his gaze, her eyes holding an incredible depth of sentiment that spoke volumes. “When you’re beyond the walls,” she whispered, “pay close attention to the creatures of this world. They may not be as formidable as some, but they still pose a threat.”
“Creatures…? What kind of creatures?” Johan asked, his curiosity piqued.
Elara’s gaze turned towards the darkness beyond. “In this area, they’re relatively weak and docile compared to others,” she explained, “but you must remain vigilant, nonetheless.”
But all too soon, reality intruded upon their moment of solace, and with a final squeeze, Elara withdrew her hand, stepping back.
“Go now, Johan,” she said. “Head north until you reach the Den of Wolves. Ask for Ludolf, and tell him I sent you. He’s a tough one to crack, but deep down, he’s a good man. He’ll help you. Good luck, and may the Goddess watch over you.”
“…Ludolf. Got it.”
