This afternoon the weather is sunny with only several small clouds hanging in the sky. The Violent Peaks is a name of a giant mountain where the southern part of it is in Kai while the northern side is on Su. This mountain is so huge that the summit is covered in ice, the white color seems to break the blue sky, the western part of it borders on the abandoned land where no kingdom claims ownership of.

  On the Kai side of the mountain, Asata and Luna are riding horses they bought from a nearby village. They’re riding slowly, the forest’s towering trees arched overhead like building’s roofs, their leaves whispering secrets in a language no men speaks. Shafts of golden light pierced the canopy, painting shifting patterns on the moss-covered ground.

  Luna: Can you tell me again where are we going, Asata?

  Asata: I told you, it’s a hiding place I used to use together with my friend.

  Luna: When is the last time you’ve been here? Since I met you in Su, I think it’s already a long time since the last time you were here.

  Asata: The last time I was here was… 5 years ago.

  Luna: That’s so long ago, are you sure this is the place? This road doesn’t seem like the road that people often travel.

  Asata: It wouldn’t be a hiding place if it’s easy to find. So just be quiet and follow me.

  Asata leads the way, his eyes scanning the surroundings looking for familiar markings, he’s leading the way through the woods, following a small trail, and for a little time it seems like he’s going in circles. After one hour he stops and jumps down from his horse.

  Luna: What’s wrong?

  Asata: I have to admit… the land has changed. I don’t even recognize the trees.

  Luna: My fear has become reality. What now?

  Asata: Even though I forgot the exact place, it is still around here. We need to split up and search on foot.

  Luna: I don’t even know what the house looks like, how do I find it?

  Asata: It’s the only house here, near a creek. I’ve been trying to find the stream but failed.

  Luna: I understand, let’s split up.

  Luna also jumps down from her horse and tie her ride to a nearby tree, then she starts walking deeper in the woods. The sun light from between the leaves brightens her blonde hair, several small animals avoids her path as she walk. After she wanders aimlessly for about 30 minutes, she hears a sound of a moving water, even though soft. She makes a turn towards the source of it, hoping she’d find the creek Asata told her.

  The underbrush thinned as she pushed past a curtain of ferns, boots brushing against tree roots. The forest that was dense a moment ago, opened into a quiet glade. A narrow creek flow through like a thread, its water is clear and transparent enabling Luna to see the stones underwater. She takes several steps closer, the sound of the running water is soft and clear to her ears. Then she sees it: a small hut nestled beneath the boughs of an old willow, its roof sagging under a patchwork of moss and fallen leaves, its door is opened and the window glass is broken, it’s clear the house is abandoned for a few years and now nature has taken over.

  Luna: This must be the house Asata mentioned. Let me take a closer look.

  Luna uses stones on the surface of the creek as stepping stones to get to the clearing. She was just a few steps in the glade when a ball of fire magic shoots out of the broken window directly towards her. She quickly creates an ice shield to protect herself from that attack.

  A short man walks out of the hut’s door. He wears a brown clothing that opens at the center, revealing his muscular chest, he also wears a pair of big gloves. His pants is in a darker color than his clothes, matching his boots, he wears a small bag on his waist. His weapon is a long white shaft of pipe-looking-thing with a hole on one end and a handle on the other, there’s a small trigger near the handle. But his most striking feature is a magical marking on his forehead, revealing what he is: a Nyxari.

  Nyxari man: Who are you and how do you know this place?

  Luna: That’s so rude, you know? Attack someone out of the blue, and now you’re asking me questions before even introducing yourself.

  Adan: Alright, my name is Adan Faris. Now answer my last questions.

  Luna: My name is Luna Autumnmoon, and Asata told me about this place so I’m looking for his hiding house.

  Adan: You captured Asata already? I am too late to safe him. Now you will tell me where you’re keeping him, or better yet I’ll make you!

  Luna: Wait, I think you have a misunder-

  Adan aims his weapon at Luna, and a fire magic shoots out of the hole at the end of it. Luna crouches down to dodge it.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Luna shoots an ice knife at Adan. Adan blocks that attack with his weapon, which seems strong enough to withstand Luna’s ice magic attack.

  Adan grabs something from his waist bag and throw it on the ground near Luna. That thing explodes before Luna realizes what it is and the fire hurts her.

  Luna quickly closes the gap between her and Adan, then she launches an array of kick attacks from knee to roundhouse kick, all connects to Adan.

  Adan shoots one more fire bullet to Luna. Luna creates an ice shield to block that attack.

  Asata: Both of you stop right now!

  Adan and Luna stops their movement and look at Asata who is standing at the other side of the creek. It looks like he just found where his hiding place is.

  Adan: Asata? She didn’t capture you?

  Asata: Huh? Who said I’ve been captured?

  Luna: I don’t know, definitely not me.

  Adan: Oh, I thought… the reason you’re here… ehem! It seems like I have misunderstood you, lady. And for that, I apologize.

  Luna: Don’t worry, you’re forgiven.

  Asata crosses the creek and approaches Adan and Luna.

  Asata: You idiot, do you think the shogun’s samurai could easily capture me? Do you think I’ve gone weak.

  Adan: Hey, this place is supposed to be our secret place. What should I be thinking if a stranger comes in and said she knows it from you… while you’re not with her?

  Asata: Anyway, I feel like I have to do the boring job of introducing you two. Luna, this is Adan, my best friend who accompanied me while I’m exiled. Adan, this is Luna, a traveling bard who happen to get dragged with me.

  Adan: Nice to meet you, Luna.

  Luna: Likewise.

  Adan: The both of you need to get inside the hut, there’s something I wanna discuss with you.

  Adan walks toward the hut, Asata and Luna quickly follow him. The inside of the house isn’t any better than the outside. Broken floor panels with grasses growing in them, two beds are already broken by time, there is a table and three chairs at the central room that’s also covered in plant branches. A small squirrel runs outside the window when the three of them come in.

  Adan: Look at these. These posters were just recently distributed to bounty boards across the kingdom.

  Adan gestures to the table, on top of the table there are two parchment papers one with a rough drawing of Asata’s face, and the other with Luna’s, along with their name. Below their face the word “WANTED ALIVE” is written in bold text, and below that text is the reward for capturing them. Which would make a peasant instantly richer than most nobles.

  Asata: What the hell is this mess? Is this drawing supposed to be me? Eyes are all wrong, and I don’t look like a damn monster every waking second.

  Luna: They drew me wrong too! They don’t even get my hair right.

  Adan: Now you see why I didn’t recognize you earlier. Anyway Asata, they accuse you of assassinating the shogun, everybody else in this kingdom would believe it but I don’t. Not even a second. Tell me the truth, and I’ll believe what you’re gonna say, Asata.

  Asata: Adan… the truth is a little hard to believe even for me, and I was there.

  Asata then told Adan the whole story, nothing is covered up, nothing is changed. From when he accidentally found the Brirene guys until the moment the shogun was assassinated.

  Adan: Unbelievable, whoever sent the assassin have the power to break through the castle’s barrier? Who could have done such a thing?

  Luna: The only person who cold have done that is a mage from Brirene. We have the strongest magicians in the continent.

  Adan: Brirene? But that assassin has a black hair! She’s definitely from Kai!

  Asata: We’re thinking the same thing, my friend.

  Adan: Could it be that one of the nobles is working together with Brirene to kill the shogun? To start the civil war again?

  Luna: Civil war? What do you mean?

  Asata: Kai had a warring period between the nobles that lasted for 200 years. It was supposed to end when Princess Tomoko married, but… that assassin… killed her. The civil war was so close to restart again, but Princess Yayoi offered herself to be the bride. So the civil war can now finally end.

  Adan: After Nobusuke-sama died, Princess Yayoi will be the new shogun. Many nobles won’t like a woman becoming the shogun, and I’m afraid the civil war will continue again.

  Asata: It is my fault… I failed to protect Princess Tomoko back then, and I failed to protect Lord Nobusuke now. If a civil war breaks out… it’s all on me.

  Adan: Stop blaming yourself, Asata! You’re not responsible for Lord Nobusuke’s death. I won’t allow you to blame yourself for that! I will help you find the true assassin.

  Asata: Adan… thank you.

  Luna: So, about what to do next… I want to know who is the assassin’s accomplice? He must be a very powerful wizard from Brirene. If only I can find out who that is.

  Asata: If their aim is to ignite a civil war flame, they’d run away off the kingdom before the situation goes bad. And Su’s border is closer to the capital than going to Rexa. I’m sure they have retreated to Su.

  Luna: Oh yeah, didn’t you say they also have a plan involving dragon’s skulls? That means they must go to Su next.

  Adan: Now with your wanted posters are already spread out, the samurais at the border will be looking for you. How are you going to get past the border?

  Asata: We can go through Anvon, the forbidden land. Yeah, that place is dangerous and teeming with monsters. But we can reach Su from there without going through the Kai border.

  Adan: It’s alright, we’ve fought many monsters in our travel already. I’m not afraid of any beasts that could attack us in Anvon.

  Asata: It’s settled. You can ride with me, Adan. I’ll get the horses.

  Asata then walks out of the hut, leaving Adan and Luna alone. It is at this time that Adan realizes that Luna was staring at him.

  Adan: What is it?

  Luna: Is it just me, or does Asata becomes soft when he’s with you?

  Adan: What do you mean?

  Luna: Well, he’s usually grumpy and cold when he’s traveling with me. But with you around he can be more open, he even admitted that he felt guilty for letting Lord Nobusuke got killed.

  Adan: W-well… when he got exiled by his clan, I accompanied him travel the continent together. Either he expresses it or not, I know what he’s feeling.

  Luna: Really? That’s cute.

  Adan: Let’s stop talking about it, it’s kind of embarrassing for me too. Anyway, are you okay with this? You’re now a wanted girl in Kai for a very serious crime.

  Luna: It’s okay, I can just run away, right? Besides, the wanted poster looks nothing like me, so I don’t think I’d get caught.

  Adan: Well, if that’s what you feel. For now, me and Weiss will aid Asata in his journey.

  Luna: You give your weapon a name?

  Adan: Why not? She’s a beauty, isn’t it?

  At that time, Asata’s voice can be heard shouting from outside the hut.

  Asata: What are you slowpokes still doing inside the hut? Come out here, we’re gonna leave soon!

  After that, Adan and Luna step out of the hut. Adan riding the same horse as Adan, and Luna riding hers. Asata leads their way west, towards the barren and dangerous land of Anvon, where even the most seasoned adventurers can get lost and eaten by the savage monsters who live there.