Legion and Selene opened the hidden door behind the room they were in. With the amulet within the grasp of Legion, they found the secret passage, a cavern, where no light was found, but the surroundings glowed in sync with the steps they took. As their minds were still etched with the sacrifices of the priestess, new mysteries would come into them, unanswered questions and unsolved reasons. Despair within hope, hope within Despair, was both equal and as they moved forward into the dark caverns, there was light at the end of it. Heading out of the cavern, the passage where the people saved by her walkthrough leads both Legion and Selene near a river. Water flows in a direction, a single one, just like their journey would lead them to home someday.

As they approached the riverbank, a figure emerged from the shadows, wrapped in dark robes, spoke softly, and had eyes that seemed to reflect all of eternity. The exact figure Legion saw before appeared in front of both of them. "The sacrifice of the priestess wasn't in vain; she did her duty, but it was just the catalyst of all that is what is to come."

Selene saw the figure for the first time, but she felt the figure was familiar to her. Legion gazed into the figure as it was a bit higher to them. His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to the figure. "What do you mean? What is to come?" The weight of the priestess's sacrifice pressed on his mind, intertwining with the mysterious figure's words. "Why show us this now? What is our role in this?"

"In time, you will find out, but the question that fogged your mind about the Great War, the answers you seek, lies within the fortress that still stands to this day." The figure pointed up into the snowy peaks covered with clouds. "A remnant of the Great War, the one who started It all, the ones who imbued scars within this land, I cannot tell any further, but It was a Holy War."

He clenched his fists, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "A fortress in the snowy peaks... That's where we'll find our answers." He glanced at Selene, his eyes reflecting a steely resolve.

She nodded slowly, her gaze following the figure's pointing hand toward the distant peaks. "The fortress... If it holds the answers to the Great War and the secrets of the past, then we must go there." Her voice softened, filled with empathy and determination. "The priestess's sacrifice led us here. We owe it to her and to all those who suffered to seek the truth."

They exchanged a look of mutual understanding and resolve. The path ahead was clear, albeit daunting. With the fortress in their sights, they knew their journey was far from over. It was a journey not just of discovery but of honoring the past and forging a future.

The figure began to vanish as it turned back, speaking towards Legion. "Legion. before climbing the peaks, find the sword that would help you protect your companions." He then vanishes into thin air as crows begin to fly from the trees.

Legion would wander into his mind, "A sword that would help me in this journey? Perhaps the memories within the souls could help me find that."

Selene watched Legion with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She knew the weight of the souls he carried and the burden of their memories. "Legion, if you believe the answer lies within the souls, we should explore them together. Each memory we've experienced so far has brought us closer to understanding the past—and perhaps, the weapon you seek."

Legion nodded, his gaze distant as he tried to recall the fragments of memories that might hold a clue. "There's a memory... one that speaks of an ancient blade. I didn't understand its significance before, but now... it feels crucial."

Legion begins to remember, from the memories of three souls he saw, all of them had an encounter with a particular soldier or perhaps a knight, carrying a great sword in his back. The first was the memory of the soldier, where the knight could be seen leading the charge; as his voice echoed through the battlefield, it gave them hope. The second was the memory of the merchant, and the knight was there buying goods at their popup shop. As he left, riding a horse with an emblem they hadn't seen before, it was black with rays of the sun. Lastly, from the priestess, the knight could be seen entering the temple as he kneeled, praying to the statue.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

With all these memories combined, Legion begins to guess the purpose of the knight during the Great War. "The monument I saw before, the sword in the middle, resembles what I saw from the memories; perhaps he was a known person."

Selene watched him intently, sensing the gears turning in his mind. Legion looked towards her, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Were there legends passed on through generations relating to that knight?"

Selene's gaze softened as she considered his question. "Yes, there are many tales, though most are fragmented and shrouded in mystery. The knight you speak of is likely Sir Alaric, known in our stories as the Protector of the Realm. He is often depicted as a beacon of hope during the darkest times of the Great War."

Legion's interest was piqued. "What do the legends say about him?"

Selene took a deep breath, recalling the stories she had heard as a child. "Sir Alaric was more than just a warrior; he was a symbol of unity and resilience. According to the legends, he wielded a sword of immense power, not just in battle but as a symbol of hope. It is said that he could inspire courage in the hearts of the fearful and rally the broken. The sword was believed to be blessed by a goddess, its light capable of dispelling the darkest of evils."

She paused, her eyes reflecting the weight of the stories. "The legends also speak of his final stand. When the forces of unknown origins were about to overrun the last bastion of hope, Sir Alaric led a charge that turned the tide, sacrificing himself to protect the innocent. The monument you saw is believed to mark the place where he made his last toast with his people before he ultimately faced his last stand."

"Maybe Sir Alaric's soul is within me, guiding my steps," Legion said, his resolve hardening. "He could show you visions of where to go," Selene suggested, her eyes gleaming with hope. "You're right," Legion nodded. "I'll try to connect with him and see what he reveals."

Legion took a seat on the ground, closing his eyes to focus on communing with the soul within him. Slowly, a silhouette appeared before him, sitting in front of him like a shadowy mirror image. As Legion concentrated, the vision began to form, though it was hazy and fragmented.

He saw a walled city bustling with people, their faces blurred and indistinct. The scene shifted to a cemetery at the city's center, a solemn memorial standing prominently among the graves. Then, the vision moved to a coffin, its presence heavy with unspoken significance.

Legion opened his eyes, breaking the trance, and looked at Selene. "I saw glimpses of a walled city, a cemetery at its heart, and a prominent memorial," he said, curiosity lacing his voice. "Does any of this sound familiar to you?"

Selene furrowed her brow, her mind racing through her knowledge. "The description is intriguing," she replied thoughtfully. "There is an old city that matches this description, though it's known for its abandoned and forgotten parts. It might be worth investigating. The memorial and the coffin could be significant clues."

Legion pondered the information, then asked, "Do you have any hints about its location?"

Selene thought for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "There are legends about a city that lies hidden within the mountains, obscured by mist and time. It's said to be in a remote valley, often shrouded in fog. If we follow the ancient paths and keep our eyes open for signs, we might find our way to it. It won't be easy, but it's worth the search."

"Let's set out then," Legion said, glancing at Selene.

"Onward we go," Selene replied, her tone filled with determination.

They followed the river's course, flowing steadily in the opposite direction. As they walked, Legion observed the river teeming with vitality—fish darted through the clear water, crabs scuttled along the banks, and various forms of wildlife thrived in the lush environment. The river, alive with nature's rhythms, seemed to guide their way forward.

As they neared a path leading up into the mountains, the remnants of the Great War lay scattered around them, a stark reminder of past devastation. Legion walked with a sense of inner conflict, casting fleeting glances at the remnants before lifting his eyes to the mountain peaks and the brooding sky above. Each step seemed heavy with unspoken thoughts and unresolved questions.

Selene, meanwhile, slowed her pace, her gaze lingering on the remnants. She closed her eyes briefly, lost in a moment of reflection, her expression a mix of sorrow and determination. With a deep, steadying breath, she nodded to herself and turned her focus back to the path ahead, catching up with Legion as they continued their journey.

As Legion and Selene walked away from the haunting remnants of the Great War, their footsteps seemed lighter, yet their minds were burdened with the weight of the past. The path ahead was uncertain, but the echoes of history lingered, a reminder of the battles fought and the sacrifices made. With a shared glance, they continued forward, ready to face whatever lay beyond the mountains, knowing that the actual journey had only just begun.