The night was rather uneventful if you negate the previous encounter with a shade, Nora and I rotated shifts with no activity except perhaps some harmless creatures that were left to their own devices due to no immediate shortage of food. My shift ran through to the moment the sun rose above the horizon to signal our departure once again towards the nearest town. Seeing this I lightly shook Nora to rouse her from sleep.

Nora had slept in the same clothes from yesterday and her brown hair that typically reaches below her shoulders was rather unkempt and needed some maintenance other than that her features seemed rather undisturbed.

After partaking in a few remaining scraps, we set off, I led the charge while Nora followed close behind, the general strategy following this set up was for me to survey the surroundings in our upcoming vicinity while Nora maintained vision on the rear. Minutes had passed with silence between us until is was broken by Nora after deciding there was no immediate threat or perhaps she had decided there wasn’t an issue even if we did spot opposition. She spoke in a relaxed tone with a calm expression as she spoke.

“…So… is there any particular reason you are capable of harming the shades as you call them? Are you some sort of light emitting holy man?”

I decided after spending time with Nora and the foreseeable future seemingly including her it was reasonable to give a response, although I didn’t fully intend my tone to become monotone and devoid of emotion.

“I’m unsure, although the blade seems much more robust than it originally was when I first received it, I had found it on the corpse of some bandit while hunting so I doubt it’s particularly special, however after some time encountering the shades it became capable of inflicting damage.”

Ignoring what I can only assume was a joke on the end of her question I answered to the best of my ability, while doing so I noticed a suspecting gaze from Nora as she focused on the sheath fastened to my waist on the left side and I relinquished it from its home and drew the sword to give Nora a closer look. Seeing the blade, she noticeably shivered before continuing.

“It has a similar feeling to the shades, it’s got some sort of awkward sheen, I wonder what caused it.”

Unbeknownst to both Kurt and Nora, the blade had undergone a sort of enchantment, after Kurt had used it multiple times on shades it had developed a shade layer of sorts, similar to how shades can infect flesh, it seemed as if the blade itself was riddled with remnants of shades, which caused a reinforcement to the metal of the blade and similar to how shades can interact with one another, this blade could do the same.

Taking advantage of the momentary silence I asked a question in return.

“Why were you running when I found you? Those pursuers didn’t seem like typical bandits.”

Nora adopted a solemn expression and averted her gaze downwards as she replied to the direct question.

“It was because of that gem you received.”

Remembering the gem that the shadow had absorbed into itself, I queried on the subject, for particulars, about why the gem was so important, up until now it had been on my mind, but I had taken some consideration to not dwell on the topic while the wound was fresh. Nora then looked at me with pure shock, awe or perhaps amazement.

“I forget sometimes that you know absolutely nothing about where you are…”

Noticing my disinterested expression at the light tease she continued.

“Gems are materialisations of a persons ‘self’ so to speak, when a person dies the emotions, memories and everything that makes up your ‘self’ would typically…how could I describe it, it would typically fade into the surrounding atmosphere and enhance life around it, plants might bear more fruit, trees might grow larger and air more pure.”

Noticing my interest as I had become silent to capture every word, Nora continued.

“When someone passes away they would typically be buried at a spot where there may be crops, or a water source or if you are say, a village elder, in some cases they may be buried with a weapon to bring forth some elemental enchantment similar to that person’s affinity while they were alive.”

I had looked a little confused here and before I could ask for more detail, Nora seemed to notice and provided a deeper description.

“For instance, a magician may use most magics but typically have a primary element that they are more capable in, whether the magic associated with that element cost less stamina to cast, or if learning ore magic in that element comes more naturally, they have a more particular affinity. When say a primary fire attribute magician gets buried alongside a staff or sword, a small chance arises where magi-particles stored within the body are absorbed by the weapon and give it fire magical properties, it’s like a store-bought enchantment however it is typically much more potent.”

“I see, then how do these gems come into the equation?”

Nora looked slightly perplexed before answering.

“Sometimes the ‘essence’ of a person turns into matter, forming these gems, they can be sold for a fairly high price in some black markets due to their almost portable ability to do what a buried corpse might. You can also use them as a sort of focusing prism to improve magics cast through them depending on affinity.”

Nora then once again averted her gaze. I noticed a somewhat sad expression flow over her and I began to slow down the pace as she finished her explanation.

“My gem is particularly special, it contains my magical essence but is particularly pure, mine however is present even though I haven’t passed, I don’t know why, my mum thought it was because I had an affinity to a rare type of magic, it essentially works as a part of my ‘self’ although doesn’t affect my personality, it’s more of a catalyst to induce a connection between me and the user.”

After hearing this, I thought there was one question in particular that seemed rather paramount.

“Wouldn’t it be best then if I wasn’t the holder, why would your mum trust me with such a valuable object, why would you trust me?”

“I personally don’t, not really, but my mum seemed to have faith in you for some reason and so I would honour that, besides, you haven’t misused it yet.”

“Is that also why I sometimes share emotions with you?”

“No, that seems unusual, people can normally only use it as a tool of sorts, a gem have never influenced another person’s ‘self’ before. “

“Sounds like a pain, these gems are more trouble than they’re worth.”

Nora let off a chuckle at this.

“I’ve never heard anyone describe them as a pain, normally people are ecstatic to find a new source of wealth or power.”

I looked at Nora before responding.

“Only if you can use magic right, I have no such ability.”

Nora looked shocked at first but then quickly composed herself while giving a small nod as if she understood something.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Perhaps that’s why you’re able to interact with gems more intimately, normally different magical elements clash causing restrictions and as everybody in this world has some level of affinity, there is always some level of incapability with gems, although with you there is no such thing.”

I brought the topic to a close, there was enough revelations there for the day to ponder and so we continued the remainder of journey in silence, except perhaps a command to maintain a full survey of the area or coordination as we killed a small creature or two that decided we were easy prey.

After a few more hours, the sun had reached its apex in its trajectory and had once again began to sink for some time, although not long enough to become dangerous, then upon exiting some brush, I spotted a small lit village in the distance, picking up my pace I approached, Nora noticed the village and followed suit, as we got closer Nora approached me and lightly whispered.

“Let me do the talking, keep your weapon in its sheath no matter what’s said.”

 Two large men stationed at the entrance grew more tense as they noticed us, one of them was wearing a long green robe and some leather shoes, his rippling muscles could be spotted through the cloth as he brandished a thin blade and held it up to create distance between him and us before locking gazes with the other man next to him, he was wearing similar attire however his weapon was a spear of sorts, where the head was shaped like a trident and the pole had a thin but very sharp spike attached at the other end. He then gave a small nod and began to speak to us with a deep, husky yet authoritative voice.

“What business have you here, and why does your slave hold a weapon?”

It appears slavery is a thing here, strangely enough his gaze was upon Nora as he spoke, obviously insinuating I was the slave.

As I slowly moved my hand towards the hilt of the blade, Nora quickly responded to the guard to dispel the tense air like a knife through butter.

“He isn’t just a slave, he’s my companion, as you can see he doesn’t have the crest, so he’s a higher slave, we merely seek entry through the village for rest and food.”

The guard gave a sneer as he continued to avoid eye contact with me, facing Nora he continued.

“An Erze travelling with a K’Jin, disrespectful to our race.”

Nora handed the lankier guard on the right some papers as he sifted through them he gave a nod, he had remained mostly silent throughout this whole encounter, albeit for a few sighs and grunts.

“Very well, you may pass, keep your slave in check, if we see him wondering without a pass we may incur an ‘accident’ or two as punishment. Weapons are to be in possession of the master. Any slaves or especially K’Jins in possession will be killed without trial.”

While still maintaining a displeased expression, I followed Nora through the gate and into the village, the first village since I arrived, since Rex died…

As we approached we saw an inn with a few stools set outside, there was a large rowdy crowd outside dancing on the stools to some rather obscure melodies being played by a slim pale skinned woman, she was wearing a silky blue dress that outlined her curves and draped across the floor, it truly was a beautiful sight. She had long silvery hair and maintained a calm composure with closed eyes as she drew across the instrument and produced these melodies, almost as if in a separate dimension compared to the crowd surrounding her.

I was taken slightly aback; however, I was brought back by a strong judgemental gaze to my left.

“I was sure you would react vastly differently, you’re normally fairly reserved and angry, didn’t expect you to become infatuated with the first Erze you saw.”

Erze was what one might mistake as an elf of sorts, they share similar traits, abnormally long lives, typically slender builds with a strong reliance on magical skills, however although they were proud, a lot of their action weren’t particularly intelligent. Although, closing yourself off to the world as depicted in stories and somehow maintaining an it’s-not-our-problem attitude, wasn’t always a good strategical position.

I gave Nora a quick gaze before explaining…to some degree, after all, I hadn’t been with too many women and I initially viewed Nora as a child so sexually, those thoughts never entered my mind.

“It may be true that I don’t give off the best first impressions.”

Nora chuckled.

“However, that’s due in part to my recent lifestyle, everything I saw wanted me dead, people I interacted with wanted me gone, I mainly kept to myself, I’m still on guard but I still appreciate events such as these, although they seem somewhat distasteful.”

As I said that I saw one of the other slender gentlemen who were dancing lose his footing on the stool and fall over, spilling his drink all over himself. Nora didn’t comment on that, she simply took a serious look at grabbed onto my wrist, any onlookers gave a disgusted look as they saw me, I didn’t mind though, if I needed I could defend myself.

Needless to say my weapons were in Nora’s possession as she led me to a similar looking inn, although this one wasn’t blessed with customers, in fact only a few could be spotted inside keeping to themselves.

As we entered another Erze women emerged from the bar wearing an outfit that involved black silk trousers that held no crease, alongside an equally straightest white blazer with black waistcoat and as she saw us, her pace quickened, and a smile lined her face.

“Nfmmz!”

Her voice was calm and soft, even when raised and speaking that terrible name, she could put you to sleep with it if you let her. Although now was not the time to appreciate the voluptuous breasts of this lady, I took a stance.  Seeing this Nora smiled at me and returned her gaze to the lady.

“Hello Unmy, where’s Lerz? He keeping you working the shop alone again?”

“Huh? No he’s currently gathering more boar meat stock as we’re running low if you’d believe it.”

While talking Unmy nods and smiles at me before returning her gaze to Nff-Nora.

“Who’s this? A boyfriend? Good to see you putting yourself out there, was such a shame seeing such a beautiful girl wilt.”

Nora looks around 19 so in fact has an actual age of around 54, so it’s certainly true. Of course, Kurt doesn’t know this though.

Nora instantly went a slight but distinctive red, due to her pale skin it was very prevalent, I still didn’t notice however, my eyes were too focused on the men and women placed around the bar, I wasn’t too interested in friendly chats.

“N…No! We aren’t like that, besides he isn’t the sort of guy to pursue those things…I think…we met rather suddenly.”

As Nora finished that sentence her voice became more distant as she became quieter.

“It’s mother, she’s dead.”

After hearing that Unmy had shown a rather regretful, yet apologetic expression and she led Nora behind the bar, gathered her a drink, passed me a similar brew and they had discussed the recent events.

“Shades…”

Unmy looked rather sorrowful at that word I had used to describe the shadows and then gathered herself, reapplied a smile and continued.

“Well then I guess drinks are on me! Was it Kurt? Thanks for helping Nora.”

I took another sip as I responded. It seems I could trust this women for now.

“It was simply coincidence we crossed paths, those men weren’t particularly difficult, we also managed to avoid the Shades for the most part. My point is, there really is no need to thank me. Nora has provided plenty of assistance in return, I would consider us even.”

As I said this Nora’s tears had subsided as she looked at me with a slight, but very prominent smile before drinking.

“That may be so, I’ve never seen somebody encounter these Shades as you call them and leave unharmed.”

I considered discussing my blade and its ability to inflict damage and then stopped that train of thought almost immediately, instead choosing to lie, or rather, bend the truth.

“We managed to get past after avoiding it’s advances and gather some light sources, once again with the help of Nora.”

Unmy seemed to be slightly suspicious, however she didn’t pursue it any further for now as she handed me another drink accompanied with some reserve meat, the meat tasted fantastic, while the drink was mostly tasteless, however incredibly bitter. I enjoyed both however, anything beats dirty water and bloodstained meat.

Nora perks up and changes topic.

“We were hoping to get some accommodation for the night? I have some money from mother.”

Unmy turned from me to Nora.

“Right, we have a double bed available for 2 copper.”

Nora went red again, this time I noticed and still was disinterested, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to have sexual relations with a partner, I just didn’t see it as anywhere close to a priority at this stage.

“Unmy stop it!! Two SEPARATE beds is fine!”

Unmy laughed while handing over two keys, she also provided Nora and I with a change of clothes, I had rejected them but Unmy insisted I at least took the green shirt and beige shorts to sleep in and so I accepted. She handed Nora a silk green blouse with similar beige shorts which Nora happily took with no conflict, we then proceeded to our rooms to sleep after drinking a few more and having light conversation with Unmy, mostly about recent happenings in the village and business success, general topics.

We both closed the doors to our separate rooms and I instantly fell onto the hard, but welcome bed in front of me, the room was relatively bare, with a simple oaken bedside unit and a dressed bed, I easily began to sleep.

Almost as soon as closing my eyes I woke in a pitch-black area, or rather a world considering its vastness. I could tell I was ‘awake’ as I could see myself, I could also pick out the vastness due to a lady off in the distance. I instantly reached for my blade to my side, which Nora had handed me as I cannot sleep without my blade. Suddenly I became frozen in place as the women approached.

Upon closer inspection she was an incredibly beautiful woman with well-defined features, a large bust, suitably covered, long flowing black hair, she was wearing a purple dress dark in shade which matched her eyes and pale white skin, like death.

Slowly her lips moved, however the deathly deep sound they made didn’t seem to originate from any particular place and filled the room, resonating with my very soul as she spoke.

“Greetings Mortal, I…am Erebus.”

With that she gave me a sharp gaze and slowly began to smile.