> “I can’t let that go to the wrong hands…”

“Crazy?…” Catherine asked back, now looking back at Eddie, her eyes pierced him back. “Do I look crazy to you?”

“Yes!” Eddie groaned, “Yes you are! You’re talking about stepping into the darkness with whatever creatures that howled when we walk here! You said it yourself, Catherine! It’s dangerous to go beyond the Eden Flowers!”

“This time it’s different Edward.” Catherine said with determination, “I didn’t come all this way to turn back now… that Artefact is out there, Edward, the ruins aren’t far—“

“Forget the artefact!” Eddie said, “We are talking about risking your life for just… a piece of history, Catherine! Let’s just go back, and get more people or something!”

Catherine then stayed silent,

“Do you even know what the Artefact is, Edward? The significance of it.”

“No, and I don’t think it worth sacrificing your life over.”

“The Artefact is Codex Chilandar.” Catherine said, “The Alchemical Codex rumored to contain the secret of transmuting the matter of a living being.”

Eddie stood there… His breath caught in his throat, his mind scrambling to process what he had just heard. His lips parted, but no words came out. His body tensed, arms stiff at his sides, fingers twitching as if trying to grasp something solid—something real—to ground himself against the absurdity of Catherine’s claim.

“Isn’t that… impossible? T-that's something bordering Necromancy.”

"I can assure you, it is not Necromancy." Catherine said, turning her gaze towards the abyss again, “Not according to the rumor circulating about that codex…”

“I can’t let that go to the wrong hands…” Catherine continued, “Especially with that rumors spreading.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"You’re seriously going to risk it?"

Catherine folded the map, tucking it into her coat’s pocket.

"I am," she said simply. "You can stay here if you want. I understand."

Her words stung. He didn’t want to admit that the thought of leaving the safety of the path terrified him, but the idea of letting her wander into danger alone was somehow worse.

Before Eddie could say anything, Markus stood up.

His movements slow, but deliberate, as he dusted off his hands and adjusted the satchel of ingredients he’d been collecting.

"I’ll go with her," Markus said, his voice calm but resolute.

Both Eddie and Catherine turned to him in surprise.

"What?" Eddie asked, blinking.

"You clearly don’t want to go, I get it.” Markus shrugged, stepping closer. “This place gives me the creeps too. But I’m not about to let Miss Catherine go out there alone. Someone’s got to watch her back."

"You don’t even know what’s out there,"

"Neither do you.” Markus responded, “But someone’s got to keep her out of trouble”

Markus extended a hand toward Eddie. "Come on, Ed. Hand it over. If I’m going into uncharted ruins with her, I’m going armed."

Eddie hesitated, the weight of his flintlock rifle suddenly feeling heavier. His instincts told him to hold onto it.

“Come on, Ed.” Markus’s gaze softened, “Let me do something for you at least once. You can’t be the hero all the time, can you?”

Markus’s unwavering gaze—and the quiet determination behind his easygoing demeanor—made him think twice.

"Fine," Eddie said reluctantly, finally handing the rifle over, along with the satchel of metal balls and gunpowder. "Just… don’t waste all the gunpowders trying to hit trees, alright?"

“Don’t worry. I will not miss.” Markus took the rifle with a small smile, slinging the rifle over his shoulder.

Eddie chuckled, then watched as Markus turned to Catherine.

“Thank you Markus.” Catherine said with sincerity, “I’ll make sure to watch your back.”

“That’s my job ma’am,” Markus chuckled, “You just focus on your treasure ahead of ya!”

Catherine chuckled. The two exchanged a brief glance of understanding, and then, without another word, they stepped off the safety of the Traveler’s Path.

The golden glow of the Eden Flowers illuminated their silhouettes for a few paces before the dense forest swallowed them.

The faint crunch of their boots against the underbrush grew quieter, until it was lost entirely to the eerie silence of the Heart of the Deep Glaive.

Eddie stood motionless, his hands now felt significantly lighter, the weight of what had just happened settling over him like a heavy cloak. Torrie, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, was still playing with her flower crown a few paces away.

For a long moment, Eddie stared after them, a deep unease gnawing at his stomach.

What if they don’t come back?