The Moonlight Swordsman



"So where is this place?" Aizel asked.

"The Elmswood Forest." It's in the southern part of our kingdom, near Alcober town," Hazel replied.

"We can return by tomorrow, right?" 

"Yes, but is there something important?" Hazel asked.

"He Is going to fight against the Eudora family in a duel in the presence of the King," Seraphine replied.

"What! How did I not know about this?" Hazel exclaimed in surprise.

"Because you were brewing potions one after the other," Seraphine replied.

"Are you confident, Softie? Do you need my help?" Hazel asked.

"Hehe, thanks for the offer, ginger, but I am good," Aizel replied.

"Ginger.. Awww you shouldn't call me that because of my hair," Hazel replied with a pout.

"So should we head now? It's already afternoon." 

"Yes, let's leave."

The group of three left the tavern and set out on their journey. 

They decided on a quick mode of transportation and acquired three horses, whose regal appearance befitted their upcoming expedition. 

Cloaked by hoods that concealed their identities, they blended seamlessly into the fabric of anonymity, their true intentions veiled from prying eyes. 

Aiming for the looming vastness of Elmswood Forest, where shadows murmured hidden secrets and ancient wonders awaited their discovery, they set out from the city.

Time passed as the hooves of the three animals pounded the ground, but the three never slowed their forward momentum. 

Hour after arduous hour, they persevered, unyielding in their pursuit. 

They watched as the land spread out in front of them, the southern part of the kingdom giving way to the foreboding presence of the Forest. 

After a grueling span of approximately five to six hours, they finally arrived at the outskirts of the Forest. 

As the group slowed down, Aizel's keen eyes took in his surroundings with a mixture of surprise and unease.

The woodland that spread out before them was completely unlike anything they had ever seen.

Each tree, plant, and bush that adorned the landscape was adorned with leaves of pure, impenetrable blackness.

This monochromatic exhibit radiated mystery and foreboding, in sharp contrast to the ordinary woodland's vivid greens and earthy tones.

It seemed as if some terrible magic had entangled itself in this sacred space's very fabric of nature.

"This looks creepy," Aizel said.

"It should be," Seraphine replied.

"So that herb grows inside this forest?" he asked.

"Yes," Hazel replied.

"Well, let's head inside then. We are already here; we can't back off just because the forest is creepy."

Both girls nodded in agreement. 

"Aizel, can I ask you something?" Hazel suddenly interrupted, as they were heading towards the forest.

"Yeah sure, go ahead."

"Even though I am not strong and can't take part with you guys in the tournament, I will be competing in the potion-making.

"So...if there's a chance, can I meet 'War Goddess' through you for some tips?" Hazel asked.

"Of course, you can come with me tomorrow after the match," Aizel replied with a smile.

"Thank you, softie!" Hazel jumped and hugged Aizel.

"It's okay, but don't hug me suddenly. I feel weird when someone touches me," Aizel replied, trying not to be rude towards her. 

"Oh, I am so sorry, but anyway, thank you so much."

"Yeah, don't worry. I will tell Hag to teach you something good and give you the tips and tricks so that you can win your competition."

"Thank you, softie; I will brew something special for you that will help you in the tournament."

Hehe, that's what I wanted." Aizel thought.

[Good work, Master. It seems we have our own personal potion maker along with Hag, fufu]

"Now let's head inside and take those herbs back with us,"

"Yes, let's go."

The three set off into the unknown depths of the woodland with a look of wariness on their faces. 

Seraphine took on the role of guide, walking with resolute purpose because she knew the shady paths so well.

Hazel's steady presence in the middle of the group was a link between Seraphine's commanding front and Aizel's watchful back. 

"Professor Edith told me that there would be some sort of maze inside the forest. We have to clear those if we want to find the herb." Hazel said.

"A maze inside the forest is interesting," Aizel murmured.

"But we still don't know what it could be," Hazel further added.

"So how can we find it?" Aizel asked.

"Professor said just when we enter the forest, we have to head in the east direction without stopping," Hazel replied.

"So that's why we are moving like this,"

Continuing their relentless journey, the trio forged ahead in the eastern direction.

Every one of their senses became razor-sharp, eagerness pumping through their blood, as they remained acutely aware of the looming threat of monsters.

Their instincts were well-tuned to the tiniest hints of danger, and they felt the tremors of wariness at every rustle of leaves and every whisper of the wind. 

After what seemed like an interminable amount of time spent in the forest, the trio's perseverance appeared to bear fruit as they arrived at their long-awaited destination. 

As their gaze scanned the landscape, the trio's eyes were drawn to the towering trees adorned with intricate, magical glyphs.

These intricately engraved designs on the bark formed a cryptic riddle that teased the mind and the senses.

The patterns seemed to pulsate with a mysterious vitality, as if they were whispering knowledge of the past and spells of the future.

Aizel tried to move through the trees, but some kind of invisible barrier blocked his way.

"So this is the maze. It looked more like a puzzle to solve," Aizel said.

"Do you have any idea about it?" Seraphine asked, looking at Hazel, who seemed to be in deep thought.

"Sera, are these related to Arcane Magic Circuits?" She asked.

"No, this is very different from them," She replied.

Aizel, driven by an unfathomable curiosity, approached one of the trees as the other two stood transfixed by the mysterious markings.  He reached out and lightly touched the intricate marks, and a miraculous change occurred right before his eyes.

In response to his touch, the glyphs emitted a brilliant light that dispelled the night. As the light brightened, the outline of a blazing floral pattern appeared, its vivid colors pulsating in time with the magic. 

"A fire rose,"