Path of Shadows: Ceres Aurum

- One day! It will be us! - Elisa said enthusiastically. Every two years, Elisa and Andrey would wait for the bang that Ceres Aurum, the Celestial City, would make every time it descended to look for new residents. Elisa, the daughter of a nobleman, dreamed of living in Ceres Aurum to escape the wars, deaths and sadness that plagued the continent. She believes that Ceres Aurum holds the happiness she so desperately seeks. Andrey, an orphan and Elisa's best friend, always accompanied the girl on her walks to her favorite place. - Do you really want to go up there? - Andrey asks nervously. - That's what I want! You know... Ever since Gaius became King Emperor, he's wanted to conquer more and more kingdoms and new lands. New wars are coming and many more will follow in the future. - Don't you think Ceres could have that too? Like this, arguments and internal problems? Ceres may seem perfect from down here, but we don't know the truth... Elisa stands up and faces her friend with a look of determination and she says: - It doesn't matter! I won't know until I get up there! Andrey is amazed by her friend's expression and her excited smile. He has never had a "real" dream. But now, he has finally discovered a dream that he wants to achieve: to take Elisa to Ceres Aurum. - Right! Since that's the case! - Andrey exclaims, picking himself up off the ground. - Let's go together! You and me, to Ceres Aurum! Elisa's smile disappears as an expression of surprise takes over her face. But then an even bigger smile comes over her face. Elisa and Andrey, against the world! It's a promise! When this promise was created, Elisa and Andrey were only 8 years old. And every 2 years they would come together again to watch Ceres Aurum take in new residents to live upstairs in the Celestial City. However, 8 years later, Gaius, the Emperor King, and his 4 Dark Pillars, his 4 Generals, started a new war against the continent of Yasus, the continent where Elisa and Andrey lived. At the age of 16, Andrey has a bow and arrow made from a piece of bamboo and thread, and wooden arrows. He's hunting a deer with his friend Lucius, the son of a knight of Duke Dmitri, Elisa's father. - This time we're going to make it! - Lucius exclaims excitedly. - Let's get this over with quickly. I have to go soon. - Andrey says nervously. - To see Elisa? - Lucius asks, with a teasing smile. - You two have been having a good time together, haven't you? - f**k off. We'll talk and see Ceres Aurum, that's all. - But do you like her? - Lucius asks, smiling. - I'd be happy to see you together, you know. - Yes. I like her. But I can't even think about having a more intimate relationship with her. - Why not? - Lucius asks, confused. - Duke Dmitri would tear my head off... - Ah... That's true. - Lucius says with a nervous smile. - But... He doesn't have to know! You can date in secret! A silence hangs between the two of them and the forest. Andrey takes a deep breath and slips the bow under his body, resting it on his shoulder and keeping it crossed under his body. - What's wrong? - Lucius asks, confused. - I'm going. It's getting late. If you want, you can carry on without me. - Andrey says, going on his way. - Wait a minute! Was that something I said? - Lucius shouts, flustered. But his friend keeps walking without answering. - Andrey! Andrey continues walking through the forest while his thoughts are focused on Elisa. Without even realizing it, Andrey has walked for long minutes until he reaches the rise in the plain where he and Elisa always stay. He stops a few meters away and admires the beautiful creature standing there watching the horizon... Elisa. The girl's blonde hair sways in the wind as her dress flutters slowly. - Why is she always so beautiful? - Andrey mutters nervously. Elisa turns around and notices her friend's presence. Unbeknownst to Andrey, the way he looks at her, she looks at him. Andrey's tousled brown hair with its spiky strands makes Elisa blush. - You're just in time. - Elisa says, smiling. She puts her hands behind her body as she shakes and breaks out in a cold sweat, clearly nervous about something. Andrey approaches the blonde and notices her nervousness, so he questions her: - Elisa, is something wrong? - I... I... - Tell me. - Andrey says, facing his friend. - Forgive me... But I'm going to study at the Academy of Magic in Rivenwood. Elisa's words leave Andrey in silence. The whisper of the wind is the only sound they both hear for long seconds... - Andrey? - Elisa asks nervously. - Are you all right? - No, I... I mean. - Andrey says nervously. It's hard for him to find the words to express himself. - That's great! Andrey's enthusiasm surprises Elisa. She had expected a different reaction from her friend. - Aren't you sad? We won't be seeing each other for a long time! - Elisa exclaims nervously. - Elisa... Do you remember our promise? - Y-Yes... - Exactly! If you graduate from the Academy of Magic! We can make your dream come true! We'll go to Ceres Aurum! - But... Are you sure? What about you? What about Lucius? - She asks, worried. - Don't worry about us. We'll be fine! I'll ask Sir Henrich to teach us how to fight with swords! We'll train and join the Adventurers' Guild! When you graduate! Let's meet up! Me and you, and together we'll pay for a one-way ticket to Ceres Aurum! Elisa's eyes fill with tears and a joyful smile takes over her face, and Andrey is surprised. Elisa wraps her arms around Andrey's neck and kisses him on the cheek. Andrey is surprised and blushes at his friend's attitude. - W-What was that? - Andrey asks nervously. - For being so amazing. - She says, wiping away her tears. - In the future... If you keep your promise, there will be much more... Andrey's eyes widen and he turns as red as a tomato. But he smiles nervously and says: - Right! Then I'll do my best! They spend long minutes watching Ceres' platform rise again towards the Celestial City in the distance. Despite the enormous distance, seeing Ceres wasn't difficult as the city was as big as a kingdom. - Well, shall we get going? - Andrey asks, getting up from the floor. - Yes! - Elisa replies, getting up. The pair continue on their way to the Merchant City where they used to live. The two split up, with Elisa going ahead and Andrey running to the other gate in the east wall. Elisa continues her walk to the gate and the guards bow to the girl and let her in. Andrey runs for a few minutes and arrives at the east gate. - Whew... I think I'm better than before. - Andrey says, smiling. - Running doesn't tire me out as much as it used to! - Well, if it isn't Andrey... Andrey is surprised to see one of the Knights approaching him. The Knights supplied by the Yasus Kingdom are wearing full plate armor in a reddish color with slight black adornments. - Urgh... Knight Nicholas... - Hihihi... Long time no see. - He says, with a sarcastic smile on his face.