Aziel walked through the main gate of Glenwood, nodding a quick farewell to the guards on duty. They watched him go, their expressions a mix of curiosity and the usual vigilance.
Once outside the sturdy stone walls, he didn't pause, immediately turning west, the direction Blackie had indicated.
The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine from the nearby Elysian Forest.
"Alright, Blackie, due west it is?" Aziel asked.
"Correct. Keep the sun mostly behind your right shoulder for now. We need to cut through the western reaches of Elysian first. Death Forest lies beyond that."
The initial part of the journey was familiar ground. He walked through the outer edges of the Elysian Forest.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow. Birds called from the branches, and the rustle of unseen creatures in the undergrowth was a constant background noise.
He moved at a steady pace. The path wasn't always clear, sometimes dissolving into thick underbrush or forcing him to navigate around moss-covered boulders and fallen logs.
The forest seemed content to let him pass without incident. No monstrous roars echoed through the trees, no unsettling giggles or whispers carried on the wind. It was a relief, allowing him to focus on covering ground.
As the afternoon wore on, the forest began to shift. The vibrant greens faded, replaced by muted shades of gray and brown. The air grew heavy, and the sounds of the forest dwindled. The sun, which had been a cheerful companion, seemed to struggle to penetrate the increasingly dense canopy.
"So, Blackie, this Death Forest... sounds charming. What's the story?" Aziel asked, his voice echoing slightly in the suddenly hushed environment.
"It's a place most people avoid, and for good reason. It's located just west of Elysian, but the transition is... abrupt. You'll know when we're close."
Aziel squinted. "How so?"
"The life drains out of the area. The trees, the ground, everything is dark, almost black. There are no typical Beasts or animals there. It's unnaturally still."
"Why's it like that?"
"Because it's the domain of a powerful guardian. A Mythical Beast known as Phantom Fenrir."
"Mythical Beast? Like, stronger than a Beast?"
"Vastly different. Mythical Beasts are ancient, powerful creatures intrinsically tied to the Mana of this world. They possess intelligence, often ancient wisdom... and formidable power. Phantom Fenrir is one of the stronger ones."
Aziel instinctively moving his hand to the hilt of the katana he carried.
"Great. What am I walking into?" He chuckled weakly, before asking "what does this guy look like?"
"Imagine a giant wolf, bigger than any normal wolf you could picture, as big as a small mountain. Its fur is the blackest black, and its body seems to constantly bleed black smoke, like shadows given form. Its eyes glow bright red."
"Sounds friendly. So, what, I just stroll in and ask nicely for my memory fragment? Maybe offer a bone as a gesture of goodwill?"
"Don't need to be too worried. You actually have an acquaintance with this Mythical Beast. Actually, you were the one who asked for its help to safeguard the first memory fragment" Blackie responded.
"Wait a minute," Aziel stopped walking, brows furrowed. "I'm acquainted with this monster? Based on what you're saying, these Mythical Beasts are among the most powerful creatures in the world. Just who was I that I knew one?"
"Well... that's exactly why you're on this quest to retrieve your memory fragments, remember?" Blackie said.
"So, since it knows me, I just have to ask nicely for my memory fragment back, right?"
"Well..." Blackie paused, a hesitant note entering her voice. "Considering its personality, you might have to fight Phantom Fenrir. But it won't be a serious fight, more like a friendly spar... I think."
Aziel stared ahead, a mixture of amusement and disbelief on his face. "A friendly spar? With a giant Mythical Beast as big as a mountain?"
"Sort of. You've sparred with this Mythical Beast before, Aziel."
"I have? And I'm still... intact?"
"Obviously. Fenrir isn't a mindless creature, just... territorial and maybe a bit prideful. And there's another factor in your favor, but we'll get to that. For now, just focus on reaching the forest's edge."
"Alright," Aziel sighed, and continued onwards.
They continued their journey westward through Elysian Forest.
Days melted into one another.
He walked from sunup until the light began to fade, finding sheltered spots to make camp for the night — usually a dry overhang of rock or the base of a large, ancient tree. He ate the dried provisions, supplemented with berries Blackie confirmed were safe, and refilled his waterskin at clear streams.
Even during his brief rests, Aziel didn't remain idle. He'd find a relatively clear patch of ground and practice his swordsmanship with his katana that he brought along. He moved through forms he vaguely recalled, letting muscle memory guide him while his mind raced.
He spent a lot of time mulling over the upcoming encounter. The Phantom Fenrir — a giant shadow wolf that could supposedly control shadows and drain life.
How do you even fight something like that?
"The trees are thinning out a bit up ahead," Blackie observed after several days of travel. "And the undergrowth looks... darker."
Aziel squinted. Blackie was right. The vibrant greens of the Elysian Forest were gradually giving way to foliage with a duller, almost greyish tint. The air felt a little heavier, the usual forest sounds seeming more muted.
They were getting closer to the boundary, closer to the domain of the Phantom Fenrir — the Death Forest.
He pushed onward, the anticipation mixing with a knot of apprehension in his gut.
Retrieving his memories felt vital, a key to understanding who he was and the strange power he possessed.
He gripped the strap of his satchel, his knuckles white for just a moment, before consciously relaxing his hand and focusing on the next step, placing one foot firmly in front of the other into the deepening shadows of the western woods.