-- Entry #10 - June 3rd - Saturday --

Riding horseback is much faster than walking, we are covering ground faster. Phil said that we should be there within the day. Hopefully, that is right. I couldn't bring myself to write yesterday or the day before, not after what I remember with Anna.

Each time I think about her, my heart hurts. Something bad happened, I know it did. It had to have.

I saw how she looked at me, she looked at me like I was the light of her world and she even said that.

'You're all I have left'

That's what she said, among other things. Why am I all she has left? What happened...what happened to the other people in her life?

I stopped writing, feeling my heart hurt more as an image of her crying face flashes through my mind. I grit my teeth, gripping my shirt for a moment.

Anna feels...she's different. She isn't like Ty, Brice, or any of the others. When I think about Brice and them, I don't feel like my heart is getting rip to shreds, and yet when I think about Anna...I feel exactly that.

What happened between us? Did we have some big fight? Did we go our separate ways? End on bad terms? What was it?

"Seto," a voice spoke cutting my thoughts off. My eyes flicker up from my spot against the cave wall. I look at Violet.

Her eyes soften at me. "You were supposed to wake James up for night watch hours ago..." she told me.

I looked away from her, looking out into the forest that surrounds us. We took refuge in a cave, the others sleeping with me on night watch...or all-night watch. At first, it was Phil, but then he woke me up a few hours later and I took his place so he could sleep. I was supposed to wake up James three hours ago. 

I grip the magic pen in my hand and shake my head. "I-I'm good, you can go back to sleep," I told her. Each time I sleep...I have nightmares. And Anna is just...she's getting to me. I want answers but getting answers is just...it's an impossibility for me. I looked back down at my journal. "Go back to sleep Violet, I'm fine keeping watch for the rest of the night."

Besides, in an hour and a half, I'll be waking everyone up anyway. So, there is no point in waking James.

But instead of going back to bed, she sat down beside me. I close the journal, not wanting her to see my doubts and...and my pain.

"You'll make it back home, you will," she said. When I didn't respond, she took my hand into hers making my achy heart lift for a moment before the pain comes back. "We promised you that you will--"

"T-They think I'm dead..." I said. When she didn't respond, I looked at her, seeing she was trying to think of something to say. I pull my hand out of hers. "Violet, how would you feel if James or Shiro just...died suddenly? They died covering your escape so you wouldn't be hurt...so the enemy wouldn't find you...to protect you. H-How would you feel?"

"Devastated..." Violet answered. She looked over at the others. "I would be crushed if any of them died like that..." But she looks back at me. "It's Anna, isn't it?"

I nodded. "W-When I think of her...my h-heart hurts. Something bad happened between us and whatever it was...it left an open wound on me," I said before I see what happened in the flashback all over again in my mind.

The forest fire, Anna's crying, her pleading for me to let go...

The dead bodies and blood...

I look at my hands. "W-What crosses a line...What separates the good people from the bad?" I said aloud, not asking her. I didn't tell them what I saw, I just couldn't bring myself to since...I'm still trying to come to grips with it.

First, my real name feels like a stranger's name...

And now this...

I smiled a bit. "I just can't seem to catch a break..." I mumbled. I'm pulled out of my thoughts when she squeezed my hand.

"You're a good person, Seto. I know you are. Good people can do bad things at times too, they aren't perfect. But I know you have a good heart," she said making me look at her.

"Thanks..."

She nods a bit. "No problem, you sure you don't want to switch?"

I shake my head.  "No, I'm fine. Go get some more rest," I told her but she didn't move.

"You sure? I don't mind staying here with you," she said before she suddenly looked away from me, letting go of my hand looking nervous all of a sudden.

"You alright?" I asked her.

"Y-Yeah...I'm gonna go get some sleep," she said before she left me, not looking at me once again.

What's her problem? I watch her lay back down, meaning that the conversation is now officially over. I open back up my journal, looking at what I wrote down so far. I'm developing a habit of not finishing these entries like I want to...

I pick up my magic pen, continuing to write.

Am I a good person?

Well, from what I remember so far...I am some type of war hero and also a world hero as well. but what exactly went wrong in my world that caused me to bear such titles?

How did I save my world? And what brought it to that point?

I can't get Anna out of my mind, my heart hurts each time I think about her...seeing that light in her eyes and her smile in the memory...

She looked so full of life despite the tears on her cheeks. She smiled at me that...made me happy.

What soured that smile? What tainted her memory?

I need to know. I need to know what happened to her. I need to...

-Seto

I closed the journal not willing to write anything more about Anna. I put it in my satchel, leaning back against the wall.

What crosses a line? Who decides who is good and who is bad?

I flinch when a boot pokes at my side making me look up, seeing Shiro before he spoke. "Come on, let's spar. You can only get better with practice," he said before he walked past me, not waiting for my answer. I get up, following him.

"Why do you want to spar all of a sudden?" I asked him.

"Seemed like you could use a distraction, sleep as well but that's irrelevant here," he said. I stopped walking, staring at him. He looked at me, giving me a small smile. "I overheard yours and Violet's conversation. And I could use the distraction as well." He drew his sword making me smile a bit.

"Real swords...sure about this?"

He arched an eyebrow up at me. "You're the one with amnesia who has forgotten how to handle a sword, not me. I'm not worried about getting hurt, it's you that should be," he said. I chuckled a bit at him.

"Well that's comforting to know but can I ask you something first?" I asked him.

He sighed. "Let me guess...it's about the chest pains, the dizziness, etc, etc..." he said.

I nodded at him before stepping towards him. "I know I said I would wait for you to tell me the truth. But...from what the others have said and what I've seen these last few days...it looks like it is getting worse," I said.

He nods a bit. "That's because it is," he said before he sighed. "Look...I don't want to talk about this. It doesn't matter anyway, I'm probably not gonna live to see the end of this year anyway--"

"W-What?" I questioned shocked. He's not gonna...what? My eyes soften at him. "Shiro, what's hurting you?"

Shiro stood there, not responding to me nor looking at me. I can tell that this is a sensitive subject. I sighed. "You don't need to answer me, Shiro. I just...would like to know," I said. I then drew my sword since I knew Shiro wasn't going to talk to me. I point it at him. "Okay, I'm ready when you are."

But he stood there, with that same blank look on his face. I lower my sword, watching him for a moment. "Shiro?"

Shiro flinched like he only just heard me. He stepped back, worrying me. I stepped towards him. "Hey, you alright?" I asked him.

Shiro nods. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine," he said before he rose his sword up to me. "I want to work on your footwork because you lack that. You are skilled with a blade, Seto, I can tell you are. Your amnesia hasn't completely erased those instincts."

I smile a bit at him. "Well, thanks. I guess. And you are good with a sword. No wonder you are known for sword fighting," I said making him smile as well.

"Thanks," he said before he loses his smile slightly. "You're too stiff, you need to loosen up. Swordfighting is 100% instinct, there is no time to think about your actions. And having good footwork increases your chances of winning. But you are too planted to the ground, that's your problem. Don't be afraid to move around."

I nodded, understanding. Shiro and I have been sparring a lot, and I can tell that I'm getting better since it is getting easier to fight against him. I've beaten him three times now...he's beaten me like...seven times but that's not important.

"Oh this will be interesting to watch," a voice said making Shiro and I look towards it, seeing Chimney leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. He smiles at us. "No, no, continue. I've never actually see wizards fight with swords, they only ever fight with magic. I'm interested to see your skills for myself."

I look back at Shiro, not caring if Chimney watches. Shiro looked at me. "Magic or no?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "That's up to you, I'm not gonna use magic. I want to better my sword skills. And I can't put us in an Arcane constructed sanctum right now since I want to ensure that if the others need us, they can reach us immediately," I said.

"Arcane constructed what?" Chimney asked.

I looked at the princeling. "I found a spell in my spellbook called the Sanctum. It puts you and anyone of your choice into a morphed reality of the material world. You can do whatever you want in it since you can't cause damage to the real world while that spell is active. Shiro and I have been using it for duels," I explained making Chimney nod a bit.

"Ahh, I get it. That's kinda cool actually," he said.

"And handy," Shiro added.

I looked at Shiro. "Let's just use swords, I don't want to be out of reach of the others when they are sleeping," I said honestly. Shiro nods at me. I hold my sword up towards Shiro right before I saw him attack. I sidestep, avoiding him mostly but he grabbed my arm and threw me into a tree. I put my sword up, blocking his. The biggest problem with me going against Shiro is that he is physically stronger than me and is faster...but I'm fast too.

I hook my foot on his knee, pulling up and pushing against his chest making him go tumbling backwards. But he somehow lands with one knee on the ground. Which is perfect for me at least. I jump at him, bring my sword down but he blocks mine with his own.

He grabbed my shin, but I bring my other leg up and kick him in the chest making him fall backward and drop his sword. I pick it up, putting my foot on his chest as I hold my sword to his throat making him smile a bit at me as we both pant.

"Impressive to say the least, but not at all surprising," Shiro said before I get off him. I offer my hand to him, which he takes and I pull him up to his feet. I give him back his sword.

"Well, that was surprising," Chimney said making us look at him.

Shiro shakes his head. "No, not really. I can tell that Seto is an expert swordsman, his amnesia just made his skills kind of foggy to him is all," he said. He looked at me. "You're getting better, you are actually presenting a challenge, hence why I lost."

I smile at him as I sheath my sword. "Yeah well, that was only with just swords. I do not doubt that when you are actually at full strength, you are tough," I admitted.

"You are right, he's tough," Chimney said before I heard clapping making me look past Chimney, seeing James and Phil.

Phil stopped clapping, smiling at me. "At least we won't have to worry about protecting you too much. Where we are heading...it is dangerous," he said.

I nod. I knew that this journey wasn't going to be easy, I knew it was going to come with some dangers, that was what I was expecting after all. "I expected it to be hard, Phil. But tell me...Lisanna mentioned a dragon, what dragon was she talking about?" I asked him.

"The Enderdragon," Shiro answered making me flinch a bit. That name is familiar.

"Sound familiar?" James asked making me nod yet again.

"Yes, I feel like I have heard of it before. The End is familiar to me, making me think that maybe my world has something that is the same or at least similar," I said honestly. I looked at Phil. "This Enderdragon, how hostile is it?"

Phil cracked a smile. "Well, that depends on how much Ianite likes you or hates you. The Enderdragon is her pet, she raised it herself. It follows her command and the command of her champions, but that's all. The Magic Council has restricted slaying the dragon because of its importance to Lady Ianite, but there have been many humans who have died trying to slew the creature. That dragon is a lot stronger than it looks, it protects Lady Ianite," he said. Ahhh, okay. That makes sense I suppose.

"How far until we reach the Stronghold?" I asked him.

"We are about four hours out from the cave, and then once we get into there, it should be about three hours. But I don't trust cave systems as much as people normally do. With things going as they are, monsters inhabit the caves more than the outside during nighttime. So we can't enter the cave without a plan," Phil said.

"Monsters?" I questioned.

Chimney nods at me. "Yes, monsters. For some reason, their numbers have been cut to almost nothing during the night outside. Usually, monsters plague Vienna; zombies, creepers, skeletons, endermen, spiders, and more...but for some reason, the only time we see them is inside. It is as if they are afraid of the outside so they all stay inside. It does make the outside world safer for those who can't protect themselves...but that type of behavior is--"

"Concerning and worrying. Monsters don't act like that at all," Shiro cut in.

Phil nods. "Yes, it's...unsettling," he said.

Shiro, Chimney, and Phil left to go wake up the others, but as I went to follow them, James stopped me.

"Seto, wait..." he said as I walked past him. I stopped, turning halfway to look at him.

"Yeah, James?" I asked. Honestly, James talks very little, he isn't very vocal at all. So whenever he wants to talk I'm all for it since I've only had like two conversations with him while I've talked so much more with the others.

James looked at me. "Why didn't you wake me for night watch? I was supposed to be next," he asked me.

My expression softens before I look away from him. "Yeah, right, um...I figured I would let you sleep. I'm not that tired--"

"Seto...what's the real reason you didn't wake me?" James asked shocking me. I look at him. But...But Phil and them said that the athar ritual messed with James's emotional state...so why does he seem so concerned for me?! Did I misunderstand what exactly it was that tampered?!

My eyes soften. "S-Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to care so much," I said.

James crossed his arms. "And why is that?" he asked me making me stiffen up. I can't tell him the real reason since well, I promised the others I wouldn't!

"Say, James, are you alright with me calling you Wag?" I asked him wanting to change the subject.

He stared at me for a moment before he nodded. "I don't care..." he said. He leaned against a tree, staring at me. "Don't change the subject, answer me. Why didn't you wake me for the night watch? You do realize that you've been up most of the night right?"

I nodded. "I-I'm aware--"

"Than why didn't you wake me up?" he asked me again.

I hesitated, not knowing whether I should tell the truth or just lie to him. I bit on my lower lip. "I...I can't sleep. Every time I do, I-I have nightmares. I just can't sleep, most of the time I lay awake anyway so what's the point of waking you up when I know I'm not gonna go to sleep," I replied honestly. I don't see the point in lying to James, I really don't.

James sighed. "I figured that was the case. You look like you haven't slept in days, Seto," he said. I feel like I didn't have a good night's sleep in days.

"I don't do so well with my eyes closed...don't worry, I don't feel exhausted or tired. That means that I must not get a lot of sleep even before the amnesia. So I must be used to it. I--"

"Seto...you need to sleep, otherwise you will get in the way," James cut me off making me look at him. I stared at him as he stood up. "Promise me you'll get some sleep, even if nightmares are plaguing you. Promise me now."

I nod. "I promise..." I said. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Five Hours Later*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I petted my horse's muzzle, the mare pushing her nose into my hand making me smile. "We'll be right back..." I told her making her softly neigh in response. Luckily, the horses don't seem to mind Kala at all, which is good. I worried about that.

Right now, we are outside the cave system, the others talking near me to come up with a plan in case we run into monsters and/or the Magic Council. The problem is that the plans that Lisanna has are quite old, but they still could be hold true. According to Shiro and James, who are on the front lines the most, it isn't odd for the Magic Council to reuse old plans and tactics. So they still could hold true.

I look at them. "So, what's the plan?" I asked them.

"Not gonna come up with one yourself, Seto?" Phil asked me. I smile a bit and shake my head.

"Seeing how I'm not accustomed to this world of yours, I find that option very flawed and full of bad ideas," I said honestly.

"That didn't stop you from saying we should go to Lady Ianite," Reed said.

I nod a bit looking at them. "Yeah, well, that wasn't a plan, that was an idea influenced by a feeling I have. One that you all know perfectly well you didn't have to piggyback on and yet here you are," I said before looking away from them.

That sounded a lot meaner out loud than it did in my head.

"You okay?" Violet asked me.

I glanced at her. "Sorry, guys. But I'm not completely wrong here. I don't know what the Magic Council is capable of...you all do. So..."

Riley sighed and looked at me. "Well, doing magic in a cave is quite risky. We could accidentally trigger the cave to collapse killing us all, which would be bothersome to say the least. So you, Chim, and Shiro will be at the forefront since you three are our expert swordsmen. We need to avoid using magic as much as possible while inside the cave," he said. I nodded a bit.

After a few minutes, we headed inside. Riley and Matthew at the front; Matt is using his magic to light the area while Riley uses his sensory magic to detect monsters or mages in our path. Shiro, Chimney, and I are behind them with the others following.

The first thing that I notice, besides the fact that it is pitch black, is that it's cold and unsettlingly quiet. The only sounds that are made come from us which is...creepy.

My eyes looked around, it is sort of hard to make sense of things given how dark it is. But the light Matthew is providing is enough to make shapes of our surroundings. The walls were stone, and sometimes I see what looks like gems or ores in the walls. But as we go deeper into the cave, I start seeing likes like fencing, stairs, and tools.

"Did people live down here?" I asked looking at the items as we pass them.

"No, no, those are just leftover from miners and/or explorers," Phil said. Ah, well I can see a lot that people might want. But...why didn't they take all of it? I looked away from it, just ignoring it. And yet it still added to the creep factor of this place.

On the way, we did encounter some monsters, but they were swiftly taken care of by Chimney, Shiro, and me. But to me, it was like this cave was endless and the more we went on, the narrower it became. Sure there were moments where there were huge openings full of ores, lava pools, and water, but when you leave them, the path becomes narrow and sort of suffocating.

And after what felt like almost an eternity, we finally make it...or sort of at least. We dropped into a dark room, and once Matt lit up the area, I saw dry blood and skeletons everywhere. My eyes widen a bit.

"Seems like it is abandoned," Shiro said.

"Riley?"

I saw Riley shake his head. "No, there aren't any mages here, only monsters from what I can sense in the general area. But the portal room is out of my sense area, so we should proceed with caution," he said. And that we did, but as we walked, I looked around.

So this is a stronghold?

There wasn't very much to it, it was definitely abandoned though. It just had that age-old feeling like no one has been here for decades and yet...some of the items that I am seeing scattered around on surfaces is clear evidence that someone has been here at least within the last few weeks.

But who? And more importantly, why? Also, if there were people here...where did they go? What happened to them?

I flinch when I hear what sounds like bones rattling. It's a skeleton.

"Where?" Shiro mumbled towards Riley. Riley's sensory magic is probably one of the most helpful things ever given he can detect any living thing within a certain radius. Of course, that is sort of wonky when it comes to undead things, but he can still detect their presence, just not their exact location like how he could for a person.

...wait...for a person...

My eyes widen a bit. In my memories, I remember using a location spell to locate where Prince Brice was after he was kidnapped by bandits and I had to go save him. Since apparently, it was my job to make sure Brice stayed out of trouble despite the fact other people could have saved him...but that's beside the point.

I could use the spell to locate Lady Ianite once we get into the End dimension. Yeah, I think that could work. Hopefully, the End dimension isn't huge like this world is...but let's be honest in saying that it probably is. With my luck, the spell probably won't even work at all making us have to search which would take forever most likely.

I stop when I see an arrow zip past in front of me and struck the wall. I look at the arrow before my eyes shifted to my right, looking at a skeleton notching another arrow.

I draw my sword, dodging the incoming arrow before I grab the skeleton's arm that is holding the bow. I swipe my sword down on their shoulder joint, breaking off their arm before Shiro comes in behind me as I move out of his way, letting him swiftly taking the monster down. I drop the arm, looking back over at the others and seeing a horde of monsters attacking us.

"Damn," I mumbled making Shiro look.

"That's a lot of them, come on," Shiro said before the two of us went to Chimney's aid. There were a variety of monsters, but at least there was no creeper in there since I've learned how much of a pain in the ass those monsters are in particular.

I put myself between Violet and a monster that had gone to attack her, grabbing the zombie's shoulder and slicing across their neck, decapitating it. I kicked the body, making it crash into another zombie. While they aren't very smart, they do stink to the point where it is almost unbearable and making my eyes water a bit. I killed the other zombie but heard Violet yelp behind me making me look at her seeing an arrow stuck into her upper arm. She clutches her right arm, I grab her when she stumbled, letting her fall into me as Chimney and Shiro took care of the skeletons.

"Vi! I'm sorry, I didn't see them!" I exclaimed.

She gives me a weary smile. "I'm fine," she said. I flinch when Violet momentarily turned into Anna, an arrow in her arm as well making me tense up for a brief moment.

"Give me her!" Reed said taking Violet away from me. I turn and help Shiro and Chimney take out the rest of the horde of monsters, once we are done, I immediately go back to Violet. The arrow shaft was broken, a piece of cloth tied tightly around her arm securing the arrow in place.

"Here," I said before pulling out one of my pain medicines. "This should help with the pain." I give it to her.

"B-But isn't this for your leg?" she asked making me nod.

"Yeah, but I imagine that your arm hurts a whole lot right now," I said. That and this is sort of my fault that this has happened. I should have been paying more attention. I rip off a piece of my shirt, tying it around her neck making her confused.

"What are you--" I carefully put her arm in it, making a makeshift sling for her.

"There, that should help," I said making her smile a bit.

"Thank you," she said before she took the pain medicine. "Argh...that's disgusting."

I nodded. "Yeah, but give it a few minutes and you'll feel amazing," I said.

"Is it safe, Riley?" Phil asked. As they inspected the surrounding area, I kept by Violet, worried about her.

She pushed my hand away. "I'm fine, Seto. Really, I am. My arm just hurts, probably would help if you remove the arrow!" she said.

"And let you bleed out? I don't think so," Matthew said.

I nodded. "Yeah, Matthew is right. It is better for you if the arrow stays in, I know it hurts, but if we pull it out and can't control the bleeding well...you'll die," I said. And then I will feel even more horrible about this. I put the empty bottle in my bag. But as I go to get up to help the others, Violet grabbed my arm, stopping me.

I look at her. "That...stuff works fast..." she said making me chuckle at her.

"Feel all warm and fuzzy inside already do you? That was fast," I asked her making her nod. I remove her hand off my arm. "You'll get used to it soon, promise." I put her good arm around my neck. "Now come on, let's get up."

I pull her up to her feet, but she falls into me. She smiled, resting her head on my chest. "Whoops..." she mumbled.

"Is she high?" Reed asked me.

"She shouldn't be..." I said looking at Violet. Why is she acting so weird? The medicine didn't make me act like this at all. And I was under the impression that wizards can't get drunk because of how their biologies are different. I saw Phil smile making me look at him. "What's so funny?"

Phil shakes his head, looking away. "Nothing," he said. I feel Violet lean more into me making me feel uncomfortable as I felt my chest tighten.

"H-Here," I said to Reed giving Violet to her but she grabs my arm.

"Nooo...I want you..." she said making me look at her.

Reed looked at me. "They do say that drunkenness or in her case, being high, reveals true feelings," he said making me look at him.

Reveals true feelings?

I looked at Violet, staring at her. Her true feelings? But she said...I felt my chest tighten again, those same feelings I had or...have and tried to bury deep down flood all back. This is too much...

I push her hand off my arm. "Reed will help you walk, I need to help Shiro and Chim," I said wanting to put distance between me and her. She tried to grab me again but I dodge her attempt.

"Using them as a cover, are you?" Reed asked me making me narrow my eyes at him.

"Shut up," I said before I walked away from them.

She likes me? But she said that she didn't...

I shook my head a bit, wanting to get this out of my head as much as possible. Wait...this isn't about me, it is about her and how she got hurt because of my negligence. I stopped for a moment. But I did make a good point of needing to stay with Chim and--

Chimney put his hand on my shoulder, making me jump and get pulled out of my thoughts as I look at him. He smiled a bit at me.

"Violet will be fine, she's tough. As the only woman Elite Wizard, she sort of had to be to keep up with the men," he said. Wait, he's right. Why is it that Violet is the only woman elite? I mean Sabrina and Nyara are talented wizardesses but they aren't Elite Wizards, they are just Masters. Why is that?

I nodded. "Yeah, yeah, she is tough," I responded to him. Tough in strength and tough to figure out. "Chim...how do you know a woman likes you?"

Chimney smirked a bit at me. "Ooh, having lady issues, are you? It's Violet, isn't it? I knew it, you two seemed closer than just being friends--"

I shake my head. "No, no, we are just friends. It's just...you know what, nevermind. Forget I said anything," I said trying to walk away and go to Shiro instead. But he grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Wait, wait, okay. Okay. I'll take this seriously, no jokes, promise," he said. I glanced at him and nodded. He let go of my arm. "Look, Seto, don't take what Violet is saying and doing right now as fact. She's currently not in her right mind, this is the drugs talking, not herself. Only trust sober words, not drunken ones. So, if you are so curious, talk to her about it--"

I shake my head. "I-I rather not," I admitted making him sigh.

"You're afraid, that's understandable. Rejection and heartbreak are worse than war, at least in my opinion," Chimney said. My eyes soften when I look at her, seeing she is a little soberer. I looked away from her before pushing Chimney's arm off my shoulders.

"It doesn't matter, that can't happen. I would only just hurt her and she doesn't deserve that. So just drop it," I said before walking away from him.

It isn't that I don't still have feelings for her, it's that she said she didn't and she is acting like this just makes me...confused and hurt.

"You alright?" Shiro asked me.

I nodded. "I'm fine," I lied. I rather not talk about this at all with any of them but Violet. After all, our feelings aren't their business in the first place.

We pushed on, killing more monsters as we went on. And the deeper we went into the stronghold, the creepier it got. This place just has an unsettling feeling surrounding it that I don't like.

"Guys," Phil said catching our attention. I went over to him, freezing when I saw dead bodies...fresh dead bodies. "Those are wizards."

I looked down the hallway, taking a step forward but Phil grabbed my arm.

"Now wait a second, do you see how they were killed? Just one hit, whatever killed them, they are--"

I looked at Phil. "Stronger than they were and just treated them as bugs under their shoes? I'm aware. But we aren't going to get anywhere by being a coward," I said before I press on with the others following me. I ignored the corpses, not really bother to look at them since they didn't matter. Yes, it is sad that they died. And I'm curious as to who can kill dozens of master wizards like it is nothing.

I stop at a corpse I glanced at, seeing a very familiar-looking knife in their stomach. I stare at it before I grabbed the hilt, pulling the knife out.

"Okay, gross, really Seto?!"

I looked at the blade, staring at it. "I know this..." I said. The knife was strange, it was a pure black knife, in both blade and handle, but the blade looked like it had cracks in it that glowed red. The handle is wrapped in a type of dark red leather and a symbol on the hilt. I looked at the hilt, immediately recognizing it. I bite on my bottom lip.

"What is it, Seto?"

I looked at the other corpses, staring at them. Should I tell them? I looked at them. "I think I may know who killed these wizards..." I said before showing the symbol on the hilt of the blade to them. "This symbol...recognize it?"

They all shake their heads before Chimney spoke. "That knife looks like something that Lord Dianite would create," he said.

I shake my head, looking at it. I remember this...the last time I saw a weapon like this...was when there was one in my leg. "It's a Demonic Knife, a tool crafted in the Nether but mixing Netherite with the blood of powerful demons or of a...very powerful god..." I pause trying to remember who created it. I know it was a god but I can't remember the name. I sighed and looked at them. "Demonic weapons and armor are from my world, they aren't of this world. They were created by the God of the Nether in my world, unfortunately, I still can't remember his name. But I know these weapons were created as a means for him to kill wizards...to kill mages because the effects the blade inflict on victims makes it impossible for healing magic to fix. So say you stab a wizard in the gut...they would die because their wounding came from a weapon designed to kill wizards."

"How do you know that? How can you be sure--"

"Because that's why you guys couldn't properly heal my leg," I said surprising them. I lowered the knife. "I...I don't know for sure, I could be completely wrong. But I know that this knife isn't from your world, it is from mine--"

Phil shakes his head stepping towards me. "No, weaponry like that it's...nothing like that has been created here. Sure we have anti-magic, magic that negates other magics, but you need a wizard for that and they can't enchant items to do that job--"

I look at the corpses. "Look at how these people died, guys. Do you notice anything strange?" I asked them.

Wag nods. "All of them were stabbed in the gut or shoulder, only once too like they knew one stab is all that was needed..." he said.

Shiro picked up a staff, looking at it. "A healer's staff...they tried to heal them but couldn't," he said.

I nodded. "Yes, because they couldn't be saved. The only reason I survived my wounding is that it is in my leg, not on my torso anywhere," I said.

"I don't like your world, it's scary," Reed said to me making me smile a bit. I nodded, agreeing with him.

"Yes, seems like it..." I said before I looked at them. "But it's my home...and clearly these tools...they aren't new if I know so much about them. But if none of you, Phil especially, don't recognize a magical weapon like this, it means that this is unique to my world only...so how did it get here?"

"More importantly, who brought it here and used it?" Chimney asked.

I pause, thinking as they chatted about what they learned. I look at the knife, staring at the symbol. I know that symbol...I know it.

I saw it on the god...the god that attack Rolyra. But who is he? And is this the type of weaponry and armor that made the army that took over Rolyra so powerful? I mean, one stab to my leg and I could barely use it. So these weapons work, they do their job scarily good. I look at the corpses, now feeling bad.

I've been having a theory lately...one I haven't talked about...It started once I learned about the God of Creation from Sabrina and Shiro and why Arcane Magic is foreign here. Also how the magic is significantly weaker here in Vienna than it is in my world.

I'm starting to think that the God of Creation...the man who supposedly created Vienna, the Realm of Mianite and helped the other gods and Nicholas and Merlin...the man who the humans worship.

I'm starting to think that the man, the god, that Riley connected me two after the memory spell...I think he is the God of Creation.

But of course, that is a stretch, I'm hoping to get the answers I need from Lady Ianite. Wait...

"Phil..." I said making the inventor look at me. "Did Nicholas ever use weapons? Like a special sword or...knife?"

He paused. "Not to my knowledge, there was a mention of him carrying a special sword but it was lost to time. And Netherite is a new material, it was only just recently discovered," he said coming up beside me. "I highly doubt that Master Nicholas possessed a weapon like this."

I shake my head a bit. I have a lot of doubts when it comes to Master Nicholas, I don't trust stories in history books as much as I do from the words of the people who were there themselves. And when it comes to Master Nicholas, I have found that there are a lot of writings with conflicting events, conflicting ideals, and timelines. It seems like no one in Vienna truly knows him except for the three gods and Merlin.

"Yeah, no offense, but I don't trust the history books here. After all, the history books are written by the victors or people who weren't there to see the event themselves or know the people involved. Also...I know about you guys tampering with the history books," I said to him. I put the knife in my satchel as Phil grabbed my arm.

"W-Wait, what are you--"

I looked at Phil. "Merlin is an Athar Wizard, just like the four of you. So you destroyed all evidence of him and his magic to make yourselves look good. And don't bother giving me a lecture for your reasoning for falsifying the real history of Vienna, Tom did that already. I just never expected for the four of you to go so far," I snapped at him.

"Seto, you don't get it," Phil said as his grip on my arm tightened. He spoke in a low tone. "We had to erase the history. Tom, Matt, and I did it to protect James. James and Matthew are the most susceptible to corruption out of the four of us. But James had his entire memory and emotions altered, so he doesn't know--"

I shake my head a bit at him. "Do not use the fact that Wag has no clue about his amnesia as justification for withholding information from him. I might not know Wag that well, but I know that no one deserves to be lied to by your closest friends. Especially when that information would help massively fill in a lot of blanks in memory," I said.

Phil let go of my arm. "Seto, Wag's amnesia is not like yours. Wag still remembered who he was and where he came from, you had a complete memory wipe," he said to me.

I cross my arms at him. "What about that human that Wag fell in love with before the Athar Ritual? Did you ever tell him about her?" I asked him.

Phil's eyes soften at me. "You think I'm proud of that? I dread the day that he remembers Lillian because it will be us that will have to tell him that she's dead. I know that you don't agree with most of what the three of us did to protect James, but it isn't your place nor your business to tell James anything about it. Besides, it isn't like he will believe you. James is someone who needs to be presented with proof and you have none," he said. I gripped my arms.

It's strange, it's strange how quickly Phil turns on me. Sometimes he seems like a friend and other times he looks at me like the enemy. I looked away from him. "You know, sometimes I feel like you hate me, and other times you like me," I said honestly before looking at him.

I see him crack a soft smile. "It's not that I hate you, Seto. You are just...too curious for your own good. You have a tendency to ask too many questions for things that aren't any of your business," he said.

I shrugged my shoulder. "You can blame the amnesia for that," I responded.

We take a break, of course moving out of the room with the bloodied corpses and to one with none in it. As we relaxed, I tried to rack my brain for what I think is going on here. I don't know how I knew that knife was what it was...but I have a good feeling that I'm not wrong.

After resting for about ten minutes, we set out again, encountering more dead bodies with similar wounds making me uneasy. Whoever did this cannot be far, and why would they leave the dagger behind?

Eventually, after what felt like us going in circles, we make it to the portal room. And just like everywhere else, everyone is dead.

"Portal isn't active, that's a good sign...I hope," Phil said before pulling out the Eyes of Ender. I look around as he starts putting the items in the frames. It's a small room, lava pools and such. A small staircase built up to the portal, but at the top of the stairs, there is a fairly medium-sized boxed hole, like something was once there but isn't anymore.

"Any idea what was here?" I question motioning to the hole.

Matthew smiled a bit. "Perhaps something that spawns the most annoying creatures on Vienna," he said. I stare at him, confused.

"Silverfish, annoying little bugs that are evil and pop up at the most inconvenient moments," Shiro explained to me. That didn't really answer my questions, but I just nod, not bothering to ask anymore.

After Phil puts the last Eye of Ender in, the portal actives, forming what looks to be a black voice in between the frames.

"So...who is jumping in first?" Chimney asked. I stared at it, about to speak until Wag did.

"Good luck, Reed," Wag said before he kicked Reed in the back making him fall forward and into the portal, disappearing as he yelped in surprise.

"James!" Violet shouted making me smile as I looked at Wag. Shiro then went past me, jumping in and disappearing as well. Then Wag jumped next followed by Riley and Phil.

"Come on, Vi," Matthew said grabbing her hand and pulling her behind him as he jumped, pulling her with him. Chimney went up the stairs beside me.

"Well? Shall we?" he asked making me smile slightly before I nodde. Chimney jumped and disappeared. I looked at Kala. Kala stood beside me.

"Do you want me to carry you?" I asked her.

'Nope, I'm good,' she thought to me. I nodded slightly before the both of us jumped into the portal.

But after we jumped, all I saw was darkness before I felt myself land on something hard. And unfortunately, landing hard enough to knock me out.