7 The Era of Mankind

The two set off on their journey to find the gateway that she spoke of though Edward still believes only for it to be a myth. But he gave his word that he would help no matter if it's just a child's tale.

Starving the two forge their way out the slumbering forest. They reach the edge of a town called Chesterfields. A simple little place with not a lot of people by the looks of its. One could say its a ghost town.

Edward begins to take off his army jacket and armor then hurls it into nearby shrubbery. He takes a sigh as it sinks under the rustling leaves. Now with only a common shirt and trousers, he takes a look at the pouch he lifted from the fallen soldier from before. Only seeing ten copper coins he looks discouraged at seeing how little money they had but thankful that it's better than nothing.

"We'll be heading North after we pick up a few things," he says. "Back in Hamden, there's the Arcane Academy. If anyone knows of this gateway, maybe the answers lies there."

If knowledge is what you seek then Arcane Academy is the place to satisfy your thirst. Home to hundreds of a few select scholars to learn the practices of the arcane arts. Standing tall in the center of Hamden the capital city of Renveria. Where also resides the king of the great land, King Sirlan Belanche.

"You should see it for yourself, such sight, the largest structure ever built," Edward says as they begin to enter through the town's wooden gates. "They say they are eye within the walls, a society of mages haunts the empty halls for ages."

"Is that where you got your strength rune, Edward?" She mentions catching him off guard.

"H-how did you know I had a Rune of strength?"

"I felt the esseance used during the fight with the ghouls earlier. It is probably the reason the toxins didn't kill you," Nameless says not mention the fact she used her godly powers to nullify the toxin inside his streams.

He rolls up his sleeve revealing his magical runes of physical enhancement. "Makes as strong as one hundred men. Though I had my old friend modify it for more speed."

They continue their conversation of how he got his rune of strength tattooed on his arm. It was from an old friend he says. An orphan girl he once knew and cared for that loved magic more than anyone else he ever knew. Though Nameless is quiet she listens closely as Edward reminisces about his childhood past.

"Was nobody like Rory I say to you," he exclaims leaving gear shop. "Especially her foul tongue. Oh boy did she'd have her ways with words. Thought honestly she made some words up just to insult me."

Nameless walks side by side with Edward fascinated by his story of how the two of them would get into trouble when they were little kids.

"Haven't seen her since I left for the army," he says but however before he could speak anything else a person in front of them demanding their immediate attention.

"Oi! Looky!? What we got here!?" A tough-looking guy with a thick bushy mustache says in a deep voice. "You walk like a soldier, this one! You! Which side you fight for!?"

The big burly fella steps up closer into Edward's face. The smell of alcohol can clearly be smelled off his disgusting breath. Edward politely smiles at the man placing his body between him and Nameless.

"Oh, Comrade! It's so good to see a fellow veteran. How bout I get ya a drink, huh? What do you say? You look like a strong whiskey guy. Drinks on me," Though he says with no way of actually paying.

"Degenerate!" The heavy man straightens up a bit, drawing his sharp dagger from behind his waist. "You take me a fool!? Then what explains them northern army boots on ya feet, bastard!"

"These old things? Funny story..."

Edward scarcely managed to shift back as a dagger swings past his throat. The man twirled too wide which allowed Edward to get a good blow in with his fist. The man staggers back but recovers his balance positioning his blade again.

"You Northerns," he spits unto soil. "We don't need your kind here. Y'alls done enough!"

Edward draws his worn rusty blade aligning towards his foe face. The man seeing his pitiful sword only laughs.

"Leave it to a North man to play with their woman's silverware."

"We're not here to fight... but It'll be your grave, your choice, sir," Edward doesn't let his guard down holding his defense up. Nameless placed her hand upon the drunken soldier easing his tension. With her cold pale fingers on him, she stares into his eyes.

"We seek no troubles," She says to the man. In disbelief, Edward watches as the man sheathes his dagger and walks away in bewilderment.

"Huuuuh okay!? I admit, I never saw magic like that before," He placed his rusty blade back.

"He was only hurting, frightened, scared. Seems a terrible misfortune has befallen in this place."

"Yeah, that's war. The lot of these folks are religious fanatics."

"Isn't that harsh? Do you not believe in the Gods too?" She beckons.

"The gods? The Gods been gone over a thousand years… it's a new era now. An era without the Gods."

"The tell me why pray to the gods and goddesses who forsaken, humans? Why give them recognition when none is due."

"What's the harm in a little faith?" Edward says with a charming grin. "C'mon let's find some food and somewhere to rest up. We start up fresh in the morning."

"An era without the gods?" Nameless thinks to herself pondering the words that Edward spoke of. "You not knoweth what you say, you need us Gods and Goddesses more than you ever before… The time of war will wrath down from the heavens like a crashing tide against the gentle shore."

"Nameless, did you hear me? You listening?" Edward pats her on the back abruptly shaking her out of thought.

"What did you say, Edward?" Softly her eyes gaze back towards his.

"Let's book a place to stay here, we really could use the rest." He points.