8 Chapter 8: A Colourful World for Leomord

The Undead Knight gasped for breath as air entered his lungs. It was fresh, fresh air. So pure. So clean. He clutched his hand over his chest, in hopes for a beating heart, but there was no rhythm of the thumping organ. However, there was the rise and fall of his chest, one that came from his breathing.

He was Alive, yet not quite 'Alive', so to speak. At the same time, he was Dead, but not fully 'Dead', as one would imagine. All in all, Leomord was full of contradictions that the people of Eruditio would kill for.

It all started a few days prior, having broken free from the grasps of Vexana by means of Lunox' Order Magic. Nobody at that time knew nor noticed the faint glimmer that once left his body, but it was at that moment that he realised how he could move on his own. On his own volition. That, however, was just half of it.

His face became discoloured at the death that surrounds him. What added insult to injury was that they were his comrades… no, his ex-comrades, and that they all fell from his blade. With his senses back, he took the chance to flee from the battlefield. Oddly enough, he felt no pull from the wicked magyk cast upon him by the Necromancer.

And it motivated him to live, or the very least stay away, from the war. He did so by running away.

Leomord relished the sensation. To breathe again was a gift, given to him when his connection to Vexana was broken by the one who walked between the Light and Dark. It was smart of her to use a combination of Daemonic Magyk and Celestial Magic. Still, Leomord was unsure whether the destruction of the bond that spelled him under the command of the Necro-queen was intentional or not.

He stretched his arms and laid down to the soft grass. "I am free," he muttered, but his voice was devoid of any emotion. Leomord took out the locket hanging from his neck and opened it. From there, a small picture of him and Barbiel, one on each cover.

"I'm sorry, my poor friend… I couldn't- haven't been able to- save you…" Leomord shed a few tears as he closed the locket and concealed it once more. "I am free… but alone…"

He never moved from the spot. The Undead Knight wasted away the day watching the sky fade away from day to night, and back to day again; his body seemed to be immortal, and need not of any nourishment, or at least, hunger can be staved off for longer durations at a time, which was an upside at the very least.

"If only I could turn back the hands of… time…" realisation dawned to him, then a gleeful smile took place of his pouting mouth. "Time! Turn back!" He shouted, with delight and hope. The knight rose up from his position and pulled out a map from the discarded little bag he took during his escape. He laid it down on his lap and examined it with close intent.

"So, I am here-" he pointed at the southern area below the Black Forest- "therefore, I should travel… there! The city that is filled with wonders and science. Surely, there must be someone who studies Chronoscience…"

Leomord quickly left the hill and proceeded his long and arduous journey on foot, grinning like a madman as he was unable to contain the growing excitement within him. At the same time, however, he dreaded the fact there might be a few… extremely curious bunch… that would like to tear him apart.

Either way, it was time to visit Eruditio.

Leomord regretted his foolish plan to simply trek the land in search of a fabled scientist, or at least one that is acquainted with such craft.

Although he was no longer under the command of Vexana, and that he was basically a walking corpse, it was due to his excitement that he forgot to eat anything the past few days since his departure at the mount. It was luck that he had arrived in a small town, but without any money, he could not afford to pay for food, or even for a day's lodging.

But it seemed that Fortunata favoured him. A young girl came rushing to him, her face contorted from worry. "Good sir, you looked famished!" She said to the Phantom Knight.

Leomord, who was not experienced in socialising, kept his mouth shut. Surely, anyone could see how he has a glowing red eye? Was this how people respond to strangers now? Or was it customary for this town to run towards the first neglected person they came across with and check on them?

"Would you like to come with me, mister?" She asked nicely, driving him out of his musings. "From the looks of it, you are pale. Do you need a place to rest? Tell me, have you been travelling for a while now, and got no money to spare?"

"I… I am. And yes, I don't have any… money," he replied honestly. "It was mostly my fault, with me being excited about reaching Eruditio as soon as possible."

"Well," the girl sighed, "you probably needed something warm- both to eat and to sleep. Come, and I will give you a temporary lodging." She grabbed his hand and led him through town. Curious gazes landed on them, but like a simple phase, left, and people continued on with what they were doing.

On the other hand, Leomord grew curiouser and curiouser (yes, it's a real word) at each building they passed by. While he had died quite recently, and have been revived just within two months for the war, the raven haired knight at least knew that technological advances were not far behind.

This town was just the opposite.

None of the townsfolk, as far as he knew, were using electricity. Was this place left out during the progression of technologies, or was this simply a rural town that could not afford to keep up with the expenses?

"Mister, are you wondering why we seemed to be some sort of town without modern things?"

Bingo.

Leomord nodded, and a soft blush covered his cheeks with a pale tint of red.

The girl giggled. "The thing is, we're just a poor town. Nothing worth noting about, other than the abundance of natural resources from the neighbouring woods," she pointed the forest that peeked above the dilapidated walls that surrounded the town, "and wolves."

"Wolves?"

"Yes, wolves. You know, there's a terrifying one out there called Haas, and he's known to be this dangerous Alpha Wolf of the forest. Luckily, we have a protector!"

"Oh, who are they?"

The girl's face darkened. "He… left without a trace."

Leomord felt the darkness that radiated from the little girl. He lifted up his hand and gave her a nice pat on the head. "He must have had reasons, no?"

She sighed but ignored the question. "Oh, we're almost there! Come now, mister."

The Undead Knight frowned at the shabby looking abode him. Surely this girl was not joking, was she?

"Pardon the house… I haven't been able to make repairs. By the way," she twirled and gave him a little bow, "my name is Ruby. What's yours, mister?"

Not wanting to be outdone, Leomord knelt down on one knee and placed his clenched fist over his non-beating heart. "My name is Leomord."

Ruby snickered. "Oh, dear knight! Rise up, or you'll embarrass me further!"

Leomord got up as per request, a sense of warmth flowed within him, hidden beneath his tough exterior. "As you wish, milady."